"Very good," the Senator acquiesced. He called in a spectacled man with bushy eyebrows and a sleepy look.
"I want you to work the Negro political situation," directed the Senator, "and bring me all the data you can get. Personally, I"m at sea.
I don"t understand the Negro of today at all; he puzzles me; he doesn"t fit any of my categories, and I suspect that I don"t fit his. See what you can find out."
The man went out, and the Senator turned to his desk, then paused and smiled. One day, not long since, he had met a colored person who personified his perplexity concerning Negroes; she was a lady, yet she was black--that is, brown; she was educated, even cultured, yet she taught Negroes; she was quiet, astute, quick and diplomatic--everything, in fact, that "Negroes" were not supposed to be; and yet she was a "Negro." She had given him valuable information which he had sought in vain elsewhere, and the event proved it correct. Suppose he asked Caroline Wynn to help him in this case? It would certainly do no harm and it might elect a Republican president. He wrote a short letter with his own hand and sent it to post.
Miss Wynn read the letter after Alwyn"s departure with a distinct thrill which was something of a luxury for her. Evidently she was coming to her kingdom. The Republican boss was turning to her for confidential information.
"What do the colored people want, and who can best influence them in this campaign?"
She curled up on the ottoman and considered. The first part of the query did not bother her.
"Whatever they want they won"t get," she said decisively.
But as to the man or men who could influence them to believe that they were getting, or about to get, what they wanted--there was a question.
One by one she considered the men she knew, and, by a process of elimination, finally arrived at Bles Alwyn.
Why not take this young man in hand and make a Negro leader of him--a protagonist of ten millions? It would not be unpleasant. But could she do it? Would he be amenable to her training and become worldly wise? She flattered herself that he would, and yet--there was a certain steadfast look in the depths of his eyes that might prove to be sheer stubbornness. At any rate, who was better? There was a fellow, Stillings, whom Alwyn had introduced and whom she had heard of. Now he was a politician--but nothing else. She dismissed him. Of course, there was the older set of office-holders and rounders. But she was determined to pick a new man. He was worth trying, at any rate; she knew none other with the same build, the brains, the gifts, the adorable youth. Very good. She wrote two letters, and then curled up to her novel and candy.
Next day Senator Smith held Miss Wynn"s letter unopened in his hand when Mr. Easterly entered. They talked of the campaign and various matters, until at last Easterly said:
"Say, there"s a Negro clerk in the Treasury named Alwyn."
"I know him--I had him appointed."
"Good. He may help us. Have you seen this?"
The Senator read the clipping.
"I hadn"t noticed it--but here"s my agent."
The spectacled man entered with a ma.s.s of doc.u.ments. He had papers, posters, programmes, and letters.
"The situation is this," he said. "A small group of educated Negroes are trying to induce the rest to punish the Republican Party for not protecting them. These men are not politicians, nor popular leaders, but they have influence and are using it. The old-style Negro politicians are no match for them, and the crowd of office-holders are rather bewildered. Strong measures are needed. Educated men of earnestness and ability might stem the tide. And I believe I know one such man. He spoke at a big meeting last night at the Metropolitan church. His name is Alwyn."
Senator Smith listened as he opened the letter from Caroline Wynn. Then he started.
"Well!" he e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed, looking quickly up at Easterly. "This is positively uncanny. From three separate sources the name of Alwyn pops up. Looks like a mascot. Call up the Treasury. Let"s have him up when the sub-committee meets to-morrow."
Bles Alwyn hurried up to Senator Smith"s office, hoping to hear something about the school; perhaps even about--but he stopped with a sigh, and sat down in the ante-room. He was kept waiting a few moments while Senator Smith, the chairman, and one other member of the sub-committee had a word.
"Now, I don"t know the young man, mind you," said the Senator; "but he"s strongly recommended."
"What shall we offer him?" asked the chairman.
"Try him at twenty-five dollars a speech. If he balks, raise to fifty dollars, but no more."
They summoned the young man. The chairman produced cigars.
"I don"t smoke," said Bles apologetically.
"Well, we haven"t anything to drink," said the chairman. But Senator Smith broke in, taking up at once the paramount interest.
"Mr. Alwyn, as you know, the Democrats are making an effort to get the Negro vote in this campaign. Now, I know the disadvantages and wrongs which black men in this land are suffering. I believe the Republicans ought to do more to defend them, and I"m satisfied they will; but I doubt if the way to get Negro rights is to vote for those who took them away."
"I agree with you perfectly," said Bles.
"I understand you do, and that you made an unusually fine speech on the subject the other night."
"Thank you, sir." This was a good deal more than Bles had expected, and he was embarra.s.sed.
"Well, now, we think you"re just the man to take the stump during September and October and convince the colored people of their real interests."
"I doubt if I could, sir; I"m not a speaker. In fact, that was my first public speech."
"So much the better. Are you willing to try?"
"Why, yes, sir; but I could hardly afford to give up my position."
"We"ll arrange for a leave of absence."
"Then I"ll try, sir."
"What would you expect as pay?"
"I suppose my salary would stop?"
"I mean in addition to that."
"Oh, nothing, sir; I"d be glad to do the work."
The chairman nearly choked; sitting back, he eyed the young man. Either they were dealing with a fool, or else a very astute politician. If the former, how far could they trust him; if the latter, what was his game?
"Of course, there"ll be considerable travelling," the chairman ventured, looking reflectively out of the window.
"Yes, sir, I suppose so."
"We might pay the railroad fare."
"Thank you, sir. When shall I begin?"
The chairman consulted his calendar.
"Suppose you hold yourself in readiness for one week from today."
"All right," and Bles rose. "Good-day, gentlemen."
But the chairman was still puzzled.