Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-05-10
CHAPTER XIX.
The Gentleman From Tennessee.


for me and my friend from Oregon 10
hasten on to Washington. RumOrS
abounded, | found as soon as | struck
the first cities below the Canadian line.
1t was in the air now that under CAL
hOun there would be put before con-
gress a distinct and definite attempt at
the annexation of Texas. Stories OF ali
sorts were on the streets; rumors "i
the wrath of Mr.. Clay; yet other ru-
mors of interesting possibilities at the
coming Whig and Democratic conVen-
tiOns. Everywhere was that strange,
ominous, indescribable tension of the
atmosphere which exists when great
people is moved deeply.
Late as it was when reached Wash
ington, | did not hesitate to repair at
once TO the residence of Mr.. Calhoun;
and l took with me as my best adju-
can't my strange friend Won Rittennofen.
who. l fancied, might add detailed in
formation which Mr. Calhoun would
find of value. We were admitted to
Mr.. Calhoun. and after the first greet
ings he signified that he would hear
my report. He sat- his long, thin hands
on his chair arm. as / went on with my
story, his keen eyes scanning also my
old companion as l spoke. l explained
what the latter knew regarding ore
gon. l saw Mr.. Calhoun's eyes kindle.
AS usual, he did not lack decision.
Sir" said he to Won Rittenhofen
presently, I'VE ourselves are young, yet
l trust not lacking in a great nations
interest in the arts and sciences. II
occurs to me now that in yourself we
have opportunity to add to our store Of
knowledge in respect of certain biolog-
ical features"
The old gentleman rose and bowed.
Il thank you for the honor of your flat
terry. sir" he began: but Calhoun rails
ed gentle hand.
If it would please you, sir, to defer
your visit to your own country for
time, | can secure for you situation
i'm our department in biology, where
YOUR services would be of extreme
worth to us. The salary would also
allow you to continue your private re-
searches into the life of our native
tribes
Won RittenhOfen positively glowed at
this. 'Ach. what an honor" he began
again.
Meantime" resumed Calhoun, mot
to mention the value which that re-
search would have for us, we could also
find use, at proper remuneration, for
your private aid in making up set OF
maps of that western country which
YOU know so well. and of which even l
myself am so ignorant. l want to know
the distance, the topography, the
means of travel. l want to know the
peculiarities of that country of Ore
gon."
Few could resist the persuasiveness
of Mr. Calhoun's speech, certainly not
Won Rittenhofen. who thus found offer
ed him precisely what he would have
desired l was pleased to see MIN so
happily situated and so soon. Present
" we despatched him down to my no.
tel. where | promised later to make him
more at home. In his elatiOn over the
prospect he now saw before him, the
old man fairly babbled. Germany
seemed farthest from his mind. After
his departure, Calhoun again turned to-
me.
II want you to remain, Nicholas"
said he because l nave an appoint
ment with a gentleman who will soon
be present"
Rather a late hour, sir ventured.
Are you keeping faith with Doctor
Ward?"
81 have no time for hobbies" he eX-
claimed. half petulantly. What must
do is this work. The man we are to
meet tonight is Mr. Polk. 1t is im
portant."
Perhaps half an hour later. Mr.. Cal
nouns old negro man ushcred in this
awaited guest and We three found our
selves alone i'm one Of those midnight
conclaves which went on in Washing
ton even then as they do today. Mr.
Polk was serious as usual: his indecl-
sive features wearing the mask of sol
cmnity. which with so many passes as
wisdom.
II have come. Mr. Calhoun" said he
when the latter had assured him tnat
nv presence would entail no risk t"
him-"to talk over this Texas situa-
tinn. How do you stand in case war
shnuld be declared against Mexico?
That ought to be- 4 popular measure
The Texans have captured the popular
imagination. The Alamo rankl"s in our
nations memory. What would you say
tn n stiff demand there, with a strong
show of military force behind it?"
II should say nothing as to strong
showing i'm any case. | should only say
that if war came lcsitimately-not 9th
crwise-I should back it with all my
might | feel the same i'm regard L"
war with England"
With England? What chance would
we have with 50 powerful a nation as
that"
There is a God of Battles said
John Calhoun.
The chin of James X. Polk of Ten
ncssce sank down into his stock. HIS
staring eyes went half shut At last he
SnDkr, ttnldll\'lN, d. N'lN 'l""E'' ''''
way until he got the drift of things.
"WclI. now. perhaps i'm tn" cas-" OF
England that is good politics" he be
gan. 1T il very possible that the pe"-
pIr hate England as much as they d"
Mexico. DO you not think 500
.I think they fear her more.
"I!ut / was only thinking Of tn" pop
uIar imagination"
you are always thinking of the pop
Mar Imagination. Jim. You have been
thinking Of that for som" time IN rem
ncssc". All that "utCry about TN" whole
,r Oregon is ill-tim"d today
"Fffty-f"ur Forty or Fight; that
snunds we'll" exclaimed Polk: ""h?
"'rrfppingly on tn" tongue. yes" said
.Tnhn Calhoun. "Eut how would II