Evening star., 1900-04-21

Wesner's heart was In the work as it pro-
gressed. He became an enthusiast, and 1
much the same.
Before starting we agreed never to write
one word upon the subject, never to trust
negro with the secret of our identity or a
white man with our business-save in one
instance we never did. Negro testimony, we
Wen knew. would not be taken in court,
but II We were suspected even we would
never live to see the inside of a court room
so strong would be the feeling against u.s.
we arranged cipher by which we could
write or telegraph in case necessity re-
quired; this we committed to memory and
then destroyed. L afterward learned that
1t was known to "Coverlys Lucy" so it
must have been old to George.
AS my business called me frequently from
home no notice would be taken of my alb
sence. l, therefore, started Immediately for
New York, where we expected to make
arrangements with the leading abolition
lists to furnish the sinews of war taking
passage on the steamer Fannie Built from
New Orleans. and leaving her at a landing
u few miles below the little town of Oreola
where l owned a woodward
had nothing to do here except to sound
More tmy head mani and and learn his
views; He was not well, and consequently
little cross. so l gave up this interview
Tor time, and halling a passing steamer
kept on to Cincinnati
Ihe transit by rail to Albany. N. Y, con-
sumed little time. From there | took the
steamer. and about Z o'clock pm October
8, 1850. found myself ascending the steps
OF the Astor House. then the leading hotel
IN New York. and the one most freouented
py southerners. and, much to my chagrin,
also found there a young fellow, Pet ClaI-
born, who lived but short distance from
me. near the Teche.
Pets people were rich and of good fam
| lily. He was fierce fire eater and an in
Veterate gambler. l knew him well enough
and understood that 1t would not be ad-
visable on my part to endeavor to shake
him Of
Bradley. from Attakapas." he exclaimed
and the next moment his arm was linked
In mine and We were drinking a brandy
cocktail at Pets expense.
When did you leave? How far are you
going? When are you going home? ?" he
asked all In one breath.
1 answered him as frankly as possible and
I was relieved to find that he must start for
| home the next morning
| When morning came l accompanied him
| 10 the train. l also wrote Wesner friend
| ly letter to let him know that I had seen
| Pet. l then left the hotel upon a tour of
exploration in search of that abomination
to an southerners, the Office of the New
This place 1 preferred to find without
asking questions. as New York was filled
| with southerners returning from the vari-
| Gus summer resorts.
l was we'll known on the Misstssippi and
| Red rivers, and did not care to be reported
| as hunting for the Tribune office, so avoid
| ed, or at least tried to avoid meeting any
| soutnerners, especially Attakapas people.
L found the building, sent up my card as
MI Smith. and requested an interview with
MIR. Greeley. Horace Greeley was at this
| time In his prime, and the most notorious
| aboiitionist in the whole Union
| L confess l was trifle nervous as l en-
! tered the building: in very few moments
was ushered into the room and presence
| or the redoubtable Horace, the man of
| all the world southerners most despised
| and whose pen they most feared.
There were two or three people in the
| room writing. Mr.. Greeley was sitting
tilted back in his chair chewing the end of
| a pine stick, and evidently in no very pleas
| ant mood. His spectacles were pushed
above his eyes, and he scanned me closely.
MI Smith, your business; 1 can afford
you but few moments"
Mr. Greeley. / must see you alone" I
| replied, my business will take hours in
stead OF minutes. Two minutes will do me
| today, however"
These men are sworn to secrecy in all
business Matters he replied
| NO. sir; not to me-" 1 answered
He opened the door leading to his private
| office and nodded. I followed him.
Now. your business. quickly"
MI. Greeley, my name is not Smith