been suggested to me by blank that the future allegiance of the Negro vote to the Republican Party might be insured by giving to some prominent Negro a high political position‚ÅÝ‚Äîfor instance, Treasurer of the United States‚Äô‚ÅÝ‚Äîsalary, six thousand dollars,‚Äù interpolated Senator Smith‚ÅÝ‚Äî‚Äú‚Ää‚Äòand that Alwyn would be a popular and safe appointment for that position.‚Äô‚Ää‚Äù
The Senator did not read the concluding sentence, which ran: “Think this over; we can’t touch political conditions in the South; perhaps this sop will do.”
For a long time Alwyn sat motionless, while the Senator said nothing. Then the young man rose unsteadily.
“I don’t think I quite grasp all this,” he said as he shook hands. “I’ll think it over,” and he went out.
When Caroline Wynn heard of that extraordinary conversation her amazement knew no bounds. Yet Alwyn ventured to voice doubts:
“I’m not fitted for either of those high offices; there are many others who deserve more, and I don’t somehow like the idea of seeming to have worked hard in the campaign simply for money or fortune. You see, I talked against that very thing.”
Miss Wynn’s eyes widened.
‚ÄúWell, what else‚ÅÝ‚Äî‚Äù she began and then changed. ‚Äú Mr. ¬ÝAlwyn, the line between virtue and foolishness is dim and wavering, and I should hate to see you lost in that marshy borderland. By a streak of extraordinary luck you have gained the political leadership