54. CHAPTER LIV.
AFFAIRS AT THE CAPITAL.
When Wiry Willy reached Washington and whispered
the mysterious words into the ear of Mr. A — that gentleman's
face was wreathed in smiles. And, late as it was,
he accompanied Willy up to the Little Falls of the Potomac,
where, among the immense wilderness of mossy rocks
strewn about by some convulsion of nature, the place of
deposit was revealed.
Returning to the Capital, Willy perceived with interest
that all the hotels were still open, and many men, in excited
conversation, were passing in and out, and alternately filling
and emptying the saloons. The ensuing day was the one
appointed weeks before, by the President, in one of his
proclamations, for the reassembling of Congress; but no
one expected that any considerable number of members
would arrive.
But, at a late hour of the night, to the agreeable surprise
of the friends of the Union, it was ascertained that a
large
number of members had arrived within the last few
hours.
The work of computation was instituted, and a rumor
ran through the city that a quorum would in all probability
be present. This produced great rejoicing. Thousands who
had retired in quest of the oblivion of slumber, abandoned
their couches and repaired to the hotels. Willy, upon hearing
the news, hastened to the mansion of Senator Langdon,
and succeeded in rousing Dick Clusky.
“Now what do you want with me?” said Dick. “Who
are you, that knows so well that I sleep in the vestibule?”
“I am Wiry Willy,” said Willy.
“Wiry Willy? Hey? Why, you're a friend.”
“To be sure I am.”
“And you were here when the scary times began?”
“Yes, Dick. I remember the day when the cannon balls
whizzed by the ears of the horses as you drove them from
the church.”
“That's so! But where do you come from, now? What
do you want?”
“I have news for Miss Edith and Senator Langdon.”
“They've been in bed for hours, though I don't believe
they can sleep much. Are the British and Northerners
coming? Ah, Lord! I'm afraid they'll catch Mr. Senator
Langdon and his daughter, and kill me and mother—”
“Never fear; I have good news.”
“Good news? Then I'll wake 'em up.”
“Do so, Dick. Say Wiry Willy has arrived, with good
news.”
“I will. Come in!”
Willy stepped into the vestibule, then faintly illuminated
by a jet of gas kept constantly burning in the hall; and
Dick sped up-stairs to the chambers occupied by the Senator
and his daughter.
Edith was the first to appear. She met Willy with her
usual frank cordiality, and led him into the parlor, which
was soon brilliantly illuminated.
“Your news, Willy,” said she; “I am all impatience. My
father will be down in a few moments. He seems entirely
recovered.”
“I am rejoiced to hear that!” said Willy, “for, I believe,
he will soon occupy the Chair in the Senate, the Vice-President
being still incapacitated.”
“The Chair of the Senate! That would, indeed, be good
news.”
“And I have brought this letter for you,” said Willy, “in
accordance with my promise. If it should displease you,
you will not, I am sure, reproach me with being its bearer.”
“No,” said she, taking the letter. “It bears Lord Slysir's
seal. I will not break it, Willy; but will merely certify
to its faithful delivery with my pencil, and then, if you
should see him again, you must return it into his own hand.
But here comes my father.”
“Well, Willy,” said the Senator, entering, and taking
the hand of the messenger. “What does Randolph say?
We have heard of his junction with Blount, and—”
“I have not a word from him, sir,” said Willy. “But
he will arrive in the Capital, I think, before many hours.
Only one or two more members are wanting to make up a
quorum.”
“Is that so, sir? When I retired to my couch it was
supposed more than forty were wanting.”
“They have been arriving every hour, sir; and I heard
a Senator say there would certainly be a quorum. The
hotels are alive with people; and many are hoping that you
will be well enough to take your place in the Senate.”
“I am perfectly well! Run to the hotels, Willy, and
say so. Say I will repair to the Capitol, immediately. It
is past the hour of midnight, and the day appointed has
arrived. Perhaps not a moment should be lost. The
President—”
“He's been sent for, sir. They have telegraphed for
him.”
“That was well. The tidings will be joyfully received
by Randolph. Dick!” said he, turning to his coachman,
who, in disregard of all decorum, had been standing at the
parlor door with eyes, ears, and mouth open, “have the
coach in readiness immediately. But first see who knocks,
knocking and ringing both! What urgent messengers!”
A moment after Dick ushered in several members of
Congress, and among them the elder Blount, who had just
reached the city.
Edith flew into his arms, for she had long regarded him
as a second father. And Langdon embraced him. Tears
were shed by every one present.
“We meet again, Langdon,” said the white-haired
Southern Senator, “contrary to my expectations and predictions;
but we are embarked in a common cause. The
despatch I received, and which caused my return to the
Capital, assured me that the first business of the two
houses, in the event of a quorum assembling, would be a
re-consideration of the resolution —”
“Oh, yes—anything for harmony!” said Langdon. “I
will vote your abstraction, if you insist on it; and I will
vote in as many more Slave States as you wish, provided
the inhabitants of them have freely and fairly ratified their
Constitutions.”
“Enough! Nevertheless, Langdon, the resolution was
something more than an abstraction. Its rejection would
have the effect to deter slave-holders from taking their
property into new territories—but—God forgive me!
We will not discuss it here. I see a tear swelling in the
eye of my Edith!”
“Nor elsewhere, Blount!” said Langdon. “It will pass
nem. con. to avoid the consumption of time.”
“Now brush away the tear!” said the aged Senator to
Edith.
“You must let me weep for my country,” said Edith.
“Still, I shall be ready to perish with it, if it must be so.”
“It will not perish, my daughter. Randolph will save
it. I thought otherwise once—but now I am prepared to
sustain him. My son, too, follows his fortunes, and you,
daughter of the North, must be wedded to the fortunes of
my son. The North and the South, the East and the West,
must unite in the expulsion of the British, and then there
will be a season of fraternal concord.”
“But, alas!” said Edith, “before the dawn of that happy
era, many a field, now quiet and peaceful, will be ensanguined
with fratricidal blood!”
“True! True! But the world will then see that our
slaves did not augment our danger, or even embarrass us,
when the enemy came into our country. More than two
hundred thousand of our negroes are at this moment doing
valuable service in the construction of fortifications, and in
collecting provisions and materials for our armies. And
this they do most cheerfully, and even beg to fight for
us!”
“Come, gentlemen,” said Langdon. “Enter my coach,
and we will repair to the Capitol. Let us remain there and
eat and sleep, and, if needs be, die in our chairs, like
Roman Senators!” They departed immediately.
