by W. W. Jacobs
VII
REPRESENTATIVE VAN RENSSELAER UNFOLDS A STRANGE TALE
"And now, Van Rensselaer," said Colonel Manysnifters, "it's around toyou. I reckon you have something up your sleeve that will surprise us,eh?" The debonair Congressman from the Empire State was quite equal tothe occasion. He seemed primed and ready, and needed no further urging.There was another hiss of soda, the clink of glasses, and with aprolonged sigh of satisfaction he began.
"This is a true tale, and unfolded now for the first time. Harken untothe evidence.
"It was a lovely afternoon in early spring, and 'The Avenue' was alivewith a leisurely moving throng--for no one hurries in Washington. Istrolled along, thoroughly enjoying the balmy weather, the crowds, andthe charm of it all. About four o'clock hundreds of government clerksstreamed out sluggishly from the side streets. At the crossings fakirswere busy, their customers good-naturedly elbowing each other in theireagerness to be swindled. And violets everywhere! The air was filledwith the scent of them. Men, women, and children with trays piled highwith the tiny purple and white flowers were doing a tremendous business;their customers ranging from dignified statesmen to the loudly dressedAfro-American gayly swinging along. Out of the fashionable Northwestcame many carriages, passing from the grim shadow of the Treasury intothe sunlit way beyond. The trend of movement was eastward--alwayseastward--toward the great white dome on the hill. Congress was insession, and history was making there. The war debate was on in all itsfury, with the whole world listening breathlessly. Pictures of theill-fated _Maine_ were much in evidence, and maps of Cuba in the shopwindows were closely scanned. The probability of war with Spain wasloudly and boastfully discussed by seedy looking men in front of thecheaper hotels and restaurants. Extra editions of the New York paperswith huge scare headlines were eagerly bought up. The latest news fromthe Capitol--_via_ New York--was seized upon with avidity. The paperswere filled with the rumored departure of the American Consul-Generalfrom Havana. 'Twas said that he was coming direct to Washington. Hisportrait and the _Maine_ lithographs were hung side by side, and thepeople spoke of 'Our Fitz' with enthusiastic affection. The Presidentand his Cabinet were roundly censured for their policy of moderation.Much whiskey and beer was consumed by thirsty patriots. The pent-upfeeling of the people found relief here and there by loudcheering--especially at the bulletin boards. Tiny Cuban flags were worn.Crossed American and Cuban flags were everywhere displayed.
"The De Lome incident--the intercepted letter of the imprudent SpanishMinister, and his subsequent disgrace and recall--was anothermuch-discussed topic. It was an open secret, especially among thenewspaper fraternity and others in the know, that the former ministerhad dispensed with lavish hand a corruption fund to influence writers onthe American press. A little clique of journalists in and around theCapitol had profited greatly. Information about alleged filibustermovements found a ready market at the Spanish legation. These, and adozen other subjects relative to the momentous events then impending,occupied the thoughts of a highly excited public.
"That walk down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Treasury to the Capitolopened my eyes wider than ever to the fact that the popular clamor wasfor war, war, the sooner the better. The sentiment in Washington voicedthat of the entire country. Similar scenes were occurring in all thelarge cities, and I could fancy the crowd at the home post-officewaiting for the latest Buffalo papers, hear the warm debate at SteveWarner's, and see Major Kirkpatrick haranguing the boys from the stepsof the city hall; which, in fact, he did. (See the Hiram _Intelligencer_of that date.)
"Henley of Iowa had the floor when I took my seat in the House. Thegalleries were filled. It was warm in the chamber, and fans, bright bitsof color, waved briskly. In the Diplomatic gallery the representativesof many nations seemed anxious and absorbed. Subdued murmurs ofapplause, like the hum of a mighty hive, arose at the telling points ofthe speech, which was for war! war! war! The galleries reeked withenthusiasm, and quailed not before the stern eye of the Speaker.
"Notwithstanding Henley's fiery eloquence, I was desperately sleepy,having been up late the night before; indeed, there were streaks of rosylight in the eastern sky when I reached my hotel. I found myself noddingat my desk, and it was with an effort that I turned to the work whichhad accumulated before me. An enormous mail had arrived. The usualplace-hunting letters from constituents, a petition from the Women'sChristian Temperance Union of Hiram Center protesting against the saleof liquor at the Capitol, invitations to dine, a tempting miningprospectus, circulars without number, and at the bottom of the pile asquare blue affair with the Washington postmark. I gave it my immediateattention. The letter began abruptly, and ran as follows:
"'Ah, senor, have you forgotten Saratoga, and the little Mercedes? Have you forgotten your promise to the Cuban girl? Surely not! The pain in my heart you must well understand, for I know that _you_ love _your_ country very dearly. I read your speeches--all of them--I read them in the papers, but not a word for Cuba--my poor, bleeding Cuba! And yet you swore to me that night on the veranda, with the moon shining so softly through the vines, that your voice would ever be raised for Cuba--Cuba Libre! Would I have kissed you else? Now, dear friend, when you make one of your beautiful speeches again, think of Cuba, my gasping, dying Cuba, and
"'MERCEDES.
"'P. S.--I am in Washington, at the Arlington.--M.'
"This was interesting, to say the least. Of course, I rememberedMercedes, and old Villasante, her fat papa, and Manuel the brother, andAlejandro the cousin. Yes, I remembered them all very well and the nighton the veranda, with the moon shining softly through the vines, themusic floating out to us from the ballroom, the innumerable bumpers withManuel Villasante, Carlos Amezaga, Alejandro Menendez, and others of theCuban colony at the hotel. Also the promise made to my lovely partner asto the voice for Cuba--Cuba Libre!--when I took my seat in Congress; thewarm pressure of her arms around my neck--and the kiss! How could Iforget it? But that was two summers ago, and my views now and then werevastly different. Whatever I may have said under the combined witcheryof Mercedes, the moonlight, and the champagne was not to be seriouslyconsidered now. Like all Americans and lovers of liberty, I thought ofcourse that Cuba should be free, that she should make every efforttoward that much-to-be-desired end, but the idea of my own countrystepping in to aid her did not strongly appeal to me. While Cubanaffairs elicited the warmest interest in the States, those of our peoplewho had actively assisted the patriots had become involved in endlesstrouble both with the home government and that of Spain. Filibusteringwas severely frowned upon, and many recent attempts had proven mostdisastrous, jeopardizing both the lives of the 'patriots' and the_entente cordiale_ between two great and friendly nations. The blowingup of the _Maine_, undoubtedly the work of Cuban insurgents in order tohasten hostilities with Spain, had rendered the situation most acute.Pledged to the Administration, I was a conservative of conservatives. Iwas therefore opposed to any interference in Cuban affairs, and Iregarded a conflict with Spain as the height of folly. I was determinedto fight to the bitter end any measure for war.
The Kiss!]
"With all this in mind, I tore up the fair Cuban's letter and threw itinto the waste-basket. At that very moment a page hurried to my side andhanded me a card.
"Manuel Villasante was waiting to see me!
"I went out to him most reluctantly. He greeted me with enthusiasm; hisdelight amounting almost to rapture. I am afraid I did not meet him halfway, nor anywhere near it. He did not appear to notice it.
"'My dear, dear friend,' said he, 'this is a sublime moment! To see_you_, the gay companion, the good fellow, the butterfly, I may say, ofother days, a member of this great body is certainly soul-stirring! Soyou have realized your ambition? What next? The Senate? And then--then?'he pointed upward, 'higher yet? and still higher? Ha! The White House?Who knows?' he whispered prophetically.
"I cast my eyes modestly to the floor.
"'This is qui
te enough for me, or any other good American; but, Senor,tell me about your father and the Senorita, your sister; are they well?And how long have you been in Washington? It is certainly good to seeyou again.'
"'We are all here for a few days--my father, my sister, and I. You knowwe are living in New York this winter?'
"'In New York, eh? Fine! It is strange,' I continued, 'but I wasthinking of you and your family the very moment your card was broughtin.'
"'Ah, my friend,' he said mysteriously, 'you know what it is, do younot? It is the mental telepathy. I have known of things most wonderfulto happen by the mental telepathy. Only yesterday my sisterMercedes----'
"'Quite right,' said I, heading him off, and remembering something I hadread not long before, 'it is indeed a wonderful, subtle thing. We livein the midst of the unknown. Unseen forces drag us hither and thither.At times we are brought face to face with the occult, the eerie, thegruesome. Charcot says in his superb work on the subjectthat--er--that--well, we will hardly go into it now. Some other time.The matter is a profound one, and not to be touched upon lightly. How ismy old friend Alejandro Menendez?'
"'He is well, but--sh! Caution! Are we quite safe here? Yes? It is agreat secret, but I tell _you_--you, a trusted friend. I tell you all!Alejandro Menendez is at this very moment approaching the shores of ourbeloved isle! I can see it now--the beautiful yacht, the calm blue sea,the brave patriots, and our glorious flag floating in the breeze! And amore magnificent body of men never set forth in a grander cause; withhearts full of courage and high purpose to fight, aye, to die, in thesacred cause of Liberty!'
"'That's great!' said I, with a burst of false enthusiasm, 'great! neverheard anything better in my life! Villasante, old fellow, put it there!I admire your ner--feeling!' And we clasped hands.
"'And you will join them?' I added.
"'No, not yet,' he said, with an expressive shrug; 'I am more neededelsewhere; here--in New York. There is money to be raised, arms andammunition to be procured, sympathies to enlist, influence to gain.Later, I will see Alejandro, and the beautiful _Sylph_.'
"'The what?' I asked, rising excitedly.
"'The _Sylph_--the _Sylph_--queen of vessels! Senor Robson's yacht.Senor Robson--the tall handsome fellow who was with us at the Spa. Youknow him.'
"'Know him? Of course I know him! Robson? Robson a filibuster?Impossible!'
"'Why so?' asked the Cuban coldly.
"'Hell, man!' I said, 'don't you realize what it all means?--certainfailure, disgrace, death! My God, what folly!'
"'Never, never!' shouted Villasante, waving his arms. 'Glory awaitsthem! The plaudits of the world! The embraces and blessings of a freedpeople! Laurel wreaths shall crown their brows! Poets shall chant theirpraises! History will render them immortal! Oh, what an opportunity istheirs! And everything has been most carefully planned. 'Twas Robson'sown idea. A picked lot of men, with rifles and ammunition. He to commandthe vessel; Menendez to assume the lead on landing. Their destination,co-operation with the patriots on shore, supplies--everything has beenarranged for. As to their success, I have no fear whatsoever!'
"I was aghast! The thought that my hare-brained cousin was engaged insuch a foolhardy expedition was maddening. I loved the boy as abrother--indeed he _was_ my foster-brother, brought up in my own family,and regarded as one of us. The Cuban studied my face curiously.
"'Senor,' said he gravely, 'knowing your sentiments, I came here to-dayfor advice. There is much more to be told. Every moment is precious.To-morrow in New York----'
"'Stop!' I thundered, 'you have gone too far already! There is somemistake. You are laboring under a delusion. I will tell you frankly,Villasante, that you misjudge me. Many things have happened since I sawyou at Saratoga two years ago. My views upon public questions havechanged, as a more intimate acquaintance with any subject is apt toeffect. I should like to see your country self-governed, the Spanishyoke overthrown, and liberty in its best sense gained; but the UnitedStates must keep her hands off! It would mean war with a friendlynation, an ancient ally. In other words, there would be the Devil topay! Can't you see our position in the matter?'
"'Caramba!' (or something like that) exclaimed Villasante excitedly,walking up and down, and clenching his fists. 'Your country _must_ aidus! We can not free ourselves--quite impossible! We are weak; Spain ismighty! For centuries she has held us in her torturing grasp! It hasbeen a continual drain of our blood, our pride, our gold, and all thatgoes to make for the self-respect and prosperity of a nation! Cuba isdesolated! She cries for aid--first to you; if unheeded, then to thewhole world! Shall the Pearl of the Antilles fall to Germany, France, orEngland?'
"'Not while the Monroe Doctrine is respected and enforced, as it willbe!' said I spread-eagle-ly.
"'Your Monroe Doctrine, bah, I care not _that_ for it!' said he,snapping his fingers. 'Let the United States look to herself if sherefuses to help us! As for you, Senor,' he continued in milder tones,but with a threatening note, 'if, as you tell me, you are no longer ourfriend, as a gentleman you will at least respect the secret that I haveso ill-advisedly betrayed to you. My kinsman's life, as well as that ofthe Captain Robson, depend upon your silence. I rather think you will dous no harm, eh?' And there he had me. If I was ever disposed to violatehis confidence, the fact that I would thereby jeopardize my young cousinwould effectually deter me. I assured the tempestuous fellow that hissecret was safe with me, and after a few moments we parted, with a greatshow of politeness on both sides. I was glad to have him go.
"Again back in my seat my reflections were anything but pleasing. It washarrowing to think of Charlie Robson so completely in the power of thesedesperadoes, his probable fate, and the grief of his family and friends.And what could I do to save him? My hands were completely tied.
"The Villasante family and I were under the same roof, all of us beingat the Arlington, but I hoped to avoid seeing them. Certainly, after mytalk with Manuel, a meeting would be anything but agreeable. With theseand a thousand other perplexing thoughts I left the House, hailed a cab,and was hurried to my hotel.
"While dressing for dinner there came a discreet knock at the door, andManuel Villasante glided in.
Manuel Villasante.]
"I was distinctly annoyed.
"'Pardon this intrusion, Senor,' he said courteously, 'also what I mayhave said to you this afternoon. I was excited--distressed--wounded tothe heart! Perhaps I forgot myself. Let us forget it all, and be goodfriends once more,' and he held out his hand with a smile. I took it.There was something very winning about the fellow, and he made me feelsorry and ashamed. Somehow all the blame shifted over to me. We shookhands warmly.
"'Now,' he said, 'you are the bon comrade I knew at Saratoga. Let italways be so. My father and sister are waiting below and long to seeyou. Perhaps you will dine with us? We will consider ourselvesfortunate.'
"We went down to the parlors and found Mercedes and her father. She wasas beautiful as ever, and the old fellow was the same courtly, polishedman of the world as of yore; a little grayer and more rat-like, perhaps,but showing no other signs of advancing age. Mercedes was a trifle moreplump than when I last saw her, but not unbecomingly so. What amagnificent creature she was!
Papa Villasante.]
"My Cuban friends had much to say about their life in New York, the manyflattering attentions received from friends and acquaintances, theopera, the shops, and other delights of metropolitan life. The Senoritasaid she preferred New York to Paris; so did her papa and brother. Theyloved America and everything American.
"The dinner was a delight. Afterward we went to the theatre. Theexcitement in the streets did not escape the notice of the Cubans. Nordid the flag of Cuba Libre picked out in electric lights over theentrance of a restaurant near the theatre, nor other significant sightsand sounds. But they warily held their peace. I looked for some show offeeling, but there was none. A tete-a-tete with Mercedes was out of thequestion, and for this I fervently thanked the gods! There was notelling the havoc that bewitchi
ng face might have wrought. Principles,opinions, and theories might have withered and fallen utterly consumedbeneath the fire of those ardent glances and the magic of that caressingvoice! So it was all for the best.
"After the play there was supper, and then we returned to the hotel.Parting with the Senorita at the elevator, not without a tender pressureof her jeweled fingers,--ah me!--I proposed to the father and son thatwe go to my club, a few staggers away. They consented and we ambledleisurely along, the streets now quite deserted. The night was fine;clear, and unusually warm for the season. We moved along silently,enjoying our cigars; at peace with ourselves and all the world. As weapproached H Street I was roughly seized by the collar, a gag thrustinto my mouth, and turning in amazement was felled by a terrible blowfrom a cane--Papa Villasante's cane! While on the pavement, stunned andbleeding, blows and kicks were rained upon my face and shoulders by thepair, who were evidently bent upon killing me. Then Manuel drew a long,deadly looking knife! I caught its hideous gleam in the semi-light as itwas about to descend, and then I lost consciousness!
* * * * *
"An interested and amused group surrounded me when I opened my eyes andrealized that the end was not yet. Hillis, of Kentucky, Campbell, ofOhio, Reyburn, of Texas, and many others were grouped about my desk inmock solemnity. A loud laugh arose as I staggered to my feet; for Ialone, of a vast gathering, had slept soundly through one of the mostexciting debates in parliamentary history! Through it all--the battleraging around me, and the House swept as by a great storm. Through itall, yea, even unto the adjournment!"
"A very pretty tale, and one to be remembered," observed ColonelManysnifters thoughtfully. "_I_ never had an adventure like that,because I am awfully careful about what I eat and drink, and I roost atchicken-time. There's no telling what will happen to a man when heviolates Nature's laws. Night is made for sleep, and the three hoursbefore midnight count for more than all the rest."
"And yet, Colonel," remonstrated Van Rensselaer, "by your own admissionjust now----"
"You mean my outing with the 'Jewels,' I suppose. That, my friend, isthe solitary exception that proves the rule. That little adventuresimply confirmed yours truly in his belief of the old maxim learned atMammy's knee, that
"'Early to bed and early to rise, Makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise!'
"I may misquote, but it will do. Old Sol has scarce seemed to illuminethe Western heavens ere I seek my humble couch. And yet I do not pose asa saint. But stop! If I do not greatly err, the junior Senator fromMassachusetts seems restless and eager-eyed. I think he would like totake the floor. I know the signs, having often observed just such areadiness in many a good man before."
Senator Wendell, blushing, denied the charge, but when urged by allpresent responded gamely.
"I really think I have no story to tell that would interest you. My lifehas been cast upon very hum-drum matter-of-fact lines, and I can recallno startling incident. In my native town there is a shop-keeper who,when he is out of any article called for, tells his customers to wait amoment while he sends the boy over to the warehouse,--the 'warehouse'being the larger and more prosperous establishment of a rival justaround the corner,--and the boy never returns empty-handed. I shall haveto imitate my worthy friend; so pardon me just a moment." And theSenator left us and went to his room. He soon returned with some papers.
"I am, as perhaps you know, connected with the ---- Magazine, and thisis one of the many manuscripts that reach our office every day. Thesethings, with a very few exceptions, are promptly returned to theirauthors--provided, of course, that sufficient postage for that purposeis enclosed. This particular effort is as yet under advisement. Perhapsthe tale will interest you. It is called 'The Creaking of the Stairs,'and is rather out of the ordinary. You may fancy it."
