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 mass of documents. 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 ejaculated, 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."