Antebellum BK 1 (24 page)

“
Yes,” Abe said, after a momentary pause. “I live on a peninsula that splits New York and Newark Bays. On a clear night, our boathouse light can be seen from New York, Long Island or Brooklyn. I propose to buy a steam launch with enough range to…”

“
Mrs. Lagrange also said that you speak French,” the man interrupted.

“
Well, yes. At least I did when I was young. Mrs. Lagrange’s great aunt was French. She taught me. But I’m no longer fluent.”

“
A man of color who speaks French would be very valuable to us. The French Canadians, in what was Lower Canada, are much less discriminatory against people of color than are those in Canada West.”

“
I was under the impression that we were welcome in all of Canada.”

The man shook his head. “I wish it was true but unfortunately some of the city charters exclude coloreds from practicing a trade, selling goods, fishing in public waters, and such as that.”

“
How disappointing.”

“
Yes. But, as I said, the French Canadians are much more welcoming.”

“
Assuming that I could polish my French enough to be understood, what did you think I could do?”

“
We’d hoped that you’d live there to help new arrivals.”

“
Could my sister come with me?”

“
No.”

Abe shook his head. “I can’t leave my sister alone in New Jersey.”

“
I’m sorry to hear that.” The man stood up and held out his hand. “Thank you for coming.”

Abe got to his feet but didn’t accept the offered hand. “That’s it? I either do what you want or you don’t need me?”

“
If something changes we’ll let you know. Of course any financial contribution that you would like to make in the meantime would be gratefully accepted.”

Abe turned away and left.

June 17, 1852

Baltimore, Maryland

W
infield Scott was a big, tall man who was rapidly becoming a very fat man. “I know where your brother Jack is because I approved his recommendation for Military Governor of California,” he said to Anna. “Are your mother and Robert still in California with him?”

“
My mother’s in the New Mexico Territory and Robert is in what may soon become the Kansas Territory,” Anna replied.

“
What do you think of the Kansas proposals?”

“
That’s a question I, as a reporter, should be asking you, as a candidate for President. What’s your opinion, General?”

“
For the record?”

“
Let’s try off the record first. I’d like to know your true thoughts.”

“
My true thoughts are that it’s a dirty trick. We ceded that land to the Indians permanently. Now we’re going to take it back. It adds an entirely new meaning to the term
Indian Giver
.”

She smiled. “What’s your opinion
on the record
?”

“
You can’t stop progress.”

“
That’s it?”

He shrugged.

“
You’re going to need something better than that when you’re being interviewed by the hostile press, General.”

“
I rather expected you to be the hostile press, Anna.”

“
Me? No, sir. I’m on your side. Unless you pick up the pro-slavery banner somewhere along the campaign trail.”

“
Do you think I have a chance at gaining the nomination?”

“
Yes, sir, but I think it’s going to be close.”

“
How close?”

Anna considered her answer for several seconds. “The only real issue is the Compromise and, more specifically, the Fugitive slave act. It splits the country right across the middle between North and South. President Fillmore’s pro-slavery views will get him the majority of the votes from the south. The northern votes will go to you, except on the first few ballots when New England will go to Daniel Webster. Eventually the New England delegates will realize that Webster doesn’t have a chance of winning and they’ll reluctantly come over to you. The margin between you and the President will hinge on how many northern votes he gets.”

“
That’s very astute.”

“
It’s a habit. I was active in several past political campaigns.”

“
Yes. I remember. Any last-minute advice?”

“
Actually, there is something, if you won’t take offense.”

“
Fire away.”

“
You’ve been trying to placate southern voters by tiptoeing around the compromise issue. That’s a waste of time. There’s nothing you can do to attract southern votes. Nothing. They see you as New Jersey establishment in spite of your Virginia roots. On the other hand, if you reinforce your anti-slavery position, you’ll gain a few votes from New England and the undecided northern delegates. That should do it.”

“
If I’m elected without any southern support it would be a giant step toward secession of the South and civil war.”

“
We’re only talking about the primary now,” Anna reminded him. “By November, the voters will have forgotten Fillmore and the issues may have changed.”

“
Why don’t you come to work for me?”

Anna shook her head. “No, thank you. I’m more conservative than I was when I was a girl, but I’m still too liberal to fit into your campaign, sir.”

“
Did your husband go to William and Mary, Anna?”

“
My husband?” Anna looked confused for a moment. “Oh. Yes. Charlie graduated from William and Mary. I’m embarrassed to say that I don’t know what year. Why do you ask?”

“
I ran into a nephew of his in Williamsburg recently.”

“
I never met any of Charlie’s family. He was going to resign from the Rangers…” She stopped in embarrassment as a tear rolled down her cheek. “Sorry.” She opened her pocketbook and found a handkerchief. “I don’t know why I’m crying.”

June 18, 1852

Washington, D.C.

T
he cab driver reined in the horses, then bent down to speak to his passenger inside the coach. “This here is the address you give me, Miss. Are you sure this is where you be wantin’ to go?”

Anna leaned forward to peer through the cab’s window. Nestled between two first class hotels, in a fashionable neighborhood, the brownstone building was nothing like what Anna had expected. “Is there some reason why I shouldn’t go in there?”

“
Yes, Miss. It’s a famous gentlemen’s club.”

Anna continued to peer out through the cab window. “It looks very respectable.”

“
I ain’t saying it ain’t and I ain’t saying it is. I’m just saying it ain’t a place no gentlewoman should be visitin’, is all I’m sayin’.”

“
I think I’ll be all right. Will you wait for me?”

“
Yes, Miss. You can be certain I will. But there’s no parkin’ just here. I’ll be at the park at the end of the street. Send somebody to fetch me when yer ready to go.”

“
Thank you.” Anna opened the door, stepped down and walked closer to the entrance.

A small brass plaque beside the doorway identified the establishment only as Doña Carlotta’s. Anna pulled the bell chain and a moment later, the door was opened by a liveried man who stood in the door like a statue and said absolutely nothing.

“
Doña Carlotta Ramirez, please,” Anna said after an extremely long silence.

“
Your name, please.”

“
Anna Lagrange. My mother, Marina Van Buskirk, suggested that I call on Doña Carlotta.”

“
You are expected. Step in please, Mrs. Lagrange.” He waited until Anna was in the vestibule, then closed the door, retrieved a brass speaking tube from a hook on the wall, blew into it, and then spoke. “Mrs. Van Buskirk’s daughter is here, Madam.” He put the tube to his ear, listened, then removed it from his ear to speak into it again. “Yes, Madam.” He hung the tube back on the hook, then swept his arm toward the hallway with a deep bow. “Up the staircase, if you please, Madam. Doña Carlotta will meet you at the top of the stairs.”

“
Thank you.” Anna walked toward the massive red-carpeted staircase while trying not to gawk at the tapestries between velvet draperies in the lavishly appointed marble and mirrored hall.

A woman appeared at the top of the stairs. She was overdressed for this time of day but very fashionable. Anna had expected the woman to be her mother’s age but she was closer to her own age. “Doña Carlotta?”

“
Anna.” The woman held out her hand. “You must call me Carla.”

“
Thank you for seeing me, Carla.” Anna raised the hem of her dress and climbed the steps to accept the offered hand. “This is quite a place.”

“
The clients like it, but it’s far too ostentatious for my taste.” She took Anna’s arm and guided her down the long hallway. “The building was to be a hotel but the holding company fell into receivership only days before it opened. I bought it from the bank and left the décor as it was.”

Anna was noticing all the closed doors. “Are those rooms – never mind.”

“
How is your mother?”

“
Fine, I think. I haven’t heard from her in some time.”

“
Is she still living with that Texas Ranger?”

Anna was shocked by the question. “Yes. That is… She and Josiah are still… I never thought of it as their living together.”

“
At their age surviving together might be a better description.” She opened the door to an apartment and stepped back to let Anna go in. “I’m not sure if Marina cares for him or if she’s just keeping him occupied so that he won’t kill your brother.” She followed Anna in and closed the door. “If it’s the latter, I hope he gets bored with her soon. If ever a man needed killing, it’s William Van Buskirk. If you don’t mind my saying so.”

“
I don’t mind and I heartily agree. As a child I was never fond of him and after he killed my husband I’ve prayed every day for his painful death.” Anna was looking around the living room. “This is beautiful.”

“
Thank you. What would you like to drink?”

“
Nothing, thank you.” Anna walked to the open terrace doors and looked out. “You’ll be able to see the new Capitol dome from here.”

“
If they ever finish it. Were you changing the subject?”

Anna turned back into the room. “I suppose I was. Thinking of my brother William tends to depress me. I wasn’t aware that you knew him.”

“
Then you must not know anything, at all, about me.”