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I found him in a mansion not far from the splendid residence of Mr. Blocque. Here he occupied "apartments," or rather a single room, and, in 1864, my dear reader, that was a very common mode of living. Like others, Judge Conway was too poor to occupy a whole house, even too poor to board.
Let us not murmur at dry bread, colonel let us cheerfully dress in rags let us deny ourselves every thing, sacrifice every thing to the cause, cast away all superfluities, shoulder our muskets, and fight to the death! Then there can be no doubt of the result, colonel good morning!" And Mr. Blocque shook my hand cordially, gliding away in his shiny broadcloth, at the moment when Mr.
This Examiner newspaper keeps me at the oar." I rose and put on my hat. "Come and see me again soon, if it suits your convenience," he said. "I am going to write an editorial, and I think I will serve up your host, Blocque." "Do not use his name." "Be tranquil. He will be the type only." And, escorting me to the door, Mr. Daniel bestowed a courteous bow upon me, which I returned.
At five, precisely!" And Mr. Blocque commenced running wildly toward a place of safety. In a moment he had disappeared, and I found myself alone laughing heartily. "Well," I said, as I walked on, "this is a charming adventure and conveys a tolerably good idea of the city of Richmond, after dark, in the year 1864.
Not a trace of a Confederate note was visible in the mass! Packs of fresh cards were brought quickly by a servant, on a silver waiter; the guests helped themselves to the coin and bank notes; in ten minutes they were playing furiously. As I do not play, I rose and took my leave. Mr. Blocque accompanied me to the door, smiling sweetly to the last.
Listen! yonder is the newsboy, shouting, "The Examiner!" that is to say, the accurate photograph of this shifting chaos, where nothing seems stationary long enough to have its picture taken. Among the first to squeeze my hand, with winning smiles and cordial welcome, was my friend Mr. Blocque.
Blocque, who has afforded me every facility in return for the safeguard I brought him, to protect his property when we occupy Richmond. The city is in a terrible state. Mr. Blocque has just come in, and informs me that he has been garroted near the capitol, and robbed of ten thousand dollars in good money. He is in despair.
It will afford some idea of the strange contrasts then presented in the "doomed" and starving city. Blocque. He was a charming little fellow, acquainted with everybody an "employee of government," but employed to do heaven knows what; and while others were starving, Mr. Blocque was as plump as a partridge.
There was no resisting his charms; he conquered you in five minutes. When he linked his arm in yours, and chirped, "My dear friend, come and dine with me at five o'clock precisely I shall certainly expect you!" it was impossible to refuse the small gentleman's invitation. Perhaps you asked yourself, "Who is my dear friend, Mr. Blocque how does he live so well, and wear broadcloth and fine linen?"
He felt hastily in his pockets, and then at the result my eyes opened wide. Thrusting his hand into a secret pocket, he drew forth an enormous roll of greenbacks, and I could see the figures "100" on each of the notes as he ran over them. That bundle alone must have contained several thousands of dollars. But the worthy Mr. Blocque did not seem in the least consoled.
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