A Man of the People - novelonlinefull.com
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SET SCENE: _Jefferson Davis' room in the Confederate Capitol at Richmond, two days later. A long table is on the right. Two small tables on left. Doors right and left, and mantel center._
AT RISE: A DOORMAN _in Confederate uniform arranges the chairs about a long table as if for a Cabinet Meeting._
[BENJAMIN _enters._]
BENJAMIN
Mr. Davis has not yet arrived----?
THE DOORMAN
Not yet, Mr. Benjamin--I am expecting him at ten o'clock--it's now a quarter of----
BENJAMIN
I've asked a young man to wait in your room for me--has he come----?
THE DOORMAN
He's there now--sir----
BENJAMIN
You've talked with him freely----?
THE DOORMAN
[_Laughs._]
Oh, yes, sir--we've been swappin' yarns for half an hour----
BENJAMIN
I thought so--that's why I asked him to wait in your room----
THE DOORMAN
Well, I always try to be sociable----!
BENJAMIN
I know! Did you get much out of him?
THE DOORMAN
Why, how--how do ye mean?
BENJAMIN
Find out anything about his people--where he came from, where he's going to--what he's doing in Richmond?
THE DOORMAN
Oh, no, sir! He's full of fun--he kept me laughin' most o' the time----
BENJAMIN
I see----!
[_Laughs._]
He knows his business. Show him in.
THE DOORMAN
Yes, sir----
[BENJAMIN _seats himself at one of the small tables at left and examines his schedule for the day's work._ THE DOORMAN _opens the door and shows_ VAUGHAN _in, dressed in Confederate uniform._ BENJAMIN _rises and greets him cordially._]
BENJAMIN
Good morning, young man----
[_Gives_ VAUGHAN _the Sign of the Knights of the Golden Circle._]
VAUGHAN
[_Returns Sign._]
Good morning, Mr. Benjamin--I hope you've rested well?
BENJAMIN
Not so well as usual--the truth is I've been wrestling all night with the problem of Jacquess and Gilmore. I've confirmed your view that they have given their real names. Gilmore _is_ a reporter of the New York _Tribune_ and Colonel Jacquess is a Methodist clergyman well known in the hospital service, in fact famous for his kindly treatment of Southern prisoners----
VAUGHAN
Just as I told you----
BENJAMIN
I've allowed the Commissioner of Exchange who has been holding them in custody to bring them here this morning----
VAUGHAN
Good!
