Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-11-24
Copyright by the Author and Publ
Book 1.-THE Revolution.
CHAPTER VI.
THE GAUGE OF BATTLE.

natlOnal congress aIleT lne war was
one of intense excitement.
The galleries Of the house were pack
ed. Elsie was there with BEL in a
fever Of secret anxiety lest the stirring
drama should cloud her own life. She
watched her father limp to his seat
with every eye fixed on him.
The president had pursued with per-
sistence the plan Of Lincoln for the
immediate restoration Of the Union.
Would congress follow the lead OF the
president or challenge him to mortal
combat
Civil governments had been restored
in all the southern states, with men or
the highest ability chosen as governors
and lawmakers. Their legislatures had
unanimously voted for the Thirteenth
Amendment to the Constitution abol-
ishing slavery, and elected senator's
and representatives to congress. Mr..
Seward. the secretary Of state had
declared the new amendment a part or
the organic law OF the Nation by the
vote Of these states.
General Grant went to the south to
report its condition and boldly declar-
ed:
II am satisfied that the mass Of
thinking people Of the south accept the
situation in good faith. Slavery and
secession they regard as settled forever
consider this decision a fortunate one
for the whole country"
Would the southerners be allowed to
enter?
Amid breathless silence the clerk
rose to call the roll Of members elect.
Every ear was bent to hear the name
of the first southern man. Not one
was called! The master had spoken.
His clerk knew how to play his part.
Trk 80 tkA q
to receive the message Of the Chief
Magistrate Of the Nation.
The message came, but not from the
White House. 1t came from the seat
OF the Great Commoner.
AS the first thrill Of excitement over
the challenge to the president slowly
subsided, Stoneman rose planted his
big club foot in the middle Of the
aisle, and delivered to congress the
word of it's new master
1t was Ben's first view OF the man
Of all the world just now Of most in
terest. From his position he could see
his full face and figure.
He began speaking in a careless,
desultory way. His tone was loud yet
not declamatory. at first in grumb-
ling, grandfatherly, half-humorous,
ear instantly. A sort Of drollery Of a
contagious kind haunted 1t. Here and
there a member Uttered in expectation
of a flash Of wit.
His figure was taller than the average,
slightly bent with dignity which sug-
gested reserve power and contempt
for his audience. One knew instinct
lively that back Of the boldest word this
man might say there was a bolder un-
spoken word he had chosen not to
speak.
His limbs were long. and their move
ments slow. yet nervous as from some
internal fiery force. His hands were
big and ugly, and always In ungrace-
full fumbling motion as though a Sc
parate soul dwelt within them.
The heaped-up curly profusion Of
his brown wig gave a weird impression
to the spread Of his mobile features
His eagle -beaked nose had three dis
tinct lines and angles. His chin was
broad and bold, and his brows beetling
and projecting. His mouth was wide,
marked and grim: when opened, deep
and cavernous: when closed, 1t seemed
to snap so tightly that the lower lip
protruded.
OF all his makeup his eye was the
most fascinating, and 1t held Ben SPELL
bound. 1t could thrill to the deepest
fibre Of the soul that looked into II, yet
1t did not CLEAN. 1t could dominate,
awe, and confound, yet 1t seemed to
have no color or fire. He could easily
see II across the vast hall from the
galleries. YET 1t was not large. Two
bold. colorless dagger points Of light
they seemed. AS he grew excited. they
darkened as II passing under cloud.
A sudden sweep OF his huge ape
like arm In an angular gesture, and the
drollery and carelessness of his voice
were riven from it as by bolt of
lightning.
He was driving home his message
now in brutal frankness. Yet in the
height of his fiercest invective he new
er seemed to strengthen himself or call
on his resources. In its climax he was
careless, conscious of power. and con-
temptuous Of results. as though as
gambler he had staked and lost all
and in the moment of losing suddenly
become the master of those who had
beaten him.
His speech never once bent to per-
suade or convince. He meant to brain
he did 1t. For he suddenly took the
breath from his foes by shouting in
their faces the hidden motive Of which
they were hoping to accuse him!
Admit these Southern Representa-
tives." he cried, land with the Demo-
Gratis elected from the north within one
term they will have a majority In con-
RreSS anu lne eIeCloTdl coIese' lHe
supremacy Of our party's life Is at
stake. The man who dares palter with
such a measure is a rebel. traitor to
his party and his people"
A cheer burst from his henchmen,
and his foes sat in dazed stupor at his
audacity. He moved the appointment
of a COMMITTEE on Reconstruction"
to whom the entire government of the
conquered provinces of the south"
should be committed, and to whom all
credentials Of their pretended repre-
sentatives should be referred.
He sat down as the speaker put his
motion, declared 1t carried, and quick
ly announced the names of this I'm
perial Committee with the Hon. Aus
tin Stoneman as its chairman.
He then permitted the message Of
the president Of the United States to
be read by his clerk.
Well. upon my SOUL" said Ben. TAX
ing a deep breath and looking at Elsie,
hes the whole thing. isn't he?"
The girl smiled with pride.
Yes; he is a genius. He was born
to command and yet never could resist
the cry of a child or the plea Of wo-
man. He hates, but he hates ideas and
systems. He makes threats. yet when
he meets the man who stands for all
he hates he falls in love with his
enemy"
Then there's hope for me?"
Yes. but must be the judge of the
time to speak"
well. if he looks at me as he did
once today. you may have to do the
speaking also"
You will like him when you know
him. He Is one of the greatest men In
America"
"At least he's the father of the
greatest girl in the world which Is far
more important"
'I wonder If you know how impor-
tant?" she asked, seriously. He Is
the ample of my eye. His bitter words
his cynicism and sarcasm. are all or
the surface-masks that hide grea'
sensitive spirit You can't know with
what hrooding tenderness ] have al
wavs loved and worshiped him. l VII
never marry against his wishes.
"I hone he and / will always be gooc
friends" said Ben. doubtfully.
You must" she replied. eagerly
pressing his hand.