"Eric Flint - TOG 02 - 1824, The Arkansas War" - читать интересную книгу автора (Flint Eric)

their attitudes on such subjects as race, whom he didnтАЩt think was a swine. But there was just no getting
around the fact that, as often as not, both he and the generalтАФnot to mention the president of the United
StatesтАФwould like to take Johnson by the scruff of the neck and give him a real down-home shaking. Or
thrash him outright, for that matter.

Some of his aggravation must have shown, for Julia hastily spoke up.

тАЬPlease come in, Sam. Something to drink? IтАЩve fresh-brewed some tea.тАЭ

Sam was about to agree when Johnson broke in. тАЬTea for Sam Houston? DonтАЩt be silly, Julia. SamтАЩll
have some whiskey. IтАЩll join him myself.тАЭ

The senator passed through the door into the house. Sam felt his resolve crumbling. A slug of whiskey
did sound goodтАФand it would relax him for what was coming.

As Sam made to follow Johnson, Julia placed a hand on his arm.

тАЬHow much trouble is he in, Sam?тАЭ she asked quietly.

Houston shrugged uncomfortably. тАЬWellтАжNobodyтАЩs talking about arresting him or anything like that,
Julia. ButтАжтАЭ

тАЬBut nobodyтАЩs going to advance him any more money, neither.тАЭ

тАЬNo. Not a chance.тАЭ That wasnтАЩt quite true, but close enough for the moment.

She nodded and released his arm. тАЬThank you. IтАЩll join you in a while.тАЭ

The restraint their motherтАЩs admonition had placed on the girls finally broke.

тАЬCan we come in, too?тАЭ Adaline demanded.

тАЬWe want to talk with Sam!тАЭ her twin added.

тАЬHush, girls! Sam and your father need some private time.тАЭ Julia shooed them away. тАЬYou can talk to
him all you want over dinner.тАЭ




CHAPTER 4


It took three slugs before Sam was finally ready. Johnson seemed to sense it, because he didnтАЩt prod
Sam at all until the third slug had settled in his belly. Then, sighing, he set his own half-full tumbler on the
small table next to the divan and planted his hands on his knees.
тАЬSo tell me, Sam. ItтАЩs bad news, IтАЩm sure.тАЭ

тАЬThe president refuses to authorize any more funds to cover the losses from the Yellowstone expedition,
on the recommendation of the secretary of the treasury.тАЭ