The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1911-01-05

Mr.. Van Zandt, there must be some
mistake!"
Il was of the impression that you
would have had it last night" rejoined
Pakenham plainly confused; 'in fact,
that gentleman advised me to such eff.
feet"
The Baroness Helena Won Ritz looked
him full il the face and only gravely
shook her head. 81 regret matters
should be so much at fault" said she.
/. Then let me explain" resumed
Pakenham. almost angrily. Il will
systematically, of course-that the
promises of Mr.. Van Zandt we're that
ha- majesty might expect an early
end of the talk of the annexation of
TsJas to the United States. The
sSeSter power of England upon land
OF tea would assure that weak repub.
&c of a great and enlightened ally
IN Sis belief"
AN ally" broke out Mr.. Calhoun.
AID a document sem to that effect
by the attache of Texasi" He smiled
co.dly. "Two things seem very appar.
en-, Mr.. President. First, that this
geatle lady stands high in the respect
Of England's ministry. Second, that
M. Van Zandt, if all this were tue,
ought to stand very low in ours. /
would say all this and much more.
even were it a state %utterance, to
stand upon the records of this ma
toni"
Sir" interrupted Mr.. Tyler, swiftly
turning to MI. Calhoun, ''may / not
ask you that 1t be left as a state ut.
terance?"
Mr.. Calhoun bowed with the old.
time grace habitual to him.
Mr.. Calhoun" continued the presi-
dent. "you know that the office of our
secretary Of state Is vacant. There is
no one living would serve in that office
more wisely than yourself, no one
more in accordance with my own
views as to these very questions which
are before us. Since 1t has come to
that point, / offer you now that office,
n do SO officially. / ask your an.
swer."
The face of England's minister now
for the first time went colorless. He
knew what this meant.
AS for John Calhoun, he played with
both of them al a cat would with a
mouse, sneeringly superior. His an
swer was couched in terms suited to
his own purposes. This dignity, Mr..
President" said he, bowling deeply
again, $50 unexpected, so onerous, SO
responsible, is one which at least
needs time for proper consideration.
] must crave opportunity for reflection
and for bordering. In my surprise at
your Sudden request, l find no proper
answer ready"
Here, then, seemed an opportunity
for delay, which Mr.. Pakenham was
swift to grasp. He arose and bowed
to Mr.. Tyler. Il am sure that Mr..
Calhoun will require some days at
least for the framing of his answer
to an invitation so grave as this"
Il shall require at least some mo-
ments," said Mr.. Calhoun, smiling.
THAT 'Marseillaise' of "A, Mr.. Presi-
dent, says 'Fifty-Four Forty or Fight
That means the Rio Grande or fight
as we'll"
A short silence fell upon us all.
Mr.. Tyler half rose and half frowned
as he noticed Mr.. Pakenham shutting
as though he would depart.
1T shall be, of course, as you sug-
gess," said the president to Paken-
ham. There is no record of any Of
this. But the answer of Mr.. Calhoun,
which await and now demand, is one
which will go upon the records of this
country o o enough. ! fancy. l ask
you, then, to hear what Calhoun re-
plies"
Il have had some certain moments
for reflection, Mr.. President" said he,
and l have from the first moment of
this surprising offer on your part been
humbly sensible of the honor offered
so old and so unfit a man.
Sir, If I take this Office which you
offer, / do so with the avowed and ex-
pressed purpose of bringing Texas
AAtO Ills oDiOhs III 1ull wow " dly
and all consequences. / shall offer
her a treaty of annexation at once, L
shall urge annexation at every hour,
in every place, in all ways within my
means. and in full view of the conse-
~quences!" He looked now gravely
and keenIy at the Englishman.
THAT IS we'll understood, Mr.. Cal
houn," began Mr.. Tyler. Your views
are in full accord with my own.
What, then. is the answer of John
Calhoun to this latest call of his coun-
try?"
That answer is one which is in our
history.
John Calhoun accepts!" said my
master, loud and clear.
(TO RE CONTINIrFn