St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-07-02

was visited by southern friend, who
remained with him for an hour or more.
During his stay he removed the top but
ton from his coat and sewed ON one
given by Mr.. Blank.
IT understand it ALL " he said when
he left. IF get safely to Wilmington,
I will go at once to Richmond and give
this button to Mr.. Memminger. Iprefer
not to know the nature Of the message,
as you say that it explains itself"
eyes" replied Blank, "it will be
understood by the secretary, and as 1t
refers to q state secret I cannot say any
thing about it"
The two shook hands, and the gentle
man with the precious button took the
next train for Liverpool, where he
boarded steamer bound for Whining
ton.
The steamer was chased by Federal
cruisers, but she managed to reach her
destination without any serious mishap
In the course Of two Or three days the
mysterious traveller called on Mr.. Mem
minger in Richmond and presented him
with button. The secretary cut off its
covering in a hurry and smiled when
he read the word successful. F"
''Did Mr.. Blank show this message to
your" he asked.
"No. We both thought it best that l
should remain in ignorance SO that no
telltale expression of my face would be-
tray anything if the enemy captured
me-"
At meeting of the cabinet that aft
ernoon Mr.. Memminger was in high
spirits He predicted that the war would
be over in 80 days and said that England
was preparing to recognize the Confed-
eracy and send over her warships to
break the blockade.
II have this" he said, "from my con-
fidential agent, Mr.. Blank.
The name commanded respect, and
when the secretary said that under the
circumstances loan of $40, 900, 900 ne
gotiated in Europe would be sufficient
everybody agreed with him. The weeks
rolled on, and Erlanger in Paris adver-
tised for bids for SIS, 600, 900 in Confed-
crate bonds. Mr.. Blank read this at his
London hotel and dropped his paper in
his agitation.
"Well, I'll be d-dp' he remarked.
"Must be mistake. I'll run over and
see about it. "
The next day he was at Erlanger's
Office in Paris. The French banker in
formed his visitor that there was no
mistake, and then Blank swore vigor-
ously. The bids rushed in from all quar-
tiers. If the demands of these specula-
tors had been met, $500, 600, 900 in Con-
federate bonds could have been sold.
When this fact became known, Mr..
Blank again relapsed into profanity.
He could not stand it, and, despite
the danger of the trip, he made his ar
rangements to return home. His inter-
view with Memminger was a stormy
one when he arrived at Richmond.
II intended to write unsuccessful I"
he said after long talk.
"Well, there is your message" re-
piled the secretary. "You wrote sue
cessful ,"
II don't understand it," said Mr..
Blank sadly. "Surely your advices from
Mr. Yancey should have warned you
that there was something wrong"
ellis dispatches were intercepted, "
answered the other.
81 don't understand it," repeated
Mr. Blank.
Perhaps I do" quietly remarked
the secretary. Il have carefully noted
your talk this morning, and have dis
covered that you are heterophemist.
For instance, you say London when you
mean Richmond and Richmond when
you mean London You similarly mis-
use the names of other places and per.
SONS and ARE unconscious of it. Whe1
you sent me that message, the word 'un
successful was in your mind, but, being
q heterophemist, you wrote an opposite
word and ruined the Confederacy."
II may have made a mistake, sir, )
said Mr.. Blank, rising from his chair
"but l am neither lunatic nor al
idiot. I have the honor to bid you goot
morning"
Heterophemy is fatal thing in di
plomacy Chicago Times Herald