Cordiality
so extreme, in one who bore the reputation of a man-hater, was at least
something _piquant_--and as my host had appealed to my weak side, by
greatly praising a slight literary performance of mine ("he would be
proud," he assured me, "to have it thought that _he_ had written it),"
I yielded, surrendered my hat, lit the cigar offered me, and we went on
talking.
I still recall that conversation, the last but one which I ever had
with this singular man. Unfortunately, it does not concern the
narrative I now write, and I would not like to record his denunciations
and invective directed at the Government. He handled it without mercy,
and his comments upon the character of President Davis were exceedingly
bitter. One of these was laughable for the grim humor of the idea.
Opening a volume of Voltaire--whose complete works he had just
purchased--he showed me a passage in one of the infidel dramas of the
great Frenchman, where King David, on his death-bed, after invoking
maledictions upon his opponents, declares that "having forgiven all his
enemies _en bon Juif_, he is ready to die."
A grim smile came to the face of the journalist, as he showed me the
passage.
"That suits Mr. Davis exactly," he said. "He forgives his enemies _en
bon Juif_! I believe I will make an editorial, and quote the passage on
him--but he wouldn't understand it!"
That was bitter--was it not, reader? I raised my pen to draw a line
through the incident, but it can do no harm now.
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