A Man of the People Part 41

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!