"Teerswell," he whispered, "you know I was working to be Register of the
Treasury. Well, now, when the scheme of making Alwyn Treasurer came up
they determined to appoint a Southern white Republican and give me a
place under Alwyn. Now, if Alwyn fails to land I've got no chance for
the bigger place, but I've got a good chance to be Register according to
the first plan. I helped in the campaign; I've got the Negro secret
societies backing me and--I don't mind telling you--the solid Southern
Congressional delegation. I'm trying now ostensibly for a
chief-clerkship under Bles, and I'm pretty sure of it: it pays
twenty-five hundred. See here: if we can make Bles do some fool talking
and get it into the papers, he'll be ditched, and I'll be Register."
"Great!" shouted Teerswell.
"Wait--wait. Now, if I get the job, how would you like to be my
assistant?"
"Like it? Why, great Jehoshaphat! I'd marry Carrie--but how can I help
you?"
"This way. I want to be better known among influential Negroes. You
introduce me and let me make myself solid. Especially I must get in Miss
Wynn's set so that both of us can watch her and Alwyn, and make her
friends ours."
"I'll do it--shake!" And Stillings put his oily hand into Teerswell's
nervous grip.
"Now, here," Stillings went on, "you stow all that jealousy and heavy
tragedy.
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