Children of destiny

Front matter

Class V T'i

Bnnk . C H 1 C

GopyiightN?

Preface

Pre-eminent on the roll-call of nations in regard to the national classification of industry, the United States boasts moreover of business men who have the grit and energy and tenacity to fight their battles, whether bloodless or bloody ; in commerce or in war; at home or in foreign lands. Our country has attained that prosperity when we can compare ourselves with any nation — aye, even with the powerful Britain — in matters pertaining to commerce and pushing business thrift. What less could have been expected in the blending of Puritan and Cavalier; English, French and Dutch into a great educational and commercial commonwealth, whose people are destined to ^^rise or fall togetheF^?

The author does not offer as an apology the fact that he was only nineteen years of age when the book was written; but the reader will understand that in maturer years he may have a deeper insight into men — their nature and characteristics — and a clearer knowledge of the world in general. No one could well deny that there is an abundance of room for improvement.

Faithfully,

The Author.

CHILDREN OF DESTINY.

Chapter 1

In the wilds of Central America, in the little State of Maraqnapez, one would be surprised to suddenly stumble upon a settlement at the base of a little mountain, as full of life and energy as a town in the States. In a country of such a tropical, lazy climate and such indolent, non-progressive people, the fact of life and energy would, to the modern American, be surprising in itself ; but not only did this little village of Velasco assume all of the afore-mentioned life and energy of an eastern factory town, but exhibited on all sides, the unmistakable signs of modern American improvements.

First in importance, a little railway line stretched away through the forests to the seaport towns of San Samanca, which was also the capital of the Republic of Maraquapez. The line was only ten miles long and ran partly through a dense forest, but dividing at intervals great coffee plantations. The ^^San Samanca and Velasco,’^ or the ^^S. S. and V.^^ as the owners jestingly termed their railroad, which was fitted up with modern con-

Children of Destiny.

trivances for the increase of speed and locomotive power; and though the passenger trade was comparatively nothing, it was given a passenger coach — more for the benefit of the employees at the mines than for any other purpose.

The S. and V.” was built by the Velasco Mining Co., as has been stated, which had opened up the mines, built the little cabins on the side of the mountain for the workmen, and constructed the railroad for the transportation of their mineral products.

The company had started their business twelve months previous, but at this date the real work of mining had just begun. The task of getting into shape had been a difficult one. The first delay occurred when the company made an offer of purchase to the government, and bargained with the rich coffee planters for a right of way.

The indolent government officials and the equally indolent planters were slow men to bargain with. Another trouble lay in securing native workmen. Those of the white people that were compelled to work, always joined the army, and all the hard labor was performed by the Indians. But the Indians were hostile toward foreigners, and only about fifty, that were out of employment, consented, after much wrangling, to hire to the Americans.

The company was compelled to import two hundred workmen from the States — about seventy-five of whom were negroes. And then the building of the road, the construction of the machine shops and cabins, and the clearing away of underbrush occupied considerable time.

Children of Destiny.

The Velasco Mining Co. was formed by stockholders in New York and Maraqnapez — all of whom were Americans. A young man named Tremaine Grant was the largest stockholder, and president of the company. The rest of the company were all old men, with the exception of one — a young Southerner, Garland McCain.

Grant and McCain first met at college, where they played on the football team together. A warm attachment had sprung up between the two, but the separation after school days had almost caused them to forget each other.

Grant^s father had been a poor business man, although rather lucky in speculation, which had won for him a few thousand dollars, and which Tremaine inherited. This small sum placed Tremaine above poverty, and was enough to give him a good view of the world, and start him in business too.

Grant’s desire had always been to see the world ; so after his father’s death he spent a few years in travel, during which period he had learned a great deal of the speech and manners of the majority of people on the globe. Once he dropped into a concert garden in Vienna, to hear some of the thrilling Viennese music and gaze in admiration on some of the beautiful Viennese girls.

All foreigners are quick to observe any feature of their own country, and Grant was a close ob- ' server. He sat down by a young man whom he noticed to be attired in the jaunty dress of his own country. Noting this fact, he glanced at the profile of the face that was turned away from him — evidently deeply interested in the music. He was satisfied that the young man was of either English or American origin, and it occurred to him that he had seen that profile before. The next moment the face was turned in his direction, and Grant was surprised to meet, in the Old World, his old college chum. Garland McCain.

McCain was glad to see him. He too was traveling about the world studying the people, their customs and their nature ; and the old spots made famous by the ancients. After a few remarks, concerning the other and their purposes, the two men quickly decided to change their former plans and travel together. And thus their friendship was continued and strengthened in being fellow travelers in a foreign country.

McCain’s father had been a wealthy planter on the Mississippi. Garland himself knew but little of business, and cared still less. When his father died, the heir left his plantations in charge of a general manager, and went on a long voyage around the world. In his luxuriously furnished yacht, called the ^^May flower,” he had cruised in all the waters of the old and new continent.

The year after the accidental meeting in Vienna, the two friends cruised along the coast of Central and South America in McCain’s yacht; and even went a short way up the Amazon. Just off the coast of Central America, it happened that their coal supply ran short, which necessitated their laying over at San Samanca, the capital of Maraquapez, for a few days.

To the two travelers, who had for a while led the fast life of the Parisians and Viennese, loafing about the capital city of a little Central American State, was rather dull. In order to pass away the time satisfactorily, they hired saddle horses and a guide one day, and rode into the forest to hunt.

When they arrived at the low mountains, where Velasco now stands. Grant made some discoveries, which, after considering the natural formations of the country, induced him to believe that there was much mineral ore in the mountains. A long sojourn in many of the mineral regions of the world and especially the Rocky Mountains, had made him something of an authority in such matters, and McCain did not accept his opinion scornfully, but promised to remain with him in Maraquapez a few days, until they had looked into the matter further.

While they were returning to the city, a thunder storm came up suddenly, as was customary in those regions. The forest, by reason of the numerous dead trees scattered about ready to fall, was, to say the least, a dangerous place to be, in a heavy electrical storm. So the friends hastened toward the nearest hacienda, which, as the guide informed them, was the home of an American — Mr. Hempstead. Feeling sure of a welcome from one of their own countrymen, the young Americans rode hurriedly for Mr. Hempstead’s plantation. Arriving there, they dismounted and asked to see the master.

When the two had introduced themselves, Mr. Hempstead greeted them warmly.

Mr. George T. Hempstead, they learned, was, five years before that date, a resident of Hew York City and quite wealthy, but, like many others,

Children of Destiny.

had speculated and had been fleeced. He lost most of his fortune in one big speculation.

Not wishing to remain where he had been so well-known in the business world, Mr. Hempstead came to Maraquapez, where, with the little money he had saved from the crush, he bought a sugar and coflee plantation. In three years Mr. Hempstead was, so to speak, on his feet again. The sugar and coflee plantation had been a great success. With the profits realized in those three years he had been able to give his children a final wind-up of schooling by an extended tour of Europe and the Orient.

The planter presented his three daughters — the Misses Lillian, Mabel and Miriam. The first was a tall, stately, and dignified young woman, of a quiet and unassuming beauty, the second daughter was much like her sister, except that her manner was more gay and sociable. But the youngest — Miriam — was the fairest of the three, and though a girl of eighteen, was the recipient of much admiration. Her girl friends loved her; the young men worshipped at her shrine, and her father adored her above the rest of his children.

McCain’s Southern temperament troubled him on this occasion, for he fell in love with Miriam’s beauty and sv/eet ways, at first sight. To McCain was given the passionate, hot-blooded and fiery ways of his country — the South. Further, he was given what we have doubtless forgotten to state — some poetical talent.

Grant too, was favorably impressed with the beauty, sweetness and intelligence of the younger sister, but he learned that all of the planter’s daughters were pretty, sweet and intelligent to a certain degree, although inferior to Miriam. The elder girls too, had charming manners, and had seen much of the world and good society. They had moved in New York’s Four Hundred when their father was one of that city’s rich business men, and they had left scores of admirers behind. But each of them declared that society was very futile and foolish, and that they were well satisfied in Maraquapez, and among the best society of the capital city — San Samanca — ^had found intelligent and sympathetic people.

Mr. Hempstead was not proud of his son. Thomas Hempstead had not shown any distinct signs of superiority in any profession or occupation, except that of lounging on the plaza of San Samanca, and smoking cigarettes — a habit much practiced in that country. But when he sauntered into the parlor to meet the guests, much surprise was shown on all sides, when it was learned that the three young men had been college mates. They had all played on the same football team and, therefore, were great friends in the old days. For it is a fact that science and education are fast travelers, and instead of relating all concerning their studies and standing at college, as was common a long time ago, the college man of to-day has much to tell of football and his great struggles for the honor of the college and the team.

This new fact of Tom’s acquaintance with the guests, gave them a stronger place with the family, and yielding to their urgent invitation, the visit was prolonged two or three days. Grant had in mind when he accepted, the belief that ore existed in the country, while McCain desired a better acquaintance with the girl whose beauty had attracted him.

During the time of their stay, they were very delightfully entertained by the Hempsteads. The girls were brilliant conversationalists ; Mr. Hempstead interested them by recounting the rich resources of the country and the great fertility of the soil. Tom hunted with them, showed them over the country, and took them to the balls and dinners given by the rich planters, who were mostly of Spanish descent.

One day. Grant mentioned to Mr. Hempstead his belief that mineral ore existed in the mountain he had examined.

^‘^Mineral is certainly there,^’ replied Mr. Hempstead, “in fact some mining has been carried on. Owing to a revolution, however — something very common in this country — the work was stopped. The people here were too indolent to open up the work again. Yes, I have been informed that the yield was enormous, and I have no doubt that the work would have been resumed had the original promoters lived through the revolution.^^

“Why haven’t you pushed the matter and invested in it ?” Grant asked.

“Well, to be frank, I haven’t the capital to invest in that, and still continue all of my business. I have purchased additional lands and a bank in San Samanca this year, and in order to keep all of that business going, I will have to expend a great deal of money. But I am willing, at any time, to become a stockholder with any honest and stirring business man.”

‘^Suppose we visit the mine again and examine the old shaft?”

So, in company with Tom and McCain, they rode over and examined the old shaft. Besides having taken an extended course in civil engineering at college. Grant’s observations among the mines in the west had been beneficial to him. Further investigation convinced him, that, with plenty of capital, a good yield was promised to any one who pushed the business properly. He was satisfied more than ever, that the precious metal existed there.

When the party returned. Grant called a consultation. When they were seated, and cigars passed around, he delivered himself of his opinion.

am quite satisfied that the mines, if worked in the right way, will yield the promoters an abundance of ore. I am so fully convinced of this, that I intend to invest all of my own capital, if I can get the right parties to join me in the enterprise. In order to work the mines, it will be necessary to build a railroad to the coast — to San Samanca. Then numerous machine shops and cabins will. have to be constructed. It is not my wish to influence you gentlemen to invest in anything that may eventually turn out to be a ^South Sea Bubble.’ If you think yourselves, however, that this will turn out to be a lucky investment, I would be pleased to have you form a stock company with myself, and two or three New York friends.”

^^As I have said before, I am willing to invest,” said Mr. Hempstead.

^^Well, I don’t know much about mining myself/^ admitted McCain, ^H^ut I believe Grant does. At any rate, I am willing to risk money on his jndgment.^^

McCain’s thoughts had been of Miriam. He had confidence in Grant, as he stated, but whether the mine paid or not, he thought it worth the money to be near her. In other words, McCain ‘fiiad reached the stage of foolishness in love.”

^^Very well,” said Grant, don’t think either of you will ever see the day you will regret it. But I warn you that much expenditure must be considered before we will realize any profit — you will see that yourself, when you consider how much must be done in the way of building and getting ready. Could you go with me to-morrow, Mr. Hempstead, to confer with the Secretary of Agriculture and Mines, and the President ?”

Children of Destiny.

CHAPTER 11.

Early the next morning the men drove over to San Samanca in Mr. Hempstead^s family carriage. The distance from the plantation to the city was only eight miles, and Miriam Hempstead went with them to see a girl friend of hers — Senorita Inez De Callabaro, the daughter of the Secretary of Agricnltnre and Mines.

Altering their former intentions somewhat, the party decided to accept the secretary’s cordial invitation and spend the whole day with him. Although his daughter was absent for the day on a visit to her cousin in the country, so he explained to them, he would endeavor to do the honors of the house, and see to their comfort as far as it lay in his power.

The secretary was a little old man, very polite and affable, and a favorite of the people, who were used to the true politician and not men whose opinion would not change with circumstances. His political career had given satisfaction to all, and this was quietly demonstrated, by continual support and requests, that he accept much higher positions in the government offices. Mr. Hempstead had spoken highly to Grant of the secretary, and a long residence among the people had taught the planter whom one could trust and not trust, among the

Spanish descended gentry — the better class of Maraquapez society.

After dinner, Mr. Hempstead, Grant and the secretary, repaired to a cool place on the lawn to smoke and discuss the business they had on hand. The polite little secretary listened very attentively to what they had to say. When Grant had concluded, he nodded his head approvingly several times.

^^What you have to say is very good,’’ he said, ^The mines ought to be worked, yes, and I am sorry my people have not been energetic enough to take hold of the work and carry it through themselves. But since they are not, you should have the mines by all means, and I will do all in my power to have the land sold to you at the figure you mention, but I warn you that the officials here are slow. They have not the get-up of you Americans.

‘^You say that you will have to telegraph to Hew York for an expert to come down and examine the mines, and will have to communicate with your friends in that city before you can legalize this offer? Very well. In the meantime I will broach the subject to the officials interested, and see if the offer will be accepted favorably. I have no doubt, though, that it will, because the whites have never opposed your immigration to our country, and opening up our crude wealth.”

Tom had hied away after dinner to talk with some friends on the Plaza, and as McCain knew but little of mining and less of government affairs, he accompanied Miriam out to see his yacht. Miriam had been disappointed in not finding thei Senorita Inez at home, and requested the poeb to take her out to the ^^Mayflower/^ which she declared looked beautiful resting on the clear waters of the harbor.

Miriam was delighted with the modern conveniences of the yacht. McCain smiled to himself as he watched her peering into every hole and corner, as if she were a naval inspector, and getting acquainted with the rough, old sailors, who were as respectful toward her, as if she were a young princess, and they her subjects. Once, upon the main deck, she dropped her handkerchief, and immediately a dozen stalwart frames bumped into each other, like athletes on .a football gridiron. Miriam laughed while watching them.

‘^WasnH it funny?’’ she said. ‘‘It reminded me of a football game I saw once. Thank you,” she said to the seaman who presented her the handkerchief, while he held his cap in his hand. “You need not have taken so much trouble to get it for me, though,” and the seaman, on looking upon her bright, sunny face, and listening to her sweet words of thanks, felt himself more than rewarded for the little trouble.

“What a different girl from those I have known,” muttered McCain, as he silently followed her about the yacht. “So much like a girl and woman blended into one — and yet — perfectly lovable.”

To have seen Miriam going over the yacht, prying into every nook and corner, one would have thought there was little of the woman in her. She examined everything and demanded to know the use of everything — and her curiosity was not assumed, which made it all the more girl-like. But she tried to cram into her head too much understanding, and the result was, only a confused idea of the working of the machinery, and no perfect recollection of the functions of any one piece.

They dined in state, out upon the deck, with the canvas stretched above, to protect them from the sun’s rays. McCain was a lover of the luxurious, and he had his cook bring out the costliest and choicest meats and viands for their refreshment. This order was obeyed to the letter, and the cook was proud of the dinner he had to set before them.

Captain McCarthy was invited to dine with them and, though only a rugged, weather-beaten chief on the seas, the captain surprised the modern young lady by his polite and affable speech. He could tell many tales too of the ^^Mayflower’s” adventures on Oriental seas and in the ‘fland of the midnight sun,” wherein McCain came in for a great share of daring and reckless bravery. Mc- Cain bore all his visitor’s praises modestly, and took occasion to correct the captain when he exaggerated his employer’s adventures, and enlarged upon his daring.

McCain’s negro valet, Jim, was even more courteous and polite than when one year before that date, his master had entertained a few of the nobility off the coast of Brighton. As Jim had been almost at his best that day, and made himself famous by his sweeping bows and over-polite replies to the questions addressed to him, what could be said of him then, as he bowed and scraped all over the deck, in an effort to show that he had been well bred ? It was Miriam’s flrst sight of the Southern darky, and Jim’s scrupulous fidelity to his

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master and polite obsequiousness, won for his race in the South her good opinion. She did not know that Jim^s deferential manner had been obtained only through stern reminding and a free use of profanity.

‘‘How I would like to have lived in the South when I was a little girl, and had my ‘Black mammy’ as Southern girls do — did you have a black mammy?” McCain smiled.

“The grandmother of that very ebony ‘nigger’ that stands grinning there, like some of the monkeys back in yonder forest, was my nurse. She was my father’s nurse, before me.”

“Oh, wasn’t that nice! I know that you always see that she never wants for anything.”

“Oh, yes. She lives better than any of the negroes on my place, and doesn’t have a thing to do but to smoke her pipe and tell tales of the days before the war. Whenever I wander back to the old home, which is very seldom, she always comes up to the house and sees that my housekeeper has everything fixed as she used to when I was a rebellious boy entrusted to her care. And, if everything is not arranged just as she wishes, there is a great row, and she brings her troubles to me, because she knows that I will decide in her favor, She knows just what I like best almost better than I.”

“And your country — what is it like?”

“Stretches of level lowland and miles of great cotton plantations,” McCain replied. “My home is a broad, white building, with wide verandas, where my father used to sit in his lawn chair and talk of affairs of the neighborhood and cotton — mostly cotton. Then there is the large, white colonnades, that I used to try to climb, and the large-leaved magnolias in the yard, under whose shade I used to lie at full length and gaze on the broad Mississippi in the distance, and wish that I could board the puffing steamers and sail away — away down to New Orleans, and out upon the great ocean. And I remember the forces of hands in the fields, and the sad, old plantation songs. Those were happy days then, and I got my wish of going out into the world too soon.’^

The sailors all gathered on deck and lined along the shining brass railing of the ^^Mayflower’^ to salute their first captain and raise their caps to his fair guest as they stepped into the long boat to be rowed back to the shore. It was a joy to these rough men, who had smoked their pipes in the shadow of the great wall of China, fought street fights in Melbourne, and drunk the health of the President in the drinking booths of Constantinople, to see again a fair-skinned maid of their own country, even if they could only stand afar and gaze at her, the better part of a warm tropical afternoon.

^Tbank you,” said Miriam, as McCain carefully lifted her ashore. have enjoyed the visit very much. Your men all seem to admire you so much,” she added, as they stood watching the sailors row the long-boat back to the yacht.

"'Oh, I suppose so,” McCain replied indifferently. His eyes were upon the trim little yacht resting lightly in the smooth waters of the bay, but his heart's beating kept time to the measured oarstrokes of the seamen in the long-boat.

Meanwhile, Grant and Mr. Hempstead had gone to see the President, hoping to secure his assistance in the concession and purchase of the land for mining purposes. Sehor He Callabaro had sent them to him, stating that he was sure the President would give an attentive ear to their offers, as, in his opinion, they were very reasonable and concessionary to the government.

The sun was getting low, and it was consequently much cooler. Grant had his eyes and ears both open as they drove down the shaded streets. The customs and manners of the people did not differ materially from those of South American towns that he had just visited, but, notwithstanding that fact, he was very much interested in the dark-skinned people and their ways, and the low, white Spanish buildings.

They passed the cathedral. The people were mostly Eoman Catholics, and Mr. Hempstead remarked that the cathedral had been standing a great many years. It was long and low, and gray, with colored windows, and a high steeple, in which hung a large bell which rang out far over the town every Sunday morning, commanding its many members to religious services. High up above the street the glittering cross reflected the rays of the departing sun.

^^The capitol is a good imitation of our own,^^ remarked Mr. Hempstead, pointing to a white building back among the trees.

^^Yes,^’ assented Grant, ^Tut they cannot imitate the great minded patriots that flrst thundered in our senate — not even some of the latter-day statesmen.^^ nor does this President remind me of any of onr own,” replied Mr. Hempstead. ^^Yon know that back in our country we have created a vast difference between the words ^politicians and ^statesman.s Well, in my opinion, this President is a politician and not a statesman.^^

‘^1 would not be surprised to find that the case,^^ said Grant, ^^nor that all of the government officials of Maraquapez are politicians and not statesmen.^s

^‘^No. I differ with you there. There are gentlemen among them. They are not very numerous, it is true.ss

‘T am glad that such is the case,^^ said Grant, ^^my work down here will be just that much easier.ss

A servant in livery met the two men at the door and took their cards up to the President. He was gone for some time, but finally returned with a message from the President, stating that if they wished to confer with him on business, they would have to call at his office to-morrow at ten.

^^Confound him,” muttered Mr. Hempstead, as the two retraced their steps down the walk to the carriage. “That is all the answer we need to our proposal. It is just his natural pride and mean disposition that stands in his way. He wants every one to know, and especially foreigners, that he is Laredo, President of Maraquapez. I could almost wish that a revolution would come just to show him how little he is, and how little the people regard him.”

“I understand that revolutions are not infrequent here?”

“They certainly are not, and it is my firm opinion that one is preparing itself now. Of course you need not mention the matter elsewhere, but the people, though apparently loyal, do not like this stuffed up fellow. They love De Callabaro, and they have even sent deputations to him, composed of men from the high and low classes, the senate and the army, to tender him the office of president, if he would sanction a revolution. But De Callabaro is a decent sort of fellow, and too much of a patriot to start a revolution, so he sent them back with an emphatic ^no,^ telling them to have patience, and bide their time. If he but gave the word, Laredo would be ousted in a short while with no resistance, unless it were made by the Indians. I donT know how the latter people regard him, but their say in the matter would be much, since they are the majority ; and I am afraid that if he opposed your immigration here, and called upon them to stand by him, they would do so, because they are hostile toward foreigners.^’