Part 61 (1/2)
”I shay, partner,” the fallen drunk blubbered. ”What'ell's the matter here? Ain't this Joe Hall's place?”
”Not by a dam sight.”
”Ah, g'long with yer, f-foolishness--man--and open the door--I'm an old customer--I ain't no secret service man--I'm all right--open her up----”
”Here, here, get up an' move on now, I can't fool with you,” the guard growled good-naturedly. He lifted Ned to his feet and helped him to the end of his beat, waved him a jolly good-night, and turned to his steady tramp. The rope was still dangling next morning ten feet above his head.
The sensation that thrilled the War Department was one that made history for the Nation, as well as the individuals concerned, and for some unfortunately who were not concerned.
CHAPTER XX
THE INSULT
The day General Lee's army turned toward the north for the Maryland sh.o.r.e, the President, with the eagerness of a boy, hurried to McClellan's house to shake his hand, bid him G.o.d's speed and a.s.sure him of his earnest support and good wishes.
The absurdity of the ruler of a mighty Nation hurrying on foot to the house of one of his generals never occurred to his mind.
The autocratic power over the lives and future of millions to which he had been called had thrown no shadow of vanity or self pride over his simple life. Responsibility had only made clearer his judgment, strengthened his courage, broadened and deepened his love for his fellow man.
He wished to see his Commanding General and bid him G.o.d's speed. The General was busy and he wished to take up but a few minutes of his time.
And so without a moment's hesitation he walked to his house accompanied only by Hay, his a.s.sistant Secretary.
On the way he was jubilant with hope:
”We've got them now, Boy--we've got them, and this war must speedily end! Lee will never get into Maryland with fifty thousand effective men.
With the river hemming him in on the rear I'll have McClellan on him with a hundred thousand well shod, well fed, well armed and with the finest artillery that ever thundered into battle. We're bound to win.”
”If McClellan can whip him, sir?”
”Yes, of course, he's got to do that,” was the thoughtful answer. ”And you know I believe he'll do it. McClellan's on his mettle now. His army will fight like tigers to show their faith in him. He's vain and ambitious, yes--many great men are. Ambition's a mighty human motive.”
”I'm afraid it's bad diplomacy, sir, to go to his house like this--he is vain, you know,” the younger man observed with a frown.
”Tut, tut, Boy, it's no time for ceremony. Who cares a copper!”
The clock in the church tower struck ten as Hay sprang up the steps and rang the bell.
”I hope he hasn't gone to bed,” the Secretary said.
”At ten o'clock?” the President laughed, ”a great general about to march on the most important campaign of his life--hardly.”
The straight orderly saluted and ushered them into the elegant reception room--the room so often graced by the Prince de Joinville and the Comte de Paris, of the General's staff.
The orderly sniffed the air in a superior butler style:
”The General has not come in yet, gentlemen.”