42. CHAPTER XLII.
YOUNG SUMMERS.
When Randolph returned from the garden, he found a
despatch awaiting him from Major S—. It was borne by
a smooth-visaged messenger, as the Major wrote, who had
been employed by Ruffleton in the capacity of confidential
messenger, but now, from some pique, had resolved to
abandon the service of the tyrant. He had volunteered to
deliver any message in writing or otherwise to President
Randolph; and hoped that his success in doing so might
recommend him to a situation in the President's family.
The letter informed the President, that although Ruffleton's
absence from the army might be of some duration,
as he was engaged in the stupendous work of organizing
a military despotism, yet there would be no pause
in the preparations for an invasion of the South. It was
Ruffleton's design, after retaining just sufficient forces to
keep any species of opposition in subjection, to concentrate
the anti-slavery hosts on the border; and it was probable
half a million combatants would soon be in readiness to
pass the southern line of Pennsylvania.
At dinner it was announced that both Mr. Langdon
and Lord Slysir were too unwell to leave their chambers;
and the former at that hour required the presence and
constant attention of Edith.
A long table was set in the capacious hall of the old mansion,
at which many of the highest officers of the Federal
and Southern armies, as well as several captains of the
Navy, were present. It was the only really good dinner
most of them had partaken of for several days; and for a
considerable length of time the viands were discussed almost
exclusively. But, as the wine flowed freely, and the ladies
seemed diverted, the time soon came for the flow of conversation.
“General,” said Randolph, to Blount, who sat on his left,
“I was on the eve of observing that this company had
completely succeeded in dismissing from their thoughts all
matters of serious import, or profound gravity, when my
eye chanced to catch the melancholy expression of your
countenance.”
Blount looked up, and most of the guests in the immediate
vicinity of the speaker were attentive during the
deliberate utterance of this speech; and when it was ended,
Blount himself, as well as the rest, gave vent to hearty
laughter.
“And even that, Mr. President, it seems,” said Blount,
“was provocative of mirth.”
“Be merry, then, General,” said Valiant, “and we will
cease to laugh at your expense.”
“What say you, Crook?” demanded the President.
“I say, he who wins may laugh—and he who carves may
eat.” The General had been active with the carver in filling
the plates of the ladies.
“Help yourself, General,” said Alice.
“I will,” said he; and he did. “But do you know that
it is a most ungrateful and cruel speech? After heaping
favors on others, to be told by them to help myself?”
Alice drew the attention of Mary to the smooth-faced
young man, the messenger from the Northern camp, sitting
beside Willy.
“Did you ever see him before?” asked Alice.
“Never, to my recollection.”
“Nor I. But Edith, on seeing him from the balcony,
was quite sure she had met him somewhere.”
“They may have met,” continued Mary, again looking
at the stranger; “but I have no recollection—”
“Why do you pause?”
“It does seem to me now that I have seen his face somewhere.
It must have been in the city; and, I think, it was
on that terrible night—yes! I am sure of it. But where, I
cannot remember.”
“It must be so. And he, too, I think, has some recollection
of it. Several times he has paused in his conversation
with Willy, and looked steadily at you. Father,” continued
she, in a whisper, “what is the name of this new
messenger?”
“Summers—Charley, they call him. Why?”
“Nothing—merely curiosity. We shall not fall in love
with him. Has he entered your service?”
“He proposes to do so. But he is a mere boy. I'm
afraid he's too young.”
“He may not be so young as he seems. There are marks
of mature decision on his face.”
“And beauty?”
“No, sir. General,” she continued, addressing Blount,
the dialogue having become audible, “what do you think
of his beauty?”
“Really I do not see any to think about,” was the reply,
after glancing in the direction indicated.
The President, accompanied by several of the Generals,
soon after retired to the chamber used as an office, to learn the
contents of certain despatches, which proved to be, in several
instances, official communications from the Governors
of States. Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin, were still
attached to the Federal Union, though many of the inhabitants
had embraced the cause of the Abolitionists. On the
other hand, resolutions were transmitted by a majority of
the Governors of the Southern states (adopted since the
interposition of the President in New Jersey, by the respective
Legislatures), sanctioning the action of the Southern
Generals in placing their forces at the disposal of the
Chief Magistrate, as a posse comitatus, for the purpose of
suppressing domestic violence.
But startling intelligence was mingled with the good.
The van of the great Western army of fanatics, led by
General Line, had reached Cumberland, Maryland, and that
town had yielded without resistance, having no means of
defence.
