diff options
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 3 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 4712-0.txt | 12895 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 4712-0.zip | bin | 0 -> 228357 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 4712-h.zip | bin | 0 -> 240875 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 4712-h/4712-h.htm | 16067 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 4712.txt | 12894 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 4712.zip | bin | 0 -> 227113 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/lndlp10.txt | 13102 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/lndlp10.zip | bin | 0 -> 227607 bytes |
11 files changed, 54974 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/4712-0.txt b/4712-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..16de1af --- /dev/null +++ b/4712-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,12895 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Landloper, by Holman Day + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Landloper + The Romance Of A Man On Foot + +Author: Holman Day + +Release Date: April 13, 2006 [EBook #4712] +Last Updated: March 8, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LANDLOPER *** + + + + +Produced by Dagny; John Bickers + + + + + +THE LANDLOPER + +THE ROMANCE OF A MAN ON FOOT + + +By Holman Day + +1915 + + + + + + + +THE LANDLOPER + + + + +I + +IN THE DUST OF THE LONG HIGHWAY + +The man who called himself Walker Farr plodded down the dusty stretches +of a country road. + +He moved leisurely. He neither slouched like a vagabond nor did he swing +with a stride which indicated that he had aim in life or destination in +mind. When he came under arching elms he plucked his worn cap from his +head and stuffed it into a coat pocket which already bulged bulkily +against his flank. He gazed to right and left upon the glories of a +sun-bathed June morning and strolled bareheaded along the aisle of a +temple of the great Out-of-Doors. + +He was young and stalwart and sunburnt. + +A big, gray automobile squawked curt warning behind him and then swept +past and on its way, kicking dust upon him from its whirring wheels. + +He gave the car only an indifferent glance, but, as he walked on, he +was conscious that out of the blur of impressions the memory of a girl's +profile lingered. + +A farmer-man who had come to the end of a row in a field near the +highway fence leaned on his hoe-handle and squinted against the sun +at the face of the passer-by. Then the farmer shifted his gaze to the +stranger's clothing and scowled. The face was the countenance of a man +who was somebody; the clothing was the road-worn garb of a vagrant. + +“Here, you!” called the farmer. + +“I hear you,” said the man who called himself Walker Farr, smiling and +putting subtle insolence into the smile. + +“Do you want a job?” + +“No, sir.” + +“Have you got a job?” + +“Yes, sir.” + +“What is it?” + +“Chopping down well-holes that have been turned inside out by a +cyclone.” + +The man in the highway flashed a wonderful smile at the farmer and +passed on. The farmer blinked and then he scowled more savagely. He +climbed the fence and followed, carrying his hoe. + +“Look here, you! There ain't no such business.” + +“Send for me next time you have a well turned wrong side out and I'll +prove it.” + +“You're a tramp.” + +Farr sauntered on. + +“You're a tramp, and here's what we are doing to tramps in this county +right now!” + +Beyond them in the highway men were delving with shovels and hacking +with mattocks. The men wore blue drilling overalls, obtrusively new, and +their faces were pasty pale. + +“We have taken 'em out of jail and put 'em doing honest work,” said the +farmer. He pointed to guards who were marching to and fro with rifles +in the hook of their arms. “Here's where you belong. I'm a constable of +this town. I arrest you.” + +The young man halted. His smile became provokingly compassionate as he +stared down at the nickel badge the farmer was tapping. + +“So you represent the law, do you?” inquired Farr. + +“I do.” + +“It's too bad you don't know more about the law, then. I have neither +solicited alms, trespassed on private property, begged food, nor +committed crime in your little kingdom, my good and great three-tailed +bashaw. Here is a coin to clear the law.” He exhibited a silver piece. +“I am sorry I cannot remain here and help you mend your ways--they seem +to need it!” + +He went on past the sullen gang of pick and shovel, treading the middle +of the broad turnpike. + +“Ain't that a tramp?” asked one of the guards. + +“I don't know what he is,” confessed the farmer. + +The man who called himself Farr turned a corner and came upon the same +automobile which had overtaken and passed him, contemptuously kicking +its dust over him, a few minutes before he arrived at the farmer's +fence. + +A rear tire was flat and a young man who was smartly attired in gray +was smacking gloved hands together and cursing the lumps of a +jail-bird-built road and the guilty negligence of a garage-man who had +forgotten to put a lift-jack back into the kit. Two women stood beside +the car and looked upon the young man's helplessness. + +“Enter tortoise, second scene of the ancient drama, 'The Tortoise and +the Hare,'” Walter Farr informed himself. + +His amused brown eyes noted the young man was obviously flabby. + +“Here, you! Help me prop up this axle,” commanded the charioteer. + +“You do not need help,” suggested Farr. “You need somebody who can do +the whole job.” + +The glance he gave the young man, up and down, conveyed his full +meaning. + +“Well, I must say that's saucy talk from a hobo,” declared one of the +women. + +“Mother!” warned the third member of the party. + +Farr turned his cynical gaze from the older woman to the younger--from +the bleached hair and rouged lips to a fresh, pure, and vivid +loveliness. He saw her profile once more. + +“No one has remembered to say 'please' yet,” the girl informed him, +meeting his gaze. “I say it, sir!” + +He bowed and went straight to the roadside and picked up a bit of plank +on which his searching eyes rested. + +He gave it into the gloved hands of the car's owner, he slipped off his +own sun-faded coat and rolled the sleeves of his flannel shirt above +his elbows, and then, with shoulder thrusting up; and arms straining, +he heaved the car high enough so that the flabby gentleman could set the +prop under the axle. And when the gentleman began to dust his gloves and +to search for spots on his gray immaculateness, Farr dug tools from the +box and proceeded to the work of replacing the tire. + +The girl stood near him and regarded him with interest. He looked up +when he had the opportunity and found her eyes studying him. She was +entirely frank in her gaze. There was nothing in her eyes except the +earnestness of a scrutiny which was satisfying curiosity. + +When the work was done the owner offered money. + +Farr refused with curt decisiveness. + +“Well, have a drink?” invited the debtor. + +“I do not use liquor.” + +The autoist emptied his cigar-case into his hand and offered the cigars +to Farr, who had just tugged on his coat. + +“I do not smoke, sir.” + +It was not declination with humility; the manner of the man of the road +contained a hint that anybody who drank or smoked was no better than he +should be. The girl studied him with renewed interest. + +“Don't stand there and try to put anything over on me,” advised the man +in gray, showing resentment. “What can I do for you?” + +“You might thank the man, Richard,” declared the girl, tartly. She +turned to Farr. + +“He seems to have forgotten 'thank you' as he forgot 'please.' May I +make amends? We thank you!” + +“And now I am in your debt,” said the rover. He bowed and walked on. + +When the car passed him the girl turned and gave him a long look. He +waved his hand. The dust-cloud closed in between them. + +“Kat Kilgour! That's a tramp! I'm amazed!” said the elder woman, +observing the look and the salute. + +“Yes, this world is full of surprises,” agreed the girl, sweetly. + +“But your own eyes told you that he was a tramp.” + +“There isn't any doubt of it, is there, if you used your eyes?” demanded +their escort. + +“We'll consider that the eyes have it--and let the matter drop,” said +the girl--and her tone was not sweet. + +The man of the keen brown eyes and the faded garb fared on. + +He plucked a rose from a wayside bush and carried the flower in his +hand. + +“Your sister just passed this way,” he informed the rose in whimsical +fashion. “I don't suppose you and I will ever catch up with her. I go +very slowly, but you may journey along with me.” + + + + +II + +A HOME-MADE KNIGHT-ERRANT + +The wayfarer who called himself Farr came down the long hill and turned +the corner of the highway where the alders crowded to the banks of the +narrow brook; they whispered to one another as the breeze fluttered +their leaves. He drank there, bending and scooping the water in his +palm. He bathed the rose and stroked its wilted petals. + +“Too bad, little one!” he said. “The long road is a killing proposition, +and I'm afraid I had no business inviting you to go with me. Your sister +must be a long way ahead of us.” + +The rocks were cool where the alders cast shade, and he sat there for +a little while, watching the drift of tiny flotsam down the eddying +current and observing the skipper-bugs skating over the still shallows +on their spraddled legs. + +There was a pleasant hush all about. The bubbling ecstasy of a bobolink +floated above the grasses of a meadow, and near at hand a wren hopped +about in the alders and chirped dozy notes. Peace and restfulness +brooded. The man at the brook leaned low and thrust his head into the +water and then rose and shook the drops from his thick thatch of brown +hair. He did it with a sort of canine wriggle and smiled at the thought +which came to him. + +“A stray dog!” he muttered. “Of as much account--and he'd better forget +the sister of the rose. Here's a good place to put imagination to +sleep--here's a place where all is asleep.” + +He went on around the curtain of the alders. + +There was a big old-fashioned house near at hand. Its walls were +weather-worn, its yard was not tidy. The faded curtains at the windows +hung crookedly. The glass of the panes was dirty. The entire aspect of +the place indicated that there was no woman's hand to make it home. It +was commonplace and uninteresting. + +But the front door was flung open suddenly with a screech of rusty +hinges. + +Then came backing out of the doorway a very old man--a bent and +wrinkled old man with long white hair which trailed down from under a +broad-brimmed hat. He was dragging a coffin, single-handed. The free +end of the solemn box bumped down the wooden steps with a hollow clatter +that suggested emptiness. There was a woodpile at one side of the yard. +The old man tugged the casket over the litter of chips and dropped the +end. He wrenched an ax from its cleft in a chopping-block and caved in +the top of the coffin with the first blow. + +The man Farr, observing from the road, saw that the casket was empty. +The old man continued to bash and batter. + +The wayfarer, before the destruction was begun, had time to note that +the coffin was a remarkably fine specimen of cabinet-maker's work. There +were various sorts of wood inlaid with care, and the fretwork along +its sides had been jig-sawed with much pains spent in detail, and the +pilasters were turned with art. But the old man battered at all this +excellence with savageness. It was evident that he was not merely +providing kindling-wood--he was expending fury. + +It was an affair that demanded undivided attention from the observer in +the road; but a man came around the corner of the house just then and +Farr promptly gave over his interest in the aged chopper. + +The new arrival was clothed cap-a-pie in armor. + +He stood quietly at a little distance and gazed from under his vizor on +the energetic old man at the woodpile. + +Farr noted that the armor was obviously home-made. The helmet, though +burnished and adorned with a horse's tail, had the unmistakable outlines +of a copper kettle. The cuirass could not disguise its obligation to +certain parts of an air-tight stove. But the ensemble was peculiarly +striking and the man in the road took a quick glance around at the New +England landscape in order to assure himself that he was still where he +supposed he was. + +Farr went to the fence and folded his arms on the top. + +The old man, resting a moment, seemed to feel that intent regard from +behind and, without turning his body, hooked his narrow and bony chin +over his shoulder and swapped a long stare with the stranger. + +“Well,” inquired the venerable chopper, “what is on thy mind, sir?” His +tone was sour. + +“Seeing that the question is direct and remembering that age deserves +the truth, I'll say that I was thinking that this seems to be an ideal +location for a private lunatic-asylum, and that guests are allowed to +enjoy themselves.” + +“I will have thee to understand that I have sat for thirty long years at +the head of the Friends' meeting in this town and never has it been said +that my wits are cracked. Furthermore, this is none of thy affair. Move +on.” + +Farr merely shifted his feet and took an easier pose at the fence. + +“Feeling as I do, it will not trouble me much to come over there and +take a chop or two at thee,” warned the old man. + +“I didn't know that Quakers ever allowed their feelings to get so highly +spiced.” + +“Along with thee, tramp!” + +“You see, my dear sir,” drawled the man in the road, “I am out in search +of peace of mind. If I should go on my way without understanding what +this means my itching curiosity would never allow me another good +night's sleep. A word from you to soothe curiosity, and then I go!” + +“Thee has seen me knocking into pieces a coffin. Is there anything +strange in seeing me knock into pieces a coffin I have made with my own +hands?” + +“No, sir. That is quite within your rights. But why? From what little I +saw of it it seemed to me to be a mighty fine piece of work.” + +“It was,” stated the old man, a bit mollified. “Walnut with bird's-eye +maple inlaid.” + +“May I ask if it was made for anybody who died lately?” + +“I made it for myself--I have had it by me for twenty years! Seeing that +thee must stick thy nose into my business!” His tone was pettish and +he stooped down and began to toss splinters and broken boards upon the +woodpile. + +“Then I suppose it was--er--sort of out of date,” suggested Farr, +blandly. + +“I see thee is minded to tease me--the world is full of fools.” He +straightened as best he could, propping hands on his hips, and divided +angry gaze between the man at the fence and the armored figure. “I am +not going to die--I have decided to stay alive. I have a fool on my +hands.” + +“Father, I think thee had better choose thy words a bit better in the +presence of a stranger,” advised the man in armor. + +“Can't thee see that he is a fool?” demanded the old man. + +“I don't think I want to venture an opinion, sir. I'll simply say that +your son's choice of a summer suit seems a little peculiar. But, of +course, every man to his liking!” + +The old man walked down to the fence. He was crooked at the waist and +his legs were hooked with the curves of age, but he strode along with +brisk vigor. His gaze was as sharp as a gimlet, though the puckered lids +were cocked over his eyes with the effect of little tents whose flaps +were partly closed. He put his face close to Farr's. + +“Thee is as cheeky as a crow and as prying as a magpie and I venture +to say thee is a roving scamp. But I may as well talk to thee as to +anybody.” + +With armor rattling and squeaking, the son started toward them. + +“I do not care to have thee talk about me, father,” he warned. + +Farr noted that the son had eyes as keen and as gray as those of the +elder. The armored citizen was sturdy and of middle age and the face +under the vizor revealed intelligence and self-possession. + +The father paid no heed to the son. + +“Has thee traveled around the world much?” + +“Yes, sir.” + +“Thee has met many men?” + +“Many and of all sorts and conditions.” + +“Then I want to ask thee what thee thinks of the good wit of a man who +declares that he will go forth into the world, faring here and there, +to try to do good to all men, to try to settle the troubles between men, +free of all price?” + +Farr turned gaze from the father to the earnest countenance of the son, +and then stared again into the searching eyes of the old man. Prolonged +and embarrassed silence followed. + +“Thy looks speak louder than words,” declared the father. “Thy eyes say +it--he is a fool.” + +“It may be as well not to say so with thy tongue,” advised the son. “I +might not be as patient with a stranger as I am with my father. He is +wholly practical, without imagination, and so I excuse him.” + +“I offer no comments,” said Walker Farr with a frank smile which won an +answering flicker from the face under the vizor. “I do not understand.” + +“I would not expect a vagabond to understand anything or to be brave +enough to say what he thinks,” piped the father. He turned on his son. +“Here's a scalawag of a tramp. Go along with him and be another such.” + +“I may be a peripatetic philosopher, for all you know,” said Farr, +teasingly. “There are knights in fustian as well as knights in armor.” + +“I think thee is of more account than thy clothing indicates,” stated +the son, regarding the stranger keenly. “And thee carries a rose in thy +hand. Little things tell much.” + +Farr put the flower into his pocket. “Don't fool yourself about me,” he +said, roughly. + +“Thy speech has betrayed thee,” insisted the other. + +“I have met crib-crackers who were college men--and pocket dictionaries +are cheap. And so good day to you, gentlemen.” + +“Wait one moment!” appealed the man in armor. His face softened when he +approached his father. + +“We have talked much and there is no more to say to each other now. +I have served here patiently many years. If I leave thee for a little +while there is old Ben to wait and tend. And I will come back after I +have done my duty.” + +“I will stay alive so that I can bail thee out of prison,” his father +informed him, sourly. “Go on, thou fool; learn thy lesson! The world is +all right as it is; it will cuff the ears of meddlers. But go on!” + +“I would rather thee would show another spirit at parting--but have it +thy way,” returned the son, with Quaker repression of all emotions. He +came forth from the gate. + +“I am going thy road,” he informed Farr, “because all ways are alike to +me. I would be pleased to talk with one who has journeyed. Thee may have +good counsel for me. May I walk with thee?” + +The wayfarer opened his mouth and closed it suddenly on a half-spoken +and indignant refusal of this honor. He pursed his lips and his thick +brows drew together in a frown. Then, as if in spite of himself, he +began to smile. + +“I will be no burden to thee,” pleaded the home-made knight. “I have had +my armor for a long time and have practised walking in it.” + +“But why the tin suit?” expostulated Farr. + +“I will explain as we walk.” + +“Well, come along!” blurted the wayfarer. “Nothing more can happen to +me, anyway.” + +“So thee has found one of thy own kind to follow about in the world?” + inquired the father, tauntingly. “Feathers on the head and rattles in +the hand! Cockahoops and fiddle-de-lorums! Thee'll be back soon with thy +folly cured after I have bailed thee from the calaboose! Then thee'll +stick to thy forge and be sensible!” + +Farr noted a small shop by the roadside as they started off. + +“My father is a good man, but practical--wholly practical,” said his new +comrade of the ways. “From my good mother I derive imagination. My life +has not been happy here. But work has helped.” + +He pointed to the shop. Over the main door a faded, weather-worn sign +advertised “Eastup Chick & Son, Blacksmiths.” On the gable was a newer +sign heralding “Jared Chick & Father, Inventors.” + +“I am Jared Chick, my friend.” + +He talked slowly, pausing to pick words, phrasing with the carefulness +of the man of method, talking as those persons talk who have read many +books and use their tongue but seldom. Farr found much quaintness in the +solemn man's discourse. + +“My father put my name on the sign when I was young, and it pleased me. +I put his name on the other sign when he was old and it did not please +him, though I have insisted that he must share in all credit which comes +to me. But my father does not possess imagination. I am sorry he lost +his temper to-day and broke up his coffin. Not that I approved of having +it in the house all these years, but he was very proud of it. He made +it soon after my mother died. I think, now that he has destroyed it, he +will live many years longer. He is very strong-minded.” + +“I'm glad to have my suspicions confirmed,” said Farr. + +“He was extremely angry when his eldest brother died at eighty. He +stood over him in the last moments and made us all very uncomfortable +by telling Uncle Joachim that there was no need of his dying--that if he +would only show a little Chick spunk he could stay alive just as well +as not and would not go fushing out just when he was most needed in the +Friends' meeting.” + +“Considering that the old fellow was eighty and probably felt like +quitting, seems as if your father was rubbing it in just a little.” + +“Perhaps he was a mite harsh, but there is another side of it. There +were only three of us left of the Friends' society to go to the old +meeting-house on First Day so that it might not be said that after one +hundred years we had allowed the society of the fathers to perish in +our town. Thee may have noted that my father and I still use the plain +language, keeping up the ways of the founders. My father sat at the head +of the meeting, my Uncle Joachim was next to him on the facing seat. I +am the only worshiper. I am not fitted to be a minister. My father, when +Joachim died, had no one with whom to exchange the hand-shake at the end +of the meeting.” + +“And now he's losing his congregation?” + +“Yes, my friend, and so my father blames me for going, just as he blamed +Uncle Joachim for dying. He has the meeting much at heart.” + +“What will he do for a crowd after you go away?” + +“He will continue to sit at the head of the meeting, sir.” + +There was silence between them for some time. The blacksmith clanked on +his way sturdily. + +“He will still sit at the head of the meeting! Only a little fire is +left there, sir, but he will not allow it to go out as long as he is +alive to blow the bellows of devotion.” + +“Look here, Brother Chick,” demanded Farr. “I don't want to be prying or +impertinent, but what's your idea?” + +“I'm not ashamed of anything I'm going to do. Even though it is a very +strange plan, as the world would look at it, I'm not ashamed of it. A +very few words will tell you: I'm going out among men and spread the +gospel of mercy and forbearance, teach the lessons of peace, urge men to +forgive instead of fight--showing them that courts of law are more often +the devil's playground than the abode of real justice. I have worked +hard, I have read many books, I have stored information in my mind, I +have laid up money enough. You behold my armor--I have wrought at it +patiently for a long time.” + +“Expect to have 'em throw things at you?” + +But the blacksmith, replying, gave no sign that he resented this brusque +humor. + +“It is well known that it is hard to attract the attention of the world +from its own affairs. For instance, if I had stood in the yard to-day, +dressed as a plain man, thee would have passed on thy way--providing +father had been chopping up kindling-wood instead of a coffin. If I had +stopped thee and started to explain my views thee would have paid little +attention to me. Isn't that so?” + +“It's so.” + +“Well, then, thee have my theory and know my plan and have noted how it +has worked,” said Mr. Chick. + +“I don't want to discourage you in a good thing, but how long do you +think a policeman would let you stand on a street corner?” + +“I shall find places where I can deliver my message without offending.” + +“There's another point--a rather delicate point to consider, Brother +Chick. There are plenty of persons who are a bit dull when they are +examining a man's motives, but who think they are almighty smart in +detecting a man's mental failings; when somebody does anything they +wouldn't do they say he's crazy.” + +The blacksmith turned his serene face and smiled at Farr. + +“I appeal to thy good judgment, sir. Would thee, after talking with me, +even if I do wear iron outside my wool garments, send me to an asylum?” + +“No,” acknowledged Farr, “I don't believe I would send you to an +asylum.” + +“Thank thee! I believe thee can speak quite generally for the average +man.” + +“But the armor scheme--it's a little risky, Friend Chick.” + +“But it has been the trade-mark of unselfishness ever since the days of +the Crusaders,” declared Mr. Chick. “Why shouldn't its significance +be revived in these modern times? At any rate,” he added, with Yankee +shrewdness, “it's necessary to give the world quite a jump these days +before it will stop, look, and listen.” + +“Some advertising concern will make you an offer that will pull you into +camp your second day out, if you're not careful. You've certainly got a +good idea of the business.” + +“I am sincere. I am not trifling. I have pondered on this for a long +time. I shall be misjudged--but I shall not be afraid!” + + + + +III + +KNIGHT-ERRANTRY TESTED + +The two marched on, side by side, and Walker Farr, piecing in his mind, +from the scraps he had heard, the entire history of the Chick family, +indulged the whim of Jared and forgot for a moment the grotesque figure +presented by his companion. + +“No, I am not afraid!” repeated the new apostle of world harmony. + +But it became promptly apparent that Mr. Chick could not communicate his +intrepidity to other creatures. + +Around the bend of the road came a sleepy horse, stubbing his hoofs into +the dust, dragging a wagon in which rode a farmer and his wife. + +The horse became wide awake at sight of Mr. Chick. + +With head up, eyes goggling, nostrils dilating, and mane erect, the +animal stopped short on straddled legs. Then he snorted, whirled, took +the wagon around in a circle on two wheels in spite of the farmer's +endeavors, and made off in the opposite direction, the driver pulling +hard on the reins, hands above his head, elbows akimbo. + +“It occurs to me, Friend Chick,” said his companion, after the outfit +had disappeared, “that in planning this pilgrimage of yours you have +failed to take everything into account. If that farmer-man and his +wife pile into the ditch and break their necks, then all your general +mediating in other quarters will hardly make up for the damage you have +caused right here.” + +“The world is full of problems,” sighed the man in armor. “There seems +to be a hitch to about everything!” + +After a few moments the farmer came pelting into sight on foot. + +“What in the name of bald-headed Nicodemus do you call yourself, and +what are you trying to do?” he shouted. “It's only by luck and chance +and because the webbin's held that me and my wife ain't laying stiff and +stark in the ditch.” + +“I am sorry,” said friend Chick with dignity. + +“Get a hoss used to bicycles, flying-machines, red whizzers and blue +devils, and then along comes something else that ain't laid down in the +back of the Old Farmer's Almanick! You there, the one that ain't crazy, +what's this thing you're teaming round?” the farmer demanded, addressing +Farr. + +“In this case I am not my brother's keeper,” stated the young man. + +“Well, where is his keeper, then? He needs one.” He walked around Chick +and rudely rapped his whip-butt on the breastplate. “If I wasn't +afraid of spraining a toe I'd boot you from here to hackenny, you old +two-legged cook-stove!” + +“If there has been damage done, I'll pay for it.” + +“There isn't any damage and I'm not looking for anybody's money. But +there _will_ be damage unless you get out of this highway. If you're in +sight when I drive my hoss past here again I'll lick you, even if I have +to use blasting-powder and a can-opener to get you out of that suit.” + +Jared Chick went apart into the bushes and Farr accompanied him. + +“This is a rather vulgar and discouraging adventure for high ideals to +run into so soon,” averred the younger man. + +“I am not discouraged.” + +“I'm afraid you'll be even more greatly misunderstood.” + +“I don't expect silly old horses to understand me. My appeal is to men.” + +Farr sniffed scornfully. “You'd better let men alone,” he advised. + +“The world needs pure unselfishness,” insisted Chick. + +“The purer it is the more it is misunderstood. I have tested the matter. +I know.” + +“Then you yourself would not go forth into the world and do good to men, +without calculation and without price?” + +“I don't think I would,” declared Farr, dryly. “And I am so little +interested in the matter that I think you'll have to excuse me from +further talk about it. You have just had one illustration in a crude way +of how the world misunderstands anything that's out of the ordinary.” + +“Have you any advice to give me?” + +“Not a word. I'm not even able to give myself sensible counsel. Good day +to you!” + +“Then you do not care for my company longer on the way?” + +“I do not. Excuse my bluntness, but these are parlous times for +wayfarers and I cannot afford to have a tin can tied to me as I go +about.” + +“And you are absolutely selfish?” called Chick. + +“I think so,” replied Farr from the highway, getting into his stride. +“When I see you again I expect you'll be wondering why you ever were +altruistic. That will be the case, providing you wear that armor any +longer.” + +Jared Chick from behind his bush called, appealingly, “But I fear I +shall never see thee again and I have some questions to ask of thee!” + +“Oh, I promise to look you up somewhere in the world. If you keep on +wearing that suit it will be easy to find you.” + +The man in armor leaned against a tree and pondered. + +“A strange young man, and callous and selfish. But there is truly +something under his shell. I would relish putting some questions to +him.” + +Then Jared Chick plunked an ash staff from a pile of hoop-poles left by +a chopper and went on his way along shaded woodland paths, avoiding +the main highroad. He decided that it would be better to go by the +roundabout way and show himself on the streets of town instead of on a +rural turnpike where countrified horses did not take kindly to a real +knight-errant. + +“It was a good place back there for sleeping,” reflected Walker Farr, +remembering the brook, singing over the stones, the whispering alders, +the old-fashioned house, and the somnolent landscape. “That man who has +been living there until the day of his emigration has certainly been +asleep for a long time and is sleeping soundly now; he is having a +wonderful dream. The nightmare will begin shortly and he will wake up.” + +After a time Farr came into a village, a hamlet of small houses which +toed the crack of a single street. It was near the hour of noon and from +the open windows of kitchens drifted scents of the dinners which the +women were preparing. All the men of the place seemed to be afield; only +women were in sight here and there at back doors, pinning freshly washed +garments on lines, beating dust from rugs, or, seen through the windows, +were bustling about the forenoon tasks set for patient household slaves +in gingham. + +At one back door, his back comfortably set against a folded +clothes-reel, was a greasily fat tramp, gobbling a hand-out lunch which +a housewife had given to him. + +Under a little hill where the road dipped at the edge of the hamlet here +sounded clink of steel on rock, suggesting that men labored there with +trowel and drill. There was complaining creaking of cordage--the arm of +a derrick sliced a slow arc across the blue sky of June. + +The fat tramp held up his empty plate and whined a request and the hand +of a woman emerged from a close-by window and placed something in the +dish. + +Farr slowed his steps and looked at the tramp, and a woman in a yard +near by stared over the top of a sheet which she was pinning on the line +and scowled at the new arrival. + +“I wonder if I'm considered as the Damon of that Pythias?” Farr asked +himself, smiling into her frown. “But Damon is nomad spelled backward! I +wish I dared to ask her for a piece of that pie cooling on the sill.” + +Just then, over the clink of metal under the hill, above wail of +straining pulley, rose the screech of a man in agony, the raucous male +squall whose timbre is more hideous than the death-cry of swine. + +Then came a man running from the valley under the hill. + +“It's your husband, Mrs. Jose,” he panted, turning in at the house where +the fat tramp ate with his back against the clothes-reel. “You better +go! I'll telephone for a doctor.” + +She ran, white-faced, gasping cries. Other women ran. The spirit of +helpfulness and curiosity to know what had happened set wings on the +heels of the little community. The messenger telephoned and followed +them. + +The fat tramp set down his plate and glanced to right and left and all +about. Then he shuffled into the deserted house and after a brief stay +hastened out with his pockets crammed and bearing garments in his arms; +he scuttled away with sagging trot across the fields. + +Farr saw him go and did not pursue. + +“Yonder goes the spirit of the age,” he told himself, with sardonic +twisting of his lips. “When Opportunity knocks, knock Opportunity +down. Embrace Opportunity, but be sure it's with the strangle hold. The +directors of a robbed railroad make a more dignified getaway than +that porcine pedestrian is making--but it's the same as far as the +stockholders are concerned.” + +He went on slowly toward the hollow under the hill. + +The procession met him--a limp man, moaning, borne in the arms of his +sweating mates, women trotting alongside and crossing the road, to and +fro, like frightened hens--clucking sympathy. + +Farr found a half-finished stone bridge under the hill. A paunchy boss +with underset jaw and overhanging upper lip was profanely urging his +helpers back to their jobs. + +“Fifteen minutes before knock-off time--fifteen minutes! You can't help +that man by standing around and doing his grunting for him. Get busy!” + +The men lifted their tools slowly and sullenly. + +“It's hell what can happen when you're fifteen days behind on a +contract, with county commissioners waiting and anxious to grab off a +penalty,” declared the boss, to nobody in particular. “One man bunged, +and four to lug him home, and the rest of the crew taking a sympathetic +vacation!” + +Farr, sauntering, swung off the highway down the lane leading to the +temporary bridge. + +“Here, you long-horned steer, want a job?” called the contractor from +his rostrum on the granite block. + +“No, my Sussex shote, I do not!” + +“Damnation! You dare to call me names, you hobo?” + +“Yes,” returned Farr, quite simply. + +“Well, quit it. I need men here. You're husky. Two dollars a day, even +if you're not a regular mason.” + +“No.” + +He drawled both the affirmative and the negative and there was something +subtly insolent in his tone--something that aroused more ire than a +cruder retort would have accomplished. He turned his back on the cursing +man and went on down to the bridge. He waited there for a time and +watched the drift of foam on the fretted waters. The steady burbling of +the stream made him oblivious to other sounds and he did not hear the +two men approach. They leaped on him and seized him. One of his captors +was the paunchy man, and his hands were heavy and his fingers gripped +viciously. + +“No wonder you wouldn't work! You're making your living in an easier +way.” + +“What is the occasion of this effusive welcome to your city?” asked +Farr. + +The man who held one of the captive's arms was panting. He had run at +top speed from the house to which he and his mates had borne the injured +man. + +“You thief! You sneak! Eat a man's grub, his hard-earned grub, and steal +when his wife's back is turned!” + +“Of all dirty work this job is the worst,” declared the big man. + +“She gave you all you could stuff into yourself, you loafer. You +ransacked when her back was turned. You even stole her husband's Sunday +suit. Where is it?” + +“I saw a fat tramp running away into the woods,” returned Farr, quietly. +“He was carrying articles in his arms.” + +“You're the only tramp in sight around here,” insisted the contractor. +“Where did you hide the plunder?” + +“She said she fed a tramp. She left him at the back door. You're the +sneak,” indorsed the panting emissary. + +“If you will take me back to the house you may get some new light on the +affair,” suggested their captive. “You need not drag me there. I'll go +with much pleasure.” + +The mistress of the despoiled home, red of eyes, hurrying from her sink +with a cold compress in her trembling hands, viewed Farr from her back +door. + +“That isn't the man. I never saw him before. Oh, he is in awful pain. +Why doesn't that doctor get here? But there doesn't seem to be anything +broken. He took my pocketbook, too, with two dollars and twenty-seven +cents in it. And it's every cent of money we've got by us. And it may be +weeks before he can go to work again. Troubles don't come singly. That +mis'able, fat, greasy thief! After I had fed him--even gave him pie!” + +“As I told you, gentlemen, it was a fat tramp. I saw him run away into +the woods.” + +“If you call yourself a man why didn't you chase him?” inquired the +contractor, with disgust. + +“I took no interest in his affairs--no interest whatever,” stated Farr, +with languid tone. + +“You don't care much what happens to anybody else, you hog!” + +“My interest in other persons is very limited.” + +“You'll stand by and see one of your kind run away with the property of +poor folks, will you? You meet him later and get your whack?” asked the +big man. + +“No,” said Farr, mildly. He directed compelling gaze into the eyes of +his detractor. “And you do not think so yourself.” + +“Perhaps not. But you're worse. You have just said it. You're a selfish +renegade!” + +“Peculiarly selfish, hard, and unfeeling.” + +“And wouldn't turn your hand over to do a good turn for anybody?” + +“I don't think so.” + +“I'll tell you what I think _I'll_ do--I'll detail four of my men to +ride you out of this town on a rail.” + +“I wouldn't call them off their jobs if I were you! I overheard you say +that you are short of time and men. By the way, you offered me a job. +I'll take it.” + +The contractor blinked and hesitated. + +“If after a half-day you find I'm not worth the money I'll pass on and +you'll have a half-day's work free.” + +“Get on to the job, then.” + +Through the open door Farr could see the woman of the house wringing +cloths at the sink. + +He stepped to the door and addressed her. “Madame, will you take a +boarder? I'm going to do your husband's work on the job yonder. I will +pay liberally. In your present difficulties the money may help. I'll be +small trouble.” + +“We need the money terribly,” she said, after pondering. “Yes, I will +take you. In the face you do not look like a tramp!” + +“I thank you,” said Farr. “If you will give me some food in my hands +I'll take myself out of your way.” + +That afternoon Jared Chick came over the hill where the trowels clinked +and the great derrick complained with its pulleys. He carried his armor +on his back. + +He stopped and watched for some time his former companion of the road, +who was sweating over his man's toil. + +“May I have sixty seconds off to speak with that man yonder?” Farr asked +the contractor. “It partly concerns your business.” + +The big man nodded surly assent. + +“Thee sees I have taken off the armor for a time. I will wear it in the +city where horses and people are not so silly. What is thee doing here?” + +“I have no time to talk about myself, Friend Chick. I want to ask you if +you are still of the same mind about your mission?” + +“I am.” + +“Then throw down that hardware and come to work on this job. A man has +been hurt here--his wife is in need. Earn some money and give it to +them.” + +“But my mission concerns the world--the wide world.” + +“Real selfishness's chief excuse! Here's something ready to your hand. +Will you do it?” + +“But thee told me thee would not go forth and do good!” + +“No matter about me. I am not a professional knight-errant! Will you do +this?” + +“Ten seconds more!” warned the boss. + +“I cannot change my plans so suddenly,” protested Chick. + +“A knight-errant should not have plans! My time is up and I have work. +Good-by, Friend Chick!” + +The young man went back to his task and the Quaker passed on, muttering +reaffirmation of his own high aims. + +“And how could I expect a vagrant to understand?” he asked himself. + +The vagrant toiled two weeks at his heavy task and when the man Jose was +about again the volunteer slipped away without farewell. + +He left on the table of his under-the-eaves bedroom in the Jose house +all the pay he received for his work, to the last penny. + +“He wasn't what he seemed to be,” ran the burden of Mrs. Jose's various +disquisitions on this strange guest. “He ate his vittles and asked no +questions, and was out from underfoot, and was always willing to set up +with my husband and give me a snippet of rest and a wink of sleep; and +he read out of little books all the time--he had 'em stuffed into his +pockets. And there needn't anybody tell _me_! He left all his pay on the +table, every cent of it, and stole away without waiting for no thanks +from nobody!” + + + + +IV + +FARR, THE FAT TRAMP, AND A SUIT OF CLOTHES + +On a balmy forenoon a jovial-appearing old gentleman went jogging out +of the mill city of Marion and along a country road in his two-wheeled +chaise. He sat erect and he was tall above the average of men, and he +was very neat in his attire. + +“I wish,” he mused, “that the men who could really appreciate a +good outfit of clothing and could use the same properly were not so +infernally touchy. As it is, cranky human nature drives me out on an +expedition like this--and I'm afraid I am just as cranky as the rest of +'em, otherwise I wouldn't be doing this!” + +The old gentleman hummed a song under his breath and slapped his reins +against the flanks of the plodding horse to keep time. He came into a +piece of woodland. He seemed to take cheery and fresh interest in this +place. He poked his rubicund face out from the shadow of the chaise's +canopy and peered to right and to left. There was a smile in his puckery +eyes. When there were trees ahead of him, trees behind him, and trees +all about he pulled his old horse to a standstill. + +He listened, squinted quizzically through the glass of his chaise's rear +curtain, and then climbed down. From a box at the rear of the vehicle he +secured various articles of clothing and draped them over his arm. +There was a frock-coat, not too badly worn, trousers in good repair, +waistcoat, and a shirt. He also took out of the box a pair of shoes and +a hat. With this load he went to the roadside and began to rig out a +fence-post. When the garments were hung on it and the broad-brimmed, +black, slouch-hat had been jauntily set on top of the post, anybody +could see that the old gentleman was thus disposing of some of his own +extra clothing. He was wearing a similar hat and a frock-coat, himself, +and the decorated post took on a bizarre and slouchy resemblance to its +decorator. + +He went back to the chaise and found a nickel alarm-clock in the box. He +wound this up carefully and propped it on a rail of the fence near the +clothing. + +Before he could escape from the vicinity of the exhibit and get into +his chaise a wagon came rattling around the bend of the road. There were +firkins and jars in the rear of this wagon and the driver was plainly a +farmer-man. + +He pulled up short and then saluted the old gentleman with a stab of +forefinger at his hat-brim. + +“Any trouble, Judge?” he inquired, affably. + +“None at all,” replied the old gentleman, edging away from the fully +garbed fence-post. + +“Airing 'em out, hey?” A jab of the forefinger toward the garments. + +“No, leaving them out.” + +All at once the old gentleman appeared to remember something else. He +took off his hat and produced a placard. He straightened it and stuck it +into a crack in a fence-rail. Its legend was “Help Yourself.” + +“You're giving them clothes away, are you, Judge Peterson?” + +“I am leaving them here for any one who chooses to take them. Do you +want first pick, Jolson?” + +“Not me! I ain't taking charity hand-me-downs from any man, Judge. If +it's a polite question, why are you giving away your duds this way?” + +“I think you have just answered that question, Jolson. I offered you +these clothes. Your nose went into the air. Other men have acted in the +same way in the past when I have offered to give a fellow a good suit. +I don't want to hurt other folks' feelings. I don't want to have my own +feelings hurt. So, let any man help himself when no one is looking.” + +“I'll take the alarm-clock, if you say so,” volunteered Jolson. “It'll +help to rout me out of bed at milking-time.” + +“No, you cannot have the clock, Jolson. I have tinkered it so that +it will purr a little every half-hour. It will call attention to the +clothes. You see, a good many men rush through life without looking to +right or left, and so they miss a lot of opportunities.” + +Jolson clucked to his horse and rattled away down the road, muttering +sour remarks. + +The old gentleman, with the air of a man who has satisfied his +philanthropic ambitions, climbed into his chaise and followed the +farmer. + +The brisk breeze flirted the tails of the frock-coat and the trousers +legs tried out a modest little gig as if some of the jocose spirit of +the old gentleman had remained with the garments he had discarded. + +There were several passers before another half-hour had elapsed. + +The trousers kicked out quite hilariously when a young couple drove by +in a buggy. The girl was pretty, and companionship with her might have +suited even a judge's garments. But the young man and the girl were +quite absorbed in each other, and the trousers kicked and the frock-coat +flirted ineffectually. + +A peddler's cart passed very slowly, but the driver did not look up from +a paper filled with figures. + +There were others to whom the judge's garments offered themselves +mutely, but no one glanced that way and the clock was discreetly silent. +The breeze died down and the trousers and the coat hung with a sort of +homeless, homesick, and wistful air. One might have thought they were +trying to conceal themselves when the next person appeared, so still +were they. He was not an inviting person--not such a new lord and master +as a judge's garments might be expected to welcome. + +He was grossly fat and his own trousers were lashed about his bulging +waist with a frayed belt; his coat was sun-faded, a greasy Scotch cap +was pulled over to one side on his head with the peak hauled down upon +his ear, and he scuffed along in boots that were disreputable. Surely, a +most unseemly and unwholesome character to be wrapped in the habiliments +of a judge! But just then, with that cursed inappropriateness of +inanimate things, the clock jangled its alarm. + +The tramp--there was no mistaking that gait and that general air of the +vagrant--snapped himself about, located the noise, stared at the post, +and then hurried to it. He made sure that there was no one in sight. He +scooped all into his arms, climbed the fence and trotted into the woods. +He kept looking behind him as if he feared pursuit. It was plain from +his disturbed demeanor that he was much perplexed and was chased by the +uncomfortable thought that he was stealing this property. He bestowed so +much attention behind him that he paid but little attention to what was +ahead of him, and so he ran down into a little bowl of a valley among +the trees and stopped short there, for he had come upon a man. + +It was the man who called himself Walker Farr. + +The man was kneeling beside a tiny fire, toasting bread on the end of a +beech twig. He held the twig in one hand and an open book in the other. +He looked up without changing his position when the tramp came charging +down the hillside. + +He had wide-open, brown eyes, this man in the hollow. The eyes were not +merely wide open on account of surprise at this irruption--one could see +that they were naturally that way--keenly observant eyes. He had hair as +brown as his eyes; his cap was on the ground beside him. + +But the tramp was not taking account of the attractions of this +stranger; he was more interested in searching for flaws. + +He had been frightened at first sight of the man--for the tramp had the +timidity of his kind; now he began to feel cheered. This stranger in the +hollow had not been shaved recently, his clothing was unkempt, his +shoes bore the marks of a long hike. He was cooking in the open--plain +indication of the nomad. + +“Well, I say, bo,” chaffed the tramp, shifting from fright to high +spirit with the hysteria of weak natures. “I'm sure glad to see one of +the good old sort. I didn't know what I was dropping in on when I fell +down that hill. But it's all right, hey? I'm on the road. My name is +Boston Fat, and my monacker is a bean-pot.” + +The brown eyes moved slowly from the grinning face to the garments +heaped in the man's arms. They were cold and critical eyes and there was +no humor in them. + +“I do not do business during my lunch-hours, my man. I do not desire to +change tailors just yet and I do not buy stolen property.” + +His chilliness did not dampen the other's good nature. + +“Oh, that's all right, old top. I'm no thief. These clothes were hung +on a fence-post just above here on the road. I reckon they were only +waiting for first-comer.” + +He dropped the shoes, cocked the hat on his head, and began to fumble +the garments. The placard dropped out of the folds of the coat and the +man at the fire craned his neck and read aloud: “Help Yourself.” + +“Oh, that's what the paper says, hey? I never learned to read any of the +modern languages,” confided Boston Fat. “I was too much taken up with +the dead ones at Harvard. Well, comrade, now you can see for yourself +that I didn't steal this mess of moth-food. There was the sign right on +it saying, 'Help Yourself.' It was there, even if I couldn't read it. +Instinck told me them clothes was for me. I took 'em and came in here.” + +He shook out the garments one by one and hung them on a bush, chattering +his comments. He set the ticking clock on a stump. + +The man at the fire slipped a piece of meat between two slabs of toasted +bread and began to eat. He still held the open book in his hand but his +eyes were watching the tramp. + +The vagrant was orally appraising his find, exhibiting the wisdom of one +who has begged garments at back doors for the purposes of peddling them +to second-hand shops. + +“A moucher,” observed the man at the fire. He continued aloud, evidently +and sardonically exercising his vocabulary, plainly enjoying the +amazement he provoked by his style of language. “The spirit of a stray +cat at midnight, the tastes of the prowling hyena! The fat thief I saw +running away into the woods! When such as these began to take to the +road, knight-errantry vanished from the face of the earth. The varlets +borrowed the grand idea of care-free itinerancy and debased it, as +waiters borrow a gentleman's evening dress for their menial uniform, and +drunken coachmen wear the same head-gear that a duke wears to a wedding! +Why prove evolution by searching for a man with a tail? The performances +of human nature must convince any thinking man that we have descended +from apes!” + +The astonished tramp stared for a short time at this person who employed +such peculiar language--then mumbled an oath and shook his head. + +He began to try on the frock-coat, paying scant attention to the other's +monologue. The coat was a ludicrous misfit; it would not meet over the +bulging belly; its tails dragged on the fat man's heels. + +“If I happened to stand handy by when a Kansas cyclone ripped the +insides out of a clothing-store only the boys' sizes would drop in the +same county with me,” grumbled the tramp, working his arms out of the +sleeves. + +“The coat was plainly built for a gentleman,” stated the man at the +fire. “Therefore it is of no value to you.” + +Boston Fat surveyed the stranger with a vicious glint in his little +eyes, as a pig might stare at a man who had struck it across the snout. + +“Good afternoon, perfesser,” he sneered. + +“Why 'professor,' my frayed and frowsled Falstaff?” + +“There you go with it--showing yourself up out of your own mouth! Words +a yard long--words that would break a decent man's teeth! You're one of +these college dudes out on the road getting stuff to write into a book. +I've heard about your kind. And that kind is getting too thick and +plenty and you're putting slush all over the real profesh. Quit it and +go back to college. Don't use me for your book.” + +This was reciprocation of derogatory sentiment with a vengeance! + +The man at the fire sat back on his haunches. He finished chewing his +mouthful, regarding the tramp with a languid stare that traveled from +crown of his head to tip of his battered shoe. + +“The only thing about a book that you would be good for,” he said, +“would be for use in a volume of this sort.” He tapped the book in his +palm. “Your anatomy could supply the binding. It is bound in pigskin.” + +The tramp squealed an oath in the falsetto voice that the weak and the +flabby possess and took one step forward. The man at the fire came to +his feet and stood erect. He was tall, and the brown eyes talked for him +better than threats or bluster. The vagrant shifted his gaze from those +eyes and backed away. + +“If I hadn't been penned in a pie-belt jail all winter up North, and all +the strength starved out of me,” he whined, “you wouldn't call me a pig +and get away with it.” + +“A person who forces himself into the presence of a gentleman who is +dining mustn't expect compliments,” stated the stranger. + +“You ain't a tramp--not a real one,” snarled Boston Fat. + +Farr's eyes glistened; he smiled; he continued to play on this ignoramus +his satiric pranks of mystifying language: + +“More of your lack of acuteness, my fat friend. Because I do not patter +the flash lingo with you, you appear to take me for a college professor +in disguise. _You_ are not a real tramp. You are a bum, a loafer, a yeg. +You never traveled more than two hundred miles away from Hoboken--the +capital city of hoboes. Have you ever hit the sage-brush trail, hiked +the milk-and-honey route from Ogden through the Mormon country, decked +the Overland Express, beaten the blind baggage on the Millionaires' +Flier? Hey?” + +The sullen vagrant blinked stupidly. + +“Or have you made the prairie run on the truss of a Wagner freight, or +thrown a stone at the Fox Train crew, or beaten the face off the Katy +Shack when he tried to pitch you off a gondola-car?” + +“I don't know what you're chewing about,” sneered the fat man. + +“Probably not, for you are not a true man of the road. You disgrace the +name of nomad, you sully an ancient profession. I'll venture to say you +don't know who Ishmael was.” + +“Who said I did?” + +“Not I, because I'm not a flatterer. I am going to follow the example of +the man who cast pearls before swine--I'm going to cast you a pearl from +one of my own poems. You may listen. It will pass your ears, that's all. +You cannot contaminate it by taking it in, so I repeat it for my own +entertainment, to refresh my memory: + + “Of the morrow we take no heed, no care infests the day; + Some hand-out gump and a train to jump, a grip on the rods, and + away! + To the game of grab for gold we give no thought or care. + We own with you the arch of blue--our share of God's fresh air. + One coin to clear the law, a section of rubber hose. + To soften the chafe of a freight-car's truss, our portion of + cast-off clothes, + And the big wide world is ours--a title made good by right-- + By mankind's deed to the nomad breed with the taint of the + Ishmaelite. + Some from the wastes of the sage-brush, some from the orange land, + Some from God's own country, dusty and tattered and tanned. + Why are we? It's idle to tell you--you'd never understand. + To and fro + We come and go. + Old Father Ishmael's band.” + +He leaned back and laughed in the tramp's puzzled face. + +“Well, what's the answer?” scoffed Boston Fat. + +The other man talked on, humor in his eyes, plainly enjoying this verbal +skylarking. + +“I'm afraid I cannot waste time and breath on you in an attempt to +answer the riddle of the ages, to explain the wanderlust that sent forth +the tribes from the Aryan bowl of the birth of the races, my +corpulent bean-pot. Your blank eyes and your flattened skull suggest a +discouraging incapacity for information.” + +“I don't know what you're gabbing abut. But there's one thing I do know. +I'll tip 'em off at the next insane-asylum I come to that I met you +headed north.” The tramp gathered the articles of clothing from the +bushes and got down on his knees and began to fold them. + +The man of the brown eyes stepped forward, laid down his little book, +picked up the frock-coat and pulled it on, the fat man squealing +expostulation. With serene disregard of this protest Farr buttoned the +coat, smoothed it down, and then straightened his shoulders. + +“You may see that it was built for a gentleman and that it fits a +gentleman, friend pork-barrel.” + +“You shuck it off and pass it over, that's what you do,” yelped the +tramp. “It's my coat.” + +“It was perfectly apparent that it was not your coat when you tried it +on.” + +“I tell you I found it hanging on a fence-post just above here.” + +“That was merely by accident, and you should have passed on and left the +garments for one whose frame was fitted to wear them. You illustrate +the curse of modern society. Men are so filled with the greed of getting +that they grab misfits simply out of passion for possessing.” + +“I've stood your slurs ever since I got here, but I'll be jobeefed if +I'll stand for your swiping my property.” + +The man of the brown eyes smiled. His whole demeanor showed that he was +more than ever hugely enjoying his own verbosity--the florid language +which was both maddening and mystifying the tramp. + +“Further evidence of your mean nature: a gentleman resents an insult +that steals away his character much more quickly than he resents an act +that steals mere property. In that little book which I have just laid +down Shakespeare speaks trenchantly on that matter: 'Who steals my purse +steals trash . . . but he that filches from me my good name robs me . . . +and makes me poor indeed.'” + +The tramp gave over his work of folding, and awkwardly and cumbersomely +got upon his feet. + +“You take off that coat and hand it over. It's mine--I found it. I can +stand a crazy man's gab, but when any one tries to do me out of what's +my own I'll fight.” + +“May I ask what you're going to do with these garments of a gentleman +which have fallen into your hands by accident?” + +“I'm going to cash 'em in at the nearest second-hand shop, that's just +what I'm going to do.” + +“Just as you sold the Sunday suit you stole from a poor man! My friend, +I was insulted that day on account of you. You owe me something!” + +Just then the alarm-clock purred a brief signal. + +Up to that time the air of the man with the brown eyes had been that of +banter, of impish desire to harry and confuse by stilted language the +ignorant stranger who had come blundering upon him. + +He stared at the clock, looked down upon the frock-coat, and then +surveyed the other articles of clothing. He scowled as if he had +suddenly begun to reflect. Seriousness smoldered in the brown eyes. +That tinkling touch of metal against metal seemed to change his mood in +astonishing fashion. + +“Ah, it may be morning again, O my soul!” he cried with such tense +feeling in his voice that the tramp surveyed him with gaping mouth and +bulging eyes, as one stares at a person suddenly become mad. + +“I will talk to you though you will not understand! Once upon a time the +world was ruled by men who were ruled by omens. Man was then not so wise +in his own conceit. His own soul was nearer the soul of things. He was +not a mere gob of bumptiousness covered with the shell of cocksureness. +He was willing to be informed. He sought the omens of true nature--he +allowed Fate to guide him. He was not a pig running against the goad of +circumstances, unheeding the upflung arms of Fortune, waving him toward +the right path. He was simpler--he was truer. He felt that he was a part +of nature instead of being boss of nature. Well, I have got nearer to +true nature since I have been in the open. I am in contact with the +soul of things. I am no longer insulated. I am not reformed, I am simply +ready once again to grab Opportunity. So you think I am crazy, do you?” + +“They had a gink in a padded cell in the jail where I was last winter +and he didn't take on much worse'n you,” stated the tramp. + +“As a brainless observer you may be quite right. I may be a lunatic. I +feel much like one just now. It is lunacy to go climbing back to a level +in society from which I have been kicked. But as I knelt there by +that little fire, before you came, yearning sprang up in me--and I had +thought all that sort of yearning was dead in me. A moment later came +habiliments of a gentleman, borne in the arms of a wretch who could +not wear them. There came Opportunity. Then the jangle of that clock +signaled Opportunity--and there was a throb in me as though my sleeping +soul had rolled and blinked at the sunlight of hope and had murmured, +'It's morning again.' Such are omens, when one is ready to heed.” + +He set his teeth, clenched his fists, and by expression and attitude +showed that he had arrived at a decision of moment. He walked close +to the tramp. “I will admit, Friend Belly-brains, that you came upon +Opportunity before I did this day. But tell me again, are you to make no +further use of said Opportunity than to run to an old-clothes shop and +exchange for a few pennies that which will help to make a man?” + +“They are mine and I'm going to sell 'em,” retorted the sullen vagrant. + +“I am sorry because you have no wit--no power to understand. Otherwise +you would gladly lay these garments in my hands and bid me Godspeed. You +don't understand at all, do you?” + +“Look here, are you trying to frisk me for these duds?” + +“It's all a waste of breath to explain to you that Providence meant +these things for me. You are not acute enough to understand close +reasoning. I could not show you that, for the sake of a few coins, which +would do you only that harm which would come from their value in cheap +whisky or beer, you might be wrecking the future of a soul that is +awake. I simply tell you that I shall keep the clothing for myself. +Perhaps you can understand that plain statement!” The brown eyes became +resolute and piercing. “Even if I had money I would not pay you for +these garments. Money does such as you no good; it may bring you +trouble. My dear Boston Fat, I cannot afford to let you prejudice my +future, which, so instinct tells me, is wrapped up in those poor things +of wool and warp.” He snapped a finger into his palm and extended his +hand. “Give me that hat and then pass on about your business.” + +The tramp backed away. His little blinking eyes expressed both fear and +rebelliousness. More than ever did he resemble a pig at bay. The black +hat, set on top of his greasy cap and topping with its respectability +his disreputable general outfit, added a bizarre touch to the scene +between the two men. + +“You think now that you are the injured party,” calmly pursued the man +of the brown eyes. “You haven't intelligence enough to take my own case +into account. You are injured because you are losing a few coins--but I +may be injured in all that gives life its flavor if I do not grasp this +opportunity.” Both raillery and earnestness dropped out of his tones. He +became merely matter-of-fact. “I'll make it plain. Trot along about your +business, fat one, or I shall proceed to pound the face off you and +then kick you a few rods on your happy way. You deserve it as a thief--I +worked two weeks as a stone-mason on your account. Do you get me?” + +For answer the infuriated vagrant rushed at him and kicked. + +With one hand the stranger plucked the hat from the tramp's head and +sailed it to a place of safety. With the other hand he grabbed the +attacker's ankle before the foot hit him and with a jerk he laid the +tramp on his back. + +The victim fell so helplessly that the concussion knocked the breath and +a groan out of him. + +The man of the brown eyes had moved languidly and had talked languidly +till then. When he grabbed the foot he moved with a sort of steel-trap +efficiency and quickness. He promptly straddled his victim, seated +himself on the protruding abdomen, and began to beat the man's face. He +battered the flabby cheeks and punched his fists into the pulpy neck. He +ground his knees against the fat flanks and redoubled his blows when the +tramp struggled. After the squalling falsetto had implored for a long +time, the assailant at last gave over the exercise. + +“Are you licked?” he asked. + +“Yes,” whined the tramp. + +“You have stolen--in most dirty style. I whipped you for that job. Now +will you stay licked for some time?” + +“Yes.” + +“You'll go on about your own business, will you, without any more +foolish talk about those garments?” + +“Yes.” + +“Are you sorry you stole from that good woman who fed you?” + +“Yes.” + +The man of the brown eyes swung himself off his prostrate victim, as a +rider dismounts from a horse, and the tramp sat up, moaning and patting +his purple face. + +“I never had no luck, never,” he blubbered. “I was kicked out of jail +before the weather got warmed up, I was thrown in last fall just when +the Indian summer was beginning. When other fellows get hand-outs of pie +I get cold potatoes and bannock bread. I have to walk when other fellows +ride. I'm too fat for the trucks and they can always see me on the blind +baggage. I'll keep on walking. I never had no luck in all my life.” + +He rolled upon his hands and knees and then stood up. He started away, +wholly cowed, whining like a quill-pig, bewailing his luck. + +“Luck!” the man of the brown eyes shouted after him in a tone which +expressed anger and regret. “What do you know about luck, you animated +lard-pail? A thing like you is in luck when he is in jail where there +is no workshop. Better luck than that is too good for you. Hold on one +minute! Turn around and look at me.” + +The tramp obeyed. The stranger pounded one of those hard fists on his +own breast. + +“I say look at me! No matter what I was once! But to-day you found me +cooking bacon over three sticks and ready to fight for another man's +cast-off clothes. And in between whiles I have hiked every path that the +hobo knows between the oceans. Now jog on and think that over and keep +your jaw shut on luck! I say jog on! Don't look back. Forget that you +ever saw me.” + +He waved angry gesture and took two steps as though to enforce his +command with his fists. + +The tramp jogged on at a brisk pace. He hurried to the highway and set +out on his shuffling pilgrimage, rubbing his aching face and muttering +to himself. + + + + +V + +THE GIRL WHO GUARDED HER LIPS + +The brown eyes of the victor watched the tramp out of sight and for +some moments surveyed the nick in the undergrowth where the fellow had +disappeared. + +There was no anger in the eyes. There had been none while their +possessor had been pummeling the wretch. He had beaten the man up in a +calm, methodical and perfectly business-like manner. + +When at last he turned and looked at the clothing he smiled whimsically. + +“The perambulating pork-barrel thinks I am crazy,” he mused, looking at +the frock-coat. He had stripped that garment from his shoulders and had +tossed it on a bush when he had decided on combat. “If I should stop to +argue the matter with myself just now I should find myself flattering +his good judgment. I have robbed a poor devil for a whim. Thank God, +I went at it brutally and frankly. There was no 'high finance' +sneak-thieving about that job. I sent him away with his face smarting. +They sent me away with my soul black-and-blue.” + +He gathered the garments, picked up the shoes, put the hat on top of the +pile on his arm, and went farther into the woods, following the course +of a tiny stream of water. This stream led him to a pool. It was +tree-bordered, it was a center gem in a dim alcove in the forest, it was +as secret as a private chamber. The pool was glassy, for the winds were +still in the tree-tops. + +The man laid down his burden. He stripped off his own well-worn coat and +shirt, and secured a razor and stick of soap from the scattered articles +he dumped from the coat pocket. He kneeled on the brink of the pool, +leaned over and shaved himself carefully, using the glassy surface as +a mirror. Then he put off his other clothing, the mean garments of a +vagrant, and plunged into the pool. + +When he came forth from the water and dried himself with his discarded +shirt, he revealed himself to the birds whom his splashings had +attracted to the branches above the pool. If the birds' twitterings were +comments on his appearance, they must have been admiring comments. The +man's skin was white and he was lithe and tense and muscular. Breeding +showed in him as it shows in the muscles and conformation of a +race-horse. When he was dried he threw down the makeshift towel and +combed his shock of brown hair with his fingers. Now that the bristle of +beard was off his face he looked younger. + +From the pile of clothing he selected his outfit, garment by garment. +The jovial humor of the judge had provided complete equipment for a man. +In the breast pockets of the frock-coat there were a clean collar, a +necktie, and a freshly laundered handkerchief. + +By the time he had finished his dressing the pool was still and glassy +once more. He flirted out the handkerchief, holding it by one corner, +and swept the soft fabric around and around the crown of the black hat. + +He carefully set the hat on his head and leaned over the pool and took +an interested peep at himself. + +“You are a fool in this matter,” he informed the reflection. “And I +wonder why you are determined to persist in the folly. The man +Chick's tin suit cannot bring as much trouble to him as this garb of +respectability may bring to you. For no man can step up to that poor +Quaker and touch his shoulder and say--” + +He broke off. He began to search through his discarded garments and to +stow his few possessions into the pockets of his new attire. + +“All folly!” ran his thoughts. “I am consumed with it all of a sudden. +I have ranted to a tramp. Now I rant at myself. I am sloughing the rags +that have protected me. All folly!” + +His searching fingers, groping to the deepest corner of a pocket, +found the crumbling fragments of a dried rose. He narrowed his eyes and +surveyed it as it lay in his palm, and then made as if to toss it into +the pool. But he checked the gesture. He set his chin in his hands and +communed aloud with himself after the fashion of those who hold aloof +from mankind: + +“Folly, little sister! I may as well be truthful! Two dark eyes which +gave me the first honest, unafraid, and frank gaze I've had from a maid +in two years, two red lips which said 'Please' and 'Thank you'! A flash +of a glance behind her which called me, even if she did not mean it as +a call--and so, on I fare in a lunatic's dream. Own up! I have dreamed +that some day I will see her again. And down in the depths of me stirs +that impulse of the male which makes the peacock spread his feathers +and silly man perk in front of a mirror. Why not give in to the sense +of heredity once in a while even though it means beating up a tramp and +making myself more of a mark for human eyes?” + +He rolled the old clothes into a bundle and stuffed them under the roots +of a tree. Then he strolled away leisurely, and when he as in the wider +stretches of the wood where the light was better he pulled a small book +from his pocket and read as he walked. + +The volume was _Sartor Resartus_. His eyes happened to find this passage +and he smiled as he read: + + +All visible things are emblems. Hence clothes, as despicable as we think +them, are so unspeakably significant. Clothes, from the King's mantle +downward, are emblematic not of want only but of a manifold cunning +victory over want. Men are properly said to be clothed with authority, +clothed with beauty, with curses and the like. It is written, the +Heavens and the Earth shall fade away like a vesture; which indeed +they are: the time vesture of the Eternal. Whatsoever sensibly exists, +whatsoever represents spirit to spirit, is properly a clothing, a suit +of raiment, put on for a season and to be laid off. Thus in this one +pregnant subject of clothes, rightly understood, is included all that +men have thought, dreamed, done, and been; the whole Eternal Universe +and what it holds is but clothing; and the essence of all science lies +in the Philosophy of Clothes. + + +From time to time he looked down upon himself complacently. + +When he came near a glade in the wood he heard the chatter of the voices +of a merry party and he saw picnickers, men and women, gathered about +hampers. Automobiles were parked at a little distance, and he made a +detour to avoid the scene. + +He emerged upon an animated tableau of modern nymph and modish satyr +in a close-by forest aisle. The girl was flushed and disheveled and was +resisting a young man who had pushed aside her veil and was kissing her +with ardor. She beat him back with her gloved hands and eluded him, but +he caught her to him with more of rough passion than tender affection. + +“We are engaged to be married,” he insisted. “Why shouldn't I kiss you? +Don't be a prude!” + +She thrust her protesting palms against him and set her arms rigidly and +held her head away, not with coyness, but with indignation and fierce +rebellion. + +“I love you! My God, can't you understand?” he gasped. “I can't keep my +hands off you. You can't handle a man as you're trying to handle me. I +must have some affection from you!” + +“Richard! I'll not endure this! I am insulted!” + +“My kisses an insult? I'm no ice-water lover. You set me crazy. I can't +help myself.” + +She wrenched herself from his grasp and faced him, her face filled with +outraged fury. + +Farr had started to leave the scene. He stopped. The girl was the girl +of the red lips and the dark eyes. + +“Don't touch me!” she cried. “The only promise you have had from me, +Richard, is the one my mother has fairly forced from me. I am trying +honestly to like you. I will please my mother and you if I can.” + +“That's a devil of a thing to say to a man who loves you as I do,” he +declared, with anger. + +“That is all I can say just now. But if you use me again as you would +pull and haul a girl of the streets, I'll despise you. I give you +warning.” + +“What sort of books have you been reading, Kate?” he asked, +sarcastically. “Where did you get your idea of what love-making is? +They don't sing serenades under windows these days. They don't kiss +finger-tips and write mush poems. I am going to tell you a few things +you ought to know, as a girl engaged to be married.” + +Farr stood close by them and in plain sight, but their absorption in +their struggle had left them attention only for each other. He knew +that if he started away while they were talking his presence would be +promptly noted and undoubtedly misjudged. + +He set his finger between the leaves of his book and took his hat in his +hand. + +“Your pardon!” he pleaded. “I stumbled here quite by accident. Please +suspend conversation on private matters until I can walk out of +earshot.” + +He stared straight into the eyes of the girl and once more received from +her that frank and wondering gaze which had touched him so strangely +when he had seen her first on the broad highway. His face was white +under the tan. His hands trembled as he replaced his hat. In his +heart he was saying farewell to her and his eyes expressed some of his +emotion. + +“You may take your own time, sir,” said the girl. “This gentleman and +I have finished our conversation.” She passed Farr, looking him up and +down with increasing curiosity and dawning recognition, and when her +escort called to her impatiently, she caught her skirts around her and +ran toward the glade where the others of the party were chattering over +their hampers. + +The lover started away slowly and sullenly on her trail, with only a +glance at this blundering stranger. + +“No, they do not sing serenades under windows any more--nor has the +stone age returned with its love-making manners,” remarked Farr, his +lips trembling and his emotion still in his eyes. “There are some +manners which were worse, however, than knocking maidens down with +clubs.” + +The other man snapped himself around on his heels. + +“Damn you, you're that fresh hobo! I don't forget a man who shoots off +low-down sneers at me. Here! You come back here! I want to ask a few +questions, my man.” + +Farr continued on his way, opening his book. + +“If I ever see you again--” blustered the lover. + +“I sincerely hope that will never happen,” remarked the stranger, +without turning his head. “Instinct of the purely animal sort tells me +that if our paths cross in this life it will be very bad for one or the +other.” + +When Farr was in the highway he fumbled in his pocket and found the +withered rose. He tossed it away among the roadside bushes. + +But after he had gone on his way for some distance he retraced his steps +and hunted in the bushes for a long time on his hands and knees until he +found the poor little keepsake. + +He put it carefully into the deepest pocket he could find in his newly +acquired habiliments and trudged on down the world. + + + + +VI + +A MAN ON FOOT AND A MAN IN HIS CHARIOT + +A blatant orator, haranguing passionately, attracted two new auditors. + +A tall young man sauntered to the edge of the little group in the square +and listened with a smile which indicated cynical half-interest. + +An automobile halted on the opposite side of the group. A big man sat +alone in the tonneau. + +He began to scowl as he listened. + +The young man continued to smile. + +The big man was plainly a personality. He was cool and crisp in summer +flannels--as immaculate as the accoutrements of his car. + +In face and physique the young man was plainly not of that herd near +which he stood. + +His glance crossed that of the man in the car; he met the scowl with his +smile. + +Like a kiln open to the hot glare from a brassy sky or an oven where the +July caloric blazed like a blast from the open mouth of a retort--such +that day seemed Moosac Square in the heart of the cotton-mill city. High +buildings closed in its treeless, ill-paved, dirty area. The air, made +blistering by the torch of the sun, beat back and forth between the +buildings in shimmering waves. + +In the center of the square the blatant orator balanced himself on a +stone trough which was arid and dust-choked. He harangued the group of +unkempt men; sweating, blinking, apathetic men; slouchy men; men who +were ticketed in attire and demeanor with all the squalid marks of +idlers, vagrants, and the unemployed. + +The man on the trough was of the ilk of the men who surrounded him. His +face was flaming with the heat and with his vocal efforts. Perspiration +streamed into his eyes, his voice was hoarse with shouting, but he had +the natural eloquence of the demagogue. He was delivering the creed +of the propaganda of rebellious poverty, the complaints of the +dissatisfied, the demands of the idle agitators. He spiked his diatribe +with threats flavored by anarchy. He pointed to policemen who had taken +refuge in strips of shade which had been cast grudgingly by the high +buildings. He reminded his hearers that those policemen had just driven +them out of the tree-shaded parks. There the selfish rich folks were +loafing under the trees. Poor folks were herded down the street and were +forced to hold this meeting in that Gehenna, so he averred. + +The man in the automobile muttered impatient words. Then he shouted, +breaking in on the impassioned anathema which the orator addressed to +the rich: “Stop lying to these men--stirring them up. The parks are for +the people. You can go there--all you men can go there--if you'll go +without making a disturbance.” + +“If men in these days open their mouths to speak for their human rights +it's a disturbance,” retorted the demagogue. “If we go up to the park +and sit there and tremble like rabbits you rich men will let us stay +there--perhaps! But we don't have as many rights there as the rabbits, +for the rabbits are allowed to step on the grass.” + +“You've got to obey the law like other citizens--you will not be allowed +to disturb decent and respectable people. You and men like you must stop +putting foolish notions in the heads of loafers in this city.” + +“Then put something into our mouths--give us food. Why are we loafers?” + +“Because you won't go to work. I'll give every able-bodied man here +all the work he wants. Apply at the office of the Consolidated Water +Company--now.” + +“What's the work?” inquired a man in the crowd. + +“Digging trenches for water-pipes. How many men want that work? Hold up +hands.” + +“It ain't work for human beings in this weather,” snarled the man who +had inquired. No hands were raised. + +“That's your style!” blazed the big man. The policemen had sauntered +into the square and their presence was reassuring. He stood up and began +to lecture them. + +“And them's the kind of lord dukes that's running this country +to-day--own it and run it,” growled a slouchy fellow who stood near the +tall young man. “They ain't willing to give a poor man a show.” + +“He has just offered you a show--all of you,” stated the young man. + +“Yes, a Guinea job for white men.” + +“You're picking a poor excuse for being a loafer, my friend.” + +“Who says I'm a loafer?” + +The young man shot out his hands and grasped the fellow's elbow and +hand. The arm was flabby, the palm was soft. He doubled back the fingers +and exhibited the palm to the crowd. + +“I don't find any labor medals here, men. Is there anybody in the crowd +who can show some?” He released the struggling, cursing captive. + +“What's labor medals?” inquired a bystander. + +The big man was still denouncing them from his car, but the group paid +little attention now. + +“Callous spots in the place where a working-man ought to wear them. And +that place isn't on the tongue.” + +“Are you sneering at us because we can't get a job?” + +“You're a loafer yourself, and anybody can see it,” declared another. + +The young man raised his arms, showing them his palms. + +“I carry a few labor medals,” he returned, curtly. + +“Why ain't you on your job? The lord dukes won't give you one?” + +“_When_ I work and _where_ I work is my own business, so long as I don't +beg food at back doors.” + +“Do _we_?” + +They had crowded around him and menaced him with murmurings and +glowering gaze. + +“I should say so,” he replied, giving them an indifferent going-over +with his cold eyes. “You carry all the marks.” + +Then he shouldered his way out from among them, displaying the air of +one who found further discourse unprofitable. + +He strolled leisurely in the direction of the big man in the car. The +crowd he had left stared after him without presuming to voice taunt or +reply; there was something compelling about him. + +As Farr approached the automobile its owner stopped talking and stared +at the tall stranger with some apprehension. Then the big man beckoned +unobtrusively to a policeman. It was evident that Farr was not of +the same sort as the ruck of men from among whom he had just emerged, +nevertheless he had come from among them. The lordly man in the car had +observed him moving in the group, for Farr had loomed above the heads of +the others; what he had been saying to the malcontents the big man had +not been able to hear, but he guessed. + +“Some sort of sneak has been stirring up the fools in this city lately,” + the aristocrat informed the officer who came promptly to the side of the +car. “Who is this fellow coming?” + +“I never saw him before, Colonel Dodd.” + +“Stand by! He is going to tackle me and make a grand-stand play in front +of his gang. His clothes give him away--a loafing demagogue!” + +But the tall man did not pause at the car or even glance at the +dignitary who occupied it. He seemed to have lost all interest in the +occasion. He yawned as he passed the automobile and started away across +the square. + +“Here, you! You big chap!” called Colonel Dodd, promptly emboldened. + +Farr halted and turned, his countenance showing mild inquiry. + +“What do you mean by coming into a peaceable city and stirring up labor +troubles?” + +“Have I done so?” + +“You have just been mixing and mingling with those men, talking to them. +I know your kind.” + +“Ah, a gentleman of keen discernment!” + +“I have seen you before--you fellows with long-tailed coats and +short-horned ideas. We don't want your kind in this city!” + +“I seem to have made a prompt sensation without trying to do so,” + returned Farr, meekly. “I have been in your city less than fifteen +minutes, sir!” + +“You're a traveling labor-agitator, aren't you?” + +“No, sir.” + +“But I just saw you circulating among those men. Your rig-out shows your +character!” + +“You mean these garments I wear?” + +“Certainly! A frock-coat helps out your pose before an ignorant public.” + +“He stole that coat from me,” squeaked a fat man, standing at a little +distance, scrubbing a torn sleeve over his grimy, sweat-streaked face. +“He picked it fair off'n my back. I have follered him to show him up as +a robber and a fake. That's so help me!” + +Riotous laughter from all the listeners followed that declaration; +a glance at the tubby tramp and survey of the tall young man whose +contours fitted the garments made the fat man's assertion seem like a +huge joke. + +“I can prove it!” squalled the vagrant. + +“Beat it! Get out of this city!” commanded a policeman. “If you +don't we'll have you on the rock-pile. What ye mean by such guff?” He +flourished his stick and the tramp hurried away. + +“It's no use,” he whined. “Grab and bluff! Him what can do it best +always wins. That's the way the world goes!” + +“When I took these clothes off the back of my vanishing friend I felt +that they would make a change in my life,” stated Farr, with a smile +which provoked more laughter. “But I did not dream that they would bring +me such prominence in so short a time.” He bowed to the man in the car. + +But Colonel Dodd was angry and insistent and did not join in the +merriment. + +“I say you are a labor-agitator. Any man who won't go to work himself +has no right to be stirring up other workers against their own +interests. You may as well own up to me, my man. These men standing +around here know what you are--you have been talking with them. Outside +of stirring trouble, you don't work, do you?” + +“Oh yes, my lord!” + +There was smiling mockery in the tone, almost insolence. He seemed to +be willing to display to the rich man the same lack of respect he had +displayed to the poor men who stood near and listened to this colloquy. + +“Oh, you do?” Colonel Dodd raised his voice. “Listen sharp, my men! Do +you want to be led around by the noses by a man who doesn't work? This +gentleman is going to tell us what his job is!” He sneered when he said +it. + +“I am an assiduous toiler in my profession, your excellency. I am +surprised that as an employer you do not recognize a real worker when +you see one.” + +This tone of raillery and this stilted manner of speech promptly caught +the fancy of the throng. The men crowded more closely and the orator on +the trough was silent. + +“What do you work at?” + +“I am an architect, your gracious highness.” + +“Less of that insolence in the way of names, my friend! An architect, +eh? Well, what did you ever build?” + +“I laid out Dream Avenue in the boom city of Expectation and built on +that thoroughfare a magnificent row of castles in the air. If you had a +bit more imagination I might try to sell you something in my line. But +it is useless, I see! Farewell!” + +He swept off his broad-brimmed hat with a deep bow, backed away a few +steps, and bowed again and went on his way. The crowd guffawed. This +baiting of the city's labor magnate had most agreeably scratched their +itching sense of resentment. + +“I don't know who that josher is, but I hate to lose him out of town,” + confided the orator on the trough to those near him. + +“I never saw that fellow before, but I'll pinch him if you say so, +Colonel Dodd,” volunteered the policeman. “Do you make complaint?” + +“No,” snapped the colonel, glowering on the broad back which was +swinging across the square in retreat. He told his chauffeur to drive +on. + +When the car passed Farr the colonel flicked cigar ashes which alighted +in a spray of dust on the sleeve of the frock-coat. + +“Bah!” said the colonel, shooting the young man a scowl. + +Farr gave in return a smile, but it was not a particularly genial smile. + +The young man went on his way leisurely; by his gait, by his frequent +and somewhat prolonged pauses at shop windows, by his indifferent +starings at traffic and pedestrians, it was plain that he had little of +moment on his mind. + +He bought a penny glass of water at a corner kiosk. + +“Do you mind telling me,” he asked the vender, “Who is Colonel Dodd of +this city? I am a stranger and I have just overheard the name.” + +The man grinned. “If it wasn't for Colonel Symonds Dodd I wouldn't be +making much of a living here, selling spring-water. He is president of +the Consolidated.” + +“And that means?” + +“Why, it means that he is boss of the water trust that owns the system +in this city and in all the other cities and towns of this state. And +they pump all of their water out of the rivers because the lakes are so +far off, and nobody drinks that water unless he has to or don't know any +better. Colonel Dodd? Why, he bosses the whole state, they tell me.” + +“I gathered that he was important,” said the young man, and walked on. + +He was held up in the passing crowd at a street corner for a few moments +because a parade of some half-dozen automobiles whirled past. The cars +were decorated with banners, and the wild flowers and other spoil of +forest and field in the arms of the ladies indicated that this was a +party returning from a picnic in the suburbs. + +“Would you mind telling me,” asked Farr of the policeman who was +guarding the corner, “who that young man is--the one there in the gray +automobile?” + +“With the bleached blonde and the pretty girl?” asked the officer. “Oh, +that's Colonel Dodd's nephew--Dicky Dodd. Of course you know who the +colonel is.” + +“Yes,” said Farr. He opened his mouth to ask another question, for the +policeman seemed to be of the obliging sort. Then he closed his lips +resolutely and marched along. + +“What's the use?” he muttered. “Two dark eyes and a red mouth--and I am +almost forgetting how to be a philosopher.” + +Farther down the city thoroughfare he met one who had claimed to be +a philosopher. It was Jared Chick, stalking along the sidewalk in his +home-made armor. He held a box of stove-polish in one hand and a brush +in the other, and as he strolled he was giving his corselet and such +parts of the armor as he could handily reach a glossy coat--a gleaming +and burnished surface. On his helmet in place of a crest Knight Chick +bore aloft a metal banneret inscribed, “Invincible Stove Polish.” + +“And the mission?” asked Farr, halting his quondam companion, who had +been too intent upon his business to pay heed to passers. + +“I find thee changed, and no doubt thee, too, finds me changed,” sighed +Mr. Chick. + +The mouth of an alley between high buildings afforded a retreat and the +breeze blew there fitfully, and Mr. Chick stepped to that oasis of shade +in the glare of sunshine. + +“I have been obliged to modify my mission in some degree. I must confess +that to thee,” he said. “This is a strange and wicked world.” + +“Didn't you know it before you gave up a good blacksmith business to go +out in the hot sun and suffer torment, all for nothing?” + +“It is very hard work,” acknowledged Chick, showing his flushed and +streaming face under his vizor. “If I were not used to the fires of the +forge I think I would fall down and die. But I must keep on.” + +“But you are simply an advertising-sign.” + +“I have modified my mission. I have not given up, however. I will tell +thee! I found a man beside the way--a man who had been drinking strong +waters and whose pockets had been turned wrong side out. So I took him +to a tavern and I sat with him through the night, and nursed him when he +suffered, and revealed my mission when he awoke. 'I am out to do good +to all men,' I told him, and he searched through his pockets with +blasphemy, and he said that I had done him--and he haled me before +the court, and the judge said that no man could publicly profess such +disinterestedness and escape suspicion, because people in these days +are all looking for the main chance. So he did not believe me and he +sentenced me to the jail. But a good Samaritan interceded for me and +took me from behind the bars, and now in the spirit of gratitude I am +repaying him; he makes and sells this stove-polish.” + +“That man is evidently shrewd in business and a good advertiser,” + commented Farr. + +“I find that I get along much better in the world,” asserted the +knight-errant. “Now that I carry an advertising-sign my armor attracts +no rude mobs. I can go abroad and do good to a foolish world; I can use +the stipend my good benefactor allows to me for my work and I can help +poor folks here and there. Therefore, I am content with my modified +mission. Is thee more at peace with the world?” + +“I ought to be, after hearing you say that _you_ are contented,” said +Farr, with irony. + +“Thee has manifestly improved thy condition, so I observe.” + +“It often happens in this world, Friend Chick, that the sleeker we are +on the outside, the more ragged we are within. I think I'll move on. I +might say something to jar your sense of sublime content. I'd be sorry +to do that. Real contentment is a rare thing and must be handled very +carefully.” + +“I fear thee loves thyself too much,” chided the Quaker. “Affection for +somebody might make thee happy, my friend.” + +Farr choked back the comment that occurred to him in regard to love and +walked away. + + + + +VII + +THE RAKE WHICH GROPED IN DARK WATERS + +The afternoon was waning, but the hot bowl of the sky seemed to shut +down over the city more closely. + +Farr held to the shaded sides of the streets, and yearned for a patch of +green and a tree and its shade. + +At last he came into a section of the city where vast mills, one +succeeding another in rows which vanished in the distance, clacked +their everlasting staccato of hurrying looms, venting clamor from +the thousands of open windows. A canal of slow-moving, turbid water +intersected the city and fed its quota of power to each mill. The fenced +bank of the canal was green; and elms, languid in the fierce heat, +gave shade here and there with wilted leaves. The masses of brick which +inclosed the toilers within the mills puffed off tremulous heat-waves +and suggested that humanity must be baking in those gigantic ovens. + +A high fence interposed between the canal and the street; the mill lawn +which extended between the canal and the shimmering brick walls was also +inclosed. Signs posted on the fence warned trespassers not to venture. + +A bridge carried the street across the canal, and Farr stood there for a +time and watched the swirl of the water below. Then he sauntered on and +surveyed the expanse of mill lawn with appraising and envious gaze. + +The young man climbed the canal fence, exhibiting more of his cool +contempt for authority by helping himself over the sharp spikes with +the aid of a “No Trespassing” sign. The sickly odor of raw cotton came +floating to his nostrils from the open windows. He strolled to the +head of a transverse canal which sucked water from the main stream. +A sprawling tree shaded a foot-worn plank where an old man, with bent +shoulders and a withered face, trudged to and fro, clawing down into the +black waters with a huge rake. He was the rack-tender--it was his task +to keep the ribs of the guarding rack clear of the refuse that came +swirling down with the water, for flotsam, if allowed to lodge, might +filch some of the jealously guarded power away from the mighty turbines +which growled and grunted in the depths of the wheel-pits. With rake in +one hand and a long, barbed pole in the other the old man bent over the +bubbling torrent that the rack's teeth sucked hissingly between them. +Bits of wood, soggy paper, an old umbrella, all manner of stuff which +had been tossed into the canal by lazy folks up-stream, he raked and +pulled up and piled at the end of his foot-bridge. + +“Hy, yi, old Pickaroon!” came a child's shrill voice from a mill window. +“There's a tramp under your tree.” + +The old man raised his head from his work at the rack. + +“You must not come on dis place,” he cried, with a strong +French-Canadian accent. + +“Who says so?” inquired the stranger, putting his back against the tree +and stretching out his legs. + +“I--Etienne Provancher.” + +“And I--my worthy alien--I am Walker Farr from Nowhere. Now that we have +been properly introduced I will sit here and rest. I am here because I +love the soothing sound of babbling waters on a hot day. Go about your +work. I'll watch you. I love surprises. Who knows what next you'll draw +forth from the depths of fate? + +“I can have you arrest!” cried the old man. + +The uninvited guest took off his broad-brimmed hat, laid it across +his knees, and ran his hand through his shock of brown hair; it curled +damply over his forehead and, behind, reached down nearly to his +coat-collar, hiding his tanned neck. In some men that length of hair +might have seemed affectation. It gave this man, as he sat there +uncovered, that touch of the unusual which separates the person +of strong individuality from the mere mob. Then he smiled on old +Etienne--such a warm, radiant, compelling, disarming sort of smile that +the rack-tender turned to his work again, muttering. His mouth twitched +and the crinkles in his withered face deepened. + +Walker Farr found a comfortable indentation in the tree-trunk and +settled his head there. + +“How much do you get a week for doing that, Etienne?” he inquired, with +cool assurance. + +The old man glance sideways sharply, but the smile won him. + +“Six dollaire.” + +“After supporting your family, what do you do with the rest of the money +these generous mill-owners allow you?” + +“I never was marry.” + +The young man looked up at the mill windows where childish heads were +bobbing to and fro. + +“That was poor judgment, Etienne. You might have married and have a +dozen children now, working hard for you in the mill. Just like those +children yonder.” + +The old man came to the end of his foot-bridge and flung down his rake +and his pike-pole. + +The sudden emotions of his Gallic forebears swept through him. His +features worked, his voice was high with passion. + +“Ba gar, I don't sleep the night because I think about dem poor childs. +Dem little white face, dem arm, dem leg--all dry up--not so big as +chicken leg. And all outdoor free to odder childs--not to them childs +up dere.” He shook his fists at the mill windows. And some child who +saw the motion, getting a hasty peep from a widow, squealed, “Hi yi, old +Pickaroon!” + +“It doesn't pay to get too excited over the sorrows of the world, my +friend,” drawled the young man under the tree. “It doesn't do any good; +and then somebody calls you names. I was something like you once. But +I've changed my philosophy. I have hypnotized my altruism. Now I'm +perfectly happy.” + +Etienne stared without understanding these big words. But he had often +told himself that he never expected to understand Yankee speech very +well. He worked alone; he lived alone in his garret in the tenement +block; he talked but little with any person. But this young man with +the wonderful smile seemed to inspire him to talk--even to the extent of +revealing his secrets. + +He lowered his voice. “Thirty year I have work here. I live way up in +the little room. Bread I eat with lard on it. It costs little. Of the +six dollaire I save much. Ah, _oui_! Hist! Not for me I save it. Ah, +_non_! To the priest I give it. To the good priest. And the poor childs +what are sick--he send 'em to the farm--to have some outdoors. But I +don't sleep the night because I think the dollaire come so slow--and so +many poor childs are sick.” + +He picked up his rake and pike and went back to his labor. + +The man under the tree did not lose his smile. + +“Yonder is a brand of altruism that cannot be hypnotized or modified +like Knight Chick's, I fear,” he muttered. “You'd have to hit it on the +head--kill it with sticks! And my definition of philanthropy has always +been, 'giving away something you don't want in order to get yourself +advertised.' Etienne is interesting. He is the only philanthropist I +have even found who will eat lard instead of butter so as to save more +for his philanthropy.” Now his smile grew hard. “Don't dare to open your +eyes, Altruism,” he commanded. “I saw the lids quiver a minute ago while +that old man was talking, but remember you're hypnotized.” + +He saw the rack-tender lay down his pike so as to give both hands to his +big rake. + +He was pulling at something heavier than the ordinary flotsam--something +far below the surface of the water. At last it broke through the black +surface of the turbid flood. To Walker Farr, glancing carelessly, it +seemed like a bedraggled bundle of rags with something white at the end. + +“You come help, m'sieu',” called old Etienne. “It is a dead woman.” + +Together they pulled the rake's dread burden slowly up the bars of the +rack. + +“You seem pretty cool about this,” gasped the young man. + +“It is no new thing. Many drown themselves--they drown in the canal so +they will be found. Women and girls, they drown themselves. So! Help me +carry her.” + +Farr gazed down on her after she had been laid on the canal bank. She +was young, but thin and work-worn. + +“Weaver,” commented old Etienne, laying back on her breast one of the +hands he had lifted. “There's the marks on the fingers where she have +tie so many knots so quick.” + +There was a key on her breast; it was secured by a cord that passed out +of sight between the buttons on her waist. Farr stooped and pulled on +the key. A folded paper came with the key; the other end of the cord was +tied around the paper. + +“You must not--it is for the coroner,” protested Etienne. “I know the +law--I have drag up so many.” + +“My besetting sin is curiosity,” declared the young man, his calm +impertinence unruffled. He pulled the wet paper from the noose of the +cord. “We'll read this together.” + +“I cannot read,” confessed the rack-tender. “You shall read it to me.” + His little black eyes gleamed now with curiosity of his own. “I shall be +glad to hear. The coroner he never read to me.” + +The water had spread the ink and spotted the paper, but Farr was able to +decipher the missive. He read aloud: + + +“'My head has grown bad since my husband died. It is grief, the awful +heat, the work at the looms. They said if I would give my little girl +away she could go to the country and grow well. But I could not give her +up for ever. I could not earn the money to send her to board. I could +not earn the money except to buy us bread here in the tenement block. +And my bad head has been telling me it's best to kill myself and take +her with me. So I kill myself before my head grows so bad that I might +take away my little girl's life. It belongs to her and I hope she may +be happy. Will somebody take her and give her happiness? It is wicked to +kill myself, but my head is so bad I cannot think out the right way to +do. This is the key to the room in Block Ten. + +“'MRS. ELISIANE SIROIS. + +“'Her name is Rosemarie.'” + + +Walker Farr finished reading and stared into the glittering eyes of the +old man. + +Etienne Provancher swore roundly and furiously--the strange, hard oaths +that his ancestors had brought from the Normandy of the seventeenth +century. + +“So you shall see--it is as I have say.” He shook his fists again at the +mill. Its open windows vomited the staccato chatterings of the +myriad looms. “It chews up the poor people. Hear its dam' teeth go +chank--chank--chank!” + +“The Gallic imagination is always active,” said Farr, joggling the key +at the end of the cord and eyeing it with peculiar interest. “But in +this case it seems to picture conditions pretty accurately. I wonder +just what a visitor would find inside the door that this key fits!” + +“You shall go tell them at the office of the mill,” commanded Etienne. +“Tell them they have killed another. They will telephone for the +coroner. I will give the paper and the key when he come.” He held out +his hand. “It is the law.” + +“I have a natural hankering--sometimes--to break the law,” affirmed the +young man. “I feel that fatal curiosity of mine stirring again, Friend +Etienne. I will send the coroner. But coroners love mysteries. If we +give him the letter it will take all the spice out of this affair. Let's +make him happy--he can drag out the inquest and give his friends a long +job on the jury.” He smiled and started away, shaking his head when the +old man protested shrilly. “Better say nothing about this letter and +the key. You'll get into trouble for letting a stranger come in here and +carry away evidence. Better keep out of the law, Etienne.” He grabbed +the “No Trespassing” sign for a hand-hold and climbed over the fence. +“I'll come back and tell you, Etienne. But keep mum,” he advised. + +“It is his smile--it makes me break the law,” mumbled the old man. + + + + +VIII + +THE KEY TO A DOOR IN BLOCK TEN + +Walker Farr gave the first policeman--a fat and sweltering individual--a +piece of gruesome news and in return casually asked the location of +Block Ten. + +The policeman grudgingly growled the information over his shoulder while +waiting for the station to answer the call from his box. + +The young man, taking his time, found the place at last, one in an +interminable row of tenement-houses, all identical in structure and +squalor, bearing the mark of corporation niggardliness in their cheap +lumber and stingy accommodations. + +The hallway that Farr entered was narrow and stifling--stale odors of +thousands of dead-and-gone boiled dinners mingled there, and a stairway +with a greasy handrail invited him. The key bore a number. He hunted +till he found a room, far up, flight after flight. Through open doors he +saw here and there aged women or doddering old men who were guardians of +dirty babes who tumbled about on the bare floors. + +“Either too old to run a loom or too young to lug a bobbin,” Farr +informed himself; “that's why they aren't in the mill.” + +Old folks and babes stared at him without showing interest. + +No one looked at him when he opened the door in which the key fitted. + +He stepped in quickly and closed and locked the door behind him. + +It was a little room and pitifully bare, and it was under the roof, and +the ceiling slanted across it so sharply that the young man, tall above +the average, was compelled to bow his head. + +A little girl, a wraith of a child, pale with the pallor of a prisoner, +hardly more than a toddler, sat on the floor and stared up at the +intruder, frozen, silent, immobile with the sudden, paralyzing terror +that grasps the frightened child. Pathetically poor little playthings +were scattered about her: a doll fashioned from gingham and +cotton-waste, makeshift dishes of pasteboard, a doll-carriage made from +a broken flower-basket with spools for wheels. The man who entered saw +all with one glance and understood that here in this bare room this +child had been compelled to drag out the weary hours alone while the +mother had toiled. Here now the child waited patiently for--for that +water-soaked bundle, with the white, dead face, that lay on the canal +bank waiting for the coroner. + +And when he realized it and saw this and looked down on that lonely, +patient, wistful little creature making the best shift she could with +those pitiable playthings, something came up from that man's breast into +his throat. He had not supposed he had any of it left in his soul--it +was tender, agonizing, heartrending pity. + +She still stared at him, terrorized. Probably she had never seen any +face come in at that door except her mother's. + +His pity must have given Walker Farr a hint of how to deal with this +frightened child. He did not speak to her. He made no move toward her. + +He smiled! + +But it was not the smile he had given the fat plutocrat in the +automobile, nor yet the jocular radiance he had displayed to old +Etienne. It was such a smile as the man had never smiled before--and he +realized it. He did not want to smile. He wanted to weep. But he brought +that smile from tender depths in his soul--depths he had not known of +before--and tears came with the smile. + +Before that time the lines in his face had fitted the smile of the +cynic, the grimace of banter, of irony and insolence. But the strange +glory that now glowed upon his features came there after the mightiest +effort he had ever made to control his feelings and his expression. + +He smiled! + +In that smile he soothed, he promised, he appealed. Then when he saw the +tense expression of fear fade away he smiled more broadly--he provoked +reply in kind. And slowly upon the child's face an answering smile began +to dawn--little crinkles at the corners of the drooping mouth, little +flickerings in the blue eyes, until at last the two beaming faces +pledged--on the part of the man tender protection, on the part of the +child unquestioning confidence. + +But he said no word--he dared not trust his voice. + +He went down on his knees cautiously, her smile welcoming him now. + +He held out his hands. She hesitated a moment and then gave into them +her chiefest possession--her rag doll. It was as if she had pledged her +faith in him. He danced the doll upon his broad palm, and the child's +eyes, dancing too, thanked him for the courtesy he was paying to her +dearest friend. + +But Walker Farr realized that something strange and disquieting in the +case of a man who believed himself a cynic was stirring within him. +That hostage of the doll was not sufficient to satisfy the sudden queer +craving. The knowledge of the hopeless helplessness of that little girl +throbbed through him. The memory of the spectacle of what he had left on +the canal bank made the pathos of this little scene in the garret doubly +poignant as he looked into the child's eyes. Never, in his memory, had +he invited a child to come to him. + +Now he put out his hand--and it trembled. She snuggled her warm little +fist into his grasp. And then she scrambled up and came and nestled +confidingly against him. She couldn't see his face then, and he allowed +the tears of a strong man who is overcome before he has understood--who +wonders at himself--he allowed those tears to streak his cheeks and did +not wipe them away. + +Walker Farr was too perturbed to soliloquize just then in his +philosopher's style, but he did realize that some part of his altruism +had come out of its trance. + +And after he had knelt there on the floor for a time he rose and took +the child in his arms and sat down in a creaky rocking-chair and crooned +under his breath, and was astonished to find that she had gone sound +asleep. He stared into the dusk that was gathering outside the dormer +window and wondered what ailed him. + +He had heard many feet thudding on the stairs below. The workers were +returning. The beehive was filling. There were many voices, clatter of +dishes, chatter of patois. + +He wondered how well the woman Sirois was known in the house--whether +she had relatives--how soon somebody would come and beat upon the door. + +He wondered just what disposition was made of children left in this +manner. + +If the woman had relatives who were forced to take the child it meant +more of this horrible tenement life. The child in his arms was pale and +thin; her bones seemed as inconsiderable as a bird's. + +He did not know much about children's homes, orphanages, institutions +for the reception of the homeless, but it seemed to him that such a +tiny, frail little girl would be very, very lonely in such a place. + +The skies grew dark without. He was cramped because he had sat for hours +in one position, fearing to waken her. But when he moved she did not +waken--he did not understand how soundly childhood can sleep. He laid +her on the foot of the narrow bed and looked about the room, shielding +a match with his hands. He had resolved to carry her out of that fetid, +overcrowded babel of a tenement. Where? He did not know. He hunted to +find her belongings. He found a few clothes. There was no receptacle in +which he could pack them. He folded them and crowded the articles in his +pockets. He stuffed in the doll and the rude playthings and hooked the +basket doll-carriage upon his arm. She did not waken when he picked her +up. He tiptoed down the stairs and nobody noticed him, In his own dizzy +mind he could not determine whether he felt most like a thief or a +lunatic. At any rate, he found himself walking the streets of the mill +city at ten o'clock at night, carrying a little girl in his arms and all +her earthly possessions in his pockets. + +It came over him at last that the longer he kept her the more uncertain +he became as to what disposal he should make of her, or else he was more +loath to part with her; he didn't exactly know which. + +Then she woke and spoke for the first time. “Me is te'bble hungry--and +firsty,” she mourned. + +“Good Lord! What's the matter with me?” grunted the young man. “If I had +found a cat or a dog, the first thing I would have done would be to give +'em something to eat. I reckon I must have thought I had picked up an +angel.” To her he said, smoothing her hair with his free hand. “We'll +have sumpin for baby's tummy mighty quick.” He flushed at sound of that +baby prattle from his lips. But it had popped out in the most natural +manner possible. + +He headed for the nearest night lunch-cart. He entered with his burden. + +He elbowed aside men who were eating sandwiches and pie at the counter. +With complete and rueful knowledge as to the extent of his resources, +he ordered a bowl of bread and milk--“the best you can do for a hungry +kiddie for ten cents,” he added. + +“Anything for yourself?” inquired the waiter. + +He shook his head and paid for the child's supper with his whole +capital, two nickels. He held her on the end of the counter and, +awkwardly but with tender carefulness, fed the bread and milk to her +with a spoon. A healthy man's hunger gnawed within him and the savor of +coffee from the big, bubbling urn tantalized him. He tipped the bowl to +her lips and she drank the last of the milk with a happy little sigh, +and he went out into the night again, carrying her in his arms. + +He understood all the suspicions that policemen entertain in the case +of night prowlers, and knew that they would be particularly and +meddlesomely interested in one who prowled with a child in his arms. The +child began to whimper softly. Her interest in the stranger who had +won her with a smile, her slumber in his arms, her feast in strange +surroundings, had kept her child's mind busy and pacified till then. Now +she voiced childhood's unvarying lament--“I wants my mamma!” + +He soothed her as best he could, promising, giving her all manner of +assurance regarding her mother, wondering all the time what was to be +done. Why had he interfered? Why had he taken upon himself the custody +of this mite, so trifling a weight in his arms, but now resting--a giant +of a burden--on his responsibility? He did not know. He owned up to that +ignorance frankly. But he walked on, carrying her, and put away from his +thoughts the sensible alternative of placing her in the hands of those +duly appointed to care for such cases. + +He told himself that, as a stranger in the city, he would not be able +to find a refuge--an institution that time of night--and he knew that he +was lying to himself, and wondered why. + +The impulse that directed his course toward the canal was rather grim, +but he remembered the tree which had been sanctuary for him that day. He +carefully lowered the little girl over the fence and climbed after her. +And she did not call any more for her mother because this strange new +scene seemed to impress her and fill her with wonderment. She stared up +into the dim, mysterious, rustling foliage of the tree for a long time. +She patted her hands upon the grass as if it were something she +had never seen or felt before. She seemed to be making her first +acquaintance with Mother Nature--claiming the heritage of outdoors that +children so intensely covet. The sloped ceiling and the walls of the +attic room had been sky and landscape for her. She peered into the still +waters of the canal and saw the stars reflected there, and cocked her +ear to listen when sleepy birds stirred above and chirped in their +dreams. And then she fell asleep again and he tucked her within his coat +to keep from her the dampness of the faint mist rising from the canal. + +The dawn flushed early and she woke when the birds did, and found so +much to interest her--ants who ran up and down the tree, funny bugs that +tumbled, robins who bounced along the sward on stiff legs--that she did +not ask for her mother nor seem to find at all strange the companionship +of this tall man whose face was so kind. + +And so Etienne Provancher found them when he came with his rake and +pike-pole at six o'clock, the hour when the great turbines began to +grunt and rumble in their deep pits. + +“It is Rosemarie--I found her in the room,” said Walker Farr. + +The old man came close and gazed down on the pallor and pathos of this +little snipped who still stared at the new wonders of outdoors. + +“Anodder one, hey? You found her lock up?” + +“Yes, and I brought her away--and I don't know just what the matter is +with me, Etienne. I have not been inclined to put myself out for anybody +in this world--man, woman, or child--of late years. I had made up my +mind to let the world run itself.” + +“It is the way the rich man say--he do not care. But the poor man should +care--he should try to help odder poor man. He should care.” + +“Oh, there are things that can happen to make a man stop caring. But I +brought her away, just the same. I--I woke up--or something. I have +been awake all night--I have been thinking--I had nothing else to do. +Insomnia has made me insane--one night of it!” He laughed when the old +man blinked at him. “I'm so crazy that I want you to help me find some +good woman who will take this child to board in a comfortable home.” + +“Who'll pay?” + +“I'll pay. Oh, I am completely crazy--I'm going to work--earn money to +pay her board.” + +“I know a good woman near by--she have leetle house, cat, plant in +window.” + +“That's the kind.” + +“I will tell you where she live. You shall say you come from Etienne +Provancher and it will make you good for her.” He paused, raised a brown +finger, then went on. “But you shall not know where she live onless +I may pay half the board money for the poor little one. We have been +togedder in it--I tell some lie to the coroner--we must be togedder in +help the childs.” + +There was firm resolve in old Etienne's face and tones. + +“Partnership it shall be, my old boy,” agreed the young man, heartily. +“I'm no pig--I won't keep a good man out of a real picnic.” He rose and +swept the child into his arms. “Give me the address and hand her over +the fence to me. I'll have to quit being nurse and find a real job. +By the way, Etienne, I heard a fat man weeping yesterday because he +couldn't get men to dig dirt for the Consolidated Water Company. He +seemed to take a great fancy to me. Where's their office?” + +He received both the information and the child after he had climbed the +fence. Etienne was able to point out the little house of sanctuary from +where he stood--and he waved his rake reassuringly from a distance when +the good woman came to the door, answering Farr's knock. He danced +into the house with the child, behind the good woman, who had answered +Etienne's signal with a return flip of her apron; he was trying to bring +a smile to the little face. + +“You'll have to lie to her more or less about her mother, good woman. +Etienne and I will tell you all about it when there's time. When she +asks about her mother just give her something to eat and lie a bit.” + He set the child upon the table where the good woman was making fresh +cookies. He piled the little toys about her. “I'm going to market, to +market to buy a fat pig, and I'll be home again, riggy-jig-jig,” he +declared in a singsong that fetched a chuckle from the waif, and she +followed him with a smile as he hurried out. “That smile will sweeten +a day's work in the trench,” he assured himself. “I sure am some +foster-father when I get started!” + +A listless clerk at the Consolidated office gave him a ticket to be +delivered to the foreman of construction--the foreman sent him out with +other men on a rattling jigger-wagon. By being very humble, and with the +aid of his smile, he succeeded in begging a corned-beef sandwich for +his breakfast from a workman on the jigger who was carrying his lunch to +work. He ate it very slowly so as to make the most of it. + +The new trench was in a suburban plot which had just been opened up by a +real-estate syndicate. It was a bare tract, flat and dusty, and the +only trees were newly planted saplings that were about as large as +fishing-poles. How the sun did beat into that trench! But Walker Farr +threw off his coat and used again his ready asset--his smile. He smiled +at the boss who sneered at the style of “fiddler's hair” worn by a +dirt-flinger--smiled so sweetly that the boss came over later and hit +him a friendly clap on the shoulder and said, “Well, old scout, here's +hoping that times will be better!” + +“I'll take her out on the bank of the canal this evening before bedtime +and we'll have a lark,” reflected Walker Farr as he toiled in the hot +trench. And he stopped quizzing himself as to the whys of this sudden +devotion to a freakish notion. He seemed to know at last. + + + + +IX + +THE GIRL FROM TADOUSAC + +When the noon hour came Farr went and sat under a spindling tree and +began to read in one of his little books, dismissing thoughts of hunger +with the resoluteness of a man who had suffered hollow yearning of the +stomach and knew how to conquer it. + +But he could not escape the keen eyes and kindly generosity of the +fraternity of toilers. + +“A topper down on his luck a bit--see his clothes,” said the foreman, +and he took tithes from willing men who were eating from pails that were +pinched between their knees; he carried the food to the young man. + +Farr accepted with gratitude, ate with thrifty moderation, and hid what +remained in the pockets of his coat; it would serve for his supper. + +He ate that supper after his day's work was done and after he had laved +his face and hands in the overflow from a public fountain in a little +square. + +Then he hurried to the house of the good woman. + +She was busy with her dishes in the kitchen and Rosemarie was on the +knees of a young woman who sat and rocked in one of the sitting-room +chairs. + +Farr entered by the kitchen door and stood there, looking in with some +confusion on the girl and child. + +“It is only Zelie Dionne; she is my boarder,” the woman informed him. +“She is a good girl and she has the very nice job in the cloth-hall of +the big Haxton mill. She lives with me because I was neighbor of her +good folks in the Tadousac country, so far away from here in our Canada. +Come! I make you acquaint. You shall see. She is a good girl!” + +Zelie Dionne rose and acknowledged the introduction with a French girl's +pretty grace. A bit of a flush lighted the dusky pallor of her cheeks +when Farr bent before her. The bow in her hair was cocked with true +Gallic chic and her gown was crisply smart in its simplicity. Her big, +dark eyes were the wonderful feature of her face, and Farr looked into +them and seemed to lose a bit of his cool self-possession; he faltered +in speech, groping for words in the first commonplaces. + +“You must talk together. I must work,” said the good woman. She hurried +back into her kitchen. + +The child ran to Farr and climbed upon his knees. + +“You have been good to Rosemarie. I thank you,” he said. “I suppose the +good woman has told you how it has happened.” + +“Yes, when I came at noon.” Her tones were peculiarly sweet and +compassionate. A touch of accent gave piquancy to what she said. She +looked at him meaningly. “I have been talking to our little Rosemarie +and she will not cry any more for her good mamma who has gone up to +the green hills because she is sick and must rest. So Rosemarie will be +patient and live here and I will be play-mamma.” + +“Yes, play-mamma,” agreed the child. “Good play-mamma! Two mammas! But +only one papa!” She put up her arms and tucked them about his neck +and snuggled down with a happy sense of complete understanding of his +protection. At last, so it seemed to her, she had recovered the father +she had never known. Poor, little, caged bird, her release from that +lonely prison was dated in her happy consciousness from his appearance +in the doorway, and all things had been well for her after he +came--sunlight, the trees, the blue sky, and tender care, and the +companionship of human beings. Therefore, the rush of a love her child's +comprehension could not analyze had gone out to him. + +Farr returned with significance the look Zelie Dionne's dark eyes gave +him. + +“I found the note. It made me go a-meddling. It left a legacy to +somebody--and I accepted--without understanding why I did so.” He +stroked the child's curls. + +“I did not understand at first--when Madame Maillet told me,” she +confessed, with a smile. “Old Etienne came at noon to tell her and she +has told it to me. It is very sad--but yet it is comical when I look at +you. But as I look at you I understand better. You have a good heart. I +can see!” + +“I am only a strolling stranger--here to-day and there to-morrow,” + protested Farr. “I think the heat must have affected my head. It has +been very warm lately. But when I saw her--” He choked suddenly. + +“Oh, it is easy to understand,” said the girl, reassuringly. A mist +of tears came across her big eyes, though her mouth did not lose the +wistful smile. “The poor folks help one another--and they understand.” + +“It wouldn't be right to give her to an orphanage,” insisted Farr. “She +has missed too much already. Of course I don't pretend to know what a +little girl needs--but I am willing to be told.” + +“I will tell you and I will help.” + +“I think old Etienne and I need you in the partnership--as adviser. I +thank you.” + +Then came the old Canadian, his wrinkled face tender with solicitous +interest, and he chuckled when he welcomed the new member of the firm. + +“Ah, Mam'selle Zelie she shall help us the very much in what we do not +know,” he informed the young man, and continued, while the dark eyes +flashed protest: “I am of the Tadousac country, and she is a good girl, +for I have know her all the years since I trot her on my knee when she +much small as the petite Rosemarie. I can tell you how she dance down +the meadows in the ring-a-rosy play and how she--” + +“Phut! Your tongue is as long as your rake and it goes reaching +down into other folks' affairs, old Etienne! What cares this strange +gentleman for what happened in Tadousac? Go use your key instead of your +tongue. Unlock your little door so that Rosemarie may walk on the cool +grass beside the canal.” + +The old man grinned and started away. + +“We're going out where the birds will sing good night to you,” Farr told +the child and lifted her off his knees. But at the door she stopped and +turned to Zelie Dionne, who had not risen. + +“Come, play-mamma!” + +“I will wait here till you come back, Rosemarie.” + +But the child was coaxingly insistent, holding out her hand. + +“I think it is because she has been so lonely all her life,” suggested +Farr. “Now that she has found friends she wants them to be with her +in her little pleasures. May I presume enough to add my invitation to +hers?” + +She came and the child walked between them, holding their hands. + +“One papa and my play-mamma!” she said, looking up at them in turn. + +Mother Maillet came to the kitchen door and waved adieu with her +dish-towel. + +“Ah, the family!” she cried. “Yesterday it was not--to-day it is. And +grandpere marching off ahead!” + +“Old folks and children--they say embarrassing things,” remarked Farr +when they were on their way. + +“One must be silly along with them to be disturbed by such chatter,” + said Zelie Dionne, tartly. + +They followed old Etienne through his little door and walked along the +canal bank where the waters were still and glassy, for the big gates +had been closed and power lay motionless and locked in the sullen depths +till morning. The sunset behind the big mills glowed redly through the +myriad windows. + +They walked slowly because little Rosemarie found marvels for childish +eyes at every step, and even the cool carpet of the grass provided +unfailing delight as she set slow and cautious footsteps into its +yielding luxuriance. The old man plodded ahead, muttering and frowning +as he peered down at the flotsam in the motionless waters. + +The silence between the two who accompanied the child continued a long +time and Farr found it oppressive. + +“I have never been in Canada,” he said. “I am sorry you did not care to +have Etienne talk about your home. I would like to know more about that +country.” + +“He was talking about me instead of my home in Tadousac. I am not so +important that I am to be talked about.” + +“Where is Tadousac?” + +Her vivacity returned, her dark eyes glowed. “Ah, m'sieu', you should go +there. It is in the country of the good habitants where the St. Lawrence +and the Saguenay meet. And now, as the sun is setting, the people are +resting under the wide eaves of the little white houses, looking up +where the hills are all so blue, or off across the wide bay. The white +houses are very small and they crowd along the road, and the farms are +narrow, and there is not much money in the homespun clothes or in the +old clock, but the good world is wide about them and the people are not +sad like those who sit yonder.” + +She pointed across the canal to rows of wooden tenement-houses many +stories in height; on narrow porches, nicked one above another, and on +fire-escapes which were slowly cooling after hours on the forge of the +sun, men, women, and children were packed, seeking a breath of fresh +air. + +“They stand at loom and spinner and slasher all day,” she said. “They +are too tired to walk afar to the parks. They wait there for good air to +come and it does not come.” + +“I don't understand why they flock down here from Canada--why they +stay,” he declared, bluntly. + +“Ah, you look at me when you say that!” she cried, arching her brows. +“You hear me talk about the sunset over the meadows and the hills, and +you wonder why I am not there? Well, listen! There are fourteen sons +and daughters of Onesime Dionne--that's my father--for all the habitant +folks marry young, and the priest smiles and blesses the household when +there are many children. And girls are not of much account in the house. +The sons claim and receive their shares of the arpents of land when +those boys are grown and married. The girl may marry--yes! But what if +the right one does not ask? What if the right one has a father who says +to him that he must obey and marry one the father has chosen? All kinds +of things can happen in the habitant country, m'sieu'. So, then, the +girl is less account in the house. And the letters come back from the +girls who have gone down into the mills in the States. The pictures come +back showing the new gown and the smart hat--and so!” She shrugged her +shoulders and tossed her free hand. “One more girl for the big mill!” + +He stared at her with some curiosity. + +“You ask yourself which one of those things happened to me, do you not?” + +“Perhaps,” he confessed. + +“I talk little about myself. I talk about the habitant girls. I am +fortunate. I do not breathe the air where the looms clack. I inspect in +the cloth-hall because I have sharp eyes and nimble fingers.” + +“But you came here alone--it is strange. I mean, do not the father and +mother and all the family move here, usually?” + +She lifted her chin and gazed at him with pride in her mien. + +“If you go to Tadousac you shall find that my father owns a large farm +and that one of his grandfathers was a captain with General Montcalm, +and many Dionnes have lived on the land that was given to a brave man. I +came to the States because I wanted to come. My people did not come.” + +She clipped the last sentence in a manner that suggested to Farr that +there was no more to be said on that topic. But she went on after a time +in softened tones. + +“It is not strange that so many came to the States, sir. The farms of +Beauce, of l'Islet, of the Chaudiere, were so crowded. Years ago, the +old folks used to tell me, the boys began to drive the little white +horses hitched to buckboards across the border in the early summer, and +the boys were strong and willing, and the farmers who laughed at them +and called them Canucks hired them for the hay-fields just the same. +And they slept in the haymows and under the trees and worked hard and +brought back all their money. Then the big mills needed men and women +and children, and the Yankee girls would not work in the mills any +more. You must understand how it was: Ouillette, who had worked in the +hay-field, would hear of the work in the mill, and the Ouillettes would +sell and go to the city. And as soon as they had seen the lights and +the theater and the car which ran with a stick on a wire, and had earned +their first pay and had bought Yankee clothes they wrote home to their +cousins the Pelletiers and the Pelletiers sat nights till late talking +excitedly--and then they sold and came, and so it has gone on and +on--the endless chain, one family pulling on its neighbor, down the long +way from Canada to the States. But it may be all for the best. I am not +wise in such things. But when the sun bakes and the fever comes and the +children die in the tenements, then I wish the fathers and mothers were +back on the little farms and that workers of some other race than the +habitants were chained to the looms in the big mills. That may be a +selfish thought, but my own people are dear to me.” + +Farr was not in the mood to argue the economic side of that question +with this girl who had so tersely told the story of two generations +of mill-toilers. With that little waif between them, victim of the +industrial Moloch which must roll on even if its wheels crushed the +innocent here and there, he permitted sentiment to sway him. In fact, +for a day and a night he had surrendered to sentiment and had found a +strange sort of intoxication in the experience. His heart was with the +humble folk and pity was in him--pity which was uncalculating and in +which his cynicism was dissolving. + +And when the stars were mirrored in the still canal and the grass was +damp with the dew, they walked back to the house of Mother Maillet and +little Rosemarie murmured her bit of a prayer and was tucked in bed. + +“I hope that some day I may go to Tadousac,” said Farr to the girl, +before he passed out of the good woman's house. “I would like to see the +sunset, for you have praised it.” + +“Ask for the house of Onesime Dionne, second beyond the big parish +cross. It will be easy to find, and the sunset is very grand from the +porch under the eaves.” + +Farr went along with the old man and they walked slowly. Their way took +them down narrow streets between the high tenements. + +“Yes, you shall find it very grand at Tadousac--and M'sieu' Dionne is an +honest man,” declared Etienne. “Now and then in the thirty year I have +been visit up there in Tadousac, and I sit those day and whittle for +the children and then little Zelie trot on my knee with the others. So I +know the story of those place. And all the people up there don't care if +I know, because I listen and am glad to know, and sometimes I can give +advice, for I have live long on the States where great matters are +happening. But Farmer Leroux would not listen to me when I advise about +his good son Jean and Zelie Dionne. Farmer Leroux is a good man, but he +is a hard man when his ugly mad get stir. And the children up there do +what the father tell--because that is what the cure preach and it is the +way of the habitants.” + +“The old, old story--the Montagues and the Capulets on the banks of the +river of the North.” + +“I think I know something what you mean, m'sieu', though I don't know +your friend you speak about. But if he say to his son, 'Ba gar, you +don't marry no girl what I don't like her fadder because we have +hosswhip one anodder t'ree or two time when we have fuss over line +fence--or crowd our wagon when we go to market'--why, then that's your +friend. And it start from there and grow into big thing, so that all +the cure can say it don't make no friend of them. So they wait--Jean and +Zelie! Ah yes, they wait!” He put his finger beside his nose and winked. +“They love. They get marry some nice day. But now!” He flirted his gaunt +fingers. “They say nottings. I maself say nottings. But I see some very +queer look in Jean Leroux's eye when he say to me as I meet him at the +gate of his fadder's farm, 'And how carries Zelie Dionne herself these +days?' And though he look high over the tree and chew the straw and look +very careless, ah, I see the big tear in his eye and hear him choke in +his throat.” + +“It's played out and old-fashioned, this letting old folks manage young +folks that way just to satisfy old grudges,” scoffed Farr. “If they are +in love they ought to get married and tell the old folks to go hang!” + +Etienne stopped and gazed quizzically at the young man who thus +expounded the law for lovers. + +“I think you have in you none of the understanding of the French +habitants who have live the three generation on one farm so that a young +man, no matter if he love a mam'selle so very much that all the bread +he eat taste ashes in his mouth--ah, he cannot say 'I will leave--I +will go!' For then that young man must turn himself to be anodder young +man--and the habitant does not so change.” + +“I may be a poor judge,” acknowledged Farr. “I have never yet taken root +in the soil of any one place.” + +“And I think, mebbe, the girl you do not understand! Is it to stay in +the home and hear every day about you love the pig of a Leroux, bah? No, +no, m'sieu'! That's too proud, is Zelie Dionne. And so is Zelie Dionne +too proud to take a son from a home that do not want her. So they wait.” + +“It's a tough old world, Uncle Etienne,” said Farr. “Why, even I, lord +of my own affairs as I am, don't know where I'm going to sleep to-night. +Do you have a boarding-place?” + +“I have my little room on the block up there--my room and my place at +the big table. It is not grand. But there is place for you--and anodder +little room. If you like you shall come and I will speak good for you.” + +“All right, Etienne! Take me along and speak good for me.” + +It was another such place as Block Ten. It was a crowded and stuffy +warren, and the basement kitchen advertised itself with stale odors in +all the corridors. But Farr was glad to stretch himself upon the narrow +bed. He owned up to himself that he was a very weary bird of passage and +confessed to his own heart, just as frankly, that he was a captive in +the frail grasp of a little girl--and he did not try to understand. + + + + +X + +POISON FOR THE POOR + +It proved to be an amicable and satisfactory partnership between Etienne +Provancher and Walker Farr and dark-eyed Zelie Dionne. + +When the days were pleasant the old man kept the little girl with him +out of doors on the canal bank. She did not trouble him by running +about. Her long days of confinement in the attic room had accustomed +her to remain quietly in one place. She sat contentedly in the shade and +watched the bugs in the grass and the birds in the tree above her. In +the cool of the evening she trudged along the canal bank with Farr +and the play-mamma until eyes grew heavy and little feet stumbled with +weariness and it was time for bed. Rainy evenings they studied the +alphabet or he read to her from picture-books in blazing colors, and +after a time she remembered all the stories and made believe read them +to him. + +He worked in the trench and looked forward impatiently to Saturday +nights when the clerk came along with the pay-envelopes; there were so +many things in the stores that would delight the heart of a little girl +who had never had any toys except a rag doll and a broken flower-basket. +Then there were pretty dresses to buy. The taste of Zelie Dionne took +charge of that shopping. When he bought the first one--one that was +white and fluffy--and Rosemarie walked out with him she displayed +such feminine pride in fine feathers that he looked forward to future +Saturdays nights and new dresses with anticipatory gusto. If one had +questioned him he could have told weeks ahead just what his plans +of purchases were, for he canvassed all the possibilities with the +play-mamma who knew so well how to get value for a dollar--who knew the +places to buy and whose needle helped to much. + +It was a wicked summer for those who were doomed to the mills and +the tenement-houses. The heat puffed and throbbed over the lashing +machinery. The slashers seemed to spit caloric. The spinning-frames +tossed it off their spindles. The looms fairly wove it into the warp. +The thick, sweet, greasy air seemed to distil cotton-oil upon the faces +of the workers. The nights proved to be no better than the days. The +stuffy tenements gulped in the hot air of midday and held it as a person +holds his breath. All the folks came out upon the little platforms that +were ranged, story after story, above each other. They gasped for air +in the narrow spaces between the high buildings. The stars above those +narrow spaces did not sparkle and suggest coolness; they seemed to float +above the hot earth like red cinders. + +Every day the undertakers' wagons came “boombling” down the narrow +canyons of streets between the “Blocks,” for the people were dying. The +little white hearse was a more frequent visitor than the rusty black +one; the ranks of the children were paying the greatest toll to death. + +“But we shall not worry about our Rosemarie,” old Etienne told Farr. +“Under the shade on the green grass she shall stay where outdoors can +paint her cheeks the very fine color.” + +But when the old man called for her at the good woman's house one +morning something else than the sun had painted the little girl's +cheeks--they were flushed with fever. He told the good woman to send +straight for the doctor, and went to his work much disturbed. + +Later in the day the yard overseer, passing the rack, saw that the man +was working with furious energy. He was even reaching out his rake to +capture floating stuff before it touched the bars. + +“This seems to be your busy day, Pickaroon,” suggested the overseer. + +“I make believe this old rack to be a good friend of mine and that the +float stuff be sickness come at him--so I work hard to keep it away.” + +The overseer went along about his business, commenting mentally on a +Frenchman's imagination. + +When the big mill bells clanged the noon hour Etienne hurried to the +good woman's house. The city physician had been there and had left +medicine--two tumblers of it. He had hurried in and had hurried away and +had been curt and brusk and had not told her what was the trouble, so +the woman reported. But the child had been sleeping. + +She was drowsy all that evening while Farr held her in his arms and +Etienne sat near by with Zelie Dionne, ministering solicitously. + +“Her cheeks are not so hot,” said the young man many times. He talked +hopefully to reassure himself as well as the others, for he had been +dreadfully frightened when he had come from his work. Fright had +trodden close on the heels of much joy--for the superintendent of +the Consolidated had taken him out of the hot trench that day and had +appointed him boss of twoscore Italian diggers, doubling his pay. + +“I have been watching you,” the superintendent told him. “You're built +to boss men. What kind of a bump was it that ever slammed you down like +this?” + +The answer the superintendent got was a smile which put further +questions out of his mind. + +“No, her cheeks are not so hot,” affirmed Farr when he laid her in her +bed that night. “She will come along all right.” + +But at the end of a week languor still weighed on the child. There were +circles under her eyes and her cheeks were wan, and she did not clap +her hands with the old-time glee when he brought her new toys; the +playthings lay beside her on the bed and invited her touch--staring eyes +of dolls, beady eyes of toy dogs--without avail. + +“It is the queer way of being sick,” lamented the old man. “The doctor +mebbe not know, because he very gruff and do not say. I think I know +what may cure her--it has been done many time. + +“Away up in the Canada country there is the shrine of the good Sainte +Anne de Beaupre. There she stand in the middle of the big church and she +hold her little grandson in her arm--the little boy Jesus. So she feel +very tender toward poor, sick childs. Ah, I have seen her many time--I +have seen childs healed there and made so very smart--all cure. She +loves little childs. _Oui_. All about her feet are short, small crutch +where she has cure childs. The piece of her wrist-bone is there in the +sacristy--it look like a wee scrap of some gray moss under the glass. +And it cure when the good priest say the word for her. I know the way to +the shrine of La Bonne Sainte Anne--I will go with the little Rosemarie +and she shall sing and dance after that.” + +For a moment the cynical smile of the skeptic etched itself at the +corners of Farr's mouth--the flash of the nature the young man had +hidden during recent weeks. + +He turned to Zelie Dionne and found her regarding him with grave eyes. + +“It is as M'sieu' Etienne says,” she assured the young man. “La Bonne +Sainte listens very tenderly when the children come to her. She is good +to all, but her spirit leans over the poor little children and comforts +them.” + +“You have been there?” + +“Many times, sir. It is not only the sick body that the good Sainte Anne +heals--she comforts anybody who is in much sorrow--she tells the right +way to go. There are many roads to take in this life--and if any one +goes to her with prayer and humble soul she will guide. Ah, it is true, +sir.” + +There was earnestness in her features and conviction in her tones and it +was plain that Zelie Dionne was speaking out of the depths of her heart, +and Farr remembered what old Etienne had said about the son of Farmer +Leroux. + +“Yes, she will lead to the right way and make all well in the end,” + asserted the girl. “And, most of all, she is kind and gentle to the +little children.” + +Between her and the wistful old man Farr divided tolerant and kindly +gaze. + +“I believe in more things than I used to,” he said. “I'm willing to +admit in these days that things I do not understand may have truth in +them. The doctor is not making her well. But it is a long way to that +shrine.” + +“It is a long way, so! But I am very scare for her as she lie here all +day. I will carry her very tender--on the railway car--on the big boat. +The good Sainte Anne is everywhere, too. She will help.” + +“If faith can move mountains it ought to heal easily one poor, little +toddlekins,” muttered Farr. + +A new doctor came the next day, a breezy young man, a talkative and +frank young man, the assistant of the over-worked city physician, whose +municipal duties had obliged him to take on helpers. + +“I shall ask him, hey--about the shrine?” whispered Etienne to Farr +while the doctor was examining the child. + +“Yes; he'll be more patient with you than with me.” + +“And do you think that pretty soon she can go on the railway if I +be very careful, good docteur?” asked the old man, wistfully, +apologetically. + +“Go where?” + +“On the pilgrimage to the shrine of the good Sainte Anne in the Canada +country.” + +“Don't you realize what this case is?” demanded the young physician. + +“He have not say--he hurry in, he hurry out.” + +“You the grandfather?” + +“No!” + +The doctor turned on Farr. + +“Father?” + +“No.” + +“Then I can talk right out to you two. This is a case of typhoid that +will be fatal in twenty-four hours. There's no use lying about it.” + +Old Etienne's mouth and eyes seemed to sink deep into his wrinkles, as +if Time had forced him suddenly to swallow an extra score of years. He +looked at Farr's blank and whitening face, and as quickly looked away. + +“Break it to her grandmother,” advised the doctor, nodding toward the +kitchen where the good woman was at work. + +“But you don't know what you say,” stammered the old man. + +“It so happens that I do, my man. I've been handling too many of these +cases to be fooled. Why, I've got more than fifty cases of typhoid in +this city--just myself.” + +“But she has had sun and fresh air--on the canal bank where I tend the +rack.” + +“Sun and fresh air can't cure victims of the poison that is being pumped +through the water-mains of this city,” snapped the doctor. + +“Water-mains!” + +The doctor turned and stared at Farr, for the husky croak of his +exclamation had not sounded human. + +“That's what I said. You can't have lived very long in this state not to +know what we're up against on the water proposition.” + +“I haven't lived here long. But about the child--it can't--” + +“Why, this Consolidated Company is owned by Colonel Dodd and his +politicians--and they own all the city and town water systems in this +state,” said the doctor, no longer interested in his patient--exploding +with the violence of imprudent youth. “They boss mayors, the aldermen, +the politicians--boss the governor himself. That's because they've got +the machine and the money. They've got a lot of money, because they +won't wake up and spend it to lay lines far enough to tap the lakes in +the hills. They tap these rotten rivers at our back doors, pump poison +through the mains, sell it at prices that yield them twenty percent +dividends. They say the water is all right--and back it up with +analyses. I say it's all wrong.” + +“And you damnation doctors are letting this go on--letting folks drink +poison--telling us when it's too late!” shouted Farr, purple replacing +the white in his face. + +“Well, the folks up-town who have got wisdom and the money buy +spring-water and mineral water. All the doctors don't agree that +the river is responsible for the typhoid. With the governor and the +legislature bossed by Dodd and his associates, and the city governments +tied up by them, and the banks taking orders from the syndicate in case +any town or an independent company tries to borrow money and install a +water system, and the mill corporations and the tenement-block owners +all in cahoots, a crusader who expected to get anywhere in politics or +make money out of his business would stand a fine and dandy show, now +wouldn't he? And the most of us in this world are trying to get ahead +either in business or in politics.” He snapped the catch of his little +black case. “Forget what I have said, you two. I hold my job through +politics. I'm apt to talk too much when I get started. But don't drink +city water, no matter if Colonel Dodd's analyses do give it a clean +bill.” + +Farr caught him at the door, restraining him with a heavy hand. + +“You stay here, don't you let that baby die. By the gods, she sha'n't +die!” + +“My staying will do no good, my friend. The little girl is death-struck +already. It's quick work with the children. Sometimes we can bring the +grown folks through. Get another doctor, if you feel like it, but I've +got to keep moving--there are lots of folks waiting for me in these +tenements.” + +He shook off Farr's hand and hurried away. + +Old Etienne stood by the bedside, gazing down on the little sufferer, +closing and unclosing his shriveled hands as if he were grasping at +straws of hope, dragging the depths of his soul for reassurance even as +he dragged his rake in the black waters of the canal. + +“The whippersnapper lied about her. Because she's a baby he won't +bother,” stormed Farr. “I'll ransack this town for doctors--I'll find +one who knows his business.” He tiptoed to the bed and laid tender palm +against the child's cheek. “I say her face isn't as hot as it was,” he +persisted. “Where can I find a doctor with gray whiskers, Etienne? That +young fool doesn't know.” + +“There are many wise old docteurs in the long street named Western +Boulevard--they live in the big houses--but they don't come to the +tenement folks.” + +“One of them will come this time even if I have to lug him on my back.” + +He began to search for his hat, not remembering where he had tossed it +in the haste and eagerness of his arrival at the good woman's house. He +did not find it readily and he rushed out bareheaded. + +“The sun and the air they do no good! It is the poison water--and the +poor folks of the tenements they do not know!” muttered the old man. +“That is what he say?” He went to the kitchen sink and unscrewed the +faucet. He sniffed and made a wry face, then he ran his thin finger into +the valve-chamber. He hooked and brought forth stringy slime, held it +near his nose, and groaned. “The poor folks do not know. They who ask +for the votes of the slashers, the weavers, the beamers--the men of the +mills--they who ask votes do not want the poor folks to know, because +the votes would not be given to them who sell poison in the water,” he +told the astonished good woman who had watched his act. + +“I am careful about my kitchen--I am neat--I wash everything, Etienne,” + she assured him, sniffing at the slime in the sink, overcome by +confusion, her housewife's reputation at stake. + +“Yes, but you cannot wash the souls of them dam' scoundrels who send +that water through the pipes to the poor people who can buy no other,” + he raged. “This is not your blame--you did not know.” He pointed his +finger, quivering, dripping with the slime, at the child on the bed. +“They have murder her! With this!” He slatted his finger with the +gesture of one who throws off a noisome serpent. + +“But I drink the water--it hasn't made me sick,” she protested. + +“You--me--odders that are all dry up--tough old fools--we ought to die +and we don't,” he raged, stamping back and forth across the kitchen, +waving his arms. “We have been poison so much we do not notice. But the +poor little childs--the young folks that die--die in these tenements all +the time--and we see the white ribbons hanging from the doors, so many +place every day--the poor young folks with life ahead and much to live +for even down here--they are poison and they do not know! Oh, _le bon +Dieu_! Boil dem dam' devil in hell in the water they have sell to the +poor!” He stopped, shocked by these words he heard coming from his +mouth, and crossed himself contritely. “But I look at her--I hear what +the docteur say--I talk and I cannot help!” He staggered into the room +where the child lay, and sat down in a chair and held his face in his +hands. + +It was an aged and somewhat unctuous physician whom Farr brought. The +doctor pursed his lips and puckered his eyebrows above the little wraith +who minded him not at all, lying with eyes half closed, plucking with +finger and thumb at the bedclothing. + +“With a bit stronger constitution--if she were a little older--Take the +case of an adult--” + +“Say it short,” growled Farr, clenching his fists as if he wanted to +beat indulgence for the child out of the hide of the world. “I'm paying +you for her life.” + +“I have nothing to sell you in this case--therefore there can be no +pay.” He leaned over the bed and smoothed the moist, tangled hair away +from the child's brow. “I can only _give_ you something, my friend. I +give you all my sympathy. This baby is departing on a long journey, and +I'm Christian enough to believe that the way will be made very smooth +for the feet of little children. That's the faith of an old man.” + +There were both earnestness and tenderness in his tones--the smugness of +the physician was gone. He shook Farr's hand and went out of the room, +treading softly. + +And the next day Rosemarie's tiny fingers stopped their flutterings and +she went away--somewhere! + + + + +XI + +THE LORDS OF THE CITY + +Walker Farr would not allow the tiny body of Rosemarie to be carried +away in the white hearse. In his grief he had not been able as yet to +dissociate the identity of the child from the poor little tenement in +which her spirit had dwelt for the few barren years of her life; it +seemed to him that she would be very lonely in the white hearse. He rode +to the cemetery, holding the tiny casket across his knees. There was +only the one carriage--it was sufficient to carry the friends of little +Rosemarie: one Walker Farr and old Etienne and play-mamma Zelie Dionne. + +The rack-tender sat opposite Farr and nursed a bundle on his knees. He +had wrapped it surreptitiously. + +The two men sent Zelie Dionne back to the city in the carriage. But they +waited beside the grave until the sexton had finished his work; Farr +felt an uncontrollable impulse to wait till all was ended, as he had +always waited every night till the little girl was sound asleep and +tucked up in bed in the good woman's house. He sat crouched on the edge +of a turfed grave, elbows on his knees, his hands clutched into his +shock of hair. + +After the sexton had departed, tools on his shoulder, Etienne unwrapped +the bundle. He began to arrange the child's toys on the grave. + +“It is as the others do--the fathers and mothers of our faith in the +tenement-houses,” he explained, wistfully, to the young man. He pointed +to other graves in the vicinity, short and narrow graves. Toys were +spread on them, too. They were the poor treasures of dead children. The +toys had been left there in the vague, helpless yearning of parents who +strove to reach their human consolation beyond the grave. + +Farr gazed on these pitiful memorials of the children--from those graves +to the new mound which covered Rosemarie. The ache that had been in +his throat for so many hours grew more excruciating. He realized that +a father in those circumstances would weep, but he did not feel like +shedding tears, and he was ashamed of himself for what seemed lack of +something within himself. What he felt then, what he had felt ever +since that young doctor had passed sentence of death was surly, bitter +rancor--the anger of a man who is robbed. + +“Look all around at the graves,” said Etienne, tears in his wrinkles. “I +know something better since I take off that faucet. Not all the martyr +die when the lion eat 'em up and the fire burn 'em; there be some martyr +these day, too. And sometimes, mebbe, some man what have the power will +come here and see all these poor little grave and then he go and choke +the lion what eat all these poor childs.” + +“What kind of man would that be?” pondered Farr. At that moment he had +little faith--much less faith than usual--in the decency of any human +being; and for many years his faith in humankind had been expressed by a +contemptuous snap of his finger. + +To sit there longer and look at that fresh earth with the pathetic toys +sprinkled over it was a torment his soul could not endure. + +He arose and hurried away and Etienne followed him. They trudged in +silence back to the city--Etienne to take his rake and pike-pole from +the hands of the man who had substituted at the rack, and Farr to resume +surly domination over his sweating Italians. + +“The martyrs,” Etienne had called them. The notion of that stuck in +Farr's brooding thoughts. + +He tried to look deeper into his own heart than he had ever looked +before and explain to himself just what motive had attracted him to the +child in the first place; he had never been especially interested in +children before. He found himself muttering, “And a little child shall +lead them,” without understanding just why this child had led him so +strangely. + +If one Walker Farr had understood it at all and had been able to explain +it to himself, he would have penetrated the mystery of the dynamics of +love--the great gift to humanity that God has not seen fit to expose +in its inner workings. Therefore, Farr strode here and there in the +hot sun, spurred his diggers with crisp oaths, and on the heels of his +profanity muttered to himself, “And a little child shall lead them.” + +The tile boss of the Consolidated, whose crew was following the +trench-diggers, accosted Farr, after several inspections of his +lugubrious countenance. + +“Don't you think you need to be cheered up a little?” + +Farr scowled at him. + +“I don't know what has disagreed with you, but you're certainly in a bad +way,” pursued the boss. “Go up with the crowd to City Hall to-night +and hear 'em open up the police scandals. Plenty of free fun for the +heavy-hearted! There are about half a dozen fat cops in this city who'll +be fried to a crisp on both sides, and the sound of the sizzling will be +pleasant in the ears.” + +“I'm not interested.” + +“You will be, if you tend out. The hearing is before the mayor and the +whole city government. Nothing very hefty in the way of charges--only +loafing in beer-coolers during the heat of the day, spending their time +chasing the labor-agitators out of the parks, and letting burglars keep +house all summer in the mansions up-town while the owners are away at +the seashore. It's all more or less of a joke.” + +“Why don't the mayor and aldermen of this city attend to duty instead of +jokes?” + +“Oh, this city is run so smooth that there's nothing to do in the summer +except stage a little farce comedy at City Hall.” + +“Let me tell you that there's something to be investigated in this city +that isn't a joke,” raged Farr, his bitter ponderings blossoming into +speech. + +“What's that?” + +“Murder going on every day in this damnable town.” + +“Well, I guess if there was any murder going on which we didn't hear +about, even from our fat cops, it would be investigated, all right. +What's the matter with you?” + +“I'm glad now you told me about that hearing to-night,” stated Farr, +ignoring the other's curiosity. “I'm glad I know when and where to +locate the mayor and his men in session. I'll find out if they propose +to waste the people's time hearing funny stories about policemen and are +going to let murder go on while they are laughing.” + +He strode away, cursing at his workmen as he tramped along the side of +the ditch. + +Farr knocked at the garret room of Etienne early that evening. + +“I want you to come with me,” he commanded. + +The old man obeyed without questions. As they walked along the streets +Farr did not volunteer information. He was grimly sure that if Etienne +should receive an inkling of what was expected of him the old man would +not stop running until he had crossed the Canadian border. + +They were ten minutes worming their way through the press that packed +the corridors of City Hall. Groups were bulked at the doors admitting +to the aldermen's room--men thatched against each other and overlapping +like bees in a swarm at the door of a hive. + +But the young man was tall and his shoulders were broad and he kept +uttering the magic words, “Room for witnesses!” In his own consciousness +he knew that what he should attempt to testify to that night was not +on the slate, but the crowd accepted him as one of those from whom they +anticipated entertainment, and allowed him to pass--and Etienne, holding +to his young friend's coat, followed close and made his way before the +throng could close in again. + +The hearing began and progressed, and there was much laughter when +the delinquencies of certain fat policemen were related--it was +a free-and-easy affair--a sort of midsummer fantasy in municipal +politics--a squabble between ward bosses who had become jealous in +matters of the distribution of police patronage. + +Walker Farr, standing against the wall of the audience-chamber, did +not laugh. He was busy with thoughts of his own. This bland fooling in +municipal matters while stealthy death, protected by city franchise, +dripped, so he believed, from every faucet in the tenement-house +district, stirred his bitter indignation. Etienne Provancher stood +beside him, and the old man did not laugh, either, because he did not +understand in the least what those men were talking about. And he was +very uneasy, wistfully awe-stricken, hardly daring to touch with his +hands the polished oak at his back. He was in the great _hotel de ville_ +whose exterior he had stared at many times without presuming or daring +to enter the broad portals. + +Then there came a recess while the mayor examined papers at his desk. +The aldermen leaned back in their chairs with lighted cigars. + +“Etienne,” whispered the young man, deep resolve thrilling him, his +eyes blazing into the wondering gaze of the old man, “those men who sit +behind those desks can do something to save the children and the poor +folks in the tenements. But they must wake up, these men here must. You +and I must try to wake them up!” + +Etienne's eyes opened wide. He did not in the least comprehend how he +could serve. + +“I know you will not desert a friend, Etienne. I know you'll stand +behind me. I know you love the children. So be a brave man now!” + +The next moment Etienne was so frightened that he feared he would drop +where he stood, because the young man raised his voice so that it rang +through the great hall and all eyes were turned that way. + +“Your honor the mayor, and gentlemen; I am a stranger here. But I humbly +ask permission to address you.” + +“If you are a witness in the police matter you will be called on in your +turn after the recess,” stated the mayor. + +“I am not a witness in the police matter. I am here on other business.” + +“There is no other business before this meeting.” + +“But there should be, sir, for the business I have come on is a dreadful +matter. It is a matter of life and death.” + +A hush fell on those in the chamber, and the mayor and his aldermen +leaned forward, staring apprehensively. They had been warned that there +were dangerous labor-agitators in the city. Many meetings had been +broken up by the police at the request of Colonel Dodd, president of +the Consolidated Water Company, and other employers had backed him. This +tall young man had startled them with his sudden outbreak. + +“It is a matter, gentlemen, which concerns every man, woman, and child +in this city--vitally concerns them every hour of the day--every hour +they are awake. You say you have no other business now except this +silly police investigation. For God's sake, wake up and attend to real +business--save the people's lives. Here you are in session and here are +the people to listen.” + +“State your complaint. Be very brief,” commanded the mayor. + +But Walker Farr, it was plain, possessed craft as well as courage; he +realized that curiosity, properly tickled, will make men more patient in +listening. + +“First, I want to call a witness. I am not known to this city. But I +have here a man whom many of you know, I'm sure, for he has stood out in +plain view of a street where many pass, and has worked there for thirty +years. It is Etienne Provancher.” + +Several men laughed when Farr pushed the old man into view. There was a +murmured chorus of “Pickaroon.” + +“It's for the children--the poor folks--for the memory of our little +girl,” hissed Farr in the old man's ear. “Will you go to your bed +to-night--the night of the day we buried her--knowing that--you are a +coward? These are only men. We must tell them so that they will know. +Speak! Tell them!” He set his firm clutch around the trembling old +Frenchman's arm and held him out where all could see. + +“I do not know how to talk here--to so much man--to the lords of the +city,” stammered the miserable old man, licking his parched lips, scared +until all was black before his eyes. + +The hush was profound. Men curved their palms at their ears, wondering +what old Pickaroon could have to say in City Hall. + +“Remember what we have left up there--in the cemetery--the poor children +in their graves,” muttered Farr, again bending close to Etienne's ear. + +Then, thus reminded, thus spurred, all his Gallic emotion bursting into +flame in him suddenly, the old man felt the desperate resolution that +often animates the humble and ignorant in great emergencies. The little +ones had been martyrs--why not he? That thought flashed through the +tumult in his brain. + +“Yes, since you all hark for me to speak I will speak,” he declared. +“Messieurs, I am a poor man. Not wise. It is very hard for me to talk +to you. But I have been to-day up where the little children are bury--so +many of them, with their playthings on the graves. I went to take there +anodder little child, poor baby girl. I leave her there with the odder +ones--so very lonesome all of them--their modders cannot sing them to +sleep any more.” + +“This is irregular,” cried the mayor. “What do you want?” + +“Nottings for maself,” cried Etienne, passionately shrill in his tone +now. “But I have to ask you, masters of this city, how much longer shall +you send poison down the water-pipes to the poor folks and the +children in the tenement blocks? It is poison that has kill our little +Rosemarie--and all her life ahead! The doctor say so--and he say I +cannot understand about the rich man, why he do it. But I understand +that the childs are dying. I say you shall not sent that water--if you +do send it I will bring here the fadders who have lost their babies and +the modders of the babies.” His lips curled back in his excitement +and froth flecked his mouth. “Sacred name of God! We shall tear that +poison-factory up from the ground with our bare hands!” + +“Officer, put that man out of the room,” ordered the mayor. + +“Won't you listen to us?” shouted Farr. “You are the chief magistrate of +this city. You and these aldermen are the guardians of the people. Are +you going to sit there in those cushioned chairs and let a crowd of rich +assassins murder the poor people?” + +Men hissed that speech. + +The mayor rapped his gavel furiously. + +“This is no matter to be brought up here at this time. You're slandering +honorable men, sir! We have other business.” + +“Can there be any other business as important as this?” + +“Put both of these men out, officer.” + +“Are you and these aldermen owned by the water syndicate, as report says +you are?” cried Farr. “Look here, you men, men in this room and at the +door! This is your City Hall--these aldermen are elected by your votes. +Aren't you going to demand that the people be heard in this matter? +Don't you know that typhoid fever is killing off the children in this +city--and that poison water is the cause of it?” + +“It's rotten stuff to drink--we all know that,” cried a voice. “But +there'll have to be a change in politics in this state before they'll +give us anything else.” + +Two policemen elbowed their rough way to Farr and Etienne. + +“The big chap is right--it's about time to have this water question +opened up, Mr. Mayor,” called another voice. + +“Open it up in a legal and proper way, then,” snapped the mayor. “Go to +the law.” + +“That's it--go to the law--go to the law,” jeered another. “And we'll +all be dead and the lawyers will have all our money before the thing is +decided.” + +There were more hisses. + +But an outburst of indorsing voices indicated that many men in that +chamber understood more or less of the political management behind the +Consolidated Water Company. + +“If a thing is wrong, change it. What better law do you need than +that?” asked Farr, disregarding an officer's thumb that jerked imperious +gesture. + +“When you know a little more law you won't be ignoramus enough to come +into a public hearing and try to break it up. You'd better go and study +law,” said the indignant mayor. He pounded his gavel to indicate that +the recess was over. + +“I'll take your advice,” replied Farr, towering over the policeman and +vibrating his finger at his Honor. “If you hadn't found law so handy +in your own case you wouldn't forget yourself in your excitement and +recommend it to others. If we've got to fight the devil we'd better use +his weapons.” + +Men shouted approval all around him. + +“Clear the room,” ordered the mayor. “Everybody out!” + +“Keep your hands off,” Farr advised the officer nearest him. “I'll go +without any help. I have found out that I'm only wasting my time in this +place.” + +In the corridor men pressed around him. Some of them insisted on shaking +his hand. Others shouted commendation. Still others exhibited only frank +curiosity in the stalwart stranger. And others were clamorously hostile. + +“By gad! If you wanted to start something you took the right way to do +it,” affirmed one of the throng. + +“You showed good courage,” declared an elderly man with an earnest face. +“Some of the rest of us have tried to do something in the past. But +those who didn't have much power were either kept out or kicked out +of any office in city government or the legislature--and those who did +amount to something were gobbled up by the machine. The machine can pay. +Working for the people isn't very profitable. So I'm afraid you won't +get very far.” + +“You needn't worry about that chap not getting along all right,” + remarked one of the group--but his indorsement was ironical. “He's a +construction boss for the Consolidated, and he went into that hearing +to start some kind of a back-fire. Shrewd operators--the Consolidated +folks.” + +The men about Farr pulled away from him and there was considerable +malicious laughter in the crowd. + +“So we see the game, even if we don't catch on to the meaning of it just +now,” said the observant one. + +Farr squared his shoulders. They stared at him with fresh interest and +a bit of additional respect. They saw in him something more than a +mere popular agitator--a disturber of a municipal hearing; he must be +a trusted agent of the great political machine, executing a secret +mission. + +“You're right--I have been working for the Consolidated,” he admitted in +tones that all could hear. + +“Move on! Get outdoors! Clear this corridor--all of you,” shouted a +captain of police who had come hurrying up from down-stairs and had +taken command of the situation. + +The crowd began to surge on, following Farr. + +“I went to work digging in their trenches because I struck this town on +my uppers and needed the money--needed it quick. I was promoted to be a +boss. But I want to tell you now, gentlemen, that I do not work for the +Consolidated.” + +“I reckon you're right,” said somebody. “I just overheard a man +telephoning to the superintendent about you--and if I'm any judge of a +conversation you are _not_ working for the Consolidated. Not any more!” + +“I'm sorry you're going to leave the city,” lamented the elderly man. +“We need chaps like you.” + +“I'm not going to leave the city.” + +“You might just as well,” counseled one of the bystanders, “after what +you said in that hearing. If you get a job in this city after this +you'll be a good one!” + +When they were outside City Hall, Farr waited for a moment on the steps. +Etienne, still trembling after that most terrible experience of his +placid life, pressed close at the young man's side. + +“Will all you gentlemen please take a good look at me so that +you'll know me when you see me again?” invited the ex-boss for the +Consolidated. + +They stared at him. His face was well lighted by the arc-light under the +arch of the door. + +“I am not a labor-leader, nor a walking delegate, nor a politician, nor +an anarchist. You men go home and unscrew the faucets in your kitchens, +take a good sniff, and pull the slime out of the valve. Then remember +that the mayor and aldermen of this city wouldn't listen to me to-night +in the Hall that the tax-payer's money built. Also remember that a +little later they will listen to me. Gentlemen, my name is Walker Farr. +I'm going to stay here in this city. Good night.” + + + + +XII + +AT THE FOOT OF THE THRONE + +As usual at nine-thirty in the afternoon, the big tower clock on the +First National Bank building in the city of Marion pointed the finger of +its minute-hand straight downward. + +As usual, at this hour, as he had done for many years, Colonel Symonds +Dodd eased himself down from the equipage that brought him to his +office. This day the vehicle was his limousine car. + +In view of the fact that Colonel Dodd owned the First National block the +big clock seemed to point its finger at him with the bland pride of a +flunky in a master. It seemed to say, “Behold! The great man is here!” + +Colonel Dodd was never embarrassed when fingers were pointed at him +wherever he went. If a man is lord of finance and politics in his state +he expects to be pointed out. + +When he stepped from his car he carried in his arms, with great +tenderness, a long parcel which was carefully wrapped in tissue-paper. +He always carried a similar parcel when he came to his office. Each +morning the gardener of the Dodd estate laid choice flowers on the seat +of that vehicle which had been chosen to convey the master to the city. + +Colonel Dodd coddled the long parcel with the care a nurse would have +bestowed on an infant--but he kicked his fat leg clumsily at an urchin +who got in his way on the sidewalk. A college professor of Marion +happened to be passing at the moment and saw the act and knew what the +colonel was carrying in his arms. The professor made a mental note of +fresh material for his lecture on “The Psychological Phenomena of the +Bizarre in the Emotions.” The professor had just met a woman wheeling a +cat out in a baby-carriage. + +The doctor had advised exercise for the colonel--a small amount. The +colonel toilsomely climbed the one flight of stairs to his office. That +was his daily quota of exercise. + +A little man with a beak of a nose was waiting in the corridor and +hastened to unlock a door marked “Private,” and the colonel went in, +and the little man locked the door and tiptoed down the corridor to the +general offices. + +Before he removed his hat Colonel Dodd carefully stripped the +tissue-paper from the damp flowers. There were two huge bouquets. He +set these into vases of ornate bronze, one on each end of his desk. He +patted and stroked the flowers until they appeared to best advantage. He +stood back and bestowed affectionate regard on them. No human being had +ever reported the receipt of such a look from Colonel Symonds Dodd. It +was rather astonishing to find softness in him in respect to flowers. He +seemed as hard as a block of wood. He had a squat, square body and his +legs seemed to be set on the corners of that body. His square face was +smooth except for a wisp of whisker, minute as a water-color brush, +jutting from under his pendulous lower lip. + +He hung up his hat and stood for a moment before a massive mirror. The +report in Marion was that he stood before that mirror and made up his +expression to suit the character of a day's business. + +Then he sat down at his desk and stuck a pudgy finger on one button of a +battery of buttons. + +A girl entered with a promptitude which showed that she had been waiting +for the summons. + +He did not look up at her. His gaze was on one of the bouquets. + +She brought a portfolio and packets of letters all neatly docketed. + +His salutation was merely, “Miss Kilgour.” Colonel Dodd did not deal in +many “Good-mornings.” It was also reported in Marion and the state that +his stock of urbanity was so small he was compelled to expend it very +thriftily. He certainly did not waste any of it on his office help. +He might have afforded at least one glance at the girl, for she was +extremely pretty. Still another report in Marion was to the effect that +he had selected Kate Kilgour as his secretary as the final artistic +touch to the beauty of his private office in order that he might have a +perfect ensemble. She did seem, so far as his interest in her went, to +be only a part of that ensemble which he occasionally swept carelessly +with his gaze--he reserved all his intimate admiration for the bouquets. + +She laid his “Strictly Personal” letters on his fresh blotter. + +She sat down and began to read the business letters aloud, not waiting +for his orders to begin. It was her daily routine, business transacted +as Colonel Dodd wished it to be transacted--crisply, promptly, directly. + +He dictated replies, usually laconic, even curt, as soon as she had +finished each letter. His eyes were on the flowers as he talked. + +When the letters were finished she retired with her portfolio and her +notes, the thick carpet muffling the sound of her withdrawal. + +After he had slit the envelopes of his personal correspondence and had +read the contents the colonel pushed another button. The little man who +had been waiting in the corridor slipped edgewise in at the door. He was +thin and elderly and his knob of a head, set well down on his pinched +shoulders, had peering eyes on each side of that beak of a nose. When +he walked across the room his long arms were behind him under his +coat-tails and held them extended, and he bore some resemblance to a +bird. In fact, one did not require much imagination to note resemblance +to a bird in Peter Briggs--many folks likened him to a woodpecker--for +he flitted to and fro in Colonel Dodd's anteroom, among those awaiting +audience, tapping here and rapping there with the metaphorical beak of +questions, starting up the moths and grubs of business which men who +came and waited hid under the bark of their demeanor. + +“Seventeen, Colonel Dodd. Five for real business; twelve of them are +sponges.” + +“The five?” + +“Chief Engineer Snell of the Consolidated, Dr. Dohl of the State Board +of Health, the three promoters of the Danburg Village Water system.” + +“Send in Snell.” + +Engineer Snell did not sit in the presence of his president, nor did the +president ask him to sit. + +“Briggs tells me the Danburg men are here.” + +“They're waiting out there, Colonel Dodd.” + +“Quitting?” + +“I don't think so--just yet. They look too mad. I gave 'em the harpoon +in good shape, as is usual, but I didn't expect they'd run here so soon. +Thought they would flop a little longer.” + +“They got their poke from Stone & Adams yesterday afternoon, did they?” + +“Yes, Colonel. My report to Stone & Adams showed that the Danburg plan +of levels is faulty, that their unions are not up to contract, that +their station and pumps are inefficient for the demands. So Stone & +Adams had to tell 'em that their bonds were turned down.” + +“Do you know whether they have tried another banking-house yet?” + +“I don't believe they have had time, Colonel.” + +“But such fellows always do try. Their banging in here on me so quickly +looks a little irregular. In business, you know, Snell, if you tie a tin +can to a dog and he runs and ki-yi's, that's perfectly natural and you +can sit back and wait for nature to take its course. If the dog doesn't +run, but sits down and gnaws the string in two--then look out for the +dog.” + +“I must admit they're coming here sudden after their jolt. They look +mad. But I figure they must have quit. The jolt was a hard one, for +Stone & Adams had been leading 'em on--according to orders.” + +The colonel stared at a bouquet. + +“Have you got your other report--the side report--in shape for me to get +a hasty idea? If they have come here with a proposition--want to quit +and cover themselves, I need information right now.” + +Engineer Snell laid papers on the desk. He proceeded to explain. + +“If you don't feel you have time to go over it--don't want to keep the +Danburg crowd waiting--I can tell you that the plant is pretty nearly +all right. So much all right that you can afford to slip 'em a couple of +thousand apiece on top of what they have already spent. I don't suppose +you want 'em to holler too loud. I can tell you that Davis, Erskine, and +Owen--those men out there--are cleaned out. They have put in all +their ready money. They were depending on Stone & Adams for the first +instalment from the bonds, so as to take up some thirty-day notes and +pay bills due on material.” + +Colonel Dodd meditated, pulling on his wisp of whisker. + +“It's one thing to encourage enterprise in this state--it's another +thing to be everlastingly paying rake-offs to local promoters who grab +a franchise when we're not looking and then hold us up. I don't want to +hurt the Danburg men. But my stockholders expect certain things of me +and it's about time men in this state understand that we propose to +control the water question. Snell, you go and talk to those Danburg men +like a father to children. Send them in here smoothed down and we'll do +the right thing by them.” + +He signaled for Briggs and told him to admit Dr. Dohl. + +The doctor, chairman of the State Board of Health, was a chubby man with +a tow-colored, fan-shaped beard. He sat down and sprung his eye-glasses +on his bulgy nose and drew out a package of manuscript. + +“Colonel, I have felt it my duty to write a special chapter on the +typhoid situation in this state for the report of the State Board of +Health.” + +“Very well, Doctor.” The colonel was curt and his tone admitted nothing +of his sentiments. + +“DO you care to listen to it? It rather vitally concerns the +Consolidated Water Company.” + +“You don't blame us for all these typhoid cases, do you?” + +“No, sir--not for all of them.” + +“Why blame us for any of them? Our analyses show that we're giving clean +water. How about dirty milkmen and the sanitary arrangements in these +tenement-houses and all such? It's the fashion to blame a corporation +for everything bad that happens in this world.” + +“We have placed blame on milkmen where any blame is due,” stated Dr. +Dohl. He tapped his manuscript. “But I have spent considerable of my +department's money in making a house-to-house canvass, tracing the +sources. The man before me _guessed_. I have made _sure_! Colonel Dodd, +the Consolidated water is pretty poisonous stuff these days.” + +“What's the matter in this state all of a sudden?” snapped the colonel. +“I am told that a lunatic almost broke up our city government meeting +the other night, shouting that the Consolidated is trying to poison +folks. You're too level-headed a man to get into that class, Dr. Dohl.” + +“I'll allow you to set me down in any class which seems fitting from +your point of view,” replied the doctor, stiffly. “But if that lunatic, +as you call him, got an angle-worm or a frog's leg out of his tap I +don't blame him for breaking up a meeting of the city government which +will tolerate the water which is being pumped through the city mains +just now.” + +“We're working on the filtering-plant--it will be all right in a little +while. It got out of hand before we realized it,” said the colonel, now +a bit apologetic. + +“In this crisis your filter amounts to about that!” The doctor snapped a +pudgy finger into a plump palm. “The river-water in this state has been +poisoned. You must go into the hills--to the lakes, Colonel Dodd.” + +“You don't mean to say that you recommend that in your report, Doctor?” + +“Absolutely--emphatically.” + +“Without stopping to think of the millions it will cost my company to +build over its plants?” + +“It has come to a point where it isn't a question of money, Colonel.” + +“We can't afford it.” + +“Then let the cities and towns of the state buy in their water-plants +and do it.” + +“Good Jefferson! Don't you know that every city and town in this state +where we have a water-plant has already exceeded its debt limit of five +percent?” + +“Do I understand you as intimating, Colonel Dodd, that there is no help +for this present condition of affairs?” + +“Look here--I'm neither a Herod nor a Moloch, even if some of the +crack-brained agitators in this state will have it that way,” protested +the magnate, with heat. “Are you going to print that report before you +have given us time to turn around?” + +“With one hundred deaths a day from typhoid fever in this state, +Colonel, that matter of time becomes mighty important.” + +“Look here, Dohl, don't you remember that it was my indorsement that +gave you your job?” + +“I do, Colonel Dodd. But I'm a physician, not a politician.” + +“I see you're not,” retorted the colonel, dryly. “But you're a member +of our political party, and you know that the Consolidated and its +associate interests are the backbone of that party. There are a lot of +soreheads in this state, and we're having a devil of a time to hold 'em +in line. Every savings-bank in this state, furthermore, holds bonds of +the Consolidated. Do you want to start a panic? You've got to be careful +how you touch the first brick standing in a row. Dohl, you leave that +report with me. I'll go over it. I'll take the matter up with the +directors. We'll move as fast as possible.” + +The doctor hesitated, stroking the folds of his manuscript. + +“You're not doubting my word, are you?” demanded the colonel. + +“No, sir!” Even the physician's sense of duty did not embolden him to +persist under this scowl of the man of might. + +The colonel took the document from Dr. Dohl's relaxing hands and shoved +it into a pigeonhole of the big desk. + +“You must understand that pipe-lines to lakes cannot be laid in a minute +as a child strings straws, Doctor,” admonished the magnate. + +“Do you propose to lay lines to the lakes, Colonel? I need to throw a +little sop to my conscience if my report is delayed.” + +“Everything right will be done in good time, Dr. Dohl. I will proceed as +rapidly as possible, considering that the law, finance, and politics +are all concerned. As you are leaving,” he added, giving his visitor the +blunt hint that the interview was over, “I must draw your attention to +the fact that if you bludgeon the Consolidated with a report like this +it may be a long time before we can move in the matter. You'll only +scare the banks and set the cranks to yapping. Just remember that you're +a state officer and have a weighty responsibility to your party and to +financial interests.” + +Dr. Dohl went away. He sourly realized that he was only a cog in the big +machine; that for a moment he had threatened to develop a rough edge and +start a squeak, but the big file had been used on him. It had been used +on many another of the State House cogs, as he well knew. Responsibility +as to his party! Safety and sanity in regard to financial interests! He +knew that these talismanic words had been used to control even the +lords in national politics. He departed from the Presence, muttering his +rebellion, but fully conscious that a political Samson in modern days +made but a sorry spectacle of himself when he started to pull down the +pillars of the party temple. + +He continued to mutter when he walked through the anteroom. + +Most of the men who waited there had faces as lowering as the visage +which Dr. Dohl displayed. + +The doctor had not lost all faith in his own fearlessness and rectitude +of motive, but he was obliged to acknowledge to himself that just then +he was a rather weak champion. + +“However, I'd like to lay eyes on the sort of man who can unjoint this +devilish combination of politics and law and finance,” he informed +himself, trying to justify his own retreat. + +His eyes, in passing, swept a stranger. + +The stranger was a tall young man with wavy hair and brown eyes. He sat +patiently, nursing a broad-brimmed black hat on his knees. + +“I'd like to see that man!” repeated Dr. Dohl, mentally, sugar-coating +his disgust at his own weakness. + +If mortal man were gifted with prescience Dr. Dohl would have stared out +of countenance the tall young man who sat on a bench in the outer office +of the state's overlord and nursed a broad-brimmed hat upon his knees. + + + + +XIII + +THE CODE AND THE GAGE OF BATTLE + +“I appreciate zeal in public affairs,” mused Colonel Dodd, gazing at +the door which Dr. Dohl had closed behind him. “But once there was a +retriever dog who chased his master with a stick of dynamite that had a +sputtering fuse.” + +He set his broad hands upon the arms of his chair, derricked himself +up, and went over to the mirror. He peered at himself and seemed to +rearrange his countenance, much as a woman would smooth the ruffled +plumage of her hat. + +“We're not murderers,” he informed the composed visage which the mirror +held forth to him. “But we haven't got to the point where we're letting +lunatics who break up city government meetings, or crank doctors, tell +us how to spend a million or two of the money we've worked hard to +accumulate. There's getting to be too much of this telling business men +in this country how to run their business. If we're peddling typhoid +fever in spite of what our analyses tell us, then we'll go ahead, of +course, and clean up.” Colonel Dodd was willing to acknowledge that much +to himself, surveying his countenance in the mirror. “But we'll continue +to run our own business,” he added. + +Then he sat down again in his chair and pushed a button. “Briggs,” he +directed, “send in those three men from Danburg.” + +He whirled his swivel-chair and sat there at his desk, his rectangular +front squared to meet them. + +The three men who came in were of the rural businessmen type, and +their faces were not amiable. Two of them halted in the middle of the +sumptuous apartment and the third stepped a couple of paces ahead of +them. He carried a huge roll of engineers' plans under his arm. + +“My name is Davis, as I suppose you know, Colonel Dodd,” he reported. + +“Have seats, gentlemen.” + +“We are tired of sitting,” stated the spokesmen, with sour significance. + +“I understand, Mr. David. But mornings are very busy times for me. I was +attending to appointments made beforehand. You made no appointment, and +I was not expecting you.” + +There was silence, and the three men glowered on him. It was evident +that settled animosity emboldened these country merchants even in the +presence of Colonel Symonds Dodd. + +“I was not expecting you, I say.” + +The colonel's demeanor displayed a little uncertainty; he had rather +expected suppliants. He knew what a nasty blow had been dealt these men +the day before. + +“Probably not,” assented Davis. “You expected that after Stone & Adams +yanked the gangplank out from under us yesterday we would put in at +least one day tearing around to other banking firms, trying to place our +bonds.” + +“Why--why--Well, if Stone & Adams--You naturally wouldn't take the +verdict of one banking-house on a matter of bonds, would you?” + +“Look here, Colonel Dodd, we understand you--clear way down to the +ground--and we may as well save wear on our tongues. And first of all +we have come right here to save shoe-leather. We have come straight to +headquarters. Do you suppose we're going to gallop around this city to +bankers after the word has gone out about us? Not much! We are here in +the captain's office, and you can't fool us about that.” + +“I never heard such--” the colonel began to sputter. + +“I know you never did--and it's getting your goat,” asserted the blunt +countryman. “We've got a plain and pertinent question to put to you--do +you intend to ram us to the wall in our water deal?” + +The head of the state's water trust simulated anger perfectly, even if +he didn't feel it. And there was astonishment in his anger. + +“What have I to do with your dealings with bankers?” he demanded. +“Probably your plant isn't up to pitch.” + +“That talk doesn't go with us, not for a minute, Colonel Dodd,” shouted +the undaunted Davis. “You're talking to business men, not to children. +We offered to leave the matter of our plan to any three engineers in +this state. Why is it that Stone & Adams refuse to take the word of +anybody except your man, Snell?” + +“They probably want the word of the best consulting-engineer in the +state.” + +“But he's your man.” + +“He is our man because he is the best. We hire him for our work. But we +do not control his opinions when he is consulted by others. Oh no! And I +want to tell you, my men, that I refuse to listen to any more such talk +from you.” + +“Then call in one of your political policemen and have us put out,” + invited the unterrified Davis. + +“Build your plant right and your bonds will sell. Our bonds sell when +Mr. Snell reports on our plants.” + +“We'll save our strength in the matter of building plants and running +around trying to place bonds with brokers who have been tipped off by +the money trust of this state. We propose to get it straight from you +first. You can't fool us for one minute, I repeat! We'll have our last +wiggle right here. Will you take your hands off our affairs?” + +“I haven't put my hands _on_ your affairs,” shouted Colonel Dodd, +furious at being baited in this amazing manner. Never before had any +visitor dared to raise his voice in that office. “You're crazy.” + +“You're right--we are--pretty nearly so. Myself and these two neighbors +of mine have tied up every dollar we can rake and scrape to build a +water-plant for our little village and give our folks clean water from a +lake, not the rotten poison you would pump out of our millstream for +us. We have tried to do this for our town and make an honest dollar for +ourselves. Now you have got us lashed to the mast, financially, so +you think, and you propose to step in and gobble our franchise. That's +enough to make men crazy.” + +“Get out of my office!” + +“You grabbed the franchise and common stock of Westham that way,” + declared Davis. “You scooped in Durham and Newry and a lot of others. +But I'm here to warn you, Colonel Dodd. Danburg is going to choke you if +you try to swallow it. We are only countrymen, and we know it. You have +always done all the bossing and threatening in this state up to now. But +I tell you, Colonel Dodd, there comes a time when the rabbit will spit +in the bulldog's eye. If we three go out of this room in the same spirit +in which we came into it something will drop in this state. We shall +have a story to tell.” + +Colonel Dodd swung his chair around and faced his desk. + +“Gentlemen, let's not get excited,” he appealed. Ostensibly he reached +for a pencil. He also pushed a button he had not touched before that +day. Then he came around slowly on the swivel of his chair. “You have +mentioned certain towns, Davis. Those towns have water systems that are +a part of the Consolidated, to be sure. But the men who promoted those +plants and were unable to complete them came to us and begged us to step +in and take the burden off their hands.” While Colonel Dodd talked he +kept glancing, but in an extremely unobtrusive manner, at a huge and +magnificent Japanese screen that occupied one corner of his office. +“It is easy enough to start ventures in this world, Mr. Davis. An +inexperienced man can do that. But it most often takes experience and a +lot of money to install a successful water plant.” + +“We want to get down to cases, Colonel Dodd,” insisted the spokesman. +“We haven't come here without posting ourselves. We know how you have +talked to the others. But you can't bluff us. You propose to steal our +plant, such of it as we have been able to build to date. One word from +you to the money gang takes the hoodoo off us. Now talk business! Do you +propose to pot us like you have the rest?” + +The heart of the big rose in the center of the screen flashed once with +a glow that was imperceptible unless one had been gazing at it, watching +for a signal. Colonel Dodd understood that Miss Kate Kilgour had entered +through a low door and was behind the screen, ready with note-book +and pencil. He leaned back in his deep chair and interlocked his pudgy +fingers across his paunch. + +“I assure you I have not the least interest in your projects as to the +Danburg water system, Mr. Davis, Mr. Erskine, Mr. Owen.” He dwelt on the +names. “The Consolidated has plenty of its own business to attend to.” + +“But I say you are trying to run _our_ business, too--no, ruin it!” + +“Do you realize, Mr. Davis, that you are accusing me of criminal +conspiracy--making a statement that might go hard with you in a court of +law? You have accused me of trying to discredit you with banking-houses. +Can you produce any proof except your foolish and unjust suspicions? +You have been made angry by a refusal to handle your bonds. I don't sell +bonds. I build and operate water systems.” + +“The same old game,” sneered Davis. “Your water syndicate, the railroads +of this state, the banks, the politics--they're all snarled up together +like snakes in winter quarters. I say, if you pass the word our bonds +will be taken. If you don't do it, I'm going to trot out of this office +and expose your highway-robber system.” + +“In one breath you threaten me because you say I'm interfering in +your affairs. In the next breath you threaten me because I refuse to +interfere. You are making dangerous talk, Davis. I may call the courts +to pass on that threat. There is only one proposition I can make to +you--and that's strictly in the line of my business. If you are tied up +financially--are at the end of your resources and must have help--I'll +give you my aid in getting the Consolidated to take over the Danburg +plant at a fair valuation.” + +“Is that the best word you've got for us?” + +“I have made you an honorable business proposition.” + +“That your final talk?” + +“Absolutely.” + +Davis found words inadequate for his boiling emotions just then. He +advanced on Dodd, who shrank back into his chair. Davis whipped the +long roll of plans out from under his arm, held the roll by one end, and +swung it like a bat-stick. But he did not strike at Dodd, as the magnate +seemed to apprehend. + +He swung over the colonels' head and swept the top of the desk clean +of everything; vases, bouquets, _objets d'art_, all went rolling and +smashing to the floor. + +Colonel Dodd ducked low and held his square head in his hands as if +he feared that the next assault would be on that. But Davis led his +associates out of the room through the door which Briggs had flung open, +summoned by the crash in his master's holy of holies. + +For the first time, perhaps, in the history of that private office the +door leading into the anteroom was left open and unguarded. Briggs ran +into the room, his coat-tails streaming, his inquisitive beak stretched +forward. On his heels followed the tall young man who had been waiting +in the anteroom. It was Walker Farr, who closed the door behind him, +shutting out the curious anteroom clients who flocked and peered. + +When the colonel lifted his head he found himself looking squarely into +the eyes of this tall young man whom he in no way remembered. + +Briggs went down on his hands and knees and began to pick up the debris. + +One of the bouquets had rolled to the colonel's feet, and he stooped +with some difficulty, recovered it, and laid it across his knees. He +gazed past Farr with a frown--with a significant, dismissing jerk of +his head. The young man turned in time to see the capitalist's handsome +secretary. The amazing riot in the sanctuary of her employer had brought +her from behind the screen. Uncertainty and alarm were in her eyes +and excitement had flushed her cheeks. Against the background of the +gorgeous screen she seemed a veritable apparition of loveliness, and +while Farr stared, frankly admiring her, recognizing her, exchanging +that startled recognition with her, she disappeared. + +“How do you dare to come into my private office in this fashion?” + +“I have waited in that anteroom every day for ten days, trying to get an +audience. The door was open just now and I came in.” + +“It's your own fault if you haven't seen me. I see men who have business +with me and who send in an explanation of that business.” + +“So I have been told by that man,” stated Farr, pointing to Briggs, who +was groping about on the carpet. “But my business with you couldn't be +discussed through a third party.” + +“Now that you're in here, what is that business?” + +“I'll tell you first what it is _not_, so that there won't be any +misunderstanding in your mind about me. I am not here to borrow money, +beg money, ask for work, ask for a personal favor of any kind, solicit a +political job, nor have I anything to sell to you or to give to you. So, +you see, my business is different.” + +With a quick motion he brought out a parcel which he had held concealed +in the broad-brimmed hat. + +Briggs straightened up on his knees and remained thus, seemingly +paralyzed, staring at the parcel. + +The capitalist sank back in his chair, his face growing greenish white. + +“Don't you throw that bomb!” he gasped. In his panic he was not able to +deduce any other explanation for the presence of this stranger who +had so strenuously disclaimed all reasonable motives for his visit. He +quailed before this man who seemed to be a dangerous crank--for Farr's +attire was out of the ordinary and his eyes were flashing and his poise +was that of a man sure of himself. + +“What do you think I have here in this package?” + +“Dynamite!” mumbled the magnate. + +“It's worse.” + +Colonel Dodd rolled his head to and fro on the back of his chair, +shutting his eyes in vain attempt to find somebody to whom to appeal +for help. He started a furtive hand in the direction of the battery of +buttons. + +“Keep your hands in your lap,” commanded Farr. “I say that what I have +here in this package is worse than dynamite.” He tore the paper and +disclosed a half-dozen faucets that were still dripping with slime. “You +know now what I mean, Colonel Dodd. This is the stuff your water company +is pumping through the pipes in this state.” + +The president of the Consolidated straightened in his chair, but he had +been thoroughly frightened. + +While Farr talked on the colonel seemed to be gathering +himself--recovering his voice. + +“It's a mighty bold act for me to come in here like this, Colonel +Dodd. I understand it. I'm a poor man and a stranger in this city. Just +consider me a voice--call me Balaam's ass if you want to. But I've come +up from the tenement-house districts where the children are dying.” + +“What do you want?” The magnate discharged the question explosively. + +“Pure water in the city mains.” + +“Whom do you represent?” + +Farr hesitated. Colonel Dodd scented possible political strategy in this +visit, and was controlling his ire in order to probe the matter. + +“Come, my man. Out with it! Who commissioned you to come here?” + +“I'll not claim that I have any powers delegated to me, sir.” + +“How did you dare to force your way in here?” + +“Considering what kind of a man I was a few weeks ago, I'm having pretty +hard work to explain to myself what I'm doing, sir.” + +The colonel knotted bushy brows. This person seemed to be playing with +him. “Who told you to come here?” + +“The soul of a little girl who was named Rosemarie.” + +Colonel Dodd came out of his chair, thoroughly angry--and yet he +repressed his anger. This person, more than ever, seemed to him to be a +crank with vagaries. + +Farr put up a protesting palm. His tones trembled, and into them he put +all the appeal a human voice can compass. + +“I know I astonish you, Colonel,” he added. “I astonish myself. I'm not +much on self-analysis. I don't know just what has come over me the last +few weeks. But they do say the Deity picks out queer instruments when He +wants things done. Man to man, now, forgetting you're a mighty man and +I'm a small one, won't you say you'll give the people of this state pure +water instead of poison?” + +“You don't think you can stroll in here and coax me to build over the +whole Consolidated system, do you?” + +“That isn't the idea at all, sir. Treat me simply as a voice--a jog +of your conscience--a reminder. I'll go away and you'll never see me +again.” + +“If you think the cranks in this state can influence me in the least +item about running my own business you're the worst lunatic outside the +state asylum,” declared the colonel, with passion. + +“You mean that what I have asked on behalf of women and children hasn't +had any effect on you?” + +“Not the slightest. Get out!” In his present mood Colonel Dodd would not +admit to this interloper that he planned reforms, and in that moment he +unwittingly created his Frankenstein's monster. + +Farr retreated a couple of steps and bowed. “Colonel Dodd, in my part of +the West we fellows had a little code: help a woman, always, everywhere; +tote a tired child in our arms; and, in the case of a man who announced +himself an enemy, give him fair notice when it came time to pull guns. +Better get your weapon loose on your hip.” + +He bowed again and went out. + +Briggs rose from his knees and his master snapped an angry stare from +the door that the young man had closed softly behind himself. + +“What kind of a resort is my office getting to be? Do you know who that +devilish fool is, Briggs?” + +“No, sir. He has been hanging around here, that's all I know. I kept at +him.” He made a little dab of his woodpecker beak. “But I couldn't find +out anything from him.” + +“Well find out from somebody else, then. And get judge Warren on the +'phone for me.” + +When the bell rang and the colonel heard the voice of the Consolidated's +corporation counsel greeting him on the wire he ordered the judge to +come over at once. + +“Hell has just burned through here in three small patches,” stated +the colonel, grimly. “The sooner we turn on the Consolidated hose, the +better.” + + +In the early dusk of a summer evening Mr. Peter Briggs stood at the edge +of the sidewalk of one of the squalid avenues of the district of the +tenement-houses of Marion. His hands were behind him, propping out his +coat-tails. He kept peering at the gloomy stairway of a house near at +hand. Take the gloom, his attitude, and his sooty garb, and he gave a +very picturesque impression of a raven doing sentinel duty. + +At last a tall young man came down the stairs which Mr. Briggs was +watching and strolled off leisurely up the avenue, stopping here and +there to chat, nodding to this man, flourishing a hand salute to that +man. The young man apparently had nothing whatever on his mind except to +enjoy a stroll in the summer evening. + +Mr. Briggs watched him out of sight without moving from his tracks. +Then he withdrew both hands from under his coat-tails. In one hand was +a note-book, in the other hand was a pencil. Mr. Briggs made an entry, +closed the book with decision, and snapped an elastic band around the +covers. Then he made off toward his home. He lived up-town in a section +where there were fewer smells and better scenery. He determined that +this should be his last tour of surveillance. He had found his trips +into the nooks and crannies of the Eleventh Ward to be very distasteful +employment for a man who had served Colonel Dodd for so many years in +the sumptuous surroundings of that office in the First National block. + +He asked himself what would be the use of hunting for any more +information regarding such an inconsequential individual as one Walker +Farr? He wondered why this crank had impressed Colonel Symonds Dodd +sufficiently to stir up all this trouble for himself, Peter Briggs. The +fellow had come from somewhere--nobody in Marion seemed to know. He +had been discharged from the employment of the Consolidated. Now he was +going about, warning all the people to boil the city water they drew +from the faucets. He seemed to be a crank on the water subject, so Peter +Brigg's note-book recorded. + +The book also recorded that this queer Walker Farr strolled about +the streets in the poorer quarters, “currying favor”: so Peter Briggs +expressed the young man's evening activities in the note-book. That +seemed to be all there was to it. At any rate, Peter Briggs decided that +he had finished his quest. + +Thereupon he had snapped the elastic band with vigor and made up his +mind to tell Colonel Dodd the next morning that chasing that worthless +fellow around or thinking that such a fellow could do anything to +interfere with Colonel Dodd was poppycock. Peter Briggs hoped he would +dare to call it “poppycock” in the presence of his master--for he was +thoroughly sick of being a sleuth in the ill-smelling Eleventh Ward. + +He did dare to call it poppycock. And Colonel Dodd shrugged +his shoulders and forgot one Walker Farr. The fellow seemed +inconsiderable--and Colonel Dodd found other matters very pressing. + +For one thing, those three men from Danburg had brought suit against +both Stone & Adams and the Consolidated Water Company and had engaged +as counsel no less a personage than the Honorable Archer Converse, the +state's most eminent corporation lawyer, a man of such high ideals and +such scrupulous conception of legal responsibility that he had never +been willing to accept a retainer from the great System which dominated +state affairs. Colonel Symonds Dodd feared the Honorable Archer +Converse. It was hinted that the Danburg case would involve charges of +conspiracy with intent to restrain independents, and would be used to +show up what the opponents of the Consolidated insisted was general +iniquity in finance and politics. + +Colonel Dodd outwardly was not intimidated. He sent no flag of truce. +He decided to intrench and fight. He cursed when he remembered the +interview with the Danburg triumvirate. + +“Under ordinary circumstances I would buy them off in the usual way,” he +informed Judge Warren. “But that damnation lunatic raved at me with all +the insults he could think of--then he up with his dirty bunch of plans +and knocked my flowers on to the floor--yes, sir, that was what the mad +bull did--he knocked my flowers on to the floor!” + +And Colonel Dodd emphasized that as the crime unforgivable. + + + + +XIV + +THE MATTER OF DOING WHAT ONE CAN + +It was from Citizen Drew that Walker Farr heard the story of Captain +Andrew Kilgour. + +Citizen Drew was the elderly man with the earnest face who had been +first to commend Farr that evening at City Hall when he and old Etienne +had made their pathetically useless foray against bulwarked privilege. + +Folks in Marion who knew Citizen Drew had forgotten his given name. +In his propaganda of protest he called himself “Citizen.” He built +carriage-tops in a little shop where there were drawers stuffed with +political and economic literature, and he read and pondered during his +spare hours. + +Farr sought out Citizen Drew and sat at his feet, with open ears. + +For Citizen Drew knew the political history of his state, the men +concerned, their characters, their aims, their weaknesses, their +virtues, their faults--especially did he understand their faults--their +affiliations with the Machine, their attitude toward the weak; he had +followed their trails as the humble hound follows big game. + +Therefore, Farr, a stranger in that land, seeking knowledge with which +to arm his resolve, went and sat with Citizen Drew and learned many +things. + +Sometimes loquacity carried Citizen Drew a bit afield from the highway +of politics, and when he touched on the case of Captain Andrew Kilgour +Farr's heart thumped and his eyes glistened. For Drew prefaced the bit +of a story with this: + +“I never knew Symonds Dodd to do anything toward squaring a wrong he +had committed except when he gave Kate Kilgour a fine position in his +office. And there are those who say that he was only showing more of his +selfishness when he hired her; he wanted the prettiest girl in the city +to match his office furnishings.” + +“I have seen her,” said Farr, trying to be matter-of-fact. “I--I sort of +wondered!” + +“Her father was a friend of mine. He was a good man. And the +Consolidated money couldn't buy him. His people were Kilgowers in +Scotland and he was a man not given to much talk, but he was willing to +let me run on, nodding his head now and then while he smoked. He was +an honest man and the best engineer in the state, and he kept his own +counsel in all things. And he showed me the Kilgower coat of arms--and +he didn't show that to many. He was no boaster. He was proud of his +people, but he used to say that it made but little difference who the +ancestors were unless the descendants copied the virtues and tried to +improve over the faults. There was a Kilgower who went down across +the border and gave himself as a hostage so that the clan might gain +time--and he knew that he would be hung--and he was. But he saved his +people. And I wish you would remember that, Mr. Farr, for it explains a +bit the state of mind of Andrew Kilgour. + +“He wouldn't sell himself for the gang's dirty work--he made honest +reports. So they did for him, Mr. Farr. And he couldn't afford to have +them do for him, because his wife was vain and a spendthrift and he let +her waste and spend because he was a good and simple man when it came to +the matter of a woman's domination over him. That's the curse on strong +men--they are tender when it comes to a woman. She wasn't worthy of him, +his wife. It's the daughter who has his honesty. I think if she knew who +had done for her father she would not stay in Symonds Dodd's office. But +the gang does for a man most often without leaving the trail open when +they run away and hide. + +“He would come here and sit with me and smoke and was very silent. I +knew there were debts and I knew well enough that the woman wanted him +to sell himself. + +“He raked and scraped money--he sold everything of his own, his +instruments and all. He took out every cent of insurance that money +would buy. Then he put prussic acid in a capsule--a shell of salol, +I believe they said it was--so that the work of the poison would be +delayed, and he swallowed the capsule on the street and went into an +office and sat and chatted with friends and joked and laughed much more +than was his habit till at last his eyes closed and his face grew +white and he fell out of his chair upon the floor stone-dead, and never +uttered a groan. + +“It was brave work. They called it heart disease, but it's not easy +to fool insurance people. They took him out of his grave and proved +suicide--and they did not pay a dollar of insurance to his family. They +were not obliged to. The policies were new and the suicide clause let +the companies out. So he left only debts instead of twenty-five thousand +dollars. However, I say it was brave work.” + +“It would have been braver to stay and face it,” blurted Farr. + +“But Andrew Kilgour had a code of his own--a state of mind some of us +could not understand--the example of an ancestor. We are not all alike. +Many cannot stay and face trouble. You might be able to do it--you seem +to have a level head!” + +Farr grew pale, his hands trembled on the arms of his chair, and then +he got up and marched across the little shop to the window, turning his +back on Citizen Drew. + +“You told them in City Hall that you would stay here and fight,” pursued +Citizen Drew. “That is brave work.” + +“I'll be much obliged to you, Citizen Drew, if you'll leave me out of +your catalogue of heroes. And I take back what I said about his facing +it. I hadn't any right to make any such comment.” + +“So the girl went to work in Symonds Dodd's office and his nephew is +courting her. I hope he doesn't get Andrew Kilgour's daughter. He never +went after any other girl honestly. I have looked into this case because +I was Andrew's friend. Young Dodd wants to marry her and the mother is +helping him. But I know that rapscallion, Mr. Farr. I can't believe that +Kate Kilgour will be caught by him.” + +“He has a fine position, they tell me,” said Farr, still gazing out of +the window. + +“The Machine made old Peleg Johnstone state treasurer, and he doesn't +know bonds from biscuit. Colonel Dodd put in his nephew as chief clerk, +and old Peleg is a figure-head, smoking his pipe in the back office and +resting his wool-tipped boots on his desk. Oh, I know the bunch of 'em, +sir. I can tell you the inside of things. Young Dodd takes orders from +his uncle and runs the treasury. All the state's money is in the Dodd +banks on the checking-account basis--and the gang is letting it out at +six percent. Tidy little profit! And nobody to say a word, even to ask +how Richard Dodd finds so much money to spend. But that's the principal +wonder in the world, Mr. Farr--how your neighbor gets his money to blow. +Jones, Smith, Brown, and Robinson--they stand and look at one another +and ask the same question. And folks in the Eleventh Ward are even +asking me how you get your living,” added Citizen Drew, smoothing his +curiosity with a bit of jocoseness. + +“I have been working in this city--doing good, hard work,” stated Farr, +moving toward the door. + +“Yes, but you have been discharged.” + +“I understand how it is you know so much stuff to tell me,” returned the +young man, smiling. “Well, Citizen Drew, I'm going to take the first job +that offers itself. Tell 'em that!” + +“I'm glad of it,” said Citizen Drew, with blunt heartiness. “If you have +set out to do anything among the plain folks you've got to be at work in +the open, earning honest wages, or they'll suspect you. They have been +fooled too often by fakes and loafers. But since you advertised yourself +in City Hall you may find jobs a little hard to land. It's pretty much +of an air-tight proposition, Consolidated influence.” + +“I have somebody looking after my interests in that line, Citizen Drew. +I'm not worrying.” He opened the door. “In fact, there are two mighty +helpful chaps whom I'm going to associate with more or less from now +on.” + +“Bring 'em with you and let me know 'em. Can't have too many in a good +cause.” + +“I'll bring them--but they are pretty hard to understand--rather slow +getting acquainted--lots of folks have no use for them,” said Farr, +starting down-stairs. + +“What are their names?” asked the inquisitive citizen, eager for more +additions to his general stock of information. + +“I'll tell you later.” + +But Farr named them to himself when he was on the street. + +“Chance and Humility--I hope you are going to stick by me from now on,” + he muttered. “Chance, you have led me into a queer position and into a +strange state of mind. Humility, you are helping me to understand. Now, +Chance, what have you to say to me?” + +It was more of the fantastic whimsy with which Walker Farr played. + +His eyes, searching the street after this challenge to Chance, beheld an +ice-wagon rumbling past. It was a neat-looking cart, painted white, and +bore the advertisement, “Crystal Pure Independent Ice Company.” + +Another wagon, painted dirty yellow, followed. It was a Consolidated +ice-cart; Farr knew those carts with their loads of river-ice. + +The spectacle of something which promised rivalry to that yellow cart +piqued his interest. His mood welcomed the first adventure which Chance +presented. He had found Chance playing peculiar pranks with his affairs +in the days just past. + +He hurried in pursuit of the white cart and accosted the driver. + +“Where can I find the manager of this company?” + +“He's up at Coosett Lake this afternoon, sir.” The man was respectful. +The stranger's garb and demeanor impressed him. “The trolley will take +you pretty near it. Take a car in the square--a Halcyon Park car.” + +Without canvassing the matter further Farr took the car. + +He decided that it was a most comforting sensation, this abandoning his +problems to Chance! It saved so much fuss and worry. + +He found the little lake at the limits of the park area--a hollow among +the hills. + +Men were busy at the foot of the slope over whose crest he marched. He +saw several rough buildings at the edge of the lake, plainly makeshift +ice-houses. One was a new structure and the other two were old barns +which had been “darned” here and there with new material, and their +yawed sides were propped with joists. Men were loading ice upon carts; +the translucent cubes flashed in the rays of the sun. + +During the process of his little crusade he had become acquainted with +the conditions in the city of Marion and he knew that the Consolidated +folks controlled the ice-supply as well as the water. They held an iron +grip by legislative charter on all the riparian rights along the river +and allowed no one else to operate an ice-field. He had seen and sniffed +the unwholesome slime which a melted cake of Consolidated ice deposited. + +When he found opportunity he accosted a man in corduroy. He was a +big chap, bronzed by the sun, and Farr singled him out as the manager +because he had been directing the other workers while he toiled himself. + +“It's a little business of my own,” said the man. “I have started in +independent.” + +“I had thought the Consolidated had control of everything.” + +“They would control everything if they could. They wouldn't let me run +my carts through the city streets if they knew how to stop me. I worked +for them fifteen years, lugging their dirty ice on my back, up stairs +and down, and I know that crowd. I don't understand much of anything but +the ice business, mister, whoever you are. But I wouldn't lug any more +of that ice into homes. I put my savings in here, every cent, hired +these barns and a shore privilege, and I'm selling clean ice. But I'm +going to lose every blamed cent! It's no use. I can't buck 'em. Excuse +me! It's no interest to you. My mouth runs away with me when I get +talking about that gang.” + +He went back to the barn to help his men shift a runway. + +Farr waited patiently until he was able to speak to the busy man again. + +“I don't mean to bother you, sir,” he said, humbly. “But I am interested +in this proposition of yours. I have worked for the Consolidated, +myself. I was discharged because I stood up and damned their water +before the mayor and aldermen.” + +“Say, I heard something about that!” cried the iceman, displaying prompt +interest and admiration. “The boys said it was good work.” + +“I mention it merely to put myself right with you.” + +“Then say on ahead, my friend!” + +“Do you tell me you can't make a go of this?” + +“I'm afraid I can't. It's a half-mile haul for me to the nearest siding. +The railroad folks don't give me any better rate than they're obliged +to--and you know why that is! And I have to have another set of carts +for the city delivery. And no capital to work with! I'm up against a +crowd that has all the money, plenty of equipment, and has its supply +right at the back door of the city--and it belongs at the back door! But +you know what the buying public is! The only reason why I have lasted is +because my old customers gave me their business and are sticking pretty +well.” + +“My friend,” declared Farr, putting his hand on the shoulder bent and +ridged by many years of ice-toting, “lots of men who are making money +as missionaries are not doing half the good in the world you're doing. +You're certainly showing some of the citizens of Marion the difference +between good ice and frozen gobs of pestilence.” + +“A fellow needs grit, grace, gumption, and a lot of missionary spirit to +fight what I'm fighting, mister. I ain't going to say anything about +a lot of obstacles the syndicate has put in my way. Those were to be +expected in the way of regular business competition. But you can see I +have only got limited resources here, and I can't afford a big outfit +in the city. Sometimes I have run short, the best I could do--and it's +mighty little sleep I have. And the Consolidated drivers have refused +to sell ice to anybody who has been buying of me even when mothers have +pleaded so as to keep milk for sick babies from souring. That's orders +from headquarters! You wouldn't think that the same big chaps who boss +the governor of the state would get down to such nubbins as that, eh? +But they do--that's their system. They used to tell me that it's the +only way a big syndicate can keep its grip--never leave a bar down! Yes, +sir, they have blacklisted my customers until they'll be good and give +the Consolidated a yearly contract. More than that, they pass word along +that I'll be out of business by another season and that folks who have +bought of me this year will be given the go-by next! Can you beat it?” + +“Are you going to sell out to them?” + +“No,” said the iceman, grimly. “There are two good reasons: I won't sell +and they won't buy. They will kill me out so that nobody else will be +encouraged to try the scheme again.” + +“I want a job,” stated Farr, curtly. “I want to work for you. Give me a +place on one of your carts in the city.” + +“Say, look here,” blurted the other man, frankly astonished, “you look +more like a gent than an iceman!” + +“No matter what I look like. The main question is, can I lug ice? Feel +of my muscle!” + +“It may be a poor outlook for your pay--working for me,” warned the +proprietor. “And if you ever want another job in Marion you may be +blacklisted. I don't want to get you into a scrape.” + +“I can't be in any worse scrape than the one I am in now. Haven't I just +told you who I am?” + +“Oh, I know that! I reckon you're the same fellow. But, see here, +mister, I'm one of those simple kind of galoots--and the less a man +knows the more suspicious he is. You ain't wanting to work for me just +because you need a job!” + +“I do need a job! I have spent the little money I had by me after I was +fired by the Consolidated. I had some special expenses--the funeral of +a--a friend,” he added, wistfulness in his tones. He drove his hand into +his pockets and exhibited a few small coins in his palm when he pulled +his hand out. “That's my cash--every cent of it!” + +“Sure! I see it. But money's easy enough to come at by a fellow like you +when he needs it. You haven't come across all square with me yet!” It +was not mere inquisitiveness; it was the insistence of a plain man who +wanted a definite peg on which to hitch the first warp of association. +“You've got to handle money of mine,” he went on. “I'm in a tight place +and I have got to have the right men tied up with me. I wouldn't have to +ask one of those boys yonder why he wanted to lug ice. But you ain't no +ordinary slouch, mister. You don't do things--not many of 'em--unless +you've got a good reason for same.” It was the instinct of +ingenuousness. “Keep it all to yourself if you want to. But in that case +you'll have to excuse _me_!” + +Farr did not hesitate. He smiled. + +“You're a down-on-the-ground fellow who may be able to understand the +thing better than I do myself,” he declared. Again he put his hand on +the bent shoulder. + +“You didn't break loose from a good job and start this ice business here +simply to make more money, did you?” + +“Well, I've got a family to support and I wanted to make some money, +of course, but I thought it was about time to have less relics, germs, +curiosities, microbes, and general knickknacks left in ice-boxes +after the ice had melted. So I went out of the frozen museum business, +mister.” His voice softened suddenly. “We lost a little girl a year ago +last summer. Typhoid!” + +“I lost a little girl--a friend,” said Farr, patting the shoulder. “It's +this way with me--What is your name?” + +“Freeland Nowell.” + +“Mr. Nowell, I have poked more or less fun in my life at men who claimed +to have missions. Perhaps that was because those men drew my attention +by advertising their missions loudly--and, therefore, I concluded that +all men with licenses to cure this and fix that and regulate the other +were fooling themselves or else were bluffs. But all of a sudden I have +waked up to something. I believe that any human being who isn't doing +a little something on the side to help somebody else in this life is +mighty miserable. I believe that the average sort of folks are doing +it--keeping it quiet, in most cases, perhaps. I thought I had a mission +and I stood up in your city government and advertised it and made +considerable of an ass of myself.” + +“Well, it was all right one way you look at it,” said Nowell, with the +caution of the honest citizen. “But, of course, you got the stigmy put +onto you of being a crank and a disturber and you don't get nowhere! +It ain't gab and holler that does it! If talk sets folks to +thinking--that's all right, so far as it goes. But a lot of these chaps +set their mouths to going and let their hands lay crossed in their laps +and then wonder why the world doesn't get better because they have asked +it to be good.” + +It was sagacity from the humble observer. + +“Mr. Nowell, I don't want to be quite as lonesome in this world as I +have been,” said Farr, with earnestness. “It's an awful feeling, that! +A man can be lonely for a time and crowd down the hankering to be in the +march of honest men where he can touch elbows and be a part of things. +I see you look at me! That's right--it's queer stuff to be talking to +you.” He pondered for a moment and went on. “Queer thing, eh, for a +fellow to wake up all of a sudden--a fellow of my stamp--and want to +do some real good in the world? Well, it surprises _me_, and it would +surprise you a whole lot more if you knew me better. We won't try to +analyze the feeling. I've given up trying to do it.” He paused and his +brown eyes surveyed the blinking iceman with a quizzical appeal in them. +“That's a pretty long preface, Mr. Nowell. It ought to lead up to some +very important request. But it doesn't. I simply want a job on your +ice-cart. It will give me the best opportunity I know of to go into +homes and tell mothers to boil the water which comes out of those dirty +taps; after I unscrew the faucets I won't have to argue much. I told +Colonel Dodd in his office to look out for me! That may have been +bluster. I am a nobody. But I'm on his trail, and there is one thing +I can do to start with! I can help save the lives of a few children. +That's all! I'll be following my new motto. Will you give me the job?” + +“I sure will,” declared Nowell, heartily. “If I don't know when a man is +talking rock-bottom to me, then it's my own fault. When do you want to +go to work?” + +“Now.” + +Nowell gave the new man's garments a disparaging side glance. + +“You look more as if you was going out to preach instead of deliver ice. +But I can fix that if you're busted, my friend. You slip off that +coat and help here till we're loaded. Then ride into the city on the +freight-car and tell any one of my men to give you the overalls and +jumper I left hanging in my stable office.” + +In this fashion it came about that Farr that day was riding on an +ice-wagon in Marion, learning his route. A red-headed youth who was +nursing an ice-pick wound in a bundled-up foot served as guide and +driver and spotted the “Crystal Pure” cards propped here and there in +windows, mutely signaling the household needs. With zestful complacency, +and with secret enjoyment in being allowed to “team” this chap who +looked and talked like a “nob,” the youth allowed Farr to do all the +work. + +The route took in many apartment-houses of the city. + +The labor was muscle-racking. In most cases there were stairs to climb. +He stood, sagging under his burden, till chests were cleared by +the housewives or sluggish maids. He discovered that the iceman was +considered a fair and logical butt for all the forenoon grouches of the +kitchen. Women complained querulously that the ice dripped on the clean +floor, or that the piece was not up to the twenty-cent piece delivered +by the other company, or that he was late, or he had not had his eyes +about him the day before or else he would have seen the card. + +On numerous occasions he was obliged to carry a piece of ice back +down-stairs to his cart and exchange it for a piece of another size and +price. He received no apology in such cases; he was tartly informed that +he ought to have common sense enough to know what was wanted in that +house. In other cases, the mistress of the apartments turned him from +the door and explained with entire lack of interest in his long climb +that the card had been left up by oversight--the chest had been filled +the day before. + +And at two places sharp-tongued women would not allow him to enter, +frankly stating that icemen were too dirty creatures to allow inside the +door of a respectable house; the women received their ten-cent cubes in +pans and slammed the door in his face. + +And through all this Farr preserved his smile. + +In this slavery, tongue-lashed by fretful women, sweating under his +burden, he was happy; he could not account for it and did not attempt +to, but he knew it. He accepted the situation. + +He received rewards enough to fortify his resolution. + +A motherly woman asked him to wait a moment and she mixed for him a +glass of lemonade. That gave him an opportunity to say a few words +to her about drinking-water, modestly and deferentially. She was +interested, and he showed her what the guilty faucet of her tap held in +concealment. + +And he saw that she was shocked and after he had warned her he asked +her to tell all the other women whom she knew. She promised to bring the +matter up in her sewing-club. + +“And even the fussy women,” he told himself, as he plodded back to his +cart, encouraged by his first experiment, “if I keep calm, if I keep +smiling--I shall find my chance to say something to them after a time.” + +A fresh doughnut was given to him by a maid who smiled up at his manly +good looks approvingly, and he was very grateful, for his breakfast had +been a meager one because he had barely enough small coins to make a +jingle in his pocket. + +The maid gasped affrightedly when he showed her what was in the faucet, +and immediately set on water to boil to supply the bottles in the +ice-chest. + +Furthermore, the maid stated that she knew many other maids who would be +glad to know about such a dreadful thing, and that she would have a word +to say to them on the way to Sunday mass and back. + +Farr began to understand more clearly what can be accomplished by a lone +voice, carrying a gospel which can be backed and illustrated by signs +and wonders. + +“I'll have them listening to me yet,” he pondered. “I'll never say +another unkind word about a woman's tongue.” + +Colonel Symonds Dodd flashed past the ice-cart that afternoon in his +limousine. + +Farr laughed aloud at the humor of a thought which occurred to him: +he reflected that he would like to behold Colonel Dodd's face and hear +Colonel Dodd's remarks if somebody told that gentleman that the man +before whom he had quailed and grown pale was now starting what the man +believed was a more effective assault on the dynasty than even a whole +car-load of dynamite bombs could make, even if they were exploded in all +the Consolidated reservoirs. The remarks which would entertain, so Farr +pondered, would come when the colonel was informed that the assault +consisted of a lone iceman making talk to women in kitchens. + +“However,” said the iceman to himself, as he checked a nick in a +ten-cent cube at the back of his cart. “I hold that my new motto is all +right, and old Etienne will indorse it, and he knows what self-sacrifice +consists of. It isn't rolling up your eyes and folding your hands and +saying, 'What can I do?' It's saying, 'I'll do what I can!'--and then +keeping your hands busy!” + + + + +XV + +WHEN A MAID IS COY + +Mr. Richard Dodd came wooing. + +He waited in his gray car at the curb in front of the First National +Bank block until Kate Kilgour issued forth into the afternoon sunshine. + +He called to her, holding open the side door. + +“I just had to see you,” he told her. “I have come down from the +capital, doing forty miles an hour. You're more precious than all the +money I have locked up in the vaults.” + +He did not find in her eyes any of that acclaimed glad love-light which +eager lovers seek. On the contrary, Miss Kilgour made just a bit of a +face at him and was distinctly petulant. + +“I do not want to ride, Richard. I enjoy my walk. I need it after a day +at my desk.” + +“But I'm going to take you on a long ride into the country. We'll have +dinner at Hillcrest Inn and we'll--” + +“I'll go straight home, if you please.” + +“Then come in here with me.” + +“Oh, if you insist!” She said it with weary impatience. + +“Are you tired?” + +“Yes.” + +He drove slowly. “I don't want you to work any more. You know I don't. +You know how I feel. Kate, I have published our intentions of marriage.” + +Her demeanor till then had been marked by tolerance, a bit pettish. Now +she turned on him the indignant stare of offended womanhood. + +“Richard, I have not given you permission to do that.” + +“But you are going to marry me!” + +“Some day. I will tell you when. I am not ready.” + +“You are playing with me.” + +“I am not so frivolous.” + +“But why do you keep putting it off?” + +“A woman who gives herself has the right to say when it shall be.” + +“My God!” he raged. “I wish you would wake up.” + +She did not answer. + +“You don't know what love is. You won't let me touch you.” + +“I suppose that your experience has qualified you, Richard,” she +returned, half humorously, half scornfully. + +“We are going to be married. Your mother is anxious for you to marry. I +am going to tell my uncle to hunt for another secretary.” + +“Be careful how you take liberties with my private business,” she warned +him, sharply. + +“You need somebody to take care of it for you. You have promised to be +my wife. You can't give me a single good reason for waiting any longer.” + +“But I intend to wait.” + +He drove along in angry silence and they left the car together at +the Trelawny Apartments. The car had made a detour in reaching the +curb--avoiding a white wagon at the rear of which an iceman was briskly +pecking in twain a cake of ice. + +The girl glanced sharply at the man and turned her head when she reached +the sidewalk in order to survey him more closely. The iceman, peering up +at the windows to locate such signal-cards as might be visible, lowered +his gaze and intercepted the girl's scrutiny. Color came into her +cheeks, but she frowned as if resenting his stare and hurried into the +vestibule, her lover at her heels. + +“Look here, Friend Myself,” reflected Walker Farr, “it's time you woke +up!” He sighed and swung a chunk of ice upon his shoulder. “But what +else can I expect? Come on, Humility, and give me a soft word or two. I +was hoping I'd never see her again.” + +“Youse take those two front numbers--ten and twelve--Mrs. Kilgour and +Mr. Knowles,” advised his helper. “Package-entrance is around behind.” + +Farr toiled up the stairs, carrying one ice cube on his shoulder, with +another swinging from tongs. There was but one door to the Kilgour +apartment and the girl and Dodd stood in front of it; they had evidently +waited in the corridor after emerging from the elevator, and the young +man was detaining her, talking earnestly. + +The girl opened the door with her latch-key, and with an apology he +stepped in front of the pair and entered. + +“Well, I'll be--” blurted Dodd. “So that's what he is--a cheap, +low-lived iceman!” + +Mrs. Kilgour came into her vestibule and led the way to the kitchen, for +Farr stood irresolutely in the doorway, awaiting directions as to his +burden. Following her, the young man noted her house-dress, beribboned +over-much, her rouged face, her bleached hair, and wondered how such +a woman could have beguiled Andrew Kilgour, as he felt he knew that +sacrificing hero from what Citizen Drew had said. + +“Say, that's the plug-ugly who insulted us in the woods. I'll never +forget that face,” stormed Dodd, making no effort by lowered tones to +conceal his sentiments from the iceman. “Where else am I going to run +across him? He needs a horse-whipping. If there weren't ladies present +I'd give him one.” + +“The man seems to be minding his own business,” said the girl, coldly. + +Farr heard her. There was a hint of contempt in her tones, and the young +man humbly accepted the scorn as directed toward him. He lifted the ice +into the box and received his coin from the languid woman, who seemed to +pay as little heed to his presence as she did to Dodd's threats. + +She seemed to be more especially interested in herself, and when Farr +departed was fondling into place the masses of her hair before a mirror +in the vestibule. Through the space formed by the portieres he saw Dodd +reaching eager hands to the girl, her presence having apparently charmed +away his thoughts of vengeance. + +The iceman went humbly on his way. + +He was meditating on the sacrifice of Captain Andrew Kilgour; he +remembered that stalwart men are willing slaves of the weakest women. He +wondered how much of the honesty of the father was in the daughter. He +tried to console himself by insisting that it was not there. He had +had only a limited opportunity to study Richard Dodd. However, he was +convinced that his unflattering estimate of that young man was surely +justified; and so certain was he that the character of Dodd must be +patent to all he went back to his tasks with a lowered estimate of the +girl who would select such a man as husband. And yet out of the dust of +the highway the profile of her face had touched him as his heart never +had been touched before; he had plucked the rose and had plodded on +behind the little sister of the rose. He wondered what strange impulse +had touched him. She must be merely like all the rest. Her graciousness +in that first meeting had tempted him to believe that she was different. +Now some consciousness, equally as intangible, suggested to him that she +was selfishly selling herself for ease. His thoughts were pretty +much mixed, he acknowledged. But as he went on, bearing his burdens, +listening to the petty tyrants who may ruthlessly taunt the man who +comes in by the back door, he was aware that he had full need of much +ministration from his new friend, Humility. + +In the sitting-room of the Kilgour flat Richard Dodd was telling the +mother that he had made application for a marriage license. + +“And I have waited long enough,” he declared. “Mother Kilgour, you must +convince Kate that we are to be married within a week.” + +And he gave the mother a look which made her turn pale and twist her +ringed fingers nervously. + +“Kate, what is the use?” she pleaded. “You are acting like a child. You +love Richard. You know you love him. You tell me often that you love +him! Richard is such a dear boy!” She said this fawningly, with evident +intent to placate the sullen young man. Her tone, her air suggested the +nervous embarrassment of a debtor who seeks to put off a creditor with +flattery and fresh promises. “Now be a darling child and say that we'll +have the wedding next week without any fuss or feathers.” + +“I am not ready to get married, and I simply will not be married just +yet,” declared the girl, her red lips compressed. + +“You don't love me!” complained Dodd. + +“I like you, Richard,” admitted the girl, frankly, without any +coquettishness. “I have never cared for anybody else. You have been good +to me, except when you were foolish.” + +“Foolishness--that's what she calls being so much in love with her +that I can't keep my hands off her,” said Dodd to the mother. “Mother +Kilgour, you haven't talked to Kate as you should. She doesn't know what +love is.” + +“Oh, I'll find out all about it, and then we'll be married--when I'm +ready to become a wife,” said the girl, with an indulgent smile. “All +at once I'll wake up, just as you have been begging me to do, and then +we'll simply run away and be married and live happily for ever after.” + +“I don't like this stalling,” growled Dodd, brutally. + +“I'll leave you two children together,” said the mother. “I'm sure +you'll come to an understanding.” She went away, showing relief. + +“Sit down here on the divan with me, sweetheart,” pleaded the young man. + +But without removing her hat she went to the piano and began to play. + +“Please come!” he entreated. + +She smiled at him over her shoulder and made a pretty _moue_. + +Muttering an oath of passion he leaped up, hurried across the room, and +began to kiss her fiercely. + +He crushed back with his lips all her protests; standing over her, he +held her upon the piano-bench until by main strength and with all the +force of her resentment she tore away from him. + +“And now you are going to blame me because I can't help it,” he gasped. + +“I don't in the least understand why normal persons can find any +pleasure in that kind of folly.” + +“Is your idea of loving anybody rubbing noses like Eskimos?” + +“I'd endure that kind of loving in preference to that kind of kissing, +Richard. That isn't love which you're offering--not the kind of love I +want. I am going out for my walk--you filched it from me. No, I'm going +alone. Go and talk with mamma, if you like.” + +She escaped the clutch he made and hurried out and to the elevator. + +Flushed and angry, Dodd made his way to an inner room where Mrs. Kilgour +was reading a novel, sunning herself with feline indolence. She put the +book by with evident regret. + +“Oh, Kate, has so much poise!” she lamented, breaking in on the young +man's complaints. “She is so like her father. No one except myself could +do anything with him at all. Sometime it was very hard for me! He would +set his mind and his teeth! But I always won in the end.” + +“Well, go ahead and win now,” commanded the surly lover. “You are simply +letting this thing run along.” + +“I know Kate's nature, Richard. It's only a matter of the right time.” + +He sat down at her feet on the end of the couch. + +“The time is here--now!” he told her. “I insist that you make Kate +understand. I have been patient and reasonable for a year. You have +promised me that you will bring everything around all right. Why don't +you do it?” + +“But delivering a daughter into marriage isn't like delivering groceries +on order!” Her tone showed a bit of impatience. “Be reasonable!” + +“I don't want to say anything to hurt your feelings, but we must get +down to cases. I'm not asking you to deliver anything to me except what +was promised long ago--promised by Kate herself. And you know what you +said when I loaned you five thousand dollars to help you save those +stocks. Excuse me, Mother Kilgour, but I can't always control my nature; +I've been in the game with the bunch for a long time and I'm naturally +suspicious--I have seen a good many chaps trimmed, and I don't propose +to have anything put over on me.” + +“You are insolent and cruel,” she cried, her cheeks pale. + +“I don't mean you--I believe you want to help me. But it's time to be +up and doing. She doesn't give me one good reason why she will not be +married right away. It's only jolly and putting it off.” + +“But you are twitting me about the service you have done me! I am not +selling my daughter!” + +“That isn't it at all! But you must agree that I have been good to +you. I want you to be a friend to me. But I don't get anything that's +definite. If this thing drags on and on the first thing I know some +fellow will come along and she'll fall for him. That's the girl nature!” + +“You are talking about my daughter, Richard! She has her father's +disposition and she is true blue. She has given her promise and she will +keep it.” + +“When?” he demanded, curtly. + +“I can't drive her.” + +“You said you could,” he insisted. “You said a year ago when I advanced +that money that you knew just how to handle her.” + +“Are you going to keep twitting me about that money?” + +“No; only I'm going to say that you haven't even told me about what +stocks you were protecting. You haven't said anything about repaying the +loan, Mother Kilgour. It has been a sort of general stand-off all around +for me. Hold on! I'm not making a holler! But I like to be taken in +right. I'm a Dodd, and I can't help playing to protect myself.” + +“It will come around all right, Richard. You don't know Kate as I do. +I understand her because I understood her father. She is rather +self-centered. But she is romantic underneath! But you know you're so +sort--sort of--well, just a business man--so matter-of-fact. A girl like +Kate needs to be stirred--her poise shaken--something like that!” + +“Lochinvar business, eh?” he sneered. + +“It must be something a little bit out of the ordinary to hurry her, +Richard. Go away, please. Let me think. I have an idea. I must spend a +little time on it.” + +“How much time?” + +“Oh, I don't know just how much. Be patient.” + +“Mrs. Kilgour, if this thing cannot be put through by you I want you to +say so. I'm at the end of that patience you're appealing to. I won't be +fooled.” + +“You don't need to say that you're Colonel Dodd's nephew,” she retorted. +“You have all the family traits.” + +“Well, there's one I haven't got: I loaned you five thousand dollars +without taking security--and that's the act of a good friend. Excuse me, +but I've got to speak of it--you need a little reminder. Four days from +now I'll have my marriage license from the city clerk. And when I have +it in my hands I shall come to you and shall expect that you'll do your +part.” + +“I will,” she said. + +“How? I want plain statements from now on.” + +“I will write you a letter to-morrow,” she faltered. “I will give you +directions what to do. You'd better not come here till--till I have it +all arranged. You know what they say about absence!” + +“I know what they say about a good many things. But I want something +besides say-so.” + +“I will tell you in my letter what to do. Then you follow instructions.” + +“I don't like to go into a thing blind. What is the plan?” + +“Oh, if I tell you all about it you'll go and do something to spoil it,” + she protested, impatiently. “A woman knows about such matters better +than a man does. I will write to you at the State House. Now be +patient!” + +“I'll be going before you preach any more patience to me,” he said, +sourly. “I might be provoked into saying something you won't like.” + +After he had gone she rose and touched up her cheeks. + +“The fool! They are all alike,” she muttered, viciously. “They pay. They +never forget they have paid. Then they stand with their hand out--and +just remember that they have paid. I am glad I bought this novel,” she +added, taking the book from the couch and settling herself to read. “The +woman who wrote it must have known human nature. If the plan worked in +the case of the girl she writes about it ought to work in the case of +Kate. If it doesn't it will be his fault because he has hurried me so. A +poor, persecuted woman can't do everything.” + +And she applied herself to her recently discovered manual of procedure +in the case of stubbornness in a maid. + + + + +XVI + +FARR HAS A VISION AND CLOSES HIS LIPS + +Walker Farr put aside papers upon which he had been working since he had +eaten his modest supper, and pulled on his coat and went forth into +the evening. He strolled up one of the streets in the Eleventh Ward of +Marion, manifestly glad to be out among the people. + +He stopped at the curb and hailed the driver of a truck-wagon which was +loaded down with kegs and jugs. + +“Marston,” he said, when the driver halted, “it's good to see the noble +work going on.” + +“Yes, and now that the babies aren't dying off so fast old Dodd's +newspapers are claiming that the new filtering-plant is doing all the +good, sir.” + +“Well, it shows that our work is worth while if they're claiming it, +Marston. But we'll wake up the folks all in good time. Do what we can +for first aid, that's the idea! The people are waking up to what we're +doing. And they are waking up in other places. I took a little run up +state last week. Five other cities are going to try this co-operative +scheme of getting good water to the poor folks until something better +can be done.” + +“You've got a head on you,” commended the driver. “It's a little tough +on tired horses to work at this after a day's trudging on regular +business, but my nags seem to understand what it's all about--honest +they do. I have hauled five hundred gallons this week. But I'd like +to haul old Dodd up to Coosett Lake and drown him, if it wasn't for +spoiling water that the poor folks are drinking.” + +Farr shook his head and walked on. + +He was a rather striking figure for a New England city as he strolled +along. It did not seem to be affectation for this man to wear a +frock-coat without a waistcoat, a flowing black tie setting off his +snowy linen. The attire seemed to belong to his physique and manner. + +Women smiled at him in friendly fashion; men gave respectful and +affectionate salutation. + +Soon he stepped off the street into a room where a group of men were +waiting for him, so it appeared, because they all rose when he entered. + +He called the little meeting to order promptly, informing them that he +would detain them only a short time. + +“I rise to make a motion,” said a man at one stage of the proceedings. +“There have been so many volunteers in the work and the folks have been +so ready to pay for real water in place of that stuff we get from the +taps, that three hundred dollars have accumulated in the treasury. We +all know that there is just one man who had been responsible for this +whole plan and has given his time and has run about our state and hasn't +charged anything but expenses for doing it all. I move we give that sum +to Mr. Farr--wishing it was more.” + +The speaker was loudly applauded. + +Farr was so quickly on his feet and spoke so promptly that he clipped +the man's last words. + +“A moment, my friends, before that motion is seconded.” He held up his +hand and checked their protests against what his air told them. “Because +my little plan has succeeded better than I hoped is not due to me, but +to the generous co-operation of good men who have given their time. We +are saving the babies, thank God! But do you know what else we have done +by our hard toil and our devotion? We are propping up the Consolidated +Water Company in this state. Understand me! I am not attacking that +company because it is a corporation. If it were now making preparations +to pipe down to us clean water from the hills I would gladly go +on giving my time to this cause in order to help the case of the +Consolidated. But the men in control are deliberately shutting their +eyes to the real situation. Now that folks aren't dying, they claim +all the credit--when we know the credit is due to weary men who go on +working after their day's toil is over. It isn't right--it isn't just! +My friends, I have got hold of a bigger thing than I reckoned on when I +started out to wake those poison-peddlers up. Now that we are cleaning +up the typhoid, the Consolidated is simply riding on our backs--refusing +to see the real truth. If they give Marion pure water it will be only +at more exorbitant rates, because the nearest lake is twenty miles away. +I'm not an anarchist--I want to see capital get its just reward. But +when a syndicate takes a franchise from citizens and makes them pay over +and over for what was their own the citizens have a right to rise in +self-defense. When we force the Consolidated to give us what we're +paying for--pure water--they evidently propose to make us pay for what +they call our cheek in asking.” He paused for a moment, and his smile +succeeded his earnestness. “I beg your pardon for saying 'we.' I must +remember that I'm still a stranger in this city.” + +“I'll have to dispute you there,” interposed a man. “You're one of us. +And we're going to prove it to you a little later.” + +“My friends,” went on Farr, “until the cities and towns of this state +own their own water-plants and take their own profits they will be +paying double tribute to a merciless crowd.” + +“But we can't own our plants till the millennium, sir. There's that +five-percent-debt-limit clause in the constitution.” + +Farr smiled--this time wistfully. “I've--I've had a sort of vision in +regard to that,” he said. “I don't dare to explain myself just now, +friends. It may be only a vision--but I think not. I'll not say any more +at present. I did not intend to say as much. What was on my mind when +I got up was this: I will not accept that money in the treasury--on no +account will I take it. Because I believe that strange days are coming +upon us soon in this state--days when we shall need money. Keep that +nest-egg and guard it.” He picked up his hat and started for the door. +“The meeting is adjourned,” he informed them. He smiled at them over his +shoulder in such a manner that they wondered whether he joked or was +in earnest. “Guard well that money--for the only way my vision can be +realized, I fear, is by turning this state's politics upside down, and +that will be quite a job for a rank outsider fighting Colonel Symonds +Dodd--and fighting without money. Good night!” + +Men whom Walker Farr met as he strolled ducked amiable greetings. They +grinned admiringly after him as he passed on. + +If a woman asked in regard to him or a stranger in the ward questioned +a native they were informed with gusto that he was “the boy who stood in +City Hall and talked turkey to the mayor and all the bunch, and said a +good word for the poor people, and twisted the tail of the Consolidated +and lost a good job doing it--and that's more than any alderman would do +for those who elected him.” + +At a street corner children of the poor were dancing around a +hurdy-gurdy. Farr gave the man at the crank a handful of change and told +him to stay there and keep the kiddies happy. Shrill juvenile voices +promptly proclaimed his praises to all the neighborhood, and mothers and +fathers beamed benedictions on him from windows. + +He stopped at another street corner where a dozen youths were +congregated. They were heavy-eyed, leering cubs, their hats were tipped +back, and frowzled fore-tops stuck out over their pimply faces--types of +youths whom modest girls avoid hurriedly by detours. + +“Boys, folks are writing to the newspapers complaining that young chaps +are insulting girls on the street corners of Marion. But it must be +those high-toned loafers up-town. You're not up to any of that business +down here, of course.” + +“None of us would ever as much as say 'shoo' to a chicken,” protested +one of the group. + +“You're Dave Joyce's boy, aren't you?” + +“Yes, sir.” + +“The fifty men he bosses at the ice-house like him because he's square. +Here's a good motto: 'Square with the boys and nice to the girls.' But +keep off the street corners, fellows, or they'll get you mixed up with +some of that masher gang.” + +The Joyce boy pulled his hat forward and marshaled the retreat from the +loafing-place. + +“Naw, he ain't no candidate, nuther,” he informed his associates when +they were out of hearing. “He ain't canvassing for no votes. My old man +says he ain't. He ain't a four-flusher. He's the guy that stood for the +poor folks up at City Hall and doped out the spring-water stuff.” + +At the side of a street where traffic raged to and from the city's Union +Station Farr came upon two shriveled old ladies who were teetering on +the curbstones, waiting tremulously for an opportunity to cross. They +put down into the roaring street first one apprehensive foot and then +another, like children trying chilly water. The big fellow offered an +arm to each and led them safely across. + +“You're a real knight-errant, sir,” squeaked one of the two, looking up +into the kindly face. + +He laughed, doffed the broad-brimmed hat with a low bow, and strolled on +his way. + +“Knight-errant,” he muttered, still smiling. “Guess not. They don't have +'em these days. The stories about 'em read well. Wonder what kind of a +feeling it was that started those boys off on the hike! Perhaps there +wasn't enough doing in politics. It must have been a fine game, though, +rescuing distressed damsels. And all for love and not for pay!” + +A poster in the window of an empty store caught his eye just then. It +advertised a woman's-suffrage rally. + +“The girls would paint rally signs on a knight's tin suit these days and +send him off on an advertising trip,” was his whimsical reflection. + +At that moment, with this thought of knight in armor in his mind, he was +attracted by a flare of red fire in a blacksmith shop located just off +the street. The one worker in the place was revealed by the forge fire. +The glow lighted the features of the man. There was no mistaking him--it +was Friend Jared Chick. And Farr turned off the street and went into the +shop and greeted his one-time traveling companion. + +“How does thee do?” replied Jared Chick, quietly, his Quaker calm +undisturbed. He drew forth a white-hot iron and deftly hammered it into +a circle around the snout of the anvil. + +“So you have given up knight-errantry and have gone back to the old job, +have you, Friend Chick?” + +“No. This is a part of my service. The man who owns this shop is a good +man who works hard here all day. And after he has gone home he allows me +to work here in the evening.” + +He pounded away industriously and Farr walked up to the anvil to inspect +the nature of the work, for the iron rod was assuming queer shapes. + +“A new kind of armor, Friend Chick?” + +If there was a bit of sarcasm in Farr's tone the Quaker paid no apparent +heed. + +“No,” he said, quietly and meekly, “this is a brace for the leg of a +little lame boy. I have found many children in this city who cannot +walk. Their parents are too poor to buy braces. So I come here nights, +when the good man is away from the forge, and I make braces and carry +them with my blessing. I have some knack with the hammer. I hope to find +other ways of doing my bit of good.” + +“I beg your pardon, Friend Chick,” said Farr, a catch in his voice. “I +will not bother you in your work. Good night!” + +“Good night to thee!” said the Quaker, swinging at the bellows arm. + +Farr went back upon the street, his head bowed. “We all have our own way +of doing it,” he pondered, contritely. + +He met a man and greeted him with a friendly handclasp. It was Citizen +Drew, that elderly man with the earnest face. + +And as he had in the past, he turned, caught step with Farr, and they +walked together. + +Their stroll took them into the broader avenues of up-town. + +As they talked, Farr caught side glances from his companion. The glances +were a bit inquisitive. + +“Well, Citizen Drew,” asked the young man, “what is on your mind this +evening?” + +“Since I have known you and studied you I have been thinking that you +have the spirit of knight-errantry in you,” stated Citizen Drew. + +Farr laughed boyishly. + +“Two very nice old ladies have just got ahead of you with that +accusation, my friend.” + +“Laugh if you feel like it. But there are so few men who can do anything +unselfishly in these days that when a chap like you does come along he +gets noticed--at any rate, I notice him.” He stopped dealing in side +glances and stared at Farr fully and frankly. “Other men who would do +the things you are doing so quietly in this state have been playing +politics--and I have made it my business to watch politicians. And as +soon as men have been elected to office by fooling the people--well, +those men have simply been set into the Big Machine as new cogs. Are you +like the rest, Mr. Farr? Nobody knows where you came from. Everybody who +sees you knows you're above the jobs you have been working at. They're +talking you up for alderman in our ward. But we have been fooled so many +times!” + +Farr replied to this wistful inquisition in a way there was no +misunderstanding. + +“I am not a candidate for anything, Citizen Drew. And I'll tell you how +I can prove I am not. I am not a voter here. I have intentionally failed +to have myself registered. Whenever you hear another man talking me +up for office you tell him that. Therefore, it makes no difference to +anybody where I came from or what job I work at.” + +Citizen Drew accepted the rebuke humbly and walked on in silence. + +“You have always been fooled, you say, when you have elected men to +office. Haven't you any men in this state whom you can elect to high +office, knowing for sure that they'll stay straight?” + +“No,” returned Citizen Drew. + +“I'm a stranger--I don't know your big men--you do know them, and I +suppose I ought to take your word. But I don't believe you, Citizen +Drew.” + +“But I told you the truth. We have big men who are honest men. But they +won't go into politics. They feel too far above the game. Therefore, how +can we elect them to office? I say I told you the truth. The men who go +out and hunt for office are the ones who work the thing for their own +profit--and that means they stand in with the bunch and the head boss.” + +It was the same old lament which is everlastingly on the lips of +the voters of America! Citizen Drew had again epitomized the average +politics of the great Republic! + +Walker Farr smiled--and he could express in a smile more than most men +can express in speech. + +“An original idea has just occurred to me, Citizen Drew,” he said, with +humorous drawl in his tones. “I'm sure nothing like it has ever +been thought of before. There ought to be a new party formed in this +country--a party outside all the others. No, not a party, exactly! +What should I call it? You see, the idea has just come to me, and I'm +floundering a little.” His tone was still jocular. “You're right about +most of the able and big men staying out of politics except when +the highest offices are passed around. Now, how's this for a scheme? +Organize a loyal band and call it--well, say the Purified Political +Privateers, the Sanctified Kidnappers, the People's Progressive and +Public-spirited Press Gang. Go around and grab the Great and the Good +who insist on minding their private business and who are letting the +country be gobbled up--just go and grab 'em right up by the scruff +of the neck and fling them into politics head over heels. They would +sputter and froth and flop for a little while--and then they'd strike +out and swim. They couldn't help swimming! They'd know that the folks +were looking on. And then a lot of the sinking and drowning poor devils, +like you and me and the folks in the tenements, could grab onto the +Great and the Good and ask 'em to tow us safely ashore; and by that +time their pride and their dander would be up and they'd swim all the +harder--with the other folks looking on. Hah! An idea, eh? You see, +I feel rather imaginative and on the high pressure and in a mood for +adventure this evening! Probably because the nice old ladies called me a +knight-errant.” + +Citizen Drew was not ready with comment on this amazing suggestion. +He clawed his hand into his sparse hair and wrinkled his forehead in +attempt to decide whether or not he ought to resent this playful retort +to his lament. The next moment he dealt Farr a swift jab in the ribs +with his elbow. + +“Take a good look at this man coming,” he mumbled. + +The oncomer was close upon them, and in spite of the dusk Farr's sharp +gaze took him all in. + +In garb and mien he was a fine type of the American gentleman who is +marked by a touch of the old school. There was a clean-cut crispness +about him; the white mustache and the hair which matched it looked as +if they would crackle if rubbed. His eyes were steely blue, and he held +himself very erect as he walked, and he tapped the pavement briskly with +his cane. + +He passed them, marched up the steps of a large building, and +disappeared through a door which a boy in club uniform held open for +him. + +“That man,” explained Citizen Drew, complacently displaying his boasted +knowledge of public men in minute detail, “is the Honorable Archer +Converse, whose father was General Aaron Converse, the war governor of +this state. Lawyer, old bach, rich, just as crisp in talk as he is in +looks, just as straight in his manners and morals and honesty as he is +in his back, arrives every night at the Mellicite Club for his dinner on +the dot of eight”--Citizen Drew waved his hand at the illuminated circle +of the First National clock--“leaves the club exactly at nine for a walk +through the park, then marches home, plays three games of solitaire, and +goes to bed.” + +“I know him!” stated Farr. + +Citizen Drew's air betrayed a bit of a showman's disappointment. + +“I never saw him before--never heard of him. But I mean I know him now +after your description--know his nature, his thoughts. You have a fine +touch in your size-ups, Citizen Drew.” + +“I've studied 'em all.” + +“What has he done in politics?” + +“Never a thing. He is one of the kind I was complaining about. Too +high-minded.” + +“But, ho, how a man like that would swim if he were once thrown in!” + declared Farr. + +“He never even tended out on a caucus.” + +“I know the style when I see it,” pursued Farr. He did not look at +Citizen Drew. He was talking as much to himself as to his companion. +“Spirit of a crusader harnessed by every-day habit! Righteousness in a +rut! Achievement timed to the tick of the clock. But, once in, how he +would swim!” + +“Think how our affairs would swing along with a man like that at the +head of the state!” + +“Why hasn't he been put at the head?” + +“I have been in delegations that have gone to him”--he waved his +hand--“he said he couldn't think of being mixed into political messes.” + +“He looked on you wallowing in muddy water and you invited him in. I +don't blame him for not jumping.” + +“He's a good man,” insisted Citizen Drew. “He gives more money to the +poor than any other man in town. The only way I found that out is by +having a natural nose for finding out things. He doesn't say anything +about it.” + +“How he would swim!” repeated Farr. “Steady and strong and straight +toward the shore, Citizen Drew, and he wouldn't kick away the poor +drowning devils, either.” + +“He probably thinks he has paid his debt to the world when he hands out +his money,” stated Drew. “When he looks around and sees so many other +men holding the poor chaps upside down and shaking the dollars out of +their pockets he must think he is doing a mighty sight more than is +required of him. But sticking plasters of dollar bills onto sore places +in this state ain't curing anything.” He stopped. “I've walked with you +farther than I intended to, Mr. Farr. But somehow I wanted to talk with +you. There's a meeting of the Square Deal Club this evening at Union +Hall. I didn't know but in some way we might--It was thought you might +be going to run for office.” + +“The registration-office will prove that I'm not. Pass that word!” + +“I'll go back--to the meeting. It doesn't seem to be much use in holding +the meetings,” said the man. “We hear one another talk--we know we are +talking the truth. But nobody listens who can help us poor folks. Well, +I'll admit that the politicians come in and listen and promise to help +us and we give our votes; but that's all: they give nothing back to us.” + +Farr broke out with a remark which seemed to have no bearing on what +Citizen Drew was saying. + +“He comes out at nine o'clock, eh?” + +“Who?” + +“The Honorable Archer Converse. Leaves that clubhouse then, does he?” + +“Regular to the tick of the clock.” + +“Citizen Drew, hold your club in session until half past nine or a +little later. My experience with those meetings is that you always have +troubles enough to keep you talking for at least two hours.” + +Citizen Drew glanced at the face of Farr and then at the big door of the +Mellicite Club. + +“You don't mean to say--” + +“I don't say anything. I seem to be in a queer state of mind to-night, +Citizen Drew.” Again there was an odd note of raillery in his voice. “A +lot of odd ideas keep coming to me. Another one had just popped into my +head. That's all! Keep your boys at the hall.” + +He swung off up the street. + +He turned after a few steps and saw the elderly man standing where he +had left him. Drew was a rather pathetic figure there in the brilliantly +lighted main thoroughfare, a poor, plain man from the Eleventh Ward +of the tenement-houses--this man who had been striving and struggling, +reading and studying, endeavoring to find some way out for the poor +people; some relief--something that would help. Farr knew what sort of +men were waiting in the little hall. He had attended their meetings. It +was the only resource they understood--a public meeting. They knew that +the important folks up-town held public meetings of various sorts, and +the poor folks had decided that there must be virtue in assemblages. +But nothing had seemed to come out of their efforts in the tenement +districts. + +Farr stepped back to where Citizen Drew stood. + +“I think I will say something to you, after all. Tell the boys in Union +Hall to be patient and I'll bring the Honorable Archer Converse around +this evening.” + +He smiled into the stare of blank amazement on the man's face, flung up +a hand to check the stammering questions, and went off up the street. + +“A decent man's conscience will make him keep a promise he has made to +a child or to the simple or to the helpless,” Farr told himself. “I have +undertaken a big contract, I reckon, but now that I have put myself on +record I've got to go ahead and deliver the goods. At any rate, I feel +on my mettle.” Then he smiled at what seemed to be his sudden folly. “I +think I'll have to lay it all to those nice old ladies who were foolish +enough to put that knight-errant idea into my head,” he said. + + + + +XVII + +THE MADNESS OF A MIDSUMMER NIGHT + +Farr glanced again at the big clock in the First National block. + +He had less than one hour to wait, according to the schedule Citizen +Drew had promulgated in regard to the unvarying movements of the +Honorable Archer Converse. As to how this first coup in the operations +of that nascent organization, the Public-spirited Press Gang, was to be +managed Farr had little idea at that moment. + +He decided to devote that hour to devising a plan, deciding to attempt +nothing until he saw the honorable gentleman march down the club steps. +A club must be sanctuary--but the streets belonged to the people. + +Therefore, Farr took a walk. He went back into that quarter of the city +from which he had emerged during his stroll with Citizen Drew; he +felt his courage deserting him in those more imposing surroundings of +up-town; he went back to the purlieus of the poor, hoping for contact +that might charge him afresh with determination. He realized that he +needed all the dynamics of courage in the preposterous task he had set +himself. + +He knew he would find old Etienne sitting on the stoop of Mother +Maillet's house where the old man posted himself on pleasant summer +evenings and whittled whirligigs for the crowding children--just as his +peasant ancestors whittled the same sort of toys in old Normandy. + +Mother Maillet's house had a yard. It was narrow and dusty, because the +feet of the children had worn away all the grass. Some of the palings +were off the fence, and through the spaces the little folks came and +went as they liked. It was not much of a yard to boast of, but there +were few open spaces in that part of the city where the big land +corporation hogged all the available feet of earth in order to stick the +tenement-houses closely together. Therefore, because Mother Maillet was +kind, the yard was a godsend so far as the little folks were concerned. +The high fence kept children off the greensward where the canal flowed. +Householders who had managed to save their yards down that way were, in +most cases, fussy old people who were hanging on to the ancient cottage +homes in spite of the city's growth, and they shooed the children out of +their yards where the flower-beds struggled under the coal-dust from the +high chimneys. + +But Mother Maillet did not mind because she had no flower-beds and +because the palings were off and the youngsters made merry in her +yard. She had two geraniums and a begonia and a rubber-plant on the +window-sill in order to give the canary-bird a comfortable sense of +arboreal surroundings; so why have homesick flowers out in a front yard +where they must all the time keep begging the breeze to come and dust +the grime off their petals? It should be understood that Mother Maillet +had known what _real_ flower-beds were when she was a girl in the +Tadousac country. + +Furthermore, Etienne Provancher always came to the yard o' fine evenings +and it served as his little realm; and the door-step of the good woman's +house was his throne where he sat in state among his little subjects. +However, on second thought, this metaphor is not happy description; old +Etienne did not rule--he obeyed. + +He did not resent familiarity--he welcomed the comradeship of the +children. When they called him “Pickaroon” it seemed to him that they +were making a play-fellow of him. + +He sat and whittled toys for them out of the pine-wood scraps which the +yard foreman gave him. There were grotesque heads for rag dolls, and +the good woman seemed to have unlimited rags and an excellent taste in +doll-dressmaking; there were chunky automobiles with spools for wheels; +there were funny little wooden men who jumped in most amusing fashion +at the end of wires which were stuck into their backs. Old Etienne was +always ready to sit and whittle until the evening settled down and he +could see no longer, even though he held the wood and busy knife close +to his eyes. + +So on that evening he whittled as usual. + +Walker Farr came to the yard and sat beside the old man on the door-step +and was plainly thinking no agreeable thoughts while he listened to the +chatter of the children. + +After the darkness had come and the larger boys and girls, custodians +of their tiny kin, had dragged away the protesting and whimpering little +folks because it was bedtime, Zelie Dionne laid down her needlework over +which she had been straining her eyes. The good woman protested often +because the girl toiled so steadily with her needle after her day at the +mill was ended. And on that summer evening she voiced complaint again. + +“You have so many pretty gowns already! You wear one last evening--you +wear anodder this evening--and still you make some more! When a young +girl nigh kill herself so as to make a picture-book of her dresses +I think it is time to look for some young man who seems to like the +pictures. Eh?” + +“Mother Angelique, I do not relish jokes which are silly,” protested the +girl. “You know how the girls of our country are taught! We cannot sit +with hands in our laps without being very unhappy.” + +She went out and sat upon the door-step where old Etienne made way for +her. + +“At first I did not think I would come out, Mr. Farr,” she said. “But I +have made bold to come.” + +“I do not think it needs boldness to come where I am,” he returned. “I +hope you are not going to make a stranger of me because I have not been +very neighborly of late. I have been busy and I have been away. The boys +have paid my fare up-country, and so I ran about to carry the gospel of +the free water. The truckmen have volunteered in half a dozen places. We +are doing a great work.” + +“And yet I am afraid,” she confessed. “You are fighting men who can do +you much harm. I have been asking questions so as to know more about +those men. For they have threatened poor Father Etienne. I wanted to +know about them. I cannot help. But can you not help, Mr. Farr? I think +you are much more than you seem to be,” she added, naively. + +“They have threatened Etienne?” demanded Farr, a sharp note in his +voice. + +“Ah, m'sieu', I have said nottin's to you. I am only poor old man. No +matter.” + +“Why didn't you say something to me?” + +“It's because you might feel bad, m'sieu'. P'raps not, for I'm only poor +man and don't count.” + +“What have they said to you?” + +“It's nottin's,” said Etienne, stubbornly. “You shall not think you got +me into trouble. You did not. I would have done it maself as soon as I +thought of it.” + +“I command you to tell me what has been said to you, Etienne.” + +“They say that I shall be discharge from the rack. They say I have +talk too much to my compatriots about the poison water. But I shall +talk--yes--jesso!” + +“Who says so?” + +“The yard boss say to me that. Oh, there's no mistake. He have the +power, M'sieu' Farr. The super tell the yard boss, the mill agent tell +the super, the alderman tell the mill agent, the mayor he tell the +alderman.” + +“And probably Colonel Symonds Dodd told the mayor,” growled Farr. “It's +a great system, Etienne. Nobody too small--nobody too big!” + +“But I do not care. I shall talk some more--yes, I shall talk in the +_hotel de ville_ when you shall tell me to talk. I was scare at +first and I tol' you I would not talk; but now I have found out I +can talk--and I am not scare any more, and I will talk.” Pride and +determination were in the old man's tones. Since that most wonderful +evening in all his life when he had heard his voice as if it were the +voice of another man ringing forth denunciation of those in high places, +the old rack-tender had referred to that new manifestation of himself as +if he were discussing another man whom he had discovered. The memory of +his feat was ever fresh within him. And his meek pride was filled with +much wonderment that such a being should have been hidden all the years +in Etienne Provancher. Many men had called around to shake his hand and +increase his wonderment as to his own ability. + +“We will wait awhile,” counseled Farr, understanding the pride and +treating it gently. “Stay at your work and be very quiet, Etienne, and +they will not trouble you. You need your money, and I will call on you +when you can help again.” + +“Then I will come. I shall be sorry to see somebody have my rake and +pole, but I shall come.” + +A moment of silence fell between them, and during that moment a young +woman passed rapidly along the sidewalk. Walker Farr shut his eyes +suddenly, as a man tries to wink away what he considers an illusion, and +then opened his eyes and made sure that she was what she seemed; there +was no mistaking that face--it was Kate Kilgour. + +He stared after her. She halted on the next corner, peered up at the +dingy street light to make sure of the sign legend on its globe and then +turned down an alley. + +“Ba gar!” commented old Etienne, putting Farr's thoughts into words, +“that be queer t'ing for such a fine, pretty lady to go down into Rose +Alley, because Rose Alley ain't so sweet as what it sounds.” + +Then two men came hurrying past without paying any attention to the +denizens of the neighborhood who were sitting in the gloom on the stoop. +The street light revealed the faces of the men as it had shown to them +the girl's features. One was Richard Dodd. Unmistakably, they were +following the girl. Farr heard Dodd say: “Slow up! Give her time to get +there. She's headed all right.” + +And Farr stared after those men, more than ever amazed. + +One of them was obtrusively a clergyman--that is to say, he was cased in +a frock-coat that flapped against his calves, wore a white necktie, and +carried a book under his arm. + +Dodd was attired immaculately in gray, and as he walked he whipped a +thin cane nervously. They began to stroll soon after they had hurried +past the stoop, and were sauntering leisurely when they turned into Rose +Alley. + +“I now say two ba gars!” exploded Etienne. “Because I been see the +jailbird, Dennis Burke, all dress up like minister, go past here with +the nephew of Colonel Dodd. And they go 'long after la belle mam'selle.” + +“A jailbird!” + +“He smart, bad man, that Dennis Burke. But he was hire by the big man +to do something with the votes on election-time--so to cheat--and he +get caught and so he been in the state prison. But he seem to be out all +free now and convert to religion in some funny way. Eh?” + +“Etienne, are you sure of what you are talking about?” demanded Farr. +His voice trembled. The visit of that handsome girl to that quarter of +the city--those men so patently pursuing her--there was a sinister look +to the affair. + +“Oh, we all know that Burke. He hire many votes in this ward for many +years. He known in Marion just so well as the steeple on the _hotel de +ville_. And that odder--that young mans, we know him, for his oncle is +Colonel Dodd. Oh yes!” + +“Good night, Etienne--and to you Miss Zelie!” said Farr, curtly, walking +off toward the entrance of Rose Alley. He did not ask the old man to +go with him. He was drawn in two directions by his emotions and stopped +after he had taken a few steps. This seemed like espionage in a matter +which was none of his concern. It was entirely possible that the +confidential secretary of Colonel Dodd and the nephew of that gentleman +might have common business even in Rose Alley and at that time of +evening. + +But the matter of that masquerading ballot-falsifier, just out of state +prison, overcame Farr's scruples about meddling in the affairs of Kate +Kilgour. + +He turned the corner into the alley in season to see the two men far +ahead of him; they passed out of the radiance shed by a dim light and he +saw no more of them. He walked the length of the alley and was not able +to locate any of the party. At its lower end the alley was closed in by +houses, and it was plain that the people he sought had not passed out +into another thoroughfare. He marched back, scrutinizing the outside of +buildings, trying to conjecture what business the handsome girl and +the two men could have in that section at that hour, and where they had +entered to prosecute that business. + +“I must continue to blame it all on the nice old ladies,” he told +himself, smiling at the shamed zest he was finding in this hunt. “But I +hope this knight-errantry will not grow to be a habit with me. I +mustn't forget that I have another job on hand for nine o'clock--also +knight-errantry!” + +He paused under the dim light where his men had disappeared and looked +at his cheap watch. + +Twenty-five minutes of nine! + +Then he heard a woman's protesting voice. She cried “No, _no_, NO!” in +crescendo. + +He gazed at the house from which the voice seemed to come. It was near +at hand, a shabby little cottage with a thin slice of yard closed in by +a dilapidated picket fence. He perceived no observers in the alley, and +he stepped into the yard. The front windows were open, for the evening +was warm, but no lights were visible in the house. + +He heard the protesting cry again. It was more earnest. + +He head the rumble of a man's voice, but could not catch the words. +Whatever was happening was taking place in some rear room. + +“No, I say, no! Unlock that door,” cried the voice, passionately. + +Farr troubled his mind no longer with quixotic considerations about +intrusion. He hoisted himself over the window-sill into the darkened +front room, passed down a short corridor and, when he heard the voice +once again on the inside of a door which he found locked, he immediately +kicked the door open. He appeared to those in the room, heralded by an +amazing crash and flying splinters. + +First of all, he was astonished to find two women there; one was Miss +Kilgour and the other was her mother. And there were the two men whom he +had followed. + +Farr swept off his hat and addressed the girl. + +“I happened to be passing and heard your voice,” he said. “If you are--” + He hesitated, a bit confused, realizing all at once that knight-errantry +in modern days is not quite as free and easy a matter as it used to be +when damsels were in distress in the ruder times of yore. “I am at your +service,” he added, a bit curtly. + +But she did not reply. Her attitude was tense, her cheeks were flaming, +her eyes were like glowing coals. + +“You lunatic, you have come slamming in here, disturbing a private +wedding,” announced the man in the white tie, slapping his palm upon the +book he carried. + +“Get out of here!” shouted Dodd. He had dodged into a corner of the +room, his face whitening, when Farr had burst in. He remained in the +corner now, brandishing his cane. + +The uninvited guest surveyed the young man with more composure than he +had been able to command when he looked at the girl. + +Etienne Provancher had fortified him with some valuable information. + +“Mr. Richard Dodd, I'll apologize and walk out of here after you have +explained to me why you have faked up into a parson one Dennis Burke, +late of the state prison, to officiate at weddings.” + +Upon the silence that followed the girl thrust an “Oh!” into which she +put grief, protest, anger, consternation. + +“Mother!” she cried. “Did you know? How could you allow--how did you +come to do such a terrible thing?” + +Her mother put her hands to her face and sat down and began to sob with +hysterical display of emotion. Farr scowled a bit as he looked at +her. She was overdressed. There was an artificial air about her whole +appearance--even her hysterics seemed artificial. + +The girl turned from her with a gesture of angry despair as if she +realized, from experience, that she could expect, at that juncture, only +emotion without explanation. + +“Hold on here,” cried Dodd, “hold on here, everybody! This is all right. +You just let me inform you, Mr. Butter-in, that Mr. Burke has full +authority to solemnize a marriage. He is a notary and was commissioned +at the last meeting of the governor and council. And I know that,” he +added, attempting a bit of a swagger, “for I secured the commission for +him myself.” He came out of his corner and shook his cane at Farr. “I +want you to understand that I have political power in this state!” + +“I wouldn't brag about that kind of political power, when you can use it +to make notaries out of jailbirds. That must be a nice bunch you have up +at your State House!” + +“On your way!” Again the cane swished in front of Farr's face. + +“I beg your pardon, madam,” apologized Farr, bowing to the girl. “You +seem to be the only one in this room entitled to that courtesy,” he +added, with a touch of his cynicism. “Am I intruding on your personal +business?” + +“You are not,” she answered, her eyes flashing. “I am glad you came +in here. I could have stopped the wretched folly myself, but you have +helped me, and I thank you.” She delivered that little speech with +vigor. + +“Kate!” pleaded Dodd. “This isn't fair. I meant it all right. Here's +your mother here! You wouldn't be reasonable the other way. We had to do +something. For the love of Heaven, be good. You know I--” + +She had turned her back on him. Now she whirled and spat furious words +at him, commanding him to be silent. + +“Do you want to spread all this miserable business before this +gentleman?” she demanded. “I am ashamed--ashamed! My mother to consent +to such a thing!” + +She turned her back on him again and walked to and fro, beating her +hands together in her passion. And now ire boiled in Dodd. He directed +it all at the man who had interfered. + +“This is no business of yours, you loafer. I don't know who you are, but +you--” + +Farr grabbed the switching cane as he would have swept into his palm an +annoying insect. He broke it into many pieces between his sinewy fingers +and tossed the bits into Dodd's convulsed face. + +“You'll know me better later on--you and your uncle, too. Ask him what +I advised him to do about having his weapon loose on his hip--take the +same advice for yourself.” + +Then his expression altered suddenly. A disquieting jog of memory +prompted him to yank out the cheap watch. + +Twelve minutes to nine. + +It was a long way to the foot of the steps of the Mellicite Club! And +Union Hall was filled with men who were patiently waiting for him to +keep his pledged word! + +“I hope you'll be all right now,” he said to the girl, haste in his +tones. “I'm sorry--I must go--I have an important engagement.” + +Her eyes met his in level gaze, turned scornful glance at the others in +the room, and then came back to his. + +“Are you going in the direction of the Boulevard?” she asked him. + +“Straight there.” + +“Will you bother with me as far as the Boulevard?” + +“If you are a good walker,” he informed her. There was strict business +in her tone and cool civility in his. + +“I'm going along with this gentleman, mother.” + +Farr ushered her ahead of him through the shattered door. + +“But I want to walk home with you, my child,” wailed the sobbing woman. + +“You'd better ask Mr. Dodd to escort you. And I trust that the talk you +and he will have will bring both of you to your senses.” + +She hurried away up the alley with Farr, after he had unlocked the front +door, finding the key on the inside. + +“I am sorry I must hurry you,” he apologized, “and if you cannot keep up +I must desert you when we get to a well-lighted street.” + +She drove a sharp side glance at him and did not reply. Probably for the +first time in her life she heard a young man declare with determination +that he was in a hurry to leave her. Even a sensible young woman who is +pretty must feel some sort of momentary pique because a young man can +have engagements so summary and so engrossing. + +He offered her his arm that they might walk faster. Her touch thrilled +him. He was far from feeling the outward calm that he displayed to her. + +They did not speak as they hurried. + +Both were nearly breathless when they came out on the Boulevard. He saw +the big clock--its hands were nearly at the right angle. + +“Good night!” she gasped, and she put out her hand to him. “I thank +you!” + +“It was nothing,” he assured her. + +When their palms met they looked into each other's eyes. It was a +momentary flash which they exchanged, but in that instant both of them +were thrilled with the strange, sweet knowledge that no human soul may +analyze: it is the mystic conviction which makes this man or that woman +different from all the rest of humankind to the one whose heart is +touched. + +She gave him a smile. “Are you a knight-errant?” + +She hurried away before he could reply--and, though all his yearning +nature strove against his man's resolution to do his duty, it could +not prevail: he did not follow her as he wanted to--running after her, +crying his love. But duty won out by a mere hazard of a margin because +her face, as she had shown it to him at the moment of parting, possessed +not merely the wonderful beauty which had so impressed him when he had +first seen her--it shone with a sudden flash of emotion that glorified +it. + +He turned away and hurried to the foot of the steps of the Mellicite +Club. + +He had no time to ponder on the nature of that mystery which he had +uncovered in the shabby cottage in Rose Alley nor to wonder what sort +of persecution it was that could enlist a mother's aid in that grotesque +fashion against her own daughter. + +He had not time even to frame a plan of campaign against the man whom +the patient waiters in Union Hall were expecting him to capture. + +The bell in the tower was booming its nine strokes and the Honorable +Archer Converse was coming down the steps from his club, erect, crisp, +immaculate, dignified--tapping his cane against the stones. + + + + +XVIII + +CORRALING A CONVERT + +Mr. Converse bestowed only a careless glance at the stranger who was +waiting at the foot of the club-house steps. + +The young man accosted him, not obsequiously, but frankly. + +“I know you always take a turn in the park at this hour, Mr. Converse. I +beg your pardon, but may I walk for a few steps with you?” + +“Why do you want to walk with me?” + +“It's a matter--” + +“I never discuss business on the street, sir. Come to my office +to-morrow.” + +He marched on and Farr went along behind him. + +“You heard?” demanded the attorney. + +“I heard.” Farr replied very respectfully, but he kept on. + +He had rushed away from the girl and had come face to face with Mr. +Converse, his mind utterly barren of plan or resource. That interim on +which he had counted as a time in which he might devise ways and means +had been so crowded with happenings that all consideration of plans in +regard to Archer Converse had been swept from his mind. + +At all events, he had rendered a service in that time; he had made good +use of that forty-five minutes--that reflection comforted him even while +he dizzily wondered what he was to do now. + +That service had demanded sacrifice from him--why not demand something +from that service? An idea, sudden, brazen, undefendable, even +outrageous, popped into his head. He had no time for sensible planning. +Mr. Converse was glancing about with the air of a citizen who would like +to catch the eye of a policeman. + +“I know all about you, Mr. Converse, even if you know nothing about me. +I'm making a curious appeal--it's to your chivalry!” + +That was appeal sufficiently novel, so the demeanor of Mr. Converse +announced, to arrest even the attention of a gentleman who usually +refused to allow the routine of his life to be interrupted by anything +less than an earthquake. He halted and fronted this stranger. + +“A man who wears that,” proceeded Farr, indicating the rosette of the +Military Order of the Loyal Legion in the lapel of Mr. Converse's coat, +“and wears it because it came to him by inheritance from General Aaron +Converse is bound to listen to that appeal.” + +“Explain, sir.” + +“Do you know a Richard Dodd who is the nephew of Colonel Dodd?” + +“I do, sir. You aren't asking me to assist him, are you? I will have +nothing to do with him--no help from me!” + +“Just a moment--wait one moment! Mr. Converse, do you know a man named +Dennis Burke who has been in prison for ballot frauds?” + +“I helped send him there, sir. Are you reciting the rogues' roster to +me?” + +“Richard Dodd has dressed Burke up as a parson and is trying to force a +young woman into a marriage. I haven't time to tell you how I happened +to know about this affair--but it is in Rose Alley and there's no time +to waste.” + +“A preposterous yarn.” + +“I have just come from that house.” + +“You're a young man of muscle--why didn't you stop it?” + +“The girl's mother is there, backing Dodd. Mr. Converse, the cause needs +a man like you--a man of law, of standing, of influence. I appeal to you +to follow me.” + +“A moment--a moment! I scent a ruse. I don't know you. Are you a decoy +for blackmailers or robbers?” he inquired, bluntly. + +Farr took off his hat and stood before the Honorable Archer Converse, +his strange, slow, winning smile dawning on his face. + +“I beg your pardon for interrupting your stroll,” he said, gently. “I +hope you'll look at me! You may see, perhaps, that you're in error. +I'll go back and kill Dodd--and come to your office to-morrow--on +business--engaging you as counsel for the defense.” + +“Lead the way to that house,” snapped Mr. Converse. The attitude of +Farr, his forbearance, his refraining from further solicitation, his +frank demeanor, won out for him. “I'm sometimes a little hasty in +my remarks,” acknowledged Mr. Converse in the tone of one who felt +chastened. “Are you a new-comer to our city?” he continued as they +hurried away. “You must be. I should certainly have remembered you if I +had ever seen you before.” It was an indirect compliment--a gentleman's +careful approach to an apology. + +The young man did not reply. He had conceived for this stately man a +sudden hero-worship. What Citizen Drew had told him was added to his own +instinct in matters of the understanding of a personality. He did not +dare to stop and consider to what despicable extent he was lying to +his victim. He knew if he stopped to think he would quit. Now the whole +affair seemed a crazy thing. Did even his proposed ends justify this +procedure? + +“There's a short cut through Sanson Street,” stammered Farr, the sense +of his own iniquity increasing in the same ratio in which his respect +and admiration grew. The honorable gentleman traveled along at a brisk +jog, evidently desiring to show his apologetic mood by exhibiting +confidence in his guide. + +And Farr, stealing side glances at him, was more self-accusatory, more +abashed. He cherished the hope that they would be able to anticipate +the departure of Dodd and the confederates from the cottage. It was not +clear to him just how he would make the incident serve, anyway. He was +conscious that he had grasped at any opportunity which would open the +ears of the Honorable Archer Converse to a person who had accosted him +on the street. Finding somebody in the house would, at least, stamp his +story with verity even if it served no purpose in the main intent of +Farr's efforts. + +But on a well-lighted street corner the young man halted suddenly. + +“It's no use,” he informed the astonished Mr. Converse. “Conscience has +tripped me. I can't do it.” + +“Do you mean to intimate that you have been tricking me, sir?” + +“I mean to say, Mr. Converse, that I had proposed to take a half-hour or +so and think up some method of honestly and properly interesting you in +a matter which is very dear to me--a public matter, sir. But here is how +I spent that half-hour.” + +Frankly, simply, convincingly he related to his amazed listener the full +story of what he had found in the cottage in Rose Alley. + +“And therefore I had no time to ponder on my business with you--I simply +turned from the young lady, and there you were, sir, coming down the +club steps. I did the very best I could on short notice--but what I did +was very crude. I apologize. I suppose, under the circumstances, I may +as well say 'Good-night'!” He raised his hat. + +But there was something in all this which piqued Converse's curiosity. + +“Wait one moment. This is getting to be interesting.” + +A rather hazy conviction began to assure Farr that possibly chance had +dealt a better stroke for him than well-considered planning. It was +surely something to know that the honorable gentleman was interested. + +“If you had had time to think out a method of approaching me--Let me +see, your name is--” + +“Farr.” + +“Mr. Farr, supposing I had been amenable to your suggestions, what is it +you wanted of me?” + +“I wanted you to attend a public meeting,” blurted the young man. “They +are men who need help--they need--” + +“That's sufficient,” snapped Converse. “I am not in politics. I do +not address public meetings. Mr. Farr, you would have wasted your time +planning. Absolutely!” + +“But is there not some appeal that--” + +“Useless--useless, sir.” He tapped his cane, and his tones showed +irritation. He whirled on his heels. “It is decidedly evident that +you are a stranger in these parts, sir. On that account I forgive your +presumption.” + +At that moment a jigger-wagon rumbled to a halt near them. The corner +light had revealed them to the driver. + +“Mr. Farr,” called the man, “it hasn't taken long for the news of what +you did at the meeting to-night to travel around among the boys. And we +ain't going to let you get ahead of us, sir.” + +“The more, the merrier, in a good cause,” said Farr; but he was staring +regretfully at the back of Mr. Converse, who had begun his retreat. + +“I want to tell you I'm on the executive committee of the State +Teamsters Union, Mr. Farr. I've been talking the matter up and I can +promise you that the union as a body will vote to lend horses and men to +carry your spring-water free gratis. And I hope that gent who's starting +up-town where the dudes are will tell 'em that there are honest men +enough left to protect the poor folks from that poison water him and his +rich friends are pumping out of the river to us.” + +The Honorable Archer Converse halted his departure very suddenly. + +“You are not referring to me, are you, my man?” + +“I am if you're tied up with that Consolidated Water Company bunch,” + stated the unterrified member of the proletariat. + +Mr. Converse retraced his steps. He shook his cane at the driver. + +“I want to inform you very distinctly, sir, that I am _not_ interested +in the Consolidated.” + +“Dawson, apologize to this gentleman,” Farr admonished the driver. + +“I'm sorry I said anything,” muttered the man. “But all dudes look alike +to me,” he told himself under his breath. + +Mr. Converse appeared to be considerably disturbed by the humble +citizen's sneer in regard to the Consolidated matter. He addressed +himself to Farr. + +“I have been touched on a point where I am very sensitive,” he informed +the young man. “I do not condone the policies of the Consolidated in +regard to their control of franchises. Their system of operation has +introduced a bad element into our finance and politics. I would be sorry +to be misunderstood by the people of this state.” + +“I hope you will not be misunderstood, sir,” averred Farr, with +humility. + +“In order to show you my stand in the matter and so that you may correct +any misunderstanding among your friends in these quarters,” proceeded +Mr. Converse, stiffly, “I will inform you that I am taking the case of +the citizens' syndicate of Danburg on appeal up to our highest court. +We hope to prove criminal conspiracy. We hope to show up some of the +corruption in the state. That is why I have gone into the case.” + +“I thank you for informing me. I have been trying to fight the +Consolidated in my own humble way.” + +The eminent lawyer came closer and was promptly interested. + +“I am in search of information of all kinds, sir. Kindly explain.” + +Eliminating himself as much as possible, Farr described the operations +of the Co-operative Spring Water Association. But he could not eliminate +the man on the box-seat of the jigger-wagon. When Farr had finished his +brief explanation that loyal admirer gave in some enthusiastic testimony +in regard to the man who had devised the plan and had sacrificed his +time in efforts to extend the system. He kept on until Farr checked him. + +“I will say, Mr. Converse, before you leave, that I'd like to have you +carry away a right opinion of me. I was not trying to drag you to a mere +political gathering. There are some poor men assembled just now in this +quarter who need a sympathetic listener and a little good advice. They +are also trying to get justice from the Consolidated and all the general +oppression it represents.” + +“Where are those men?” asked Converse, after a pause during which he +wrinkled his brows and tapped his cane. + +Farr pointed down the street. Not far away a low-hung transparency +heralded “The Square Deal Club.” + +Mr. Converse gazed in that direction and hesitated a few moments longer. + +“You assure me that it's not a mere political rally?” + +“I do, sir!” + +Then the son of General Converse gallantly extended his arm. + +“I'll be glad to be escorted by you, Mr. Farr,” he said. “Now that +I understand this thing a bit better, I am going to break one of my +rules.” As they walked along he remarked: “A man's affairs are sometimes +directed and controlled for him in a most singular fashion. Little +things change preconceived notions very suddenly.” + +“They do, sir,” agreed Walker Farr. + + + + +XIX + +CONSCIENCE ENLISTING A RECRUIT + +A man who stood at the head of the stairs, an outpost, saw them coming +and ran and opened a door ahead of them. The door admitted to a hall +which was packed with men who were ranged on settees and stood in the +aisles and at the sides of the big room. + +“Make way for the Honorable Archer Converse,” shrieked their _avant +courier_, excitedly. + +“Three cheers for the Honorable Archer Converse,” called a voice, and +all the men came on to their feet and yelled lustily. + +The distinguished guest climbed upon the platform--Farr close at +his heels. The young man placed a chair for the lawyer and remained +standing. He raised his hand to command silence. + +“This is rather unexpected, boys. But this distinguished man happened +to be passing our hall to-night and has dropped in on us in a purely +informal manner. It's a great honor, and I want to say to him for all of +us that the old Square Deal Club is mighty grateful. I ask you to rise, +gentlemen of the club.” + +All came to their feet again. + +“Bow your heads and for thirty seconds of deep silence pay your respect +and veneration to the memory of our great war governor, General Aaron +Converse.” + +The Honorable Archer Converse looked forth over those bowed and bared +heads. The most of them were gray heads, and toil-worn hands were +clasped in front of those men. And when at last the faces were raised to +his there was an appealing earnestness in their gaze which touched him +poignantly. + +“Boys, the son of that great man is present. How will you express your +admiration and respect for him?” + +They cheered again tumultuously. + +Farr walked to the edge of the platform. + +“It is kind and generous of Mr. Converse to consent to step in here for +a few moments this evening. I will leave the meeting in his hands.” + +There was a hush for a moment. Then the guest carried his chair to the +extreme front edge of the platform. + +“I don't know just what sort of meeting this is--I have not been fully +informed,” he said, very crisply. “But I want it distinctly understood +that I am not here to make any speech. Your faces indicate that you are +very much in earnest in regard to the business you are met to consider. +I am assured that this is no mere political rally?” + +“No,” somebody replied. + +“I'm glad of that. I am not in politics. The political mess grows to be +nastier every year. But what are you here for? Come, now! Come! Let's +talk it over.” He was a bit brusque, but his tone was kindly. + +A man who stood up in the middle of the hall was rather shabby in his +attire, but he had the deep eyes of one who thinks. + +“Honored sir,” he said, “I don't stand up as one presuming to speak for +all the rest. But I have talked with many men. I know what some of us +want. We don't expect that laws or leaders will make lazy men get +ahead in the world or that victuals can be legislated into the cupboard +without a man gets out and hustles for 'em. I have worked at a bench +ever since I was fourteen. I expect to work there until I drop out. I +don't want any political office. I couldn't fill one. But why is it that +the only men who get into office are the kind who turn around and +get rich selling off property which belongs to all of us--I mean the +franchises for this, that, and the other?” He sat down. + +A thin man in the front row got up. + +“Honorable Archer Converse, one franchise that was given away by those +men years ago was the right to furnish water to this city. A private +concern got hold of that franchise. It holds the right to-day. It saves +money by pumping its water out of the Gamonic River. Saves money and +wastes lives. The Board of Health's reports show that there were eleven +hundred cases of typhoid fever in this city last year. In my family +my mother and two of my children died. I shiver every time I touch a +tap--but spring-water that can be depended on costs us at the grocer's +a dollar for a five-gallon carboy--and my wages are only ten dollars a +week. There are lakes twenty miles from this city. Pure water there for +all of us! But every tap drips sewage from the Gamonic River. Haven't we +got any leaders who will make that water company pump health instead of +death?” + +“They sent 'Tabulator' Burke up for ballot frauds,” said a voter who +stood up in a far corner. “But anybody in this city understands well +enough that the judge who sent him to state prison knew who the real +chaps were, knew how much the real ones paid 'Tabulator' to take the +whole blame. And the governor knows it all and has just reappointed that +judge.” + +The Honorable Archer Converse sat very straight in his chair and +listened to those men. He continued to sit straight and listened to +others. The men dealt in no diatribe. There was no raving, there was no +anarchistic sentiments. They arose, uttered their grievances gloomily +but without passion, and sat down. + +One elderly man stood up and raised both hands. + +“I came across the sea to this country, sir. I came because I could +have my little share in the government where I paid taxes and labored--I +could vote here. It's the only public privilege I have. But, O God, give +us some one to vote for!” + +“I sympathize with your feelings,” replied Mr. Converse. “But you are +talking to the wrong man. I'm not in politics.” + +“By the gods, you will be if my nerve only holds out,” Farr told +himself. + +Another man sprang to his feet. He spoke quietly, but his very +repression made him more effective. + +“What's the good of voting till men like you do get into politics, +Mr. Converse, and give us leaders who will use their power to help the +people who voted for them? I'm sick of voting. I'm teamed up to the +polls by ward workers--and I know just why those men are in the game and +who they're working for. What do you suppose Colonel Dodd cares which +side carries this city, or which side carries the state? He and his +crowd stand to win, whatever party gets in. You can't beat 'em. Business +is business, no matter what politics may be! The city money is wasted +just the same, the policy game is let run for the benefit of the rich +men who back it, all the grafts go right on. You can't fool me any +longer. They stir us poor chaps up at election-time, we rush to the +polls and vote, and sometimes think we are accomplishing something. But +what we're doing is simply boosting out some fellow who has made his +pile and putting in another who wants office so that he can fill his +own pockets by selling our common rights out to the same men. I say, you +can't beat it!” + +The Honorable Archer Converse seemed to find his position on the +platform uncomfortable. He rose suddenly and stepped down on the floor. +He went among the men. He grasped the hands that were outstretched to +him. He realized that he had scant encouragement for these men. The +meeting had given him new light. He knew considerable about the old +days, and in the old days of politics men flocked to rallies. They +harkened humbly to speeches from their leaders, and swallowed the +sugar-coated facts, and listened to bands, and joined the torch-light +parades, and voted according to party lines, and thought they had done +well; the surface of things was nicely slicked over. + +He understood that out of the ease with which the mob could be herded, +with others doing their thinking for them, had grown politics as a +business--with the big interests dominating both parties--and no one +realized how it had all come about better than Converse. This new +spirit, however, rather surprised him, for he had been keeping aloof +from politics. These men who crowded about him were not mere dumb, +driven voters in the mass--they were individuals who were thinking, who +were demanding, who were seeking a leader that would consider them as +citizens to be served, not chattels to be sold to the highest bidder. +His keen lawyer's insight understood all this! + +“I'm a butcher down in the stock-yards, Mr. Converse,” said one man, +who pressed forward. “We've got trained bulls there who tole the cattle +along into the slaughter-pens. I've got tired of being a steer in +politics and following these old trained bulls.” + +Converse worked his way through the press to the door, Farr at his +heels. + +When they were on the street the honorable gentleman turned sharply +toward the Boulevard. + +“I haven't any spirit or taste to-night for moonlight in the park, sir! +A nice trick you played on me.” + +“I wanted you to get a first-hand notion of a state of affairs, Mr. +Converse.” + +“But you ought to understand my temperament better--you ought to know +it's going to stick in my mind, worry me, vex me, set me to seeking for +remedies. It's just as if I'd been retained on a case. I feel almost +duty-bound to pitch in.” + +“It's strange how a man gets pulled into a thing sometimes--into +something he had no idea of meddling with,” philosophized Farr, blandly. +“That's the way it has happened in my case.” + +“It has, eh?” demanded Mr. Converse, sharply. He had tacitly accepted +the young man's companionship for the walk back to the Boulevard. “Now, +look here! Just who are you?” + +“My name is Farr and I'm nothing.” + +“You needn't bluff me--you're a politician--a candidate for something.” + +“I'm not even a voter in this state. It's men like you, sir, who ought +to be candidates for the high offices.” + +“My sainted father trained me to respect self-sacrifice, Mr. Farr. But +for a clean man to try to accomplish things for the people in politics +these days isn't self-sacrifice--it's martyrdom. The cheap politicians +heap the fagots, the sneering newspapers light the fire and keep blowing +it with their bellows, and the people stand around and seem to show a +sort of calm relish in watching the operation. And when it is all over +not a bit of good has been done.” + +“I'm afraid I have wasted an evening for you, sir. I'm sorry. I hoped +the troubles of those men, when you heard them at first hand, would +interest you.” + +“Interest me! Confound it all, you have wrecked my peace of mind! I knew +it all before. But I'm selfish, like almost everybody else. I kept +away where I couldn't hear about these things. Now, if I sleep soundly +to-night I'll be ashamed to look up at my father's portrait when I walk +into my office to-morrow morning. Why didn't you have better sense +than to coax me into your infernal meeting?” He rapped his cane angrily +against the curbstone as he strode on. “And the trouble with me is,” + continued Mr. Converse, with much bitterness, “I know the conditions are +such in this state that a meeting like that can be assembled in every +city and town--and the complaints will be just and demand help. +But there's no organization--it's only blind kittens miauling. It's +damnable!” + +“But this is the kind of country where some mighty quick changes can be +made when the people do get their eyes open,” suggested the young man. + +Mr. Converse merely grunted, tapping his cane more viciously. + +They were on the frontier of the Eleventh Ward now. The brighter lights +of the avenues of up-town blazed before them. + +“Then you will not go into politics?” inquired Farr. + +“I'd sooner sail for India with a cargo of hymn-books and give +singing-lessons to Bengal tigers.” + +“Good night, sir,” said Farr. He halted on the street corner which +marked the boundary of the ward. + +“Good night, sir!” replied Mr. Converse, striding on. + +The young man watched him out of sight. He heard the angry clack of the +cane on the stones long after the Honorable Archer Converse had turned +the next corner. + +“Maxim in the case of a true gentleman,” mused Farr: “tap his conscience +on the shoulder, point your finger at the enemy, say nothing, simply +stand back and give conscience plenty of elbow-room--it needs no help. +There, by the grace of God, goes the next governor of this state.” + + + + +XX + +CONSIDERATION: ONE DAUGHTER + +On the morning following his discomfiture Richard Dodd posted himself +in a little tobacco-shop opposite the Trelawny Apartment-house. Lurking +behind cigar-boxes in the window, he held the door of the house under +surly espionage. It was plain to the shopkeeper that “the gent had made +a night of it.” Dodd's eyes were heavy, his face was flushed, and he +lighted one cigarette after another with shaky hands. + +Shortly before nine o'clock Kate Kilgour came out and walked down the +avenue on the way to her work. Dodd stared after her until she was +out of sight. Shame and anger and desire mingled in the steady gaze +he leveled on her; in her crisp freshness she represented both the +longed-for and the unattainable. He was conscious of a new sentiment +in regard to her. In the past his impatience had been tempered by the +comforting knowledge that she had promised herself to him--that she was +his to own, to possess after a bit of tantalizing procrastination. Now +he was not at all sure of her. He had been just a bit patronizing in +the past--his successes with women had inflated his conceit--he had +exhibited a rather careless air of proprietorship--his manner had said +to her and to others, “This is mine; look at it!” But now when he had +watched her out of sight jealousy, anger, the sour conviction that +he had forfeited her regard combined to make him desperate, and the +excesses of the night before kindled a flame which heated all his evil +passions. + +He threw away his cigarette, cursed roundly aloud, and hurried across +the street into the Trelawny. + +When Mrs. Kilgour admitted him to her suite she clung to the +door-casing, exhibiting much trepidation. + +He stepped in, closed the door, and put his back against it. + +“Have you got those hysterics out of you so that you can listen to me +and then talk sense?” he demanded, coarsely. + +She went into her sitting-room and he followed, muttering: + +“No wonder you ran away from me last night--no wonder you didn't have +the face to stay and take what you deserve. How in tophet I ever allowed +you to plan and manage I can't understand.” + +“You asked me to,” she faltered. + +“I didn't ask you to rig up a dirty conspiracy to queer me.” + +“Richard, you are not yourself. You have been drinking!” She tried to +exhibit protesting indignation and failed. “Come to me when you are +yourself.” + +“There's no more of this to-morrow business goes with me, Mrs. Kilgour. +I'll admit that you're Kate's mother. But just now you are something +else. You have tried to do me, and nobody gets by with that stuff--man, +woman, or child. We'll have our settlement here and now.” + +“I did the best I could,” she wailed. + +“Out of what damnation novel did you get that idea?” he raged. + +“It seemed to be a good plan, Richard. I swear by everything sacred I +thought it would come out all right. Don't rave at me.” Her voice sunk +to an appealing whisper. She picked up a book from her table. “If you +will only listen--” + +“So you did get it out of a novel! My God! what have your fool ideas +done to me?” + +“How do you dare to talk to Kate's mother like that?” + +“I am not talking to Kate's mother, I tell you! I'm talking to a woman +who has put me into a hell on earth. I'm talking to you, Mrs. Kilgour, +and you don't know the whole story yet.” + +“All my life it has been the same--only trouble and sorrow and to be +misunderstood.” She began to sob. + +“Is there anything in that novel about ringing in an iceman to break +up a marriage? I say it was all a conspiracy. You didn't intend to be +square. You intended to rig a scheme so that you could duck out from +under. You have always done that, Mrs. Kilgour.” + +“I had nothing to do with that man coming in.” + +“Don't try to fool me any more. You told me to come, didn't you? You +must have told some yarn to your daughter to have her come.” + +“I did--it was all--” + +“And then you told that plug-ugly to come in, too, and break it up so +as to queer me. Why did I ever fall for such lunacy? If I hadn't been +desperate I would never have let you drag me into such a devilish +scheme. But now you have got to do your part to square me. It's going to +be straight talk from now on, Mrs. Kilgour. There must be a settlement +between us.” + +She looked away from him. She was plainly searching her soul for excuses +to postpone that settlement. + +“That person who came in, Dicky! I swear I did not arrange any such +thing. He is only an iceman. I don't know the man. It was some accident. +If the matter hadn't been interrupted! It was going along all right.” + +“What's the matter with your intellect? You know it wasn't going along +at all! You simply had us chasing shadows. Good God! I ought to have +made you tell me what you were planning. Think of it! Think of me +waltzing down there like a boob and thinking you had something real to +offer.” + +“But you frightened her with that jailbird. You should have brought a +real clergyman.” + +“The man I brought has the power to perform marriages! I would have made +a nice spectacle towing a clergyman into that mess, wouldn't I?” + +She broke in upon his further speech. She wrung her hands, paltering, +pleading, trying to explain, trying more desperately to postpone that +settlement he was demanding. + +“But, honestly, it did seem to be a good plan, Dicky. I'm her mother. I +know her nature. You know how some natures have to be handled! She is so +self-centered. She has to be taken by surprise. She has to know that she +is making a sacrifice. That is why I arranged it all for Rose Alley and +borrowed that house. And I had it all planned out what to say to her at +the last moment there.” + +“Well, what was this great thing you were going to say?” He glared at +her, disgust and suspicion in his eyes. + +She flushed. She hesitated, unable to meet his gaze. + +“It's no use to tell you now, Dicky. Somehow, now that I come to think +it all over, it sounds rather tame. It all did seem so plausible, what +I was going to say when I sat down and planned out the thing. And the +romance of it--you know even self-centered girls like to feel that a man +wants them so much that he gets desperate--and she said once that she +would marry you some time--perhaps--and--” + +“Oh, you--you--” He broke in and then stopped, lacking words. “What's +the use?” he muttered. “You don't even know your own daughter. She has +been enduring me because you have been keeping at her. I understand it +now. You told me you could hurry it up. You have made me look like a +melodrama villain. You have made her hate me. Now own up! Didn't she +rave to you after you got home and tell you she hated me? You have +nailed me to the cross for ever where she is concerned--now haven't you? +Own up.” + +“I can win her back, Dicky. Give me a little time.” But she was not able +to look at him. “Don't scold me any more. I'm her mother. She will obey +her own mother in time. Don't hurt my sensitive nature any more.” She +began to weep, twisting her rings on her trembling fingers. + +He scowled at her, narrowing his eyes. “You haven't been playing square +with me, Mrs. Kilgour.” + +“Call me Mother Kilgour, Dicky, just as you always have.” + +“I won't stand for any more bluffing, Mrs. Kilgour. Kate has sworn to +you that she will never marry me--now hasn't she?” + +“But I can talk her around--you can win her back. I'll tell her it was +my plan--I'll have courage to tell her later--” + +“So you have been laying that crazy idea all to me?” + +“But I'll get up courage to tell her some day--and your devotion will +win her back--devotion always wins. You can--” + +“Mrs. Kilgour, I know you pretty well. I repeat, I know you have always +ducked out from under--that's your nature. But here's a thing you can't +dodge. You've got to come to time. You know how I love Kate. There isn't +any reason why she shouldn't marry me. There's no excuse for her holding +me off the way she does. You've got to fix it for me--quick! Understand? +This fluff talk about 'devotion' and 'some day' doesn't go. I want +action. Now hold on! I don't mean to threaten--I've been square with you +till now. Good gad, you don't realize what a price I've paid!” + +“And now on top of your other insults you are going to twit me again +because I have borrowed five thousand dollars from you. Oh, Dicky, I +thought you were more of a gentleman?” + +“Mrs. Kilgour, I have simply got to make you understand what I have done +for you before you'll wake up and do something for me.” + +“I appreciate what you did, Dicky. Honestly, I do. You save me from +losing money on my stocks.” + +“Where are those stocks?” + +She did not look at him. “I have them put away--all safe. They are all +right. Just as soon as business is better I will get your money for you, +Dicky. You shall have it, every cent.” + +“Where are those stocks, I say! Mrs. Kilgour, look at me. Were are +they?” + +“Why are you so particular about knowing where they are?” Protecting +herself, she showed a flicker of resentment. + +“Because you must sell and hand me that money--at once.” + +“I--I don't believe I can realize on them just now. They are--are down +just at present. They--” + +“What are the stocks?” + +“I don't care to reveal my private business, Richard.” + +“It happens to be my business, too. I'm in trouble. I must know. I shall +stay here till I find out. You may as well come across.” + +“As soon as I can arrange it--I will tell you. Very soon now!” + +He snapped himself out of his chair and went across the room to her. He +put his hands on her shoulders and bent his face to hers. + +“You haven't any stocks, Mrs. Kilgour.” + +“No,” she whispered, his eyes dominating her. + +“What did you do with that money I loaned you?” + +“I paid--a debt.” + +“What debt? Answer! This thing must be cleared up--_now_!” + +She began to weep. + +“No more hysterics, Mrs. Kilgour. We are now down to cases. Something +bad will happen if you don't confide in me.” + +Then, cornered, with the impulse of weak natures to seek support from +stronger--to appeal to a victor who cannot be eluded--she blurted the +truth. + +“They got to suspecting me when I was cashier for Dalton & Company. I +heard they were going to put experts upon my books, Dicky. I didn't want +to go to jail. I would have disgraced Kate. I knew you loved her and +would not want her mother to be arrested. I had to have that money. +I told you the story about the stocks. So I was saved from being +disgraced.” + +“Oh, you were?” His eyes flamed so furiously that she turned her gaze +from him. + +“And now I feel better, for I have confided in you and you're going +to be my good and true friend from now on. It will be made up to you, +Dicky.” + +“What had you done with all that money you took from Dalton & Company?” + +“It costs so much to live--and keep up the position I had when Andrew +was alive! A woman needs so many things, Richard. I have always been +proud. I was obliged to--” + +He swore and swung away from her. “Wasted it on dress and jewelry! You +turned the trick on one man and put him underground. And I'm the next +victim! I knew I was being played for a sucker, but, oh--” + +He battered his fists against the wall in pure ecstasy of rage. Then he +sat down and put his face in his hands. + +The woman clucked sobs which did not ring true. + +“I wonder what Kate would say if she knew how I had come to the scratch. +She knew her father was a hero. I wonder whether she would think I am +one!” he said, after silence had continued for a long time. + +“Are you going to tell her?” the mother gasped. + +“I love her too much. But, see here! Do you think I picked that five +thousand off a rose-bush?” + +“You told me your uncle loaned it to you.” + +“You think I got it easy--got it for the asking, and that's why you have +been loafing on the job,” he said, with bitterness. “Ask my uncle for +money? I should say not. He never loosened for anybody yet--not even his +relatives. Mrs. Kilgour, I love your daughter so much--I was so anxious +to help you--I stole that five thousand from the state treasury. I have +been covering it in my accounts for more than a year--hell all the time +with plenty of white-hot when the legislative committee has been over +the accounts. Some day some blasted fool will wake up enough to see that +there's a hole in my figures.” + +He put his elbows on his knees and stared at the carpet. The woman's +face grew white. + +“That's how it stands with me, Mrs. Kilgour. You know you were not +square with me at the start. You said you needed the money for only a +few weeks--you said you were pinched in a stock deal. You lied to me. +You have wasted the money on fine feathers for your back. I have kept +still. You can't pay me. I've got to struggle out of the mess as best +I can. But, by the eternal gods, there's something coming to me, and +that's your daughter. Now are you going to wake up?” + +“I'll do everything I can.” Her tone was not convincing, however. + +He realized that this woman with the pulpy conscience and the artificial +emotions, selfish and a coward, was merely vaguely stirred by his +revelation, not spurred by the extent of his sacrifice in her behalf. + +“Do what you _can_? Whine to me like that after I have stolen state's +money and am standing under my steal? What if this state tips over +politically and they investigate the treasury? I tell you, Mrs. Kilgour, +I deserve to have Kate. I'm going to have her. You have got to fix +it--and right away.” + +“But I can't marry off a girl of twenty as if she were a Chinese slave.” + His insistence caused her to display more of her pettish resentment. + +“If you can't deliver the goods, Mrs. Kilgour, I shall take a hand in +it.” + +“How?” + +“I'll tell her the story.” + +“You wouldn't dare.” + +“She has a sense of honor and of obligation even if you haven't. She +will pay. She'll pay with herself. That's a devil of a way to get a +wife, but if that's the only way I'll take it.” + +“But you have just owned up that you have embezzled money. As Kate's +mother it's my duty to protect her from disgrace.” + +That amazing declaration fairly took away Dodd's breath. + +By the manner in which the woman now looked at him it was plain that he +had sunk in her estimation. + +“You know, Richard, a mother feels called on to protect a good +daughter.” + +He got up and stamped on the floor in his passion and swore. + +“I appreciate what you did for me--but, really, I didn't ask you to +steal money--and I supposed your uncle was always liberal with you. You +should not have told me falsehoods.” + +The maddening feature of this calm assumption of superiority was the +fact that the woman seemed really to believe for the moment exactly what +she was saying and to forget why Dodd had jeopardized his fortunes; her +manner showed her shallow estimate of the situation. + +“There's another way of doing it,” raged the young man, infuriated by +this repudiation of obligation. “I'll blow the whole thing about the two +of us--and she'll be glad enough to have me after it's all over.” + +“You haven't any right to bring all this trouble and disgrace into my +family.” + +“You know one way of preventing it and you'd better get busy, Mrs. +Kilgour,” he advised. “I'm going to give you another chance of keeping +your word and paying your debt to me. I want Kate--and I have waited for +her long enough.” + +He clapped on his hat and hurried away. + +He left the mother sprawled on a couch, her ringed hands clutched +into her dyed hair. She was still clucking sobs which would not have +convinced any unprejudiced hearer that she felt real grief. + +When Richard Dodd entered his uncle's offices in the First National +block a little later he was in the mood to force his affairs a bit. He +enjoyed liberties there which the ordinary caller did not have and he +walked into Kate Kilgour's little room without attracting attention or +comment. + +“I know exactly how you feel about last night, Kate.” He addressed her +respectfully and humbly. “I understand that this is no place to discuss +the matter. I haven't come here to do so. I apologize for the affair. +I'm going to say this to you--I took your mother's advice. She planned +the thing and trumped up the errand which called you to that house. I'm +afraid she is rather too romantic. I only say this, Kate: a man's love +can make him do foolish things. Please talk with your mother when you go +home--and take her advice. If you do, it will be better for all of us.” + He trembled with the restraint he had put upon himself. “You can see +that I have been punished, Kate. I am a different man--you ought to be +able to see it. Awful trouble has come to me. I need your love to help +me through it.” + +She gazed at him with level, cold eyes. + +“You don't understand. I can't explain, dear! But I'm telling you the +truth. Kate, if you don't forget that folly I was guilty of last night +and be to me what you have been--if you don't marry me very soon you +will be sorry.” + +“Are you threatening me, Richard?” + +“No, I didn't mean it to sound like that. But I know that with your +appreciation of what sacrifice means you will be very unhappy if you +toss me away and then find out certain things.” + +“This is not the time for riddles, Richard. What do you mean?” + +“I have said all I can say.” + +“I do not love you well enough to be your wife. I have not meant to +play the coquette. I have not known myself. You and my mother--Oh, why +rehearse? You know the story. You have understood that my love for +you was not what you should have. We may as well end it here and now, +Richard. I will forget last night. I will forget all the rest--for it is +ended!” + +“It cannot be ended,” he retorted. “Understand! It cannot be ended. I am +trying to hold myself together, Kate. Don't provoke me. I call on you +to keep your promise. No other man shall have you.” He leaned close. “Do +you love any other man?” + +She looked up at him and spoke slowly and gravely. “I do not think I do, +Richard.” + +He scowled at her. “You don't _think_ you do! What in the name of Judas +do you mean by a remark like that?” + +“It's because I'm trying to tell the truth,” she returned, with simple +earnestness. + +“This is a sort of new mood you're in?” he persisted. + +“Yes.” + +He hesitated. He started to speak and then was silent for a long time. +“Damnation! I won't insult you!” he blurted at last. + +“I hope not, Richard.” + +“It's preposterous!” + +“What is preposterous?” Her tone was calm. + +“I saw you look at a man last evening.” + +“Very well!” + +“I have seen women look at me like that in my life.” + +“I was not conscious that I looked at any man in any especial manner.” + +“You couldn't see yourself. Perhaps you did not realize that you looked +at that man with any meaning in your eyes. But the women who looked +at me as you looked at him told me that they loved me. I am talking +it right out! But if I should hint that you're in love with a tramp I +should insult you. I am crazy, that's all. My troubles are affecting my +mind. Forgive me, Kate.” + +“You are, of course, referring to the young man who broke in on our +prospective business last evening.” There was just a touch of contempt +in her demeanor; but her air was coldly business-like; sitting there +at her desk she held him, physically and mentally, at arm's-length. Her +poise was sure. It seemed perfectly natural for her to be discussing a +young man in an impersonal manner. + +“I am referring to that low-lived vagrant we met on the road--that +iceman--that--well, I don't know what he is except that the devil +seems to be kicking him under my feet to trip me. Kate, Kate, it's too +ridiculous to talk about--that wretch!” + +“Do you mean by that remark that I am taking any interest in that young +man outside of mere curiosity?” + +“I don't know why you should have any curiosity about a tramp.” + +“You are not a good student of physiognomy, Richard.” + +“So you have been studying him, have you? You went away with him and +left me. What did he say to you? Where did he leave you? I haven't dared +to think about your going away with him. I excused it because you were +angry--so angry you'd even pick up a tramp for an escort. But what +interest do you take in that renegade?” His tones were acrid with +jealousy. + +“I did not find him a renegade. I found him a mystery, Richard. And I +hope that some day I will know what the mystery is.” + +“Are you trying to drive me mad?” + +“I am merely chatting along in order to keep you off a topic which +is distressing. I heard that your uncle intended to have the man +investigated after he came into the office here and made that brave +stand. I happened to hear the talk the young man made. Perhaps that +accounts for my curiosity. Did your uncle find out much about the man?” + +“I don't know what he found out,” declared Dodd, rapidly losing control +of himself. “But I propose to find out for myself.” + +“Please do, Richard,” said the girl, ingenuously and earnestly. She +seemed to be losing some of the hauteur she had shown at the first of +their meeting. + +“I'll find out enough to put him in jail, where he probably belongs. I'm +not going to insult you, Kate, by any more talk about a tramp. You can't +shift me from the main topic. Go home and talk with your mother, as I +have told you. We are going to be married!” + +“Richard, our affair is ended.” + +“Then who is the man?” + +“There is no man.” + +“If you say that and mean it, then you don't know women as well as I +know them. You don't know even yourself!” he declared. “I want to say +to you, Kate, that we are all walking on mighty thin ice. The sooner +you and I take hold of hands and get safely ashore--just you and I--the +better it will be. Just let your curiosity about other men fall asleep. +I tell you again, go home and talk with your mother.” + +He bowed, reached his hand to touch hers, but refrained when she turned +suddenly to her desk and resumed her work. + +Young Dodd hurried out of the building without attempting to see his +uncle, and cooled his head and his passion and soothed his physical +discomfort by a headlong dash in his car back to the state's capital +city. + +The girl took her courage in her hands and asked Mr. Peter Briggs, in +as matter-of-fact tone as she could muster, whether he did not want any +record copy made of his notes in regard to that person who had bearded +Colonel Dodd. But Mr. Briggs informed her that the matter was not of +sufficient importance. + +“The fellow is merely a cheap, loafing sort--here to-day, there +to-morrow,” said Briggs. “I investigated him thoroughly.” + +Until then Miss Kilgour had always had a high opinion of Peter Briggs's +acumen. She promptly revised that estimate, reflecting that age is bound +to dull a person's senses and cloud his judgment. + + + + +XXI + +THE HONORABLE LION CONFERS WITH COLONEL TIGER + +All his people in the offices of the Honorable Archer Converse noticed +that the chief was not amiable that day. His usual dignified composure +was wholly lacking. He gave off orders fretfully, he slapped papers +about on his desk when he worked there; every now and then he glanced +up at the portrait of his distinguished father and muttered under +his breath. He had called for more documents relating to state health +statistics, reports on water systems, and had despatched a clerk to +the capital city to secure certain additional facts, figures, and +literature. The junior members of his law firm knew that he had taken +much to heart the case of the citizens of Danburg, who had been blocked +in their honest efforts to build a water system and who now +charged various high interests with conspiracy. The litigation was +important--the issues revolutionary. But the juniors had never seen the +chief fussed up by any law case before. + +Then something really did happen! + +The three citizens of Danburg who had occasionally conferred with him +came into his office and lined up in front of him. Mr. Davis scratched +his chin and blinked meekly, Mr. Erskine exhibited his nervousness by +running his fingers around inside his collar, and Mr. Owen fairly oozed +unspoken apology. + +“Look here, gentlemen,” snapped Mr. Converse, “I'm not ready for you. I +told you not to come until next week. I have an immense mass of material +to study. You're only wasting time--mine and yours--coming here to-day.” + +“Well, you see, your honor,” stammered Davis, “we came to-day so as to +save you more trouble and work.” + +“Work!” echoed Mr. Converse, seizing the arms of his chair and shoving +an astonished face forward. + +“Why--why--you see we've decided not to push this case any further. +And whatever is owing to you--name the sum.” He did not relish the +glow which was coming into the attorney's eyes, nor the grim wrinkles +settling about the thin lips. “So that there won't be any hard feelings, +in any way,” Davis hastened to say. + +“What has happened to you men all of a sudden?” demanded the lawyer. +“Explain! Speak up!” + +Davis's face was red, and he found much difficulty in replying. + +“Well--you see--you know--if you get into law you never know when you're +going to get out. We feel that this case is bound to drag! It's an awful +big case--and they've got lots of money to fight us.” + +“I told you I'd take your case for bare expenses and court fees,” + stormed the lawyer. “It's a case I wanted to prosecute.” + +“We know--you were mighty fine about it--but we've decided different. +You see, the Consolidated--” + +Mr. Converse came onto his feet and shook his finger under Davis's nose. +“Don't you dare to tell me you have sold out to the Consolidated,” he +shouted in tones that rang through his offices and brought all his force +to the right about and attention. + +“That wasn't it--exactly. But they'll take it off our hands--will do the +right thing, now that we have shown 'em a few things! Colonel Dodd has +seen new light. And it is too good a price for us to throw down.” + +“You have let those monopolists buy you off. They have paid you a big +bribe because they are getting scared. They were afraid they had played +the old game once too often. I have them where I want them! No, my men! +You've got to fight this thing, I say.” + +“You can't drag us into law unless we're willing to go,” stated Davis, +doggedly. “We've taken their money and the papers have been passed--and +that settles it. We haven't done anything different than the others have +done in this state.” + +“No, and that's the trouble with this state,” cried Converse, with +passion. “You came in here at first and talked like men--like honest men +who had good reason for righteous anger--and I took your case. And now +you sneak back here and give up your fight--bribed after I clubbed them +until they were willing to offer you enough money.” + +“We have only done what straight business men would do Mr. Converse,” + declared Owen. + +“We had a chance to go to the high court with a case that would open up +the whole rottenness in this state before we got done fighting, and you +have sold out!” + +“Good day. We don't have to listen to such talk,” said Erskine. + +“You wait one minute.” The lawyer pulled open a drawer and found his +check-book. He wrote hastily and tore out the check. “Here's that +retaining-fee you paid me. Now get out of my office.” + +He drove them ahead of him to the door, shouting insistent commands that +they hurry. + +When they were gone he gazed about at his astonished associates, his +partners, and his clerks. + +“I apologize most humbly ladies and gentlemen, for making such a +disturbance. I--I hardly seem to be myself to-day.” + +He went to his desk and sat down and stared up at the portrait of +War-Governor Converse for a long time. At last he thumped his fist on +his desk and shook his head. + +“No,” he declared, as if the portrait had been asking him a question +and pressing him for a reply, “I can't do it. I could have gone into +the courts and fought them as an attorney. I could have maintained my +self-respect. But not in politics--no--no! It's too much of a mess in +these days.” + +But he pushed aside the papers which related to the affairs of the big +corporations for which he was counsel and kept on studying the reports +which his clerks had secured for him--such statements on health and +financial affairs as they were able to dig up. + +A day later his messenger brought a mass of data back from the State +House along with a story about insolent clerks and surly heads of +departments who offered all manner of slights and did all they dared to +hinder investigation. + +“It's a pretty tough condition of affairs, Mr. Converse,” complained +the clerk, “when a state's hired servants treat citizens as if they were +trespassers in the Capitol. It has got so that our State House isn't +much of anything except a branch office for Colonel Dodd.” + +“But you told them from what office you came--from my office?” + +“Of course I did, sir.” + +“Well, what did they say?” + +The clerk's face grew red and betrayed sudden embarrassment. + +“Oh, they--they--didn't say anything special: just uppish--only--” + +“What did they say?” roared Mr. Converse. “You've got a memory! Out with +it! Exact words.” + +Clerks were taught to obey orders in that office. + +“They said,” choked the man, “that simply because your father was +governor of this state once you needn't think you could tell folks in +the State House to stand around! They said you didn't cut any ice in +politics.” + +“That's the present code of manners, eh? Insult a citizen and salaam to +a politician!” + +“Mr. Converse, I waited an hour in the Vital Statistics Bureau while the +chief smoked cigars with Alf Symmes, that ward heeler. I had sent in our +firm card, and the chief held it in his hand and flipped it and smoked +and sat where he could look out at me and grin--and when Symmes had +finished his loafing they let me in.” + +Mr. Converse turned to his desk and plunged again into the data. + +The next day he put a clerk at the long-distance telephone to call +physicians in all parts of the state--collecting independent information +in regard to the past and present prevalence of typhoid; he read certain +official reports with puckered brow and little mutters of disbelief, +and after he had read for a long time that disbelief was very frank. Mr. +Converse had rather keen vision in matters of prevarication, even when +the lying was done adroitly with figures. + +He was not a pleasant companion for his office force during those days; +his irascibility seemed to increase. He knew it himself, and he felt a +gentleman's shame because of a state of mind which he could not seem to +control. + +And finally, out of the complexity of his emotions, he fully realized +that he was angry at himself and that his anger at himself was growing +more acute from the fact that he realized that the anger was justified. +For he woke to the knowledge that he had allowed himself to grow +selfish. He resented the fact that anybody should expect him to meddle +with public affairs--to get into the muddle of politics. And he knew he +ought to be ashamed of such selfishness--and, therefore, he grew more +angry at himself as he continued to harbor resentment against any agency +which threatened to drag him into public life. + +He knew where the shell of that selfishness had been broken--it was +cracked in the meeting where his chivalry had received its call to arms +in behalf of the helpless. Those men had gazed at him, had told their +troubles--and had left it all to his conscience! He did not believe +those men were shrewd enough to understand so exactly in what fashion he +could be snared in their affairs. + +“Confound that rascal who inveigled me there!” ran his mental anathema +of the strange young man. “He must have been the devil, wearing that +frock-coat to hide his forked tail. And here I am now, fighting for +peace of mind!” + +And his struggle for his peace of mind drove him, at last, to set his +hat very straight on his head and march across the street to Colonel +Symonds Dodd's office. + +The Honorable Archer Converse had made up his mind that no influence +in the world could pull or push him into politics. He held firmly fixed +convictions as to what would happen to a good man in politics. To get +office this man of principle would be obliged to fight manipulators with +their own choice of weapons. And once in office, all his motives would +be mocked and his movements assailed. Converse was a keen man who had +studied men; he was not one of those amiable theorists who believe that +the People always have sense enough in the mass to turn to and elect the +right men for rulers. He understood perfectly well that accomplishing +real things in politics is not a game of tossing rose-petals. + +He went to call on Colonel Dodd. He went with the lofty purpose of a +patriotic citizen, resolved to exhort the colonel to clean house. +It seemed to be quite the natural thing to do, now that the idea had +occurred to him. Certainly Colonel Dodd would listen to reason--would +wake up when the thing was presented to him in the right manner; he must +understand that new fashions had come to stay in these days of reform. + +Thinking it all over, considering that really the matter of this +water-supply and attendant monopoly of franchises had become an evil, +that the prospects of the party would be endangered if the party leaders +continued to nurse this evil, Mr. Converse was certain that he and the +colonel would be able to arrange for reform, by letting the colonel do +the reforming. + +They faced each other. Their respective attitudes told much! + +Colonel Dodd filled his chair in front of his desk, using all the space +in it, swelling into all its concavities--usurping it all. + +The Honorable Archer Converse sat very straight, his shoulders not +touching his chair-back. + +Physically they represented extremes; mentally, morally, and in +political ethics they were as divergent as their physical attributes. + +“I'm sorry that you were able to take those Danburg men into camp,” said +Mr. Converse, couching his lance promptly and in plain sight like +an honorable antagonist. “I had been retained and proposed to expose +conditions in the management of water systems.” + +“I don't know what you mean,” replied the colonel, following his +own code of combat and mentally fumbling at a net to throw over this +antagonist. + +“Yes, you do,” retorted Mr. Converse. “You know better than I do because +you own the water systems of this state. But if you need to be reminded, +Colonel, I'll say that you are making great profits. You can afford to +tap lakes--spend money for mains even if you do have to go fifteen or +twenty miles into the hills around the cities and towns.” + +“Whom do you represent, sir?” + +“Colonel Dodd, I think--really--that I'm representing _you_ when I give +you mighty good advice and do not charge for it.” + +“I've got my own lawyers, Mr. Converse.” + +Both men were employing politeness that was grim, and they were swapping +glances as duelists slowly chafe swords, awaiting an opening. + +Sullen anger was taking possession of the colonel, thus bearded. + +Righteous indignation, born from his bitterness of the past few days, +made Converse's eyes flash. + +“You are one of the richest men in this state, Colonel Dodd, and +your money has come to you from the pockets of the people--tolls from +thousands of them. Remember that!” + +“Huh!” snorted the colonel, looking up at a bouquet. + +It is not often given to men to place proper estimate on their own +limitations. Otherwise, the Honorable Archer Converse would never have +gone in person to prevail upon Colonel Symonds Dodd. In temperament and +ethics they were so far asunder that conference between them on a common +topic was as hopeless an undertaking as would be argument between a +tiger and a lion over the carcass of a sheep. + +Mr. Converse rose, unfolding himself with dignified angularity. + +“I must remind you, sir, that I belong to the political party of which +you assume to be boss. If you refuse to give common justice to the +people, then you are using that party to cover iniquity.” + +Colonel Dodd worked himself out of his chair and stood up. “I am taking +no advice from you, sir, as to how I shall manage business or politics.” + +“Perhaps, sir, in regard to your business I can only exhort you to be +honest, but as regards the party which my honored father led to victory +in this state I have something to say, by gad! sir, when I see it being +led to destruction.” + +“Well, sir, what have you to say?” + +“I will not stand by and allow it to be ruined by men who are using it +to protect their methods in business dealings.” + +“What ice do you think you cut in the politics of this state?” inquired +the colonel, dropping into the vernacular of the politician, too angry +to deal in any more grim politeness. + +“Not the kind you are cutting, sir--your political ice is like the ice +you cut from the poisoned rivers.” + +“It seems to be still popular for cranks to come here and threaten me,” + sneered the colonel. “It was started a while ago by a shock-headed idiot +from the Eleventh Ward.” + +The Honorable Archer Converse displayed prompt interest which surprised +the colonel. “A young man from the Eleventh Ward? Was he tall and rather +distinguished-looking?” + +Colonel Dodd snorted his disgust. “Distinguished-looking! He threatened +me, and I had him followed. He's a ward heeler. Better look him up!” + His choler was driving him to extremes. He was pricked by his caller's +high-bred stare of disdain. “He seems to be another apostle of the +people who wants to tell me how to run my own business. Yes, you better +look him up, Converse.” + +“Very well, sir! If he came in here and tried to tell you the truth +about yourself he's worth knowing. Furthermore, I think I do know him.” + +“Ah, one of those you train with, eh? Do you like him?” + +It was biting sarcasm, but to the colonel's disappointment it did not +appear to affect his caller in the least. Converse even smiled--a most +peculiar sort of smile. + +“I must say, sir, that I have been hating him cordially.” + +The colonel grunted approbation. + +“But from now on, sir, for reasons best known to myself, I'm going to +make that young man my close and particular friend. You'll hear from us +later.” + +He bowed stiffly and went out, leaving Colonel Dodd staring after him +with his square face twisted into an expression of utter astonishment, +his little eyes goggling, his tuft of whisker sticking up like an +exclamation-point. + +“The first appropriation the next legislature makes,” he +soliloquized, “will have to be money enough to build a new wing on the +insane-hospital. They're all going crazy in this state, from aristocrats +to tramps.” + + + + +XXII + +ENLISTING A KNIGHT-ERRANT + +On his way down the stairs to the street the Honorable Archer Converse, +moving more rapidly than was his wont, overtook and passed Kate Kilgour. +He was too absorbed to notice even a pretty girl. She had finished her +work for the day and was on her way home. + +When she reached the street she observed something which interested +her immensely: Mr. Converse suddenly flourished his cane to attract the +attention of a man on the opposite side of the street. Then Mr. Converse +called to him from the curb with the utmost friendliness in his tones. +The girl passed near him and heard what he said. It was not a mere hail +to an inferior. The eminent lawyer very politely and solicitously asked +the tall young man across the way if he could not spare time to come to +the Converse office. + +She cast a look over her shoulder. The young man came across the street +promptly. He was the man who had served her in her time of need! + +She went on, but turned again. An uncontrollable impulse prompted her. + +They were entering the door of the office-building, and the aristocratic +hand of the Honorable Archer Converse was patting the shoulder of this +stranger. Her cheeks flushed and she turned away hastily, for the young +man caught her backward glance and returned an appealing smile. + +“Who is he?” she asked herself, knowing well the chill reserve of Mr. +Converse in the matter of mankind. + +“Who are you?” demanded Mr. Converse, planting himself in front of the +young man when they were in the private office. + +The other met the lawyer's searching look with his rare smile. “The same +man I was last time we met--Walker Farr.” + +“I have no right to pry into your private affairs, sir, but I have +special reasons for wanting you to volunteer plenty of information about +yourself.” + +For reply the young man spread his palms and silently, by his smile, +invited inspection of himself. + +“Yes, I see you. But the outside of you doesn't tell me what I want to +know.” + +“It will have to speak for me.” + +“Look here, I have let myself be tied up most devilishly by a train of +circumstances that you started, young man. I was minding my own private +business until a little while ago.” + +“So was I, Mr. Converse.” + +“You're a moderately humble citizen, judged from outside looks just now. +How did I allow myself to be pulled in as I've been?” + +The young man's smile departed. “I asked myself that question a little +while ago, sir, after I was pulled in, for I am a stranger--not even a +voter here.” + +“Well, did you decide how it was?” + +“I was led in by the hand of a helpless child--a poor little orphan girl +whom I carried to the cemetery on my knees--a martyr--poisoned by that +Consolidated water.” + +The lawyer was stirred by the intensity of feeling which the man's tones +betrayed. + +“And it was borne in upon me afresh, Mr. Converse, that the philosophy +of the causes by which God moves this world of ours will never be +understood by man.” + +“See here,” snapped the son of the war governor, “take off your mask, +Walker Farr! There's something behind it I want to see. You are an +educated gentleman! What are you? Where did you come from?” + +Again Farr spread out his palms and was silent. + +“You are right about causes. You are one in my case. There may be some +fatalism in me--but I'm impelled to use you in a great fight that I feel +honor-bound to take up. Now be frank!” + +“For all use you can make of me, Mr. Converse, my life starts from the +minute I picked that little girl up from the floor of a tenement-house +in this city. For what I was _before_ is so different from what I am +_now_ that I cannot mix that identity with my affairs.” + +“But I cannot take a man into a matter like this unless I know all about +him.” + +Farr rose and bowed. “I'm sorry you can't accept me at face value, sir. +I'm very sorry, because I'd like to serve under such a commander as you. +However, I understand your position. I don't blame you. The rule of the +world is pretty binding: know a man before you associate with him. But I +am as I am. There's nothing more to be said.” + +“You sit down,” commanded Converse. “This is a case where rules of the +world can be suspended. For I need the kind of man who dares to face +even Symonds Dodd in his office and tell him what he is. Oh, I have just +come from there,” he explained in reply to Farr's stare. “He told me.” + +“I went merely as a voice, sir.” + +“But you seem to have been more than that in getting the confidence of +the men in your ward. I know an organizer when I see him. I watched the +faces of those men when you stepped before them. They have faith in +you. That's a rare quality--the ability to inspire faith in the humble. +First, faith--and then they'll follow. The movement I'm going to start +needs followers, Mr. Farr! Can you do with other men what you have done +with men in the Eleventh?” + +“I believe I can, sir.” + +“Ah, you have led men in the past, have you?” Mr. Converse fired the +question at him. But he did not jump Walker Farr from his equipoise. The +young man took refuge behind that inscrutable smile. + +“Well,” sighed the lawyer, after a pause, “it's the dictum that one must +be as wise as a serpent in politics, therefore I am picking out a man +who will probably give a good account of himself. But it's a crazy +performance of mine--going into this thing--and I may as well plunge to +the extent of lunacy. Mr. Farr, the rebellious unrest in this state must +be organized. We need a house-cleaning. We need the humbler voters! +The men with interests are too well taken care of by the Machine to be +interested. I want you to go out and hunt for sore spots and get to the +voters just as you have in your ward. Find the right men in each town +and city to help you. You must know many on account of your work for +your water association. The fight will be financed--you need have no +worry about that. Perhaps you have organized political revolts before,” + pursued Converse, still craftily probing. “Then you'll tell me what +honorarium you expect.” + +“My expenses--nothing more, sir. If I had any money laid by I would pay +my own way.” + +“I think,” stated Mr. Converse, warming with the spirit of combat, +glancing up at the portrait of the war governor, “that we'll be able to +surprise some of the fat toads of politicians in this state, sitting so +comfortably under their cabbage-leaves. You're a stranger, young man, +and as you go about your work the regular politicians will simply blink +at you and will not understand, I hope, provided you go softly. It is +very silly of me to be in this affair, sir. But a man of my age must +have peace of mind, and that infernal meeting in your ward awoke me. +Furthermore,” he added, displaying the acrimony that even a good man +requires to spur him to honest fighting, “a cheap politician only lately +flipped my card insolently and referred in slighting tones to my honored +father.” He rose and gave Farr his hand. “I'll have assembled here in +my office at ten o'clock to-morrow morning some gentlemen who will stand +for decency in public affairs as soon as they have been waked up. You +will please attend that conference, Mr. Farr. We have only a short +month before the state convention, and we must bring there at least +a respectable number of delegates whom Symonds Dodd cannot bribe or +browbeat.” + +“Most extraordinary--most extraordinary!” mused the Honorable +Archer Converse, when he was alone. “From that meeting--to an +investigation--from Dodd--to this young man--I have been leaping from +crag to crag like a mountain-goat, never stopping to take breath. And +here I haven't even been able to find out just who he is--and they +do say I'm the best cross-examiner in this state! However, I'll show +Symonds Dodd that I'm not to be sneered at, even if I have to hire +Patagonians in this campaign.” + +Even chivalry must needs be spiced with a little strictly personal +animosity to achieve its best results! + +Colonel Symonds Dodd, laboriously climbing into his limousine in front +of the First National block, scowled at a young man because the +man grinned at him so broadly as he passed along. In his general +indifference and contempt for the humble the colonel did not search +his memory and did not recognize this person as the young man who had +appealed to him in his office. The face seemed familiar and had some +sort of an unpleasant recollection connected with it; therefore the +colonel scowled. He was far from realizing that this person carried on +his palm the warmth from a hand-clasp which, just a moment before, had +ratified an agreement to dynamite the Dodd political throne. + +If some seer had risen beside his chariot to predict disaster the +colonel would have shriveled him with a contemptuous look. For the +Consolidated Water Company had that day been intrenched more firmly than +ever in its autocracy by a decision handed down from the Supreme Court. +A city had hired the best of lawyers and had fought desperately for the +right to have pure water. But the law, as expounded by the judges, had +held as inexorable the provision that no city or town in the state could +extend its debt limit above the legal five percent of its valuation, +no matter for what purpose. The city sought for some avenue, some plan, +some evasion, even, so that it might take over the water system and +give its people crystal water from the lakes instead of the polluted +river-water. The city pointed to typhoid cases, to slothful torpor on +the part of the water syndicate. But the court could only, in the last +analysis, point to the law--and that law in regard to debt limit was +rooted in the constitution of the state--and a law fortified by the +constitution is seldom dislodged. + +Backed by law, bulwarked by political power, owning men and money-bags, +Colonel Dodd rode home with great serenity. He had even forgotten his +rather tempestuous half-hour with the Honorable Archer Converse. As a +matter of fact, gentlemen of the aristocracy of the state who prided +themselves on their ancestry were considered by Colonel Dodd to be +impracticable cranks; he despised the poor and hated the proud--and +called himself a self-made man. And Colonel Dodd was firmly convinced +that nobody could _unmake_ him. + +He strolled among his flower-beds that evening. + +Walker Farr sat in his narrow chamber and pored over interlined +manuscripts. At last he shook the papers above his head, not gaily, but +with grim bitterness. + +“That plan will stand law, and no other lawyer ever thought of it!” + he cried, aloud. “You've got an iron clutch on those cities and towns, +Colonel Dodd, but I've got something that will pry your fingers loose!” + He threw the papers from him and set his face in his hands. “And they +ask me who I am and I can't tell them,” he sobbed. + + + + +XXIII + +THE PROPHET WHO WAS UNDERRATED + +The first sniffer to catch the trail of Walker Farr was the veteran, +Daniel Breed, an old political hound who always traveled with muffled +paws and nose close to the ground. But when he went to the meeting of +the state committee and the Big Boys with his news their reception of +him hinted that they suspected he was making up a political bugaboo +in order to get a job. He was even told that his services as field man +would not be needed in that campaign. And it may be imagined what effect +that news had on old Daniel Breed, who had been a trusted pussy-footer +and caucus manipulator for a quarter of a century. + +“You don't mean to tell me that you're trying to slam me onto the +scrap-heap, do you?” he demanded. “I'll scrap before I'll be scrapped.” + +“Look here, Dan, it's the colonel's orders,” explained the chairman. “It +has been decided to play politics a little more smoothly. There is too +much jaw-gab going among the cranks. If there is any outside work done +at all it will be put over by new chaps who are not so well advertised +as you old bucks. We want to hide the machinery this year.” + +“That's a jobeefed nice thing to say to me, a man that would go up in a +balloon and troll for hen-hawks, asking no questions, provided the state +committee told me it would help in carrying a caucus.” + +“But we're taking care of the old boys all right, Dan. Vose is in the +pension-office; Ambrose and Sturdivant are in the adjutant-general's +office patching up the Civil War rolls, with orders to take their time +about it. And you'll be used well.” + +“I want to be in the field,” insisted Breed, 'sipping' his lips +importantly. “Those fellows are old fuddy-duddies. I'm a natural +politician.” + +He was an interesting figure, this Honorable Daniel Breed. He was +entitled to the “Honorable.” He had been a state senator from his +county. With his slow, side-wheel gait, head too little for his body, +nose like a beak, sunken mouth, cavernous eyes, and a light hat perched +on the back of his narrow head he suggested a languid, tame, bald-headed +eagle. And his voice was a dry, nasal, querulous squawk--a sound more +avian than human. + +“I tell ye there's yeast a-stirring,” he told the state committee. +“There's a fellow come up out of the Eleventh Ward in Marion that's +some punkins in organizing. He pretends to be a law student in Arch +Converse's law-office. He ain't a native. I don't know where he hails +from. He ain't a registered voter as yet. But he's a man who needs to be +trailed.” + +“Squire Converse isn't in politics, Dan. You're getting notional in your +old age,” said the committeeman from Breed's county. + +“But good gad! there ain't any statute to keep him out. Something has +happened to make him good and mad. Some of these fancy jumping-jacks can +make awful leaps when the box is opened, gents! Better take warning from +what I tell you!” + +The committeemen exchanged smiles. + +“We are going to steal a little of the kid-gloved chaps' thunder,” + explained the chairman. “They have been howling about machine politics +and interlocking interests and air-tight methods until the people are +growling about the close corporation they say we've got. So we're going +to show 'em a thing or two. Nothing like frankness and open house.” + +“Gor-ram it, you ain't even square with me--after I have worked politics +with you for twenty-five years!” He marched up to the table and rapped +his hard little knuckles on it. “It's this way, gents,” he said, “and +I'll be short and sweet. What's the matter with politics when a man like +I've always been gets pi-oogled out of the councils?” + +“We don't need workers like you any more,” stated the chairman. + +“But there's politics to play, just the same.” + +“But in a different way, Breed. There are the new ideas, and new men can +operate more efficiently. They won't attract attention.” + +“Old Maid Orne down in my town came into church late and crawled up the +aisle on her hands and knees so as not to attract attention. And she +broke up the meeting!” + +“We've got to fall in with the new ways, Dan,” said the +attorney-general. “These are touchy times. We must be careful of the +party.” + +“I 'ain't never disgraced it, have I?” + +“Uncle Dan, we want you to take a good, comfortable position and settle +down,” affirmed Governor Alonzo Harwood, an unctuous, rubicund gentleman +who had been listening, smiling his everlasting smile. + +“I prefer to hold myself in readiness for a call to the field,” squalled +Breed. “I'm better'n three of these young snydingles. They don't know +how to organize!” + +“There isn't much chance for organizing,” said a Congressman, +placatingly. “The primaries take care of themselves pretty well.” + +“Yes,” sneered old Dan, “a fellow thinks well of himself, or else his +neighbors tell him he can save the nation, and he puts a piece in the +paper saying how good he is and sets pictures of himself up in store +winders like a cussed play-actor, keeps a cash account, and thinks +that's politics. I don't care if there ain't ever no more caucuses. This +thing ain't going to last. I want to keep in the field. I'll see chances +to heave trigs into the spokes of these hallelujah chariots they're +rolling to political glory in!” + +The mighty ones exchanged glances--deprecating glances--apprehensive +glances. + +“You don't think I'm dangerous, do you, after I've been in politics as +long as I have?” + +“No, but we feel that the old war-horses are entitled to run to pasture +with their shoes off,” coaxed the chairman. + +“It seems to me more like tying me up to a stanchion in a stall. I +ain't ungrateful, gents. I know this younger element doesn't believe +in setting hens in politics any more. It's the incubator +nowadays--wholesale job of it. But, by dadder! my settings have always +cracked the shells, twelve to the dozen! Then you don't want me, eh?” + +“That job in the state land-office--we thought it would just about fit +you,” suggested the chairman. + +“I'd just as soon be sent to state prison--solitary confinement. The +state hasn't got any land any more. It has all been peddled out to the +grabbers. I've messed and mingled with men all my life. Nobody ever +comes into the land-office. You ain't afraid of me to that extent, be +you?” + +“What do you want?” asked the governor. + +“Settled, is it, you don't want me in politics?” + +“There isn't anything for you to do,” declared his Excellency, and he +showed a little impatience, though his smile did not fade. + +“Well, then make me state liberian,” said old Dan, with an air of +resignation. + +There was deep and horrified silence. + +“I'm developing literary instinks,” explained Breed. “I've got a son who +owns a printing-office, and my granddaughter can take down anything in +shorthand and write it off. I'm going to write a book. She'll take it +down and he'll print it.” + +“I can't appoint you state librarian,” said the governor, getting +control of his emotions. “It's already tied up, that appointment. Keep +it under your hat, but I have selected Reverend Doctor Fletcher, of +Cornish, and have notified him.” + +“Giving a plum like that to a parson who never controlled but one vote, +and that's his own--and then voted the way the deacon told him to? +I reckon it's about as you say--there are new times in politics. All +right! I'll go and climb a sumach-bush. You needn't bother about any job +for me, gents. I'll settle down to my literary work.” + +“What is the book?” asked the chairman. + +“I have your word for it that the old days in politics have all gone +by,” said Breed. “All the old things dead and buried! Very well. That's +going to make my book valuable and interesting. No harm in putting it +out in these times. I shall entitle it 'Breed's Handbook of Political +Deviltry.' I shall tell the story of how it was done when politics was +really politics.” + +“Going to tell all you know?” inquired the governor. + +“Of course. Truth, and not poetry, will be my motto. And just for a test +of how popular it will be, I'd like to ask you gents how many of you +will subscribe for a volume?” + +“I think this committee will take the whole edition,” said the chairman, +dryly. + +“Look here, Dan,” blurted the attorney-general, “you must be joking.” + +“I don't know what ever gave you the impression that I'm a humorist,” + returned Breed. “If there ain't going to be anything more like the old +times, then what's the matter with having the story of how it was done? +That book will sell like hot cakes. I'll go out and sell it--it will +give me a chance to keep on mixing and messing with men.” + +“Dan, if it wasn't you talking--knowing you well--I'd say this is a +piece of blackmail,” declared the attorney-general. “Of course you can't +put out a book of that kind in this state.” + +Mr. Breed blinked angrily. + +“I'll take all the cases of libel against you and won't charge my +clients a cent.” + +“Fill everybody else's little tin dipper, eh? Passing everybody else a +bottle and a rubber nipple! Everybody getting his, and me left out! All +right. If that's political gratitude in these new times, go on with you +medinkculum! And last year I snapped the six up-country caucuses that +gave you your plurality in joint convention!” + +“We appreciate all your past services, Dan. If we didn't we wouldn't be +trying so hard to place you,” said the governor. “We're taking care of +all the old boys. You mustn't embarrass us. In these days it's for the +good of the party to put in each office the man who is especially +fitted for it. We mustn't invite criticism. A librarian needs peculiar +qualifications.” + +“Well, old Jaquish was liberian, wasn't he? And he wouldn't even go vote +unless you went and dragged him to the polls by the scruff of his neck. +What did he ever do for the party? And look at old Tomdoozle as state +treasurer!” + +“Jaquish was a bookman, and our state treasurer--but no matter. Now +listen! I'm going to put you at the head of a new department in the +State House where you won't be lonesome. More people will come there +than to the library. You'll have the title of curator.” + +“What's that?” asked Breed, suspiciously. “And what is the department, +anyway?” + +“The museum of natural history in the fish-and-game rooms. We're going +to make it complete--mounted specimens of all our animals. You'll be +curator--you see, you will get a title that sounds well!” + +“I'm of a restless and inquiring disposition, and my special forty is +politics,” stated Breed, sulking. “I don't believe I'm going to relish +being ringmaster of a lot of stuffed animals, no matter what kind of a +title I get. How much pay goes with the job?” + +“Fifteen hundred,” said the governor. + +“Well,” sighed Breed, “it will give me a chance to be around the State +House during the session, and I'll take it. Then if I don't like it I +can resign after the legislature adjourns.” + +The Big Ones understood his frame of mind and overlooked his +ingratitude. + +“And so I'll bid you good day, gents,” he said, and straddled out with +his hands under his coat-tails. + +“So we've got _him_ side-tracked and out of mischief,” averred the +governor. “That takes care of all of 'em, and I'm relieved. It isn't +stylish any more to come to town with a lot of old hounds trotting under +the tail of the political cart.” + +But before the end of that week the governor was obliged to call Uncle +Dan to a private conference in the Executive Chamber. + +“You must remember that you're a state officer,” warned his Excellency. +“You're a part of the administration. But you are out talking politics +all the time. I want you to stay in your department. Just remember that +you're curator of our museum.” + +“I don't like that blamed job,” complained Breed. “I don't care what my +title is, it only means that I have to dust off that old stuffed loon, +keep moths out of that loosivee, and fleas or some kind of insecks off'n +that bull moose. It ain't no job for a politician. And there's a steady +stream through there asking me all kinds of questions about animals. I +don't know nothing about animals. I don't know whether a live moose eats +hay or chopped liver. Those questions keep me all hestered up. It puts +me in a wrong position before the public. I can't tell 'em which or +what, and they think I'm losing my mind.” + +“Post up! It will keep you busy. Get books out of the library and read. +Inform yourself and have a story for the folks!” + +A few days later the chairman of the state committee had an indignant +report to make to the governor regarding Uncle Dan's natural-history +activities. + +“He has turned that museum into a circus show, your Excellency. He has +named every one of those stuffed animals for somebody in politics he +doesn't like, and leads a snickering mob of sight-seers around the room +and lectures. When a state officer names a saucer-eyed Canadian lynx for +me and then folks come up from that basement and grin at me, it's time a +halt was called.” + +His Excellency called for Breed and called a halt, using forceful +language. + +“I resign,” declared old Dan, nipping his little bunghole of a mouth +under the hook of his nose. “Those animals are getting onto my nerves. +The whole pack and caboodle are chasing me in a nightmare every time +I go to sleep. Their condemned glass eyes are boring me worse than +gimlets. I'm going on with that book of mine. I've got a new idea for +it. I'm going to put in pictures of animals and name 'em for those +tin-horn flukedubbles who could never get an office if it wasn't for the +primaries.” + +“Look here, Breed, you're an old man and you've done a lot of good work +in your day, and we're all trying to do something for you. But I have +pretty nigh reached the limit of my patience. Politics isn't what it +used to be. Different manners, different men. I'm the head of our party +and I command you to eliminate yourself. You go back to your job, use +common sense, and keep out of things! You are silly--you're senile!” + +“You have taken me out of where I belong and have put me in where I +don't belong and now you're blaming me because I can't learn a lot of +new tricks at my age. I resign, I say!” + +“If you give up that job you'll never get another one.” + +Uncle Dan put his hands under his coat-tails and marched out, his beak +in the air. + +“The trouble is,” he confided to old Sturdivant in the +adjutant-general's office, “this younger element that's coming along +thinks men like you and I have lost all our ability and influence. +They're sally-lavering all over us, telling us how they want us to have +an easy job. But it's all a damnation insult--that's what it amounts +to.” + +“All I have to do is lap sticking-paper and gum up the places where +these rolls are torn,” said old Sturdivant. “I'm perfectly contented.” + +“Then stay were you're put and swaller the insult,” retorted Breed, +with disgust. “I thought you had more get-up-and-get. There's a stuffed +rabbit in that museum. He'll make a good chum for you in your off hour. +Go and sit down with him.” He went over to old Ambrose's desk. Ambrose +was numbering dog's-eared pages with a rubber stamp and would not admit +that he had been insulted by the state committee. “There's nobody got +the right to ask me to stop being active and influential in this state,” + insisted Breed. “They haven't taken my pride into account. I ain't +naturally a kicker. I've always obeyed orders. If I've got to go out +alone and show 'em that the old guard can't be insulted, then I'll do +it.” + +This time he took the trail of Walker Farr once more and followed that +energetic young man until he cornered him. + +Farr harkened with interest to the story of the scrapping of the +Honorable Daniel Breed as related by that gentleman himself. + +“And the moral of the tale is,” added Mr. Breed, “when a gang does you +dirt turn around and plaster a few gobs onto the dirt-slingers. That +ain't the rule in religion, but it's the natural and correct policy in +politics. I have been hurt in my tender feelings. If them animals had +been alive and savage enough I would have taken 'em up to the state +committee-room and ste' boyed 'em onto the ungrateful cusses who have +tried to make my last days unhappy. I know every sore spot in this +state. You don't know 'em unless you have got second sight. I can take +you to every man who has got a political bruise on him. Good gad! I have +been poulticing those sore spots for twenty-five years. You need a man +like I am.” + +“I'll admit that I do need such a man. I am a stranger in the state. But +I'm going to be perfectly frank with you, Mr. Breed. How do I know but +you're a spy who wants to attach himself to me for the benefit of the +ring?” + +“You don't know,” returned Mr. Breed, serenely. “You have to take +chances in politics. I'm taking chances when I join in with you. Just +who are you and how do you happen to be mixed up in our politics?” + +“I am mixing into politics because the men, women, and children are +being poisoned by the Consolidated water. That's platform enough, isn't +it?” + +“Well, I reckon it is, knowing what I know of general conditions. You +have got a pretty good head for politics, even if you ain't sincere on +the water question,” said Breed, with a politician's ready suspicion of +motives. “You've got a come-all-ye hoorah there that will make votes.” + +“As to my personality, that has nothing to do with the matter. I am only +an agent. Will you come with me and allow Mr. Converse to ask you some +questions?” + +“Sure thing!” agreed the Honorable Daniel, with great heartiness. “In +politics the first thing to do before you get real busy is to have a +nice heart-to-heart talk with the gent who says 'How much?' and laps his +forefinger and begins to count. You understand, young man, that I have +been in politics a long time. And I ain't an animal-trainer--I'm a field +worker and I can earn my pay.” + +And inside of a week Walker Farr, who had been previously struggling +hard against lack of acquaintance in the state, found that Mr. Breed +had spoken the truth. The two made a team which excited the full +approval--the wondering admiration--of the Honorable Archer Converse. + +Farr's power to control and interest men achieved astonishing results +with Daniel Breed's exact knowledge of persons and conditions. + +But they were rather humble citizens. There was no fanfare about their +work. If Colonel Symonds Dodd knew anything at all about the fires they +were setting, he made no move to turn on the Consolidated hose. + + + + +XXIV + +THE STAR CHAMBER IN THE OLD NATIONAL + +They did not come furtively, yet they came unobtrusively--these men who +drifted into the National Hotel in Marion that day. + +At one side of the big rotunda of the National stood Walker Farr, his +keen gaze noting the men who came dribbling in, singly, by twos +and threes. They were not men of Marion city. A newspaper reporter, +happening in at the National, noted that fact. He stood for a time and +watched the filtering arrivals. There were some who were plainly men of +affairs, others were solid men who bore the stamp of the rural sections. +They went to the desk, wrote their names, and were shown up-stairs by +bellhops. Most of them, as they crossed the office, nodded greeting to +the tall young man who wore a frock coat and a broad-brimmed hat and +stood almost motionless at one side of the rotunda. + +The National was state Mecca for all kinds of conventions. The reporter +studied his date-book. No convention was scheduled for that day. He +managed to get a peep at the hotel register. The men who had been +signing their names hailed from all portions of the state, but the +reporter did not find identities which suggested political activities. +It was plainly not a gathering of politicians--none of the old +war-horses were in evidence. + +The reporter questioned a few of the arrivals, chasing beside them. They +all gave the same answer--they had come to Marion on business. + +The reply was safe, succinct, and stopped further questions. The +reporter did venture to pick out a little man and inquire what kind +of business called him to Marion, and the little man informed him with +sarcasm that he was a baker from Banbury and had come down to purchase +doughnut holes. + +The reporter thereupon dodged into the bar to escape the grins of some +of the office crew, and his haste was such that he nearly beat the baize +doors into the face of Richard Dodd, who was coming out. + +“You're the first real politician I've seen in this bunch,” affirmed the +reporter. “What's it all about?” + +“What's what about?” + +“This convention that's assembling here.” + +“I know nothing about it,” stated Mr. Dodd, with dignity. “It's nothing +of a political nature, I can assure you of that.” + +The reporter noted that young Mr. Dodd's eyes were red and that his +step wavered, and that he exhaled the peculiar odor which emanates from +gentlemen who have been prolonging for some time what is known vulgarly +as a “toot.” In fact, the reporter remembered then the rumor in +newspaper circles that the chief clerk of the state treasury had been +attending to stimulants instead of to business for almost two weeks. + +“I assure you that I know all that's to be known about politics,” + insisted Mr. Dodd. “If there's a convention here, who's running it?” + +They had returned from the bar into the main office. + +“I don't know--can't find out. That tall fellow over there seems to +know everybody who had been coming in--all the bunch of outsiders. But I +never saw him before.” + +Mr. Dodd closed one eye in order to focus his attention on this unknown +across the office. + +A deep glow of antipathy and distrust came into the eye which located +and identified Walker Farr. + +Mr. Dodd cursed without using names, verbs, or information. + +“Oh, you know him, do you?” + +“No, I don't know him.” Mr. Dodd hung to his vengeful secret doggedly. +He left the reporter and went and sat down in a chair and continued to +stare at Farr, who remained oblivious to this inspection. + +The reporter went across the office. There seemed to be more or less +mystery about this man who had provoked all those curses from the +secretive chief clerk of the treasury. + +“Can you give me any information about these men who are meeting here +to-day?” + +“Meeting of the Independent Corn-Growers' Association.” The reporter's +gaze was frankly skeptical, but Farr met it without a flicker of the +eyelids. + +“I never heard of any such association.” + +“You have now, sir.” + +“Is it open to the newspapers?” + +“Closed doors--absolutely private.” + +“Who'll give out the statement?” + +Farr put his hand on the reporter's shoulder and gave him a smile. + +“You see, it's to fight the packers' union and so we are not giving away +our ammunition to the enemy. Keep it quiet and when the thing breaks +I'll give you our side.” + +“All right, sir. If it's to be an exclusive for me I'll steer away the +other newspaper men. But do you know just why Richard Dodd--that man +over there--is damning you into shoe-strings?” + +Even at that distance Farr's keen gaze detected the filmy eyes and the +flushed face. + +“Perhaps it's because the Corn-Growers propose to put their corn into +johnny-bread instead of using it for whisky?” + +The newspaper man, his suspicions dulled by Farr's radiant good nature +and wholesome frankness, went away about his business, but he halted +long enough beside Dodd's chair to repeat “the corn-grower's” joke +regarding the young man who had been glowering on him. + +Dodd got up with as much alacrity as he could command and went across +to Farr. Sober, the nephew of Colonel Dodd had treated this person +with rather lofty contempt; drunk, he was not so finical in matters +of caste--and, besides, this man now wore the garb of a gentleman, and +young Mr. Dodd always placed much emphasis on clothes. + +“Look here, my fellow, now that I have you where I don't need to +consider the presence of ladies, I want to ask you how you dared to mess +into my private business?” + +Farr, towering above him, beamed down on him with tolerant indifference +and did not answer. + +“That Lochinvar business may sound good in a poem, but it doesn't go +here in Marion--not when it's my business and my girl.” + +Dodd raised his voice. He seemed about to become a bit hysterical. + +Farr set slow, gripping, commanding clutch about the young man's elbow. + +“If your business with me can possibly be any talk about a lady,” he +advised, “you'd better come along into the reading-room.” + +“It is about a lady,” persisted Dodd when they had swung in behind a +newspaper-rack. The room was apparently empty. “You understand what you +came butting in upon, don't you?” + +“I took it to be a rehearsal of a melodrama, crudely conceived and very +poorly played.” + +“Say, you use pretty big words for a low-lived iceman.” + +“State your business with me if you have any,” Farr reminded him. “I +have something else to do besides swap talk with a drunken man--and your +breath is very offensive.” + +Dodd began to tap a finger on Farr's breast. + +“I want you to understand that I've got a full line on you; you have +been chumming with a Canuck rack-tender, you deserted a woman, and she +committed suicide, and you took the brat--” + +Farr's big hand released the elbow and set itself around Mr. Dodd's +neck. Thumb and forefinger bored under the jaw and Mr. Dodd's epiglottis +ceased vibrating. + +“I don't like to assault a man, but talk doesn't seem to fit your case +and I can't stop long enough to talk, anyway. This choking is my comment +on your lies.” He pushed Mr. Dodd relentlessly down into the nearest +chair and spanked his face slowly and deliberately with the flat of +his hand. “And this will indicate to you just how much I care for your +threats. You'll remember it longer than you will recollect words.” + +He finished and went away, leaving his victim getting his breath in +the chair. Dodd, peering under the rack, saw him hasten and join the +Honorable Archer Converse in the hotel lobby and they went up the broad +stairs together. + +The chief clerk of the state treasury sat there and smoothed his +smarting face with trembling hands and worked his jaws to dislodge the +grinding ache in his neck. But the stinging, malevolent rancor within +him burned hotter and hotter. He started to get up out of the chair and +sat back again, much disturbed. + +A man who had been hidden by an adjoining rack of newspapers was now +leaning forward, jutting his head past the ambuscade. He was an elderly +man with an up-cocked gray mustache, and there was a queer little smile +in his shrewd blue eyes. Dodd knew him; he was one Mullaney, a state +detective. + +“What are you doing here--practicing your sneak work?” demanded the +young man. As a state official he did not entertain a high opinion of +the free-lance organization to which Mullaney belonged. + +“I'm here reading a paper--supposed it's what the room is for,” returned +Detective Mullaney. “But excuse me--I'll get out. Room seems to be +reserved for prize-fighters.” + +“You keep your mouth shut about that--that insult.” + +“I never talk--it would hurt my business.” + +“I don't fight in a public place. I'm a gentleman. I want you to +remember what you saw, Mullaney! I'll get to that cheap bum in a way he +won't forget.” + +“Do you mind telling me who your friend is?” asked the detective. + +Dodd shot him a sour side-glance and muttered profanity. + +“I couldn't help wondering what particular kind of business you and he +could have, seeing how it was transacted,” pursued the detective. + +Dodd glowered at the floor. “Look here, Mullaney! There's a whole lot +about that man I want to know, if you can help me and keep your mouth +closed. I haven't got much confidence in the work you fellows do--they +tell me you can't detect mud on your own boots.” + +Mr. Mullaney pulled his chair out from behind the papers and leaned back +in it and crossed his hands over his stomach and smiled without a trace +of resentment. + +“I might tell you something right now about that tall friend of yours +that would jump you, Mr. Dodd--I'm that much of a detective!” + +“Tell me, then.” + +“Just as it stands it's guesswork--considerable guesswork.” + +“What does that amount to?” + +“A great deal in my business. Take this city of one hundred thousand! +I'm the only man in it who is making guesswork about strangers his +special line of work. The rest of the citizens rub elbows with all +passers and don't give a hoot. There are a good many thousand men in +this country whom the law wants and whom the law can't find. That fellow +may be one of them, for all I know. I guess he is, for instance. Then I +make it my business to prove guesswork.” + +“You must be doing a devil of a rushing business!” sneered Dodd. + +“I manage to make a good living. I don't talk about my business, for if +I should blow it I wouldn't have any. I say, I _guess_! Then I spend my +spare time hunting through my books of pointers. For ten years I have +read every newspaper I could get hold of. I come in here and study +papers from all over. Every crime that has been committed, every man +wanted, every chap who has got away, I write down all I can find out +about him. Then, if anything comes up to make me guess about a man I +begin to hunt my books through.” + +“Well, if I'm any good on a guess,” snorted Dodd, “that renegade who +just insulted me is down in your books, somewhere. You'd better hunt.” + +“It's slow work and eats up time,” sighed Mr. Mullaney. + +Dodd looked at him for a time and then began to pull crumpled bills from +his waistcoat pocket. He straightened five ten-dollar bills, creased +them into a trough, and stuck the end toward the detective. + +“Follow his trail back. I never heard of your book scheme before. Take +this money for a starter. If you can't find him in your books, pick out +half a dozen of the worst crimes any man can commit and hitch 'em on to +him somehow,” urged Dodd, with fury. “Go after him. And when we get him +good and proper I want to do some gloating through the bars. He's the +first man who ever smacked my face for me--and I'll see that he gets +his.” + +He left Mr. Mullaney stowing the money away in a big wallet which was +stuffed with newspaper clippings. He hurried in to the bar, gulped +down a drink, and then went to the office desk and examined the hotel +register. Anger and zest for revenge were stimulating in him a lively +interest in that meeting which Farr seemed to be promoting. Mr. Dodd +did not care especially what kind of meeting it was. He had set forth to +camp on Walker Farr's trail and do him what hurt he could. + +Dodd was a well-posted political worker. The names of the men were not +names especially prominent in state politics, but his suspicions were +stirred when he saw that all counties in the state were represented. +And no more were arriving. He decided that the conference must be in +session. + +Dodd avoided the elevator. He tramped up the broad stairs to the floor +above the office. The doors of the large parlor were closed. He turned +the knob cautiously; the doors were locked. He heard within the dull +mumble of many voices--men in conversation. It was evident that the +formal meeting, whatever it might be, had not begun its session. He +tiptoed away from the door and climbed another flight of stairs. + +There were no nooks and corners of the old National Hotel which Richard +Dodd did not understand in all their intricacies. As his uncle's +political scout it had been his business to know them. + +He hunted along the corridor until he found a maid. + +“Is there anybody in Number 29?” he asked. + +“Two of that new crowd that just came in have it, Mr. Dodd. But they +have gone down-stairs again.” + +He wadded a bill in his palm and jammed it into her hand. “Let me in +with your pass-key, that's a good girl. It's all right. I won't disturb +their stuff. I only want to listen. You understand! There's a political +game on. I want to get to that ventilator in the closet--you know it!” + +“Oh, if it's only politics, Mr. Dodd!” she sniffed, with the scorn of a +girl who has seen many conventions come and go, knew the little tricks, +and had developed for the whole herd of politicians lofty disdain; she +knew them merely as loud-talking men who had little consideration +for hotel maids, men who littered their rooms with cigar stubs and +whisky-bottles. She started for the door, swinging the pass-key on its +cord. “If it's just politics, sure you can go in. Many a buck I've let +in to listen to their old palaver down in that parlor.” + +Dodd bolted the door behind him. + +He felt entirely safe, for he understood that the rightful tenants of +that room were locked into the parlor below. He climbed upon a chair in +the closet and put his ear to the grating of the ventilator. + +He heard only one man's voice. He recognized its crisp tones--it was the +Honorable Archer Converse. + +“I repeat, gentlemen, that this interest of yours would amaze me if I +had not been prepared by reports from our agents who have been so well +captained by Mr. Walker Farr. Remember that this is simply a conference, +prior to organization. Every man of you is a chief in it. Let us be +calm, discreet, sensible, and silent. + +“I'm not going over the details of the unrest in this state. The fact +that so many of you are present here from all sections is sufficient +commentary on that unrest. We understand perfectly well that a certain +clique of self-seekers has arrogated to itself supreme control of the +party. A party must be controlled, I admit. If that control were in the +hands of honest and patriotic men we would not be here today. + +“I'm not going to bother you with details of what has been going on in +departments in our State House. The employees are the tools of the ring +and they have misused their power. I'm afraid of what may be uncovered +there when the house-cleaning begins. But the honor of our party demands +such a house-cleaning.” + +Richard Dodd's hands trembled as he clung to the ventilator bars. + +“However, we are faced by something in the way of an issue that's bigger +than graft.” + +Now his earnestness impressed more than ever the listener at the +grating. + +“Gentlemen, to a certain extent graft is bound to be fostered and +protected by any party; but when a party is used to protect and +aggrandize those who monopolize the people's franchise rights it's time +for the honest men in that party to be _men_ instead of partisans. Don't +you allow those monopolists to hold you in line by whining about party +loyalty. And don't let them whip you into line by their threats, either. +I refuse, for one, as much as I love my party, to have its tag tied into +my ear if that tag isn't clean!” + +The assemblage applauded that sentiment. + +“I'm going to call names, gentlemen. Colonel Symonds Dodd has this state +by its throat. With Colonel Dodd stand all the financial interests--the +railroads, the corporations, even the savings-banks. He is intrenched +behind that law which limits the indebtedness of our cities and towns. +Municipalities cannot own their own plants under present conditions. +Those men are even using the people's own money against them! They scare +depositors by threats of financial havoc if present conditions and the +big interest are bothered by any legislation. + +“I must warn you, gentlemen, that it's a long and difficult road ahead +of us. But we must start. I have not intended to discourage you by +stating the obstacles to be overcome. + +“I have explained them so that, if we make slow progress at first, we +shall not be discouraged. + +“We will organize prevailing unrest and the innate honesty in this +state. We will establish a branch of the Square Deal Club in every town +and city. It must be done carefully, conservatively, and as secretly as +possible.” The lawyer's cautious fear of too much haste now displayed +itself. “The most we can hope to do is send to the state convention +some men who will leaven that lump of ring politics. Party usage and +tradition are so strong that we must renominate Governor Harwood, I +suppose, for a complimentary second term.” + +“I think we can do better,” cried a voice. + +“Possibly,” returned Mr. Converse, dryly, “but we must do that 'better' +carefully and slowly. In politics, gentlemen, we cannot transform the +ogre into the saint merely by waving the magic wand and expecting +the charm to operate instantly. Possibly we can control the next +legislature. I do not know just what legislation we may be able to +devise and pass, but I hope for inspiration. + +“I will say now that I am with you. My purse is open. Command my +services for all questions of law. I will establish myself at the +capital for the legislative session. + +“But there is one thing I will not do under any circumstances--I will +not accept political office.” + +“You bet you won't,” muttered young Dodd, at the grating. “You wouldn't +be elected a pound-keeper in the town of Bean Center.” + +But if Mr. Dodd could have seen through that grating as well as hear he +would have been greatly interested just then in the expression on the +face of Walker Farr. The face was not exactly the face of a prophet, but +it had a large amount of resolution written over it. + +“I don't want to be the first one to throw any cold water on our +prospects,” declared a voice, after Mr. Converse had announced that the +meeting was open for general discussion; “it really does seem to me that +we stand a good show of getting control of the next legislature. +But after we do get control what prospect is there of passing any +legislation that will help us? Wherever there is a water system in this +state the municipality has been so loaded down with debts our machine +politics have plastered into it that the legal debt limit has been +reached. The only way this water question can be cleared up is by taking +the systems away from those monopolists--making them the property of +towns and cities. But if towns and cities can't borrow any more money, +just how is this to be done? Mr. Converse hasn't told us! We can clean +up politics, perhaps, but it seems to me that we'll never be able to +clean up the dirtiest and most dangerous mess.” + +On the silence that followed broke a voice which made Dodd, his ear to +the grating, grate his teeth. His hatred recognized this speaker. It was +Walker Farr. + +“I apologize for venturing to speak in this meeting,” he said. “But if +that gentleman's question isn't answered here and now in some way I'm +afraid men will go away discouraged. I have heard the same question, +Mr. Converse, as I have traveled about the state lately. I have thought +about this matter constantly, in my poor fashion. And because I went +into that job of pondering with an open mind is the reason, perhaps, why +a strange idea has come to me. You know they say that strange notions +are born out of ignorance. The better way would have been, possibly, to +submit the plan first of all to your legal mind, Mr. Converse. I will +keep silence now and confer with you, sir, if you think best.” His tone +was wistful. + +“Talk it out in open meeting,” cried the cordial voice of Mr. Converse. +“Free speech and all of us taken into confidence--that's the spirit of +this movement of ours!” + +“Has it ever occurred to anybody to form a new municipality for water +purposes only? I have studied your state constitution, and the language +in which the debt limit of five percent is provided I find applies +strictly to towns and cities. Suppose the citizens of Marion, together +with the adjoining towns of Weston and Turner, all of them now served +by the Consolidated, should unite simply as individuals for the common +purpose of owning and operating their own water-plant--form, say a water +district?” + +“An independent body politic and corporate?” It was Converse's voice and +it betrayed quick interest and some astonishment. + +“I suppose that would be the legal name, sir. Wouldn't it be possible to +organize such a combination of the people, distinct from other municipal +responsibilities? Then if we can elect the right men to our legislature +we can go to the State House and ask for some legislation that will +enable us to take over systems by the right of eminent domain, provide +a plan of fair appraisal, give us a law which will make water-district +bonds a legal investment for savings-banks. In short, gentlemen, I +repeat, this plan is nothing more than an organization of the desired +territory and people into a new, distinct, and separate municipality for +water purposes only, leaving all other forms of municipal government to +pursue their accustomed functions precisely as though the district +had not been organized. That's the idea as best I can state it in few +words.” + +There was a long period of silence. + +Dodd, listening to the mutterings of a revolt which threatened the whole +political fabric which protected him, his interest clearing his brain +of the liquor fog, could imagine the scene below. That assemblage was +staring wide-eyed at Archer Converse, the law's best-grounded man in the +state. + +“It is very modest to call that suggestion an idea,” stated Mr. +Converse, at last. “Mr. Farr, if I can find the necessary law in our +statutes to back it up, it's an inspiration.” + +There was the ring of conviction in his tones. + +Mr. Dodd left the grating and escaped from the hotel. + +He fairly cantered to headquarters in the First National block; he +felt a politician's frightened conviction that he had something mighty +important to tell his uncle. + + + + +XXV + +A GIRL AND A MATTER OF HONOR + +It had been a protracted session. + +Judge Ambrose Warren, corporation counsel for the Consolidated, leaned +back in his chair and gazed at the ceiling over the peak of the skeleton +structure he had erected in front of his nose with his fingers. + +Colonel Dodd squinted first at his nephew and then at the bouquet on his +desk. + +The nephew had been attempting by all the methods known to the appealing +male to win only one return glance from Kate Kilgour; but the young lady +held her eyes on her note-book, poised her pencil above the page, and +waited for more of that conversation and statement of which she had been +the silent recorder. + +“You think you have given us all the main points of what you overheard, +do you, Mr. Dodd?” inquired the judge, turning sharp gaze on the young +man. + +“I can't remember any more.” + +“You think you recognized voices sufficiently well to be sure that +this person named Farr made that novel suggestion in regard to what was +called a 'water district'?” + +“There was no mistaking his voice,” said Dodd, with the malevolence of +bitter recollection. + +Another prolonged silence. Then the judge asked, his eyes again on the +ceiling, “Just who is this Walker Farr?” + +Richard Dodd, keeping jealous espionage on all the girl's emotions and +movements saw a flush suffuse her cheeks; her hands trembled. She raised +her eyes in a quick glance and he detected eager inquiry. + +“I don't know who he is,” growled the colonel. + +“You'd better find out,” advised the corporation counsel. + +“Why?” + +“Of course this thing has been put up to me very suddenly. I can give +you only a snap judgment. But that scheme has possibilities.” + +“As a lawyer you don't mean to tell me that a crazy idea like that can +be put through in this state against the combination we control?” + +“It will not be a case of combination and money and politics, Colonel, +when it gets to the high court. It will be _law_. And I'm sorry you +can't tell me any more about the man who has devised the plan. I'd like +to know how he dug it out.” + +“But a gang of pirates can't organize like that and confiscate our +property! We're going to tap the lakes. We're going ahead right away. +But can that fool's scheme scoop in the Consolidated Water Company?” + +“That's to be found out. I am going to tell you now that I believe an +organization of citizens into an independent water district can be +made legally and be independent of other debts. Colonel Dodd, if that +opposition gets control of the next legislature you can depend upon it +that the necessary legislation will be passed. We may as well look facts +in the face: they're getting mighty restive in this state; the people +have been penned in by the Machine very effectually to date--but show +'em a place now where they can jump the fence and they're going to do +it.” + +“But what's the good of paying you twenty-five thousand dollars a +year for law if you can't keep the bars up?” The tone was that of the +impatient tyrant. + +“You'll please remember that this thing is likely to go to the United +States court. When you go in there you've got to leave your side-arms +of politics--pull and pocket-book--at the door. I will say this: the +Federal Constitution guarantees protection against any irregular, +illegal, or confiscatory action under state authority. That is, no +states shall pass any law impairing the obligation of contracts nor +shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without +due process of law nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the +equal protection of the laws. Now, of course, a corporation is a person +in the meaning of the law, and therefore we can carry the matter to the +United States Supreme Court, but I want to tell you that if the next +legislature enacts law permitting water districts, and the state +authorities proceed to condemn your plants, you may as well get ready to +step out from under. You are a shrewd man and you understand the spirit +of these times in regard to giving to the people their full rights in +public utilities. I say again, you'd better get a line on this Walker +Farr, because it's either a case of ignorance inspired or else he's a +deep one. He has started with a plan that can be defended by law--and +the judges in these days are handing the people's rights and property +back to them when there is a legal opportunity.” + +“Why, this Farr is a nothing--nobody. Dug in our trenches for a while +until he was discharged. Briggs looked him up for me. The only man +in this city he has been at all intimate with is an old Canuck named +Provancher who tends the rack down at Gamonic Mill. You can judge him by +the company he keeps.” + +“Well, he seems to be fraternizing with better men just now,” drawled +the judge. “Archer Converse, for instance!” + +“The thing to do,” suggested young Dodd, still watching the girl, “is +get something on that hobo and boot him out of town or put him in jail. +It ought to be easy enough.” + +“And it will be attended to,” declared the colonel, with venom. “We'll +kill that one crow and hang him up in full view of the rest of those +croakers! I'll put something over on that fellow and have all the papers +in the state print it--and high-and-mighty Converse will be so disgusted +that he'll quit and the rest of the crowd will be ashamed to keep on. +Disgrace a reformer! That's the surest play in politics! We must get +Farr!” + +He turned his scowling gaze away from the flowers and found Miss Kilgour +looking at him with an expression in her eyes he had never seen there +before. Reproach and scorn seemed to mingle in the stare she gave him. +He blinked, and when he looked again she was examining the point of her +pencil; he decided that his eyesight had played him a strange prank. + +“By the way, Miss Kilgour,” he informed her, “you need not remain. Make +two typewritten copies--the judge will need one.” + +Richard Dodd arose when she left her chair, but she did not glance +at him. He began to speak before she had reached the door, unable to +restrain his jealous temper longer. + +“Uncle Symonds, pass the word to that old Provancher, through the +superintendent of the Gamonic, that unless he comes across with all the +stuff he knows about that Farr he'll be fired. And I've got a hunter out +on my own account. It will be easy enough to catch the skunk and strip +off his pelt.” + +Miss Kilgour closed the door behind her with a sharper click than she +had ever given its latch before. She hurried to her typewriter in her +little room and began to work with all her energy. + +She was so busy and her machine clattered so viciously that she did not +hear Richard Dodd when he entered. He leaned over her. + +“Have you talked with your mother yet? Has she given you some +advice?” he asked. His jealousy still fired him and his tone was not +conciliatory. + +The contempt in the glance she flung upward at him roused him to +passion. In the state of mind in which he then was he made no allowances +for her ignorance of conditions in her mother's case. He knew what he +had done for Mrs. Kilgour's sake, and this attitude on the daughter's +part pricked him like wilful ingratitude. + +He put his hands on the keyboard of the typewriter and stopped her work. +“I love you, Kate, and you have known it for a long time. I tried to +show you how much I loved you. I know I did a foolish thing. But I loved +you.” He almost sobbed the protestation. “I've been in hell's torment +since it happened. I've been a fool all the way through, but I won't be +a fool any more if you'll take pity on me.” + +She did not speak. Her silent, utter contempt stung more deeply and +surely than words. + +“If you insist on being so high above, I'm going to bring you down a +little,” he sneered. “I hate to do it, but you've got to be shown +where your real friends are. I have given your mother a chance to say +something to you, and say it right. But she hasn't done it, and I don't +propose to be made the goat.” In his anger he was not choice in his +language. “You go home and ask her whether or not she owes me five +thousand dollars. Oh, you needn't open your eyes at me in that style! +It's time we all got down to cases in this thing, Kate. I've waited for +her long enough. She has simply fluffed me along. Now she has got to do +her part.” + +“Have you lost your mind?” she demanded. + +“No! But I lost five thousand dollars when I loaned it to your mother. +Kate, she told me she had a stock deal on--that she would be able to pay +it back. Listen! I may as well go the limit with you. I took money that +wasn't mine so that I could help your mother out--it was because I loved +you. Now you realize how much I have loved you. I protected your mother. +And now, by the gods, if you and she don't come to the scratch in this +thing and do right by me I'll show up why she had to be protected, +and after that you'll never draw a happy breath again in your life. I +advised you to talk with your mother once before. This time you'd better +to it.” + +She leaned back in her chair, white and trembling, for his tones carried +conviction. + +“I have hated to open this thing up, Kate. I have waited a long time, +hoping you'd understand that I would make a good husband--that I +deserved to have you. I'm only speaking out now so that you'll wake up. +You've got to stand by the man who has stood by you. Go talk with your +mother!” + +After he had hurried out she went back to her work, but her fingers +could only fumble at the keys. By effort of will persons of strong +character can compose themselves after disaster has been confirmed; +but impending disaster that is hinted at--guessed at--is a menace which +paralyzes. She was endeavoring to write down what Richard Dodd had +revealed of the plans of Walker Farr. She understood that the mighty +power of the state machine was now doubling its fist over the head of +the stranger who had come into her life in such peculiar fashion. At the +same moment she was cowering under the threat of something she did not +fully understand. + +And from the Dodds--uncle and nephew--came the menace which loomed over +both of them. + +Then to her came Peter Briggs, who had been summoned to a conference in +the inner office; by direction of his chief he had been reading to Judge +Warren certain entries penciled in the note-book which he guarded with +the elastic band. + +“The governor wants you to add these items to the record, so that the +judge can have a copy,” said Mr. Briggs to the confidential secretary. +“The subject isn't a very genteel one, Miss Kilgour, but orders are +orders, and you'll have to excuse me.” + +And Mr. Briggs kept snapping the elastic band nervously while he +dictated, carefully looking away from the young woman. + +In such manner Kate Kilgour learned of the existence of Zelie Dionne and +of the child whom Walker Farr had protected; Mr. Briggs's zeal in the +interest of his employer had made him a partisan in that affair, with +easy conscience regarding the matter of the details. The bald record +showed that Farr and the girl had cared for the child between them, had +nursed it with grief and solicitude, had borne it to the plot of land +where the little graves were crowded so closely. Mr. Briggs complacently +avoided dates and age and the minuter details. He even pleaded the case, +having caught a cue from Colonel Dodd; his record left the impression +that Walker Farr, who had come from nowhere--nobody knew when--had lived +in Marion unknown and unnoticed at the time when he had compassed the +ruin of a confiding girl. + +“A scalawag, and a bad one!” commented Mr. Briggs, closing his +note-book. “And of course there's worse to come! Posing as a +reformer--that's the way such renegades work the thing. A new game for +every new place!” + +And Kate Kilgour, remembering the vagrant on the broad highway, wrote +down the arraignment of this person, trying to understand her emotions. + +Her own eyes had seen him garbed as a tramp, plainly a homeless nomad. + +Her ears had just listened to the story of his shame. + +But after a time, in spite of what she had seen and heard, that strange +instinct which dominates the feminine mind in spite of what the mere +senses affirm took possession of her. + +She had known from the first that Richard Dodd's garments, his attitude, +his professions, his position did not make him what her woman's heart +desired. + +But, somehow, this other man, no matter what he seemed to be from +outward appearance, stood forth for her from all the world. At times, in +her ponderings, she had disgustedly termed her mood regarding him pure +lunacy. Then she gave rein to the domination of her intuition; the man +was not what he seemed to be! + +She determined to put him out of her thoughts for ever. + +Just then, however, writing out the story of his turpitude, she must +needs have him in her mind. + +She wondered whether he were honest in his attempts to help the poor +people. + +She had believed that he was when he had faced Colonel Dodd. + +She determined that she would make some investigation of her own in +regard to the mysterious person who had taken such possession of her +thoughts since she had met him in the highway--whose personality had +so pricked her curiosity. She comforted herself by calling her interest +mere curiosity. That was it! If this man were what they claimed he was +she might help in revealing him as an enemy of the poor folks. + +And then to her came another thought. + +She looked around the offices where she worked and bitter lines were +etched in her forehead and about her mouth. + +The place had become hateful. She was conscious of a passionate desire +to be free from the atmosphere of that central web of the Great Spider. + +She bent over her work and hurried. + +What was the shadow over her home? + +She realized that she was not thinking clearly in the matter. She +knew that impulse was driving her. But it was impulse which was +uncontrollable. For a long time she had understood the sinister +influence which had radiated from that office in the First National +block. But it had been rather the impersonal influence of partisan +politics and she had had little knowledge of the persons concerned. But, +now that the situation had been so sharply pointed by recent happenings, +she understood better what had gone on in the past. + +This stranger, whoever he was, seemed to be fighting for the good of the +people. She had heard him declare his principles boldly; she knew the +selfishness of the men who opposed him. She resolved to know more. + +It was close upon six o'clock when she finished the transcription. + +She had given much thought to her own affairs while she had been +working. And now she allowed impulse to dominate. She resolved to leave +that employment which brought her into contact with Richard Dodd and +where her duties required her to prepare material for the ruin of a man +who seemed to be doing an unselfish duty, no matter what they said. She +did not try to analyze that quixotic impulse; she merely obeyed. + +She tied up the packet of manuscript, addressed it to Colonel Dodd, and +slipped under the string a sealed note. In that note she resigned her +position, stating that a matter of personal honor demanded that she +leave instantly. She did not qualify that statement by any explanation. +But she knew in her own heart just what it meant. For when she left the +office she did not hasten straight home as her anxious fears prompted +her; she made a detour around by Gamonic Mill in search of one +Provancher, who, she had learned, tended the rack of the canal. + +The thought that dominated all other thoughts and comforted her was the +reflection that she was no longer the confidential secretary of Colonel +Symonds Dodd, and that now she might obey certain promptings of both +curiosity and conscience. + +The rumble of the big turbines was stilled when she came to the fence +which surrounded the rack, and old Etienne was starting away with rake +and pike-pole. But when she called he came to her--wondering, much +abashed, for she was by far the prettiest lady he had ever seen. + +“Are you the friend of Mr. Walker Farr?” she asked, and she was even +more embarrassed than he. + +“I am too poor mans to be call a friend, ma'm'selle. I can just say that +he is grand mans that I love.” + +“Then you are the one to give him this message. Tell him that men who +are fighting him in politics intend to do him great harm and that he +must be very careful. Tell him that he will understand who these men +are.” + +“_Oui_, ma'm'selle. But will he understand who tell me that thing?” + +Her cheeks were crimson. “No, no! He mustn't know that.” + +“Then he will tell me, 'Poh, old Etienne, you know nottings what you +talk about.' He is very bold mans, and he not scare very easy.” + +“But he must be cautious, for these men have power. He need not be +afraid of them, but he must watch carefully. You tell him that they +want to make out bad things about him so that they can print them in the +papers and hurt the cause he is working for. Can you remember?” + +“_Oui_, ma'm'selle! I never forget anything what may be for his good. I +will tell him.” + +She hesitated for a long time and stared wistfully at the old man. She +started to go away and then returned to the fence, plainly mustering her +courage. + +“Do you know whether there is anything--about him--which wicked men can +use to hurt him?” she stammered. + +“I only know about him what I know, ma'm'selle,” he replied, with a +gentle smile nestling in the wrinkles of his withered face. + +“Could you tell me some of the things you know?” she asked, after much +effort, striving to make her voice calmly inquiring. + +Old Etienne set the rake and the pike-pole against the fence. “I will be +quick in what I tell you, ma'm'selle, for I have no place to ask you +to take the seat. But I'm sure you will listen very well to this what I +say.” + +And he told her the story of Rosemarie. + +But he did not go back as far as the pitiful figure on the canal +bank, he made no mention of the water-soaked wad of paper which bore a +mother's appeal to the world, he did not mention the key to Block Ten. +He told the story of Walker Farr's devotion to a child. He did not +dare to reveal to this stranger the identity of that child, because the +telltale letter had been hidden from the coroner, and old Etienne stood +in awe of the curt and domineering men who enforced the laws. But with +simple earnestness and in halting speech he revealed the tenderness of +Farr's nature and gave further testimony to her woman's understanding +that this man who had come into her life possessed depths which she +longed to probe. + +“But the child!” she ventured, after Etienne had finished the story of +how the two of them, voices in the wilderness of careless greed, had +faced the masters of the city in the _hotel de ville_; “it seems strange +that a man--that anybody should take a child and--” She hesitated. + +“_Oui_, ma'm'selle, it seemed strange,” agreed the old man, studying her +with sharp glance of suspicion--a gaze so strange that she shifted her +eyes uneasily. + +Ah, Etienne told himself, the law sometimes sent queer emissaries to +probe for it--and he feared the law very much. + +He must be very careful how he told any of the secrets which might +trouble his good friend, who was now such a friend of the mighty +folks; as for himself--well, he would willingly be a martyr if the law +demanded--but he did fear that law! + +“But he loved the child very much,” she hinted. + +“So much that he will fight them because they have poisoned her--he will +fight them and not be scare.” + +“It is strange!” she repeated. + +“_Oui_, ma'm'selle,” he said, regarding her with still more suspicion. + +“But before that morning--when you found them here under the tree! He +told you--” + +“He walk the street with her in his arm. I don't tell you some more +about dat t'ing what I do not know!” + +But she knew that he was withholding something from her. She mustered +her courage. + +“Mr. Provancher, the bad men are making threats that they will print +stories about the child--and its mamma--to hurt your friend. And the +stories will make the mamma very sad.” + +“No stories can make her sad,” said old Etienne, solemnly. But he did +not say that he had raked the mother from the canal. The law must not +know! + +“But I have heard about her,” she insisted. + +The old man's mouth trembled; he was frightened. “What you hear?” he +faltered. + +“Only good things. That she was very tender and went with you to the +grave.” + +“_Oui_,” admitted Etienne, visibly relieved and grasping at this +opportunity. “She's sweet and good. She's play-mamma.” + +“And her name is Zelie Dionne?” she asked, her face growing white in the +dusk. + +“_Oui_, ma'm'selle--she live across in the little house where there are +plant in the window--she live with the good Mother Maillet what I told +you about.” He pointed to the cottage. “You go some time and talk with +her--but not now,” he added, his fears flaming. He was anxious to be +the first to talk to Zelie Dionne, in order that she might help him to +protect their friend. “You shall talk with her--soon--p'raps. I will +tell her so that she will not be afraid. Yes, you shall hear the +play-mamma say good things of poor Rosemarie.” + +She bowed and hurried away. + +And before her tear-wet eyes the words “play-mamma” danced in letters of +fire. It seemed to be only another sordid story. + +But she remembered the face of Walker Farr, and in her heart she +wondered why she still refused to condemn him. + + + + +XXVI + +THE DRIVEN BARGAIN + +The Honorable Daniel Breed, “sipping” his thin lips and propping his +coat-tails on his gaunt fingers, patrolled the lobby of the National +Hotel and his complacency was not a whit disturbed when Richard Dodd +passed in front of him and sneered in his face. + +“Keep on practising making up faces,” advised the old man, amiably. +“Perhaps in the course of time your uncle will give you a job making up +faces as his understudy, seeing that his physog is getting so tough he +can't manage it very well these days.” + +Young Dodd whirled on his heel and returned. “We've got a line on you +and your amateur angels, Breed.” + +“Don't consider me an amateur, do you?” asked the old politician, +smacking his lips complacently. + +“You're a has-been.” + +“Sure thing!” agreed Mr. Breed. “The state committee told me so, and the +state committee never made a mistake.” + +“We've got so much of a line on your crowd that my uncle has called off +the organizers. There's no need of our wasting money in this campaign. +You're that!” He clacked a finger smartly into his palm. + +“Oh yes! You're right! Some snap to us.” + +“I mean you're nothing.” + +“Run in and take another drink, sonny,” advised Breed, giving slow cant +of his head to denote the baize door through which Dodd had emerged. +“What you have had up to date seems to be making you optimistic--and +there's nothing like being optimistic in politics. I'm always +optimistic--but naturally so. Don't need torching!” + +“Look here, Breed, we've got enough dope on that ex-hobo who is doing +your errand-boy work--we know enough about him to kill your whole +sorehead proposition. But I don't believe my uncle will even use it. No +need of it.” + +“Probably not,” said Mr. Breed, without resentment. “And I wouldn't if I +were he.” + +“We won't descend to it. Now that we have got rid of a lot of old +battle-axes of politicians--and I'm calling no names--we can conduct a +campaign with dignity.” + +“So do! So do! And it will save a lot of trouble, son; that's why the +newspapers wouldn't print that stuff about Mr. Farr after your uncle got +it ready. Libel cases make a lot of trouble.” + +Dodd grew red and scowled. “Look here, Breed, you're licked before the +start, and as a good politician you know you are. My uncle wants you +to drop in and see him. He told me to tell you so. This is no official +order, you understand. Just drop in informally, and he'll probably have +something interesting to say to you.” + +“I'm terribly rushed up--shall be till after convention,” averred Mr. +Breed, piercing the end of a cigar with a peg he had whittled from a +match. + +“What's the good of your being a fool any longer?” + +“Always have been, so I've found out from that state committee who never +told a lie--and it's comfortable to keep on being one,” he said, with +great serenity. + +“You don't think for a minute that you are going to get control of the +next legislature, do you?” + +“How much money have you got--your own money, I mean?” inquired Mr. +Breed, guilelessly, his eyes centered carefully on the lighted tip of +his cigar. + +“Say--you--you--What do you mean by that?” rasped Dodd, putting the +cracker of a good round oath on the question. + +“I meant that I wanted to bet something--and I wouldn't want you to go +out and borrow money--or--or--anything else.” From the cavernous depths +where his eyes were set Mr. Breed turned a slow and solemn stare on the +enraged chief clerk of the state treasury. + +“What do you want to bet?” + +“Any amount in reason that after the first of next January there'll be +a fresh deal in the way of state officers in every department in the +Capitol. Arguing futures don't get you anywhere, son. If you've got +money to back that opinion you just gave me it will express your notions +without any more talk. But don't go borrow--or--or anything else.” + +Dodd stared at the shrewd old political manipulator for a long time. + +“You have money to bet, have you?” he asked. + +Mr. Breed languidly drew forth a wallet which would make a valise for +some men and carelessly displayed a thick packet of bills. + +“There it is,” he said, “and I earned it myself and so I ain't poking it +down any rat-hole without being condemned sure that I'll be able to pull +it all back again with just as much more sticking to it. That wouldn't +be sooavable--and from what you know of me I'm always sooavable.” + +Dodd looked at the bills, carefully straightened in their packet, and +giving every evidence of having been hoarded with an old man's caution. + +There was something about that money which impressed him with the +sincerity of Mr. Breed's belief in his own cause. The young man grew +visibly white around the mouth. + +“I'll see you later, Breed,” he gulped. “I don't believe you know what +you are talking about--but I'm not national bank on legs. I'll be around +and cover your cash.” + +He went back into the bar, swallowed a glass of whisky, and went out +and hailed a cab. He directed the driver to carry him to the Trelawny +Apartment. + +Mrs. Kilgour admitted him to the vestibule of the suite. + +“Is Kate at home?” he demanded. + +“Yes, Richard!” She shrank away from him, for his aspect was not +reassuring. “You know--she has given up her work--she is--” + +“I know all about it, Mrs. Kilgour. But I want to ask you whether she +has given up her work in order to marry me at once?” + +“Why, I--She said--I think it will come about all right, Dicky.” She was +pitifully unnerved. + +“Have you told her why she must marry me?” + +“It is not time to tell her--it is not right--I can't--” + +He seized her arm and pulled her into the sitting-room. The daughter +rose and faced them, reproof and astonishment mingling in her +expression. + +“This thing is going to be settled here and now,” said the lover, +roughly. “There is going to be no more fooling. Has your mother put this +matter up to you so that you understand it, Kate?” + +“She has told me that she owes you five thousand dollars,” returned +the girl. Her eyes flashed her contempt. “You told me that yourself. I +repeated the statement to her and she admits it.” + +“But did she tell you how it happens that she owes me that money?” + +“For God's sake, Richard, have some pity! This is my own daughter. +I will sell everything. I will slave. I will pay you. Kate, for my +sake--for your own sake, tell him that you will marry him.” + +“I will not marry this man,” declared the girl. “It has been a mistake +from the beginning. As to your business with him, mother, that is not my +affair. You must settle it.” + +“You belong in the settlement,” declared Dodd. “Hold on! Don't leave +this room, Kate.” + +He reached out his hands to intercept her, and Mrs. Kilgour, released, +fell upon the floor and began to grovel and cry entreaties. + +But his raucous tones overrode her appeals. + +“We're all together in this. I am five thousand dollars shy in the state +treasury, Kate. I took that money and loaned it to your mother when she +begged me to save her stocks. But she didn't have any stocks.” + +Mrs. Kilgour grasped his knees and shook him. But he kept on. + +“She had embezzled from Dalton & Company. What I did saved her from +prison and you from disgrace, Kate. And now I am in the hole! Listen +here! There's hell to pay in this state just now! The soreheads are +banding together. A man has just offered to bet me big money that +there's going to be an overturn in the State House departments. I don't +know whether it will happen--but you can understand what kind of torment +I'm in. Kate, are you going to let me stand this thing all alone?” + +The girl stood silent and motionless in the middle of the room. + +She did not weep or faint. Her face displayed no emotion. It was as +white as marble. + +“Do you want to drag my daughter down with you?” cried Mrs. Kilgour. + +“You'd better not talk about dragging down,” he shouted, passionately. +“I didn't steal for myself. Give me your love, Kate! Give me yourself +to encourage me, and I'll get out of the scrape somehow. I'll find ways. +But if you don't come with me I won't have the courage or the desire to +fight my way through. I'll not disgrace you if you marry me--I swear I +will not! With you to protect from everything I'll make good. Symonds +Dodd is my uncle. He won't see the family name pulled in. But you must +marry me!” + +“And if I do not?” she asked. + +“We'll all go to damnation together. I don't care! I'll blow it all. I +won't be disgraced alone because of something I did for your mother. I +may sound like a cur. I don't care, I say! I'm going to have you, and I +don't care how I get you!” + +“We need not be so dramatic,” said the girl. Some wonderful influence +seemed to be controlling her. “Mother, stop your noise and go and sit +in that chair. You demand, do you, Mr. Dodd, that to save my mother from +exposure as a woman who has stolen, I must be your wife?” + +“I do.” + +“Do you really want a wife who has been won in that fashion?” + +“I want you.” + +“You realize, fully, don't you, the spirit in which I shall marry you?” + +“We'll take care of that matter after we are married, Kate. You have +liked me. You will care for me more when you come to your senses in this +thing.” + +“You remember what my father did in the way of sacrifice, I suppose? It +was no secret in this state.” + +“Yes,” he muttered, abashed under her steady gaze. + +“I am like my father in many ways--in many of my thoughts. Perhaps if +he had not set me such an example in the way of sacrifice I should say +something else to you, Mr. Dodd. But as the matter stands between us, +considering the demand you make on me, I will marry you.” + +The concession was flung at him so suddenly--he had expected so much +more of rebellion--that he staggered where he stood. He advanced toward +her. But she waved him back. + +“Sit down!” she commanded. “This matter has gone far outside romance. +It has become one of business. It is a matter of barter. I have had +some experience in business. You say that mother owes you five thousand +dollars which you took from the state treasury?” + +“Yes, Kate.” + +“And your books will be examined very carefully, of course, if there is +an overturn in your office?” + +“Yes. It won't be any mere legislative auditing.” + +“I know something about politics as well as about business, Mr. Dodd. +I cannot very well help knowing, after my experience in your uncle's +office. I suppose the next state convention will determine pretty +effectually whether there will be an overturn or not?” + +“If we renominate Harwood it ought to give us a good line on the control +of the next legislature,” he told her. “A hobo and a goody-goody,” he +added, with scorn, “think they have stirred up a revolution, but +they have another think coming.” He had been calmed by her outwardly +matter-of-fact acceptance of the situation. But he did not perceive the +fires of her soul gleaming deep in her eyes. + +“If Governor Harwood is renominated and the next legislature is in +the hands of your uncle, as usual, you will be sure to remain in your +position?” + +“Of course!” + +“And you can hide the discrepancy on your books from the auditing +committee?” + +“I am pretty sure I can.” + +“You appreciate fully, don't you, Mr. Dodd, why, after all my troubles +in this life up till now, I should hesitate to marry a man with state +prison hanging over him?” + +“Yes.” + +“If Governor Harwood is not renominated I shall expect you to defer +our marriage until you can work out of your difficulties. There will be +danger and it is not in the bargain of my sacrifice that I shall pass +through such disgrace with you; at any rate, I do not consider that +added suffering is in the trade and will not agree to it. I prefer to +remain as I am and share the disgrace of my mother. Do you agree to +that?” + +“I don't like it, but I suppose I've got to be decent in the matter.” + +“But if Governor Harwood is renominated at the convention I will concede +a point on my part and will marry you at once, taking it for granted +that you will be able to clear yourself. In that way both of us are +making concessions--and such things should be considered in a bargain.” + She was coldly polite. + +He bowed, not knowing exactly what reply to make to her. + +“You have accused me of trifling in the past,” she continued. “I will +now try to show you that I can conduct straight business as it should be +handled. Shall I make a memo of our agreement and hand it to you?” + +“There is no need of it,” he stammered. + +“Thank you, Mr. Dodd. And now that the matter has been settled to our +mutual satisfaction, I will ask you to go. I think my mother needs my +attention. And I am reminded that our bargain does not dispose of the +fact that my mother owes you five thousand dollars. I will reflect +on how that debt may be paid--by insurance”--her face grew whiter +still--“or by some arrangement.” + +“I wish you wouldn't say such--” But she interrupted him. + +“On my part, this is strictly business, Mr. Dodd, and I must consider +all sides. I will give the money matter careful thought. I'm sure we can +arrange it. I have merely bought my mother's good name with _myself_!” + +He stumbled out of the room and went on his way. + +“Mother, you and I have some long, long thoughts to busy ourselves with +before we attempt to talk to each other,” said the girl when the two +were alone. “I am going to my room. Please do not disturb me until +to-morrow.” + +For an hour Kate Kilgour was a girl once more, sobbing her heart out +against her pillow, stretched upon her bed in abandon of woe, torn by +the bitter knowledge that she was alone in her pitiful fight. She was +more frank with herself in her sorrow than she ever had been before. +She owned to her heart that a few days before even a mother's desperate +plight would hardly have won such a sacrifice as she had made. + +She was ready to own that she loved that tall young man of mystery +whose face had refuted the suspicion that he was a mere vagrant. It +was strange--it was unaccountable. But she had ceased to wonder at the +vagaries of love. In her prostration of mental energies and of hope she +confessed to herself that she had loved him. + +But now between his face and hers, as she shut her eyes and reproduced +his features, limned in her memory, those fiery words danced--there was +a “play-mamma” who with him had loved the little girl named Rosemarie. + +Checking her sobs, she sighed, and her heart surrendered him. + +Her sacrifice had been made both easier and yet more difficult. + +Then she snuggled close to her pillows and gazed out into the gathering +night, and pondered on the fact that if Walker Farr won his fight in the +state convention that victory put an end to her poor little truce in the +matter of Richard Dodd. + +Then she was sure that she had put Walker Farr out of her heart for +ever, because she found herself hoping that he would win. The girl +had not yet grown into full knowledge of the dynamics of a true and +unselfish love--she did not fully know herself. + + + + +XXVII + +A DICKER FOR A MAN'S SOUL + +The populace came first and packed solidly into the galleries of the +great auditorium of Marion city. + +For years the state conventions of the dominant party had attracted +but little public attention. They had been simple affairs of routine, +indorsing the men and the principles of the Big Machine. The next +governor had been groomed and announced to the patient people long +months before the date of the convention; platforms protecting the +interests were glued placidly and secretly and brought forth from the +star chamber to be admired; and no delegate was expected or allowed to +joggle a plank or nick the smooth varnish which had been smoothed over +selfish privilege. + +But this year came all the people who could pack themselves into +galleries and aisles. + +Below on the main floor were more than two thousand delegates. Every +town and city sent the full number accredited. After these men had been +seated the men and women who thronged the corridors and stairways were +allowed to enter and stand in the rear of the great hall. + +Strange stories, rumors, predictions, had been running from lip to lip +all over the big commonwealth. It was reported that the throne of the +tyrant was menaced at last by rebellion which was not mere vaporings of +the restless and resentful; organized revolt had appeared, marching in +grim silence, not revealing all its strength, and therefore all the more +ominous. + +A military band brayed music unceasingly into the high arches of the +hall. The music served as obbligato for the mighty diapason of men's +voices; the thousands talked as they waited. + +The broad platform of the stage was untenanted. The speakers, the +chairman, the clerks, the members of the state committee, did not +appear, though the hour named as the time of calling the meeting to +order arrived and passed. + +In an anteroom, so far removed from the main hall that only the dull +rumble of voices and the shredded echoes of the blaring music reached +there, was assembled the state's oligarchy awaiting the pleasure of +Colonel Symonds Dodd. + +He sat in a big chair, his squat figure crowding its confines. + +The state committee and the rest of his entourage were gathered about +him. + +There was a committeeman from every county in the state--the men who +formed the motive cogs of his machine. + +One after the other they had reported to him. + +And each time a man finished talking the colonel drove a solid fist down +on the arm of the chair and roared: “I say again I don't believe it's as +bad as you figure it. It can't be as bad. Do you tell me that this party +is going to be turned upside down by a kid-glove aristocrat who has +hardly stirred out of his office during this campaign?” + +“He has had a chap to do his stirring for him,” stated one of the group. + +“A hobo, scum of the rough-scruff, hailing from nowhere! Shown up in our +newspapers as a ditch-digger--a fly-by-night--a nobody! I'm ashamed +of this state committee, coming here and telling me that he has been +allowed to influence anybody.” + +“Colonel Dodd, what I'm going to say to you may not sound like politics +as we usually talk it,” declared a committeeman, a gray-haired and +spectacled person who had the grave mien of a student, “and it is not +admitted very often by regular politicians who run with the machine. But +we are up against something which has happened in this queer old world +of ours a good many times. We have had the best organization here in +this state that a machine ever put together. But in American politics +it's always just when the machine is running best that something +happens. Something is dropped into the gear, and it's usually done by +the last man you'd expect to do it. The fellows who are tending the +machine are too busy watching that part of the crowd they think is +dangerous, and then the inconspicuous chap slips one over.” + +“I don't want any lecture on politics,” snapped the boss. “Do you mean +to insinuate that that low-lived Farr has put _this_ over on _us_?” + +“I have hunted to the bottom of things and I do say so, Colonel Dodd.” + +“How in blazes did that fellow ever get any influence? I haven't been +able to believe that he has been accomplishing anything.” + +“You ought to have listened a little more closely to us, Colonel,” + insisted the committeeman. “Every once in a while there comes forward +a man whom the people will follow. And he is never the rich man nor the +proud man, but he is one who knows how to reach the hearts of the crowd. +A shrewd politician can get power by building up his machine. And then +some fellow in overalls who has some kind of a God-given quality that +has never been explained yet so that we can understand, smashes into +sight like a comet. It may be his way of talking to men, it may be his +personality--it is more likely a divine spark in him that neither he +himself nor other men understand. But every now and again some humble +chap like that has changed the history of the world, and I reckon it's +pretty easy for such a man to change the politics of a mere state.” + +His associates were staring at him and Colonel Dodd was giving him +furious glances. He had spoken with enthusiasm. He broke off suddenly. + +“I beg your pardon. I don't mean to go quite so far. But I'm a student +of history and I've read a lot about natural-born leaders.” + +“You evidently know more about history than you do about politics,” + growled the colonel. “This whole state committee doesn't seem to know +much politics. If you have allowed that Farr to slime his way around +under cover and do you up in your own counties, I'll see to it that we +have a new state committee.” + +“I have an idea that that convention out there will attend to the matter +of a new state committee for us.” + +The new speaker's voice was very soft. His nickname in state politics +was “Whispering Saunders.” He was known as being the most artistic +political “pussy-foot” in the party. It was averred that he could put +on rubber boots and run twice around the State House on a fresh fall of +light snow and not leave a track. + +“If I'm any kind of a smeller--and I reckon it's admitted that I am,” + purred Saunders, “we are walloped before the start-off in every county +delegation out on that floor.” + +“But what has been the matter with you fellows all the time?” blazed the +boss. “Up to now you have been reporting simply that the soreheads were +growling and were not getting together so as to be dangerous.” + +“Did you ever try to shovel up soft soap from a cellar floor with a +knitting-needle?” inquired the politician. “That's how it's been in this +case. Every man I talked with was slippery. I know slippery times when +I see 'em. I've been afraid, but I hoped for the best. Now that they +are here, with this convention due to be called to order, they are not +slippery any longer. They don't need to be. I've just been through the +convention hall. They are out and open--and they're against us.” + +“That Farr has a proxy from a delegate in the Eleventh Ward and is on +the floor,” stated another. + +“But he isn't a voter.” + +“He wasn't a little while ago, but he is to-day, Colonel. The board of +registration had to put his name on the books--he has lived here long +enough to become a voter.” + +Colonel Dodd glared from face to face. It was plain that he was angered +rather than dismayed; he was like a bull at bay, shaking the pricking +darts out of his shoulders. He took a hasty glance at his watch. +'Twas twenty minutes past the hour appointed for the calling of the +convention. He could hear the distant band still bellowing bravely to +kill time. + +A giant of a man stood up--a cool man, rather cynical. He was the +chairman of the state committee. + +“I have been waiting till all these gentlemen got the panic worked out +of their systems--or, at least, had said all they could think of about +that panic, Colonel. Now we can go ahead and do real business. We have +not had a battle in this state for a long time, and this panic may be +excusable. They say that the men who are the worst frightened before the +battle do the best fighting after they get into the real scrap. I will +admit that the situation in the state has been a little slippery, as +Saunders has said. And some men have dared to do a lot of loud talking +since they have arrived here in this city. It is so strange a thing that +it has got everybody in a panic. The Chinese are wise--they show dragons +to the enemy, but the dragons are only paper. Wouldn't think the +enemy could be scared that way, eh? But look at this bunch of state +committeemen! A pasteboard 'natural-born leader' set up, and Archer +Converse puffing smoke through the nostrils of that effigy! Gentlemen, +you ought to be ashamed of yourselves!” + +Colonel Dodd snorted emphatic approval. + +“You are talking like children. Guff and growls can't carry this +convention. That crowd hasn't even got a candidate for governor. Have +you heard one mentioned?” + +“I don't suppose they would dare to go as far as that,” said one of +the committeemen. “Governor Harwood, by party usage, is entitled to a +renomination, of course. What they figure on is a new state committee +and a platform that will include reforms.” + +“Huh! Yes! So much striped candy! Give it to 'em. Then we've got only +twenty-four men to handle in the way we have always handled state +committees--and even that crowd can't find saints and archangels for +their candidates! And as for a political platform--bah!” + +It was the practical politician's caustic estimate of conditions. + +Then the chairman joined in, bolstering this supercilious view: “As for +that legislature--how many bills were ever passed in our legislature +over a governor's veto after we had got in our work? We are going to +have a safe man for governor. That band's lungs won't last for ever. +Colonel Dodd, are you ready?” + +If revolt and the spirit of resentment and rebellion did exist in that +assemblage, which the magnates of the party faced when they marched +upon the platform, the tumult of applause covered all sinister outward +aspects. The routine of the convention was entered upon: the secretary +read the convention call, the organization was perfected without +protest, and the orator of the day, as president pro tem, a conservative +United States Senator, began his “key-note speech.” It was a document +which had been in proof slips for a week, and which all the party +workers from Colonel Dodd down had read and approved. Therefore, when +Richard Dodd entered from one of the side doors and came tiptoeing +across the platform and touched the colonel's arm and jerked energetic +request for the colonel to follow, the colonel followed, glad of an +excuse to be absent while the Senator fulminated. + +Young Dodd's face was flushed and working with excitement. He hurried +his uncle into a small retiring-room and locked the door. + +“I've got your man, uncle,” he declared. + +“What man?” The colonel was grouchy and indifferent. + +“Your man Farr.” + +“I don't claim him.” + +“But you said you wanted him. You said you wanted to hang him like a +dead crow in the political bean-patch.” + +“Merely momentary insanity on my part, Richard. There seems to have been +a little run of it in this state, and when Judge Warren caught it and +gave it to me I talked like a fool, I suppose. But you must remember +that a polecat can give the most level-headed man an almighty start--and +then the level-headed man walks out around the polecat and goes on his +way very calmly.” + +“But don't you consider that Farr is a dangerous man?” + +The colonel held up his pudgy hand and snapped a finger into his palm. +“He amounts to that in front of the muzzle of a ten-inch gun.” + +“But I went ahead after what you said. I have put out time and money. +I hired a detective. I figured I was doing a good job for the machine.” + Young Dodd's voice trembled and disappointment was etched into his +anxious features. + +“Well, what have you found out?” + +“I can't tell you. It's another man's secret, and he's got to have cash +or a guaranty before he'll come across with it.” + +“What's the price?” + +Richard Dodd exhibited confusion and hesitation. “I made some promises +to him, uncle, because I know what has been paid in the past for things +which didn't seem to be as important as this--judging from the way you +and the judge talked. So I--well, I--” + +“Price, price, I say! I'm used to hearing money talked,” harked the +colonel. “I've got to get back into that convention. Out with it!” He +made two steps toward the door. + +“Five thousand!” blurted the young man. + +Colonel Dodd whirled and whipped off his eye-glasses so as to give his +nephew the full effect of his contemptuous fury. + +“Why, you young lunatic, I wouldn't pay that price if they were going +to elect Farr the governor of this state, and make him a present of the +Consolidated, and you could bring proof that he is the reincarnation of +Judas Iscariot.” + +A roar of voices and a thunder of thudding feet announced that the +Senator had finished. + +Colonel Dodd hurried away. + +The nephew found Detective Mullaney in the alley behind the auditorium, +and the young man's air of discomfiture and the sagging shake of his +head told the story of his errand without words. + +“If they're getting too mean in their old age to hand me a fair price +for a good job then let 'em get licked,” declared the detective. “You +stuck to our original figure of five hundred dollars, didn't you?” + +The young man looked over the detective's head and lied. “Five +hundred--that's what I told him.” + +“And he wouldn't consider it?” + +“Something has braced him so that he isn't afraid of the man any longer. +Perhaps he has got a line of his own on him. It doesn't seem to be worth +anything any longer. Suppose you tell me just who he is and what about +him?” + +“Not on your life!” retorted Detective Mullaney, sharply. “I ain't +saying anything against your family, of course, but when I give a Dodd +something for nothing--even a hint--it will be when I'm talking in my +sleep and don't know it. But I'll tell you what I _will_ do. Give me my +two hundred and fifty and I'll hand you the whole proposition and you +may go ahead and make what you can of it. I swear to you again that I've +got it on him. Seeing what he did to _you_, you ought to feel that the +story is worth that much of a gamble even for private purposes.” + +Dodd hesitated, put his hand in his pocket--then withdrew it empty. + +“No, Mullaney. What's the good? He says Farr isn't dangerous, and has +turned down the whole thing flat. I may as well keep my money. If you +want to sit on the platform, come along with me. I can find a place for +you.” + +Detective Mullaney followed willingly, for he knew that people were +fairly piling over one another in an attempt to get into the hall by the +main entrance. + +He sat down in one of the square chairs on the platform and searched +with his sharp little eyes until he found the face of Walker Farr in the +terraced rows of humanity. It was not difficult to locate him, for +his physique made him loom among other men and he was posted under the +banner which marked the location of Moosac County. + +The detective found the eyes of the young man directed toward the +gallery with such intentness and for so long a time that he endeavored +to trace that earnest scrutiny to its object. The detective was not +exactly certain, but he finally picked out a very handsome young lady +who occupied a front chair in the balcony; she seemed to be returning +the young man's intent regard. + +“You have the reputation of knowing all the pretty girls in the state,” + whispered Mullaney, drawing Dodd's attention with a nudge. “Who is that +up there in the gallery, front row, fifth from the aisle; blue feather, +and so handsome she hurts my eyes?” + +To have his attention drawn thus rudely to the one girl in all the world +gave Dodd a sensation which he did not relish--and his face showed his +astonished resentment. + +“That is Miss Kilgour, who used to be my uncle's secretary. Why do you +want to know who she is?” + +“Because there seems to be something very especial on between her and +the man we thought was worth five hundred dollars to us.” + +“That young lady, Mr. Mullaney, is engaged to me,” stated Dodd, acridly. +“You'd better drop the topic.” + +But he did not display either the joy or the pride of the accepted +suitor as he looked up at her. + +“I'll simply say that you're a mighty lucky chap and I congratulate +you,” returned Mr. Mullaney, hiding his confusion by getting very +busy with newspaper clippings and papers which he drew from his breast +pocket. + +The detective was wholly unconscious of the irony of that remark. But it +brought a flush of shame to Dodd's cheek, for the sorrow and sting and +ignominy of that part which he had played had not departed from his soul +nor did even the fervor of his passion for her help him forgive himself; +he stared at her guiltily as the thief gloats over his loot and is +conscious of his degradation without feeling sufficient contrition to +give up the object he has stolen. + +For he remembered with fresh and poignant recollection the circumstances +under which that girl had given her promise to him so recently: she had +stood over a mother who had abased herself before them, had cast herself +down and had writhed and screamed and implored her to consent; and the +mother was driven to do this by the lash of his threats. He had stood +there and demanded, and the woman on the floor had confessed her +frailty, owned to her misdeeds, acknowledged her debt, and had +frantically begged her daughter to sacrifice herself. + +The girl had given her “Yes,” paying the debt with herself; but her eyes +had been wide and dry and her face was white and set and she had looked +past the man to whom she promised herself when she had murmured that +promise. + +Dodd swept cold sweat from his forehead as he remembered; he found +almost the same expression now on her face as she gazed down on Walker +Farr, who stared back at her anxiously, perceiving a grief that he could +not understand. + +In that vast assemblage those three, thus wordlessly, no one marking +them, fought a tragic battle of hopeless love with their eyes. + +Detective Mullaney pored over his papers. “By gad,” he mused, “I haven't +kept my books all this time for nothing. I know my card. I've got him +right--it's dead open and shut. But I swear he doesn't look the part +he played, even if the description does fit him. Well, law is law! If +I can't sell him to Symonds Dodd, I'll find out how much those will pay +who do want him.” + +The routine of the great convention had been proceeding. + +“And the gentleman from Danton, Mr. Gray, moves that we do now proceed +with the nomination of a candidate for governor,” intoned the chairman +in sing-song tones. + + + + +XXVIII + +THE MAN WHO WAS NOT AFRAID + +One after the other, dignified and decorous, three men of the Big +Machine, representing three of the large counties of the state, came +upon the platform and put in nomination the name of Governor Harwood to +succeed himself. + +These speakers had been carefully selected. They were elderly +gentlemen whose reputations, tones, and demeanor bespoke safe and sane +conservatism. They took occasion to rebuke the new spirit of unrest +in the old party, and their tremolo notes of protest were extremely +effective. While these men talked, a listener was compelled to feel that +rebellion against the established order of things could only be rank +sedition; for many years have these arts of oratory been employed to +appeal to the average man's party loyalty; voters have listened and +have been ashamed to revolt--as a son dutifully bows his head under a +father's reprimand and responds to a father's appeal--for, after all, +in matters where appeal is made to loyalty the human emotions are not so +very complex. + +The elderly gentlemen put great stress on the fact that not in twenty +years had a faithful governor been refused the honor of renomination for +a second term. Would their convention deny that compliment to Governor +Harwood? It was the same appeal that had been made for twoscore years +in order to perpetuate the dynasty of gubernatorial figureheads who had +obeyed the ring's orders. + +Walker Farr heard _sotto voce_ murmurings of men in his vicinity. They +were men who had joined the new revolt and had stood bravely enough for +a change in county political managers. But these men revealed that +they were timorous about altering long party custom. They said, one +to another, that it would be going too far to refuse renomination to +Governor Harwood. It might split their party so widely that the rival +political party would be able to carry the state--and that would never +do. + +Farr was in no wise surprised to hear these murmurings. + +He had sounded men before that convention as he had traveled about the +state. + +He had found them ready to begin house-cleaning in the smaller affairs +of county management, and by assault on the little wheels of the gear +of the machine which had so long ground political grist; but they +were unwilling to tempt fate by venturing on such a general overturn as +putting up for governor a man who had not been selected and groomed for +high office during the accustomed term of apprenticeship--legislature, +senate, and council. + +He realized how well the great ring had intrenched itself in absolute +power by appealing to conservatism in matters of safe men for high +office. Safe men meant those who protected the big interests and saw +that no raids were made on capital--no matter how many abuses capital +might be fostering. + +Mumble and grumble all about him, and men's faces showing that they were +agreeing with the tremolo appeals of the elderly orators! + +Even the Honorable Archer Converse, his legal cautiousness governing his +opinion, knowing the temper of conditions in his state, had emphatically +discouraged Farr when the young man had timidly questioned him in regard +to the advisability of securing a candidate for governor outside the +ring's dynasty. + +Mr. Converse's discouragement of such hopes would have been even more +emphatic had he ever dreamed that this apostle whom he had sent out into +the field was coddling the audacious hope that Mr. Converse himself by +some miracle might be put into the governor's chair. + +The orators proceeded, one after the other. They were applauded. They +retired. + +Walker Farr was oppressed by the lugubrious conviction that he was the +only man in that great assemblage who felt enough of the zealot's fire +to be willing to put all his hopes to the test. + +He looked at the faces on the platform. There sat Colonel Dodd, wearing +his expression assumed for that day and date--smug political hypocrisy. + +His henchmen winged out to right and left of him. They represented +finance and respectability. + +Sometimes political rebels will gallantly and audaciously venture when +they rail behind the backs of their leaders; but when those leaders +appear and fill the foreground with their personalities the rebels +subside; they are impressed by the men whom they behold. They defer, +even when they are stung by knowledge of their leaders' principles. + +Colonel Dodd and those with him were the accredited leaders. + +Delegates glared, but were cowed and silent. + +Farr pondered. Perhaps the advice of Mr. Converse was best: + +“Take what we can get in our first skirmish. Keep it for the nucleus of +what we hope to get later. If we put all to the test in our first fight +against forces that have been in power for all the years and lose, then +the cause gets a setback which may discourage our men for ever.” + +And Mr. Converse, having so declared, had remained away from the +convention that day, feeling that no more was to be gained. + +“And I move you, Mr. Chairman,” called a voice, “that the nominations +for governor do now close.” + +This had been the custom in the past. + +It was not in the minds of that convention that another candidate would +be put forward. Governor Harwood was waiting in an anteroom, thumbing +the leaves of his speech, and all the delegates knew it. All desired to +expedite matters, nominate by acclamation, hear the inevitable speech, +and go home. + +“One moment before that motion is seconded!” + +The voice was so loud, so clear, so dominant, so ringing, that the +effect on the convention was as galvanically intense as if somebody had +blown upon a bugle. + +Walker Farr had risen to his feet. + +Colonel Dodd set his curved palm at his mouth and from behind the +chairman shot a few words at the presiding officer as one might shoot +pellets from a bean-shooter. The chairman scowled impatiently at Farr, +and a delegate among those who watched eagerly for signals from the +throne rose half-way to his feet and bellowed, “Question!” The cry +was taken up by other delegates, just as the unthinking mob follows a +cheer-master. + +Farr climbed upon a settee. He stood there, silent and waiting, and +his expression, poise, and mien wrought for him more effectively than +speech. + +He towered over all the heads. He was markedly not one of those +New-Englanders there assembled. His mass of dark-brown hair, his garb, +the very set of his head on his shoulders, differed from the physical +attributes of all others in the hall. And, as the delegates continued +to shout for the question to be put, he turned slowly so that his +expression of dignified and mild protest and appeal was visible to all. +And as he turned he gave the girl in the gallery a long look. + +The chairman pounded with his gavel. + +“I second the motion,” called a delegate, taking advantage of the first +moment of silence. + +There was another roaring chorus of, “Question!” + +But Walker Farr remained standing on the settee, waiting patiently. He +showed no confusion. There was added dignity as well as appeal in his +attitude and expression. + +“Before that vote is taken I want to say one word as a man to men,” + shouted a delegate. “It's plain to be seen that that man standing there +is a gentleman. We are sent here to attend a meeting for the good of +our party. If, as delegates, we refuse to listen to a gentleman because +we're in too much of a hurry, we'd ought to be ashamed of ourselves. If, +on the other hand, we're _afraid_ to listen to him, whatever it is he +wants to say, then God save this party of ours!” + +That was a sentiment which promptly struck fire in that assemblage. + +There before their eyes stood the subject of that challenge, stalwart, +modest, appealing silently--the sort of appeal which won. + +The galleries broke into applause first. Then the delegates took up the +demonstration in behalf of fair play. They beat their hands and pounded +their feet. The applause from the galleries had more or less of rebuke +in it, because it began while the challenger's voice still echoed in the +great hall. + +The chairman's gavel thumped ferociously. + +Colonel Dodd cursed under his breath. He had been on the trail of that +convention, its movements, its progress, as a hound dog would follow +the trail of a fox. He had seen it safely headed for the corner where +it would be run to earth. He detected sudden peril in this threat of a +detour. + +“Good Jericho!” gasped a committeeman near him. “The chairman ain't +letting this convention get away from him, is he?” + +It was natural alarm in the case of a man who feared to allow any +expression in a convention except such as had been arranged for +previously and had been passed upon by those in power. + +“This isn't the kind of convention that will get away!” hissed the +colonel in reply, bolstering his own convictions that all was safely +harnessed. “But I don't want any fooling.” + +He caught the eye of his nephew and summoned him with an impatient jerk +of the head. + +Richard Dodd hastened across the platform and bent his ear close to his +uncle's mouth--the colonel pulling him down. + +“If your man can stop that fool now--quick--for five hundred dollars, +I'll pay.” + +Young Dodd gulped. He needed five thousand dollars! + +“He won't consider less than I told you.” + +“Well, let the idiot talk to us--he can't do any harm.” + +The colonel pushed his nephew away. In spite of that applause he still +half expected that the convention would close the nominations. What else +was there to do? + +“The vote is upon the motion to close the nominations for governor,” + stated the chairman. “Those in favor will say 'Aye!'” + +Every delegate in that hall was looking at Farr. They were staring at +him with curiosity and interest. But even curiosity does not always +prompt politicians to open a convention to a person who may prove to be +a bomb that will upset plans and precedent. + +Then Farr gave them that wonderful smile! + +The “Ayes” were scattered and sporadic! Men did not relish shutting off +a chap who stood there and smiled upon them in that fashion. + +At the call for the “Noes” a bellow of voices shook the hall. + +The convention had given this stranger permission to speak by that +refusal to subscribe to the cut-and-dried plans. Colonel Dodd was no +longer smug. He scowled ferociously. + +“Gentlemen of the convention, I am grateful,” cried Walker Farr. “And I +will not abuse your patience.” + +“Platform--take the platform!” called many of the delegates. + +He smiled and shook his head. “Let me talk to you standing here where +I can look into your eyes, gentlemen. I feel pretty much alone in this +convention. I _am_ alone! I represent no faction, no interest except the +cause of the humble who have asked for help from the masters who have +been set over them. Perhaps I ought to have remained silent here to-day. +My cowardice has been prompting me to keep still. It is no easy matter +for me to stand up here and disturb the order of events which had been +arranged by the gentlemen who have managed your public affairs for +you so many years. But it would be much more difficult for some of the +others here to speak, because the gentlemen who manage politics have +methods by which they can discredit a man in his profession, ruin him +in his business, stop his credit at banks and in other ways make him pay +dearly for his boldness in speech. I have no money in banks, no business +which can be ruined.” + +“I rise to a point of order!” shouted a delegate, obeying a nod from the +stage. “The business in hand is the nomination of a governor.” + +“That is my business,” stated Farr, calmly. + +With political scent sharpened by his apprehension, Colonel Dodd +narrowed his eyes, sat straight in his chair, and desperately endeavored +to fathom the intentions of this rank outsider. + +In spite of his bluster to the state committee he was worried. He had +not felt comfortable since his conference with Judge Ambrose Warren. +He did not like the “feel” of political conditions. There was some +indefinable slipperiness about matters. + +He could not bring himself to consider the impossible idea that the +convention would bolt--would run amuck, no matter who addressed it--no +matter what contingency arose. But to have the convention even tolerate +this brazen interloper troubled his sense of mastery; the convention had +been too ready to permit the stranger to speak. It wasn't politics as +the colonel had been accustomed to play the game. And this--this man +from nowhere--it was preposterous! + +He snapped his head around and found his nephew close behind him. + +“You young whelp,” gritted Colonel Dodd, visiting his anger on the +nearest object, “where's your political loyalty? This isn't any time to +drive bargains. If you can stop that fellow hustle and do it.” + +“It's another man's secret, I tell you. I've got to buy it.” + +“I'll make it a thousand.” + +Young Dodd's face was white, but he knew how desperate his case was and +how vitally necessary it was to play his cards as he held them. + +“I gave you final figures,” he whispered. + +“Where is that man? Let me deal with him.” + +“It must be done through me.” + +“If you wasn't my nephew I'd think this was blackmail.” + +Young Dodd stepped back to avoid the glare in his uncle's eyes. + +The colonel turned away and listened. Farr's voice was raised now in +solemn appeal. + +“The idea of my letting myself get rattled by a crack-brained +demagogue,” muttered the colonel. He had been fondling the outside of +his coat furtively, locating his check-book. Now he took his hand away. + +“It is well to respect service and to show courtesy, gentlemen. I have +listened with interest to the eulogies which have been given Governor +Harwood. He is, without doubt, an amiable gentleman. But let me tell you +that the next legislature is going to be asked to pass a law which will +be a club with which the people will rap the knuckles of Greed till that +unholy clutch on the water systems of this state will be loosened for +ever.” + +The delegates stared at him for a few seconds when he paused, and then a +tumult of applause greeted his utterance. + +“I ask you, gentlemen, whether Governor Harwood--and you know him well +and how he has been chosen--will ever sign a bill that will take profit +from the hands of his political makers even to give that profit to the +people who are the rightful owners?” + +This time men were silent, but he knew what they thought from the manner +in which they looked at him. + +“I do not need to tell you that the veto of a bill by a governor means, +in most cases, its death. Gentlemen, it would be polite and kind and +gracious of you to bow low here to-day and hand up the nomination to the +amiable Governor Harwood. But with the conditions as they are in this +state are you going to be polite, merely, while the hearses are rumbling +down your streets? I have no way of knowing how many of you into whose +eyes I am looking have seen death enter your own homes from the taps of +this much-promising, little-accomplishing water syndicate. But if you +have seen death touch your loved ones, or if you go home from here and +behold fever ravaging your community, it will be poor consolation to +your soul to remember that at least you were polite to an amiable man +who desired the honor of a renomination.” + +The faces of the convention showed that this blunt yet shrewd appeal to +the individual antagonism of men had produced profound effect. + +“But that is only one feature of what this state demands and needs, +gentlemen,” was Farr's ringing declaration. “This struggle for pure +water has opened a broad avenue. The towns and cities of this state must +take back into their own hands the properties and franchises which have +been mismanaged by the men to whose hands unwise gift by the people has +intrusted the people's own. We need a man in the Big Chair of State who +will stand with the people in this crusade!” + +This amazing declaration in open convention produced as much +consternation on the platform as if Farr had dropped a bomb there. + +He uttered something which was worse than mere political rebellion: he +was proposing to take for the people properties which constituted the +backbone of the oligarchy's power in state affairs. + +Colonel Dodd had been growling behind the chairman, angrily endeavoring +to get the ear of that gentleman. But the chairman seemed to be as +wholly absorbed by this astonishing arraignment as were the delegates. + +The head of the state machine, for the first time in his career, was +compelled to come into the open instead of through the mouth of a +lieutenant. He could not wait to give orders. + +He rose and stamped to the front of the platform. His voice rang hoarse +and loud. + +“There can be no more of this unparliamentary and irregular nonsense. +What has got into this convention? Don't you understand that no speaker +is allowed to break the rules and attack a man under guise of nominating +another? Mr. Chairman, I demand that this slanderer be removed from the +hall and that we proceed to the nomination of a governor.” + +There was a hush during which Farr and Colonel Dodd looked at each +other, crossing their stares like long rapiers over the terraced heads. + +“I fear I was wrong,” confessed Farr, gently. “But we poor folks down in +the ranks don't know much about the rules, and when we are struggling +to save the ones we love we are apt to forget and talk to the heart of +things. I am not trying to show that I am a skilful orator, gentlemen of +the convention.” He held up his arms. “I am crying for _Justice_!” + +The delegates broke into applause once more. + +And Walker Farr sent a queer look straight into the eyes of the colonel. + +Conviction slapped Colonel Symonds Dodd in his mental face with a +violence that made him blink! + +This man was no amateur in understanding how to sway an audience. To be +sure, he had transgressed parliamentary usage, but in those words he had +driven home facts that all knew to be truths--truths which others had +been afraid to voice, but which, once put into words in public, tied +the hideous stamp of ring favoritism upon Governor Harwood, made him a +candidate who could not be trusted. + +The colonel understood, and he also saw plainly that the most of the +audience had accepted the apology, and held no prejudice against the +speaker. + +“Now that I understand what the rules governing nominations are I will +not break them again,” declared Farr. + +But like a shrewd and not over-scrupulous lawyer he had jabbed into +the proceedings a stinging truth which, though excluded by the rules, +nevertheless served vitally the big purpose of his efforts; the colonel +understood that, too, and turned back to his chair fairly livid with +rage. + +“There is a man in this state who knows true law,” continued the +speaker, “and that you may be assured that he will sign a bill which is +passed for the good of the people, let me tell you a little about his +character.” + +Colonel Dodd cursed without trying to moderate his tones very much. + +“There's no telling what tack that renegade will take next. This +infernal convention is getting to be a nightmare. Those fools out there +are listening as if they expected that cheap demagogue to bring 'em a +new Messiah,” he told the committeemen near him. + +“There's a funny noise going on out there among 'em,” ventured +“Whispering Saunders.” “Round-up fellows say they hear something like +it when a herd is getting ready to stampede. It's the same thing in a +political convention sometimes. The reason for it is: the crowd is ripe +and the head steer gives the right bellow--and off they go!” + +Colonel Dodd grabbed his nephew by the elbow and rushed him off the +stage and into an anteroom. + +“Is that matter on the hair-trigger, Richard?” he demanded. + +“It's ready to be snapped any minute.” + +The colonel whipped out his check-book and began to write. “It's as old +Saunders said,” he muttered as he wrote. “And we've got to rope, throw, +and tie that one steer.” + +The check was for five thousand dollars! + +Young Dodd seized it, and when his uncle hurried back upon the stage the +nephew, through the door which was left open, beckoned to Mullaney. The +detective came, hurrying past Colonel Dodd, who stared until the door +had closed behind young Dodd and the officer. + +“But he's my own nephew!” he assured himself, as if he were replying to +an accusation laid against Richard Dodd. He shook his head and sat down +in his chair. “I wonder how long it has been since old Bob Mullaney put +a price of that size on his secrets! I'm afraid Richard hasn't the Dodd +ability to drive a sharp trade.” + +But Richard was showing considerable ability in that line behind the +door of the anteroom. + +He jammed two hundred and fifty dollars in crumpled bills into the +detective's hands, cleaning out his pockets for the purpose. He had +slipped the check into his deepest pocket the moment his uncle had +handed it to him. + +“It was hard work to screw him up, Mullaney. You have seen how I worked +him. This is all he gave me--two hundred and fifty. Take it and spring +your trap.” + +“You don't look honest,” grumbled the detective. “If I'm any kind of a +guesser you're holding out on me.” + +“That's your price. You agreed. There isn't any time to argue this. Give +me back the money.” He grabbed the bills from Mullaney's clutch. It was +magnificent bluff. “I'll hand it to my uncle. He isn't very keen on the +thing, anyway.” + +“I'll take it--give it back. I'll apologize,” pleaded Mullaney. + +“Will you swear to keep all this under your hat--the whole thing? Uncle +says if you dare to speak to him about it--hint to him or anybody that +he paid money for anything on Farr--he'll deny the story and have your +license taken away.” + +“I promise--swear it,” Mullaney agreed. + +Dodd returned the money, and the detective started out on the trot. + +“You come, too, and I'll tell you on the way. Time is short. You'd +better help me,” he advised Dodd. They hurried away together, rushed +out into the alley and around to the front of the hall, the detective +pouring certain information into Dodd's ear as they made their way to +the big door and into the main corridor. + +Then they bored through the crowds. + +The detective led the way and showed his badge to compel the people to +give them a lane. + +They entered the rear of the auditorium. + +“You take the left side and I'll take the right,” commanded Mullaney. +“We need to paralyze him first. That's all there's time for just +now--I've had short notice. But get that name to every man of your crowd +you can, and when the howl is started tell 'em all to join in.” + +Dodd had had scant time to digest the knowledge which the detective +had imparted on the run. But his eyes gleamed wickedly as he began to +whisper to men among the delegates. And as he moved about he noticed +that the girl in the gallery had marked his activity, even to the extent +of turning her gaze from Walker Farr, whose voice was ringing through +the spacious hall. + + + + +XXIX + +THE BOMB + +Walker Farr, towering over their heads, talked to the men in whose midst +he stood. + +Mere eloquence no longer avails in these days of cynical disbelief in +the motives of political orators. But this young man who stood there +was sincerity incarnate. The wonderful and mystic magnetic quality which +wins men and inspires confidence radiated from him. And every now and +then, as he glanced up at one face in the gallery his voice took on new +tones of appeal and pathos. He was one crying from the depths to those +in authority! By the marvel of his language he made the men who sat +there as delegates understand that theirs was the power to make or +mar--to save or sacrifice their state in the crisis which was upon them. +He made them feel their responsibility after he made them understand +their power. + +And he also made their duty plain. + +The crux of the situation rested on such a man as they should place in +the highest office in the state. + +In other times, under other conditions, some pliant and amiable +figurehead might serve them well. + +He told them, with outstretched finger and vibrant voice, what must be +the masterful qualifications of the man who should assume the cross of +public service and carry it up the steeps where he would be lashed at +every step of his weary way by the thongs in the hands of privileged +capital. + +Colonel Symonds Dodd had come back to the platform, cursing himself for +a fool. The moment the check had left his hands he was angry because he +had allowed circumstances to stampede him. + +He wondered what was getting into him and into politics. + +Was he afraid of mere talk from a demagogue! + +But after he had sat there for a few moments and listened, and had +watched the faces of the delegates, he decided that if five thousand +dollars would stop the mouth of that man he had spent money wisely. +It was borne in upon him that he had spent greater sums many times for +lesser service. + +He saw Richard Dodd and Mullaney circulating among the delegates. He +restrained with difficulty an impulse to rise and shout to them to +hurry. He felt that danger to his program and his political structure +was imminent. Because once again were true eloquence and masterly appeal +winning men. + +All the listeners in the vast hall were as still as death. All eyes were +on this speaker who seemed to be clothing with effective speech all the +hidden convictions of the delegates themselves who had nursed protest +without being able to put it into force. + +Colonel Dodd had seen conventions in similar mood in the old days before +the saddle of party had been as securely cinched as it had been in late +years. + +The chairman of the state committee uttered the colonel's rising fears. +The chairman had lost his sneer and his bumptious confidence. His face +was red, he was sweating, he was staring out over the convention and +snapping his fingers impatiently. + +“Good gad!” he informed those in hearing on the platform, “what kind of +a turn is this thing taking? We have let this convention get away from +us. That chap has got the whole crowd marching to the mourners' bench. +He can wind up by nominating a yellow dog and they'll rise and howl him +into office by acclamation!” + +Farr paused for a moment to give effect to his next words. + +“Such in character, in honest impulse, in honor, in ability, in +devotion, and in God-given nobility must be the man who will lead you. +Has God given such a man to this state? He has!” + +“Yes and the devil has given us Nelson Sinkler to speak for that man!” + +The voice was shrill and agitated and it came from a section of the hall +where the rabid adherents of the machine were massed; it was an amazing +and shocking interruption. + +“I said Nelson Sinkler--that's you!” screamed the voice. + +And on that, from here and there in the hall, like snipers posted in +ambush, men shouted the name “Nelson Sinkler”--the words popping like +rifles. + +There was uproar. Part of it was protest, part hysterical demonstration +of excitement in an assemblage which did not in the least understand. + +Then after a time came quiet, for the object of the attack stood in his +elevated position, unruffled, stern, turning bold front to right and +left as men barked at him. + +“I am here where all may look on me,” he said. “Let one or all of those +who are attacking me stand forth in view, too.” + +No one stood up. + +“It's a cowardly man who will not put his name to a letter or show his +face when he makes an accusation,” cried Farr. + +“How about a man who doesn't dare to use his own name?” This questioner +remained in ambush. + +“Your right name isn't Walker Farr and you know it isn't,” bellowed a +voice on the opposite side of the hall. + +Other voices pot-shotted at him with the words, “Nelson Sinkler.” + +“Will one man in this convention stand up and show himself so that I can +talk to him face to face?” shouted the man at bay. + +Detective Mullaney and Richard Dodd could not find seats. The others +were sitting, and the two were marked men. + +“Well, Dodd, you have been whispering. What have you to say aloud?” + demanded the man they were baiting. + +“I say your name is not Walker Farr.” + +“You!” The tall young man darted a finger at Mullaney. + +“I say you're Nelson Sinkler.” + +“And what of him?” + +“He is wanted by the state of Nebraska for murder.” + +A sound that was mingled sigh and groan ran and throbbed from galleries +to floor; it filled the great hall and seemed to vibrate back and forth +over the assemblage. And for the long minute that the dreadful sound +continued until it had breathed itself out into horrified silence the +man who stood on the settee looked straight into the white face of the +girl in the gallery. + +But those of the throng who devoured him with eager stares could not +discern one trace of confession on his countenance. + +Then he did a strange thing. + +He held his arms out toward Detective Mullaney and crossed them, wrist +over wrist, and he smiled. + +“If you are certain enough of your man to dare to arrest me, sir, I +stand here waiting for the handcuffs.” + +The detective hesitated, visibly embarrassed. He had been looking for +confusion, confession by manner, even collapse. + +“This is a put-up political job,” declared a delegate. “That's no +murderer--that man.” + +“I am waiting,” repeated Farr. + +Detective Mullaney flushed. There were murmurs of hostility in the +throng about him. He ran over swiftly in his mind the contents of his +note-book and fortified his courage. + +“I haven't secured a warrant yet--but I'll take your dare,” he +announced. He started to come down the aisle. + +“Just one moment,” called a stentorian voice in the gallery. “You're +wrong, my man, down there. I don't want to see an innocent person +disgraced in public nor an officer get himself into a scrape. That man +is not Nelson Sinkler.” + +“What are we running here--a state convention or a police court?” + Colonel Dodd demanded, leaping up and grabbing the arm of the presiding +officer. “Order all those men ejected from the hall.” + +But at that moment the convention was not in the control of the +chairman. Irregular as it all was, human nature demanded to be shown +there and then. + +Delegates arose, shouting, and surrounded Farr, making effectual +bulwarks against Mullaney with their bodies. Voices asked the stranger +in the gallery for information, and he motioned the vociferous mob into +silence. + +“I am a United States post-office inspector, and I can easily prove my +identity, gentlemen. I'm here in this convention merely as a spectator, +killing time till my train leaves. But I know Nelson Sinkler because +I arrested him a month or so ago after he had been a fugitive for two +years. He killed a mail clerk. He is now awaiting trial. If that man +down there is arrested as being Nelson Sinkler it will mean a lot of +trouble for somebody.” He sat down. + +“Who are you?” yelled a chorus of the ring's henchmen. They pressed as +near to Farr as his body-guard would permit and shook their fists at +him. + +“I am a man and not a spirit,” he said in the first silence--and +silence came quickly, for they were eager to hear. “You can see that +for yourselves. But just now I am less a man than a _Voice_.” He shouted +that last word. “The Voice calls you to rebuke the kind of politics that +has just been attempted here. You have seen, you have heard! Will you +indorse it by your votes? Will you keep in power that gang that has +attempted it in the desperation of defeat?” + +“No,” the voices of men tumultuously replied. + +Reckless and unjust attack had never tossed a more golden opportunity +into a man's hands. + +“Then come over to the side of decency, my men. Nominate a champion who +will be spotless and unafraid. There is war in this commonwealth instead +of politics. Through one war the great patriot of this state led his +people with high chivalry. For the next governor of this state, in these +trying times, I nominate the son of that patriot--the Honorable Archer +Converse of this city--God bless him!” + +“We're licked,” gasped Colonel Dodd, trying to make the state chairman +hear him, for the roar that rocked the great hall was deafening. “A +boomerang has come back and mowed us flatter than an oven door in +tophet.” + +In the rout, in the retreat--horse, foot and dragoons--crisp orders +were issued and obeyed. The friends of Governor Harwood had only one +resource--it was to save that gentleman's face. His nomination was +withdrawn. + +That convention had run amuck, it was a mass of wild men who were +feeling liberty from oppression for the first time and gloried in their +new and sudden freedom from ring rule. + +Then the delegates who came upon their feet roared the unanimous +nomination of Archer Converse. + +In the gale of that acclaim the opposition uttered no protest; the +delegates who still remained loyal to the machine scowled and kept their +seats. + +Ducking under the tossing arms of men who flung aloft their hats and +cheered with the frenzy of delight that the amazing victory inspired, +Richard Dodd escaped to the rear of the hall and jammed himself into the +press of the spectators. He hid behind a hedge of bodies and then dared +to look at Colonel Dodd's face. The mighty passion which flamed on +the uncle's countenance was revealed to the nephew's gaze even at that +distance. The colonel was at the edge of the platform and was beckoning +imperiously to some one. Young Dodd saw Detective Mullaney work his +way out of the throng which surrounded Walker Farr; the officer was +obviously obeying the summons of Colonel Dodd and marched to the +platform and climbed on a chair in order to converse with the angry man +who had beckoned. + +And when Richard Dodd saw that conference begin overwhelming fear swept +out of his soul all other emotions. He no longer had eyes for that girl +in the gallery. Not even love and the promise she had made availed to +stay him. Panic allowed him no time for planning an excuse or framing a +lie. In playing for the stakes he had exacted he had felt that his uncle +would hold no autopsy on the price of success. But five thousand dollars +plucked from the Dodd pocket by a falsehood for which no excuse could +be offered! And on top of that a crushing defeat which had been made +definite and final by the work which Colonel Dodd had paid for! + +The nephew saw Mullaney shake his head and throw up his hands in appeal +and protest. + +That spectacle made Richard Dodd a fugitive who thought only of saving +himself. He fought his way through the crowd and ran out of the hall. +The thought of facing Symonds Dodd in that crisis or of waiting to be +dragged before the furious tyrant--that thought lashed the traitor into +mad flight. + +He glanced up at the clock in the First National tower. He had three +minutes before the bank's closing time. He controlled his emotions as +best he could and presented the check at the paying-teller's grill. +The money was counted out to him without question, and when he held the +thick packet in his hand he realized still more acutely in what position +he stood in his affairs with Symonds Dodd. + +He rushed to a garage, secured his car, and fled. + +“I tell you I gave my nephew a check for five thousand dollars,” + insisted the colonel. “And the Dodds don't lie to each other!” + +“Then they have begun to do it,” declared Mullaney. “He has +double-crossed the two of us. There was never any talk between us of +more than five hundred for the job.” + +Colonel Dodd hurried into the anteroom and called the bank on the +telephone. “Almighty Herod!” he yelped, when he was informed that the +check had been cashed. He banged the receiver upon its hook. “Even my +own nephew has joined the pack of those damnation wolves!” + +Then with the air of a man recovering from a blow and wondering dizzily +what had struck him, he left the convention hall by a rear door and went +to his office. + +Those whom he passed on his way out made no attempt to stop him, did not +urge him to remain. That convention seemed to be doing very well without +calling upon Colonel Symonds Dodd for help or suggestions. + + + + +XXX + +A GIRL'S IMPULSE + +Herald unofficial, _avant courier_, Mr. Daniel Breed squeezed himself +through the pack of people while they were still cheering the name of +the Honorable Archer Converse. + +“Giving candy to youngsters and good news to grown folks never +made anybody specially unpopular,” Mr. Breed assured himself with +politician's sagacity. + +Therefore, he jog-trotted down to the Converse law-offices and shot +himself into the presence of the estimable gentleman who had remained +aloof from the distracting business of a convention. + +“He's done it,” proclaimed Mr. Breed, making his sentences short and his +message to the point because he was out of breath. + +“Who has done what?” demanded Mr. Converse, with equal crispness. + +“Farr. You're nominated for governor. Acclamation! He's a wiz with his +tongue.” Mr. Breed pursed his little mouth and “sipped” with gusto. +“Some talker! Don't ever tell me that good talk doesn't win when the +right man makes it at the right time.” + +Mr. Converse rose and stood--a rigid statue of consternation and +protest. “Do you mean to come in here and tell me that I have been +nominated by that state convention? Without my sanction? Without my +consent?” + +“Sure thing! Easy work! Played all the tricks. Made believe he was +green. Poked rights and lefts to Harwood's jaw. Had himself paged as +a murderer--at least, I reckon it was his own get-up. It cinched the +thing, anyway. He understands human nature.” + +But Mr. Converse did not in the least understand this talk. “Look here, +Breed, you haven't gone crazy yourself, along with the rest, have you?” + +“Nobody's crazy. People have simply woke up.” + +“I'll be eternally condemned if I--” + +“That's right! You will be if you don't button up your coat and go over +to the hall along with that notification committee that's probably on +the way, give the folks your best bow, and say you'll take the job. +We're some little team when we get started.” + +“You're an infernal steer team, and you have dragged me into a mess of +trouble,” declared Mr. Converse, with venom. + +“Glad you're in,” retorted the imperturbable Breed. “A man needs more or +less trouble so as to round himself out; I've been having some troubles +of my own. Whatever job you give me after you're elected, don't put me +back with them stuffed animals. Harwood made his mistake right there!” + +“It has begun already, has it?” asked Converse, indignantly. +“Office-seekers at it?” + +“Sure thing!” responded Mr. Breed, amiably. “When you cool down you'll +remember that I got to you first with the good news.” + +Five minutes later the Honorable Archer Converse, muttering, but more +calm, was marching toward the convention hall in the company of a proud +committee of notification. + +He walked out upon the platform and waited for the wild tumult of +greeting to subside, and while he waited he searched the assemblage with +stern scrutiny to find the face of Walker Farr. + +But that young worker of miracles was not in evidence. + +He had risen with the others when the band began to blare the music +which signaled the approach of the nominee. + +Once more he turned his gaze toward the girl in the gallery. + +There was nothing in his demeanor to suggest that he had been a victor. +His face was white, and after his eyes had held hers for a long time +he gave her a wistful little smile which expressed regret, sorrow, +renunciation, rather than pride. She no longer wondered at the interest +she felt in this man; she knew that she loved him. She was able to own +that truth to herself, and to view it calmly because she had made her +promise to Richard Dodd and was resolved to keep it. That determination +made of this love a precious possession that she could put away for ever +out of the sight of all the world. Such a poor, meager, little story of +love it was! A few meetings--a hand-touch--a word or two. + +There in that packed forum had been their only real love-making. Over +the heads of angry men they had told each other with their eyes. There +was no misunderstanding on the part of either. Both knew the truth. + +And yet, after he had told her, this enigma of a man bowed his head and +edged his way to the door, moving unobtrusively through the press of +humanity, taking advantage of the confusion which marked the entrance of +Archer Converse. + +Impulse goaded Kate Kilgour at that moment. She did not reason or +reflect. Something in the air of this man told her that sorrow instead +of triumph was dominating him; his whole demeanor had said “Farewell” + when he had turned from her. The instinct of the woman who loves and +longs to comfort the object of that affection drove her out of the hall, +and she followed him--ashamed, marveling at herself, searching her soul +for words with which to excuse her madness, should he turn and behold +her. + +But the autumn dusk was early and she was grateful because it shrouded +her. + +Farr, leaving the din of the convention, going forth alone, looked more +like the vanquished than the victor. He walked slowly, his head was +lowered, and he turned off the Boulevard at once, seeking deserted +streets which led him down toward the big mills. + +Their myriad lights shone from dusty windows, row upon row, and the +staccato chatter of the looms sounded ceaselessly. + +Farr climbed the fence where old Etienne was everlastingly raking. The +young man had not seen much of the old rack-tender for some weeks, and +now he greeted Etienne rather curtly as he passed on his way to the +tree. But Etienne seemed to understand. + +“Ah, I will not talk, m'sieu'. I will not bodder you. I hear how much +you have work and run about, and you must be very tire.” + +There was a crackle of autumn chill in the air, but Farr took off his +hat and sat down and leaned his head against the tree. He closed his +eyes. One might have thought that he wished to sleep. + +When the rack-tender made his next turn toward the street he saw a woman +at the fence, and as he peered she beckoned to him. He went close and +saw it was the pretty lady to whom he had told the story of Rosemarie. +She trembled as she clutched the top of the high fence, and when she +spoke to him he understood that she was very near to tears. + +“Is there not some way--some gate by which I may come in?” she pleaded. + +“That is not allow, ma'm'selle. It is trespass.” + +“But I want to speak--to--tell him--We can talk over there beside the +tree and will not be heard. It is to Mr. Farr I wish to speak. I saw +him when he climbed the fence.” She hurried her appeal with pitiful +eagerness. + +“Ah yes, I have one little gate for maself--for my frien'--for hees +frien', ma'm'selle. I will break the rule. You shall come in.” + +She went softly and stood before Farr for some minutes before he opened +his eyes. + +Then he looked up and saw her and he did not speak. He seemed to accept +her presence as a natural matter. She was clasping her hands tightly to +steady herself. His calm demeanor helped her. + +“I don't know why I came here,” she murmured. + +“I know. It's because you are sorry for me.” + +“But I followed you. I dared to do that. I don't know why. I haven't the +words--I can't explain.” + +“I understand. You wondered why I came away from the convention. You +want to ask me why.” + +“Yes, that's it. I am interested in the fight. I have left the office +where so many bad things were planned.” + +“I know. It was good of you to warn me.” + +“And now I am afraid you are in trouble.” + +“I am.” + +“But you have many good friends now, sir.” + +“I fear they cannot help me. When I left that hall I tried to tell you +with my eyes that I was going away.” + +“I--I think I understood,” she stammered. “It was wrong--it was +folly--but I followed you without knowing why I did so.” + +“I am glad you did. I can say farewell to you here.” + +“But you must not go away, Mr. Farr. You are needed.” + +“I am going because I can best help the work in that way. If I stay here +I may be the cause of great harm.” + +“I cannot understand.” + +“I do not want you to understand.” + +“Why?” + +“It is a matter which concerns others besides myself.” + +“Does Mr. Converse know that you are going away?” + +“I shall tell him to-night before I leave town.” + +“He will not allow you to do.” + +“Yes--he will,” the young man returned, quietly. + +There was a long silence. + +“Coming here--following you--it was a mad thing for me to do,” said the +girl, still striving to find explanation for her act. “But I have had so +much trouble in my own life--I am sorry for others who are in trouble. I +want to tell you that I am sorry.” + +“I understand,” he repeated. + +Another period of silence followed. + +“That is all,” said the girl. “I only wanted to tell you what a grand +battle you won to-day--and then I saw your face there in the hall and +I knew that you did not want praise--you wanted somebody to say to you, +'I'm sorry.'” She dwelt upon the word which expressed her sympathy, +putting all her heart into her voice. “And now I'll be going,” she said, +“and I hope you understand and will forgive me.” + +Farr had been sitting with head against the trunk of the tree. When he +had started to rise she requested him to remain seated. Now he stood up +so quickly that she gasped. She was plainly still less at ease when he +stood and came close to her. + +“Wait a moment. You think that I am a very strange sort of man, do you +not?” + +She was silent. + +“You need not answer--it doesn't need answer. You naturally must think +that. You met me when I was a vagrant. You have seen me selling ice from +a cart-tail. But--I will be very frank, for this is a time which demands +frankness--you have seen me in other circumstances which have been a +bit more creditable. You do not know who I am or what to make of me. But +with all your heart and soul you know that I love you,” he declared, his +tones low and tense and thrilling. “That love has needed no words. It +has been strange love-making. Wait! This isn't going to be what you +think. If I were simply going to say I love you I would have said it to +you long ago--I am not a coward--and I had seen the one mate of all the +world; I knew it when I saw you in the dust of the long highway. And +after you went on I picked a rose beside the way, and the ashes of that +rose are in my pocket now. I called you the little sister of the rose +and plodded along after you, playing with a dream. And I threw the rose +away after I saw you in the woods with your lover--and understood. But I +went back and hunted on my knees for your sister. I didn't intend to say +any of this to you. For it is of no use.” + +“No; I am promised to Richard Dodd,” she sobbed. + +“If that was all that stood between us I'd reach now and take you in my +arms,” he said, with bitterness. + +“It is more than a mere promise--he owns me--it was bargain and +sale--it's sacrifice--for--But I must not tell you.” She went to the +tree and put her forehead on her crossed arms and wept with a child's +pitiful abandon. He came close and put tender hand upon her shoulder. + +“Sacrifice, little sister of the rose! Then there is another bond +between us! Sacrifice! My God! the curse that is sometimes put upon the +innocent!” He put the tip of his forefinger under her chin and lifted +her face from her arms. “I haven't any right to tell you that I love +you. I must march on. I cannot even explain to you why I cannot take you +in my arms and plead for your love.” + +Her eyes told him what answer his pleading would win, and he trembled +and stepped away from her. + +“Since it can never be,” she said, brokenly, “you may as well know +that I--that I do--I couldn't help it. I am forward--I am bold--it +is shameless--but I never loved anybody before.” She put out both her +hands, and he took them. + +Old Etienne dragged doggedly at his work, his lantern lighting his toil. +The looms clacked behind the dusty windows which splashed their radiance +upon the gloom. + +“It is a bit strange that now another wonderful but bitter experience +should come into my life on this spot where we are standing,” he told +her. He spoke quietly, trying to calm her; striving to crowd back his +own emotions. “I guess fate picked this spot as the right place for us +to say farewell to each other. I stood here one day and saw old Etienne +draw a dead woman to the surface of the water, and I found a letter in +her breast and I took her key and went and found little Rosemarie.” + +She stared at him, her eyes very wide in the darkness. + +“And that dead woman--she was the mother of the little girl?” + +“Yes, a poor weaver that the mills had broken. And Rosemarie and I sat +all night under this tree. It is too long a story for you now. No matter +about that, but I--” + +“I know about Rosemarie,” she confessed. + +“And my heart opened and something new came into it, little sister of +the rose. And now on this spot I stand, and all joy and hope and love +are dead for me when I give back to you these dear little hands.” + +She was still staring at him. + +“But I must not--I dare not speak of it,” he proceeded. His grasp grew +tense. “See how I am trying to be calm? I will not loose my grip on +myself. Our doom was written for us by other hands, dear heart. When it +was summer I walked here with Rosemarie and play-mamma. Now it is autumn +and--” + +“Play-mamma!” she gasped. + +“Yes, a dear, good girl who worked hard in the mill and who was very +good to our Rosemarie; I was making poor shifts at buying a little +girl's clothes, and Zelie Dionne was wise in those matters and was busy +with her needle.” + +“I hope you been excuse me,” broke in old Etienne. “I overheard the name +of Zelie Dionne, but I don't mean to listen. I have some good news for +you, M'sieu' Farr, what you don't hear because you ain't been on this +place for long time. And it is not good news for you, ma'm'selle, for +now you can't get acquaint with very nice Canadian girl. The big beau +Jean have come down here from Tadousac and now he own nice farm and they +will get marry and be very happy up in the habitant country.” + +“Thank God, there's some happiness in this world,” said Farr. “She is a +good girl.” + +There was almost joy on Kate Kilgour's face when she looked up at Farr. + +Her god had been restored to his pedestal. + +“Farewell,” he said at the little gate through which she had stepped +into the street. + +“No,” she cried as she turned and hurried away; “I'll not say it--not +now!” And he wondered because there was joy in her tones. + + + + +XXXI + +THE MASK OF CYNICISM + +Old Etienne came to the gate with his lantern; the big turbines were +stilling their rumble and growl in the deep pits and his day's work was +ended. + +“P'r'aps you may walk to Mother Maillet's with me and say the good word +to Jean from Tadousac and to Zelie Dionne, who is now so very glad,” + suggested the old man, humbly. “The good priest he marry them very soon +and they will go home.” + +“Yes, I will go, Etienne. I can say good-by there to you and to Miss +Dionne.” + +“So you go visit some place, eh, after your hard work? That will be very +good for you, M'sieu' Farr. You shall come back much rest up and then +you will show the poor folks how you will help them some more.” + +“I shall not come back--I am going away to stay.” + +“But you promise under the big light at the _hotel de ville_--I hear you +promise that you will stay,” protested the old man. + +“My work is finished.” + +“That is not so, M'sieu' Farr. For many men come to talk to me over the +fence since I stand up in the big hall. They are wiser than such a fool +as I am. They say that you have just begin to do great things for the +poor folks. You shall take the water-pipes away from the men who have +poison them. Ah, that is what they say. I do not understand, but they +say it shall be so.” + +“Other men can do it,” said Farr, curtly. + +“And yet you will come back--when?” The old man was struggling with his +bewilderment and doubt. + +“Never.” + +He understood how he was hurting that old man, but bitterness and +hopelessness were crowding all tender feelings out of Farr at that +moment. Once more he put on the mask of cynicism. He feared to show +anybody the depths of his soul. + +In the good woman's little sitting-room they found Zelie Dionne. + +“I have stopped in to say good-by, Miss Zelie. I am going away. I'm +sorry that the grand young man from Tadousac is not here.” + +“He comes to sit with me in the evening. You shall wait and see him.” + +“No, I must hurry on.” + +“I have been reading about you.” She tapped the newspaper in her hand. +“The boy just passed, crying the news. It is very wonderful what you +have done. Now you will be the great man. But I knew all the time that +you were much more than you seemed to be.” + +“However, you don't seem to understand me just now,” he declared. “I am +going away from this city--from this state. I am going to stay away.” + +“_Oui_, he have say that thing to me,” said old Etienne, brokenly. “And +I do not understand.” + +“And _I_ do not understand.” + +“I'm tired--put it that way.” + +“Ah no, that is not it.” + +“Well, I am more or less of a sneak and a quitter when it comes to a +pinch. I don't want you two good folks to feel sorry about me. Forget +me. That will be the best way. I hope you will be very happy in +Tadousac, Miss Zelie.” + +“I hoped we were better friends,” she said simply. “I am very sad to +find you do not trust us.” + +“Oh, I'm selfish--that's it. Remember me as a selfish man who was tired +and ran away.” + +“We have talked about you, Uncle Etienne and I, and we have never said +that you are selfish.” + +“That shows you don't know me,” said Farr, roughly. + +“But we know what you have done,” insisted the old man, with patient +confidence. “For what you say you shall not do we do not care about +that. For we have seen what you have done--ah, we know about that and +care about it very much. You are wiser than we are, and if you say you +must go we can only look at you very sad and bow the head. I wish I had +some language so to tell you how very sorry! But the Yankee words--I +know not those which tell how sorry I shall be. It is not much I can do +for the poor little childs--only whittle and save pennies for the fresh +air.” + +Another man, another tone, might have put rebuke, indirectly, into those +words. But old Etienne, rasping his hard palms nervously, was merely +vowing himself to sacrifice because there was no one else left to do so. +Farr understood and was softened. + +“And now I must go to the bed for my sleep, because the rack must be +cleared before the wheel start to go roompy-roomp in the big pit asking +for its water.” He was showing nervousness, haste, his voice trembled; +he staggered when he lifted himself out of his chair. + +“You'd better say good-by to me now,” said Farr, rising with the old +man. “It's a good night under the stars. I shall probably be far out on +the road by daylight.” + +“Good-bye,” muttered old Etienne, fumbling his hat and bowing. + +“But aren't you going to say something else to me--say you're sorry to +have me go?” demanded the young man. “We have been close together in +some things we shall never forget.” + +“I have told you. I cannot say how sorry.” The old man's voice was +little more than a husky whisper. + +“I like you, Uncle Etienne. I want you to know it. You are an old +saint.” He put out his hand, but the rack-tender turned and hurried to +the door. “Not take my hand?” cried Farr. “Am I as much of a traitor as +all that?” + +“Oh, I cannot speak! I have no word,” wailed the old man from the gloom +in the street. His voice rose in shrill, cracked tones. He began to weep +aloud. He had been restraining his feelings with all the strength of his +will since Farr had announced his intentions. His departure was flight. +He began to run away down the sidewalk. “Saint Joseph, guard my tongue!” + he gasped over and over. “I'll go very fast so that I not say it, for I +am only old Pickaroon, and he is fine gentlemans!” He continued to weep +broken-heartedly. + +“Mr. Farr, he was afraid he would tell you how much he loved you--afraid +that you would be insulted if he presumed to tell you of it.” + +“I don't think I just understand that,” commented Farr, staring into the +night, peering to get another glimpse of Etienne. + +“I understand!” said the girl. “It would be too bad for you to go away +and think that at parting he was not polite to you. I would not like to +have you suppose that fault is in one from Tadousac. He has told me. If +you will not follow him and frighten him by saying that you know it, I +will tell you.” + +“I will not follow him. Probably I shall never see him again.” + +“It may be a bit hard for you to understand, for you do not know the +French nature, perhaps. But since little Rosemarie went away for ever he +has loved you. You made something more of him than the old rack-tender +when you took him into partnership. When you made him your friend +before all the big men at the City Hall something bloomed in him, +m'sieu'--something that before had been only a withered bud! Ah, you +think I am fanciful? Very well! I cannot think how to say it any other +way. You are a token for him from little Rosemarie who has gone away; +you are friend, you are son, you are in his eyes destined savior of +these poor people.” + +“I am glad I am going away. I would hate to betray such childlike faith. +Good-by, Miss Zelie!” + +He heard her call to him when he was in the street. He turned and +halted and saw her slim, white figure at the gate, and he stepped back +half-way. + +She was girlish sympathy incarnate, and his troubled, hungry, +self-accusatory soul caught the radiation of that womanly solace. + +“It's not what you say to me you are,” she said, her breath coming fast, +her tones low. “It's what I know you are! That you will be when at last +you shall come to yourself. I do not care what you say. I shall not +remember! To the world--to me--to poor Etienne, just now, you lied about +yourself, M'sieu' Farr--about your real self. But you did not lie to +a little girl when she asked you to show your true self to her. Of +yourself--with little Rosemarie--that shall I remember!” + +“I thank you,” he said, gratefully. + +“Some day some woman will love you,” she continued. “And when you are +sure that she does love you, then you will tell her your troubles and +she will know what to say to make things right for you. For that is the +mission of good women. They understand how to listen and how to help the +men they love. You shall see!” She hurried into the house. + +Farr was promptly admitted when he presented himself at the door of +Archer Converse's residence, and he was conducted to that gentleman's +library, and came face to face with his patron, whom he found sitting +very erect in a high-backed chair. + +“I have been waiting for you, sir,” said Converse. + +“I expected that you would be waiting, sir.” + +“Be seated.” + +“I will stand, if you please. I have only a few words to say.” + +“Then your nature must have changed very suddenly,” said the lawyer, +dryly. “Or did you pump your reservoir dry of language when you put my +name in nomination to-day?” + +Farr bowed without reply. + +“I hear that speech commended very highly. Among opportunists you +deserve high rank, Mr. Farr. You have tipped a state upside down very +effectively, and I am upside down along with the rest.” + +“I will stand here very patiently, sir, and take my punishment. As +between ourselves, I had no right to do what I did to-day without +consulting you. As regards conditions in the state, I had a right to +seize that opportunity and give to the people a man who can be depended +on. I did so. Go ahead, now, Mr. Converse!” + +To the young man's surprise, the nominee arose and came to him with +hand outstretched. A smile broke through the grimness of the lawyer's +countenance. “I have accepted a public trust with pride, I am obeying my +plain duty with satisfaction, and I shall work to be elected with all my +might. Otherwise I wouldn't be the son of my father. My boy, I have had +a talk with Citizen Drew to-day. He told me about your idea of kicking +honest men into politics. I want you to understand that I thank you +heartily because you have kicked me in. I'm going to swim!” + +“'Then God's in His Heaven and the world's all right,'” declared Farr. + +The lawyer's quizzical and searching gaze was rather disquieting; the +young man had found Converse eyeing him with peculiar interest during +their meetings in the recent past. Now Converse bestowed particularly +intent scrutiny on his caller. + +“I feel that I have done my work, sir,” Farr hastened to say, anxious +to terminate this interview. “I am going away--out of the state. I shall +not return.” + +Mr. Converse did not break out into protest. He eyed Farr more closely. +Then he reached a button and turned on the full light of the chandelier. +“You have a good reason for deserting just when you are most needed, I +presume, sir?” + +“I have. It is a reason which especially concerns the success of the +legislation which we have discussed. If I stay I shall hamper you.” + +“I will ask you to stand where you are for a few minutes, sir,” said the +lawyer, commanding rather than requesting. He went to a cabinet and drew +forth a package. He brought that packet to the table and began to sort +photographs. + +He selected one, regarded it with careful gaze, and shifted his eyes to +the young man's face. + +“Um!” he commented, with judicial tone. “Now--suppose you tell me--just +how your continued presence in this state will hamper me”--he paused; he +drawled the next words, emphasizing them--“Mr. Bristol!” + +Farr had begun nervous retreat when the lawyer had begun comparison of +the living features with the photograph. It was plain that he feared +rather than understood. + +“Hold on, there!” shouted the investigator. “You may as well stay and +settle this matter, Bristol. You look at this picture! You recognize it, +do you? If you are in any doubt I'll inform you that it's a picture of +your father when he and I were in law-school together.” + +“I deny any relationship to that man.” + +“Your tone and your manner convict you, my boy. I jumped you with that +name purposely. I am no fool when it comes to examining a witness. When +I first laid eyes on you I thought I had seen you, yourself, somewhere, +and I have been puzzling my brains. Then it occurred to me that I had +known in my youth a fellow who looked like you. You're the son of your +father, all right. Don't stultify yourself by lying to me. You are +Morgan Bristol's boy! Hah?” + +“I am,” confessed the young man, with resignation. + +“What is your first name?” + +“Thornton.” + +“Sit down, Thornton!” + +The visitor obeyed. + +“What have you done that you're ashamed of, my boy?” + +“I cannot tell you,” said Bristol, firmly. + +“Oh, but you're going to,” insisted the lawyer, with just as +much firmness. “You are now retaining me as your attorney and +counsel--whether you know it or not. And when a man talks to his lawyer +and tells the truth it's no betrayal of confidence. Out with it!” + +“There's nothing to be done, Mr. Converse.” + +“There's always something which can be done when a man is in trouble. +You are Morgan Bristol's son. I was in school with your father. He went +West and settled. Is he alive?” + +“I think so.” + +“How is it that you don't know?” + +Mr. Converse settled himself into the tone and pose of the +cross-examiner. + +“I have been a vagrant, hiding myself in the highways and byways of this +country, for a long time.” + +“What happened to drive you out like that?” + +“Right there, Mr. Converse, is where I must halt. It is a family matter. +I cannot go into it.” + +“Look here, Thornton, you are in trouble. If you are in trouble, so is +your father. He has lost a boy! You can tell me now what it's all about, +or I'll drop my affairs and go and hunt up Morgan Bristol and ask him +about it. You may just as well save me all that time and trouble. You're +a lawyer, yourself--I know it.” + +“Yes.” + +“And you're a good one and know our code when it comes to secrets. I am +not asking you to expose a family skeleton--I'm demanding that you treat +me as your attorney and trust to my discretion. You are in trouble and +need a helper, and, by gad! you have got to take me into this thing.” + +Thornton Bristol set his elbows on his knees and clutched his shaking +fingers into his hair. + +“I have been meaning to keep it all to myself, sir,” he stammered. + +“Quite likely. You have done mighty well at it, I should judge. But you +know that any man who acts as his own lawyer usually does a mighty poor +job. He lacks perspective.” + +Bristol did not reply. + +“I have been studying you a little since I have known you,” the lawyer +went on. “You are a very strange mixture, my boy. I much fear that in +some things in this life you are too quixotic in your views. We had a +case here in town--a man named Andrew Kilgour--” + +“I have heard about that man, sir.” + +“Thornton, from what glimpses I have had of your nature, I'm going to +tell you here and now that you are covering somebody else's fault. You +are no coward. You would face your own delinquency just as bravely as +you came here and faced me to-night. Now, what did your father do?” + +“Speculated with trust funds of estates.” + +“Old story, eh? Too bad, Morgan. I liked you when you were young.” + +“But I want you to understand it,” cried the son. “It is hard for me to +talk about it, sir, but it isn't exactly the old story. My father was +too indulgent where I was concerned. He tried to do more for me than he +could afford. He didn't tell me the truth about his affairs--I supposed +he was a rich man. I always had everything that money could furnish. +When he found that I was interested in the law he sent me to schools at +home and abroad and ordered me to take my time and go to the bottom of +all.” + +“Well, I reckon you did,” stated Converse. “If ever I saw a chap with +the true legal mind you have it, polished and pointed. You came into +this state and saw a solution for a problem which has blocked us for +twenty-five years. It's good law! And we will have a legislature that +will pass it. But when did you find out that your father had taken other +folks' money?” + +“I came home and insisted on going to work in the office. Then he told +me. The settlement was due and had been called for. He was obliged to +tell me. And he tried to convince me that he had not taken the money for +my sake. He was willing to appear in my eyes a thief without excuse. But +I knew. I had selfishly accepted it all without thought--and only half +grateful. Young men are thoughtless, sir.” + +“Your father seems to have been quixotic after his own fashion, +Thornton. I think I remember some of his traits when he was in school. +But as old Hard-Times Brewster used to say, 'We are all poor, queer +critters and some be queerer than the others!' So you were a little +queerer than your father, eh, and tried to square matters by a worse +piece of folly?” + +“It may have been folly. Perhaps it was. But I did not stop to argue or +reason. That money had been spent on me. I accepted the blame. I said +nothing to my father. I wrote letters to the persons who had lost. I +told them that I had taken the money as my father's agent--without his +knowledge. I said I had deceived him as well as them. And then, so +that I might not perjure myself on the witness-stand or have the truth +gimleted out of me by lawyers, I put on rags and hid myself among the +thousands who trudge the highways and ride the trusses of freight-cars. +And no one has come to me and put heavy hand on my shoulder and said, 'I +want you!' But some one will come if I remain here. I am going to hide +myself again.” + +“I say it has all been a piece of folly,” insisted Converse. “Dear +folly! Yes, almost noble folly! But it must end, my boy. I suppose +your father is back there toiling to repay those men from whom he took +money.” + +“I suppose so, Mr. Converse. But he has not been disgraced in the eyes +of the public.” + +“There's where your noble folly has made its mistake. You have doubled +his grief, Thornton. Just sit there a moment and ponder. You will +understand what I mean.” + +“I have understood--I have pondered--but I have not had the courage to +go back. At least, they could not say to him that his son was in prison. +He has escaped that grief.” + +“And has endured a heavier one, my boy. I'm afraid you're a poor +counselor in your own affairs.” He came across the room to Bristol and +slapped the bowed shoulder. “Now you have found a better one. I have +taken your case.” + +The young man looked up into the kindly features of his adviser and was +only half convinced. + +“Don't you realize how easy it will be for you to make money from +this time on? You don't? Well, let me tell you. As soon as you can be +admitted to the bar in this state I'm going to make you my law partner. +Hold on! I'm doing you no especial favor--I'm putting into my office a +man who had the legal acumen to devise a plan to break the unholy clutch +of plunderers who have had this state by the throat for a quarter of a +century. I'm simply grabbing you before somebody else gets you. I expect +to be governor of this state, and I want my law business looked after +by a man who is able to keep up the reputation of the firm. But first of +all, my boy, you and I are going back to your home. I think you'll find +me a fairly good lawyer in straightening out tangles. I'll know just how +to talk to those folks out there. And then you're coming back here with +me and face this state as yourself and help me fight the legislation +we want put through to enactment--and be damned to 'em!” He put his arm +about the young man's shoulders and drew him to his feet. “It has been +a hard day for you, my boy. There are some hard things ahead of you. You +must go to bed. The morning will bring comfort and good counsel.” + +But when Bristol started toward the door Converse restrained him gently +and led him toward the stairs which led up from the big vestibule. + +“You're home, my boy--right here--you're home here from this time on! +This is your other home until your father needs you more than I do. +I have been pretty lonely in this house for a good many years without +realizing just what was the matter with me.” + +“After all, you have only my word for what I am and what I have done,” + expostulated Bristol. + +“Oh no, I have the evidence of my eyes and ears and my own common +sense.” + +Bristol pressed the hand stretched forth to him. + +“I'm not going to talk to you any more to-night,” stated the host, +when they were on the upper landing. “It will all seem different in the +morning. It's going to be all right after this, Thornton. I'm sorry I +haven't a wife. A woman understands how to listen to troubles better +than a man. Is your mother alive?” + +“No, Mr. Converse.” + +“I might have known that. You would not have allowed a mother to +suffer--your folly would never have gone so far. You would have been +home long before this. Ah, well, my boy, some woman will know how to +comfort you some day for all you have endured. Good night!” + +The young man knew that Zelie Dionne had been right in what she said; he +did not require the added opinion of the state's most eminent lawyer. + + + + +XXXII + +THE DEBT + +Colonel Symonds Dodd sat at his desk in the First National block and +clutched helplessly at the dragging ends of events. He failed to get +firm hold on anything and irefully informed Judge Warren that the whole +situation was a “damnation nightmare.” + +“Well,” affirmed the judge, who had been pricked in his legal pride +by his master's tongue, “the Consolidated has eaten some pretty hearty +meals. It's no wonder it is having bad dreams right now.” + +“You're squatting down like an old rooster in a dust-heap,” raged +the colonel, too angry to be choice in his language. “You, a +twenty-five-thousand-dollar lawyer, come in here to me and say that you +can't block the confiscatory scheme of a bounder--a nobody--a black-leg +stranger in this state!” + +“I'll carry on the fight if you order me to do so,” said the corporation +lawyer. “That's my business. We can lobby in the next legislature. We +can fight the laws that Archer Converse's legislature is bound to +pass, for they're after us, Colonel Dodd. We can carry the thing to +the highest tribunal--and then we can fight the appraisals on every +water-plant in the state, but--” + +“Well, but what?” + +“One by one they'll pry loose every finger we have got hooked on to our +proposition. I have submitted that water-district plan to the acid test, +Colonel. It was my duty to do it. A lawyer must keep cool while his +bosses curse and disparage. I have the opinions of the law departments +of three leading colleges on the scheme. They all say that such a +plan, if properly safeguarded by constitutional law, will get by every +blockade we can erect. Now if you want to spend money I'll help you +spend all you care to appropriate,” concluded the judge, grimly. + +“We'll fight,” was the dictum of the master. + +“Then I take it that you have definitely decided to give up your +political control, Colonel! A certain amount of popularity is needed to +cinch any man in politics. You're going to be the most unpopular man in +this state if you start in to fight every town and city simply for the +purpose of piling up costs and clubbing them away from their own as long +as you have the muscle to do it.” + +“I don't care about politics--politics has gone to the devil in this +state already. They'll get tired of chasing fox-fires through a swamp +following after such lah-de-dahs as Arch Converse, and will come back +and be good. I'll wait for 'em to come back. But in the mean time I'm +going to have the courts say whether our property can be confiscated. +I'll take a few pelts while they're trying it on!” + +Judge Warren bowed stiffly and retired from the interview. + +Day after day passed and Colonel Dodd was more than ever convinced that +the nightmare was continuing. Politicians agreed with him--all of them +with amazement, many of them with wrath. + +Because the Honorable Archer Converse and the man who had called himself +Walker Farr had dropped completely out of sight, leaving no explanation +of any sort. + +“They didn't even tell _me_,” confessed Daniel Breed, “and I'm their +chief fugler, and here's the November election right plunk on top of +us--and even the Apostle Paul would have to do at least four weeks of +spry campaigning in this state to be sure of being elected if a state +committee was getting ready to lay down on him like ours seems to be +doing. I'm jogafferbasted. I can't express myself no other way.” + +Mr. Breed, in moments of especial anxiety and despondency when he +reviewed the situation, darkly hinted that the grand jury ought to look +into the thing. The Consolidated had done about everything up to date +except assassinate and abduct, he averred, and everybody knew Colonel +Dodd's present state of mind. + +However, Colonel Dodd did receive Miss Kate Kilgour politely when she +came to him; he had always held her in estimation next to the bouquets +in his office. + +“I have come to you,” she explained, “because I could not get the +information anywhere else. I have tried. I do not want to bother you, +sir.” + +The girl was pitifully broken, her voice trembled. + +“Well, well, what is it?” he demanded, impatiently, and yet with a touch +of kindly tolerance. “You needn't be afraid of me even if you did leave +me in hop-and-jump style, Miss Kilgour.” + +“Where is your nephew, Richard?” + +And then, in spite of his assuring statement, Miss Kilgour _was_ afraid +of him. + +His square face was suffused with red, he thwacked his fist on his +desk and leaped out of his chair and stamped away from her, cursing +viciously. + +“Who sent you here to ask me that question?” he shouted, advancing on +her from the window. + +“It's my own business--I came on my own account,” she stammered. + +“How comes it to be your business, miss?” + +“I gave him my promise to marry him.” + +“If you did you made a devil of a mistake; I can tell you that, young +woman!” + +“I realize it, Colonel Dodd. I want to know where he is. I want to take +back that promise.” + +He controlled himself and stared at her. “Take my advice and consider +your contract with Richard Dodd annulled--for good and sufficient +reasons, Miss Kilgour. I don't want to say any more. I can't say any +more. This thing touches me on a sore spot. Don't be afraid. I'm not +angry at you. But just forget that fellow and go on about your own +business.” + +“I will do so, Colonel Dodd, after I have settled certain business with +him.” + +“What business?” + +“I cannot tell you.” + +“You'll have to tell me,” he insisted, roughly. “I'm now engaged in +looking into my nephew's affairs. I want all the information I can get.” + +“I can only ask you--implore you to tell me where he is.” + +“I'd like to know, myself,” he retorted, bluntly. “I'd give considerable +to know. You needn't look at me as if you think I'm lying! Now you may +as well be frank with me, Miss Kilgour. I'm going to be frank with you. +I have always found you to be a young woman of prudence and caution. +I'll take a chance and tell you something which I have been keeping +to myself. I want you to know why you needn't feel bound to keep any +promise you have made to my nephew. He has played a despicable trick on +me, his own uncle, after all the help I have given him. He practically +stole five thousand dollars from me and has run away, and I don't know +where he is. Now, what have you to tell me?” + +“I want to put this in his hands, sir.” She produced a packet, at which +the colonel peered with curiosity. “You will certainly find out where he +is. I want you to give it to him.” + +“Oh, love-letters, eh?” + +“No, sir!” + +With shaking fingers she untied the cord and displayed the contents. The +packet was money, many bills stacked neatly, and the size of the bundle +made the colonel open his eyes very wide. + +“We--I--we owe it to him, sir. There are five thousand dollars here.” + +“So that's what he did with my money, eh? Well, I'll take it.” + +“I don't think it is your money, Colonel Dodd. I have good reason to +feel sure that it is not. I have not seen your nephew since the day +of the convention, and then only at a distance. And this money--it was +borrowed a long time ago.” + +“Borrowed by whom--by you?” + +“No, sir. I cannot tell you the circumstances. I simply want you to give +it back to him. I shall feel that I am released from my obligation.” + +“Look here, my dear young woman,” said the colonel, with all his +masterful firmness, “there are going to be no more riddles here. You +must tell me the truth. I must have it--hear? Otherwise I shall take +steps to make you tell--and that may not be as confidential as a chat +here with me. I propose to know about my nephew's affairs, I inform you +once again!” + +“My mother borrowed this money from him. She was in trouble. He helped +her.” + +“Your mother needs a guardian. I beg your pardon! But I thought she had +had her lesson once before in her life. So my nephew loaned money to +your mother! Where did he get that money?” + +“I do not--” + +“Hold on! Wait before you say that, Miss Kilgour. I'll not endure +falsehoods from anybody just now. I have been lied to too much lately. +This is a matter of my own nephew. I command you to tell me the truth.” + +She hesitated a long time, her countenance expressing her agony. “I +haven't any right to betray him, sir.” + +“He did not get five thousand dollars by any honest means. The +reputation of the family is in jeopardy just now, Miss Kilgour. I want +to protect it for my own sake. He confessed to you, didn't he?” + +“Yes.” + +“I can better understand your sense of obligation now. When a man +commits a crime for a woman she gets some fool notions into her head +about standing by him. I know my nephew's extravagances, Miss Kilgour. +He had to steal to get five thousand dollars for your mother. There is +just one handy place where he could steal. He took that money from the +state treasury. He has told you so. Am I not right?” + +“Yes.” + +Colonel Dodd turned his back on her and looked up at his bouquets. + +Perspiration streaked his thick neck. His jowls trembled. She pitied +this man, even in her own tribulation. She had never seen him moved +before. + +“How did you get this money, Miss Kilgour?” he asked, after a time, his +voice very low. + +“Must I tell you?” + +“Certainly. We are going to the bottom of this thing.” + +“I received a little legacy from my aunt a few years ago--I had put it +away in the bank. I had saved some money from the wages I got here. +My mother--I am sorry to say that she has been vain and extravagant, +sir--she had wasted money on jewels and dress, and now she has sold +everything. We have disposed of all our furniture and have gone to board +in a very cheap place. I have been able to make out the amount of the +debt. Here it is!” She placed it on his desk beside the flabby hand +which lay there. + +He did not speak for a long time. “I am sorry for you,” he said at last. +“This is a wicked thing. But I know better than to tell you to keep this +money.” + +“Thank you,” she said, quietly. “I know you understand!” + +“I will put it in the place where it belongs. That's all!” + +And when he kept his broad back to her she went out of the office, her +feet making no sound on the thick carpet. + + + + +XXXIII + +ALL THE WORLD OUTSIDE + +A good lawyer can accomplish much when men are willing to listen to +reason and to accept the proffer of reparation! + +“All going to show,” declared the Honorable Archer Converse to his +young protege, after they had parted at last from Morgan Bristol in the +Western city, “that a thistle doesn't hurt much, after all, if you grab +it with all your might and vim. We have found honest gentlemen here, +thank God! It has been made plain to me, my boy, that they all knew you +better than you knew yourself and that's why they waited so patiently. +But, oh, that folly of yours!” However, he patted Thornton Bristol's +shoulder when he said it. “It's a good thing for a young man to have a +healthy debt when he starts out--a debt that's a joy to pay. Just look +on it as an incentive, boy! You simply mortgaged your future!” + +“I am glad that I have been called on to pay for what I wasted,” + declared Bristol. “And I am not sorry, Mr. Converse, that my folly led +me out into the byways of this world. I'll know how to appreciate the +rest of life more highly.” + +“Needs a hot fire to make good steel--that's so,” agreed his mentor. +“And speaking of fire--I reckon we're going to find it almighty hot when +we get back to the place where we're expected. Now that we're leaving +affairs all serene behind us, you must let me do a little careful +thinking about how to meet the situation that's ahead of us.” + +Archer Converse reappeared in his home city as unobtrusively as he had +left it and he held the polished shield of his urbane reserve over any +vulnerable points which darts of questions might attack. + +Mr. Breed, assuring himself that he had certain personal rights in +the matter, came with a veritable lance of interrogation, and thrust +tirelessly. + +“It is the custom when a man has been nominated never to close an eye +or leave the job for a minute. You have broke over all rules and I have +been doing my best to fix up a story to account for it,” stated Mr. +Breed. + +“Thank you,” returned Mr. Converse. “No doubt you have done a very good +job.” + +“I done the best I could without knowing what I was talking about.” + +“And the general comment--the run of talk was--what?” + +“General talk was that you didn't seem to be worrying much about the +election.” + +Mr. Converse turned a benignant smile on his new law partner. + +“It's generally conceded, then, that I feel sure of being elected?” + +“Why, they think you wouldn't have skyhooted off unless you were +confident.” + +“Exactly! That attitude of mine takes care of the band-wagon crowd. They +have climbed aboard, I'm told.” + +“Yes,” admitted Mr. Breed. “But the state committee has taken advantage +and has laid down on ye!” + +“Breed, you run along and tell the chairman of that committee--from +me--that unless he gets busy with his crowd in every county of this +state inside of twenty-four hours I'll come out with a public statement +that I have been forced to run my own campaign in behalf of the people. +You don't think there'd be any doubt about my election after that +statement, do you?” + +“Not a bit,” confessed Mr. Breed. “You're more of a politician than I +had any idea of. Excuse me for any other kind of remarks. I'll go shoot +a little hot lead in that chairman's left ear.” + +“Ordinary intelligence and common honesty,” commented the Honorable +Archer Converse when Mr. Breed had departed. “They are such new elements +in running politics in this state that they seem to the crowd to be a +brand-new variety of political astuteness, Thornton! I'm not going to +be quite as frank and honest in some other statements I'm about to +make, under the circumstances. I don't believe my conscience is going to +trouble me a bit. We'll go over, if you please, and have a word or two +with Colonel Symonds Dodd.” + +Mr. Converse's secretary prefaced that call by a telephoned request for +an appointment, and therefore Mr. Peter Briggs led them directly into +the presence of the colonel. + +“This is my friend and law partner, Mr. Thornton Bristol,” said +Converse, apparently and blandly unconscious that he was tossing at the +magnate something much in the nature of a bomb. + +Colonel Dodd came forward in his chair, his hands clutching the carved +mahogany of the desk in front of him. + +“Oh, I beg your pardon, Colonel,” purred Mr. Converse, amiably. “I +forget that you are not as familiar with Mr. Bristol's identity as I am. +You have known him merely as a stranger who has called himself Walker +Farr.” + +“Yes, and he has registered himself on the voting-lists as Walker Farr,” + blustered Colonel Dodd. “Mr. Converse, something will drop in your camp +before long--and it won't be rose-leaves!” + +Mr. Converse fixed a penetrating gaze on the angry man. + +“Colonel,” he said, with meaning, “you are probably well aware that in +politics many things are done for a certain purpose--and many of those +things are a bit off color so far as the strict law is concerned. If you +particularly care about digging up the past of politics in this state I +will come with my own little shovel and assist with great pleasure.” + +“You're making an ass of me with this peek-a-boo business.” + +“Mr. Bristol,” continued the nominee, with composure, “after long study +abroad and at home has devoted himself enthusiastically to study in +sociology and economics, and has preferred to gain his knowledge about +conditions by first-hand observation. He came into this state in pursuit +of his object, and by force of circumstances was drawn into our state +upheaval.” + +“Much more deeply than I intended to be drawn, Colonel Dodd,” stated the +young man, with dignity. “I think you will remember that I said as much +to you in an interview we had. I called myself a Voice, if you will +recollect, and humbly begged you to attend to certain reforms. Your +refusal, and the manner with which you refused, rather forced me into +your affairs.” + +“And I give you warning right here and now,” blustered the colonel, +“that I'm going to force myself into _your_ affairs. I'm going to have +you investigated from puppyhood to the present, Mr. Whatever-your-name +is.” + +“We may as well issue general warnings--all of us,” said Mr. Converse. +“I have prepared a statement for the newspapers regarding my friend, Mr. +Bristol, and he will add a statement of his own relative to his project +in regard to water districts. If you care to malign Mr. Bristol on the +heels of that, Colonel, you may go ahead. But if you choose weapons of +that sort in the conduct of this campaign we shall be forced to use +a few cudgels of our own--for instance, we might be able to give the +people considerable information as to how the state departments have +been managed under your general direction. The funds of the state +treasury--” + +Converse was about to mention the matter of the usufruct of the state's +money deposited in the colonel's banks for the benefit of the syndicate. + +Colonel Dodd pulled himself out of his chair and exhibited instant and +alarmed confusion. “We'd better make it a gentlemen's campaign,” he +broke in. + +“Very well,” agreed Mr. Converse, politely. “And now that we are +proceeding toward such an amicable understanding, will you allow me to +express the hope that the Consolidated will meet us half-way in regard +to the legislation that is inevitable? I have no desire to use any of my +powers as the governor of this state to embarrass your interests; let +us trust that we can get to a prompt adjustment in the matter of the +water-plants. As a lawyer of some experience, I have to inform you, +Colonel Dodd, that the cities and towns of this state are going to own +their own systems. The city of Marion proposes to fight the first test +case through. You are a heavy taxpayer--I trust you will not help to run +your city into debt which is needless.” + +“I will confer with you,” admitted the colonel, his manner subdued. + +“I will ask you to confer with Mr. Bristol, my partner. He will +have full charge of the litigation. I am assured that the next city +government meeting will attend to the matter of choosing him as counsel, +with a suitable retaining fee,” said Mr. Converse, with pride. “I will +appreciate it personally and as chief executive if your interests will +favor the matter. It will be better all around.” + +Colonel Dodd did not reply. But there was much significance in his bow +as they retired. + +“I trust I did not intimate that I was employing any sort of threats,” + said Mr. Converse, when he and Bristol were on their way down-stairs. + +“I think he understood, sir.” + +“His suggestion that we have a gentlemen's campaign was very +significant, coming from Colonel Symonds Dodd. The outlook is very +hopeful,” stated the nominee. “We'll see the state committee +chairman to-morrow, Thornton. I feel quite sure that he will +have our speechmaking routes laid out. Mr. Breed is very +convincing--sometimes--when he discusses the political situation.” + +When they were at the foot of the steps of the Mellicite Club, the young +man begged permission to go about some affairs of his own. + +“But your own affairs must wait, my boy,” insisted Converse. “The party +claims you from now on.” + +“I will do my duty, sir,” said Bristol, smiling; “but this evening I +must have for myself.” + +“I have invited some gentlemen to dine with us. It's an important +conference.” + +“The conference I hope to have, Mr. Converse, will be the most important +one of my life.” + +The lawyer blinked, trying to understand. + +“I will tell you to-morrow--I trust it will be the happiest news I ever +told to any person--I will tell you first.” He hesitated. “You have +always given me good advice, sir. One night you told me that only a +woman can listen with perfect sympathy and comfort a man's troubles +surely.” + +Converse came close, put his hands on the young man's shoulders and +studied him with intent regard. “My boy,” he said, “go along--and God go +with you!” + +Bristol tore his hand from the lawyer's clasp and hurried away. + +But at the Trelawny he did not find the Kilgours' name on the directory +board. The elevator man, the janitor, the manager, told him the +same story with the same indifference. The Kilgours had sold their +possessions and had removed--they had left no address. + +Bristol walked the streets and cursed the stilted folly that had made +his farewell to her a parting in which he had pledged nothing, had +promised nothing, had left no hopes for the future. He was not consoled +by the thought that his farewell to her had been for her own sake, as +he had viewed his situation. In the depths of his despair, when he +had released her hand at the little gate, he had grimly sacrificed +himself--had resolved to save her from himself by final and complete +separation. + +And thinking of that parting at the little gate, hardly realizing where +his wanderings led him, he went down to the great mills which were dark +and silent under the shadows of the evening. + +Old Etienne had brought a lamp from Mother Maillet's kitchen and had +set it on the stoop. He was whittling, and a little boy snuggled close, +fixing intent regard on the work. + +The evening was bland after a balmy day of Indian summer. + +Bristol stopped at the fence and called greeting. + +The old man peered anxiously, shielding his eyes from the light of the +lamp. + +“M'sieu'! M'sieu'!” He stammered, brokenly, gasping as he spoke the +words. His wrinkled face worked as if he were trying to keep back the +tears. His voice choked. + +“You are surprised to see me back here, Etienne--is that it?” + +“I am not surprised, m'sieu'. I knew you would come back. I am +glad--that's why the tear come up in my eye. I cannot help that.” + +“You are working late, Uncle Etienne.” + +“_Oui_, the odders are gone home. But this leetle boy--I take care till +his modder come from the shop. But you shall come in here, m'sieu'.” + +“I cannot stop, Etienne. I am--” He could not finish the sentence. He +turned to go. + +“I say you shall come in. You must come queeck!” The old man spoke in +a shrill whisper. He put aside his knife and stick and hurried to the +fence. He reached and caught Bristol's sleeve. “Ba gar!” he declared, +with as much impatience as anybody had ever heard in the tone of Etienne +Provancher, “even the poor habitant boy in the Tadousac country know +better how to love the nice girl as what you do, M'sieu' Farr.” + +“My name is not Farr; it is--” + +“I don't care what your name be,” snapped the old man. “Tell me that +some odder time. It's what _you_ be--that's what I care! And you don't +be good to nice girl.” + +“I don't understand.” + +“You go back there and rap on Modder Maillet's front door and then you +understand! I'm only poor mans, m'sieu', but I shall talk to you like I +spoke to the mans in the _hotel de ville_--and I shall not be scare when +I am right.” + +“Look here, Etienne! What do you mean?” + +“_La belle_ ma'm'selle--ba gar! you have to be hit with brick bang--dat +fine, pretty lady--she what tell me the good word to say to you about +the bad folks--you must know she leeve now in the good woman's house.” + +Now it was Bristol's turn to grasp Etienne's arm. He shook the old man. + +“Miss Kilgour--here? Speak up! Don't be so slow!” + +“I have speak up. Odderwise you go off and be a big fool some more,” + retorted the rack-tender, boldly. “She's in there. She come here to live +because somet'ing has made her very poor--and very sad. And her modder +she cry all the time. And _la belle_ ma'm'selle she come to the big tree +and she ask me many things--” + +While the old man chattered Bristol was yanking impatiently at the catch +of the gate. He could not find the latch in the dark and so he kicked +off a few more pickets from Mother Maillet's much-abused fence. He +crawled through and bumped against old Etienne, thrusting him from the +path, checking the flow of information. + +The young man leaped up the steps, to the plain dismay of the little +boy, and beat upon the door. + +“It is I, Kate!” he called. “I have come back.” + +When she opened the door--half timorous, half eager, wholly beside +herself--he took her in his arms and kissed her, paying no heed to the +goggling eyes of childhood or the averted gaze of old age. + +“But you left no word for me. Did you believe me when I said I would not +come back?” + +“I knew you would come back,” she sobbed. “So I came here. I knew you +would find me here.” + +Etienne drew near apologetically and picked up the little boy. + +“Oh, my own girl, I have so much to tell you!” the lover murmured. “I +know you will listen.” + +“We have so much to tell each other,” she said, her hands against his +cheeks. + +The old man puffed out the lamp and set it to one side and tiptoed away, +the child in his arms. + +“You ke'p your head under my coat--just so,” he commanded the struggling +and inquisitive youngster. “Your modder would not like to have you +breath in so much night air. We go find her!” + +He heard the murmur of eager voices behind him, and then the door of +Mother Maillet's house was shut softly--and that left all the world +outside. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Landloper, by Holman Day + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LANDLOPER *** + +***** This file should be named 4712-0.txt or 4712-0.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/4/7/1/4712/ + +Produced by Dagny; John Bickers; David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project +Gutenberg”), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the Foundation” + or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase “Project Gutenberg” appears, or with which the phrase “Project +Gutenberg” is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase “Project Gutenberg” associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +“Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, “Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.” + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +“Defects,” such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the “Right +of Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/4712-0.zip b/4712-0.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e918bb0 --- /dev/null +++ b/4712-0.zip diff --git a/4712-h.zip b/4712-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6a0b8e2 --- /dev/null +++ b/4712-h.zip diff --git a/4712-h/4712-h.htm b/4712-h/4712-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..83726c9 --- /dev/null +++ b/4712-h/4712-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,16067 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + The Landloper, by Holman Day + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Landloper, by Holman Day + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Landloper + The Romance Of A Man On Foot + +Author: Holman Day + +Release Date: April 13, 2006 [EBook #4712] +Last Updated: March 8, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LANDLOPER *** + + + + +Produced by Dagny; John Bickers; David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE LANDLOPER + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + THE ROMANCE OF A MAN ON FOOT <br /> <br /> By Holman Day <br /> <br /> 1915 + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> THE LANDLOPER </a><br /> <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> I </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> II </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> III </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0005"> IV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0006"> V </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0007"> VI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0008"> VII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0009"> VIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0010"> IX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0011"> X </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0012"> XI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0013"> XII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0014"> XIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0015"> XIV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0016"> XV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0017"> XVI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0018"> XVII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0019"> XVIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0020"> XIX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0021"> XX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0022"> XXI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0023"> XXII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0024"> XXIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0025"> XXIV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0026"> XXV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0027"> XXVI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0028"> XXVII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0029"> XXVIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0030"> XXIX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0031"> XXX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0032"> XXXI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0033"> XXXII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0034"> XXXIII </a> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + THE LANDLOPER + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + I + </h2> + <h3> + IN THE DUST OF THE LONG HIGHWAY + </h3> + <p> + The man who called himself Walker Farr plodded down the dusty stretches of + a country road. + </p> + <p> + He moved leisurely. He neither slouched like a vagabond nor did he swing + with a stride which indicated that he had aim in life or destination in + mind. When he came under arching elms he plucked his worn cap from his + head and stuffed it into a coat pocket which already bulged bulkily + against his flank. He gazed to right and left upon the glories of a + sun-bathed June morning and strolled bareheaded along the aisle of a + temple of the great Out-of-Doors. + </p> + <p> + He was young and stalwart and sunburnt. + </p> + <p> + A big, gray automobile squawked curt warning behind him and then swept + past and on its way, kicking dust upon him from its whirring wheels. + </p> + <p> + He gave the car only an indifferent glance, but, as he walked on, he was + conscious that out of the blur of impressions the memory of a girl's + profile lingered. + </p> + <p> + A farmer-man who had come to the end of a row in a field near the highway + fence leaned on his hoe-handle and squinted against the sun at the face of + the passer-by. Then the farmer shifted his gaze to the stranger's clothing + and scowled. The face was the countenance of a man who was somebody; the + clothing was the road-worn garb of a vagrant. + </p> + <p> + “Here, you!” called the farmer. + </p> + <p> + “I hear you,” said the man who called himself Walker Farr, smiling and + putting subtle insolence into the smile. + </p> + <p> + “Do you want a job?” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you got a job?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “What is it?” + </p> + <p> + “Chopping down well-holes that have been turned inside out by a cyclone.” + </p> + <p> + The man in the highway flashed a wonderful smile at the farmer and passed + on. The farmer blinked and then he scowled more savagely. He climbed the + fence and followed, carrying his hoe. + </p> + <p> + “Look here, you! There ain't no such business.” + </p> + <p> + “Send for me next time you have a well turned wrong side out and I'll + prove it.” + </p> + <p> + “You're a tramp.” + </p> + <p> + Farr sauntered on. + </p> + <p> + “You're a tramp, and here's what we are doing to tramps in this county + right now!” + </p> + <p> + Beyond them in the highway men were delving with shovels and hacking with + mattocks. The men wore blue drilling overalls, obtrusively new, and their + faces were pasty pale. + </p> + <p> + “We have taken 'em out of jail and put 'em doing honest work,” said the + farmer. He pointed to guards who were marching to and fro with rifles in + the hook of their arms. “Here's where you belong. I'm a constable of this + town. I arrest you.” + </p> + <p> + The young man halted. His smile became provokingly compassionate as he + stared down at the nickel badge the farmer was tapping. + </p> + <p> + “So you represent the law, do you?” inquired Farr. + </p> + <p> + “I do.” + </p> + <p> + “It's too bad you don't know more about the law, then. I have neither + solicited alms, trespassed on private property, begged food, nor committed + crime in your little kingdom, my good and great three-tailed bashaw. Here + is a coin to clear the law.” He exhibited a silver piece. “I am sorry I + cannot remain here and help you mend your ways—they seem to need + it!” + </p> + <p> + He went on past the sullen gang of pick and shovel, treading the middle of + the broad turnpike. + </p> + <p> + “Ain't that a tramp?” asked one of the guards. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know what he is,” confessed the farmer. + </p> + <p> + The man who called himself Farr turned a corner and came upon the same + automobile which had overtaken and passed him, contemptuously kicking its + dust over him, a few minutes before he arrived at the farmer's fence. + </p> + <p> + A rear tire was flat and a young man who was smartly attired in gray was + smacking gloved hands together and cursing the lumps of a jail-bird-built + road and the guilty negligence of a garage-man who had forgotten to put a + lift-jack back into the kit. Two women stood beside the car and looked + upon the young man's helplessness. + </p> + <p> + “Enter tortoise, second scene of the ancient drama, 'The Tortoise and the + Hare,'” Walter Farr informed himself. + </p> + <p> + His amused brown eyes noted the young man was obviously flabby. + </p> + <p> + “Here, you! Help me prop up this axle,” commanded the charioteer. + </p> + <p> + “You do not need help,” suggested Farr. “You need somebody who can do the + whole job.” + </p> + <p> + The glance he gave the young man, up and down, conveyed his full meaning. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I must say that's saucy talk from a hobo,” declared one of the + women. + </p> + <p> + “Mother!” warned the third member of the party. + </p> + <p> + Farr turned his cynical gaze from the older woman to the younger—from + the bleached hair and rouged lips to a fresh, pure, and vivid loveliness. + He saw her profile once more. + </p> + <p> + “No one has remembered to say 'please' yet,” the girl informed him, + meeting his gaze. “I say it, sir!” + </p> + <p> + He bowed and went straight to the roadside and picked up a bit of plank on + which his searching eyes rested. + </p> + <p> + He gave it into the gloved hands of the car's owner, he slipped off his + own sun-faded coat and rolled the sleeves of his flannel shirt above his + elbows, and then, with shoulder thrusting up; and arms straining, he + heaved the car high enough so that the flabby gentleman could set the prop + under the axle. And when the gentleman began to dust his gloves and to + search for spots on his gray immaculateness, Farr dug tools from the box + and proceeded to the work of replacing the tire. + </p> + <p> + The girl stood near him and regarded him with interest. He looked up when + he had the opportunity and found her eyes studying him. She was entirely + frank in her gaze. There was nothing in her eyes except the earnestness of + a scrutiny which was satisfying curiosity. + </p> + <p> + When the work was done the owner offered money. + </p> + <p> + Farr refused with curt decisiveness. + </p> + <p> + “Well, have a drink?” invited the debtor. + </p> + <p> + “I do not use liquor.” + </p> + <p> + The autoist emptied his cigar-case into his hand and offered the cigars to + Farr, who had just tugged on his coat. + </p> + <p> + “I do not smoke, sir.” + </p> + <p> + It was not declination with humility; the manner of the man of the road + contained a hint that anybody who drank or smoked was no better than he + should be. The girl studied him with renewed interest. + </p> + <p> + “Don't stand there and try to put anything over on me,” advised the man in + gray, showing resentment. “What can I do for you?” + </p> + <p> + “You might thank the man, Richard,” declared the girl, tartly. She turned + to Farr. + </p> + <p> + “He seems to have forgotten 'thank you' as he forgot 'please.' May I make + amends? We thank you!” + </p> + <p> + “And now I am in your debt,” said the rover. He bowed and walked on. + </p> + <p> + When the car passed him the girl turned and gave him a long look. He waved + his hand. The dust-cloud closed in between them. + </p> + <p> + “Kat Kilgour! That's a tramp! I'm amazed!” said the elder woman, observing + the look and the salute. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, this world is full of surprises,” agreed the girl, sweetly. + </p> + <p> + “But your own eyes told you that he was a tramp.” + </p> + <p> + “There isn't any doubt of it, is there, if you used your eyes?” demanded + their escort. + </p> + <p> + “We'll consider that the eyes have it—and let the matter drop,” said + the girl—and her tone was not sweet. + </p> + <p> + The man of the keen brown eyes and the faded garb fared on. + </p> + <p> + He plucked a rose from a wayside bush and carried the flower in his hand. + </p> + <p> + “Your sister just passed this way,” he informed the rose in whimsical + fashion. “I don't suppose you and I will ever catch up with her. I go very + slowly, but you may journey along with me.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + II + </h2> + <h3> + A HOME-MADE KNIGHT-ERRANT + </h3> + <p> + The wayfarer who called himself Farr came down the long hill and turned + the corner of the highway where the alders crowded to the banks of the + narrow brook; they whispered to one another as the breeze fluttered their + leaves. He drank there, bending and scooping the water in his palm. He + bathed the rose and stroked its wilted petals. + </p> + <p> + “Too bad, little one!” he said. “The long road is a killing proposition, + and I'm afraid I had no business inviting you to go with me. Your sister + must be a long way ahead of us.” + </p> + <p> + The rocks were cool where the alders cast shade, and he sat there for a + little while, watching the drift of tiny flotsam down the eddying current + and observing the skipper-bugs skating over the still shallows on their + spraddled legs. + </p> + <p> + There was a pleasant hush all about. The bubbling ecstasy of a bobolink + floated above the grasses of a meadow, and near at hand a wren hopped + about in the alders and chirped dozy notes. Peace and restfulness brooded. + The man at the brook leaned low and thrust his head into the water and + then rose and shook the drops from his thick thatch of brown hair. He did + it with a sort of canine wriggle and smiled at the thought which came to + him. + </p> + <p> + “A stray dog!” he muttered. “Of as much account—and he'd better + forget the sister of the rose. Here's a good place to put imagination to + sleep—here's a place where all is asleep.” + </p> + <p> + He went on around the curtain of the alders. + </p> + <p> + There was a big old-fashioned house near at hand. Its walls were + weather-worn, its yard was not tidy. The faded curtains at the windows + hung crookedly. The glass of the panes was dirty. The entire aspect of the + place indicated that there was no woman's hand to make it home. It was + commonplace and uninteresting. + </p> + <p> + But the front door was flung open suddenly with a screech of rusty hinges. + </p> + <p> + Then came backing out of the doorway a very old man—a bent and + wrinkled old man with long white hair which trailed down from under a + broad-brimmed hat. He was dragging a coffin, single-handed. The free end + of the solemn box bumped down the wooden steps with a hollow clatter that + suggested emptiness. There was a woodpile at one side of the yard. The old + man tugged the casket over the litter of chips and dropped the end. He + wrenched an ax from its cleft in a chopping-block and caved in the top of + the coffin with the first blow. + </p> + <p> + The man Farr, observing from the road, saw that the casket was empty. The + old man continued to bash and batter. + </p> + <p> + The wayfarer, before the destruction was begun, had time to note that the + coffin was a remarkably fine specimen of cabinet-maker's work. There were + various sorts of wood inlaid with care, and the fretwork along its sides + had been jig-sawed with much pains spent in detail, and the pilasters were + turned with art. But the old man battered at all this excellence with + savageness. It was evident that he was not merely providing kindling-wood—he + was expending fury. + </p> + <p> + It was an affair that demanded undivided attention from the observer in + the road; but a man came around the corner of the house just then and Farr + promptly gave over his interest in the aged chopper. + </p> + <p> + The new arrival was clothed cap-a-pie in armor. + </p> + <p> + He stood quietly at a little distance and gazed from under his vizor on + the energetic old man at the woodpile. + </p> + <p> + Farr noted that the armor was obviously home-made. The helmet, though + burnished and adorned with a horse's tail, had the unmistakable outlines + of a copper kettle. The cuirass could not disguise its obligation to + certain parts of an air-tight stove. But the ensemble was peculiarly + striking and the man in the road took a quick glance around at the New + England landscape in order to assure himself that he was still where he + supposed he was. + </p> + <p> + Farr went to the fence and folded his arms on the top. + </p> + <p> + The old man, resting a moment, seemed to feel that intent regard from + behind and, without turning his body, hooked his narrow and bony chin over + his shoulder and swapped a long stare with the stranger. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” inquired the venerable chopper, “what is on thy mind, sir?” His + tone was sour. + </p> + <p> + “Seeing that the question is direct and remembering that age deserves the + truth, I'll say that I was thinking that this seems to be an ideal + location for a private lunatic-asylum, and that guests are allowed to + enjoy themselves.” + </p> + <p> + “I will have thee to understand that I have sat for thirty long years at + the head of the Friends' meeting in this town and never has it been said + that my wits are cracked. Furthermore, this is none of thy affair. Move + on.” + </p> + <p> + Farr merely shifted his feet and took an easier pose at the fence. + </p> + <p> + “Feeling as I do, it will not trouble me much to come over there and take + a chop or two at thee,” warned the old man. + </p> + <p> + “I didn't know that Quakers ever allowed their feelings to get so highly + spiced.” + </p> + <p> + “Along with thee, tramp!” + </p> + <p> + “You see, my dear sir,” drawled the man in the road, “I am out in search + of peace of mind. If I should go on my way without understanding what this + means my itching curiosity would never allow me another good night's + sleep. A word from you to soothe curiosity, and then I go!” + </p> + <p> + “Thee has seen me knocking into pieces a coffin. Is there anything strange + in seeing me knock into pieces a coffin I have made with my own hands?” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir. That is quite within your rights. But why? From what little I + saw of it it seemed to me to be a mighty fine piece of work.” + </p> + <p> + “It was,” stated the old man, a bit mollified. “Walnut with bird's-eye + maple inlaid.” + </p> + <p> + “May I ask if it was made for anybody who died lately?” + </p> + <p> + “I made it for myself—I have had it by me for twenty years! Seeing + that thee must stick thy nose into my business!” His tone was pettish and + he stooped down and began to toss splinters and broken boards upon the + woodpile. + </p> + <p> + “Then I suppose it was—er—sort of out of date,” suggested + Farr, blandly. + </p> + <p> + “I see thee is minded to tease me—the world is full of fools.” He + straightened as best he could, propping hands on his hips, and divided + angry gaze between the man at the fence and the armored figure. “I am not + going to die—I have decided to stay alive. I have a fool on my + hands.” + </p> + <p> + “Father, I think thee had better choose thy words a bit better in the + presence of a stranger,” advised the man in armor. + </p> + <p> + “Can't thee see that he is a fool?” demanded the old man. + </p> + <p> + “I don't think I want to venture an opinion, sir. I'll simply say that + your son's choice of a summer suit seems a little peculiar. But, of + course, every man to his liking!” + </p> + <p> + The old man walked down to the fence. He was crooked at the waist and his + legs were hooked with the curves of age, but he strode along with brisk + vigor. His gaze was as sharp as a gimlet, though the puckered lids were + cocked over his eyes with the effect of little tents whose flaps were + partly closed. He put his face close to Farr's. + </p> + <p> + “Thee is as cheeky as a crow and as prying as a magpie and I venture to + say thee is a roving scamp. But I may as well talk to thee as to anybody.” + </p> + <p> + With armor rattling and squeaking, the son started toward them. + </p> + <p> + “I do not care to have thee talk about me, father,” he warned. + </p> + <p> + Farr noted that the son had eyes as keen and as gray as those of the + elder. The armored citizen was sturdy and of middle age and the face under + the vizor revealed intelligence and self-possession. + </p> + <p> + The father paid no heed to the son. + </p> + <p> + “Has thee traveled around the world much?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “Thee has met many men?” + </p> + <p> + “Many and of all sorts and conditions.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I want to ask thee what thee thinks of the good wit of a man who + declares that he will go forth into the world, faring here and there, to + try to do good to all men, to try to settle the troubles between men, free + of all price?” + </p> + <p> + Farr turned gaze from the father to the earnest countenance of the son, + and then stared again into the searching eyes of the old man. Prolonged + and embarrassed silence followed. + </p> + <p> + “Thy looks speak louder than words,” declared the father. “Thy eyes say it—he + is a fool.” + </p> + <p> + “It may be as well not to say so with thy tongue,” advised the son. “I + might not be as patient with a stranger as I am with my father. He is + wholly practical, without imagination, and so I excuse him.” + </p> + <p> + “I offer no comments,” said Walker Farr with a frank smile which won an + answering flicker from the face under the vizor. “I do not understand.” + </p> + <p> + “I would not expect a vagabond to understand anything or to be brave + enough to say what he thinks,” piped the father. He turned on his son. + “Here's a scalawag of a tramp. Go along with him and be another such.” + </p> + <p> + “I may be a peripatetic philosopher, for all you know,” said Farr, + teasingly. “There are knights in fustian as well as knights in armor.” + </p> + <p> + “I think thee is of more account than thy clothing indicates,” stated the + son, regarding the stranger keenly. “And thee carries a rose in thy hand. + Little things tell much.” + </p> + <p> + Farr put the flower into his pocket. “Don't fool yourself about me,” he + said, roughly. + </p> + <p> + “Thy speech has betrayed thee,” insisted the other. + </p> + <p> + “I have met crib-crackers who were college men—and pocket + dictionaries are cheap. And so good day to you, gentlemen.” + </p> + <p> + “Wait one moment!” appealed the man in armor. His face softened when he + approached his father. + </p> + <p> + “We have talked much and there is no more to say to each other now. I have + served here patiently many years. If I leave thee for a little while there + is old Ben to wait and tend. And I will come back after I have done my + duty.” + </p> + <p> + “I will stay alive so that I can bail thee out of prison,” his father + informed him, sourly. “Go on, thou fool; learn thy lesson! The world is + all right as it is; it will cuff the ears of meddlers. But go on!” + </p> + <p> + “I would rather thee would show another spirit at parting—but have + it thy way,” returned the son, with Quaker repression of all emotions. He + came forth from the gate. + </p> + <p> + “I am going thy road,” he informed Farr, “because all ways are alike to + me. I would be pleased to talk with one who has journeyed. Thee may have + good counsel for me. May I walk with thee?” + </p> + <p> + The wayfarer opened his mouth and closed it suddenly on a half-spoken and + indignant refusal of this honor. He pursed his lips and his thick brows + drew together in a frown. Then, as if in spite of himself, he began to + smile. + </p> + <p> + “I will be no burden to thee,” pleaded the home-made knight. “I have had + my armor for a long time and have practised walking in it.” + </p> + <p> + “But why the tin suit?” expostulated Farr. + </p> + <p> + “I will explain as we walk.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, come along!” blurted the wayfarer. “Nothing more can happen to me, + anyway.” + </p> + <p> + “So thee has found one of thy own kind to follow about in the world?” + inquired the father, tauntingly. “Feathers on the head and rattles in the + hand! Cockahoops and fiddle-de-lorums! Thee'll be back soon with thy folly + cured after I have bailed thee from the calaboose! Then thee'll stick to + thy forge and be sensible!” + </p> + <p> + Farr noted a small shop by the roadside as they started off. + </p> + <p> + “My father is a good man, but practical—wholly practical,” said his + new comrade of the ways. “From my good mother I derive imagination. My + life has not been happy here. But work has helped.” + </p> + <p> + He pointed to the shop. Over the main door a faded, weather-worn sign + advertised “Eastup Chick & Son, Blacksmiths.” On the gable was a newer + sign heralding “Jared Chick & Father, Inventors.” + </p> + <p> + “I am Jared Chick, my friend.” + </p> + <p> + He talked slowly, pausing to pick words, phrasing with the carefulness of + the man of method, talking as those persons talk who have read many books + and use their tongue but seldom. Farr found much quaintness in the solemn + man's discourse. + </p> + <p> + “My father put my name on the sign when I was young, and it pleased me. I + put his name on the other sign when he was old and it did not please him, + though I have insisted that he must share in all credit which comes to me. + But my father does not possess imagination. I am sorry he lost his temper + to-day and broke up his coffin. Not that I approved of having it in the + house all these years, but he was very proud of it. He made it soon after + my mother died. I think, now that he has destroyed it, he will live many + years longer. He is very strong-minded.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm glad to have my suspicions confirmed,” said Farr. + </p> + <p> + “He was extremely angry when his eldest brother died at eighty. He stood + over him in the last moments and made us all very uncomfortable by telling + Uncle Joachim that there was no need of his dying—that if he would + only show a little Chick spunk he could stay alive just as well as not and + would not go fushing out just when he was most needed in the Friends' + meeting.” + </p> + <p> + “Considering that the old fellow was eighty and probably felt like + quitting, seems as if your father was rubbing it in just a little.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps he was a mite harsh, but there is another side of it. There were + only three of us left of the Friends' society to go to the old + meeting-house on First Day so that it might not be said that after one + hundred years we had allowed the society of the fathers to perish in our + town. Thee may have noted that my father and I still use the plain + language, keeping up the ways of the founders. My father sat at the head + of the meeting, my Uncle Joachim was next to him on the facing seat. I am + the only worshiper. I am not fitted to be a minister. My father, when + Joachim died, had no one with whom to exchange the hand-shake at the end + of the meeting.” + </p> + <p> + “And now he's losing his congregation?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, my friend, and so my father blames me for going, just as he blamed + Uncle Joachim for dying. He has the meeting much at heart.” + </p> + <p> + “What will he do for a crowd after you go away?” + </p> + <p> + “He will continue to sit at the head of the meeting, sir.” + </p> + <p> + There was silence between them for some time. The blacksmith clanked on + his way sturdily. + </p> + <p> + “He will still sit at the head of the meeting! Only a little fire is left + there, sir, but he will not allow it to go out as long as he is alive to + blow the bellows of devotion.” + </p> + <p> + “Look here, Brother Chick,” demanded Farr. “I don't want to be prying or + impertinent, but what's your idea?” + </p> + <p> + “I'm not ashamed of anything I'm going to do. Even though it is a very + strange plan, as the world would look at it, I'm not ashamed of it. A very + few words will tell you: I'm going out among men and spread the gospel of + mercy and forbearance, teach the lessons of peace, urge men to forgive + instead of fight—showing them that courts of law are more often the + devil's playground than the abode of real justice. I have worked hard, I + have read many books, I have stored information in my mind, I have laid up + money enough. You behold my armor—I have wrought at it patiently for + a long time.” + </p> + <p> + “Expect to have 'em throw things at you?” + </p> + <p> + But the blacksmith, replying, gave no sign that he resented this brusque + humor. + </p> + <p> + “It is well known that it is hard to attract the attention of the world + from its own affairs. For instance, if I had stood in the yard to-day, + dressed as a plain man, thee would have passed on thy way—providing + father had been chopping up kindling-wood instead of a coffin. If I had + stopped thee and started to explain my views thee would have paid little + attention to me. Isn't that so?” + </p> + <p> + “It's so.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then, thee have my theory and know my plan and have noted how it + has worked,” said Mr. Chick. + </p> + <p> + “I don't want to discourage you in a good thing, but how long do you think + a policeman would let you stand on a street corner?” + </p> + <p> + “I shall find places where I can deliver my message without offending.” + </p> + <p> + “There's another point—a rather delicate point to consider, Brother + Chick. There are plenty of persons who are a bit dull when they are + examining a man's motives, but who think they are almighty smart in + detecting a man's mental failings; when somebody does anything they + wouldn't do they say he's crazy.” + </p> + <p> + The blacksmith turned his serene face and smiled at Farr. + </p> + <p> + “I appeal to thy good judgment, sir. Would thee, after talking with me, + even if I do wear iron outside my wool garments, send me to an asylum?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” acknowledged Farr, “I don't believe I would send you to an asylum.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank thee! I believe thee can speak quite generally for the average + man.” + </p> + <p> + “But the armor scheme—it's a little risky, Friend Chick.” + </p> + <p> + “But it has been the trade-mark of unselfishness ever since the days of + the Crusaders,” declared Mr. Chick. “Why shouldn't its significance be + revived in these modern times? At any rate,” he added, with Yankee + shrewdness, “it's necessary to give the world quite a jump these days + before it will stop, look, and listen.” + </p> + <p> + “Some advertising concern will make you an offer that will pull you into + camp your second day out, if you're not careful. You've certainly got a + good idea of the business.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sincere. I am not trifling. I have pondered on this for a long time. + I shall be misjudged—but I shall not be afraid!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + III + </h2> + <h3> + KNIGHT-ERRANTRY TESTED + </h3> + <p> + The two marched on, side by side, and Walker Farr, piecing in his mind, + from the scraps he had heard, the entire history of the Chick family, + indulged the whim of Jared and forgot for a moment the grotesque figure + presented by his companion. + </p> + <p> + “No, I am not afraid!” repeated the new apostle of world harmony. + </p> + <p> + But it became promptly apparent that Mr. Chick could not communicate his + intrepidity to other creatures. + </p> + <p> + Around the bend of the road came a sleepy horse, stubbing his hoofs into + the dust, dragging a wagon in which rode a farmer and his wife. + </p> + <p> + The horse became wide awake at sight of Mr. Chick. + </p> + <p> + With head up, eyes goggling, nostrils dilating, and mane erect, the animal + stopped short on straddled legs. Then he snorted, whirled, took the wagon + around in a circle on two wheels in spite of the farmer's endeavors, and + made off in the opposite direction, the driver pulling hard on the reins, + hands above his head, elbows akimbo. + </p> + <p> + “It occurs to me, Friend Chick,” said his companion, after the outfit had + disappeared, “that in planning this pilgrimage of yours you have failed to + take everything into account. If that farmer-man and his wife pile into + the ditch and break their necks, then all your general mediating in other + quarters will hardly make up for the damage you have caused right here.” + </p> + <p> + “The world is full of problems,” sighed the man in armor. “There seems to + be a hitch to about everything!” + </p> + <p> + After a few moments the farmer came pelting into sight on foot. + </p> + <p> + “What in the name of bald-headed Nicodemus do you call yourself, and what + are you trying to do?” he shouted. “It's only by luck and chance and + because the webbin's held that me and my wife ain't laying stiff and stark + in the ditch.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sorry,” said friend Chick with dignity. + </p> + <p> + “Get a hoss used to bicycles, flying-machines, red whizzers and blue + devils, and then along comes something else that ain't laid down in the + back of the Old Farmer's Almanick! You there, the one that ain't crazy, + what's this thing you're teaming round?” the farmer demanded, addressing + Farr. + </p> + <p> + “In this case I am not my brother's keeper,” stated the young man. + </p> + <p> + “Well, where is his keeper, then? He needs one.” He walked around Chick + and rudely rapped his whip-butt on the breastplate. “If I wasn't afraid of + spraining a toe I'd boot you from here to hackenny, you old two-legged + cook-stove!” + </p> + <p> + “If there has been damage done, I'll pay for it.” + </p> + <p> + “There isn't any damage and I'm not looking for anybody's money. But there + <i>will</i> be damage unless you get out of this highway. If you're in + sight when I drive my hoss past here again I'll lick you, even if I have + to use blasting-powder and a can-opener to get you out of that suit.” + </p> + <p> + Jared Chick went apart into the bushes and Farr accompanied him. + </p> + <p> + “This is a rather vulgar and discouraging adventure for high ideals to run + into so soon,” averred the younger man. + </p> + <p> + “I am not discouraged.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm afraid you'll be even more greatly misunderstood.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't expect silly old horses to understand me. My appeal is to men.” + </p> + <p> + Farr sniffed scornfully. “You'd better let men alone,” he advised. + </p> + <p> + “The world needs pure unselfishness,” insisted Chick. + </p> + <p> + “The purer it is the more it is misunderstood. I have tested the matter. I + know.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you yourself would not go forth into the world and do good to men, + without calculation and without price?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't think I would,” declared Farr, dryly. “And I am so little + interested in the matter that I think you'll have to excuse me from + further talk about it. You have just had one illustration in a crude way + of how the world misunderstands anything that's out of the ordinary.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you any advice to give me?” + </p> + <p> + “Not a word. I'm not even able to give myself sensible counsel. Good day + to you!” + </p> + <p> + “Then you do not care for my company longer on the way?” + </p> + <p> + “I do not. Excuse my bluntness, but these are parlous times for wayfarers + and I cannot afford to have a tin can tied to me as I go about.” + </p> + <p> + “And you are absolutely selfish?” called Chick. + </p> + <p> + “I think so,” replied Farr from the highway, getting into his stride. + “When I see you again I expect you'll be wondering why you ever were + altruistic. That will be the case, providing you wear that armor any + longer.” + </p> + <p> + Jared Chick from behind his bush called, appealingly, “But I fear I shall + never see thee again and I have some questions to ask of thee!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I promise to look you up somewhere in the world. If you keep on + wearing that suit it will be easy to find you.” + </p> + <p> + The man in armor leaned against a tree and pondered. + </p> + <p> + “A strange young man, and callous and selfish. But there is truly + something under his shell. I would relish putting some questions to him.” + </p> + <p> + Then Jared Chick plunked an ash staff from a pile of hoop-poles left by a + chopper and went on his way along shaded woodland paths, avoiding the main + highroad. He decided that it would be better to go by the roundabout way + and show himself on the streets of town instead of on a rural turnpike + where countrified horses did not take kindly to a real knight-errant. + </p> + <p> + “It was a good place back there for sleeping,” reflected Walker Farr, + remembering the brook, singing over the stones, the whispering alders, the + old-fashioned house, and the somnolent landscape. “That man who has been + living there until the day of his emigration has certainly been asleep for + a long time and is sleeping soundly now; he is having a wonderful dream. + The nightmare will begin shortly and he will wake up.” + </p> + <p> + After a time Farr came into a village, a hamlet of small houses which toed + the crack of a single street. It was near the hour of noon and from the + open windows of kitchens drifted scents of the dinners which the women + were preparing. All the men of the place seemed to be afield; only women + were in sight here and there at back doors, pinning freshly washed + garments on lines, beating dust from rugs, or, seen through the windows, + were bustling about the forenoon tasks set for patient household slaves in + gingham. + </p> + <p> + At one back door, his back comfortably set against a folded clothes-reel, + was a greasily fat tramp, gobbling a hand-out lunch which a housewife had + given to him. + </p> + <p> + Under a little hill where the road dipped at the edge of the hamlet here + sounded clink of steel on rock, suggesting that men labored there with + trowel and drill. There was complaining creaking of cordage—the arm + of a derrick sliced a slow arc across the blue sky of June. + </p> + <p> + The fat tramp held up his empty plate and whined a request and the hand of + a woman emerged from a close-by window and placed something in the dish. + </p> + <p> + Farr slowed his steps and looked at the tramp, and a woman in a yard near + by stared over the top of a sheet which she was pinning on the line and + scowled at the new arrival. + </p> + <p> + “I wonder if I'm considered as the Damon of that Pythias?” Farr asked + himself, smiling into her frown. “But Damon is nomad spelled backward! I + wish I dared to ask her for a piece of that pie cooling on the sill.” + </p> + <p> + Just then, over the clink of metal under the hill, above wail of straining + pulley, rose the screech of a man in agony, the raucous male squall whose + timbre is more hideous than the death-cry of swine. + </p> + <p> + Then came a man running from the valley under the hill. + </p> + <p> + “It's your husband, Mrs. Jose,” he panted, turning in at the house where + the fat tramp ate with his back against the clothes-reel. “You better go! + I'll telephone for a doctor.” + </p> + <p> + She ran, white-faced, gasping cries. Other women ran. The spirit of + helpfulness and curiosity to know what had happened set wings on the heels + of the little community. The messenger telephoned and followed them. + </p> + <p> + The fat tramp set down his plate and glanced to right and left and all + about. Then he shuffled into the deserted house and after a brief stay + hastened out with his pockets crammed and bearing garments in his arms; he + scuttled away with sagging trot across the fields. + </p> + <p> + Farr saw him go and did not pursue. + </p> + <p> + “Yonder goes the spirit of the age,” he told himself, with sardonic + twisting of his lips. “When Opportunity knocks, knock Opportunity down. + Embrace Opportunity, but be sure it's with the strangle hold. The + directors of a robbed railroad make a more dignified getaway than that + porcine pedestrian is making—but it's the same as far as the + stockholders are concerned.” + </p> + <p> + He went on slowly toward the hollow under the hill. + </p> + <p> + The procession met him—a limp man, moaning, borne in the arms of his + sweating mates, women trotting alongside and crossing the road, to and + fro, like frightened hens—clucking sympathy. + </p> + <p> + Farr found a half-finished stone bridge under the hill. A paunchy boss + with underset jaw and overhanging upper lip was profanely urging his + helpers back to their jobs. + </p> + <p> + “Fifteen minutes before knock-off time—fifteen minutes! You can't + help that man by standing around and doing his grunting for him. Get + busy!” + </p> + <p> + The men lifted their tools slowly and sullenly. + </p> + <p> + “It's hell what can happen when you're fifteen days behind on a contract, + with county commissioners waiting and anxious to grab off a penalty,” + declared the boss, to nobody in particular. “One man bunged, and four to + lug him home, and the rest of the crew taking a sympathetic vacation!” + </p> + <p> + Farr, sauntering, swung off the highway down the lane leading to the + temporary bridge. + </p> + <p> + “Here, you long-horned steer, want a job?” called the contractor from his + rostrum on the granite block. + </p> + <p> + “No, my Sussex shote, I do not!” + </p> + <p> + “Damnation! You dare to call me names, you hobo?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” returned Farr, quite simply. + </p> + <p> + “Well, quit it. I need men here. You're husky. Two dollars a day, even if + you're not a regular mason.” + </p> + <p> + “No.” + </p> + <p> + He drawled both the affirmative and the negative and there was something + subtly insolent in his tone—something that aroused more ire than a + cruder retort would have accomplished. He turned his back on the cursing + man and went on down to the bridge. He waited there for a time and watched + the drift of foam on the fretted waters. The steady burbling of the stream + made him oblivious to other sounds and he did not hear the two men + approach. They leaped on him and seized him. One of his captors was the + paunchy man, and his hands were heavy and his fingers gripped viciously. + </p> + <p> + “No wonder you wouldn't work! You're making your living in an easier way.” + </p> + <p> + “What is the occasion of this effusive welcome to your city?” asked Farr. + </p> + <p> + The man who held one of the captive's arms was panting. He had run at top + speed from the house to which he and his mates had borne the injured man. + </p> + <p> + “You thief! You sneak! Eat a man's grub, his hard-earned grub, and steal + when his wife's back is turned!” + </p> + <p> + “Of all dirty work this job is the worst,” declared the big man. + </p> + <p> + “She gave you all you could stuff into yourself, you loafer. You ransacked + when her back was turned. You even stole her husband's Sunday suit. Where + is it?” + </p> + <p> + “I saw a fat tramp running away into the woods,” returned Farr, quietly. + “He was carrying articles in his arms.” + </p> + <p> + “You're the only tramp in sight around here,” insisted the contractor. + “Where did you hide the plunder?” + </p> + <p> + “She said she fed a tramp. She left him at the back door. You're the + sneak,” indorsed the panting emissary. + </p> + <p> + “If you will take me back to the house you may get some new light on the + affair,” suggested their captive. “You need not drag me there. I'll go + with much pleasure.” + </p> + <p> + The mistress of the despoiled home, red of eyes, hurrying from her sink + with a cold compress in her trembling hands, viewed Farr from her back + door. + </p> + <p> + “That isn't the man. I never saw him before. Oh, he is in awful pain. Why + doesn't that doctor get here? But there doesn't seem to be anything + broken. He took my pocketbook, too, with two dollars and twenty-seven + cents in it. And it's every cent of money we've got by us. And it may be + weeks before he can go to work again. Troubles don't come singly. That + mis'able, fat, greasy thief! After I had fed him—even gave him pie!” + </p> + <p> + “As I told you, gentlemen, it was a fat tramp. I saw him run away into the + woods.” + </p> + <p> + “If you call yourself a man why didn't you chase him?” inquired the + contractor, with disgust. + </p> + <p> + “I took no interest in his affairs—no interest whatever,” stated + Farr, with languid tone. + </p> + <p> + “You don't care much what happens to anybody else, you hog!” + </p> + <p> + “My interest in other persons is very limited.” + </p> + <p> + “You'll stand by and see one of your kind run away with the property of + poor folks, will you? You meet him later and get your whack?” asked the + big man. + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Farr, mildly. He directed compelling gaze into the eyes of his + detractor. “And you do not think so yourself.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps not. But you're worse. You have just said it. You're a selfish + renegade!” + </p> + <p> + “Peculiarly selfish, hard, and unfeeling.” + </p> + <p> + “And wouldn't turn your hand over to do a good turn for anybody?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't think so.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll tell you what I think <i>I'll</i> do—I'll detail four of my + men to ride you out of this town on a rail.” + </p> + <p> + “I wouldn't call them off their jobs if I were you! I overheard you say + that you are short of time and men. By the way, you offered me a job. I'll + take it.” + </p> + <p> + The contractor blinked and hesitated. + </p> + <p> + “If after a half-day you find I'm not worth the money I'll pass on and + you'll have a half-day's work free.” + </p> + <p> + “Get on to the job, then.” + </p> + <p> + Through the open door Farr could see the woman of the house wringing + cloths at the sink. + </p> + <p> + He stepped to the door and addressed her. “Madame, will you take a + boarder? I'm going to do your husband's work on the job yonder. I will pay + liberally. In your present difficulties the money may help. I'll be small + trouble.” + </p> + <p> + “We need the money terribly,” she said, after pondering. “Yes, I will take + you. In the face you do not look like a tramp!” + </p> + <p> + “I thank you,” said Farr. “If you will give me some food in my hands I'll + take myself out of your way.” + </p> + <p> + That afternoon Jared Chick came over the hill where the trowels clinked + and the great derrick complained with its pulleys. He carried his armor on + his back. + </p> + <p> + He stopped and watched for some time his former companion of the road, who + was sweating over his man's toil. + </p> + <p> + “May I have sixty seconds off to speak with that man yonder?” Farr asked + the contractor. “It partly concerns your business.” + </p> + <p> + The big man nodded surly assent. + </p> + <p> + “Thee sees I have taken off the armor for a time. I will wear it in the + city where horses and people are not so silly. What is thee doing here?” + </p> + <p> + “I have no time to talk about myself, Friend Chick. I want to ask you if + you are still of the same mind about your mission?” + </p> + <p> + “I am.” + </p> + <p> + “Then throw down that hardware and come to work on this job. A man has + been hurt here—his wife is in need. Earn some money and give it to + them.” + </p> + <p> + “But my mission concerns the world—the wide world.” + </p> + <p> + “Real selfishness's chief excuse! Here's something ready to your hand. + Will you do it?” + </p> + <p> + “But thee told me thee would not go forth and do good!” + </p> + <p> + “No matter about me. I am not a professional knight-errant! Will you do + this?” + </p> + <p> + “Ten seconds more!” warned the boss. + </p> + <p> + “I cannot change my plans so suddenly,” protested Chick. + </p> + <p> + “A knight-errant should not have plans! My time is up and I have work. + Good-by, Friend Chick!” + </p> + <p> + The young man went back to his task and the Quaker passed on, muttering + reaffirmation of his own high aims. + </p> + <p> + “And how could I expect a vagrant to understand?” he asked himself. + </p> + <p> + The vagrant toiled two weeks at his heavy task and when the man Jose was + about again the volunteer slipped away without farewell. + </p> + <p> + He left on the table of his under-the-eaves bedroom in the Jose house all + the pay he received for his work, to the last penny. + </p> + <p> + “He wasn't what he seemed to be,” ran the burden of Mrs. Jose's various + disquisitions on this strange guest. “He ate his vittles and asked no + questions, and was out from underfoot, and was always willing to set up + with my husband and give me a snippet of rest and a wink of sleep; and he + read out of little books all the time—he had 'em stuffed into his + pockets. And there needn't anybody tell <i>me</i>! He left all his pay on + the table, every cent of it, and stole away without waiting for no thanks + from nobody!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + IV + </h2> + <h3> + FARR, THE FAT TRAMP, AND A SUIT OF CLOTHES + </h3> + <p> + On a balmy forenoon a jovial-appearing old gentleman went jogging out of + the mill city of Marion and along a country road in his two-wheeled + chaise. He sat erect and he was tall above the average of men, and he was + very neat in his attire. + </p> + <p> + “I wish,” he mused, “that the men who could really appreciate a good + outfit of clothing and could use the same properly were not so infernally + touchy. As it is, cranky human nature drives me out on an expedition like + this—and I'm afraid I am just as cranky as the rest of 'em, + otherwise I wouldn't be doing this!” + </p> + <p> + The old gentleman hummed a song under his breath and slapped his reins + against the flanks of the plodding horse to keep time. He came into a + piece of woodland. He seemed to take cheery and fresh interest in this + place. He poked his rubicund face out from the shadow of the chaise's + canopy and peered to right and to left. There was a smile in his puckery + eyes. When there were trees ahead of him, trees behind him, and trees all + about he pulled his old horse to a standstill. + </p> + <p> + He listened, squinted quizzically through the glass of his chaise's rear + curtain, and then climbed down. From a box at the rear of the vehicle he + secured various articles of clothing and draped them over his arm. There + was a frock-coat, not too badly worn, trousers in good repair, waistcoat, + and a shirt. He also took out of the box a pair of shoes and a hat. With + this load he went to the roadside and began to rig out a fence-post. When + the garments were hung on it and the broad-brimmed, black, slouch-hat had + been jauntily set on top of the post, anybody could see that the old + gentleman was thus disposing of some of his own extra clothing. He was + wearing a similar hat and a frock-coat, himself, and the decorated post + took on a bizarre and slouchy resemblance to its decorator. + </p> + <p> + He went back to the chaise and found a nickel alarm-clock in the box. He + wound this up carefully and propped it on a rail of the fence near the + clothing. + </p> + <p> + Before he could escape from the vicinity of the exhibit and get into his + chaise a wagon came rattling around the bend of the road. There were + firkins and jars in the rear of this wagon and the driver was plainly a + farmer-man. + </p> + <p> + He pulled up short and then saluted the old gentleman with a stab of + forefinger at his hat-brim. + </p> + <p> + “Any trouble, Judge?” he inquired, affably. + </p> + <p> + “None at all,” replied the old gentleman, edging away from the fully + garbed fence-post. + </p> + <p> + “Airing 'em out, hey?” A jab of the forefinger toward the garments. + </p> + <p> + “No, leaving them out.” + </p> + <p> + All at once the old gentleman appeared to remember something else. He took + off his hat and produced a placard. He straightened it and stuck it into a + crack in a fence-rail. Its legend was “Help Yourself.” + </p> + <p> + “You're giving them clothes away, are you, Judge Peterson?” + </p> + <p> + “I am leaving them here for any one who chooses to take them. Do you want + first pick, Jolson?” + </p> + <p> + “Not me! I ain't taking charity hand-me-downs from any man, Judge. If it's + a polite question, why are you giving away your duds this way?” + </p> + <p> + “I think you have just answered that question, Jolson. I offered you these + clothes. Your nose went into the air. Other men have acted in the same way + in the past when I have offered to give a fellow a good suit. I don't want + to hurt other folks' feelings. I don't want to have my own feelings hurt. + So, let any man help himself when no one is looking.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll take the alarm-clock, if you say so,” volunteered Jolson. “It'll + help to rout me out of bed at milking-time.” + </p> + <p> + “No, you cannot have the clock, Jolson. I have tinkered it so that it will + purr a little every half-hour. It will call attention to the clothes. You + see, a good many men rush through life without looking to right or left, + and so they miss a lot of opportunities.” + </p> + <p> + Jolson clucked to his horse and rattled away down the road, muttering sour + remarks. + </p> + <p> + The old gentleman, with the air of a man who has satisfied his + philanthropic ambitions, climbed into his chaise and followed the farmer. + </p> + <p> + The brisk breeze flirted the tails of the frock-coat and the trousers legs + tried out a modest little gig as if some of the jocose spirit of the old + gentleman had remained with the garments he had discarded. + </p> + <p> + There were several passers before another half-hour had elapsed. + </p> + <p> + The trousers kicked out quite hilariously when a young couple drove by in + a buggy. The girl was pretty, and companionship with her might have suited + even a judge's garments. But the young man and the girl were quite + absorbed in each other, and the trousers kicked and the frock-coat flirted + ineffectually. + </p> + <p> + A peddler's cart passed very slowly, but the driver did not look up from a + paper filled with figures. + </p> + <p> + There were others to whom the judge's garments offered themselves mutely, + but no one glanced that way and the clock was discreetly silent. The + breeze died down and the trousers and the coat hung with a sort of + homeless, homesick, and wistful air. One might have thought they were + trying to conceal themselves when the next person appeared, so still were + they. He was not an inviting person—not such a new lord and master + as a judge's garments might be expected to welcome. + </p> + <p> + He was grossly fat and his own trousers were lashed about his bulging + waist with a frayed belt; his coat was sun-faded, a greasy Scotch cap was + pulled over to one side on his head with the peak hauled down upon his + ear, and he scuffed along in boots that were disreputable. Surely, a most + unseemly and unwholesome character to be wrapped in the habiliments of a + judge! But just then, with that cursed inappropriateness of inanimate + things, the clock jangled its alarm. + </p> + <p> + The tramp—there was no mistaking that gait and that general air of + the vagrant—snapped himself about, located the noise, stared at the + post, and then hurried to it. He made sure that there was no one in sight. + He scooped all into his arms, climbed the fence and trotted into the + woods. He kept looking behind him as if he feared pursuit. It was plain + from his disturbed demeanor that he was much perplexed and was chased by + the uncomfortable thought that he was stealing this property. He bestowed + so much attention behind him that he paid but little attention to what was + ahead of him, and so he ran down into a little bowl of a valley among the + trees and stopped short there, for he had come upon a man. + </p> + <p> + It was the man who called himself Walker Farr. + </p> + <p> + The man was kneeling beside a tiny fire, toasting bread on the end of a + beech twig. He held the twig in one hand and an open book in the other. He + looked up without changing his position when the tramp came charging down + the hillside. + </p> + <p> + He had wide-open, brown eyes, this man in the hollow. The eyes were not + merely wide open on account of surprise at this irruption—one could + see that they were naturally that way—keenly observant eyes. He had + hair as brown as his eyes; his cap was on the ground beside him. + </p> + <p> + But the tramp was not taking account of the attractions of this stranger; + he was more interested in searching for flaws. + </p> + <p> + He had been frightened at first sight of the man—for the tramp had + the timidity of his kind; now he began to feel cheered. This stranger in + the hollow had not been shaved recently, his clothing was unkempt, his + shoes bore the marks of a long hike. He was cooking in the open—plain + indication of the nomad. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I say, bo,” chaffed the tramp, shifting from fright to high spirit + with the hysteria of weak natures. “I'm sure glad to see one of the good + old sort. I didn't know what I was dropping in on when I fell down that + hill. But it's all right, hey? I'm on the road. My name is Boston Fat, and + my monacker is a bean-pot.” + </p> + <p> + The brown eyes moved slowly from the grinning face to the garments heaped + in the man's arms. They were cold and critical eyes and there was no humor + in them. + </p> + <p> + “I do not do business during my lunch-hours, my man. I do not desire to + change tailors just yet and I do not buy stolen property.” + </p> + <p> + His chilliness did not dampen the other's good nature. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that's all right, old top. I'm no thief. These clothes were hung on a + fence-post just above here on the road. I reckon they were only waiting + for first-comer.” + </p> + <p> + He dropped the shoes, cocked the hat on his head, and began to fumble the + garments. The placard dropped out of the folds of the coat and the man at + the fire craned his neck and read aloud: “Help Yourself.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that's what the paper says, hey? I never learned to read any of the + modern languages,” confided Boston Fat. “I was too much taken up with the + dead ones at Harvard. Well, comrade, now you can see for yourself that I + didn't steal this mess of moth-food. There was the sign right on it + saying, 'Help Yourself.' It was there, even if I couldn't read it. + Instinck told me them clothes was for me. I took 'em and came in here.” + </p> + <p> + He shook out the garments one by one and hung them on a bush, chattering + his comments. He set the ticking clock on a stump. + </p> + <p> + The man at the fire slipped a piece of meat between two slabs of toasted + bread and began to eat. He still held the open book in his hand but his + eyes were watching the tramp. + </p> + <p> + The vagrant was orally appraising his find, exhibiting the wisdom of one + who has begged garments at back doors for the purposes of peddling them to + second-hand shops. + </p> + <p> + “A moucher,” observed the man at the fire. He continued aloud, evidently + and sardonically exercising his vocabulary, plainly enjoying the amazement + he provoked by his style of language. “The spirit of a stray cat at + midnight, the tastes of the prowling hyena! The fat thief I saw running + away into the woods! When such as these began to take to the road, + knight-errantry vanished from the face of the earth. The varlets borrowed + the grand idea of care-free itinerancy and debased it, as waiters borrow a + gentleman's evening dress for their menial uniform, and drunken coachmen + wear the same head-gear that a duke wears to a wedding! Why prove + evolution by searching for a man with a tail? The performances of human + nature must convince any thinking man that we have descended from apes!” + </p> + <p> + The astonished tramp stared for a short time at this person who employed + such peculiar language—then mumbled an oath and shook his head. + </p> + <p> + He began to try on the frock-coat, paying scant attention to the other's + monologue. The coat was a ludicrous misfit; it would not meet over the + bulging belly; its tails dragged on the fat man's heels. + </p> + <p> + “If I happened to stand handy by when a Kansas cyclone ripped the insides + out of a clothing-store only the boys' sizes would drop in the same county + with me,” grumbled the tramp, working his arms out of the sleeves. + </p> + <p> + “The coat was plainly built for a gentleman,” stated the man at the fire. + “Therefore it is of no value to you.” + </p> + <p> + Boston Fat surveyed the stranger with a vicious glint in his little eyes, + as a pig might stare at a man who had struck it across the snout. + </p> + <p> + “Good afternoon, perfesser,” he sneered. + </p> + <p> + “Why 'professor,' my frayed and frowsled Falstaff?” + </p> + <p> + “There you go with it—showing yourself up out of your own mouth! + Words a yard long—words that would break a decent man's teeth! + You're one of these college dudes out on the road getting stuff to write + into a book. I've heard about your kind. And that kind is getting too + thick and plenty and you're putting slush all over the real profesh. Quit + it and go back to college. Don't use me for your book.” + </p> + <p> + This was reciprocation of derogatory sentiment with a vengeance! + </p> + <p> + The man at the fire sat back on his haunches. He finished chewing his + mouthful, regarding the tramp with a languid stare that traveled from + crown of his head to tip of his battered shoe. + </p> + <p> + “The only thing about a book that you would be good for,” he said, “would + be for use in a volume of this sort.” He tapped the book in his palm. + “Your anatomy could supply the binding. It is bound in pigskin.” + </p> + <p> + The tramp squealed an oath in the falsetto voice that the weak and the + flabby possess and took one step forward. The man at the fire came to his + feet and stood erect. He was tall, and the brown eyes talked for him + better than threats or bluster. The vagrant shifted his gaze from those + eyes and backed away. + </p> + <p> + “If I hadn't been penned in a pie-belt jail all winter up North, and all + the strength starved out of me,” he whined, “you wouldn't call me a pig + and get away with it.” + </p> + <p> + “A person who forces himself into the presence of a gentleman who is + dining mustn't expect compliments,” stated the stranger. + </p> + <p> + “You ain't a tramp—not a real one,” snarled Boston Fat. + </p> + <p> + Farr's eyes glistened; he smiled; he continued to play on this ignoramus + his satiric pranks of mystifying language: + </p> + <p> + “More of your lack of acuteness, my fat friend. Because I do not patter + the flash lingo with you, you appear to take me for a college professor in + disguise. <i>You</i> are not a real tramp. You are a bum, a loafer, a yeg. + You never traveled more than two hundred miles away from Hoboken—the + capital city of hoboes. Have you ever hit the sage-brush trail, hiked the + milk-and-honey route from Ogden through the Mormon country, decked the + Overland Express, beaten the blind baggage on the Millionaires' Flier? + Hey?” + </p> + <p> + The sullen vagrant blinked stupidly. + </p> + <p> + “Or have you made the prairie run on the truss of a Wagner freight, or + thrown a stone at the Fox Train crew, or beaten the face off the Katy + Shack when he tried to pitch you off a gondola-car?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know what you're chewing about,” sneered the fat man. + </p> + <p> + “Probably not, for you are not a true man of the road. You disgrace the + name of nomad, you sully an ancient profession. I'll venture to say you + don't know who Ishmael was.” + </p> + <p> + “Who said I did?” + </p> + <p> + “Not I, because I'm not a flatterer. I am going to follow the example of + the man who cast pearls before swine—I'm going to cast you a pearl + from one of my own poems. You may listen. It will pass your ears, that's + all. You cannot contaminate it by taking it in, so I repeat it for my own + entertainment, to refresh my memory: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Of the morrow we take no heed, no care infests the day; + Some hand-out gump and a train to jump, a grip on the rods, and + away! + To the game of grab for gold we give no thought or care. + We own with you the arch of blue—our share of God's fresh air. + One coin to clear the law, a section of rubber hose. + To soften the chafe of a freight-car's truss, our portion of + cast-off clothes, + And the big wide world is ours—a title made good by right— + By mankind's deed to the nomad breed with the taint of the + Ishmaelite. + Some from the wastes of the sage-brush, some from the orange land, + Some from God's own country, dusty and tattered and tanned. + Why are we? It's idle to tell you—you'd never understand. + To and fro + We come and go. + Old Father Ishmael's band.” + </pre> + <p> + He leaned back and laughed in the tramp's puzzled face. + </p> + <p> + “Well, what's the answer?” scoffed Boston Fat. + </p> + <p> + The other man talked on, humor in his eyes, plainly enjoying this verbal + skylarking. + </p> + <p> + “I'm afraid I cannot waste time and breath on you in an attempt to answer + the riddle of the ages, to explain the wanderlust that sent forth the + tribes from the Aryan bowl of the birth of the races, my corpulent + bean-pot. Your blank eyes and your flattened skull suggest a discouraging + incapacity for information.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know what you're gabbing abut. But there's one thing I do know. + I'll tip 'em off at the next insane-asylum I come to that I met you headed + north.” The tramp gathered the articles of clothing from the bushes and + got down on his knees and began to fold them. + </p> + <p> + The man of the brown eyes stepped forward, laid down his little book, + picked up the frock-coat and pulled it on, the fat man squealing + expostulation. With serene disregard of this protest Farr buttoned the + coat, smoothed it down, and then straightened his shoulders. + </p> + <p> + “You may see that it was built for a gentleman and that it fits a + gentleman, friend pork-barrel.” + </p> + <p> + “You shuck it off and pass it over, that's what you do,” yelped the tramp. + “It's my coat.” + </p> + <p> + “It was perfectly apparent that it was not your coat when you tried it + on.” + </p> + <p> + “I tell you I found it hanging on a fence-post just above here.” + </p> + <p> + “That was merely by accident, and you should have passed on and left the + garments for one whose frame was fitted to wear them. You illustrate the + curse of modern society. Men are so filled with the greed of getting that + they grab misfits simply out of passion for possessing.” + </p> + <p> + “I've stood your slurs ever since I got here, but I'll be jobeefed if I'll + stand for your swiping my property.” + </p> + <p> + The man of the brown eyes smiled. His whole demeanor showed that he was + more than ever hugely enjoying his own verbosity—the florid language + which was both maddening and mystifying the tramp. + </p> + <p> + “Further evidence of your mean nature: a gentleman resents an insult that + steals away his character much more quickly than he resents an act that + steals mere property. In that little book which I have just laid down + Shakespeare speaks trenchantly on that matter: 'Who steals my purse steals + trash . . . but he that filches from me my good name robs me . . . and + makes me poor indeed.'” + </p> + <p> + The tramp gave over his work of folding, and awkwardly and cumbersomely + got upon his feet. + </p> + <p> + “You take off that coat and hand it over. It's mine—I found it. I + can stand a crazy man's gab, but when any one tries to do me out of what's + my own I'll fight.” + </p> + <p> + “May I ask what you're going to do with these garments of a gentleman + which have fallen into your hands by accident?” + </p> + <p> + “I'm going to cash 'em in at the nearest second-hand shop, that's just + what I'm going to do.” + </p> + <p> + “Just as you sold the Sunday suit you stole from a poor man! My friend, I + was insulted that day on account of you. You owe me something!” + </p> + <p> + Just then the alarm-clock purred a brief signal. + </p> + <p> + Up to that time the air of the man with the brown eyes had been that of + banter, of impish desire to harry and confuse by stilted language the + ignorant stranger who had come blundering upon him. + </p> + <p> + He stared at the clock, looked down upon the frock-coat, and then surveyed + the other articles of clothing. He scowled as if he had suddenly begun to + reflect. Seriousness smoldered in the brown eyes. That tinkling touch of + metal against metal seemed to change his mood in astonishing fashion. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, it may be morning again, O my soul!” he cried with such tense feeling + in his voice that the tramp surveyed him with gaping mouth and bulging + eyes, as one stares at a person suddenly become mad. + </p> + <p> + “I will talk to you though you will not understand! Once upon a time the + world was ruled by men who were ruled by omens. Man was then not so wise + in his own conceit. His own soul was nearer the soul of things. He was not + a mere gob of bumptiousness covered with the shell of cocksureness. He was + willing to be informed. He sought the omens of true nature—he + allowed Fate to guide him. He was not a pig running against the goad of + circumstances, unheeding the upflung arms of Fortune, waving him toward + the right path. He was simpler—he was truer. He felt that he was a + part of nature instead of being boss of nature. Well, I have got nearer to + true nature since I have been in the open. I am in contact with the soul + of things. I am no longer insulated. I am not reformed, I am simply ready + once again to grab Opportunity. So you think I am crazy, do you?” + </p> + <p> + “They had a gink in a padded cell in the jail where I was last winter and + he didn't take on much worse'n you,” stated the tramp. + </p> + <p> + “As a brainless observer you may be quite right. I may be a lunatic. I + feel much like one just now. It is lunacy to go climbing back to a level + in society from which I have been kicked. But as I knelt there by that + little fire, before you came, yearning sprang up in me—and I had + thought all that sort of yearning was dead in me. A moment later came + habiliments of a gentleman, borne in the arms of a wretch who could not + wear them. There came Opportunity. Then the jangle of that clock signaled + Opportunity—and there was a throb in me as though my sleeping soul + had rolled and blinked at the sunlight of hope and had murmured, 'It's + morning again.' Such are omens, when one is ready to heed.” + </p> + <p> + He set his teeth, clenched his fists, and by expression and attitude + showed that he had arrived at a decision of moment. He walked close to the + tramp. “I will admit, Friend Belly-brains, that you came upon Opportunity + before I did this day. But tell me again, are you to make no further use + of said Opportunity than to run to an old-clothes shop and exchange for a + few pennies that which will help to make a man?” + </p> + <p> + “They are mine and I'm going to sell 'em,” retorted the sullen vagrant. + </p> + <p> + “I am sorry because you have no wit—no power to understand. + Otherwise you would gladly lay these garments in my hands and bid me + Godspeed. You don't understand at all, do you?” + </p> + <p> + “Look here, are you trying to frisk me for these duds?” + </p> + <p> + “It's all a waste of breath to explain to you that Providence meant these + things for me. You are not acute enough to understand close reasoning. I + could not show you that, for the sake of a few coins, which would do you + only that harm which would come from their value in cheap whisky or beer, + you might be wrecking the future of a soul that is awake. I simply tell + you that I shall keep the clothing for myself. Perhaps you can understand + that plain statement!” The brown eyes became resolute and piercing. “Even + if I had money I would not pay you for these garments. Money does such as + you no good; it may bring you trouble. My dear Boston Fat, I cannot afford + to let you prejudice my future, which, so instinct tells me, is wrapped up + in those poor things of wool and warp.” He snapped a finger into his palm + and extended his hand. “Give me that hat and then pass on about your + business.” + </p> + <p> + The tramp backed away. His little blinking eyes expressed both fear and + rebelliousness. More than ever did he resemble a pig at bay. The black + hat, set on top of his greasy cap and topping with its respectability his + disreputable general outfit, added a bizarre touch to the scene between + the two men. + </p> + <p> + “You think now that you are the injured party,” calmly pursued the man of + the brown eyes. “You haven't intelligence enough to take my own case into + account. You are injured because you are losing a few coins—but I + may be injured in all that gives life its flavor if I do not grasp this + opportunity.” Both raillery and earnestness dropped out of his tones. He + became merely matter-of-fact. “I'll make it plain. Trot along about your + business, fat one, or I shall proceed to pound the face off you and then + kick you a few rods on your happy way. You deserve it as a thief—I + worked two weeks as a stone-mason on your account. Do you get me?” + </p> + <p> + For answer the infuriated vagrant rushed at him and kicked. + </p> + <p> + With one hand the stranger plucked the hat from the tramp's head and + sailed it to a place of safety. With the other hand he grabbed the + attacker's ankle before the foot hit him and with a jerk he laid the tramp + on his back. + </p> + <p> + The victim fell so helplessly that the concussion knocked the breath and a + groan out of him. + </p> + <p> + The man of the brown eyes had moved languidly and had talked languidly + till then. When he grabbed the foot he moved with a sort of steel-trap + efficiency and quickness. He promptly straddled his victim, seated himself + on the protruding abdomen, and began to beat the man's face. He battered + the flabby cheeks and punched his fists into the pulpy neck. He ground his + knees against the fat flanks and redoubled his blows when the tramp + struggled. After the squalling falsetto had implored for a long time, the + assailant at last gave over the exercise. + </p> + <p> + “Are you licked?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” whined the tramp. + </p> + <p> + “You have stolen—in most dirty style. I whipped you for that job. + Now will you stay licked for some time?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “You'll go on about your own business, will you, without any more foolish + talk about those garments?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “Are you sorry you stole from that good woman who fed you?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + The man of the brown eyes swung himself off his prostrate victim, as a + rider dismounts from a horse, and the tramp sat up, moaning and patting + his purple face. + </p> + <p> + “I never had no luck, never,” he blubbered. “I was kicked out of jail + before the weather got warmed up, I was thrown in last fall just when the + Indian summer was beginning. When other fellows get hand-outs of pie I get + cold potatoes and bannock bread. I have to walk when other fellows ride. + I'm too fat for the trucks and they can always see me on the blind + baggage. I'll keep on walking. I never had no luck in all my life.” + </p> + <p> + He rolled upon his hands and knees and then stood up. He started away, + wholly cowed, whining like a quill-pig, bewailing his luck. + </p> + <p> + “Luck!” the man of the brown eyes shouted after him in a tone which + expressed anger and regret. “What do you know about luck, you animated + lard-pail? A thing like you is in luck when he is in jail where there is + no workshop. Better luck than that is too good for you. Hold on one + minute! Turn around and look at me.” + </p> + <p> + The tramp obeyed. The stranger pounded one of those hard fists on his own + breast. + </p> + <p> + “I say look at me! No matter what I was once! But to-day you found me + cooking bacon over three sticks and ready to fight for another man's + cast-off clothes. And in between whiles I have hiked every path that the + hobo knows between the oceans. Now jog on and think that over and keep + your jaw shut on luck! I say jog on! Don't look back. Forget that you ever + saw me.” + </p> + <p> + He waved angry gesture and took two steps as though to enforce his command + with his fists. + </p> + <p> + The tramp jogged on at a brisk pace. He hurried to the highway and set out + on his shuffling pilgrimage, rubbing his aching face and muttering to + himself. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0006" id="link2H_4_0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + V + </h2> + <h3> + THE GIRL WHO GUARDED HER LIPS + </h3> + <p> + The brown eyes of the victor watched the tramp out of sight and for some + moments surveyed the nick in the undergrowth where the fellow had + disappeared. + </p> + <p> + There was no anger in the eyes. There had been none while their possessor + had been pummeling the wretch. He had beaten the man up in a calm, + methodical and perfectly business-like manner. + </p> + <p> + When at last he turned and looked at the clothing he smiled whimsically. + </p> + <p> + “The perambulating pork-barrel thinks I am crazy,” he mused, looking at + the frock-coat. He had stripped that garment from his shoulders and had + tossed it on a bush when he had decided on combat. “If I should stop to + argue the matter with myself just now I should find myself flattering his + good judgment. I have robbed a poor devil for a whim. Thank God, I went at + it brutally and frankly. There was no 'high finance' sneak-thieving about + that job. I sent him away with his face smarting. They sent me away with + my soul black-and-blue.” + </p> + <p> + He gathered the garments, picked up the shoes, put the hat on top of the + pile on his arm, and went farther into the woods, following the course of + a tiny stream of water. This stream led him to a pool. It was + tree-bordered, it was a center gem in a dim alcove in the forest, it was + as secret as a private chamber. The pool was glassy, for the winds were + still in the tree-tops. + </p> + <p> + The man laid down his burden. He stripped off his own well-worn coat and + shirt, and secured a razor and stick of soap from the scattered articles + he dumped from the coat pocket. He kneeled on the brink of the pool, + leaned over and shaved himself carefully, using the glassy surface as a + mirror. Then he put off his other clothing, the mean garments of a + vagrant, and plunged into the pool. + </p> + <p> + When he came forth from the water and dried himself with his discarded + shirt, he revealed himself to the birds whom his splashings had attracted + to the branches above the pool. If the birds' twitterings were comments on + his appearance, they must have been admiring comments. The man's skin was + white and he was lithe and tense and muscular. Breeding showed in him as + it shows in the muscles and conformation of a race-horse. When he was + dried he threw down the makeshift towel and combed his shock of brown hair + with his fingers. Now that the bristle of beard was off his face he looked + younger. + </p> + <p> + From the pile of clothing he selected his outfit, garment by garment. The + jovial humor of the judge had provided complete equipment for a man. In + the breast pockets of the frock-coat there were a clean collar, a necktie, + and a freshly laundered handkerchief. + </p> + <p> + By the time he had finished his dressing the pool was still and glassy + once more. He flirted out the handkerchief, holding it by one corner, and + swept the soft fabric around and around the crown of the black hat. + </p> + <p> + He carefully set the hat on his head and leaned over the pool and took an + interested peep at himself. + </p> + <p> + “You are a fool in this matter,” he informed the reflection. “And I wonder + why you are determined to persist in the folly. The man Chick's tin suit + cannot bring as much trouble to him as this garb of respectability may + bring to you. For no man can step up to that poor Quaker and touch his + shoulder and say—” + </p> + <p> + He broke off. He began to search through his discarded garments and to + stow his few possessions into the pockets of his new attire. + </p> + <p> + “All folly!” ran his thoughts. “I am consumed with it all of a sudden. I + have ranted to a tramp. Now I rant at myself. I am sloughing the rags that + have protected me. All folly!” + </p> + <p> + His searching fingers, groping to the deepest corner of a pocket, found + the crumbling fragments of a dried rose. He narrowed his eyes and surveyed + it as it lay in his palm, and then made as if to toss it into the pool. + But he checked the gesture. He set his chin in his hands and communed + aloud with himself after the fashion of those who hold aloof from mankind: + </p> + <p> + “Folly, little sister! I may as well be truthful! Two dark eyes which gave + me the first honest, unafraid, and frank gaze I've had from a maid in two + years, two red lips which said 'Please' and 'Thank you'! A flash of a + glance behind her which called me, even if she did not mean it as a call—and + so, on I fare in a lunatic's dream. Own up! I have dreamed that some day I + will see her again. And down in the depths of me stirs that impulse of the + male which makes the peacock spread his feathers and silly man perk in + front of a mirror. Why not give in to the sense of heredity once in a + while even though it means beating up a tramp and making myself more of a + mark for human eyes?” + </p> + <p> + He rolled the old clothes into a bundle and stuffed them under the roots + of a tree. Then he strolled away leisurely, and when he as in the wider + stretches of the wood where the light was better he pulled a small book + from his pocket and read as he walked. + </p> + <p> + The volume was <i>Sartor Resartus</i>. His eyes happened to find this + passage and he smiled as he read: + </p> + <p> + All visible things are emblems. Hence clothes, as despicable as we think + them, are so unspeakably significant. Clothes, from the King's mantle + downward, are emblematic not of want only but of a manifold cunning + victory over want. Men are properly said to be clothed with authority, + clothed with beauty, with curses and the like. It is written, the Heavens + and the Earth shall fade away like a vesture; which indeed they are: the + time vesture of the Eternal. Whatsoever sensibly exists, whatsoever + represents spirit to spirit, is properly a clothing, a suit of raiment, + put on for a season and to be laid off. Thus in this one pregnant subject + of clothes, rightly understood, is included all that men have thought, + dreamed, done, and been; the whole Eternal Universe and what it holds is + but clothing; and the essence of all science lies in the Philosophy of + Clothes. + </p> + <p> + From time to time he looked down upon himself complacently. + </p> + <p> + When he came near a glade in the wood he heard the chatter of the voices + of a merry party and he saw picnickers, men and women, gathered about + hampers. Automobiles were parked at a little distance, and he made a + detour to avoid the scene. + </p> + <p> + He emerged upon an animated tableau of modern nymph and modish satyr in a + close-by forest aisle. The girl was flushed and disheveled and was + resisting a young man who had pushed aside her veil and was kissing her + with ardor. She beat him back with her gloved hands and eluded him, but he + caught her to him with more of rough passion than tender affection. + </p> + <p> + “We are engaged to be married,” he insisted. “Why shouldn't I kiss you? + Don't be a prude!” + </p> + <p> + She thrust her protesting palms against him and set her arms rigidly and + held her head away, not with coyness, but with indignation and fierce + rebellion. + </p> + <p> + “I love you! My God, can't you understand?” he gasped. “I can't keep my + hands off you. You can't handle a man as you're trying to handle me. I + must have some affection from you!” + </p> + <p> + “Richard! I'll not endure this! I am insulted!” + </p> + <p> + “My kisses an insult? I'm no ice-water lover. You set me crazy. I can't + help myself.” + </p> + <p> + She wrenched herself from his grasp and faced him, her face filled with + outraged fury. + </p> + <p> + Farr had started to leave the scene. He stopped. The girl was the girl of + the red lips and the dark eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Don't touch me!” she cried. “The only promise you have had from me, + Richard, is the one my mother has fairly forced from me. I am trying + honestly to like you. I will please my mother and you if I can.” + </p> + <p> + “That's a devil of a thing to say to a man who loves you as I do,” he + declared, with anger. + </p> + <p> + “That is all I can say just now. But if you use me again as you would pull + and haul a girl of the streets, I'll despise you. I give you warning.” + </p> + <p> + “What sort of books have you been reading, Kate?” he asked, sarcastically. + “Where did you get your idea of what love-making is? They don't sing + serenades under windows these days. They don't kiss finger-tips and write + mush poems. I am going to tell you a few things you ought to know, as a + girl engaged to be married.” + </p> + <p> + Farr stood close by them and in plain sight, but their absorption in their + struggle had left them attention only for each other. He knew that if he + started away while they were talking his presence would be promptly noted + and undoubtedly misjudged. + </p> + <p> + He set his finger between the leaves of his book and took his hat in his + hand. + </p> + <p> + “Your pardon!” he pleaded. “I stumbled here quite by accident. Please + suspend conversation on private matters until I can walk out of earshot.” + </p> + <p> + He stared straight into the eyes of the girl and once more received from + her that frank and wondering gaze which had touched him so strangely when + he had seen her first on the broad highway. His face was white under the + tan. His hands trembled as he replaced his hat. In his heart he was saying + farewell to her and his eyes expressed some of his emotion. + </p> + <p> + “You may take your own time, sir,” said the girl. “This gentleman and I + have finished our conversation.” She passed Farr, looking him up and down + with increasing curiosity and dawning recognition, and when her escort + called to her impatiently, she caught her skirts around her and ran toward + the glade where the others of the party were chattering over their + hampers. + </p> + <p> + The lover started away slowly and sullenly on her trail, with only a + glance at this blundering stranger. + </p> + <p> + “No, they do not sing serenades under windows any more—nor has the + stone age returned with its love-making manners,” remarked Farr, his lips + trembling and his emotion still in his eyes. “There are some manners which + were worse, however, than knocking maidens down with clubs.” + </p> + <p> + The other man snapped himself around on his heels. + </p> + <p> + “Damn you, you're that fresh hobo! I don't forget a man who shoots off + low-down sneers at me. Here! You come back here! I want to ask a few + questions, my man.” + </p> + <p> + Farr continued on his way, opening his book. + </p> + <p> + “If I ever see you again—” blustered the lover. + </p> + <p> + “I sincerely hope that will never happen,” remarked the stranger, without + turning his head. “Instinct of the purely animal sort tells me that if our + paths cross in this life it will be very bad for one or the other.” + </p> + <p> + When Farr was in the highway he fumbled in his pocket and found the + withered rose. He tossed it away among the roadside bushes. + </p> + <p> + But after he had gone on his way for some distance he retraced his steps + and hunted in the bushes for a long time on his hands and knees until he + found the poor little keepsake. + </p> + <p> + He put it carefully into the deepest pocket he could find in his newly + acquired habiliments and trudged on down the world. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0007" id="link2H_4_0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VI + </h2> + <h3> + A MAN ON FOOT AND A MAN IN HIS CHARIOT + </h3> + <p> + A blatant orator, haranguing passionately, attracted two new auditors. + </p> + <p> + A tall young man sauntered to the edge of the little group in the square + and listened with a smile which indicated cynical half-interest. + </p> + <p> + An automobile halted on the opposite side of the group. A big man sat + alone in the tonneau. + </p> + <p> + He began to scowl as he listened. + </p> + <p> + The young man continued to smile. + </p> + <p> + The big man was plainly a personality. He was cool and crisp in summer + flannels—as immaculate as the accoutrements of his car. + </p> + <p> + In face and physique the young man was plainly not of that herd near which + he stood. + </p> + <p> + His glance crossed that of the man in the car; he met the scowl with his + smile. + </p> + <p> + Like a kiln open to the hot glare from a brassy sky or an oven where the + July caloric blazed like a blast from the open mouth of a retort—such + that day seemed Moosac Square in the heart of the cotton-mill city. High + buildings closed in its treeless, ill-paved, dirty area. The air, made + blistering by the torch of the sun, beat back and forth between the + buildings in shimmering waves. + </p> + <p> + In the center of the square the blatant orator balanced himself on a stone + trough which was arid and dust-choked. He harangued the group of unkempt + men; sweating, blinking, apathetic men; slouchy men; men who were ticketed + in attire and demeanor with all the squalid marks of idlers, vagrants, and + the unemployed. + </p> + <p> + The man on the trough was of the ilk of the men who surrounded him. His + face was flaming with the heat and with his vocal efforts. Perspiration + streamed into his eyes, his voice was hoarse with shouting, but he had the + natural eloquence of the demagogue. He was delivering the creed of the + propaganda of rebellious poverty, the complaints of the dissatisfied, the + demands of the idle agitators. He spiked his diatribe with threats + flavored by anarchy. He pointed to policemen who had taken refuge in + strips of shade which had been cast grudgingly by the high buildings. He + reminded his hearers that those policemen had just driven them out of the + tree-shaded parks. There the selfish rich folks were loafing under the + trees. Poor folks were herded down the street and were forced to hold this + meeting in that Gehenna, so he averred. + </p> + <p> + The man in the automobile muttered impatient words. Then he shouted, + breaking in on the impassioned anathema which the orator addressed to the + rich: “Stop lying to these men—stirring them up. The parks are for + the people. You can go there—all you men can go there—if + you'll go without making a disturbance.” + </p> + <p> + “If men in these days open their mouths to speak for their human rights + it's a disturbance,” retorted the demagogue. “If we go up to the park and + sit there and tremble like rabbits you rich men will let us stay there—perhaps! + But we don't have as many rights there as the rabbits, for the rabbits are + allowed to step on the grass.” + </p> + <p> + “You've got to obey the law like other citizens—you will not be + allowed to disturb decent and respectable people. You and men like you + must stop putting foolish notions in the heads of loafers in this city.” + </p> + <p> + “Then put something into our mouths—give us food. Why are we + loafers?” + </p> + <p> + “Because you won't go to work. I'll give every able-bodied man here all + the work he wants. Apply at the office of the Consolidated Water Company—now.” + </p> + <p> + “What's the work?” inquired a man in the crowd. + </p> + <p> + “Digging trenches for water-pipes. How many men want that work? Hold up + hands.” + </p> + <p> + “It ain't work for human beings in this weather,” snarled the man who had + inquired. No hands were raised. + </p> + <p> + “That's your style!” blazed the big man. The policemen had sauntered into + the square and their presence was reassuring. He stood up and began to + lecture them. + </p> + <p> + “And them's the kind of lord dukes that's running this country to-day—own + it and run it,” growled a slouchy fellow who stood near the tall young + man. “They ain't willing to give a poor man a show.” + </p> + <p> + “He has just offered you a show—all of you,” stated the young man. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, a Guinea job for white men.” + </p> + <p> + “You're picking a poor excuse for being a loafer, my friend.” + </p> + <p> + “Who says I'm a loafer?” + </p> + <p> + The young man shot out his hands and grasped the fellow's elbow and hand. + The arm was flabby, the palm was soft. He doubled back the fingers and + exhibited the palm to the crowd. + </p> + <p> + “I don't find any labor medals here, men. Is there anybody in the crowd + who can show some?” He released the struggling, cursing captive. + </p> + <p> + “What's labor medals?” inquired a bystander. + </p> + <p> + The big man was still denouncing them from his car, but the group paid + little attention now. + </p> + <p> + “Callous spots in the place where a working-man ought to wear them. And + that place isn't on the tongue.” + </p> + <p> + “Are you sneering at us because we can't get a job?” + </p> + <p> + “You're a loafer yourself, and anybody can see it,” declared another. + </p> + <p> + The young man raised his arms, showing them his palms. + </p> + <p> + “I carry a few labor medals,” he returned, curtly. + </p> + <p> + “Why ain't you on your job? The lord dukes won't give you one?” + </p> + <p> + “<i>When</i> I work and <i>where</i> I work is my own business, so long as + I don't beg food at back doors.” + </p> + <p> + “Do <i>we</i>?” + </p> + <p> + They had crowded around him and menaced him with murmurings and glowering + gaze. + </p> + <p> + “I should say so,” he replied, giving them an indifferent going-over with + his cold eyes. “You carry all the marks.” + </p> + <p> + Then he shouldered his way out from among them, displaying the air of one + who found further discourse unprofitable. + </p> + <p> + He strolled leisurely in the direction of the big man in the car. The + crowd he had left stared after him without presuming to voice taunt or + reply; there was something compelling about him. + </p> + <p> + As Farr approached the automobile its owner stopped talking and stared at + the tall stranger with some apprehension. Then the big man beckoned + unobtrusively to a policeman. It was evident that Farr was not of the same + sort as the ruck of men from among whom he had just emerged, nevertheless + he had come from among them. The lordly man in the car had observed him + moving in the group, for Farr had loomed above the heads of the others; + what he had been saying to the malcontents the big man had not been able + to hear, but he guessed. + </p> + <p> + “Some sort of sneak has been stirring up the fools in this city lately,” + the aristocrat informed the officer who came promptly to the side of the + car. “Who is this fellow coming?” + </p> + <p> + “I never saw him before, Colonel Dodd.” + </p> + <p> + “Stand by! He is going to tackle me and make a grand-stand play in front + of his gang. His clothes give him away—a loafing demagogue!” + </p> + <p> + But the tall man did not pause at the car or even glance at the dignitary + who occupied it. He seemed to have lost all interest in the occasion. He + yawned as he passed the automobile and started away across the square. + </p> + <p> + “Here, you! You big chap!” called Colonel Dodd, promptly emboldened. + </p> + <p> + Farr halted and turned, his countenance showing mild inquiry. + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean by coming into a peaceable city and stirring up labor + troubles?” + </p> + <p> + “Have I done so?” + </p> + <p> + “You have just been mixing and mingling with those men, talking to them. I + know your kind.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, a gentleman of keen discernment!” + </p> + <p> + “I have seen you before—you fellows with long-tailed coats and + short-horned ideas. We don't want your kind in this city!” + </p> + <p> + “I seem to have made a prompt sensation without trying to do so,” returned + Farr, meekly. “I have been in your city less than fifteen minutes, sir!” + </p> + <p> + “You're a traveling labor-agitator, aren't you?” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “But I just saw you circulating among those men. Your rig-out shows your + character!” + </p> + <p> + “You mean these garments I wear?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly! A frock-coat helps out your pose before an ignorant public.” + </p> + <p> + “He stole that coat from me,” squeaked a fat man, standing at a little + distance, scrubbing a torn sleeve over his grimy, sweat-streaked face. “He + picked it fair off'n my back. I have follered him to show him up as a + robber and a fake. That's so help me!” + </p> + <p> + Riotous laughter from all the listeners followed that declaration; a + glance at the tubby tramp and survey of the tall young man whose contours + fitted the garments made the fat man's assertion seem like a huge joke. + </p> + <p> + “I can prove it!” squalled the vagrant. + </p> + <p> + “Beat it! Get out of this city!” commanded a policeman. “If you don't + we'll have you on the rock-pile. What ye mean by such guff?” He flourished + his stick and the tramp hurried away. + </p> + <p> + “It's no use,” he whined. “Grab and bluff! Him what can do it best always + wins. That's the way the world goes!” + </p> + <p> + “When I took these clothes off the back of my vanishing friend I felt that + they would make a change in my life,” stated Farr, with a smile which + provoked more laughter. “But I did not dream that they would bring me such + prominence in so short a time.” He bowed to the man in the car. + </p> + <p> + But Colonel Dodd was angry and insistent and did not join in the + merriment. + </p> + <p> + “I say you are a labor-agitator. Any man who won't go to work himself has + no right to be stirring up other workers against their own interests. You + may as well own up to me, my man. These men standing around here know what + you are—you have been talking with them. Outside of stirring + trouble, you don't work, do you?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh yes, my lord!” + </p> + <p> + There was smiling mockery in the tone, almost insolence. He seemed to be + willing to display to the rich man the same lack of respect he had + displayed to the poor men who stood near and listened to this colloquy. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you do?” Colonel Dodd raised his voice. “Listen sharp, my men! Do you + want to be led around by the noses by a man who doesn't work? This + gentleman is going to tell us what his job is!” He sneered when he said + it. + </p> + <p> + “I am an assiduous toiler in my profession, your excellency. I am + surprised that as an employer you do not recognize a real worker when you + see one.” + </p> + <p> + This tone of raillery and this stilted manner of speech promptly caught + the fancy of the throng. The men crowded more closely and the orator on + the trough was silent. + </p> + <p> + “What do you work at?” + </p> + <p> + “I am an architect, your gracious highness.” + </p> + <p> + “Less of that insolence in the way of names, my friend! An architect, eh? + Well, what did you ever build?” + </p> + <p> + “I laid out Dream Avenue in the boom city of Expectation and built on that + thoroughfare a magnificent row of castles in the air. If you had a bit + more imagination I might try to sell you something in my line. But it is + useless, I see! Farewell!” + </p> + <p> + He swept off his broad-brimmed hat with a deep bow, backed away a few + steps, and bowed again and went on his way. The crowd guffawed. This + baiting of the city's labor magnate had most agreeably scratched their + itching sense of resentment. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know who that josher is, but I hate to lose him out of town,” + confided the orator on the trough to those near him. + </p> + <p> + “I never saw that fellow before, but I'll pinch him if you say so, Colonel + Dodd,” volunteered the policeman. “Do you make complaint?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” snapped the colonel, glowering on the broad back which was swinging + across the square in retreat. He told his chauffeur to drive on. + </p> + <p> + When the car passed Farr the colonel flicked cigar ashes which alighted in + a spray of dust on the sleeve of the frock-coat. + </p> + <p> + “Bah!” said the colonel, shooting the young man a scowl. + </p> + <p> + Farr gave in return a smile, but it was not a particularly genial smile. + </p> + <p> + The young man went on his way leisurely; by his gait, by his frequent and + somewhat prolonged pauses at shop windows, by his indifferent starings at + traffic and pedestrians, it was plain that he had little of moment on his + mind. + </p> + <p> + He bought a penny glass of water at a corner kiosk. + </p> + <p> + “Do you mind telling me,” he asked the vender, “Who is Colonel Dodd of + this city? I am a stranger and I have just overheard the name.” + </p> + <p> + The man grinned. “If it wasn't for Colonel Symonds Dodd I wouldn't be + making much of a living here, selling spring-water. He is president of the + Consolidated.” + </p> + <p> + “And that means?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, it means that he is boss of the water trust that owns the system in + this city and in all the other cities and towns of this state. And they + pump all of their water out of the rivers because the lakes are so far + off, and nobody drinks that water unless he has to or don't know any + better. Colonel Dodd? Why, he bosses the whole state, they tell me.” + </p> + <p> + “I gathered that he was important,” said the young man, and walked on. + </p> + <p> + He was held up in the passing crowd at a street corner for a few moments + because a parade of some half-dozen automobiles whirled past. The cars + were decorated with banners, and the wild flowers and other spoil of + forest and field in the arms of the ladies indicated that this was a party + returning from a picnic in the suburbs. + </p> + <p> + “Would you mind telling me,” asked Farr of the policeman who was guarding + the corner, “who that young man is—the one there in the gray + automobile?” + </p> + <p> + “With the bleached blonde and the pretty girl?” asked the officer. “Oh, + that's Colonel Dodd's nephew—Dicky Dodd. Of course you know who the + colonel is.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Farr. He opened his mouth to ask another question, for the + policeman seemed to be of the obliging sort. Then he closed his lips + resolutely and marched along. + </p> + <p> + “What's the use?” he muttered. “Two dark eyes and a red mouth—and I + am almost forgetting how to be a philosopher.” + </p> + <p> + Farther down the city thoroughfare he met one who had claimed to be a + philosopher. It was Jared Chick, stalking along the sidewalk in his + home-made armor. He held a box of stove-polish in one hand and a brush in + the other, and as he strolled he was giving his corselet and such parts of + the armor as he could handily reach a glossy coat—a gleaming and + burnished surface. On his helmet in place of a crest Knight Chick bore + aloft a metal banneret inscribed, “Invincible Stove Polish.” + </p> + <p> + “And the mission?” asked Farr, halting his quondam companion, who had been + too intent upon his business to pay heed to passers. + </p> + <p> + “I find thee changed, and no doubt thee, too, finds me changed,” sighed + Mr. Chick. + </p> + <p> + The mouth of an alley between high buildings afforded a retreat and the + breeze blew there fitfully, and Mr. Chick stepped to that oasis of shade + in the glare of sunshine. + </p> + <p> + “I have been obliged to modify my mission in some degree. I must confess + that to thee,” he said. “This is a strange and wicked world.” + </p> + <p> + “Didn't you know it before you gave up a good blacksmith business to go + out in the hot sun and suffer torment, all for nothing?” + </p> + <p> + “It is very hard work,” acknowledged Chick, showing his flushed and + streaming face under his vizor. “If I were not used to the fires of the + forge I think I would fall down and die. But I must keep on.” + </p> + <p> + “But you are simply an advertising-sign.” + </p> + <p> + “I have modified my mission. I have not given up, however. I will tell + thee! I found a man beside the way—a man who had been drinking + strong waters and whose pockets had been turned wrong side out. So I took + him to a tavern and I sat with him through the night, and nursed him when + he suffered, and revealed my mission when he awoke. 'I am out to do good + to all men,' I told him, and he searched through his pockets with + blasphemy, and he said that I had done him—and he haled me before + the court, and the judge said that no man could publicly profess such + disinterestedness and escape suspicion, because people in these days are + all looking for the main chance. So he did not believe me and he sentenced + me to the jail. But a good Samaritan interceded for me and took me from + behind the bars, and now in the spirit of gratitude I am repaying him; he + makes and sells this stove-polish.” + </p> + <p> + “That man is evidently shrewd in business and a good advertiser,” + commented Farr. + </p> + <p> + “I find that I get along much better in the world,” asserted the + knight-errant. “Now that I carry an advertising-sign my armor attracts no + rude mobs. I can go abroad and do good to a foolish world; I can use the + stipend my good benefactor allows to me for my work and I can help poor + folks here and there. Therefore, I am content with my modified mission. Is + thee more at peace with the world?” + </p> + <p> + “I ought to be, after hearing you say that <i>you</i> are contented,” said + Farr, with irony. + </p> + <p> + “Thee has manifestly improved thy condition, so I observe.” + </p> + <p> + “It often happens in this world, Friend Chick, that the sleeker we are on + the outside, the more ragged we are within. I think I'll move on. I might + say something to jar your sense of sublime content. I'd be sorry to do + that. Real contentment is a rare thing and must be handled very + carefully.” + </p> + <p> + “I fear thee loves thyself too much,” chided the Quaker. “Affection for + somebody might make thee happy, my friend.” + </p> + <p> + Farr choked back the comment that occurred to him in regard to love and + walked away. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0008" id="link2H_4_0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VII + </h2> + <h3> + THE RAKE WHICH GROPED IN DARK WATERS + </h3> + <p> + The afternoon was waning, but the hot bowl of the sky seemed to shut down + over the city more closely. + </p> + <p> + Farr held to the shaded sides of the streets, and yearned for a patch of + green and a tree and its shade. + </p> + <p> + At last he came into a section of the city where vast mills, one + succeeding another in rows which vanished in the distance, clacked their + everlasting staccato of hurrying looms, venting clamor from the thousands + of open windows. A canal of slow-moving, turbid water intersected the city + and fed its quota of power to each mill. The fenced bank of the canal was + green; and elms, languid in the fierce heat, gave shade here and there + with wilted leaves. The masses of brick which inclosed the toilers within + the mills puffed off tremulous heat-waves and suggested that humanity must + be baking in those gigantic ovens. + </p> + <p> + A high fence interposed between the canal and the street; the mill lawn + which extended between the canal and the shimmering brick walls was also + inclosed. Signs posted on the fence warned trespassers not to venture. + </p> + <p> + A bridge carried the street across the canal, and Farr stood there for a + time and watched the swirl of the water below. Then he sauntered on and + surveyed the expanse of mill lawn with appraising and envious gaze. + </p> + <p> + The young man climbed the canal fence, exhibiting more of his cool + contempt for authority by helping himself over the sharp spikes with the + aid of a “No Trespassing” sign. The sickly odor of raw cotton came + floating to his nostrils from the open windows. He strolled to the head of + a transverse canal which sucked water from the main stream. A sprawling + tree shaded a foot-worn plank where an old man, with bent shoulders and a + withered face, trudged to and fro, clawing down into the black waters with + a huge rake. He was the rack-tender—it was his task to keep the ribs + of the guarding rack clear of the refuse that came swirling down with the + water, for flotsam, if allowed to lodge, might filch some of the jealously + guarded power away from the mighty turbines which growled and grunted in + the depths of the wheel-pits. With rake in one hand and a long, barbed + pole in the other the old man bent over the bubbling torrent that the + rack's teeth sucked hissingly between them. Bits of wood, soggy paper, an + old umbrella, all manner of stuff which had been tossed into the canal by + lazy folks up-stream, he raked and pulled up and piled at the end of his + foot-bridge. + </p> + <p> + “Hy, yi, old Pickaroon!” came a child's shrill voice from a mill window. + “There's a tramp under your tree.” + </p> + <p> + The old man raised his head from his work at the rack. + </p> + <p> + “You must not come on dis place,” he cried, with a strong French-Canadian + accent. + </p> + <p> + “Who says so?” inquired the stranger, putting his back against the tree + and stretching out his legs. + </p> + <p> + “I—Etienne Provancher.” + </p> + <p> + “And I—my worthy alien—I am Walker Farr from Nowhere. Now that + we have been properly introduced I will sit here and rest. I am here + because I love the soothing sound of babbling waters on a hot day. Go + about your work. I'll watch you. I love surprises. Who knows what next + you'll draw forth from the depths of fate? + </p> + <p> + “I can have you arrest!” cried the old man. + </p> + <p> + The uninvited guest took off his broad-brimmed hat, laid it across his + knees, and ran his hand through his shock of brown hair; it curled damply + over his forehead and, behind, reached down nearly to his coat-collar, + hiding his tanned neck. In some men that length of hair might have seemed + affectation. It gave this man, as he sat there uncovered, that touch of + the unusual which separates the person of strong individuality from the + mere mob. Then he smiled on old Etienne—such a warm, radiant, + compelling, disarming sort of smile that the rack-tender turned to his + work again, muttering. His mouth twitched and the crinkles in his withered + face deepened. + </p> + <p> + Walker Farr found a comfortable indentation in the tree-trunk and settled + his head there. + </p> + <p> + “How much do you get a week for doing that, Etienne?” he inquired, with + cool assurance. + </p> + <p> + The old man glance sideways sharply, but the smile won him. + </p> + <p> + “Six dollaire.” + </p> + <p> + “After supporting your family, what do you do with the rest of the money + these generous mill-owners allow you?” + </p> + <p> + “I never was marry.” + </p> + <p> + The young man looked up at the mill windows where childish heads were + bobbing to and fro. + </p> + <p> + “That was poor judgment, Etienne. You might have married and have a dozen + children now, working hard for you in the mill. Just like those children + yonder.” + </p> + <p> + The old man came to the end of his foot-bridge and flung down his rake and + his pike-pole. + </p> + <p> + The sudden emotions of his Gallic forebears swept through him. His + features worked, his voice was high with passion. + </p> + <p> + “Ba gar, I don't sleep the night because I think about dem poor childs. + Dem little white face, dem arm, dem leg—all dry up—not so big + as chicken leg. And all outdoor free to odder childs—not to them + childs up dere.” He shook his fists at the mill windows. And some child + who saw the motion, getting a hasty peep from a widow, squealed, “Hi yi, + old Pickaroon!” + </p> + <p> + “It doesn't pay to get too excited over the sorrows of the world, my + friend,” drawled the young man under the tree. “It doesn't do any good; + and then somebody calls you names. I was something like you once. But I've + changed my philosophy. I have hypnotized my altruism. Now I'm perfectly + happy.” + </p> + <p> + Etienne stared without understanding these big words. But he had often + told himself that he never expected to understand Yankee speech very well. + He worked alone; he lived alone in his garret in the tenement block; he + talked but little with any person. But this young man with the wonderful + smile seemed to inspire him to talk—even to the extent of revealing + his secrets. + </p> + <p> + He lowered his voice. “Thirty year I have work here. I live way up in the + little room. Bread I eat with lard on it. It costs little. Of the six + dollaire I save much. Ah, <i>oui</i>! Hist! Not for me I save it. Ah, <i>non</i>! + To the priest I give it. To the good priest. And the poor childs what are + sick—he send 'em to the farm—to have some outdoors. But I + don't sleep the night because I think the dollaire come so slow—and + so many poor childs are sick.” + </p> + <p> + He picked up his rake and pike and went back to his labor. + </p> + <p> + The man under the tree did not lose his smile. + </p> + <p> + “Yonder is a brand of altruism that cannot be hypnotized or modified like + Knight Chick's, I fear,” he muttered. “You'd have to hit it on the head—kill + it with sticks! And my definition of philanthropy has always been, 'giving + away something you don't want in order to get yourself advertised.' + Etienne is interesting. He is the only philanthropist I have even found + who will eat lard instead of butter so as to save more for his + philanthropy.” Now his smile grew hard. “Don't dare to open your eyes, + Altruism,” he commanded. “I saw the lids quiver a minute ago while that + old man was talking, but remember you're hypnotized.” + </p> + <p> + He saw the rack-tender lay down his pike so as to give both hands to his + big rake. + </p> + <p> + He was pulling at something heavier than the ordinary flotsam—something + far below the surface of the water. At last it broke through the black + surface of the turbid flood. To Walker Farr, glancing carelessly, it + seemed like a bedraggled bundle of rags with something white at the end. + </p> + <p> + “You come help, m'sieu',” called old Etienne. “It is a dead woman.” + </p> + <p> + Together they pulled the rake's dread burden slowly up the bars of the + rack. + </p> + <p> + “You seem pretty cool about this,” gasped the young man. + </p> + <p> + “It is no new thing. Many drown themselves—they drown in the canal + so they will be found. Women and girls, they drown themselves. So! Help me + carry her.” + </p> + <p> + Farr gazed down on her after she had been laid on the canal bank. She was + young, but thin and work-worn. + </p> + <p> + “Weaver,” commented old Etienne, laying back on her breast one of the + hands he had lifted. “There's the marks on the fingers where she have tie + so many knots so quick.” + </p> + <p> + There was a key on her breast; it was secured by a cord that passed out of + sight between the buttons on her waist. Farr stooped and pulled on the + key. A folded paper came with the key; the other end of the cord was tied + around the paper. + </p> + <p> + “You must not—it is for the coroner,” protested Etienne. “I know the + law—I have drag up so many.” + </p> + <p> + “My besetting sin is curiosity,” declared the young man, his calm + impertinence unruffled. He pulled the wet paper from the noose of the + cord. “We'll read this together.” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot read,” confessed the rack-tender. “You shall read it to me.” His + little black eyes gleamed now with curiosity of his own. “I shall be glad + to hear. The coroner he never read to me.” + </p> + <p> + The water had spread the ink and spotted the paper, but Farr was able to + decipher the missive. He read aloud: + </p> + <p> + “'My head has grown bad since my husband died. It is grief, the awful + heat, the work at the looms. They said if I would give my little girl away + she could go to the country and grow well. But I could not give her up for + ever. I could not earn the money to send her to board. I could not earn + the money except to buy us bread here in the tenement block. And my bad + head has been telling me it's best to kill myself and take her with me. So + I kill myself before my head grows so bad that I might take away my little + girl's life. It belongs to her and I hope she may be happy. Will somebody + take her and give her happiness? It is wicked to kill myself, but my head + is so bad I cannot think out the right way to do. This is the key to the + room in Block Ten. + </p> + <p> + “'MRS. ELISIANE SIROIS. + </p> + <p> + “'Her name is Rosemarie.'” + </p> + <p> + Walker Farr finished reading and stared into the glittering eyes of the + old man. + </p> + <p> + Etienne Provancher swore roundly and furiously—the strange, hard + oaths that his ancestors had brought from the Normandy of the seventeenth + century. + </p> + <p> + “So you shall see—it is as I have say.” He shook his fists again at + the mill. Its open windows vomited the staccato chatterings of the myriad + looms. “It chews up the poor people. Hear its dam' teeth go chank—chank—chank!” + </p> + <p> + “The Gallic imagination is always active,” said Farr, joggling the key at + the end of the cord and eyeing it with peculiar interest. “But in this + case it seems to picture conditions pretty accurately. I wonder just what + a visitor would find inside the door that this key fits!” + </p> + <p> + “You shall go tell them at the office of the mill,” commanded Etienne. + “Tell them they have killed another. They will telephone for the coroner. + I will give the paper and the key when he come.” He held out his hand. “It + is the law.” + </p> + <p> + “I have a natural hankering—sometimes—to break the law,” + affirmed the young man. “I feel that fatal curiosity of mine stirring + again, Friend Etienne. I will send the coroner. But coroners love + mysteries. If we give him the letter it will take all the spice out of + this affair. Let's make him happy—he can drag out the inquest and + give his friends a long job on the jury.” He smiled and started away, + shaking his head when the old man protested shrilly. “Better say nothing + about this letter and the key. You'll get into trouble for letting a + stranger come in here and carry away evidence. Better keep out of the law, + Etienne.” He grabbed the “No Trespassing” sign for a hand-hold and climbed + over the fence. “I'll come back and tell you, Etienne. But keep mum,” he + advised. + </p> + <p> + “It is his smile—it makes me break the law,” mumbled the old man. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0009" id="link2H_4_0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VIII + </h2> + <h3> + THE KEY TO A DOOR IN BLOCK TEN + </h3> + <p> + Walker Farr gave the first policeman—a fat and sweltering individual—a + piece of gruesome news and in return casually asked the location of Block + Ten. + </p> + <p> + The policeman grudgingly growled the information over his shoulder while + waiting for the station to answer the call from his box. + </p> + <p> + The young man, taking his time, found the place at last, one in an + interminable row of tenement-houses, all identical in structure and + squalor, bearing the mark of corporation niggardliness in their cheap + lumber and stingy accommodations. + </p> + <p> + The hallway that Farr entered was narrow and stifling—stale odors of + thousands of dead-and-gone boiled dinners mingled there, and a stairway + with a greasy handrail invited him. The key bore a number. He hunted till + he found a room, far up, flight after flight. Through open doors he saw + here and there aged women or doddering old men who were guardians of dirty + babes who tumbled about on the bare floors. + </p> + <p> + “Either too old to run a loom or too young to lug a bobbin,” Farr informed + himself; “that's why they aren't in the mill.” + </p> + <p> + Old folks and babes stared at him without showing interest. + </p> + <p> + No one looked at him when he opened the door in which the key fitted. + </p> + <p> + He stepped in quickly and closed and locked the door behind him. + </p> + <p> + It was a little room and pitifully bare, and it was under the roof, and + the ceiling slanted across it so sharply that the young man, tall above + the average, was compelled to bow his head. + </p> + <p> + A little girl, a wraith of a child, pale with the pallor of a prisoner, + hardly more than a toddler, sat on the floor and stared up at the + intruder, frozen, silent, immobile with the sudden, paralyzing terror that + grasps the frightened child. Pathetically poor little playthings were + scattered about her: a doll fashioned from gingham and cotton-waste, + makeshift dishes of pasteboard, a doll-carriage made from a broken + flower-basket with spools for wheels. The man who entered saw all with one + glance and understood that here in this bare room this child had been + compelled to drag out the weary hours alone while the mother had toiled. + Here now the child waited patiently for—for that water-soaked + bundle, with the white, dead face, that lay on the canal bank waiting for + the coroner. + </p> + <p> + And when he realized it and saw this and looked down on that lonely, + patient, wistful little creature making the best shift she could with + those pitiable playthings, something came up from that man's breast into + his throat. He had not supposed he had any of it left in his soul—it + was tender, agonizing, heartrending pity. + </p> + <p> + She still stared at him, terrorized. Probably she had never seen any face + come in at that door except her mother's. + </p> + <p> + His pity must have given Walker Farr a hint of how to deal with this + frightened child. He did not speak to her. He made no move toward her. + </p> + <p> + He smiled! + </p> + <p> + But it was not the smile he had given the fat plutocrat in the automobile, + nor yet the jocular radiance he had displayed to old Etienne. It was such + a smile as the man had never smiled before—and he realized it. He + did not want to smile. He wanted to weep. But he brought that smile from + tender depths in his soul—depths he had not known of before—and + tears came with the smile. + </p> + <p> + Before that time the lines in his face had fitted the smile of the cynic, + the grimace of banter, of irony and insolence. But the strange glory that + now glowed upon his features came there after the mightiest effort he had + ever made to control his feelings and his expression. + </p> + <p> + He smiled! + </p> + <p> + In that smile he soothed, he promised, he appealed. Then when he saw the + tense expression of fear fade away he smiled more broadly—he + provoked reply in kind. And slowly upon the child's face an answering + smile began to dawn—little crinkles at the corners of the drooping + mouth, little flickerings in the blue eyes, until at last the two beaming + faces pledged—on the part of the man tender protection, on the part + of the child unquestioning confidence. + </p> + <p> + But he said no word—he dared not trust his voice. + </p> + <p> + He went down on his knees cautiously, her smile welcoming him now. + </p> + <p> + He held out his hands. She hesitated a moment and then gave into them her + chiefest possession—her rag doll. It was as if she had pledged her + faith in him. He danced the doll upon his broad palm, and the child's + eyes, dancing too, thanked him for the courtesy he was paying to her + dearest friend. + </p> + <p> + But Walker Farr realized that something strange and disquieting in the + case of a man who believed himself a cynic was stirring within him. That + hostage of the doll was not sufficient to satisfy the sudden queer + craving. The knowledge of the hopeless helplessness of that little girl + throbbed through him. The memory of the spectacle of what he had left on + the canal bank made the pathos of this little scene in the garret doubly + poignant as he looked into the child's eyes. Never, in his memory, had he + invited a child to come to him. + </p> + <p> + Now he put out his hand—and it trembled. She snuggled her warm + little fist into his grasp. And then she scrambled up and came and nestled + confidingly against him. She couldn't see his face then, and he allowed + the tears of a strong man who is overcome before he has understood—who + wonders at himself—he allowed those tears to streak his cheeks and + did not wipe them away. + </p> + <p> + Walker Farr was too perturbed to soliloquize just then in his + philosopher's style, but he did realize that some part of his altruism had + come out of its trance. + </p> + <p> + And after he had knelt there on the floor for a time he rose and took the + child in his arms and sat down in a creaky rocking-chair and crooned under + his breath, and was astonished to find that she had gone sound asleep. He + stared into the dusk that was gathering outside the dormer window and + wondered what ailed him. + </p> + <p> + He had heard many feet thudding on the stairs below. The workers were + returning. The beehive was filling. There were many voices, clatter of + dishes, chatter of patois. + </p> + <p> + He wondered how well the woman Sirois was known in the house—whether + she had relatives—how soon somebody would come and beat upon the + door. + </p> + <p> + He wondered just what disposition was made of children left in this + manner. + </p> + <p> + If the woman had relatives who were forced to take the child it meant more + of this horrible tenement life. The child in his arms was pale and thin; + her bones seemed as inconsiderable as a bird's. + </p> + <p> + He did not know much about children's homes, orphanages, institutions for + the reception of the homeless, but it seemed to him that such a tiny, + frail little girl would be very, very lonely in such a place. + </p> + <p> + The skies grew dark without. He was cramped because he had sat for hours + in one position, fearing to waken her. But when he moved she did not waken—he + did not understand how soundly childhood can sleep. He laid her on the + foot of the narrow bed and looked about the room, shielding a match with + his hands. He had resolved to carry her out of that fetid, overcrowded + babel of a tenement. Where? He did not know. He hunted to find her + belongings. He found a few clothes. There was no receptacle in which he + could pack them. He folded them and crowded the articles in his pockets. + He stuffed in the doll and the rude playthings and hooked the basket + doll-carriage upon his arm. She did not waken when he picked her up. He + tiptoed down the stairs and nobody noticed him, In his own dizzy mind he + could not determine whether he felt most like a thief or a lunatic. At any + rate, he found himself walking the streets of the mill city at ten o'clock + at night, carrying a little girl in his arms and all her earthly + possessions in his pockets. + </p> + <p> + It came over him at last that the longer he kept her the more uncertain he + became as to what disposal he should make of her, or else he was more + loath to part with her; he didn't exactly know which. + </p> + <p> + Then she woke and spoke for the first time. “Me is te'bble hungry—and + firsty,” she mourned. + </p> + <p> + “Good Lord! What's the matter with me?” grunted the young man. “If I had + found a cat or a dog, the first thing I would have done would be to give + 'em something to eat. I reckon I must have thought I had picked up an + angel.” To her he said, smoothing her hair with his free hand. “We'll have + sumpin for baby's tummy mighty quick.” He flushed at sound of that baby + prattle from his lips. But it had popped out in the most natural manner + possible. + </p> + <p> + He headed for the nearest night lunch-cart. He entered with his burden. + </p> + <p> + He elbowed aside men who were eating sandwiches and pie at the counter. + With complete and rueful knowledge as to the extent of his resources, he + ordered a bowl of bread and milk—“the best you can do for a hungry + kiddie for ten cents,” he added. + </p> + <p> + “Anything for yourself?” inquired the waiter. + </p> + <p> + He shook his head and paid for the child's supper with his whole capital, + two nickels. He held her on the end of the counter and, awkwardly but with + tender carefulness, fed the bread and milk to her with a spoon. A healthy + man's hunger gnawed within him and the savor of coffee from the big, + bubbling urn tantalized him. He tipped the bowl to her lips and she drank + the last of the milk with a happy little sigh, and he went out into the + night again, carrying her in his arms. + </p> + <p> + He understood all the suspicions that policemen entertain in the case of + night prowlers, and knew that they would be particularly and meddlesomely + interested in one who prowled with a child in his arms. The child began to + whimper softly. Her interest in the stranger who had won her with a smile, + her slumber in his arms, her feast in strange surroundings, had kept her + child's mind busy and pacified till then. Now she voiced childhood's + unvarying lament—“I wants my mamma!” + </p> + <p> + He soothed her as best he could, promising, giving her all manner of + assurance regarding her mother, wondering all the time what was to be + done. Why had he interfered? Why had he taken upon himself the custody of + this mite, so trifling a weight in his arms, but now resting—a giant + of a burden—on his responsibility? He did not know. He owned up to + that ignorance frankly. But he walked on, carrying her, and put away from + his thoughts the sensible alternative of placing her in the hands of those + duly appointed to care for such cases. + </p> + <p> + He told himself that, as a stranger in the city, he would not be able to + find a refuge—an institution that time of night—and he knew + that he was lying to himself, and wondered why. + </p> + <p> + The impulse that directed his course toward the canal was rather grim, but + he remembered the tree which had been sanctuary for him that day. He + carefully lowered the little girl over the fence and climbed after her. + And she did not call any more for her mother because this strange new + scene seemed to impress her and fill her with wonderment. She stared up + into the dim, mysterious, rustling foliage of the tree for a long time. + She patted her hands upon the grass as if it were something she had never + seen or felt before. She seemed to be making her first acquaintance with + Mother Nature—claiming the heritage of outdoors that children so + intensely covet. The sloped ceiling and the walls of the attic room had + been sky and landscape for her. She peered into the still waters of the + canal and saw the stars reflected there, and cocked her ear to listen when + sleepy birds stirred above and chirped in their dreams. And then she fell + asleep again and he tucked her within his coat to keep from her the + dampness of the faint mist rising from the canal. + </p> + <p> + The dawn flushed early and she woke when the birds did, and found so much + to interest her—ants who ran up and down the tree, funny bugs that + tumbled, robins who bounced along the sward on stiff legs—that she + did not ask for her mother nor seem to find at all strange the + companionship of this tall man whose face was so kind. + </p> + <p> + And so Etienne Provancher found them when he came with his rake and + pike-pole at six o'clock, the hour when the great turbines began to grunt + and rumble in their deep pits. + </p> + <p> + “It is Rosemarie—I found her in the room,” said Walker Farr. + </p> + <p> + The old man came close and gazed down on the pallor and pathos of this + little snipped who still stared at the new wonders of outdoors. + </p> + <p> + “Anodder one, hey? You found her lock up?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, and I brought her away—and I don't know just what the matter + is with me, Etienne. I have not been inclined to put myself out for + anybody in this world—man, woman, or child—of late years. I + had made up my mind to let the world run itself.” + </p> + <p> + “It is the way the rich man say—he do not care. But the poor man + should care—he should try to help odder poor man. He should care.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, there are things that can happen to make a man stop caring. But I + brought her away, just the same. I—I woke up—or something. I + have been awake all night—I have been thinking—I had nothing + else to do. Insomnia has made me insane—one night of it!” He laughed + when the old man blinked at him. “I'm so crazy that I want you to help me + find some good woman who will take this child to board in a comfortable + home.” + </p> + <p> + “Who'll pay?” + </p> + <p> + “I'll pay. Oh, I am completely crazy—I'm going to work—earn + money to pay her board.” + </p> + <p> + “I know a good woman near by—she have leetle house, cat, plant in + window.” + </p> + <p> + “That's the kind.” + </p> + <p> + “I will tell you where she live. You shall say you come from Etienne + Provancher and it will make you good for her.” He paused, raised a brown + finger, then went on. “But you shall not know where she live onless I may + pay half the board money for the poor little one. We have been togedder in + it—I tell some lie to the coroner—we must be togedder in help + the childs.” + </p> + <p> + There was firm resolve in old Etienne's face and tones. + </p> + <p> + “Partnership it shall be, my old boy,” agreed the young man, heartily. + “I'm no pig—I won't keep a good man out of a real picnic.” He rose + and swept the child into his arms. “Give me the address and hand her over + the fence to me. I'll have to quit being nurse and find a real job. By the + way, Etienne, I heard a fat man weeping yesterday because he couldn't get + men to dig dirt for the Consolidated Water Company. He seemed to take a + great fancy to me. Where's their office?” + </p> + <p> + He received both the information and the child after he had climbed the + fence. Etienne was able to point out the little house of sanctuary from + where he stood—and he waved his rake reassuringly from a distance + when the good woman came to the door, answering Farr's knock. He danced + into the house with the child, behind the good woman, who had answered + Etienne's signal with a return flip of her apron; he was trying to bring a + smile to the little face. + </p> + <p> + “You'll have to lie to her more or less about her mother, good woman. + Etienne and I will tell you all about it when there's time. When she asks + about her mother just give her something to eat and lie a bit.” He set the + child upon the table where the good woman was making fresh cookies. He + piled the little toys about her. “I'm going to market, to market to buy a + fat pig, and I'll be home again, riggy-jig-jig,” he declared in a singsong + that fetched a chuckle from the waif, and she followed him with a smile as + he hurried out. “That smile will sweeten a day's work in the trench,” he + assured himself. “I sure am some foster-father when I get started!” + </p> + <p> + A listless clerk at the Consolidated office gave him a ticket to be + delivered to the foreman of construction—the foreman sent him out + with other men on a rattling jigger-wagon. By being very humble, and with + the aid of his smile, he succeeded in begging a corned-beef sandwich for + his breakfast from a workman on the jigger who was carrying his lunch to + work. He ate it very slowly so as to make the most of it. + </p> + <p> + The new trench was in a suburban plot which had just been opened up by a + real-estate syndicate. It was a bare tract, flat and dusty, and the only + trees were newly planted saplings that were about as large as + fishing-poles. How the sun did beat into that trench! But Walker Farr + threw off his coat and used again his ready asset—his smile. He + smiled at the boss who sneered at the style of “fiddler's hair” worn by a + dirt-flinger—smiled so sweetly that the boss came over later and hit + him a friendly clap on the shoulder and said, “Well, old scout, here's + hoping that times will be better!” + </p> + <p> + “I'll take her out on the bank of the canal this evening before bedtime + and we'll have a lark,” reflected Walker Farr as he toiled in the hot + trench. And he stopped quizzing himself as to the whys of this sudden + devotion to a freakish notion. He seemed to know at last. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0010" id="link2H_4_0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + IX + </h2> + <h3> + THE GIRL FROM TADOUSAC + </h3> + <p> + When the noon hour came Farr went and sat under a spindling tree and began + to read in one of his little books, dismissing thoughts of hunger with the + resoluteness of a man who had suffered hollow yearning of the stomach and + knew how to conquer it. + </p> + <p> + But he could not escape the keen eyes and kindly generosity of the + fraternity of toilers. + </p> + <p> + “A topper down on his luck a bit—see his clothes,” said the foreman, + and he took tithes from willing men who were eating from pails that were + pinched between their knees; he carried the food to the young man. + </p> + <p> + Farr accepted with gratitude, ate with thrifty moderation, and hid what + remained in the pockets of his coat; it would serve for his supper. + </p> + <p> + He ate that supper after his day's work was done and after he had laved + his face and hands in the overflow from a public fountain in a little + square. + </p> + <p> + Then he hurried to the house of the good woman. + </p> + <p> + She was busy with her dishes in the kitchen and Rosemarie was on the knees + of a young woman who sat and rocked in one of the sitting-room chairs. + </p> + <p> + Farr entered by the kitchen door and stood there, looking in with some + confusion on the girl and child. + </p> + <p> + “It is only Zelie Dionne; she is my boarder,” the woman informed him. “She + is a good girl and she has the very nice job in the cloth-hall of the big + Haxton mill. She lives with me because I was neighbor of her good folks in + the Tadousac country, so far away from here in our Canada. Come! I make + you acquaint. You shall see. She is a good girl!” + </p> + <p> + Zelie Dionne rose and acknowledged the introduction with a French girl's + pretty grace. A bit of a flush lighted the dusky pallor of her cheeks when + Farr bent before her. The bow in her hair was cocked with true Gallic chic + and her gown was crisply smart in its simplicity. Her big, dark eyes were + the wonderful feature of her face, and Farr looked into them and seemed to + lose a bit of his cool self-possession; he faltered in speech, groping for + words in the first commonplaces. + </p> + <p> + “You must talk together. I must work,” said the good woman. She hurried + back into her kitchen. + </p> + <p> + The child ran to Farr and climbed upon his knees. + </p> + <p> + “You have been good to Rosemarie. I thank you,” he said. “I suppose the + good woman has told you how it has happened.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, when I came at noon.” Her tones were peculiarly sweet and + compassionate. A touch of accent gave piquancy to what she said. She + looked at him meaningly. “I have been talking to our little Rosemarie and + she will not cry any more for her good mamma who has gone up to the green + hills because she is sick and must rest. So Rosemarie will be patient and + live here and I will be play-mamma.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, play-mamma,” agreed the child. “Good play-mamma! Two mammas! But + only one papa!” She put up her arms and tucked them about his neck and + snuggled down with a happy sense of complete understanding of his + protection. At last, so it seemed to her, she had recovered the father she + had never known. Poor, little, caged bird, her release from that lonely + prison was dated in her happy consciousness from his appearance in the + doorway, and all things had been well for her after he came—sunlight, + the trees, the blue sky, and tender care, and the companionship of human + beings. Therefore, the rush of a love her child's comprehension could not + analyze had gone out to him. + </p> + <p> + Farr returned with significance the look Zelie Dionne's dark eyes gave + him. + </p> + <p> + “I found the note. It made me go a-meddling. It left a legacy to somebody—and + I accepted—without understanding why I did so.” He stroked the + child's curls. + </p> + <p> + “I did not understand at first—when Madame Maillet told me,” she + confessed, with a smile. “Old Etienne came at noon to tell her and she has + told it to me. It is very sad—but yet it is comical when I look at + you. But as I look at you I understand better. You have a good heart. I + can see!” + </p> + <p> + “I am only a strolling stranger—here to-day and there to-morrow,” + protested Farr. “I think the heat must have affected my head. It has been + very warm lately. But when I saw her—” He choked suddenly. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, it is easy to understand,” said the girl, reassuringly. A mist of + tears came across her big eyes, though her mouth did not lose the wistful + smile. “The poor folks help one another—and they understand.” + </p> + <p> + “It wouldn't be right to give her to an orphanage,” insisted Farr. “She + has missed too much already. Of course I don't pretend to know what a + little girl needs—but I am willing to be told.” + </p> + <p> + “I will tell you and I will help.” + </p> + <p> + “I think old Etienne and I need you in the partnership—as adviser. I + thank you.” + </p> + <p> + Then came the old Canadian, his wrinkled face tender with solicitous + interest, and he chuckled when he welcomed the new member of the firm. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, Mam'selle Zelie she shall help us the very much in what we do not + know,” he informed the young man, and continued, while the dark eyes + flashed protest: “I am of the Tadousac country, and she is a good girl, + for I have know her all the years since I trot her on my knee when she + much small as the petite Rosemarie. I can tell you how she dance down the + meadows in the ring-a-rosy play and how she—” + </p> + <p> + “Phut! Your tongue is as long as your rake and it goes reaching down into + other folks' affairs, old Etienne! What cares this strange gentleman for + what happened in Tadousac? Go use your key instead of your tongue. Unlock + your little door so that Rosemarie may walk on the cool grass beside the + canal.” + </p> + <p> + The old man grinned and started away. + </p> + <p> + “We're going out where the birds will sing good night to you,” Farr told + the child and lifted her off his knees. But at the door she stopped and + turned to Zelie Dionne, who had not risen. + </p> + <p> + “Come, play-mamma!” + </p> + <p> + “I will wait here till you come back, Rosemarie.” + </p> + <p> + But the child was coaxingly insistent, holding out her hand. + </p> + <p> + “I think it is because she has been so lonely all her life,” suggested + Farr. “Now that she has found friends she wants them to be with her in her + little pleasures. May I presume enough to add my invitation to hers?” + </p> + <p> + She came and the child walked between them, holding their hands. + </p> + <p> + “One papa and my play-mamma!” she said, looking up at them in turn. + </p> + <p> + Mother Maillet came to the kitchen door and waved adieu with her + dish-towel. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, the family!” she cried. “Yesterday it was not—to-day it is. And + grandpere marching off ahead!” + </p> + <p> + “Old folks and children—they say embarrassing things,” remarked Farr + when they were on their way. + </p> + <p> + “One must be silly along with them to be disturbed by such chatter,” said + Zelie Dionne, tartly. + </p> + <p> + They followed old Etienne through his little door and walked along the + canal bank where the waters were still and glassy, for the big gates had + been closed and power lay motionless and locked in the sullen depths till + morning. The sunset behind the big mills glowed redly through the myriad + windows. + </p> + <p> + They walked slowly because little Rosemarie found marvels for childish + eyes at every step, and even the cool carpet of the grass provided + unfailing delight as she set slow and cautious footsteps into its yielding + luxuriance. The old man plodded ahead, muttering and frowning as he peered + down at the flotsam in the motionless waters. + </p> + <p> + The silence between the two who accompanied the child continued a long + time and Farr found it oppressive. + </p> + <p> + “I have never been in Canada,” he said. “I am sorry you did not care to + have Etienne talk about your home. I would like to know more about that + country.” + </p> + <p> + “He was talking about me instead of my home in Tadousac. I am not so + important that I am to be talked about.” + </p> + <p> + “Where is Tadousac?” + </p> + <p> + Her vivacity returned, her dark eyes glowed. “Ah, m'sieu', you should go + there. It is in the country of the good habitants where the St. Lawrence + and the Saguenay meet. And now, as the sun is setting, the people are + resting under the wide eaves of the little white houses, looking up where + the hills are all so blue, or off across the wide bay. The white houses + are very small and they crowd along the road, and the farms are narrow, + and there is not much money in the homespun clothes or in the old clock, + but the good world is wide about them and the people are not sad like + those who sit yonder.” + </p> + <p> + She pointed across the canal to rows of wooden tenement-houses many + stories in height; on narrow porches, nicked one above another, and on + fire-escapes which were slowly cooling after hours on the forge of the + sun, men, women, and children were packed, seeking a breath of fresh air. + </p> + <p> + “They stand at loom and spinner and slasher all day,” she said. “They are + too tired to walk afar to the parks. They wait there for good air to come + and it does not come.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't understand why they flock down here from Canada—why they + stay,” he declared, bluntly. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, you look at me when you say that!” she cried, arching her brows. “You + hear me talk about the sunset over the meadows and the hills, and you + wonder why I am not there? Well, listen! There are fourteen sons and + daughters of Onesime Dionne—that's my father—for all the + habitant folks marry young, and the priest smiles and blesses the + household when there are many children. And girls are not of much account + in the house. The sons claim and receive their shares of the arpents of + land when those boys are grown and married. The girl may marry—yes! + But what if the right one does not ask? What if the right one has a father + who says to him that he must obey and marry one the father has chosen? All + kinds of things can happen in the habitant country, m'sieu'. So, then, the + girl is less account in the house. And the letters come back from the + girls who have gone down into the mills in the States. The pictures come + back showing the new gown and the smart hat—and so!” She shrugged + her shoulders and tossed her free hand. “One more girl for the big mill!” + </p> + <p> + He stared at her with some curiosity. + </p> + <p> + “You ask yourself which one of those things happened to me, do you not?” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps,” he confessed. + </p> + <p> + “I talk little about myself. I talk about the habitant girls. I am + fortunate. I do not breathe the air where the looms clack. I inspect in + the cloth-hall because I have sharp eyes and nimble fingers.” + </p> + <p> + “But you came here alone—it is strange. I mean, do not the father + and mother and all the family move here, usually?” + </p> + <p> + She lifted her chin and gazed at him with pride in her mien. + </p> + <p> + “If you go to Tadousac you shall find that my father owns a large farm and + that one of his grandfathers was a captain with General Montcalm, and many + Dionnes have lived on the land that was given to a brave man. I came to + the States because I wanted to come. My people did not come.” + </p> + <p> + She clipped the last sentence in a manner that suggested to Farr that + there was no more to be said on that topic. But she went on after a time + in softened tones. + </p> + <p> + “It is not strange that so many came to the States, sir. The farms of + Beauce, of l'Islet, of the Chaudiere, were so crowded. Years ago, the old + folks used to tell me, the boys began to drive the little white horses + hitched to buckboards across the border in the early summer, and the boys + were strong and willing, and the farmers who laughed at them and called + them Canucks hired them for the hay-fields just the same. And they slept + in the haymows and under the trees and worked hard and brought back all + their money. Then the big mills needed men and women and children, and the + Yankee girls would not work in the mills any more. You must understand how + it was: Ouillette, who had worked in the hay-field, would hear of the work + in the mill, and the Ouillettes would sell and go to the city. And as soon + as they had seen the lights and the theater and the car which ran with a + stick on a wire, and had earned their first pay and had bought Yankee + clothes they wrote home to their cousins the Pelletiers and the Pelletiers + sat nights till late talking excitedly—and then they sold and came, + and so it has gone on and on—the endless chain, one family pulling + on its neighbor, down the long way from Canada to the States. But it may + be all for the best. I am not wise in such things. But when the sun bakes + and the fever comes and the children die in the tenements, then I wish the + fathers and mothers were back on the little farms and that workers of some + other race than the habitants were chained to the looms in the big mills. + That may be a selfish thought, but my own people are dear to me.” + </p> + <p> + Farr was not in the mood to argue the economic side of that question with + this girl who had so tersely told the story of two generations of + mill-toilers. With that little waif between them, victim of the industrial + Moloch which must roll on even if its wheels crushed the innocent here and + there, he permitted sentiment to sway him. In fact, for a day and a night + he had surrendered to sentiment and had found a strange sort of + intoxication in the experience. His heart was with the humble folk and + pity was in him—pity which was uncalculating and in which his + cynicism was dissolving. + </p> + <p> + And when the stars were mirrored in the still canal and the grass was damp + with the dew, they walked back to the house of Mother Maillet and little + Rosemarie murmured her bit of a prayer and was tucked in bed. + </p> + <p> + “I hope that some day I may go to Tadousac,” said Farr to the girl, before + he passed out of the good woman's house. “I would like to see the sunset, + for you have praised it.” + </p> + <p> + “Ask for the house of Onesime Dionne, second beyond the big parish cross. + It will be easy to find, and the sunset is very grand from the porch under + the eaves.” + </p> + <p> + Farr went along with the old man and they walked slowly. Their way took + them down narrow streets between the high tenements. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, you shall find it very grand at Tadousac—and M'sieu' Dionne is + an honest man,” declared Etienne. “Now and then in the thirty year I have + been visit up there in Tadousac, and I sit those day and whittle for the + children and then little Zelie trot on my knee with the others. So I know + the story of those place. And all the people up there don't care if I + know, because I listen and am glad to know, and sometimes I can give + advice, for I have live long on the States where great matters are + happening. But Farmer Leroux would not listen to me when I advise about + his good son Jean and Zelie Dionne. Farmer Leroux is a good man, but he is + a hard man when his ugly mad get stir. And the children up there do what + the father tell—because that is what the cure preach and it is the + way of the habitants.” + </p> + <p> + “The old, old story—the Montagues and the Capulets on the banks of + the river of the North.” + </p> + <p> + “I think I know something what you mean, m'sieu', though I don't know your + friend you speak about. But if he say to his son, 'Ba gar, you don't marry + no girl what I don't like her fadder because we have hosswhip one anodder + t'ree or two time when we have fuss over line fence—or crowd our + wagon when we go to market'—why, then that's your friend. And it + start from there and grow into big thing, so that all the cure can say it + don't make no friend of them. So they wait—Jean and Zelie! Ah yes, + they wait!” He put his finger beside his nose and winked. “They love. They + get marry some nice day. But now!” He flirted his gaunt fingers. “They say + nottings. I maself say nottings. But I see some very queer look in Jean + Leroux's eye when he say to me as I meet him at the gate of his fadder's + farm, 'And how carries Zelie Dionne herself these days?' And though he + look high over the tree and chew the straw and look very careless, ah, I + see the big tear in his eye and hear him choke in his throat.” + </p> + <p> + “It's played out and old-fashioned, this letting old folks manage young + folks that way just to satisfy old grudges,” scoffed Farr. “If they are in + love they ought to get married and tell the old folks to go hang!” + </p> + <p> + Etienne stopped and gazed quizzically at the young man who thus expounded + the law for lovers. + </p> + <p> + “I think you have in you none of the understanding of the French habitants + who have live the three generation on one farm so that a young man, no + matter if he love a mam'selle so very much that all the bread he eat taste + ashes in his mouth—ah, he cannot say 'I will leave—I will go!' + For then that young man must turn himself to be anodder young man—and + the habitant does not so change.” + </p> + <p> + “I may be a poor judge,” acknowledged Farr. “I have never yet taken root + in the soil of any one place.” + </p> + <p> + “And I think, mebbe, the girl you do not understand! Is it to stay in the + home and hear every day about you love the pig of a Leroux, bah? No, no, + m'sieu'! That's too proud, is Zelie Dionne. And so is Zelie Dionne too + proud to take a son from a home that do not want her. So they wait.” + </p> + <p> + “It's a tough old world, Uncle Etienne,” said Farr. “Why, even I, lord of + my own affairs as I am, don't know where I'm going to sleep to-night. Do + you have a boarding-place?” + </p> + <p> + “I have my little room on the block up there—my room and my place at + the big table. It is not grand. But there is place for you—and + anodder little room. If you like you shall come and I will speak good for + you.” + </p> + <p> + “All right, Etienne! Take me along and speak good for me.” + </p> + <p> + It was another such place as Block Ten. It was a crowded and stuffy + warren, and the basement kitchen advertised itself with stale odors in all + the corridors. But Farr was glad to stretch himself upon the narrow bed. + He owned up to himself that he was a very weary bird of passage and + confessed to his own heart, just as frankly, that he was a captive in the + frail grasp of a little girl—and he did not try to understand. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0011" id="link2H_4_0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + X + </h2> + <h3> + POISON FOR THE POOR + </h3> + <p> + It proved to be an amicable and satisfactory partnership between Etienne + Provancher and Walker Farr and dark-eyed Zelie Dionne. + </p> + <p> + When the days were pleasant the old man kept the little girl with him out + of doors on the canal bank. She did not trouble him by running about. Her + long days of confinement in the attic room had accustomed her to remain + quietly in one place. She sat contentedly in the shade and watched the + bugs in the grass and the birds in the tree above her. In the cool of the + evening she trudged along the canal bank with Farr and the play-mamma + until eyes grew heavy and little feet stumbled with weariness and it was + time for bed. Rainy evenings they studied the alphabet or he read to her + from picture-books in blazing colors, and after a time she remembered all + the stories and made believe read them to him. + </p> + <p> + He worked in the trench and looked forward impatiently to Saturday nights + when the clerk came along with the pay-envelopes; there were so many + things in the stores that would delight the heart of a little girl who had + never had any toys except a rag doll and a broken flower-basket. Then + there were pretty dresses to buy. The taste of Zelie Dionne took charge of + that shopping. When he bought the first one—one that was white and + fluffy—and Rosemarie walked out with him she displayed such feminine + pride in fine feathers that he looked forward to future Saturdays nights + and new dresses with anticipatory gusto. If one had questioned him he + could have told weeks ahead just what his plans of purchases were, for he + canvassed all the possibilities with the play-mamma who knew so well how + to get value for a dollar—who knew the places to buy and whose + needle helped to much. + </p> + <p> + It was a wicked summer for those who were doomed to the mills and the + tenement-houses. The heat puffed and throbbed over the lashing machinery. + The slashers seemed to spit caloric. The spinning-frames tossed it off + their spindles. The looms fairly wove it into the warp. The thick, sweet, + greasy air seemed to distil cotton-oil upon the faces of the workers. The + nights proved to be no better than the days. The stuffy tenements gulped + in the hot air of midday and held it as a person holds his breath. All the + folks came out upon the little platforms that were ranged, story after + story, above each other. They gasped for air in the narrow spaces between + the high buildings. The stars above those narrow spaces did not sparkle + and suggest coolness; they seemed to float above the hot earth like red + cinders. + </p> + <p> + Every day the undertakers' wagons came “boombling” down the narrow canyons + of streets between the “Blocks,” for the people were dying. The little + white hearse was a more frequent visitor than the rusty black one; the + ranks of the children were paying the greatest toll to death. + </p> + <p> + “But we shall not worry about our Rosemarie,” old Etienne told Farr. + “Under the shade on the green grass she shall stay where outdoors can + paint her cheeks the very fine color.” + </p> + <p> + But when the old man called for her at the good woman's house one morning + something else than the sun had painted the little girl's cheeks—they + were flushed with fever. He told the good woman to send straight for the + doctor, and went to his work much disturbed. + </p> + <p> + Later in the day the yard overseer, passing the rack, saw that the man was + working with furious energy. He was even reaching out his rake to capture + floating stuff before it touched the bars. + </p> + <p> + “This seems to be your busy day, Pickaroon,” suggested the overseer. + </p> + <p> + “I make believe this old rack to be a good friend of mine and that the + float stuff be sickness come at him—so I work hard to keep it away.” + </p> + <p> + The overseer went along about his business, commenting mentally on a + Frenchman's imagination. + </p> + <p> + When the big mill bells clanged the noon hour Etienne hurried to the good + woman's house. The city physician had been there and had left medicine—two + tumblers of it. He had hurried in and had hurried away and had been curt + and brusk and had not told her what was the trouble, so the woman + reported. But the child had been sleeping. + </p> + <p> + She was drowsy all that evening while Farr held her in his arms and + Etienne sat near by with Zelie Dionne, ministering solicitously. + </p> + <p> + “Her cheeks are not so hot,” said the young man many times. He talked + hopefully to reassure himself as well as the others, for he had been + dreadfully frightened when he had come from his work. Fright had trodden + close on the heels of much joy—for the superintendent of the + Consolidated had taken him out of the hot trench that day and had + appointed him boss of twoscore Italian diggers, doubling his pay. + </p> + <p> + “I have been watching you,” the superintendent told him. “You're built to + boss men. What kind of a bump was it that ever slammed you down like + this?” + </p> + <p> + The answer the superintendent got was a smile which put further questions + out of his mind. + </p> + <p> + “No, her cheeks are not so hot,” affirmed Farr when he laid her in her bed + that night. “She will come along all right.” + </p> + <p> + But at the end of a week languor still weighed on the child. There were + circles under her eyes and her cheeks were wan, and she did not clap her + hands with the old-time glee when he brought her new toys; the playthings + lay beside her on the bed and invited her touch—staring eyes of + dolls, beady eyes of toy dogs—without avail. + </p> + <p> + “It is the queer way of being sick,” lamented the old man. “The doctor + mebbe not know, because he very gruff and do not say. I think I know what + may cure her—it has been done many time. + </p> + <p> + “Away up in the Canada country there is the shrine of the good Sainte Anne + de Beaupre. There she stand in the middle of the big church and she hold + her little grandson in her arm—the little boy Jesus. So she feel + very tender toward poor, sick childs. Ah, I have seen her many time—I + have seen childs healed there and made so very smart—all cure. She + loves little childs. <i>Oui</i>. All about her feet are short, small + crutch where she has cure childs. The piece of her wrist-bone is there in + the sacristy—it look like a wee scrap of some gray moss under the + glass. And it cure when the good priest say the word for her. I know the + way to the shrine of La Bonne Sainte Anne—I will go with the little + Rosemarie and she shall sing and dance after that.” + </p> + <p> + For a moment the cynical smile of the skeptic etched itself at the corners + of Farr's mouth—the flash of the nature the young man had hidden + during recent weeks. + </p> + <p> + He turned to Zelie Dionne and found her regarding him with grave eyes. + </p> + <p> + “It is as M'sieu' Etienne says,” she assured the young man. “La Bonne + Sainte listens very tenderly when the children come to her. She is good to + all, but her spirit leans over the poor little children and comforts + them.” + </p> + <p> + “You have been there?” + </p> + <p> + “Many times, sir. It is not only the sick body that the good Sainte Anne + heals—she comforts anybody who is in much sorrow—she tells the + right way to go. There are many roads to take in this life—and if + any one goes to her with prayer and humble soul she will guide. Ah, it is + true, sir.” + </p> + <p> + There was earnestness in her features and conviction in her tones and it + was plain that Zelie Dionne was speaking out of the depths of her heart, + and Farr remembered what old Etienne had said about the son of Farmer + Leroux. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, she will lead to the right way and make all well in the end,” + asserted the girl. “And, most of all, she is kind and gentle to the little + children.” + </p> + <p> + Between her and the wistful old man Farr divided tolerant and kindly gaze. + </p> + <p> + “I believe in more things than I used to,” he said. “I'm willing to admit + in these days that things I do not understand may have truth in them. The + doctor is not making her well. But it is a long way to that shrine.” + </p> + <p> + “It is a long way, so! But I am very scare for her as she lie here all + day. I will carry her very tender—on the railway car—on the + big boat. The good Sainte Anne is everywhere, too. She will help.” + </p> + <p> + “If faith can move mountains it ought to heal easily one poor, little + toddlekins,” muttered Farr. + </p> + <p> + A new doctor came the next day, a breezy young man, a talkative and frank + young man, the assistant of the over-worked city physician, whose + municipal duties had obliged him to take on helpers. + </p> + <p> + “I shall ask him, hey—about the shrine?” whispered Etienne to Farr + while the doctor was examining the child. + </p> + <p> + “Yes; he'll be more patient with you than with me.” + </p> + <p> + “And do you think that pretty soon she can go on the railway if I be very + careful, good docteur?” asked the old man, wistfully, apologetically. + </p> + <p> + “Go where?” + </p> + <p> + “On the pilgrimage to the shrine of the good Sainte Anne in the Canada + country.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't you realize what this case is?” demanded the young physician. + </p> + <p> + “He have not say—he hurry in, he hurry out.” + </p> + <p> + “You the grandfather?” + </p> + <p> + “No!” + </p> + <p> + The doctor turned on Farr. + </p> + <p> + “Father?” + </p> + <p> + “No.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I can talk right out to you two. This is a case of typhoid that will + be fatal in twenty-four hours. There's no use lying about it.” + </p> + <p> + Old Etienne's mouth and eyes seemed to sink deep into his wrinkles, as if + Time had forced him suddenly to swallow an extra score of years. He looked + at Farr's blank and whitening face, and as quickly looked away. + </p> + <p> + “Break it to her grandmother,” advised the doctor, nodding toward the + kitchen where the good woman was at work. + </p> + <p> + “But you don't know what you say,” stammered the old man. + </p> + <p> + “It so happens that I do, my man. I've been handling too many of these + cases to be fooled. Why, I've got more than fifty cases of typhoid in this + city—just myself.” + </p> + <p> + “But she has had sun and fresh air—on the canal bank where I tend + the rack.” + </p> + <p> + “Sun and fresh air can't cure victims of the poison that is being pumped + through the water-mains of this city,” snapped the doctor. + </p> + <p> + “Water-mains!” + </p> + <p> + The doctor turned and stared at Farr, for the husky croak of his + exclamation had not sounded human. + </p> + <p> + “That's what I said. You can't have lived very long in this state not to + know what we're up against on the water proposition.” + </p> + <p> + “I haven't lived here long. But about the child—it can't—” + </p> + <p> + “Why, this Consolidated Company is owned by Colonel Dodd and his + politicians—and they own all the city and town water systems in this + state,” said the doctor, no longer interested in his patient—exploding + with the violence of imprudent youth. “They boss mayors, the aldermen, the + politicians—boss the governor himself. That's because they've got + the machine and the money. They've got a lot of money, because they won't + wake up and spend it to lay lines far enough to tap the lakes in the + hills. They tap these rotten rivers at our back doors, pump poison through + the mains, sell it at prices that yield them twenty percent dividends. + They say the water is all right—and back it up with analyses. I say + it's all wrong.” + </p> + <p> + “And you damnation doctors are letting this go on—letting folks + drink poison—telling us when it's too late!” shouted Farr, purple + replacing the white in his face. + </p> + <p> + “Well, the folks up-town who have got wisdom and the money buy + spring-water and mineral water. All the doctors don't agree that the river + is responsible for the typhoid. With the governor and the legislature + bossed by Dodd and his associates, and the city governments tied up by + them, and the banks taking orders from the syndicate in case any town or + an independent company tries to borrow money and install a water system, + and the mill corporations and the tenement-block owners all in cahoots, a + crusader who expected to get anywhere in politics or make money out of his + business would stand a fine and dandy show, now wouldn't he? And the most + of us in this world are trying to get ahead either in business or in + politics.” He snapped the catch of his little black case. “Forget what I + have said, you two. I hold my job through politics. I'm apt to talk too + much when I get started. But don't drink city water, no matter if Colonel + Dodd's analyses do give it a clean bill.” + </p> + <p> + Farr caught him at the door, restraining him with a heavy hand. + </p> + <p> + “You stay here, don't you let that baby die. By the gods, she sha'n't + die!” + </p> + <p> + “My staying will do no good, my friend. The little girl is death-struck + already. It's quick work with the children. Sometimes we can bring the + grown folks through. Get another doctor, if you feel like it, but I've got + to keep moving—there are lots of folks waiting for me in these + tenements.” + </p> + <p> + He shook off Farr's hand and hurried away. + </p> + <p> + Old Etienne stood by the bedside, gazing down on the little sufferer, + closing and unclosing his shriveled hands as if he were grasping at straws + of hope, dragging the depths of his soul for reassurance even as he + dragged his rake in the black waters of the canal. + </p> + <p> + “The whippersnapper lied about her. Because she's a baby he won't bother,” + stormed Farr. “I'll ransack this town for doctors—I'll find one who + knows his business.” He tiptoed to the bed and laid tender palm against + the child's cheek. “I say her face isn't as hot as it was,” he persisted. + “Where can I find a doctor with gray whiskers, Etienne? That young fool + doesn't know.” + </p> + <p> + “There are many wise old docteurs in the long street named Western + Boulevard—they live in the big houses—but they don't come to + the tenement folks.” + </p> + <p> + “One of them will come this time even if I have to lug him on my back.” + </p> + <p> + He began to search for his hat, not remembering where he had tossed it in + the haste and eagerness of his arrival at the good woman's house. He did + not find it readily and he rushed out bareheaded. + </p> + <p> + “The sun and the air they do no good! It is the poison water—and the + poor folks of the tenements they do not know!” muttered the old man. “That + is what he say?” He went to the kitchen sink and unscrewed the faucet. He + sniffed and made a wry face, then he ran his thin finger into the + valve-chamber. He hooked and brought forth stringy slime, held it near his + nose, and groaned. “The poor folks do not know. They who ask for the votes + of the slashers, the weavers, the beamers—the men of the mills—they + who ask votes do not want the poor folks to know, because the votes would + not be given to them who sell poison in the water,” he told the astonished + good woman who had watched his act. + </p> + <p> + “I am careful about my kitchen—I am neat—I wash everything, + Etienne,” she assured him, sniffing at the slime in the sink, overcome by + confusion, her housewife's reputation at stake. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but you cannot wash the souls of them dam' scoundrels who send that + water through the pipes to the poor people who can buy no other,” he + raged. “This is not your blame—you did not know.” He pointed his + finger, quivering, dripping with the slime, at the child on the bed. “They + have murder her! With this!” He slatted his finger with the gesture of one + who throws off a noisome serpent. + </p> + <p> + “But I drink the water—it hasn't made me sick,” she protested. + </p> + <p> + “You—me—odders that are all dry up—tough old fools—we + ought to die and we don't,” he raged, stamping back and forth across the + kitchen, waving his arms. “We have been poison so much we do not notice. + But the poor little childs—the young folks that die—die in + these tenements all the time—and we see the white ribbons hanging + from the doors, so many place every day—the poor young folks with + life ahead and much to live for even down here—they are poison and + they do not know! Oh, <i>le bon Dieu</i>! Boil dem dam' devil in hell in + the water they have sell to the poor!” He stopped, shocked by these words + he heard coming from his mouth, and crossed himself contritely. “But I + look at her—I hear what the docteur say—I talk and I cannot + help!” He staggered into the room where the child lay, and sat down in a + chair and held his face in his hands. + </p> + <p> + It was an aged and somewhat unctuous physician whom Farr brought. The + doctor pursed his lips and puckered his eyebrows above the little wraith + who minded him not at all, lying with eyes half closed, plucking with + finger and thumb at the bedclothing. + </p> + <p> + “With a bit stronger constitution—if she were a little older—Take + the case of an adult—” + </p> + <p> + “Say it short,” growled Farr, clenching his fists as if he wanted to beat + indulgence for the child out of the hide of the world. “I'm paying you for + her life.” + </p> + <p> + “I have nothing to sell you in this case—therefore there can be no + pay.” He leaned over the bed and smoothed the moist, tangled hair away + from the child's brow. “I can only <i>give</i> you something, my friend. I + give you all my sympathy. This baby is departing on a long journey, and + I'm Christian enough to believe that the way will be made very smooth for + the feet of little children. That's the faith of an old man.” + </p> + <p> + There were both earnestness and tenderness in his tones—the smugness + of the physician was gone. He shook Farr's hand and went out of the room, + treading softly. + </p> + <p> + And the next day Rosemarie's tiny fingers stopped their flutterings and + she went away—somewhere! + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0012" id="link2H_4_0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XI + </h2> + <h3> + THE LORDS OF THE CITY + </h3> + <p> + Walker Farr would not allow the tiny body of Rosemarie to be carried away + in the white hearse. In his grief he had not been able as yet to + dissociate the identity of the child from the poor little tenement in + which her spirit had dwelt for the few barren years of her life; it seemed + to him that she would be very lonely in the white hearse. He rode to the + cemetery, holding the tiny casket across his knees. There was only the one + carriage—it was sufficient to carry the friends of little Rosemarie: + one Walker Farr and old Etienne and play-mamma Zelie Dionne. + </p> + <p> + The rack-tender sat opposite Farr and nursed a bundle on his knees. He had + wrapped it surreptitiously. + </p> + <p> + The two men sent Zelie Dionne back to the city in the carriage. But they + waited beside the grave until the sexton had finished his work; Farr felt + an uncontrollable impulse to wait till all was ended, as he had always + waited every night till the little girl was sound asleep and tucked up in + bed in the good woman's house. He sat crouched on the edge of a turfed + grave, elbows on his knees, his hands clutched into his shock of hair. + </p> + <p> + After the sexton had departed, tools on his shoulder, Etienne unwrapped + the bundle. He began to arrange the child's toys on the grave. + </p> + <p> + “It is as the others do—the fathers and mothers of our faith in the + tenement-houses,” he explained, wistfully, to the young man. He pointed to + other graves in the vicinity, short and narrow graves. Toys were spread on + them, too. They were the poor treasures of dead children. The toys had + been left there in the vague, helpless yearning of parents who strove to + reach their human consolation beyond the grave. + </p> + <p> + Farr gazed on these pitiful memorials of the children—from those + graves to the new mound which covered Rosemarie. The ache that had been in + his throat for so many hours grew more excruciating. He realized that a + father in those circumstances would weep, but he did not feel like + shedding tears, and he was ashamed of himself for what seemed lack of + something within himself. What he felt then, what he had felt ever since + that young doctor had passed sentence of death was surly, bitter rancor—the + anger of a man who is robbed. + </p> + <p> + “Look all around at the graves,” said Etienne, tears in his wrinkles. “I + know something better since I take off that faucet. Not all the martyr die + when the lion eat 'em up and the fire burn 'em; there be some martyr these + day, too. And sometimes, mebbe, some man what have the power will come + here and see all these poor little grave and then he go and choke the lion + what eat all these poor childs.” + </p> + <p> + “What kind of man would that be?” pondered Farr. At that moment he had + little faith—much less faith than usual—in the decency of any + human being; and for many years his faith in humankind had been expressed + by a contemptuous snap of his finger. + </p> + <p> + To sit there longer and look at that fresh earth with the pathetic toys + sprinkled over it was a torment his soul could not endure. + </p> + <p> + He arose and hurried away and Etienne followed him. They trudged in + silence back to the city—Etienne to take his rake and pike-pole from + the hands of the man who had substituted at the rack, and Farr to resume + surly domination over his sweating Italians. + </p> + <p> + “The martyrs,” Etienne had called them. The notion of that stuck in Farr's + brooding thoughts. + </p> + <p> + He tried to look deeper into his own heart than he had ever looked before + and explain to himself just what motive had attracted him to the child in + the first place; he had never been especially interested in children + before. He found himself muttering, “And a little child shall lead them,” + without understanding just why this child had led him so strangely. + </p> + <p> + If one Walker Farr had understood it at all and had been able to explain + it to himself, he would have penetrated the mystery of the dynamics of + love—the great gift to humanity that God has not seen fit to expose + in its inner workings. Therefore, Farr strode here and there in the hot + sun, spurred his diggers with crisp oaths, and on the heels of his + profanity muttered to himself, “And a little child shall lead them.” + </p> + <p> + The tile boss of the Consolidated, whose crew was following the + trench-diggers, accosted Farr, after several inspections of his lugubrious + countenance. + </p> + <p> + “Don't you think you need to be cheered up a little?” + </p> + <p> + Farr scowled at him. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know what has disagreed with you, but you're certainly in a bad + way,” pursued the boss. “Go up with the crowd to City Hall to-night and + hear 'em open up the police scandals. Plenty of free fun for the + heavy-hearted! There are about half a dozen fat cops in this city who'll + be fried to a crisp on both sides, and the sound of the sizzling will be + pleasant in the ears.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm not interested.” + </p> + <p> + “You will be, if you tend out. The hearing is before the mayor and the + whole city government. Nothing very hefty in the way of charges—only + loafing in beer-coolers during the heat of the day, spending their time + chasing the labor-agitators out of the parks, and letting burglars keep + house all summer in the mansions up-town while the owners are away at the + seashore. It's all more or less of a joke.” + </p> + <p> + “Why don't the mayor and aldermen of this city attend to duty instead of + jokes?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, this city is run so smooth that there's nothing to do in the summer + except stage a little farce comedy at City Hall.” + </p> + <p> + “Let me tell you that there's something to be investigated in this city + that isn't a joke,” raged Farr, his bitter ponderings blossoming into + speech. + </p> + <p> + “What's that?” + </p> + <p> + “Murder going on every day in this damnable town.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I guess if there was any murder going on which we didn't hear + about, even from our fat cops, it would be investigated, all right. What's + the matter with you?” + </p> + <p> + “I'm glad now you told me about that hearing to-night,” stated Farr, + ignoring the other's curiosity. “I'm glad I know when and where to locate + the mayor and his men in session. I'll find out if they propose to waste + the people's time hearing funny stories about policemen and are going to + let murder go on while they are laughing.” + </p> + <p> + He strode away, cursing at his workmen as he tramped along the side of the + ditch. + </p> + <p> + Farr knocked at the garret room of Etienne early that evening. + </p> + <p> + “I want you to come with me,” he commanded. + </p> + <p> + The old man obeyed without questions. As they walked along the streets + Farr did not volunteer information. He was grimly sure that if Etienne + should receive an inkling of what was expected of him the old man would + not stop running until he had crossed the Canadian border. + </p> + <p> + They were ten minutes worming their way through the press that packed the + corridors of City Hall. Groups were bulked at the doors admitting to the + aldermen's room—men thatched against each other and overlapping like + bees in a swarm at the door of a hive. + </p> + <p> + But the young man was tall and his shoulders were broad and he kept + uttering the magic words, “Room for witnesses!” In his own consciousness + he knew that what he should attempt to testify to that night was not on + the slate, but the crowd accepted him as one of those from whom they + anticipated entertainment, and allowed him to pass—and Etienne, + holding to his young friend's coat, followed close and made his way before + the throng could close in again. + </p> + <p> + The hearing began and progressed, and there was much laughter when the + delinquencies of certain fat policemen were related—it was a + free-and-easy affair—a sort of midsummer fantasy in municipal + politics—a squabble between ward bosses who had become jealous in + matters of the distribution of police patronage. + </p> + <p> + Walker Farr, standing against the wall of the audience-chamber, did not + laugh. He was busy with thoughts of his own. This bland fooling in + municipal matters while stealthy death, protected by city franchise, + dripped, so he believed, from every faucet in the tenement-house district, + stirred his bitter indignation. Etienne Provancher stood beside him, and + the old man did not laugh, either, because he did not understand in the + least what those men were talking about. And he was very uneasy, wistfully + awe-stricken, hardly daring to touch with his hands the polished oak at + his back. He was in the great <i>hotel de ville</i> whose exterior he had + stared at many times without presuming or daring to enter the broad + portals. + </p> + <p> + Then there came a recess while the mayor examined papers at his desk. The + aldermen leaned back in their chairs with lighted cigars. + </p> + <p> + “Etienne,” whispered the young man, deep resolve thrilling him, his eyes + blazing into the wondering gaze of the old man, “those men who sit behind + those desks can do something to save the children and the poor folks in + the tenements. But they must wake up, these men here must. You and I must + try to wake them up!” + </p> + <p> + Etienne's eyes opened wide. He did not in the least comprehend how he + could serve. + </p> + <p> + “I know you will not desert a friend, Etienne. I know you'll stand behind + me. I know you love the children. So be a brave man now!” + </p> + <p> + The next moment Etienne was so frightened that he feared he would drop + where he stood, because the young man raised his voice so that it rang + through the great hall and all eyes were turned that way. + </p> + <p> + “Your honor the mayor, and gentlemen; I am a stranger here. But I humbly + ask permission to address you.” + </p> + <p> + “If you are a witness in the police matter you will be called on in your + turn after the recess,” stated the mayor. + </p> + <p> + “I am not a witness in the police matter. I am here on other business.” + </p> + <p> + “There is no other business before this meeting.” + </p> + <p> + “But there should be, sir, for the business I have come on is a dreadful + matter. It is a matter of life and death.” + </p> + <p> + A hush fell on those in the chamber, and the mayor and his aldermen leaned + forward, staring apprehensively. They had been warned that there were + dangerous labor-agitators in the city. Many meetings had been broken up by + the police at the request of Colonel Dodd, president of the Consolidated + Water Company, and other employers had backed him. This tall young man had + startled them with his sudden outbreak. + </p> + <p> + “It is a matter, gentlemen, which concerns every man, woman, and child in + this city—vitally concerns them every hour of the day—every + hour they are awake. You say you have no other business now except this + silly police investigation. For God's sake, wake up and attend to real + business—save the people's lives. Here you are in session and here + are the people to listen.” + </p> + <p> + “State your complaint. Be very brief,” commanded the mayor. + </p> + <p> + But Walker Farr, it was plain, possessed craft as well as courage; he + realized that curiosity, properly tickled, will make men more patient in + listening. + </p> + <p> + “First, I want to call a witness. I am not known to this city. But I have + here a man whom many of you know, I'm sure, for he has stood out in plain + view of a street where many pass, and has worked there for thirty years. + It is Etienne Provancher.” + </p> + <p> + Several men laughed when Farr pushed the old man into view. There was a + murmured chorus of “Pickaroon.” + </p> + <p> + “It's for the children—the poor folks—for the memory of our + little girl,” hissed Farr in the old man's ear. “Will you go to your bed + to-night—the night of the day we buried her—knowing that—you + are a coward? These are only men. We must tell them so that they will + know. Speak! Tell them!” He set his firm clutch around the trembling old + Frenchman's arm and held him out where all could see. + </p> + <p> + “I do not know how to talk here—to so much man—to the lords of + the city,” stammered the miserable old man, licking his parched lips, + scared until all was black before his eyes. + </p> + <p> + The hush was profound. Men curved their palms at their ears, wondering + what old Pickaroon could have to say in City Hall. + </p> + <p> + “Remember what we have left up there—in the cemetery—the poor + children in their graves,” muttered Farr, again bending close to Etienne's + ear. + </p> + <p> + Then, thus reminded, thus spurred, all his Gallic emotion bursting into + flame in him suddenly, the old man felt the desperate resolution that + often animates the humble and ignorant in great emergencies. The little + ones had been martyrs—why not he? That thought flashed through the + tumult in his brain. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, since you all hark for me to speak I will speak,” he declared. + “Messieurs, I am a poor man. Not wise. It is very hard for me to talk to + you. But I have been to-day up where the little children are bury—so + many of them, with their playthings on the graves. I went to take there + anodder little child, poor baby girl. I leave her there with the odder + ones—so very lonesome all of them—their modders cannot sing + them to sleep any more.” + </p> + <p> + “This is irregular,” cried the mayor. “What do you want?” + </p> + <p> + “Nottings for maself,” cried Etienne, passionately shrill in his tone now. + “But I have to ask you, masters of this city, how much longer shall you + send poison down the water-pipes to the poor folks and the children in the + tenement blocks? It is poison that has kill our little Rosemarie—and + all her life ahead! The doctor say so—and he say I cannot understand + about the rich man, why he do it. But I understand that the childs are + dying. I say you shall not sent that water—if you do send it I will + bring here the fadders who have lost their babies and the modders of the + babies.” His lips curled back in his excitement and froth flecked his + mouth. “Sacred name of God! We shall tear that poison-factory up from the + ground with our bare hands!” + </p> + <p> + “Officer, put that man out of the room,” ordered the mayor. + </p> + <p> + “Won't you listen to us?” shouted Farr. “You are the chief magistrate of + this city. You and these aldermen are the guardians of the people. Are you + going to sit there in those cushioned chairs and let a crowd of rich + assassins murder the poor people?” + </p> + <p> + Men hissed that speech. + </p> + <p> + The mayor rapped his gavel furiously. + </p> + <p> + “This is no matter to be brought up here at this time. You're slandering + honorable men, sir! We have other business.” + </p> + <p> + “Can there be any other business as important as this?” + </p> + <p> + “Put both of these men out, officer.” + </p> + <p> + “Are you and these aldermen owned by the water syndicate, as report says + you are?” cried Farr. “Look here, you men, men in this room and at the + door! This is your City Hall—these aldermen are elected by your + votes. Aren't you going to demand that the people be heard in this matter? + Don't you know that typhoid fever is killing off the children in this city—and + that poison water is the cause of it?” + </p> + <p> + “It's rotten stuff to drink—we all know that,” cried a voice. “But + there'll have to be a change in politics in this state before they'll give + us anything else.” + </p> + <p> + Two policemen elbowed their rough way to Farr and Etienne. + </p> + <p> + “The big chap is right—it's about time to have this water question + opened up, Mr. Mayor,” called another voice. + </p> + <p> + “Open it up in a legal and proper way, then,” snapped the mayor. “Go to + the law.” + </p> + <p> + “That's it—go to the law—go to the law,” jeered another. “And + we'll all be dead and the lawyers will have all our money before the thing + is decided.” + </p> + <p> + There were more hisses. + </p> + <p> + But an outburst of indorsing voices indicated that many men in that + chamber understood more or less of the political management behind the + Consolidated Water Company. + </p> + <p> + “If a thing is wrong, change it. What better law do you need than that?” + asked Farr, disregarding an officer's thumb that jerked imperious gesture. + </p> + <p> + “When you know a little more law you won't be ignoramus enough to come + into a public hearing and try to break it up. You'd better go and study + law,” said the indignant mayor. He pounded his gavel to indicate that the + recess was over. + </p> + <p> + “I'll take your advice,” replied Farr, towering over the policeman and + vibrating his finger at his Honor. “If you hadn't found law so handy in + your own case you wouldn't forget yourself in your excitement and + recommend it to others. If we've got to fight the devil we'd better use + his weapons.” + </p> + <p> + Men shouted approval all around him. + </p> + <p> + “Clear the room,” ordered the mayor. “Everybody out!” + </p> + <p> + “Keep your hands off,” Farr advised the officer nearest him. “I'll go + without any help. I have found out that I'm only wasting my time in this + place.” + </p> + <p> + In the corridor men pressed around him. Some of them insisted on shaking + his hand. Others shouted commendation. Still others exhibited only frank + curiosity in the stalwart stranger. And others were clamorously hostile. + </p> + <p> + “By gad! If you wanted to start something you took the right way to do + it,” affirmed one of the throng. + </p> + <p> + “You showed good courage,” declared an elderly man with an earnest face. + “Some of the rest of us have tried to do something in the past. But those + who didn't have much power were either kept out or kicked out of any + office in city government or the legislature—and those who did + amount to something were gobbled up by the machine. The machine can pay. + Working for the people isn't very profitable. So I'm afraid you won't get + very far.” + </p> + <p> + “You needn't worry about that chap not getting along all right,” remarked + one of the group—but his indorsement was ironical. “He's a + construction boss for the Consolidated, and he went into that hearing to + start some kind of a back-fire. Shrewd operators—the Consolidated + folks.” + </p> + <p> + The men about Farr pulled away from him and there was considerable + malicious laughter in the crowd. + </p> + <p> + “So we see the game, even if we don't catch on to the meaning of it just + now,” said the observant one. + </p> + <p> + Farr squared his shoulders. They stared at him with fresh interest and a + bit of additional respect. They saw in him something more than a mere + popular agitator—a disturber of a municipal hearing; he must be a + trusted agent of the great political machine, executing a secret mission. + </p> + <p> + “You're right—I have been working for the Consolidated,” he admitted + in tones that all could hear. + </p> + <p> + “Move on! Get outdoors! Clear this corridor—all of you,” shouted a + captain of police who had come hurrying up from down-stairs and had taken + command of the situation. + </p> + <p> + The crowd began to surge on, following Farr. + </p> + <p> + “I went to work digging in their trenches because I struck this town on my + uppers and needed the money—needed it quick. I was promoted to be a + boss. But I want to tell you now, gentlemen, that I do not work for the + Consolidated.” + </p> + <p> + “I reckon you're right,” said somebody. “I just overheard a man + telephoning to the superintendent about you—and if I'm any judge of + a conversation you are <i>not</i> working for the Consolidated. Not any + more!” + </p> + <p> + “I'm sorry you're going to leave the city,” lamented the elderly man. “We + need chaps like you.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm not going to leave the city.” + </p> + <p> + “You might just as well,” counseled one of the bystanders, “after what you + said in that hearing. If you get a job in this city after this you'll be a + good one!” + </p> + <p> + When they were outside City Hall, Farr waited for a moment on the steps. + Etienne, still trembling after that most terrible experience of his placid + life, pressed close at the young man's side. + </p> + <p> + “Will all you gentlemen please take a good look at me so that you'll know + me when you see me again?” invited the ex-boss for the Consolidated. + </p> + <p> + They stared at him. His face was well lighted by the arc-light under the + arch of the door. + </p> + <p> + “I am not a labor-leader, nor a walking delegate, nor a politician, nor an + anarchist. You men go home and unscrew the faucets in your kitchens, take + a good sniff, and pull the slime out of the valve. Then remember that the + mayor and aldermen of this city wouldn't listen to me to-night in the Hall + that the tax-payer's money built. Also remember that a little later they + will listen to me. Gentlemen, my name is Walker Farr. I'm going to stay + here in this city. Good night.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0013" id="link2H_4_0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XII + </h2> + <h3> + AT THE FOOT OF THE THRONE + </h3> + <p> + As usual at nine-thirty in the afternoon, the big tower clock on the First + National Bank building in the city of Marion pointed the finger of its + minute-hand straight downward. + </p> + <p> + As usual, at this hour, as he had done for many years, Colonel Symonds + Dodd eased himself down from the equipage that brought him to his office. + This day the vehicle was his limousine car. + </p> + <p> + In view of the fact that Colonel Dodd owned the First National block the + big clock seemed to point its finger at him with the bland pride of a + flunky in a master. It seemed to say, “Behold! The great man is here!” + </p> + <p> + Colonel Dodd was never embarrassed when fingers were pointed at him + wherever he went. If a man is lord of finance and politics in his state he + expects to be pointed out. + </p> + <p> + When he stepped from his car he carried in his arms, with great + tenderness, a long parcel which was carefully wrapped in tissue-paper. He + always carried a similar parcel when he came to his office. Each morning + the gardener of the Dodd estate laid choice flowers on the seat of that + vehicle which had been chosen to convey the master to the city. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Dodd coddled the long parcel with the care a nurse would have + bestowed on an infant—but he kicked his fat leg clumsily at an + urchin who got in his way on the sidewalk. A college professor of Marion + happened to be passing at the moment and saw the act and knew what the + colonel was carrying in his arms. The professor made a mental note of + fresh material for his lecture on “The Psychological Phenomena of the + Bizarre in the Emotions.” The professor had just met a woman wheeling a + cat out in a baby-carriage. + </p> + <p> + The doctor had advised exercise for the colonel—a small amount. The + colonel toilsomely climbed the one flight of stairs to his office. That + was his daily quota of exercise. + </p> + <p> + A little man with a beak of a nose was waiting in the corridor and + hastened to unlock a door marked “Private,” and the colonel went in, and + the little man locked the door and tiptoed down the corridor to the + general offices. + </p> + <p> + Before he removed his hat Colonel Dodd carefully stripped the tissue-paper + from the damp flowers. There were two huge bouquets. He set these into + vases of ornate bronze, one on each end of his desk. He patted and stroked + the flowers until they appeared to best advantage. He stood back and + bestowed affectionate regard on them. No human being had ever reported the + receipt of such a look from Colonel Symonds Dodd. It was rather + astonishing to find softness in him in respect to flowers. He seemed as + hard as a block of wood. He had a squat, square body and his legs seemed + to be set on the corners of that body. His square face was smooth except + for a wisp of whisker, minute as a water-color brush, jutting from under + his pendulous lower lip. + </p> + <p> + He hung up his hat and stood for a moment before a massive mirror. The + report in Marion was that he stood before that mirror and made up his + expression to suit the character of a day's business. + </p> + <p> + Then he sat down at his desk and stuck a pudgy finger on one button of a + battery of buttons. + </p> + <p> + A girl entered with a promptitude which showed that she had been waiting + for the summons. + </p> + <p> + He did not look up at her. His gaze was on one of the bouquets. + </p> + <p> + She brought a portfolio and packets of letters all neatly docketed. + </p> + <p> + His salutation was merely, “Miss Kilgour.” Colonel Dodd did not deal in + many “Good-mornings.” It was also reported in Marion and the state that + his stock of urbanity was so small he was compelled to expend it very + thriftily. He certainly did not waste any of it on his office help. He + might have afforded at least one glance at the girl, for she was extremely + pretty. Still another report in Marion was to the effect that he had + selected Kate Kilgour as his secretary as the final artistic touch to the + beauty of his private office in order that he might have a perfect + ensemble. She did seem, so far as his interest in her went, to be only a + part of that ensemble which he occasionally swept carelessly with his gaze—he + reserved all his intimate admiration for the bouquets. + </p> + <p> + She laid his “Strictly Personal” letters on his fresh blotter. + </p> + <p> + She sat down and began to read the business letters aloud, not waiting for + his orders to begin. It was her daily routine, business transacted as + Colonel Dodd wished it to be transacted—crisply, promptly, directly. + </p> + <p> + He dictated replies, usually laconic, even curt, as soon as she had + finished each letter. His eyes were on the flowers as he talked. + </p> + <p> + When the letters were finished she retired with her portfolio and her + notes, the thick carpet muffling the sound of her withdrawal. + </p> + <p> + After he had slit the envelopes of his personal correspondence and had + read the contents the colonel pushed another button. The little man who + had been waiting in the corridor slipped edgewise in at the door. He was + thin and elderly and his knob of a head, set well down on his pinched + shoulders, had peering eyes on each side of that beak of a nose. When he + walked across the room his long arms were behind him under his coat-tails + and held them extended, and he bore some resemblance to a bird. In fact, + one did not require much imagination to note resemblance to a bird in + Peter Briggs—many folks likened him to a woodpecker—for he + flitted to and fro in Colonel Dodd's anteroom, among those awaiting + audience, tapping here and rapping there with the metaphorical beak of + questions, starting up the moths and grubs of business which men who came + and waited hid under the bark of their demeanor. + </p> + <p> + “Seventeen, Colonel Dodd. Five for real business; twelve of them are + sponges.” + </p> + <p> + “The five?” + </p> + <p> + “Chief Engineer Snell of the Consolidated, Dr. Dohl of the State Board of + Health, the three promoters of the Danburg Village Water system.” + </p> + <p> + “Send in Snell.” + </p> + <p> + Engineer Snell did not sit in the presence of his president, nor did the + president ask him to sit. + </p> + <p> + “Briggs tells me the Danburg men are here.” + </p> + <p> + “They're waiting out there, Colonel Dodd.” + </p> + <p> + “Quitting?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't think so—just yet. They look too mad. I gave 'em the + harpoon in good shape, as is usual, but I didn't expect they'd run here so + soon. Thought they would flop a little longer.” + </p> + <p> + “They got their poke from Stone & Adams yesterday afternoon, did + they?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Colonel. My report to Stone & Adams showed that the Danburg plan + of levels is faulty, that their unions are not up to contract, that their + station and pumps are inefficient for the demands. So Stone & Adams + had to tell 'em that their bonds were turned down.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you know whether they have tried another banking-house yet?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't believe they have had time, Colonel.” + </p> + <p> + “But such fellows always do try. Their banging in here on me so quickly + looks a little irregular. In business, you know, Snell, if you tie a tin + can to a dog and he runs and ki-yi's, that's perfectly natural and you can + sit back and wait for nature to take its course. If the dog doesn't run, + but sits down and gnaws the string in two—then look out for the + dog.” + </p> + <p> + “I must admit they're coming here sudden after their jolt. They look mad. + But I figure they must have quit. The jolt was a hard one, for Stone & + Adams had been leading 'em on—according to orders.” + </p> + <p> + The colonel stared at a bouquet. + </p> + <p> + “Have you got your other report—the side report—in shape for + me to get a hasty idea? If they have come here with a proposition—want + to quit and cover themselves, I need information right now.” + </p> + <p> + Engineer Snell laid papers on the desk. He proceeded to explain. + </p> + <p> + “If you don't feel you have time to go over it—don't want to keep + the Danburg crowd waiting—I can tell you that the plant is pretty + nearly all right. So much all right that you can afford to slip 'em a + couple of thousand apiece on top of what they have already spent. I don't + suppose you want 'em to holler too loud. I can tell you that Davis, + Erskine, and Owen—those men out there—are cleaned out. They + have put in all their ready money. They were depending on Stone & + Adams for the first instalment from the bonds, so as to take up some + thirty-day notes and pay bills due on material.” + </p> + <p> + Colonel Dodd meditated, pulling on his wisp of whisker. + </p> + <p> + “It's one thing to encourage enterprise in this state—it's another + thing to be everlastingly paying rake-offs to local promoters who grab a + franchise when we're not looking and then hold us up. I don't want to hurt + the Danburg men. But my stockholders expect certain things of me and it's + about time men in this state understand that we propose to control the + water question. Snell, you go and talk to those Danburg men like a father + to children. Send them in here smoothed down and we'll do the right thing + by them.” + </p> + <p> + He signaled for Briggs and told him to admit Dr. Dohl. + </p> + <p> + The doctor, chairman of the State Board of Health, was a chubby man with a + tow-colored, fan-shaped beard. He sat down and sprung his eye-glasses on + his bulgy nose and drew out a package of manuscript. + </p> + <p> + “Colonel, I have felt it my duty to write a special chapter on the typhoid + situation in this state for the report of the State Board of Health.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well, Doctor.” The colonel was curt and his tone admitted nothing of + his sentiments. + </p> + <p> + “DO you care to listen to it? It rather vitally concerns the Consolidated + Water Company.” + </p> + <p> + “You don't blame us for all these typhoid cases, do you?” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir—not for all of them.” + </p> + <p> + “Why blame us for any of them? Our analyses show that we're giving clean + water. How about dirty milkmen and the sanitary arrangements in these + tenement-houses and all such? It's the fashion to blame a corporation for + everything bad that happens in this world.” + </p> + <p> + “We have placed blame on milkmen where any blame is due,” stated Dr. Dohl. + He tapped his manuscript. “But I have spent considerable of my + department's money in making a house-to-house canvass, tracing the + sources. The man before me <i>guessed</i>. I have made <i>sure</i>! + Colonel Dodd, the Consolidated water is pretty poisonous stuff these + days.” + </p> + <p> + “What's the matter in this state all of a sudden?” snapped the colonel. “I + am told that a lunatic almost broke up our city government meeting the + other night, shouting that the Consolidated is trying to poison folks. + You're too level-headed a man to get into that class, Dr. Dohl.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll allow you to set me down in any class which seems fitting from your + point of view,” replied the doctor, stiffly. “But if that lunatic, as you + call him, got an angle-worm or a frog's leg out of his tap I don't blame + him for breaking up a meeting of the city government which will tolerate + the water which is being pumped through the city mains just now.” + </p> + <p> + “We're working on the filtering-plant—it will be all right in a + little while. It got out of hand before we realized it,” said the colonel, + now a bit apologetic. + </p> + <p> + “In this crisis your filter amounts to about that!” The doctor snapped a + pudgy finger into a plump palm. “The river-water in this state has been + poisoned. You must go into the hills—to the lakes, Colonel Dodd.” + </p> + <p> + “You don't mean to say that you recommend that in your report, Doctor?” + </p> + <p> + “Absolutely—emphatically.” + </p> + <p> + “Without stopping to think of the millions it will cost my company to + build over its plants?” + </p> + <p> + “It has come to a point where it isn't a question of money, Colonel.” + </p> + <p> + “We can't afford it.” + </p> + <p> + “Then let the cities and towns of the state buy in their water-plants and + do it.” + </p> + <p> + “Good Jefferson! Don't you know that every city and town in this state + where we have a water-plant has already exceeded its debt limit of five + percent?” + </p> + <p> + “Do I understand you as intimating, Colonel Dodd, that there is no help + for this present condition of affairs?” + </p> + <p> + “Look here—I'm neither a Herod nor a Moloch, even if some of the + crack-brained agitators in this state will have it that way,” protested + the magnate, with heat. “Are you going to print that report before you + have given us time to turn around?” + </p> + <p> + “With one hundred deaths a day from typhoid fever in this state, Colonel, + that matter of time becomes mighty important.” + </p> + <p> + “Look here, Dohl, don't you remember that it was my indorsement that gave + you your job?” + </p> + <p> + “I do, Colonel Dodd. But I'm a physician, not a politician.” + </p> + <p> + “I see you're not,” retorted the colonel, dryly. “But you're a member of + our political party, and you know that the Consolidated and its associate + interests are the backbone of that party. There are a lot of soreheads in + this state, and we're having a devil of a time to hold 'em in line. Every + savings-bank in this state, furthermore, holds bonds of the Consolidated. + Do you want to start a panic? You've got to be careful how you touch the + first brick standing in a row. Dohl, you leave that report with me. I'll + go over it. I'll take the matter up with the directors. We'll move as fast + as possible.” + </p> + <p> + The doctor hesitated, stroking the folds of his manuscript. + </p> + <p> + “You're not doubting my word, are you?” demanded the colonel. + </p> + <p> + “No, sir!” Even the physician's sense of duty did not embolden him to + persist under this scowl of the man of might. + </p> + <p> + The colonel took the document from Dr. Dohl's relaxing hands and shoved it + into a pigeonhole of the big desk. + </p> + <p> + “You must understand that pipe-lines to lakes cannot be laid in a minute + as a child strings straws, Doctor,” admonished the magnate. + </p> + <p> + “Do you propose to lay lines to the lakes, Colonel? I need to throw a + little sop to my conscience if my report is delayed.” + </p> + <p> + “Everything right will be done in good time, Dr. Dohl. I will proceed as + rapidly as possible, considering that the law, finance, and politics are + all concerned. As you are leaving,” he added, giving his visitor the blunt + hint that the interview was over, “I must draw your attention to the fact + that if you bludgeon the Consolidated with a report like this it may be a + long time before we can move in the matter. You'll only scare the banks + and set the cranks to yapping. Just remember that you're a state officer + and have a weighty responsibility to your party and to financial + interests.” + </p> + <p> + Dr. Dohl went away. He sourly realized that he was only a cog in the big + machine; that for a moment he had threatened to develop a rough edge and + start a squeak, but the big file had been used on him. It had been used on + many another of the State House cogs, as he well knew. Responsibility as + to his party! Safety and sanity in regard to financial interests! He knew + that these talismanic words had been used to control even the lords in + national politics. He departed from the Presence, muttering his rebellion, + but fully conscious that a political Samson in modern days made but a + sorry spectacle of himself when he started to pull down the pillars of the + party temple. + </p> + <p> + He continued to mutter when he walked through the anteroom. + </p> + <p> + Most of the men who waited there had faces as lowering as the visage which + Dr. Dohl displayed. + </p> + <p> + The doctor had not lost all faith in his own fearlessness and rectitude of + motive, but he was obliged to acknowledge to himself that just then he was + a rather weak champion. + </p> + <p> + “However, I'd like to lay eyes on the sort of man who can unjoint this + devilish combination of politics and law and finance,” he informed + himself, trying to justify his own retreat. + </p> + <p> + His eyes, in passing, swept a stranger. + </p> + <p> + The stranger was a tall young man with wavy hair and brown eyes. He sat + patiently, nursing a broad-brimmed black hat on his knees. + </p> + <p> + “I'd like to see that man!” repeated Dr. Dohl, mentally, sugar-coating his + disgust at his own weakness. + </p> + <p> + If mortal man were gifted with prescience Dr. Dohl would have stared out + of countenance the tall young man who sat on a bench in the outer office + of the state's overlord and nursed a broad-brimmed hat upon his knees. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0014" id="link2H_4_0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XIII + </h2> + <h3> + THE CODE AND THE GAGE OF BATTLE + </h3> + <p> + “I appreciate zeal in public affairs,” mused Colonel Dodd, gazing at the + door which Dr. Dohl had closed behind him. “But once there was a retriever + dog who chased his master with a stick of dynamite that had a sputtering + fuse.” + </p> + <p> + He set his broad hands upon the arms of his chair, derricked himself up, + and went over to the mirror. He peered at himself and seemed to rearrange + his countenance, much as a woman would smooth the ruffled plumage of her + hat. + </p> + <p> + “We're not murderers,” he informed the composed visage which the mirror + held forth to him. “But we haven't got to the point where we're letting + lunatics who break up city government meetings, or crank doctors, tell us + how to spend a million or two of the money we've worked hard to + accumulate. There's getting to be too much of this telling business men in + this country how to run their business. If we're peddling typhoid fever in + spite of what our analyses tell us, then we'll go ahead, of course, and + clean up.” Colonel Dodd was willing to acknowledge that much to himself, + surveying his countenance in the mirror. “But we'll continue to run our + own business,” he added. + </p> + <p> + Then he sat down again in his chair and pushed a button. “Briggs,” he + directed, “send in those three men from Danburg.” + </p> + <p> + He whirled his swivel-chair and sat there at his desk, his rectangular + front squared to meet them. + </p> + <p> + The three men who came in were of the rural businessmen type, and their + faces were not amiable. Two of them halted in the middle of the sumptuous + apartment and the third stepped a couple of paces ahead of them. He + carried a huge roll of engineers' plans under his arm. + </p> + <p> + “My name is Davis, as I suppose you know, Colonel Dodd,” he reported. + </p> + <p> + “Have seats, gentlemen.” + </p> + <p> + “We are tired of sitting,” stated the spokesmen, with sour significance. + </p> + <p> + “I understand, Mr. David. But mornings are very busy times for me. I was + attending to appointments made beforehand. You made no appointment, and I + was not expecting you.” + </p> + <p> + There was silence, and the three men glowered on him. It was evident that + settled animosity emboldened these country merchants even in the presence + of Colonel Symonds Dodd. + </p> + <p> + “I was not expecting you, I say.” + </p> + <p> + The colonel's demeanor displayed a little uncertainty; he had rather + expected suppliants. He knew what a nasty blow had been dealt these men + the day before. + </p> + <p> + “Probably not,” assented Davis. “You expected that after Stone & Adams + yanked the gangplank out from under us yesterday we would put in at least + one day tearing around to other banking firms, trying to place our bonds.” + </p> + <p> + “Why—why—Well, if Stone & Adams—You naturally + wouldn't take the verdict of one banking-house on a matter of bonds, would + you?” + </p> + <p> + “Look here, Colonel Dodd, we understand you—clear way down to the + ground—and we may as well save wear on our tongues. And first of all + we have come right here to save shoe-leather. We have come straight to + headquarters. Do you suppose we're going to gallop around this city to + bankers after the word has gone out about us? Not much! We are here in the + captain's office, and you can't fool us about that.” + </p> + <p> + “I never heard such—” the colonel began to sputter. + </p> + <p> + “I know you never did—and it's getting your goat,” asserted the + blunt countryman. “We've got a plain and pertinent question to put to you—do + you intend to ram us to the wall in our water deal?” + </p> + <p> + The head of the state's water trust simulated anger perfectly, even if he + didn't feel it. And there was astonishment in his anger. + </p> + <p> + “What have I to do with your dealings with bankers?” he demanded. + “Probably your plant isn't up to pitch.” + </p> + <p> + “That talk doesn't go with us, not for a minute, Colonel Dodd,” shouted + the undaunted Davis. “You're talking to business men, not to children. We + offered to leave the matter of our plan to any three engineers in this + state. Why is it that Stone & Adams refuse to take the word of anybody + except your man, Snell?” + </p> + <p> + “They probably want the word of the best consulting-engineer in the + state.” + </p> + <p> + “But he's your man.” + </p> + <p> + “He is our man because he is the best. We hire him for our work. But we do + not control his opinions when he is consulted by others. Oh no! And I want + to tell you, my men, that I refuse to listen to any more such talk from + you.” + </p> + <p> + “Then call in one of your political policemen and have us put out,” + invited the unterrified Davis. + </p> + <p> + “Build your plant right and your bonds will sell. Our bonds sell when Mr. + Snell reports on our plants.” + </p> + <p> + “We'll save our strength in the matter of building plants and running + around trying to place bonds with brokers who have been tipped off by the + money trust of this state. We propose to get it straight from you first. + You can't fool us for one minute, I repeat! We'll have our last wiggle + right here. Will you take your hands off our affairs?” + </p> + <p> + “I haven't put my hands <i>on</i> your affairs,” shouted Colonel Dodd, + furious at being baited in this amazing manner. Never before had any + visitor dared to raise his voice in that office. “You're crazy.” + </p> + <p> + “You're right—we are—pretty nearly so. Myself and these two + neighbors of mine have tied up every dollar we can rake and scrape to + build a water-plant for our little village and give our folks clean water + from a lake, not the rotten poison you would pump out of our millstream + for us. We have tried to do this for our town and make an honest dollar + for ourselves. Now you have got us lashed to the mast, financially, so you + think, and you propose to step in and gobble our franchise. That's enough + to make men crazy.” + </p> + <p> + “Get out of my office!” + </p> + <p> + “You grabbed the franchise and common stock of Westham that way,” declared + Davis. “You scooped in Durham and Newry and a lot of others. But I'm here + to warn you, Colonel Dodd. Danburg is going to choke you if you try to + swallow it. We are only countrymen, and we know it. You have always done + all the bossing and threatening in this state up to now. But I tell you, + Colonel Dodd, there comes a time when the rabbit will spit in the + bulldog's eye. If we three go out of this room in the same spirit in which + we came into it something will drop in this state. We shall have a story + to tell.” + </p> + <p> + Colonel Dodd swung his chair around and faced his desk. + </p> + <p> + “Gentlemen, let's not get excited,” he appealed. Ostensibly he reached for + a pencil. He also pushed a button he had not touched before that day. Then + he came around slowly on the swivel of his chair. “You have mentioned + certain towns, Davis. Those towns have water systems that are a part of + the Consolidated, to be sure. But the men who promoted those plants and + were unable to complete them came to us and begged us to step in and take + the burden off their hands.” While Colonel Dodd talked he kept glancing, + but in an extremely unobtrusive manner, at a huge and magnificent Japanese + screen that occupied one corner of his office. “It is easy enough to start + ventures in this world, Mr. Davis. An inexperienced man can do that. But + it most often takes experience and a lot of money to install a successful + water plant.” + </p> + <p> + “We want to get down to cases, Colonel Dodd,” insisted the spokesman. “We + haven't come here without posting ourselves. We know how you have talked + to the others. But you can't bluff us. You propose to steal our plant, + such of it as we have been able to build to date. One word from you to the + money gang takes the hoodoo off us. Now talk business! Do you propose to + pot us like you have the rest?” + </p> + <p> + The heart of the big rose in the center of the screen flashed once with a + glow that was imperceptible unless one had been gazing at it, watching for + a signal. Colonel Dodd understood that Miss Kate Kilgour had entered + through a low door and was behind the screen, ready with note-book and + pencil. He leaned back in his deep chair and interlocked his pudgy fingers + across his paunch. + </p> + <p> + “I assure you I have not the least interest in your projects as to the + Danburg water system, Mr. Davis, Mr. Erskine, Mr. Owen.” He dwelt on the + names. “The Consolidated has plenty of its own business to attend to.” + </p> + <p> + “But I say you are trying to run <i>our</i> business, too—no, ruin + it!” + </p> + <p> + “Do you realize, Mr. Davis, that you are accusing me of criminal + conspiracy—making a statement that might go hard with you in a court + of law? You have accused me of trying to discredit you with + banking-houses. Can you produce any proof except your foolish and unjust + suspicions? You have been made angry by a refusal to handle your bonds. I + don't sell bonds. I build and operate water systems.” + </p> + <p> + “The same old game,” sneered Davis. “Your water syndicate, the railroads + of this state, the banks, the politics—they're all snarled up + together like snakes in winter quarters. I say, if you pass the word our + bonds will be taken. If you don't do it, I'm going to trot out of this + office and expose your highway-robber system.” + </p> + <p> + “In one breath you threaten me because you say I'm interfering in your + affairs. In the next breath you threaten me because I refuse to interfere. + You are making dangerous talk, Davis. I may call the courts to pass on + that threat. There is only one proposition I can make to you—and + that's strictly in the line of my business. If you are tied up financially—are + at the end of your resources and must have help—I'll give you my aid + in getting the Consolidated to take over the Danburg plant at a fair + valuation.” + </p> + <p> + “Is that the best word you've got for us?” + </p> + <p> + “I have made you an honorable business proposition.” + </p> + <p> + “That your final talk?” + </p> + <p> + “Absolutely.” + </p> + <p> + Davis found words inadequate for his boiling emotions just then. He + advanced on Dodd, who shrank back into his chair. Davis whipped the long + roll of plans out from under his arm, held the roll by one end, and swung + it like a bat-stick. But he did not strike at Dodd, as the magnate seemed + to apprehend. + </p> + <p> + He swung over the colonels' head and swept the top of the desk clean of + everything; vases, bouquets, <i>objets d'art</i>, all went rolling and + smashing to the floor. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Dodd ducked low and held his square head in his hands as if he + feared that the next assault would be on that. But Davis led his + associates out of the room through the door which Briggs had flung open, + summoned by the crash in his master's holy of holies. + </p> + <p> + For the first time, perhaps, in the history of that private office the + door leading into the anteroom was left open and unguarded. Briggs ran + into the room, his coat-tails streaming, his inquisitive beak stretched + forward. On his heels followed the tall young man who had been waiting in + the anteroom. It was Walker Farr, who closed the door behind him, shutting + out the curious anteroom clients who flocked and peered. + </p> + <p> + When the colonel lifted his head he found himself looking squarely into + the eyes of this tall young man whom he in no way remembered. + </p> + <p> + Briggs went down on his hands and knees and began to pick up the debris. + </p> + <p> + One of the bouquets had rolled to the colonel's feet, and he stooped with + some difficulty, recovered it, and laid it across his knees. He gazed past + Farr with a frown—with a significant, dismissing jerk of his head. + The young man turned in time to see the capitalist's handsome secretary. + The amazing riot in the sanctuary of her employer had brought her from + behind the screen. Uncertainty and alarm were in her eyes and excitement + had flushed her cheeks. Against the background of the gorgeous screen she + seemed a veritable apparition of loveliness, and while Farr stared, + frankly admiring her, recognizing her, exchanging that startled + recognition with her, she disappeared. + </p> + <p> + “How do you dare to come into my private office in this fashion?” + </p> + <p> + “I have waited in that anteroom every day for ten days, trying to get an + audience. The door was open just now and I came in.” + </p> + <p> + “It's your own fault if you haven't seen me. I see men who have business + with me and who send in an explanation of that business.” + </p> + <p> + “So I have been told by that man,” stated Farr, pointing to Briggs, who + was groping about on the carpet. “But my business with you couldn't be + discussed through a third party.” + </p> + <p> + “Now that you're in here, what is that business?” + </p> + <p> + “I'll tell you first what it is <i>not</i>, so that there won't be any + misunderstanding in your mind about me. I am not here to borrow money, beg + money, ask for work, ask for a personal favor of any kind, solicit a + political job, nor have I anything to sell to you or to give to you. So, + you see, my business is different.” + </p> + <p> + With a quick motion he brought out a parcel which he had held concealed in + the broad-brimmed hat. + </p> + <p> + Briggs straightened up on his knees and remained thus, seemingly + paralyzed, staring at the parcel. + </p> + <p> + The capitalist sank back in his chair, his face growing greenish white. + </p> + <p> + “Don't you throw that bomb!” he gasped. In his panic he was not able to + deduce any other explanation for the presence of this stranger who had so + strenuously disclaimed all reasonable motives for his visit. He quailed + before this man who seemed to be a dangerous crank—for Farr's attire + was out of the ordinary and his eyes were flashing and his poise was that + of a man sure of himself. + </p> + <p> + “What do you think I have here in this package?” + </p> + <p> + “Dynamite!” mumbled the magnate. + </p> + <p> + “It's worse.” + </p> + <p> + Colonel Dodd rolled his head to and fro on the back of his chair, shutting + his eyes in vain attempt to find somebody to whom to appeal for help. He + started a furtive hand in the direction of the battery of buttons. + </p> + <p> + “Keep your hands in your lap,” commanded Farr. “I say that what I have + here in this package is worse than dynamite.” He tore the paper and + disclosed a half-dozen faucets that were still dripping with slime. “You + know now what I mean, Colonel Dodd. This is the stuff your water company + is pumping through the pipes in this state.” + </p> + <p> + The president of the Consolidated straightened in his chair, but he had + been thoroughly frightened. + </p> + <p> + While Farr talked on the colonel seemed to be gathering himself—recovering + his voice. + </p> + <p> + “It's a mighty bold act for me to come in here like this, Colonel Dodd. I + understand it. I'm a poor man and a stranger in this city. Just consider + me a voice—call me Balaam's ass if you want to. But I've come up + from the tenement-house districts where the children are dying.” + </p> + <p> + “What do you want?” The magnate discharged the question explosively. + </p> + <p> + “Pure water in the city mains.” + </p> + <p> + “Whom do you represent?” + </p> + <p> + Farr hesitated. Colonel Dodd scented possible political strategy in this + visit, and was controlling his ire in order to probe the matter. + </p> + <p> + “Come, my man. Out with it! Who commissioned you to come here?” + </p> + <p> + “I'll not claim that I have any powers delegated to me, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “How did you dare to force your way in here?” + </p> + <p> + “Considering what kind of a man I was a few weeks ago, I'm having pretty + hard work to explain to myself what I'm doing, sir.” + </p> + <p> + The colonel knotted bushy brows. This person seemed to be playing with + him. “Who told you to come here?” + </p> + <p> + “The soul of a little girl who was named Rosemarie.” + </p> + <p> + Colonel Dodd came out of his chair, thoroughly angry—and yet he + repressed his anger. This person, more than ever, seemed to him to be a + crank with vagaries. + </p> + <p> + Farr put up a protesting palm. His tones trembled, and into them he put + all the appeal a human voice can compass. + </p> + <p> + “I know I astonish you, Colonel,” he added. “I astonish myself. I'm not + much on self-analysis. I don't know just what has come over me the last + few weeks. But they do say the Deity picks out queer instruments when He + wants things done. Man to man, now, forgetting you're a mighty man and I'm + a small one, won't you say you'll give the people of this state pure water + instead of poison?” + </p> + <p> + “You don't think you can stroll in here and coax me to build over the + whole Consolidated system, do you?” + </p> + <p> + “That isn't the idea at all, sir. Treat me simply as a voice—a jog + of your conscience—a reminder. I'll go away and you'll never see me + again.” + </p> + <p> + “If you think the cranks in this state can influence me in the least item + about running my own business you're the worst lunatic outside the state + asylum,” declared the colonel, with passion. + </p> + <p> + “You mean that what I have asked on behalf of women and children hasn't + had any effect on you?” + </p> + <p> + “Not the slightest. Get out!” In his present mood Colonel Dodd would not + admit to this interloper that he planned reforms, and in that moment he + unwittingly created his Frankenstein's monster. + </p> + <p> + Farr retreated a couple of steps and bowed. “Colonel Dodd, in my part of + the West we fellows had a little code: help a woman, always, everywhere; + tote a tired child in our arms; and, in the case of a man who announced + himself an enemy, give him fair notice when it came time to pull guns. + Better get your weapon loose on your hip.” + </p> + <p> + He bowed again and went out. + </p> + <p> + Briggs rose from his knees and his master snapped an angry stare from the + door that the young man had closed softly behind himself. + </p> + <p> + “What kind of a resort is my office getting to be? Do you know who that + devilish fool is, Briggs?” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir. He has been hanging around here, that's all I know. I kept at + him.” He made a little dab of his woodpecker beak. “But I couldn't find + out anything from him.” + </p> + <p> + “Well find out from somebody else, then. And get judge Warren on the + 'phone for me.” + </p> + <p> + When the bell rang and the colonel heard the voice of the Consolidated's + corporation counsel greeting him on the wire he ordered the judge to come + over at once. + </p> + <p> + “Hell has just burned through here in three small patches,” stated the + colonel, grimly. “The sooner we turn on the Consolidated hose, the + better.” + </p> + <p> + In the early dusk of a summer evening Mr. Peter Briggs stood at the edge + of the sidewalk of one of the squalid avenues of the district of the + tenement-houses of Marion. His hands were behind him, propping out his + coat-tails. He kept peering at the gloomy stairway of a house near at + hand. Take the gloom, his attitude, and his sooty garb, and he gave a very + picturesque impression of a raven doing sentinel duty. + </p> + <p> + At last a tall young man came down the stairs which Mr. Briggs was + watching and strolled off leisurely up the avenue, stopping here and there + to chat, nodding to this man, flourishing a hand salute to that man. The + young man apparently had nothing whatever on his mind except to enjoy a + stroll in the summer evening. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Briggs watched him out of sight without moving from his tracks. Then + he withdrew both hands from under his coat-tails. In one hand was a + note-book, in the other hand was a pencil. Mr. Briggs made an entry, + closed the book with decision, and snapped an elastic band around the + covers. Then he made off toward his home. He lived up-town in a section + where there were fewer smells and better scenery. He determined that this + should be his last tour of surveillance. He had found his trips into the + nooks and crannies of the Eleventh Ward to be very distasteful employment + for a man who had served Colonel Dodd for so many years in the sumptuous + surroundings of that office in the First National block. + </p> + <p> + He asked himself what would be the use of hunting for any more information + regarding such an inconsequential individual as one Walker Farr? He + wondered why this crank had impressed Colonel Symonds Dodd sufficiently to + stir up all this trouble for himself, Peter Briggs. The fellow had come + from somewhere—nobody in Marion seemed to know. He had been + discharged from the employment of the Consolidated. Now he was going + about, warning all the people to boil the city water they drew from the + faucets. He seemed to be a crank on the water subject, so Peter Brigg's + note-book recorded. + </p> + <p> + The book also recorded that this queer Walker Farr strolled about the + streets in the poorer quarters, “currying favor”: so Peter Briggs + expressed the young man's evening activities in the note-book. That seemed + to be all there was to it. At any rate, Peter Briggs decided that he had + finished his quest. + </p> + <p> + Thereupon he had snapped the elastic band with vigor and made up his mind + to tell Colonel Dodd the next morning that chasing that worthless fellow + around or thinking that such a fellow could do anything to interfere with + Colonel Dodd was poppycock. Peter Briggs hoped he would dare to call it + “poppycock” in the presence of his master—for he was thoroughly sick + of being a sleuth in the ill-smelling Eleventh Ward. + </p> + <p> + He did dare to call it poppycock. And Colonel Dodd shrugged his shoulders + and forgot one Walker Farr. The fellow seemed inconsiderable—and + Colonel Dodd found other matters very pressing. + </p> + <p> + For one thing, those three men from Danburg had brought suit against both + Stone & Adams and the Consolidated Water Company and had engaged as + counsel no less a personage than the Honorable Archer Converse, the + state's most eminent corporation lawyer, a man of such high ideals and + such scrupulous conception of legal responsibility that he had never been + willing to accept a retainer from the great System which dominated state + affairs. Colonel Symonds Dodd feared the Honorable Archer Converse. It was + hinted that the Danburg case would involve charges of conspiracy with + intent to restrain independents, and would be used to show up what the + opponents of the Consolidated insisted was general iniquity in finance and + politics. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Dodd outwardly was not intimidated. He sent no flag of truce. He + decided to intrench and fight. He cursed when he remembered the interview + with the Danburg triumvirate. + </p> + <p> + “Under ordinary circumstances I would buy them off in the usual way,” he + informed Judge Warren. “But that damnation lunatic raved at me with all + the insults he could think of—then he up with his dirty bunch of + plans and knocked my flowers on to the floor—yes, sir, that was what + the mad bull did—he knocked my flowers on to the floor!” + </p> + <p> + And Colonel Dodd emphasized that as the crime unforgivable. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0015" id="link2H_4_0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XIV + </h2> + <h3> + THE MATTER OF DOING WHAT ONE CAN + </h3> + <p> + It was from Citizen Drew that Walker Farr heard the story of Captain + Andrew Kilgour. + </p> + <p> + Citizen Drew was the elderly man with the earnest face who had been first + to commend Farr that evening at City Hall when he and old Etienne had made + their pathetically useless foray against bulwarked privilege. + </p> + <p> + Folks in Marion who knew Citizen Drew had forgotten his given name. In his + propaganda of protest he called himself “Citizen.” He built carriage-tops + in a little shop where there were drawers stuffed with political and + economic literature, and he read and pondered during his spare hours. + </p> + <p> + Farr sought out Citizen Drew and sat at his feet, with open ears. + </p> + <p> + For Citizen Drew knew the political history of his state, the men + concerned, their characters, their aims, their weaknesses, their virtues, + their faults—especially did he understand their faults—their + affiliations with the Machine, their attitude toward the weak; he had + followed their trails as the humble hound follows big game. + </p> + <p> + Therefore, Farr, a stranger in that land, seeking knowledge with which to + arm his resolve, went and sat with Citizen Drew and learned many things. + </p> + <p> + Sometimes loquacity carried Citizen Drew a bit afield from the highway of + politics, and when he touched on the case of Captain Andrew Kilgour Farr's + heart thumped and his eyes glistened. For Drew prefaced the bit of a story + with this: + </p> + <p> + “I never knew Symonds Dodd to do anything toward squaring a wrong he had + committed except when he gave Kate Kilgour a fine position in his office. + And there are those who say that he was only showing more of his + selfishness when he hired her; he wanted the prettiest girl in the city to + match his office furnishings.” + </p> + <p> + “I have seen her,” said Farr, trying to be matter-of-fact. “I—I sort + of wondered!” + </p> + <p> + “Her father was a friend of mine. He was a good man. And the Consolidated + money couldn't buy him. His people were Kilgowers in Scotland and he was a + man not given to much talk, but he was willing to let me run on, nodding + his head now and then while he smoked. He was an honest man and the best + engineer in the state, and he kept his own counsel in all things. And he + showed me the Kilgower coat of arms—and he didn't show that to many. + He was no boaster. He was proud of his people, but he used to say that it + made but little difference who the ancestors were unless the descendants + copied the virtues and tried to improve over the faults. There was a + Kilgower who went down across the border and gave himself as a hostage so + that the clan might gain time—and he knew that he would be hung—and + he was. But he saved his people. And I wish you would remember that, Mr. + Farr, for it explains a bit the state of mind of Andrew Kilgour. + </p> + <p> + “He wouldn't sell himself for the gang's dirty work—he made honest + reports. So they did for him, Mr. Farr. And he couldn't afford to have + them do for him, because his wife was vain and a spendthrift and he let + her waste and spend because he was a good and simple man when it came to + the matter of a woman's domination over him. That's the curse on strong + men—they are tender when it comes to a woman. She wasn't worthy of + him, his wife. It's the daughter who has his honesty. I think if she knew + who had done for her father she would not stay in Symonds Dodd's office. + But the gang does for a man most often without leaving the trail open when + they run away and hide. + </p> + <p> + “He would come here and sit with me and smoke and was very silent. I knew + there were debts and I knew well enough that the woman wanted him to sell + himself. + </p> + <p> + “He raked and scraped money—he sold everything of his own, his + instruments and all. He took out every cent of insurance that money would + buy. Then he put prussic acid in a capsule—a shell of salol, I + believe they said it was—so that the work of the poison would be + delayed, and he swallowed the capsule on the street and went into an + office and sat and chatted with friends and joked and laughed much more + than was his habit till at last his eyes closed and his face grew white + and he fell out of his chair upon the floor stone-dead, and never uttered + a groan. + </p> + <p> + “It was brave work. They called it heart disease, but it's not easy to + fool insurance people. They took him out of his grave and proved suicide—and + they did not pay a dollar of insurance to his family. They were not + obliged to. The policies were new and the suicide clause let the companies + out. So he left only debts instead of twenty-five thousand dollars. + However, I say it was brave work.” + </p> + <p> + “It would have been braver to stay and face it,” blurted Farr. + </p> + <p> + “But Andrew Kilgour had a code of his own—a state of mind some of us + could not understand—the example of an ancestor. We are not all + alike. Many cannot stay and face trouble. You might be able to do it—you + seem to have a level head!” + </p> + <p> + Farr grew pale, his hands trembled on the arms of his chair, and then he + got up and marched across the little shop to the window, turning his back + on Citizen Drew. + </p> + <p> + “You told them in City Hall that you would stay here and fight,” pursued + Citizen Drew. “That is brave work.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll be much obliged to you, Citizen Drew, if you'll leave me out of your + catalogue of heroes. And I take back what I said about his facing it. I + hadn't any right to make any such comment.” + </p> + <p> + “So the girl went to work in Symonds Dodd's office and his nephew is + courting her. I hope he doesn't get Andrew Kilgour's daughter. He never + went after any other girl honestly. I have looked into this case because I + was Andrew's friend. Young Dodd wants to marry her and the mother is + helping him. But I know that rapscallion, Mr. Farr. I can't believe that + Kate Kilgour will be caught by him.” + </p> + <p> + “He has a fine position, they tell me,” said Farr, still gazing out of the + window. + </p> + <p> + “The Machine made old Peleg Johnstone state treasurer, and he doesn't know + bonds from biscuit. Colonel Dodd put in his nephew as chief clerk, and old + Peleg is a figure-head, smoking his pipe in the back office and resting + his wool-tipped boots on his desk. Oh, I know the bunch of 'em, sir. I can + tell you the inside of things. Young Dodd takes orders from his uncle and + runs the treasury. All the state's money is in the Dodd banks on the + checking-account basis—and the gang is letting it out at six + percent. Tidy little profit! And nobody to say a word, even to ask how + Richard Dodd finds so much money to spend. But that's the principal wonder + in the world, Mr. Farr—how your neighbor gets his money to blow. + Jones, Smith, Brown, and Robinson—they stand and look at one another + and ask the same question. And folks in the Eleventh Ward are even asking + me how you get your living,” added Citizen Drew, smoothing his curiosity + with a bit of jocoseness. + </p> + <p> + “I have been working in this city—doing good, hard work,” stated + Farr, moving toward the door. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but you have been discharged.” + </p> + <p> + “I understand how it is you know so much stuff to tell me,” returned the + young man, smiling. “Well, Citizen Drew, I'm going to take the first job + that offers itself. Tell 'em that!” + </p> + <p> + “I'm glad of it,” said Citizen Drew, with blunt heartiness. “If you have + set out to do anything among the plain folks you've got to be at work in + the open, earning honest wages, or they'll suspect you. They have been + fooled too often by fakes and loafers. But since you advertised yourself + in City Hall you may find jobs a little hard to land. It's pretty much of + an air-tight proposition, Consolidated influence.” + </p> + <p> + “I have somebody looking after my interests in that line, Citizen Drew. + I'm not worrying.” He opened the door. “In fact, there are two mighty + helpful chaps whom I'm going to associate with more or less from now on.” + </p> + <p> + “Bring 'em with you and let me know 'em. Can't have too many in a good + cause.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll bring them—but they are pretty hard to understand—rather + slow getting acquainted—lots of folks have no use for them,” said + Farr, starting down-stairs. + </p> + <p> + “What are their names?” asked the inquisitive citizen, eager for more + additions to his general stock of information. + </p> + <p> + “I'll tell you later.” + </p> + <p> + But Farr named them to himself when he was on the street. + </p> + <p> + “Chance and Humility—I hope you are going to stick by me from now + on,” he muttered. “Chance, you have led me into a queer position and into + a strange state of mind. Humility, you are helping me to understand. Now, + Chance, what have you to say to me?” + </p> + <p> + It was more of the fantastic whimsy with which Walker Farr played. + </p> + <p> + His eyes, searching the street after this challenge to Chance, beheld an + ice-wagon rumbling past. It was a neat-looking cart, painted white, and + bore the advertisement, “Crystal Pure Independent Ice Company.” + </p> + <p> + Another wagon, painted dirty yellow, followed. It was a Consolidated + ice-cart; Farr knew those carts with their loads of river-ice. + </p> + <p> + The spectacle of something which promised rivalry to that yellow cart + piqued his interest. His mood welcomed the first adventure which Chance + presented. He had found Chance playing peculiar pranks with his affairs in + the days just past. + </p> + <p> + He hurried in pursuit of the white cart and accosted the driver. + </p> + <p> + “Where can I find the manager of this company?” + </p> + <p> + “He's up at Coosett Lake this afternoon, sir.” The man was respectful. The + stranger's garb and demeanor impressed him. “The trolley will take you + pretty near it. Take a car in the square—a Halcyon Park car.” + </p> + <p> + Without canvassing the matter further Farr took the car. + </p> + <p> + He decided that it was a most comforting sensation, this abandoning his + problems to Chance! It saved so much fuss and worry. + </p> + <p> + He found the little lake at the limits of the park area—a hollow + among the hills. + </p> + <p> + Men were busy at the foot of the slope over whose crest he marched. He saw + several rough buildings at the edge of the lake, plainly makeshift + ice-houses. One was a new structure and the other two were old barns which + had been “darned” here and there with new material, and their yawed sides + were propped with joists. Men were loading ice upon carts; the translucent + cubes flashed in the rays of the sun. + </p> + <p> + During the process of his little crusade he had become acquainted with the + conditions in the city of Marion and he knew that the Consolidated folks + controlled the ice-supply as well as the water. They held an iron grip by + legislative charter on all the riparian rights along the river and allowed + no one else to operate an ice-field. He had seen and sniffed the + unwholesome slime which a melted cake of Consolidated ice deposited. + </p> + <p> + When he found opportunity he accosted a man in corduroy. He was a big + chap, bronzed by the sun, and Farr singled him out as the manager because + he had been directing the other workers while he toiled himself. + </p> + <p> + “It's a little business of my own,” said the man. “I have started in + independent.” + </p> + <p> + “I had thought the Consolidated had control of everything.” + </p> + <p> + “They would control everything if they could. They wouldn't let me run my + carts through the city streets if they knew how to stop me. I worked for + them fifteen years, lugging their dirty ice on my back, up stairs and + down, and I know that crowd. I don't understand much of anything but the + ice business, mister, whoever you are. But I wouldn't lug any more of that + ice into homes. I put my savings in here, every cent, hired these barns + and a shore privilege, and I'm selling clean ice. But I'm going to lose + every blamed cent! It's no use. I can't buck 'em. Excuse me! It's no + interest to you. My mouth runs away with me when I get talking about that + gang.” + </p> + <p> + He went back to the barn to help his men shift a runway. + </p> + <p> + Farr waited patiently until he was able to speak to the busy man again. + </p> + <p> + “I don't mean to bother you, sir,” he said, humbly. “But I am interested + in this proposition of yours. I have worked for the Consolidated, myself. + I was discharged because I stood up and damned their water before the + mayor and aldermen.” + </p> + <p> + “Say, I heard something about that!” cried the iceman, displaying prompt + interest and admiration. “The boys said it was good work.” + </p> + <p> + “I mention it merely to put myself right with you.” + </p> + <p> + “Then say on ahead, my friend!” + </p> + <p> + “Do you tell me you can't make a go of this?” + </p> + <p> + “I'm afraid I can't. It's a half-mile haul for me to the nearest siding. + The railroad folks don't give me any better rate than they're obliged to—and + you know why that is! And I have to have another set of carts for the city + delivery. And no capital to work with! I'm up against a crowd that has all + the money, plenty of equipment, and has its supply right at the back door + of the city—and it belongs at the back door! But you know what the + buying public is! The only reason why I have lasted is because my old + customers gave me their business and are sticking pretty well.” + </p> + <p> + “My friend,” declared Farr, putting his hand on the shoulder bent and + ridged by many years of ice-toting, “lots of men who are making money as + missionaries are not doing half the good in the world you're doing. You're + certainly showing some of the citizens of Marion the difference between + good ice and frozen gobs of pestilence.” + </p> + <p> + “A fellow needs grit, grace, gumption, and a lot of missionary spirit to + fight what I'm fighting, mister. I ain't going to say anything about a lot + of obstacles the syndicate has put in my way. Those were to be expected in + the way of regular business competition. But you can see I have only got + limited resources here, and I can't afford a big outfit in the city. + Sometimes I have run short, the best I could do—and it's mighty + little sleep I have. And the Consolidated drivers have refused to sell ice + to anybody who has been buying of me even when mothers have pleaded so as + to keep milk for sick babies from souring. That's orders from + headquarters! You wouldn't think that the same big chaps who boss the + governor of the state would get down to such nubbins as that, eh? But they + do—that's their system. They used to tell me that it's the only way + a big syndicate can keep its grip—never leave a bar down! Yes, sir, + they have blacklisted my customers until they'll be good and give the + Consolidated a yearly contract. More than that, they pass word along that + I'll be out of business by another season and that folks who have bought + of me this year will be given the go-by next! Can you beat it?” + </p> + <p> + “Are you going to sell out to them?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said the iceman, grimly. “There are two good reasons: I won't sell + and they won't buy. They will kill me out so that nobody else will be + encouraged to try the scheme again.” + </p> + <p> + “I want a job,” stated Farr, curtly. “I want to work for you. Give me a + place on one of your carts in the city.” + </p> + <p> + “Say, look here,” blurted the other man, frankly astonished, “you look + more like a gent than an iceman!” + </p> + <p> + “No matter what I look like. The main question is, can I lug ice? Feel of + my muscle!” + </p> + <p> + “It may be a poor outlook for your pay—working for me,” warned the + proprietor. “And if you ever want another job in Marion you may be + blacklisted. I don't want to get you into a scrape.” + </p> + <p> + “I can't be in any worse scrape than the one I am in now. Haven't I just + told you who I am?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I know that! I reckon you're the same fellow. But, see here, mister, + I'm one of those simple kind of galoots—and the less a man knows the + more suspicious he is. You ain't wanting to work for me just because you + need a job!” + </p> + <p> + “I do need a job! I have spent the little money I had by me after I was + fired by the Consolidated. I had some special expenses—the funeral + of a—a friend,” he added, wistfulness in his tones. He drove his + hand into his pockets and exhibited a few small coins in his palm when he + pulled his hand out. “That's my cash—every cent of it!” + </p> + <p> + “Sure! I see it. But money's easy enough to come at by a fellow like you + when he needs it. You haven't come across all square with me yet!” It was + not mere inquisitiveness; it was the insistence of a plain man who wanted + a definite peg on which to hitch the first warp of association. “You've + got to handle money of mine,” he went on. “I'm in a tight place and I have + got to have the right men tied up with me. I wouldn't have to ask one of + those boys yonder why he wanted to lug ice. But you ain't no ordinary + slouch, mister. You don't do things—not many of 'em—unless + you've got a good reason for same.” It was the instinct of ingenuousness. + “Keep it all to yourself if you want to. But in that case you'll have to + excuse <i>me</i>!” + </p> + <p> + Farr did not hesitate. He smiled. + </p> + <p> + “You're a down-on-the-ground fellow who may be able to understand the + thing better than I do myself,” he declared. Again he put his hand on the + bent shoulder. + </p> + <p> + “You didn't break loose from a good job and start this ice business here + simply to make more money, did you?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I've got a family to support and I wanted to make some money, of + course, but I thought it was about time to have less relics, germs, + curiosities, microbes, and general knickknacks left in ice-boxes after the + ice had melted. So I went out of the frozen museum business, mister.” His + voice softened suddenly. “We lost a little girl a year ago last summer. + Typhoid!” + </p> + <p> + “I lost a little girl—a friend,” said Farr, patting the shoulder. + “It's this way with me—What is your name?” + </p> + <p> + “Freeland Nowell.” + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Nowell, I have poked more or less fun in my life at men who claimed + to have missions. Perhaps that was because those men drew my attention by + advertising their missions loudly—and, therefore, I concluded that + all men with licenses to cure this and fix that and regulate the other + were fooling themselves or else were bluffs. But all of a sudden I have + waked up to something. I believe that any human being who isn't doing a + little something on the side to help somebody else in this life is mighty + miserable. I believe that the average sort of folks are doing it—keeping + it quiet, in most cases, perhaps. I thought I had a mission and I stood up + in your city government and advertised it and made considerable of an ass + of myself.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, it was all right one way you look at it,” said Nowell, with the + caution of the honest citizen. “But, of course, you got the stigmy put + onto you of being a crank and a disturber and you don't get nowhere! It + ain't gab and holler that does it! If talk sets folks to thinking—that's + all right, so far as it goes. But a lot of these chaps set their mouths to + going and let their hands lay crossed in their laps and then wonder why + the world doesn't get better because they have asked it to be good.” + </p> + <p> + It was sagacity from the humble observer. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Nowell, I don't want to be quite as lonesome in this world as I have + been,” said Farr, with earnestness. “It's an awful feeling, that! A man + can be lonely for a time and crowd down the hankering to be in the march + of honest men where he can touch elbows and be a part of things. I see you + look at me! That's right—it's queer stuff to be talking to you.” He + pondered for a moment and went on. “Queer thing, eh, for a fellow to wake + up all of a sudden—a fellow of my stamp—and want to do some + real good in the world? Well, it surprises <i>me</i>, and it would + surprise you a whole lot more if you knew me better. We won't try to + analyze the feeling. I've given up trying to do it.” He paused and his + brown eyes surveyed the blinking iceman with a quizzical appeal in them. + “That's a pretty long preface, Mr. Nowell. It ought to lead up to some + very important request. But it doesn't. I simply want a job on your + ice-cart. It will give me the best opportunity I know of to go into homes + and tell mothers to boil the water which comes out of those dirty taps; + after I unscrew the faucets I won't have to argue much. I told Colonel + Dodd in his office to look out for me! That may have been bluster. I am a + nobody. But I'm on his trail, and there is one thing I can do to start + with! I can help save the lives of a few children. That's all! I'll be + following my new motto. Will you give me the job?” + </p> + <p> + “I sure will,” declared Nowell, heartily. “If I don't know when a man is + talking rock-bottom to me, then it's my own fault. When do you want to go + to work?” + </p> + <p> + “Now.” + </p> + <p> + Nowell gave the new man's garments a disparaging side glance. + </p> + <p> + “You look more as if you was going out to preach instead of deliver ice. + But I can fix that if you're busted, my friend. You slip off that coat and + help here till we're loaded. Then ride into the city on the freight-car + and tell any one of my men to give you the overalls and jumper I left + hanging in my stable office.” + </p> + <p> + In this fashion it came about that Farr that day was riding on an + ice-wagon in Marion, learning his route. A red-headed youth who was + nursing an ice-pick wound in a bundled-up foot served as guide and driver + and spotted the “Crystal Pure” cards propped here and there in windows, + mutely signaling the household needs. With zestful complacency, and with + secret enjoyment in being allowed to “team” this chap who looked and + talked like a “nob,” the youth allowed Farr to do all the work. + </p> + <p> + The route took in many apartment-houses of the city. + </p> + <p> + The labor was muscle-racking. In most cases there were stairs to climb. He + stood, sagging under his burden, till chests were cleared by the + housewives or sluggish maids. He discovered that the iceman was considered + a fair and logical butt for all the forenoon grouches of the kitchen. + Women complained querulously that the ice dripped on the clean floor, or + that the piece was not up to the twenty-cent piece delivered by the other + company, or that he was late, or he had not had his eyes about him the day + before or else he would have seen the card. + </p> + <p> + On numerous occasions he was obliged to carry a piece of ice back + down-stairs to his cart and exchange it for a piece of another size and + price. He received no apology in such cases; he was tartly informed that + he ought to have common sense enough to know what was wanted in that + house. In other cases, the mistress of the apartments turned him from the + door and explained with entire lack of interest in his long climb that the + card had been left up by oversight—the chest had been filled the day + before. + </p> + <p> + And at two places sharp-tongued women would not allow him to enter, + frankly stating that icemen were too dirty creatures to allow inside the + door of a respectable house; the women received their ten-cent cubes in + pans and slammed the door in his face. + </p> + <p> + And through all this Farr preserved his smile. + </p> + <p> + In this slavery, tongue-lashed by fretful women, sweating under his + burden, he was happy; he could not account for it and did not attempt to, + but he knew it. He accepted the situation. + </p> + <p> + He received rewards enough to fortify his resolution. + </p> + <p> + A motherly woman asked him to wait a moment and she mixed for him a glass + of lemonade. That gave him an opportunity to say a few words to her about + drinking-water, modestly and deferentially. She was interested, and he + showed her what the guilty faucet of her tap held in concealment. + </p> + <p> + And he saw that she was shocked and after he had warned her he asked her + to tell all the other women whom she knew. She promised to bring the + matter up in her sewing-club. + </p> + <p> + “And even the fussy women,” he told himself, as he plodded back to his + cart, encouraged by his first experiment, “if I keep calm, if I keep + smiling—I shall find my chance to say something to them after a + time.” + </p> + <p> + A fresh doughnut was given to him by a maid who smiled up at his manly + good looks approvingly, and he was very grateful, for his breakfast had + been a meager one because he had barely enough small coins to make a + jingle in his pocket. + </p> + <p> + The maid gasped affrightedly when he showed her what was in the faucet, + and immediately set on water to boil to supply the bottles in the + ice-chest. + </p> + <p> + Furthermore, the maid stated that she knew many other maids who would be + glad to know about such a dreadful thing, and that she would have a word + to say to them on the way to Sunday mass and back. + </p> + <p> + Farr began to understand more clearly what can be accomplished by a lone + voice, carrying a gospel which can be backed and illustrated by signs and + wonders. + </p> + <p> + “I'll have them listening to me yet,” he pondered. “I'll never say another + unkind word about a woman's tongue.” + </p> + <p> + Colonel Symonds Dodd flashed past the ice-cart that afternoon in his + limousine. + </p> + <p> + Farr laughed aloud at the humor of a thought which occurred to him: he + reflected that he would like to behold Colonel Dodd's face and hear + Colonel Dodd's remarks if somebody told that gentleman that the man before + whom he had quailed and grown pale was now starting what the man believed + was a more effective assault on the dynasty than even a whole car-load of + dynamite bombs could make, even if they were exploded in all the + Consolidated reservoirs. The remarks which would entertain, so Farr + pondered, would come when the colonel was informed that the assault + consisted of a lone iceman making talk to women in kitchens. + </p> + <p> + “However,” said the iceman to himself, as he checked a nick in a ten-cent + cube at the back of his cart. “I hold that my new motto is all right, and + old Etienne will indorse it, and he knows what self-sacrifice consists of. + It isn't rolling up your eyes and folding your hands and saying, 'What can + I do?' It's saying, 'I'll do what I can!'—and then keeping your + hands busy!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0016" id="link2H_4_0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XV + </h2> + <h3> + WHEN A MAID IS COY + </h3> + <p> + Mr. Richard Dodd came wooing. + </p> + <p> + He waited in his gray car at the curb in front of the First National Bank + block until Kate Kilgour issued forth into the afternoon sunshine. + </p> + <p> + He called to her, holding open the side door. + </p> + <p> + “I just had to see you,” he told her. “I have come down from the capital, + doing forty miles an hour. You're more precious than all the money I have + locked up in the vaults.” + </p> + <p> + He did not find in her eyes any of that acclaimed glad love-light which + eager lovers seek. On the contrary, Miss Kilgour made just a bit of a face + at him and was distinctly petulant. + </p> + <p> + “I do not want to ride, Richard. I enjoy my walk. I need it after a day at + my desk.” + </p> + <p> + “But I'm going to take you on a long ride into the country. We'll have + dinner at Hillcrest Inn and we'll—” + </p> + <p> + “I'll go straight home, if you please.” + </p> + <p> + “Then come in here with me.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, if you insist!” She said it with weary impatience. + </p> + <p> + “Are you tired?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + He drove slowly. “I don't want you to work any more. You know I don't. You + know how I feel. Kate, I have published our intentions of marriage.” + </p> + <p> + Her demeanor till then had been marked by tolerance, a bit pettish. Now + she turned on him the indignant stare of offended womanhood. + </p> + <p> + “Richard, I have not given you permission to do that.” + </p> + <p> + “But you are going to marry me!” + </p> + <p> + “Some day. I will tell you when. I am not ready.” + </p> + <p> + “You are playing with me.” + </p> + <p> + “I am not so frivolous.” + </p> + <p> + “But why do you keep putting it off?” + </p> + <p> + “A woman who gives herself has the right to say when it shall be.” + </p> + <p> + “My God!” he raged. “I wish you would wake up.” + </p> + <p> + She did not answer. + </p> + <p> + “You don't know what love is. You won't let me touch you.” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose that your experience has qualified you, Richard,” she returned, + half humorously, half scornfully. + </p> + <p> + “We are going to be married. Your mother is anxious for you to marry. I am + going to tell my uncle to hunt for another secretary.” + </p> + <p> + “Be careful how you take liberties with my private business,” she warned + him, sharply. + </p> + <p> + “You need somebody to take care of it for you. You have promised to be my + wife. You can't give me a single good reason for waiting any longer.” + </p> + <p> + “But I intend to wait.” + </p> + <p> + He drove along in angry silence and they left the car together at the + Trelawny Apartments. The car had made a detour in reaching the curb—avoiding + a white wagon at the rear of which an iceman was briskly pecking in twain + a cake of ice. + </p> + <p> + The girl glanced sharply at the man and turned her head when she reached + the sidewalk in order to survey him more closely. The iceman, peering up + at the windows to locate such signal-cards as might be visible, lowered + his gaze and intercepted the girl's scrutiny. Color came into her cheeks, + but she frowned as if resenting his stare and hurried into the vestibule, + her lover at her heels. + </p> + <p> + “Look here, Friend Myself,” reflected Walker Farr, “it's time you woke + up!” He sighed and swung a chunk of ice upon his shoulder. “But what else + can I expect? Come on, Humility, and give me a soft word or two. I was + hoping I'd never see her again.” + </p> + <p> + “Youse take those two front numbers—ten and twelve—Mrs. + Kilgour and Mr. Knowles,” advised his helper. “Package-entrance is around + behind.” + </p> + <p> + Farr toiled up the stairs, carrying one ice cube on his shoulder, with + another swinging from tongs. There was but one door to the Kilgour + apartment and the girl and Dodd stood in front of it; they had evidently + waited in the corridor after emerging from the elevator, and the young man + was detaining her, talking earnestly. + </p> + <p> + The girl opened the door with her latch-key, and with an apology he + stepped in front of the pair and entered. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I'll be—” blurted Dodd. “So that's what he is—a cheap, + low-lived iceman!” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Kilgour came into her vestibule and led the way to the kitchen, for + Farr stood irresolutely in the doorway, awaiting directions as to his + burden. Following her, the young man noted her house-dress, beribboned + over-much, her rouged face, her bleached hair, and wondered how such a + woman could have beguiled Andrew Kilgour, as he felt he knew that + sacrificing hero from what Citizen Drew had said. + </p> + <p> + “Say, that's the plug-ugly who insulted us in the woods. I'll never forget + that face,” stormed Dodd, making no effort by lowered tones to conceal his + sentiments from the iceman. “Where else am I going to run across him? He + needs a horse-whipping. If there weren't ladies present I'd give him one.” + </p> + <p> + “The man seems to be minding his own business,” said the girl, coldly. + </p> + <p> + Farr heard her. There was a hint of contempt in her tones, and the young + man humbly accepted the scorn as directed toward him. He lifted the ice + into the box and received his coin from the languid woman, who seemed to + pay as little heed to his presence as she did to Dodd's threats. + </p> + <p> + She seemed to be more especially interested in herself, and when Farr + departed was fondling into place the masses of her hair before a mirror in + the vestibule. Through the space formed by the portieres he saw Dodd + reaching eager hands to the girl, her presence having apparently charmed + away his thoughts of vengeance. + </p> + <p> + The iceman went humbly on his way. + </p> + <p> + He was meditating on the sacrifice of Captain Andrew Kilgour; he + remembered that stalwart men are willing slaves of the weakest women. He + wondered how much of the honesty of the father was in the daughter. He + tried to console himself by insisting that it was not there. He had had + only a limited opportunity to study Richard Dodd. However, he was + convinced that his unflattering estimate of that young man was surely + justified; and so certain was he that the character of Dodd must be patent + to all he went back to his tasks with a lowered estimate of the girl who + would select such a man as husband. And yet out of the dust of the highway + the profile of her face had touched him as his heart never had been + touched before; he had plucked the rose and had plodded on behind the + little sister of the rose. He wondered what strange impulse had touched + him. She must be merely like all the rest. Her graciousness in that first + meeting had tempted him to believe that she was different. Now some + consciousness, equally as intangible, suggested to him that she was + selfishly selling herself for ease. His thoughts were pretty much mixed, + he acknowledged. But as he went on, bearing his burdens, listening to the + petty tyrants who may ruthlessly taunt the man who comes in by the back + door, he was aware that he had full need of much ministration from his new + friend, Humility. + </p> + <p> + In the sitting-room of the Kilgour flat Richard Dodd was telling the + mother that he had made application for a marriage license. + </p> + <p> + “And I have waited long enough,” he declared. “Mother Kilgour, you must + convince Kate that we are to be married within a week.” + </p> + <p> + And he gave the mother a look which made her turn pale and twist her + ringed fingers nervously. + </p> + <p> + “Kate, what is the use?” she pleaded. “You are acting like a child. You + love Richard. You know you love him. You tell me often that you love him! + Richard is such a dear boy!” She said this fawningly, with evident intent + to placate the sullen young man. Her tone, her air suggested the nervous + embarrassment of a debtor who seeks to put off a creditor with flattery + and fresh promises. “Now be a darling child and say that we'll have the + wedding next week without any fuss or feathers.” + </p> + <p> + “I am not ready to get married, and I simply will not be married just + yet,” declared the girl, her red lips compressed. + </p> + <p> + “You don't love me!” complained Dodd. + </p> + <p> + “I like you, Richard,” admitted the girl, frankly, without any + coquettishness. “I have never cared for anybody else. You have been good + to me, except when you were foolish.” + </p> + <p> + “Foolishness—that's what she calls being so much in love with her + that I can't keep my hands off her,” said Dodd to the mother. “Mother + Kilgour, you haven't talked to Kate as you should. She doesn't know what + love is.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I'll find out all about it, and then we'll be married—when I'm + ready to become a wife,” said the girl, with an indulgent smile. “All at + once I'll wake up, just as you have been begging me to do, and then we'll + simply run away and be married and live happily for ever after.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't like this stalling,” growled Dodd, brutally. + </p> + <p> + “I'll leave you two children together,” said the mother. “I'm sure you'll + come to an understanding.” She went away, showing relief. + </p> + <p> + “Sit down here on the divan with me, sweetheart,” pleaded the young man. + </p> + <p> + But without removing her hat she went to the piano and began to play. + </p> + <p> + “Please come!” he entreated. + </p> + <p> + She smiled at him over her shoulder and made a pretty <i>moue</i>. + </p> + <p> + Muttering an oath of passion he leaped up, hurried across the room, and + began to kiss her fiercely. + </p> + <p> + He crushed back with his lips all her protests; standing over her, he held + her upon the piano-bench until by main strength and with all the force of + her resentment she tore away from him. + </p> + <p> + “And now you are going to blame me because I can't help it,” he gasped. + </p> + <p> + “I don't in the least understand why normal persons can find any pleasure + in that kind of folly.” + </p> + <p> + “Is your idea of loving anybody rubbing noses like Eskimos?” + </p> + <p> + “I'd endure that kind of loving in preference to that kind of kissing, + Richard. That isn't love which you're offering—not the kind of love + I want. I am going out for my walk—you filched it from me. No, I'm + going alone. Go and talk with mamma, if you like.” + </p> + <p> + She escaped the clutch he made and hurried out and to the elevator. + </p> + <p> + Flushed and angry, Dodd made his way to an inner room where Mrs. Kilgour + was reading a novel, sunning herself with feline indolence. She put the + book by with evident regret. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Kate, has so much poise!” she lamented, breaking in on the young + man's complaints. “She is so like her father. No one except myself could + do anything with him at all. Sometime it was very hard for me! He would + set his mind and his teeth! But I always won in the end.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, go ahead and win now,” commanded the surly lover. “You are simply + letting this thing run along.” + </p> + <p> + “I know Kate's nature, Richard. It's only a matter of the right time.” + </p> + <p> + He sat down at her feet on the end of the couch. + </p> + <p> + “The time is here—now!” he told her. “I insist that you make Kate + understand. I have been patient and reasonable for a year. You have + promised me that you will bring everything around all right. Why don't you + do it?” + </p> + <p> + “But delivering a daughter into marriage isn't like delivering groceries + on order!” Her tone showed a bit of impatience. “Be reasonable!” + </p> + <p> + “I don't want to say anything to hurt your feelings, but we must get down + to cases. I'm not asking you to deliver anything to me except what was + promised long ago—promised by Kate herself. And you know what you + said when I loaned you five thousand dollars to help you save those + stocks. Excuse me, Mother Kilgour, but I can't always control my nature; + I've been in the game with the bunch for a long time and I'm naturally + suspicious—I have seen a good many chaps trimmed, and I don't + propose to have anything put over on me.” + </p> + <p> + “You are insolent and cruel,” she cried, her cheeks pale. + </p> + <p> + “I don't mean you—I believe you want to help me. But it's time to be + up and doing. She doesn't give me one good reason why she will not be + married right away. It's only jolly and putting it off.” + </p> + <p> + “But you are twitting me about the service you have done me! I am not + selling my daughter!” + </p> + <p> + “That isn't it at all! But you must agree that I have been good to you. I + want you to be a friend to me. But I don't get anything that's definite. + If this thing drags on and on the first thing I know some fellow will come + along and she'll fall for him. That's the girl nature!” + </p> + <p> + “You are talking about my daughter, Richard! She has her father's + disposition and she is true blue. She has given her promise and she will + keep it.” + </p> + <p> + “When?” he demanded, curtly. + </p> + <p> + “I can't drive her.” + </p> + <p> + “You said you could,” he insisted. “You said a year ago when I advanced + that money that you knew just how to handle her.” + </p> + <p> + “Are you going to keep twitting me about that money?” + </p> + <p> + “No; only I'm going to say that you haven't even told me about what stocks + you were protecting. You haven't said anything about repaying the loan, + Mother Kilgour. It has been a sort of general stand-off all around for me. + Hold on! I'm not making a holler! But I like to be taken in right. I'm a + Dodd, and I can't help playing to protect myself.” + </p> + <p> + “It will come around all right, Richard. You don't know Kate as I do. I + understand her because I understood her father. She is rather + self-centered. But she is romantic underneath! But you know you're so sort—sort + of—well, just a business man—so matter-of-fact. A girl like + Kate needs to be stirred—her poise shaken—something like + that!” + </p> + <p> + “Lochinvar business, eh?” he sneered. + </p> + <p> + “It must be something a little bit out of the ordinary to hurry her, + Richard. Go away, please. Let me think. I have an idea. I must spend a + little time on it.” + </p> + <p> + “How much time?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I don't know just how much. Be patient.” + </p> + <p> + “Mrs. Kilgour, if this thing cannot be put through by you I want you to + say so. I'm at the end of that patience you're appealing to. I won't be + fooled.” + </p> + <p> + “You don't need to say that you're Colonel Dodd's nephew,” she retorted. + “You have all the family traits.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, there's one I haven't got: I loaned you five thousand dollars + without taking security—and that's the act of a good friend. Excuse + me, but I've got to speak of it—you need a little reminder. Four + days from now I'll have my marriage license from the city clerk. And when + I have it in my hands I shall come to you and shall expect that you'll do + your part.” + </p> + <p> + “I will,” she said. + </p> + <p> + “How? I want plain statements from now on.” + </p> + <p> + “I will write you a letter to-morrow,” she faltered. “I will give you + directions what to do. You'd better not come here till—till I have + it all arranged. You know what they say about absence!” + </p> + <p> + “I know what they say about a good many things. But I want something + besides say-so.” + </p> + <p> + “I will tell you in my letter what to do. Then you follow instructions.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't like to go into a thing blind. What is the plan?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, if I tell you all about it you'll go and do something to spoil it,” + she protested, impatiently. “A woman knows about such matters better than + a man does. I will write to you at the State House. Now be patient!” + </p> + <p> + “I'll be going before you preach any more patience to me,” he said, + sourly. “I might be provoked into saying something you won't like.” + </p> + <p> + After he had gone she rose and touched up her cheeks. + </p> + <p> + “The fool! They are all alike,” she muttered, viciously. “They pay. They + never forget they have paid. Then they stand with their hand out—and + just remember that they have paid. I am glad I bought this novel,” she + added, taking the book from the couch and settling herself to read. “The + woman who wrote it must have known human nature. If the plan worked in the + case of the girl she writes about it ought to work in the case of Kate. If + it doesn't it will be his fault because he has hurried me so. A poor, + persecuted woman can't do everything.” + </p> + <p> + And she applied herself to her recently discovered manual of procedure in + the case of stubbornness in a maid. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0017" id="link2H_4_0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XVI + </h2> + <h3> + FARR HAS A VISION AND CLOSES HIS LIPS + </h3> + <p> + Walker Farr put aside papers upon which he had been working since he had + eaten his modest supper, and pulled on his coat and went forth into the + evening. He strolled up one of the streets in the Eleventh Ward of Marion, + manifestly glad to be out among the people. + </p> + <p> + He stopped at the curb and hailed the driver of a truck-wagon which was + loaded down with kegs and jugs. + </p> + <p> + “Marston,” he said, when the driver halted, “it's good to see the noble + work going on.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, and now that the babies aren't dying off so fast old Dodd's + newspapers are claiming that the new filtering-plant is doing all the + good, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, it shows that our work is worth while if they're claiming it, + Marston. But we'll wake up the folks all in good time. Do what we can for + first aid, that's the idea! The people are waking up to what we're doing. + And they are waking up in other places. I took a little run up state last + week. Five other cities are going to try this co-operative scheme of + getting good water to the poor folks until something better can be done.” + </p> + <p> + “You've got a head on you,” commended the driver. “It's a little tough on + tired horses to work at this after a day's trudging on regular business, + but my nags seem to understand what it's all about—honest they do. I + have hauled five hundred gallons this week. But I'd like to haul old Dodd + up to Coosett Lake and drown him, if it wasn't for spoiling water that the + poor folks are drinking.” + </p> + <p> + Farr shook his head and walked on. + </p> + <p> + He was a rather striking figure for a New England city as he strolled + along. It did not seem to be affectation for this man to wear a frock-coat + without a waistcoat, a flowing black tie setting off his snowy linen. The + attire seemed to belong to his physique and manner. + </p> + <p> + Women smiled at him in friendly fashion; men gave respectful and + affectionate salutation. + </p> + <p> + Soon he stepped off the street into a room where a group of men were + waiting for him, so it appeared, because they all rose when he entered. + </p> + <p> + He called the little meeting to order promptly, informing them that he + would detain them only a short time. + </p> + <p> + “I rise to make a motion,” said a man at one stage of the proceedings. + “There have been so many volunteers in the work and the folks have been so + ready to pay for real water in place of that stuff we get from the taps, + that three hundred dollars have accumulated in the treasury. We all know + that there is just one man who had been responsible for this whole plan + and has given his time and has run about our state and hasn't charged + anything but expenses for doing it all. I move we give that sum to Mr. + Farr—wishing it was more.” + </p> + <p> + The speaker was loudly applauded. + </p> + <p> + Farr was so quickly on his feet and spoke so promptly that he clipped the + man's last words. + </p> + <p> + “A moment, my friends, before that motion is seconded.” He held up his + hand and checked their protests against what his air told them. “Because + my little plan has succeeded better than I hoped is not due to me, but to + the generous co-operation of good men who have given their time. We are + saving the babies, thank God! But do you know what else we have done by + our hard toil and our devotion? We are propping up the Consolidated Water + Company in this state. Understand me! I am not attacking that company + because it is a corporation. If it were now making preparations to pipe + down to us clean water from the hills I would gladly go on giving my time + to this cause in order to help the case of the Consolidated. But the men + in control are deliberately shutting their eyes to the real situation. Now + that folks aren't dying, they claim all the credit—when we know the + credit is due to weary men who go on working after their day's toil is + over. It isn't right—it isn't just! My friends, I have got hold of a + bigger thing than I reckoned on when I started out to wake those + poison-peddlers up. Now that we are cleaning up the typhoid, the + Consolidated is simply riding on our backs—refusing to see the real + truth. If they give Marion pure water it will be only at more exorbitant + rates, because the nearest lake is twenty miles away. I'm not an anarchist—I + want to see capital get its just reward. But when a syndicate takes a + franchise from citizens and makes them pay over and over for what was + their own the citizens have a right to rise in self-defense. When we force + the Consolidated to give us what we're paying for—pure water—they + evidently propose to make us pay for what they call our cheek in asking.” + He paused for a moment, and his smile succeeded his earnestness. “I beg + your pardon for saying 'we.' I must remember that I'm still a stranger in + this city.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll have to dispute you there,” interposed a man. “You're one of us. And + we're going to prove it to you a little later.” + </p> + <p> + “My friends,” went on Farr, “until the cities and towns of this state own + their own water-plants and take their own profits they will be paying + double tribute to a merciless crowd.” + </p> + <p> + “But we can't own our plants till the millennium, sir. There's that + five-percent-debt-limit clause in the constitution.” + </p> + <p> + Farr smiled—this time wistfully. “I've—I've had a sort of + vision in regard to that,” he said. “I don't dare to explain myself just + now, friends. It may be only a vision—but I think not. I'll not say + any more at present. I did not intend to say as much. What was on my mind + when I got up was this: I will not accept that money in the treasury—on + no account will I take it. Because I believe that strange days are coming + upon us soon in this state—days when we shall need money. Keep that + nest-egg and guard it.” He picked up his hat and started for the door. + “The meeting is adjourned,” he informed them. He smiled at them over his + shoulder in such a manner that they wondered whether he joked or was in + earnest. “Guard well that money—for the only way my vision can be + realized, I fear, is by turning this state's politics upside down, and + that will be quite a job for a rank outsider fighting Colonel Symonds Dodd—and + fighting without money. Good night!” + </p> + <p> + Men whom Walker Farr met as he strolled ducked amiable greetings. They + grinned admiringly after him as he passed on. + </p> + <p> + If a woman asked in regard to him or a stranger in the ward questioned a + native they were informed with gusto that he was “the boy who stood in + City Hall and talked turkey to the mayor and all the bunch, and said a + good word for the poor people, and twisted the tail of the Consolidated + and lost a good job doing it—and that's more than any alderman would + do for those who elected him.” + </p> + <p> + At a street corner children of the poor were dancing around a hurdy-gurdy. + Farr gave the man at the crank a handful of change and told him to stay + there and keep the kiddies happy. Shrill juvenile voices promptly + proclaimed his praises to all the neighborhood, and mothers and fathers + beamed benedictions on him from windows. + </p> + <p> + He stopped at another street corner where a dozen youths were congregated. + They were heavy-eyed, leering cubs, their hats were tipped back, and + frowzled fore-tops stuck out over their pimply faces—types of youths + whom modest girls avoid hurriedly by detours. + </p> + <p> + “Boys, folks are writing to the newspapers complaining that young chaps + are insulting girls on the street corners of Marion. But it must be those + high-toned loafers up-town. You're not up to any of that business down + here, of course.” + </p> + <p> + “None of us would ever as much as say 'shoo' to a chicken,” protested one + of the group. + </p> + <p> + “You're Dave Joyce's boy, aren't you?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “The fifty men he bosses at the ice-house like him because he's square. + Here's a good motto: 'Square with the boys and nice to the girls.' But + keep off the street corners, fellows, or they'll get you mixed up with + some of that masher gang.” + </p> + <p> + The Joyce boy pulled his hat forward and marshaled the retreat from the + loafing-place. + </p> + <p> + “Naw, he ain't no candidate, nuther,” he informed his associates when they + were out of hearing. “He ain't canvassing for no votes. My old man says he + ain't. He ain't a four-flusher. He's the guy that stood for the poor folks + up at City Hall and doped out the spring-water stuff.” + </p> + <p> + At the side of a street where traffic raged to and from the city's Union + Station Farr came upon two shriveled old ladies who were teetering on the + curbstones, waiting tremulously for an opportunity to cross. They put down + into the roaring street first one apprehensive foot and then another, like + children trying chilly water. The big fellow offered an arm to each and + led them safely across. + </p> + <p> + “You're a real knight-errant, sir,” squeaked one of the two, looking up + into the kindly face. + </p> + <p> + He laughed, doffed the broad-brimmed hat with a low bow, and strolled on + his way. + </p> + <p> + “Knight-errant,” he muttered, still smiling. “Guess not. They don't have + 'em these days. The stories about 'em read well. Wonder what kind of a + feeling it was that started those boys off on the hike! Perhaps there + wasn't enough doing in politics. It must have been a fine game, though, + rescuing distressed damsels. And all for love and not for pay!” + </p> + <p> + A poster in the window of an empty store caught his eye just then. It + advertised a woman's-suffrage rally. + </p> + <p> + “The girls would paint rally signs on a knight's tin suit these days and + send him off on an advertising trip,” was his whimsical reflection. + </p> + <p> + At that moment, with this thought of knight in armor in his mind, he was + attracted by a flare of red fire in a blacksmith shop located just off the + street. The one worker in the place was revealed by the forge fire. The + glow lighted the features of the man. There was no mistaking him—it + was Friend Jared Chick. And Farr turned off the street and went into the + shop and greeted his one-time traveling companion. + </p> + <p> + “How does thee do?” replied Jared Chick, quietly, his Quaker calm + undisturbed. He drew forth a white-hot iron and deftly hammered it into a + circle around the snout of the anvil. + </p> + <p> + “So you have given up knight-errantry and have gone back to the old job, + have you, Friend Chick?” + </p> + <p> + “No. This is a part of my service. The man who owns this shop is a good + man who works hard here all day. And after he has gone home he allows me + to work here in the evening.” + </p> + <p> + He pounded away industriously and Farr walked up to the anvil to inspect + the nature of the work, for the iron rod was assuming queer shapes. + </p> + <p> + “A new kind of armor, Friend Chick?” + </p> + <p> + If there was a bit of sarcasm in Farr's tone the Quaker paid no apparent + heed. + </p> + <p> + “No,” he said, quietly and meekly, “this is a brace for the leg of a + little lame boy. I have found many children in this city who cannot walk. + Their parents are too poor to buy braces. So I come here nights, when the + good man is away from the forge, and I make braces and carry them with my + blessing. I have some knack with the hammer. I hope to find other ways of + doing my bit of good.” + </p> + <p> + “I beg your pardon, Friend Chick,” said Farr, a catch in his voice. “I + will not bother you in your work. Good night!” + </p> + <p> + “Good night to thee!” said the Quaker, swinging at the bellows arm. + </p> + <p> + Farr went back upon the street, his head bowed. “We all have our own way + of doing it,” he pondered, contritely. + </p> + <p> + He met a man and greeted him with a friendly handclasp. It was Citizen + Drew, that elderly man with the earnest face. + </p> + <p> + And as he had in the past, he turned, caught step with Farr, and they + walked together. + </p> + <p> + Their stroll took them into the broader avenues of up-town. + </p> + <p> + As they talked, Farr caught side glances from his companion. The glances + were a bit inquisitive. + </p> + <p> + “Well, Citizen Drew,” asked the young man, “what is on your mind this + evening?” + </p> + <p> + “Since I have known you and studied you I have been thinking that you have + the spirit of knight-errantry in you,” stated Citizen Drew. + </p> + <p> + Farr laughed boyishly. + </p> + <p> + “Two very nice old ladies have just got ahead of you with that accusation, + my friend.” + </p> + <p> + “Laugh if you feel like it. But there are so few men who can do anything + unselfishly in these days that when a chap like you does come along he + gets noticed—at any rate, I notice him.” He stopped dealing in side + glances and stared at Farr fully and frankly. “Other men who would do the + things you are doing so quietly in this state have been playing politics—and + I have made it my business to watch politicians. And as soon as men have + been elected to office by fooling the people—well, those men have + simply been set into the Big Machine as new cogs. Are you like the rest, + Mr. Farr? Nobody knows where you came from. Everybody who sees you knows + you're above the jobs you have been working at. They're talking you up for + alderman in our ward. But we have been fooled so many times!” + </p> + <p> + Farr replied to this wistful inquisition in a way there was no + misunderstanding. + </p> + <p> + “I am not a candidate for anything, Citizen Drew. And I'll tell you how I + can prove I am not. I am not a voter here. I have intentionally failed to + have myself registered. Whenever you hear another man talking me up for + office you tell him that. Therefore, it makes no difference to anybody + where I came from or what job I work at.” + </p> + <p> + Citizen Drew accepted the rebuke humbly and walked on in silence. + </p> + <p> + “You have always been fooled, you say, when you have elected men to + office. Haven't you any men in this state whom you can elect to high + office, knowing for sure that they'll stay straight?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” returned Citizen Drew. + </p> + <p> + “I'm a stranger—I don't know your big men—you do know them, + and I suppose I ought to take your word. But I don't believe you, Citizen + Drew.” + </p> + <p> + “But I told you the truth. We have big men who are honest men. But they + won't go into politics. They feel too far above the game. Therefore, how + can we elect them to office? I say I told you the truth. The men who go + out and hunt for office are the ones who work the thing for their own + profit—and that means they stand in with the bunch and the head + boss.” + </p> + <p> + It was the same old lament which is everlastingly on the lips of the + voters of America! Citizen Drew had again epitomized the average politics + of the great Republic! + </p> + <p> + Walker Farr smiled—and he could express in a smile more than most + men can express in speech. + </p> + <p> + “An original idea has just occurred to me, Citizen Drew,” he said, with + humorous drawl in his tones. “I'm sure nothing like it has ever been + thought of before. There ought to be a new party formed in this country—a + party outside all the others. No, not a party, exactly! What should I call + it? You see, the idea has just come to me, and I'm floundering a little.” + His tone was still jocular. “You're right about most of the able and big + men staying out of politics except when the highest offices are passed + around. Now, how's this for a scheme? Organize a loyal band and call it—well, + say the Purified Political Privateers, the Sanctified Kidnappers, the + People's Progressive and Public-spirited Press Gang. Go around and grab + the Great and the Good who insist on minding their private business and + who are letting the country be gobbled up—just go and grab 'em right + up by the scruff of the neck and fling them into politics head over heels. + They would sputter and froth and flop for a little while—and then + they'd strike out and swim. They couldn't help swimming! They'd know that + the folks were looking on. And then a lot of the sinking and drowning poor + devils, like you and me and the folks in the tenements, could grab onto + the Great and the Good and ask 'em to tow us safely ashore; and by that + time their pride and their dander would be up and they'd swim all the + harder—with the other folks looking on. Hah! An idea, eh? You see, I + feel rather imaginative and on the high pressure and in a mood for + adventure this evening! Probably because the nice old ladies called me a + knight-errant.” + </p> + <p> + Citizen Drew was not ready with comment on this amazing suggestion. He + clawed his hand into his sparse hair and wrinkled his forehead in attempt + to decide whether or not he ought to resent this playful retort to his + lament. The next moment he dealt Farr a swift jab in the ribs with his + elbow. + </p> + <p> + “Take a good look at this man coming,” he mumbled. + </p> + <p> + The oncomer was close upon them, and in spite of the dusk Farr's sharp + gaze took him all in. + </p> + <p> + In garb and mien he was a fine type of the American gentleman who is + marked by a touch of the old school. There was a clean-cut crispness about + him; the white mustache and the hair which matched it looked as if they + would crackle if rubbed. His eyes were steely blue, and he held himself + very erect as he walked, and he tapped the pavement briskly with his cane. + </p> + <p> + He passed them, marched up the steps of a large building, and disappeared + through a door which a boy in club uniform held open for him. + </p> + <p> + “That man,” explained Citizen Drew, complacently displaying his boasted + knowledge of public men in minute detail, “is the Honorable Archer + Converse, whose father was General Aaron Converse, the war governor of + this state. Lawyer, old bach, rich, just as crisp in talk as he is in + looks, just as straight in his manners and morals and honesty as he is in + his back, arrives every night at the Mellicite Club for his dinner on the + dot of eight”—Citizen Drew waved his hand at the illuminated circle + of the First National clock—“leaves the club exactly at nine for a + walk through the park, then marches home, plays three games of solitaire, + and goes to bed.” + </p> + <p> + “I know him!” stated Farr. + </p> + <p> + Citizen Drew's air betrayed a bit of a showman's disappointment. + </p> + <p> + “I never saw him before—never heard of him. But I mean I know him + now after your description—know his nature, his thoughts. You have a + fine touch in your size-ups, Citizen Drew.” + </p> + <p> + “I've studied 'em all.” + </p> + <p> + “What has he done in politics?” + </p> + <p> + “Never a thing. He is one of the kind I was complaining about. Too + high-minded.” + </p> + <p> + “But, ho, how a man like that would swim if he were once thrown in!” + declared Farr. + </p> + <p> + “He never even tended out on a caucus.” + </p> + <p> + “I know the style when I see it,” pursued Farr. He did not look at Citizen + Drew. He was talking as much to himself as to his companion. “Spirit of a + crusader harnessed by every-day habit! Righteousness in a rut! Achievement + timed to the tick of the clock. But, once in, how he would swim!” + </p> + <p> + “Think how our affairs would swing along with a man like that at the head + of the state!” + </p> + <p> + “Why hasn't he been put at the head?” + </p> + <p> + “I have been in delegations that have gone to him”—he waved his hand—“he + said he couldn't think of being mixed into political messes.” + </p> + <p> + “He looked on you wallowing in muddy water and you invited him in. I don't + blame him for not jumping.” + </p> + <p> + “He's a good man,” insisted Citizen Drew. “He gives more money to the poor + than any other man in town. The only way I found that out is by having a + natural nose for finding out things. He doesn't say anything about it.” + </p> + <p> + “How he would swim!” repeated Farr. “Steady and strong and straight toward + the shore, Citizen Drew, and he wouldn't kick away the poor drowning + devils, either.” + </p> + <p> + “He probably thinks he has paid his debt to the world when he hands out + his money,” stated Drew. “When he looks around and sees so many other men + holding the poor chaps upside down and shaking the dollars out of their + pockets he must think he is doing a mighty sight more than is required of + him. But sticking plasters of dollar bills onto sore places in this state + ain't curing anything.” He stopped. “I've walked with you farther than I + intended to, Mr. Farr. But somehow I wanted to talk with you. There's a + meeting of the Square Deal Club this evening at Union Hall. I didn't know + but in some way we might—It was thought you might be going to run + for office.” + </p> + <p> + “The registration-office will prove that I'm not. Pass that word!” + </p> + <p> + “I'll go back—to the meeting. It doesn't seem to be much use in + holding the meetings,” said the man. “We hear one another talk—we + know we are talking the truth. But nobody listens who can help us poor + folks. Well, I'll admit that the politicians come in and listen and + promise to help us and we give our votes; but that's all: they give + nothing back to us.” + </p> + <p> + Farr broke out with a remark which seemed to have no bearing on what + Citizen Drew was saying. + </p> + <p> + “He comes out at nine o'clock, eh?” + </p> + <p> + “Who?” + </p> + <p> + “The Honorable Archer Converse. Leaves that clubhouse then, does he?” + </p> + <p> + “Regular to the tick of the clock.” + </p> + <p> + “Citizen Drew, hold your club in session until half past nine or a little + later. My experience with those meetings is that you always have troubles + enough to keep you talking for at least two hours.” + </p> + <p> + Citizen Drew glanced at the face of Farr and then at the big door of the + Mellicite Club. + </p> + <p> + “You don't mean to say—” + </p> + <p> + “I don't say anything. I seem to be in a queer state of mind to-night, + Citizen Drew.” Again there was an odd note of raillery in his voice. “A + lot of odd ideas keep coming to me. Another one had just popped into my + head. That's all! Keep your boys at the hall.” + </p> + <p> + He swung off up the street. + </p> + <p> + He turned after a few steps and saw the elderly man standing where he had + left him. Drew was a rather pathetic figure there in the brilliantly + lighted main thoroughfare, a poor, plain man from the Eleventh Ward of the + tenement-houses—this man who had been striving and struggling, + reading and studying, endeavoring to find some way out for the poor + people; some relief—something that would help. Farr knew what sort + of men were waiting in the little hall. He had attended their meetings. It + was the only resource they understood—a public meeting. They knew + that the important folks up-town held public meetings of various sorts, + and the poor folks had decided that there must be virtue in assemblages. + But nothing had seemed to come out of their efforts in the tenement + districts. + </p> + <p> + Farr stepped back to where Citizen Drew stood. + </p> + <p> + “I think I will say something to you, after all. Tell the boys in Union + Hall to be patient and I'll bring the Honorable Archer Converse around + this evening.” + </p> + <p> + He smiled into the stare of blank amazement on the man's face, flung up a + hand to check the stammering questions, and went off up the street. + </p> + <p> + “A decent man's conscience will make him keep a promise he has made to a + child or to the simple or to the helpless,” Farr told himself. “I have + undertaken a big contract, I reckon, but now that I have put myself on + record I've got to go ahead and deliver the goods. At any rate, I feel on + my mettle.” Then he smiled at what seemed to be his sudden folly. “I think + I'll have to lay it all to those nice old ladies who were foolish enough + to put that knight-errant idea into my head,” he said. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0018" id="link2H_4_0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XVII + </h2> + <h3> + THE MADNESS OF A MIDSUMMER NIGHT + </h3> + <p> + Farr glanced again at the big clock in the First National block. + </p> + <p> + He had less than one hour to wait, according to the schedule Citizen Drew + had promulgated in regard to the unvarying movements of the Honorable + Archer Converse. As to how this first coup in the operations of that + nascent organization, the Public-spirited Press Gang, was to be managed + Farr had little idea at that moment. + </p> + <p> + He decided to devote that hour to devising a plan, deciding to attempt + nothing until he saw the honorable gentleman march down the club steps. A + club must be sanctuary—but the streets belonged to the people. + </p> + <p> + Therefore, Farr took a walk. He went back into that quarter of the city + from which he had emerged during his stroll with Citizen Drew; he felt his + courage deserting him in those more imposing surroundings of up-town; he + went back to the purlieus of the poor, hoping for contact that might + charge him afresh with determination. He realized that he needed all the + dynamics of courage in the preposterous task he had set himself. + </p> + <p> + He knew he would find old Etienne sitting on the stoop of Mother Maillet's + house where the old man posted himself on pleasant summer evenings and + whittled whirligigs for the crowding children—just as his peasant + ancestors whittled the same sort of toys in old Normandy. + </p> + <p> + Mother Maillet's house had a yard. It was narrow and dusty, because the + feet of the children had worn away all the grass. Some of the palings were + off the fence, and through the spaces the little folks came and went as + they liked. It was not much of a yard to boast of, but there were few open + spaces in that part of the city where the big land corporation hogged all + the available feet of earth in order to stick the tenement-houses closely + together. Therefore, because Mother Maillet was kind, the yard was a + godsend so far as the little folks were concerned. The high fence kept + children off the greensward where the canal flowed. Householders who had + managed to save their yards down that way were, in most cases, fussy old + people who were hanging on to the ancient cottage homes in spite of the + city's growth, and they shooed the children out of their yards where the + flower-beds struggled under the coal-dust from the high chimneys. + </p> + <p> + But Mother Maillet did not mind because she had no flower-beds and because + the palings were off and the youngsters made merry in her yard. She had + two geraniums and a begonia and a rubber-plant on the window-sill in order + to give the canary-bird a comfortable sense of arboreal surroundings; so + why have homesick flowers out in a front yard where they must all the time + keep begging the breeze to come and dust the grime off their petals? It + should be understood that Mother Maillet had known what <i>real</i> + flower-beds were when she was a girl in the Tadousac country. + </p> + <p> + Furthermore, Etienne Provancher always came to the yard o' fine evenings + and it served as his little realm; and the door-step of the good woman's + house was his throne where he sat in state among his little subjects. + However, on second thought, this metaphor is not happy description; old + Etienne did not rule—he obeyed. + </p> + <p> + He did not resent familiarity—he welcomed the comradeship of the + children. When they called him “Pickaroon” it seemed to him that they were + making a play-fellow of him. + </p> + <p> + He sat and whittled toys for them out of the pine-wood scraps which the + yard foreman gave him. There were grotesque heads for rag dolls, and the + good woman seemed to have unlimited rags and an excellent taste in + doll-dressmaking; there were chunky automobiles with spools for wheels; + there were funny little wooden men who jumped in most amusing fashion at + the end of wires which were stuck into their backs. Old Etienne was always + ready to sit and whittle until the evening settled down and he could see + no longer, even though he held the wood and busy knife close to his eyes. + </p> + <p> + So on that evening he whittled as usual. + </p> + <p> + Walker Farr came to the yard and sat beside the old man on the door-step + and was plainly thinking no agreeable thoughts while he listened to the + chatter of the children. + </p> + <p> + After the darkness had come and the larger boys and girls, custodians of + their tiny kin, had dragged away the protesting and whimpering little + folks because it was bedtime, Zelie Dionne laid down her needlework over + which she had been straining her eyes. The good woman protested often + because the girl toiled so steadily with her needle after her day at the + mill was ended. And on that summer evening she voiced complaint again. + </p> + <p> + “You have so many pretty gowns already! You wear one last evening—you + wear anodder this evening—and still you make some more! When a young + girl nigh kill herself so as to make a picture-book of her dresses I think + it is time to look for some young man who seems to like the pictures. Eh?” + </p> + <p> + “Mother Angelique, I do not relish jokes which are silly,” protested the + girl. “You know how the girls of our country are taught! We cannot sit + with hands in our laps without being very unhappy.” + </p> + <p> + She went out and sat upon the door-step where old Etienne made way for + her. + </p> + <p> + “At first I did not think I would come out, Mr. Farr,” she said. “But I + have made bold to come.” + </p> + <p> + “I do not think it needs boldness to come where I am,” he returned. “I + hope you are not going to make a stranger of me because I have not been + very neighborly of late. I have been busy and I have been away. The boys + have paid my fare up-country, and so I ran about to carry the gospel of + the free water. The truckmen have volunteered in half a dozen places. We + are doing a great work.” + </p> + <p> + “And yet I am afraid,” she confessed. “You are fighting men who can do you + much harm. I have been asking questions so as to know more about those + men. For they have threatened poor Father Etienne. I wanted to know about + them. I cannot help. But can you not help, Mr. Farr? I think you are much + more than you seem to be,” she added, naively. + </p> + <p> + “They have threatened Etienne?” demanded Farr, a sharp note in his voice. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, m'sieu', I have said nottin's to you. I am only poor old man. No + matter.” + </p> + <p> + “Why didn't you say something to me?” + </p> + <p> + “It's because you might feel bad, m'sieu'. P'raps not, for I'm only poor + man and don't count.” + </p> + <p> + “What have they said to you?” + </p> + <p> + “It's nottin's,” said Etienne, stubbornly. “You shall not think you got me + into trouble. You did not. I would have done it maself as soon as I + thought of it.” + </p> + <p> + “I command you to tell me what has been said to you, Etienne.” + </p> + <p> + “They say that I shall be discharge from the rack. They say I have talk + too much to my compatriots about the poison water. But I shall talk—yes—jesso!” + </p> + <p> + “Who says so?” + </p> + <p> + “The yard boss say to me that. Oh, there's no mistake. He have the power, + M'sieu' Farr. The super tell the yard boss, the mill agent tell the super, + the alderman tell the mill agent, the mayor he tell the alderman.” + </p> + <p> + “And probably Colonel Symonds Dodd told the mayor,” growled Farr. “It's a + great system, Etienne. Nobody too small—nobody too big!” + </p> + <p> + “But I do not care. I shall talk some more—yes, I shall talk in the + <i>hotel de ville</i> when you shall tell me to talk. I was scare at first + and I tol' you I would not talk; but now I have found out I can talk—and + I am not scare any more, and I will talk.” Pride and determination were in + the old man's tones. Since that most wonderful evening in all his life + when he had heard his voice as if it were the voice of another man ringing + forth denunciation of those in high places, the old rack-tender had + referred to that new manifestation of himself as if he were discussing + another man whom he had discovered. The memory of his feat was ever fresh + within him. And his meek pride was filled with much wonderment that such a + being should have been hidden all the years in Etienne Provancher. Many + men had called around to shake his hand and increase his wonderment as to + his own ability. + </p> + <p> + “We will wait awhile,” counseled Farr, understanding the pride and + treating it gently. “Stay at your work and be very quiet, Etienne, and + they will not trouble you. You need your money, and I will call on you + when you can help again.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I will come. I shall be sorry to see somebody have my rake and pole, + but I shall come.” + </p> + <p> + A moment of silence fell between them, and during that moment a young + woman passed rapidly along the sidewalk. Walker Farr shut his eyes + suddenly, as a man tries to wink away what he considers an illusion, and + then opened his eyes and made sure that she was what she seemed; there was + no mistaking that face—it was Kate Kilgour. + </p> + <p> + He stared after her. She halted on the next corner, peered up at the dingy + street light to make sure of the sign legend on its globe and then turned + down an alley. + </p> + <p> + “Ba gar!” commented old Etienne, putting Farr's thoughts into words, “that + be queer t'ing for such a fine, pretty lady to go down into Rose Alley, + because Rose Alley ain't so sweet as what it sounds.” + </p> + <p> + Then two men came hurrying past without paying any attention to the + denizens of the neighborhood who were sitting in the gloom on the stoop. + The street light revealed the faces of the men as it had shown to them the + girl's features. One was Richard Dodd. Unmistakably, they were following + the girl. Farr heard Dodd say: “Slow up! Give her time to get there. She's + headed all right.” + </p> + <p> + And Farr stared after those men, more than ever amazed. + </p> + <p> + One of them was obtrusively a clergyman—that is to say, he was cased + in a frock-coat that flapped against his calves, wore a white necktie, and + carried a book under his arm. + </p> + <p> + Dodd was attired immaculately in gray, and as he walked he whipped a thin + cane nervously. They began to stroll soon after they had hurried past the + stoop, and were sauntering leisurely when they turned into Rose Alley. + </p> + <p> + “I now say two ba gars!” exploded Etienne. “Because I been see the + jailbird, Dennis Burke, all dress up like minister, go past here with the + nephew of Colonel Dodd. And they go 'long after la belle mam'selle.” + </p> + <p> + “A jailbird!” + </p> + <p> + “He smart, bad man, that Dennis Burke. But he was hire by the big man to + do something with the votes on election-time—so to cheat—and + he get caught and so he been in the state prison. But he seem to be out + all free now and convert to religion in some funny way. Eh?” + </p> + <p> + “Etienne, are you sure of what you are talking about?” demanded Farr. His + voice trembled. The visit of that handsome girl to that quarter of the + city—those men so patently pursuing her—there was a sinister + look to the affair. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, we all know that Burke. He hire many votes in this ward for many + years. He known in Marion just so well as the steeple on the <i>hotel de + ville</i>. And that odder—that young mans, we know him, for his + oncle is Colonel Dodd. Oh yes!” + </p> + <p> + “Good night, Etienne—and to you Miss Zelie!” said Farr, curtly, + walking off toward the entrance of Rose Alley. He did not ask the old man + to go with him. He was drawn in two directions by his emotions and stopped + after he had taken a few steps. This seemed like espionage in a matter + which was none of his concern. It was entirely possible that the + confidential secretary of Colonel Dodd and the nephew of that gentleman + might have common business even in Rose Alley and at that time of evening. + </p> + <p> + But the matter of that masquerading ballot-falsifier, just out of state + prison, overcame Farr's scruples about meddling in the affairs of Kate + Kilgour. + </p> + <p> + He turned the corner into the alley in season to see the two men far ahead + of him; they passed out of the radiance shed by a dim light and he saw no + more of them. He walked the length of the alley and was not able to locate + any of the party. At its lower end the alley was closed in by houses, and + it was plain that the people he sought had not passed out into another + thoroughfare. He marched back, scrutinizing the outside of buildings, + trying to conjecture what business the handsome girl and the two men could + have in that section at that hour, and where they had entered to prosecute + that business. + </p> + <p> + “I must continue to blame it all on the nice old ladies,” he told himself, + smiling at the shamed zest he was finding in this hunt. “But I hope this + knight-errantry will not grow to be a habit with me. I mustn't forget that + I have another job on hand for nine o'clock—also knight-errantry!” + </p> + <p> + He paused under the dim light where his men had disappeared and looked at + his cheap watch. + </p> + <p> + Twenty-five minutes of nine! + </p> + <p> + Then he heard a woman's protesting voice. She cried “No, <i>no</i>, NO!” + in crescendo. + </p> + <p> + He gazed at the house from which the voice seemed to come. It was near at + hand, a shabby little cottage with a thin slice of yard closed in by a + dilapidated picket fence. He perceived no observers in the alley, and he + stepped into the yard. The front windows were open, for the evening was + warm, but no lights were visible in the house. + </p> + <p> + He heard the protesting cry again. It was more earnest. + </p> + <p> + He head the rumble of a man's voice, but could not catch the words. + Whatever was happening was taking place in some rear room. + </p> + <p> + “No, I say, no! Unlock that door,” cried the voice, passionately. + </p> + <p> + Farr troubled his mind no longer with quixotic considerations about + intrusion. He hoisted himself over the window-sill into the darkened front + room, passed down a short corridor and, when he heard the voice once again + on the inside of a door which he found locked, he immediately kicked the + door open. He appeared to those in the room, heralded by an amazing crash + and flying splinters. + </p> + <p> + First of all, he was astonished to find two women there; one was Miss + Kilgour and the other was her mother. And there were the two men whom he + had followed. + </p> + <p> + Farr swept off his hat and addressed the girl. + </p> + <p> + “I happened to be passing and heard your voice,” he said. “If you are—” + He hesitated, a bit confused, realizing all at once that knight-errantry + in modern days is not quite as free and easy a matter as it used to be + when damsels were in distress in the ruder times of yore. “I am at your + service,” he added, a bit curtly. + </p> + <p> + But she did not reply. Her attitude was tense, her cheeks were flaming, + her eyes were like glowing coals. + </p> + <p> + “You lunatic, you have come slamming in here, disturbing a private + wedding,” announced the man in the white tie, slapping his palm upon the + book he carried. + </p> + <p> + “Get out of here!” shouted Dodd. He had dodged into a corner of the room, + his face whitening, when Farr had burst in. He remained in the corner now, + brandishing his cane. + </p> + <p> + The uninvited guest surveyed the young man with more composure than he had + been able to command when he looked at the girl. + </p> + <p> + Etienne Provancher had fortified him with some valuable information. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Richard Dodd, I'll apologize and walk out of here after you have + explained to me why you have faked up into a parson one Dennis Burke, late + of the state prison, to officiate at weddings.” + </p> + <p> + Upon the silence that followed the girl thrust an “Oh!” into which she put + grief, protest, anger, consternation. + </p> + <p> + “Mother!” she cried. “Did you know? How could you allow—how did you + come to do such a terrible thing?” + </p> + <p> + Her mother put her hands to her face and sat down and began to sob with + hysterical display of emotion. Farr scowled a bit as he looked at her. She + was overdressed. There was an artificial air about her whole appearance—even + her hysterics seemed artificial. + </p> + <p> + The girl turned from her with a gesture of angry despair as if she + realized, from experience, that she could expect, at that juncture, only + emotion without explanation. + </p> + <p> + “Hold on here,” cried Dodd, “hold on here, everybody! This is all right. + You just let me inform you, Mr. Butter-in, that Mr. Burke has full + authority to solemnize a marriage. He is a notary and was commissioned at + the last meeting of the governor and council. And I know that,” he added, + attempting a bit of a swagger, “for I secured the commission for him + myself.” He came out of his corner and shook his cane at Farr. “I want you + to understand that I have political power in this state!” + </p> + <p> + “I wouldn't brag about that kind of political power, when you can use it + to make notaries out of jailbirds. That must be a nice bunch you have up + at your State House!” + </p> + <p> + “On your way!” Again the cane swished in front of Farr's face. + </p> + <p> + “I beg your pardon, madam,” apologized Farr, bowing to the girl. “You seem + to be the only one in this room entitled to that courtesy,” he added, with + a touch of his cynicism. “Am I intruding on your personal business?” + </p> + <p> + “You are not,” she answered, her eyes flashing. “I am glad you came in + here. I could have stopped the wretched folly myself, but you have helped + me, and I thank you.” She delivered that little speech with vigor. + </p> + <p> + “Kate!” pleaded Dodd. “This isn't fair. I meant it all right. Here's your + mother here! You wouldn't be reasonable the other way. We had to do + something. For the love of Heaven, be good. You know I—” + </p> + <p> + She had turned her back on him. Now she whirled and spat furious words at + him, commanding him to be silent. + </p> + <p> + “Do you want to spread all this miserable business before this gentleman?” + she demanded. “I am ashamed—ashamed! My mother to consent to such a + thing!” + </p> + <p> + She turned her back on him again and walked to and fro, beating her hands + together in her passion. And now ire boiled in Dodd. He directed it all at + the man who had interfered. + </p> + <p> + “This is no business of yours, you loafer. I don't know who you are, but + you—” + </p> + <p> + Farr grabbed the switching cane as he would have swept into his palm an + annoying insect. He broke it into many pieces between his sinewy fingers + and tossed the bits into Dodd's convulsed face. + </p> + <p> + “You'll know me better later on—you and your uncle, too. Ask him + what I advised him to do about having his weapon loose on his hip—take + the same advice for yourself.” + </p> + <p> + Then his expression altered suddenly. A disquieting jog of memory prompted + him to yank out the cheap watch. + </p> + <p> + Twelve minutes to nine. + </p> + <p> + It was a long way to the foot of the steps of the Mellicite Club! And + Union Hall was filled with men who were patiently waiting for him to keep + his pledged word! + </p> + <p> + “I hope you'll be all right now,” he said to the girl, haste in his tones. + “I'm sorry—I must go—I have an important engagement.” + </p> + <p> + Her eyes met his in level gaze, turned scornful glance at the others in + the room, and then came back to his. + </p> + <p> + “Are you going in the direction of the Boulevard?” she asked him. + </p> + <p> + “Straight there.” + </p> + <p> + “Will you bother with me as far as the Boulevard?” + </p> + <p> + “If you are a good walker,” he informed her. There was strict business in + her tone and cool civility in his. + </p> + <p> + “I'm going along with this gentleman, mother.” + </p> + <p> + Farr ushered her ahead of him through the shattered door. + </p> + <p> + “But I want to walk home with you, my child,” wailed the sobbing woman. + </p> + <p> + “You'd better ask Mr. Dodd to escort you. And I trust that the talk you + and he will have will bring both of you to your senses.” + </p> + <p> + She hurried away up the alley with Farr, after he had unlocked the front + door, finding the key on the inside. + </p> + <p> + “I am sorry I must hurry you,” he apologized, “and if you cannot keep up I + must desert you when we get to a well-lighted street.” + </p> + <p> + She drove a sharp side glance at him and did not reply. Probably for the + first time in her life she heard a young man declare with determination + that he was in a hurry to leave her. Even a sensible young woman who is + pretty must feel some sort of momentary pique because a young man can have + engagements so summary and so engrossing. + </p> + <p> + He offered her his arm that they might walk faster. Her touch thrilled + him. He was far from feeling the outward calm that he displayed to her. + </p> + <p> + They did not speak as they hurried. + </p> + <p> + Both were nearly breathless when they came out on the Boulevard. He saw + the big clock—its hands were nearly at the right angle. + </p> + <p> + “Good night!” she gasped, and she put out her hand to him. “I thank you!” + </p> + <p> + “It was nothing,” he assured her. + </p> + <p> + When their palms met they looked into each other's eyes. It was a + momentary flash which they exchanged, but in that instant both of them + were thrilled with the strange, sweet knowledge that no human soul may + analyze: it is the mystic conviction which makes this man or that woman + different from all the rest of humankind to the one whose heart is + touched. + </p> + <p> + She gave him a smile. “Are you a knight-errant?” + </p> + <p> + She hurried away before he could reply—and, though all his yearning + nature strove against his man's resolution to do his duty, it could not + prevail: he did not follow her as he wanted to—running after her, + crying his love. But duty won out by a mere hazard of a margin because her + face, as she had shown it to him at the moment of parting, possessed not + merely the wonderful beauty which had so impressed him when he had first + seen her—it shone with a sudden flash of emotion that glorified it. + </p> + <p> + He turned away and hurried to the foot of the steps of the Mellicite Club. + </p> + <p> + He had no time to ponder on the nature of that mystery which he had + uncovered in the shabby cottage in Rose Alley nor to wonder what sort of + persecution it was that could enlist a mother's aid in that grotesque + fashion against her own daughter. + </p> + <p> + He had not time even to frame a plan of campaign against the man whom the + patient waiters in Union Hall were expecting him to capture. + </p> + <p> + The bell in the tower was booming its nine strokes and the Honorable + Archer Converse was coming down the steps from his club, erect, crisp, + immaculate, dignified—tapping his cane against the stones. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0019" id="link2H_4_0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XVIII + </h2> + <h3> + CORRALING A CONVERT + </h3> + <p> + Mr. Converse bestowed only a careless glance at the stranger who was + waiting at the foot of the club-house steps. + </p> + <p> + The young man accosted him, not obsequiously, but frankly. + </p> + <p> + “I know you always take a turn in the park at this hour, Mr. Converse. I + beg your pardon, but may I walk for a few steps with you?” + </p> + <p> + “Why do you want to walk with me?” + </p> + <p> + “It's a matter—” + </p> + <p> + “I never discuss business on the street, sir. Come to my office + to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + He marched on and Farr went along behind him. + </p> + <p> + “You heard?” demanded the attorney. + </p> + <p> + “I heard.” Farr replied very respectfully, but he kept on. + </p> + <p> + He had rushed away from the girl and had come face to face with Mr. + Converse, his mind utterly barren of plan or resource. That interim on + which he had counted as a time in which he might devise ways and means had + been so crowded with happenings that all consideration of plans in regard + to Archer Converse had been swept from his mind. + </p> + <p> + At all events, he had rendered a service in that time; he had made good + use of that forty-five minutes—that reflection comforted him even + while he dizzily wondered what he was to do now. + </p> + <p> + That service had demanded sacrifice from him—why not demand + something from that service? An idea, sudden, brazen, undefendable, even + outrageous, popped into his head. He had no time for sensible planning. + Mr. Converse was glancing about with the air of a citizen who would like + to catch the eye of a policeman. + </p> + <p> + “I know all about you, Mr. Converse, even if you know nothing about me. + I'm making a curious appeal—it's to your chivalry!” + </p> + <p> + That was appeal sufficiently novel, so the demeanor of Mr. Converse + announced, to arrest even the attention of a gentleman who usually refused + to allow the routine of his life to be interrupted by anything less than + an earthquake. He halted and fronted this stranger. + </p> + <p> + “A man who wears that,” proceeded Farr, indicating the rosette of the + Military Order of the Loyal Legion in the lapel of Mr. Converse's coat, + “and wears it because it came to him by inheritance from General Aaron + Converse is bound to listen to that appeal.” + </p> + <p> + “Explain, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you know a Richard Dodd who is the nephew of Colonel Dodd?” + </p> + <p> + “I do, sir. You aren't asking me to assist him, are you? I will have + nothing to do with him—no help from me!” + </p> + <p> + “Just a moment—wait one moment! Mr. Converse, do you know a man + named Dennis Burke who has been in prison for ballot frauds?” + </p> + <p> + “I helped send him there, sir. Are you reciting the rogues' roster to me?” + </p> + <p> + “Richard Dodd has dressed Burke up as a parson and is trying to force a + young woman into a marriage. I haven't time to tell you how I happened to + know about this affair—but it is in Rose Alley and there's no time + to waste.” + </p> + <p> + “A preposterous yarn.” + </p> + <p> + “I have just come from that house.” + </p> + <p> + “You're a young man of muscle—why didn't you stop it?” + </p> + <p> + “The girl's mother is there, backing Dodd. Mr. Converse, the cause needs a + man like you—a man of law, of standing, of influence. I appeal to + you to follow me.” + </p> + <p> + “A moment—a moment! I scent a ruse. I don't know you. Are you a + decoy for blackmailers or robbers?” he inquired, bluntly. + </p> + <p> + Farr took off his hat and stood before the Honorable Archer Converse, his + strange, slow, winning smile dawning on his face. + </p> + <p> + “I beg your pardon for interrupting your stroll,” he said, gently. “I hope + you'll look at me! You may see, perhaps, that you're in error. I'll go + back and kill Dodd—and come to your office to-morrow—on + business—engaging you as counsel for the defense.” + </p> + <p> + “Lead the way to that house,” snapped Mr. Converse. The attitude of Farr, + his forbearance, his refraining from further solicitation, his frank + demeanor, won out for him. “I'm sometimes a little hasty in my remarks,” + acknowledged Mr. Converse in the tone of one who felt chastened. “Are you + a new-comer to our city?” he continued as they hurried away. “You must be. + I should certainly have remembered you if I had ever seen you before.” It + was an indirect compliment—a gentleman's careful approach to an + apology. + </p> + <p> + The young man did not reply. He had conceived for this stately man a + sudden hero-worship. What Citizen Drew had told him was added to his own + instinct in matters of the understanding of a personality. He did not dare + to stop and consider to what despicable extent he was lying to his victim. + He knew if he stopped to think he would quit. Now the whole affair seemed + a crazy thing. Did even his proposed ends justify this procedure? + </p> + <p> + “There's a short cut through Sanson Street,” stammered Farr, the sense of + his own iniquity increasing in the same ratio in which his respect and + admiration grew. The honorable gentleman traveled along at a brisk jog, + evidently desiring to show his apologetic mood by exhibiting confidence in + his guide. + </p> + <p> + And Farr, stealing side glances at him, was more self-accusatory, more + abashed. He cherished the hope that they would be able to anticipate the + departure of Dodd and the confederates from the cottage. It was not clear + to him just how he would make the incident serve, anyway. He was conscious + that he had grasped at any opportunity which would open the ears of the + Honorable Archer Converse to a person who had accosted him on the street. + Finding somebody in the house would, at least, stamp his story with verity + even if it served no purpose in the main intent of Farr's efforts. + </p> + <p> + But on a well-lighted street corner the young man halted suddenly. + </p> + <p> + “It's no use,” he informed the astonished Mr. Converse. “Conscience has + tripped me. I can't do it.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean to intimate that you have been tricking me, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “I mean to say, Mr. Converse, that I had proposed to take a half-hour or + so and think up some method of honestly and properly interesting you in a + matter which is very dear to me—a public matter, sir. But here is + how I spent that half-hour.” + </p> + <p> + Frankly, simply, convincingly he related to his amazed listener the full + story of what he had found in the cottage in Rose Alley. + </p> + <p> + “And therefore I had no time to ponder on my business with you—I + simply turned from the young lady, and there you were, sir, coming down + the club steps. I did the very best I could on short notice—but what + I did was very crude. I apologize. I suppose, under the circumstances, I + may as well say 'Good-night'!” He raised his hat. + </p> + <p> + But there was something in all this which piqued Converse's curiosity. + </p> + <p> + “Wait one moment. This is getting to be interesting.” + </p> + <p> + A rather hazy conviction began to assure Farr that possibly chance had + dealt a better stroke for him than well-considered planning. It was surely + something to know that the honorable gentleman was interested. + </p> + <p> + “If you had had time to think out a method of approaching me—Let me + see, your name is—” + </p> + <p> + “Farr.” + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Farr, supposing I had been amenable to your suggestions, what is it + you wanted of me?” + </p> + <p> + “I wanted you to attend a public meeting,” blurted the young man. “They + are men who need help—they need—” + </p> + <p> + “That's sufficient,” snapped Converse. “I am not in politics. I do not + address public meetings. Mr. Farr, you would have wasted your time + planning. Absolutely!” + </p> + <p> + “But is there not some appeal that—” + </p> + <p> + “Useless—useless, sir.” He tapped his cane, and his tones showed + irritation. He whirled on his heels. “It is decidedly evident that you are + a stranger in these parts, sir. On that account I forgive your + presumption.” + </p> + <p> + At that moment a jigger-wagon rumbled to a halt near them. The corner + light had revealed them to the driver. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Farr,” called the man, “it hasn't taken long for the news of what you + did at the meeting to-night to travel around among the boys. And we ain't + going to let you get ahead of us, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “The more, the merrier, in a good cause,” said Farr; but he was staring + regretfully at the back of Mr. Converse, who had begun his retreat. + </p> + <p> + “I want to tell you I'm on the executive committee of the State Teamsters + Union, Mr. Farr. I've been talking the matter up and I can promise you + that the union as a body will vote to lend horses and men to carry your + spring-water free gratis. And I hope that gent who's starting up-town + where the dudes are will tell 'em that there are honest men enough left to + protect the poor folks from that poison water him and his rich friends are + pumping out of the river to us.” + </p> + <p> + The Honorable Archer Converse halted his departure very suddenly. + </p> + <p> + “You are not referring to me, are you, my man?” + </p> + <p> + “I am if you're tied up with that Consolidated Water Company bunch,” + stated the unterrified member of the proletariat. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Converse retraced his steps. He shook his cane at the driver. + </p> + <p> + “I want to inform you very distinctly, sir, that I am <i>not</i> + interested in the Consolidated.” + </p> + <p> + “Dawson, apologize to this gentleman,” Farr admonished the driver. + </p> + <p> + “I'm sorry I said anything,” muttered the man. “But all dudes look alike + to me,” he told himself under his breath. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Converse appeared to be considerably disturbed by the humble citizen's + sneer in regard to the Consolidated matter. He addressed himself to Farr. + </p> + <p> + “I have been touched on a point where I am very sensitive,” he informed + the young man. “I do not condone the policies of the Consolidated in + regard to their control of franchises. Their system of operation has + introduced a bad element into our finance and politics. I would be sorry + to be misunderstood by the people of this state.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope you will not be misunderstood, sir,” averred Farr, with humility. + </p> + <p> + “In order to show you my stand in the matter and so that you may correct + any misunderstanding among your friends in these quarters,” proceeded Mr. + Converse, stiffly, “I will inform you that I am taking the case of the + citizens' syndicate of Danburg on appeal up to our highest court. We hope + to prove criminal conspiracy. We hope to show up some of the corruption in + the state. That is why I have gone into the case.” + </p> + <p> + “I thank you for informing me. I have been trying to fight the + Consolidated in my own humble way.” + </p> + <p> + The eminent lawyer came closer and was promptly interested. + </p> + <p> + “I am in search of information of all kinds, sir. Kindly explain.” + </p> + <p> + Eliminating himself as much as possible, Farr described the operations of + the Co-operative Spring Water Association. But he could not eliminate the + man on the box-seat of the jigger-wagon. When Farr had finished his brief + explanation that loyal admirer gave in some enthusiastic testimony in + regard to the man who had devised the plan and had sacrificed his time in + efforts to extend the system. He kept on until Farr checked him. + </p> + <p> + “I will say, Mr. Converse, before you leave, that I'd like to have you + carry away a right opinion of me. I was not trying to drag you to a mere + political gathering. There are some poor men assembled just now in this + quarter who need a sympathetic listener and a little good advice. They are + also trying to get justice from the Consolidated and all the general + oppression it represents.” + </p> + <p> + “Where are those men?” asked Converse, after a pause during which he + wrinkled his brows and tapped his cane. + </p> + <p> + Farr pointed down the street. Not far away a low-hung transparency + heralded “The Square Deal Club.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Converse gazed in that direction and hesitated a few moments longer. + </p> + <p> + “You assure me that it's not a mere political rally?” + </p> + <p> + “I do, sir!” + </p> + <p> + Then the son of General Converse gallantly extended his arm. + </p> + <p> + “I'll be glad to be escorted by you, Mr. Farr,” he said. “Now that I + understand this thing a bit better, I am going to break one of my rules.” + As they walked along he remarked: “A man's affairs are sometimes directed + and controlled for him in a most singular fashion. Little things change + preconceived notions very suddenly.” + </p> + <p> + “They do, sir,” agreed Walker Farr. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0020" id="link2H_4_0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XIX + </h2> + <h3> + CONSCIENCE ENLISTING A RECRUIT + </h3> + <p> + A man who stood at the head of the stairs, an outpost, saw them coming and + ran and opened a door ahead of them. The door admitted to a hall which was + packed with men who were ranged on settees and stood in the aisles and at + the sides of the big room. + </p> + <p> + “Make way for the Honorable Archer Converse,” shrieked their <i>avant + courier</i>, excitedly. + </p> + <p> + “Three cheers for the Honorable Archer Converse,” called a voice, and all + the men came on to their feet and yelled lustily. + </p> + <p> + The distinguished guest climbed upon the platform—Farr close at his + heels. The young man placed a chair for the lawyer and remained standing. + He raised his hand to command silence. + </p> + <p> + “This is rather unexpected, boys. But this distinguished man happened to + be passing our hall to-night and has dropped in on us in a purely informal + manner. It's a great honor, and I want to say to him for all of us that + the old Square Deal Club is mighty grateful. I ask you to rise, gentlemen + of the club.” + </p> + <p> + All came to their feet again. + </p> + <p> + “Bow your heads and for thirty seconds of deep silence pay your respect + and veneration to the memory of our great war governor, General Aaron + Converse.” + </p> + <p> + The Honorable Archer Converse looked forth over those bowed and bared + heads. The most of them were gray heads, and toil-worn hands were clasped + in front of those men. And when at last the faces were raised to his there + was an appealing earnestness in their gaze which touched him poignantly. + </p> + <p> + “Boys, the son of that great man is present. How will you express your + admiration and respect for him?” + </p> + <p> + They cheered again tumultuously. + </p> + <p> + Farr walked to the edge of the platform. + </p> + <p> + “It is kind and generous of Mr. Converse to consent to step in here for a + few moments this evening. I will leave the meeting in his hands.” + </p> + <p> + There was a hush for a moment. Then the guest carried his chair to the + extreme front edge of the platform. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know just what sort of meeting this is—I have not been + fully informed,” he said, very crisply. “But I want it distinctly + understood that I am not here to make any speech. Your faces indicate that + you are very much in earnest in regard to the business you are met to + consider. I am assured that this is no mere political rally?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” somebody replied. + </p> + <p> + “I'm glad of that. I am not in politics. The political mess grows to be + nastier every year. But what are you here for? Come, now! Come! Let's talk + it over.” He was a bit brusque, but his tone was kindly. + </p> + <p> + A man who stood up in the middle of the hall was rather shabby in his + attire, but he had the deep eyes of one who thinks. + </p> + <p> + “Honored sir,” he said, “I don't stand up as one presuming to speak for + all the rest. But I have talked with many men. I know what some of us + want. We don't expect that laws or leaders will make lazy men get ahead in + the world or that victuals can be legislated into the cupboard without a + man gets out and hustles for 'em. I have worked at a bench ever since I + was fourteen. I expect to work there until I drop out. I don't want any + political office. I couldn't fill one. But why is it that the only men who + get into office are the kind who turn around and get rich selling off + property which belongs to all of us—I mean the franchises for this, + that, and the other?” He sat down. + </p> + <p> + A thin man in the front row got up. + </p> + <p> + “Honorable Archer Converse, one franchise that was given away by those men + years ago was the right to furnish water to this city. A private concern + got hold of that franchise. It holds the right to-day. It saves money by + pumping its water out of the Gamonic River. Saves money and wastes lives. + The Board of Health's reports show that there were eleven hundred cases of + typhoid fever in this city last year. In my family my mother and two of my + children died. I shiver every time I touch a tap—but spring-water + that can be depended on costs us at the grocer's a dollar for a + five-gallon carboy—and my wages are only ten dollars a week. There + are lakes twenty miles from this city. Pure water there for all of us! But + every tap drips sewage from the Gamonic River. Haven't we got any leaders + who will make that water company pump health instead of death?” + </p> + <p> + “They sent 'Tabulator' Burke up for ballot frauds,” said a voter who stood + up in a far corner. “But anybody in this city understands well enough that + the judge who sent him to state prison knew who the real chaps were, knew + how much the real ones paid 'Tabulator' to take the whole blame. And the + governor knows it all and has just reappointed that judge.” + </p> + <p> + The Honorable Archer Converse sat very straight in his chair and listened + to those men. He continued to sit straight and listened to others. The men + dealt in no diatribe. There was no raving, there was no anarchistic + sentiments. They arose, uttered their grievances gloomily but without + passion, and sat down. + </p> + <p> + One elderly man stood up and raised both hands. + </p> + <p> + “I came across the sea to this country, sir. I came because I could have + my little share in the government where I paid taxes and labored—I + could vote here. It's the only public privilege I have. But, O God, give + us some one to vote for!” + </p> + <p> + “I sympathize with your feelings,” replied Mr. Converse. “But you are + talking to the wrong man. I'm not in politics.” + </p> + <p> + “By the gods, you will be if my nerve only holds out,” Farr told himself. + </p> + <p> + Another man sprang to his feet. He spoke quietly, but his very repression + made him more effective. + </p> + <p> + “What's the good of voting till men like you do get into politics, Mr. + Converse, and give us leaders who will use their power to help the people + who voted for them? I'm sick of voting. I'm teamed up to the polls by ward + workers—and I know just why those men are in the game and who + they're working for. What do you suppose Colonel Dodd cares which side + carries this city, or which side carries the state? He and his crowd stand + to win, whatever party gets in. You can't beat 'em. Business is business, + no matter what politics may be! The city money is wasted just the same, + the policy game is let run for the benefit of the rich men who back it, + all the grafts go right on. You can't fool me any longer. They stir us + poor chaps up at election-time, we rush to the polls and vote, and + sometimes think we are accomplishing something. But what we're doing is + simply boosting out some fellow who has made his pile and putting in + another who wants office so that he can fill his own pockets by selling + our common rights out to the same men. I say, you can't beat it!” + </p> + <p> + The Honorable Archer Converse seemed to find his position on the platform + uncomfortable. He rose suddenly and stepped down on the floor. He went + among the men. He grasped the hands that were outstretched to him. He + realized that he had scant encouragement for these men. The meeting had + given him new light. He knew considerable about the old days, and in the + old days of politics men flocked to rallies. They harkened humbly to + speeches from their leaders, and swallowed the sugar-coated facts, and + listened to bands, and joined the torch-light parades, and voted according + to party lines, and thought they had done well; the surface of things was + nicely slicked over. + </p> + <p> + He understood that out of the ease with which the mob could be herded, + with others doing their thinking for them, had grown politics as a + business—with the big interests dominating both parties—and no + one realized how it had all come about better than Converse. This new + spirit, however, rather surprised him, for he had been keeping aloof from + politics. These men who crowded about him were not mere dumb, driven + voters in the mass—they were individuals who were thinking, who were + demanding, who were seeking a leader that would consider them as citizens + to be served, not chattels to be sold to the highest bidder. His keen + lawyer's insight understood all this! + </p> + <p> + “I'm a butcher down in the stock-yards, Mr. Converse,” said one man, who + pressed forward. “We've got trained bulls there who tole the cattle along + into the slaughter-pens. I've got tired of being a steer in politics and + following these old trained bulls.” + </p> + <p> + Converse worked his way through the press to the door, Farr at his heels. + </p> + <p> + When they were on the street the honorable gentleman turned sharply toward + the Boulevard. + </p> + <p> + “I haven't any spirit or taste to-night for moonlight in the park, sir! A + nice trick you played on me.” + </p> + <p> + “I wanted you to get a first-hand notion of a state of affairs, Mr. + Converse.” + </p> + <p> + “But you ought to understand my temperament better—you ought to know + it's going to stick in my mind, worry me, vex me, set me to seeking for + remedies. It's just as if I'd been retained on a case. I feel almost + duty-bound to pitch in.” + </p> + <p> + “It's strange how a man gets pulled into a thing sometimes—into + something he had no idea of meddling with,” philosophized Farr, blandly. + “That's the way it has happened in my case.” + </p> + <p> + “It has, eh?” demanded Mr. Converse, sharply. He had tacitly accepted the + young man's companionship for the walk back to the Boulevard. “Now, look + here! Just who are you?” + </p> + <p> + “My name is Farr and I'm nothing.” + </p> + <p> + “You needn't bluff me—you're a politician—a candidate for + something.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm not even a voter in this state. It's men like you, sir, who ought to + be candidates for the high offices.” + </p> + <p> + “My sainted father trained me to respect self-sacrifice, Mr. Farr. But for + a clean man to try to accomplish things for the people in politics these + days isn't self-sacrifice—it's martyrdom. The cheap politicians heap + the fagots, the sneering newspapers light the fire and keep blowing it + with their bellows, and the people stand around and seem to show a sort of + calm relish in watching the operation. And when it is all over not a bit + of good has been done.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm afraid I have wasted an evening for you, sir. I'm sorry. I hoped the + troubles of those men, when you heard them at first hand, would interest + you.” + </p> + <p> + “Interest me! Confound it all, you have wrecked my peace of mind! I knew + it all before. But I'm selfish, like almost everybody else. I kept away + where I couldn't hear about these things. Now, if I sleep soundly to-night + I'll be ashamed to look up at my father's portrait when I walk into my + office to-morrow morning. Why didn't you have better sense than to coax me + into your infernal meeting?” He rapped his cane angrily against the + curbstone as he strode on. “And the trouble with me is,” continued Mr. + Converse, with much bitterness, “I know the conditions are such in this + state that a meeting like that can be assembled in every city and town—and + the complaints will be just and demand help. But there's no organization—it's + only blind kittens miauling. It's damnable!” + </p> + <p> + “But this is the kind of country where some mighty quick changes can be + made when the people do get their eyes open,” suggested the young man. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Converse merely grunted, tapping his cane more viciously. + </p> + <p> + They were on the frontier of the Eleventh Ward now. The brighter lights of + the avenues of up-town blazed before them. + </p> + <p> + “Then you will not go into politics?” inquired Farr. + </p> + <p> + “I'd sooner sail for India with a cargo of hymn-books and give + singing-lessons to Bengal tigers.” + </p> + <p> + “Good night, sir,” said Farr. He halted on the street corner which marked + the boundary of the ward. + </p> + <p> + “Good night, sir!” replied Mr. Converse, striding on. + </p> + <p> + The young man watched him out of sight. He heard the angry clack of the + cane on the stones long after the Honorable Archer Converse had turned the + next corner. + </p> + <p> + “Maxim in the case of a true gentleman,” mused Farr: “tap his conscience + on the shoulder, point your finger at the enemy, say nothing, simply stand + back and give conscience plenty of elbow-room—it needs no help. + There, by the grace of God, goes the next governor of this state.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0021" id="link2H_4_0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XX + </h2> + <h3> + CONSIDERATION: ONE DAUGHTER + </h3> + <p> + On the morning following his discomfiture Richard Dodd posted himself in a + little tobacco-shop opposite the Trelawny Apartment-house. Lurking behind + cigar-boxes in the window, he held the door of the house under surly + espionage. It was plain to the shopkeeper that “the gent had made a night + of it.” Dodd's eyes were heavy, his face was flushed, and he lighted one + cigarette after another with shaky hands. + </p> + <p> + Shortly before nine o'clock Kate Kilgour came out and walked down the + avenue on the way to her work. Dodd stared after her until she was out of + sight. Shame and anger and desire mingled in the steady gaze he leveled on + her; in her crisp freshness she represented both the longed-for and the + unattainable. He was conscious of a new sentiment in regard to her. In the + past his impatience had been tempered by the comforting knowledge that she + had promised herself to him—that she was his to own, to possess + after a bit of tantalizing procrastination. Now he was not at all sure of + her. He had been just a bit patronizing in the past—his successes + with women had inflated his conceit—he had exhibited a rather + careless air of proprietorship—his manner had said to her and to + others, “This is mine; look at it!” But now when he had watched her out of + sight jealousy, anger, the sour conviction that he had forfeited her + regard combined to make him desperate, and the excesses of the night + before kindled a flame which heated all his evil passions. + </p> + <p> + He threw away his cigarette, cursed roundly aloud, and hurried across the + street into the Trelawny. + </p> + <p> + When Mrs. Kilgour admitted him to her suite she clung to the door-casing, + exhibiting much trepidation. + </p> + <p> + He stepped in, closed the door, and put his back against it. + </p> + <p> + “Have you got those hysterics out of you so that you can listen to me and + then talk sense?” he demanded, coarsely. + </p> + <p> + She went into her sitting-room and he followed, muttering: + </p> + <p> + “No wonder you ran away from me last night—no wonder you didn't have + the face to stay and take what you deserve. How in tophet I ever allowed + you to plan and manage I can't understand.” + </p> + <p> + “You asked me to,” she faltered. + </p> + <p> + “I didn't ask you to rig up a dirty conspiracy to queer me.” + </p> + <p> + “Richard, you are not yourself. You have been drinking!” She tried to + exhibit protesting indignation and failed. “Come to me when you are + yourself.” + </p> + <p> + “There's no more of this to-morrow business goes with me, Mrs. Kilgour. + I'll admit that you're Kate's mother. But just now you are something else. + You have tried to do me, and nobody gets by with that stuff—man, + woman, or child. We'll have our settlement here and now.” + </p> + <p> + “I did the best I could,” she wailed. + </p> + <p> + “Out of what damnation novel did you get that idea?” he raged. + </p> + <p> + “It seemed to be a good plan, Richard. I swear by everything sacred I + thought it would come out all right. Don't rave at me.” Her voice sunk to + an appealing whisper. She picked up a book from her table. “If you will + only listen—” + </p> + <p> + “So you did get it out of a novel! My God! what have your fool ideas done + to me?” + </p> + <p> + “How do you dare to talk to Kate's mother like that?” + </p> + <p> + “I am not talking to Kate's mother, I tell you! I'm talking to a woman who + has put me into a hell on earth. I'm talking to you, Mrs. Kilgour, and you + don't know the whole story yet.” + </p> + <p> + “All my life it has been the same—only trouble and sorrow and to be + misunderstood.” She began to sob. + </p> + <p> + “Is there anything in that novel about ringing in an iceman to break up a + marriage? I say it was all a conspiracy. You didn't intend to be square. + You intended to rig a scheme so that you could duck out from under. You + have always done that, Mrs. Kilgour.” + </p> + <p> + “I had nothing to do with that man coming in.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't try to fool me any more. You told me to come, didn't you? You must + have told some yarn to your daughter to have her come.” + </p> + <p> + “I did—it was all—” + </p> + <p> + “And then you told that plug-ugly to come in, too, and break it up so as + to queer me. Why did I ever fall for such lunacy? If I hadn't been + desperate I would never have let you drag me into such a devilish scheme. + But now you have got to do your part to square me. It's going to be + straight talk from now on, Mrs. Kilgour. There must be a settlement + between us.” + </p> + <p> + She looked away from him. She was plainly searching her soul for excuses + to postpone that settlement. + </p> + <p> + “That person who came in, Dicky! I swear I did not arrange any such thing. + He is only an iceman. I don't know the man. It was some accident. If the + matter hadn't been interrupted! It was going along all right.” + </p> + <p> + “What's the matter with your intellect? You know it wasn't going along at + all! You simply had us chasing shadows. Good God! I ought to have made you + tell me what you were planning. Think of it! Think of me waltzing down + there like a boob and thinking you had something real to offer.” + </p> + <p> + “But you frightened her with that jailbird. You should have brought a real + clergyman.” + </p> + <p> + “The man I brought has the power to perform marriages! I would have made a + nice spectacle towing a clergyman into that mess, wouldn't I?” + </p> + <p> + She broke in upon his further speech. She wrung her hands, paltering, + pleading, trying to explain, trying more desperately to postpone that + settlement he was demanding. + </p> + <p> + “But, honestly, it did seem to be a good plan, Dicky. I'm her mother. I + know her nature. You know how some natures have to be handled! She is so + self-centered. She has to be taken by surprise. She has to know that she + is making a sacrifice. That is why I arranged it all for Rose Alley and + borrowed that house. And I had it all planned out what to say to her at + the last moment there.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, what was this great thing you were going to say?” He glared at her, + disgust and suspicion in his eyes. + </p> + <p> + She flushed. She hesitated, unable to meet his gaze. + </p> + <p> + “It's no use to tell you now, Dicky. Somehow, now that I come to think it + all over, it sounds rather tame. It all did seem so plausible, what I was + going to say when I sat down and planned out the thing. And the romance of + it—you know even self-centered girls like to feel that a man wants + them so much that he gets desperate—and she said once that she would + marry you some time—perhaps—and—” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you—you—” He broke in and then stopped, lacking words. + “What's the use?” he muttered. “You don't even know your own daughter. She + has been enduring me because you have been keeping at her. I understand it + now. You told me you could hurry it up. You have made me look like a + melodrama villain. You have made her hate me. Now own up! Didn't she rave + to you after you got home and tell you she hated me? You have nailed me to + the cross for ever where she is concerned—now haven't you? Own up.” + </p> + <p> + “I can win her back, Dicky. Give me a little time.” But she was not able + to look at him. “Don't scold me any more. I'm her mother. She will obey + her own mother in time. Don't hurt my sensitive nature any more.” She + began to weep, twisting her rings on her trembling fingers. + </p> + <p> + He scowled at her, narrowing his eyes. “You haven't been playing square + with me, Mrs. Kilgour.” + </p> + <p> + “Call me Mother Kilgour, Dicky, just as you always have.” + </p> + <p> + “I won't stand for any more bluffing, Mrs. Kilgour. Kate has sworn to you + that she will never marry me—now hasn't she?” + </p> + <p> + “But I can talk her around—you can win her back. I'll tell her it + was my plan—I'll have courage to tell her later—” + </p> + <p> + “So you have been laying that crazy idea all to me?” + </p> + <p> + “But I'll get up courage to tell her some day—and your devotion will + win her back—devotion always wins. You can—” + </p> + <p> + “Mrs. Kilgour, I know you pretty well. I repeat, I know you have always + ducked out from under—that's your nature. But here's a thing you + can't dodge. You've got to come to time. You know how I love Kate. There + isn't any reason why she shouldn't marry me. There's no excuse for her + holding me off the way she does. You've got to fix it for me—quick! + Understand? This fluff talk about 'devotion' and 'some day' doesn't go. I + want action. Now hold on! I don't mean to threaten—I've been square + with you till now. Good gad, you don't realize what a price I've paid!” + </p> + <p> + “And now on top of your other insults you are going to twit me again + because I have borrowed five thousand dollars from you. Oh, Dicky, I + thought you were more of a gentleman?” + </p> + <p> + “Mrs. Kilgour, I have simply got to make you understand what I have done + for you before you'll wake up and do something for me.” + </p> + <p> + “I appreciate what you did, Dicky. Honestly, I do. You save me from losing + money on my stocks.” + </p> + <p> + “Where are those stocks?” + </p> + <p> + She did not look at him. “I have them put away—all safe. They are + all right. Just as soon as business is better I will get your money for + you, Dicky. You shall have it, every cent.” + </p> + <p> + “Where are those stocks, I say! Mrs. Kilgour, look at me. Were are they?” + </p> + <p> + “Why are you so particular about knowing where they are?” Protecting + herself, she showed a flicker of resentment. + </p> + <p> + “Because you must sell and hand me that money—at once.” + </p> + <p> + “I—I don't believe I can realize on them just now. They are—are + down just at present. They—” + </p> + <p> + “What are the stocks?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't care to reveal my private business, Richard.” + </p> + <p> + “It happens to be my business, too. I'm in trouble. I must know. I shall + stay here till I find out. You may as well come across.” + </p> + <p> + “As soon as I can arrange it—I will tell you. Very soon now!” + </p> + <p> + He snapped himself out of his chair and went across the room to her. He + put his hands on her shoulders and bent his face to hers. + </p> + <p> + “You haven't any stocks, Mrs. Kilgour.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” she whispered, his eyes dominating her. + </p> + <p> + “What did you do with that money I loaned you?” + </p> + <p> + “I paid—a debt.” + </p> + <p> + “What debt? Answer! This thing must be cleared up—<i>now</i>!” + </p> + <p> + She began to weep. + </p> + <p> + “No more hysterics, Mrs. Kilgour. We are now down to cases. Something bad + will happen if you don't confide in me.” + </p> + <p> + Then, cornered, with the impulse of weak natures to seek support from + stronger—to appeal to a victor who cannot be eluded—she + blurted the truth. + </p> + <p> + “They got to suspecting me when I was cashier for Dalton & Company. I + heard they were going to put experts upon my books, Dicky. I didn't want + to go to jail. I would have disgraced Kate. I knew you loved her and would + not want her mother to be arrested. I had to have that money. I told you + the story about the stocks. So I was saved from being disgraced.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you were?” His eyes flamed so furiously that she turned her gaze from + him. + </p> + <p> + “And now I feel better, for I have confided in you and you're going to be + my good and true friend from now on. It will be made up to you, Dicky.” + </p> + <p> + “What had you done with all that money you took from Dalton & + Company?” + </p> + <p> + “It costs so much to live—and keep up the position I had when Andrew + was alive! A woman needs so many things, Richard. I have always been + proud. I was obliged to—” + </p> + <p> + He swore and swung away from her. “Wasted it on dress and jewelry! You + turned the trick on one man and put him underground. And I'm the next + victim! I knew I was being played for a sucker, but, oh—” + </p> + <p> + He battered his fists against the wall in pure ecstasy of rage. Then he + sat down and put his face in his hands. + </p> + <p> + The woman clucked sobs which did not ring true. + </p> + <p> + “I wonder what Kate would say if she knew how I had come to the scratch. + She knew her father was a hero. I wonder whether she would think I am + one!” he said, after silence had continued for a long time. + </p> + <p> + “Are you going to tell her?” the mother gasped. + </p> + <p> + “I love her too much. But, see here! Do you think I picked that five + thousand off a rose-bush?” + </p> + <p> + “You told me your uncle loaned it to you.” + </p> + <p> + “You think I got it easy—got it for the asking, and that's why you + have been loafing on the job,” he said, with bitterness. “Ask my uncle for + money? I should say not. He never loosened for anybody yet—not even + his relatives. Mrs. Kilgour, I love your daughter so much—I was so + anxious to help you—I stole that five thousand from the state + treasury. I have been covering it in my accounts for more than a year—hell + all the time with plenty of white-hot when the legislative committee has + been over the accounts. Some day some blasted fool will wake up enough to + see that there's a hole in my figures.” + </p> + <p> + He put his elbows on his knees and stared at the carpet. The woman's face + grew white. + </p> + <p> + “That's how it stands with me, Mrs. Kilgour. You know you were not square + with me at the start. You said you needed the money for only a few weeks—you + said you were pinched in a stock deal. You lied to me. You have wasted the + money on fine feathers for your back. I have kept still. You can't pay me. + I've got to struggle out of the mess as best I can. But, by the eternal + gods, there's something coming to me, and that's your daughter. Now are + you going to wake up?” + </p> + <p> + “I'll do everything I can.” Her tone was not convincing, however. + </p> + <p> + He realized that this woman with the pulpy conscience and the artificial + emotions, selfish and a coward, was merely vaguely stirred by his + revelation, not spurred by the extent of his sacrifice in her behalf. + </p> + <p> + “Do what you <i>can</i>? Whine to me like that after I have stolen state's + money and am standing under my steal? What if this state tips over + politically and they investigate the treasury? I tell you, Mrs. Kilgour, I + deserve to have Kate. I'm going to have her. You have got to fix it—and + right away.” + </p> + <p> + “But I can't marry off a girl of twenty as if she were a Chinese slave.” + His insistence caused her to display more of her pettish resentment. + </p> + <p> + “If you can't deliver the goods, Mrs. Kilgour, I shall take a hand in it.” + </p> + <p> + “How?” + </p> + <p> + “I'll tell her the story.” + </p> + <p> + “You wouldn't dare.” + </p> + <p> + “She has a sense of honor and of obligation even if you haven't. She will + pay. She'll pay with herself. That's a devil of a way to get a wife, but + if that's the only way I'll take it.” + </p> + <p> + “But you have just owned up that you have embezzled money. As Kate's + mother it's my duty to protect her from disgrace.” + </p> + <p> + That amazing declaration fairly took away Dodd's breath. + </p> + <p> + By the manner in which the woman now looked at him it was plain that he + had sunk in her estimation. + </p> + <p> + “You know, Richard, a mother feels called on to protect a good daughter.” + </p> + <p> + He got up and stamped on the floor in his passion and swore. + </p> + <p> + “I appreciate what you did for me—but, really, I didn't ask you to + steal money—and I supposed your uncle was always liberal with you. + You should not have told me falsehoods.” + </p> + <p> + The maddening feature of this calm assumption of superiority was the fact + that the woman seemed really to believe for the moment exactly what she + was saying and to forget why Dodd had jeopardized his fortunes; her manner + showed her shallow estimate of the situation. + </p> + <p> + “There's another way of doing it,” raged the young man, infuriated by this + repudiation of obligation. “I'll blow the whole thing about the two of us—and + she'll be glad enough to have me after it's all over.” + </p> + <p> + “You haven't any right to bring all this trouble and disgrace into my + family.” + </p> + <p> + “You know one way of preventing it and you'd better get busy, Mrs. + Kilgour,” he advised. “I'm going to give you another chance of keeping + your word and paying your debt to me. I want Kate—and I have waited + for her long enough.” + </p> + <p> + He clapped on his hat and hurried away. + </p> + <p> + He left the mother sprawled on a couch, her ringed hands clutched into her + dyed hair. She was still clucking sobs which would not have convinced any + unprejudiced hearer that she felt real grief. + </p> + <p> + When Richard Dodd entered his uncle's offices in the First National block + a little later he was in the mood to force his affairs a bit. He enjoyed + liberties there which the ordinary caller did not have and he walked into + Kate Kilgour's little room without attracting attention or comment. + </p> + <p> + “I know exactly how you feel about last night, Kate.” He addressed her + respectfully and humbly. “I understand that this is no place to discuss + the matter. I haven't come here to do so. I apologize for the affair. I'm + going to say this to you—I took your mother's advice. She planned + the thing and trumped up the errand which called you to that house. I'm + afraid she is rather too romantic. I only say this, Kate: a man's love can + make him do foolish things. Please talk with your mother when you go home—and + take her advice. If you do, it will be better for all of us.” He trembled + with the restraint he had put upon himself. “You can see that I have been + punished, Kate. I am a different man—you ought to be able to see it. + Awful trouble has come to me. I need your love to help me through it.” + </p> + <p> + She gazed at him with level, cold eyes. + </p> + <p> + “You don't understand. I can't explain, dear! But I'm telling you the + truth. Kate, if you don't forget that folly I was guilty of last night and + be to me what you have been—if you don't marry me very soon you will + be sorry.” + </p> + <p> + “Are you threatening me, Richard?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I didn't mean it to sound like that. But I know that with your + appreciation of what sacrifice means you will be very unhappy if you toss + me away and then find out certain things.” + </p> + <p> + “This is not the time for riddles, Richard. What do you mean?” + </p> + <p> + “I have said all I can say.” + </p> + <p> + “I do not love you well enough to be your wife. I have not meant to play + the coquette. I have not known myself. You and my mother—Oh, why + rehearse? You know the story. You have understood that my love for you was + not what you should have. We may as well end it here and now, Richard. I + will forget last night. I will forget all the rest—for it is ended!” + </p> + <p> + “It cannot be ended,” he retorted. “Understand! It cannot be ended. I am + trying to hold myself together, Kate. Don't provoke me. I call on you to + keep your promise. No other man shall have you.” He leaned close. “Do you + love any other man?” + </p> + <p> + She looked up at him and spoke slowly and gravely. “I do not think I do, + Richard.” + </p> + <p> + He scowled at her. “You don't <i>think</i> you do! What in the name of + Judas do you mean by a remark like that?” + </p> + <p> + “It's because I'm trying to tell the truth,” she returned, with simple + earnestness. + </p> + <p> + “This is a sort of new mood you're in?” he persisted. + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + He hesitated. He started to speak and then was silent for a long time. + “Damnation! I won't insult you!” he blurted at last. + </p> + <p> + “I hope not, Richard.” + </p> + <p> + “It's preposterous!” + </p> + <p> + “What is preposterous?” Her tone was calm. + </p> + <p> + “I saw you look at a man last evening.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well!” + </p> + <p> + “I have seen women look at me like that in my life.” + </p> + <p> + “I was not conscious that I looked at any man in any especial manner.” + </p> + <p> + “You couldn't see yourself. Perhaps you did not realize that you looked at + that man with any meaning in your eyes. But the women who looked at me as + you looked at him told me that they loved me. I am talking it right out! + But if I should hint that you're in love with a tramp I should insult you. + I am crazy, that's all. My troubles are affecting my mind. Forgive me, + Kate.” + </p> + <p> + “You are, of course, referring to the young man who broke in on our + prospective business last evening.” There was just a touch of contempt in + her demeanor; but her air was coldly business-like; sitting there at her + desk she held him, physically and mentally, at arm's-length. Her poise was + sure. It seemed perfectly natural for her to be discussing a young man in + an impersonal manner. + </p> + <p> + “I am referring to that low-lived vagrant we met on the road—that + iceman—that—well, I don't know what he is except that the + devil seems to be kicking him under my feet to trip me. Kate, Kate, it's + too ridiculous to talk about—that wretch!” + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean by that remark that I am taking any interest in that young + man outside of mere curiosity?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know why you should have any curiosity about a tramp.” + </p> + <p> + “You are not a good student of physiognomy, Richard.” + </p> + <p> + “So you have been studying him, have you? You went away with him and left + me. What did he say to you? Where did he leave you? I haven't dared to + think about your going away with him. I excused it because you were angry—so + angry you'd even pick up a tramp for an escort. But what interest do you + take in that renegade?” His tones were acrid with jealousy. + </p> + <p> + “I did not find him a renegade. I found him a mystery, Richard. And I hope + that some day I will know what the mystery is.” + </p> + <p> + “Are you trying to drive me mad?” + </p> + <p> + “I am merely chatting along in order to keep you off a topic which is + distressing. I heard that your uncle intended to have the man investigated + after he came into the office here and made that brave stand. I happened + to hear the talk the young man made. Perhaps that accounts for my + curiosity. Did your uncle find out much about the man?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know what he found out,” declared Dodd, rapidly losing control of + himself. “But I propose to find out for myself.” + </p> + <p> + “Please do, Richard,” said the girl, ingenuously and earnestly. She seemed + to be losing some of the hauteur she had shown at the first of their + meeting. + </p> + <p> + “I'll find out enough to put him in jail, where he probably belongs. I'm + not going to insult you, Kate, by any more talk about a tramp. You can't + shift me from the main topic. Go home and talk with your mother, as I have + told you. We are going to be married!” + </p> + <p> + “Richard, our affair is ended.” + </p> + <p> + “Then who is the man?” + </p> + <p> + “There is no man.” + </p> + <p> + “If you say that and mean it, then you don't know women as well as I know + them. You don't know even yourself!” he declared. “I want to say to you, + Kate, that we are all walking on mighty thin ice. The sooner you and I + take hold of hands and get safely ashore—just you and I—the + better it will be. Just let your curiosity about other men fall asleep. I + tell you again, go home and talk with your mother.” + </p> + <p> + He bowed, reached his hand to touch hers, but refrained when she turned + suddenly to her desk and resumed her work. + </p> + <p> + Young Dodd hurried out of the building without attempting to see his + uncle, and cooled his head and his passion and soothed his physical + discomfort by a headlong dash in his car back to the state's capital city. + </p> + <p> + The girl took her courage in her hands and asked Mr. Peter Briggs, in as + matter-of-fact tone as she could muster, whether he did not want any + record copy made of his notes in regard to that person who had bearded + Colonel Dodd. But Mr. Briggs informed her that the matter was not of + sufficient importance. + </p> + <p> + “The fellow is merely a cheap, loafing sort—here to-day, there + to-morrow,” said Briggs. “I investigated him thoroughly.” + </p> + <p> + Until then Miss Kilgour had always had a high opinion of Peter Briggs's + acumen. She promptly revised that estimate, reflecting that age is bound + to dull a person's senses and cloud his judgment. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0022" id="link2H_4_0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XXI + </h2> + <h3> + THE HONORABLE LION CONFERS WITH COLONEL TIGER + </h3> + <p> + All his people in the offices of the Honorable Archer Converse noticed + that the chief was not amiable that day. His usual dignified composure was + wholly lacking. He gave off orders fretfully, he slapped papers about on + his desk when he worked there; every now and then he glanced up at the + portrait of his distinguished father and muttered under his breath. He had + called for more documents relating to state health statistics, reports on + water systems, and had despatched a clerk to the capital city to secure + certain additional facts, figures, and literature. The junior members of + his law firm knew that he had taken much to heart the case of the citizens + of Danburg, who had been blocked in their honest efforts to build a water + system and who now charged various high interests with conspiracy. The + litigation was important—the issues revolutionary. But the juniors + had never seen the chief fussed up by any law case before. + </p> + <p> + Then something really did happen! + </p> + <p> + The three citizens of Danburg who had occasionally conferred with him came + into his office and lined up in front of him. Mr. Davis scratched his chin + and blinked meekly, Mr. Erskine exhibited his nervousness by running his + fingers around inside his collar, and Mr. Owen fairly oozed unspoken + apology. + </p> + <p> + “Look here, gentlemen,” snapped Mr. Converse, “I'm not ready for you. I + told you not to come until next week. I have an immense mass of material + to study. You're only wasting time—mine and yours—coming here + to-day.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, you see, your honor,” stammered Davis, “we came to-day so as to + save you more trouble and work.” + </p> + <p> + “Work!” echoed Mr. Converse, seizing the arms of his chair and shoving an + astonished face forward. + </p> + <p> + “Why—why—you see we've decided not to push this case any + further. And whatever is owing to you—name the sum.” He did not + relish the glow which was coming into the attorney's eyes, nor the grim + wrinkles settling about the thin lips. “So that there won't be any hard + feelings, in any way,” Davis hastened to say. + </p> + <p> + “What has happened to you men all of a sudden?” demanded the lawyer. + “Explain! Speak up!” + </p> + <p> + Davis's face was red, and he found much difficulty in replying. + </p> + <p> + “Well—you see—you know—if you get into law you never + know when you're going to get out. We feel that this case is bound to + drag! It's an awful big case—and they've got lots of money to fight + us.” + </p> + <p> + “I told you I'd take your case for bare expenses and court fees,” stormed + the lawyer. “It's a case I wanted to prosecute.” + </p> + <p> + “We know—you were mighty fine about it—but we've decided + different. You see, the Consolidated—” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Converse came onto his feet and shook his finger under Davis's nose. + “Don't you dare to tell me you have sold out to the Consolidated,” he + shouted in tones that rang through his offices and brought all his force + to the right about and attention. + </p> + <p> + “That wasn't it—exactly. But they'll take it off our hands—will + do the right thing, now that we have shown 'em a few things! Colonel Dodd + has seen new light. And it is too good a price for us to throw down.” + </p> + <p> + “You have let those monopolists buy you off. They have paid you a big + bribe because they are getting scared. They were afraid they had played + the old game once too often. I have them where I want them! No, my men! + You've got to fight this thing, I say.” + </p> + <p> + “You can't drag us into law unless we're willing to go,” stated Davis, + doggedly. “We've taken their money and the papers have been passed—and + that settles it. We haven't done anything different than the others have + done in this state.” + </p> + <p> + “No, and that's the trouble with this state,” cried Converse, with + passion. “You came in here at first and talked like men—like honest + men who had good reason for righteous anger—and I took your case. + And now you sneak back here and give up your fight—bribed after I + clubbed them until they were willing to offer you enough money.” + </p> + <p> + “We have only done what straight business men would do Mr. Converse,” + declared Owen. + </p> + <p> + “We had a chance to go to the high court with a case that would open up + the whole rottenness in this state before we got done fighting, and you + have sold out!” + </p> + <p> + “Good day. We don't have to listen to such talk,” said Erskine. + </p> + <p> + “You wait one minute.” The lawyer pulled open a drawer and found his + check-book. He wrote hastily and tore out the check. “Here's that + retaining-fee you paid me. Now get out of my office.” + </p> + <p> + He drove them ahead of him to the door, shouting insistent commands that + they hurry. + </p> + <p> + When they were gone he gazed about at his astonished associates, his + partners, and his clerks. + </p> + <p> + “I apologize most humbly ladies and gentlemen, for making such a + disturbance. I—I hardly seem to be myself to-day.” + </p> + <p> + He went to his desk and sat down and stared up at the portrait of + War-Governor Converse for a long time. At last he thumped his fist on his + desk and shook his head. + </p> + <p> + “No,” he declared, as if the portrait had been asking him a question and + pressing him for a reply, “I can't do it. I could have gone into the + courts and fought them as an attorney. I could have maintained my + self-respect. But not in politics—no—no! It's too much of a + mess in these days.” + </p> + <p> + But he pushed aside the papers which related to the affairs of the big + corporations for which he was counsel and kept on studying the reports + which his clerks had secured for him—such statements on health and + financial affairs as they were able to dig up. + </p> + <p> + A day later his messenger brought a mass of data back from the State House + along with a story about insolent clerks and surly heads of departments + who offered all manner of slights and did all they dared to hinder + investigation. + </p> + <p> + “It's a pretty tough condition of affairs, Mr. Converse,” complained the + clerk, “when a state's hired servants treat citizens as if they were + trespassers in the Capitol. It has got so that our State House isn't much + of anything except a branch office for Colonel Dodd.” + </p> + <p> + “But you told them from what office you came—from my office?” + </p> + <p> + “Of course I did, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, what did they say?” + </p> + <p> + The clerk's face grew red and betrayed sudden embarrassment. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, they—they—didn't say anything special: just uppish—only—” + </p> + <p> + “What did they say?” roared Mr. Converse. “You've got a memory! Out with + it! Exact words.” + </p> + <p> + Clerks were taught to obey orders in that office. + </p> + <p> + “They said,” choked the man, “that simply because your father was governor + of this state once you needn't think you could tell folks in the State + House to stand around! They said you didn't cut any ice in politics.” + </p> + <p> + “That's the present code of manners, eh? Insult a citizen and salaam to a + politician!” + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Converse, I waited an hour in the Vital Statistics Bureau while the + chief smoked cigars with Alf Symmes, that ward heeler. I had sent in our + firm card, and the chief held it in his hand and flipped it and smoked and + sat where he could look out at me and grin—and when Symmes had + finished his loafing they let me in.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Converse turned to his desk and plunged again into the data. + </p> + <p> + The next day he put a clerk at the long-distance telephone to call + physicians in all parts of the state—collecting independent + information in regard to the past and present prevalence of typhoid; he + read certain official reports with puckered brow and little mutters of + disbelief, and after he had read for a long time that disbelief was very + frank. Mr. Converse had rather keen vision in matters of prevarication, + even when the lying was done adroitly with figures. + </p> + <p> + He was not a pleasant companion for his office force during those days; + his irascibility seemed to increase. He knew it himself, and he felt a + gentleman's shame because of a state of mind which he could not seem to + control. + </p> + <p> + And finally, out of the complexity of his emotions, he fully realized that + he was angry at himself and that his anger at himself was growing more + acute from the fact that he realized that the anger was justified. For he + woke to the knowledge that he had allowed himself to grow selfish. He + resented the fact that anybody should expect him to meddle with public + affairs—to get into the muddle of politics. And he knew he ought to + be ashamed of such selfishness—and, therefore, he grew more angry at + himself as he continued to harbor resentment against any agency which + threatened to drag him into public life. + </p> + <p> + He knew where the shell of that selfishness had been broken—it was + cracked in the meeting where his chivalry had received its call to arms in + behalf of the helpless. Those men had gazed at him, had told their + troubles—and had left it all to his conscience! He did not believe + those men were shrewd enough to understand so exactly in what fashion he + could be snared in their affairs. + </p> + <p> + “Confound that rascal who inveigled me there!” ran his mental anathema of + the strange young man. “He must have been the devil, wearing that + frock-coat to hide his forked tail. And here I am now, fighting for peace + of mind!” + </p> + <p> + And his struggle for his peace of mind drove him, at last, to set his hat + very straight on his head and march across the street to Colonel Symonds + Dodd's office. + </p> + <p> + The Honorable Archer Converse had made up his mind that no influence in + the world could pull or push him into politics. He held firmly fixed + convictions as to what would happen to a good man in politics. To get + office this man of principle would be obliged to fight manipulators with + their own choice of weapons. And once in office, all his motives would be + mocked and his movements assailed. Converse was a keen man who had studied + men; he was not one of those amiable theorists who believe that the People + always have sense enough in the mass to turn to and elect the right men + for rulers. He understood perfectly well that accomplishing real things in + politics is not a game of tossing rose-petals. + </p> + <p> + He went to call on Colonel Dodd. He went with the lofty purpose of a + patriotic citizen, resolved to exhort the colonel to clean house. It + seemed to be quite the natural thing to do, now that the idea had occurred + to him. Certainly Colonel Dodd would listen to reason—would wake up + when the thing was presented to him in the right manner; he must + understand that new fashions had come to stay in these days of reform. + </p> + <p> + Thinking it all over, considering that really the matter of this + water-supply and attendant monopoly of franchises had become an evil, that + the prospects of the party would be endangered if the party leaders + continued to nurse this evil, Mr. Converse was certain that he and the + colonel would be able to arrange for reform, by letting the colonel do the + reforming. + </p> + <p> + They faced each other. Their respective attitudes told much! + </p> + <p> + Colonel Dodd filled his chair in front of his desk, using all the space in + it, swelling into all its concavities—usurping it all. + </p> + <p> + The Honorable Archer Converse sat very straight, his shoulders not + touching his chair-back. + </p> + <p> + Physically they represented extremes; mentally, morally, and in political + ethics they were as divergent as their physical attributes. + </p> + <p> + “I'm sorry that you were able to take those Danburg men into camp,” said + Mr. Converse, couching his lance promptly and in plain sight like an + honorable antagonist. “I had been retained and proposed to expose + conditions in the management of water systems.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know what you mean,” replied the colonel, following his own code + of combat and mentally fumbling at a net to throw over this antagonist. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, you do,” retorted Mr. Converse. “You know better than I do because + you own the water systems of this state. But if you need to be reminded, + Colonel, I'll say that you are making great profits. You can afford to tap + lakes—spend money for mains even if you do have to go fifteen or + twenty miles into the hills around the cities and towns.” + </p> + <p> + “Whom do you represent, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “Colonel Dodd, I think—really—that I'm representing <i>you</i> + when I give you mighty good advice and do not charge for it.” + </p> + <p> + “I've got my own lawyers, Mr. Converse.” + </p> + <p> + Both men were employing politeness that was grim, and they were swapping + glances as duelists slowly chafe swords, awaiting an opening. + </p> + <p> + Sullen anger was taking possession of the colonel, thus bearded. + </p> + <p> + Righteous indignation, born from his bitterness of the past few days, made + Converse's eyes flash. + </p> + <p> + “You are one of the richest men in this state, Colonel Dodd, and your + money has come to you from the pockets of the people—tolls from + thousands of them. Remember that!” + </p> + <p> + “Huh!” snorted the colonel, looking up at a bouquet. + </p> + <p> + It is not often given to men to place proper estimate on their own + limitations. Otherwise, the Honorable Archer Converse would never have + gone in person to prevail upon Colonel Symonds Dodd. In temperament and + ethics they were so far asunder that conference between them on a common + topic was as hopeless an undertaking as would be argument between a tiger + and a lion over the carcass of a sheep. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Converse rose, unfolding himself with dignified angularity. + </p> + <p> + “I must remind you, sir, that I belong to the political party of which you + assume to be boss. If you refuse to give common justice to the people, + then you are using that party to cover iniquity.” + </p> + <p> + Colonel Dodd worked himself out of his chair and stood up. “I am taking no + advice from you, sir, as to how I shall manage business or politics.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps, sir, in regard to your business I can only exhort you to be + honest, but as regards the party which my honored father led to victory in + this state I have something to say, by gad! sir, when I see it being led + to destruction.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, sir, what have you to say?” + </p> + <p> + “I will not stand by and allow it to be ruined by men who are using it to + protect their methods in business dealings.” + </p> + <p> + “What ice do you think you cut in the politics of this state?” inquired + the colonel, dropping into the vernacular of the politician, too angry to + deal in any more grim politeness. + </p> + <p> + “Not the kind you are cutting, sir—your political ice is like the + ice you cut from the poisoned rivers.” + </p> + <p> + “It seems to be still popular for cranks to come here and threaten me,” + sneered the colonel. “It was started a while ago by a shock-headed idiot + from the Eleventh Ward.” + </p> + <p> + The Honorable Archer Converse displayed prompt interest which surprised + the colonel. “A young man from the Eleventh Ward? Was he tall and rather + distinguished-looking?” + </p> + <p> + Colonel Dodd snorted his disgust. “Distinguished-looking! He threatened + me, and I had him followed. He's a ward heeler. Better look him up!” His + choler was driving him to extremes. He was pricked by his caller's + high-bred stare of disdain. “He seems to be another apostle of the people + who wants to tell me how to run my own business. Yes, you better look him + up, Converse.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well, sir! If he came in here and tried to tell you the truth about + yourself he's worth knowing. Furthermore, I think I do know him.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, one of those you train with, eh? Do you like him?” + </p> + <p> + It was biting sarcasm, but to the colonel's disappointment it did not + appear to affect his caller in the least. Converse even smiled—a + most peculiar sort of smile. + </p> + <p> + “I must say, sir, that I have been hating him cordially.” + </p> + <p> + The colonel grunted approbation. + </p> + <p> + “But from now on, sir, for reasons best known to myself, I'm going to make + that young man my close and particular friend. You'll hear from us later.” + </p> + <p> + He bowed stiffly and went out, leaving Colonel Dodd staring after him with + his square face twisted into an expression of utter astonishment, his + little eyes goggling, his tuft of whisker sticking up like an + exclamation-point. + </p> + <p> + “The first appropriation the next legislature makes,” he soliloquized, + “will have to be money enough to build a new wing on the insane-hospital. + They're all going crazy in this state, from aristocrats to tramps.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0023" id="link2H_4_0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XXII + </h2> + <h3> + ENLISTING A KNIGHT-ERRANT + </h3> + <p> + On his way down the stairs to the street the Honorable Archer Converse, + moving more rapidly than was his wont, overtook and passed Kate Kilgour. + He was too absorbed to notice even a pretty girl. She had finished her + work for the day and was on her way home. + </p> + <p> + When she reached the street she observed something which interested her + immensely: Mr. Converse suddenly flourished his cane to attract the + attention of a man on the opposite side of the street. Then Mr. Converse + called to him from the curb with the utmost friendliness in his tones. The + girl passed near him and heard what he said. It was not a mere hail to an + inferior. The eminent lawyer very politely and solicitously asked the tall + young man across the way if he could not spare time to come to the + Converse office. + </p> + <p> + She cast a look over her shoulder. The young man came across the street + promptly. He was the man who had served her in her time of need! + </p> + <p> + She went on, but turned again. An uncontrollable impulse prompted her. + </p> + <p> + They were entering the door of the office-building, and the aristocratic + hand of the Honorable Archer Converse was patting the shoulder of this + stranger. Her cheeks flushed and she turned away hastily, for the young + man caught her backward glance and returned an appealing smile. + </p> + <p> + “Who is he?” she asked herself, knowing well the chill reserve of Mr. + Converse in the matter of mankind. + </p> + <p> + “Who are you?” demanded Mr. Converse, planting himself in front of the + young man when they were in the private office. + </p> + <p> + The other met the lawyer's searching look with his rare smile. “The same + man I was last time we met—Walker Farr.” + </p> + <p> + “I have no right to pry into your private affairs, sir, but I have special + reasons for wanting you to volunteer plenty of information about + yourself.” + </p> + <p> + For reply the young man spread his palms and silently, by his smile, + invited inspection of himself. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I see you. But the outside of you doesn't tell me what I want to + know.” + </p> + <p> + “It will have to speak for me.” + </p> + <p> + “Look here, I have let myself be tied up most devilishly by a train of + circumstances that you started, young man. I was minding my own private + business until a little while ago.” + </p> + <p> + “So was I, Mr. Converse.” + </p> + <p> + “You're a moderately humble citizen, judged from outside looks just now. + How did I allow myself to be pulled in as I've been?” + </p> + <p> + The young man's smile departed. “I asked myself that question a little + while ago, sir, after I was pulled in, for I am a stranger—not even + a voter here.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, did you decide how it was?” + </p> + <p> + “I was led in by the hand of a helpless child—a poor little orphan + girl whom I carried to the cemetery on my knees—a martyr—poisoned + by that Consolidated water.” + </p> + <p> + The lawyer was stirred by the intensity of feeling which the man's tones + betrayed. + </p> + <p> + “And it was borne in upon me afresh, Mr. Converse, that the philosophy of + the causes by which God moves this world of ours will never be understood + by man.” + </p> + <p> + “See here,” snapped the son of the war governor, “take off your mask, + Walker Farr! There's something behind it I want to see. You are an + educated gentleman! What are you? Where did you come from?” + </p> + <p> + Again Farr spread out his palms and was silent. + </p> + <p> + “You are right about causes. You are one in my case. There may be some + fatalism in me—but I'm impelled to use you in a great fight that I + feel honor-bound to take up. Now be frank!” + </p> + <p> + “For all use you can make of me, Mr. Converse, my life starts from the + minute I picked that little girl up from the floor of a tenement-house in + this city. For what I was <i>before</i> is so different from what I am <i>now</i> + that I cannot mix that identity with my affairs.” + </p> + <p> + “But I cannot take a man into a matter like this unless I know all about + him.” + </p> + <p> + Farr rose and bowed. “I'm sorry you can't accept me at face value, sir. + I'm very sorry, because I'd like to serve under such a commander as you. + However, I understand your position. I don't blame you. The rule of the + world is pretty binding: know a man before you associate with him. But I + am as I am. There's nothing more to be said.” + </p> + <p> + “You sit down,” commanded Converse. “This is a case where rules of the + world can be suspended. For I need the kind of man who dares to face even + Symonds Dodd in his office and tell him what he is. Oh, I have just come + from there,” he explained in reply to Farr's stare. “He told me.” + </p> + <p> + “I went merely as a voice, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “But you seem to have been more than that in getting the confidence of the + men in your ward. I know an organizer when I see him. I watched the faces + of those men when you stepped before them. They have faith in you. That's + a rare quality—the ability to inspire faith in the humble. First, + faith—and then they'll follow. The movement I'm going to start needs + followers, Mr. Farr! Can you do with other men what you have done with men + in the Eleventh?” + </p> + <p> + “I believe I can, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, you have led men in the past, have you?” Mr. Converse fired the + question at him. But he did not jump Walker Farr from his equipoise. The + young man took refuge behind that inscrutable smile. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” sighed the lawyer, after a pause, “it's the dictum that one must + be as wise as a serpent in politics, therefore I am picking out a man who + will probably give a good account of himself. But it's a crazy performance + of mine—going into this thing—and I may as well plunge to the + extent of lunacy. Mr. Farr, the rebellious unrest in this state must be + organized. We need a house-cleaning. We need the humbler voters! The men + with interests are too well taken care of by the Machine to be interested. + I want you to go out and hunt for sore spots and get to the voters just as + you have in your ward. Find the right men in each town and city to help + you. You must know many on account of your work for your water + association. The fight will be financed—you need have no worry about + that. Perhaps you have organized political revolts before,” pursued + Converse, still craftily probing. “Then you'll tell me what honorarium you + expect.” + </p> + <p> + “My expenses—nothing more, sir. If I had any money laid by I would + pay my own way.” + </p> + <p> + “I think,” stated Mr. Converse, warming with the spirit of combat, + glancing up at the portrait of the war governor, “that we'll be able to + surprise some of the fat toads of politicians in this state, sitting so + comfortably under their cabbage-leaves. You're a stranger, young man, and + as you go about your work the regular politicians will simply blink at you + and will not understand, I hope, provided you go softly. It is very silly + of me to be in this affair, sir. But a man of my age must have peace of + mind, and that infernal meeting in your ward awoke me. Furthermore,” he + added, displaying the acrimony that even a good man requires to spur him + to honest fighting, “a cheap politician only lately flipped my card + insolently and referred in slighting tones to my honored father.” He rose + and gave Farr his hand. “I'll have assembled here in my office at ten + o'clock to-morrow morning some gentlemen who will stand for decency in + public affairs as soon as they have been waked up. You will please attend + that conference, Mr. Farr. We have only a short month before the state + convention, and we must bring there at least a respectable number of + delegates whom Symonds Dodd cannot bribe or browbeat.” + </p> + <p> + “Most extraordinary—most extraordinary!” mused the Honorable Archer + Converse, when he was alone. “From that meeting—to an investigation—from + Dodd—to this young man—I have been leaping from crag to crag + like a mountain-goat, never stopping to take breath. And here I haven't + even been able to find out just who he is—and they do say I'm the + best cross-examiner in this state! However, I'll show Symonds Dodd that + I'm not to be sneered at, even if I have to hire Patagonians in this + campaign.” + </p> + <p> + Even chivalry must needs be spiced with a little strictly personal + animosity to achieve its best results! + </p> + <p> + Colonel Symonds Dodd, laboriously climbing into his limousine in front of + the First National block, scowled at a young man because the man grinned + at him so broadly as he passed along. In his general indifference and + contempt for the humble the colonel did not search his memory and did not + recognize this person as the young man who had appealed to him in his + office. The face seemed familiar and had some sort of an unpleasant + recollection connected with it; therefore the colonel scowled. He was far + from realizing that this person carried on his palm the warmth from a + hand-clasp which, just a moment before, had ratified an agreement to + dynamite the Dodd political throne. + </p> + <p> + If some seer had risen beside his chariot to predict disaster the colonel + would have shriveled him with a contemptuous look. For the Consolidated + Water Company had that day been intrenched more firmly than ever in its + autocracy by a decision handed down from the Supreme Court. A city had + hired the best of lawyers and had fought desperately for the right to have + pure water. But the law, as expounded by the judges, had held as + inexorable the provision that no city or town in the state could extend + its debt limit above the legal five percent of its valuation, no matter + for what purpose. The city sought for some avenue, some plan, some + evasion, even, so that it might take over the water system and give its + people crystal water from the lakes instead of the polluted river-water. + The city pointed to typhoid cases, to slothful torpor on the part of the + water syndicate. But the court could only, in the last analysis, point to + the law—and that law in regard to debt limit was rooted in the + constitution of the state—and a law fortified by the constitution is + seldom dislodged. + </p> + <p> + Backed by law, bulwarked by political power, owning men and money-bags, + Colonel Dodd rode home with great serenity. He had even forgotten his + rather tempestuous half-hour with the Honorable Archer Converse. As a + matter of fact, gentlemen of the aristocracy of the state who prided + themselves on their ancestry were considered by Colonel Dodd to be + impracticable cranks; he despised the poor and hated the proud—and + called himself a self-made man. And Colonel Dodd was firmly convinced that + nobody could <i>unmake</i> him. + </p> + <p> + He strolled among his flower-beds that evening. + </p> + <p> + Walker Farr sat in his narrow chamber and pored over interlined + manuscripts. At last he shook the papers above his head, not gaily, but + with grim bitterness. + </p> + <p> + “That plan will stand law, and no other lawyer ever thought of it!” he + cried, aloud. “You've got an iron clutch on those cities and towns, + Colonel Dodd, but I've got something that will pry your fingers loose!” He + threw the papers from him and set his face in his hands. “And they ask me + who I am and I can't tell them,” he sobbed. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0024" id="link2H_4_0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XXIII + </h2> + <h3> + THE PROPHET WHO WAS UNDERRATED + </h3> + <p> + The first sniffer to catch the trail of Walker Farr was the veteran, + Daniel Breed, an old political hound who always traveled with muffled paws + and nose close to the ground. But when he went to the meeting of the state + committee and the Big Boys with his news their reception of him hinted + that they suspected he was making up a political bugaboo in order to get a + job. He was even told that his services as field man would not be needed + in that campaign. And it may be imagined what effect that news had on old + Daniel Breed, who had been a trusted pussy-footer and caucus manipulator + for a quarter of a century. + </p> + <p> + “You don't mean to tell me that you're trying to slam me onto the + scrap-heap, do you?” he demanded. “I'll scrap before I'll be scrapped.” + </p> + <p> + “Look here, Dan, it's the colonel's orders,” explained the chairman. “It + has been decided to play politics a little more smoothly. There is too + much jaw-gab going among the cranks. If there is any outside work done at + all it will be put over by new chaps who are not so well advertised as you + old bucks. We want to hide the machinery this year.” + </p> + <p> + “That's a jobeefed nice thing to say to me, a man that would go up in a + balloon and troll for hen-hawks, asking no questions, provided the state + committee told me it would help in carrying a caucus.” + </p> + <p> + “But we're taking care of the old boys all right, Dan. Vose is in the + pension-office; Ambrose and Sturdivant are in the adjutant-general's + office patching up the Civil War rolls, with orders to take their time + about it. And you'll be used well.” + </p> + <p> + “I want to be in the field,” insisted Breed, 'sipping' his lips + importantly. “Those fellows are old fuddy-duddies. I'm a natural + politician.” + </p> + <p> + He was an interesting figure, this Honorable Daniel Breed. He was entitled + to the “Honorable.” He had been a state senator from his county. With his + slow, side-wheel gait, head too little for his body, nose like a beak, + sunken mouth, cavernous eyes, and a light hat perched on the back of his + narrow head he suggested a languid, tame, bald-headed eagle. And his voice + was a dry, nasal, querulous squawk—a sound more avian than human. + </p> + <p> + “I tell ye there's yeast a-stirring,” he told the state committee. + “There's a fellow come up out of the Eleventh Ward in Marion that's some + punkins in organizing. He pretends to be a law student in Arch Converse's + law-office. He ain't a native. I don't know where he hails from. He ain't + a registered voter as yet. But he's a man who needs to be trailed.” + </p> + <p> + “Squire Converse isn't in politics, Dan. You're getting notional in your + old age,” said the committeeman from Breed's county. + </p> + <p> + “But good gad! there ain't any statute to keep him out. Something has + happened to make him good and mad. Some of these fancy jumping-jacks can + make awful leaps when the box is opened, gents! Better take warning from + what I tell you!” + </p> + <p> + The committeemen exchanged smiles. + </p> + <p> + “We are going to steal a little of the kid-gloved chaps' thunder,” + explained the chairman. “They have been howling about machine politics and + interlocking interests and air-tight methods until the people are growling + about the close corporation they say we've got. So we're going to show 'em + a thing or two. Nothing like frankness and open house.” + </p> + <p> + “Gor-ram it, you ain't even square with me—after I have worked + politics with you for twenty-five years!” He marched up to the table and + rapped his hard little knuckles on it. “It's this way, gents,” he said, + “and I'll be short and sweet. What's the matter with politics when a man + like I've always been gets pi-oogled out of the councils?” + </p> + <p> + “We don't need workers like you any more,” stated the chairman. + </p> + <p> + “But there's politics to play, just the same.” + </p> + <p> + “But in a different way, Breed. There are the new ideas, and new men can + operate more efficiently. They won't attract attention.” + </p> + <p> + “Old Maid Orne down in my town came into church late and crawled up the + aisle on her hands and knees so as not to attract attention. And she broke + up the meeting!” + </p> + <p> + “We've got to fall in with the new ways, Dan,” said the attorney-general. + “These are touchy times. We must be careful of the party.” + </p> + <p> + “I 'ain't never disgraced it, have I?” + </p> + <p> + “Uncle Dan, we want you to take a good, comfortable position and settle + down,” affirmed Governor Alonzo Harwood, an unctuous, rubicund gentleman + who had been listening, smiling his everlasting smile. + </p> + <p> + “I prefer to hold myself in readiness for a call to the field,” squalled + Breed. “I'm better'n three of these young snydingles. They don't know how + to organize!” + </p> + <p> + “There isn't much chance for organizing,” said a Congressman, placatingly. + “The primaries take care of themselves pretty well.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” sneered old Dan, “a fellow thinks well of himself, or else his + neighbors tell him he can save the nation, and he puts a piece in the + paper saying how good he is and sets pictures of himself up in store + winders like a cussed play-actor, keeps a cash account, and thinks that's + politics. I don't care if there ain't ever no more caucuses. This thing + ain't going to last. I want to keep in the field. I'll see chances to + heave trigs into the spokes of these hallelujah chariots they're rolling + to political glory in!” + </p> + <p> + The mighty ones exchanged glances—deprecating glances—apprehensive + glances. + </p> + <p> + “You don't think I'm dangerous, do you, after I've been in politics as + long as I have?” + </p> + <p> + “No, but we feel that the old war-horses are entitled to run to pasture + with their shoes off,” coaxed the chairman. + </p> + <p> + “It seems to me more like tying me up to a stanchion in a stall. I ain't + ungrateful, gents. I know this younger element doesn't believe in setting + hens in politics any more. It's the incubator nowadays—wholesale job + of it. But, by dadder! my settings have always cracked the shells, twelve + to the dozen! Then you don't want me, eh?” + </p> + <p> + “That job in the state land-office—we thought it would just about + fit you,” suggested the chairman. + </p> + <p> + “I'd just as soon be sent to state prison—solitary confinement. The + state hasn't got any land any more. It has all been peddled out to the + grabbers. I've messed and mingled with men all my life. Nobody ever comes + into the land-office. You ain't afraid of me to that extent, be you?” + </p> + <p> + “What do you want?” asked the governor. + </p> + <p> + “Settled, is it, you don't want me in politics?” + </p> + <p> + “There isn't anything for you to do,” declared his Excellency, and he + showed a little impatience, though his smile did not fade. + </p> + <p> + “Well, then make me state liberian,” said old Dan, with an air of + resignation. + </p> + <p> + There was deep and horrified silence. + </p> + <p> + “I'm developing literary instinks,” explained Breed. “I've got a son who + owns a printing-office, and my granddaughter can take down anything in + shorthand and write it off. I'm going to write a book. She'll take it down + and he'll print it.” + </p> + <p> + “I can't appoint you state librarian,” said the governor, getting control + of his emotions. “It's already tied up, that appointment. Keep it under + your hat, but I have selected Reverend Doctor Fletcher, of Cornish, and + have notified him.” + </p> + <p> + “Giving a plum like that to a parson who never controlled but one vote, + and that's his own—and then voted the way the deacon told him to? I + reckon it's about as you say—there are new times in politics. All + right! I'll go and climb a sumach-bush. You needn't bother about any job + for me, gents. I'll settle down to my literary work.” + </p> + <p> + “What is the book?” asked the chairman. + </p> + <p> + “I have your word for it that the old days in politics have all gone by,” + said Breed. “All the old things dead and buried! Very well. That's going + to make my book valuable and interesting. No harm in putting it out in + these times. I shall entitle it 'Breed's Handbook of Political Deviltry.' + I shall tell the story of how it was done when politics was really + politics.” + </p> + <p> + “Going to tell all you know?” inquired the governor. + </p> + <p> + “Of course. Truth, and not poetry, will be my motto. And just for a test + of how popular it will be, I'd like to ask you gents how many of you will + subscribe for a volume?” + </p> + <p> + “I think this committee will take the whole edition,” said the chairman, + dryly. + </p> + <p> + “Look here, Dan,” blurted the attorney-general, “you must be joking.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know what ever gave you the impression that I'm a humorist,” + returned Breed. “If there ain't going to be anything more like the old + times, then what's the matter with having the story of how it was done? + That book will sell like hot cakes. I'll go out and sell it—it will + give me a chance to keep on mixing and messing with men.” + </p> + <p> + “Dan, if it wasn't you talking—knowing you well—I'd say this + is a piece of blackmail,” declared the attorney-general. “Of course you + can't put out a book of that kind in this state.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Breed blinked angrily. + </p> + <p> + “I'll take all the cases of libel against you and won't charge my clients + a cent.” + </p> + <p> + “Fill everybody else's little tin dipper, eh? Passing everybody else a + bottle and a rubber nipple! Everybody getting his, and me left out! All + right. If that's political gratitude in these new times, go on with you + medinkculum! And last year I snapped the six up-country caucuses that gave + you your plurality in joint convention!” + </p> + <p> + “We appreciate all your past services, Dan. If we didn't we wouldn't be + trying so hard to place you,” said the governor. “We're taking care of all + the old boys. You mustn't embarrass us. In these days it's for the good of + the party to put in each office the man who is especially fitted for it. + We mustn't invite criticism. A librarian needs peculiar qualifications.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, old Jaquish was liberian, wasn't he? And he wouldn't even go vote + unless you went and dragged him to the polls by the scruff of his neck. + What did he ever do for the party? And look at old Tomdoozle as state + treasurer!” + </p> + <p> + “Jaquish was a bookman, and our state treasurer—but no matter. Now + listen! I'm going to put you at the head of a new department in the State + House where you won't be lonesome. More people will come there than to the + library. You'll have the title of curator.” + </p> + <p> + “What's that?” asked Breed, suspiciously. “And what is the department, + anyway?” + </p> + <p> + “The museum of natural history in the fish-and-game rooms. We're going to + make it complete—mounted specimens of all our animals. You'll be + curator—you see, you will get a title that sounds well!” + </p> + <p> + “I'm of a restless and inquiring disposition, and my special forty is + politics,” stated Breed, sulking. “I don't believe I'm going to relish + being ringmaster of a lot of stuffed animals, no matter what kind of a + title I get. How much pay goes with the job?” + </p> + <p> + “Fifteen hundred,” said the governor. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” sighed Breed, “it will give me a chance to be around the State + House during the session, and I'll take it. Then if I don't like it I can + resign after the legislature adjourns.” + </p> + <p> + The Big Ones understood his frame of mind and overlooked his ingratitude. + </p> + <p> + “And so I'll bid you good day, gents,” he said, and straddled out with his + hands under his coat-tails. + </p> + <p> + “So we've got <i>him</i> side-tracked and out of mischief,” averred the + governor. “That takes care of all of 'em, and I'm relieved. It isn't + stylish any more to come to town with a lot of old hounds trotting under + the tail of the political cart.” + </p> + <p> + But before the end of that week the governor was obliged to call Uncle Dan + to a private conference in the Executive Chamber. + </p> + <p> + “You must remember that you're a state officer,” warned his Excellency. + “You're a part of the administration. But you are out talking politics all + the time. I want you to stay in your department. Just remember that you're + curator of our museum.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't like that blamed job,” complained Breed. “I don't care what my + title is, it only means that I have to dust off that old stuffed loon, + keep moths out of that loosivee, and fleas or some kind of insecks off'n + that bull moose. It ain't no job for a politician. And there's a steady + stream through there asking me all kinds of questions about animals. I + don't know nothing about animals. I don't know whether a live moose eats + hay or chopped liver. Those questions keep me all hestered up. It puts me + in a wrong position before the public. I can't tell 'em which or what, and + they think I'm losing my mind.” + </p> + <p> + “Post up! It will keep you busy. Get books out of the library and read. + Inform yourself and have a story for the folks!” + </p> + <p> + A few days later the chairman of the state committee had an indignant + report to make to the governor regarding Uncle Dan's natural-history + activities. + </p> + <p> + “He has turned that museum into a circus show, your Excellency. He has + named every one of those stuffed animals for somebody in politics he + doesn't like, and leads a snickering mob of sight-seers around the room + and lectures. When a state officer names a saucer-eyed Canadian lynx for + me and then folks come up from that basement and grin at me, it's time a + halt was called.” + </p> + <p> + His Excellency called for Breed and called a halt, using forceful + language. + </p> + <p> + “I resign,” declared old Dan, nipping his little bunghole of a mouth under + the hook of his nose. “Those animals are getting onto my nerves. The whole + pack and caboodle are chasing me in a nightmare every time I go to sleep. + Their condemned glass eyes are boring me worse than gimlets. I'm going on + with that book of mine. I've got a new idea for it. I'm going to put in + pictures of animals and name 'em for those tin-horn flukedubbles who could + never get an office if it wasn't for the primaries.” + </p> + <p> + “Look here, Breed, you're an old man and you've done a lot of good work in + your day, and we're all trying to do something for you. But I have pretty + nigh reached the limit of my patience. Politics isn't what it used to be. + Different manners, different men. I'm the head of our party and I command + you to eliminate yourself. You go back to your job, use common sense, and + keep out of things! You are silly—you're senile!” + </p> + <p> + “You have taken me out of where I belong and have put me in where I don't + belong and now you're blaming me because I can't learn a lot of new tricks + at my age. I resign, I say!” + </p> + <p> + “If you give up that job you'll never get another one.” + </p> + <p> + Uncle Dan put his hands under his coat-tails and marched out, his beak in + the air. + </p> + <p> + “The trouble is,” he confided to old Sturdivant in the adjutant-general's + office, “this younger element that's coming along thinks men like you and + I have lost all our ability and influence. They're sally-lavering all over + us, telling us how they want us to have an easy job. But it's all a + damnation insult—that's what it amounts to.” + </p> + <p> + “All I have to do is lap sticking-paper and gum up the places where these + rolls are torn,” said old Sturdivant. “I'm perfectly contented.” + </p> + <p> + “Then stay were you're put and swaller the insult,” retorted Breed, with + disgust. “I thought you had more get-up-and-get. There's a stuffed rabbit + in that museum. He'll make a good chum for you in your off hour. Go and + sit down with him.” He went over to old Ambrose's desk. Ambrose was + numbering dog's-eared pages with a rubber stamp and would not admit that + he had been insulted by the state committee. “There's nobody got the right + to ask me to stop being active and influential in this state,” insisted + Breed. “They haven't taken my pride into account. I ain't naturally a + kicker. I've always obeyed orders. If I've got to go out alone and show + 'em that the old guard can't be insulted, then I'll do it.” + </p> + <p> + This time he took the trail of Walker Farr once more and followed that + energetic young man until he cornered him. + </p> + <p> + Farr harkened with interest to the story of the scrapping of the Honorable + Daniel Breed as related by that gentleman himself. + </p> + <p> + “And the moral of the tale is,” added Mr. Breed, “when a gang does you + dirt turn around and plaster a few gobs onto the dirt-slingers. That ain't + the rule in religion, but it's the natural and correct policy in politics. + I have been hurt in my tender feelings. If them animals had been alive and + savage enough I would have taken 'em up to the state committee-room and + ste' boyed 'em onto the ungrateful cusses who have tried to make my last + days unhappy. I know every sore spot in this state. You don't know 'em + unless you have got second sight. I can take you to every man who has got + a political bruise on him. Good gad! I have been poulticing those sore + spots for twenty-five years. You need a man like I am.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll admit that I do need such a man. I am a stranger in the state. But + I'm going to be perfectly frank with you, Mr. Breed. How do I know but + you're a spy who wants to attach himself to me for the benefit of the + ring?” + </p> + <p> + “You don't know,” returned Mr. Breed, serenely. “You have to take chances + in politics. I'm taking chances when I join in with you. Just who are you + and how do you happen to be mixed up in our politics?” + </p> + <p> + “I am mixing into politics because the men, women, and children are being + poisoned by the Consolidated water. That's platform enough, isn't it?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I reckon it is, knowing what I know of general conditions. You have + got a pretty good head for politics, even if you ain't sincere on the + water question,” said Breed, with a politician's ready suspicion of + motives. “You've got a come-all-ye hoorah there that will make votes.” + </p> + <p> + “As to my personality, that has nothing to do with the matter. I am only + an agent. Will you come with me and allow Mr. Converse to ask you some + questions?” + </p> + <p> + “Sure thing!” agreed the Honorable Daniel, with great heartiness. “In + politics the first thing to do before you get real busy is to have a nice + heart-to-heart talk with the gent who says 'How much?' and laps his + forefinger and begins to count. You understand, young man, that I have + been in politics a long time. And I ain't an animal-trainer—I'm a + field worker and I can earn my pay.” + </p> + <p> + And inside of a week Walker Farr, who had been previously struggling hard + against lack of acquaintance in the state, found that Mr. Breed had spoken + the truth. The two made a team which excited the full approval—the + wondering admiration—of the Honorable Archer Converse. + </p> + <p> + Farr's power to control and interest men achieved astonishing results with + Daniel Breed's exact knowledge of persons and conditions. + </p> + <p> + But they were rather humble citizens. There was no fanfare about their + work. If Colonel Symonds Dodd knew anything at all about the fires they + were setting, he made no move to turn on the Consolidated hose. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0025" id="link2H_4_0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XXIV + </h2> + <h3> + THE STAR CHAMBER IN THE OLD NATIONAL + </h3> + <p> + They did not come furtively, yet they came unobtrusively—these men + who drifted into the National Hotel in Marion that day. + </p> + <p> + At one side of the big rotunda of the National stood Walker Farr, his keen + gaze noting the men who came dribbling in, singly, by twos and threes. + They were not men of Marion city. A newspaper reporter, happening in at + the National, noted that fact. He stood for a time and watched the + filtering arrivals. There were some who were plainly men of affairs, + others were solid men who bore the stamp of the rural sections. They went + to the desk, wrote their names, and were shown up-stairs by bellhops. Most + of them, as they crossed the office, nodded greeting to the tall young man + who wore a frock coat and a broad-brimmed hat and stood almost motionless + at one side of the rotunda. + </p> + <p> + The National was state Mecca for all kinds of conventions. The reporter + studied his date-book. No convention was scheduled for that day. He + managed to get a peep at the hotel register. The men who had been signing + their names hailed from all portions of the state, but the reporter did + not find identities which suggested political activities. It was plainly + not a gathering of politicians—none of the old war-horses were in + evidence. + </p> + <p> + The reporter questioned a few of the arrivals, chasing beside them. They + all gave the same answer—they had come to Marion on business. + </p> + <p> + The reply was safe, succinct, and stopped further questions. The reporter + did venture to pick out a little man and inquire what kind of business + called him to Marion, and the little man informed him with sarcasm that he + was a baker from Banbury and had come down to purchase doughnut holes. + </p> + <p> + The reporter thereupon dodged into the bar to escape the grins of some of + the office crew, and his haste was such that he nearly beat the baize + doors into the face of Richard Dodd, who was coming out. + </p> + <p> + “You're the first real politician I've seen in this bunch,” affirmed the + reporter. “What's it all about?” + </p> + <p> + “What's what about?” + </p> + <p> + “This convention that's assembling here.” + </p> + <p> + “I know nothing about it,” stated Mr. Dodd, with dignity. “It's nothing of + a political nature, I can assure you of that.” + </p> + <p> + The reporter noted that young Mr. Dodd's eyes were red and that his step + wavered, and that he exhaled the peculiar odor which emanates from + gentlemen who have been prolonging for some time what is known vulgarly as + a “toot.” In fact, the reporter remembered then the rumor in newspaper + circles that the chief clerk of the state treasury had been attending to + stimulants instead of to business for almost two weeks. + </p> + <p> + “I assure you that I know all that's to be known about politics,” insisted + Mr. Dodd. “If there's a convention here, who's running it?” + </p> + <p> + They had returned from the bar into the main office. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know—can't find out. That tall fellow over there seems to + know everybody who had been coming in—all the bunch of outsiders. + But I never saw him before.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Dodd closed one eye in order to focus his attention on this unknown + across the office. + </p> + <p> + A deep glow of antipathy and distrust came into the eye which located and + identified Walker Farr. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Dodd cursed without using names, verbs, or information. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you know him, do you?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I don't know him.” Mr. Dodd hung to his vengeful secret doggedly. He + left the reporter and went and sat down in a chair and continued to stare + at Farr, who remained oblivious to this inspection. + </p> + <p> + The reporter went across the office. There seemed to be more or less + mystery about this man who had provoked all those curses from the + secretive chief clerk of the treasury. + </p> + <p> + “Can you give me any information about these men who are meeting here + to-day?” + </p> + <p> + “Meeting of the Independent Corn-Growers' Association.” The reporter's + gaze was frankly skeptical, but Farr met it without a flicker of the + eyelids. + </p> + <p> + “I never heard of any such association.” + </p> + <p> + “You have now, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it open to the newspapers?” + </p> + <p> + “Closed doors—absolutely private.” + </p> + <p> + “Who'll give out the statement?” + </p> + <p> + Farr put his hand on the reporter's shoulder and gave him a smile. + </p> + <p> + “You see, it's to fight the packers' union and so we are not giving away + our ammunition to the enemy. Keep it quiet and when the thing breaks I'll + give you our side.” + </p> + <p> + “All right, sir. If it's to be an exclusive for me I'll steer away the + other newspaper men. But do you know just why Richard Dodd—that man + over there—is damning you into shoe-strings?” + </p> + <p> + Even at that distance Farr's keen gaze detected the filmy eyes and the + flushed face. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps it's because the Corn-Growers propose to put their corn into + johnny-bread instead of using it for whisky?” + </p> + <p> + The newspaper man, his suspicions dulled by Farr's radiant good nature and + wholesome frankness, went away about his business, but he halted long + enough beside Dodd's chair to repeat “the corn-grower's” joke regarding + the young man who had been glowering on him. + </p> + <p> + Dodd got up with as much alacrity as he could command and went across to + Farr. Sober, the nephew of Colonel Dodd had treated this person with + rather lofty contempt; drunk, he was not so finical in matters of caste—and, + besides, this man now wore the garb of a gentleman, and young Mr. Dodd + always placed much emphasis on clothes. + </p> + <p> + “Look here, my fellow, now that I have you where I don't need to consider + the presence of ladies, I want to ask you how you dared to mess into my + private business?” + </p> + <p> + Farr, towering above him, beamed down on him with tolerant indifference + and did not answer. + </p> + <p> + “That Lochinvar business may sound good in a poem, but it doesn't go here + in Marion—not when it's my business and my girl.” + </p> + <p> + Dodd raised his voice. He seemed about to become a bit hysterical. + </p> + <p> + Farr set slow, gripping, commanding clutch about the young man's elbow. + </p> + <p> + “If your business with me can possibly be any talk about a lady,” he + advised, “you'd better come along into the reading-room.” + </p> + <p> + “It is about a lady,” persisted Dodd when they had swung in behind a + newspaper-rack. The room was apparently empty. “You understand what you + came butting in upon, don't you?” + </p> + <p> + “I took it to be a rehearsal of a melodrama, crudely conceived and very + poorly played.” + </p> + <p> + “Say, you use pretty big words for a low-lived iceman.” + </p> + <p> + “State your business with me if you have any,” Farr reminded him. “I have + something else to do besides swap talk with a drunken man—and your + breath is very offensive.” + </p> + <p> + Dodd began to tap a finger on Farr's breast. + </p> + <p> + “I want you to understand that I've got a full line on you; you have been + chumming with a Canuck rack-tender, you deserted a woman, and she + committed suicide, and you took the brat—” + </p> + <p> + Farr's big hand released the elbow and set itself around Mr. Dodd's neck. + Thumb and forefinger bored under the jaw and Mr. Dodd's epiglottis ceased + vibrating. + </p> + <p> + “I don't like to assault a man, but talk doesn't seem to fit your case and + I can't stop long enough to talk, anyway. This choking is my comment on + your lies.” He pushed Mr. Dodd relentlessly down into the nearest chair + and spanked his face slowly and deliberately with the flat of his hand. + “And this will indicate to you just how much I care for your threats. + You'll remember it longer than you will recollect words.” + </p> + <p> + He finished and went away, leaving his victim getting his breath in the + chair. Dodd, peering under the rack, saw him hasten and join the Honorable + Archer Converse in the hotel lobby and they went up the broad stairs + together. + </p> + <p> + The chief clerk of the state treasury sat there and smoothed his smarting + face with trembling hands and worked his jaws to dislodge the grinding + ache in his neck. But the stinging, malevolent rancor within him burned + hotter and hotter. He started to get up out of the chair and sat back + again, much disturbed. + </p> + <p> + A man who had been hidden by an adjoining rack of newspapers was now + leaning forward, jutting his head past the ambuscade. He was an elderly + man with an up-cocked gray mustache, and there was a queer little smile in + his shrewd blue eyes. Dodd knew him; he was one Mullaney, a state + detective. + </p> + <p> + “What are you doing here—practicing your sneak work?” demanded the + young man. As a state official he did not entertain a high opinion of the + free-lance organization to which Mullaney belonged. + </p> + <p> + “I'm here reading a paper—supposed it's what the room is for,” + returned Detective Mullaney. “But excuse me—I'll get out. Room seems + to be reserved for prize-fighters.” + </p> + <p> + “You keep your mouth shut about that—that insult.” + </p> + <p> + “I never talk—it would hurt my business.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't fight in a public place. I'm a gentleman. I want you to remember + what you saw, Mullaney! I'll get to that cheap bum in a way he won't + forget.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you mind telling me who your friend is?” asked the detective. + </p> + <p> + Dodd shot him a sour side-glance and muttered profanity. + </p> + <p> + “I couldn't help wondering what particular kind of business you and he + could have, seeing how it was transacted,” pursued the detective. + </p> + <p> + Dodd glowered at the floor. “Look here, Mullaney! There's a whole lot + about that man I want to know, if you can help me and keep your mouth + closed. I haven't got much confidence in the work you fellows do—they + tell me you can't detect mud on your own boots.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Mullaney pulled his chair out from behind the papers and leaned back + in it and crossed his hands over his stomach and smiled without a trace of + resentment. + </p> + <p> + “I might tell you something right now about that tall friend of yours that + would jump you, Mr. Dodd—I'm that much of a detective!” + </p> + <p> + “Tell me, then.” + </p> + <p> + “Just as it stands it's guesswork—considerable guesswork.” + </p> + <p> + “What does that amount to?” + </p> + <p> + “A great deal in my business. Take this city of one hundred thousand! I'm + the only man in it who is making guesswork about strangers his special + line of work. The rest of the citizens rub elbows with all passers and + don't give a hoot. There are a good many thousand men in this country whom + the law wants and whom the law can't find. That fellow may be one of them, + for all I know. I guess he is, for instance. Then I make it my business to + prove guesswork.” + </p> + <p> + “You must be doing a devil of a rushing business!” sneered Dodd. + </p> + <p> + “I manage to make a good living. I don't talk about my business, for if I + should blow it I wouldn't have any. I say, I <i>guess</i>! Then I spend my + spare time hunting through my books of pointers. For ten years I have read + every newspaper I could get hold of. I come in here and study papers from + all over. Every crime that has been committed, every man wanted, every + chap who has got away, I write down all I can find out about him. Then, if + anything comes up to make me guess about a man I begin to hunt my books + through.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, if I'm any good on a guess,” snorted Dodd, “that renegade who just + insulted me is down in your books, somewhere. You'd better hunt.” + </p> + <p> + “It's slow work and eats up time,” sighed Mr. Mullaney. + </p> + <p> + Dodd looked at him for a time and then began to pull crumpled bills from + his waistcoat pocket. He straightened five ten-dollar bills, creased them + into a trough, and stuck the end toward the detective. + </p> + <p> + “Follow his trail back. I never heard of your book scheme before. Take + this money for a starter. If you can't find him in your books, pick out + half a dozen of the worst crimes any man can commit and hitch 'em on to + him somehow,” urged Dodd, with fury. “Go after him. And when we get him + good and proper I want to do some gloating through the bars. He's the + first man who ever smacked my face for me—and I'll see that he gets + his.” + </p> + <p> + He left Mr. Mullaney stowing the money away in a big wallet which was + stuffed with newspaper clippings. He hurried in to the bar, gulped down a + drink, and then went to the office desk and examined the hotel register. + Anger and zest for revenge were stimulating in him a lively interest in + that meeting which Farr seemed to be promoting. Mr. Dodd did not care + especially what kind of meeting it was. He had set forth to camp on Walker + Farr's trail and do him what hurt he could. + </p> + <p> + Dodd was a well-posted political worker. The names of the men were not + names especially prominent in state politics, but his suspicions were + stirred when he saw that all counties in the state were represented. And + no more were arriving. He decided that the conference must be in session. + </p> + <p> + Dodd avoided the elevator. He tramped up the broad stairs to the floor + above the office. The doors of the large parlor were closed. He turned the + knob cautiously; the doors were locked. He heard within the dull mumble of + many voices—men in conversation. It was evident that the formal + meeting, whatever it might be, had not begun its session. He tiptoed away + from the door and climbed another flight of stairs. + </p> + <p> + There were no nooks and corners of the old National Hotel which Richard + Dodd did not understand in all their intricacies. As his uncle's political + scout it had been his business to know them. + </p> + <p> + He hunted along the corridor until he found a maid. + </p> + <p> + “Is there anybody in Number 29?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “Two of that new crowd that just came in have it, Mr. Dodd. But they have + gone down-stairs again.” + </p> + <p> + He wadded a bill in his palm and jammed it into her hand. “Let me in with + your pass-key, that's a good girl. It's all right. I won't disturb their + stuff. I only want to listen. You understand! There's a political game on. + I want to get to that ventilator in the closet—you know it!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, if it's only politics, Mr. Dodd!” she sniffed, with the scorn of a + girl who has seen many conventions come and go, knew the little tricks, + and had developed for the whole herd of politicians lofty disdain; she + knew them merely as loud-talking men who had little consideration for + hotel maids, men who littered their rooms with cigar stubs and + whisky-bottles. She started for the door, swinging the pass-key on its + cord. “If it's just politics, sure you can go in. Many a buck I've let in + to listen to their old palaver down in that parlor.” + </p> + <p> + Dodd bolted the door behind him. + </p> + <p> + He felt entirely safe, for he understood that the rightful tenants of that + room were locked into the parlor below. He climbed upon a chair in the + closet and put his ear to the grating of the ventilator. + </p> + <p> + He heard only one man's voice. He recognized its crisp tones—it was + the Honorable Archer Converse. + </p> + <p> + “I repeat, gentlemen, that this interest of yours would amaze me if I had + not been prepared by reports from our agents who have been so well + captained by Mr. Walker Farr. Remember that this is simply a conference, + prior to organization. Every man of you is a chief in it. Let us be calm, + discreet, sensible, and silent. + </p> + <p> + “I'm not going over the details of the unrest in this state. The fact that + so many of you are present here from all sections is sufficient commentary + on that unrest. We understand perfectly well that a certain clique of + self-seekers has arrogated to itself supreme control of the party. A party + must be controlled, I admit. If that control were in the hands of honest + and patriotic men we would not be here today. + </p> + <p> + “I'm not going to bother you with details of what has been going on in + departments in our State House. The employees are the tools of the ring + and they have misused their power. I'm afraid of what may be uncovered + there when the house-cleaning begins. But the honor of our party demands + such a house-cleaning.” + </p> + <p> + Richard Dodd's hands trembled as he clung to the ventilator bars. + </p> + <p> + “However, we are faced by something in the way of an issue that's bigger + than graft.” + </p> + <p> + Now his earnestness impressed more than ever the listener at the grating. + </p> + <p> + “Gentlemen, to a certain extent graft is bound to be fostered and + protected by any party; but when a party is used to protect and aggrandize + those who monopolize the people's franchise rights it's time for the + honest men in that party to be <i>men</i> instead of partisans. Don't you + allow those monopolists to hold you in line by whining about party + loyalty. And don't let them whip you into line by their threats, either. I + refuse, for one, as much as I love my party, to have its tag tied into my + ear if that tag isn't clean!” + </p> + <p> + The assemblage applauded that sentiment. + </p> + <p> + “I'm going to call names, gentlemen. Colonel Symonds Dodd has this state + by its throat. With Colonel Dodd stand all the financial interests—the + railroads, the corporations, even the savings-banks. He is intrenched + behind that law which limits the indebtedness of our cities and towns. + Municipalities cannot own their own plants under present conditions. Those + men are even using the people's own money against them! They scare + depositors by threats of financial havoc if present conditions and the big + interest are bothered by any legislation. + </p> + <p> + “I must warn you, gentlemen, that it's a long and difficult road ahead of + us. But we must start. I have not intended to discourage you by stating + the obstacles to be overcome. + </p> + <p> + “I have explained them so that, if we make slow progress at first, we + shall not be discouraged. + </p> + <p> + “We will organize prevailing unrest and the innate honesty in this state. + We will establish a branch of the Square Deal Club in every town and city. + It must be done carefully, conservatively, and as secretly as possible.” + The lawyer's cautious fear of too much haste now displayed itself. “The + most we can hope to do is send to the state convention some men who will + leaven that lump of ring politics. Party usage and tradition are so strong + that we must renominate Governor Harwood, I suppose, for a complimentary + second term.” + </p> + <p> + “I think we can do better,” cried a voice. + </p> + <p> + “Possibly,” returned Mr. Converse, dryly, “but we must do that 'better' + carefully and slowly. In politics, gentlemen, we cannot transform the ogre + into the saint merely by waving the magic wand and expecting the charm to + operate instantly. Possibly we can control the next legislature. I do not + know just what legislation we may be able to devise and pass, but I hope + for inspiration. + </p> + <p> + “I will say now that I am with you. My purse is open. Command my services + for all questions of law. I will establish myself at the capital for the + legislative session. + </p> + <p> + “But there is one thing I will not do under any circumstances—I will + not accept political office.” + </p> + <p> + “You bet you won't,” muttered young Dodd, at the grating. “You wouldn't be + elected a pound-keeper in the town of Bean Center.” + </p> + <p> + But if Mr. Dodd could have seen through that grating as well as hear he + would have been greatly interested just then in the expression on the face + of Walker Farr. The face was not exactly the face of a prophet, but it had + a large amount of resolution written over it. + </p> + <p> + “I don't want to be the first one to throw any cold water on our + prospects,” declared a voice, after Mr. Converse had announced that the + meeting was open for general discussion; “it really does seem to me that + we stand a good show of getting control of the next legislature. But after + we do get control what prospect is there of passing any legislation that + will help us? Wherever there is a water system in this state the + municipality has been so loaded down with debts our machine politics have + plastered into it that the legal debt limit has been reached. The only way + this water question can be cleared up is by taking the systems away from + those monopolists—making them the property of towns and cities. But + if towns and cities can't borrow any more money, just how is this to be + done? Mr. Converse hasn't told us! We can clean up politics, perhaps, but + it seems to me that we'll never be able to clean up the dirtiest and most + dangerous mess.” + </p> + <p> + On the silence that followed broke a voice which made Dodd, his ear to the + grating, grate his teeth. His hatred recognized this speaker. It was + Walker Farr. + </p> + <p> + “I apologize for venturing to speak in this meeting,” he said. “But if + that gentleman's question isn't answered here and now in some way I'm + afraid men will go away discouraged. I have heard the same question, Mr. + Converse, as I have traveled about the state lately. I have thought about + this matter constantly, in my poor fashion. And because I went into that + job of pondering with an open mind is the reason, perhaps, why a strange + idea has come to me. You know they say that strange notions are born out + of ignorance. The better way would have been, possibly, to submit the plan + first of all to your legal mind, Mr. Converse. I will keep silence now and + confer with you, sir, if you think best.” His tone was wistful. + </p> + <p> + “Talk it out in open meeting,” cried the cordial voice of Mr. Converse. + “Free speech and all of us taken into confidence—that's the spirit + of this movement of ours!” + </p> + <p> + “Has it ever occurred to anybody to form a new municipality for water + purposes only? I have studied your state constitution, and the language in + which the debt limit of five percent is provided I find applies strictly + to towns and cities. Suppose the citizens of Marion, together with the + adjoining towns of Weston and Turner, all of them now served by the + Consolidated, should unite simply as individuals for the common purpose of + owning and operating their own water-plant—form, say a water + district?” + </p> + <p> + “An independent body politic and corporate?” It was Converse's voice and + it betrayed quick interest and some astonishment. + </p> + <p> + “I suppose that would be the legal name, sir. Wouldn't it be possible to + organize such a combination of the people, distinct from other municipal + responsibilities? Then if we can elect the right men to our legislature we + can go to the State House and ask for some legislation that will enable us + to take over systems by the right of eminent domain, provide a plan of + fair appraisal, give us a law which will make water-district bonds a legal + investment for savings-banks. In short, gentlemen, I repeat, this plan is + nothing more than an organization of the desired territory and people into + a new, distinct, and separate municipality for water purposes only, + leaving all other forms of municipal government to pursue their accustomed + functions precisely as though the district had not been organized. That's + the idea as best I can state it in few words.” + </p> + <p> + There was a long period of silence. + </p> + <p> + Dodd, listening to the mutterings of a revolt which threatened the whole + political fabric which protected him, his interest clearing his brain of + the liquor fog, could imagine the scene below. That assemblage was staring + wide-eyed at Archer Converse, the law's best-grounded man in the state. + </p> + <p> + “It is very modest to call that suggestion an idea,” stated Mr. Converse, + at last. “Mr. Farr, if I can find the necessary law in our statutes to + back it up, it's an inspiration.” + </p> + <p> + There was the ring of conviction in his tones. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Dodd left the grating and escaped from the hotel. + </p> + <p> + He fairly cantered to headquarters in the First National block; he felt a + politician's frightened conviction that he had something mighty important + to tell his uncle. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0026" id="link2H_4_0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XXV + </h2> + <h3> + A GIRL AND A MATTER OF HONOR + </h3> + <p> + It had been a protracted session. + </p> + <p> + Judge Ambrose Warren, corporation counsel for the Consolidated, leaned + back in his chair and gazed at the ceiling over the peak of the skeleton + structure he had erected in front of his nose with his fingers. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Dodd squinted first at his nephew and then at the bouquet on his + desk. + </p> + <p> + The nephew had been attempting by all the methods known to the appealing + male to win only one return glance from Kate Kilgour; but the young lady + held her eyes on her note-book, poised her pencil above the page, and + waited for more of that conversation and statement of which she had been + the silent recorder. + </p> + <p> + “You think you have given us all the main points of what you overheard, do + you, Mr. Dodd?” inquired the judge, turning sharp gaze on the young man. + </p> + <p> + “I can't remember any more.” + </p> + <p> + “You think you recognized voices sufficiently well to be sure that this + person named Farr made that novel suggestion in regard to what was called + a 'water district'?” + </p> + <p> + “There was no mistaking his voice,” said Dodd, with the malevolence of + bitter recollection. + </p> + <p> + Another prolonged silence. Then the judge asked, his eyes again on the + ceiling, “Just who is this Walker Farr?” + </p> + <p> + Richard Dodd, keeping jealous espionage on all the girl's emotions and + movements saw a flush suffuse her cheeks; her hands trembled. She raised + her eyes in a quick glance and he detected eager inquiry. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know who he is,” growled the colonel. + </p> + <p> + “You'd better find out,” advised the corporation counsel. + </p> + <p> + “Why?” + </p> + <p> + “Of course this thing has been put up to me very suddenly. I can give you + only a snap judgment. But that scheme has possibilities.” + </p> + <p> + “As a lawyer you don't mean to tell me that a crazy idea like that can be + put through in this state against the combination we control?” + </p> + <p> + “It will not be a case of combination and money and politics, Colonel, + when it gets to the high court. It will be <i>law</i>. And I'm sorry you + can't tell me any more about the man who has devised the plan. I'd like to + know how he dug it out.” + </p> + <p> + “But a gang of pirates can't organize like that and confiscate our + property! We're going to tap the lakes. We're going ahead right away. But + can that fool's scheme scoop in the Consolidated Water Company?” + </p> + <p> + “That's to be found out. I am going to tell you now that I believe an + organization of citizens into an independent water district can be made + legally and be independent of other debts. Colonel Dodd, if that + opposition gets control of the next legislature you can depend upon it + that the necessary legislation will be passed. We may as well look facts + in the face: they're getting mighty restive in this state; the people have + been penned in by the Machine very effectually to date—but show 'em + a place now where they can jump the fence and they're going to do it.” + </p> + <p> + “But what's the good of paying you twenty-five thousand dollars a year for + law if you can't keep the bars up?” The tone was that of the impatient + tyrant. + </p> + <p> + “You'll please remember that this thing is likely to go to the United + States court. When you go in there you've got to leave your side-arms of + politics—pull and pocket-book—at the door. I will say this: + the Federal Constitution guarantees protection against any irregular, + illegal, or confiscatory action under state authority. That is, no states + shall pass any law impairing the obligation of contracts nor shall any + state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process + of law nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection + of the laws. Now, of course, a corporation is a person in the meaning of + the law, and therefore we can carry the matter to the United States + Supreme Court, but I want to tell you that if the next legislature enacts + law permitting water districts, and the state authorities proceed to + condemn your plants, you may as well get ready to step out from under. You + are a shrewd man and you understand the spirit of these times in regard to + giving to the people their full rights in public utilities. I say again, + you'd better get a line on this Walker Farr, because it's either a case of + ignorance inspired or else he's a deep one. He has started with a plan + that can be defended by law—and the judges in these days are handing + the people's rights and property back to them when there is a legal + opportunity.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, this Farr is a nothing—nobody. Dug in our trenches for a while + until he was discharged. Briggs looked him up for me. The only man in this + city he has been at all intimate with is an old Canuck named Provancher + who tends the rack down at Gamonic Mill. You can judge him by the company + he keeps.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, he seems to be fraternizing with better men just now,” drawled the + judge. “Archer Converse, for instance!” + </p> + <p> + “The thing to do,” suggested young Dodd, still watching the girl, “is get + something on that hobo and boot him out of town or put him in jail. It + ought to be easy enough.” + </p> + <p> + “And it will be attended to,” declared the colonel, with venom. “We'll + kill that one crow and hang him up in full view of the rest of those + croakers! I'll put something over on that fellow and have all the papers + in the state print it—and high-and-mighty Converse will be so + disgusted that he'll quit and the rest of the crowd will be ashamed to + keep on. Disgrace a reformer! That's the surest play in politics! We must + get Farr!” + </p> + <p> + He turned his scowling gaze away from the flowers and found Miss Kilgour + looking at him with an expression in her eyes he had never seen there + before. Reproach and scorn seemed to mingle in the stare she gave him. He + blinked, and when he looked again she was examining the point of her + pencil; he decided that his eyesight had played him a strange prank. + </p> + <p> + “By the way, Miss Kilgour,” he informed her, “you need not remain. Make + two typewritten copies—the judge will need one.” + </p> + <p> + Richard Dodd arose when she left her chair, but she did not glance at him. + He began to speak before she had reached the door, unable to restrain his + jealous temper longer. + </p> + <p> + “Uncle Symonds, pass the word to that old Provancher, through the + superintendent of the Gamonic, that unless he comes across with all the + stuff he knows about that Farr he'll be fired. And I've got a hunter out + on my own account. It will be easy enough to catch the skunk and strip off + his pelt.” + </p> + <p> + Miss Kilgour closed the door behind her with a sharper click than she had + ever given its latch before. She hurried to her typewriter in her little + room and began to work with all her energy. + </p> + <p> + She was so busy and her machine clattered so viciously that she did not + hear Richard Dodd when he entered. He leaned over her. + </p> + <p> + “Have you talked with your mother yet? Has she given you some advice?” he + asked. His jealousy still fired him and his tone was not conciliatory. + </p> + <p> + The contempt in the glance she flung upward at him roused him to passion. + In the state of mind in which he then was he made no allowances for her + ignorance of conditions in her mother's case. He knew what he had done for + Mrs. Kilgour's sake, and this attitude on the daughter's part pricked him + like wilful ingratitude. + </p> + <p> + He put his hands on the keyboard of the typewriter and stopped her work. + “I love you, Kate, and you have known it for a long time. I tried to show + you how much I loved you. I know I did a foolish thing. But I loved you.” + He almost sobbed the protestation. “I've been in hell's torment since it + happened. I've been a fool all the way through, but I won't be a fool any + more if you'll take pity on me.” + </p> + <p> + She did not speak. Her silent, utter contempt stung more deeply and surely + than words. + </p> + <p> + “If you insist on being so high above, I'm going to bring you down a + little,” he sneered. “I hate to do it, but you've got to be shown where + your real friends are. I have given your mother a chance to say something + to you, and say it right. But she hasn't done it, and I don't propose to + be made the goat.” In his anger he was not choice in his language. “You go + home and ask her whether or not she owes me five thousand dollars. Oh, you + needn't open your eyes at me in that style! It's time we all got down to + cases in this thing, Kate. I've waited for her long enough. She has simply + fluffed me along. Now she has got to do her part.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you lost your mind?” she demanded. + </p> + <p> + “No! But I lost five thousand dollars when I loaned it to your mother. + Kate, she told me she had a stock deal on—that she would be able to + pay it back. Listen! I may as well go the limit with you. I took money + that wasn't mine so that I could help your mother out—it was because + I loved you. Now you realize how much I have loved you. I protected your + mother. And now, by the gods, if you and she don't come to the scratch in + this thing and do right by me I'll show up why she had to be protected, + and after that you'll never draw a happy breath again in your life. I + advised you to talk with your mother once before. This time you'd better + to it.” + </p> + <p> + She leaned back in her chair, white and trembling, for his tones carried + conviction. + </p> + <p> + “I have hated to open this thing up, Kate. I have waited a long time, + hoping you'd understand that I would make a good husband—that I + deserved to have you. I'm only speaking out now so that you'll wake up. + You've got to stand by the man who has stood by you. Go talk with your + mother!” + </p> + <p> + After he had hurried out she went back to her work, but her fingers could + only fumble at the keys. By effort of will persons of strong character can + compose themselves after disaster has been confirmed; but impending + disaster that is hinted at—guessed at—is a menace which + paralyzes. She was endeavoring to write down what Richard Dodd had + revealed of the plans of Walker Farr. She understood that the mighty power + of the state machine was now doubling its fist over the head of the + stranger who had come into her life in such peculiar fashion. At the same + moment she was cowering under the threat of something she did not fully + understand. + </p> + <p> + And from the Dodds—uncle and nephew—came the menace which + loomed over both of them. + </p> + <p> + Then to her came Peter Briggs, who had been summoned to a conference in + the inner office; by direction of his chief he had been reading to Judge + Warren certain entries penciled in the note-book which he guarded with the + elastic band. + </p> + <p> + “The governor wants you to add these items to the record, so that the + judge can have a copy,” said Mr. Briggs to the confidential secretary. + “The subject isn't a very genteel one, Miss Kilgour, but orders are + orders, and you'll have to excuse me.” + </p> + <p> + And Mr. Briggs kept snapping the elastic band nervously while he dictated, + carefully looking away from the young woman. + </p> + <p> + In such manner Kate Kilgour learned of the existence of Zelie Dionne and + of the child whom Walker Farr had protected; Mr. Briggs's zeal in the + interest of his employer had made him a partisan in that affair, with easy + conscience regarding the matter of the details. The bald record showed + that Farr and the girl had cared for the child between them, had nursed it + with grief and solicitude, had borne it to the plot of land where the + little graves were crowded so closely. Mr. Briggs complacently avoided + dates and age and the minuter details. He even pleaded the case, having + caught a cue from Colonel Dodd; his record left the impression that Walker + Farr, who had come from nowhere—nobody knew when—had lived in + Marion unknown and unnoticed at the time when he had compassed the ruin of + a confiding girl. + </p> + <p> + “A scalawag, and a bad one!” commented Mr. Briggs, closing his note-book. + “And of course there's worse to come! Posing as a reformer—that's + the way such renegades work the thing. A new game for every new place!” + </p> + <p> + And Kate Kilgour, remembering the vagrant on the broad highway, wrote down + the arraignment of this person, trying to understand her emotions. + </p> + <p> + Her own eyes had seen him garbed as a tramp, plainly a homeless nomad. + </p> + <p> + Her ears had just listened to the story of his shame. + </p> + <p> + But after a time, in spite of what she had seen and heard, that strange + instinct which dominates the feminine mind in spite of what the mere + senses affirm took possession of her. + </p> + <p> + She had known from the first that Richard Dodd's garments, his attitude, + his professions, his position did not make him what her woman's heart + desired. + </p> + <p> + But, somehow, this other man, no matter what he seemed to be from outward + appearance, stood forth for her from all the world. At times, in her + ponderings, she had disgustedly termed her mood regarding him pure lunacy. + Then she gave rein to the domination of her intuition; the man was not + what he seemed to be! + </p> + <p> + She determined to put him out of her thoughts for ever. + </p> + <p> + Just then, however, writing out the story of his turpitude, she must needs + have him in her mind. + </p> + <p> + She wondered whether he were honest in his attempts to help the poor + people. + </p> + <p> + She had believed that he was when he had faced Colonel Dodd. + </p> + <p> + She determined that she would make some investigation of her own in regard + to the mysterious person who had taken such possession of her thoughts + since she had met him in the highway—whose personality had so + pricked her curiosity. She comforted herself by calling her interest mere + curiosity. That was it! If this man were what they claimed he was she + might help in revealing him as an enemy of the poor folks. + </p> + <p> + And then to her came another thought. + </p> + <p> + She looked around the offices where she worked and bitter lines were + etched in her forehead and about her mouth. + </p> + <p> + The place had become hateful. She was conscious of a passionate desire to + be free from the atmosphere of that central web of the Great Spider. + </p> + <p> + She bent over her work and hurried. + </p> + <p> + What was the shadow over her home? + </p> + <p> + She realized that she was not thinking clearly in the matter. She knew + that impulse was driving her. But it was impulse which was uncontrollable. + For a long time she had understood the sinister influence which had + radiated from that office in the First National block. But it had been + rather the impersonal influence of partisan politics and she had had + little knowledge of the persons concerned. But, now that the situation had + been so sharply pointed by recent happenings, she understood better what + had gone on in the past. + </p> + <p> + This stranger, whoever he was, seemed to be fighting for the good of the + people. She had heard him declare his principles boldly; she knew the + selfishness of the men who opposed him. She resolved to know more. + </p> + <p> + It was close upon six o'clock when she finished the transcription. + </p> + <p> + She had given much thought to her own affairs while she had been working. + And now she allowed impulse to dominate. She resolved to leave that + employment which brought her into contact with Richard Dodd and where her + duties required her to prepare material for the ruin of a man who seemed + to be doing an unselfish duty, no matter what they said. She did not try + to analyze that quixotic impulse; she merely obeyed. + </p> + <p> + She tied up the packet of manuscript, addressed it to Colonel Dodd, and + slipped under the string a sealed note. In that note she resigned her + position, stating that a matter of personal honor demanded that she leave + instantly. She did not qualify that statement by any explanation. But she + knew in her own heart just what it meant. For when she left the office she + did not hasten straight home as her anxious fears prompted her; she made a + detour around by Gamonic Mill in search of one Provancher, who, she had + learned, tended the rack of the canal. + </p> + <p> + The thought that dominated all other thoughts and comforted her was the + reflection that she was no longer the confidential secretary of Colonel + Symonds Dodd, and that now she might obey certain promptings of both + curiosity and conscience. + </p> + <p> + The rumble of the big turbines was stilled when she came to the fence + which surrounded the rack, and old Etienne was starting away with rake and + pike-pole. But when she called he came to her—wondering, much + abashed, for she was by far the prettiest lady he had ever seen. + </p> + <p> + “Are you the friend of Mr. Walker Farr?” she asked, and she was even more + embarrassed than he. + </p> + <p> + “I am too poor mans to be call a friend, ma'm'selle. I can just say that + he is grand mans that I love.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you are the one to give him this message. Tell him that men who are + fighting him in politics intend to do him great harm and that he must be + very careful. Tell him that he will understand who these men are.” + </p> + <p> + “<i>Oui</i>, ma'm'selle. But will he understand who tell me that thing?” + </p> + <p> + Her cheeks were crimson. “No, no! He mustn't know that.” + </p> + <p> + “Then he will tell me, 'Poh, old Etienne, you know nottings what you talk + about.' He is very bold mans, and he not scare very easy.” + </p> + <p> + “But he must be cautious, for these men have power. He need not be afraid + of them, but he must watch carefully. You tell him that they want to make + out bad things about him so that they can print them in the papers and + hurt the cause he is working for. Can you remember?” + </p> + <p> + “<i>Oui</i>, ma'm'selle! I never forget anything what may be for his good. + I will tell him.” + </p> + <p> + She hesitated for a long time and stared wistfully at the old man. She + started to go away and then returned to the fence, plainly mustering her + courage. + </p> + <p> + “Do you know whether there is anything—about him—which wicked + men can use to hurt him?” she stammered. + </p> + <p> + “I only know about him what I know, ma'm'selle,” he replied, with a gentle + smile nestling in the wrinkles of his withered face. + </p> + <p> + “Could you tell me some of the things you know?” she asked, after much + effort, striving to make her voice calmly inquiring. + </p> + <p> + Old Etienne set the rake and the pike-pole against the fence. “I will be + quick in what I tell you, ma'm'selle, for I have no place to ask you to + take the seat. But I'm sure you will listen very well to this what I say.” + </p> + <p> + And he told her the story of Rosemarie. + </p> + <p> + But he did not go back as far as the pitiful figure on the canal bank, he + made no mention of the water-soaked wad of paper which bore a mother's + appeal to the world, he did not mention the key to Block Ten. He told the + story of Walker Farr's devotion to a child. He did not dare to reveal to + this stranger the identity of that child, because the telltale letter had + been hidden from the coroner, and old Etienne stood in awe of the curt and + domineering men who enforced the laws. But with simple earnestness and in + halting speech he revealed the tenderness of Farr's nature and gave + further testimony to her woman's understanding that this man who had come + into her life possessed depths which she longed to probe. + </p> + <p> + “But the child!” she ventured, after Etienne had finished the story of how + the two of them, voices in the wilderness of careless greed, had faced the + masters of the city in the <i>hotel de ville</i>; “it seems strange that a + man—that anybody should take a child and—” She hesitated. + </p> + <p> + “<i>Oui</i>, ma'm'selle, it seemed strange,” agreed the old man, studying + her with sharp glance of suspicion—a gaze so strange that she + shifted her eyes uneasily. + </p> + <p> + Ah, Etienne told himself, the law sometimes sent queer emissaries to probe + for it—and he feared the law very much. + </p> + <p> + He must be very careful how he told any of the secrets which might trouble + his good friend, who was now such a friend of the mighty folks; as for + himself—well, he would willingly be a martyr if the law demanded—but + he did fear that law! + </p> + <p> + “But he loved the child very much,” she hinted. + </p> + <p> + “So much that he will fight them because they have poisoned her—he + will fight them and not be scare.” + </p> + <p> + “It is strange!” she repeated. + </p> + <p> + “<i>Oui</i>, ma'm'selle,” he said, regarding her with still more + suspicion. + </p> + <p> + “But before that morning—when you found them here under the tree! He + told you—” + </p> + <p> + “He walk the street with her in his arm. I don't tell you some more about + dat t'ing what I do not know!” + </p> + <p> + But she knew that he was withholding something from her. She mustered her + courage. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Provancher, the bad men are making threats that they will print + stories about the child—and its mamma—to hurt your friend. And + the stories will make the mamma very sad.” + </p> + <p> + “No stories can make her sad,” said old Etienne, solemnly. But he did not + say that he had raked the mother from the canal. The law must not know! + </p> + <p> + “But I have heard about her,” she insisted. + </p> + <p> + The old man's mouth trembled; he was frightened. “What you hear?” he + faltered. + </p> + <p> + “Only good things. That she was very tender and went with you to the + grave.” + </p> + <p> + “<i>Oui</i>,” admitted Etienne, visibly relieved and grasping at this + opportunity. “She's sweet and good. She's play-mamma.” + </p> + <p> + “And her name is Zelie Dionne?” she asked, her face growing white in the + dusk. + </p> + <p> + “<i>Oui</i>, ma'm'selle—she live across in the little house where + there are plant in the window—she live with the good Mother Maillet + what I told you about.” He pointed to the cottage. “You go some time and + talk with her—but not now,” he added, his fears flaming. He was + anxious to be the first to talk to Zelie Dionne, in order that she might + help him to protect their friend. “You shall talk with her—soon—p'raps. + I will tell her so that she will not be afraid. Yes, you shall hear the + play-mamma say good things of poor Rosemarie.” + </p> + <p> + She bowed and hurried away. + </p> + <p> + And before her tear-wet eyes the words “play-mamma” danced in letters of + fire. It seemed to be only another sordid story. + </p> + <p> + But she remembered the face of Walker Farr, and in her heart she wondered + why she still refused to condemn him. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0027" id="link2H_4_0027"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XXVI + </h2> + <h3> + THE DRIVEN BARGAIN + </h3> + <p> + The Honorable Daniel Breed, “sipping” his thin lips and propping his + coat-tails on his gaunt fingers, patrolled the lobby of the National Hotel + and his complacency was not a whit disturbed when Richard Dodd passed in + front of him and sneered in his face. + </p> + <p> + “Keep on practising making up faces,” advised the old man, amiably. + “Perhaps in the course of time your uncle will give you a job making up + faces as his understudy, seeing that his physog is getting so tough he + can't manage it very well these days.” + </p> + <p> + Young Dodd whirled on his heel and returned. “We've got a line on you and + your amateur angels, Breed.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't consider me an amateur, do you?” asked the old politician, smacking + his lips complacently. + </p> + <p> + “You're a has-been.” + </p> + <p> + “Sure thing!” agreed Mr. Breed. “The state committee told me so, and the + state committee never made a mistake.” + </p> + <p> + “We've got so much of a line on your crowd that my uncle has called off + the organizers. There's no need of our wasting money in this campaign. + You're that!” He clacked a finger smartly into his palm. + </p> + <p> + “Oh yes! You're right! Some snap to us.” + </p> + <p> + “I mean you're nothing.” + </p> + <p> + “Run in and take another drink, sonny,” advised Breed, giving slow cant of + his head to denote the baize door through which Dodd had emerged. “What + you have had up to date seems to be making you optimistic—and + there's nothing like being optimistic in politics. I'm always optimistic—but + naturally so. Don't need torching!” + </p> + <p> + “Look here, Breed, we've got enough dope on that ex-hobo who is doing your + errand-boy work—we know enough about him to kill your whole sorehead + proposition. But I don't believe my uncle will even use it. No need of + it.” + </p> + <p> + “Probably not,” said Mr. Breed, without resentment. “And I wouldn't if I + were he.” + </p> + <p> + “We won't descend to it. Now that we have got rid of a lot of old + battle-axes of politicians—and I'm calling no names—we can + conduct a campaign with dignity.” + </p> + <p> + “So do! So do! And it will save a lot of trouble, son; that's why the + newspapers wouldn't print that stuff about Mr. Farr after your uncle got + it ready. Libel cases make a lot of trouble.” + </p> + <p> + Dodd grew red and scowled. “Look here, Breed, you're licked before the + start, and as a good politician you know you are. My uncle wants you to + drop in and see him. He told me to tell you so. This is no official order, + you understand. Just drop in informally, and he'll probably have something + interesting to say to you.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm terribly rushed up—shall be till after convention,” averred Mr. + Breed, piercing the end of a cigar with a peg he had whittled from a + match. + </p> + <p> + “What's the good of your being a fool any longer?” + </p> + <p> + “Always have been, so I've found out from that state committee who never + told a lie—and it's comfortable to keep on being one,” he said, with + great serenity. + </p> + <p> + “You don't think for a minute that you are going to get control of the + next legislature, do you?” + </p> + <p> + “How much money have you got—your own money, I mean?” inquired Mr. + Breed, guilelessly, his eyes centered carefully on the lighted tip of his + cigar. + </p> + <p> + “Say—you—you—What do you mean by that?” rasped Dodd, + putting the cracker of a good round oath on the question. + </p> + <p> + “I meant that I wanted to bet something—and I wouldn't want you to + go out and borrow money—or—or—anything else.” From the + cavernous depths where his eyes were set Mr. Breed turned a slow and + solemn stare on the enraged chief clerk of the state treasury. + </p> + <p> + “What do you want to bet?” + </p> + <p> + “Any amount in reason that after the first of next January there'll be a + fresh deal in the way of state officers in every department in the + Capitol. Arguing futures don't get you anywhere, son. If you've got money + to back that opinion you just gave me it will express your notions without + any more talk. But don't go borrow—or—or anything else.” + </p> + <p> + Dodd stared at the shrewd old political manipulator for a long time. + </p> + <p> + “You have money to bet, have you?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Breed languidly drew forth a wallet which would make a valise for some + men and carelessly displayed a thick packet of bills. + </p> + <p> + “There it is,” he said, “and I earned it myself and so I ain't poking it + down any rat-hole without being condemned sure that I'll be able to pull + it all back again with just as much more sticking to it. That wouldn't be + sooavable—and from what you know of me I'm always sooavable.” + </p> + <p> + Dodd looked at the bills, carefully straightened in their packet, and + giving every evidence of having been hoarded with an old man's caution. + </p> + <p> + There was something about that money which impressed him with the + sincerity of Mr. Breed's belief in his own cause. The young man grew + visibly white around the mouth. + </p> + <p> + “I'll see you later, Breed,” he gulped. “I don't believe you know what you + are talking about—but I'm not national bank on legs. I'll be around + and cover your cash.” + </p> + <p> + He went back into the bar, swallowed a glass of whisky, and went out and + hailed a cab. He directed the driver to carry him to the Trelawny + Apartment. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Kilgour admitted him to the vestibule of the suite. + </p> + <p> + “Is Kate at home?” he demanded. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Richard!” She shrank away from him, for his aspect was not + reassuring. “You know—she has given up her work—she is—” + </p> + <p> + “I know all about it, Mrs. Kilgour. But I want to ask you whether she has + given up her work in order to marry me at once?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, I—She said—I think it will come about all right, Dicky.” + She was pitifully unnerved. + </p> + <p> + “Have you told her why she must marry me?” + </p> + <p> + “It is not time to tell her—it is not right—I can't—” + </p> + <p> + He seized her arm and pulled her into the sitting-room. The daughter rose + and faced them, reproof and astonishment mingling in her expression. + </p> + <p> + “This thing is going to be settled here and now,” said the lover, roughly. + “There is going to be no more fooling. Has your mother put this matter up + to you so that you understand it, Kate?” + </p> + <p> + “She has told me that she owes you five thousand dollars,” returned the + girl. Her eyes flashed her contempt. “You told me that yourself. I + repeated the statement to her and she admits it.” + </p> + <p> + “But did she tell you how it happens that she owes me that money?” + </p> + <p> + “For God's sake, Richard, have some pity! This is my own daughter. I will + sell everything. I will slave. I will pay you. Kate, for my sake—for + your own sake, tell him that you will marry him.” + </p> + <p> + “I will not marry this man,” declared the girl. “It has been a mistake + from the beginning. As to your business with him, mother, that is not my + affair. You must settle it.” + </p> + <p> + “You belong in the settlement,” declared Dodd. “Hold on! Don't leave this + room, Kate.” + </p> + <p> + He reached out his hands to intercept her, and Mrs. Kilgour, released, + fell upon the floor and began to grovel and cry entreaties. + </p> + <p> + But his raucous tones overrode her appeals. + </p> + <p> + “We're all together in this. I am five thousand dollars shy in the state + treasury, Kate. I took that money and loaned it to your mother when she + begged me to save her stocks. But she didn't have any stocks.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Kilgour grasped his knees and shook him. But he kept on. + </p> + <p> + “She had embezzled from Dalton & Company. What I did saved her from + prison and you from disgrace, Kate. And now I am in the hole! Listen here! + There's hell to pay in this state just now! The soreheads are banding + together. A man has just offered to bet me big money that there's going to + be an overturn in the State House departments. I don't know whether it + will happen—but you can understand what kind of torment I'm in. + Kate, are you going to let me stand this thing all alone?” + </p> + <p> + The girl stood silent and motionless in the middle of the room. + </p> + <p> + She did not weep or faint. Her face displayed no emotion. It was as white + as marble. + </p> + <p> + “Do you want to drag my daughter down with you?” cried Mrs. Kilgour. + </p> + <p> + “You'd better not talk about dragging down,” he shouted, passionately. “I + didn't steal for myself. Give me your love, Kate! Give me yourself to + encourage me, and I'll get out of the scrape somehow. I'll find ways. But + if you don't come with me I won't have the courage or the desire to fight + my way through. I'll not disgrace you if you marry me—I swear I will + not! With you to protect from everything I'll make good. Symonds Dodd is + my uncle. He won't see the family name pulled in. But you must marry me!” + </p> + <p> + “And if I do not?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “We'll all go to damnation together. I don't care! I'll blow it all. I + won't be disgraced alone because of something I did for your mother. I may + sound like a cur. I don't care, I say! I'm going to have you, and I don't + care how I get you!” + </p> + <p> + “We need not be so dramatic,” said the girl. Some wonderful influence + seemed to be controlling her. “Mother, stop your noise and go and sit in + that chair. You demand, do you, Mr. Dodd, that to save my mother from + exposure as a woman who has stolen, I must be your wife?” + </p> + <p> + “I do.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you really want a wife who has been won in that fashion?” + </p> + <p> + “I want you.” + </p> + <p> + “You realize, fully, don't you, the spirit in which I shall marry you?” + </p> + <p> + “We'll take care of that matter after we are married, Kate. You have liked + me. You will care for me more when you come to your senses in this thing.” + </p> + <p> + “You remember what my father did in the way of sacrifice, I suppose? It + was no secret in this state.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” he muttered, abashed under her steady gaze. + </p> + <p> + “I am like my father in many ways—in many of my thoughts. Perhaps if + he had not set me such an example in the way of sacrifice I should say + something else to you, Mr. Dodd. But as the matter stands between us, + considering the demand you make on me, I will marry you.” + </p> + <p> + The concession was flung at him so suddenly—he had expected so much + more of rebellion—that he staggered where he stood. He advanced + toward her. But she waved him back. + </p> + <p> + “Sit down!” she commanded. “This matter has gone far outside romance. It + has become one of business. It is a matter of barter. I have had some + experience in business. You say that mother owes you five thousand dollars + which you took from the state treasury?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Kate.” + </p> + <p> + “And your books will be examined very carefully, of course, if there is an + overturn in your office?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes. It won't be any mere legislative auditing.” + </p> + <p> + “I know something about politics as well as about business, Mr. Dodd. I + cannot very well help knowing, after my experience in your uncle's office. + I suppose the next state convention will determine pretty effectually + whether there will be an overturn or not?” + </p> + <p> + “If we renominate Harwood it ought to give us a good line on the control + of the next legislature,” he told her. “A hobo and a goody-goody,” he + added, with scorn, “think they have stirred up a revolution, but they have + another think coming.” He had been calmed by her outwardly matter-of-fact + acceptance of the situation. But he did not perceive the fires of her soul + gleaming deep in her eyes. + </p> + <p> + “If Governor Harwood is renominated and the next legislature is in the + hands of your uncle, as usual, you will be sure to remain in your + position?” + </p> + <p> + “Of course!” + </p> + <p> + “And you can hide the discrepancy on your books from the auditing + committee?” + </p> + <p> + “I am pretty sure I can.” + </p> + <p> + “You appreciate fully, don't you, Mr. Dodd, why, after all my troubles in + this life up till now, I should hesitate to marry a man with state prison + hanging over him?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “If Governor Harwood is not renominated I shall expect you to defer our + marriage until you can work out of your difficulties. There will be danger + and it is not in the bargain of my sacrifice that I shall pass through + such disgrace with you; at any rate, I do not consider that added + suffering is in the trade and will not agree to it. I prefer to remain as + I am and share the disgrace of my mother. Do you agree to that?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't like it, but I suppose I've got to be decent in the matter.” + </p> + <p> + “But if Governor Harwood is renominated at the convention I will concede a + point on my part and will marry you at once, taking it for granted that + you will be able to clear yourself. In that way both of us are making + concessions—and such things should be considered in a bargain.” She + was coldly polite. + </p> + <p> + He bowed, not knowing exactly what reply to make to her. + </p> + <p> + “You have accused me of trifling in the past,” she continued. “I will now + try to show you that I can conduct straight business as it should be + handled. Shall I make a memo of our agreement and hand it to you?” + </p> + <p> + “There is no need of it,” he stammered. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, Mr. Dodd. And now that the matter has been settled to our + mutual satisfaction, I will ask you to go. I think my mother needs my + attention. And I am reminded that our bargain does not dispose of the fact + that my mother owes you five thousand dollars. I will reflect on how that + debt may be paid—by insurance”—her face grew whiter still—“or + by some arrangement.” + </p> + <p> + “I wish you wouldn't say such—” But she interrupted him. + </p> + <p> + “On my part, this is strictly business, Mr. Dodd, and I must consider all + sides. I will give the money matter careful thought. I'm sure we can + arrange it. I have merely bought my mother's good name with <i>myself</i>!” + </p> + <p> + He stumbled out of the room and went on his way. + </p> + <p> + “Mother, you and I have some long, long thoughts to busy ourselves with + before we attempt to talk to each other,” said the girl when the two were + alone. “I am going to my room. Please do not disturb me until to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + For an hour Kate Kilgour was a girl once more, sobbing her heart out + against her pillow, stretched upon her bed in abandon of woe, torn by the + bitter knowledge that she was alone in her pitiful fight. She was more + frank with herself in her sorrow than she ever had been before. She owned + to her heart that a few days before even a mother's desperate plight would + hardly have won such a sacrifice as she had made. + </p> + <p> + She was ready to own that she loved that tall young man of mystery whose + face had refuted the suspicion that he was a mere vagrant. It was strange—it + was unaccountable. But she had ceased to wonder at the vagaries of love. + In her prostration of mental energies and of hope she confessed to herself + that she had loved him. + </p> + <p> + But now between his face and hers, as she shut her eyes and reproduced his + features, limned in her memory, those fiery words danced—there was a + “play-mamma” who with him had loved the little girl named Rosemarie. + </p> + <p> + Checking her sobs, she sighed, and her heart surrendered him. + </p> + <p> + Her sacrifice had been made both easier and yet more difficult. + </p> + <p> + Then she snuggled close to her pillows and gazed out into the gathering + night, and pondered on the fact that if Walker Farr won his fight in the + state convention that victory put an end to her poor little truce in the + matter of Richard Dodd. + </p> + <p> + Then she was sure that she had put Walker Farr out of her heart for ever, + because she found herself hoping that he would win. The girl had not yet + grown into full knowledge of the dynamics of a true and unselfish love—she + did not fully know herself. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0028" id="link2H_4_0028"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XXVII + </h2> + <h3> + A DICKER FOR A MAN'S SOUL + </h3> + <p> + The populace came first and packed solidly into the galleries of the great + auditorium of Marion city. + </p> + <p> + For years the state conventions of the dominant party had attracted but + little public attention. They had been simple affairs of routine, + indorsing the men and the principles of the Big Machine. The next governor + had been groomed and announced to the patient people long months before + the date of the convention; platforms protecting the interests were glued + placidly and secretly and brought forth from the star chamber to be + admired; and no delegate was expected or allowed to joggle a plank or nick + the smooth varnish which had been smoothed over selfish privilege. + </p> + <p> + But this year came all the people who could pack themselves into galleries + and aisles. + </p> + <p> + Below on the main floor were more than two thousand delegates. Every town + and city sent the full number accredited. After these men had been seated + the men and women who thronged the corridors and stairways were allowed to + enter and stand in the rear of the great hall. + </p> + <p> + Strange stories, rumors, predictions, had been running from lip to lip all + over the big commonwealth. It was reported that the throne of the tyrant + was menaced at last by rebellion which was not mere vaporings of the + restless and resentful; organized revolt had appeared, marching in grim + silence, not revealing all its strength, and therefore all the more + ominous. + </p> + <p> + A military band brayed music unceasingly into the high arches of the hall. + The music served as obbligato for the mighty diapason of men's voices; the + thousands talked as they waited. + </p> + <p> + The broad platform of the stage was untenanted. The speakers, the + chairman, the clerks, the members of the state committee, did not appear, + though the hour named as the time of calling the meeting to order arrived + and passed. + </p> + <p> + In an anteroom, so far removed from the main hall that only the dull + rumble of voices and the shredded echoes of the blaring music reached + there, was assembled the state's oligarchy awaiting the pleasure of + Colonel Symonds Dodd. + </p> + <p> + He sat in a big chair, his squat figure crowding its confines. + </p> + <p> + The state committee and the rest of his entourage were gathered about him. + </p> + <p> + There was a committeeman from every county in the state—the men who + formed the motive cogs of his machine. + </p> + <p> + One after the other they had reported to him. + </p> + <p> + And each time a man finished talking the colonel drove a solid fist down + on the arm of the chair and roared: “I say again I don't believe it's as + bad as you figure it. It can't be as bad. Do you tell me that this party + is going to be turned upside down by a kid-glove aristocrat who has hardly + stirred out of his office during this campaign?” + </p> + <p> + “He has had a chap to do his stirring for him,” stated one of the group. + </p> + <p> + “A hobo, scum of the rough-scruff, hailing from nowhere! Shown up in our + newspapers as a ditch-digger—a fly-by-night—a nobody! I'm + ashamed of this state committee, coming here and telling me that he has + been allowed to influence anybody.” + </p> + <p> + “Colonel Dodd, what I'm going to say to you may not sound like politics as + we usually talk it,” declared a committeeman, a gray-haired and spectacled + person who had the grave mien of a student, “and it is not admitted very + often by regular politicians who run with the machine. But we are up + against something which has happened in this queer old world of ours a + good many times. We have had the best organization here in this state that + a machine ever put together. But in American politics it's always just + when the machine is running best that something happens. Something is + dropped into the gear, and it's usually done by the last man you'd expect + to do it. The fellows who are tending the machine are too busy watching + that part of the crowd they think is dangerous, and then the inconspicuous + chap slips one over.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't want any lecture on politics,” snapped the boss. “Do you mean to + insinuate that that low-lived Farr has put <i>this</i> over on <i>us</i>?” + </p> + <p> + “I have hunted to the bottom of things and I do say so, Colonel Dodd.” + </p> + <p> + “How in blazes did that fellow ever get any influence? I haven't been able + to believe that he has been accomplishing anything.” + </p> + <p> + “You ought to have listened a little more closely to us, Colonel,” + insisted the committeeman. “Every once in a while there comes forward a + man whom the people will follow. And he is never the rich man nor the + proud man, but he is one who knows how to reach the hearts of the crowd. A + shrewd politician can get power by building up his machine. And then some + fellow in overalls who has some kind of a God-given quality that has never + been explained yet so that we can understand, smashes into sight like a + comet. It may be his way of talking to men, it may be his personality—it + is more likely a divine spark in him that neither he himself nor other men + understand. But every now and again some humble chap like that has changed + the history of the world, and I reckon it's pretty easy for such a man to + change the politics of a mere state.” + </p> + <p> + His associates were staring at him and Colonel Dodd was giving him furious + glances. He had spoken with enthusiasm. He broke off suddenly. + </p> + <p> + “I beg your pardon. I don't mean to go quite so far. But I'm a student of + history and I've read a lot about natural-born leaders.” + </p> + <p> + “You evidently know more about history than you do about politics,” + growled the colonel. “This whole state committee doesn't seem to know much + politics. If you have allowed that Farr to slime his way around under + cover and do you up in your own counties, I'll see to it that we have a + new state committee.” + </p> + <p> + “I have an idea that that convention out there will attend to the matter + of a new state committee for us.” + </p> + <p> + The new speaker's voice was very soft. His nickname in state politics was + “Whispering Saunders.” He was known as being the most artistic political + “pussy-foot” in the party. It was averred that he could put on rubber + boots and run twice around the State House on a fresh fall of light snow + and not leave a track. + </p> + <p> + “If I'm any kind of a smeller—and I reckon it's admitted that I am,” + purred Saunders, “we are walloped before the start-off in every county + delegation out on that floor.” + </p> + <p> + “But what has been the matter with you fellows all the time?” blazed the + boss. “Up to now you have been reporting simply that the soreheads were + growling and were not getting together so as to be dangerous.” + </p> + <p> + “Did you ever try to shovel up soft soap from a cellar floor with a + knitting-needle?” inquired the politician. “That's how it's been in this + case. Every man I talked with was slippery. I know slippery times when I + see 'em. I've been afraid, but I hoped for the best. Now that they are + here, with this convention due to be called to order, they are not + slippery any longer. They don't need to be. I've just been through the + convention hall. They are out and open—and they're against us.” + </p> + <p> + “That Farr has a proxy from a delegate in the Eleventh Ward and is on the + floor,” stated another. + </p> + <p> + “But he isn't a voter.” + </p> + <p> + “He wasn't a little while ago, but he is to-day, Colonel. The board of + registration had to put his name on the books—he has lived here long + enough to become a voter.” + </p> + <p> + Colonel Dodd glared from face to face. It was plain that he was angered + rather than dismayed; he was like a bull at bay, shaking the pricking + darts out of his shoulders. He took a hasty glance at his watch. 'Twas + twenty minutes past the hour appointed for the calling of the convention. + He could hear the distant band still bellowing bravely to kill time. + </p> + <p> + A giant of a man stood up—a cool man, rather cynical. He was the + chairman of the state committee. + </p> + <p> + “I have been waiting till all these gentlemen got the panic worked out of + their systems—or, at least, had said all they could think of about + that panic, Colonel. Now we can go ahead and do real business. We have not + had a battle in this state for a long time, and this panic may be + excusable. They say that the men who are the worst frightened before the + battle do the best fighting after they get into the real scrap. I will + admit that the situation in the state has been a little slippery, as + Saunders has said. And some men have dared to do a lot of loud talking + since they have arrived here in this city. It is so strange a thing that + it has got everybody in a panic. The Chinese are wise—they show + dragons to the enemy, but the dragons are only paper. Wouldn't think the + enemy could be scared that way, eh? But look at this bunch of state + committeemen! A pasteboard 'natural-born leader' set up, and Archer + Converse puffing smoke through the nostrils of that effigy! Gentlemen, you + ought to be ashamed of yourselves!” + </p> + <p> + Colonel Dodd snorted emphatic approval. + </p> + <p> + “You are talking like children. Guff and growls can't carry this + convention. That crowd hasn't even got a candidate for governor. Have you + heard one mentioned?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't suppose they would dare to go as far as that,” said one of the + committeemen. “Governor Harwood, by party usage, is entitled to a + renomination, of course. What they figure on is a new state committee and + a platform that will include reforms.” + </p> + <p> + “Huh! Yes! So much striped candy! Give it to 'em. Then we've got only + twenty-four men to handle in the way we have always handled state + committees—and even that crowd can't find saints and archangels for + their candidates! And as for a political platform—bah!” + </p> + <p> + It was the practical politician's caustic estimate of conditions. + </p> + <p> + Then the chairman joined in, bolstering this supercilious view: “As for + that legislature—how many bills were ever passed in our legislature + over a governor's veto after we had got in our work? We are going to have + a safe man for governor. That band's lungs won't last for ever. Colonel + Dodd, are you ready?” + </p> + <p> + If revolt and the spirit of resentment and rebellion did exist in that + assemblage, which the magnates of the party faced when they marched upon + the platform, the tumult of applause covered all sinister outward aspects. + The routine of the convention was entered upon: the secretary read the + convention call, the organization was perfected without protest, and the + orator of the day, as president pro tem, a conservative United States + Senator, began his “key-note speech.” It was a document which had been in + proof slips for a week, and which all the party workers from Colonel Dodd + down had read and approved. Therefore, when Richard Dodd entered from one + of the side doors and came tiptoeing across the platform and touched the + colonel's arm and jerked energetic request for the colonel to follow, the + colonel followed, glad of an excuse to be absent while the Senator + fulminated. + </p> + <p> + Young Dodd's face was flushed and working with excitement. He hurried his + uncle into a small retiring-room and locked the door. + </p> + <p> + “I've got your man, uncle,” he declared. + </p> + <p> + “What man?” The colonel was grouchy and indifferent. + </p> + <p> + “Your man Farr.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't claim him.” + </p> + <p> + “But you said you wanted him. You said you wanted to hang him like a dead + crow in the political bean-patch.” + </p> + <p> + “Merely momentary insanity on my part, Richard. There seems to have been a + little run of it in this state, and when Judge Warren caught it and gave + it to me I talked like a fool, I suppose. But you must remember that a + polecat can give the most level-headed man an almighty start—and + then the level-headed man walks out around the polecat and goes on his way + very calmly.” + </p> + <p> + “But don't you consider that Farr is a dangerous man?” + </p> + <p> + The colonel held up his pudgy hand and snapped a finger into his palm. “He + amounts to that in front of the muzzle of a ten-inch gun.” + </p> + <p> + “But I went ahead after what you said. I have put out time and money. I + hired a detective. I figured I was doing a good job for the machine.” + Young Dodd's voice trembled and disappointment was etched into his anxious + features. + </p> + <p> + “Well, what have you found out?” + </p> + <p> + “I can't tell you. It's another man's secret, and he's got to have cash or + a guaranty before he'll come across with it.” + </p> + <p> + “What's the price?” + </p> + <p> + Richard Dodd exhibited confusion and hesitation. “I made some promises to + him, uncle, because I know what has been paid in the past for things which + didn't seem to be as important as this—judging from the way you and + the judge talked. So I—well, I—” + </p> + <p> + “Price, price, I say! I'm used to hearing money talked,” harked the + colonel. “I've got to get back into that convention. Out with it!” He made + two steps toward the door. + </p> + <p> + “Five thousand!” blurted the young man. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Dodd whirled and whipped off his eye-glasses so as to give his + nephew the full effect of his contemptuous fury. + </p> + <p> + “Why, you young lunatic, I wouldn't pay that price if they were going to + elect Farr the governor of this state, and make him a present of the + Consolidated, and you could bring proof that he is the reincarnation of + Judas Iscariot.” + </p> + <p> + A roar of voices and a thunder of thudding feet announced that the Senator + had finished. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Dodd hurried away. + </p> + <p> + The nephew found Detective Mullaney in the alley behind the auditorium, + and the young man's air of discomfiture and the sagging shake of his head + told the story of his errand without words. + </p> + <p> + “If they're getting too mean in their old age to hand me a fair price for + a good job then let 'em get licked,” declared the detective. “You stuck to + our original figure of five hundred dollars, didn't you?” + </p> + <p> + The young man looked over the detective's head and lied. “Five hundred—that's + what I told him.” + </p> + <p> + “And he wouldn't consider it?” + </p> + <p> + “Something has braced him so that he isn't afraid of the man any longer. + Perhaps he has got a line of his own on him. It doesn't seem to be worth + anything any longer. Suppose you tell me just who he is and what about + him?” + </p> + <p> + “Not on your life!” retorted Detective Mullaney, sharply. “I ain't saying + anything against your family, of course, but when I give a Dodd something + for nothing—even a hint—it will be when I'm talking in my + sleep and don't know it. But I'll tell you what I <i>will</i> do. Give me + my two hundred and fifty and I'll hand you the whole proposition and you + may go ahead and make what you can of it. I swear to you again that I've + got it on him. Seeing what he did to <i>you</i>, you ought to feel that + the story is worth that much of a gamble even for private purposes.” + </p> + <p> + Dodd hesitated, put his hand in his pocket—then withdrew it empty. + </p> + <p> + “No, Mullaney. What's the good? He says Farr isn't dangerous, and has + turned down the whole thing flat. I may as well keep my money. If you want + to sit on the platform, come along with me. I can find a place for you.” + </p> + <p> + Detective Mullaney followed willingly, for he knew that people were fairly + piling over one another in an attempt to get into the hall by the main + entrance. + </p> + <p> + He sat down in one of the square chairs on the platform and searched with + his sharp little eyes until he found the face of Walker Farr in the + terraced rows of humanity. It was not difficult to locate him, for his + physique made him loom among other men and he was posted under the banner + which marked the location of Moosac County. + </p> + <p> + The detective found the eyes of the young man directed toward the gallery + with such intentness and for so long a time that he endeavored to trace + that earnest scrutiny to its object. The detective was not exactly + certain, but he finally picked out a very handsome young lady who occupied + a front chair in the balcony; she seemed to be returning the young man's + intent regard. + </p> + <p> + “You have the reputation of knowing all the pretty girls in the state,” + whispered Mullaney, drawing Dodd's attention with a nudge. “Who is that up + there in the gallery, front row, fifth from the aisle; blue feather, and + so handsome she hurts my eyes?” + </p> + <p> + To have his attention drawn thus rudely to the one girl in all the world + gave Dodd a sensation which he did not relish—and his face showed + his astonished resentment. + </p> + <p> + “That is Miss Kilgour, who used to be my uncle's secretary. Why do you + want to know who she is?” + </p> + <p> + “Because there seems to be something very especial on between her and the + man we thought was worth five hundred dollars to us.” + </p> + <p> + “That young lady, Mr. Mullaney, is engaged to me,” stated Dodd, acridly. + “You'd better drop the topic.” + </p> + <p> + But he did not display either the joy or the pride of the accepted suitor + as he looked up at her. + </p> + <p> + “I'll simply say that you're a mighty lucky chap and I congratulate you,” + returned Mr. Mullaney, hiding his confusion by getting very busy with + newspaper clippings and papers which he drew from his breast pocket. + </p> + <p> + The detective was wholly unconscious of the irony of that remark. But it + brought a flush of shame to Dodd's cheek, for the sorrow and sting and + ignominy of that part which he had played had not departed from his soul + nor did even the fervor of his passion for her help him forgive himself; + he stared at her guiltily as the thief gloats over his loot and is + conscious of his degradation without feeling sufficient contrition to give + up the object he has stolen. + </p> + <p> + For he remembered with fresh and poignant recollection the circumstances + under which that girl had given her promise to him so recently: she had + stood over a mother who had abased herself before them, had cast herself + down and had writhed and screamed and implored her to consent; and the + mother was driven to do this by the lash of his threats. He had stood + there and demanded, and the woman on the floor had confessed her frailty, + owned to her misdeeds, acknowledged her debt, and had frantically begged + her daughter to sacrifice herself. + </p> + <p> + The girl had given her “Yes,” paying the debt with herself; but her eyes + had been wide and dry and her face was white and set and she had looked + past the man to whom she promised herself when she had murmured that + promise. + </p> + <p> + Dodd swept cold sweat from his forehead as he remembered; he found almost + the same expression now on her face as she gazed down on Walker Farr, who + stared back at her anxiously, perceiving a grief that he could not + understand. + </p> + <p> + In that vast assemblage those three, thus wordlessly, no one marking them, + fought a tragic battle of hopeless love with their eyes. + </p> + <p> + Detective Mullaney pored over his papers. “By gad,” he mused, “I haven't + kept my books all this time for nothing. I know my card. I've got him + right—it's dead open and shut. But I swear he doesn't look the part + he played, even if the description does fit him. Well, law is law! If I + can't sell him to Symonds Dodd, I'll find out how much those will pay who + do want him.” + </p> + <p> + The routine of the great convention had been proceeding. + </p> + <p> + “And the gentleman from Danton, Mr. Gray, moves that we do now proceed + with the nomination of a candidate for governor,” intoned the chairman in + sing-song tones. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0029" id="link2H_4_0029"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XXVIII + </h2> + <h3> + THE MAN WHO WAS NOT AFRAID + </h3> + <p> + One after the other, dignified and decorous, three men of the Big Machine, + representing three of the large counties of the state, came upon the + platform and put in nomination the name of Governor Harwood to succeed + himself. + </p> + <p> + These speakers had been carefully selected. They were elderly gentlemen + whose reputations, tones, and demeanor bespoke safe and sane conservatism. + They took occasion to rebuke the new spirit of unrest in the old party, + and their tremolo notes of protest were extremely effective. While these + men talked, a listener was compelled to feel that rebellion against the + established order of things could only be rank sedition; for many years + have these arts of oratory been employed to appeal to the average man's + party loyalty; voters have listened and have been ashamed to revolt—as + a son dutifully bows his head under a father's reprimand and responds to a + father's appeal—for, after all, in matters where appeal is made to + loyalty the human emotions are not so very complex. + </p> + <p> + The elderly gentlemen put great stress on the fact that not in twenty + years had a faithful governor been refused the honor of renomination for a + second term. Would their convention deny that compliment to Governor + Harwood? It was the same appeal that had been made for twoscore years in + order to perpetuate the dynasty of gubernatorial figureheads who had + obeyed the ring's orders. + </p> + <p> + Walker Farr heard <i>sotto voce</i> murmurings of men in his vicinity. + They were men who had joined the new revolt and had stood bravely enough + for a change in county political managers. But these men revealed that + they were timorous about altering long party custom. They said, one to + another, that it would be going too far to refuse renomination to Governor + Harwood. It might split their party so widely that the rival political + party would be able to carry the state—and that would never do. + </p> + <p> + Farr was in no wise surprised to hear these murmurings. + </p> + <p> + He had sounded men before that convention as he had traveled about the + state. + </p> + <p> + He had found them ready to begin house-cleaning in the smaller affairs of + county management, and by assault on the little wheels of the gear of the + machine which had so long ground political grist; but they were unwilling + to tempt fate by venturing on such a general overturn as putting up for + governor a man who had not been selected and groomed for high office + during the accustomed term of apprenticeship—legislature, senate, + and council. + </p> + <p> + He realized how well the great ring had intrenched itself in absolute + power by appealing to conservatism in matters of safe men for high office. + Safe men meant those who protected the big interests and saw that no raids + were made on capital—no matter how many abuses capital might be + fostering. + </p> + <p> + Mumble and grumble all about him, and men's faces showing that they were + agreeing with the tremolo appeals of the elderly orators! + </p> + <p> + Even the Honorable Archer Converse, his legal cautiousness governing his + opinion, knowing the temper of conditions in his state, had emphatically + discouraged Farr when the young man had timidly questioned him in regard + to the advisability of securing a candidate for governor outside the + ring's dynasty. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Converse's discouragement of such hopes would have been even more + emphatic had he ever dreamed that this apostle whom he had sent out into + the field was coddling the audacious hope that Mr. Converse himself by + some miracle might be put into the governor's chair. + </p> + <p> + The orators proceeded, one after the other. They were applauded. They + retired. + </p> + <p> + Walker Farr was oppressed by the lugubrious conviction that he was the + only man in that great assemblage who felt enough of the zealot's fire to + be willing to put all his hopes to the test. + </p> + <p> + He looked at the faces on the platform. There sat Colonel Dodd, wearing + his expression assumed for that day and date—smug political + hypocrisy. + </p> + <p> + His henchmen winged out to right and left of him. They represented finance + and respectability. + </p> + <p> + Sometimes political rebels will gallantly and audaciously venture when + they rail behind the backs of their leaders; but when those leaders appear + and fill the foreground with their personalities the rebels subside; they + are impressed by the men whom they behold. They defer, even when they are + stung by knowledge of their leaders' principles. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Dodd and those with him were the accredited leaders. + </p> + <p> + Delegates glared, but were cowed and silent. + </p> + <p> + Farr pondered. Perhaps the advice of Mr. Converse was best: + </p> + <p> + “Take what we can get in our first skirmish. Keep it for the nucleus of + what we hope to get later. If we put all to the test in our first fight + against forces that have been in power for all the years and lose, then + the cause gets a setback which may discourage our men for ever.” + </p> + <p> + And Mr. Converse, having so declared, had remained away from the + convention that day, feeling that no more was to be gained. + </p> + <p> + “And I move you, Mr. Chairman,” called a voice, “that the nominations for + governor do now close.” + </p> + <p> + This had been the custom in the past. + </p> + <p> + It was not in the minds of that convention that another candidate would be + put forward. Governor Harwood was waiting in an anteroom, thumbing the + leaves of his speech, and all the delegates knew it. All desired to + expedite matters, nominate by acclamation, hear the inevitable speech, and + go home. + </p> + <p> + “One moment before that motion is seconded!” + </p> + <p> + The voice was so loud, so clear, so dominant, so ringing, that the effect + on the convention was as galvanically intense as if somebody had blown + upon a bugle. + </p> + <p> + Walker Farr had risen to his feet. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Dodd set his curved palm at his mouth and from behind the chairman + shot a few words at the presiding officer as one might shoot pellets from + a bean-shooter. The chairman scowled impatiently at Farr, and a delegate + among those who watched eagerly for signals from the throne rose half-way + to his feet and bellowed, “Question!” The cry was taken up by other + delegates, just as the unthinking mob follows a cheer-master. + </p> + <p> + Farr climbed upon a settee. He stood there, silent and waiting, and his + expression, poise, and mien wrought for him more effectively than speech. + </p> + <p> + He towered over all the heads. He was markedly not one of those + New-Englanders there assembled. His mass of dark-brown hair, his garb, the + very set of his head on his shoulders, differed from the physical + attributes of all others in the hall. And, as the delegates continued to + shout for the question to be put, he turned slowly so that his expression + of dignified and mild protest and appeal was visible to all. And as he + turned he gave the girl in the gallery a long look. + </p> + <p> + The chairman pounded with his gavel. + </p> + <p> + “I second the motion,” called a delegate, taking advantage of the first + moment of silence. + </p> + <p> + There was another roaring chorus of, “Question!” + </p> + <p> + But Walker Farr remained standing on the settee, waiting patiently. He + showed no confusion. There was added dignity as well as appeal in his + attitude and expression. + </p> + <p> + “Before that vote is taken I want to say one word as a man to men,” + shouted a delegate. “It's plain to be seen that that man standing there is + a gentleman. We are sent here to attend a meeting for the good of our + party. If, as delegates, we refuse to listen to a gentleman because we're + in too much of a hurry, we'd ought to be ashamed of ourselves. If, on the + other hand, we're <i>afraid</i> to listen to him, whatever it is he wants + to say, then God save this party of ours!” + </p> + <p> + That was a sentiment which promptly struck fire in that assemblage. + </p> + <p> + There before their eyes stood the subject of that challenge, stalwart, + modest, appealing silently—the sort of appeal which won. + </p> + <p> + The galleries broke into applause first. Then the delegates took up the + demonstration in behalf of fair play. They beat their hands and pounded + their feet. The applause from the galleries had more or less of rebuke in + it, because it began while the challenger's voice still echoed in the + great hall. + </p> + <p> + The chairman's gavel thumped ferociously. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Dodd cursed under his breath. He had been on the trail of that + convention, its movements, its progress, as a hound dog would follow the + trail of a fox. He had seen it safely headed for the corner where it would + be run to earth. He detected sudden peril in this threat of a detour. + </p> + <p> + “Good Jericho!” gasped a committeeman near him. “The chairman ain't + letting this convention get away from him, is he?” + </p> + <p> + It was natural alarm in the case of a man who feared to allow any + expression in a convention except such as had been arranged for previously + and had been passed upon by those in power. + </p> + <p> + “This isn't the kind of convention that will get away!” hissed the colonel + in reply, bolstering his own convictions that all was safely harnessed. + “But I don't want any fooling.” + </p> + <p> + He caught the eye of his nephew and summoned him with an impatient jerk of + the head. + </p> + <p> + Richard Dodd hastened across the platform and bent his ear close to his + uncle's mouth—the colonel pulling him down. + </p> + <p> + “If your man can stop that fool now—quick—for five hundred + dollars, I'll pay.” + </p> + <p> + Young Dodd gulped. He needed five thousand dollars! + </p> + <p> + “He won't consider less than I told you.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, let the idiot talk to us—he can't do any harm.” + </p> + <p> + The colonel pushed his nephew away. In spite of that applause he still + half expected that the convention would close the nominations. What else + was there to do? + </p> + <p> + “The vote is upon the motion to close the nominations for governor,” + stated the chairman. “Those in favor will say 'Aye!'” + </p> + <p> + Every delegate in that hall was looking at Farr. They were staring at him + with curiosity and interest. But even curiosity does not always prompt + politicians to open a convention to a person who may prove to be a bomb + that will upset plans and precedent. + </p> + <p> + Then Farr gave them that wonderful smile! + </p> + <p> + The “Ayes” were scattered and sporadic! Men did not relish shutting off a + chap who stood there and smiled upon them in that fashion. + </p> + <p> + At the call for the “Noes” a bellow of voices shook the hall. + </p> + <p> + The convention had given this stranger permission to speak by that refusal + to subscribe to the cut-and-dried plans. Colonel Dodd was no longer smug. + He scowled ferociously. + </p> + <p> + “Gentlemen of the convention, I am grateful,” cried Walker Farr. “And I + will not abuse your patience.” + </p> + <p> + “Platform—take the platform!” called many of the delegates. + </p> + <p> + He smiled and shook his head. “Let me talk to you standing here where I + can look into your eyes, gentlemen. I feel pretty much alone in this + convention. I <i>am</i> alone! I represent no faction, no interest except + the cause of the humble who have asked for help from the masters who have + been set over them. Perhaps I ought to have remained silent here to-day. + My cowardice has been prompting me to keep still. It is no easy matter for + me to stand up here and disturb the order of events which had been + arranged by the gentlemen who have managed your public affairs for you so + many years. But it would be much more difficult for some of the others + here to speak, because the gentlemen who manage politics have methods by + which they can discredit a man in his profession, ruin him in his + business, stop his credit at banks and in other ways make him pay dearly + for his boldness in speech. I have no money in banks, no business which + can be ruined.” + </p> + <p> + “I rise to a point of order!” shouted a delegate, obeying a nod from the + stage. “The business in hand is the nomination of a governor.” + </p> + <p> + “That is my business,” stated Farr, calmly. + </p> + <p> + With political scent sharpened by his apprehension, Colonel Dodd narrowed + his eyes, sat straight in his chair, and desperately endeavored to fathom + the intentions of this rank outsider. + </p> + <p> + In spite of his bluster to the state committee he was worried. He had not + felt comfortable since his conference with Judge Ambrose Warren. He did + not like the “feel” of political conditions. There was some indefinable + slipperiness about matters. + </p> + <p> + He could not bring himself to consider the impossible idea that the + convention would bolt—would run amuck, no matter who addressed it—no + matter what contingency arose. But to have the convention even tolerate + this brazen interloper troubled his sense of mastery; the convention had + been too ready to permit the stranger to speak. It wasn't politics as the + colonel had been accustomed to play the game. And this—this man from + nowhere—it was preposterous! + </p> + <p> + He snapped his head around and found his nephew close behind him. + </p> + <p> + “You young whelp,” gritted Colonel Dodd, visiting his anger on the nearest + object, “where's your political loyalty? This isn't any time to drive + bargains. If you can stop that fellow hustle and do it.” + </p> + <p> + “It's another man's secret, I tell you. I've got to buy it.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll make it a thousand.” + </p> + <p> + Young Dodd's face was white, but he knew how desperate his case was and + how vitally necessary it was to play his cards as he held them. + </p> + <p> + “I gave you final figures,” he whispered. + </p> + <p> + “Where is that man? Let me deal with him.” + </p> + <p> + “It must be done through me.” + </p> + <p> + “If you wasn't my nephew I'd think this was blackmail.” + </p> + <p> + Young Dodd stepped back to avoid the glare in his uncle's eyes. + </p> + <p> + The colonel turned away and listened. Farr's voice was raised now in + solemn appeal. + </p> + <p> + “The idea of my letting myself get rattled by a crack-brained demagogue,” + muttered the colonel. He had been fondling the outside of his coat + furtively, locating his check-book. Now he took his hand away. + </p> + <p> + “It is well to respect service and to show courtesy, gentlemen. I have + listened with interest to the eulogies which have been given Governor + Harwood. He is, without doubt, an amiable gentleman. But let me tell you + that the next legislature is going to be asked to pass a law which will be + a club with which the people will rap the knuckles of Greed till that + unholy clutch on the water systems of this state will be loosened for + ever.” + </p> + <p> + The delegates stared at him for a few seconds when he paused, and then a + tumult of applause greeted his utterance. + </p> + <p> + “I ask you, gentlemen, whether Governor Harwood—and you know him + well and how he has been chosen—will ever sign a bill that will take + profit from the hands of his political makers even to give that profit to + the people who are the rightful owners?” + </p> + <p> + This time men were silent, but he knew what they thought from the manner + in which they looked at him. + </p> + <p> + “I do not need to tell you that the veto of a bill by a governor means, in + most cases, its death. Gentlemen, it would be polite and kind and gracious + of you to bow low here to-day and hand up the nomination to the amiable + Governor Harwood. But with the conditions as they are in this state are + you going to be polite, merely, while the hearses are rumbling down your + streets? I have no way of knowing how many of you into whose eyes I am + looking have seen death enter your own homes from the taps of this + much-promising, little-accomplishing water syndicate. But if you have seen + death touch your loved ones, or if you go home from here and behold fever + ravaging your community, it will be poor consolation to your soul to + remember that at least you were polite to an amiable man who desired the + honor of a renomination.” + </p> + <p> + The faces of the convention showed that this blunt yet shrewd appeal to + the individual antagonism of men had produced profound effect. + </p> + <p> + “But that is only one feature of what this state demands and needs, + gentlemen,” was Farr's ringing declaration. “This struggle for pure water + has opened a broad avenue. The towns and cities of this state must take + back into their own hands the properties and franchises which have been + mismanaged by the men to whose hands unwise gift by the people has + intrusted the people's own. We need a man in the Big Chair of State who + will stand with the people in this crusade!” + </p> + <p> + This amazing declaration in open convention produced as much consternation + on the platform as if Farr had dropped a bomb there. + </p> + <p> + He uttered something which was worse than mere political rebellion: he was + proposing to take for the people properties which constituted the backbone + of the oligarchy's power in state affairs. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Dodd had been growling behind the chairman, angrily endeavoring to + get the ear of that gentleman. But the chairman seemed to be as wholly + absorbed by this astonishing arraignment as were the delegates. + </p> + <p> + The head of the state machine, for the first time in his career, was + compelled to come into the open instead of through the mouth of a + lieutenant. He could not wait to give orders. + </p> + <p> + He rose and stamped to the front of the platform. His voice rang hoarse + and loud. + </p> + <p> + “There can be no more of this unparliamentary and irregular nonsense. What + has got into this convention? Don't you understand that no speaker is + allowed to break the rules and attack a man under guise of nominating + another? Mr. Chairman, I demand that this slanderer be removed from the + hall and that we proceed to the nomination of a governor.” + </p> + <p> + There was a hush during which Farr and Colonel Dodd looked at each other, + crossing their stares like long rapiers over the terraced heads. + </p> + <p> + “I fear I was wrong,” confessed Farr, gently. “But we poor folks down in + the ranks don't know much about the rules, and when we are struggling to + save the ones we love we are apt to forget and talk to the heart of + things. I am not trying to show that I am a skilful orator, gentlemen of + the convention.” He held up his arms. “I am crying for <i>Justice</i>!” + </p> + <p> + The delegates broke into applause once more. + </p> + <p> + And Walker Farr sent a queer look straight into the eyes of the colonel. + </p> + <p> + Conviction slapped Colonel Symonds Dodd in his mental face with a violence + that made him blink! + </p> + <p> + This man was no amateur in understanding how to sway an audience. To be + sure, he had transgressed parliamentary usage, but in those words he had + driven home facts that all knew to be truths—truths which others had + been afraid to voice, but which, once put into words in public, tied the + hideous stamp of ring favoritism upon Governor Harwood, made him a + candidate who could not be trusted. + </p> + <p> + The colonel understood, and he also saw plainly that the most of the + audience had accepted the apology, and held no prejudice against the + speaker. + </p> + <p> + “Now that I understand what the rules governing nominations are I will not + break them again,” declared Farr. + </p> + <p> + But like a shrewd and not over-scrupulous lawyer he had jabbed into the + proceedings a stinging truth which, though excluded by the rules, + nevertheless served vitally the big purpose of his efforts; the colonel + understood that, too, and turned back to his chair fairly livid with rage. + </p> + <p> + “There is a man in this state who knows true law,” continued the speaker, + “and that you may be assured that he will sign a bill which is passed for + the good of the people, let me tell you a little about his character.” + </p> + <p> + Colonel Dodd cursed without trying to moderate his tones very much. + </p> + <p> + “There's no telling what tack that renegade will take next. This infernal + convention is getting to be a nightmare. Those fools out there are + listening as if they expected that cheap demagogue to bring 'em a new + Messiah,” he told the committeemen near him. + </p> + <p> + “There's a funny noise going on out there among 'em,” ventured “Whispering + Saunders.” “Round-up fellows say they hear something like it when a herd + is getting ready to stampede. It's the same thing in a political + convention sometimes. The reason for it is: the crowd is ripe and the head + steer gives the right bellow—and off they go!” + </p> + <p> + Colonel Dodd grabbed his nephew by the elbow and rushed him off the stage + and into an anteroom. + </p> + <p> + “Is that matter on the hair-trigger, Richard?” he demanded. + </p> + <p> + “It's ready to be snapped any minute.” + </p> + <p> + The colonel whipped out his check-book and began to write. “It's as old + Saunders said,” he muttered as he wrote. “And we've got to rope, throw, + and tie that one steer.” + </p> + <p> + The check was for five thousand dollars! + </p> + <p> + Young Dodd seized it, and when his uncle hurried back upon the stage the + nephew, through the door which was left open, beckoned to Mullaney. The + detective came, hurrying past Colonel Dodd, who stared until the door had + closed behind young Dodd and the officer. + </p> + <p> + “But he's my own nephew!” he assured himself, as if he were replying to an + accusation laid against Richard Dodd. He shook his head and sat down in + his chair. “I wonder how long it has been since old Bob Mullaney put a + price of that size on his secrets! I'm afraid Richard hasn't the Dodd + ability to drive a sharp trade.” + </p> + <p> + But Richard was showing considerable ability in that line behind the door + of the anteroom. + </p> + <p> + He jammed two hundred and fifty dollars in crumpled bills into the + detective's hands, cleaning out his pockets for the purpose. He had + slipped the check into his deepest pocket the moment his uncle had handed + it to him. + </p> + <p> + “It was hard work to screw him up, Mullaney. You have seen how I worked + him. This is all he gave me—two hundred and fifty. Take it and + spring your trap.” + </p> + <p> + “You don't look honest,” grumbled the detective. “If I'm any kind of a + guesser you're holding out on me.” + </p> + <p> + “That's your price. You agreed. There isn't any time to argue this. Give + me back the money.” He grabbed the bills from Mullaney's clutch. It was + magnificent bluff. “I'll hand it to my uncle. He isn't very keen on the + thing, anyway.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll take it—give it back. I'll apologize,” pleaded Mullaney. + </p> + <p> + “Will you swear to keep all this under your hat—the whole thing? + Uncle says if you dare to speak to him about it—hint to him or + anybody that he paid money for anything on Farr—he'll deny the story + and have your license taken away.” + </p> + <p> + “I promise—swear it,” Mullaney agreed. + </p> + <p> + Dodd returned the money, and the detective started out on the trot. + </p> + <p> + “You come, too, and I'll tell you on the way. Time is short. You'd better + help me,” he advised Dodd. They hurried away together, rushed out into the + alley and around to the front of the hall, the detective pouring certain + information into Dodd's ear as they made their way to the big door and + into the main corridor. + </p> + <p> + Then they bored through the crowds. + </p> + <p> + The detective led the way and showed his badge to compel the people to + give them a lane. + </p> + <p> + They entered the rear of the auditorium. + </p> + <p> + “You take the left side and I'll take the right,” commanded Mullaney. “We + need to paralyze him first. That's all there's time for just now—I've + had short notice. But get that name to every man of your crowd you can, + and when the howl is started tell 'em all to join in.” + </p> + <p> + Dodd had had scant time to digest the knowledge which the detective had + imparted on the run. But his eyes gleamed wickedly as he began to whisper + to men among the delegates. And as he moved about he noticed that the girl + in the gallery had marked his activity, even to the extent of turning her + gaze from Walker Farr, whose voice was ringing through the spacious hall. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0030" id="link2H_4_0030"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XXIX + </h2> + <h3> + THE BOMB + </h3> + <p> + Walker Farr, towering over their heads, talked to the men in whose midst + he stood. + </p> + <p> + Mere eloquence no longer avails in these days of cynical disbelief in the + motives of political orators. But this young man who stood there was + sincerity incarnate. The wonderful and mystic magnetic quality which wins + men and inspires confidence radiated from him. And every now and then, as + he glanced up at one face in the gallery his voice took on new tones of + appeal and pathos. He was one crying from the depths to those in + authority! By the marvel of his language he made the men who sat there as + delegates understand that theirs was the power to make or mar—to + save or sacrifice their state in the crisis which was upon them. He made + them feel their responsibility after he made them understand their power. + </p> + <p> + And he also made their duty plain. + </p> + <p> + The crux of the situation rested on such a man as they should place in the + highest office in the state. + </p> + <p> + In other times, under other conditions, some pliant and amiable figurehead + might serve them well. + </p> + <p> + He told them, with outstretched finger and vibrant voice, what must be the + masterful qualifications of the man who should assume the cross of public + service and carry it up the steeps where he would be lashed at every step + of his weary way by the thongs in the hands of privileged capital. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Symonds Dodd had come back to the platform, cursing himself for a + fool. The moment the check had left his hands he was angry because he had + allowed circumstances to stampede him. + </p> + <p> + He wondered what was getting into him and into politics. + </p> + <p> + Was he afraid of mere talk from a demagogue! + </p> + <p> + But after he had sat there for a few moments and listened, and had watched + the faces of the delegates, he decided that if five thousand dollars would + stop the mouth of that man he had spent money wisely. It was borne in upon + him that he had spent greater sums many times for lesser service. + </p> + <p> + He saw Richard Dodd and Mullaney circulating among the delegates. He + restrained with difficulty an impulse to rise and shout to them to hurry. + He felt that danger to his program and his political structure was + imminent. Because once again were true eloquence and masterly appeal + winning men. + </p> + <p> + All the listeners in the vast hall were as still as death. All eyes were + on this speaker who seemed to be clothing with effective speech all the + hidden convictions of the delegates themselves who had nursed protest + without being able to put it into force. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Dodd had seen conventions in similar mood in the old days before + the saddle of party had been as securely cinched as it had been in late + years. + </p> + <p> + The chairman of the state committee uttered the colonel's rising fears. + The chairman had lost his sneer and his bumptious confidence. His face was + red, he was sweating, he was staring out over the convention and snapping + his fingers impatiently. + </p> + <p> + “Good gad!” he informed those in hearing on the platform, “what kind of a + turn is this thing taking? We have let this convention get away from us. + That chap has got the whole crowd marching to the mourners' bench. He can + wind up by nominating a yellow dog and they'll rise and howl him into + office by acclamation!” + </p> + <p> + Farr paused for a moment to give effect to his next words. + </p> + <p> + “Such in character, in honest impulse, in honor, in ability, in devotion, + and in God-given nobility must be the man who will lead you. Has God given + such a man to this state? He has!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes and the devil has given us Nelson Sinkler to speak for that man!” + </p> + <p> + The voice was shrill and agitated and it came from a section of the hall + where the rabid adherents of the machine were massed; it was an amazing + and shocking interruption. + </p> + <p> + “I said Nelson Sinkler—that's you!” screamed the voice. + </p> + <p> + And on that, from here and there in the hall, like snipers posted in + ambush, men shouted the name “Nelson Sinkler”—the words popping like + rifles. + </p> + <p> + There was uproar. Part of it was protest, part hysterical demonstration of + excitement in an assemblage which did not in the least understand. + </p> + <p> + Then after a time came quiet, for the object of the attack stood in his + elevated position, unruffled, stern, turning bold front to right and left + as men barked at him. + </p> + <p> + “I am here where all may look on me,” he said. “Let one or all of those + who are attacking me stand forth in view, too.” + </p> + <p> + No one stood up. + </p> + <p> + “It's a cowardly man who will not put his name to a letter or show his + face when he makes an accusation,” cried Farr. + </p> + <p> + “How about a man who doesn't dare to use his own name?” This questioner + remained in ambush. + </p> + <p> + “Your right name isn't Walker Farr and you know it isn't,” bellowed a + voice on the opposite side of the hall. + </p> + <p> + Other voices pot-shotted at him with the words, “Nelson Sinkler.” + </p> + <p> + “Will one man in this convention stand up and show himself so that I can + talk to him face to face?” shouted the man at bay. + </p> + <p> + Detective Mullaney and Richard Dodd could not find seats. The others were + sitting, and the two were marked men. + </p> + <p> + “Well, Dodd, you have been whispering. What have you to say aloud?” + demanded the man they were baiting. + </p> + <p> + “I say your name is not Walker Farr.” + </p> + <p> + “You!” The tall young man darted a finger at Mullaney. + </p> + <p> + “I say you're Nelson Sinkler.” + </p> + <p> + “And what of him?” + </p> + <p> + “He is wanted by the state of Nebraska for murder.” + </p> + <p> + A sound that was mingled sigh and groan ran and throbbed from galleries to + floor; it filled the great hall and seemed to vibrate back and forth over + the assemblage. And for the long minute that the dreadful sound continued + until it had breathed itself out into horrified silence the man who stood + on the settee looked straight into the white face of the girl in the + gallery. + </p> + <p> + But those of the throng who devoured him with eager stares could not + discern one trace of confession on his countenance. + </p> + <p> + Then he did a strange thing. + </p> + <p> + He held his arms out toward Detective Mullaney and crossed them, wrist + over wrist, and he smiled. + </p> + <p> + “If you are certain enough of your man to dare to arrest me, sir, I stand + here waiting for the handcuffs.” + </p> + <p> + The detective hesitated, visibly embarrassed. He had been looking for + confusion, confession by manner, even collapse. + </p> + <p> + “This is a put-up political job,” declared a delegate. “That's no murderer—that + man.” + </p> + <p> + “I am waiting,” repeated Farr. + </p> + <p> + Detective Mullaney flushed. There were murmurs of hostility in the throng + about him. He ran over swiftly in his mind the contents of his note-book + and fortified his courage. + </p> + <p> + “I haven't secured a warrant yet—but I'll take your dare,” he + announced. He started to come down the aisle. + </p> + <p> + “Just one moment,” called a stentorian voice in the gallery. “You're + wrong, my man, down there. I don't want to see an innocent person + disgraced in public nor an officer get himself into a scrape. That man is + not Nelson Sinkler.” + </p> + <p> + “What are we running here—a state convention or a police court?” + Colonel Dodd demanded, leaping up and grabbing the arm of the presiding + officer. “Order all those men ejected from the hall.” + </p> + <p> + But at that moment the convention was not in the control of the chairman. + Irregular as it all was, human nature demanded to be shown there and then. + </p> + <p> + Delegates arose, shouting, and surrounded Farr, making effectual bulwarks + against Mullaney with their bodies. Voices asked the stranger in the + gallery for information, and he motioned the vociferous mob into silence. + </p> + <p> + “I am a United States post-office inspector, and I can easily prove my + identity, gentlemen. I'm here in this convention merely as a spectator, + killing time till my train leaves. But I know Nelson Sinkler because I + arrested him a month or so ago after he had been a fugitive for two years. + He killed a mail clerk. He is now awaiting trial. If that man down there + is arrested as being Nelson Sinkler it will mean a lot of trouble for + somebody.” He sat down. + </p> + <p> + “Who are you?” yelled a chorus of the ring's henchmen. They pressed as + near to Farr as his body-guard would permit and shook their fists at him. + </p> + <p> + “I am a man and not a spirit,” he said in the first silence—and + silence came quickly, for they were eager to hear. “You can see that for + yourselves. But just now I am less a man than a <i>Voice</i>.” He shouted + that last word. “The Voice calls you to rebuke the kind of politics that + has just been attempted here. You have seen, you have heard! Will you + indorse it by your votes? Will you keep in power that gang that has + attempted it in the desperation of defeat?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” the voices of men tumultuously replied. + </p> + <p> + Reckless and unjust attack had never tossed a more golden opportunity into + a man's hands. + </p> + <p> + “Then come over to the side of decency, my men. Nominate a champion who + will be spotless and unafraid. There is war in this commonwealth instead + of politics. Through one war the great patriot of this state led his + people with high chivalry. For the next governor of this state, in these + trying times, I nominate the son of that patriot—the Honorable + Archer Converse of this city—God bless him!” + </p> + <p> + “We're licked,” gasped Colonel Dodd, trying to make the state chairman + hear him, for the roar that rocked the great hall was deafening. “A + boomerang has come back and mowed us flatter than an oven door in tophet.” + </p> + <p> + In the rout, in the retreat—horse, foot and dragoons—crisp + orders were issued and obeyed. The friends of Governor Harwood had only + one resource—it was to save that gentleman's face. His nomination + was withdrawn. + </p> + <p> + That convention had run amuck, it was a mass of wild men who were feeling + liberty from oppression for the first time and gloried in their new and + sudden freedom from ring rule. + </p> + <p> + Then the delegates who came upon their feet roared the unanimous + nomination of Archer Converse. + </p> + <p> + In the gale of that acclaim the opposition uttered no protest; the + delegates who still remained loyal to the machine scowled and kept their + seats. + </p> + <p> + Ducking under the tossing arms of men who flung aloft their hats and + cheered with the frenzy of delight that the amazing victory inspired, + Richard Dodd escaped to the rear of the hall and jammed himself into the + press of the spectators. He hid behind a hedge of bodies and then dared to + look at Colonel Dodd's face. The mighty passion which flamed on the + uncle's countenance was revealed to the nephew's gaze even at that + distance. The colonel was at the edge of the platform and was beckoning + imperiously to some one. Young Dodd saw Detective Mullaney work his way + out of the throng which surrounded Walker Farr; the officer was obviously + obeying the summons of Colonel Dodd and marched to the platform and + climbed on a chair in order to converse with the angry man who had + beckoned. + </p> + <p> + And when Richard Dodd saw that conference begin overwhelming fear swept + out of his soul all other emotions. He no longer had eyes for that girl in + the gallery. Not even love and the promise she had made availed to stay + him. Panic allowed him no time for planning an excuse or framing a lie. In + playing for the stakes he had exacted he had felt that his uncle would + hold no autopsy on the price of success. But five thousand dollars plucked + from the Dodd pocket by a falsehood for which no excuse could be offered! + And on top of that a crushing defeat which had been made definite and + final by the work which Colonel Dodd had paid for! + </p> + <p> + The nephew saw Mullaney shake his head and throw up his hands in appeal + and protest. + </p> + <p> + That spectacle made Richard Dodd a fugitive who thought only of saving + himself. He fought his way through the crowd and ran out of the hall. The + thought of facing Symonds Dodd in that crisis or of waiting to be dragged + before the furious tyrant—that thought lashed the traitor into mad + flight. + </p> + <p> + He glanced up at the clock in the First National tower. He had three + minutes before the bank's closing time. He controlled his emotions as best + he could and presented the check at the paying-teller's grill. The money + was counted out to him without question, and when he held the thick packet + in his hand he realized still more acutely in what position he stood in + his affairs with Symonds Dodd. + </p> + <p> + He rushed to a garage, secured his car, and fled. + </p> + <p> + “I tell you I gave my nephew a check for five thousand dollars,” insisted + the colonel. “And the Dodds don't lie to each other!” + </p> + <p> + “Then they have begun to do it,” declared Mullaney. “He has double-crossed + the two of us. There was never any talk between us of more than five + hundred for the job.” + </p> + <p> + Colonel Dodd hurried into the anteroom and called the bank on the + telephone. “Almighty Herod!” he yelped, when he was informed that the + check had been cashed. He banged the receiver upon its hook. “Even my own + nephew has joined the pack of those damnation wolves!” + </p> + <p> + Then with the air of a man recovering from a blow and wondering dizzily + what had struck him, he left the convention hall by a rear door and went + to his office. + </p> + <p> + Those whom he passed on his way out made no attempt to stop him, did not + urge him to remain. That convention seemed to be doing very well without + calling upon Colonel Symonds Dodd for help or suggestions. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0031" id="link2H_4_0031"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XXX + </h2> + <h3> + A GIRL'S IMPULSE + </h3> + <p> + Herald unofficial, <i>avant courier</i>, Mr. Daniel Breed squeezed himself + through the pack of people while they were still cheering the name of the + Honorable Archer Converse. + </p> + <p> + “Giving candy to youngsters and good news to grown folks never made + anybody specially unpopular,” Mr. Breed assured himself with politician's + sagacity. + </p> + <p> + Therefore, he jog-trotted down to the Converse law-offices and shot + himself into the presence of the estimable gentleman who had remained + aloof from the distracting business of a convention. + </p> + <p> + “He's done it,” proclaimed Mr. Breed, making his sentences short and his + message to the point because he was out of breath. + </p> + <p> + “Who has done what?” demanded Mr. Converse, with equal crispness. + </p> + <p> + “Farr. You're nominated for governor. Acclamation! He's a wiz with his + tongue.” Mr. Breed pursed his little mouth and “sipped” with gusto. “Some + talker! Don't ever tell me that good talk doesn't win when the right man + makes it at the right time.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Converse rose and stood—a rigid statue of consternation and + protest. “Do you mean to come in here and tell me that I have been + nominated by that state convention? Without my sanction? Without my + consent?” + </p> + <p> + “Sure thing! Easy work! Played all the tricks. Made believe he was green. + Poked rights and lefts to Harwood's jaw. Had himself paged as a murderer—at + least, I reckon it was his own get-up. It cinched the thing, anyway. He + understands human nature.” + </p> + <p> + But Mr. Converse did not in the least understand this talk. “Look here, + Breed, you haven't gone crazy yourself, along with the rest, have you?” + </p> + <p> + “Nobody's crazy. People have simply woke up.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll be eternally condemned if I—” + </p> + <p> + “That's right! You will be if you don't button up your coat and go over to + the hall along with that notification committee that's probably on the + way, give the folks your best bow, and say you'll take the job. We're some + little team when we get started.” + </p> + <p> + “You're an infernal steer team, and you have dragged me into a mess of + trouble,” declared Mr. Converse, with venom. + </p> + <p> + “Glad you're in,” retorted the imperturbable Breed. “A man needs more or + less trouble so as to round himself out; I've been having some troubles of + my own. Whatever job you give me after you're elected, don't put me back + with them stuffed animals. Harwood made his mistake right there!” + </p> + <p> + “It has begun already, has it?” asked Converse, indignantly. + “Office-seekers at it?” + </p> + <p> + “Sure thing!” responded Mr. Breed, amiably. “When you cool down you'll + remember that I got to you first with the good news.” + </p> + <p> + Five minutes later the Honorable Archer Converse, muttering, but more + calm, was marching toward the convention hall in the company of a proud + committee of notification. + </p> + <p> + He walked out upon the platform and waited for the wild tumult of greeting + to subside, and while he waited he searched the assemblage with stern + scrutiny to find the face of Walker Farr. + </p> + <p> + But that young worker of miracles was not in evidence. + </p> + <p> + He had risen with the others when the band began to blare the music which + signaled the approach of the nominee. + </p> + <p> + Once more he turned his gaze toward the girl in the gallery. + </p> + <p> + There was nothing in his demeanor to suggest that he had been a victor. + His face was white, and after his eyes had held hers for a long time he + gave her a wistful little smile which expressed regret, sorrow, + renunciation, rather than pride. She no longer wondered at the interest + she felt in this man; she knew that she loved him. She was able to own + that truth to herself, and to view it calmly because she had made her + promise to Richard Dodd and was resolved to keep it. That determination + made of this love a precious possession that she could put away for ever + out of the sight of all the world. Such a poor, meager, little story of + love it was! A few meetings—a hand-touch—a word or two. + </p> + <p> + There in that packed forum had been their only real love-making. Over the + heads of angry men they had told each other with their eyes. There was no + misunderstanding on the part of either. Both knew the truth. + </p> + <p> + And yet, after he had told her, this enigma of a man bowed his head and + edged his way to the door, moving unobtrusively through the press of + humanity, taking advantage of the confusion which marked the entrance of + Archer Converse. + </p> + <p> + Impulse goaded Kate Kilgour at that moment. She did not reason or reflect. + Something in the air of this man told her that sorrow instead of triumph + was dominating him; his whole demeanor had said “Farewell” when he had + turned from her. The instinct of the woman who loves and longs to comfort + the object of that affection drove her out of the hall, and she followed + him—ashamed, marveling at herself, searching her soul for words with + which to excuse her madness, should he turn and behold her. + </p> + <p> + But the autumn dusk was early and she was grateful because it shrouded + her. + </p> + <p> + Farr, leaving the din of the convention, going forth alone, looked more + like the vanquished than the victor. He walked slowly, his head was + lowered, and he turned off the Boulevard at once, seeking deserted streets + which led him down toward the big mills. + </p> + <p> + Their myriad lights shone from dusty windows, row upon row, and the + staccato chatter of the looms sounded ceaselessly. + </p> + <p> + Farr climbed the fence where old Etienne was everlastingly raking. The + young man had not seen much of the old rack-tender for some weeks, and now + he greeted Etienne rather curtly as he passed on his way to the tree. But + Etienne seemed to understand. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, I will not talk, m'sieu'. I will not bodder you. I hear how much you + have work and run about, and you must be very tire.” + </p> + <p> + There was a crackle of autumn chill in the air, but Farr took off his hat + and sat down and leaned his head against the tree. He closed his eyes. One + might have thought that he wished to sleep. + </p> + <p> + When the rack-tender made his next turn toward the street he saw a woman + at the fence, and as he peered she beckoned to him. He went close and saw + it was the pretty lady to whom he had told the story of Rosemarie. She + trembled as she clutched the top of the high fence, and when she spoke to + him he understood that she was very near to tears. + </p> + <p> + “Is there not some way—some gate by which I may come in?” she + pleaded. + </p> + <p> + “That is not allow, ma'm'selle. It is trespass.” + </p> + <p> + “But I want to speak—to—tell him—We can talk over there + beside the tree and will not be heard. It is to Mr. Farr I wish to speak. + I saw him when he climbed the fence.” She hurried her appeal with pitiful + eagerness. + </p> + <p> + “Ah yes, I have one little gate for maself—for my frien'—for + hees frien', ma'm'selle. I will break the rule. You shall come in.” + </p> + <p> + She went softly and stood before Farr for some minutes before he opened + his eyes. + </p> + <p> + Then he looked up and saw her and he did not speak. He seemed to accept + her presence as a natural matter. She was clasping her hands tightly to + steady herself. His calm demeanor helped her. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know why I came here,” she murmured. + </p> + <p> + “I know. It's because you are sorry for me.” + </p> + <p> + “But I followed you. I dared to do that. I don't know why. I haven't the + words—I can't explain.” + </p> + <p> + “I understand. You wondered why I came away from the convention. You want + to ask me why.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, that's it. I am interested in the fight. I have left the office + where so many bad things were planned.” + </p> + <p> + “I know. It was good of you to warn me.” + </p> + <p> + “And now I am afraid you are in trouble.” + </p> + <p> + “I am.” + </p> + <p> + “But you have many good friends now, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “I fear they cannot help me. When I left that hall I tried to tell you + with my eyes that I was going away.” + </p> + <p> + “I—I think I understood,” she stammered. “It was wrong—it was + folly—but I followed you without knowing why I did so.” + </p> + <p> + “I am glad you did. I can say farewell to you here.” + </p> + <p> + “But you must not go away, Mr. Farr. You are needed.” + </p> + <p> + “I am going because I can best help the work in that way. If I stay here I + may be the cause of great harm.” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot understand.” + </p> + <p> + “I do not want you to understand.” + </p> + <p> + “Why?” + </p> + <p> + “It is a matter which concerns others besides myself.” + </p> + <p> + “Does Mr. Converse know that you are going away?” + </p> + <p> + “I shall tell him to-night before I leave town.” + </p> + <p> + “He will not allow you to do.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes—he will,” the young man returned, quietly. + </p> + <p> + There was a long silence. + </p> + <p> + “Coming here—following you—it was a mad thing for me to do,” + said the girl, still striving to find explanation for her act. “But I have + had so much trouble in my own life—I am sorry for others who are in + trouble. I want to tell you that I am sorry.” + </p> + <p> + “I understand,” he repeated. + </p> + <p> + Another period of silence followed. + </p> + <p> + “That is all,” said the girl. “I only wanted to tell you what a grand + battle you won to-day—and then I saw your face there in the hall and + I knew that you did not want praise—you wanted somebody to say to + you, 'I'm sorry.'” She dwelt upon the word which expressed her sympathy, + putting all her heart into her voice. “And now I'll be going,” she said, + “and I hope you understand and will forgive me.” + </p> + <p> + Farr had been sitting with head against the trunk of the tree. When he had + started to rise she requested him to remain seated. Now he stood up so + quickly that she gasped. She was plainly still less at ease when he stood + and came close to her. + </p> + <p> + “Wait a moment. You think that I am a very strange sort of man, do you + not?” + </p> + <p> + She was silent. + </p> + <p> + “You need not answer—it doesn't need answer. You naturally must + think that. You met me when I was a vagrant. You have seen me selling ice + from a cart-tail. But—I will be very frank, for this is a time which + demands frankness—you have seen me in other circumstances which have + been a bit more creditable. You do not know who I am or what to make of + me. But with all your heart and soul you know that I love you,” he + declared, his tones low and tense and thrilling. “That love has needed no + words. It has been strange love-making. Wait! This isn't going to be what + you think. If I were simply going to say I love you I would have said it + to you long ago—I am not a coward—and I had seen the one mate + of all the world; I knew it when I saw you in the dust of the long + highway. And after you went on I picked a rose beside the way, and the + ashes of that rose are in my pocket now. I called you the little sister of + the rose and plodded along after you, playing with a dream. And I threw + the rose away after I saw you in the woods with your lover—and + understood. But I went back and hunted on my knees for your sister. I + didn't intend to say any of this to you. For it is of no use.” + </p> + <p> + “No; I am promised to Richard Dodd,” she sobbed. + </p> + <p> + “If that was all that stood between us I'd reach now and take you in my + arms,” he said, with bitterness. + </p> + <p> + “It is more than a mere promise—he owns me—it was bargain and + sale—it's sacrifice—for—But I must not tell you.” She + went to the tree and put her forehead on her crossed arms and wept with a + child's pitiful abandon. He came close and put tender hand upon her + shoulder. + </p> + <p> + “Sacrifice, little sister of the rose! Then there is another bond between + us! Sacrifice! My God! the curse that is sometimes put upon the innocent!” + He put the tip of his forefinger under her chin and lifted her face from + her arms. “I haven't any right to tell you that I love you. I must march + on. I cannot even explain to you why I cannot take you in my arms and + plead for your love.” + </p> + <p> + Her eyes told him what answer his pleading would win, and he trembled and + stepped away from her. + </p> + <p> + “Since it can never be,” she said, brokenly, “you may as well know that I—that + I do—I couldn't help it. I am forward—I am bold—it is + shameless—but I never loved anybody before.” She put out both her + hands, and he took them. + </p> + <p> + Old Etienne dragged doggedly at his work, his lantern lighting his toil. + The looms clacked behind the dusty windows which splashed their radiance + upon the gloom. + </p> + <p> + “It is a bit strange that now another wonderful but bitter experience + should come into my life on this spot where we are standing,” he told her. + He spoke quietly, trying to calm her; striving to crowd back his own + emotions. “I guess fate picked this spot as the right place for us to say + farewell to each other. I stood here one day and saw old Etienne draw a + dead woman to the surface of the water, and I found a letter in her breast + and I took her key and went and found little Rosemarie.” + </p> + <p> + She stared at him, her eyes very wide in the darkness. + </p> + <p> + “And that dead woman—she was the mother of the little girl?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, a poor weaver that the mills had broken. And Rosemarie and I sat all + night under this tree. It is too long a story for you now. No matter about + that, but I—” + </p> + <p> + “I know about Rosemarie,” she confessed. + </p> + <p> + “And my heart opened and something new came into it, little sister of the + rose. And now on this spot I stand, and all joy and hope and love are dead + for me when I give back to you these dear little hands.” + </p> + <p> + She was still staring at him. + </p> + <p> + “But I must not—I dare not speak of it,” he proceeded. His grasp + grew tense. “See how I am trying to be calm? I will not loose my grip on + myself. Our doom was written for us by other hands, dear heart. When it + was summer I walked here with Rosemarie and play-mamma. Now it is autumn + and—” + </p> + <p> + “Play-mamma!” she gasped. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, a dear, good girl who worked hard in the mill and who was very good + to our Rosemarie; I was making poor shifts at buying a little girl's + clothes, and Zelie Dionne was wise in those matters and was busy with her + needle.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope you been excuse me,” broke in old Etienne. “I overheard the name + of Zelie Dionne, but I don't mean to listen. I have some good news for + you, M'sieu' Farr, what you don't hear because you ain't been on this + place for long time. And it is not good news for you, ma'm'selle, for now + you can't get acquaint with very nice Canadian girl. The big beau Jean + have come down here from Tadousac and now he own nice farm and they will + get marry and be very happy up in the habitant country.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank God, there's some happiness in this world,” said Farr. “She is a + good girl.” + </p> + <p> + There was almost joy on Kate Kilgour's face when she looked up at Farr. + </p> + <p> + Her god had been restored to his pedestal. + </p> + <p> + “Farewell,” he said at the little gate through which she had stepped into + the street. + </p> + <p> + “No,” she cried as she turned and hurried away; “I'll not say it—not + now!” And he wondered because there was joy in her tones. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0032" id="link2H_4_0032"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XXXI + </h2> + <h3> + THE MASK OF CYNICISM + </h3> + <p> + Old Etienne came to the gate with his lantern; the big turbines were + stilling their rumble and growl in the deep pits and his day's work was + ended. + </p> + <p> + “P'r'aps you may walk to Mother Maillet's with me and say the good word to + Jean from Tadousac and to Zelie Dionne, who is now so very glad,” + suggested the old man, humbly. “The good priest he marry them very soon + and they will go home.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I will go, Etienne. I can say good-by there to you and to Miss + Dionne.” + </p> + <p> + “So you go visit some place, eh, after your hard work? That will be very + good for you, M'sieu' Farr. You shall come back much rest up and then you + will show the poor folks how you will help them some more.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall not come back—I am going away to stay.” + </p> + <p> + “But you promise under the big light at the <i>hotel de ville</i>—I + hear you promise that you will stay,” protested the old man. + </p> + <p> + “My work is finished.” + </p> + <p> + “That is not so, M'sieu' Farr. For many men come to talk to me over the + fence since I stand up in the big hall. They are wiser than such a fool as + I am. They say that you have just begin to do great things for the poor + folks. You shall take the water-pipes away from the men who have poison + them. Ah, that is what they say. I do not understand, but they say it + shall be so.” + </p> + <p> + “Other men can do it,” said Farr, curtly. + </p> + <p> + “And yet you will come back—when?” The old man was struggling with + his bewilderment and doubt. + </p> + <p> + “Never.” + </p> + <p> + He understood how he was hurting that old man, but bitterness and + hopelessness were crowding all tender feelings out of Farr at that moment. + Once more he put on the mask of cynicism. He feared to show anybody the + depths of his soul. + </p> + <p> + In the good woman's little sitting-room they found Zelie Dionne. + </p> + <p> + “I have stopped in to say good-by, Miss Zelie. I am going away. I'm sorry + that the grand young man from Tadousac is not here.” + </p> + <p> + “He comes to sit with me in the evening. You shall wait and see him.” + </p> + <p> + “No, I must hurry on.” + </p> + <p> + “I have been reading about you.” She tapped the newspaper in her hand. + “The boy just passed, crying the news. It is very wonderful what you have + done. Now you will be the great man. But I knew all the time that you were + much more than you seemed to be.” + </p> + <p> + “However, you don't seem to understand me just now,” he declared. “I am + going away from this city—from this state. I am going to stay away.” + </p> + <p> + “<i>Oui</i>, he have say that thing to me,” said old Etienne, brokenly. + “And I do not understand.” + </p> + <p> + “And <i>I</i> do not understand.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm tired—put it that way.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah no, that is not it.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I am more or less of a sneak and a quitter when it comes to a + pinch. I don't want you two good folks to feel sorry about me. Forget me. + That will be the best way. I hope you will be very happy in Tadousac, Miss + Zelie.” + </p> + <p> + “I hoped we were better friends,” she said simply. “I am very sad to find + you do not trust us.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I'm selfish—that's it. Remember me as a selfish man who was + tired and ran away.” + </p> + <p> + “We have talked about you, Uncle Etienne and I, and we have never said + that you are selfish.” + </p> + <p> + “That shows you don't know me,” said Farr, roughly. + </p> + <p> + “But we know what you have done,” insisted the old man, with patient + confidence. “For what you say you shall not do we do not care about that. + For we have seen what you have done—ah, we know about that and care + about it very much. You are wiser than we are, and if you say you must go + we can only look at you very sad and bow the head. I wish I had some + language so to tell you how very sorry! But the Yankee words—I know + not those which tell how sorry I shall be. It is not much I can do for the + poor little childs—only whittle and save pennies for the fresh air.” + </p> + <p> + Another man, another tone, might have put rebuke, indirectly, into those + words. But old Etienne, rasping his hard palms nervously, was merely + vowing himself to sacrifice because there was no one else left to do so. + Farr understood and was softened. + </p> + <p> + “And now I must go to the bed for my sleep, because the rack must be + cleared before the wheel start to go roompy-roomp in the big pit asking + for its water.” He was showing nervousness, haste, his voice trembled; he + staggered when he lifted himself out of his chair. + </p> + <p> + “You'd better say good-by to me now,” said Farr, rising with the old man. + “It's a good night under the stars. I shall probably be far out on the + road by daylight.” + </p> + <p> + “Good-bye,” muttered old Etienne, fumbling his hat and bowing. + </p> + <p> + “But aren't you going to say something else to me—say you're sorry + to have me go?” demanded the young man. “We have been close together in + some things we shall never forget.” + </p> + <p> + “I have told you. I cannot say how sorry.” The old man's voice was little + more than a husky whisper. + </p> + <p> + “I like you, Uncle Etienne. I want you to know it. You are an old saint.” + He put out his hand, but the rack-tender turned and hurried to the door. + “Not take my hand?” cried Farr. “Am I as much of a traitor as all that?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I cannot speak! I have no word,” wailed the old man from the gloom in + the street. His voice rose in shrill, cracked tones. He began to weep + aloud. He had been restraining his feelings with all the strength of his + will since Farr had announced his intentions. His departure was flight. He + began to run away down the sidewalk. “Saint Joseph, guard my tongue!” he + gasped over and over. “I'll go very fast so that I not say it, for I am + only old Pickaroon, and he is fine gentlemans!” He continued to weep + broken-heartedly. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Farr, he was afraid he would tell you how much he loved you—afraid + that you would be insulted if he presumed to tell you of it.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't think I just understand that,” commented Farr, staring into the + night, peering to get another glimpse of Etienne. + </p> + <p> + “I understand!” said the girl. “It would be too bad for you to go away and + think that at parting he was not polite to you. I would not like to have + you suppose that fault is in one from Tadousac. He has told me. If you + will not follow him and frighten him by saying that you know it, I will + tell you.” + </p> + <p> + “I will not follow him. Probably I shall never see him again.” + </p> + <p> + “It may be a bit hard for you to understand, for you do not know the + French nature, perhaps. But since little Rosemarie went away for ever he + has loved you. You made something more of him than the old rack-tender + when you took him into partnership. When you made him your friend before + all the big men at the City Hall something bloomed in him, m'sieu'—something + that before had been only a withered bud! Ah, you think I am fanciful? + Very well! I cannot think how to say it any other way. You are a token for + him from little Rosemarie who has gone away; you are friend, you are son, + you are in his eyes destined savior of these poor people.” + </p> + <p> + “I am glad I am going away. I would hate to betray such childlike faith. + Good-by, Miss Zelie!” + </p> + <p> + He heard her call to him when he was in the street. He turned and halted + and saw her slim, white figure at the gate, and he stepped back half-way. + </p> + <p> + She was girlish sympathy incarnate, and his troubled, hungry, + self-accusatory soul caught the radiation of that womanly solace. + </p> + <p> + “It's not what you say to me you are,” she said, her breath coming fast, + her tones low. “It's what I know you are! That you will be when at last + you shall come to yourself. I do not care what you say. I shall not + remember! To the world—to me—to poor Etienne, just now, you + lied about yourself, M'sieu' Farr—about your real self. But you did + not lie to a little girl when she asked you to show your true self to her. + Of yourself—with little Rosemarie—that shall I remember!” + </p> + <p> + “I thank you,” he said, gratefully. + </p> + <p> + “Some day some woman will love you,” she continued. “And when you are sure + that she does love you, then you will tell her your troubles and she will + know what to say to make things right for you. For that is the mission of + good women. They understand how to listen and how to help the men they + love. You shall see!” She hurried into the house. + </p> + <p> + Farr was promptly admitted when he presented himself at the door of Archer + Converse's residence, and he was conducted to that gentleman's library, + and came face to face with his patron, whom he found sitting very erect in + a high-backed chair. + </p> + <p> + “I have been waiting for you, sir,” said Converse. + </p> + <p> + “I expected that you would be waiting, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “Be seated.” + </p> + <p> + “I will stand, if you please. I have only a few words to say.” + </p> + <p> + “Then your nature must have changed very suddenly,” said the lawyer, + dryly. “Or did you pump your reservoir dry of language when you put my + name in nomination to-day?” + </p> + <p> + Farr bowed without reply. + </p> + <p> + “I hear that speech commended very highly. Among opportunists you deserve + high rank, Mr. Farr. You have tipped a state upside down very effectively, + and I am upside down along with the rest.” + </p> + <p> + “I will stand here very patiently, sir, and take my punishment. As between + ourselves, I had no right to do what I did to-day without consulting you. + As regards conditions in the state, I had a right to seize that + opportunity and give to the people a man who can be depended on. I did so. + Go ahead, now, Mr. Converse!” + </p> + <p> + To the young man's surprise, the nominee arose and came to him with hand + outstretched. A smile broke through the grimness of the lawyer's + countenance. “I have accepted a public trust with pride, I am obeying my + plain duty with satisfaction, and I shall work to be elected with all my + might. Otherwise I wouldn't be the son of my father. My boy, I have had a + talk with Citizen Drew to-day. He told me about your idea of kicking + honest men into politics. I want you to understand that I thank you + heartily because you have kicked me in. I'm going to swim!” + </p> + <p> + “'Then God's in His Heaven and the world's all right,'” declared Farr. + </p> + <p> + The lawyer's quizzical and searching gaze was rather disquieting; the + young man had found Converse eyeing him with peculiar interest during + their meetings in the recent past. Now Converse bestowed particularly + intent scrutiny on his caller. + </p> + <p> + “I feel that I have done my work, sir,” Farr hastened to say, anxious to + terminate this interview. “I am going away—out of the state. I shall + not return.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Converse did not break out into protest. He eyed Farr more closely. + Then he reached a button and turned on the full light of the chandelier. + “You have a good reason for deserting just when you are most needed, I + presume, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “I have. It is a reason which especially concerns the success of the + legislation which we have discussed. If I stay I shall hamper you.” + </p> + <p> + “I will ask you to stand where you are for a few minutes, sir,” said the + lawyer, commanding rather than requesting. He went to a cabinet and drew + forth a package. He brought that packet to the table and began to sort + photographs. + </p> + <p> + He selected one, regarded it with careful gaze, and shifted his eyes to + the young man's face. + </p> + <p> + “Um!” he commented, with judicial tone. “Now—suppose you tell me—just + how your continued presence in this state will hamper me”—he paused; + he drawled the next words, emphasizing them—“Mr. Bristol!” + </p> + <p> + Farr had begun nervous retreat when the lawyer had begun comparison of the + living features with the photograph. It was plain that he feared rather + than understood. + </p> + <p> + “Hold on, there!” shouted the investigator. “You may as well stay and + settle this matter, Bristol. You look at this picture! You recognize it, + do you? If you are in any doubt I'll inform you that it's a picture of + your father when he and I were in law-school together.” + </p> + <p> + “I deny any relationship to that man.” + </p> + <p> + “Your tone and your manner convict you, my boy. I jumped you with that + name purposely. I am no fool when it comes to examining a witness. When I + first laid eyes on you I thought I had seen you, yourself, somewhere, and + I have been puzzling my brains. Then it occurred to me that I had known in + my youth a fellow who looked like you. You're the son of your father, all + right. Don't stultify yourself by lying to me. You are Morgan Bristol's + boy! Hah?” + </p> + <p> + “I am,” confessed the young man, with resignation. + </p> + <p> + “What is your first name?” + </p> + <p> + “Thornton.” + </p> + <p> + “Sit down, Thornton!” + </p> + <p> + The visitor obeyed. + </p> + <p> + “What have you done that you're ashamed of, my boy?” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot tell you,” said Bristol, firmly. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, but you're going to,” insisted the lawyer, with just as much + firmness. “You are now retaining me as your attorney and counsel—whether + you know it or not. And when a man talks to his lawyer and tells the truth + it's no betrayal of confidence. Out with it!” + </p> + <p> + “There's nothing to be done, Mr. Converse.” + </p> + <p> + “There's always something which can be done when a man is in trouble. You + are Morgan Bristol's son. I was in school with your father. He went West + and settled. Is he alive?” + </p> + <p> + “I think so.” + </p> + <p> + “How is it that you don't know?” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Converse settled himself into the tone and pose of the cross-examiner. + </p> + <p> + “I have been a vagrant, hiding myself in the highways and byways of this + country, for a long time.” + </p> + <p> + “What happened to drive you out like that?” + </p> + <p> + “Right there, Mr. Converse, is where I must halt. It is a family matter. I + cannot go into it.” + </p> + <p> + “Look here, Thornton, you are in trouble. If you are in trouble, so is + your father. He has lost a boy! You can tell me now what it's all about, + or I'll drop my affairs and go and hunt up Morgan Bristol and ask him + about it. You may just as well save me all that time and trouble. You're a + lawyer, yourself—I know it.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “And you're a good one and know our code when it comes to secrets. I am + not asking you to expose a family skeleton—I'm demanding that you + treat me as your attorney and trust to my discretion. You are in trouble + and need a helper, and, by gad! you have got to take me into this thing.” + </p> + <p> + Thornton Bristol set his elbows on his knees and clutched his shaking + fingers into his hair. + </p> + <p> + “I have been meaning to keep it all to myself, sir,” he stammered. + </p> + <p> + “Quite likely. You have done mighty well at it, I should judge. But you + know that any man who acts as his own lawyer usually does a mighty poor + job. He lacks perspective.” + </p> + <p> + Bristol did not reply. + </p> + <p> + “I have been studying you a little since I have known you,” the lawyer + went on. “You are a very strange mixture, my boy. I much fear that in some + things in this life you are too quixotic in your views. We had a case here + in town—a man named Andrew Kilgour—” + </p> + <p> + “I have heard about that man, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “Thornton, from what glimpses I have had of your nature, I'm going to tell + you here and now that you are covering somebody else's fault. You are no + coward. You would face your own delinquency just as bravely as you came + here and faced me to-night. Now, what did your father do?” + </p> + <p> + “Speculated with trust funds of estates.” + </p> + <p> + “Old story, eh? Too bad, Morgan. I liked you when you were young.” + </p> + <p> + “But I want you to understand it,” cried the son. “It is hard for me to + talk about it, sir, but it isn't exactly the old story. My father was too + indulgent where I was concerned. He tried to do more for me than he could + afford. He didn't tell me the truth about his affairs—I supposed he + was a rich man. I always had everything that money could furnish. When he + found that I was interested in the law he sent me to schools at home and + abroad and ordered me to take my time and go to the bottom of all.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I reckon you did,” stated Converse. “If ever I saw a chap with the + true legal mind you have it, polished and pointed. You came into this + state and saw a solution for a problem which has blocked us for + twenty-five years. It's good law! And we will have a legislature that will + pass it. But when did you find out that your father had taken other folks' + money?” + </p> + <p> + “I came home and insisted on going to work in the office. Then he told me. + The settlement was due and had been called for. He was obliged to tell me. + And he tried to convince me that he had not taken the money for my sake. + He was willing to appear in my eyes a thief without excuse. But I knew. I + had selfishly accepted it all without thought—and only half + grateful. Young men are thoughtless, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “Your father seems to have been quixotic after his own fashion, Thornton. + I think I remember some of his traits when he was in school. But as old + Hard-Times Brewster used to say, 'We are all poor, queer critters and some + be queerer than the others!' So you were a little queerer than your + father, eh, and tried to square matters by a worse piece of folly?” + </p> + <p> + “It may have been folly. Perhaps it was. But I did not stop to argue or + reason. That money had been spent on me. I accepted the blame. I said + nothing to my father. I wrote letters to the persons who had lost. I told + them that I had taken the money as my father's agent—without his + knowledge. I said I had deceived him as well as them. And then, so that I + might not perjure myself on the witness-stand or have the truth gimleted + out of me by lawyers, I put on rags and hid myself among the thousands who + trudge the highways and ride the trusses of freight-cars. And no one has + come to me and put heavy hand on my shoulder and said, 'I want you!' But + some one will come if I remain here. I am going to hide myself again.” + </p> + <p> + “I say it has all been a piece of folly,” insisted Converse. “Dear folly! + Yes, almost noble folly! But it must end, my boy. I suppose your father is + back there toiling to repay those men from whom he took money.” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose so, Mr. Converse. But he has not been disgraced in the eyes of + the public.” + </p> + <p> + “There's where your noble folly has made its mistake. You have doubled his + grief, Thornton. Just sit there a moment and ponder. You will understand + what I mean.” + </p> + <p> + “I have understood—I have pondered—but I have not had the + courage to go back. At least, they could not say to him that his son was + in prison. He has escaped that grief.” + </p> + <p> + “And has endured a heavier one, my boy. I'm afraid you're a poor counselor + in your own affairs.” He came across the room to Bristol and slapped the + bowed shoulder. “Now you have found a better one. I have taken your case.” + </p> + <p> + The young man looked up into the kindly features of his adviser and was + only half convinced. + </p> + <p> + “Don't you realize how easy it will be for you to make money from this + time on? You don't? Well, let me tell you. As soon as you can be admitted + to the bar in this state I'm going to make you my law partner. Hold on! + I'm doing you no especial favor—I'm putting into my office a man who + had the legal acumen to devise a plan to break the unholy clutch of + plunderers who have had this state by the throat for a quarter of a + century. I'm simply grabbing you before somebody else gets you. I expect + to be governor of this state, and I want my law business looked after by a + man who is able to keep up the reputation of the firm. But first of all, + my boy, you and I are going back to your home. I think you'll find me a + fairly good lawyer in straightening out tangles. I'll know just how to + talk to those folks out there. And then you're coming back here with me + and face this state as yourself and help me fight the legislation we want + put through to enactment—and be damned to 'em!” He put his arm about + the young man's shoulders and drew him to his feet. “It has been a hard + day for you, my boy. There are some hard things ahead of you. You must go + to bed. The morning will bring comfort and good counsel.” + </p> + <p> + But when Bristol started toward the door Converse restrained him gently + and led him toward the stairs which led up from the big vestibule. + </p> + <p> + “You're home, my boy—right here—you're home here from this + time on! This is your other home until your father needs you more than I + do. I have been pretty lonely in this house for a good many years without + realizing just what was the matter with me.” + </p> + <p> + “After all, you have only my word for what I am and what I have done,” + expostulated Bristol. + </p> + <p> + “Oh no, I have the evidence of my eyes and ears and my own common sense.” + </p> + <p> + Bristol pressed the hand stretched forth to him. + </p> + <p> + “I'm not going to talk to you any more to-night,” stated the host, when + they were on the upper landing. “It will all seem different in the + morning. It's going to be all right after this, Thornton. I'm sorry I + haven't a wife. A woman understands how to listen to troubles better than + a man. Is your mother alive?” + </p> + <p> + “No, Mr. Converse.” + </p> + <p> + “I might have known that. You would not have allowed a mother to suffer—your + folly would never have gone so far. You would have been home long before + this. Ah, well, my boy, some woman will know how to comfort you some day + for all you have endured. Good night!” + </p> + <p> + The young man knew that Zelie Dionne had been right in what she said; he + did not require the added opinion of the state's most eminent lawyer. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0033" id="link2H_4_0033"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XXXII + </h2> + <h3> + THE DEBT + </h3> + <p> + Colonel Symonds Dodd sat at his desk in the First National block and + clutched helplessly at the dragging ends of events. He failed to get firm + hold on anything and irefully informed Judge Warren that the whole + situation was a “damnation nightmare.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” affirmed the judge, who had been pricked in his legal pride by his + master's tongue, “the Consolidated has eaten some pretty hearty meals. + It's no wonder it is having bad dreams right now.” + </p> + <p> + “You're squatting down like an old rooster in a dust-heap,” raged the + colonel, too angry to be choice in his language. “You, a + twenty-five-thousand-dollar lawyer, come in here to me and say that you + can't block the confiscatory scheme of a bounder—a nobody—a + black-leg stranger in this state!” + </p> + <p> + “I'll carry on the fight if you order me to do so,” said the corporation + lawyer. “That's my business. We can lobby in the next legislature. We can + fight the laws that Archer Converse's legislature is bound to pass, for + they're after us, Colonel Dodd. We can carry the thing to the highest + tribunal—and then we can fight the appraisals on every water-plant + in the state, but—” + </p> + <p> + “Well, but what?” + </p> + <p> + “One by one they'll pry loose every finger we have got hooked on to our + proposition. I have submitted that water-district plan to the acid test, + Colonel. It was my duty to do it. A lawyer must keep cool while his bosses + curse and disparage. I have the opinions of the law departments of three + leading colleges on the scheme. They all say that such a plan, if properly + safeguarded by constitutional law, will get by every blockade we can + erect. Now if you want to spend money I'll help you spend all you care to + appropriate,” concluded the judge, grimly. + </p> + <p> + “We'll fight,” was the dictum of the master. + </p> + <p> + “Then I take it that you have definitely decided to give up your political + control, Colonel! A certain amount of popularity is needed to cinch any + man in politics. You're going to be the most unpopular man in this state + if you start in to fight every town and city simply for the purpose of + piling up costs and clubbing them away from their own as long as you have + the muscle to do it.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't care about politics—politics has gone to the devil in this + state already. They'll get tired of chasing fox-fires through a swamp + following after such lah-de-dahs as Arch Converse, and will come back and + be good. I'll wait for 'em to come back. But in the mean time I'm going to + have the courts say whether our property can be confiscated. I'll take a + few pelts while they're trying it on!” + </p> + <p> + Judge Warren bowed stiffly and retired from the interview. + </p> + <p> + Day after day passed and Colonel Dodd was more than ever convinced that + the nightmare was continuing. Politicians agreed with him—all of + them with amazement, many of them with wrath. + </p> + <p> + Because the Honorable Archer Converse and the man who had called himself + Walker Farr had dropped completely out of sight, leaving no explanation of + any sort. + </p> + <p> + “They didn't even tell <i>me</i>,” confessed Daniel Breed, “and I'm their + chief fugler, and here's the November election right plunk on top of us—and + even the Apostle Paul would have to do at least four weeks of spry + campaigning in this state to be sure of being elected if a state committee + was getting ready to lay down on him like ours seems to be doing. I'm + jogafferbasted. I can't express myself no other way.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Breed, in moments of especial anxiety and despondency when he reviewed + the situation, darkly hinted that the grand jury ought to look into the + thing. The Consolidated had done about everything up to date except + assassinate and abduct, he averred, and everybody knew Colonel Dodd's + present state of mind. + </p> + <p> + However, Colonel Dodd did receive Miss Kate Kilgour politely when she came + to him; he had always held her in estimation next to the bouquets in his + office. + </p> + <p> + “I have come to you,” she explained, “because I could not get the + information anywhere else. I have tried. I do not want to bother you, + sir.” + </p> + <p> + The girl was pitifully broken, her voice trembled. + </p> + <p> + “Well, well, what is it?” he demanded, impatiently, and yet with a touch + of kindly tolerance. “You needn't be afraid of me even if you did leave me + in hop-and-jump style, Miss Kilgour.” + </p> + <p> + “Where is your nephew, Richard?” + </p> + <p> + And then, in spite of his assuring statement, Miss Kilgour <i>was</i> + afraid of him. + </p> + <p> + His square face was suffused with red, he thwacked his fist on his desk + and leaped out of his chair and stamped away from her, cursing viciously. + </p> + <p> + “Who sent you here to ask me that question?” he shouted, advancing on her + from the window. + </p> + <p> + “It's my own business—I came on my own account,” she stammered. + </p> + <p> + “How comes it to be your business, miss?” + </p> + <p> + “I gave him my promise to marry him.” + </p> + <p> + “If you did you made a devil of a mistake; I can tell you that, young + woman!” + </p> + <p> + “I realize it, Colonel Dodd. I want to know where he is. I want to take + back that promise.” + </p> + <p> + He controlled himself and stared at her. “Take my advice and consider your + contract with Richard Dodd annulled—for good and sufficient reasons, + Miss Kilgour. I don't want to say any more. I can't say any more. This + thing touches me on a sore spot. Don't be afraid. I'm not angry at you. + But just forget that fellow and go on about your own business.” + </p> + <p> + “I will do so, Colonel Dodd, after I have settled certain business with + him.” + </p> + <p> + “What business?” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot tell you.” + </p> + <p> + “You'll have to tell me,” he insisted, roughly. “I'm now engaged in + looking into my nephew's affairs. I want all the information I can get.” + </p> + <p> + “I can only ask you—implore you to tell me where he is.” + </p> + <p> + “I'd like to know, myself,” he retorted, bluntly. “I'd give considerable + to know. You needn't look at me as if you think I'm lying! Now you may as + well be frank with me, Miss Kilgour. I'm going to be frank with you. I + have always found you to be a young woman of prudence and caution. I'll + take a chance and tell you something which I have been keeping to myself. + I want you to know why you needn't feel bound to keep any promise you have + made to my nephew. He has played a despicable trick on me, his own uncle, + after all the help I have given him. He practically stole five thousand + dollars from me and has run away, and I don't know where he is. Now, what + have you to tell me?” + </p> + <p> + “I want to put this in his hands, sir.” She produced a packet, at which + the colonel peered with curiosity. “You will certainly find out where he + is. I want you to give it to him.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, love-letters, eh?” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir!” + </p> + <p> + With shaking fingers she untied the cord and displayed the contents. The + packet was money, many bills stacked neatly, and the size of the bundle + made the colonel open his eyes very wide. + </p> + <p> + “We—I—we owe it to him, sir. There are five thousand dollars + here.” + </p> + <p> + “So that's what he did with my money, eh? Well, I'll take it.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't think it is your money, Colonel Dodd. I have good reason to feel + sure that it is not. I have not seen your nephew since the day of the + convention, and then only at a distance. And this money—it was + borrowed a long time ago.” + </p> + <p> + “Borrowed by whom—by you?” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir. I cannot tell you the circumstances. I simply want you to give + it back to him. I shall feel that I am released from my obligation.” + </p> + <p> + “Look here, my dear young woman,” said the colonel, with all his masterful + firmness, “there are going to be no more riddles here. You must tell me + the truth. I must have it—hear? Otherwise I shall take steps to make + you tell—and that may not be as confidential as a chat here with me. + I propose to know about my nephew's affairs, I inform you once again!” + </p> + <p> + “My mother borrowed this money from him. She was in trouble. He helped + her.” + </p> + <p> + “Your mother needs a guardian. I beg your pardon! But I thought she had + had her lesson once before in her life. So my nephew loaned money to your + mother! Where did he get that money?” + </p> + <p> + “I do not—” + </p> + <p> + “Hold on! Wait before you say that, Miss Kilgour. I'll not endure + falsehoods from anybody just now. I have been lied to too much lately. + This is a matter of my own nephew. I command you to tell me the truth.” + </p> + <p> + She hesitated a long time, her countenance expressing her agony. “I + haven't any right to betray him, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “He did not get five thousand dollars by any honest means. The reputation + of the family is in jeopardy just now, Miss Kilgour. I want to protect it + for my own sake. He confessed to you, didn't he?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “I can better understand your sense of obligation now. When a man commits + a crime for a woman she gets some fool notions into her head about + standing by him. I know my nephew's extravagances, Miss Kilgour. He had to + steal to get five thousand dollars for your mother. There is just one + handy place where he could steal. He took that money from the state + treasury. He has told you so. Am I not right?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + Colonel Dodd turned his back on her and looked up at his bouquets. + </p> + <p> + Perspiration streaked his thick neck. His jowls trembled. She pitied this + man, even in her own tribulation. She had never seen him moved before. + </p> + <p> + “How did you get this money, Miss Kilgour?” he asked, after a time, his + voice very low. + </p> + <p> + “Must I tell you?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly. We are going to the bottom of this thing.” + </p> + <p> + “I received a little legacy from my aunt a few years ago—I had put + it away in the bank. I had saved some money from the wages I got here. My + mother—I am sorry to say that she has been vain and extravagant, sir—she + had wasted money on jewels and dress, and now she has sold everything. We + have disposed of all our furniture and have gone to board in a very cheap + place. I have been able to make out the amount of the debt. Here it is!” + She placed it on his desk beside the flabby hand which lay there. + </p> + <p> + He did not speak for a long time. “I am sorry for you,” he said at last. + “This is a wicked thing. But I know better than to tell you to keep this + money.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you,” she said, quietly. “I know you understand!” + </p> + <p> + “I will put it in the place where it belongs. That's all!” + </p> + <p> + And when he kept his broad back to her she went out of the office, her + feet making no sound on the thick carpet. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0034" id="link2H_4_0034"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XXXIII + </h2> + <h3> + ALL THE WORLD OUTSIDE + </h3> + <p> + A good lawyer can accomplish much when men are willing to listen to reason + and to accept the proffer of reparation! + </p> + <p> + “All going to show,” declared the Honorable Archer Converse to his young + protege, after they had parted at last from Morgan Bristol in the Western + city, “that a thistle doesn't hurt much, after all, if you grab it with + all your might and vim. We have found honest gentlemen here, thank God! It + has been made plain to me, my boy, that they all knew you better than you + knew yourself and that's why they waited so patiently. But, oh, that folly + of yours!” However, he patted Thornton Bristol's shoulder when he said it. + “It's a good thing for a young man to have a healthy debt when he starts + out—a debt that's a joy to pay. Just look on it as an incentive, + boy! You simply mortgaged your future!” + </p> + <p> + “I am glad that I have been called on to pay for what I wasted,” declared + Bristol. “And I am not sorry, Mr. Converse, that my folly led me out into + the byways of this world. I'll know how to appreciate the rest of life + more highly.” + </p> + <p> + “Needs a hot fire to make good steel—that's so,” agreed his mentor. + “And speaking of fire—I reckon we're going to find it almighty hot + when we get back to the place where we're expected. Now that we're leaving + affairs all serene behind us, you must let me do a little careful thinking + about how to meet the situation that's ahead of us.” + </p> + <p> + Archer Converse reappeared in his home city as unobtrusively as he had + left it and he held the polished shield of his urbane reserve over any + vulnerable points which darts of questions might attack. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Breed, assuring himself that he had certain personal rights in the + matter, came with a veritable lance of interrogation, and thrust + tirelessly. + </p> + <p> + “It is the custom when a man has been nominated never to close an eye or + leave the job for a minute. You have broke over all rules and I have been + doing my best to fix up a story to account for it,” stated Mr. Breed. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you,” returned Mr. Converse. “No doubt you have done a very good + job.” + </p> + <p> + “I done the best I could without knowing what I was talking about.” + </p> + <p> + “And the general comment—the run of talk was—what?” + </p> + <p> + “General talk was that you didn't seem to be worrying much about the + election.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Converse turned a benignant smile on his new law partner. + </p> + <p> + “It's generally conceded, then, that I feel sure of being elected?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, they think you wouldn't have skyhooted off unless you were + confident.” + </p> + <p> + “Exactly! That attitude of mine takes care of the band-wagon crowd. They + have climbed aboard, I'm told.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” admitted Mr. Breed. “But the state committee has taken advantage + and has laid down on ye!” + </p> + <p> + “Breed, you run along and tell the chairman of that committee—from + me—that unless he gets busy with his crowd in every county of this + state inside of twenty-four hours I'll come out with a public statement + that I have been forced to run my own campaign in behalf of the people. + You don't think there'd be any doubt about my election after that + statement, do you?” + </p> + <p> + “Not a bit,” confessed Mr. Breed. “You're more of a politician than I had + any idea of. Excuse me for any other kind of remarks. I'll go shoot a + little hot lead in that chairman's left ear.” + </p> + <p> + “Ordinary intelligence and common honesty,” commented the Honorable Archer + Converse when Mr. Breed had departed. “They are such new elements in + running politics in this state that they seem to the crowd to be a + brand-new variety of political astuteness, Thornton! I'm not going to be + quite as frank and honest in some other statements I'm about to make, + under the circumstances. I don't believe my conscience is going to trouble + me a bit. We'll go over, if you please, and have a word or two with + Colonel Symonds Dodd.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Converse's secretary prefaced that call by a telephoned request for an + appointment, and therefore Mr. Peter Briggs led them directly into the + presence of the colonel. + </p> + <p> + “This is my friend and law partner, Mr. Thornton Bristol,” said Converse, + apparently and blandly unconscious that he was tossing at the magnate + something much in the nature of a bomb. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Dodd came forward in his chair, his hands clutching the carved + mahogany of the desk in front of him. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I beg your pardon, Colonel,” purred Mr. Converse, amiably. “I forget + that you are not as familiar with Mr. Bristol's identity as I am. You have + known him merely as a stranger who has called himself Walker Farr.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, and he has registered himself on the voting-lists as Walker Farr,” + blustered Colonel Dodd. “Mr. Converse, something will drop in your camp + before long—and it won't be rose-leaves!” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Converse fixed a penetrating gaze on the angry man. + </p> + <p> + “Colonel,” he said, with meaning, “you are probably well aware that in + politics many things are done for a certain purpose—and many of + those things are a bit off color so far as the strict law is concerned. If + you particularly care about digging up the past of politics in this state + I will come with my own little shovel and assist with great pleasure.” + </p> + <p> + “You're making an ass of me with this peek-a-boo business.” + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Bristol,” continued the nominee, with composure, “after long study + abroad and at home has devoted himself enthusiastically to study in + sociology and economics, and has preferred to gain his knowledge about + conditions by first-hand observation. He came into this state in pursuit + of his object, and by force of circumstances was drawn into our state + upheaval.” + </p> + <p> + “Much more deeply than I intended to be drawn, Colonel Dodd,” stated the + young man, with dignity. “I think you will remember that I said as much to + you in an interview we had. I called myself a Voice, if you will + recollect, and humbly begged you to attend to certain reforms. Your + refusal, and the manner with which you refused, rather forced me into your + affairs.” + </p> + <p> + “And I give you warning right here and now,” blustered the colonel, “that + I'm going to force myself into <i>your</i> affairs. I'm going to have you + investigated from puppyhood to the present, Mr. Whatever-your-name is.” + </p> + <p> + “We may as well issue general warnings—all of us,” said Mr. + Converse. “I have prepared a statement for the newspapers regarding my + friend, Mr. Bristol, and he will add a statement of his own relative to + his project in regard to water districts. If you care to malign Mr. + Bristol on the heels of that, Colonel, you may go ahead. But if you choose + weapons of that sort in the conduct of this campaign we shall be forced to + use a few cudgels of our own—for instance, we might be able to give + the people considerable information as to how the state departments have + been managed under your general direction. The funds of the state treasury—” + </p> + <p> + Converse was about to mention the matter of the usufruct of the state's + money deposited in the colonel's banks for the benefit of the syndicate. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Dodd pulled himself out of his chair and exhibited instant and + alarmed confusion. “We'd better make it a gentlemen's campaign,” he broke + in. + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” agreed Mr. Converse, politely. “And now that we are + proceeding toward such an amicable understanding, will you allow me to + express the hope that the Consolidated will meet us half-way in regard to + the legislation that is inevitable? I have no desire to use any of my + powers as the governor of this state to embarrass your interests; let us + trust that we can get to a prompt adjustment in the matter of the + water-plants. As a lawyer of some experience, I have to inform you, + Colonel Dodd, that the cities and towns of this state are going to own + their own systems. The city of Marion proposes to fight the first test + case through. You are a heavy taxpayer—I trust you will not help to + run your city into debt which is needless.” + </p> + <p> + “I will confer with you,” admitted the colonel, his manner subdued. + </p> + <p> + “I will ask you to confer with Mr. Bristol, my partner. He will have full + charge of the litigation. I am assured that the next city government + meeting will attend to the matter of choosing him as counsel, with a + suitable retaining fee,” said Mr. Converse, with pride. “I will appreciate + it personally and as chief executive if your interests will favor the + matter. It will be better all around.” + </p> + <p> + Colonel Dodd did not reply. But there was much significance in his bow as + they retired. + </p> + <p> + “I trust I did not intimate that I was employing any sort of threats,” + said Mr. Converse, when he and Bristol were on their way down-stairs. + </p> + <p> + “I think he understood, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “His suggestion that we have a gentlemen's campaign was very significant, + coming from Colonel Symonds Dodd. The outlook is very hopeful,” stated the + nominee. “We'll see the state committee chairman to-morrow, Thornton. I + feel quite sure that he will have our speechmaking routes laid out. Mr. + Breed is very convincing—sometimes—when he discusses the + political situation.” + </p> + <p> + When they were at the foot of the steps of the Mellicite Club, the young + man begged permission to go about some affairs of his own. + </p> + <p> + “But your own affairs must wait, my boy,” insisted Converse. “The party + claims you from now on.” + </p> + <p> + “I will do my duty, sir,” said Bristol, smiling; “but this evening I must + have for myself.” + </p> + <p> + “I have invited some gentlemen to dine with us. It's an important + conference.” + </p> + <p> + “The conference I hope to have, Mr. Converse, will be the most important + one of my life.” + </p> + <p> + The lawyer blinked, trying to understand. + </p> + <p> + “I will tell you to-morrow—I trust it will be the happiest news I + ever told to any person—I will tell you first.” He hesitated. “You + have always given me good advice, sir. One night you told me that only a + woman can listen with perfect sympathy and comfort a man's troubles + surely.” + </p> + <p> + Converse came close, put his hands on the young man's shoulders and + studied him with intent regard. “My boy,” he said, “go along—and God + go with you!” + </p> + <p> + Bristol tore his hand from the lawyer's clasp and hurried away. + </p> + <p> + But at the Trelawny he did not find the Kilgours' name on the directory + board. The elevator man, the janitor, the manager, told him the same story + with the same indifference. The Kilgours had sold their possessions and + had removed—they had left no address. + </p> + <p> + Bristol walked the streets and cursed the stilted folly that had made his + farewell to her a parting in which he had pledged nothing, had promised + nothing, had left no hopes for the future. He was not consoled by the + thought that his farewell to her had been for her own sake, as he had + viewed his situation. In the depths of his despair, when he had released + her hand at the little gate, he had grimly sacrificed himself—had + resolved to save her from himself by final and complete separation. + </p> + <p> + And thinking of that parting at the little gate, hardly realizing where + his wanderings led him, he went down to the great mills which were dark + and silent under the shadows of the evening. + </p> + <p> + Old Etienne had brought a lamp from Mother Maillet's kitchen and had set + it on the stoop. He was whittling, and a little boy snuggled close, fixing + intent regard on the work. + </p> + <p> + The evening was bland after a balmy day of Indian summer. + </p> + <p> + Bristol stopped at the fence and called greeting. + </p> + <p> + The old man peered anxiously, shielding his eyes from the light of the + lamp. + </p> + <p> + “M'sieu'! M'sieu'!” He stammered, brokenly, gasping as he spoke the words. + His wrinkled face worked as if he were trying to keep back the tears. His + voice choked. + </p> + <p> + “You are surprised to see me back here, Etienne—is that it?” + </p> + <p> + “I am not surprised, m'sieu'. I knew you would come back. I am glad—that's + why the tear come up in my eye. I cannot help that.” + </p> + <p> + “You are working late, Uncle Etienne.” + </p> + <p> + “<i>Oui</i>, the odders are gone home. But this leetle boy—I take + care till his modder come from the shop. But you shall come in here, + m'sieu'.” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot stop, Etienne. I am—” He could not finish the sentence. He + turned to go. + </p> + <p> + “I say you shall come in. You must come queeck!” The old man spoke in a + shrill whisper. He put aside his knife and stick and hurried to the fence. + He reached and caught Bristol's sleeve. “Ba gar!” he declared, with as + much impatience as anybody had ever heard in the tone of Etienne + Provancher, “even the poor habitant boy in the Tadousac country know + better how to love the nice girl as what you do, M'sieu' Farr.” + </p> + <p> + “My name is not Farr; it is—” + </p> + <p> + “I don't care what your name be,” snapped the old man. “Tell me that some + odder time. It's what <i>you</i> be—that's what I care! And you + don't be good to nice girl.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't understand.” + </p> + <p> + “You go back there and rap on Modder Maillet's front door and then you + understand! I'm only poor mans, m'sieu', but I shall talk to you like I + spoke to the mans in the <i>hotel de ville</i>—and I shall not be + scare when I am right.” + </p> + <p> + “Look here, Etienne! What do you mean?” + </p> + <p> + “<i>La belle</i> ma'm'selle—ba gar! you have to be hit with brick + bang—dat fine, pretty lady—she what tell me the good word to + say to you about the bad folks—you must know she leeve now in the + good woman's house.” + </p> + <p> + Now it was Bristol's turn to grasp Etienne's arm. He shook the old man. + </p> + <p> + “Miss Kilgour—here? Speak up! Don't be so slow!” + </p> + <p> + “I have speak up. Odderwise you go off and be a big fool some more,” + retorted the rack-tender, boldly. “She's in there. She come here to live + because somet'ing has made her very poor—and very sad. And her + modder she cry all the time. And <i>la belle</i> ma'm'selle she come to + the big tree and she ask me many things—” + </p> + <p> + While the old man chattered Bristol was yanking impatiently at the catch + of the gate. He could not find the latch in the dark and so he kicked off + a few more pickets from Mother Maillet's much-abused fence. He crawled + through and bumped against old Etienne, thrusting him from the path, + checking the flow of information. + </p> + <p> + The young man leaped up the steps, to the plain dismay of the little boy, + and beat upon the door. + </p> + <p> + “It is I, Kate!” he called. “I have come back.” + </p> + <p> + When she opened the door—half timorous, half eager, wholly beside + herself—he took her in his arms and kissed her, paying no heed to + the goggling eyes of childhood or the averted gaze of old age. + </p> + <p> + “But you left no word for me. Did you believe me when I said I would not + come back?” + </p> + <p> + “I knew you would come back,” she sobbed. “So I came here. I knew you + would find me here.” + </p> + <p> + Etienne drew near apologetically and picked up the little boy. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, my own girl, I have so much to tell you!” the lover murmured. “I know + you will listen.” + </p> + <p> + “We have so much to tell each other,” she said, her hands against his + cheeks. + </p> + <p> + The old man puffed out the lamp and set it to one side and tiptoed away, + the child in his arms. + </p> + <p> + “You ke'p your head under my coat—just so,” he commanded the + struggling and inquisitive youngster. “Your modder would not like to have + you breath in so much night air. We go find her!” + </p> + <p> + He heard the murmur of eager voices behind him, and then the door of + Mother Maillet's house was shut softly—and that left all the world + outside. + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Landloper, by Holman Day + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LANDLOPER *** + +***** This file should be named 4712-h.htm or 4712-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/4/7/1/4712/ + +Produced by Dagny; John Bickers; David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project +Gutenberg”), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the Foundation” + or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase “Project Gutenberg” appears, or with which the phrase “Project +Gutenberg” is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase “Project Gutenberg” associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +“Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, “Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.” + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +“Defects,” such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the “Right +of Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + </body> +</html> diff --git a/4712.txt b/4712.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a312120 --- /dev/null +++ b/4712.txt @@ -0,0 +1,12894 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Landloper, by Holman Day + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Landloper + The Romance Of A Man On Foot + +Author: Holman Day + +Release Date: April 13, 2006 [EBook #4712] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LANDLOPER *** + + + + +Produced by Dagny; John Bickers + + + + + +THE LANDLOPER + +THE ROMANCE OF A MAN ON FOOT + + +By Holman Day + +1915 + + + + + + + +THE LANDLOPER + + + + +I + +IN THE DUST OF THE LONG HIGHWAY + +The man who called himself Walker Farr plodded down the dusty stretches +of a country road. + +He moved leisurely. He neither slouched like a vagabond nor did he swing +with a stride which indicated that he had aim in life or destination in +mind. When he came under arching elms he plucked his worn cap from his +head and stuffed it into a coat pocket which already bulged bulkily +against his flank. He gazed to right and left upon the glories of a +sun-bathed June morning and strolled bareheaded along the aisle of a +temple of the great Out-of-Doors. + +He was young and stalwart and sunburnt. + +A big, gray automobile squawked curt warning behind him and then swept +past and on its way, kicking dust upon him from its whirring wheels. + +He gave the car only an indifferent glance, but, as he walked on, he +was conscious that out of the blur of impressions the memory of a girl's +profile lingered. + +A farmer-man who had come to the end of a row in a field near the +highway fence leaned on his hoe-handle and squinted against the sun +at the face of the passer-by. Then the farmer shifted his gaze to the +stranger's clothing and scowled. The face was the countenance of a man +who was somebody; the clothing was the road-worn garb of a vagrant. + +"Here, you!" called the farmer. + +"I hear you," said the man who called himself Walker Farr, smiling and +putting subtle insolence into the smile. + +"Do you want a job?" + +"No, sir." + +"Have you got a job?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"What is it?" + +"Chopping down well-holes that have been turned inside out by a +cyclone." + +The man in the highway flashed a wonderful smile at the farmer and +passed on. The farmer blinked and then he scowled more savagely. He +climbed the fence and followed, carrying his hoe. + +"Look here, you! There ain't no such business." + +"Send for me next time you have a well turned wrong side out and I'll +prove it." + +"You're a tramp." + +Farr sauntered on. + +"You're a tramp, and here's what we are doing to tramps in this county +right now!" + +Beyond them in the highway men were delving with shovels and hacking +with mattocks. The men wore blue drilling overalls, obtrusively new, and +their faces were pasty pale. + +"We have taken 'em out of jail and put 'em doing honest work," said the +farmer. He pointed to guards who were marching to and fro with rifles +in the hook of their arms. "Here's where you belong. I'm a constable of +this town. I arrest you." + +The young man halted. His smile became provokingly compassionate as he +stared down at the nickel badge the farmer was tapping. + +"So you represent the law, do you?" inquired Farr. + +"I do." + +"It's too bad you don't know more about the law, then. I have neither +solicited alms, trespassed on private property, begged food, nor +committed crime in your little kingdom, my good and great three-tailed +bashaw. Here is a coin to clear the law." He exhibited a silver piece. +"I am sorry I cannot remain here and help you mend your ways--they seem +to need it!" + +He went on past the sullen gang of pick and shovel, treading the middle +of the broad turnpike. + +"Ain't that a tramp?" asked one of the guards. + +"I don't know what he is," confessed the farmer. + +The man who called himself Farr turned a corner and came upon the same +automobile which had overtaken and passed him, contemptuously kicking +its dust over him, a few minutes before he arrived at the farmer's +fence. + +A rear tire was flat and a young man who was smartly attired in gray +was smacking gloved hands together and cursing the lumps of a +jail-bird-built road and the guilty negligence of a garage-man who had +forgotten to put a lift-jack back into the kit. Two women stood beside +the car and looked upon the young man's helplessness. + +"Enter tortoise, second scene of the ancient drama, 'The Tortoise and +the Hare,'" Walter Farr informed himself. + +His amused brown eyes noted the young man was obviously flabby. + +"Here, you! Help me prop up this axle," commanded the charioteer. + +"You do not need help," suggested Farr. "You need somebody who can do +the whole job." + +The glance he gave the young man, up and down, conveyed his full +meaning. + +"Well, I must say that's saucy talk from a hobo," declared one of the +women. + +"Mother!" warned the third member of the party. + +Farr turned his cynical gaze from the older woman to the younger--from +the bleached hair and rouged lips to a fresh, pure, and vivid +loveliness. He saw her profile once more. + +"No one has remembered to say 'please' yet," the girl informed him, +meeting his gaze. "I say it, sir!" + +He bowed and went straight to the roadside and picked up a bit of plank +on which his searching eyes rested. + +He gave it into the gloved hands of the car's owner, he slipped off his +own sun-faded coat and rolled the sleeves of his flannel shirt above +his elbows, and then, with shoulder thrusting up; and arms straining, +he heaved the car high enough so that the flabby gentleman could set the +prop under the axle. And when the gentleman began to dust his gloves and +to search for spots on his gray immaculateness, Farr dug tools from the +box and proceeded to the work of replacing the tire. + +The girl stood near him and regarded him with interest. He looked up +when he had the opportunity and found her eyes studying him. She was +entirely frank in her gaze. There was nothing in her eyes except the +earnestness of a scrutiny which was satisfying curiosity. + +When the work was done the owner offered money. + +Farr refused with curt decisiveness. + +"Well, have a drink?" invited the debtor. + +"I do not use liquor." + +The autoist emptied his cigar-case into his hand and offered the cigars +to Farr, who had just tugged on his coat. + +"I do not smoke, sir." + +It was not declination with humility; the manner of the man of the road +contained a hint that anybody who drank or smoked was no better than he +should be. The girl studied him with renewed interest. + +"Don't stand there and try to put anything over on me," advised the man +in gray, showing resentment. "What can I do for you?" + +"You might thank the man, Richard," declared the girl, tartly. She +turned to Farr. + +"He seems to have forgotten 'thank you' as he forgot 'please.' May I +make amends? We thank you!" + +"And now I am in your debt," said the rover. He bowed and walked on. + +When the car passed him the girl turned and gave him a long look. He +waved his hand. The dust-cloud closed in between them. + +"Kat Kilgour! That's a tramp! I'm amazed!" said the elder woman, +observing the look and the salute. + +"Yes, this world is full of surprises," agreed the girl, sweetly. + +"But your own eyes told you that he was a tramp." + +"There isn't any doubt of it, is there, if you used your eyes?" demanded +their escort. + +"We'll consider that the eyes have it--and let the matter drop," said +the girl--and her tone was not sweet. + +The man of the keen brown eyes and the faded garb fared on. + +He plucked a rose from a wayside bush and carried the flower in his +hand. + +"Your sister just passed this way," he informed the rose in whimsical +fashion. "I don't suppose you and I will ever catch up with her. I go +very slowly, but you may journey along with me." + + + + +II + +A HOME-MADE KNIGHT-ERRANT + +The wayfarer who called himself Farr came down the long hill and turned +the corner of the highway where the alders crowded to the banks of the +narrow brook; they whispered to one another as the breeze fluttered +their leaves. He drank there, bending and scooping the water in his +palm. He bathed the rose and stroked its wilted petals. + +"Too bad, little one!" he said. "The long road is a killing proposition, +and I'm afraid I had no business inviting you to go with me. Your sister +must be a long way ahead of us." + +The rocks were cool where the alders cast shade, and he sat there for +a little while, watching the drift of tiny flotsam down the eddying +current and observing the skipper-bugs skating over the still shallows +on their spraddled legs. + +There was a pleasant hush all about. The bubbling ecstasy of a bobolink +floated above the grasses of a meadow, and near at hand a wren hopped +about in the alders and chirped dozy notes. Peace and restfulness +brooded. The man at the brook leaned low and thrust his head into the +water and then rose and shook the drops from his thick thatch of brown +hair. He did it with a sort of canine wriggle and smiled at the thought +which came to him. + +"A stray dog!" he muttered. "Of as much account--and he'd better forget +the sister of the rose. Here's a good place to put imagination to +sleep--here's a place where all is asleep." + +He went on around the curtain of the alders. + +There was a big old-fashioned house near at hand. Its walls were +weather-worn, its yard was not tidy. The faded curtains at the windows +hung crookedly. The glass of the panes was dirty. The entire aspect of +the place indicated that there was no woman's hand to make it home. It +was commonplace and uninteresting. + +But the front door was flung open suddenly with a screech of rusty +hinges. + +Then came backing out of the doorway a very old man--a bent and +wrinkled old man with long white hair which trailed down from under a +broad-brimmed hat. He was dragging a coffin, single-handed. The free +end of the solemn box bumped down the wooden steps with a hollow clatter +that suggested emptiness. There was a woodpile at one side of the yard. +The old man tugged the casket over the litter of chips and dropped the +end. He wrenched an ax from its cleft in a chopping-block and caved in +the top of the coffin with the first blow. + +The man Farr, observing from the road, saw that the casket was empty. +The old man continued to bash and batter. + +The wayfarer, before the destruction was begun, had time to note that +the coffin was a remarkably fine specimen of cabinet-maker's work. There +were various sorts of wood inlaid with care, and the fretwork along +its sides had been jig-sawed with much pains spent in detail, and the +pilasters were turned with art. But the old man battered at all this +excellence with savageness. It was evident that he was not merely +providing kindling-wood--he was expending fury. + +It was an affair that demanded undivided attention from the observer in +the road; but a man came around the corner of the house just then and +Farr promptly gave over his interest in the aged chopper. + +The new arrival was clothed cap-a-pie in armor. + +He stood quietly at a little distance and gazed from under his vizor on +the energetic old man at the woodpile. + +Farr noted that the armor was obviously home-made. The helmet, though +burnished and adorned with a horse's tail, had the unmistakable outlines +of a copper kettle. The cuirass could not disguise its obligation to +certain parts of an air-tight stove. But the ensemble was peculiarly +striking and the man in the road took a quick glance around at the New +England landscape in order to assure himself that he was still where he +supposed he was. + +Farr went to the fence and folded his arms on the top. + +The old man, resting a moment, seemed to feel that intent regard from +behind and, without turning his body, hooked his narrow and bony chin +over his shoulder and swapped a long stare with the stranger. + +"Well," inquired the venerable chopper, "what is on thy mind, sir?" His +tone was sour. + +"Seeing that the question is direct and remembering that age deserves +the truth, I'll say that I was thinking that this seems to be an ideal +location for a private lunatic-asylum, and that guests are allowed to +enjoy themselves." + +"I will have thee to understand that I have sat for thirty long years at +the head of the Friends' meeting in this town and never has it been said +that my wits are cracked. Furthermore, this is none of thy affair. Move +on." + +Farr merely shifted his feet and took an easier pose at the fence. + +"Feeling as I do, it will not trouble me much to come over there and +take a chop or two at thee," warned the old man. + +"I didn't know that Quakers ever allowed their feelings to get so highly +spiced." + +"Along with thee, tramp!" + +"You see, my dear sir," drawled the man in the road, "I am out in search +of peace of mind. If I should go on my way without understanding what +this means my itching curiosity would never allow me another good +night's sleep. A word from you to soothe curiosity, and then I go!" + +"Thee has seen me knocking into pieces a coffin. Is there anything +strange in seeing me knock into pieces a coffin I have made with my own +hands?" + +"No, sir. That is quite within your rights. But why? From what little I +saw of it it seemed to me to be a mighty fine piece of work." + +"It was," stated the old man, a bit mollified. "Walnut with bird's-eye +maple inlaid." + +"May I ask if it was made for anybody who died lately?" + +"I made it for myself--I have had it by me for twenty years! Seeing that +thee must stick thy nose into my business!" His tone was pettish and +he stooped down and began to toss splinters and broken boards upon the +woodpile. + +"Then I suppose it was--er--sort of out of date," suggested Farr, +blandly. + +"I see thee is minded to tease me--the world is full of fools." He +straightened as best he could, propping hands on his hips, and divided +angry gaze between the man at the fence and the armored figure. "I am +not going to die--I have decided to stay alive. I have a fool on my +hands." + +"Father, I think thee had better choose thy words a bit better in the +presence of a stranger," advised the man in armor. + +"Can't thee see that he is a fool?" demanded the old man. + +"I don't think I want to venture an opinion, sir. I'll simply say that +your son's choice of a summer suit seems a little peculiar. But, of +course, every man to his liking!" + +The old man walked down to the fence. He was crooked at the waist and +his legs were hooked with the curves of age, but he strode along with +brisk vigor. His gaze was as sharp as a gimlet, though the puckered lids +were cocked over his eyes with the effect of little tents whose flaps +were partly closed. He put his face close to Farr's. + +"Thee is as cheeky as a crow and as prying as a magpie and I venture +to say thee is a roving scamp. But I may as well talk to thee as to +anybody." + +With armor rattling and squeaking, the son started toward them. + +"I do not care to have thee talk about me, father," he warned. + +Farr noted that the son had eyes as keen and as gray as those of the +elder. The armored citizen was sturdy and of middle age and the face +under the vizor revealed intelligence and self-possession. + +The father paid no heed to the son. + +"Has thee traveled around the world much?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Thee has met many men?" + +"Many and of all sorts and conditions." + +"Then I want to ask thee what thee thinks of the good wit of a man who +declares that he will go forth into the world, faring here and there, +to try to do good to all men, to try to settle the troubles between men, +free of all price?" + +Farr turned gaze from the father to the earnest countenance of the son, +and then stared again into the searching eyes of the old man. Prolonged +and embarrassed silence followed. + +"Thy looks speak louder than words," declared the father. "Thy eyes say +it--he is a fool." + +"It may be as well not to say so with thy tongue," advised the son. "I +might not be as patient with a stranger as I am with my father. He is +wholly practical, without imagination, and so I excuse him." + +"I offer no comments," said Walker Farr with a frank smile which won an +answering flicker from the face under the vizor. "I do not understand." + +"I would not expect a vagabond to understand anything or to be brave +enough to say what he thinks," piped the father. He turned on his son. +"Here's a scalawag of a tramp. Go along with him and be another such." + +"I may be a peripatetic philosopher, for all you know," said Farr, +teasingly. "There are knights in fustian as well as knights in armor." + +"I think thee is of more account than thy clothing indicates," stated +the son, regarding the stranger keenly. "And thee carries a rose in thy +hand. Little things tell much." + +Farr put the flower into his pocket. "Don't fool yourself about me," he +said, roughly. + +"Thy speech has betrayed thee," insisted the other. + +"I have met crib-crackers who were college men--and pocket dictionaries +are cheap. And so good day to you, gentlemen." + +"Wait one moment!" appealed the man in armor. His face softened when he +approached his father. + +"We have talked much and there is no more to say to each other now. +I have served here patiently many years. If I leave thee for a little +while there is old Ben to wait and tend. And I will come back after I +have done my duty." + +"I will stay alive so that I can bail thee out of prison," his father +informed him, sourly. "Go on, thou fool; learn thy lesson! The world is +all right as it is; it will cuff the ears of meddlers. But go on!" + +"I would rather thee would show another spirit at parting--but have it +thy way," returned the son, with Quaker repression of all emotions. He +came forth from the gate. + +"I am going thy road," he informed Farr, "because all ways are alike to +me. I would be pleased to talk with one who has journeyed. Thee may have +good counsel for me. May I walk with thee?" + +The wayfarer opened his mouth and closed it suddenly on a half-spoken +and indignant refusal of this honor. He pursed his lips and his thick +brows drew together in a frown. Then, as if in spite of himself, he +began to smile. + +"I will be no burden to thee," pleaded the home-made knight. "I have had +my armor for a long time and have practised walking in it." + +"But why the tin suit?" expostulated Farr. + +"I will explain as we walk." + +"Well, come along!" blurted the wayfarer. "Nothing more can happen to +me, anyway." + +"So thee has found one of thy own kind to follow about in the world?" +inquired the father, tauntingly. "Feathers on the head and rattles in +the hand! Cockahoops and fiddle-de-lorums! Thee'll be back soon with thy +folly cured after I have bailed thee from the calaboose! Then thee'll +stick to thy forge and be sensible!" + +Farr noted a small shop by the roadside as they started off. + +"My father is a good man, but practical--wholly practical," said his new +comrade of the ways. "From my good mother I derive imagination. My life +has not been happy here. But work has helped." + +He pointed to the shop. Over the main door a faded, weather-worn sign +advertised "Eastup Chick & Son, Blacksmiths." On the gable was a newer +sign heralding "Jared Chick & Father, Inventors." + +"I am Jared Chick, my friend." + +He talked slowly, pausing to pick words, phrasing with the carefulness +of the man of method, talking as those persons talk who have read many +books and use their tongue but seldom. Farr found much quaintness in the +solemn man's discourse. + +"My father put my name on the sign when I was young, and it pleased me. +I put his name on the other sign when he was old and it did not please +him, though I have insisted that he must share in all credit which comes +to me. But my father does not possess imagination. I am sorry he lost +his temper to-day and broke up his coffin. Not that I approved of having +it in the house all these years, but he was very proud of it. He made +it soon after my mother died. I think, now that he has destroyed it, he +will live many years longer. He is very strong-minded." + +"I'm glad to have my suspicions confirmed," said Farr. + +"He was extremely angry when his eldest brother died at eighty. He +stood over him in the last moments and made us all very uncomfortable +by telling Uncle Joachim that there was no need of his dying--that if he +would only show a little Chick spunk he could stay alive just as well +as not and would not go fushing out just when he was most needed in the +Friends' meeting." + +"Considering that the old fellow was eighty and probably felt like +quitting, seems as if your father was rubbing it in just a little." + +"Perhaps he was a mite harsh, but there is another side of it. There +were only three of us left of the Friends' society to go to the old +meeting-house on First Day so that it might not be said that after one +hundred years we had allowed the society of the fathers to perish in +our town. Thee may have noted that my father and I still use the plain +language, keeping up the ways of the founders. My father sat at the head +of the meeting, my Uncle Joachim was next to him on the facing seat. I +am the only worshiper. I am not fitted to be a minister. My father, when +Joachim died, had no one with whom to exchange the hand-shake at the end +of the meeting." + +"And now he's losing his congregation?" + +"Yes, my friend, and so my father blames me for going, just as he blamed +Uncle Joachim for dying. He has the meeting much at heart." + +"What will he do for a crowd after you go away?" + +"He will continue to sit at the head of the meeting, sir." + +There was silence between them for some time. The blacksmith clanked on +his way sturdily. + +"He will still sit at the head of the meeting! Only a little fire is +left there, sir, but he will not allow it to go out as long as he is +alive to blow the bellows of devotion." + +"Look here, Brother Chick," demanded Farr. "I don't want to be prying or +impertinent, but what's your idea?" + +"I'm not ashamed of anything I'm going to do. Even though it is a very +strange plan, as the world would look at it, I'm not ashamed of it. A +very few words will tell you: I'm going out among men and spread the +gospel of mercy and forbearance, teach the lessons of peace, urge men to +forgive instead of fight--showing them that courts of law are more often +the devil's playground than the abode of real justice. I have worked +hard, I have read many books, I have stored information in my mind, I +have laid up money enough. You behold my armor--I have wrought at it +patiently for a long time." + +"Expect to have 'em throw things at you?" + +But the blacksmith, replying, gave no sign that he resented this brusque +humor. + +"It is well known that it is hard to attract the attention of the world +from its own affairs. For instance, if I had stood in the yard to-day, +dressed as a plain man, thee would have passed on thy way--providing +father had been chopping up kindling-wood instead of a coffin. If I had +stopped thee and started to explain my views thee would have paid little +attention to me. Isn't that so?" + +"It's so." + +"Well, then, thee have my theory and know my plan and have noted how it +has worked," said Mr. Chick. + +"I don't want to discourage you in a good thing, but how long do you +think a policeman would let you stand on a street corner?" + +"I shall find places where I can deliver my message without offending." + +"There's another point--a rather delicate point to consider, Brother +Chick. There are plenty of persons who are a bit dull when they are +examining a man's motives, but who think they are almighty smart in +detecting a man's mental failings; when somebody does anything they +wouldn't do they say he's crazy." + +The blacksmith turned his serene face and smiled at Farr. + +"I appeal to thy good judgment, sir. Would thee, after talking with me, +even if I do wear iron outside my wool garments, send me to an asylum?" + +"No," acknowledged Farr, "I don't believe I would send you to an +asylum." + +"Thank thee! I believe thee can speak quite generally for the average +man." + +"But the armor scheme--it's a little risky, Friend Chick." + +"But it has been the trade-mark of unselfishness ever since the days of +the Crusaders," declared Mr. Chick. "Why shouldn't its significance +be revived in these modern times? At any rate," he added, with Yankee +shrewdness, "it's necessary to give the world quite a jump these days +before it will stop, look, and listen." + +"Some advertising concern will make you an offer that will pull you into +camp your second day out, if you're not careful. You've certainly got a +good idea of the business." + +"I am sincere. I am not trifling. I have pondered on this for a long +time. I shall be misjudged--but I shall not be afraid!" + + + + +III + +KNIGHT-ERRANTRY TESTED + +The two marched on, side by side, and Walker Farr, piecing in his mind, +from the scraps he had heard, the entire history of the Chick family, +indulged the whim of Jared and forgot for a moment the grotesque figure +presented by his companion. + +"No, I am not afraid!" repeated the new apostle of world harmony. + +But it became promptly apparent that Mr. Chick could not communicate his +intrepidity to other creatures. + +Around the bend of the road came a sleepy horse, stubbing his hoofs into +the dust, dragging a wagon in which rode a farmer and his wife. + +The horse became wide awake at sight of Mr. Chick. + +With head up, eyes goggling, nostrils dilating, and mane erect, the +animal stopped short on straddled legs. Then he snorted, whirled, took +the wagon around in a circle on two wheels in spite of the farmer's +endeavors, and made off in the opposite direction, the driver pulling +hard on the reins, hands above his head, elbows akimbo. + +"It occurs to me, Friend Chick," said his companion, after the outfit +had disappeared, "that in planning this pilgrimage of yours you have +failed to take everything into account. If that farmer-man and his +wife pile into the ditch and break their necks, then all your general +mediating in other quarters will hardly make up for the damage you have +caused right here." + +"The world is full of problems," sighed the man in armor. "There seems +to be a hitch to about everything!" + +After a few moments the farmer came pelting into sight on foot. + +"What in the name of bald-headed Nicodemus do you call yourself, and +what are you trying to do?" he shouted. "It's only by luck and chance +and because the webbin's held that me and my wife ain't laying stiff and +stark in the ditch." + +"I am sorry," said friend Chick with dignity. + +"Get a hoss used to bicycles, flying-machines, red whizzers and blue +devils, and then along comes something else that ain't laid down in the +back of the Old Farmer's Almanick! You there, the one that ain't crazy, +what's this thing you're teaming round?" the farmer demanded, addressing +Farr. + +"In this case I am not my brother's keeper," stated the young man. + +"Well, where is his keeper, then? He needs one." He walked around Chick +and rudely rapped his whip-butt on the breastplate. "If I wasn't +afraid of spraining a toe I'd boot you from here to hackenny, you old +two-legged cook-stove!" + +"If there has been damage done, I'll pay for it." + +"There isn't any damage and I'm not looking for anybody's money. But +there _will_ be damage unless you get out of this highway. If you're in +sight when I drive my hoss past here again I'll lick you, even if I have +to use blasting-powder and a can-opener to get you out of that suit." + +Jared Chick went apart into the bushes and Farr accompanied him. + +"This is a rather vulgar and discouraging adventure for high ideals to +run into so soon," averred the younger man. + +"I am not discouraged." + +"I'm afraid you'll be even more greatly misunderstood." + +"I don't expect silly old horses to understand me. My appeal is to men." + +Farr sniffed scornfully. "You'd better let men alone," he advised. + +"The world needs pure unselfishness," insisted Chick. + +"The purer it is the more it is misunderstood. I have tested the matter. +I know." + +"Then you yourself would not go forth into the world and do good to men, +without calculation and without price?" + +"I don't think I would," declared Farr, dryly. "And I am so little +interested in the matter that I think you'll have to excuse me from +further talk about it. You have just had one illustration in a crude way +of how the world misunderstands anything that's out of the ordinary." + +"Have you any advice to give me?" + +"Not a word. I'm not even able to give myself sensible counsel. Good day +to you!" + +"Then you do not care for my company longer on the way?" + +"I do not. Excuse my bluntness, but these are parlous times for +wayfarers and I cannot afford to have a tin can tied to me as I go +about." + +"And you are absolutely selfish?" called Chick. + +"I think so," replied Farr from the highway, getting into his stride. +"When I see you again I expect you'll be wondering why you ever were +altruistic. That will be the case, providing you wear that armor any +longer." + +Jared Chick from behind his bush called, appealingly, "But I fear I +shall never see thee again and I have some questions to ask of thee!" + +"Oh, I promise to look you up somewhere in the world. If you keep on +wearing that suit it will be easy to find you." + +The man in armor leaned against a tree and pondered. + +"A strange young man, and callous and selfish. But there is truly +something under his shell. I would relish putting some questions to +him." + +Then Jared Chick plunked an ash staff from a pile of hoop-poles left by +a chopper and went on his way along shaded woodland paths, avoiding +the main highroad. He decided that it would be better to go by the +roundabout way and show himself on the streets of town instead of on a +rural turnpike where countrified horses did not take kindly to a real +knight-errant. + +"It was a good place back there for sleeping," reflected Walker Farr, +remembering the brook, singing over the stones, the whispering alders, +the old-fashioned house, and the somnolent landscape. "That man who has +been living there until the day of his emigration has certainly been +asleep for a long time and is sleeping soundly now; he is having a +wonderful dream. The nightmare will begin shortly and he will wake up." + +After a time Farr came into a village, a hamlet of small houses which +toed the crack of a single street. It was near the hour of noon and from +the open windows of kitchens drifted scents of the dinners which the +women were preparing. All the men of the place seemed to be afield; only +women were in sight here and there at back doors, pinning freshly washed +garments on lines, beating dust from rugs, or, seen through the windows, +were bustling about the forenoon tasks set for patient household slaves +in gingham. + +At one back door, his back comfortably set against a folded +clothes-reel, was a greasily fat tramp, gobbling a hand-out lunch which +a housewife had given to him. + +Under a little hill where the road dipped at the edge of the hamlet here +sounded clink of steel on rock, suggesting that men labored there with +trowel and drill. There was complaining creaking of cordage--the arm of +a derrick sliced a slow arc across the blue sky of June. + +The fat tramp held up his empty plate and whined a request and the hand +of a woman emerged from a close-by window and placed something in the +dish. + +Farr slowed his steps and looked at the tramp, and a woman in a yard +near by stared over the top of a sheet which she was pinning on the line +and scowled at the new arrival. + +"I wonder if I'm considered as the Damon of that Pythias?" Farr asked +himself, smiling into her frown. "But Damon is nomad spelled backward! I +wish I dared to ask her for a piece of that pie cooling on the sill." + +Just then, over the clink of metal under the hill, above wail of +straining pulley, rose the screech of a man in agony, the raucous male +squall whose timbre is more hideous than the death-cry of swine. + +Then came a man running from the valley under the hill. + +"It's your husband, Mrs. Jose," he panted, turning in at the house where +the fat tramp ate with his back against the clothes-reel. "You better +go! I'll telephone for a doctor." + +She ran, white-faced, gasping cries. Other women ran. The spirit of +helpfulness and curiosity to know what had happened set wings on the +heels of the little community. The messenger telephoned and followed +them. + +The fat tramp set down his plate and glanced to right and left and all +about. Then he shuffled into the deserted house and after a brief stay +hastened out with his pockets crammed and bearing garments in his arms; +he scuttled away with sagging trot across the fields. + +Farr saw him go and did not pursue. + +"Yonder goes the spirit of the age," he told himself, with sardonic +twisting of his lips. "When Opportunity knocks, knock Opportunity +down. Embrace Opportunity, but be sure it's with the strangle hold. The +directors of a robbed railroad make a more dignified getaway than +that porcine pedestrian is making--but it's the same as far as the +stockholders are concerned." + +He went on slowly toward the hollow under the hill. + +The procession met him--a limp man, moaning, borne in the arms of his +sweating mates, women trotting alongside and crossing the road, to and +fro, like frightened hens--clucking sympathy. + +Farr found a half-finished stone bridge under the hill. A paunchy boss +with underset jaw and overhanging upper lip was profanely urging his +helpers back to their jobs. + +"Fifteen minutes before knock-off time--fifteen minutes! You can't help +that man by standing around and doing his grunting for him. Get busy!" + +The men lifted their tools slowly and sullenly. + +"It's hell what can happen when you're fifteen days behind on a +contract, with county commissioners waiting and anxious to grab off a +penalty," declared the boss, to nobody in particular. "One man bunged, +and four to lug him home, and the rest of the crew taking a sympathetic +vacation!" + +Farr, sauntering, swung off the highway down the lane leading to the +temporary bridge. + +"Here, you long-horned steer, want a job?" called the contractor from +his rostrum on the granite block. + +"No, my Sussex shote, I do not!" + +"Damnation! You dare to call me names, you hobo?" + +"Yes," returned Farr, quite simply. + +"Well, quit it. I need men here. You're husky. Two dollars a day, even +if you're not a regular mason." + +"No." + +He drawled both the affirmative and the negative and there was something +subtly insolent in his tone--something that aroused more ire than a +cruder retort would have accomplished. He turned his back on the cursing +man and went on down to the bridge. He waited there for a time and +watched the drift of foam on the fretted waters. The steady burbling of +the stream made him oblivious to other sounds and he did not hear the +two men approach. They leaped on him and seized him. One of his captors +was the paunchy man, and his hands were heavy and his fingers gripped +viciously. + +"No wonder you wouldn't work! You're making your living in an easier +way." + +"What is the occasion of this effusive welcome to your city?" asked +Farr. + +The man who held one of the captive's arms was panting. He had run at +top speed from the house to which he and his mates had borne the injured +man. + +"You thief! You sneak! Eat a man's grub, his hard-earned grub, and steal +when his wife's back is turned!" + +"Of all dirty work this job is the worst," declared the big man. + +"She gave you all you could stuff into yourself, you loafer. You +ransacked when her back was turned. You even stole her husband's Sunday +suit. Where is it?" + +"I saw a fat tramp running away into the woods," returned Farr, quietly. +"He was carrying articles in his arms." + +"You're the only tramp in sight around here," insisted the contractor. +"Where did you hide the plunder?" + +"She said she fed a tramp. She left him at the back door. You're the +sneak," indorsed the panting emissary. + +"If you will take me back to the house you may get some new light on the +affair," suggested their captive. "You need not drag me there. I'll go +with much pleasure." + +The mistress of the despoiled home, red of eyes, hurrying from her sink +with a cold compress in her trembling hands, viewed Farr from her back +door. + +"That isn't the man. I never saw him before. Oh, he is in awful pain. +Why doesn't that doctor get here? But there doesn't seem to be anything +broken. He took my pocketbook, too, with two dollars and twenty-seven +cents in it. And it's every cent of money we've got by us. And it may be +weeks before he can go to work again. Troubles don't come singly. That +mis'able, fat, greasy thief! After I had fed him--even gave him pie!" + +"As I told you, gentlemen, it was a fat tramp. I saw him run away into +the woods." + +"If you call yourself a man why didn't you chase him?" inquired the +contractor, with disgust. + +"I took no interest in his affairs--no interest whatever," stated Farr, +with languid tone. + +"You don't care much what happens to anybody else, you hog!" + +"My interest in other persons is very limited." + +"You'll stand by and see one of your kind run away with the property of +poor folks, will you? You meet him later and get your whack?" asked the +big man. + +"No," said Farr, mildly. He directed compelling gaze into the eyes of +his detractor. "And you do not think so yourself." + +"Perhaps not. But you're worse. You have just said it. You're a selfish +renegade!" + +"Peculiarly selfish, hard, and unfeeling." + +"And wouldn't turn your hand over to do a good turn for anybody?" + +"I don't think so." + +"I'll tell you what I think _I'll_ do--I'll detail four of my men to +ride you out of this town on a rail." + +"I wouldn't call them off their jobs if I were you! I overheard you say +that you are short of time and men. By the way, you offered me a job. +I'll take it." + +The contractor blinked and hesitated. + +"If after a half-day you find I'm not worth the money I'll pass on and +you'll have a half-day's work free." + +"Get on to the job, then." + +Through the open door Farr could see the woman of the house wringing +cloths at the sink. + +He stepped to the door and addressed her. "Madame, will you take a +boarder? I'm going to do your husband's work on the job yonder. I will +pay liberally. In your present difficulties the money may help. I'll be +small trouble." + +"We need the money terribly," she said, after pondering. "Yes, I will +take you. In the face you do not look like a tramp!" + +"I thank you," said Farr. "If you will give me some food in my hands +I'll take myself out of your way." + +That afternoon Jared Chick came over the hill where the trowels clinked +and the great derrick complained with its pulleys. He carried his armor +on his back. + +He stopped and watched for some time his former companion of the road, +who was sweating over his man's toil. + +"May I have sixty seconds off to speak with that man yonder?" Farr asked +the contractor. "It partly concerns your business." + +The big man nodded surly assent. + +"Thee sees I have taken off the armor for a time. I will wear it in the +city where horses and people are not so silly. What is thee doing here?" + +"I have no time to talk about myself, Friend Chick. I want to ask you if +you are still of the same mind about your mission?" + +"I am." + +"Then throw down that hardware and come to work on this job. A man has +been hurt here--his wife is in need. Earn some money and give it to +them." + +"But my mission concerns the world--the wide world." + +"Real selfishness's chief excuse! Here's something ready to your hand. +Will you do it?" + +"But thee told me thee would not go forth and do good!" + +"No matter about me. I am not a professional knight-errant! Will you do +this?" + +"Ten seconds more!" warned the boss. + +"I cannot change my plans so suddenly," protested Chick. + +"A knight-errant should not have plans! My time is up and I have work. +Good-by, Friend Chick!" + +The young man went back to his task and the Quaker passed on, muttering +reaffirmation of his own high aims. + +"And how could I expect a vagrant to understand?" he asked himself. + +The vagrant toiled two weeks at his heavy task and when the man Jose was +about again the volunteer slipped away without farewell. + +He left on the table of his under-the-eaves bedroom in the Jose house +all the pay he received for his work, to the last penny. + +"He wasn't what he seemed to be," ran the burden of Mrs. Jose's various +disquisitions on this strange guest. "He ate his vittles and asked no +questions, and was out from underfoot, and was always willing to set up +with my husband and give me a snippet of rest and a wink of sleep; and +he read out of little books all the time--he had 'em stuffed into his +pockets. And there needn't anybody tell _me_! He left all his pay on the +table, every cent of it, and stole away without waiting for no thanks +from nobody!" + + + + +IV + +FARR, THE FAT TRAMP, AND A SUIT OF CLOTHES + +On a balmy forenoon a jovial-appearing old gentleman went jogging out +of the mill city of Marion and along a country road in his two-wheeled +chaise. He sat erect and he was tall above the average of men, and he +was very neat in his attire. + +"I wish," he mused, "that the men who could really appreciate a +good outfit of clothing and could use the same properly were not so +infernally touchy. As it is, cranky human nature drives me out on an +expedition like this--and I'm afraid I am just as cranky as the rest of +'em, otherwise I wouldn't be doing this!" + +The old gentleman hummed a song under his breath and slapped his reins +against the flanks of the plodding horse to keep time. He came into a +piece of woodland. He seemed to take cheery and fresh interest in this +place. He poked his rubicund face out from the shadow of the chaise's +canopy and peered to right and to left. There was a smile in his puckery +eyes. When there were trees ahead of him, trees behind him, and trees +all about he pulled his old horse to a standstill. + +He listened, squinted quizzically through the glass of his chaise's rear +curtain, and then climbed down. From a box at the rear of the vehicle he +secured various articles of clothing and draped them over his arm. +There was a frock-coat, not too badly worn, trousers in good repair, +waistcoat, and a shirt. He also took out of the box a pair of shoes and +a hat. With this load he went to the roadside and began to rig out a +fence-post. When the garments were hung on it and the broad-brimmed, +black, slouch-hat had been jauntily set on top of the post, anybody +could see that the old gentleman was thus disposing of some of his own +extra clothing. He was wearing a similar hat and a frock-coat, himself, +and the decorated post took on a bizarre and slouchy resemblance to its +decorator. + +He went back to the chaise and found a nickel alarm-clock in the box. He +wound this up carefully and propped it on a rail of the fence near the +clothing. + +Before he could escape from the vicinity of the exhibit and get into +his chaise a wagon came rattling around the bend of the road. There were +firkins and jars in the rear of this wagon and the driver was plainly a +farmer-man. + +He pulled up short and then saluted the old gentleman with a stab of +forefinger at his hat-brim. + +"Any trouble, Judge?" he inquired, affably. + +"None at all," replied the old gentleman, edging away from the fully +garbed fence-post. + +"Airing 'em out, hey?" A jab of the forefinger toward the garments. + +"No, leaving them out." + +All at once the old gentleman appeared to remember something else. He +took off his hat and produced a placard. He straightened it and stuck it +into a crack in a fence-rail. Its legend was "Help Yourself." + +"You're giving them clothes away, are you, Judge Peterson?" + +"I am leaving them here for any one who chooses to take them. Do you +want first pick, Jolson?" + +"Not me! I ain't taking charity hand-me-downs from any man, Judge. If +it's a polite question, why are you giving away your duds this way?" + +"I think you have just answered that question, Jolson. I offered you +these clothes. Your nose went into the air. Other men have acted in the +same way in the past when I have offered to give a fellow a good suit. +I don't want to hurt other folks' feelings. I don't want to have my own +feelings hurt. So, let any man help himself when no one is looking." + +"I'll take the alarm-clock, if you say so," volunteered Jolson. "It'll +help to rout me out of bed at milking-time." + +"No, you cannot have the clock, Jolson. I have tinkered it so that +it will purr a little every half-hour. It will call attention to the +clothes. You see, a good many men rush through life without looking to +right or left, and so they miss a lot of opportunities." + +Jolson clucked to his horse and rattled away down the road, muttering +sour remarks. + +The old gentleman, with the air of a man who has satisfied his +philanthropic ambitions, climbed into his chaise and followed the +farmer. + +The brisk breeze flirted the tails of the frock-coat and the trousers +legs tried out a modest little gig as if some of the jocose spirit of +the old gentleman had remained with the garments he had discarded. + +There were several passers before another half-hour had elapsed. + +The trousers kicked out quite hilariously when a young couple drove by +in a buggy. The girl was pretty, and companionship with her might have +suited even a judge's garments. But the young man and the girl were +quite absorbed in each other, and the trousers kicked and the frock-coat +flirted ineffectually. + +A peddler's cart passed very slowly, but the driver did not look up from +a paper filled with figures. + +There were others to whom the judge's garments offered themselves +mutely, but no one glanced that way and the clock was discreetly silent. +The breeze died down and the trousers and the coat hung with a sort of +homeless, homesick, and wistful air. One might have thought they were +trying to conceal themselves when the next person appeared, so still +were they. He was not an inviting person--not such a new lord and master +as a judge's garments might be expected to welcome. + +He was grossly fat and his own trousers were lashed about his bulging +waist with a frayed belt; his coat was sun-faded, a greasy Scotch cap +was pulled over to one side on his head with the peak hauled down upon +his ear, and he scuffed along in boots that were disreputable. Surely, a +most unseemly and unwholesome character to be wrapped in the habiliments +of a judge! But just then, with that cursed inappropriateness of +inanimate things, the clock jangled its alarm. + +The tramp--there was no mistaking that gait and that general air of the +vagrant--snapped himself about, located the noise, stared at the post, +and then hurried to it. He made sure that there was no one in sight. He +scooped all into his arms, climbed the fence and trotted into the woods. +He kept looking behind him as if he feared pursuit. It was plain from +his disturbed demeanor that he was much perplexed and was chased by the +uncomfortable thought that he was stealing this property. He bestowed so +much attention behind him that he paid but little attention to what was +ahead of him, and so he ran down into a little bowl of a valley among +the trees and stopped short there, for he had come upon a man. + +It was the man who called himself Walker Farr. + +The man was kneeling beside a tiny fire, toasting bread on the end of a +beech twig. He held the twig in one hand and an open book in the other. +He looked up without changing his position when the tramp came charging +down the hillside. + +He had wide-open, brown eyes, this man in the hollow. The eyes were not +merely wide open on account of surprise at this irruption--one could see +that they were naturally that way--keenly observant eyes. He had hair as +brown as his eyes; his cap was on the ground beside him. + +But the tramp was not taking account of the attractions of this +stranger; he was more interested in searching for flaws. + +He had been frightened at first sight of the man--for the tramp had the +timidity of his kind; now he began to feel cheered. This stranger in the +hollow had not been shaved recently, his clothing was unkempt, his +shoes bore the marks of a long hike. He was cooking in the open--plain +indication of the nomad. + +"Well, I say, bo," chaffed the tramp, shifting from fright to high +spirit with the hysteria of weak natures. "I'm sure glad to see one of +the good old sort. I didn't know what I was dropping in on when I fell +down that hill. But it's all right, hey? I'm on the road. My name is +Boston Fat, and my monacker is a bean-pot." + +The brown eyes moved slowly from the grinning face to the garments +heaped in the man's arms. They were cold and critical eyes and there was +no humor in them. + +"I do not do business during my lunch-hours, my man. I do not desire to +change tailors just yet and I do not buy stolen property." + +His chilliness did not dampen the other's good nature. + +"Oh, that's all right, old top. I'm no thief. These clothes were hung +on a fence-post just above here on the road. I reckon they were only +waiting for first-comer." + +He dropped the shoes, cocked the hat on his head, and began to fumble +the garments. The placard dropped out of the folds of the coat and the +man at the fire craned his neck and read aloud: "Help Yourself." + +"Oh, that's what the paper says, hey? I never learned to read any of the +modern languages," confided Boston Fat. "I was too much taken up with +the dead ones at Harvard. Well, comrade, now you can see for yourself +that I didn't steal this mess of moth-food. There was the sign right on +it saying, 'Help Yourself.' It was there, even if I couldn't read it. +Instinck told me them clothes was for me. I took 'em and came in here." + +He shook out the garments one by one and hung them on a bush, chattering +his comments. He set the ticking clock on a stump. + +The man at the fire slipped a piece of meat between two slabs of toasted +bread and began to eat. He still held the open book in his hand but his +eyes were watching the tramp. + +The vagrant was orally appraising his find, exhibiting the wisdom of one +who has begged garments at back doors for the purposes of peddling them +to second-hand shops. + +"A moucher," observed the man at the fire. He continued aloud, evidently +and sardonically exercising his vocabulary, plainly enjoying the +amazement he provoked by his style of language. "The spirit of a stray +cat at midnight, the tastes of the prowling hyena! The fat thief I saw +running away into the woods! When such as these began to take to the +road, knight-errantry vanished from the face of the earth. The varlets +borrowed the grand idea of care-free itinerancy and debased it, as +waiters borrow a gentleman's evening dress for their menial uniform, and +drunken coachmen wear the same head-gear that a duke wears to a wedding! +Why prove evolution by searching for a man with a tail? The performances +of human nature must convince any thinking man that we have descended +from apes!" + +The astonished tramp stared for a short time at this person who employed +such peculiar language--then mumbled an oath and shook his head. + +He began to try on the frock-coat, paying scant attention to the other's +monologue. The coat was a ludicrous misfit; it would not meet over the +bulging belly; its tails dragged on the fat man's heels. + +"If I happened to stand handy by when a Kansas cyclone ripped the +insides out of a clothing-store only the boys' sizes would drop in the +same county with me," grumbled the tramp, working his arms out of the +sleeves. + +"The coat was plainly built for a gentleman," stated the man at the +fire. "Therefore it is of no value to you." + +Boston Fat surveyed the stranger with a vicious glint in his little +eyes, as a pig might stare at a man who had struck it across the snout. + +"Good afternoon, perfesser," he sneered. + +"Why 'professor,' my frayed and frowsled Falstaff?" + +"There you go with it--showing yourself up out of your own mouth! Words +a yard long--words that would break a decent man's teeth! You're one of +these college dudes out on the road getting stuff to write into a book. +I've heard about your kind. And that kind is getting too thick and +plenty and you're putting slush all over the real profesh. Quit it and +go back to college. Don't use me for your book." + +This was reciprocation of derogatory sentiment with a vengeance! + +The man at the fire sat back on his haunches. He finished chewing his +mouthful, regarding the tramp with a languid stare that traveled from +crown of his head to tip of his battered shoe. + +"The only thing about a book that you would be good for," he said, +"would be for use in a volume of this sort." He tapped the book in his +palm. "Your anatomy could supply the binding. It is bound in pigskin." + +The tramp squealed an oath in the falsetto voice that the weak and the +flabby possess and took one step forward. The man at the fire came to +his feet and stood erect. He was tall, and the brown eyes talked for him +better than threats or bluster. The vagrant shifted his gaze from those +eyes and backed away. + +"If I hadn't been penned in a pie-belt jail all winter up North, and all +the strength starved out of me," he whined, "you wouldn't call me a pig +and get away with it." + +"A person who forces himself into the presence of a gentleman who is +dining mustn't expect compliments," stated the stranger. + +"You ain't a tramp--not a real one," snarled Boston Fat. + +Farr's eyes glistened; he smiled; he continued to play on this ignoramus +his satiric pranks of mystifying language: + +"More of your lack of acuteness, my fat friend. Because I do not patter +the flash lingo with you, you appear to take me for a college professor +in disguise. _You_ are not a real tramp. You are a bum, a loafer, a yeg. +You never traveled more than two hundred miles away from Hoboken--the +capital city of hoboes. Have you ever hit the sage-brush trail, hiked +the milk-and-honey route from Ogden through the Mormon country, decked +the Overland Express, beaten the blind baggage on the Millionaires' +Flier? Hey?" + +The sullen vagrant blinked stupidly. + +"Or have you made the prairie run on the truss of a Wagner freight, or +thrown a stone at the Fox Train crew, or beaten the face off the Katy +Shack when he tried to pitch you off a gondola-car?" + +"I don't know what you're chewing about," sneered the fat man. + +"Probably not, for you are not a true man of the road. You disgrace the +name of nomad, you sully an ancient profession. I'll venture to say you +don't know who Ishmael was." + +"Who said I did?" + +"Not I, because I'm not a flatterer. I am going to follow the example of +the man who cast pearls before swine--I'm going to cast you a pearl from +one of my own poems. You may listen. It will pass your ears, that's all. +You cannot contaminate it by taking it in, so I repeat it for my own +entertainment, to refresh my memory: + + "Of the morrow we take no heed, no care infests the day; + Some hand-out gump and a train to jump, a grip on the rods, and + away! + To the game of grab for gold we give no thought or care. + We own with you the arch of blue--our share of God's fresh air. + One coin to clear the law, a section of rubber hose. + To soften the chafe of a freight-car's truss, our portion of + cast-off clothes, + And the big wide world is ours--a title made good by right-- + By mankind's deed to the nomad breed with the taint of the + Ishmaelite. + Some from the wastes of the sage-brush, some from the orange land, + Some from God's own country, dusty and tattered and tanned. + Why are we? It's idle to tell you--you'd never understand. + To and fro + We come and go. + Old Father Ishmael's band." + +He leaned back and laughed in the tramp's puzzled face. + +"Well, what's the answer?" scoffed Boston Fat. + +The other man talked on, humor in his eyes, plainly enjoying this verbal +skylarking. + +"I'm afraid I cannot waste time and breath on you in an attempt to +answer the riddle of the ages, to explain the wanderlust that sent forth +the tribes from the Aryan bowl of the birth of the races, my +corpulent bean-pot. Your blank eyes and your flattened skull suggest a +discouraging incapacity for information." + +"I don't know what you're gabbing abut. But there's one thing I do know. +I'll tip 'em off at the next insane-asylum I come to that I met you +headed north." The tramp gathered the articles of clothing from the +bushes and got down on his knees and began to fold them. + +The man of the brown eyes stepped forward, laid down his little book, +picked up the frock-coat and pulled it on, the fat man squealing +expostulation. With serene disregard of this protest Farr buttoned the +coat, smoothed it down, and then straightened his shoulders. + +"You may see that it was built for a gentleman and that it fits a +gentleman, friend pork-barrel." + +"You shuck it off and pass it over, that's what you do," yelped the +tramp. "It's my coat." + +"It was perfectly apparent that it was not your coat when you tried it +on." + +"I tell you I found it hanging on a fence-post just above here." + +"That was merely by accident, and you should have passed on and left the +garments for one whose frame was fitted to wear them. You illustrate +the curse of modern society. Men are so filled with the greed of getting +that they grab misfits simply out of passion for possessing." + +"I've stood your slurs ever since I got here, but I'll be jobeefed if +I'll stand for your swiping my property." + +The man of the brown eyes smiled. His whole demeanor showed that he was +more than ever hugely enjoying his own verbosity--the florid language +which was both maddening and mystifying the tramp. + +"Further evidence of your mean nature: a gentleman resents an insult +that steals away his character much more quickly than he resents an act +that steals mere property. In that little book which I have just laid +down Shakespeare speaks trenchantly on that matter: 'Who steals my purse +steals trash . . . but he that filches from me my good name robs me . . . +and makes me poor indeed.'" + +The tramp gave over his work of folding, and awkwardly and cumbersomely +got upon his feet. + +"You take off that coat and hand it over. It's mine--I found it. I can +stand a crazy man's gab, but when any one tries to do me out of what's +my own I'll fight." + +"May I ask what you're going to do with these garments of a gentleman +which have fallen into your hands by accident?" + +"I'm going to cash 'em in at the nearest second-hand shop, that's just +what I'm going to do." + +"Just as you sold the Sunday suit you stole from a poor man! My friend, +I was insulted that day on account of you. You owe me something!" + +Just then the alarm-clock purred a brief signal. + +Up to that time the air of the man with the brown eyes had been that of +banter, of impish desire to harry and confuse by stilted language the +ignorant stranger who had come blundering upon him. + +He stared at the clock, looked down upon the frock-coat, and then +surveyed the other articles of clothing. He scowled as if he had +suddenly begun to reflect. Seriousness smoldered in the brown eyes. +That tinkling touch of metal against metal seemed to change his mood in +astonishing fashion. + +"Ah, it may be morning again, O my soul!" he cried with such tense +feeling in his voice that the tramp surveyed him with gaping mouth and +bulging eyes, as one stares at a person suddenly become mad. + +"I will talk to you though you will not understand! Once upon a time the +world was ruled by men who were ruled by omens. Man was then not so wise +in his own conceit. His own soul was nearer the soul of things. He was +not a mere gob of bumptiousness covered with the shell of cocksureness. +He was willing to be informed. He sought the omens of true nature--he +allowed Fate to guide him. He was not a pig running against the goad of +circumstances, unheeding the upflung arms of Fortune, waving him toward +the right path. He was simpler--he was truer. He felt that he was a part +of nature instead of being boss of nature. Well, I have got nearer to +true nature since I have been in the open. I am in contact with the +soul of things. I am no longer insulated. I am not reformed, I am simply +ready once again to grab Opportunity. So you think I am crazy, do you?" + +"They had a gink in a padded cell in the jail where I was last winter +and he didn't take on much worse'n you," stated the tramp. + +"As a brainless observer you may be quite right. I may be a lunatic. I +feel much like one just now. It is lunacy to go climbing back to a level +in society from which I have been kicked. But as I knelt there by +that little fire, before you came, yearning sprang up in me--and I had +thought all that sort of yearning was dead in me. A moment later came +habiliments of a gentleman, borne in the arms of a wretch who could +not wear them. There came Opportunity. Then the jangle of that clock +signaled Opportunity--and there was a throb in me as though my sleeping +soul had rolled and blinked at the sunlight of hope and had murmured, +'It's morning again.' Such are omens, when one is ready to heed." + +He set his teeth, clenched his fists, and by expression and attitude +showed that he had arrived at a decision of moment. He walked close +to the tramp. "I will admit, Friend Belly-brains, that you came upon +Opportunity before I did this day. But tell me again, are you to make no +further use of said Opportunity than to run to an old-clothes shop and +exchange for a few pennies that which will help to make a man?" + +"They are mine and I'm going to sell 'em," retorted the sullen vagrant. + +"I am sorry because you have no wit--no power to understand. Otherwise +you would gladly lay these garments in my hands and bid me Godspeed. You +don't understand at all, do you?" + +"Look here, are you trying to frisk me for these duds?" + +"It's all a waste of breath to explain to you that Providence meant +these things for me. You are not acute enough to understand close +reasoning. I could not show you that, for the sake of a few coins, which +would do you only that harm which would come from their value in cheap +whisky or beer, you might be wrecking the future of a soul that is +awake. I simply tell you that I shall keep the clothing for myself. +Perhaps you can understand that plain statement!" The brown eyes became +resolute and piercing. "Even if I had money I would not pay you for +these garments. Money does such as you no good; it may bring you +trouble. My dear Boston Fat, I cannot afford to let you prejudice my +future, which, so instinct tells me, is wrapped up in those poor things +of wool and warp." He snapped a finger into his palm and extended his +hand. "Give me that hat and then pass on about your business." + +The tramp backed away. His little blinking eyes expressed both fear and +rebelliousness. More than ever did he resemble a pig at bay. The black +hat, set on top of his greasy cap and topping with its respectability +his disreputable general outfit, added a bizarre touch to the scene +between the two men. + +"You think now that you are the injured party," calmly pursued the man +of the brown eyes. "You haven't intelligence enough to take my own case +into account. You are injured because you are losing a few coins--but I +may be injured in all that gives life its flavor if I do not grasp this +opportunity." Both raillery and earnestness dropped out of his tones. He +became merely matter-of-fact. "I'll make it plain. Trot along about your +business, fat one, or I shall proceed to pound the face off you and +then kick you a few rods on your happy way. You deserve it as a thief--I +worked two weeks as a stone-mason on your account. Do you get me?" + +For answer the infuriated vagrant rushed at him and kicked. + +With one hand the stranger plucked the hat from the tramp's head and +sailed it to a place of safety. With the other hand he grabbed the +attacker's ankle before the foot hit him and with a jerk he laid the +tramp on his back. + +The victim fell so helplessly that the concussion knocked the breath and +a groan out of him. + +The man of the brown eyes had moved languidly and had talked languidly +till then. When he grabbed the foot he moved with a sort of steel-trap +efficiency and quickness. He promptly straddled his victim, seated +himself on the protruding abdomen, and began to beat the man's face. He +battered the flabby cheeks and punched his fists into the pulpy neck. He +ground his knees against the fat flanks and redoubled his blows when the +tramp struggled. After the squalling falsetto had implored for a long +time, the assailant at last gave over the exercise. + +"Are you licked?" he asked. + +"Yes," whined the tramp. + +"You have stolen--in most dirty style. I whipped you for that job. Now +will you stay licked for some time?" + +"Yes." + +"You'll go on about your own business, will you, without any more +foolish talk about those garments?" + +"Yes." + +"Are you sorry you stole from that good woman who fed you?" + +"Yes." + +The man of the brown eyes swung himself off his prostrate victim, as a +rider dismounts from a horse, and the tramp sat up, moaning and patting +his purple face. + +"I never had no luck, never," he blubbered. "I was kicked out of jail +before the weather got warmed up, I was thrown in last fall just when +the Indian summer was beginning. When other fellows get hand-outs of pie +I get cold potatoes and bannock bread. I have to walk when other fellows +ride. I'm too fat for the trucks and they can always see me on the blind +baggage. I'll keep on walking. I never had no luck in all my life." + +He rolled upon his hands and knees and then stood up. He started away, +wholly cowed, whining like a quill-pig, bewailing his luck. + +"Luck!" the man of the brown eyes shouted after him in a tone which +expressed anger and regret. "What do you know about luck, you animated +lard-pail? A thing like you is in luck when he is in jail where there +is no workshop. Better luck than that is too good for you. Hold on one +minute! Turn around and look at me." + +The tramp obeyed. The stranger pounded one of those hard fists on his +own breast. + +"I say look at me! No matter what I was once! But to-day you found me +cooking bacon over three sticks and ready to fight for another man's +cast-off clothes. And in between whiles I have hiked every path that the +hobo knows between the oceans. Now jog on and think that over and keep +your jaw shut on luck! I say jog on! Don't look back. Forget that you +ever saw me." + +He waved angry gesture and took two steps as though to enforce his +command with his fists. + +The tramp jogged on at a brisk pace. He hurried to the highway and set +out on his shuffling pilgrimage, rubbing his aching face and muttering +to himself. + + + + +V + +THE GIRL WHO GUARDED HER LIPS + +The brown eyes of the victor watched the tramp out of sight and for +some moments surveyed the nick in the undergrowth where the fellow had +disappeared. + +There was no anger in the eyes. There had been none while their +possessor had been pummeling the wretch. He had beaten the man up in a +calm, methodical and perfectly business-like manner. + +When at last he turned and looked at the clothing he smiled whimsically. + +"The perambulating pork-barrel thinks I am crazy," he mused, looking at +the frock-coat. He had stripped that garment from his shoulders and had +tossed it on a bush when he had decided on combat. "If I should stop to +argue the matter with myself just now I should find myself flattering +his good judgment. I have robbed a poor devil for a whim. Thank God, +I went at it brutally and frankly. There was no 'high finance' +sneak-thieving about that job. I sent him away with his face smarting. +They sent me away with my soul black-and-blue." + +He gathered the garments, picked up the shoes, put the hat on top of the +pile on his arm, and went farther into the woods, following the course +of a tiny stream of water. This stream led him to a pool. It was +tree-bordered, it was a center gem in a dim alcove in the forest, it was +as secret as a private chamber. The pool was glassy, for the winds were +still in the tree-tops. + +The man laid down his burden. He stripped off his own well-worn coat and +shirt, and secured a razor and stick of soap from the scattered articles +he dumped from the coat pocket. He kneeled on the brink of the pool, +leaned over and shaved himself carefully, using the glassy surface as +a mirror. Then he put off his other clothing, the mean garments of a +vagrant, and plunged into the pool. + +When he came forth from the water and dried himself with his discarded +shirt, he revealed himself to the birds whom his splashings had +attracted to the branches above the pool. If the birds' twitterings were +comments on his appearance, they must have been admiring comments. The +man's skin was white and he was lithe and tense and muscular. Breeding +showed in him as it shows in the muscles and conformation of a +race-horse. When he was dried he threw down the makeshift towel and +combed his shock of brown hair with his fingers. Now that the bristle of +beard was off his face he looked younger. + +From the pile of clothing he selected his outfit, garment by garment. +The jovial humor of the judge had provided complete equipment for a man. +In the breast pockets of the frock-coat there were a clean collar, a +necktie, and a freshly laundered handkerchief. + +By the time he had finished his dressing the pool was still and glassy +once more. He flirted out the handkerchief, holding it by one corner, +and swept the soft fabric around and around the crown of the black hat. + +He carefully set the hat on his head and leaned over the pool and took +an interested peep at himself. + +"You are a fool in this matter," he informed the reflection. "And I +wonder why you are determined to persist in the folly. The man +Chick's tin suit cannot bring as much trouble to him as this garb of +respectability may bring to you. For no man can step up to that poor +Quaker and touch his shoulder and say--" + +He broke off. He began to search through his discarded garments and to +stow his few possessions into the pockets of his new attire. + +"All folly!" ran his thoughts. "I am consumed with it all of a sudden. +I have ranted to a tramp. Now I rant at myself. I am sloughing the rags +that have protected me. All folly!" + +His searching fingers, groping to the deepest corner of a pocket, +found the crumbling fragments of a dried rose. He narrowed his eyes and +surveyed it as it lay in his palm, and then made as if to toss it into +the pool. But he checked the gesture. He set his chin in his hands and +communed aloud with himself after the fashion of those who hold aloof +from mankind: + +"Folly, little sister! I may as well be truthful! Two dark eyes which +gave me the first honest, unafraid, and frank gaze I've had from a maid +in two years, two red lips which said 'Please' and 'Thank you'! A flash +of a glance behind her which called me, even if she did not mean it as +a call--and so, on I fare in a lunatic's dream. Own up! I have dreamed +that some day I will see her again. And down in the depths of me stirs +that impulse of the male which makes the peacock spread his feathers +and silly man perk in front of a mirror. Why not give in to the sense +of heredity once in a while even though it means beating up a tramp and +making myself more of a mark for human eyes?" + +He rolled the old clothes into a bundle and stuffed them under the roots +of a tree. Then he strolled away leisurely, and when he as in the wider +stretches of the wood where the light was better he pulled a small book +from his pocket and read as he walked. + +The volume was _Sartor Resartus_. His eyes happened to find this passage +and he smiled as he read: + + +All visible things are emblems. Hence clothes, as despicable as we think +them, are so unspeakably significant. Clothes, from the King's mantle +downward, are emblematic not of want only but of a manifold cunning +victory over want. Men are properly said to be clothed with authority, +clothed with beauty, with curses and the like. It is written, the +Heavens and the Earth shall fade away like a vesture; which indeed +they are: the time vesture of the Eternal. Whatsoever sensibly exists, +whatsoever represents spirit to spirit, is properly a clothing, a suit +of raiment, put on for a season and to be laid off. Thus in this one +pregnant subject of clothes, rightly understood, is included all that +men have thought, dreamed, done, and been; the whole Eternal Universe +and what it holds is but clothing; and the essence of all science lies +in the Philosophy of Clothes. + + +From time to time he looked down upon himself complacently. + +When he came near a glade in the wood he heard the chatter of the voices +of a merry party and he saw picnickers, men and women, gathered about +hampers. Automobiles were parked at a little distance, and he made a +detour to avoid the scene. + +He emerged upon an animated tableau of modern nymph and modish satyr +in a close-by forest aisle. The girl was flushed and disheveled and was +resisting a young man who had pushed aside her veil and was kissing her +with ardor. She beat him back with her gloved hands and eluded him, but +he caught her to him with more of rough passion than tender affection. + +"We are engaged to be married," he insisted. "Why shouldn't I kiss you? +Don't be a prude!" + +She thrust her protesting palms against him and set her arms rigidly and +held her head away, not with coyness, but with indignation and fierce +rebellion. + +"I love you! My God, can't you understand?" he gasped. "I can't keep my +hands off you. You can't handle a man as you're trying to handle me. I +must have some affection from you!" + +"Richard! I'll not endure this! I am insulted!" + +"My kisses an insult? I'm no ice-water lover. You set me crazy. I can't +help myself." + +She wrenched herself from his grasp and faced him, her face filled with +outraged fury. + +Farr had started to leave the scene. He stopped. The girl was the girl +of the red lips and the dark eyes. + +"Don't touch me!" she cried. "The only promise you have had from me, +Richard, is the one my mother has fairly forced from me. I am trying +honestly to like you. I will please my mother and you if I can." + +"That's a devil of a thing to say to a man who loves you as I do," he +declared, with anger. + +"That is all I can say just now. But if you use me again as you would +pull and haul a girl of the streets, I'll despise you. I give you +warning." + +"What sort of books have you been reading, Kate?" he asked, +sarcastically. "Where did you get your idea of what love-making is? +They don't sing serenades under windows these days. They don't kiss +finger-tips and write mush poems. I am going to tell you a few things +you ought to know, as a girl engaged to be married." + +Farr stood close by them and in plain sight, but their absorption in +their struggle had left them attention only for each other. He knew +that if he started away while they were talking his presence would be +promptly noted and undoubtedly misjudged. + +He set his finger between the leaves of his book and took his hat in his +hand. + +"Your pardon!" he pleaded. "I stumbled here quite by accident. Please +suspend conversation on private matters until I can walk out of +earshot." + +He stared straight into the eyes of the girl and once more received from +her that frank and wondering gaze which had touched him so strangely +when he had seen her first on the broad highway. His face was white +under the tan. His hands trembled as he replaced his hat. In his +heart he was saying farewell to her and his eyes expressed some of his +emotion. + +"You may take your own time, sir," said the girl. "This gentleman and +I have finished our conversation." She passed Farr, looking him up and +down with increasing curiosity and dawning recognition, and when her +escort called to her impatiently, she caught her skirts around her and +ran toward the glade where the others of the party were chattering over +their hampers. + +The lover started away slowly and sullenly on her trail, with only a +glance at this blundering stranger. + +"No, they do not sing serenades under windows any more--nor has the +stone age returned with its love-making manners," remarked Farr, his +lips trembling and his emotion still in his eyes. "There are some +manners which were worse, however, than knocking maidens down with +clubs." + +The other man snapped himself around on his heels. + +"Damn you, you're that fresh hobo! I don't forget a man who shoots off +low-down sneers at me. Here! You come back here! I want to ask a few +questions, my man." + +Farr continued on his way, opening his book. + +"If I ever see you again--" blustered the lover. + +"I sincerely hope that will never happen," remarked the stranger, +without turning his head. "Instinct of the purely animal sort tells me +that if our paths cross in this life it will be very bad for one or the +other." + +When Farr was in the highway he fumbled in his pocket and found the +withered rose. He tossed it away among the roadside bushes. + +But after he had gone on his way for some distance he retraced his steps +and hunted in the bushes for a long time on his hands and knees until he +found the poor little keepsake. + +He put it carefully into the deepest pocket he could find in his newly +acquired habiliments and trudged on down the world. + + + + +VI + +A MAN ON FOOT AND A MAN IN HIS CHARIOT + +A blatant orator, haranguing passionately, attracted two new auditors. + +A tall young man sauntered to the edge of the little group in the square +and listened with a smile which indicated cynical half-interest. + +An automobile halted on the opposite side of the group. A big man sat +alone in the tonneau. + +He began to scowl as he listened. + +The young man continued to smile. + +The big man was plainly a personality. He was cool and crisp in summer +flannels--as immaculate as the accoutrements of his car. + +In face and physique the young man was plainly not of that herd near +which he stood. + +His glance crossed that of the man in the car; he met the scowl with his +smile. + +Like a kiln open to the hot glare from a brassy sky or an oven where the +July caloric blazed like a blast from the open mouth of a retort--such +that day seemed Moosac Square in the heart of the cotton-mill city. High +buildings closed in its treeless, ill-paved, dirty area. The air, made +blistering by the torch of the sun, beat back and forth between the +buildings in shimmering waves. + +In the center of the square the blatant orator balanced himself on a +stone trough which was arid and dust-choked. He harangued the group of +unkempt men; sweating, blinking, apathetic men; slouchy men; men who +were ticketed in attire and demeanor with all the squalid marks of +idlers, vagrants, and the unemployed. + +The man on the trough was of the ilk of the men who surrounded him. His +face was flaming with the heat and with his vocal efforts. Perspiration +streamed into his eyes, his voice was hoarse with shouting, but he had +the natural eloquence of the demagogue. He was delivering the creed +of the propaganda of rebellious poverty, the complaints of the +dissatisfied, the demands of the idle agitators. He spiked his diatribe +with threats flavored by anarchy. He pointed to policemen who had taken +refuge in strips of shade which had been cast grudgingly by the high +buildings. He reminded his hearers that those policemen had just driven +them out of the tree-shaded parks. There the selfish rich folks were +loafing under the trees. Poor folks were herded down the street and were +forced to hold this meeting in that Gehenna, so he averred. + +The man in the automobile muttered impatient words. Then he shouted, +breaking in on the impassioned anathema which the orator addressed to +the rich: "Stop lying to these men--stirring them up. The parks are for +the people. You can go there--all you men can go there--if you'll go +without making a disturbance." + +"If men in these days open their mouths to speak for their human rights +it's a disturbance," retorted the demagogue. "If we go up to the park +and sit there and tremble like rabbits you rich men will let us stay +there--perhaps! But we don't have as many rights there as the rabbits, +for the rabbits are allowed to step on the grass." + +"You've got to obey the law like other citizens--you will not be allowed +to disturb decent and respectable people. You and men like you must stop +putting foolish notions in the heads of loafers in this city." + +"Then put something into our mouths--give us food. Why are we loafers?" + +"Because you won't go to work. I'll give every able-bodied man here +all the work he wants. Apply at the office of the Consolidated Water +Company--now." + +"What's the work?" inquired a man in the crowd. + +"Digging trenches for water-pipes. How many men want that work? Hold up +hands." + +"It ain't work for human beings in this weather," snarled the man who +had inquired. No hands were raised. + +"That's your style!" blazed the big man. The policemen had sauntered +into the square and their presence was reassuring. He stood up and began +to lecture them. + +"And them's the kind of lord dukes that's running this country +to-day--own it and run it," growled a slouchy fellow who stood near the +tall young man. "They ain't willing to give a poor man a show." + +"He has just offered you a show--all of you," stated the young man. + +"Yes, a Guinea job for white men." + +"You're picking a poor excuse for being a loafer, my friend." + +"Who says I'm a loafer?" + +The young man shot out his hands and grasped the fellow's elbow and +hand. The arm was flabby, the palm was soft. He doubled back the fingers +and exhibited the palm to the crowd. + +"I don't find any labor medals here, men. Is there anybody in the crowd +who can show some?" He released the struggling, cursing captive. + +"What's labor medals?" inquired a bystander. + +The big man was still denouncing them from his car, but the group paid +little attention now. + +"Callous spots in the place where a working-man ought to wear them. And +that place isn't on the tongue." + +"Are you sneering at us because we can't get a job?" + +"You're a loafer yourself, and anybody can see it," declared another. + +The young man raised his arms, showing them his palms. + +"I carry a few labor medals," he returned, curtly. + +"Why ain't you on your job? The lord dukes won't give you one?" + +"_When_ I work and _where_ I work is my own business, so long as I don't +beg food at back doors." + +"Do _we_?" + +They had crowded around him and menaced him with murmurings and +glowering gaze. + +"I should say so," he replied, giving them an indifferent going-over +with his cold eyes. "You carry all the marks." + +Then he shouldered his way out from among them, displaying the air of +one who found further discourse unprofitable. + +He strolled leisurely in the direction of the big man in the car. The +crowd he had left stared after him without presuming to voice taunt or +reply; there was something compelling about him. + +As Farr approached the automobile its owner stopped talking and stared +at the tall stranger with some apprehension. Then the big man beckoned +unobtrusively to a policeman. It was evident that Farr was not of +the same sort as the ruck of men from among whom he had just emerged, +nevertheless he had come from among them. The lordly man in the car had +observed him moving in the group, for Farr had loomed above the heads of +the others; what he had been saying to the malcontents the big man had +not been able to hear, but he guessed. + +"Some sort of sneak has been stirring up the fools in this city lately," +the aristocrat informed the officer who came promptly to the side of the +car. "Who is this fellow coming?" + +"I never saw him before, Colonel Dodd." + +"Stand by! He is going to tackle me and make a grand-stand play in front +of his gang. His clothes give him away--a loafing demagogue!" + +But the tall man did not pause at the car or even glance at the +dignitary who occupied it. He seemed to have lost all interest in the +occasion. He yawned as he passed the automobile and started away across +the square. + +"Here, you! You big chap!" called Colonel Dodd, promptly emboldened. + +Farr halted and turned, his countenance showing mild inquiry. + +"What do you mean by coming into a peaceable city and stirring up labor +troubles?" + +"Have I done so?" + +"You have just been mixing and mingling with those men, talking to them. +I know your kind." + +"Ah, a gentleman of keen discernment!" + +"I have seen you before--you fellows with long-tailed coats and +short-horned ideas. We don't want your kind in this city!" + +"I seem to have made a prompt sensation without trying to do so," +returned Farr, meekly. "I have been in your city less than fifteen +minutes, sir!" + +"You're a traveling labor-agitator, aren't you?" + +"No, sir." + +"But I just saw you circulating among those men. Your rig-out shows your +character!" + +"You mean these garments I wear?" + +"Certainly! A frock-coat helps out your pose before an ignorant public." + +"He stole that coat from me," squeaked a fat man, standing at a little +distance, scrubbing a torn sleeve over his grimy, sweat-streaked face. +"He picked it fair off'n my back. I have follered him to show him up as +a robber and a fake. That's so help me!" + +Riotous laughter from all the listeners followed that declaration; +a glance at the tubby tramp and survey of the tall young man whose +contours fitted the garments made the fat man's assertion seem like a +huge joke. + +"I can prove it!" squalled the vagrant. + +"Beat it! Get out of this city!" commanded a policeman. "If you +don't we'll have you on the rock-pile. What ye mean by such guff?" He +flourished his stick and the tramp hurried away. + +"It's no use," he whined. "Grab and bluff! Him what can do it best +always wins. That's the way the world goes!" + +"When I took these clothes off the back of my vanishing friend I felt +that they would make a change in my life," stated Farr, with a smile +which provoked more laughter. "But I did not dream that they would bring +me such prominence in so short a time." He bowed to the man in the car. + +But Colonel Dodd was angry and insistent and did not join in the +merriment. + +"I say you are a labor-agitator. Any man who won't go to work himself +has no right to be stirring up other workers against their own +interests. You may as well own up to me, my man. These men standing +around here know what you are--you have been talking with them. Outside +of stirring trouble, you don't work, do you?" + +"Oh yes, my lord!" + +There was smiling mockery in the tone, almost insolence. He seemed to +be willing to display to the rich man the same lack of respect he had +displayed to the poor men who stood near and listened to this colloquy. + +"Oh, you do?" Colonel Dodd raised his voice. "Listen sharp, my men! Do +you want to be led around by the noses by a man who doesn't work? This +gentleman is going to tell us what his job is!" He sneered when he said +it. + +"I am an assiduous toiler in my profession, your excellency. I am +surprised that as an employer you do not recognize a real worker when +you see one." + +This tone of raillery and this stilted manner of speech promptly caught +the fancy of the throng. The men crowded more closely and the orator on +the trough was silent. + +"What do you work at?" + +"I am an architect, your gracious highness." + +"Less of that insolence in the way of names, my friend! An architect, +eh? Well, what did you ever build?" + +"I laid out Dream Avenue in the boom city of Expectation and built on +that thoroughfare a magnificent row of castles in the air. If you had a +bit more imagination I might try to sell you something in my line. But +it is useless, I see! Farewell!" + +He swept off his broad-brimmed hat with a deep bow, backed away a few +steps, and bowed again and went on his way. The crowd guffawed. This +baiting of the city's labor magnate had most agreeably scratched their +itching sense of resentment. + +"I don't know who that josher is, but I hate to lose him out of town," +confided the orator on the trough to those near him. + +"I never saw that fellow before, but I'll pinch him if you say so, +Colonel Dodd," volunteered the policeman. "Do you make complaint?" + +"No," snapped the colonel, glowering on the broad back which was +swinging across the square in retreat. He told his chauffeur to drive +on. + +When the car passed Farr the colonel flicked cigar ashes which alighted +in a spray of dust on the sleeve of the frock-coat. + +"Bah!" said the colonel, shooting the young man a scowl. + +Farr gave in return a smile, but it was not a particularly genial smile. + +The young man went on his way leisurely; by his gait, by his frequent +and somewhat prolonged pauses at shop windows, by his indifferent +starings at traffic and pedestrians, it was plain that he had little of +moment on his mind. + +He bought a penny glass of water at a corner kiosk. + +"Do you mind telling me," he asked the vender, "Who is Colonel Dodd of +this city? I am a stranger and I have just overheard the name." + +The man grinned. "If it wasn't for Colonel Symonds Dodd I wouldn't be +making much of a living here, selling spring-water. He is president of +the Consolidated." + +"And that means?" + +"Why, it means that he is boss of the water trust that owns the system +in this city and in all the other cities and towns of this state. And +they pump all of their water out of the rivers because the lakes are so +far off, and nobody drinks that water unless he has to or don't know any +better. Colonel Dodd? Why, he bosses the whole state, they tell me." + +"I gathered that he was important," said the young man, and walked on. + +He was held up in the passing crowd at a street corner for a few moments +because a parade of some half-dozen automobiles whirled past. The cars +were decorated with banners, and the wild flowers and other spoil of +forest and field in the arms of the ladies indicated that this was a +party returning from a picnic in the suburbs. + +"Would you mind telling me," asked Farr of the policeman who was +guarding the corner, "who that young man is--the one there in the gray +automobile?" + +"With the bleached blonde and the pretty girl?" asked the officer. "Oh, +that's Colonel Dodd's nephew--Dicky Dodd. Of course you know who the +colonel is." + +"Yes," said Farr. He opened his mouth to ask another question, for the +policeman seemed to be of the obliging sort. Then he closed his lips +resolutely and marched along. + +"What's the use?" he muttered. "Two dark eyes and a red mouth--and I am +almost forgetting how to be a philosopher." + +Farther down the city thoroughfare he met one who had claimed to be +a philosopher. It was Jared Chick, stalking along the sidewalk in his +home-made armor. He held a box of stove-polish in one hand and a brush +in the other, and as he strolled he was giving his corselet and such +parts of the armor as he could handily reach a glossy coat--a gleaming +and burnished surface. On his helmet in place of a crest Knight Chick +bore aloft a metal banneret inscribed, "Invincible Stove Polish." + +"And the mission?" asked Farr, halting his quondam companion, who had +been too intent upon his business to pay heed to passers. + +"I find thee changed, and no doubt thee, too, finds me changed," sighed +Mr. Chick. + +The mouth of an alley between high buildings afforded a retreat and the +breeze blew there fitfully, and Mr. Chick stepped to that oasis of shade +in the glare of sunshine. + +"I have been obliged to modify my mission in some degree. I must confess +that to thee," he said. "This is a strange and wicked world." + +"Didn't you know it before you gave up a good blacksmith business to go +out in the hot sun and suffer torment, all for nothing?" + +"It is very hard work," acknowledged Chick, showing his flushed and +streaming face under his vizor. "If I were not used to the fires of the +forge I think I would fall down and die. But I must keep on." + +"But you are simply an advertising-sign." + +"I have modified my mission. I have not given up, however. I will tell +thee! I found a man beside the way--a man who had been drinking strong +waters and whose pockets had been turned wrong side out. So I took him +to a tavern and I sat with him through the night, and nursed him when he +suffered, and revealed my mission when he awoke. 'I am out to do good +to all men,' I told him, and he searched through his pockets with +blasphemy, and he said that I had done him--and he haled me before +the court, and the judge said that no man could publicly profess such +disinterestedness and escape suspicion, because people in these days +are all looking for the main chance. So he did not believe me and he +sentenced me to the jail. But a good Samaritan interceded for me and +took me from behind the bars, and now in the spirit of gratitude I am +repaying him; he makes and sells this stove-polish." + +"That man is evidently shrewd in business and a good advertiser," +commented Farr. + +"I find that I get along much better in the world," asserted the +knight-errant. "Now that I carry an advertising-sign my armor attracts +no rude mobs. I can go abroad and do good to a foolish world; I can use +the stipend my good benefactor allows to me for my work and I can help +poor folks here and there. Therefore, I am content with my modified +mission. Is thee more at peace with the world?" + +"I ought to be, after hearing you say that _you_ are contented," said +Farr, with irony. + +"Thee has manifestly improved thy condition, so I observe." + +"It often happens in this world, Friend Chick, that the sleeker we are +on the outside, the more ragged we are within. I think I'll move on. I +might say something to jar your sense of sublime content. I'd be sorry +to do that. Real contentment is a rare thing and must be handled very +carefully." + +"I fear thee loves thyself too much," chided the Quaker. "Affection for +somebody might make thee happy, my friend." + +Farr choked back the comment that occurred to him in regard to love and +walked away. + + + + +VII + +THE RAKE WHICH GROPED IN DARK WATERS + +The afternoon was waning, but the hot bowl of the sky seemed to shut +down over the city more closely. + +Farr held to the shaded sides of the streets, and yearned for a patch of +green and a tree and its shade. + +At last he came into a section of the city where vast mills, one +succeeding another in rows which vanished in the distance, clacked +their everlasting staccato of hurrying looms, venting clamor from +the thousands of open windows. A canal of slow-moving, turbid water +intersected the city and fed its quota of power to each mill. The fenced +bank of the canal was green; and elms, languid in the fierce heat, +gave shade here and there with wilted leaves. The masses of brick which +inclosed the toilers within the mills puffed off tremulous heat-waves +and suggested that humanity must be baking in those gigantic ovens. + +A high fence interposed between the canal and the street; the mill lawn +which extended between the canal and the shimmering brick walls was also +inclosed. Signs posted on the fence warned trespassers not to venture. + +A bridge carried the street across the canal, and Farr stood there for a +time and watched the swirl of the water below. Then he sauntered on and +surveyed the expanse of mill lawn with appraising and envious gaze. + +The young man climbed the canal fence, exhibiting more of his cool +contempt for authority by helping himself over the sharp spikes with +the aid of a "No Trespassing" sign. The sickly odor of raw cotton came +floating to his nostrils from the open windows. He strolled to the +head of a transverse canal which sucked water from the main stream. +A sprawling tree shaded a foot-worn plank where an old man, with bent +shoulders and a withered face, trudged to and fro, clawing down into the +black waters with a huge rake. He was the rack-tender--it was his task +to keep the ribs of the guarding rack clear of the refuse that came +swirling down with the water, for flotsam, if allowed to lodge, might +filch some of the jealously guarded power away from the mighty turbines +which growled and grunted in the depths of the wheel-pits. With rake in +one hand and a long, barbed pole in the other the old man bent over the +bubbling torrent that the rack's teeth sucked hissingly between them. +Bits of wood, soggy paper, an old umbrella, all manner of stuff which +had been tossed into the canal by lazy folks up-stream, he raked and +pulled up and piled at the end of his foot-bridge. + +"Hy, yi, old Pickaroon!" came a child's shrill voice from a mill window. +"There's a tramp under your tree." + +The old man raised his head from his work at the rack. + +"You must not come on dis place," he cried, with a strong +French-Canadian accent. + +"Who says so?" inquired the stranger, putting his back against the tree +and stretching out his legs. + +"I--Etienne Provancher." + +"And I--my worthy alien--I am Walker Farr from Nowhere. Now that we have +been properly introduced I will sit here and rest. I am here because I +love the soothing sound of babbling waters on a hot day. Go about your +work. I'll watch you. I love surprises. Who knows what next you'll draw +forth from the depths of fate? + +"I can have you arrest!" cried the old man. + +The uninvited guest took off his broad-brimmed hat, laid it across +his knees, and ran his hand through his shock of brown hair; it curled +damply over his forehead and, behind, reached down nearly to his +coat-collar, hiding his tanned neck. In some men that length of hair +might have seemed affectation. It gave this man, as he sat there +uncovered, that touch of the unusual which separates the person +of strong individuality from the mere mob. Then he smiled on old +Etienne--such a warm, radiant, compelling, disarming sort of smile that +the rack-tender turned to his work again, muttering. His mouth twitched +and the crinkles in his withered face deepened. + +Walker Farr found a comfortable indentation in the tree-trunk and +settled his head there. + +"How much do you get a week for doing that, Etienne?" he inquired, with +cool assurance. + +The old man glance sideways sharply, but the smile won him. + +"Six dollaire." + +"After supporting your family, what do you do with the rest of the money +these generous mill-owners allow you?" + +"I never was marry." + +The young man looked up at the mill windows where childish heads were +bobbing to and fro. + +"That was poor judgment, Etienne. You might have married and have a +dozen children now, working hard for you in the mill. Just like those +children yonder." + +The old man came to the end of his foot-bridge and flung down his rake +and his pike-pole. + +The sudden emotions of his Gallic forebears swept through him. His +features worked, his voice was high with passion. + +"Ba gar, I don't sleep the night because I think about dem poor childs. +Dem little white face, dem arm, dem leg--all dry up--not so big as +chicken leg. And all outdoor free to odder childs--not to them childs +up dere." He shook his fists at the mill windows. And some child who +saw the motion, getting a hasty peep from a widow, squealed, "Hi yi, old +Pickaroon!" + +"It doesn't pay to get too excited over the sorrows of the world, my +friend," drawled the young man under the tree. "It doesn't do any good; +and then somebody calls you names. I was something like you once. But +I've changed my philosophy. I have hypnotized my altruism. Now I'm +perfectly happy." + +Etienne stared without understanding these big words. But he had often +told himself that he never expected to understand Yankee speech very +well. He worked alone; he lived alone in his garret in the tenement +block; he talked but little with any person. But this young man with +the wonderful smile seemed to inspire him to talk--even to the extent of +revealing his secrets. + +He lowered his voice. "Thirty year I have work here. I live way up in +the little room. Bread I eat with lard on it. It costs little. Of the +six dollaire I save much. Ah, _oui_! Hist! Not for me I save it. Ah, +_non_! To the priest I give it. To the good priest. And the poor childs +what are sick--he send 'em to the farm--to have some outdoors. But I +don't sleep the night because I think the dollaire come so slow--and so +many poor childs are sick." + +He picked up his rake and pike and went back to his labor. + +The man under the tree did not lose his smile. + +"Yonder is a brand of altruism that cannot be hypnotized or modified +like Knight Chick's, I fear," he muttered. "You'd have to hit it on the +head--kill it with sticks! And my definition of philanthropy has always +been, 'giving away something you don't want in order to get yourself +advertised.' Etienne is interesting. He is the only philanthropist I +have even found who will eat lard instead of butter so as to save more +for his philanthropy." Now his smile grew hard. "Don't dare to open your +eyes, Altruism," he commanded. "I saw the lids quiver a minute ago while +that old man was talking, but remember you're hypnotized." + +He saw the rack-tender lay down his pike so as to give both hands to his +big rake. + +He was pulling at something heavier than the ordinary flotsam--something +far below the surface of the water. At last it broke through the black +surface of the turbid flood. To Walker Farr, glancing carelessly, it +seemed like a bedraggled bundle of rags with something white at the end. + +"You come help, m'sieu'," called old Etienne. "It is a dead woman." + +Together they pulled the rake's dread burden slowly up the bars of the +rack. + +"You seem pretty cool about this," gasped the young man. + +"It is no new thing. Many drown themselves--they drown in the canal so +they will be found. Women and girls, they drown themselves. So! Help me +carry her." + +Farr gazed down on her after she had been laid on the canal bank. She +was young, but thin and work-worn. + +"Weaver," commented old Etienne, laying back on her breast one of the +hands he had lifted. "There's the marks on the fingers where she have +tie so many knots so quick." + +There was a key on her breast; it was secured by a cord that passed out +of sight between the buttons on her waist. Farr stooped and pulled on +the key. A folded paper came with the key; the other end of the cord was +tied around the paper. + +"You must not--it is for the coroner," protested Etienne. "I know the +law--I have drag up so many." + +"My besetting sin is curiosity," declared the young man, his calm +impertinence unruffled. He pulled the wet paper from the noose of the +cord. "We'll read this together." + +"I cannot read," confessed the rack-tender. "You shall read it to me." +His little black eyes gleamed now with curiosity of his own. "I shall be +glad to hear. The coroner he never read to me." + +The water had spread the ink and spotted the paper, but Farr was able to +decipher the missive. He read aloud: + + +"'My head has grown bad since my husband died. It is grief, the awful +heat, the work at the looms. They said if I would give my little girl +away she could go to the country and grow well. But I could not give her +up for ever. I could not earn the money to send her to board. I could +not earn the money except to buy us bread here in the tenement block. +And my bad head has been telling me it's best to kill myself and take +her with me. So I kill myself before my head grows so bad that I might +take away my little girl's life. It belongs to her and I hope she may +be happy. Will somebody take her and give her happiness? It is wicked to +kill myself, but my head is so bad I cannot think out the right way to +do. This is the key to the room in Block Ten. + +"'MRS. ELISIANE SIROIS. + +"'Her name is Rosemarie.'" + + +Walker Farr finished reading and stared into the glittering eyes of the +old man. + +Etienne Provancher swore roundly and furiously--the strange, hard oaths +that his ancestors had brought from the Normandy of the seventeenth +century. + +"So you shall see--it is as I have say." He shook his fists again at the +mill. Its open windows vomited the staccato chatterings of the +myriad looms. "It chews up the poor people. Hear its dam' teeth go +chank--chank--chank!" + +"The Gallic imagination is always active," said Farr, joggling the key +at the end of the cord and eyeing it with peculiar interest. "But in +this case it seems to picture conditions pretty accurately. I wonder +just what a visitor would find inside the door that this key fits!" + +"You shall go tell them at the office of the mill," commanded Etienne. +"Tell them they have killed another. They will telephone for the +coroner. I will give the paper and the key when he come." He held out +his hand. "It is the law." + +"I have a natural hankering--sometimes--to break the law," affirmed the +young man. "I feel that fatal curiosity of mine stirring again, Friend +Etienne. I will send the coroner. But coroners love mysteries. If we +give him the letter it will take all the spice out of this affair. Let's +make him happy--he can drag out the inquest and give his friends a long +job on the jury." He smiled and started away, shaking his head when the +old man protested shrilly. "Better say nothing about this letter and +the key. You'll get into trouble for letting a stranger come in here and +carry away evidence. Better keep out of the law, Etienne." He grabbed +the "No Trespassing" sign for a hand-hold and climbed over the fence. +"I'll come back and tell you, Etienne. But keep mum," he advised. + +"It is his smile--it makes me break the law," mumbled the old man. + + + + +VIII + +THE KEY TO A DOOR IN BLOCK TEN + +Walker Farr gave the first policeman--a fat and sweltering individual--a +piece of gruesome news and in return casually asked the location of +Block Ten. + +The policeman grudgingly growled the information over his shoulder while +waiting for the station to answer the call from his box. + +The young man, taking his time, found the place at last, one in an +interminable row of tenement-houses, all identical in structure and +squalor, bearing the mark of corporation niggardliness in their cheap +lumber and stingy accommodations. + +The hallway that Farr entered was narrow and stifling--stale odors of +thousands of dead-and-gone boiled dinners mingled there, and a stairway +with a greasy handrail invited him. The key bore a number. He hunted +till he found a room, far up, flight after flight. Through open doors he +saw here and there aged women or doddering old men who were guardians of +dirty babes who tumbled about on the bare floors. + +"Either too old to run a loom or too young to lug a bobbin," Farr +informed himself; "that's why they aren't in the mill." + +Old folks and babes stared at him without showing interest. + +No one looked at him when he opened the door in which the key fitted. + +He stepped in quickly and closed and locked the door behind him. + +It was a little room and pitifully bare, and it was under the roof, and +the ceiling slanted across it so sharply that the young man, tall above +the average, was compelled to bow his head. + +A little girl, a wraith of a child, pale with the pallor of a prisoner, +hardly more than a toddler, sat on the floor and stared up at the +intruder, frozen, silent, immobile with the sudden, paralyzing terror +that grasps the frightened child. Pathetically poor little playthings +were scattered about her: a doll fashioned from gingham and +cotton-waste, makeshift dishes of pasteboard, a doll-carriage made from +a broken flower-basket with spools for wheels. The man who entered saw +all with one glance and understood that here in this bare room this +child had been compelled to drag out the weary hours alone while the +mother had toiled. Here now the child waited patiently for--for that +water-soaked bundle, with the white, dead face, that lay on the canal +bank waiting for the coroner. + +And when he realized it and saw this and looked down on that lonely, +patient, wistful little creature making the best shift she could with +those pitiable playthings, something came up from that man's breast into +his throat. He had not supposed he had any of it left in his soul--it +was tender, agonizing, heartrending pity. + +She still stared at him, terrorized. Probably she had never seen any +face come in at that door except her mother's. + +His pity must have given Walker Farr a hint of how to deal with this +frightened child. He did not speak to her. He made no move toward her. + +He smiled! + +But it was not the smile he had given the fat plutocrat in the +automobile, nor yet the jocular radiance he had displayed to old +Etienne. It was such a smile as the man had never smiled before--and he +realized it. He did not want to smile. He wanted to weep. But he brought +that smile from tender depths in his soul--depths he had not known of +before--and tears came with the smile. + +Before that time the lines in his face had fitted the smile of the +cynic, the grimace of banter, of irony and insolence. But the strange +glory that now glowed upon his features came there after the mightiest +effort he had ever made to control his feelings and his expression. + +He smiled! + +In that smile he soothed, he promised, he appealed. Then when he saw the +tense expression of fear fade away he smiled more broadly--he provoked +reply in kind. And slowly upon the child's face an answering smile began +to dawn--little crinkles at the corners of the drooping mouth, little +flickerings in the blue eyes, until at last the two beaming faces +pledged--on the part of the man tender protection, on the part of the +child unquestioning confidence. + +But he said no word--he dared not trust his voice. + +He went down on his knees cautiously, her smile welcoming him now. + +He held out his hands. She hesitated a moment and then gave into them +her chiefest possession--her rag doll. It was as if she had pledged her +faith in him. He danced the doll upon his broad palm, and the child's +eyes, dancing too, thanked him for the courtesy he was paying to her +dearest friend. + +But Walker Farr realized that something strange and disquieting in the +case of a man who believed himself a cynic was stirring within him. +That hostage of the doll was not sufficient to satisfy the sudden queer +craving. The knowledge of the hopeless helplessness of that little girl +throbbed through him. The memory of the spectacle of what he had left on +the canal bank made the pathos of this little scene in the garret doubly +poignant as he looked into the child's eyes. Never, in his memory, had +he invited a child to come to him. + +Now he put out his hand--and it trembled. She snuggled her warm little +fist into his grasp. And then she scrambled up and came and nestled +confidingly against him. She couldn't see his face then, and he allowed +the tears of a strong man who is overcome before he has understood--who +wonders at himself--he allowed those tears to streak his cheeks and did +not wipe them away. + +Walker Farr was too perturbed to soliloquize just then in his +philosopher's style, but he did realize that some part of his altruism +had come out of its trance. + +And after he had knelt there on the floor for a time he rose and took +the child in his arms and sat down in a creaky rocking-chair and crooned +under his breath, and was astonished to find that she had gone sound +asleep. He stared into the dusk that was gathering outside the dormer +window and wondered what ailed him. + +He had heard many feet thudding on the stairs below. The workers were +returning. The beehive was filling. There were many voices, clatter of +dishes, chatter of patois. + +He wondered how well the woman Sirois was known in the house--whether +she had relatives--how soon somebody would come and beat upon the door. + +He wondered just what disposition was made of children left in this +manner. + +If the woman had relatives who were forced to take the child it meant +more of this horrible tenement life. The child in his arms was pale and +thin; her bones seemed as inconsiderable as a bird's. + +He did not know much about children's homes, orphanages, institutions +for the reception of the homeless, but it seemed to him that such a +tiny, frail little girl would be very, very lonely in such a place. + +The skies grew dark without. He was cramped because he had sat for hours +in one position, fearing to waken her. But when he moved she did not +waken--he did not understand how soundly childhood can sleep. He laid +her on the foot of the narrow bed and looked about the room, shielding +a match with his hands. He had resolved to carry her out of that fetid, +overcrowded babel of a tenement. Where? He did not know. He hunted to +find her belongings. He found a few clothes. There was no receptacle in +which he could pack them. He folded them and crowded the articles in his +pockets. He stuffed in the doll and the rude playthings and hooked the +basket doll-carriage upon his arm. She did not waken when he picked her +up. He tiptoed down the stairs and nobody noticed him, In his own dizzy +mind he could not determine whether he felt most like a thief or a +lunatic. At any rate, he found himself walking the streets of the mill +city at ten o'clock at night, carrying a little girl in his arms and all +her earthly possessions in his pockets. + +It came over him at last that the longer he kept her the more uncertain +he became as to what disposal he should make of her, or else he was more +loath to part with her; he didn't exactly know which. + +Then she woke and spoke for the first time. "Me is te'bble hungry--and +firsty," she mourned. + +"Good Lord! What's the matter with me?" grunted the young man. "If I had +found a cat or a dog, the first thing I would have done would be to give +'em something to eat. I reckon I must have thought I had picked up an +angel." To her he said, smoothing her hair with his free hand. "We'll +have sumpin for baby's tummy mighty quick." He flushed at sound of that +baby prattle from his lips. But it had popped out in the most natural +manner possible. + +He headed for the nearest night lunch-cart. He entered with his burden. + +He elbowed aside men who were eating sandwiches and pie at the counter. +With complete and rueful knowledge as to the extent of his resources, +he ordered a bowl of bread and milk--"the best you can do for a hungry +kiddie for ten cents," he added. + +"Anything for yourself?" inquired the waiter. + +He shook his head and paid for the child's supper with his whole +capital, two nickels. He held her on the end of the counter and, +awkwardly but with tender carefulness, fed the bread and milk to her +with a spoon. A healthy man's hunger gnawed within him and the savor of +coffee from the big, bubbling urn tantalized him. He tipped the bowl to +her lips and she drank the last of the milk with a happy little sigh, +and he went out into the night again, carrying her in his arms. + +He understood all the suspicions that policemen entertain in the case +of night prowlers, and knew that they would be particularly and +meddlesomely interested in one who prowled with a child in his arms. The +child began to whimper softly. Her interest in the stranger who had +won her with a smile, her slumber in his arms, her feast in strange +surroundings, had kept her child's mind busy and pacified till then. Now +she voiced childhood's unvarying lament--"I wants my mamma!" + +He soothed her as best he could, promising, giving her all manner of +assurance regarding her mother, wondering all the time what was to be +done. Why had he interfered? Why had he taken upon himself the custody +of this mite, so trifling a weight in his arms, but now resting--a giant +of a burden--on his responsibility? He did not know. He owned up to that +ignorance frankly. But he walked on, carrying her, and put away from his +thoughts the sensible alternative of placing her in the hands of those +duly appointed to care for such cases. + +He told himself that, as a stranger in the city, he would not be able +to find a refuge--an institution that time of night--and he knew that he +was lying to himself, and wondered why. + +The impulse that directed his course toward the canal was rather grim, +but he remembered the tree which had been sanctuary for him that day. He +carefully lowered the little girl over the fence and climbed after her. +And she did not call any more for her mother because this strange new +scene seemed to impress her and fill her with wonderment. She stared up +into the dim, mysterious, rustling foliage of the tree for a long time. +She patted her hands upon the grass as if it were something she +had never seen or felt before. She seemed to be making her first +acquaintance with Mother Nature--claiming the heritage of outdoors that +children so intensely covet. The sloped ceiling and the walls of the +attic room had been sky and landscape for her. She peered into the still +waters of the canal and saw the stars reflected there, and cocked her +ear to listen when sleepy birds stirred above and chirped in their +dreams. And then she fell asleep again and he tucked her within his coat +to keep from her the dampness of the faint mist rising from the canal. + +The dawn flushed early and she woke when the birds did, and found so +much to interest her--ants who ran up and down the tree, funny bugs that +tumbled, robins who bounced along the sward on stiff legs--that she did +not ask for her mother nor seem to find at all strange the companionship +of this tall man whose face was so kind. + +And so Etienne Provancher found them when he came with his rake and +pike-pole at six o'clock, the hour when the great turbines began to +grunt and rumble in their deep pits. + +"It is Rosemarie--I found her in the room," said Walker Farr. + +The old man came close and gazed down on the pallor and pathos of this +little snipped who still stared at the new wonders of outdoors. + +"Anodder one, hey? You found her lock up?" + +"Yes, and I brought her away--and I don't know just what the matter is +with me, Etienne. I have not been inclined to put myself out for anybody +in this world--man, woman, or child--of late years. I had made up my +mind to let the world run itself." + +"It is the way the rich man say--he do not care. But the poor man should +care--he should try to help odder poor man. He should care." + +"Oh, there are things that can happen to make a man stop caring. But I +brought her away, just the same. I--I woke up--or something. I have +been awake all night--I have been thinking--I had nothing else to do. +Insomnia has made me insane--one night of it!" He laughed when the old +man blinked at him. "I'm so crazy that I want you to help me find some +good woman who will take this child to board in a comfortable home." + +"Who'll pay?" + +"I'll pay. Oh, I am completely crazy--I'm going to work--earn money to +pay her board." + +"I know a good woman near by--she have leetle house, cat, plant in +window." + +"That's the kind." + +"I will tell you where she live. You shall say you come from Etienne +Provancher and it will make you good for her." He paused, raised a brown +finger, then went on. "But you shall not know where she live onless +I may pay half the board money for the poor little one. We have been +togedder in it--I tell some lie to the coroner--we must be togedder in +help the childs." + +There was firm resolve in old Etienne's face and tones. + +"Partnership it shall be, my old boy," agreed the young man, heartily. +"I'm no pig--I won't keep a good man out of a real picnic." He rose and +swept the child into his arms. "Give me the address and hand her over +the fence to me. I'll have to quit being nurse and find a real job. +By the way, Etienne, I heard a fat man weeping yesterday because he +couldn't get men to dig dirt for the Consolidated Water Company. He +seemed to take a great fancy to me. Where's their office?" + +He received both the information and the child after he had climbed the +fence. Etienne was able to point out the little house of sanctuary from +where he stood--and he waved his rake reassuringly from a distance when +the good woman came to the door, answering Farr's knock. He danced +into the house with the child, behind the good woman, who had answered +Etienne's signal with a return flip of her apron; he was trying to bring +a smile to the little face. + +"You'll have to lie to her more or less about her mother, good woman. +Etienne and I will tell you all about it when there's time. When she +asks about her mother just give her something to eat and lie a bit." +He set the child upon the table where the good woman was making fresh +cookies. He piled the little toys about her. "I'm going to market, to +market to buy a fat pig, and I'll be home again, riggy-jig-jig," he +declared in a singsong that fetched a chuckle from the waif, and she +followed him with a smile as he hurried out. "That smile will sweeten +a day's work in the trench," he assured himself. "I sure am some +foster-father when I get started!" + +A listless clerk at the Consolidated office gave him a ticket to be +delivered to the foreman of construction--the foreman sent him out with +other men on a rattling jigger-wagon. By being very humble, and with the +aid of his smile, he succeeded in begging a corned-beef sandwich for +his breakfast from a workman on the jigger who was carrying his lunch to +work. He ate it very slowly so as to make the most of it. + +The new trench was in a suburban plot which had just been opened up by a +real-estate syndicate. It was a bare tract, flat and dusty, and the +only trees were newly planted saplings that were about as large as +fishing-poles. How the sun did beat into that trench! But Walker Farr +threw off his coat and used again his ready asset--his smile. He smiled +at the boss who sneered at the style of "fiddler's hair" worn by a +dirt-flinger--smiled so sweetly that the boss came over later and hit +him a friendly clap on the shoulder and said, "Well, old scout, here's +hoping that times will be better!" + +"I'll take her out on the bank of the canal this evening before bedtime +and we'll have a lark," reflected Walker Farr as he toiled in the hot +trench. And he stopped quizzing himself as to the whys of this sudden +devotion to a freakish notion. He seemed to know at last. + + + + +IX + +THE GIRL FROM TADOUSAC + +When the noon hour came Farr went and sat under a spindling tree and +began to read in one of his little books, dismissing thoughts of hunger +with the resoluteness of a man who had suffered hollow yearning of the +stomach and knew how to conquer it. + +But he could not escape the keen eyes and kindly generosity of the +fraternity of toilers. + +"A topper down on his luck a bit--see his clothes," said the foreman, +and he took tithes from willing men who were eating from pails that were +pinched between their knees; he carried the food to the young man. + +Farr accepted with gratitude, ate with thrifty moderation, and hid what +remained in the pockets of his coat; it would serve for his supper. + +He ate that supper after his day's work was done and after he had laved +his face and hands in the overflow from a public fountain in a little +square. + +Then he hurried to the house of the good woman. + +She was busy with her dishes in the kitchen and Rosemarie was on the +knees of a young woman who sat and rocked in one of the sitting-room +chairs. + +Farr entered by the kitchen door and stood there, looking in with some +confusion on the girl and child. + +"It is only Zelie Dionne; she is my boarder," the woman informed him. +"She is a good girl and she has the very nice job in the cloth-hall of +the big Haxton mill. She lives with me because I was neighbor of her +good folks in the Tadousac country, so far away from here in our Canada. +Come! I make you acquaint. You shall see. She is a good girl!" + +Zelie Dionne rose and acknowledged the introduction with a French girl's +pretty grace. A bit of a flush lighted the dusky pallor of her cheeks +when Farr bent before her. The bow in her hair was cocked with true +Gallic chic and her gown was crisply smart in its simplicity. Her big, +dark eyes were the wonderful feature of her face, and Farr looked into +them and seemed to lose a bit of his cool self-possession; he faltered +in speech, groping for words in the first commonplaces. + +"You must talk together. I must work," said the good woman. She hurried +back into her kitchen. + +The child ran to Farr and climbed upon his knees. + +"You have been good to Rosemarie. I thank you," he said. "I suppose the +good woman has told you how it has happened." + +"Yes, when I came at noon." Her tones were peculiarly sweet and +compassionate. A touch of accent gave piquancy to what she said. She +looked at him meaningly. "I have been talking to our little Rosemarie +and she will not cry any more for her good mamma who has gone up to +the green hills because she is sick and must rest. So Rosemarie will be +patient and live here and I will be play-mamma." + +"Yes, play-mamma," agreed the child. "Good play-mamma! Two mammas! But +only one papa!" She put up her arms and tucked them about his neck +and snuggled down with a happy sense of complete understanding of his +protection. At last, so it seemed to her, she had recovered the father +she had never known. Poor, little, caged bird, her release from that +lonely prison was dated in her happy consciousness from his appearance +in the doorway, and all things had been well for her after he +came--sunlight, the trees, the blue sky, and tender care, and the +companionship of human beings. Therefore, the rush of a love her child's +comprehension could not analyze had gone out to him. + +Farr returned with significance the look Zelie Dionne's dark eyes gave +him. + +"I found the note. It made me go a-meddling. It left a legacy to +somebody--and I accepted--without understanding why I did so." He +stroked the child's curls. + +"I did not understand at first--when Madame Maillet told me," she +confessed, with a smile. "Old Etienne came at noon to tell her and she +has told it to me. It is very sad--but yet it is comical when I look at +you. But as I look at you I understand better. You have a good heart. I +can see!" + +"I am only a strolling stranger--here to-day and there to-morrow," +protested Farr. "I think the heat must have affected my head. It has +been very warm lately. But when I saw her--" He choked suddenly. + +"Oh, it is easy to understand," said the girl, reassuringly. A mist +of tears came across her big eyes, though her mouth did not lose the +wistful smile. "The poor folks help one another--and they understand." + +"It wouldn't be right to give her to an orphanage," insisted Farr. "She +has missed too much already. Of course I don't pretend to know what a +little girl needs--but I am willing to be told." + +"I will tell you and I will help." + +"I think old Etienne and I need you in the partnership--as adviser. I +thank you." + +Then came the old Canadian, his wrinkled face tender with solicitous +interest, and he chuckled when he welcomed the new member of the firm. + +"Ah, Mam'selle Zelie she shall help us the very much in what we do not +know," he informed the young man, and continued, while the dark eyes +flashed protest: "I am of the Tadousac country, and she is a good girl, +for I have know her all the years since I trot her on my knee when she +much small as the petite Rosemarie. I can tell you how she dance down +the meadows in the ring-a-rosy play and how she--" + +"Phut! Your tongue is as long as your rake and it goes reaching +down into other folks' affairs, old Etienne! What cares this strange +gentleman for what happened in Tadousac? Go use your key instead of your +tongue. Unlock your little door so that Rosemarie may walk on the cool +grass beside the canal." + +The old man grinned and started away. + +"We're going out where the birds will sing good night to you," Farr told +the child and lifted her off his knees. But at the door she stopped and +turned to Zelie Dionne, who had not risen. + +"Come, play-mamma!" + +"I will wait here till you come back, Rosemarie." + +But the child was coaxingly insistent, holding out her hand. + +"I think it is because she has been so lonely all her life," suggested +Farr. "Now that she has found friends she wants them to be with her +in her little pleasures. May I presume enough to add my invitation to +hers?" + +She came and the child walked between them, holding their hands. + +"One papa and my play-mamma!" she said, looking up at them in turn. + +Mother Maillet came to the kitchen door and waved adieu with her +dish-towel. + +"Ah, the family!" she cried. "Yesterday it was not--to-day it is. And +grandpere marching off ahead!" + +"Old folks and children--they say embarrassing things," remarked Farr +when they were on their way. + +"One must be silly along with them to be disturbed by such chatter," +said Zelie Dionne, tartly. + +They followed old Etienne through his little door and walked along the +canal bank where the waters were still and glassy, for the big gates +had been closed and power lay motionless and locked in the sullen depths +till morning. The sunset behind the big mills glowed redly through the +myriad windows. + +They walked slowly because little Rosemarie found marvels for childish +eyes at every step, and even the cool carpet of the grass provided +unfailing delight as she set slow and cautious footsteps into its +yielding luxuriance. The old man plodded ahead, muttering and frowning +as he peered down at the flotsam in the motionless waters. + +The silence between the two who accompanied the child continued a long +time and Farr found it oppressive. + +"I have never been in Canada," he said. "I am sorry you did not care to +have Etienne talk about your home. I would like to know more about that +country." + +"He was talking about me instead of my home in Tadousac. I am not so +important that I am to be talked about." + +"Where is Tadousac?" + +Her vivacity returned, her dark eyes glowed. "Ah, m'sieu', you should go +there. It is in the country of the good habitants where the St. Lawrence +and the Saguenay meet. And now, as the sun is setting, the people are +resting under the wide eaves of the little white houses, looking up +where the hills are all so blue, or off across the wide bay. The white +houses are very small and they crowd along the road, and the farms are +narrow, and there is not much money in the homespun clothes or in the +old clock, but the good world is wide about them and the people are not +sad like those who sit yonder." + +She pointed across the canal to rows of wooden tenement-houses many +stories in height; on narrow porches, nicked one above another, and on +fire-escapes which were slowly cooling after hours on the forge of the +sun, men, women, and children were packed, seeking a breath of fresh +air. + +"They stand at loom and spinner and slasher all day," she said. "They +are too tired to walk afar to the parks. They wait there for good air to +come and it does not come." + +"I don't understand why they flock down here from Canada--why they +stay," he declared, bluntly. + +"Ah, you look at me when you say that!" she cried, arching her brows. +"You hear me talk about the sunset over the meadows and the hills, and +you wonder why I am not there? Well, listen! There are fourteen sons +and daughters of Onesime Dionne--that's my father--for all the habitant +folks marry young, and the priest smiles and blesses the household when +there are many children. And girls are not of much account in the house. +The sons claim and receive their shares of the arpents of land when +those boys are grown and married. The girl may marry--yes! But what if +the right one does not ask? What if the right one has a father who says +to him that he must obey and marry one the father has chosen? All kinds +of things can happen in the habitant country, m'sieu'. So, then, the +girl is less account in the house. And the letters come back from the +girls who have gone down into the mills in the States. The pictures come +back showing the new gown and the smart hat--and so!" She shrugged her +shoulders and tossed her free hand. "One more girl for the big mill!" + +He stared at her with some curiosity. + +"You ask yourself which one of those things happened to me, do you not?" + +"Perhaps," he confessed. + +"I talk little about myself. I talk about the habitant girls. I am +fortunate. I do not breathe the air where the looms clack. I inspect in +the cloth-hall because I have sharp eyes and nimble fingers." + +"But you came here alone--it is strange. I mean, do not the father and +mother and all the family move here, usually?" + +She lifted her chin and gazed at him with pride in her mien. + +"If you go to Tadousac you shall find that my father owns a large farm +and that one of his grandfathers was a captain with General Montcalm, +and many Dionnes have lived on the land that was given to a brave man. I +came to the States because I wanted to come. My people did not come." + +She clipped the last sentence in a manner that suggested to Farr that +there was no more to be said on that topic. But she went on after a time +in softened tones. + +"It is not strange that so many came to the States, sir. The farms of +Beauce, of l'Islet, of the Chaudiere, were so crowded. Years ago, the +old folks used to tell me, the boys began to drive the little white +horses hitched to buckboards across the border in the early summer, and +the boys were strong and willing, and the farmers who laughed at them +and called them Canucks hired them for the hay-fields just the same. +And they slept in the haymows and under the trees and worked hard and +brought back all their money. Then the big mills needed men and women +and children, and the Yankee girls would not work in the mills any +more. You must understand how it was: Ouillette, who had worked in the +hay-field, would hear of the work in the mill, and the Ouillettes would +sell and go to the city. And as soon as they had seen the lights and +the theater and the car which ran with a stick on a wire, and had earned +their first pay and had bought Yankee clothes they wrote home to their +cousins the Pelletiers and the Pelletiers sat nights till late talking +excitedly--and then they sold and came, and so it has gone on and +on--the endless chain, one family pulling on its neighbor, down the long +way from Canada to the States. But it may be all for the best. I am not +wise in such things. But when the sun bakes and the fever comes and the +children die in the tenements, then I wish the fathers and mothers were +back on the little farms and that workers of some other race than the +habitants were chained to the looms in the big mills. That may be a +selfish thought, but my own people are dear to me." + +Farr was not in the mood to argue the economic side of that question +with this girl who had so tersely told the story of two generations +of mill-toilers. With that little waif between them, victim of the +industrial Moloch which must roll on even if its wheels crushed the +innocent here and there, he permitted sentiment to sway him. In fact, +for a day and a night he had surrendered to sentiment and had found a +strange sort of intoxication in the experience. His heart was with the +humble folk and pity was in him--pity which was uncalculating and in +which his cynicism was dissolving. + +And when the stars were mirrored in the still canal and the grass was +damp with the dew, they walked back to the house of Mother Maillet and +little Rosemarie murmured her bit of a prayer and was tucked in bed. + +"I hope that some day I may go to Tadousac," said Farr to the girl, +before he passed out of the good woman's house. "I would like to see the +sunset, for you have praised it." + +"Ask for the house of Onesime Dionne, second beyond the big parish +cross. It will be easy to find, and the sunset is very grand from the +porch under the eaves." + +Farr went along with the old man and they walked slowly. Their way took +them down narrow streets between the high tenements. + +"Yes, you shall find it very grand at Tadousac--and M'sieu' Dionne is an +honest man," declared Etienne. "Now and then in the thirty year I have +been visit up there in Tadousac, and I sit those day and whittle for +the children and then little Zelie trot on my knee with the others. So I +know the story of those place. And all the people up there don't care if +I know, because I listen and am glad to know, and sometimes I can give +advice, for I have live long on the States where great matters are +happening. But Farmer Leroux would not listen to me when I advise about +his good son Jean and Zelie Dionne. Farmer Leroux is a good man, but he +is a hard man when his ugly mad get stir. And the children up there do +what the father tell--because that is what the cure preach and it is the +way of the habitants." + +"The old, old story--the Montagues and the Capulets on the banks of the +river of the North." + +"I think I know something what you mean, m'sieu', though I don't know +your friend you speak about. But if he say to his son, 'Ba gar, you +don't marry no girl what I don't like her fadder because we have +hosswhip one anodder t'ree or two time when we have fuss over line +fence--or crowd our wagon when we go to market'--why, then that's your +friend. And it start from there and grow into big thing, so that all +the cure can say it don't make no friend of them. So they wait--Jean and +Zelie! Ah yes, they wait!" He put his finger beside his nose and winked. +"They love. They get marry some nice day. But now!" He flirted his gaunt +fingers. "They say nottings. I maself say nottings. But I see some very +queer look in Jean Leroux's eye when he say to me as I meet him at the +gate of his fadder's farm, 'And how carries Zelie Dionne herself these +days?' And though he look high over the tree and chew the straw and look +very careless, ah, I see the big tear in his eye and hear him choke in +his throat." + +"It's played out and old-fashioned, this letting old folks manage young +folks that way just to satisfy old grudges," scoffed Farr. "If they are +in love they ought to get married and tell the old folks to go hang!" + +Etienne stopped and gazed quizzically at the young man who thus +expounded the law for lovers. + +"I think you have in you none of the understanding of the French +habitants who have live the three generation on one farm so that a young +man, no matter if he love a mam'selle so very much that all the bread +he eat taste ashes in his mouth--ah, he cannot say 'I will leave--I +will go!' For then that young man must turn himself to be anodder young +man--and the habitant does not so change." + +"I may be a poor judge," acknowledged Farr. "I have never yet taken root +in the soil of any one place." + +"And I think, mebbe, the girl you do not understand! Is it to stay in +the home and hear every day about you love the pig of a Leroux, bah? No, +no, m'sieu'! That's too proud, is Zelie Dionne. And so is Zelie Dionne +too proud to take a son from a home that do not want her. So they wait." + +"It's a tough old world, Uncle Etienne," said Farr. "Why, even I, lord +of my own affairs as I am, don't know where I'm going to sleep to-night. +Do you have a boarding-place?" + +"I have my little room on the block up there--my room and my place at +the big table. It is not grand. But there is place for you--and anodder +little room. If you like you shall come and I will speak good for you." + +"All right, Etienne! Take me along and speak good for me." + +It was another such place as Block Ten. It was a crowded and stuffy +warren, and the basement kitchen advertised itself with stale odors in +all the corridors. But Farr was glad to stretch himself upon the narrow +bed. He owned up to himself that he was a very weary bird of passage and +confessed to his own heart, just as frankly, that he was a captive in +the frail grasp of a little girl--and he did not try to understand. + + + + +X + +POISON FOR THE POOR + +It proved to be an amicable and satisfactory partnership between Etienne +Provancher and Walker Farr and dark-eyed Zelie Dionne. + +When the days were pleasant the old man kept the little girl with him +out of doors on the canal bank. She did not trouble him by running +about. Her long days of confinement in the attic room had accustomed +her to remain quietly in one place. She sat contentedly in the shade and +watched the bugs in the grass and the birds in the tree above her. In +the cool of the evening she trudged along the canal bank with Farr +and the play-mamma until eyes grew heavy and little feet stumbled with +weariness and it was time for bed. Rainy evenings they studied the +alphabet or he read to her from picture-books in blazing colors, and +after a time she remembered all the stories and made believe read them +to him. + +He worked in the trench and looked forward impatiently to Saturday +nights when the clerk came along with the pay-envelopes; there were so +many things in the stores that would delight the heart of a little girl +who had never had any toys except a rag doll and a broken flower-basket. +Then there were pretty dresses to buy. The taste of Zelie Dionne took +charge of that shopping. When he bought the first one--one that was +white and fluffy--and Rosemarie walked out with him she displayed +such feminine pride in fine feathers that he looked forward to future +Saturdays nights and new dresses with anticipatory gusto. If one had +questioned him he could have told weeks ahead just what his plans +of purchases were, for he canvassed all the possibilities with the +play-mamma who knew so well how to get value for a dollar--who knew the +places to buy and whose needle helped to much. + +It was a wicked summer for those who were doomed to the mills and +the tenement-houses. The heat puffed and throbbed over the lashing +machinery. The slashers seemed to spit caloric. The spinning-frames +tossed it off their spindles. The looms fairly wove it into the warp. +The thick, sweet, greasy air seemed to distil cotton-oil upon the faces +of the workers. The nights proved to be no better than the days. The +stuffy tenements gulped in the hot air of midday and held it as a person +holds his breath. All the folks came out upon the little platforms that +were ranged, story after story, above each other. They gasped for air +in the narrow spaces between the high buildings. The stars above those +narrow spaces did not sparkle and suggest coolness; they seemed to float +above the hot earth like red cinders. + +Every day the undertakers' wagons came "boombling" down the narrow +canyons of streets between the "Blocks," for the people were dying. The +little white hearse was a more frequent visitor than the rusty black +one; the ranks of the children were paying the greatest toll to death. + +"But we shall not worry about our Rosemarie," old Etienne told Farr. +"Under the shade on the green grass she shall stay where outdoors can +paint her cheeks the very fine color." + +But when the old man called for her at the good woman's house one +morning something else than the sun had painted the little girl's +cheeks--they were flushed with fever. He told the good woman to send +straight for the doctor, and went to his work much disturbed. + +Later in the day the yard overseer, passing the rack, saw that the man +was working with furious energy. He was even reaching out his rake to +capture floating stuff before it touched the bars. + +"This seems to be your busy day, Pickaroon," suggested the overseer. + +"I make believe this old rack to be a good friend of mine and that the +float stuff be sickness come at him--so I work hard to keep it away." + +The overseer went along about his business, commenting mentally on a +Frenchman's imagination. + +When the big mill bells clanged the noon hour Etienne hurried to the +good woman's house. The city physician had been there and had left +medicine--two tumblers of it. He had hurried in and had hurried away and +had been curt and brusk and had not told her what was the trouble, so +the woman reported. But the child had been sleeping. + +She was drowsy all that evening while Farr held her in his arms and +Etienne sat near by with Zelie Dionne, ministering solicitously. + +"Her cheeks are not so hot," said the young man many times. He talked +hopefully to reassure himself as well as the others, for he had been +dreadfully frightened when he had come from his work. Fright had +trodden close on the heels of much joy--for the superintendent of +the Consolidated had taken him out of the hot trench that day and had +appointed him boss of twoscore Italian diggers, doubling his pay. + +"I have been watching you," the superintendent told him. "You're built +to boss men. What kind of a bump was it that ever slammed you down like +this?" + +The answer the superintendent got was a smile which put further +questions out of his mind. + +"No, her cheeks are not so hot," affirmed Farr when he laid her in her +bed that night. "She will come along all right." + +But at the end of a week languor still weighed on the child. There were +circles under her eyes and her cheeks were wan, and she did not clap +her hands with the old-time glee when he brought her new toys; the +playthings lay beside her on the bed and invited her touch--staring eyes +of dolls, beady eyes of toy dogs--without avail. + +"It is the queer way of being sick," lamented the old man. "The doctor +mebbe not know, because he very gruff and do not say. I think I know +what may cure her--it has been done many time. + +"Away up in the Canada country there is the shrine of the good Sainte +Anne de Beaupre. There she stand in the middle of the big church and she +hold her little grandson in her arm--the little boy Jesus. So she feel +very tender toward poor, sick childs. Ah, I have seen her many time--I +have seen childs healed there and made so very smart--all cure. She +loves little childs. _Oui_. All about her feet are short, small crutch +where she has cure childs. The piece of her wrist-bone is there in the +sacristy--it look like a wee scrap of some gray moss under the glass. +And it cure when the good priest say the word for her. I know the way to +the shrine of La Bonne Sainte Anne--I will go with the little Rosemarie +and she shall sing and dance after that." + +For a moment the cynical smile of the skeptic etched itself at the +corners of Farr's mouth--the flash of the nature the young man had +hidden during recent weeks. + +He turned to Zelie Dionne and found her regarding him with grave eyes. + +"It is as M'sieu' Etienne says," she assured the young man. "La Bonne +Sainte listens very tenderly when the children come to her. She is good +to all, but her spirit leans over the poor little children and comforts +them." + +"You have been there?" + +"Many times, sir. It is not only the sick body that the good Sainte Anne +heals--she comforts anybody who is in much sorrow--she tells the right +way to go. There are many roads to take in this life--and if any one +goes to her with prayer and humble soul she will guide. Ah, it is true, +sir." + +There was earnestness in her features and conviction in her tones and it +was plain that Zelie Dionne was speaking out of the depths of her heart, +and Farr remembered what old Etienne had said about the son of Farmer +Leroux. + +"Yes, she will lead to the right way and make all well in the end," +asserted the girl. "And, most of all, she is kind and gentle to the +little children." + +Between her and the wistful old man Farr divided tolerant and kindly +gaze. + +"I believe in more things than I used to," he said. "I'm willing to +admit in these days that things I do not understand may have truth in +them. The doctor is not making her well. But it is a long way to that +shrine." + +"It is a long way, so! But I am very scare for her as she lie here all +day. I will carry her very tender--on the railway car--on the big boat. +The good Sainte Anne is everywhere, too. She will help." + +"If faith can move mountains it ought to heal easily one poor, little +toddlekins," muttered Farr. + +A new doctor came the next day, a breezy young man, a talkative and +frank young man, the assistant of the over-worked city physician, whose +municipal duties had obliged him to take on helpers. + +"I shall ask him, hey--about the shrine?" whispered Etienne to Farr +while the doctor was examining the child. + +"Yes; he'll be more patient with you than with me." + +"And do you think that pretty soon she can go on the railway if I +be very careful, good docteur?" asked the old man, wistfully, +apologetically. + +"Go where?" + +"On the pilgrimage to the shrine of the good Sainte Anne in the Canada +country." + +"Don't you realize what this case is?" demanded the young physician. + +"He have not say--he hurry in, he hurry out." + +"You the grandfather?" + +"No!" + +The doctor turned on Farr. + +"Father?" + +"No." + +"Then I can talk right out to you two. This is a case of typhoid that +will be fatal in twenty-four hours. There's no use lying about it." + +Old Etienne's mouth and eyes seemed to sink deep into his wrinkles, as +if Time had forced him suddenly to swallow an extra score of years. He +looked at Farr's blank and whitening face, and as quickly looked away. + +"Break it to her grandmother," advised the doctor, nodding toward the +kitchen where the good woman was at work. + +"But you don't know what you say," stammered the old man. + +"It so happens that I do, my man. I've been handling too many of these +cases to be fooled. Why, I've got more than fifty cases of typhoid in +this city--just myself." + +"But she has had sun and fresh air--on the canal bank where I tend the +rack." + +"Sun and fresh air can't cure victims of the poison that is being pumped +through the water-mains of this city," snapped the doctor. + +"Water-mains!" + +The doctor turned and stared at Farr, for the husky croak of his +exclamation had not sounded human. + +"That's what I said. You can't have lived very long in this state not to +know what we're up against on the water proposition." + +"I haven't lived here long. But about the child--it can't--" + +"Why, this Consolidated Company is owned by Colonel Dodd and his +politicians--and they own all the city and town water systems in this +state," said the doctor, no longer interested in his patient--exploding +with the violence of imprudent youth. "They boss mayors, the aldermen, +the politicians--boss the governor himself. That's because they've got +the machine and the money. They've got a lot of money, because they +won't wake up and spend it to lay lines far enough to tap the lakes in +the hills. They tap these rotten rivers at our back doors, pump poison +through the mains, sell it at prices that yield them twenty percent +dividends. They say the water is all right--and back it up with +analyses. I say it's all wrong." + +"And you damnation doctors are letting this go on--letting folks drink +poison--telling us when it's too late!" shouted Farr, purple replacing +the white in his face. + +"Well, the folks up-town who have got wisdom and the money buy +spring-water and mineral water. All the doctors don't agree that +the river is responsible for the typhoid. With the governor and the +legislature bossed by Dodd and his associates, and the city governments +tied up by them, and the banks taking orders from the syndicate in case +any town or an independent company tries to borrow money and install a +water system, and the mill corporations and the tenement-block owners +all in cahoots, a crusader who expected to get anywhere in politics or +make money out of his business would stand a fine and dandy show, now +wouldn't he? And the most of us in this world are trying to get ahead +either in business or in politics." He snapped the catch of his little +black case. "Forget what I have said, you two. I hold my job through +politics. I'm apt to talk too much when I get started. But don't drink +city water, no matter if Colonel Dodd's analyses do give it a clean +bill." + +Farr caught him at the door, restraining him with a heavy hand. + +"You stay here, don't you let that baby die. By the gods, she sha'n't +die!" + +"My staying will do no good, my friend. The little girl is death-struck +already. It's quick work with the children. Sometimes we can bring the +grown folks through. Get another doctor, if you feel like it, but I've +got to keep moving--there are lots of folks waiting for me in these +tenements." + +He shook off Farr's hand and hurried away. + +Old Etienne stood by the bedside, gazing down on the little sufferer, +closing and unclosing his shriveled hands as if he were grasping at +straws of hope, dragging the depths of his soul for reassurance even as +he dragged his rake in the black waters of the canal. + +"The whippersnapper lied about her. Because she's a baby he won't +bother," stormed Farr. "I'll ransack this town for doctors--I'll find +one who knows his business." He tiptoed to the bed and laid tender palm +against the child's cheek. "I say her face isn't as hot as it was," he +persisted. "Where can I find a doctor with gray whiskers, Etienne? That +young fool doesn't know." + +"There are many wise old docteurs in the long street named Western +Boulevard--they live in the big houses--but they don't come to the +tenement folks." + +"One of them will come this time even if I have to lug him on my back." + +He began to search for his hat, not remembering where he had tossed it +in the haste and eagerness of his arrival at the good woman's house. He +did not find it readily and he rushed out bareheaded. + +"The sun and the air they do no good! It is the poison water--and the +poor folks of the tenements they do not know!" muttered the old man. +"That is what he say?" He went to the kitchen sink and unscrewed the +faucet. He sniffed and made a wry face, then he ran his thin finger into +the valve-chamber. He hooked and brought forth stringy slime, held it +near his nose, and groaned. "The poor folks do not know. They who ask +for the votes of the slashers, the weavers, the beamers--the men of the +mills--they who ask votes do not want the poor folks to know, because +the votes would not be given to them who sell poison in the water," he +told the astonished good woman who had watched his act. + +"I am careful about my kitchen--I am neat--I wash everything, Etienne," +she assured him, sniffing at the slime in the sink, overcome by +confusion, her housewife's reputation at stake. + +"Yes, but you cannot wash the souls of them dam' scoundrels who send +that water through the pipes to the poor people who can buy no other," +he raged. "This is not your blame--you did not know." He pointed his +finger, quivering, dripping with the slime, at the child on the bed. +"They have murder her! With this!" He slatted his finger with the +gesture of one who throws off a noisome serpent. + +"But I drink the water--it hasn't made me sick," she protested. + +"You--me--odders that are all dry up--tough old fools--we ought to die +and we don't," he raged, stamping back and forth across the kitchen, +waving his arms. "We have been poison so much we do not notice. But the +poor little childs--the young folks that die--die in these tenements all +the time--and we see the white ribbons hanging from the doors, so many +place every day--the poor young folks with life ahead and much to live +for even down here--they are poison and they do not know! Oh, _le bon +Dieu_! Boil dem dam' devil in hell in the water they have sell to the +poor!" He stopped, shocked by these words he heard coming from his +mouth, and crossed himself contritely. "But I look at her--I hear what +the docteur say--I talk and I cannot help!" He staggered into the room +where the child lay, and sat down in a chair and held his face in his +hands. + +It was an aged and somewhat unctuous physician whom Farr brought. The +doctor pursed his lips and puckered his eyebrows above the little wraith +who minded him not at all, lying with eyes half closed, plucking with +finger and thumb at the bedclothing. + +"With a bit stronger constitution--if she were a little older--Take the +case of an adult--" + +"Say it short," growled Farr, clenching his fists as if he wanted to +beat indulgence for the child out of the hide of the world. "I'm paying +you for her life." + +"I have nothing to sell you in this case--therefore there can be no +pay." He leaned over the bed and smoothed the moist, tangled hair away +from the child's brow. "I can only _give_ you something, my friend. I +give you all my sympathy. This baby is departing on a long journey, and +I'm Christian enough to believe that the way will be made very smooth +for the feet of little children. That's the faith of an old man." + +There were both earnestness and tenderness in his tones--the smugness of +the physician was gone. He shook Farr's hand and went out of the room, +treading softly. + +And the next day Rosemarie's tiny fingers stopped their flutterings and +she went away--somewhere! + + + + +XI + +THE LORDS OF THE CITY + +Walker Farr would not allow the tiny body of Rosemarie to be carried +away in the white hearse. In his grief he had not been able as yet to +dissociate the identity of the child from the poor little tenement in +which her spirit had dwelt for the few barren years of her life; it +seemed to him that she would be very lonely in the white hearse. He rode +to the cemetery, holding the tiny casket across his knees. There was +only the one carriage--it was sufficient to carry the friends of little +Rosemarie: one Walker Farr and old Etienne and play-mamma Zelie Dionne. + +The rack-tender sat opposite Farr and nursed a bundle on his knees. He +had wrapped it surreptitiously. + +The two men sent Zelie Dionne back to the city in the carriage. But they +waited beside the grave until the sexton had finished his work; Farr +felt an uncontrollable impulse to wait till all was ended, as he had +always waited every night till the little girl was sound asleep and +tucked up in bed in the good woman's house. He sat crouched on the edge +of a turfed grave, elbows on his knees, his hands clutched into his +shock of hair. + +After the sexton had departed, tools on his shoulder, Etienne unwrapped +the bundle. He began to arrange the child's toys on the grave. + +"It is as the others do--the fathers and mothers of our faith in the +tenement-houses," he explained, wistfully, to the young man. He pointed +to other graves in the vicinity, short and narrow graves. Toys were +spread on them, too. They were the poor treasures of dead children. The +toys had been left there in the vague, helpless yearning of parents who +strove to reach their human consolation beyond the grave. + +Farr gazed on these pitiful memorials of the children--from those graves +to the new mound which covered Rosemarie. The ache that had been in +his throat for so many hours grew more excruciating. He realized that +a father in those circumstances would weep, but he did not feel like +shedding tears, and he was ashamed of himself for what seemed lack of +something within himself. What he felt then, what he had felt ever +since that young doctor had passed sentence of death was surly, bitter +rancor--the anger of a man who is robbed. + +"Look all around at the graves," said Etienne, tears in his wrinkles. "I +know something better since I take off that faucet. Not all the martyr +die when the lion eat 'em up and the fire burn 'em; there be some martyr +these day, too. And sometimes, mebbe, some man what have the power will +come here and see all these poor little grave and then he go and choke +the lion what eat all these poor childs." + +"What kind of man would that be?" pondered Farr. At that moment he had +little faith--much less faith than usual--in the decency of any human +being; and for many years his faith in humankind had been expressed by a +contemptuous snap of his finger. + +To sit there longer and look at that fresh earth with the pathetic toys +sprinkled over it was a torment his soul could not endure. + +He arose and hurried away and Etienne followed him. They trudged in +silence back to the city--Etienne to take his rake and pike-pole from +the hands of the man who had substituted at the rack, and Farr to resume +surly domination over his sweating Italians. + +"The martyrs," Etienne had called them. The notion of that stuck in +Farr's brooding thoughts. + +He tried to look deeper into his own heart than he had ever looked +before and explain to himself just what motive had attracted him to the +child in the first place; he had never been especially interested in +children before. He found himself muttering, "And a little child shall +lead them," without understanding just why this child had led him so +strangely. + +If one Walker Farr had understood it at all and had been able to explain +it to himself, he would have penetrated the mystery of the dynamics of +love--the great gift to humanity that God has not seen fit to expose +in its inner workings. Therefore, Farr strode here and there in the +hot sun, spurred his diggers with crisp oaths, and on the heels of his +profanity muttered to himself, "And a little child shall lead them." + +The tile boss of the Consolidated, whose crew was following the +trench-diggers, accosted Farr, after several inspections of his +lugubrious countenance. + +"Don't you think you need to be cheered up a little?" + +Farr scowled at him. + +"I don't know what has disagreed with you, but you're certainly in a bad +way," pursued the boss. "Go up with the crowd to City Hall to-night +and hear 'em open up the police scandals. Plenty of free fun for the +heavy-hearted! There are about half a dozen fat cops in this city who'll +be fried to a crisp on both sides, and the sound of the sizzling will be +pleasant in the ears." + +"I'm not interested." + +"You will be, if you tend out. The hearing is before the mayor and the +whole city government. Nothing very hefty in the way of charges--only +loafing in beer-coolers during the heat of the day, spending their time +chasing the labor-agitators out of the parks, and letting burglars keep +house all summer in the mansions up-town while the owners are away at +the seashore. It's all more or less of a joke." + +"Why don't the mayor and aldermen of this city attend to duty instead of +jokes?" + +"Oh, this city is run so smooth that there's nothing to do in the summer +except stage a little farce comedy at City Hall." + +"Let me tell you that there's something to be investigated in this city +that isn't a joke," raged Farr, his bitter ponderings blossoming into +speech. + +"What's that?" + +"Murder going on every day in this damnable town." + +"Well, I guess if there was any murder going on which we didn't hear +about, even from our fat cops, it would be investigated, all right. +What's the matter with you?" + +"I'm glad now you told me about that hearing to-night," stated Farr, +ignoring the other's curiosity. "I'm glad I know when and where to +locate the mayor and his men in session. I'll find out if they propose +to waste the people's time hearing funny stories about policemen and are +going to let murder go on while they are laughing." + +He strode away, cursing at his workmen as he tramped along the side of +the ditch. + +Farr knocked at the garret room of Etienne early that evening. + +"I want you to come with me," he commanded. + +The old man obeyed without questions. As they walked along the streets +Farr did not volunteer information. He was grimly sure that if Etienne +should receive an inkling of what was expected of him the old man would +not stop running until he had crossed the Canadian border. + +They were ten minutes worming their way through the press that packed +the corridors of City Hall. Groups were bulked at the doors admitting +to the aldermen's room--men thatched against each other and overlapping +like bees in a swarm at the door of a hive. + +But the young man was tall and his shoulders were broad and he kept +uttering the magic words, "Room for witnesses!" In his own consciousness +he knew that what he should attempt to testify to that night was not +on the slate, but the crowd accepted him as one of those from whom they +anticipated entertainment, and allowed him to pass--and Etienne, holding +to his young friend's coat, followed close and made his way before the +throng could close in again. + +The hearing began and progressed, and there was much laughter when +the delinquencies of certain fat policemen were related--it was +a free-and-easy affair--a sort of midsummer fantasy in municipal +politics--a squabble between ward bosses who had become jealous in +matters of the distribution of police patronage. + +Walker Farr, standing against the wall of the audience-chamber, did +not laugh. He was busy with thoughts of his own. This bland fooling in +municipal matters while stealthy death, protected by city franchise, +dripped, so he believed, from every faucet in the tenement-house +district, stirred his bitter indignation. Etienne Provancher stood +beside him, and the old man did not laugh, either, because he did not +understand in the least what those men were talking about. And he was +very uneasy, wistfully awe-stricken, hardly daring to touch with his +hands the polished oak at his back. He was in the great _hotel de ville_ +whose exterior he had stared at many times without presuming or daring +to enter the broad portals. + +Then there came a recess while the mayor examined papers at his desk. +The aldermen leaned back in their chairs with lighted cigars. + +"Etienne," whispered the young man, deep resolve thrilling him, his +eyes blazing into the wondering gaze of the old man, "those men who sit +behind those desks can do something to save the children and the poor +folks in the tenements. But they must wake up, these men here must. You +and I must try to wake them up!" + +Etienne's eyes opened wide. He did not in the least comprehend how he +could serve. + +"I know you will not desert a friend, Etienne. I know you'll stand +behind me. I know you love the children. So be a brave man now!" + +The next moment Etienne was so frightened that he feared he would drop +where he stood, because the young man raised his voice so that it rang +through the great hall and all eyes were turned that way. + +"Your honor the mayor, and gentlemen; I am a stranger here. But I humbly +ask permission to address you." + +"If you are a witness in the police matter you will be called on in your +turn after the recess," stated the mayor. + +"I am not a witness in the police matter. I am here on other business." + +"There is no other business before this meeting." + +"But there should be, sir, for the business I have come on is a dreadful +matter. It is a matter of life and death." + +A hush fell on those in the chamber, and the mayor and his aldermen +leaned forward, staring apprehensively. They had been warned that there +were dangerous labor-agitators in the city. Many meetings had been +broken up by the police at the request of Colonel Dodd, president of +the Consolidated Water Company, and other employers had backed him. This +tall young man had startled them with his sudden outbreak. + +"It is a matter, gentlemen, which concerns every man, woman, and child +in this city--vitally concerns them every hour of the day--every hour +they are awake. You say you have no other business now except this +silly police investigation. For God's sake, wake up and attend to real +business--save the people's lives. Here you are in session and here are +the people to listen." + +"State your complaint. Be very brief," commanded the mayor. + +But Walker Farr, it was plain, possessed craft as well as courage; he +realized that curiosity, properly tickled, will make men more patient in +listening. + +"First, I want to call a witness. I am not known to this city. But I +have here a man whom many of you know, I'm sure, for he has stood out in +plain view of a street where many pass, and has worked there for thirty +years. It is Etienne Provancher." + +Several men laughed when Farr pushed the old man into view. There was a +murmured chorus of "Pickaroon." + +"It's for the children--the poor folks--for the memory of our little +girl," hissed Farr in the old man's ear. "Will you go to your bed +to-night--the night of the day we buried her--knowing that--you are a +coward? These are only men. We must tell them so that they will know. +Speak! Tell them!" He set his firm clutch around the trembling old +Frenchman's arm and held him out where all could see. + +"I do not know how to talk here--to so much man--to the lords of the +city," stammered the miserable old man, licking his parched lips, scared +until all was black before his eyes. + +The hush was profound. Men curved their palms at their ears, wondering +what old Pickaroon could have to say in City Hall. + +"Remember what we have left up there--in the cemetery--the poor children +in their graves," muttered Farr, again bending close to Etienne's ear. + +Then, thus reminded, thus spurred, all his Gallic emotion bursting into +flame in him suddenly, the old man felt the desperate resolution that +often animates the humble and ignorant in great emergencies. The little +ones had been martyrs--why not he? That thought flashed through the +tumult in his brain. + +"Yes, since you all hark for me to speak I will speak," he declared. +"Messieurs, I am a poor man. Not wise. It is very hard for me to talk +to you. But I have been to-day up where the little children are bury--so +many of them, with their playthings on the graves. I went to take there +anodder little child, poor baby girl. I leave her there with the odder +ones--so very lonesome all of them--their modders cannot sing them to +sleep any more." + +"This is irregular," cried the mayor. "What do you want?" + +"Nottings for maself," cried Etienne, passionately shrill in his tone +now. "But I have to ask you, masters of this city, how much longer shall +you send poison down the water-pipes to the poor folks and the +children in the tenement blocks? It is poison that has kill our little +Rosemarie--and all her life ahead! The doctor say so--and he say I +cannot understand about the rich man, why he do it. But I understand +that the childs are dying. I say you shall not sent that water--if you +do send it I will bring here the fadders who have lost their babies and +the modders of the babies." His lips curled back in his excitement +and froth flecked his mouth. "Sacred name of God! We shall tear that +poison-factory up from the ground with our bare hands!" + +"Officer, put that man out of the room," ordered the mayor. + +"Won't you listen to us?" shouted Farr. "You are the chief magistrate of +this city. You and these aldermen are the guardians of the people. Are +you going to sit there in those cushioned chairs and let a crowd of rich +assassins murder the poor people?" + +Men hissed that speech. + +The mayor rapped his gavel furiously. + +"This is no matter to be brought up here at this time. You're slandering +honorable men, sir! We have other business." + +"Can there be any other business as important as this?" + +"Put both of these men out, officer." + +"Are you and these aldermen owned by the water syndicate, as report says +you are?" cried Farr. "Look here, you men, men in this room and at the +door! This is your City Hall--these aldermen are elected by your votes. +Aren't you going to demand that the people be heard in this matter? +Don't you know that typhoid fever is killing off the children in this +city--and that poison water is the cause of it?" + +"It's rotten stuff to drink--we all know that," cried a voice. "But +there'll have to be a change in politics in this state before they'll +give us anything else." + +Two policemen elbowed their rough way to Farr and Etienne. + +"The big chap is right--it's about time to have this water question +opened up, Mr. Mayor," called another voice. + +"Open it up in a legal and proper way, then," snapped the mayor. "Go to +the law." + +"That's it--go to the law--go to the law," jeered another. "And we'll +all be dead and the lawyers will have all our money before the thing is +decided." + +There were more hisses. + +But an outburst of indorsing voices indicated that many men in that +chamber understood more or less of the political management behind the +Consolidated Water Company. + +"If a thing is wrong, change it. What better law do you need than +that?" asked Farr, disregarding an officer's thumb that jerked imperious +gesture. + +"When you know a little more law you won't be ignoramus enough to come +into a public hearing and try to break it up. You'd better go and study +law," said the indignant mayor. He pounded his gavel to indicate that +the recess was over. + +"I'll take your advice," replied Farr, towering over the policeman and +vibrating his finger at his Honor. "If you hadn't found law so handy +in your own case you wouldn't forget yourself in your excitement and +recommend it to others. If we've got to fight the devil we'd better use +his weapons." + +Men shouted approval all around him. + +"Clear the room," ordered the mayor. "Everybody out!" + +"Keep your hands off," Farr advised the officer nearest him. "I'll go +without any help. I have found out that I'm only wasting my time in this +place." + +In the corridor men pressed around him. Some of them insisted on shaking +his hand. Others shouted commendation. Still others exhibited only frank +curiosity in the stalwart stranger. And others were clamorously hostile. + +"By gad! If you wanted to start something you took the right way to do +it," affirmed one of the throng. + +"You showed good courage," declared an elderly man with an earnest face. +"Some of the rest of us have tried to do something in the past. But +those who didn't have much power were either kept out or kicked out +of any office in city government or the legislature--and those who did +amount to something were gobbled up by the machine. The machine can pay. +Working for the people isn't very profitable. So I'm afraid you won't +get very far." + +"You needn't worry about that chap not getting along all right," +remarked one of the group--but his indorsement was ironical. "He's a +construction boss for the Consolidated, and he went into that hearing +to start some kind of a back-fire. Shrewd operators--the Consolidated +folks." + +The men about Farr pulled away from him and there was considerable +malicious laughter in the crowd. + +"So we see the game, even if we don't catch on to the meaning of it just +now," said the observant one. + +Farr squared his shoulders. They stared at him with fresh interest and +a bit of additional respect. They saw in him something more than a +mere popular agitator--a disturber of a municipal hearing; he must be +a trusted agent of the great political machine, executing a secret +mission. + +"You're right--I have been working for the Consolidated," he admitted in +tones that all could hear. + +"Move on! Get outdoors! Clear this corridor--all of you," shouted a +captain of police who had come hurrying up from down-stairs and had +taken command of the situation. + +The crowd began to surge on, following Farr. + +"I went to work digging in their trenches because I struck this town on +my uppers and needed the money--needed it quick. I was promoted to be a +boss. But I want to tell you now, gentlemen, that I do not work for the +Consolidated." + +"I reckon you're right," said somebody. "I just overheard a man +telephoning to the superintendent about you--and if I'm any judge of a +conversation you are _not_ working for the Consolidated. Not any more!" + +"I'm sorry you're going to leave the city," lamented the elderly man. +"We need chaps like you." + +"I'm not going to leave the city." + +"You might just as well," counseled one of the bystanders, "after what +you said in that hearing. If you get a job in this city after this +you'll be a good one!" + +When they were outside City Hall, Farr waited for a moment on the steps. +Etienne, still trembling after that most terrible experience of his +placid life, pressed close at the young man's side. + +"Will all you gentlemen please take a good look at me so that +you'll know me when you see me again?" invited the ex-boss for the +Consolidated. + +They stared at him. His face was well lighted by the arc-light under the +arch of the door. + +"I am not a labor-leader, nor a walking delegate, nor a politician, nor +an anarchist. You men go home and unscrew the faucets in your kitchens, +take a good sniff, and pull the slime out of the valve. Then remember +that the mayor and aldermen of this city wouldn't listen to me to-night +in the Hall that the tax-payer's money built. Also remember that a +little later they will listen to me. Gentlemen, my name is Walker Farr. +I'm going to stay here in this city. Good night." + + + + +XII + +AT THE FOOT OF THE THRONE + +As usual at nine-thirty in the afternoon, the big tower clock on the +First National Bank building in the city of Marion pointed the finger of +its minute-hand straight downward. + +As usual, at this hour, as he had done for many years, Colonel Symonds +Dodd eased himself down from the equipage that brought him to his +office. This day the vehicle was his limousine car. + +In view of the fact that Colonel Dodd owned the First National block the +big clock seemed to point its finger at him with the bland pride of a +flunky in a master. It seemed to say, "Behold! The great man is here!" + +Colonel Dodd was never embarrassed when fingers were pointed at him +wherever he went. If a man is lord of finance and politics in his state +he expects to be pointed out. + +When he stepped from his car he carried in his arms, with great +tenderness, a long parcel which was carefully wrapped in tissue-paper. +He always carried a similar parcel when he came to his office. Each +morning the gardener of the Dodd estate laid choice flowers on the seat +of that vehicle which had been chosen to convey the master to the city. + +Colonel Dodd coddled the long parcel with the care a nurse would have +bestowed on an infant--but he kicked his fat leg clumsily at an urchin +who got in his way on the sidewalk. A college professor of Marion +happened to be passing at the moment and saw the act and knew what the +colonel was carrying in his arms. The professor made a mental note of +fresh material for his lecture on "The Psychological Phenomena of the +Bizarre in the Emotions." The professor had just met a woman wheeling a +cat out in a baby-carriage. + +The doctor had advised exercise for the colonel--a small amount. The +colonel toilsomely climbed the one flight of stairs to his office. That +was his daily quota of exercise. + +A little man with a beak of a nose was waiting in the corridor and +hastened to unlock a door marked "Private," and the colonel went in, +and the little man locked the door and tiptoed down the corridor to the +general offices. + +Before he removed his hat Colonel Dodd carefully stripped the +tissue-paper from the damp flowers. There were two huge bouquets. He +set these into vases of ornate bronze, one on each end of his desk. He +patted and stroked the flowers until they appeared to best advantage. He +stood back and bestowed affectionate regard on them. No human being had +ever reported the receipt of such a look from Colonel Symonds Dodd. It +was rather astonishing to find softness in him in respect to flowers. He +seemed as hard as a block of wood. He had a squat, square body and his +legs seemed to be set on the corners of that body. His square face was +smooth except for a wisp of whisker, minute as a water-color brush, +jutting from under his pendulous lower lip. + +He hung up his hat and stood for a moment before a massive mirror. The +report in Marion was that he stood before that mirror and made up his +expression to suit the character of a day's business. + +Then he sat down at his desk and stuck a pudgy finger on one button of a +battery of buttons. + +A girl entered with a promptitude which showed that she had been waiting +for the summons. + +He did not look up at her. His gaze was on one of the bouquets. + +She brought a portfolio and packets of letters all neatly docketed. + +His salutation was merely, "Miss Kilgour." Colonel Dodd did not deal in +many "Good-mornings." It was also reported in Marion and the state that +his stock of urbanity was so small he was compelled to expend it very +thriftily. He certainly did not waste any of it on his office help. +He might have afforded at least one glance at the girl, for she was +extremely pretty. Still another report in Marion was to the effect that +he had selected Kate Kilgour as his secretary as the final artistic +touch to the beauty of his private office in order that he might have a +perfect ensemble. She did seem, so far as his interest in her went, to +be only a part of that ensemble which he occasionally swept carelessly +with his gaze--he reserved all his intimate admiration for the bouquets. + +She laid his "Strictly Personal" letters on his fresh blotter. + +She sat down and began to read the business letters aloud, not waiting +for his orders to begin. It was her daily routine, business transacted +as Colonel Dodd wished it to be transacted--crisply, promptly, directly. + +He dictated replies, usually laconic, even curt, as soon as she had +finished each letter. His eyes were on the flowers as he talked. + +When the letters were finished she retired with her portfolio and her +notes, the thick carpet muffling the sound of her withdrawal. + +After he had slit the envelopes of his personal correspondence and had +read the contents the colonel pushed another button. The little man who +had been waiting in the corridor slipped edgewise in at the door. He was +thin and elderly and his knob of a head, set well down on his pinched +shoulders, had peering eyes on each side of that beak of a nose. When +he walked across the room his long arms were behind him under his +coat-tails and held them extended, and he bore some resemblance to a +bird. In fact, one did not require much imagination to note resemblance +to a bird in Peter Briggs--many folks likened him to a woodpecker--for +he flitted to and fro in Colonel Dodd's anteroom, among those awaiting +audience, tapping here and rapping there with the metaphorical beak of +questions, starting up the moths and grubs of business which men who +came and waited hid under the bark of their demeanor. + +"Seventeen, Colonel Dodd. Five for real business; twelve of them are +sponges." + +"The five?" + +"Chief Engineer Snell of the Consolidated, Dr. Dohl of the State Board +of Health, the three promoters of the Danburg Village Water system." + +"Send in Snell." + +Engineer Snell did not sit in the presence of his president, nor did the +president ask him to sit. + +"Briggs tells me the Danburg men are here." + +"They're waiting out there, Colonel Dodd." + +"Quitting?" + +"I don't think so--just yet. They look too mad. I gave 'em the harpoon +in good shape, as is usual, but I didn't expect they'd run here so soon. +Thought they would flop a little longer." + +"They got their poke from Stone & Adams yesterday afternoon, did they?" + +"Yes, Colonel. My report to Stone & Adams showed that the Danburg plan +of levels is faulty, that their unions are not up to contract, that +their station and pumps are inefficient for the demands. So Stone & +Adams had to tell 'em that their bonds were turned down." + +"Do you know whether they have tried another banking-house yet?" + +"I don't believe they have had time, Colonel." + +"But such fellows always do try. Their banging in here on me so quickly +looks a little irregular. In business, you know, Snell, if you tie a tin +can to a dog and he runs and ki-yi's, that's perfectly natural and you +can sit back and wait for nature to take its course. If the dog doesn't +run, but sits down and gnaws the string in two--then look out for the +dog." + +"I must admit they're coming here sudden after their jolt. They look +mad. But I figure they must have quit. The jolt was a hard one, for +Stone & Adams had been leading 'em on--according to orders." + +The colonel stared at a bouquet. + +"Have you got your other report--the side report--in shape for me to get +a hasty idea? If they have come here with a proposition--want to quit +and cover themselves, I need information right now." + +Engineer Snell laid papers on the desk. He proceeded to explain. + +"If you don't feel you have time to go over it--don't want to keep the +Danburg crowd waiting--I can tell you that the plant is pretty nearly +all right. So much all right that you can afford to slip 'em a couple of +thousand apiece on top of what they have already spent. I don't suppose +you want 'em to holler too loud. I can tell you that Davis, Erskine, and +Owen--those men out there--are cleaned out. They have put in all +their ready money. They were depending on Stone & Adams for the first +instalment from the bonds, so as to take up some thirty-day notes and +pay bills due on material." + +Colonel Dodd meditated, pulling on his wisp of whisker. + +"It's one thing to encourage enterprise in this state--it's another +thing to be everlastingly paying rake-offs to local promoters who grab +a franchise when we're not looking and then hold us up. I don't want to +hurt the Danburg men. But my stockholders expect certain things of me +and it's about time men in this state understand that we propose to +control the water question. Snell, you go and talk to those Danburg men +like a father to children. Send them in here smoothed down and we'll do +the right thing by them." + +He signaled for Briggs and told him to admit Dr. Dohl. + +The doctor, chairman of the State Board of Health, was a chubby man with +a tow-colored, fan-shaped beard. He sat down and sprung his eye-glasses +on his bulgy nose and drew out a package of manuscript. + +"Colonel, I have felt it my duty to write a special chapter on the +typhoid situation in this state for the report of the State Board of +Health." + +"Very well, Doctor." The colonel was curt and his tone admitted nothing +of his sentiments. + +"DO you care to listen to it? It rather vitally concerns the +Consolidated Water Company." + +"You don't blame us for all these typhoid cases, do you?" + +"No, sir--not for all of them." + +"Why blame us for any of them? Our analyses show that we're giving clean +water. How about dirty milkmen and the sanitary arrangements in these +tenement-houses and all such? It's the fashion to blame a corporation +for everything bad that happens in this world." + +"We have placed blame on milkmen where any blame is due," stated Dr. +Dohl. He tapped his manuscript. "But I have spent considerable of my +department's money in making a house-to-house canvass, tracing the +sources. The man before me _guessed_. I have made _sure_! Colonel Dodd, +the Consolidated water is pretty poisonous stuff these days." + +"What's the matter in this state all of a sudden?" snapped the colonel. +"I am told that a lunatic almost broke up our city government meeting +the other night, shouting that the Consolidated is trying to poison +folks. You're too level-headed a man to get into that class, Dr. Dohl." + +"I'll allow you to set me down in any class which seems fitting from +your point of view," replied the doctor, stiffly. "But if that lunatic, +as you call him, got an angle-worm or a frog's leg out of his tap I +don't blame him for breaking up a meeting of the city government which +will tolerate the water which is being pumped through the city mains +just now." + +"We're working on the filtering-plant--it will be all right in a little +while. It got out of hand before we realized it," said the colonel, now +a bit apologetic. + +"In this crisis your filter amounts to about that!" The doctor snapped a +pudgy finger into a plump palm. "The river-water in this state has been +poisoned. You must go into the hills--to the lakes, Colonel Dodd." + +"You don't mean to say that you recommend that in your report, Doctor?" + +"Absolutely--emphatically." + +"Without stopping to think of the millions it will cost my company to +build over its plants?" + +"It has come to a point where it isn't a question of money, Colonel." + +"We can't afford it." + +"Then let the cities and towns of the state buy in their water-plants +and do it." + +"Good Jefferson! Don't you know that every city and town in this state +where we have a water-plant has already exceeded its debt limit of five +percent?" + +"Do I understand you as intimating, Colonel Dodd, that there is no help +for this present condition of affairs?" + +"Look here--I'm neither a Herod nor a Moloch, even if some of the +crack-brained agitators in this state will have it that way," protested +the magnate, with heat. "Are you going to print that report before you +have given us time to turn around?" + +"With one hundred deaths a day from typhoid fever in this state, +Colonel, that matter of time becomes mighty important." + +"Look here, Dohl, don't you remember that it was my indorsement that +gave you your job?" + +"I do, Colonel Dodd. But I'm a physician, not a politician." + +"I see you're not," retorted the colonel, dryly. "But you're a member +of our political party, and you know that the Consolidated and its +associate interests are the backbone of that party. There are a lot of +soreheads in this state, and we're having a devil of a time to hold 'em +in line. Every savings-bank in this state, furthermore, holds bonds of +the Consolidated. Do you want to start a panic? You've got to be careful +how you touch the first brick standing in a row. Dohl, you leave that +report with me. I'll go over it. I'll take the matter up with the +directors. We'll move as fast as possible." + +The doctor hesitated, stroking the folds of his manuscript. + +"You're not doubting my word, are you?" demanded the colonel. + +"No, sir!" Even the physician's sense of duty did not embolden him to +persist under this scowl of the man of might. + +The colonel took the document from Dr. Dohl's relaxing hands and shoved +it into a pigeonhole of the big desk. + +"You must understand that pipe-lines to lakes cannot be laid in a minute +as a child strings straws, Doctor," admonished the magnate. + +"Do you propose to lay lines to the lakes, Colonel? I need to throw a +little sop to my conscience if my report is delayed." + +"Everything right will be done in good time, Dr. Dohl. I will proceed as +rapidly as possible, considering that the law, finance, and politics +are all concerned. As you are leaving," he added, giving his visitor the +blunt hint that the interview was over, "I must draw your attention to +the fact that if you bludgeon the Consolidated with a report like this +it may be a long time before we can move in the matter. You'll only +scare the banks and set the cranks to yapping. Just remember that you're +a state officer and have a weighty responsibility to your party and to +financial interests." + +Dr. Dohl went away. He sourly realized that he was only a cog in the big +machine; that for a moment he had threatened to develop a rough edge and +start a squeak, but the big file had been used on him. It had been used +on many another of the State House cogs, as he well knew. Responsibility +as to his party! Safety and sanity in regard to financial interests! He +knew that these talismanic words had been used to control even the +lords in national politics. He departed from the Presence, muttering his +rebellion, but fully conscious that a political Samson in modern days +made but a sorry spectacle of himself when he started to pull down the +pillars of the party temple. + +He continued to mutter when he walked through the anteroom. + +Most of the men who waited there had faces as lowering as the visage +which Dr. Dohl displayed. + +The doctor had not lost all faith in his own fearlessness and rectitude +of motive, but he was obliged to acknowledge to himself that just then +he was a rather weak champion. + +"However, I'd like to lay eyes on the sort of man who can unjoint this +devilish combination of politics and law and finance," he informed +himself, trying to justify his own retreat. + +His eyes, in passing, swept a stranger. + +The stranger was a tall young man with wavy hair and brown eyes. He sat +patiently, nursing a broad-brimmed black hat on his knees. + +"I'd like to see that man!" repeated Dr. Dohl, mentally, sugar-coating +his disgust at his own weakness. + +If mortal man were gifted with prescience Dr. Dohl would have stared out +of countenance the tall young man who sat on a bench in the outer office +of the state's overlord and nursed a broad-brimmed hat upon his knees. + + + + +XIII + +THE CODE AND THE GAGE OF BATTLE + +"I appreciate zeal in public affairs," mused Colonel Dodd, gazing at +the door which Dr. Dohl had closed behind him. "But once there was a +retriever dog who chased his master with a stick of dynamite that had a +sputtering fuse." + +He set his broad hands upon the arms of his chair, derricked himself +up, and went over to the mirror. He peered at himself and seemed to +rearrange his countenance, much as a woman would smooth the ruffled +plumage of her hat. + +"We're not murderers," he informed the composed visage which the mirror +held forth to him. "But we haven't got to the point where we're letting +lunatics who break up city government meetings, or crank doctors, tell +us how to spend a million or two of the money we've worked hard to +accumulate. There's getting to be too much of this telling business men +in this country how to run their business. If we're peddling typhoid +fever in spite of what our analyses tell us, then we'll go ahead, of +course, and clean up." Colonel Dodd was willing to acknowledge that much +to himself, surveying his countenance in the mirror. "But we'll continue +to run our own business," he added. + +Then he sat down again in his chair and pushed a button. "Briggs," he +directed, "send in those three men from Danburg." + +He whirled his swivel-chair and sat there at his desk, his rectangular +front squared to meet them. + +The three men who came in were of the rural businessmen type, and +their faces were not amiable. Two of them halted in the middle of the +sumptuous apartment and the third stepped a couple of paces ahead of +them. He carried a huge roll of engineers' plans under his arm. + +"My name is Davis, as I suppose you know, Colonel Dodd," he reported. + +"Have seats, gentlemen." + +"We are tired of sitting," stated the spokesmen, with sour significance. + +"I understand, Mr. David. But mornings are very busy times for me. I was +attending to appointments made beforehand. You made no appointment, and +I was not expecting you." + +There was silence, and the three men glowered on him. It was evident +that settled animosity emboldened these country merchants even in the +presence of Colonel Symonds Dodd. + +"I was not expecting you, I say." + +The colonel's demeanor displayed a little uncertainty; he had rather +expected suppliants. He knew what a nasty blow had been dealt these men +the day before. + +"Probably not," assented Davis. "You expected that after Stone & Adams +yanked the gangplank out from under us yesterday we would put in at +least one day tearing around to other banking firms, trying to place our +bonds." + +"Why--why--Well, if Stone & Adams--You naturally wouldn't take the +verdict of one banking-house on a matter of bonds, would you?" + +"Look here, Colonel Dodd, we understand you--clear way down to the +ground--and we may as well save wear on our tongues. And first of all +we have come right here to save shoe-leather. We have come straight to +headquarters. Do you suppose we're going to gallop around this city to +bankers after the word has gone out about us? Not much! We are here in +the captain's office, and you can't fool us about that." + +"I never heard such--" the colonel began to sputter. + +"I know you never did--and it's getting your goat," asserted the blunt +countryman. "We've got a plain and pertinent question to put to you--do +you intend to ram us to the wall in our water deal?" + +The head of the state's water trust simulated anger perfectly, even if +he didn't feel it. And there was astonishment in his anger. + +"What have I to do with your dealings with bankers?" he demanded. +"Probably your plant isn't up to pitch." + +"That talk doesn't go with us, not for a minute, Colonel Dodd," shouted +the undaunted Davis. "You're talking to business men, not to children. +We offered to leave the matter of our plan to any three engineers in +this state. Why is it that Stone & Adams refuse to take the word of +anybody except your man, Snell?" + +"They probably want the word of the best consulting-engineer in the +state." + +"But he's your man." + +"He is our man because he is the best. We hire him for our work. But we +do not control his opinions when he is consulted by others. Oh no! And I +want to tell you, my men, that I refuse to listen to any more such talk +from you." + +"Then call in one of your political policemen and have us put out," +invited the unterrified Davis. + +"Build your plant right and your bonds will sell. Our bonds sell when +Mr. Snell reports on our plants." + +"We'll save our strength in the matter of building plants and running +around trying to place bonds with brokers who have been tipped off by +the money trust of this state. We propose to get it straight from you +first. You can't fool us for one minute, I repeat! We'll have our last +wiggle right here. Will you take your hands off our affairs?" + +"I haven't put my hands _on_ your affairs," shouted Colonel Dodd, +furious at being baited in this amazing manner. Never before had any +visitor dared to raise his voice in that office. "You're crazy." + +"You're right--we are--pretty nearly so. Myself and these two neighbors +of mine have tied up every dollar we can rake and scrape to build a +water-plant for our little village and give our folks clean water from a +lake, not the rotten poison you would pump out of our millstream for +us. We have tried to do this for our town and make an honest dollar for +ourselves. Now you have got us lashed to the mast, financially, so +you think, and you propose to step in and gobble our franchise. That's +enough to make men crazy." + +"Get out of my office!" + +"You grabbed the franchise and common stock of Westham that way," +declared Davis. "You scooped in Durham and Newry and a lot of others. +But I'm here to warn you, Colonel Dodd. Danburg is going to choke you if +you try to swallow it. We are only countrymen, and we know it. You have +always done all the bossing and threatening in this state up to now. But +I tell you, Colonel Dodd, there comes a time when the rabbit will spit +in the bulldog's eye. If we three go out of this room in the same spirit +in which we came into it something will drop in this state. We shall +have a story to tell." + +Colonel Dodd swung his chair around and faced his desk. + +"Gentlemen, let's not get excited," he appealed. Ostensibly he reached +for a pencil. He also pushed a button he had not touched before that +day. Then he came around slowly on the swivel of his chair. "You have +mentioned certain towns, Davis. Those towns have water systems that are +a part of the Consolidated, to be sure. But the men who promoted those +plants and were unable to complete them came to us and begged us to step +in and take the burden off their hands." While Colonel Dodd talked he +kept glancing, but in an extremely unobtrusive manner, at a huge and +magnificent Japanese screen that occupied one corner of his office. +"It is easy enough to start ventures in this world, Mr. Davis. An +inexperienced man can do that. But it most often takes experience and a +lot of money to install a successful water plant." + +"We want to get down to cases, Colonel Dodd," insisted the spokesman. +"We haven't come here without posting ourselves. We know how you have +talked to the others. But you can't bluff us. You propose to steal our +plant, such of it as we have been able to build to date. One word from +you to the money gang takes the hoodoo off us. Now talk business! Do you +propose to pot us like you have the rest?" + +The heart of the big rose in the center of the screen flashed once with +a glow that was imperceptible unless one had been gazing at it, watching +for a signal. Colonel Dodd understood that Miss Kate Kilgour had entered +through a low door and was behind the screen, ready with note-book +and pencil. He leaned back in his deep chair and interlocked his pudgy +fingers across his paunch. + +"I assure you I have not the least interest in your projects as to the +Danburg water system, Mr. Davis, Mr. Erskine, Mr. Owen." He dwelt on the +names. "The Consolidated has plenty of its own business to attend to." + +"But I say you are trying to run _our_ business, too--no, ruin it!" + +"Do you realize, Mr. Davis, that you are accusing me of criminal +conspiracy--making a statement that might go hard with you in a court of +law? You have accused me of trying to discredit you with banking-houses. +Can you produce any proof except your foolish and unjust suspicions? +You have been made angry by a refusal to handle your bonds. I don't sell +bonds. I build and operate water systems." + +"The same old game," sneered Davis. "Your water syndicate, the railroads +of this state, the banks, the politics--they're all snarled up together +like snakes in winter quarters. I say, if you pass the word our bonds +will be taken. If you don't do it, I'm going to trot out of this office +and expose your highway-robber system." + +"In one breath you threaten me because you say I'm interfering in +your affairs. In the next breath you threaten me because I refuse to +interfere. You are making dangerous talk, Davis. I may call the courts +to pass on that threat. There is only one proposition I can make to +you--and that's strictly in the line of my business. If you are tied up +financially--are at the end of your resources and must have help--I'll +give you my aid in getting the Consolidated to take over the Danburg +plant at a fair valuation." + +"Is that the best word you've got for us?" + +"I have made you an honorable business proposition." + +"That your final talk?" + +"Absolutely." + +Davis found words inadequate for his boiling emotions just then. He +advanced on Dodd, who shrank back into his chair. Davis whipped the +long roll of plans out from under his arm, held the roll by one end, and +swung it like a bat-stick. But he did not strike at Dodd, as the magnate +seemed to apprehend. + +He swung over the colonels' head and swept the top of the desk clean +of everything; vases, bouquets, _objets d'art_, all went rolling and +smashing to the floor. + +Colonel Dodd ducked low and held his square head in his hands as if +he feared that the next assault would be on that. But Davis led his +associates out of the room through the door which Briggs had flung open, +summoned by the crash in his master's holy of holies. + +For the first time, perhaps, in the history of that private office the +door leading into the anteroom was left open and unguarded. Briggs ran +into the room, his coat-tails streaming, his inquisitive beak stretched +forward. On his heels followed the tall young man who had been waiting +in the anteroom. It was Walker Farr, who closed the door behind him, +shutting out the curious anteroom clients who flocked and peered. + +When the colonel lifted his head he found himself looking squarely into +the eyes of this tall young man whom he in no way remembered. + +Briggs went down on his hands and knees and began to pick up the debris. + +One of the bouquets had rolled to the colonel's feet, and he stooped +with some difficulty, recovered it, and laid it across his knees. He +gazed past Farr with a frown--with a significant, dismissing jerk of +his head. The young man turned in time to see the capitalist's handsome +secretary. The amazing riot in the sanctuary of her employer had brought +her from behind the screen. Uncertainty and alarm were in her eyes +and excitement had flushed her cheeks. Against the background of the +gorgeous screen she seemed a veritable apparition of loveliness, and +while Farr stared, frankly admiring her, recognizing her, exchanging +that startled recognition with her, she disappeared. + +"How do you dare to come into my private office in this fashion?" + +"I have waited in that anteroom every day for ten days, trying to get an +audience. The door was open just now and I came in." + +"It's your own fault if you haven't seen me. I see men who have business +with me and who send in an explanation of that business." + +"So I have been told by that man," stated Farr, pointing to Briggs, who +was groping about on the carpet. "But my business with you couldn't be +discussed through a third party." + +"Now that you're in here, what is that business?" + +"I'll tell you first what it is _not_, so that there won't be any +misunderstanding in your mind about me. I am not here to borrow money, +beg money, ask for work, ask for a personal favor of any kind, solicit a +political job, nor have I anything to sell to you or to give to you. So, +you see, my business is different." + +With a quick motion he brought out a parcel which he had held concealed +in the broad-brimmed hat. + +Briggs straightened up on his knees and remained thus, seemingly +paralyzed, staring at the parcel. + +The capitalist sank back in his chair, his face growing greenish white. + +"Don't you throw that bomb!" he gasped. In his panic he was not able to +deduce any other explanation for the presence of this stranger who +had so strenuously disclaimed all reasonable motives for his visit. He +quailed before this man who seemed to be a dangerous crank--for Farr's +attire was out of the ordinary and his eyes were flashing and his poise +was that of a man sure of himself. + +"What do you think I have here in this package?" + +"Dynamite!" mumbled the magnate. + +"It's worse." + +Colonel Dodd rolled his head to and fro on the back of his chair, +shutting his eyes in vain attempt to find somebody to whom to appeal +for help. He started a furtive hand in the direction of the battery of +buttons. + +"Keep your hands in your lap," commanded Farr. "I say that what I have +here in this package is worse than dynamite." He tore the paper and +disclosed a half-dozen faucets that were still dripping with slime. "You +know now what I mean, Colonel Dodd. This is the stuff your water company +is pumping through the pipes in this state." + +The president of the Consolidated straightened in his chair, but he had +been thoroughly frightened. + +While Farr talked on the colonel seemed to be gathering +himself--recovering his voice. + +"It's a mighty bold act for me to come in here like this, Colonel +Dodd. I understand it. I'm a poor man and a stranger in this city. Just +consider me a voice--call me Balaam's ass if you want to. But I've come +up from the tenement-house districts where the children are dying." + +"What do you want?" The magnate discharged the question explosively. + +"Pure water in the city mains." + +"Whom do you represent?" + +Farr hesitated. Colonel Dodd scented possible political strategy in this +visit, and was controlling his ire in order to probe the matter. + +"Come, my man. Out with it! Who commissioned you to come here?" + +"I'll not claim that I have any powers delegated to me, sir." + +"How did you dare to force your way in here?" + +"Considering what kind of a man I was a few weeks ago, I'm having pretty +hard work to explain to myself what I'm doing, sir." + +The colonel knotted bushy brows. This person seemed to be playing with +him. "Who told you to come here?" + +"The soul of a little girl who was named Rosemarie." + +Colonel Dodd came out of his chair, thoroughly angry--and yet he +repressed his anger. This person, more than ever, seemed to him to be a +crank with vagaries. + +Farr put up a protesting palm. His tones trembled, and into them he put +all the appeal a human voice can compass. + +"I know I astonish you, Colonel," he added. "I astonish myself. I'm not +much on self-analysis. I don't know just what has come over me the last +few weeks. But they do say the Deity picks out queer instruments when He +wants things done. Man to man, now, forgetting you're a mighty man and +I'm a small one, won't you say you'll give the people of this state pure +water instead of poison?" + +"You don't think you can stroll in here and coax me to build over the +whole Consolidated system, do you?" + +"That isn't the idea at all, sir. Treat me simply as a voice--a jog +of your conscience--a reminder. I'll go away and you'll never see me +again." + +"If you think the cranks in this state can influence me in the least +item about running my own business you're the worst lunatic outside the +state asylum," declared the colonel, with passion. + +"You mean that what I have asked on behalf of women and children hasn't +had any effect on you?" + +"Not the slightest. Get out!" In his present mood Colonel Dodd would not +admit to this interloper that he planned reforms, and in that moment he +unwittingly created his Frankenstein's monster. + +Farr retreated a couple of steps and bowed. "Colonel Dodd, in my part of +the West we fellows had a little code: help a woman, always, everywhere; +tote a tired child in our arms; and, in the case of a man who announced +himself an enemy, give him fair notice when it came time to pull guns. +Better get your weapon loose on your hip." + +He bowed again and went out. + +Briggs rose from his knees and his master snapped an angry stare from +the door that the young man had closed softly behind himself. + +"What kind of a resort is my office getting to be? Do you know who that +devilish fool is, Briggs?" + +"No, sir. He has been hanging around here, that's all I know. I kept at +him." He made a little dab of his woodpecker beak. "But I couldn't find +out anything from him." + +"Well find out from somebody else, then. And get judge Warren on the +'phone for me." + +When the bell rang and the colonel heard the voice of the Consolidated's +corporation counsel greeting him on the wire he ordered the judge to +come over at once. + +"Hell has just burned through here in three small patches," stated +the colonel, grimly. "The sooner we turn on the Consolidated hose, the +better." + + +In the early dusk of a summer evening Mr. Peter Briggs stood at the edge +of the sidewalk of one of the squalid avenues of the district of the +tenement-houses of Marion. His hands were behind him, propping out his +coat-tails. He kept peering at the gloomy stairway of a house near at +hand. Take the gloom, his attitude, and his sooty garb, and he gave a +very picturesque impression of a raven doing sentinel duty. + +At last a tall young man came down the stairs which Mr. Briggs was +watching and strolled off leisurely up the avenue, stopping here and +there to chat, nodding to this man, flourishing a hand salute to that +man. The young man apparently had nothing whatever on his mind except to +enjoy a stroll in the summer evening. + +Mr. Briggs watched him out of sight without moving from his tracks. +Then he withdrew both hands from under his coat-tails. In one hand was +a note-book, in the other hand was a pencil. Mr. Briggs made an entry, +closed the book with decision, and snapped an elastic band around the +covers. Then he made off toward his home. He lived up-town in a section +where there were fewer smells and better scenery. He determined that +this should be his last tour of surveillance. He had found his trips +into the nooks and crannies of the Eleventh Ward to be very distasteful +employment for a man who had served Colonel Dodd for so many years in +the sumptuous surroundings of that office in the First National block. + +He asked himself what would be the use of hunting for any more +information regarding such an inconsequential individual as one Walker +Farr? He wondered why this crank had impressed Colonel Symonds Dodd +sufficiently to stir up all this trouble for himself, Peter Briggs. The +fellow had come from somewhere--nobody in Marion seemed to know. He +had been discharged from the employment of the Consolidated. Now he was +going about, warning all the people to boil the city water they drew +from the faucets. He seemed to be a crank on the water subject, so Peter +Brigg's note-book recorded. + +The book also recorded that this queer Walker Farr strolled about +the streets in the poorer quarters, "currying favor": so Peter Briggs +expressed the young man's evening activities in the note-book. That +seemed to be all there was to it. At any rate, Peter Briggs decided that +he had finished his quest. + +Thereupon he had snapped the elastic band with vigor and made up his +mind to tell Colonel Dodd the next morning that chasing that worthless +fellow around or thinking that such a fellow could do anything to +interfere with Colonel Dodd was poppycock. Peter Briggs hoped he would +dare to call it "poppycock" in the presence of his master--for he was +thoroughly sick of being a sleuth in the ill-smelling Eleventh Ward. + +He did dare to call it poppycock. And Colonel Dodd shrugged +his shoulders and forgot one Walker Farr. The fellow seemed +inconsiderable--and Colonel Dodd found other matters very pressing. + +For one thing, those three men from Danburg had brought suit against +both Stone & Adams and the Consolidated Water Company and had engaged +as counsel no less a personage than the Honorable Archer Converse, the +state's most eminent corporation lawyer, a man of such high ideals and +such scrupulous conception of legal responsibility that he had never +been willing to accept a retainer from the great System which dominated +state affairs. Colonel Symonds Dodd feared the Honorable Archer +Converse. It was hinted that the Danburg case would involve charges of +conspiracy with intent to restrain independents, and would be used to +show up what the opponents of the Consolidated insisted was general +iniquity in finance and politics. + +Colonel Dodd outwardly was not intimidated. He sent no flag of truce. +He decided to intrench and fight. He cursed when he remembered the +interview with the Danburg triumvirate. + +"Under ordinary circumstances I would buy them off in the usual way," he +informed Judge Warren. "But that damnation lunatic raved at me with all +the insults he could think of--then he up with his dirty bunch of plans +and knocked my flowers on to the floor--yes, sir, that was what the mad +bull did--he knocked my flowers on to the floor!" + +And Colonel Dodd emphasized that as the crime unforgivable. + + + + +XIV + +THE MATTER OF DOING WHAT ONE CAN + +It was from Citizen Drew that Walker Farr heard the story of Captain +Andrew Kilgour. + +Citizen Drew was the elderly man with the earnest face who had been +first to commend Farr that evening at City Hall when he and old Etienne +had made their pathetically useless foray against bulwarked privilege. + +Folks in Marion who knew Citizen Drew had forgotten his given name. +In his propaganda of protest he called himself "Citizen." He built +carriage-tops in a little shop where there were drawers stuffed with +political and economic literature, and he read and pondered during his +spare hours. + +Farr sought out Citizen Drew and sat at his feet, with open ears. + +For Citizen Drew knew the political history of his state, the men +concerned, their characters, their aims, their weaknesses, their +virtues, their faults--especially did he understand their faults--their +affiliations with the Machine, their attitude toward the weak; he had +followed their trails as the humble hound follows big game. + +Therefore, Farr, a stranger in that land, seeking knowledge with which +to arm his resolve, went and sat with Citizen Drew and learned many +things. + +Sometimes loquacity carried Citizen Drew a bit afield from the highway +of politics, and when he touched on the case of Captain Andrew Kilgour +Farr's heart thumped and his eyes glistened. For Drew prefaced the bit +of a story with this: + +"I never knew Symonds Dodd to do anything toward squaring a wrong he +had committed except when he gave Kate Kilgour a fine position in his +office. And there are those who say that he was only showing more of his +selfishness when he hired her; he wanted the prettiest girl in the city +to match his office furnishings." + +"I have seen her," said Farr, trying to be matter-of-fact. "I--I sort of +wondered!" + +"Her father was a friend of mine. He was a good man. And the +Consolidated money couldn't buy him. His people were Kilgowers in +Scotland and he was a man not given to much talk, but he was willing to +let me run on, nodding his head now and then while he smoked. He was +an honest man and the best engineer in the state, and he kept his own +counsel in all things. And he showed me the Kilgower coat of arms--and +he didn't show that to many. He was no boaster. He was proud of his +people, but he used to say that it made but little difference who the +ancestors were unless the descendants copied the virtues and tried to +improve over the faults. There was a Kilgower who went down across +the border and gave himself as a hostage so that the clan might gain +time--and he knew that he would be hung--and he was. But he saved his +people. And I wish you would remember that, Mr. Farr, for it explains a +bit the state of mind of Andrew Kilgour. + +"He wouldn't sell himself for the gang's dirty work--he made honest +reports. So they did for him, Mr. Farr. And he couldn't afford to have +them do for him, because his wife was vain and a spendthrift and he let +her waste and spend because he was a good and simple man when it came to +the matter of a woman's domination over him. That's the curse on strong +men--they are tender when it comes to a woman. She wasn't worthy of him, +his wife. It's the daughter who has his honesty. I think if she knew who +had done for her father she would not stay in Symonds Dodd's office. But +the gang does for a man most often without leaving the trail open when +they run away and hide. + +"He would come here and sit with me and smoke and was very silent. I +knew there were debts and I knew well enough that the woman wanted him +to sell himself. + +"He raked and scraped money--he sold everything of his own, his +instruments and all. He took out every cent of insurance that money +would buy. Then he put prussic acid in a capsule--a shell of salol, +I believe they said it was--so that the work of the poison would be +delayed, and he swallowed the capsule on the street and went into an +office and sat and chatted with friends and joked and laughed much more +than was his habit till at last his eyes closed and his face grew +white and he fell out of his chair upon the floor stone-dead, and never +uttered a groan. + +"It was brave work. They called it heart disease, but it's not easy +to fool insurance people. They took him out of his grave and proved +suicide--and they did not pay a dollar of insurance to his family. They +were not obliged to. The policies were new and the suicide clause let +the companies out. So he left only debts instead of twenty-five thousand +dollars. However, I say it was brave work." + +"It would have been braver to stay and face it," blurted Farr. + +"But Andrew Kilgour had a code of his own--a state of mind some of us +could not understand--the example of an ancestor. We are not all alike. +Many cannot stay and face trouble. You might be able to do it--you seem +to have a level head!" + +Farr grew pale, his hands trembled on the arms of his chair, and then +he got up and marched across the little shop to the window, turning his +back on Citizen Drew. + +"You told them in City Hall that you would stay here and fight," pursued +Citizen Drew. "That is brave work." + +"I'll be much obliged to you, Citizen Drew, if you'll leave me out of +your catalogue of heroes. And I take back what I said about his facing +it. I hadn't any right to make any such comment." + +"So the girl went to work in Symonds Dodd's office and his nephew is +courting her. I hope he doesn't get Andrew Kilgour's daughter. He never +went after any other girl honestly. I have looked into this case because +I was Andrew's friend. Young Dodd wants to marry her and the mother is +helping him. But I know that rapscallion, Mr. Farr. I can't believe that +Kate Kilgour will be caught by him." + +"He has a fine position, they tell me," said Farr, still gazing out of +the window. + +"The Machine made old Peleg Johnstone state treasurer, and he doesn't +know bonds from biscuit. Colonel Dodd put in his nephew as chief clerk, +and old Peleg is a figure-head, smoking his pipe in the back office and +resting his wool-tipped boots on his desk. Oh, I know the bunch of 'em, +sir. I can tell you the inside of things. Young Dodd takes orders from +his uncle and runs the treasury. All the state's money is in the Dodd +banks on the checking-account basis--and the gang is letting it out at +six percent. Tidy little profit! And nobody to say a word, even to ask +how Richard Dodd finds so much money to spend. But that's the principal +wonder in the world, Mr. Farr--how your neighbor gets his money to blow. +Jones, Smith, Brown, and Robinson--they stand and look at one another +and ask the same question. And folks in the Eleventh Ward are even +asking me how you get your living," added Citizen Drew, smoothing his +curiosity with a bit of jocoseness. + +"I have been working in this city--doing good, hard work," stated Farr, +moving toward the door. + +"Yes, but you have been discharged." + +"I understand how it is you know so much stuff to tell me," returned the +young man, smiling. "Well, Citizen Drew, I'm going to take the first job +that offers itself. Tell 'em that!" + +"I'm glad of it," said Citizen Drew, with blunt heartiness. "If you have +set out to do anything among the plain folks you've got to be at work in +the open, earning honest wages, or they'll suspect you. They have been +fooled too often by fakes and loafers. But since you advertised yourself +in City Hall you may find jobs a little hard to land. It's pretty much +of an air-tight proposition, Consolidated influence." + +"I have somebody looking after my interests in that line, Citizen Drew. +I'm not worrying." He opened the door. "In fact, there are two mighty +helpful chaps whom I'm going to associate with more or less from now +on." + +"Bring 'em with you and let me know 'em. Can't have too many in a good +cause." + +"I'll bring them--but they are pretty hard to understand--rather slow +getting acquainted--lots of folks have no use for them," said Farr, +starting down-stairs. + +"What are their names?" asked the inquisitive citizen, eager for more +additions to his general stock of information. + +"I'll tell you later." + +But Farr named them to himself when he was on the street. + +"Chance and Humility--I hope you are going to stick by me from now on," +he muttered. "Chance, you have led me into a queer position and into a +strange state of mind. Humility, you are helping me to understand. Now, +Chance, what have you to say to me?" + +It was more of the fantastic whimsy with which Walker Farr played. + +His eyes, searching the street after this challenge to Chance, beheld an +ice-wagon rumbling past. It was a neat-looking cart, painted white, and +bore the advertisement, "Crystal Pure Independent Ice Company." + +Another wagon, painted dirty yellow, followed. It was a Consolidated +ice-cart; Farr knew those carts with their loads of river-ice. + +The spectacle of something which promised rivalry to that yellow cart +piqued his interest. His mood welcomed the first adventure which Chance +presented. He had found Chance playing peculiar pranks with his affairs +in the days just past. + +He hurried in pursuit of the white cart and accosted the driver. + +"Where can I find the manager of this company?" + +"He's up at Coosett Lake this afternoon, sir." The man was respectful. +The stranger's garb and demeanor impressed him. "The trolley will take +you pretty near it. Take a car in the square--a Halcyon Park car." + +Without canvassing the matter further Farr took the car. + +He decided that it was a most comforting sensation, this abandoning his +problems to Chance! It saved so much fuss and worry. + +He found the little lake at the limits of the park area--a hollow among +the hills. + +Men were busy at the foot of the slope over whose crest he marched. He +saw several rough buildings at the edge of the lake, plainly makeshift +ice-houses. One was a new structure and the other two were old barns +which had been "darned" here and there with new material, and their +yawed sides were propped with joists. Men were loading ice upon carts; +the translucent cubes flashed in the rays of the sun. + +During the process of his little crusade he had become acquainted with +the conditions in the city of Marion and he knew that the Consolidated +folks controlled the ice-supply as well as the water. They held an iron +grip by legislative charter on all the riparian rights along the river +and allowed no one else to operate an ice-field. He had seen and sniffed +the unwholesome slime which a melted cake of Consolidated ice deposited. + +When he found opportunity he accosted a man in corduroy. He was a +big chap, bronzed by the sun, and Farr singled him out as the manager +because he had been directing the other workers while he toiled himself. + +"It's a little business of my own," said the man. "I have started in +independent." + +"I had thought the Consolidated had control of everything." + +"They would control everything if they could. They wouldn't let me run +my carts through the city streets if they knew how to stop me. I worked +for them fifteen years, lugging their dirty ice on my back, up stairs +and down, and I know that crowd. I don't understand much of anything but +the ice business, mister, whoever you are. But I wouldn't lug any more +of that ice into homes. I put my savings in here, every cent, hired +these barns and a shore privilege, and I'm selling clean ice. But I'm +going to lose every blamed cent! It's no use. I can't buck 'em. Excuse +me! It's no interest to you. My mouth runs away with me when I get +talking about that gang." + +He went back to the barn to help his men shift a runway. + +Farr waited patiently until he was able to speak to the busy man again. + +"I don't mean to bother you, sir," he said, humbly. "But I am interested +in this proposition of yours. I have worked for the Consolidated, +myself. I was discharged because I stood up and damned their water +before the mayor and aldermen." + +"Say, I heard something about that!" cried the iceman, displaying prompt +interest and admiration. "The boys said it was good work." + +"I mention it merely to put myself right with you." + +"Then say on ahead, my friend!" + +"Do you tell me you can't make a go of this?" + +"I'm afraid I can't. It's a half-mile haul for me to the nearest siding. +The railroad folks don't give me any better rate than they're obliged +to--and you know why that is! And I have to have another set of carts +for the city delivery. And no capital to work with! I'm up against a +crowd that has all the money, plenty of equipment, and has its supply +right at the back door of the city--and it belongs at the back door! But +you know what the buying public is! The only reason why I have lasted is +because my old customers gave me their business and are sticking pretty +well." + +"My friend," declared Farr, putting his hand on the shoulder bent and +ridged by many years of ice-toting, "lots of men who are making money +as missionaries are not doing half the good in the world you're doing. +You're certainly showing some of the citizens of Marion the difference +between good ice and frozen gobs of pestilence." + +"A fellow needs grit, grace, gumption, and a lot of missionary spirit to +fight what I'm fighting, mister. I ain't going to say anything about +a lot of obstacles the syndicate has put in my way. Those were to be +expected in the way of regular business competition. But you can see I +have only got limited resources here, and I can't afford a big outfit +in the city. Sometimes I have run short, the best I could do--and it's +mighty little sleep I have. And the Consolidated drivers have refused +to sell ice to anybody who has been buying of me even when mothers have +pleaded so as to keep milk for sick babies from souring. That's orders +from headquarters! You wouldn't think that the same big chaps who boss +the governor of the state would get down to such nubbins as that, eh? +But they do--that's their system. They used to tell me that it's the +only way a big syndicate can keep its grip--never leave a bar down! Yes, +sir, they have blacklisted my customers until they'll be good and give +the Consolidated a yearly contract. More than that, they pass word along +that I'll be out of business by another season and that folks who have +bought of me this year will be given the go-by next! Can you beat it?" + +"Are you going to sell out to them?" + +"No," said the iceman, grimly. "There are two good reasons: I won't sell +and they won't buy. They will kill me out so that nobody else will be +encouraged to try the scheme again." + +"I want a job," stated Farr, curtly. "I want to work for you. Give me a +place on one of your carts in the city." + +"Say, look here," blurted the other man, frankly astonished, "you look +more like a gent than an iceman!" + +"No matter what I look like. The main question is, can I lug ice? Feel +of my muscle!" + +"It may be a poor outlook for your pay--working for me," warned the +proprietor. "And if you ever want another job in Marion you may be +blacklisted. I don't want to get you into a scrape." + +"I can't be in any worse scrape than the one I am in now. Haven't I just +told you who I am?" + +"Oh, I know that! I reckon you're the same fellow. But, see here, +mister, I'm one of those simple kind of galoots--and the less a man +knows the more suspicious he is. You ain't wanting to work for me just +because you need a job!" + +"I do need a job! I have spent the little money I had by me after I was +fired by the Consolidated. I had some special expenses--the funeral of +a--a friend," he added, wistfulness in his tones. He drove his hand into +his pockets and exhibited a few small coins in his palm when he pulled +his hand out. "That's my cash--every cent of it!" + +"Sure! I see it. But money's easy enough to come at by a fellow like you +when he needs it. You haven't come across all square with me yet!" It +was not mere inquisitiveness; it was the insistence of a plain man who +wanted a definite peg on which to hitch the first warp of association. +"You've got to handle money of mine," he went on. "I'm in a tight place +and I have got to have the right men tied up with me. I wouldn't have to +ask one of those boys yonder why he wanted to lug ice. But you ain't no +ordinary slouch, mister. You don't do things--not many of 'em--unless +you've got a good reason for same." It was the instinct of +ingenuousness. "Keep it all to yourself if you want to. But in that case +you'll have to excuse _me_!" + +Farr did not hesitate. He smiled. + +"You're a down-on-the-ground fellow who may be able to understand the +thing better than I do myself," he declared. Again he put his hand on +the bent shoulder. + +"You didn't break loose from a good job and start this ice business here +simply to make more money, did you?" + +"Well, I've got a family to support and I wanted to make some money, +of course, but I thought it was about time to have less relics, germs, +curiosities, microbes, and general knickknacks left in ice-boxes +after the ice had melted. So I went out of the frozen museum business, +mister." His voice softened suddenly. "We lost a little girl a year ago +last summer. Typhoid!" + +"I lost a little girl--a friend," said Farr, patting the shoulder. "It's +this way with me--What is your name?" + +"Freeland Nowell." + +"Mr. Nowell, I have poked more or less fun in my life at men who claimed +to have missions. Perhaps that was because those men drew my attention +by advertising their missions loudly--and, therefore, I concluded that +all men with licenses to cure this and fix that and regulate the other +were fooling themselves or else were bluffs. But all of a sudden I have +waked up to something. I believe that any human being who isn't doing +a little something on the side to help somebody else in this life is +mighty miserable. I believe that the average sort of folks are doing +it--keeping it quiet, in most cases, perhaps. I thought I had a mission +and I stood up in your city government and advertised it and made +considerable of an ass of myself." + +"Well, it was all right one way you look at it," said Nowell, with the +caution of the honest citizen. "But, of course, you got the stigmy put +onto you of being a crank and a disturber and you don't get nowhere! +It ain't gab and holler that does it! If talk sets folks to +thinking--that's all right, so far as it goes. But a lot of these chaps +set their mouths to going and let their hands lay crossed in their laps +and then wonder why the world doesn't get better because they have asked +it to be good." + +It was sagacity from the humble observer. + +"Mr. Nowell, I don't want to be quite as lonesome in this world as I +have been," said Farr, with earnestness. "It's an awful feeling, that! +A man can be lonely for a time and crowd down the hankering to be in the +march of honest men where he can touch elbows and be a part of things. +I see you look at me! That's right--it's queer stuff to be talking to +you." He pondered for a moment and went on. "Queer thing, eh, for a +fellow to wake up all of a sudden--a fellow of my stamp--and want to +do some real good in the world? Well, it surprises _me_, and it would +surprise you a whole lot more if you knew me better. We won't try to +analyze the feeling. I've given up trying to do it." He paused and his +brown eyes surveyed the blinking iceman with a quizzical appeal in them. +"That's a pretty long preface, Mr. Nowell. It ought to lead up to some +very important request. But it doesn't. I simply want a job on your +ice-cart. It will give me the best opportunity I know of to go into +homes and tell mothers to boil the water which comes out of those dirty +taps; after I unscrew the faucets I won't have to argue much. I told +Colonel Dodd in his office to look out for me! That may have been +bluster. I am a nobody. But I'm on his trail, and there is one thing +I can do to start with! I can help save the lives of a few children. +That's all! I'll be following my new motto. Will you give me the job?" + +"I sure will," declared Nowell, heartily. "If I don't know when a man is +talking rock-bottom to me, then it's my own fault. When do you want to +go to work?" + +"Now." + +Nowell gave the new man's garments a disparaging side glance. + +"You look more as if you was going out to preach instead of deliver ice. +But I can fix that if you're busted, my friend. You slip off that +coat and help here till we're loaded. Then ride into the city on the +freight-car and tell any one of my men to give you the overalls and +jumper I left hanging in my stable office." + +In this fashion it came about that Farr that day was riding on an +ice-wagon in Marion, learning his route. A red-headed youth who was +nursing an ice-pick wound in a bundled-up foot served as guide and +driver and spotted the "Crystal Pure" cards propped here and there in +windows, mutely signaling the household needs. With zestful complacency, +and with secret enjoyment in being allowed to "team" this chap who +looked and talked like a "nob," the youth allowed Farr to do all the +work. + +The route took in many apartment-houses of the city. + +The labor was muscle-racking. In most cases there were stairs to climb. +He stood, sagging under his burden, till chests were cleared by +the housewives or sluggish maids. He discovered that the iceman was +considered a fair and logical butt for all the forenoon grouches of the +kitchen. Women complained querulously that the ice dripped on the clean +floor, or that the piece was not up to the twenty-cent piece delivered +by the other company, or that he was late, or he had not had his eyes +about him the day before or else he would have seen the card. + +On numerous occasions he was obliged to carry a piece of ice back +down-stairs to his cart and exchange it for a piece of another size and +price. He received no apology in such cases; he was tartly informed that +he ought to have common sense enough to know what was wanted in that +house. In other cases, the mistress of the apartments turned him from +the door and explained with entire lack of interest in his long climb +that the card had been left up by oversight--the chest had been filled +the day before. + +And at two places sharp-tongued women would not allow him to enter, +frankly stating that icemen were too dirty creatures to allow inside the +door of a respectable house; the women received their ten-cent cubes in +pans and slammed the door in his face. + +And through all this Farr preserved his smile. + +In this slavery, tongue-lashed by fretful women, sweating under his +burden, he was happy; he could not account for it and did not attempt +to, but he knew it. He accepted the situation. + +He received rewards enough to fortify his resolution. + +A motherly woman asked him to wait a moment and she mixed for him a +glass of lemonade. That gave him an opportunity to say a few words +to her about drinking-water, modestly and deferentially. She was +interested, and he showed her what the guilty faucet of her tap held in +concealment. + +And he saw that she was shocked and after he had warned her he asked +her to tell all the other women whom she knew. She promised to bring the +matter up in her sewing-club. + +"And even the fussy women," he told himself, as he plodded back to his +cart, encouraged by his first experiment, "if I keep calm, if I keep +smiling--I shall find my chance to say something to them after a time." + +A fresh doughnut was given to him by a maid who smiled up at his manly +good looks approvingly, and he was very grateful, for his breakfast had +been a meager one because he had barely enough small coins to make a +jingle in his pocket. + +The maid gasped affrightedly when he showed her what was in the faucet, +and immediately set on water to boil to supply the bottles in the +ice-chest. + +Furthermore, the maid stated that she knew many other maids who would be +glad to know about such a dreadful thing, and that she would have a word +to say to them on the way to Sunday mass and back. + +Farr began to understand more clearly what can be accomplished by a lone +voice, carrying a gospel which can be backed and illustrated by signs +and wonders. + +"I'll have them listening to me yet," he pondered. "I'll never say +another unkind word about a woman's tongue." + +Colonel Symonds Dodd flashed past the ice-cart that afternoon in his +limousine. + +Farr laughed aloud at the humor of a thought which occurred to him: +he reflected that he would like to behold Colonel Dodd's face and hear +Colonel Dodd's remarks if somebody told that gentleman that the man +before whom he had quailed and grown pale was now starting what the man +believed was a more effective assault on the dynasty than even a whole +car-load of dynamite bombs could make, even if they were exploded in all +the Consolidated reservoirs. The remarks which would entertain, so Farr +pondered, would come when the colonel was informed that the assault +consisted of a lone iceman making talk to women in kitchens. + +"However," said the iceman to himself, as he checked a nick in a +ten-cent cube at the back of his cart. "I hold that my new motto is all +right, and old Etienne will indorse it, and he knows what self-sacrifice +consists of. It isn't rolling up your eyes and folding your hands and +saying, 'What can I do?' It's saying, 'I'll do what I can!'--and then +keeping your hands busy!" + + + + +XV + +WHEN A MAID IS COY + +Mr. Richard Dodd came wooing. + +He waited in his gray car at the curb in front of the First National +Bank block until Kate Kilgour issued forth into the afternoon sunshine. + +He called to her, holding open the side door. + +"I just had to see you," he told her. "I have come down from the +capital, doing forty miles an hour. You're more precious than all the +money I have locked up in the vaults." + +He did not find in her eyes any of that acclaimed glad love-light which +eager lovers seek. On the contrary, Miss Kilgour made just a bit of a +face at him and was distinctly petulant. + +"I do not want to ride, Richard. I enjoy my walk. I need it after a day +at my desk." + +"But I'm going to take you on a long ride into the country. We'll have +dinner at Hillcrest Inn and we'll--" + +"I'll go straight home, if you please." + +"Then come in here with me." + +"Oh, if you insist!" She said it with weary impatience. + +"Are you tired?" + +"Yes." + +He drove slowly. "I don't want you to work any more. You know I don't. +You know how I feel. Kate, I have published our intentions of marriage." + +Her demeanor till then had been marked by tolerance, a bit pettish. Now +she turned on him the indignant stare of offended womanhood. + +"Richard, I have not given you permission to do that." + +"But you are going to marry me!" + +"Some day. I will tell you when. I am not ready." + +"You are playing with me." + +"I am not so frivolous." + +"But why do you keep putting it off?" + +"A woman who gives herself has the right to say when it shall be." + +"My God!" he raged. "I wish you would wake up." + +She did not answer. + +"You don't know what love is. You won't let me touch you." + +"I suppose that your experience has qualified you, Richard," she +returned, half humorously, half scornfully. + +"We are going to be married. Your mother is anxious for you to marry. I +am going to tell my uncle to hunt for another secretary." + +"Be careful how you take liberties with my private business," she warned +him, sharply. + +"You need somebody to take care of it for you. You have promised to be +my wife. You can't give me a single good reason for waiting any longer." + +"But I intend to wait." + +He drove along in angry silence and they left the car together at +the Trelawny Apartments. The car had made a detour in reaching the +curb--avoiding a white wagon at the rear of which an iceman was briskly +pecking in twain a cake of ice. + +The girl glanced sharply at the man and turned her head when she reached +the sidewalk in order to survey him more closely. The iceman, peering up +at the windows to locate such signal-cards as might be visible, lowered +his gaze and intercepted the girl's scrutiny. Color came into her +cheeks, but she frowned as if resenting his stare and hurried into the +vestibule, her lover at her heels. + +"Look here, Friend Myself," reflected Walker Farr, "it's time you woke +up!" He sighed and swung a chunk of ice upon his shoulder. "But what +else can I expect? Come on, Humility, and give me a soft word or two. I +was hoping I'd never see her again." + +"Youse take those two front numbers--ten and twelve--Mrs. Kilgour and +Mr. Knowles," advised his helper. "Package-entrance is around behind." + +Farr toiled up the stairs, carrying one ice cube on his shoulder, with +another swinging from tongs. There was but one door to the Kilgour +apartment and the girl and Dodd stood in front of it; they had evidently +waited in the corridor after emerging from the elevator, and the young +man was detaining her, talking earnestly. + +The girl opened the door with her latch-key, and with an apology he +stepped in front of the pair and entered. + +"Well, I'll be--" blurted Dodd. "So that's what he is--a cheap, +low-lived iceman!" + +Mrs. Kilgour came into her vestibule and led the way to the kitchen, for +Farr stood irresolutely in the doorway, awaiting directions as to his +burden. Following her, the young man noted her house-dress, beribboned +over-much, her rouged face, her bleached hair, and wondered how such +a woman could have beguiled Andrew Kilgour, as he felt he knew that +sacrificing hero from what Citizen Drew had said. + +"Say, that's the plug-ugly who insulted us in the woods. I'll never +forget that face," stormed Dodd, making no effort by lowered tones to +conceal his sentiments from the iceman. "Where else am I going to run +across him? He needs a horse-whipping. If there weren't ladies present +I'd give him one." + +"The man seems to be minding his own business," said the girl, coldly. + +Farr heard her. There was a hint of contempt in her tones, and the young +man humbly accepted the scorn as directed toward him. He lifted the ice +into the box and received his coin from the languid woman, who seemed to +pay as little heed to his presence as she did to Dodd's threats. + +She seemed to be more especially interested in herself, and when Farr +departed was fondling into place the masses of her hair before a mirror +in the vestibule. Through the space formed by the portieres he saw Dodd +reaching eager hands to the girl, her presence having apparently charmed +away his thoughts of vengeance. + +The iceman went humbly on his way. + +He was meditating on the sacrifice of Captain Andrew Kilgour; he +remembered that stalwart men are willing slaves of the weakest women. He +wondered how much of the honesty of the father was in the daughter. He +tried to console himself by insisting that it was not there. He had +had only a limited opportunity to study Richard Dodd. However, he was +convinced that his unflattering estimate of that young man was surely +justified; and so certain was he that the character of Dodd must be +patent to all he went back to his tasks with a lowered estimate of the +girl who would select such a man as husband. And yet out of the dust of +the highway the profile of her face had touched him as his heart never +had been touched before; he had plucked the rose and had plodded on +behind the little sister of the rose. He wondered what strange impulse +had touched him. She must be merely like all the rest. Her graciousness +in that first meeting had tempted him to believe that she was different. +Now some consciousness, equally as intangible, suggested to him that she +was selfishly selling herself for ease. His thoughts were pretty +much mixed, he acknowledged. But as he went on, bearing his burdens, +listening to the petty tyrants who may ruthlessly taunt the man who +comes in by the back door, he was aware that he had full need of much +ministration from his new friend, Humility. + +In the sitting-room of the Kilgour flat Richard Dodd was telling the +mother that he had made application for a marriage license. + +"And I have waited long enough," he declared. "Mother Kilgour, you must +convince Kate that we are to be married within a week." + +And he gave the mother a look which made her turn pale and twist her +ringed fingers nervously. + +"Kate, what is the use?" she pleaded. "You are acting like a child. You +love Richard. You know you love him. You tell me often that you love +him! Richard is such a dear boy!" She said this fawningly, with evident +intent to placate the sullen young man. Her tone, her air suggested the +nervous embarrassment of a debtor who seeks to put off a creditor with +flattery and fresh promises. "Now be a darling child and say that we'll +have the wedding next week without any fuss or feathers." + +"I am not ready to get married, and I simply will not be married just +yet," declared the girl, her red lips compressed. + +"You don't love me!" complained Dodd. + +"I like you, Richard," admitted the girl, frankly, without any +coquettishness. "I have never cared for anybody else. You have been good +to me, except when you were foolish." + +"Foolishness--that's what she calls being so much in love with her +that I can't keep my hands off her," said Dodd to the mother. "Mother +Kilgour, you haven't talked to Kate as you should. She doesn't know what +love is." + +"Oh, I'll find out all about it, and then we'll be married--when I'm +ready to become a wife," said the girl, with an indulgent smile. "All +at once I'll wake up, just as you have been begging me to do, and then +we'll simply run away and be married and live happily for ever after." + +"I don't like this stalling," growled Dodd, brutally. + +"I'll leave you two children together," said the mother. "I'm sure +you'll come to an understanding." She went away, showing relief. + +"Sit down here on the divan with me, sweetheart," pleaded the young man. + +But without removing her hat she went to the piano and began to play. + +"Please come!" he entreated. + +She smiled at him over her shoulder and made a pretty _moue_. + +Muttering an oath of passion he leaped up, hurried across the room, and +began to kiss her fiercely. + +He crushed back with his lips all her protests; standing over her, he +held her upon the piano-bench until by main strength and with all the +force of her resentment she tore away from him. + +"And now you are going to blame me because I can't help it," he gasped. + +"I don't in the least understand why normal persons can find any +pleasure in that kind of folly." + +"Is your idea of loving anybody rubbing noses like Eskimos?" + +"I'd endure that kind of loving in preference to that kind of kissing, +Richard. That isn't love which you're offering--not the kind of love I +want. I am going out for my walk--you filched it from me. No, I'm going +alone. Go and talk with mamma, if you like." + +She escaped the clutch he made and hurried out and to the elevator. + +Flushed and angry, Dodd made his way to an inner room where Mrs. Kilgour +was reading a novel, sunning herself with feline indolence. She put the +book by with evident regret. + +"Oh, Kate, has so much poise!" she lamented, breaking in on the young +man's complaints. "She is so like her father. No one except myself could +do anything with him at all. Sometime it was very hard for me! He would +set his mind and his teeth! But I always won in the end." + +"Well, go ahead and win now," commanded the surly lover. "You are simply +letting this thing run along." + +"I know Kate's nature, Richard. It's only a matter of the right time." + +He sat down at her feet on the end of the couch. + +"The time is here--now!" he told her. "I insist that you make Kate +understand. I have been patient and reasonable for a year. You have +promised me that you will bring everything around all right. Why don't +you do it?" + +"But delivering a daughter into marriage isn't like delivering groceries +on order!" Her tone showed a bit of impatience. "Be reasonable!" + +"I don't want to say anything to hurt your feelings, but we must get +down to cases. I'm not asking you to deliver anything to me except what +was promised long ago--promised by Kate herself. And you know what you +said when I loaned you five thousand dollars to help you save those +stocks. Excuse me, Mother Kilgour, but I can't always control my nature; +I've been in the game with the bunch for a long time and I'm naturally +suspicious--I have seen a good many chaps trimmed, and I don't propose +to have anything put over on me." + +"You are insolent and cruel," she cried, her cheeks pale. + +"I don't mean you--I believe you want to help me. But it's time to be +up and doing. She doesn't give me one good reason why she will not be +married right away. It's only jolly and putting it off." + +"But you are twitting me about the service you have done me! I am not +selling my daughter!" + +"That isn't it at all! But you must agree that I have been good to +you. I want you to be a friend to me. But I don't get anything that's +definite. If this thing drags on and on the first thing I know some +fellow will come along and she'll fall for him. That's the girl nature!" + +"You are talking about my daughter, Richard! She has her father's +disposition and she is true blue. She has given her promise and she will +keep it." + +"When?" he demanded, curtly. + +"I can't drive her." + +"You said you could," he insisted. "You said a year ago when I advanced +that money that you knew just how to handle her." + +"Are you going to keep twitting me about that money?" + +"No; only I'm going to say that you haven't even told me about what +stocks you were protecting. You haven't said anything about repaying the +loan, Mother Kilgour. It has been a sort of general stand-off all around +for me. Hold on! I'm not making a holler! But I like to be taken in +right. I'm a Dodd, and I can't help playing to protect myself." + +"It will come around all right, Richard. You don't know Kate as I do. +I understand her because I understood her father. She is rather +self-centered. But she is romantic underneath! But you know you're so +sort--sort of--well, just a business man--so matter-of-fact. A girl like +Kate needs to be stirred--her poise shaken--something like that!" + +"Lochinvar business, eh?" he sneered. + +"It must be something a little bit out of the ordinary to hurry her, +Richard. Go away, please. Let me think. I have an idea. I must spend a +little time on it." + +"How much time?" + +"Oh, I don't know just how much. Be patient." + +"Mrs. Kilgour, if this thing cannot be put through by you I want you to +say so. I'm at the end of that patience you're appealing to. I won't be +fooled." + +"You don't need to say that you're Colonel Dodd's nephew," she retorted. +"You have all the family traits." + +"Well, there's one I haven't got: I loaned you five thousand dollars +without taking security--and that's the act of a good friend. Excuse me, +but I've got to speak of it--you need a little reminder. Four days from +now I'll have my marriage license from the city clerk. And when I have +it in my hands I shall come to you and shall expect that you'll do your +part." + +"I will," she said. + +"How? I want plain statements from now on." + +"I will write you a letter to-morrow," she faltered. "I will give you +directions what to do. You'd better not come here till--till I have it +all arranged. You know what they say about absence!" + +"I know what they say about a good many things. But I want something +besides say-so." + +"I will tell you in my letter what to do. Then you follow instructions." + +"I don't like to go into a thing blind. What is the plan?" + +"Oh, if I tell you all about it you'll go and do something to spoil it," +she protested, impatiently. "A woman knows about such matters better +than a man does. I will write to you at the State House. Now be +patient!" + +"I'll be going before you preach any more patience to me," he said, +sourly. "I might be provoked into saying something you won't like." + +After he had gone she rose and touched up her cheeks. + +"The fool! They are all alike," she muttered, viciously. "They pay. They +never forget they have paid. Then they stand with their hand out--and +just remember that they have paid. I am glad I bought this novel," she +added, taking the book from the couch and settling herself to read. "The +woman who wrote it must have known human nature. If the plan worked in +the case of the girl she writes about it ought to work in the case of +Kate. If it doesn't it will be his fault because he has hurried me so. A +poor, persecuted woman can't do everything." + +And she applied herself to her recently discovered manual of procedure +in the case of stubbornness in a maid. + + + + +XVI + +FARR HAS A VISION AND CLOSES HIS LIPS + +Walker Farr put aside papers upon which he had been working since he had +eaten his modest supper, and pulled on his coat and went forth into +the evening. He strolled up one of the streets in the Eleventh Ward of +Marion, manifestly glad to be out among the people. + +He stopped at the curb and hailed the driver of a truck-wagon which was +loaded down with kegs and jugs. + +"Marston," he said, when the driver halted, "it's good to see the noble +work going on." + +"Yes, and now that the babies aren't dying off so fast old Dodd's +newspapers are claiming that the new filtering-plant is doing all the +good, sir." + +"Well, it shows that our work is worth while if they're claiming it, +Marston. But we'll wake up the folks all in good time. Do what we can +for first aid, that's the idea! The people are waking up to what we're +doing. And they are waking up in other places. I took a little run up +state last week. Five other cities are going to try this co-operative +scheme of getting good water to the poor folks until something better +can be done." + +"You've got a head on you," commended the driver. "It's a little tough +on tired horses to work at this after a day's trudging on regular +business, but my nags seem to understand what it's all about--honest +they do. I have hauled five hundred gallons this week. But I'd like +to haul old Dodd up to Coosett Lake and drown him, if it wasn't for +spoiling water that the poor folks are drinking." + +Farr shook his head and walked on. + +He was a rather striking figure for a New England city as he strolled +along. It did not seem to be affectation for this man to wear a +frock-coat without a waistcoat, a flowing black tie setting off his +snowy linen. The attire seemed to belong to his physique and manner. + +Women smiled at him in friendly fashion; men gave respectful and +affectionate salutation. + +Soon he stepped off the street into a room where a group of men were +waiting for him, so it appeared, because they all rose when he entered. + +He called the little meeting to order promptly, informing them that he +would detain them only a short time. + +"I rise to make a motion," said a man at one stage of the proceedings. +"There have been so many volunteers in the work and the folks have been +so ready to pay for real water in place of that stuff we get from the +taps, that three hundred dollars have accumulated in the treasury. We +all know that there is just one man who had been responsible for this +whole plan and has given his time and has run about our state and hasn't +charged anything but expenses for doing it all. I move we give that sum +to Mr. Farr--wishing it was more." + +The speaker was loudly applauded. + +Farr was so quickly on his feet and spoke so promptly that he clipped +the man's last words. + +"A moment, my friends, before that motion is seconded." He held up his +hand and checked their protests against what his air told them. "Because +my little plan has succeeded better than I hoped is not due to me, but +to the generous co-operation of good men who have given their time. We +are saving the babies, thank God! But do you know what else we have done +by our hard toil and our devotion? We are propping up the Consolidated +Water Company in this state. Understand me! I am not attacking that +company because it is a corporation. If it were now making preparations +to pipe down to us clean water from the hills I would gladly go +on giving my time to this cause in order to help the case of the +Consolidated. But the men in control are deliberately shutting their +eyes to the real situation. Now that folks aren't dying, they claim +all the credit--when we know the credit is due to weary men who go on +working after their day's toil is over. It isn't right--it isn't just! +My friends, I have got hold of a bigger thing than I reckoned on when I +started out to wake those poison-peddlers up. Now that we are cleaning +up the typhoid, the Consolidated is simply riding on our backs--refusing +to see the real truth. If they give Marion pure water it will be only +at more exorbitant rates, because the nearest lake is twenty miles away. +I'm not an anarchist--I want to see capital get its just reward. But +when a syndicate takes a franchise from citizens and makes them pay over +and over for what was their own the citizens have a right to rise in +self-defense. When we force the Consolidated to give us what we're +paying for--pure water--they evidently propose to make us pay for what +they call our cheek in asking." He paused for a moment, and his smile +succeeded his earnestness. "I beg your pardon for saying 'we.' I must +remember that I'm still a stranger in this city." + +"I'll have to dispute you there," interposed a man. "You're one of us. +And we're going to prove it to you a little later." + +"My friends," went on Farr, "until the cities and towns of this state +own their own water-plants and take their own profits they will be +paying double tribute to a merciless crowd." + +"But we can't own our plants till the millennium, sir. There's that +five-percent-debt-limit clause in the constitution." + +Farr smiled--this time wistfully. "I've--I've had a sort of vision in +regard to that," he said. "I don't dare to explain myself just now, +friends. It may be only a vision--but I think not. I'll not say any more +at present. I did not intend to say as much. What was on my mind when +I got up was this: I will not accept that money in the treasury--on no +account will I take it. Because I believe that strange days are coming +upon us soon in this state--days when we shall need money. Keep that +nest-egg and guard it." He picked up his hat and started for the door. +"The meeting is adjourned," he informed them. He smiled at them over his +shoulder in such a manner that they wondered whether he joked or was +in earnest. "Guard well that money--for the only way my vision can be +realized, I fear, is by turning this state's politics upside down, and +that will be quite a job for a rank outsider fighting Colonel Symonds +Dodd--and fighting without money. Good night!" + +Men whom Walker Farr met as he strolled ducked amiable greetings. They +grinned admiringly after him as he passed on. + +If a woman asked in regard to him or a stranger in the ward questioned +a native they were informed with gusto that he was "the boy who stood in +City Hall and talked turkey to the mayor and all the bunch, and said a +good word for the poor people, and twisted the tail of the Consolidated +and lost a good job doing it--and that's more than any alderman would do +for those who elected him." + +At a street corner children of the poor were dancing around a +hurdy-gurdy. Farr gave the man at the crank a handful of change and told +him to stay there and keep the kiddies happy. Shrill juvenile voices +promptly proclaimed his praises to all the neighborhood, and mothers and +fathers beamed benedictions on him from windows. + +He stopped at another street corner where a dozen youths were +congregated. They were heavy-eyed, leering cubs, their hats were tipped +back, and frowzled fore-tops stuck out over their pimply faces--types of +youths whom modest girls avoid hurriedly by detours. + +"Boys, folks are writing to the newspapers complaining that young chaps +are insulting girls on the street corners of Marion. But it must be +those high-toned loafers up-town. You're not up to any of that business +down here, of course." + +"None of us would ever as much as say 'shoo' to a chicken," protested +one of the group. + +"You're Dave Joyce's boy, aren't you?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"The fifty men he bosses at the ice-house like him because he's square. +Here's a good motto: 'Square with the boys and nice to the girls.' But +keep off the street corners, fellows, or they'll get you mixed up with +some of that masher gang." + +The Joyce boy pulled his hat forward and marshaled the retreat from the +loafing-place. + +"Naw, he ain't no candidate, nuther," he informed his associates when +they were out of hearing. "He ain't canvassing for no votes. My old man +says he ain't. He ain't a four-flusher. He's the guy that stood for the +poor folks up at City Hall and doped out the spring-water stuff." + +At the side of a street where traffic raged to and from the city's Union +Station Farr came upon two shriveled old ladies who were teetering on +the curbstones, waiting tremulously for an opportunity to cross. They +put down into the roaring street first one apprehensive foot and then +another, like children trying chilly water. The big fellow offered an +arm to each and led them safely across. + +"You're a real knight-errant, sir," squeaked one of the two, looking up +into the kindly face. + +He laughed, doffed the broad-brimmed hat with a low bow, and strolled on +his way. + +"Knight-errant," he muttered, still smiling. "Guess not. They don't have +'em these days. The stories about 'em read well. Wonder what kind of a +feeling it was that started those boys off on the hike! Perhaps there +wasn't enough doing in politics. It must have been a fine game, though, +rescuing distressed damsels. And all for love and not for pay!" + +A poster in the window of an empty store caught his eye just then. It +advertised a woman's-suffrage rally. + +"The girls would paint rally signs on a knight's tin suit these days and +send him off on an advertising trip," was his whimsical reflection. + +At that moment, with this thought of knight in armor in his mind, he was +attracted by a flare of red fire in a blacksmith shop located just off +the street. The one worker in the place was revealed by the forge fire. +The glow lighted the features of the man. There was no mistaking him--it +was Friend Jared Chick. And Farr turned off the street and went into the +shop and greeted his one-time traveling companion. + +"How does thee do?" replied Jared Chick, quietly, his Quaker calm +undisturbed. He drew forth a white-hot iron and deftly hammered it into +a circle around the snout of the anvil. + +"So you have given up knight-errantry and have gone back to the old job, +have you, Friend Chick?" + +"No. This is a part of my service. The man who owns this shop is a good +man who works hard here all day. And after he has gone home he allows me +to work here in the evening." + +He pounded away industriously and Farr walked up to the anvil to inspect +the nature of the work, for the iron rod was assuming queer shapes. + +"A new kind of armor, Friend Chick?" + +If there was a bit of sarcasm in Farr's tone the Quaker paid no apparent +heed. + +"No," he said, quietly and meekly, "this is a brace for the leg of a +little lame boy. I have found many children in this city who cannot +walk. Their parents are too poor to buy braces. So I come here nights, +when the good man is away from the forge, and I make braces and carry +them with my blessing. I have some knack with the hammer. I hope to find +other ways of doing my bit of good." + +"I beg your pardon, Friend Chick," said Farr, a catch in his voice. "I +will not bother you in your work. Good night!" + +"Good night to thee!" said the Quaker, swinging at the bellows arm. + +Farr went back upon the street, his head bowed. "We all have our own way +of doing it," he pondered, contritely. + +He met a man and greeted him with a friendly handclasp. It was Citizen +Drew, that elderly man with the earnest face. + +And as he had in the past, he turned, caught step with Farr, and they +walked together. + +Their stroll took them into the broader avenues of up-town. + +As they talked, Farr caught side glances from his companion. The glances +were a bit inquisitive. + +"Well, Citizen Drew," asked the young man, "what is on your mind this +evening?" + +"Since I have known you and studied you I have been thinking that you +have the spirit of knight-errantry in you," stated Citizen Drew. + +Farr laughed boyishly. + +"Two very nice old ladies have just got ahead of you with that +accusation, my friend." + +"Laugh if you feel like it. But there are so few men who can do anything +unselfishly in these days that when a chap like you does come along he +gets noticed--at any rate, I notice him." He stopped dealing in side +glances and stared at Farr fully and frankly. "Other men who would do +the things you are doing so quietly in this state have been playing +politics--and I have made it my business to watch politicians. And as +soon as men have been elected to office by fooling the people--well, +those men have simply been set into the Big Machine as new cogs. Are you +like the rest, Mr. Farr? Nobody knows where you came from. Everybody who +sees you knows you're above the jobs you have been working at. They're +talking you up for alderman in our ward. But we have been fooled so many +times!" + +Farr replied to this wistful inquisition in a way there was no +misunderstanding. + +"I am not a candidate for anything, Citizen Drew. And I'll tell you how +I can prove I am not. I am not a voter here. I have intentionally failed +to have myself registered. Whenever you hear another man talking me +up for office you tell him that. Therefore, it makes no difference to +anybody where I came from or what job I work at." + +Citizen Drew accepted the rebuke humbly and walked on in silence. + +"You have always been fooled, you say, when you have elected men to +office. Haven't you any men in this state whom you can elect to high +office, knowing for sure that they'll stay straight?" + +"No," returned Citizen Drew. + +"I'm a stranger--I don't know your big men--you do know them, and I +suppose I ought to take your word. But I don't believe you, Citizen +Drew." + +"But I told you the truth. We have big men who are honest men. But they +won't go into politics. They feel too far above the game. Therefore, how +can we elect them to office? I say I told you the truth. The men who go +out and hunt for office are the ones who work the thing for their own +profit--and that means they stand in with the bunch and the head boss." + +It was the same old lament which is everlastingly on the lips of +the voters of America! Citizen Drew had again epitomized the average +politics of the great Republic! + +Walker Farr smiled--and he could express in a smile more than most men +can express in speech. + +"An original idea has just occurred to me, Citizen Drew," he said, with +humorous drawl in his tones. "I'm sure nothing like it has ever +been thought of before. There ought to be a new party formed in this +country--a party outside all the others. No, not a party, exactly! +What should I call it? You see, the idea has just come to me, and I'm +floundering a little." His tone was still jocular. "You're right about +most of the able and big men staying out of politics except when +the highest offices are passed around. Now, how's this for a scheme? +Organize a loyal band and call it--well, say the Purified Political +Privateers, the Sanctified Kidnappers, the People's Progressive and +Public-spirited Press Gang. Go around and grab the Great and the Good +who insist on minding their private business and who are letting the +country be gobbled up--just go and grab 'em right up by the scruff +of the neck and fling them into politics head over heels. They would +sputter and froth and flop for a little while--and then they'd strike +out and swim. They couldn't help swimming! They'd know that the folks +were looking on. And then a lot of the sinking and drowning poor devils, +like you and me and the folks in the tenements, could grab onto the +Great and the Good and ask 'em to tow us safely ashore; and by that +time their pride and their dander would be up and they'd swim all the +harder--with the other folks looking on. Hah! An idea, eh? You see, +I feel rather imaginative and on the high pressure and in a mood for +adventure this evening! Probably because the nice old ladies called me a +knight-errant." + +Citizen Drew was not ready with comment on this amazing suggestion. +He clawed his hand into his sparse hair and wrinkled his forehead in +attempt to decide whether or not he ought to resent this playful retort +to his lament. The next moment he dealt Farr a swift jab in the ribs +with his elbow. + +"Take a good look at this man coming," he mumbled. + +The oncomer was close upon them, and in spite of the dusk Farr's sharp +gaze took him all in. + +In garb and mien he was a fine type of the American gentleman who is +marked by a touch of the old school. There was a clean-cut crispness +about him; the white mustache and the hair which matched it looked as +if they would crackle if rubbed. His eyes were steely blue, and he held +himself very erect as he walked, and he tapped the pavement briskly with +his cane. + +He passed them, marched up the steps of a large building, and +disappeared through a door which a boy in club uniform held open for +him. + +"That man," explained Citizen Drew, complacently displaying his boasted +knowledge of public men in minute detail, "is the Honorable Archer +Converse, whose father was General Aaron Converse, the war governor of +this state. Lawyer, old bach, rich, just as crisp in talk as he is in +looks, just as straight in his manners and morals and honesty as he is +in his back, arrives every night at the Mellicite Club for his dinner on +the dot of eight"--Citizen Drew waved his hand at the illuminated circle +of the First National clock--"leaves the club exactly at nine for a walk +through the park, then marches home, plays three games of solitaire, and +goes to bed." + +"I know him!" stated Farr. + +Citizen Drew's air betrayed a bit of a showman's disappointment. + +"I never saw him before--never heard of him. But I mean I know him now +after your description--know his nature, his thoughts. You have a fine +touch in your size-ups, Citizen Drew." + +"I've studied 'em all." + +"What has he done in politics?" + +"Never a thing. He is one of the kind I was complaining about. Too +high-minded." + +"But, ho, how a man like that would swim if he were once thrown in!" +declared Farr. + +"He never even tended out on a caucus." + +"I know the style when I see it," pursued Farr. He did not look at +Citizen Drew. He was talking as much to himself as to his companion. +"Spirit of a crusader harnessed by every-day habit! Righteousness in a +rut! Achievement timed to the tick of the clock. But, once in, how he +would swim!" + +"Think how our affairs would swing along with a man like that at the +head of the state!" + +"Why hasn't he been put at the head?" + +"I have been in delegations that have gone to him"--he waved his +hand--"he said he couldn't think of being mixed into political messes." + +"He looked on you wallowing in muddy water and you invited him in. I +don't blame him for not jumping." + +"He's a good man," insisted Citizen Drew. "He gives more money to the +poor than any other man in town. The only way I found that out is by +having a natural nose for finding out things. He doesn't say anything +about it." + +"How he would swim!" repeated Farr. "Steady and strong and straight +toward the shore, Citizen Drew, and he wouldn't kick away the poor +drowning devils, either." + +"He probably thinks he has paid his debt to the world when he hands out +his money," stated Drew. "When he looks around and sees so many other +men holding the poor chaps upside down and shaking the dollars out of +their pockets he must think he is doing a mighty sight more than is +required of him. But sticking plasters of dollar bills onto sore places +in this state ain't curing anything." He stopped. "I've walked with you +farther than I intended to, Mr. Farr. But somehow I wanted to talk with +you. There's a meeting of the Square Deal Club this evening at Union +Hall. I didn't know but in some way we might--It was thought you might +be going to run for office." + +"The registration-office will prove that I'm not. Pass that word!" + +"I'll go back--to the meeting. It doesn't seem to be much use in holding +the meetings," said the man. "We hear one another talk--we know we are +talking the truth. But nobody listens who can help us poor folks. Well, +I'll admit that the politicians come in and listen and promise to help +us and we give our votes; but that's all: they give nothing back to us." + +Farr broke out with a remark which seemed to have no bearing on what +Citizen Drew was saying. + +"He comes out at nine o'clock, eh?" + +"Who?" + +"The Honorable Archer Converse. Leaves that clubhouse then, does he?" + +"Regular to the tick of the clock." + +"Citizen Drew, hold your club in session until half past nine or a +little later. My experience with those meetings is that you always have +troubles enough to keep you talking for at least two hours." + +Citizen Drew glanced at the face of Farr and then at the big door of the +Mellicite Club. + +"You don't mean to say--" + +"I don't say anything. I seem to be in a queer state of mind to-night, +Citizen Drew." Again there was an odd note of raillery in his voice. "A +lot of odd ideas keep coming to me. Another one had just popped into my +head. That's all! Keep your boys at the hall." + +He swung off up the street. + +He turned after a few steps and saw the elderly man standing where he +had left him. Drew was a rather pathetic figure there in the brilliantly +lighted main thoroughfare, a poor, plain man from the Eleventh Ward +of the tenement-houses--this man who had been striving and struggling, +reading and studying, endeavoring to find some way out for the poor +people; some relief--something that would help. Farr knew what sort of +men were waiting in the little hall. He had attended their meetings. It +was the only resource they understood--a public meeting. They knew that +the important folks up-town held public meetings of various sorts, and +the poor folks had decided that there must be virtue in assemblages. +But nothing had seemed to come out of their efforts in the tenement +districts. + +Farr stepped back to where Citizen Drew stood. + +"I think I will say something to you, after all. Tell the boys in Union +Hall to be patient and I'll bring the Honorable Archer Converse around +this evening." + +He smiled into the stare of blank amazement on the man's face, flung up +a hand to check the stammering questions, and went off up the street. + +"A decent man's conscience will make him keep a promise he has made to +a child or to the simple or to the helpless," Farr told himself. "I have +undertaken a big contract, I reckon, but now that I have put myself on +record I've got to go ahead and deliver the goods. At any rate, I feel +on my mettle." Then he smiled at what seemed to be his sudden folly. "I +think I'll have to lay it all to those nice old ladies who were foolish +enough to put that knight-errant idea into my head," he said. + + + + +XVII + +THE MADNESS OF A MIDSUMMER NIGHT + +Farr glanced again at the big clock in the First National block. + +He had less than one hour to wait, according to the schedule Citizen +Drew had promulgated in regard to the unvarying movements of the +Honorable Archer Converse. As to how this first coup in the operations +of that nascent organization, the Public-spirited Press Gang, was to be +managed Farr had little idea at that moment. + +He decided to devote that hour to devising a plan, deciding to attempt +nothing until he saw the honorable gentleman march down the club steps. +A club must be sanctuary--but the streets belonged to the people. + +Therefore, Farr took a walk. He went back into that quarter of the city +from which he had emerged during his stroll with Citizen Drew; he +felt his courage deserting him in those more imposing surroundings of +up-town; he went back to the purlieus of the poor, hoping for contact +that might charge him afresh with determination. He realized that he +needed all the dynamics of courage in the preposterous task he had set +himself. + +He knew he would find old Etienne sitting on the stoop of Mother +Maillet's house where the old man posted himself on pleasant summer +evenings and whittled whirligigs for the crowding children--just as his +peasant ancestors whittled the same sort of toys in old Normandy. + +Mother Maillet's house had a yard. It was narrow and dusty, because the +feet of the children had worn away all the grass. Some of the palings +were off the fence, and through the spaces the little folks came and +went as they liked. It was not much of a yard to boast of, but there +were few open spaces in that part of the city where the big land +corporation hogged all the available feet of earth in order to stick the +tenement-houses closely together. Therefore, because Mother Maillet was +kind, the yard was a godsend so far as the little folks were concerned. +The high fence kept children off the greensward where the canal flowed. +Householders who had managed to save their yards down that way were, in +most cases, fussy old people who were hanging on to the ancient cottage +homes in spite of the city's growth, and they shooed the children out of +their yards where the flower-beds struggled under the coal-dust from the +high chimneys. + +But Mother Maillet did not mind because she had no flower-beds and +because the palings were off and the youngsters made merry in her +yard. She had two geraniums and a begonia and a rubber-plant on the +window-sill in order to give the canary-bird a comfortable sense of +arboreal surroundings; so why have homesick flowers out in a front yard +where they must all the time keep begging the breeze to come and dust +the grime off their petals? It should be understood that Mother Maillet +had known what _real_ flower-beds were when she was a girl in the +Tadousac country. + +Furthermore, Etienne Provancher always came to the yard o' fine evenings +and it served as his little realm; and the door-step of the good woman's +house was his throne where he sat in state among his little subjects. +However, on second thought, this metaphor is not happy description; old +Etienne did not rule--he obeyed. + +He did not resent familiarity--he welcomed the comradeship of the +children. When they called him "Pickaroon" it seemed to him that they +were making a play-fellow of him. + +He sat and whittled toys for them out of the pine-wood scraps which the +yard foreman gave him. There were grotesque heads for rag dolls, and +the good woman seemed to have unlimited rags and an excellent taste in +doll-dressmaking; there were chunky automobiles with spools for wheels; +there were funny little wooden men who jumped in most amusing fashion +at the end of wires which were stuck into their backs. Old Etienne was +always ready to sit and whittle until the evening settled down and he +could see no longer, even though he held the wood and busy knife close +to his eyes. + +So on that evening he whittled as usual. + +Walker Farr came to the yard and sat beside the old man on the door-step +and was plainly thinking no agreeable thoughts while he listened to the +chatter of the children. + +After the darkness had come and the larger boys and girls, custodians +of their tiny kin, had dragged away the protesting and whimpering little +folks because it was bedtime, Zelie Dionne laid down her needlework over +which she had been straining her eyes. The good woman protested often +because the girl toiled so steadily with her needle after her day at the +mill was ended. And on that summer evening she voiced complaint again. + +"You have so many pretty gowns already! You wear one last evening--you +wear anodder this evening--and still you make some more! When a young +girl nigh kill herself so as to make a picture-book of her dresses +I think it is time to look for some young man who seems to like the +pictures. Eh?" + +"Mother Angelique, I do not relish jokes which are silly," protested the +girl. "You know how the girls of our country are taught! We cannot sit +with hands in our laps without being very unhappy." + +She went out and sat upon the door-step where old Etienne made way for +her. + +"At first I did not think I would come out, Mr. Farr," she said. "But I +have made bold to come." + +"I do not think it needs boldness to come where I am," he returned. "I +hope you are not going to make a stranger of me because I have not been +very neighborly of late. I have been busy and I have been away. The boys +have paid my fare up-country, and so I ran about to carry the gospel of +the free water. The truckmen have volunteered in half a dozen places. We +are doing a great work." + +"And yet I am afraid," she confessed. "You are fighting men who can do +you much harm. I have been asking questions so as to know more about +those men. For they have threatened poor Father Etienne. I wanted to +know about them. I cannot help. But can you not help, Mr. Farr? I think +you are much more than you seem to be," she added, naively. + +"They have threatened Etienne?" demanded Farr, a sharp note in his +voice. + +"Ah, m'sieu', I have said nottin's to you. I am only poor old man. No +matter." + +"Why didn't you say something to me?" + +"It's because you might feel bad, m'sieu'. P'raps not, for I'm only poor +man and don't count." + +"What have they said to you?" + +"It's nottin's," said Etienne, stubbornly. "You shall not think you got +me into trouble. You did not. I would have done it maself as soon as I +thought of it." + +"I command you to tell me what has been said to you, Etienne." + +"They say that I shall be discharge from the rack. They say I have +talk too much to my compatriots about the poison water. But I shall +talk--yes--jesso!" + +"Who says so?" + +"The yard boss say to me that. Oh, there's no mistake. He have the +power, M'sieu' Farr. The super tell the yard boss, the mill agent tell +the super, the alderman tell the mill agent, the mayor he tell the +alderman." + +"And probably Colonel Symonds Dodd told the mayor," growled Farr. "It's +a great system, Etienne. Nobody too small--nobody too big!" + +"But I do not care. I shall talk some more--yes, I shall talk in the +_hotel de ville_ when you shall tell me to talk. I was scare at +first and I tol' you I would not talk; but now I have found out I +can talk--and I am not scare any more, and I will talk." Pride and +determination were in the old man's tones. Since that most wonderful +evening in all his life when he had heard his voice as if it were the +voice of another man ringing forth denunciation of those in high places, +the old rack-tender had referred to that new manifestation of himself as +if he were discussing another man whom he had discovered. The memory of +his feat was ever fresh within him. And his meek pride was filled with +much wonderment that such a being should have been hidden all the years +in Etienne Provancher. Many men had called around to shake his hand and +increase his wonderment as to his own ability. + +"We will wait awhile," counseled Farr, understanding the pride and +treating it gently. "Stay at your work and be very quiet, Etienne, and +they will not trouble you. You need your money, and I will call on you +when you can help again." + +"Then I will come. I shall be sorry to see somebody have my rake and +pole, but I shall come." + +A moment of silence fell between them, and during that moment a young +woman passed rapidly along the sidewalk. Walker Farr shut his eyes +suddenly, as a man tries to wink away what he considers an illusion, and +then opened his eyes and made sure that she was what she seemed; there +was no mistaking that face--it was Kate Kilgour. + +He stared after her. She halted on the next corner, peered up at the +dingy street light to make sure of the sign legend on its globe and then +turned down an alley. + +"Ba gar!" commented old Etienne, putting Farr's thoughts into words, +"that be queer t'ing for such a fine, pretty lady to go down into Rose +Alley, because Rose Alley ain't so sweet as what it sounds." + +Then two men came hurrying past without paying any attention to the +denizens of the neighborhood who were sitting in the gloom on the stoop. +The street light revealed the faces of the men as it had shown to them +the girl's features. One was Richard Dodd. Unmistakably, they were +following the girl. Farr heard Dodd say: "Slow up! Give her time to get +there. She's headed all right." + +And Farr stared after those men, more than ever amazed. + +One of them was obtrusively a clergyman--that is to say, he was cased in +a frock-coat that flapped against his calves, wore a white necktie, and +carried a book under his arm. + +Dodd was attired immaculately in gray, and as he walked he whipped a +thin cane nervously. They began to stroll soon after they had hurried +past the stoop, and were sauntering leisurely when they turned into Rose +Alley. + +"I now say two ba gars!" exploded Etienne. "Because I been see the +jailbird, Dennis Burke, all dress up like minister, go past here with +the nephew of Colonel Dodd. And they go 'long after la belle mam'selle." + +"A jailbird!" + +"He smart, bad man, that Dennis Burke. But he was hire by the big man +to do something with the votes on election-time--so to cheat--and he +get caught and so he been in the state prison. But he seem to be out all +free now and convert to religion in some funny way. Eh?" + +"Etienne, are you sure of what you are talking about?" demanded Farr. +His voice trembled. The visit of that handsome girl to that quarter of +the city--those men so patently pursuing her--there was a sinister look +to the affair. + +"Oh, we all know that Burke. He hire many votes in this ward for many +years. He known in Marion just so well as the steeple on the _hotel de +ville_. And that odder--that young mans, we know him, for his oncle is +Colonel Dodd. Oh yes!" + +"Good night, Etienne--and to you Miss Zelie!" said Farr, curtly, walking +off toward the entrance of Rose Alley. He did not ask the old man to +go with him. He was drawn in two directions by his emotions and stopped +after he had taken a few steps. This seemed like espionage in a matter +which was none of his concern. It was entirely possible that the +confidential secretary of Colonel Dodd and the nephew of that gentleman +might have common business even in Rose Alley and at that time of +evening. + +But the matter of that masquerading ballot-falsifier, just out of state +prison, overcame Farr's scruples about meddling in the affairs of Kate +Kilgour. + +He turned the corner into the alley in season to see the two men far +ahead of him; they passed out of the radiance shed by a dim light and he +saw no more of them. He walked the length of the alley and was not able +to locate any of the party. At its lower end the alley was closed in by +houses, and it was plain that the people he sought had not passed out +into another thoroughfare. He marched back, scrutinizing the outside of +buildings, trying to conjecture what business the handsome girl and +the two men could have in that section at that hour, and where they had +entered to prosecute that business. + +"I must continue to blame it all on the nice old ladies," he told +himself, smiling at the shamed zest he was finding in this hunt. "But I +hope this knight-errantry will not grow to be a habit with me. I +mustn't forget that I have another job on hand for nine o'clock--also +knight-errantry!" + +He paused under the dim light where his men had disappeared and looked +at his cheap watch. + +Twenty-five minutes of nine! + +Then he heard a woman's protesting voice. She cried "No, _no_, NO!" in +crescendo. + +He gazed at the house from which the voice seemed to come. It was near +at hand, a shabby little cottage with a thin slice of yard closed in by +a dilapidated picket fence. He perceived no observers in the alley, and +he stepped into the yard. The front windows were open, for the evening +was warm, but no lights were visible in the house. + +He heard the protesting cry again. It was more earnest. + +He head the rumble of a man's voice, but could not catch the words. +Whatever was happening was taking place in some rear room. + +"No, I say, no! Unlock that door," cried the voice, passionately. + +Farr troubled his mind no longer with quixotic considerations about +intrusion. He hoisted himself over the window-sill into the darkened +front room, passed down a short corridor and, when he heard the voice +once again on the inside of a door which he found locked, he immediately +kicked the door open. He appeared to those in the room, heralded by an +amazing crash and flying splinters. + +First of all, he was astonished to find two women there; one was Miss +Kilgour and the other was her mother. And there were the two men whom he +had followed. + +Farr swept off his hat and addressed the girl. + +"I happened to be passing and heard your voice," he said. "If you are--" +He hesitated, a bit confused, realizing all at once that knight-errantry +in modern days is not quite as free and easy a matter as it used to be +when damsels were in distress in the ruder times of yore. "I am at your +service," he added, a bit curtly. + +But she did not reply. Her attitude was tense, her cheeks were flaming, +her eyes were like glowing coals. + +"You lunatic, you have come slamming in here, disturbing a private +wedding," announced the man in the white tie, slapping his palm upon the +book he carried. + +"Get out of here!" shouted Dodd. He had dodged into a corner of the +room, his face whitening, when Farr had burst in. He remained in the +corner now, brandishing his cane. + +The uninvited guest surveyed the young man with more composure than he +had been able to command when he looked at the girl. + +Etienne Provancher had fortified him with some valuable information. + +"Mr. Richard Dodd, I'll apologize and walk out of here after you have +explained to me why you have faked up into a parson one Dennis Burke, +late of the state prison, to officiate at weddings." + +Upon the silence that followed the girl thrust an "Oh!" into which she +put grief, protest, anger, consternation. + +"Mother!" she cried. "Did you know? How could you allow--how did you +come to do such a terrible thing?" + +Her mother put her hands to her face and sat down and began to sob with +hysterical display of emotion. Farr scowled a bit as he looked at +her. She was overdressed. There was an artificial air about her whole +appearance--even her hysterics seemed artificial. + +The girl turned from her with a gesture of angry despair as if she +realized, from experience, that she could expect, at that juncture, only +emotion without explanation. + +"Hold on here," cried Dodd, "hold on here, everybody! This is all right. +You just let me inform you, Mr. Butter-in, that Mr. Burke has full +authority to solemnize a marriage. He is a notary and was commissioned +at the last meeting of the governor and council. And I know that," he +added, attempting a bit of a swagger, "for I secured the commission for +him myself." He came out of his corner and shook his cane at Farr. "I +want you to understand that I have political power in this state!" + +"I wouldn't brag about that kind of political power, when you can use it +to make notaries out of jailbirds. That must be a nice bunch you have up +at your State House!" + +"On your way!" Again the cane swished in front of Farr's face. + +"I beg your pardon, madam," apologized Farr, bowing to the girl. "You +seem to be the only one in this room entitled to that courtesy," he +added, with a touch of his cynicism. "Am I intruding on your personal +business?" + +"You are not," she answered, her eyes flashing. "I am glad you came +in here. I could have stopped the wretched folly myself, but you have +helped me, and I thank you." She delivered that little speech with +vigor. + +"Kate!" pleaded Dodd. "This isn't fair. I meant it all right. Here's +your mother here! You wouldn't be reasonable the other way. We had to do +something. For the love of Heaven, be good. You know I--" + +She had turned her back on him. Now she whirled and spat furious words +at him, commanding him to be silent. + +"Do you want to spread all this miserable business before this +gentleman?" she demanded. "I am ashamed--ashamed! My mother to consent +to such a thing!" + +She turned her back on him again and walked to and fro, beating her +hands together in her passion. And now ire boiled in Dodd. He directed +it all at the man who had interfered. + +"This is no business of yours, you loafer. I don't know who you are, but +you--" + +Farr grabbed the switching cane as he would have swept into his palm an +annoying insect. He broke it into many pieces between his sinewy fingers +and tossed the bits into Dodd's convulsed face. + +"You'll know me better later on--you and your uncle, too. Ask him what +I advised him to do about having his weapon loose on his hip--take the +same advice for yourself." + +Then his expression altered suddenly. A disquieting jog of memory +prompted him to yank out the cheap watch. + +Twelve minutes to nine. + +It was a long way to the foot of the steps of the Mellicite Club! And +Union Hall was filled with men who were patiently waiting for him to +keep his pledged word! + +"I hope you'll be all right now," he said to the girl, haste in his +tones. "I'm sorry--I must go--I have an important engagement." + +Her eyes met his in level gaze, turned scornful glance at the others in +the room, and then came back to his. + +"Are you going in the direction of the Boulevard?" she asked him. + +"Straight there." + +"Will you bother with me as far as the Boulevard?" + +"If you are a good walker," he informed her. There was strict business +in her tone and cool civility in his. + +"I'm going along with this gentleman, mother." + +Farr ushered her ahead of him through the shattered door. + +"But I want to walk home with you, my child," wailed the sobbing woman. + +"You'd better ask Mr. Dodd to escort you. And I trust that the talk you +and he will have will bring both of you to your senses." + +She hurried away up the alley with Farr, after he had unlocked the front +door, finding the key on the inside. + +"I am sorry I must hurry you," he apologized, "and if you cannot keep up +I must desert you when we get to a well-lighted street." + +She drove a sharp side glance at him and did not reply. Probably for the +first time in her life she heard a young man declare with determination +that he was in a hurry to leave her. Even a sensible young woman who is +pretty must feel some sort of momentary pique because a young man can +have engagements so summary and so engrossing. + +He offered her his arm that they might walk faster. Her touch thrilled +him. He was far from feeling the outward calm that he displayed to her. + +They did not speak as they hurried. + +Both were nearly breathless when they came out on the Boulevard. He saw +the big clock--its hands were nearly at the right angle. + +"Good night!" she gasped, and she put out her hand to him. "I thank +you!" + +"It was nothing," he assured her. + +When their palms met they looked into each other's eyes. It was a +momentary flash which they exchanged, but in that instant both of them +were thrilled with the strange, sweet knowledge that no human soul may +analyze: it is the mystic conviction which makes this man or that woman +different from all the rest of humankind to the one whose heart is +touched. + +She gave him a smile. "Are you a knight-errant?" + +She hurried away before he could reply--and, though all his yearning +nature strove against his man's resolution to do his duty, it could +not prevail: he did not follow her as he wanted to--running after her, +crying his love. But duty won out by a mere hazard of a margin because +her face, as she had shown it to him at the moment of parting, possessed +not merely the wonderful beauty which had so impressed him when he had +first seen her--it shone with a sudden flash of emotion that glorified +it. + +He turned away and hurried to the foot of the steps of the Mellicite +Club. + +He had no time to ponder on the nature of that mystery which he had +uncovered in the shabby cottage in Rose Alley nor to wonder what sort +of persecution it was that could enlist a mother's aid in that grotesque +fashion against her own daughter. + +He had not time even to frame a plan of campaign against the man whom +the patient waiters in Union Hall were expecting him to capture. + +The bell in the tower was booming its nine strokes and the Honorable +Archer Converse was coming down the steps from his club, erect, crisp, +immaculate, dignified--tapping his cane against the stones. + + + + +XVIII + +CORRALING A CONVERT + +Mr. Converse bestowed only a careless glance at the stranger who was +waiting at the foot of the club-house steps. + +The young man accosted him, not obsequiously, but frankly. + +"I know you always take a turn in the park at this hour, Mr. Converse. I +beg your pardon, but may I walk for a few steps with you?" + +"Why do you want to walk with me?" + +"It's a matter--" + +"I never discuss business on the street, sir. Come to my office +to-morrow." + +He marched on and Farr went along behind him. + +"You heard?" demanded the attorney. + +"I heard." Farr replied very respectfully, but he kept on. + +He had rushed away from the girl and had come face to face with Mr. +Converse, his mind utterly barren of plan or resource. That interim on +which he had counted as a time in which he might devise ways and means +had been so crowded with happenings that all consideration of plans in +regard to Archer Converse had been swept from his mind. + +At all events, he had rendered a service in that time; he had made good +use of that forty-five minutes--that reflection comforted him even while +he dizzily wondered what he was to do now. + +That service had demanded sacrifice from him--why not demand something +from that service? An idea, sudden, brazen, undefendable, even +outrageous, popped into his head. He had no time for sensible planning. +Mr. Converse was glancing about with the air of a citizen who would like +to catch the eye of a policeman. + +"I know all about you, Mr. Converse, even if you know nothing about me. +I'm making a curious appeal--it's to your chivalry!" + +That was appeal sufficiently novel, so the demeanor of Mr. Converse +announced, to arrest even the attention of a gentleman who usually +refused to allow the routine of his life to be interrupted by anything +less than an earthquake. He halted and fronted this stranger. + +"A man who wears that," proceeded Farr, indicating the rosette of the +Military Order of the Loyal Legion in the lapel of Mr. Converse's coat, +"and wears it because it came to him by inheritance from General Aaron +Converse is bound to listen to that appeal." + +"Explain, sir." + +"Do you know a Richard Dodd who is the nephew of Colonel Dodd?" + +"I do, sir. You aren't asking me to assist him, are you? I will have +nothing to do with him--no help from me!" + +"Just a moment--wait one moment! Mr. Converse, do you know a man named +Dennis Burke who has been in prison for ballot frauds?" + +"I helped send him there, sir. Are you reciting the rogues' roster to +me?" + +"Richard Dodd has dressed Burke up as a parson and is trying to force a +young woman into a marriage. I haven't time to tell you how I happened +to know about this affair--but it is in Rose Alley and there's no time +to waste." + +"A preposterous yarn." + +"I have just come from that house." + +"You're a young man of muscle--why didn't you stop it?" + +"The girl's mother is there, backing Dodd. Mr. Converse, the cause needs +a man like you--a man of law, of standing, of influence. I appeal to you +to follow me." + +"A moment--a moment! I scent a ruse. I don't know you. Are you a decoy +for blackmailers or robbers?" he inquired, bluntly. + +Farr took off his hat and stood before the Honorable Archer Converse, +his strange, slow, winning smile dawning on his face. + +"I beg your pardon for interrupting your stroll," he said, gently. "I +hope you'll look at me! You may see, perhaps, that you're in error. +I'll go back and kill Dodd--and come to your office to-morrow--on +business--engaging you as counsel for the defense." + +"Lead the way to that house," snapped Mr. Converse. The attitude of +Farr, his forbearance, his refraining from further solicitation, his +frank demeanor, won out for him. "I'm sometimes a little hasty in +my remarks," acknowledged Mr. Converse in the tone of one who felt +chastened. "Are you a new-comer to our city?" he continued as they +hurried away. "You must be. I should certainly have remembered you if I +had ever seen you before." It was an indirect compliment--a gentleman's +careful approach to an apology. + +The young man did not reply. He had conceived for this stately man a +sudden hero-worship. What Citizen Drew had told him was added to his own +instinct in matters of the understanding of a personality. He did not +dare to stop and consider to what despicable extent he was lying to +his victim. He knew if he stopped to think he would quit. Now the whole +affair seemed a crazy thing. Did even his proposed ends justify this +procedure? + +"There's a short cut through Sanson Street," stammered Farr, the sense +of his own iniquity increasing in the same ratio in which his respect +and admiration grew. The honorable gentleman traveled along at a brisk +jog, evidently desiring to show his apologetic mood by exhibiting +confidence in his guide. + +And Farr, stealing side glances at him, was more self-accusatory, more +abashed. He cherished the hope that they would be able to anticipate +the departure of Dodd and the confederates from the cottage. It was not +clear to him just how he would make the incident serve, anyway. He was +conscious that he had grasped at any opportunity which would open the +ears of the Honorable Archer Converse to a person who had accosted him +on the street. Finding somebody in the house would, at least, stamp his +story with verity even if it served no purpose in the main intent of +Farr's efforts. + +But on a well-lighted street corner the young man halted suddenly. + +"It's no use," he informed the astonished Mr. Converse. "Conscience has +tripped me. I can't do it." + +"Do you mean to intimate that you have been tricking me, sir?" + +"I mean to say, Mr. Converse, that I had proposed to take a half-hour or +so and think up some method of honestly and properly interesting you in +a matter which is very dear to me--a public matter, sir. But here is how +I spent that half-hour." + +Frankly, simply, convincingly he related to his amazed listener the full +story of what he had found in the cottage in Rose Alley. + +"And therefore I had no time to ponder on my business with you--I simply +turned from the young lady, and there you were, sir, coming down the +club steps. I did the very best I could on short notice--but what I did +was very crude. I apologize. I suppose, under the circumstances, I may +as well say 'Good-night'!" He raised his hat. + +But there was something in all this which piqued Converse's curiosity. + +"Wait one moment. This is getting to be interesting." + +A rather hazy conviction began to assure Farr that possibly chance had +dealt a better stroke for him than well-considered planning. It was +surely something to know that the honorable gentleman was interested. + +"If you had had time to think out a method of approaching me--Let me +see, your name is--" + +"Farr." + +"Mr. Farr, supposing I had been amenable to your suggestions, what is it +you wanted of me?" + +"I wanted you to attend a public meeting," blurted the young man. "They +are men who need help--they need--" + +"That's sufficient," snapped Converse. "I am not in politics. I do +not address public meetings. Mr. Farr, you would have wasted your time +planning. Absolutely!" + +"But is there not some appeal that--" + +"Useless--useless, sir." He tapped his cane, and his tones showed +irritation. He whirled on his heels. "It is decidedly evident that +you are a stranger in these parts, sir. On that account I forgive your +presumption." + +At that moment a jigger-wagon rumbled to a halt near them. The corner +light had revealed them to the driver. + +"Mr. Farr," called the man, "it hasn't taken long for the news of what +you did at the meeting to-night to travel around among the boys. And we +ain't going to let you get ahead of us, sir." + +"The more, the merrier, in a good cause," said Farr; but he was staring +regretfully at the back of Mr. Converse, who had begun his retreat. + +"I want to tell you I'm on the executive committee of the State +Teamsters Union, Mr. Farr. I've been talking the matter up and I can +promise you that the union as a body will vote to lend horses and men to +carry your spring-water free gratis. And I hope that gent who's starting +up-town where the dudes are will tell 'em that there are honest men +enough left to protect the poor folks from that poison water him and his +rich friends are pumping out of the river to us." + +The Honorable Archer Converse halted his departure very suddenly. + +"You are not referring to me, are you, my man?" + +"I am if you're tied up with that Consolidated Water Company bunch," +stated the unterrified member of the proletariat. + +Mr. Converse retraced his steps. He shook his cane at the driver. + +"I want to inform you very distinctly, sir, that I am _not_ interested +in the Consolidated." + +"Dawson, apologize to this gentleman," Farr admonished the driver. + +"I'm sorry I said anything," muttered the man. "But all dudes look alike +to me," he told himself under his breath. + +Mr. Converse appeared to be considerably disturbed by the humble +citizen's sneer in regard to the Consolidated matter. He addressed +himself to Farr. + +"I have been touched on a point where I am very sensitive," he informed +the young man. "I do not condone the policies of the Consolidated in +regard to their control of franchises. Their system of operation has +introduced a bad element into our finance and politics. I would be sorry +to be misunderstood by the people of this state." + +"I hope you will not be misunderstood, sir," averred Farr, with +humility. + +"In order to show you my stand in the matter and so that you may correct +any misunderstanding among your friends in these quarters," proceeded +Mr. Converse, stiffly, "I will inform you that I am taking the case of +the citizens' syndicate of Danburg on appeal up to our highest court. +We hope to prove criminal conspiracy. We hope to show up some of the +corruption in the state. That is why I have gone into the case." + +"I thank you for informing me. I have been trying to fight the +Consolidated in my own humble way." + +The eminent lawyer came closer and was promptly interested. + +"I am in search of information of all kinds, sir. Kindly explain." + +Eliminating himself as much as possible, Farr described the operations +of the Co-operative Spring Water Association. But he could not eliminate +the man on the box-seat of the jigger-wagon. When Farr had finished his +brief explanation that loyal admirer gave in some enthusiastic testimony +in regard to the man who had devised the plan and had sacrificed his +time in efforts to extend the system. He kept on until Farr checked him. + +"I will say, Mr. Converse, before you leave, that I'd like to have you +carry away a right opinion of me. I was not trying to drag you to a mere +political gathering. There are some poor men assembled just now in this +quarter who need a sympathetic listener and a little good advice. They +are also trying to get justice from the Consolidated and all the general +oppression it represents." + +"Where are those men?" asked Converse, after a pause during which he +wrinkled his brows and tapped his cane. + +Farr pointed down the street. Not far away a low-hung transparency +heralded "The Square Deal Club." + +Mr. Converse gazed in that direction and hesitated a few moments longer. + +"You assure me that it's not a mere political rally?" + +"I do, sir!" + +Then the son of General Converse gallantly extended his arm. + +"I'll be glad to be escorted by you, Mr. Farr," he said. "Now that +I understand this thing a bit better, I am going to break one of my +rules." As they walked along he remarked: "A man's affairs are sometimes +directed and controlled for him in a most singular fashion. Little +things change preconceived notions very suddenly." + +"They do, sir," agreed Walker Farr. + + + + +XIX + +CONSCIENCE ENLISTING A RECRUIT + +A man who stood at the head of the stairs, an outpost, saw them coming +and ran and opened a door ahead of them. The door admitted to a hall +which was packed with men who were ranged on settees and stood in the +aisles and at the sides of the big room. + +"Make way for the Honorable Archer Converse," shrieked their _avant +courier_, excitedly. + +"Three cheers for the Honorable Archer Converse," called a voice, and +all the men came on to their feet and yelled lustily. + +The distinguished guest climbed upon the platform--Farr close at +his heels. The young man placed a chair for the lawyer and remained +standing. He raised his hand to command silence. + +"This is rather unexpected, boys. But this distinguished man happened +to be passing our hall to-night and has dropped in on us in a purely +informal manner. It's a great honor, and I want to say to him for all of +us that the old Square Deal Club is mighty grateful. I ask you to rise, +gentlemen of the club." + +All came to their feet again. + +"Bow your heads and for thirty seconds of deep silence pay your respect +and veneration to the memory of our great war governor, General Aaron +Converse." + +The Honorable Archer Converse looked forth over those bowed and bared +heads. The most of them were gray heads, and toil-worn hands were +clasped in front of those men. And when at last the faces were raised to +his there was an appealing earnestness in their gaze which touched him +poignantly. + +"Boys, the son of that great man is present. How will you express your +admiration and respect for him?" + +They cheered again tumultuously. + +Farr walked to the edge of the platform. + +"It is kind and generous of Mr. Converse to consent to step in here for +a few moments this evening. I will leave the meeting in his hands." + +There was a hush for a moment. Then the guest carried his chair to the +extreme front edge of the platform. + +"I don't know just what sort of meeting this is--I have not been fully +informed," he said, very crisply. "But I want it distinctly understood +that I am not here to make any speech. Your faces indicate that you are +very much in earnest in regard to the business you are met to consider. +I am assured that this is no mere political rally?" + +"No," somebody replied. + +"I'm glad of that. I am not in politics. The political mess grows to be +nastier every year. But what are you here for? Come, now! Come! Let's +talk it over." He was a bit brusque, but his tone was kindly. + +A man who stood up in the middle of the hall was rather shabby in his +attire, but he had the deep eyes of one who thinks. + +"Honored sir," he said, "I don't stand up as one presuming to speak for +all the rest. But I have talked with many men. I know what some of us +want. We don't expect that laws or leaders will make lazy men get +ahead in the world or that victuals can be legislated into the cupboard +without a man gets out and hustles for 'em. I have worked at a bench +ever since I was fourteen. I expect to work there until I drop out. I +don't want any political office. I couldn't fill one. But why is it that +the only men who get into office are the kind who turn around and +get rich selling off property which belongs to all of us--I mean the +franchises for this, that, and the other?" He sat down. + +A thin man in the front row got up. + +"Honorable Archer Converse, one franchise that was given away by those +men years ago was the right to furnish water to this city. A private +concern got hold of that franchise. It holds the right to-day. It saves +money by pumping its water out of the Gamonic River. Saves money and +wastes lives. The Board of Health's reports show that there were eleven +hundred cases of typhoid fever in this city last year. In my family +my mother and two of my children died. I shiver every time I touch a +tap--but spring-water that can be depended on costs us at the grocer's +a dollar for a five-gallon carboy--and my wages are only ten dollars a +week. There are lakes twenty miles from this city. Pure water there for +all of us! But every tap drips sewage from the Gamonic River. Haven't we +got any leaders who will make that water company pump health instead of +death?" + +"They sent 'Tabulator' Burke up for ballot frauds," said a voter who +stood up in a far corner. "But anybody in this city understands well +enough that the judge who sent him to state prison knew who the real +chaps were, knew how much the real ones paid 'Tabulator' to take the +whole blame. And the governor knows it all and has just reappointed that +judge." + +The Honorable Archer Converse sat very straight in his chair and +listened to those men. He continued to sit straight and listened to +others. The men dealt in no diatribe. There was no raving, there was no +anarchistic sentiments. They arose, uttered their grievances gloomily +but without passion, and sat down. + +One elderly man stood up and raised both hands. + +"I came across the sea to this country, sir. I came because I could +have my little share in the government where I paid taxes and labored--I +could vote here. It's the only public privilege I have. But, O God, give +us some one to vote for!" + +"I sympathize with your feelings," replied Mr. Converse. "But you are +talking to the wrong man. I'm not in politics." + +"By the gods, you will be if my nerve only holds out," Farr told +himself. + +Another man sprang to his feet. He spoke quietly, but his very +repression made him more effective. + +"What's the good of voting till men like you do get into politics, +Mr. Converse, and give us leaders who will use their power to help the +people who voted for them? I'm sick of voting. I'm teamed up to the +polls by ward workers--and I know just why those men are in the game and +who they're working for. What do you suppose Colonel Dodd cares which +side carries this city, or which side carries the state? He and his +crowd stand to win, whatever party gets in. You can't beat 'em. Business +is business, no matter what politics may be! The city money is wasted +just the same, the policy game is let run for the benefit of the rich +men who back it, all the grafts go right on. You can't fool me any +longer. They stir us poor chaps up at election-time, we rush to the +polls and vote, and sometimes think we are accomplishing something. But +what we're doing is simply boosting out some fellow who has made his +pile and putting in another who wants office so that he can fill his +own pockets by selling our common rights out to the same men. I say, you +can't beat it!" + +The Honorable Archer Converse seemed to find his position on the +platform uncomfortable. He rose suddenly and stepped down on the floor. +He went among the men. He grasped the hands that were outstretched to +him. He realized that he had scant encouragement for these men. The +meeting had given him new light. He knew considerable about the old +days, and in the old days of politics men flocked to rallies. They +harkened humbly to speeches from their leaders, and swallowed the +sugar-coated facts, and listened to bands, and joined the torch-light +parades, and voted according to party lines, and thought they had done +well; the surface of things was nicely slicked over. + +He understood that out of the ease with which the mob could be herded, +with others doing their thinking for them, had grown politics as a +business--with the big interests dominating both parties--and no one +realized how it had all come about better than Converse. This new +spirit, however, rather surprised him, for he had been keeping aloof +from politics. These men who crowded about him were not mere dumb, +driven voters in the mass--they were individuals who were thinking, who +were demanding, who were seeking a leader that would consider them as +citizens to be served, not chattels to be sold to the highest bidder. +His keen lawyer's insight understood all this! + +"I'm a butcher down in the stock-yards, Mr. Converse," said one man, +who pressed forward. "We've got trained bulls there who tole the cattle +along into the slaughter-pens. I've got tired of being a steer in +politics and following these old trained bulls." + +Converse worked his way through the press to the door, Farr at his +heels. + +When they were on the street the honorable gentleman turned sharply +toward the Boulevard. + +"I haven't any spirit or taste to-night for moonlight in the park, sir! +A nice trick you played on me." + +"I wanted you to get a first-hand notion of a state of affairs, Mr. +Converse." + +"But you ought to understand my temperament better--you ought to know +it's going to stick in my mind, worry me, vex me, set me to seeking for +remedies. It's just as if I'd been retained on a case. I feel almost +duty-bound to pitch in." + +"It's strange how a man gets pulled into a thing sometimes--into +something he had no idea of meddling with," philosophized Farr, blandly. +"That's the way it has happened in my case." + +"It has, eh?" demanded Mr. Converse, sharply. He had tacitly accepted +the young man's companionship for the walk back to the Boulevard. "Now, +look here! Just who are you?" + +"My name is Farr and I'm nothing." + +"You needn't bluff me--you're a politician--a candidate for something." + +"I'm not even a voter in this state. It's men like you, sir, who ought +to be candidates for the high offices." + +"My sainted father trained me to respect self-sacrifice, Mr. Farr. But +for a clean man to try to accomplish things for the people in politics +these days isn't self-sacrifice--it's martyrdom. The cheap politicians +heap the fagots, the sneering newspapers light the fire and keep blowing +it with their bellows, and the people stand around and seem to show a +sort of calm relish in watching the operation. And when it is all over +not a bit of good has been done." + +"I'm afraid I have wasted an evening for you, sir. I'm sorry. I hoped +the troubles of those men, when you heard them at first hand, would +interest you." + +"Interest me! Confound it all, you have wrecked my peace of mind! I knew +it all before. But I'm selfish, like almost everybody else. I kept +away where I couldn't hear about these things. Now, if I sleep soundly +to-night I'll be ashamed to look up at my father's portrait when I walk +into my office to-morrow morning. Why didn't you have better sense +than to coax me into your infernal meeting?" He rapped his cane angrily +against the curbstone as he strode on. "And the trouble with me is," +continued Mr. Converse, with much bitterness, "I know the conditions are +such in this state that a meeting like that can be assembled in every +city and town--and the complaints will be just and demand help. +But there's no organization--it's only blind kittens miauling. It's +damnable!" + +"But this is the kind of country where some mighty quick changes can be +made when the people do get their eyes open," suggested the young man. + +Mr. Converse merely grunted, tapping his cane more viciously. + +They were on the frontier of the Eleventh Ward now. The brighter lights +of the avenues of up-town blazed before them. + +"Then you will not go into politics?" inquired Farr. + +"I'd sooner sail for India with a cargo of hymn-books and give +singing-lessons to Bengal tigers." + +"Good night, sir," said Farr. He halted on the street corner which +marked the boundary of the ward. + +"Good night, sir!" replied Mr. Converse, striding on. + +The young man watched him out of sight. He heard the angry clack of the +cane on the stones long after the Honorable Archer Converse had turned +the next corner. + +"Maxim in the case of a true gentleman," mused Farr: "tap his conscience +on the shoulder, point your finger at the enemy, say nothing, simply +stand back and give conscience plenty of elbow-room--it needs no help. +There, by the grace of God, goes the next governor of this state." + + + + +XX + +CONSIDERATION: ONE DAUGHTER + +On the morning following his discomfiture Richard Dodd posted himself +in a little tobacco-shop opposite the Trelawny Apartment-house. Lurking +behind cigar-boxes in the window, he held the door of the house under +surly espionage. It was plain to the shopkeeper that "the gent had made +a night of it." Dodd's eyes were heavy, his face was flushed, and he +lighted one cigarette after another with shaky hands. + +Shortly before nine o'clock Kate Kilgour came out and walked down the +avenue on the way to her work. Dodd stared after her until she was +out of sight. Shame and anger and desire mingled in the steady gaze +he leveled on her; in her crisp freshness she represented both the +longed-for and the unattainable. He was conscious of a new sentiment +in regard to her. In the past his impatience had been tempered by the +comforting knowledge that she had promised herself to him--that she was +his to own, to possess after a bit of tantalizing procrastination. Now +he was not at all sure of her. He had been just a bit patronizing in +the past--his successes with women had inflated his conceit--he had +exhibited a rather careless air of proprietorship--his manner had said +to her and to others, "This is mine; look at it!" But now when he had +watched her out of sight jealousy, anger, the sour conviction that +he had forfeited her regard combined to make him desperate, and the +excesses of the night before kindled a flame which heated all his evil +passions. + +He threw away his cigarette, cursed roundly aloud, and hurried across +the street into the Trelawny. + +When Mrs. Kilgour admitted him to her suite she clung to the +door-casing, exhibiting much trepidation. + +He stepped in, closed the door, and put his back against it. + +"Have you got those hysterics out of you so that you can listen to me +and then talk sense?" he demanded, coarsely. + +She went into her sitting-room and he followed, muttering: + +"No wonder you ran away from me last night--no wonder you didn't have +the face to stay and take what you deserve. How in tophet I ever allowed +you to plan and manage I can't understand." + +"You asked me to," she faltered. + +"I didn't ask you to rig up a dirty conspiracy to queer me." + +"Richard, you are not yourself. You have been drinking!" She tried to +exhibit protesting indignation and failed. "Come to me when you are +yourself." + +"There's no more of this to-morrow business goes with me, Mrs. Kilgour. +I'll admit that you're Kate's mother. But just now you are something +else. You have tried to do me, and nobody gets by with that stuff--man, +woman, or child. We'll have our settlement here and now." + +"I did the best I could," she wailed. + +"Out of what damnation novel did you get that idea?" he raged. + +"It seemed to be a good plan, Richard. I swear by everything sacred I +thought it would come out all right. Don't rave at me." Her voice sunk +to an appealing whisper. She picked up a book from her table. "If you +will only listen--" + +"So you did get it out of a novel! My God! what have your fool ideas +done to me?" + +"How do you dare to talk to Kate's mother like that?" + +"I am not talking to Kate's mother, I tell you! I'm talking to a woman +who has put me into a hell on earth. I'm talking to you, Mrs. Kilgour, +and you don't know the whole story yet." + +"All my life it has been the same--only trouble and sorrow and to be +misunderstood." She began to sob. + +"Is there anything in that novel about ringing in an iceman to break +up a marriage? I say it was all a conspiracy. You didn't intend to be +square. You intended to rig a scheme so that you could duck out from +under. You have always done that, Mrs. Kilgour." + +"I had nothing to do with that man coming in." + +"Don't try to fool me any more. You told me to come, didn't you? You +must have told some yarn to your daughter to have her come." + +"I did--it was all--" + +"And then you told that plug-ugly to come in, too, and break it up so +as to queer me. Why did I ever fall for such lunacy? If I hadn't been +desperate I would never have let you drag me into such a devilish +scheme. But now you have got to do your part to square me. It's going to +be straight talk from now on, Mrs. Kilgour. There must be a settlement +between us." + +She looked away from him. She was plainly searching her soul for excuses +to postpone that settlement. + +"That person who came in, Dicky! I swear I did not arrange any such +thing. He is only an iceman. I don't know the man. It was some accident. +If the matter hadn't been interrupted! It was going along all right." + +"What's the matter with your intellect? You know it wasn't going along +at all! You simply had us chasing shadows. Good God! I ought to have +made you tell me what you were planning. Think of it! Think of me +waltzing down there like a boob and thinking you had something real to +offer." + +"But you frightened her with that jailbird. You should have brought a +real clergyman." + +"The man I brought has the power to perform marriages! I would have made +a nice spectacle towing a clergyman into that mess, wouldn't I?" + +She broke in upon his further speech. She wrung her hands, paltering, +pleading, trying to explain, trying more desperately to postpone that +settlement he was demanding. + +"But, honestly, it did seem to be a good plan, Dicky. I'm her mother. I +know her nature. You know how some natures have to be handled! She is so +self-centered. She has to be taken by surprise. She has to know that she +is making a sacrifice. That is why I arranged it all for Rose Alley and +borrowed that house. And I had it all planned out what to say to her at +the last moment there." + +"Well, what was this great thing you were going to say?" He glared at +her, disgust and suspicion in his eyes. + +She flushed. She hesitated, unable to meet his gaze. + +"It's no use to tell you now, Dicky. Somehow, now that I come to think +it all over, it sounds rather tame. It all did seem so plausible, what +I was going to say when I sat down and planned out the thing. And the +romance of it--you know even self-centered girls like to feel that a man +wants them so much that he gets desperate--and she said once that she +would marry you some time--perhaps--and--" + +"Oh, you--you--" He broke in and then stopped, lacking words. "What's +the use?" he muttered. "You don't even know your own daughter. She has +been enduring me because you have been keeping at her. I understand it +now. You told me you could hurry it up. You have made me look like a +melodrama villain. You have made her hate me. Now own up! Didn't she +rave to you after you got home and tell you she hated me? You have +nailed me to the cross for ever where she is concerned--now haven't you? +Own up." + +"I can win her back, Dicky. Give me a little time." But she was not able +to look at him. "Don't scold me any more. I'm her mother. She will obey +her own mother in time. Don't hurt my sensitive nature any more." She +began to weep, twisting her rings on her trembling fingers. + +He scowled at her, narrowing his eyes. "You haven't been playing square +with me, Mrs. Kilgour." + +"Call me Mother Kilgour, Dicky, just as you always have." + +"I won't stand for any more bluffing, Mrs. Kilgour. Kate has sworn to +you that she will never marry me--now hasn't she?" + +"But I can talk her around--you can win her back. I'll tell her it was +my plan--I'll have courage to tell her later--" + +"So you have been laying that crazy idea all to me?" + +"But I'll get up courage to tell her some day--and your devotion will +win her back--devotion always wins. You can--" + +"Mrs. Kilgour, I know you pretty well. I repeat, I know you have always +ducked out from under--that's your nature. But here's a thing you can't +dodge. You've got to come to time. You know how I love Kate. There isn't +any reason why she shouldn't marry me. There's no excuse for her holding +me off the way she does. You've got to fix it for me--quick! Understand? +This fluff talk about 'devotion' and 'some day' doesn't go. I want +action. Now hold on! I don't mean to threaten--I've been square with you +till now. Good gad, you don't realize what a price I've paid!" + +"And now on top of your other insults you are going to twit me again +because I have borrowed five thousand dollars from you. Oh, Dicky, I +thought you were more of a gentleman?" + +"Mrs. Kilgour, I have simply got to make you understand what I have done +for you before you'll wake up and do something for me." + +"I appreciate what you did, Dicky. Honestly, I do. You save me from +losing money on my stocks." + +"Where are those stocks?" + +She did not look at him. "I have them put away--all safe. They are all +right. Just as soon as business is better I will get your money for you, +Dicky. You shall have it, every cent." + +"Where are those stocks, I say! Mrs. Kilgour, look at me. Were are +they?" + +"Why are you so particular about knowing where they are?" Protecting +herself, she showed a flicker of resentment. + +"Because you must sell and hand me that money--at once." + +"I--I don't believe I can realize on them just now. They are--are down +just at present. They--" + +"What are the stocks?" + +"I don't care to reveal my private business, Richard." + +"It happens to be my business, too. I'm in trouble. I must know. I shall +stay here till I find out. You may as well come across." + +"As soon as I can arrange it--I will tell you. Very soon now!" + +He snapped himself out of his chair and went across the room to her. He +put his hands on her shoulders and bent his face to hers. + +"You haven't any stocks, Mrs. Kilgour." + +"No," she whispered, his eyes dominating her. + +"What did you do with that money I loaned you?" + +"I paid--a debt." + +"What debt? Answer! This thing must be cleared up--_now_!" + +She began to weep. + +"No more hysterics, Mrs. Kilgour. We are now down to cases. Something +bad will happen if you don't confide in me." + +Then, cornered, with the impulse of weak natures to seek support from +stronger--to appeal to a victor who cannot be eluded--she blurted the +truth. + +"They got to suspecting me when I was cashier for Dalton & Company. I +heard they were going to put experts upon my books, Dicky. I didn't want +to go to jail. I would have disgraced Kate. I knew you loved her and +would not want her mother to be arrested. I had to have that money. +I told you the story about the stocks. So I was saved from being +disgraced." + +"Oh, you were?" His eyes flamed so furiously that she turned her gaze +from him. + +"And now I feel better, for I have confided in you and you're going +to be my good and true friend from now on. It will be made up to you, +Dicky." + +"What had you done with all that money you took from Dalton & Company?" + +"It costs so much to live--and keep up the position I had when Andrew +was alive! A woman needs so many things, Richard. I have always been +proud. I was obliged to--" + +He swore and swung away from her. "Wasted it on dress and jewelry! You +turned the trick on one man and put him underground. And I'm the next +victim! I knew I was being played for a sucker, but, oh--" + +He battered his fists against the wall in pure ecstasy of rage. Then he +sat down and put his face in his hands. + +The woman clucked sobs which did not ring true. + +"I wonder what Kate would say if she knew how I had come to the scratch. +She knew her father was a hero. I wonder whether she would think I am +one!" he said, after silence had continued for a long time. + +"Are you going to tell her?" the mother gasped. + +"I love her too much. But, see here! Do you think I picked that five +thousand off a rose-bush?" + +"You told me your uncle loaned it to you." + +"You think I got it easy--got it for the asking, and that's why you have +been loafing on the job," he said, with bitterness. "Ask my uncle for +money? I should say not. He never loosened for anybody yet--not even his +relatives. Mrs. Kilgour, I love your daughter so much--I was so anxious +to help you--I stole that five thousand from the state treasury. I have +been covering it in my accounts for more than a year--hell all the time +with plenty of white-hot when the legislative committee has been over +the accounts. Some day some blasted fool will wake up enough to see that +there's a hole in my figures." + +He put his elbows on his knees and stared at the carpet. The woman's +face grew white. + +"That's how it stands with me, Mrs. Kilgour. You know you were not +square with me at the start. You said you needed the money for only a +few weeks--you said you were pinched in a stock deal. You lied to me. +You have wasted the money on fine feathers for your back. I have kept +still. You can't pay me. I've got to struggle out of the mess as best +I can. But, by the eternal gods, there's something coming to me, and +that's your daughter. Now are you going to wake up?" + +"I'll do everything I can." Her tone was not convincing, however. + +He realized that this woman with the pulpy conscience and the artificial +emotions, selfish and a coward, was merely vaguely stirred by his +revelation, not spurred by the extent of his sacrifice in her behalf. + +"Do what you _can_? Whine to me like that after I have stolen state's +money and am standing under my steal? What if this state tips over +politically and they investigate the treasury? I tell you, Mrs. Kilgour, +I deserve to have Kate. I'm going to have her. You have got to fix +it--and right away." + +"But I can't marry off a girl of twenty as if she were a Chinese slave." +His insistence caused her to display more of her pettish resentment. + +"If you can't deliver the goods, Mrs. Kilgour, I shall take a hand in +it." + +"How?" + +"I'll tell her the story." + +"You wouldn't dare." + +"She has a sense of honor and of obligation even if you haven't. She +will pay. She'll pay with herself. That's a devil of a way to get a +wife, but if that's the only way I'll take it." + +"But you have just owned up that you have embezzled money. As Kate's +mother it's my duty to protect her from disgrace." + +That amazing declaration fairly took away Dodd's breath. + +By the manner in which the woman now looked at him it was plain that he +had sunk in her estimation. + +"You know, Richard, a mother feels called on to protect a good +daughter." + +He got up and stamped on the floor in his passion and swore. + +"I appreciate what you did for me--but, really, I didn't ask you to +steal money--and I supposed your uncle was always liberal with you. You +should not have told me falsehoods." + +The maddening feature of this calm assumption of superiority was the +fact that the woman seemed really to believe for the moment exactly what +she was saying and to forget why Dodd had jeopardized his fortunes; her +manner showed her shallow estimate of the situation. + +"There's another way of doing it," raged the young man, infuriated by +this repudiation of obligation. "I'll blow the whole thing about the two +of us--and she'll be glad enough to have me after it's all over." + +"You haven't any right to bring all this trouble and disgrace into my +family." + +"You know one way of preventing it and you'd better get busy, Mrs. +Kilgour," he advised. "I'm going to give you another chance of keeping +your word and paying your debt to me. I want Kate--and I have waited for +her long enough." + +He clapped on his hat and hurried away. + +He left the mother sprawled on a couch, her ringed hands clutched +into her dyed hair. She was still clucking sobs which would not have +convinced any unprejudiced hearer that she felt real grief. + +When Richard Dodd entered his uncle's offices in the First National +block a little later he was in the mood to force his affairs a bit. He +enjoyed liberties there which the ordinary caller did not have and he +walked into Kate Kilgour's little room without attracting attention or +comment. + +"I know exactly how you feel about last night, Kate." He addressed her +respectfully and humbly. "I understand that this is no place to discuss +the matter. I haven't come here to do so. I apologize for the affair. +I'm going to say this to you--I took your mother's advice. She planned +the thing and trumped up the errand which called you to that house. I'm +afraid she is rather too romantic. I only say this, Kate: a man's love +can make him do foolish things. Please talk with your mother when you go +home--and take her advice. If you do, it will be better for all of us." +He trembled with the restraint he had put upon himself. "You can see +that I have been punished, Kate. I am a different man--you ought to be +able to see it. Awful trouble has come to me. I need your love to help +me through it." + +She gazed at him with level, cold eyes. + +"You don't understand. I can't explain, dear! But I'm telling you the +truth. Kate, if you don't forget that folly I was guilty of last night +and be to me what you have been--if you don't marry me very soon you +will be sorry." + +"Are you threatening me, Richard?" + +"No, I didn't mean it to sound like that. But I know that with your +appreciation of what sacrifice means you will be very unhappy if you +toss me away and then find out certain things." + +"This is not the time for riddles, Richard. What do you mean?" + +"I have said all I can say." + +"I do not love you well enough to be your wife. I have not meant to +play the coquette. I have not known myself. You and my mother--Oh, why +rehearse? You know the story. You have understood that my love for +you was not what you should have. We may as well end it here and now, +Richard. I will forget last night. I will forget all the rest--for it is +ended!" + +"It cannot be ended," he retorted. "Understand! It cannot be ended. I am +trying to hold myself together, Kate. Don't provoke me. I call on you +to keep your promise. No other man shall have you." He leaned close. "Do +you love any other man?" + +She looked up at him and spoke slowly and gravely. "I do not think I do, +Richard." + +He scowled at her. "You don't _think_ you do! What in the name of Judas +do you mean by a remark like that?" + +"It's because I'm trying to tell the truth," she returned, with simple +earnestness. + +"This is a sort of new mood you're in?" he persisted. + +"Yes." + +He hesitated. He started to speak and then was silent for a long time. +"Damnation! I won't insult you!" he blurted at last. + +"I hope not, Richard." + +"It's preposterous!" + +"What is preposterous?" Her tone was calm. + +"I saw you look at a man last evening." + +"Very well!" + +"I have seen women look at me like that in my life." + +"I was not conscious that I looked at any man in any especial manner." + +"You couldn't see yourself. Perhaps you did not realize that you looked +at that man with any meaning in your eyes. But the women who looked +at me as you looked at him told me that they loved me. I am talking +it right out! But if I should hint that you're in love with a tramp I +should insult you. I am crazy, that's all. My troubles are affecting my +mind. Forgive me, Kate." + +"You are, of course, referring to the young man who broke in on our +prospective business last evening." There was just a touch of contempt +in her demeanor; but her air was coldly business-like; sitting there +at her desk she held him, physically and mentally, at arm's-length. Her +poise was sure. It seemed perfectly natural for her to be discussing a +young man in an impersonal manner. + +"I am referring to that low-lived vagrant we met on the road--that +iceman--that--well, I don't know what he is except that the devil +seems to be kicking him under my feet to trip me. Kate, Kate, it's too +ridiculous to talk about--that wretch!" + +"Do you mean by that remark that I am taking any interest in that young +man outside of mere curiosity?" + +"I don't know why you should have any curiosity about a tramp." + +"You are not a good student of physiognomy, Richard." + +"So you have been studying him, have you? You went away with him and +left me. What did he say to you? Where did he leave you? I haven't dared +to think about your going away with him. I excused it because you were +angry--so angry you'd even pick up a tramp for an escort. But what +interest do you take in that renegade?" His tones were acrid with +jealousy. + +"I did not find him a renegade. I found him a mystery, Richard. And I +hope that some day I will know what the mystery is." + +"Are you trying to drive me mad?" + +"I am merely chatting along in order to keep you off a topic which +is distressing. I heard that your uncle intended to have the man +investigated after he came into the office here and made that brave +stand. I happened to hear the talk the young man made. Perhaps that +accounts for my curiosity. Did your uncle find out much about the man?" + +"I don't know what he found out," declared Dodd, rapidly losing control +of himself. "But I propose to find out for myself." + +"Please do, Richard," said the girl, ingenuously and earnestly. She +seemed to be losing some of the hauteur she had shown at the first of +their meeting. + +"I'll find out enough to put him in jail, where he probably belongs. I'm +not going to insult you, Kate, by any more talk about a tramp. You can't +shift me from the main topic. Go home and talk with your mother, as I +have told you. We are going to be married!" + +"Richard, our affair is ended." + +"Then who is the man?" + +"There is no man." + +"If you say that and mean it, then you don't know women as well as I +know them. You don't know even yourself!" he declared. "I want to say +to you, Kate, that we are all walking on mighty thin ice. The sooner +you and I take hold of hands and get safely ashore--just you and I--the +better it will be. Just let your curiosity about other men fall asleep. +I tell you again, go home and talk with your mother." + +He bowed, reached his hand to touch hers, but refrained when she turned +suddenly to her desk and resumed her work. + +Young Dodd hurried out of the building without attempting to see his +uncle, and cooled his head and his passion and soothed his physical +discomfort by a headlong dash in his car back to the state's capital +city. + +The girl took her courage in her hands and asked Mr. Peter Briggs, in +as matter-of-fact tone as she could muster, whether he did not want any +record copy made of his notes in regard to that person who had bearded +Colonel Dodd. But Mr. Briggs informed her that the matter was not of +sufficient importance. + +"The fellow is merely a cheap, loafing sort--here to-day, there +to-morrow," said Briggs. "I investigated him thoroughly." + +Until then Miss Kilgour had always had a high opinion of Peter Briggs's +acumen. She promptly revised that estimate, reflecting that age is bound +to dull a person's senses and cloud his judgment. + + + + +XXI + +THE HONORABLE LION CONFERS WITH COLONEL TIGER + +All his people in the offices of the Honorable Archer Converse noticed +that the chief was not amiable that day. His usual dignified composure +was wholly lacking. He gave off orders fretfully, he slapped papers +about on his desk when he worked there; every now and then he glanced +up at the portrait of his distinguished father and muttered under +his breath. He had called for more documents relating to state health +statistics, reports on water systems, and had despatched a clerk to +the capital city to secure certain additional facts, figures, and +literature. The junior members of his law firm knew that he had taken +much to heart the case of the citizens of Danburg, who had been blocked +in their honest efforts to build a water system and who now +charged various high interests with conspiracy. The litigation was +important--the issues revolutionary. But the juniors had never seen the +chief fussed up by any law case before. + +Then something really did happen! + +The three citizens of Danburg who had occasionally conferred with him +came into his office and lined up in front of him. Mr. Davis scratched +his chin and blinked meekly, Mr. Erskine exhibited his nervousness by +running his fingers around inside his collar, and Mr. Owen fairly oozed +unspoken apology. + +"Look here, gentlemen," snapped Mr. Converse, "I'm not ready for you. I +told you not to come until next week. I have an immense mass of material +to study. You're only wasting time--mine and yours--coming here to-day." + +"Well, you see, your honor," stammered Davis, "we came to-day so as to +save you more trouble and work." + +"Work!" echoed Mr. Converse, seizing the arms of his chair and shoving +an astonished face forward. + +"Why--why--you see we've decided not to push this case any further. +And whatever is owing to you--name the sum." He did not relish the +glow which was coming into the attorney's eyes, nor the grim wrinkles +settling about the thin lips. "So that there won't be any hard feelings, +in any way," Davis hastened to say. + +"What has happened to you men all of a sudden?" demanded the lawyer. +"Explain! Speak up!" + +Davis's face was red, and he found much difficulty in replying. + +"Well--you see--you know--if you get into law you never know when you're +going to get out. We feel that this case is bound to drag! It's an awful +big case--and they've got lots of money to fight us." + +"I told you I'd take your case for bare expenses and court fees," +stormed the lawyer. "It's a case I wanted to prosecute." + +"We know--you were mighty fine about it--but we've decided different. +You see, the Consolidated--" + +Mr. Converse came onto his feet and shook his finger under Davis's nose. +"Don't you dare to tell me you have sold out to the Consolidated," he +shouted in tones that rang through his offices and brought all his force +to the right about and attention. + +"That wasn't it--exactly. But they'll take it off our hands--will do the +right thing, now that we have shown 'em a few things! Colonel Dodd has +seen new light. And it is too good a price for us to throw down." + +"You have let those monopolists buy you off. They have paid you a big +bribe because they are getting scared. They were afraid they had played +the old game once too often. I have them where I want them! No, my men! +You've got to fight this thing, I say." + +"You can't drag us into law unless we're willing to go," stated Davis, +doggedly. "We've taken their money and the papers have been passed--and +that settles it. We haven't done anything different than the others have +done in this state." + +"No, and that's the trouble with this state," cried Converse, with +passion. "You came in here at first and talked like men--like honest men +who had good reason for righteous anger--and I took your case. And now +you sneak back here and give up your fight--bribed after I clubbed them +until they were willing to offer you enough money." + +"We have only done what straight business men would do Mr. Converse," +declared Owen. + +"We had a chance to go to the high court with a case that would open up +the whole rottenness in this state before we got done fighting, and you +have sold out!" + +"Good day. We don't have to listen to such talk," said Erskine. + +"You wait one minute." The lawyer pulled open a drawer and found his +check-book. He wrote hastily and tore out the check. "Here's that +retaining-fee you paid me. Now get out of my office." + +He drove them ahead of him to the door, shouting insistent commands that +they hurry. + +When they were gone he gazed about at his astonished associates, his +partners, and his clerks. + +"I apologize most humbly ladies and gentlemen, for making such a +disturbance. I--I hardly seem to be myself to-day." + +He went to his desk and sat down and stared up at the portrait of +War-Governor Converse for a long time. At last he thumped his fist on +his desk and shook his head. + +"No," he declared, as if the portrait had been asking him a question +and pressing him for a reply, "I can't do it. I could have gone into +the courts and fought them as an attorney. I could have maintained my +self-respect. But not in politics--no--no! It's too much of a mess in +these days." + +But he pushed aside the papers which related to the affairs of the big +corporations for which he was counsel and kept on studying the reports +which his clerks had secured for him--such statements on health and +financial affairs as they were able to dig up. + +A day later his messenger brought a mass of data back from the State +House along with a story about insolent clerks and surly heads of +departments who offered all manner of slights and did all they dared to +hinder investigation. + +"It's a pretty tough condition of affairs, Mr. Converse," complained +the clerk, "when a state's hired servants treat citizens as if they were +trespassers in the Capitol. It has got so that our State House isn't +much of anything except a branch office for Colonel Dodd." + +"But you told them from what office you came--from my office?" + +"Of course I did, sir." + +"Well, what did they say?" + +The clerk's face grew red and betrayed sudden embarrassment. + +"Oh, they--they--didn't say anything special: just uppish--only--" + +"What did they say?" roared Mr. Converse. "You've got a memory! Out with +it! Exact words." + +Clerks were taught to obey orders in that office. + +"They said," choked the man, "that simply because your father was +governor of this state once you needn't think you could tell folks in +the State House to stand around! They said you didn't cut any ice in +politics." + +"That's the present code of manners, eh? Insult a citizen and salaam to +a politician!" + +"Mr. Converse, I waited an hour in the Vital Statistics Bureau while the +chief smoked cigars with Alf Symmes, that ward heeler. I had sent in our +firm card, and the chief held it in his hand and flipped it and smoked +and sat where he could look out at me and grin--and when Symmes had +finished his loafing they let me in." + +Mr. Converse turned to his desk and plunged again into the data. + +The next day he put a clerk at the long-distance telephone to call +physicians in all parts of the state--collecting independent information +in regard to the past and present prevalence of typhoid; he read certain +official reports with puckered brow and little mutters of disbelief, +and after he had read for a long time that disbelief was very frank. Mr. +Converse had rather keen vision in matters of prevarication, even when +the lying was done adroitly with figures. + +He was not a pleasant companion for his office force during those days; +his irascibility seemed to increase. He knew it himself, and he felt a +gentleman's shame because of a state of mind which he could not seem to +control. + +And finally, out of the complexity of his emotions, he fully realized +that he was angry at himself and that his anger at himself was growing +more acute from the fact that he realized that the anger was justified. +For he woke to the knowledge that he had allowed himself to grow +selfish. He resented the fact that anybody should expect him to meddle +with public affairs--to get into the muddle of politics. And he knew he +ought to be ashamed of such selfishness--and, therefore, he grew more +angry at himself as he continued to harbor resentment against any agency +which threatened to drag him into public life. + +He knew where the shell of that selfishness had been broken--it was +cracked in the meeting where his chivalry had received its call to arms +in behalf of the helpless. Those men had gazed at him, had told their +troubles--and had left it all to his conscience! He did not believe +those men were shrewd enough to understand so exactly in what fashion he +could be snared in their affairs. + +"Confound that rascal who inveigled me there!" ran his mental anathema +of the strange young man. "He must have been the devil, wearing that +frock-coat to hide his forked tail. And here I am now, fighting for +peace of mind!" + +And his struggle for his peace of mind drove him, at last, to set his +hat very straight on his head and march across the street to Colonel +Symonds Dodd's office. + +The Honorable Archer Converse had made up his mind that no influence +in the world could pull or push him into politics. He held firmly fixed +convictions as to what would happen to a good man in politics. To get +office this man of principle would be obliged to fight manipulators with +their own choice of weapons. And once in office, all his motives would +be mocked and his movements assailed. Converse was a keen man who had +studied men; he was not one of those amiable theorists who believe that +the People always have sense enough in the mass to turn to and elect the +right men for rulers. He understood perfectly well that accomplishing +real things in politics is not a game of tossing rose-petals. + +He went to call on Colonel Dodd. He went with the lofty purpose of a +patriotic citizen, resolved to exhort the colonel to clean house. +It seemed to be quite the natural thing to do, now that the idea had +occurred to him. Certainly Colonel Dodd would listen to reason--would +wake up when the thing was presented to him in the right manner; he must +understand that new fashions had come to stay in these days of reform. + +Thinking it all over, considering that really the matter of this +water-supply and attendant monopoly of franchises had become an evil, +that the prospects of the party would be endangered if the party leaders +continued to nurse this evil, Mr. Converse was certain that he and the +colonel would be able to arrange for reform, by letting the colonel do +the reforming. + +They faced each other. Their respective attitudes told much! + +Colonel Dodd filled his chair in front of his desk, using all the space +in it, swelling into all its concavities--usurping it all. + +The Honorable Archer Converse sat very straight, his shoulders not +touching his chair-back. + +Physically they represented extremes; mentally, morally, and in +political ethics they were as divergent as their physical attributes. + +"I'm sorry that you were able to take those Danburg men into camp," said +Mr. Converse, couching his lance promptly and in plain sight like +an honorable antagonist. "I had been retained and proposed to expose +conditions in the management of water systems." + +"I don't know what you mean," replied the colonel, following his +own code of combat and mentally fumbling at a net to throw over this +antagonist. + +"Yes, you do," retorted Mr. Converse. "You know better than I do because +you own the water systems of this state. But if you need to be reminded, +Colonel, I'll say that you are making great profits. You can afford to +tap lakes--spend money for mains even if you do have to go fifteen or +twenty miles into the hills around the cities and towns." + +"Whom do you represent, sir?" + +"Colonel Dodd, I think--really--that I'm representing _you_ when I give +you mighty good advice and do not charge for it." + +"I've got my own lawyers, Mr. Converse." + +Both men were employing politeness that was grim, and they were swapping +glances as duelists slowly chafe swords, awaiting an opening. + +Sullen anger was taking possession of the colonel, thus bearded. + +Righteous indignation, born from his bitterness of the past few days, +made Converse's eyes flash. + +"You are one of the richest men in this state, Colonel Dodd, and +your money has come to you from the pockets of the people--tolls from +thousands of them. Remember that!" + +"Huh!" snorted the colonel, looking up at a bouquet. + +It is not often given to men to place proper estimate on their own +limitations. Otherwise, the Honorable Archer Converse would never have +gone in person to prevail upon Colonel Symonds Dodd. In temperament and +ethics they were so far asunder that conference between them on a common +topic was as hopeless an undertaking as would be argument between a +tiger and a lion over the carcass of a sheep. + +Mr. Converse rose, unfolding himself with dignified angularity. + +"I must remind you, sir, that I belong to the political party of which +you assume to be boss. If you refuse to give common justice to the +people, then you are using that party to cover iniquity." + +Colonel Dodd worked himself out of his chair and stood up. "I am taking +no advice from you, sir, as to how I shall manage business or politics." + +"Perhaps, sir, in regard to your business I can only exhort you to be +honest, but as regards the party which my honored father led to victory +in this state I have something to say, by gad! sir, when I see it being +led to destruction." + +"Well, sir, what have you to say?" + +"I will not stand by and allow it to be ruined by men who are using it +to protect their methods in business dealings." + +"What ice do you think you cut in the politics of this state?" inquired +the colonel, dropping into the vernacular of the politician, too angry +to deal in any more grim politeness. + +"Not the kind you are cutting, sir--your political ice is like the ice +you cut from the poisoned rivers." + +"It seems to be still popular for cranks to come here and threaten me," +sneered the colonel. "It was started a while ago by a shock-headed idiot +from the Eleventh Ward." + +The Honorable Archer Converse displayed prompt interest which surprised +the colonel. "A young man from the Eleventh Ward? Was he tall and rather +distinguished-looking?" + +Colonel Dodd snorted his disgust. "Distinguished-looking! He threatened +me, and I had him followed. He's a ward heeler. Better look him up!" +His choler was driving him to extremes. He was pricked by his caller's +high-bred stare of disdain. "He seems to be another apostle of the +people who wants to tell me how to run my own business. Yes, you better +look him up, Converse." + +"Very well, sir! If he came in here and tried to tell you the truth +about yourself he's worth knowing. Furthermore, I think I do know him." + +"Ah, one of those you train with, eh? Do you like him?" + +It was biting sarcasm, but to the colonel's disappointment it did not +appear to affect his caller in the least. Converse even smiled--a most +peculiar sort of smile. + +"I must say, sir, that I have been hating him cordially." + +The colonel grunted approbation. + +"But from now on, sir, for reasons best known to myself, I'm going to +make that young man my close and particular friend. You'll hear from us +later." + +He bowed stiffly and went out, leaving Colonel Dodd staring after him +with his square face twisted into an expression of utter astonishment, +his little eyes goggling, his tuft of whisker sticking up like an +exclamation-point. + +"The first appropriation the next legislature makes," he +soliloquized, "will have to be money enough to build a new wing on the +insane-hospital. They're all going crazy in this state, from aristocrats +to tramps." + + + + +XXII + +ENLISTING A KNIGHT-ERRANT + +On his way down the stairs to the street the Honorable Archer Converse, +moving more rapidly than was his wont, overtook and passed Kate Kilgour. +He was too absorbed to notice even a pretty girl. She had finished her +work for the day and was on her way home. + +When she reached the street she observed something which interested +her immensely: Mr. Converse suddenly flourished his cane to attract the +attention of a man on the opposite side of the street. Then Mr. Converse +called to him from the curb with the utmost friendliness in his tones. +The girl passed near him and heard what he said. It was not a mere hail +to an inferior. The eminent lawyer very politely and solicitously asked +the tall young man across the way if he could not spare time to come to +the Converse office. + +She cast a look over her shoulder. The young man came across the street +promptly. He was the man who had served her in her time of need! + +She went on, but turned again. An uncontrollable impulse prompted her. + +They were entering the door of the office-building, and the aristocratic +hand of the Honorable Archer Converse was patting the shoulder of this +stranger. Her cheeks flushed and she turned away hastily, for the young +man caught her backward glance and returned an appealing smile. + +"Who is he?" she asked herself, knowing well the chill reserve of Mr. +Converse in the matter of mankind. + +"Who are you?" demanded Mr. Converse, planting himself in front of the +young man when they were in the private office. + +The other met the lawyer's searching look with his rare smile. "The same +man I was last time we met--Walker Farr." + +"I have no right to pry into your private affairs, sir, but I have +special reasons for wanting you to volunteer plenty of information about +yourself." + +For reply the young man spread his palms and silently, by his smile, +invited inspection of himself. + +"Yes, I see you. But the outside of you doesn't tell me what I want to +know." + +"It will have to speak for me." + +"Look here, I have let myself be tied up most devilishly by a train of +circumstances that you started, young man. I was minding my own private +business until a little while ago." + +"So was I, Mr. Converse." + +"You're a moderately humble citizen, judged from outside looks just now. +How did I allow myself to be pulled in as I've been?" + +The young man's smile departed. "I asked myself that question a little +while ago, sir, after I was pulled in, for I am a stranger--not even a +voter here." + +"Well, did you decide how it was?" + +"I was led in by the hand of a helpless child--a poor little orphan girl +whom I carried to the cemetery on my knees--a martyr--poisoned by that +Consolidated water." + +The lawyer was stirred by the intensity of feeling which the man's tones +betrayed. + +"And it was borne in upon me afresh, Mr. Converse, that the philosophy +of the causes by which God moves this world of ours will never be +understood by man." + +"See here," snapped the son of the war governor, "take off your mask, +Walker Farr! There's something behind it I want to see. You are an +educated gentleman! What are you? Where did you come from?" + +Again Farr spread out his palms and was silent. + +"You are right about causes. You are one in my case. There may be some +fatalism in me--but I'm impelled to use you in a great fight that I feel +honor-bound to take up. Now be frank!" + +"For all use you can make of me, Mr. Converse, my life starts from the +minute I picked that little girl up from the floor of a tenement-house +in this city. For what I was _before_ is so different from what I am +_now_ that I cannot mix that identity with my affairs." + +"But I cannot take a man into a matter like this unless I know all about +him." + +Farr rose and bowed. "I'm sorry you can't accept me at face value, sir. +I'm very sorry, because I'd like to serve under such a commander as you. +However, I understand your position. I don't blame you. The rule of the +world is pretty binding: know a man before you associate with him. But I +am as I am. There's nothing more to be said." + +"You sit down," commanded Converse. "This is a case where rules of the +world can be suspended. For I need the kind of man who dares to face +even Symonds Dodd in his office and tell him what he is. Oh, I have just +come from there," he explained in reply to Farr's stare. "He told me." + +"I went merely as a voice, sir." + +"But you seem to have been more than that in getting the confidence of +the men in your ward. I know an organizer when I see him. I watched the +faces of those men when you stepped before them. They have faith in +you. That's a rare quality--the ability to inspire faith in the humble. +First, faith--and then they'll follow. The movement I'm going to start +needs followers, Mr. Farr! Can you do with other men what you have done +with men in the Eleventh?" + +"I believe I can, sir." + +"Ah, you have led men in the past, have you?" Mr. Converse fired the +question at him. But he did not jump Walker Farr from his equipoise. The +young man took refuge behind that inscrutable smile. + +"Well," sighed the lawyer, after a pause, "it's the dictum that one must +be as wise as a serpent in politics, therefore I am picking out a man +who will probably give a good account of himself. But it's a crazy +performance of mine--going into this thing--and I may as well plunge to +the extent of lunacy. Mr. Farr, the rebellious unrest in this state must +be organized. We need a house-cleaning. We need the humbler voters! +The men with interests are too well taken care of by the Machine to be +interested. I want you to go out and hunt for sore spots and get to the +voters just as you have in your ward. Find the right men in each town +and city to help you. You must know many on account of your work for +your water association. The fight will be financed--you need have no +worry about that. Perhaps you have organized political revolts before," +pursued Converse, still craftily probing. "Then you'll tell me what +honorarium you expect." + +"My expenses--nothing more, sir. If I had any money laid by I would pay +my own way." + +"I think," stated Mr. Converse, warming with the spirit of combat, +glancing up at the portrait of the war governor, "that we'll be able to +surprise some of the fat toads of politicians in this state, sitting so +comfortably under their cabbage-leaves. You're a stranger, young man, +and as you go about your work the regular politicians will simply blink +at you and will not understand, I hope, provided you go softly. It is +very silly of me to be in this affair, sir. But a man of my age must +have peace of mind, and that infernal meeting in your ward awoke me. +Furthermore," he added, displaying the acrimony that even a good man +requires to spur him to honest fighting, "a cheap politician only lately +flipped my card insolently and referred in slighting tones to my honored +father." He rose and gave Farr his hand. "I'll have assembled here in +my office at ten o'clock to-morrow morning some gentlemen who will stand +for decency in public affairs as soon as they have been waked up. You +will please attend that conference, Mr. Farr. We have only a short +month before the state convention, and we must bring there at least +a respectable number of delegates whom Symonds Dodd cannot bribe or +browbeat." + +"Most extraordinary--most extraordinary!" mused the Honorable +Archer Converse, when he was alone. "From that meeting--to an +investigation--from Dodd--to this young man--I have been leaping from +crag to crag like a mountain-goat, never stopping to take breath. And +here I haven't even been able to find out just who he is--and they +do say I'm the best cross-examiner in this state! However, I'll show +Symonds Dodd that I'm not to be sneered at, even if I have to hire +Patagonians in this campaign." + +Even chivalry must needs be spiced with a little strictly personal +animosity to achieve its best results! + +Colonel Symonds Dodd, laboriously climbing into his limousine in front +of the First National block, scowled at a young man because the +man grinned at him so broadly as he passed along. In his general +indifference and contempt for the humble the colonel did not search +his memory and did not recognize this person as the young man who had +appealed to him in his office. The face seemed familiar and had some +sort of an unpleasant recollection connected with it; therefore the +colonel scowled. He was far from realizing that this person carried on +his palm the warmth from a hand-clasp which, just a moment before, had +ratified an agreement to dynamite the Dodd political throne. + +If some seer had risen beside his chariot to predict disaster the +colonel would have shriveled him with a contemptuous look. For the +Consolidated Water Company had that day been intrenched more firmly than +ever in its autocracy by a decision handed down from the Supreme Court. +A city had hired the best of lawyers and had fought desperately for the +right to have pure water. But the law, as expounded by the judges, had +held as inexorable the provision that no city or town in the state could +extend its debt limit above the legal five percent of its valuation, +no matter for what purpose. The city sought for some avenue, some plan, +some evasion, even, so that it might take over the water system and +give its people crystal water from the lakes instead of the polluted +river-water. The city pointed to typhoid cases, to slothful torpor on +the part of the water syndicate. But the court could only, in the last +analysis, point to the law--and that law in regard to debt limit was +rooted in the constitution of the state--and a law fortified by the +constitution is seldom dislodged. + +Backed by law, bulwarked by political power, owning men and money-bags, +Colonel Dodd rode home with great serenity. He had even forgotten his +rather tempestuous half-hour with the Honorable Archer Converse. As a +matter of fact, gentlemen of the aristocracy of the state who prided +themselves on their ancestry were considered by Colonel Dodd to be +impracticable cranks; he despised the poor and hated the proud--and +called himself a self-made man. And Colonel Dodd was firmly convinced +that nobody could _unmake_ him. + +He strolled among his flower-beds that evening. + +Walker Farr sat in his narrow chamber and pored over interlined +manuscripts. At last he shook the papers above his head, not gaily, but +with grim bitterness. + +"That plan will stand law, and no other lawyer ever thought of it!" +he cried, aloud. "You've got an iron clutch on those cities and towns, +Colonel Dodd, but I've got something that will pry your fingers loose!" +He threw the papers from him and set his face in his hands. "And they +ask me who I am and I can't tell them," he sobbed. + + + + +XXIII + +THE PROPHET WHO WAS UNDERRATED + +The first sniffer to catch the trail of Walker Farr was the veteran, +Daniel Breed, an old political hound who always traveled with muffled +paws and nose close to the ground. But when he went to the meeting of +the state committee and the Big Boys with his news their reception of +him hinted that they suspected he was making up a political bugaboo +in order to get a job. He was even told that his services as field man +would not be needed in that campaign. And it may be imagined what effect +that news had on old Daniel Breed, who had been a trusted pussy-footer +and caucus manipulator for a quarter of a century. + +"You don't mean to tell me that you're trying to slam me onto the +scrap-heap, do you?" he demanded. "I'll scrap before I'll be scrapped." + +"Look here, Dan, it's the colonel's orders," explained the chairman. "It +has been decided to play politics a little more smoothly. There is too +much jaw-gab going among the cranks. If there is any outside work done +at all it will be put over by new chaps who are not so well advertised +as you old bucks. We want to hide the machinery this year." + +"That's a jobeefed nice thing to say to me, a man that would go up in a +balloon and troll for hen-hawks, asking no questions, provided the state +committee told me it would help in carrying a caucus." + +"But we're taking care of the old boys all right, Dan. Vose is in the +pension-office; Ambrose and Sturdivant are in the adjutant-general's +office patching up the Civil War rolls, with orders to take their time +about it. And you'll be used well." + +"I want to be in the field," insisted Breed, 'sipping' his lips +importantly. "Those fellows are old fuddy-duddies. I'm a natural +politician." + +He was an interesting figure, this Honorable Daniel Breed. He was +entitled to the "Honorable." He had been a state senator from his +county. With his slow, side-wheel gait, head too little for his body, +nose like a beak, sunken mouth, cavernous eyes, and a light hat perched +on the back of his narrow head he suggested a languid, tame, bald-headed +eagle. And his voice was a dry, nasal, querulous squawk--a sound more +avian than human. + +"I tell ye there's yeast a-stirring," he told the state committee. +"There's a fellow come up out of the Eleventh Ward in Marion that's +some punkins in organizing. He pretends to be a law student in Arch +Converse's law-office. He ain't a native. I don't know where he hails +from. He ain't a registered voter as yet. But he's a man who needs to be +trailed." + +"Squire Converse isn't in politics, Dan. You're getting notional in your +old age," said the committeeman from Breed's county. + +"But good gad! there ain't any statute to keep him out. Something has +happened to make him good and mad. Some of these fancy jumping-jacks can +make awful leaps when the box is opened, gents! Better take warning from +what I tell you!" + +The committeemen exchanged smiles. + +"We are going to steal a little of the kid-gloved chaps' thunder," +explained the chairman. "They have been howling about machine politics +and interlocking interests and air-tight methods until the people are +growling about the close corporation they say we've got. So we're going +to show 'em a thing or two. Nothing like frankness and open house." + +"Gor-ram it, you ain't even square with me--after I have worked politics +with you for twenty-five years!" He marched up to the table and rapped +his hard little knuckles on it. "It's this way, gents," he said, "and +I'll be short and sweet. What's the matter with politics when a man like +I've always been gets pi-oogled out of the councils?" + +"We don't need workers like you any more," stated the chairman. + +"But there's politics to play, just the same." + +"But in a different way, Breed. There are the new ideas, and new men can +operate more efficiently. They won't attract attention." + +"Old Maid Orne down in my town came into church late and crawled up the +aisle on her hands and knees so as not to attract attention. And she +broke up the meeting!" + +"We've got to fall in with the new ways, Dan," said the +attorney-general. "These are touchy times. We must be careful of the +party." + +"I 'ain't never disgraced it, have I?" + +"Uncle Dan, we want you to take a good, comfortable position and settle +down," affirmed Governor Alonzo Harwood, an unctuous, rubicund gentleman +who had been listening, smiling his everlasting smile. + +"I prefer to hold myself in readiness for a call to the field," squalled +Breed. "I'm better'n three of these young snydingles. They don't know +how to organize!" + +"There isn't much chance for organizing," said a Congressman, +placatingly. "The primaries take care of themselves pretty well." + +"Yes," sneered old Dan, "a fellow thinks well of himself, or else his +neighbors tell him he can save the nation, and he puts a piece in the +paper saying how good he is and sets pictures of himself up in store +winders like a cussed play-actor, keeps a cash account, and thinks +that's politics. I don't care if there ain't ever no more caucuses. This +thing ain't going to last. I want to keep in the field. I'll see chances +to heave trigs into the spokes of these hallelujah chariots they're +rolling to political glory in!" + +The mighty ones exchanged glances--deprecating glances--apprehensive +glances. + +"You don't think I'm dangerous, do you, after I've been in politics as +long as I have?" + +"No, but we feel that the old war-horses are entitled to run to pasture +with their shoes off," coaxed the chairman. + +"It seems to me more like tying me up to a stanchion in a stall. I +ain't ungrateful, gents. I know this younger element doesn't believe +in setting hens in politics any more. It's the incubator +nowadays--wholesale job of it. But, by dadder! my settings have always +cracked the shells, twelve to the dozen! Then you don't want me, eh?" + +"That job in the state land-office--we thought it would just about fit +you," suggested the chairman. + +"I'd just as soon be sent to state prison--solitary confinement. The +state hasn't got any land any more. It has all been peddled out to the +grabbers. I've messed and mingled with men all my life. Nobody ever +comes into the land-office. You ain't afraid of me to that extent, be +you?" + +"What do you want?" asked the governor. + +"Settled, is it, you don't want me in politics?" + +"There isn't anything for you to do," declared his Excellency, and he +showed a little impatience, though his smile did not fade. + +"Well, then make me state liberian," said old Dan, with an air of +resignation. + +There was deep and horrified silence. + +"I'm developing literary instinks," explained Breed. "I've got a son who +owns a printing-office, and my granddaughter can take down anything in +shorthand and write it off. I'm going to write a book. She'll take it +down and he'll print it." + +"I can't appoint you state librarian," said the governor, getting +control of his emotions. "It's already tied up, that appointment. Keep +it under your hat, but I have selected Reverend Doctor Fletcher, of +Cornish, and have notified him." + +"Giving a plum like that to a parson who never controlled but one vote, +and that's his own--and then voted the way the deacon told him to? +I reckon it's about as you say--there are new times in politics. All +right! I'll go and climb a sumach-bush. You needn't bother about any job +for me, gents. I'll settle down to my literary work." + +"What is the book?" asked the chairman. + +"I have your word for it that the old days in politics have all gone +by," said Breed. "All the old things dead and buried! Very well. That's +going to make my book valuable and interesting. No harm in putting it +out in these times. I shall entitle it 'Breed's Handbook of Political +Deviltry.' I shall tell the story of how it was done when politics was +really politics." + +"Going to tell all you know?" inquired the governor. + +"Of course. Truth, and not poetry, will be my motto. And just for a test +of how popular it will be, I'd like to ask you gents how many of you +will subscribe for a volume?" + +"I think this committee will take the whole edition," said the chairman, +dryly. + +"Look here, Dan," blurted the attorney-general, "you must be joking." + +"I don't know what ever gave you the impression that I'm a humorist," +returned Breed. "If there ain't going to be anything more like the old +times, then what's the matter with having the story of how it was done? +That book will sell like hot cakes. I'll go out and sell it--it will +give me a chance to keep on mixing and messing with men." + +"Dan, if it wasn't you talking--knowing you well--I'd say this is a +piece of blackmail," declared the attorney-general. "Of course you can't +put out a book of that kind in this state." + +Mr. Breed blinked angrily. + +"I'll take all the cases of libel against you and won't charge my +clients a cent." + +"Fill everybody else's little tin dipper, eh? Passing everybody else a +bottle and a rubber nipple! Everybody getting his, and me left out! All +right. If that's political gratitude in these new times, go on with you +medinkculum! And last year I snapped the six up-country caucuses that +gave you your plurality in joint convention!" + +"We appreciate all your past services, Dan. If we didn't we wouldn't be +trying so hard to place you," said the governor. "We're taking care of +all the old boys. You mustn't embarrass us. In these days it's for the +good of the party to put in each office the man who is especially +fitted for it. We mustn't invite criticism. A librarian needs peculiar +qualifications." + +"Well, old Jaquish was liberian, wasn't he? And he wouldn't even go vote +unless you went and dragged him to the polls by the scruff of his neck. +What did he ever do for the party? And look at old Tomdoozle as state +treasurer!" + +"Jaquish was a bookman, and our state treasurer--but no matter. Now +listen! I'm going to put you at the head of a new department in the +State House where you won't be lonesome. More people will come there +than to the library. You'll have the title of curator." + +"What's that?" asked Breed, suspiciously. "And what is the department, +anyway?" + +"The museum of natural history in the fish-and-game rooms. We're going +to make it complete--mounted specimens of all our animals. You'll be +curator--you see, you will get a title that sounds well!" + +"I'm of a restless and inquiring disposition, and my special forty is +politics," stated Breed, sulking. "I don't believe I'm going to relish +being ringmaster of a lot of stuffed animals, no matter what kind of a +title I get. How much pay goes with the job?" + +"Fifteen hundred," said the governor. + +"Well," sighed Breed, "it will give me a chance to be around the State +House during the session, and I'll take it. Then if I don't like it I +can resign after the legislature adjourns." + +The Big Ones understood his frame of mind and overlooked his +ingratitude. + +"And so I'll bid you good day, gents," he said, and straddled out with +his hands under his coat-tails. + +"So we've got _him_ side-tracked and out of mischief," averred the +governor. "That takes care of all of 'em, and I'm relieved. It isn't +stylish any more to come to town with a lot of old hounds trotting under +the tail of the political cart." + +But before the end of that week the governor was obliged to call Uncle +Dan to a private conference in the Executive Chamber. + +"You must remember that you're a state officer," warned his Excellency. +"You're a part of the administration. But you are out talking politics +all the time. I want you to stay in your department. Just remember that +you're curator of our museum." + +"I don't like that blamed job," complained Breed. "I don't care what my +title is, it only means that I have to dust off that old stuffed loon, +keep moths out of that loosivee, and fleas or some kind of insecks off'n +that bull moose. It ain't no job for a politician. And there's a steady +stream through there asking me all kinds of questions about animals. I +don't know nothing about animals. I don't know whether a live moose eats +hay or chopped liver. Those questions keep me all hestered up. It puts +me in a wrong position before the public. I can't tell 'em which or +what, and they think I'm losing my mind." + +"Post up! It will keep you busy. Get books out of the library and read. +Inform yourself and have a story for the folks!" + +A few days later the chairman of the state committee had an indignant +report to make to the governor regarding Uncle Dan's natural-history +activities. + +"He has turned that museum into a circus show, your Excellency. He has +named every one of those stuffed animals for somebody in politics he +doesn't like, and leads a snickering mob of sight-seers around the room +and lectures. When a state officer names a saucer-eyed Canadian lynx for +me and then folks come up from that basement and grin at me, it's time a +halt was called." + +His Excellency called for Breed and called a halt, using forceful +language. + +"I resign," declared old Dan, nipping his little bunghole of a mouth +under the hook of his nose. "Those animals are getting onto my nerves. +The whole pack and caboodle are chasing me in a nightmare every time +I go to sleep. Their condemned glass eyes are boring me worse than +gimlets. I'm going on with that book of mine. I've got a new idea for +it. I'm going to put in pictures of animals and name 'em for those +tin-horn flukedubbles who could never get an office if it wasn't for the +primaries." + +"Look here, Breed, you're an old man and you've done a lot of good work +in your day, and we're all trying to do something for you. But I have +pretty nigh reached the limit of my patience. Politics isn't what it +used to be. Different manners, different men. I'm the head of our party +and I command you to eliminate yourself. You go back to your job, use +common sense, and keep out of things! You are silly--you're senile!" + +"You have taken me out of where I belong and have put me in where I +don't belong and now you're blaming me because I can't learn a lot of +new tricks at my age. I resign, I say!" + +"If you give up that job you'll never get another one." + +Uncle Dan put his hands under his coat-tails and marched out, his beak +in the air. + +"The trouble is," he confided to old Sturdivant in the +adjutant-general's office, "this younger element that's coming along +thinks men like you and I have lost all our ability and influence. +They're sally-lavering all over us, telling us how they want us to have +an easy job. But it's all a damnation insult--that's what it amounts +to." + +"All I have to do is lap sticking-paper and gum up the places where +these rolls are torn," said old Sturdivant. "I'm perfectly contented." + +"Then stay were you're put and swaller the insult," retorted Breed, +with disgust. "I thought you had more get-up-and-get. There's a stuffed +rabbit in that museum. He'll make a good chum for you in your off hour. +Go and sit down with him." He went over to old Ambrose's desk. Ambrose +was numbering dog's-eared pages with a rubber stamp and would not admit +that he had been insulted by the state committee. "There's nobody got +the right to ask me to stop being active and influential in this state," +insisted Breed. "They haven't taken my pride into account. I ain't +naturally a kicker. I've always obeyed orders. If I've got to go out +alone and show 'em that the old guard can't be insulted, then I'll do +it." + +This time he took the trail of Walker Farr once more and followed that +energetic young man until he cornered him. + +Farr harkened with interest to the story of the scrapping of the +Honorable Daniel Breed as related by that gentleman himself. + +"And the moral of the tale is," added Mr. Breed, "when a gang does you +dirt turn around and plaster a few gobs onto the dirt-slingers. That +ain't the rule in religion, but it's the natural and correct policy in +politics. I have been hurt in my tender feelings. If them animals had +been alive and savage enough I would have taken 'em up to the state +committee-room and ste' boyed 'em onto the ungrateful cusses who have +tried to make my last days unhappy. I know every sore spot in this +state. You don't know 'em unless you have got second sight. I can take +you to every man who has got a political bruise on him. Good gad! I have +been poulticing those sore spots for twenty-five years. You need a man +like I am." + +"I'll admit that I do need such a man. I am a stranger in the state. But +I'm going to be perfectly frank with you, Mr. Breed. How do I know but +you're a spy who wants to attach himself to me for the benefit of the +ring?" + +"You don't know," returned Mr. Breed, serenely. "You have to take +chances in politics. I'm taking chances when I join in with you. Just +who are you and how do you happen to be mixed up in our politics?" + +"I am mixing into politics because the men, women, and children are +being poisoned by the Consolidated water. That's platform enough, isn't +it?" + +"Well, I reckon it is, knowing what I know of general conditions. You +have got a pretty good head for politics, even if you ain't sincere on +the water question," said Breed, with a politician's ready suspicion of +motives. "You've got a come-all-ye hoorah there that will make votes." + +"As to my personality, that has nothing to do with the matter. I am only +an agent. Will you come with me and allow Mr. Converse to ask you some +questions?" + +"Sure thing!" agreed the Honorable Daniel, with great heartiness. "In +politics the first thing to do before you get real busy is to have a +nice heart-to-heart talk with the gent who says 'How much?' and laps his +forefinger and begins to count. You understand, young man, that I have +been in politics a long time. And I ain't an animal-trainer--I'm a field +worker and I can earn my pay." + +And inside of a week Walker Farr, who had been previously struggling +hard against lack of acquaintance in the state, found that Mr. Breed +had spoken the truth. The two made a team which excited the full +approval--the wondering admiration--of the Honorable Archer Converse. + +Farr's power to control and interest men achieved astonishing results +with Daniel Breed's exact knowledge of persons and conditions. + +But they were rather humble citizens. There was no fanfare about their +work. If Colonel Symonds Dodd knew anything at all about the fires they +were setting, he made no move to turn on the Consolidated hose. + + + + +XXIV + +THE STAR CHAMBER IN THE OLD NATIONAL + +They did not come furtively, yet they came unobtrusively--these men who +drifted into the National Hotel in Marion that day. + +At one side of the big rotunda of the National stood Walker Farr, his +keen gaze noting the men who came dribbling in, singly, by twos +and threes. They were not men of Marion city. A newspaper reporter, +happening in at the National, noted that fact. He stood for a time and +watched the filtering arrivals. There were some who were plainly men of +affairs, others were solid men who bore the stamp of the rural sections. +They went to the desk, wrote their names, and were shown up-stairs by +bellhops. Most of them, as they crossed the office, nodded greeting to +the tall young man who wore a frock coat and a broad-brimmed hat and +stood almost motionless at one side of the rotunda. + +The National was state Mecca for all kinds of conventions. The reporter +studied his date-book. No convention was scheduled for that day. He +managed to get a peep at the hotel register. The men who had been +signing their names hailed from all portions of the state, but the +reporter did not find identities which suggested political activities. +It was plainly not a gathering of politicians--none of the old +war-horses were in evidence. + +The reporter questioned a few of the arrivals, chasing beside them. They +all gave the same answer--they had come to Marion on business. + +The reply was safe, succinct, and stopped further questions. The +reporter did venture to pick out a little man and inquire what kind +of business called him to Marion, and the little man informed him with +sarcasm that he was a baker from Banbury and had come down to purchase +doughnut holes. + +The reporter thereupon dodged into the bar to escape the grins of some +of the office crew, and his haste was such that he nearly beat the baize +doors into the face of Richard Dodd, who was coming out. + +"You're the first real politician I've seen in this bunch," affirmed the +reporter. "What's it all about?" + +"What's what about?" + +"This convention that's assembling here." + +"I know nothing about it," stated Mr. Dodd, with dignity. "It's nothing +of a political nature, I can assure you of that." + +The reporter noted that young Mr. Dodd's eyes were red and that his +step wavered, and that he exhaled the peculiar odor which emanates from +gentlemen who have been prolonging for some time what is known vulgarly +as a "toot." In fact, the reporter remembered then the rumor in +newspaper circles that the chief clerk of the state treasury had been +attending to stimulants instead of to business for almost two weeks. + +"I assure you that I know all that's to be known about politics," +insisted Mr. Dodd. "If there's a convention here, who's running it?" + +They had returned from the bar into the main office. + +"I don't know--can't find out. That tall fellow over there seems to +know everybody who had been coming in--all the bunch of outsiders. But I +never saw him before." + +Mr. Dodd closed one eye in order to focus his attention on this unknown +across the office. + +A deep glow of antipathy and distrust came into the eye which located +and identified Walker Farr. + +Mr. Dodd cursed without using names, verbs, or information. + +"Oh, you know him, do you?" + +"No, I don't know him." Mr. Dodd hung to his vengeful secret doggedly. +He left the reporter and went and sat down in a chair and continued to +stare at Farr, who remained oblivious to this inspection. + +The reporter went across the office. There seemed to be more or less +mystery about this man who had provoked all those curses from the +secretive chief clerk of the treasury. + +"Can you give me any information about these men who are meeting here +to-day?" + +"Meeting of the Independent Corn-Growers' Association." The reporter's +gaze was frankly skeptical, but Farr met it without a flicker of the +eyelids. + +"I never heard of any such association." + +"You have now, sir." + +"Is it open to the newspapers?" + +"Closed doors--absolutely private." + +"Who'll give out the statement?" + +Farr put his hand on the reporter's shoulder and gave him a smile. + +"You see, it's to fight the packers' union and so we are not giving away +our ammunition to the enemy. Keep it quiet and when the thing breaks +I'll give you our side." + +"All right, sir. If it's to be an exclusive for me I'll steer away the +other newspaper men. But do you know just why Richard Dodd--that man +over there--is damning you into shoe-strings?" + +Even at that distance Farr's keen gaze detected the filmy eyes and the +flushed face. + +"Perhaps it's because the Corn-Growers propose to put their corn into +johnny-bread instead of using it for whisky?" + +The newspaper man, his suspicions dulled by Farr's radiant good nature +and wholesome frankness, went away about his business, but he halted +long enough beside Dodd's chair to repeat "the corn-grower's" joke +regarding the young man who had been glowering on him. + +Dodd got up with as much alacrity as he could command and went across +to Farr. Sober, the nephew of Colonel Dodd had treated this person +with rather lofty contempt; drunk, he was not so finical in matters +of caste--and, besides, this man now wore the garb of a gentleman, and +young Mr. Dodd always placed much emphasis on clothes. + +"Look here, my fellow, now that I have you where I don't need to +consider the presence of ladies, I want to ask you how you dared to mess +into my private business?" + +Farr, towering above him, beamed down on him with tolerant indifference +and did not answer. + +"That Lochinvar business may sound good in a poem, but it doesn't go +here in Marion--not when it's my business and my girl." + +Dodd raised his voice. He seemed about to become a bit hysterical. + +Farr set slow, gripping, commanding clutch about the young man's elbow. + +"If your business with me can possibly be any talk about a lady," he +advised, "you'd better come along into the reading-room." + +"It is about a lady," persisted Dodd when they had swung in behind a +newspaper-rack. The room was apparently empty. "You understand what you +came butting in upon, don't you?" + +"I took it to be a rehearsal of a melodrama, crudely conceived and very +poorly played." + +"Say, you use pretty big words for a low-lived iceman." + +"State your business with me if you have any," Farr reminded him. "I +have something else to do besides swap talk with a drunken man--and your +breath is very offensive." + +Dodd began to tap a finger on Farr's breast. + +"I want you to understand that I've got a full line on you; you have +been chumming with a Canuck rack-tender, you deserted a woman, and she +committed suicide, and you took the brat--" + +Farr's big hand released the elbow and set itself around Mr. Dodd's +neck. Thumb and forefinger bored under the jaw and Mr. Dodd's epiglottis +ceased vibrating. + +"I don't like to assault a man, but talk doesn't seem to fit your case +and I can't stop long enough to talk, anyway. This choking is my comment +on your lies." He pushed Mr. Dodd relentlessly down into the nearest +chair and spanked his face slowly and deliberately with the flat of +his hand. "And this will indicate to you just how much I care for your +threats. You'll remember it longer than you will recollect words." + +He finished and went away, leaving his victim getting his breath in +the chair. Dodd, peering under the rack, saw him hasten and join the +Honorable Archer Converse in the hotel lobby and they went up the broad +stairs together. + +The chief clerk of the state treasury sat there and smoothed his +smarting face with trembling hands and worked his jaws to dislodge the +grinding ache in his neck. But the stinging, malevolent rancor within +him burned hotter and hotter. He started to get up out of the chair and +sat back again, much disturbed. + +A man who had been hidden by an adjoining rack of newspapers was now +leaning forward, jutting his head past the ambuscade. He was an elderly +man with an up-cocked gray mustache, and there was a queer little smile +in his shrewd blue eyes. Dodd knew him; he was one Mullaney, a state +detective. + +"What are you doing here--practicing your sneak work?" demanded the +young man. As a state official he did not entertain a high opinion of +the free-lance organization to which Mullaney belonged. + +"I'm here reading a paper--supposed it's what the room is for," returned +Detective Mullaney. "But excuse me--I'll get out. Room seems to be +reserved for prize-fighters." + +"You keep your mouth shut about that--that insult." + +"I never talk--it would hurt my business." + +"I don't fight in a public place. I'm a gentleman. I want you to +remember what you saw, Mullaney! I'll get to that cheap bum in a way he +won't forget." + +"Do you mind telling me who your friend is?" asked the detective. + +Dodd shot him a sour side-glance and muttered profanity. + +"I couldn't help wondering what particular kind of business you and he +could have, seeing how it was transacted," pursued the detective. + +Dodd glowered at the floor. "Look here, Mullaney! There's a whole lot +about that man I want to know, if you can help me and keep your mouth +closed. I haven't got much confidence in the work you fellows do--they +tell me you can't detect mud on your own boots." + +Mr. Mullaney pulled his chair out from behind the papers and leaned back +in it and crossed his hands over his stomach and smiled without a trace +of resentment. + +"I might tell you something right now about that tall friend of yours +that would jump you, Mr. Dodd--I'm that much of a detective!" + +"Tell me, then." + +"Just as it stands it's guesswork--considerable guesswork." + +"What does that amount to?" + +"A great deal in my business. Take this city of one hundred thousand! +I'm the only man in it who is making guesswork about strangers his +special line of work. The rest of the citizens rub elbows with all +passers and don't give a hoot. There are a good many thousand men in +this country whom the law wants and whom the law can't find. That fellow +may be one of them, for all I know. I guess he is, for instance. Then I +make it my business to prove guesswork." + +"You must be doing a devil of a rushing business!" sneered Dodd. + +"I manage to make a good living. I don't talk about my business, for if +I should blow it I wouldn't have any. I say, I _guess_! Then I spend my +spare time hunting through my books of pointers. For ten years I have +read every newspaper I could get hold of. I come in here and study +papers from all over. Every crime that has been committed, every man +wanted, every chap who has got away, I write down all I can find out +about him. Then, if anything comes up to make me guess about a man I +begin to hunt my books through." + +"Well, if I'm any good on a guess," snorted Dodd, "that renegade who +just insulted me is down in your books, somewhere. You'd better hunt." + +"It's slow work and eats up time," sighed Mr. Mullaney. + +Dodd looked at him for a time and then began to pull crumpled bills from +his waistcoat pocket. He straightened five ten-dollar bills, creased +them into a trough, and stuck the end toward the detective. + +"Follow his trail back. I never heard of your book scheme before. Take +this money for a starter. If you can't find him in your books, pick out +half a dozen of the worst crimes any man can commit and hitch 'em on to +him somehow," urged Dodd, with fury. "Go after him. And when we get him +good and proper I want to do some gloating through the bars. He's the +first man who ever smacked my face for me--and I'll see that he gets +his." + +He left Mr. Mullaney stowing the money away in a big wallet which was +stuffed with newspaper clippings. He hurried in to the bar, gulped +down a drink, and then went to the office desk and examined the hotel +register. Anger and zest for revenge were stimulating in him a lively +interest in that meeting which Farr seemed to be promoting. Mr. Dodd +did not care especially what kind of meeting it was. He had set forth to +camp on Walker Farr's trail and do him what hurt he could. + +Dodd was a well-posted political worker. The names of the men were not +names especially prominent in state politics, but his suspicions were +stirred when he saw that all counties in the state were represented. +And no more were arriving. He decided that the conference must be in +session. + +Dodd avoided the elevator. He tramped up the broad stairs to the floor +above the office. The doors of the large parlor were closed. He turned +the knob cautiously; the doors were locked. He heard within the dull +mumble of many voices--men in conversation. It was evident that the +formal meeting, whatever it might be, had not begun its session. He +tiptoed away from the door and climbed another flight of stairs. + +There were no nooks and corners of the old National Hotel which Richard +Dodd did not understand in all their intricacies. As his uncle's +political scout it had been his business to know them. + +He hunted along the corridor until he found a maid. + +"Is there anybody in Number 29?" he asked. + +"Two of that new crowd that just came in have it, Mr. Dodd. But they +have gone down-stairs again." + +He wadded a bill in his palm and jammed it into her hand. "Let me in +with your pass-key, that's a good girl. It's all right. I won't disturb +their stuff. I only want to listen. You understand! There's a political +game on. I want to get to that ventilator in the closet--you know it!" + +"Oh, if it's only politics, Mr. Dodd!" she sniffed, with the scorn of a +girl who has seen many conventions come and go, knew the little tricks, +and had developed for the whole herd of politicians lofty disdain; she +knew them merely as loud-talking men who had little consideration +for hotel maids, men who littered their rooms with cigar stubs and +whisky-bottles. She started for the door, swinging the pass-key on its +cord. "If it's just politics, sure you can go in. Many a buck I've let +in to listen to their old palaver down in that parlor." + +Dodd bolted the door behind him. + +He felt entirely safe, for he understood that the rightful tenants of +that room were locked into the parlor below. He climbed upon a chair in +the closet and put his ear to the grating of the ventilator. + +He heard only one man's voice. He recognized its crisp tones--it was the +Honorable Archer Converse. + +"I repeat, gentlemen, that this interest of yours would amaze me if I +had not been prepared by reports from our agents who have been so well +captained by Mr. Walker Farr. Remember that this is simply a conference, +prior to organization. Every man of you is a chief in it. Let us be +calm, discreet, sensible, and silent. + +"I'm not going over the details of the unrest in this state. The fact +that so many of you are present here from all sections is sufficient +commentary on that unrest. We understand perfectly well that a certain +clique of self-seekers has arrogated to itself supreme control of the +party. A party must be controlled, I admit. If that control were in the +hands of honest and patriotic men we would not be here today. + +"I'm not going to bother you with details of what has been going on in +departments in our State House. The employees are the tools of the ring +and they have misused their power. I'm afraid of what may be uncovered +there when the house-cleaning begins. But the honor of our party demands +such a house-cleaning." + +Richard Dodd's hands trembled as he clung to the ventilator bars. + +"However, we are faced by something in the way of an issue that's bigger +than graft." + +Now his earnestness impressed more than ever the listener at the +grating. + +"Gentlemen, to a certain extent graft is bound to be fostered and +protected by any party; but when a party is used to protect and +aggrandize those who monopolize the people's franchise rights it's time +for the honest men in that party to be _men_ instead of partisans. Don't +you allow those monopolists to hold you in line by whining about party +loyalty. And don't let them whip you into line by their threats, either. +I refuse, for one, as much as I love my party, to have its tag tied into +my ear if that tag isn't clean!" + +The assemblage applauded that sentiment. + +"I'm going to call names, gentlemen. Colonel Symonds Dodd has this state +by its throat. With Colonel Dodd stand all the financial interests--the +railroads, the corporations, even the savings-banks. He is intrenched +behind that law which limits the indebtedness of our cities and towns. +Municipalities cannot own their own plants under present conditions. +Those men are even using the people's own money against them! They scare +depositors by threats of financial havoc if present conditions and the +big interest are bothered by any legislation. + +"I must warn you, gentlemen, that it's a long and difficult road ahead +of us. But we must start. I have not intended to discourage you by +stating the obstacles to be overcome. + +"I have explained them so that, if we make slow progress at first, we +shall not be discouraged. + +"We will organize prevailing unrest and the innate honesty in this +state. We will establish a branch of the Square Deal Club in every town +and city. It must be done carefully, conservatively, and as secretly as +possible." The lawyer's cautious fear of too much haste now displayed +itself. "The most we can hope to do is send to the state convention +some men who will leaven that lump of ring politics. Party usage and +tradition are so strong that we must renominate Governor Harwood, I +suppose, for a complimentary second term." + +"I think we can do better," cried a voice. + +"Possibly," returned Mr. Converse, dryly, "but we must do that 'better' +carefully and slowly. In politics, gentlemen, we cannot transform the +ogre into the saint merely by waving the magic wand and expecting +the charm to operate instantly. Possibly we can control the next +legislature. I do not know just what legislation we may be able to +devise and pass, but I hope for inspiration. + +"I will say now that I am with you. My purse is open. Command my +services for all questions of law. I will establish myself at the +capital for the legislative session. + +"But there is one thing I will not do under any circumstances--I will +not accept political office." + +"You bet you won't," muttered young Dodd, at the grating. "You wouldn't +be elected a pound-keeper in the town of Bean Center." + +But if Mr. Dodd could have seen through that grating as well as hear he +would have been greatly interested just then in the expression on the +face of Walker Farr. The face was not exactly the face of a prophet, but +it had a large amount of resolution written over it. + +"I don't want to be the first one to throw any cold water on our +prospects," declared a voice, after Mr. Converse had announced that the +meeting was open for general discussion; "it really does seem to me that +we stand a good show of getting control of the next legislature. +But after we do get control what prospect is there of passing any +legislation that will help us? Wherever there is a water system in this +state the municipality has been so loaded down with debts our machine +politics have plastered into it that the legal debt limit has been +reached. The only way this water question can be cleared up is by taking +the systems away from those monopolists--making them the property of +towns and cities. But if towns and cities can't borrow any more money, +just how is this to be done? Mr. Converse hasn't told us! We can clean +up politics, perhaps, but it seems to me that we'll never be able to +clean up the dirtiest and most dangerous mess." + +On the silence that followed broke a voice which made Dodd, his ear to +the grating, grate his teeth. His hatred recognized this speaker. It was +Walker Farr. + +"I apologize for venturing to speak in this meeting," he said. "But if +that gentleman's question isn't answered here and now in some way I'm +afraid men will go away discouraged. I have heard the same question, +Mr. Converse, as I have traveled about the state lately. I have thought +about this matter constantly, in my poor fashion. And because I went +into that job of pondering with an open mind is the reason, perhaps, why +a strange idea has come to me. You know they say that strange notions +are born out of ignorance. The better way would have been, possibly, to +submit the plan first of all to your legal mind, Mr. Converse. I will +keep silence now and confer with you, sir, if you think best." His tone +was wistful. + +"Talk it out in open meeting," cried the cordial voice of Mr. Converse. +"Free speech and all of us taken into confidence--that's the spirit of +this movement of ours!" + +"Has it ever occurred to anybody to form a new municipality for water +purposes only? I have studied your state constitution, and the language +in which the debt limit of five percent is provided I find applies +strictly to towns and cities. Suppose the citizens of Marion, together +with the adjoining towns of Weston and Turner, all of them now served +by the Consolidated, should unite simply as individuals for the common +purpose of owning and operating their own water-plant--form, say a water +district?" + +"An independent body politic and corporate?" It was Converse's voice and +it betrayed quick interest and some astonishment. + +"I suppose that would be the legal name, sir. Wouldn't it be possible to +organize such a combination of the people, distinct from other municipal +responsibilities? Then if we can elect the right men to our legislature +we can go to the State House and ask for some legislation that will +enable us to take over systems by the right of eminent domain, provide +a plan of fair appraisal, give us a law which will make water-district +bonds a legal investment for savings-banks. In short, gentlemen, I +repeat, this plan is nothing more than an organization of the desired +territory and people into a new, distinct, and separate municipality for +water purposes only, leaving all other forms of municipal government to +pursue their accustomed functions precisely as though the district +had not been organized. That's the idea as best I can state it in few +words." + +There was a long period of silence. + +Dodd, listening to the mutterings of a revolt which threatened the whole +political fabric which protected him, his interest clearing his brain +of the liquor fog, could imagine the scene below. That assemblage was +staring wide-eyed at Archer Converse, the law's best-grounded man in the +state. + +"It is very modest to call that suggestion an idea," stated Mr. +Converse, at last. "Mr. Farr, if I can find the necessary law in our +statutes to back it up, it's an inspiration." + +There was the ring of conviction in his tones. + +Mr. Dodd left the grating and escaped from the hotel. + +He fairly cantered to headquarters in the First National block; he +felt a politician's frightened conviction that he had something mighty +important to tell his uncle. + + + + +XXV + +A GIRL AND A MATTER OF HONOR + +It had been a protracted session. + +Judge Ambrose Warren, corporation counsel for the Consolidated, leaned +back in his chair and gazed at the ceiling over the peak of the skeleton +structure he had erected in front of his nose with his fingers. + +Colonel Dodd squinted first at his nephew and then at the bouquet on his +desk. + +The nephew had been attempting by all the methods known to the appealing +male to win only one return glance from Kate Kilgour; but the young lady +held her eyes on her note-book, poised her pencil above the page, and +waited for more of that conversation and statement of which she had been +the silent recorder. + +"You think you have given us all the main points of what you overheard, +do you, Mr. Dodd?" inquired the judge, turning sharp gaze on the young +man. + +"I can't remember any more." + +"You think you recognized voices sufficiently well to be sure that +this person named Farr made that novel suggestion in regard to what was +called a 'water district'?" + +"There was no mistaking his voice," said Dodd, with the malevolence of +bitter recollection. + +Another prolonged silence. Then the judge asked, his eyes again on the +ceiling, "Just who is this Walker Farr?" + +Richard Dodd, keeping jealous espionage on all the girl's emotions and +movements saw a flush suffuse her cheeks; her hands trembled. She raised +her eyes in a quick glance and he detected eager inquiry. + +"I don't know who he is," growled the colonel. + +"You'd better find out," advised the corporation counsel. + +"Why?" + +"Of course this thing has been put up to me very suddenly. I can give +you only a snap judgment. But that scheme has possibilities." + +"As a lawyer you don't mean to tell me that a crazy idea like that can +be put through in this state against the combination we control?" + +"It will not be a case of combination and money and politics, Colonel, +when it gets to the high court. It will be _law_. And I'm sorry you +can't tell me any more about the man who has devised the plan. I'd like +to know how he dug it out." + +"But a gang of pirates can't organize like that and confiscate our +property! We're going to tap the lakes. We're going ahead right away. +But can that fool's scheme scoop in the Consolidated Water Company?" + +"That's to be found out. I am going to tell you now that I believe an +organization of citizens into an independent water district can be +made legally and be independent of other debts. Colonel Dodd, if that +opposition gets control of the next legislature you can depend upon it +that the necessary legislation will be passed. We may as well look facts +in the face: they're getting mighty restive in this state; the people +have been penned in by the Machine very effectually to date--but show +'em a place now where they can jump the fence and they're going to do +it." + +"But what's the good of paying you twenty-five thousand dollars a +year for law if you can't keep the bars up?" The tone was that of the +impatient tyrant. + +"You'll please remember that this thing is likely to go to the United +States court. When you go in there you've got to leave your side-arms +of politics--pull and pocket-book--at the door. I will say this: the +Federal Constitution guarantees protection against any irregular, +illegal, or confiscatory action under state authority. That is, no +states shall pass any law impairing the obligation of contracts nor +shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without +due process of law nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the +equal protection of the laws. Now, of course, a corporation is a person +in the meaning of the law, and therefore we can carry the matter to the +United States Supreme Court, but I want to tell you that if the next +legislature enacts law permitting water districts, and the state +authorities proceed to condemn your plants, you may as well get ready to +step out from under. You are a shrewd man and you understand the spirit +of these times in regard to giving to the people their full rights in +public utilities. I say again, you'd better get a line on this Walker +Farr, because it's either a case of ignorance inspired or else he's a +deep one. He has started with a plan that can be defended by law--and +the judges in these days are handing the people's rights and property +back to them when there is a legal opportunity." + +"Why, this Farr is a nothing--nobody. Dug in our trenches for a while +until he was discharged. Briggs looked him up for me. The only man +in this city he has been at all intimate with is an old Canuck named +Provancher who tends the rack down at Gamonic Mill. You can judge him by +the company he keeps." + +"Well, he seems to be fraternizing with better men just now," drawled +the judge. "Archer Converse, for instance!" + +"The thing to do," suggested young Dodd, still watching the girl, "is +get something on that hobo and boot him out of town or put him in jail. +It ought to be easy enough." + +"And it will be attended to," declared the colonel, with venom. "We'll +kill that one crow and hang him up in full view of the rest of those +croakers! I'll put something over on that fellow and have all the papers +in the state print it--and high-and-mighty Converse will be so disgusted +that he'll quit and the rest of the crowd will be ashamed to keep on. +Disgrace a reformer! That's the surest play in politics! We must get +Farr!" + +He turned his scowling gaze away from the flowers and found Miss Kilgour +looking at him with an expression in her eyes he had never seen there +before. Reproach and scorn seemed to mingle in the stare she gave him. +He blinked, and when he looked again she was examining the point of her +pencil; he decided that his eyesight had played him a strange prank. + +"By the way, Miss Kilgour," he informed her, "you need not remain. Make +two typewritten copies--the judge will need one." + +Richard Dodd arose when she left her chair, but she did not glance +at him. He began to speak before she had reached the door, unable to +restrain his jealous temper longer. + +"Uncle Symonds, pass the word to that old Provancher, through the +superintendent of the Gamonic, that unless he comes across with all the +stuff he knows about that Farr he'll be fired. And I've got a hunter out +on my own account. It will be easy enough to catch the skunk and strip +off his pelt." + +Miss Kilgour closed the door behind her with a sharper click than she +had ever given its latch before. She hurried to her typewriter in her +little room and began to work with all her energy. + +She was so busy and her machine clattered so viciously that she did not +hear Richard Dodd when he entered. He leaned over her. + +"Have you talked with your mother yet? Has she given you some +advice?" he asked. His jealousy still fired him and his tone was not +conciliatory. + +The contempt in the glance she flung upward at him roused him to +passion. In the state of mind in which he then was he made no allowances +for her ignorance of conditions in her mother's case. He knew what he +had done for Mrs. Kilgour's sake, and this attitude on the daughter's +part pricked him like wilful ingratitude. + +He put his hands on the keyboard of the typewriter and stopped her work. +"I love you, Kate, and you have known it for a long time. I tried to +show you how much I loved you. I know I did a foolish thing. But I loved +you." He almost sobbed the protestation. "I've been in hell's torment +since it happened. I've been a fool all the way through, but I won't be +a fool any more if you'll take pity on me." + +She did not speak. Her silent, utter contempt stung more deeply and +surely than words. + +"If you insist on being so high above, I'm going to bring you down a +little," he sneered. "I hate to do it, but you've got to be shown +where your real friends are. I have given your mother a chance to say +something to you, and say it right. But she hasn't done it, and I don't +propose to be made the goat." In his anger he was not choice in his +language. "You go home and ask her whether or not she owes me five +thousand dollars. Oh, you needn't open your eyes at me in that style! +It's time we all got down to cases in this thing, Kate. I've waited for +her long enough. She has simply fluffed me along. Now she has got to do +her part." + +"Have you lost your mind?" she demanded. + +"No! But I lost five thousand dollars when I loaned it to your mother. +Kate, she told me she had a stock deal on--that she would be able to pay +it back. Listen! I may as well go the limit with you. I took money that +wasn't mine so that I could help your mother out--it was because I loved +you. Now you realize how much I have loved you. I protected your mother. +And now, by the gods, if you and she don't come to the scratch in this +thing and do right by me I'll show up why she had to be protected, +and after that you'll never draw a happy breath again in your life. I +advised you to talk with your mother once before. This time you'd better +to it." + +She leaned back in her chair, white and trembling, for his tones carried +conviction. + +"I have hated to open this thing up, Kate. I have waited a long time, +hoping you'd understand that I would make a good husband--that I +deserved to have you. I'm only speaking out now so that you'll wake up. +You've got to stand by the man who has stood by you. Go talk with your +mother!" + +After he had hurried out she went back to her work, but her fingers +could only fumble at the keys. By effort of will persons of strong +character can compose themselves after disaster has been confirmed; +but impending disaster that is hinted at--guessed at--is a menace which +paralyzes. She was endeavoring to write down what Richard Dodd had +revealed of the plans of Walker Farr. She understood that the mighty +power of the state machine was now doubling its fist over the head of +the stranger who had come into her life in such peculiar fashion. At the +same moment she was cowering under the threat of something she did not +fully understand. + +And from the Dodds--uncle and nephew--came the menace which loomed over +both of them. + +Then to her came Peter Briggs, who had been summoned to a conference in +the inner office; by direction of his chief he had been reading to Judge +Warren certain entries penciled in the note-book which he guarded with +the elastic band. + +"The governor wants you to add these items to the record, so that the +judge can have a copy," said Mr. Briggs to the confidential secretary. +"The subject isn't a very genteel one, Miss Kilgour, but orders are +orders, and you'll have to excuse me." + +And Mr. Briggs kept snapping the elastic band nervously while he +dictated, carefully looking away from the young woman. + +In such manner Kate Kilgour learned of the existence of Zelie Dionne and +of the child whom Walker Farr had protected; Mr. Briggs's zeal in the +interest of his employer had made him a partisan in that affair, with +easy conscience regarding the matter of the details. The bald record +showed that Farr and the girl had cared for the child between them, had +nursed it with grief and solicitude, had borne it to the plot of land +where the little graves were crowded so closely. Mr. Briggs complacently +avoided dates and age and the minuter details. He even pleaded the case, +having caught a cue from Colonel Dodd; his record left the impression +that Walker Farr, who had come from nowhere--nobody knew when--had lived +in Marion unknown and unnoticed at the time when he had compassed the +ruin of a confiding girl. + +"A scalawag, and a bad one!" commented Mr. Briggs, closing his +note-book. "And of course there's worse to come! Posing as a +reformer--that's the way such renegades work the thing. A new game for +every new place!" + +And Kate Kilgour, remembering the vagrant on the broad highway, wrote +down the arraignment of this person, trying to understand her emotions. + +Her own eyes had seen him garbed as a tramp, plainly a homeless nomad. + +Her ears had just listened to the story of his shame. + +But after a time, in spite of what she had seen and heard, that strange +instinct which dominates the feminine mind in spite of what the mere +senses affirm took possession of her. + +She had known from the first that Richard Dodd's garments, his attitude, +his professions, his position did not make him what her woman's heart +desired. + +But, somehow, this other man, no matter what he seemed to be from +outward appearance, stood forth for her from all the world. At times, in +her ponderings, she had disgustedly termed her mood regarding him pure +lunacy. Then she gave rein to the domination of her intuition; the man +was not what he seemed to be! + +She determined to put him out of her thoughts for ever. + +Just then, however, writing out the story of his turpitude, she must +needs have him in her mind. + +She wondered whether he were honest in his attempts to help the poor +people. + +She had believed that he was when he had faced Colonel Dodd. + +She determined that she would make some investigation of her own in +regard to the mysterious person who had taken such possession of her +thoughts since she had met him in the highway--whose personality had +so pricked her curiosity. She comforted herself by calling her interest +mere curiosity. That was it! If this man were what they claimed he was +she might help in revealing him as an enemy of the poor folks. + +And then to her came another thought. + +She looked around the offices where she worked and bitter lines were +etched in her forehead and about her mouth. + +The place had become hateful. She was conscious of a passionate desire +to be free from the atmosphere of that central web of the Great Spider. + +She bent over her work and hurried. + +What was the shadow over her home? + +She realized that she was not thinking clearly in the matter. She +knew that impulse was driving her. But it was impulse which was +uncontrollable. For a long time she had understood the sinister +influence which had radiated from that office in the First National +block. But it had been rather the impersonal influence of partisan +politics and she had had little knowledge of the persons concerned. But, +now that the situation had been so sharply pointed by recent happenings, +she understood better what had gone on in the past. + +This stranger, whoever he was, seemed to be fighting for the good of the +people. She had heard him declare his principles boldly; she knew the +selfishness of the men who opposed him. She resolved to know more. + +It was close upon six o'clock when she finished the transcription. + +She had given much thought to her own affairs while she had been +working. And now she allowed impulse to dominate. She resolved to leave +that employment which brought her into contact with Richard Dodd and +where her duties required her to prepare material for the ruin of a man +who seemed to be doing an unselfish duty, no matter what they said. She +did not try to analyze that quixotic impulse; she merely obeyed. + +She tied up the packet of manuscript, addressed it to Colonel Dodd, and +slipped under the string a sealed note. In that note she resigned her +position, stating that a matter of personal honor demanded that she +leave instantly. She did not qualify that statement by any explanation. +But she knew in her own heart just what it meant. For when she left the +office she did not hasten straight home as her anxious fears prompted +her; she made a detour around by Gamonic Mill in search of one +Provancher, who, she had learned, tended the rack of the canal. + +The thought that dominated all other thoughts and comforted her was the +reflection that she was no longer the confidential secretary of Colonel +Symonds Dodd, and that now she might obey certain promptings of both +curiosity and conscience. + +The rumble of the big turbines was stilled when she came to the fence +which surrounded the rack, and old Etienne was starting away with rake +and pike-pole. But when she called he came to her--wondering, much +abashed, for she was by far the prettiest lady he had ever seen. + +"Are you the friend of Mr. Walker Farr?" she asked, and she was even +more embarrassed than he. + +"I am too poor mans to be call a friend, ma'm'selle. I can just say that +he is grand mans that I love." + +"Then you are the one to give him this message. Tell him that men who +are fighting him in politics intend to do him great harm and that he +must be very careful. Tell him that he will understand who these men +are." + +"_Oui_, ma'm'selle. But will he understand who tell me that thing?" + +Her cheeks were crimson. "No, no! He mustn't know that." + +"Then he will tell me, 'Poh, old Etienne, you know nottings what you +talk about.' He is very bold mans, and he not scare very easy." + +"But he must be cautious, for these men have power. He need not be +afraid of them, but he must watch carefully. You tell him that they +want to make out bad things about him so that they can print them in the +papers and hurt the cause he is working for. Can you remember?" + +"_Oui_, ma'm'selle! I never forget anything what may be for his good. I +will tell him." + +She hesitated for a long time and stared wistfully at the old man. She +started to go away and then returned to the fence, plainly mustering her +courage. + +"Do you know whether there is anything--about him--which wicked men can +use to hurt him?" she stammered. + +"I only know about him what I know, ma'm'selle," he replied, with a +gentle smile nestling in the wrinkles of his withered face. + +"Could you tell me some of the things you know?" she asked, after much +effort, striving to make her voice calmly inquiring. + +Old Etienne set the rake and the pike-pole against the fence. "I will be +quick in what I tell you, ma'm'selle, for I have no place to ask you +to take the seat. But I'm sure you will listen very well to this what I +say." + +And he told her the story of Rosemarie. + +But he did not go back as far as the pitiful figure on the canal +bank, he made no mention of the water-soaked wad of paper which bore a +mother's appeal to the world, he did not mention the key to Block Ten. +He told the story of Walker Farr's devotion to a child. He did not +dare to reveal to this stranger the identity of that child, because the +telltale letter had been hidden from the coroner, and old Etienne stood +in awe of the curt and domineering men who enforced the laws. But with +simple earnestness and in halting speech he revealed the tenderness of +Farr's nature and gave further testimony to her woman's understanding +that this man who had come into her life possessed depths which she +longed to probe. + +"But the child!" she ventured, after Etienne had finished the story of +how the two of them, voices in the wilderness of careless greed, had +faced the masters of the city in the _hotel de ville_; "it seems strange +that a man--that anybody should take a child and--" She hesitated. + +"_Oui_, ma'm'selle, it seemed strange," agreed the old man, studying her +with sharp glance of suspicion--a gaze so strange that she shifted her +eyes uneasily. + +Ah, Etienne told himself, the law sometimes sent queer emissaries to +probe for it--and he feared the law very much. + +He must be very careful how he told any of the secrets which might +trouble his good friend, who was now such a friend of the mighty +folks; as for himself--well, he would willingly be a martyr if the law +demanded--but he did fear that law! + +"But he loved the child very much," she hinted. + +"So much that he will fight them because they have poisoned her--he will +fight them and not be scare." + +"It is strange!" she repeated. + +"_Oui_, ma'm'selle," he said, regarding her with still more suspicion. + +"But before that morning--when you found them here under the tree! He +told you--" + +"He walk the street with her in his arm. I don't tell you some more +about dat t'ing what I do not know!" + +But she knew that he was withholding something from her. She mustered +her courage. + +"Mr. Provancher, the bad men are making threats that they will print +stories about the child--and its mamma--to hurt your friend. And the +stories will make the mamma very sad." + +"No stories can make her sad," said old Etienne, solemnly. But he did +not say that he had raked the mother from the canal. The law must not +know! + +"But I have heard about her," she insisted. + +The old man's mouth trembled; he was frightened. "What you hear?" he +faltered. + +"Only good things. That she was very tender and went with you to the +grave." + +"_Oui_," admitted Etienne, visibly relieved and grasping at this +opportunity. "She's sweet and good. She's play-mamma." + +"And her name is Zelie Dionne?" she asked, her face growing white in the +dusk. + +"_Oui_, ma'm'selle--she live across in the little house where there are +plant in the window--she live with the good Mother Maillet what I told +you about." He pointed to the cottage. "You go some time and talk with +her--but not now," he added, his fears flaming. He was anxious to be +the first to talk to Zelie Dionne, in order that she might help him to +protect their friend. "You shall talk with her--soon--p'raps. I will +tell her so that she will not be afraid. Yes, you shall hear the +play-mamma say good things of poor Rosemarie." + +She bowed and hurried away. + +And before her tear-wet eyes the words "play-mamma" danced in letters of +fire. It seemed to be only another sordid story. + +But she remembered the face of Walker Farr, and in her heart she +wondered why she still refused to condemn him. + + + + +XXVI + +THE DRIVEN BARGAIN + +The Honorable Daniel Breed, "sipping" his thin lips and propping his +coat-tails on his gaunt fingers, patrolled the lobby of the National +Hotel and his complacency was not a whit disturbed when Richard Dodd +passed in front of him and sneered in his face. + +"Keep on practising making up faces," advised the old man, amiably. +"Perhaps in the course of time your uncle will give you a job making up +faces as his understudy, seeing that his physog is getting so tough he +can't manage it very well these days." + +Young Dodd whirled on his heel and returned. "We've got a line on you +and your amateur angels, Breed." + +"Don't consider me an amateur, do you?" asked the old politician, +smacking his lips complacently. + +"You're a has-been." + +"Sure thing!" agreed Mr. Breed. "The state committee told me so, and the +state committee never made a mistake." + +"We've got so much of a line on your crowd that my uncle has called off +the organizers. There's no need of our wasting money in this campaign. +You're that!" He clacked a finger smartly into his palm. + +"Oh yes! You're right! Some snap to us." + +"I mean you're nothing." + +"Run in and take another drink, sonny," advised Breed, giving slow cant +of his head to denote the baize door through which Dodd had emerged. +"What you have had up to date seems to be making you optimistic--and +there's nothing like being optimistic in politics. I'm always +optimistic--but naturally so. Don't need torching!" + +"Look here, Breed, we've got enough dope on that ex-hobo who is doing +your errand-boy work--we know enough about him to kill your whole +sorehead proposition. But I don't believe my uncle will even use it. No +need of it." + +"Probably not," said Mr. Breed, without resentment. "And I wouldn't if I +were he." + +"We won't descend to it. Now that we have got rid of a lot of old +battle-axes of politicians--and I'm calling no names--we can conduct a +campaign with dignity." + +"So do! So do! And it will save a lot of trouble, son; that's why the +newspapers wouldn't print that stuff about Mr. Farr after your uncle got +it ready. Libel cases make a lot of trouble." + +Dodd grew red and scowled. "Look here, Breed, you're licked before the +start, and as a good politician you know you are. My uncle wants you +to drop in and see him. He told me to tell you so. This is no official +order, you understand. Just drop in informally, and he'll probably have +something interesting to say to you." + +"I'm terribly rushed up--shall be till after convention," averred Mr. +Breed, piercing the end of a cigar with a peg he had whittled from a +match. + +"What's the good of your being a fool any longer?" + +"Always have been, so I've found out from that state committee who never +told a lie--and it's comfortable to keep on being one," he said, with +great serenity. + +"You don't think for a minute that you are going to get control of the +next legislature, do you?" + +"How much money have you got--your own money, I mean?" inquired Mr. +Breed, guilelessly, his eyes centered carefully on the lighted tip of +his cigar. + +"Say--you--you--What do you mean by that?" rasped Dodd, putting the +cracker of a good round oath on the question. + +"I meant that I wanted to bet something--and I wouldn't want you to go +out and borrow money--or--or--anything else." From the cavernous depths +where his eyes were set Mr. Breed turned a slow and solemn stare on the +enraged chief clerk of the state treasury. + +"What do you want to bet?" + +"Any amount in reason that after the first of next January there'll be +a fresh deal in the way of state officers in every department in the +Capitol. Arguing futures don't get you anywhere, son. If you've got +money to back that opinion you just gave me it will express your notions +without any more talk. But don't go borrow--or--or anything else." + +Dodd stared at the shrewd old political manipulator for a long time. + +"You have money to bet, have you?" he asked. + +Mr. Breed languidly drew forth a wallet which would make a valise for +some men and carelessly displayed a thick packet of bills. + +"There it is," he said, "and I earned it myself and so I ain't poking it +down any rat-hole without being condemned sure that I'll be able to pull +it all back again with just as much more sticking to it. That wouldn't +be sooavable--and from what you know of me I'm always sooavable." + +Dodd looked at the bills, carefully straightened in their packet, and +giving every evidence of having been hoarded with an old man's caution. + +There was something about that money which impressed him with the +sincerity of Mr. Breed's belief in his own cause. The young man grew +visibly white around the mouth. + +"I'll see you later, Breed," he gulped. "I don't believe you know what +you are talking about--but I'm not national bank on legs. I'll be around +and cover your cash." + +He went back into the bar, swallowed a glass of whisky, and went out +and hailed a cab. He directed the driver to carry him to the Trelawny +Apartment. + +Mrs. Kilgour admitted him to the vestibule of the suite. + +"Is Kate at home?" he demanded. + +"Yes, Richard!" She shrank away from him, for his aspect was not +reassuring. "You know--she has given up her work--she is--" + +"I know all about it, Mrs. Kilgour. But I want to ask you whether she +has given up her work in order to marry me at once?" + +"Why, I--She said--I think it will come about all right, Dicky." She was +pitifully unnerved. + +"Have you told her why she must marry me?" + +"It is not time to tell her--it is not right--I can't--" + +He seized her arm and pulled her into the sitting-room. The daughter +rose and faced them, reproof and astonishment mingling in her +expression. + +"This thing is going to be settled here and now," said the lover, +roughly. "There is going to be no more fooling. Has your mother put this +matter up to you so that you understand it, Kate?" + +"She has told me that she owes you five thousand dollars," returned +the girl. Her eyes flashed her contempt. "You told me that yourself. I +repeated the statement to her and she admits it." + +"But did she tell you how it happens that she owes me that money?" + +"For God's sake, Richard, have some pity! This is my own daughter. +I will sell everything. I will slave. I will pay you. Kate, for my +sake--for your own sake, tell him that you will marry him." + +"I will not marry this man," declared the girl. "It has been a mistake +from the beginning. As to your business with him, mother, that is not my +affair. You must settle it." + +"You belong in the settlement," declared Dodd. "Hold on! Don't leave +this room, Kate." + +He reached out his hands to intercept her, and Mrs. Kilgour, released, +fell upon the floor and began to grovel and cry entreaties. + +But his raucous tones overrode her appeals. + +"We're all together in this. I am five thousand dollars shy in the state +treasury, Kate. I took that money and loaned it to your mother when she +begged me to save her stocks. But she didn't have any stocks." + +Mrs. Kilgour grasped his knees and shook him. But he kept on. + +"She had embezzled from Dalton & Company. What I did saved her from +prison and you from disgrace, Kate. And now I am in the hole! Listen +here! There's hell to pay in this state just now! The soreheads are +banding together. A man has just offered to bet me big money that +there's going to be an overturn in the State House departments. I don't +know whether it will happen--but you can understand what kind of torment +I'm in. Kate, are you going to let me stand this thing all alone?" + +The girl stood silent and motionless in the middle of the room. + +She did not weep or faint. Her face displayed no emotion. It was as +white as marble. + +"Do you want to drag my daughter down with you?" cried Mrs. Kilgour. + +"You'd better not talk about dragging down," he shouted, passionately. +"I didn't steal for myself. Give me your love, Kate! Give me yourself +to encourage me, and I'll get out of the scrape somehow. I'll find ways. +But if you don't come with me I won't have the courage or the desire to +fight my way through. I'll not disgrace you if you marry me--I swear I +will not! With you to protect from everything I'll make good. Symonds +Dodd is my uncle. He won't see the family name pulled in. But you must +marry me!" + +"And if I do not?" she asked. + +"We'll all go to damnation together. I don't care! I'll blow it all. I +won't be disgraced alone because of something I did for your mother. I +may sound like a cur. I don't care, I say! I'm going to have you, and I +don't care how I get you!" + +"We need not be so dramatic," said the girl. Some wonderful influence +seemed to be controlling her. "Mother, stop your noise and go and sit +in that chair. You demand, do you, Mr. Dodd, that to save my mother from +exposure as a woman who has stolen, I must be your wife?" + +"I do." + +"Do you really want a wife who has been won in that fashion?" + +"I want you." + +"You realize, fully, don't you, the spirit in which I shall marry you?" + +"We'll take care of that matter after we are married, Kate. You have +liked me. You will care for me more when you come to your senses in this +thing." + +"You remember what my father did in the way of sacrifice, I suppose? It +was no secret in this state." + +"Yes," he muttered, abashed under her steady gaze. + +"I am like my father in many ways--in many of my thoughts. Perhaps if +he had not set me such an example in the way of sacrifice I should say +something else to you, Mr. Dodd. But as the matter stands between us, +considering the demand you make on me, I will marry you." + +The concession was flung at him so suddenly--he had expected so much +more of rebellion--that he staggered where he stood. He advanced toward +her. But she waved him back. + +"Sit down!" she commanded. "This matter has gone far outside romance. +It has become one of business. It is a matter of barter. I have had +some experience in business. You say that mother owes you five thousand +dollars which you took from the state treasury?" + +"Yes, Kate." + +"And your books will be examined very carefully, of course, if there is +an overturn in your office?" + +"Yes. It won't be any mere legislative auditing." + +"I know something about politics as well as about business, Mr. Dodd. +I cannot very well help knowing, after my experience in your uncle's +office. I suppose the next state convention will determine pretty +effectually whether there will be an overturn or not?" + +"If we renominate Harwood it ought to give us a good line on the control +of the next legislature," he told her. "A hobo and a goody-goody," he +added, with scorn, "think they have stirred up a revolution, but +they have another think coming." He had been calmed by her outwardly +matter-of-fact acceptance of the situation. But he did not perceive the +fires of her soul gleaming deep in her eyes. + +"If Governor Harwood is renominated and the next legislature is in +the hands of your uncle, as usual, you will be sure to remain in your +position?" + +"Of course!" + +"And you can hide the discrepancy on your books from the auditing +committee?" + +"I am pretty sure I can." + +"You appreciate fully, don't you, Mr. Dodd, why, after all my troubles +in this life up till now, I should hesitate to marry a man with state +prison hanging over him?" + +"Yes." + +"If Governor Harwood is not renominated I shall expect you to defer +our marriage until you can work out of your difficulties. There will be +danger and it is not in the bargain of my sacrifice that I shall pass +through such disgrace with you; at any rate, I do not consider that +added suffering is in the trade and will not agree to it. I prefer to +remain as I am and share the disgrace of my mother. Do you agree to +that?" + +"I don't like it, but I suppose I've got to be decent in the matter." + +"But if Governor Harwood is renominated at the convention I will concede +a point on my part and will marry you at once, taking it for granted +that you will be able to clear yourself. In that way both of us are +making concessions--and such things should be considered in a bargain." +She was coldly polite. + +He bowed, not knowing exactly what reply to make to her. + +"You have accused me of trifling in the past," she continued. "I will +now try to show you that I can conduct straight business as it should be +handled. Shall I make a memo of our agreement and hand it to you?" + +"There is no need of it," he stammered. + +"Thank you, Mr. Dodd. And now that the matter has been settled to our +mutual satisfaction, I will ask you to go. I think my mother needs my +attention. And I am reminded that our bargain does not dispose of the +fact that my mother owes you five thousand dollars. I will reflect +on how that debt may be paid--by insurance"--her face grew whiter +still--"or by some arrangement." + +"I wish you wouldn't say such--" But she interrupted him. + +"On my part, this is strictly business, Mr. Dodd, and I must consider +all sides. I will give the money matter careful thought. I'm sure we can +arrange it. I have merely bought my mother's good name with _myself_!" + +He stumbled out of the room and went on his way. + +"Mother, you and I have some long, long thoughts to busy ourselves with +before we attempt to talk to each other," said the girl when the two +were alone. "I am going to my room. Please do not disturb me until +to-morrow." + +For an hour Kate Kilgour was a girl once more, sobbing her heart out +against her pillow, stretched upon her bed in abandon of woe, torn by +the bitter knowledge that she was alone in her pitiful fight. She was +more frank with herself in her sorrow than she ever had been before. +She owned to her heart that a few days before even a mother's desperate +plight would hardly have won such a sacrifice as she had made. + +She was ready to own that she loved that tall young man of mystery +whose face had refuted the suspicion that he was a mere vagrant. It +was strange--it was unaccountable. But she had ceased to wonder at the +vagaries of love. In her prostration of mental energies and of hope she +confessed to herself that she had loved him. + +But now between his face and hers, as she shut her eyes and reproduced +his features, limned in her memory, those fiery words danced--there was +a "play-mamma" who with him had loved the little girl named Rosemarie. + +Checking her sobs, she sighed, and her heart surrendered him. + +Her sacrifice had been made both easier and yet more difficult. + +Then she snuggled close to her pillows and gazed out into the gathering +night, and pondered on the fact that if Walker Farr won his fight in the +state convention that victory put an end to her poor little truce in the +matter of Richard Dodd. + +Then she was sure that she had put Walker Farr out of her heart for +ever, because she found herself hoping that he would win. The girl +had not yet grown into full knowledge of the dynamics of a true and +unselfish love--she did not fully know herself. + + + + +XXVII + +A DICKER FOR A MAN'S SOUL + +The populace came first and packed solidly into the galleries of the +great auditorium of Marion city. + +For years the state conventions of the dominant party had attracted +but little public attention. They had been simple affairs of routine, +indorsing the men and the principles of the Big Machine. The next +governor had been groomed and announced to the patient people long +months before the date of the convention; platforms protecting the +interests were glued placidly and secretly and brought forth from the +star chamber to be admired; and no delegate was expected or allowed to +joggle a plank or nick the smooth varnish which had been smoothed over +selfish privilege. + +But this year came all the people who could pack themselves into +galleries and aisles. + +Below on the main floor were more than two thousand delegates. Every +town and city sent the full number accredited. After these men had been +seated the men and women who thronged the corridors and stairways were +allowed to enter and stand in the rear of the great hall. + +Strange stories, rumors, predictions, had been running from lip to lip +all over the big commonwealth. It was reported that the throne of the +tyrant was menaced at last by rebellion which was not mere vaporings of +the restless and resentful; organized revolt had appeared, marching in +grim silence, not revealing all its strength, and therefore all the more +ominous. + +A military band brayed music unceasingly into the high arches of the +hall. The music served as obbligato for the mighty diapason of men's +voices; the thousands talked as they waited. + +The broad platform of the stage was untenanted. The speakers, the +chairman, the clerks, the members of the state committee, did not +appear, though the hour named as the time of calling the meeting to +order arrived and passed. + +In an anteroom, so far removed from the main hall that only the dull +rumble of voices and the shredded echoes of the blaring music reached +there, was assembled the state's oligarchy awaiting the pleasure of +Colonel Symonds Dodd. + +He sat in a big chair, his squat figure crowding its confines. + +The state committee and the rest of his entourage were gathered about +him. + +There was a committeeman from every county in the state--the men who +formed the motive cogs of his machine. + +One after the other they had reported to him. + +And each time a man finished talking the colonel drove a solid fist down +on the arm of the chair and roared: "I say again I don't believe it's as +bad as you figure it. It can't be as bad. Do you tell me that this party +is going to be turned upside down by a kid-glove aristocrat who has +hardly stirred out of his office during this campaign?" + +"He has had a chap to do his stirring for him," stated one of the group. + +"A hobo, scum of the rough-scruff, hailing from nowhere! Shown up in our +newspapers as a ditch-digger--a fly-by-night--a nobody! I'm ashamed +of this state committee, coming here and telling me that he has been +allowed to influence anybody." + +"Colonel Dodd, what I'm going to say to you may not sound like politics +as we usually talk it," declared a committeeman, a gray-haired and +spectacled person who had the grave mien of a student, "and it is not +admitted very often by regular politicians who run with the machine. But +we are up against something which has happened in this queer old world +of ours a good many times. We have had the best organization here in +this state that a machine ever put together. But in American politics +it's always just when the machine is running best that something +happens. Something is dropped into the gear, and it's usually done by +the last man you'd expect to do it. The fellows who are tending the +machine are too busy watching that part of the crowd they think is +dangerous, and then the inconspicuous chap slips one over." + +"I don't want any lecture on politics," snapped the boss. "Do you mean +to insinuate that that low-lived Farr has put _this_ over on _us_?" + +"I have hunted to the bottom of things and I do say so, Colonel Dodd." + +"How in blazes did that fellow ever get any influence? I haven't been +able to believe that he has been accomplishing anything." + +"You ought to have listened a little more closely to us, Colonel," +insisted the committeeman. "Every once in a while there comes forward +a man whom the people will follow. And he is never the rich man nor the +proud man, but he is one who knows how to reach the hearts of the crowd. +A shrewd politician can get power by building up his machine. And then +some fellow in overalls who has some kind of a God-given quality that +has never been explained yet so that we can understand, smashes into +sight like a comet. It may be his way of talking to men, it may be his +personality--it is more likely a divine spark in him that neither he +himself nor other men understand. But every now and again some humble +chap like that has changed the history of the world, and I reckon it's +pretty easy for such a man to change the politics of a mere state." + +His associates were staring at him and Colonel Dodd was giving him +furious glances. He had spoken with enthusiasm. He broke off suddenly. + +"I beg your pardon. I don't mean to go quite so far. But I'm a student +of history and I've read a lot about natural-born leaders." + +"You evidently know more about history than you do about politics," +growled the colonel. "This whole state committee doesn't seem to know +much politics. If you have allowed that Farr to slime his way around +under cover and do you up in your own counties, I'll see to it that we +have a new state committee." + +"I have an idea that that convention out there will attend to the matter +of a new state committee for us." + +The new speaker's voice was very soft. His nickname in state politics +was "Whispering Saunders." He was known as being the most artistic +political "pussy-foot" in the party. It was averred that he could put +on rubber boots and run twice around the State House on a fresh fall of +light snow and not leave a track. + +"If I'm any kind of a smeller--and I reckon it's admitted that I am," +purred Saunders, "we are walloped before the start-off in every county +delegation out on that floor." + +"But what has been the matter with you fellows all the time?" blazed the +boss. "Up to now you have been reporting simply that the soreheads were +growling and were not getting together so as to be dangerous." + +"Did you ever try to shovel up soft soap from a cellar floor with a +knitting-needle?" inquired the politician. "That's how it's been in this +case. Every man I talked with was slippery. I know slippery times when +I see 'em. I've been afraid, but I hoped for the best. Now that they +are here, with this convention due to be called to order, they are not +slippery any longer. They don't need to be. I've just been through the +convention hall. They are out and open--and they're against us." + +"That Farr has a proxy from a delegate in the Eleventh Ward and is on +the floor," stated another. + +"But he isn't a voter." + +"He wasn't a little while ago, but he is to-day, Colonel. The board of +registration had to put his name on the books--he has lived here long +enough to become a voter." + +Colonel Dodd glared from face to face. It was plain that he was angered +rather than dismayed; he was like a bull at bay, shaking the pricking +darts out of his shoulders. He took a hasty glance at his watch. +'Twas twenty minutes past the hour appointed for the calling of the +convention. He could hear the distant band still bellowing bravely to +kill time. + +A giant of a man stood up--a cool man, rather cynical. He was the +chairman of the state committee. + +"I have been waiting till all these gentlemen got the panic worked out +of their systems--or, at least, had said all they could think of about +that panic, Colonel. Now we can go ahead and do real business. We have +not had a battle in this state for a long time, and this panic may be +excusable. They say that the men who are the worst frightened before the +battle do the best fighting after they get into the real scrap. I will +admit that the situation in the state has been a little slippery, as +Saunders has said. And some men have dared to do a lot of loud talking +since they have arrived here in this city. It is so strange a thing that +it has got everybody in a panic. The Chinese are wise--they show dragons +to the enemy, but the dragons are only paper. Wouldn't think the +enemy could be scared that way, eh? But look at this bunch of state +committeemen! A pasteboard 'natural-born leader' set up, and Archer +Converse puffing smoke through the nostrils of that effigy! Gentlemen, +you ought to be ashamed of yourselves!" + +Colonel Dodd snorted emphatic approval. + +"You are talking like children. Guff and growls can't carry this +convention. That crowd hasn't even got a candidate for governor. Have +you heard one mentioned?" + +"I don't suppose they would dare to go as far as that," said one of +the committeemen. "Governor Harwood, by party usage, is entitled to a +renomination, of course. What they figure on is a new state committee +and a platform that will include reforms." + +"Huh! Yes! So much striped candy! Give it to 'em. Then we've got only +twenty-four men to handle in the way we have always handled state +committees--and even that crowd can't find saints and archangels for +their candidates! And as for a political platform--bah!" + +It was the practical politician's caustic estimate of conditions. + +Then the chairman joined in, bolstering this supercilious view: "As for +that legislature--how many bills were ever passed in our legislature +over a governor's veto after we had got in our work? We are going to +have a safe man for governor. That band's lungs won't last for ever. +Colonel Dodd, are you ready?" + +If revolt and the spirit of resentment and rebellion did exist in that +assemblage, which the magnates of the party faced when they marched +upon the platform, the tumult of applause covered all sinister outward +aspects. The routine of the convention was entered upon: the secretary +read the convention call, the organization was perfected without +protest, and the orator of the day, as president pro tem, a conservative +United States Senator, began his "key-note speech." It was a document +which had been in proof slips for a week, and which all the party +workers from Colonel Dodd down had read and approved. Therefore, when +Richard Dodd entered from one of the side doors and came tiptoeing +across the platform and touched the colonel's arm and jerked energetic +request for the colonel to follow, the colonel followed, glad of an +excuse to be absent while the Senator fulminated. + +Young Dodd's face was flushed and working with excitement. He hurried +his uncle into a small retiring-room and locked the door. + +"I've got your man, uncle," he declared. + +"What man?" The colonel was grouchy and indifferent. + +"Your man Farr." + +"I don't claim him." + +"But you said you wanted him. You said you wanted to hang him like a +dead crow in the political bean-patch." + +"Merely momentary insanity on my part, Richard. There seems to have been +a little run of it in this state, and when Judge Warren caught it and +gave it to me I talked like a fool, I suppose. But you must remember +that a polecat can give the most level-headed man an almighty start--and +then the level-headed man walks out around the polecat and goes on his +way very calmly." + +"But don't you consider that Farr is a dangerous man?" + +The colonel held up his pudgy hand and snapped a finger into his palm. +"He amounts to that in front of the muzzle of a ten-inch gun." + +"But I went ahead after what you said. I have put out time and money. +I hired a detective. I figured I was doing a good job for the machine." +Young Dodd's voice trembled and disappointment was etched into his +anxious features. + +"Well, what have you found out?" + +"I can't tell you. It's another man's secret, and he's got to have cash +or a guaranty before he'll come across with it." + +"What's the price?" + +Richard Dodd exhibited confusion and hesitation. "I made some promises +to him, uncle, because I know what has been paid in the past for things +which didn't seem to be as important as this--judging from the way you +and the judge talked. So I--well, I--" + +"Price, price, I say! I'm used to hearing money talked," harked the +colonel. "I've got to get back into that convention. Out with it!" He +made two steps toward the door. + +"Five thousand!" blurted the young man. + +Colonel Dodd whirled and whipped off his eye-glasses so as to give his +nephew the full effect of his contemptuous fury. + +"Why, you young lunatic, I wouldn't pay that price if they were going +to elect Farr the governor of this state, and make him a present of the +Consolidated, and you could bring proof that he is the reincarnation of +Judas Iscariot." + +A roar of voices and a thunder of thudding feet announced that the +Senator had finished. + +Colonel Dodd hurried away. + +The nephew found Detective Mullaney in the alley behind the auditorium, +and the young man's air of discomfiture and the sagging shake of his +head told the story of his errand without words. + +"If they're getting too mean in their old age to hand me a fair price +for a good job then let 'em get licked," declared the detective. "You +stuck to our original figure of five hundred dollars, didn't you?" + +The young man looked over the detective's head and lied. "Five +hundred--that's what I told him." + +"And he wouldn't consider it?" + +"Something has braced him so that he isn't afraid of the man any longer. +Perhaps he has got a line of his own on him. It doesn't seem to be worth +anything any longer. Suppose you tell me just who he is and what about +him?" + +"Not on your life!" retorted Detective Mullaney, sharply. "I ain't +saying anything against your family, of course, but when I give a Dodd +something for nothing--even a hint--it will be when I'm talking in my +sleep and don't know it. But I'll tell you what I _will_ do. Give me my +two hundred and fifty and I'll hand you the whole proposition and you +may go ahead and make what you can of it. I swear to you again that I've +got it on him. Seeing what he did to _you_, you ought to feel that the +story is worth that much of a gamble even for private purposes." + +Dodd hesitated, put his hand in his pocket--then withdrew it empty. + +"No, Mullaney. What's the good? He says Farr isn't dangerous, and has +turned down the whole thing flat. I may as well keep my money. If you +want to sit on the platform, come along with me. I can find a place for +you." + +Detective Mullaney followed willingly, for he knew that people were +fairly piling over one another in an attempt to get into the hall by the +main entrance. + +He sat down in one of the square chairs on the platform and searched +with his sharp little eyes until he found the face of Walker Farr in the +terraced rows of humanity. It was not difficult to locate him, for +his physique made him loom among other men and he was posted under the +banner which marked the location of Moosac County. + +The detective found the eyes of the young man directed toward the +gallery with such intentness and for so long a time that he endeavored +to trace that earnest scrutiny to its object. The detective was not +exactly certain, but he finally picked out a very handsome young lady +who occupied a front chair in the balcony; she seemed to be returning +the young man's intent regard. + +"You have the reputation of knowing all the pretty girls in the state," +whispered Mullaney, drawing Dodd's attention with a nudge. "Who is that +up there in the gallery, front row, fifth from the aisle; blue feather, +and so handsome she hurts my eyes?" + +To have his attention drawn thus rudely to the one girl in all the world +gave Dodd a sensation which he did not relish--and his face showed his +astonished resentment. + +"That is Miss Kilgour, who used to be my uncle's secretary. Why do you +want to know who she is?" + +"Because there seems to be something very especial on between her and +the man we thought was worth five hundred dollars to us." + +"That young lady, Mr. Mullaney, is engaged to me," stated Dodd, acridly. +"You'd better drop the topic." + +But he did not display either the joy or the pride of the accepted +suitor as he looked up at her. + +"I'll simply say that you're a mighty lucky chap and I congratulate +you," returned Mr. Mullaney, hiding his confusion by getting very +busy with newspaper clippings and papers which he drew from his breast +pocket. + +The detective was wholly unconscious of the irony of that remark. But it +brought a flush of shame to Dodd's cheek, for the sorrow and sting and +ignominy of that part which he had played had not departed from his soul +nor did even the fervor of his passion for her help him forgive himself; +he stared at her guiltily as the thief gloats over his loot and is +conscious of his degradation without feeling sufficient contrition to +give up the object he has stolen. + +For he remembered with fresh and poignant recollection the circumstances +under which that girl had given her promise to him so recently: she had +stood over a mother who had abased herself before them, had cast herself +down and had writhed and screamed and implored her to consent; and the +mother was driven to do this by the lash of his threats. He had stood +there and demanded, and the woman on the floor had confessed her +frailty, owned to her misdeeds, acknowledged her debt, and had +frantically begged her daughter to sacrifice herself. + +The girl had given her "Yes," paying the debt with herself; but her eyes +had been wide and dry and her face was white and set and she had looked +past the man to whom she promised herself when she had murmured that +promise. + +Dodd swept cold sweat from his forehead as he remembered; he found +almost the same expression now on her face as she gazed down on Walker +Farr, who stared back at her anxiously, perceiving a grief that he could +not understand. + +In that vast assemblage those three, thus wordlessly, no one marking +them, fought a tragic battle of hopeless love with their eyes. + +Detective Mullaney pored over his papers. "By gad," he mused, "I haven't +kept my books all this time for nothing. I know my card. I've got him +right--it's dead open and shut. But I swear he doesn't look the part +he played, even if the description does fit him. Well, law is law! If +I can't sell him to Symonds Dodd, I'll find out how much those will pay +who do want him." + +The routine of the great convention had been proceeding. + +"And the gentleman from Danton, Mr. Gray, moves that we do now proceed +with the nomination of a candidate for governor," intoned the chairman +in sing-song tones. + + + + +XXVIII + +THE MAN WHO WAS NOT AFRAID + +One after the other, dignified and decorous, three men of the Big +Machine, representing three of the large counties of the state, came +upon the platform and put in nomination the name of Governor Harwood to +succeed himself. + +These speakers had been carefully selected. They were elderly +gentlemen whose reputations, tones, and demeanor bespoke safe and sane +conservatism. They took occasion to rebuke the new spirit of unrest +in the old party, and their tremolo notes of protest were extremely +effective. While these men talked, a listener was compelled to feel that +rebellion against the established order of things could only be rank +sedition; for many years have these arts of oratory been employed to +appeal to the average man's party loyalty; voters have listened and +have been ashamed to revolt--as a son dutifully bows his head under a +father's reprimand and responds to a father's appeal--for, after all, +in matters where appeal is made to loyalty the human emotions are not so +very complex. + +The elderly gentlemen put great stress on the fact that not in twenty +years had a faithful governor been refused the honor of renomination for +a second term. Would their convention deny that compliment to Governor +Harwood? It was the same appeal that had been made for twoscore years +in order to perpetuate the dynasty of gubernatorial figureheads who had +obeyed the ring's orders. + +Walker Farr heard _sotto voce_ murmurings of men in his vicinity. They +were men who had joined the new revolt and had stood bravely enough for +a change in county political managers. But these men revealed that +they were timorous about altering long party custom. They said, one +to another, that it would be going too far to refuse renomination to +Governor Harwood. It might split their party so widely that the rival +political party would be able to carry the state--and that would never +do. + +Farr was in no wise surprised to hear these murmurings. + +He had sounded men before that convention as he had traveled about the +state. + +He had found them ready to begin house-cleaning in the smaller affairs +of county management, and by assault on the little wheels of the gear +of the machine which had so long ground political grist; but they +were unwilling to tempt fate by venturing on such a general overturn as +putting up for governor a man who had not been selected and groomed for +high office during the accustomed term of apprenticeship--legislature, +senate, and council. + +He realized how well the great ring had intrenched itself in absolute +power by appealing to conservatism in matters of safe men for high +office. Safe men meant those who protected the big interests and saw +that no raids were made on capital--no matter how many abuses capital +might be fostering. + +Mumble and grumble all about him, and men's faces showing that they were +agreeing with the tremolo appeals of the elderly orators! + +Even the Honorable Archer Converse, his legal cautiousness governing his +opinion, knowing the temper of conditions in his state, had emphatically +discouraged Farr when the young man had timidly questioned him in regard +to the advisability of securing a candidate for governor outside the +ring's dynasty. + +Mr. Converse's discouragement of such hopes would have been even more +emphatic had he ever dreamed that this apostle whom he had sent out into +the field was coddling the audacious hope that Mr. Converse himself by +some miracle might be put into the governor's chair. + +The orators proceeded, one after the other. They were applauded. They +retired. + +Walker Farr was oppressed by the lugubrious conviction that he was the +only man in that great assemblage who felt enough of the zealot's fire +to be willing to put all his hopes to the test. + +He looked at the faces on the platform. There sat Colonel Dodd, wearing +his expression assumed for that day and date--smug political hypocrisy. + +His henchmen winged out to right and left of him. They represented +finance and respectability. + +Sometimes political rebels will gallantly and audaciously venture when +they rail behind the backs of their leaders; but when those leaders +appear and fill the foreground with their personalities the rebels +subside; they are impressed by the men whom they behold. They defer, +even when they are stung by knowledge of their leaders' principles. + +Colonel Dodd and those with him were the accredited leaders. + +Delegates glared, but were cowed and silent. + +Farr pondered. Perhaps the advice of Mr. Converse was best: + +"Take what we can get in our first skirmish. Keep it for the nucleus of +what we hope to get later. If we put all to the test in our first fight +against forces that have been in power for all the years and lose, then +the cause gets a setback which may discourage our men for ever." + +And Mr. Converse, having so declared, had remained away from the +convention that day, feeling that no more was to be gained. + +"And I move you, Mr. Chairman," called a voice, "that the nominations +for governor do now close." + +This had been the custom in the past. + +It was not in the minds of that convention that another candidate would +be put forward. Governor Harwood was waiting in an anteroom, thumbing +the leaves of his speech, and all the delegates knew it. All desired to +expedite matters, nominate by acclamation, hear the inevitable speech, +and go home. + +"One moment before that motion is seconded!" + +The voice was so loud, so clear, so dominant, so ringing, that the +effect on the convention was as galvanically intense as if somebody had +blown upon a bugle. + +Walker Farr had risen to his feet. + +Colonel Dodd set his curved palm at his mouth and from behind the +chairman shot a few words at the presiding officer as one might shoot +pellets from a bean-shooter. The chairman scowled impatiently at Farr, +and a delegate among those who watched eagerly for signals from the +throne rose half-way to his feet and bellowed, "Question!" The cry +was taken up by other delegates, just as the unthinking mob follows a +cheer-master. + +Farr climbed upon a settee. He stood there, silent and waiting, and +his expression, poise, and mien wrought for him more effectively than +speech. + +He towered over all the heads. He was markedly not one of those +New-Englanders there assembled. His mass of dark-brown hair, his garb, +the very set of his head on his shoulders, differed from the physical +attributes of all others in the hall. And, as the delegates continued +to shout for the question to be put, he turned slowly so that his +expression of dignified and mild protest and appeal was visible to all. +And as he turned he gave the girl in the gallery a long look. + +The chairman pounded with his gavel. + +"I second the motion," called a delegate, taking advantage of the first +moment of silence. + +There was another roaring chorus of, "Question!" + +But Walker Farr remained standing on the settee, waiting patiently. He +showed no confusion. There was added dignity as well as appeal in his +attitude and expression. + +"Before that vote is taken I want to say one word as a man to men," +shouted a delegate. "It's plain to be seen that that man standing there +is a gentleman. We are sent here to attend a meeting for the good of +our party. If, as delegates, we refuse to listen to a gentleman because +we're in too much of a hurry, we'd ought to be ashamed of ourselves. If, +on the other hand, we're _afraid_ to listen to him, whatever it is he +wants to say, then God save this party of ours!" + +That was a sentiment which promptly struck fire in that assemblage. + +There before their eyes stood the subject of that challenge, stalwart, +modest, appealing silently--the sort of appeal which won. + +The galleries broke into applause first. Then the delegates took up the +demonstration in behalf of fair play. They beat their hands and pounded +their feet. The applause from the galleries had more or less of rebuke +in it, because it began while the challenger's voice still echoed in the +great hall. + +The chairman's gavel thumped ferociously. + +Colonel Dodd cursed under his breath. He had been on the trail of that +convention, its movements, its progress, as a hound dog would follow +the trail of a fox. He had seen it safely headed for the corner where +it would be run to earth. He detected sudden peril in this threat of a +detour. + +"Good Jericho!" gasped a committeeman near him. "The chairman ain't +letting this convention get away from him, is he?" + +It was natural alarm in the case of a man who feared to allow any +expression in a convention except such as had been arranged for +previously and had been passed upon by those in power. + +"This isn't the kind of convention that will get away!" hissed the +colonel in reply, bolstering his own convictions that all was safely +harnessed. "But I don't want any fooling." + +He caught the eye of his nephew and summoned him with an impatient jerk +of the head. + +Richard Dodd hastened across the platform and bent his ear close to his +uncle's mouth--the colonel pulling him down. + +"If your man can stop that fool now--quick--for five hundred dollars, +I'll pay." + +Young Dodd gulped. He needed five thousand dollars! + +"He won't consider less than I told you." + +"Well, let the idiot talk to us--he can't do any harm." + +The colonel pushed his nephew away. In spite of that applause he still +half expected that the convention would close the nominations. What else +was there to do? + +"The vote is upon the motion to close the nominations for governor," +stated the chairman. "Those in favor will say 'Aye!'" + +Every delegate in that hall was looking at Farr. They were staring at +him with curiosity and interest. But even curiosity does not always +prompt politicians to open a convention to a person who may prove to be +a bomb that will upset plans and precedent. + +Then Farr gave them that wonderful smile! + +The "Ayes" were scattered and sporadic! Men did not relish shutting off +a chap who stood there and smiled upon them in that fashion. + +At the call for the "Noes" a bellow of voices shook the hall. + +The convention had given this stranger permission to speak by that +refusal to subscribe to the cut-and-dried plans. Colonel Dodd was no +longer smug. He scowled ferociously. + +"Gentlemen of the convention, I am grateful," cried Walker Farr. "And I +will not abuse your patience." + +"Platform--take the platform!" called many of the delegates. + +He smiled and shook his head. "Let me talk to you standing here where +I can look into your eyes, gentlemen. I feel pretty much alone in this +convention. I _am_ alone! I represent no faction, no interest except the +cause of the humble who have asked for help from the masters who have +been set over them. Perhaps I ought to have remained silent here to-day. +My cowardice has been prompting me to keep still. It is no easy matter +for me to stand up here and disturb the order of events which had been +arranged by the gentlemen who have managed your public affairs for +you so many years. But it would be much more difficult for some of the +others here to speak, because the gentlemen who manage politics have +methods by which they can discredit a man in his profession, ruin him +in his business, stop his credit at banks and in other ways make him pay +dearly for his boldness in speech. I have no money in banks, no business +which can be ruined." + +"I rise to a point of order!" shouted a delegate, obeying a nod from the +stage. "The business in hand is the nomination of a governor." + +"That is my business," stated Farr, calmly. + +With political scent sharpened by his apprehension, Colonel Dodd +narrowed his eyes, sat straight in his chair, and desperately endeavored +to fathom the intentions of this rank outsider. + +In spite of his bluster to the state committee he was worried. He had +not felt comfortable since his conference with Judge Ambrose Warren. +He did not like the "feel" of political conditions. There was some +indefinable slipperiness about matters. + +He could not bring himself to consider the impossible idea that the +convention would bolt--would run amuck, no matter who addressed it--no +matter what contingency arose. But to have the convention even tolerate +this brazen interloper troubled his sense of mastery; the convention had +been too ready to permit the stranger to speak. It wasn't politics as +the colonel had been accustomed to play the game. And this--this man +from nowhere--it was preposterous! + +He snapped his head around and found his nephew close behind him. + +"You young whelp," gritted Colonel Dodd, visiting his anger on the +nearest object, "where's your political loyalty? This isn't any time to +drive bargains. If you can stop that fellow hustle and do it." + +"It's another man's secret, I tell you. I've got to buy it." + +"I'll make it a thousand." + +Young Dodd's face was white, but he knew how desperate his case was and +how vitally necessary it was to play his cards as he held them. + +"I gave you final figures," he whispered. + +"Where is that man? Let me deal with him." + +"It must be done through me." + +"If you wasn't my nephew I'd think this was blackmail." + +Young Dodd stepped back to avoid the glare in his uncle's eyes. + +The colonel turned away and listened. Farr's voice was raised now in +solemn appeal. + +"The idea of my letting myself get rattled by a crack-brained +demagogue," muttered the colonel. He had been fondling the outside of +his coat furtively, locating his check-book. Now he took his hand away. + +"It is well to respect service and to show courtesy, gentlemen. I have +listened with interest to the eulogies which have been given Governor +Harwood. He is, without doubt, an amiable gentleman. But let me tell you +that the next legislature is going to be asked to pass a law which will +be a club with which the people will rap the knuckles of Greed till that +unholy clutch on the water systems of this state will be loosened for +ever." + +The delegates stared at him for a few seconds when he paused, and then a +tumult of applause greeted his utterance. + +"I ask you, gentlemen, whether Governor Harwood--and you know him well +and how he has been chosen--will ever sign a bill that will take profit +from the hands of his political makers even to give that profit to the +people who are the rightful owners?" + +This time men were silent, but he knew what they thought from the manner +in which they looked at him. + +"I do not need to tell you that the veto of a bill by a governor means, +in most cases, its death. Gentlemen, it would be polite and kind and +gracious of you to bow low here to-day and hand up the nomination to the +amiable Governor Harwood. But with the conditions as they are in this +state are you going to be polite, merely, while the hearses are rumbling +down your streets? I have no way of knowing how many of you into whose +eyes I am looking have seen death enter your own homes from the taps of +this much-promising, little-accomplishing water syndicate. But if you +have seen death touch your loved ones, or if you go home from here and +behold fever ravaging your community, it will be poor consolation to +your soul to remember that at least you were polite to an amiable man +who desired the honor of a renomination." + +The faces of the convention showed that this blunt yet shrewd appeal to +the individual antagonism of men had produced profound effect. + +"But that is only one feature of what this state demands and needs, +gentlemen," was Farr's ringing declaration. "This struggle for pure +water has opened a broad avenue. The towns and cities of this state must +take back into their own hands the properties and franchises which have +been mismanaged by the men to whose hands unwise gift by the people has +intrusted the people's own. We need a man in the Big Chair of State who +will stand with the people in this crusade!" + +This amazing declaration in open convention produced as much +consternation on the platform as if Farr had dropped a bomb there. + +He uttered something which was worse than mere political rebellion: he +was proposing to take for the people properties which constituted the +backbone of the oligarchy's power in state affairs. + +Colonel Dodd had been growling behind the chairman, angrily endeavoring +to get the ear of that gentleman. But the chairman seemed to be as +wholly absorbed by this astonishing arraignment as were the delegates. + +The head of the state machine, for the first time in his career, was +compelled to come into the open instead of through the mouth of a +lieutenant. He could not wait to give orders. + +He rose and stamped to the front of the platform. His voice rang hoarse +and loud. + +"There can be no more of this unparliamentary and irregular nonsense. +What has got into this convention? Don't you understand that no speaker +is allowed to break the rules and attack a man under guise of nominating +another? Mr. Chairman, I demand that this slanderer be removed from the +hall and that we proceed to the nomination of a governor." + +There was a hush during which Farr and Colonel Dodd looked at each +other, crossing their stares like long rapiers over the terraced heads. + +"I fear I was wrong," confessed Farr, gently. "But we poor folks down in +the ranks don't know much about the rules, and when we are struggling +to save the ones we love we are apt to forget and talk to the heart of +things. I am not trying to show that I am a skilful orator, gentlemen of +the convention." He held up his arms. "I am crying for _Justice_!" + +The delegates broke into applause once more. + +And Walker Farr sent a queer look straight into the eyes of the colonel. + +Conviction slapped Colonel Symonds Dodd in his mental face with a +violence that made him blink! + +This man was no amateur in understanding how to sway an audience. To be +sure, he had transgressed parliamentary usage, but in those words he had +driven home facts that all knew to be truths--truths which others had +been afraid to voice, but which, once put into words in public, tied +the hideous stamp of ring favoritism upon Governor Harwood, made him a +candidate who could not be trusted. + +The colonel understood, and he also saw plainly that the most of the +audience had accepted the apology, and held no prejudice against the +speaker. + +"Now that I understand what the rules governing nominations are I will +not break them again," declared Farr. + +But like a shrewd and not over-scrupulous lawyer he had jabbed into +the proceedings a stinging truth which, though excluded by the rules, +nevertheless served vitally the big purpose of his efforts; the colonel +understood that, too, and turned back to his chair fairly livid with +rage. + +"There is a man in this state who knows true law," continued the +speaker, "and that you may be assured that he will sign a bill which is +passed for the good of the people, let me tell you a little about his +character." + +Colonel Dodd cursed without trying to moderate his tones very much. + +"There's no telling what tack that renegade will take next. This +infernal convention is getting to be a nightmare. Those fools out there +are listening as if they expected that cheap demagogue to bring 'em a +new Messiah," he told the committeemen near him. + +"There's a funny noise going on out there among 'em," ventured +"Whispering Saunders." "Round-up fellows say they hear something like +it when a herd is getting ready to stampede. It's the same thing in a +political convention sometimes. The reason for it is: the crowd is ripe +and the head steer gives the right bellow--and off they go!" + +Colonel Dodd grabbed his nephew by the elbow and rushed him off the +stage and into an anteroom. + +"Is that matter on the hair-trigger, Richard?" he demanded. + +"It's ready to be snapped any minute." + +The colonel whipped out his check-book and began to write. "It's as old +Saunders said," he muttered as he wrote. "And we've got to rope, throw, +and tie that one steer." + +The check was for five thousand dollars! + +Young Dodd seized it, and when his uncle hurried back upon the stage the +nephew, through the door which was left open, beckoned to Mullaney. The +detective came, hurrying past Colonel Dodd, who stared until the door +had closed behind young Dodd and the officer. + +"But he's my own nephew!" he assured himself, as if he were replying to +an accusation laid against Richard Dodd. He shook his head and sat down +in his chair. "I wonder how long it has been since old Bob Mullaney put +a price of that size on his secrets! I'm afraid Richard hasn't the Dodd +ability to drive a sharp trade." + +But Richard was showing considerable ability in that line behind the +door of the anteroom. + +He jammed two hundred and fifty dollars in crumpled bills into the +detective's hands, cleaning out his pockets for the purpose. He had +slipped the check into his deepest pocket the moment his uncle had +handed it to him. + +"It was hard work to screw him up, Mullaney. You have seen how I worked +him. This is all he gave me--two hundred and fifty. Take it and spring +your trap." + +"You don't look honest," grumbled the detective. "If I'm any kind of a +guesser you're holding out on me." + +"That's your price. You agreed. There isn't any time to argue this. Give +me back the money." He grabbed the bills from Mullaney's clutch. It was +magnificent bluff. "I'll hand it to my uncle. He isn't very keen on the +thing, anyway." + +"I'll take it--give it back. I'll apologize," pleaded Mullaney. + +"Will you swear to keep all this under your hat--the whole thing? Uncle +says if you dare to speak to him about it--hint to him or anybody that +he paid money for anything on Farr--he'll deny the story and have your +license taken away." + +"I promise--swear it," Mullaney agreed. + +Dodd returned the money, and the detective started out on the trot. + +"You come, too, and I'll tell you on the way. Time is short. You'd +better help me," he advised Dodd. They hurried away together, rushed +out into the alley and around to the front of the hall, the detective +pouring certain information into Dodd's ear as they made their way to +the big door and into the main corridor. + +Then they bored through the crowds. + +The detective led the way and showed his badge to compel the people to +give them a lane. + +They entered the rear of the auditorium. + +"You take the left side and I'll take the right," commanded Mullaney. +"We need to paralyze him first. That's all there's time for just +now--I've had short notice. But get that name to every man of your crowd +you can, and when the howl is started tell 'em all to join in." + +Dodd had had scant time to digest the knowledge which the detective +had imparted on the run. But his eyes gleamed wickedly as he began to +whisper to men among the delegates. And as he moved about he noticed +that the girl in the gallery had marked his activity, even to the extent +of turning her gaze from Walker Farr, whose voice was ringing through +the spacious hall. + + + + +XXIX + +THE BOMB + +Walker Farr, towering over their heads, talked to the men in whose midst +he stood. + +Mere eloquence no longer avails in these days of cynical disbelief in +the motives of political orators. But this young man who stood there +was sincerity incarnate. The wonderful and mystic magnetic quality which +wins men and inspires confidence radiated from him. And every now and +then, as he glanced up at one face in the gallery his voice took on new +tones of appeal and pathos. He was one crying from the depths to those +in authority! By the marvel of his language he made the men who sat +there as delegates understand that theirs was the power to make or +mar--to save or sacrifice their state in the crisis which was upon them. +He made them feel their responsibility after he made them understand +their power. + +And he also made their duty plain. + +The crux of the situation rested on such a man as they should place in +the highest office in the state. + +In other times, under other conditions, some pliant and amiable +figurehead might serve them well. + +He told them, with outstretched finger and vibrant voice, what must be +the masterful qualifications of the man who should assume the cross of +public service and carry it up the steeps where he would be lashed at +every step of his weary way by the thongs in the hands of privileged +capital. + +Colonel Symonds Dodd had come back to the platform, cursing himself for +a fool. The moment the check had left his hands he was angry because he +had allowed circumstances to stampede him. + +He wondered what was getting into him and into politics. + +Was he afraid of mere talk from a demagogue! + +But after he had sat there for a few moments and listened, and had +watched the faces of the delegates, he decided that if five thousand +dollars would stop the mouth of that man he had spent money wisely. +It was borne in upon him that he had spent greater sums many times for +lesser service. + +He saw Richard Dodd and Mullaney circulating among the delegates. He +restrained with difficulty an impulse to rise and shout to them to +hurry. He felt that danger to his program and his political structure +was imminent. Because once again were true eloquence and masterly appeal +winning men. + +All the listeners in the vast hall were as still as death. All eyes were +on this speaker who seemed to be clothing with effective speech all the +hidden convictions of the delegates themselves who had nursed protest +without being able to put it into force. + +Colonel Dodd had seen conventions in similar mood in the old days before +the saddle of party had been as securely cinched as it had been in late +years. + +The chairman of the state committee uttered the colonel's rising fears. +The chairman had lost his sneer and his bumptious confidence. His face +was red, he was sweating, he was staring out over the convention and +snapping his fingers impatiently. + +"Good gad!" he informed those in hearing on the platform, "what kind of +a turn is this thing taking? We have let this convention get away from +us. That chap has got the whole crowd marching to the mourners' bench. +He can wind up by nominating a yellow dog and they'll rise and howl him +into office by acclamation!" + +Farr paused for a moment to give effect to his next words. + +"Such in character, in honest impulse, in honor, in ability, in +devotion, and in God-given nobility must be the man who will lead you. +Has God given such a man to this state? He has!" + +"Yes and the devil has given us Nelson Sinkler to speak for that man!" + +The voice was shrill and agitated and it came from a section of the hall +where the rabid adherents of the machine were massed; it was an amazing +and shocking interruption. + +"I said Nelson Sinkler--that's you!" screamed the voice. + +And on that, from here and there in the hall, like snipers posted in +ambush, men shouted the name "Nelson Sinkler"--the words popping like +rifles. + +There was uproar. Part of it was protest, part hysterical demonstration +of excitement in an assemblage which did not in the least understand. + +Then after a time came quiet, for the object of the attack stood in his +elevated position, unruffled, stern, turning bold front to right and +left as men barked at him. + +"I am here where all may look on me," he said. "Let one or all of those +who are attacking me stand forth in view, too." + +No one stood up. + +"It's a cowardly man who will not put his name to a letter or show his +face when he makes an accusation," cried Farr. + +"How about a man who doesn't dare to use his own name?" This questioner +remained in ambush. + +"Your right name isn't Walker Farr and you know it isn't," bellowed a +voice on the opposite side of the hall. + +Other voices pot-shotted at him with the words, "Nelson Sinkler." + +"Will one man in this convention stand up and show himself so that I can +talk to him face to face?" shouted the man at bay. + +Detective Mullaney and Richard Dodd could not find seats. The others +were sitting, and the two were marked men. + +"Well, Dodd, you have been whispering. What have you to say aloud?" +demanded the man they were baiting. + +"I say your name is not Walker Farr." + +"You!" The tall young man darted a finger at Mullaney. + +"I say you're Nelson Sinkler." + +"And what of him?" + +"He is wanted by the state of Nebraska for murder." + +A sound that was mingled sigh and groan ran and throbbed from galleries +to floor; it filled the great hall and seemed to vibrate back and forth +over the assemblage. And for the long minute that the dreadful sound +continued until it had breathed itself out into horrified silence the +man who stood on the settee looked straight into the white face of the +girl in the gallery. + +But those of the throng who devoured him with eager stares could not +discern one trace of confession on his countenance. + +Then he did a strange thing. + +He held his arms out toward Detective Mullaney and crossed them, wrist +over wrist, and he smiled. + +"If you are certain enough of your man to dare to arrest me, sir, I +stand here waiting for the handcuffs." + +The detective hesitated, visibly embarrassed. He had been looking for +confusion, confession by manner, even collapse. + +"This is a put-up political job," declared a delegate. "That's no +murderer--that man." + +"I am waiting," repeated Farr. + +Detective Mullaney flushed. There were murmurs of hostility in the +throng about him. He ran over swiftly in his mind the contents of his +note-book and fortified his courage. + +"I haven't secured a warrant yet--but I'll take your dare," he +announced. He started to come down the aisle. + +"Just one moment," called a stentorian voice in the gallery. "You're +wrong, my man, down there. I don't want to see an innocent person +disgraced in public nor an officer get himself into a scrape. That man +is not Nelson Sinkler." + +"What are we running here--a state convention or a police court?" +Colonel Dodd demanded, leaping up and grabbing the arm of the presiding +officer. "Order all those men ejected from the hall." + +But at that moment the convention was not in the control of the +chairman. Irregular as it all was, human nature demanded to be shown +there and then. + +Delegates arose, shouting, and surrounded Farr, making effectual +bulwarks against Mullaney with their bodies. Voices asked the stranger +in the gallery for information, and he motioned the vociferous mob into +silence. + +"I am a United States post-office inspector, and I can easily prove my +identity, gentlemen. I'm here in this convention merely as a spectator, +killing time till my train leaves. But I know Nelson Sinkler because +I arrested him a month or so ago after he had been a fugitive for two +years. He killed a mail clerk. He is now awaiting trial. If that man +down there is arrested as being Nelson Sinkler it will mean a lot of +trouble for somebody." He sat down. + +"Who are you?" yelled a chorus of the ring's henchmen. They pressed as +near to Farr as his body-guard would permit and shook their fists at +him. + +"I am a man and not a spirit," he said in the first silence--and +silence came quickly, for they were eager to hear. "You can see that +for yourselves. But just now I am less a man than a _Voice_." He shouted +that last word. "The Voice calls you to rebuke the kind of politics that +has just been attempted here. You have seen, you have heard! Will you +indorse it by your votes? Will you keep in power that gang that has +attempted it in the desperation of defeat?" + +"No," the voices of men tumultuously replied. + +Reckless and unjust attack had never tossed a more golden opportunity +into a man's hands. + +"Then come over to the side of decency, my men. Nominate a champion who +will be spotless and unafraid. There is war in this commonwealth instead +of politics. Through one war the great patriot of this state led his +people with high chivalry. For the next governor of this state, in these +trying times, I nominate the son of that patriot--the Honorable Archer +Converse of this city--God bless him!" + +"We're licked," gasped Colonel Dodd, trying to make the state chairman +hear him, for the roar that rocked the great hall was deafening. "A +boomerang has come back and mowed us flatter than an oven door in +tophet." + +In the rout, in the retreat--horse, foot and dragoons--crisp orders +were issued and obeyed. The friends of Governor Harwood had only one +resource--it was to save that gentleman's face. His nomination was +withdrawn. + +That convention had run amuck, it was a mass of wild men who were +feeling liberty from oppression for the first time and gloried in their +new and sudden freedom from ring rule. + +Then the delegates who came upon their feet roared the unanimous +nomination of Archer Converse. + +In the gale of that acclaim the opposition uttered no protest; the +delegates who still remained loyal to the machine scowled and kept their +seats. + +Ducking under the tossing arms of men who flung aloft their hats and +cheered with the frenzy of delight that the amazing victory inspired, +Richard Dodd escaped to the rear of the hall and jammed himself into the +press of the spectators. He hid behind a hedge of bodies and then dared +to look at Colonel Dodd's face. The mighty passion which flamed on +the uncle's countenance was revealed to the nephew's gaze even at that +distance. The colonel was at the edge of the platform and was beckoning +imperiously to some one. Young Dodd saw Detective Mullaney work his +way out of the throng which surrounded Walker Farr; the officer was +obviously obeying the summons of Colonel Dodd and marched to the +platform and climbed on a chair in order to converse with the angry man +who had beckoned. + +And when Richard Dodd saw that conference begin overwhelming fear swept +out of his soul all other emotions. He no longer had eyes for that girl +in the gallery. Not even love and the promise she had made availed to +stay him. Panic allowed him no time for planning an excuse or framing a +lie. In playing for the stakes he had exacted he had felt that his uncle +would hold no autopsy on the price of success. But five thousand dollars +plucked from the Dodd pocket by a falsehood for which no excuse could +be offered! And on top of that a crushing defeat which had been made +definite and final by the work which Colonel Dodd had paid for! + +The nephew saw Mullaney shake his head and throw up his hands in appeal +and protest. + +That spectacle made Richard Dodd a fugitive who thought only of saving +himself. He fought his way through the crowd and ran out of the hall. +The thought of facing Symonds Dodd in that crisis or of waiting to be +dragged before the furious tyrant--that thought lashed the traitor into +mad flight. + +He glanced up at the clock in the First National tower. He had three +minutes before the bank's closing time. He controlled his emotions as +best he could and presented the check at the paying-teller's grill. +The money was counted out to him without question, and when he held the +thick packet in his hand he realized still more acutely in what position +he stood in his affairs with Symonds Dodd. + +He rushed to a garage, secured his car, and fled. + +"I tell you I gave my nephew a check for five thousand dollars," +insisted the colonel. "And the Dodds don't lie to each other!" + +"Then they have begun to do it," declared Mullaney. "He has +double-crossed the two of us. There was never any talk between us of +more than five hundred for the job." + +Colonel Dodd hurried into the anteroom and called the bank on the +telephone. "Almighty Herod!" he yelped, when he was informed that the +check had been cashed. He banged the receiver upon its hook. "Even my +own nephew has joined the pack of those damnation wolves!" + +Then with the air of a man recovering from a blow and wondering dizzily +what had struck him, he left the convention hall by a rear door and went +to his office. + +Those whom he passed on his way out made no attempt to stop him, did not +urge him to remain. That convention seemed to be doing very well without +calling upon Colonel Symonds Dodd for help or suggestions. + + + + +XXX + +A GIRL'S IMPULSE + +Herald unofficial, _avant courier_, Mr. Daniel Breed squeezed himself +through the pack of people while they were still cheering the name of +the Honorable Archer Converse. + +"Giving candy to youngsters and good news to grown folks never +made anybody specially unpopular," Mr. Breed assured himself with +politician's sagacity. + +Therefore, he jog-trotted down to the Converse law-offices and shot +himself into the presence of the estimable gentleman who had remained +aloof from the distracting business of a convention. + +"He's done it," proclaimed Mr. Breed, making his sentences short and his +message to the point because he was out of breath. + +"Who has done what?" demanded Mr. Converse, with equal crispness. + +"Farr. You're nominated for governor. Acclamation! He's a wiz with his +tongue." Mr. Breed pursed his little mouth and "sipped" with gusto. +"Some talker! Don't ever tell me that good talk doesn't win when the +right man makes it at the right time." + +Mr. Converse rose and stood--a rigid statue of consternation and +protest. "Do you mean to come in here and tell me that I have been +nominated by that state convention? Without my sanction? Without my +consent?" + +"Sure thing! Easy work! Played all the tricks. Made believe he was +green. Poked rights and lefts to Harwood's jaw. Had himself paged as +a murderer--at least, I reckon it was his own get-up. It cinched the +thing, anyway. He understands human nature." + +But Mr. Converse did not in the least understand this talk. "Look here, +Breed, you haven't gone crazy yourself, along with the rest, have you?" + +"Nobody's crazy. People have simply woke up." + +"I'll be eternally condemned if I--" + +"That's right! You will be if you don't button up your coat and go over +to the hall along with that notification committee that's probably on +the way, give the folks your best bow, and say you'll take the job. +We're some little team when we get started." + +"You're an infernal steer team, and you have dragged me into a mess of +trouble," declared Mr. Converse, with venom. + +"Glad you're in," retorted the imperturbable Breed. "A man needs more or +less trouble so as to round himself out; I've been having some troubles +of my own. Whatever job you give me after you're elected, don't put me +back with them stuffed animals. Harwood made his mistake right there!" + +"It has begun already, has it?" asked Converse, indignantly. +"Office-seekers at it?" + +"Sure thing!" responded Mr. Breed, amiably. "When you cool down you'll +remember that I got to you first with the good news." + +Five minutes later the Honorable Archer Converse, muttering, but more +calm, was marching toward the convention hall in the company of a proud +committee of notification. + +He walked out upon the platform and waited for the wild tumult of +greeting to subside, and while he waited he searched the assemblage with +stern scrutiny to find the face of Walker Farr. + +But that young worker of miracles was not in evidence. + +He had risen with the others when the band began to blare the music +which signaled the approach of the nominee. + +Once more he turned his gaze toward the girl in the gallery. + +There was nothing in his demeanor to suggest that he had been a victor. +His face was white, and after his eyes had held hers for a long time +he gave her a wistful little smile which expressed regret, sorrow, +renunciation, rather than pride. She no longer wondered at the interest +she felt in this man; she knew that she loved him. She was able to own +that truth to herself, and to view it calmly because she had made her +promise to Richard Dodd and was resolved to keep it. That determination +made of this love a precious possession that she could put away for ever +out of the sight of all the world. Such a poor, meager, little story of +love it was! A few meetings--a hand-touch--a word or two. + +There in that packed forum had been their only real love-making. Over +the heads of angry men they had told each other with their eyes. There +was no misunderstanding on the part of either. Both knew the truth. + +And yet, after he had told her, this enigma of a man bowed his head and +edged his way to the door, moving unobtrusively through the press of +humanity, taking advantage of the confusion which marked the entrance of +Archer Converse. + +Impulse goaded Kate Kilgour at that moment. She did not reason or +reflect. Something in the air of this man told her that sorrow instead +of triumph was dominating him; his whole demeanor had said "Farewell" +when he had turned from her. The instinct of the woman who loves and +longs to comfort the object of that affection drove her out of the hall, +and she followed him--ashamed, marveling at herself, searching her soul +for words with which to excuse her madness, should he turn and behold +her. + +But the autumn dusk was early and she was grateful because it shrouded +her. + +Farr, leaving the din of the convention, going forth alone, looked more +like the vanquished than the victor. He walked slowly, his head was +lowered, and he turned off the Boulevard at once, seeking deserted +streets which led him down toward the big mills. + +Their myriad lights shone from dusty windows, row upon row, and the +staccato chatter of the looms sounded ceaselessly. + +Farr climbed the fence where old Etienne was everlastingly raking. The +young man had not seen much of the old rack-tender for some weeks, and +now he greeted Etienne rather curtly as he passed on his way to the +tree. But Etienne seemed to understand. + +"Ah, I will not talk, m'sieu'. I will not bodder you. I hear how much +you have work and run about, and you must be very tire." + +There was a crackle of autumn chill in the air, but Farr took off his +hat and sat down and leaned his head against the tree. He closed his +eyes. One might have thought that he wished to sleep. + +When the rack-tender made his next turn toward the street he saw a woman +at the fence, and as he peered she beckoned to him. He went close and +saw it was the pretty lady to whom he had told the story of Rosemarie. +She trembled as she clutched the top of the high fence, and when she +spoke to him he understood that she was very near to tears. + +"Is there not some way--some gate by which I may come in?" she pleaded. + +"That is not allow, ma'm'selle. It is trespass." + +"But I want to speak--to--tell him--We can talk over there beside the +tree and will not be heard. It is to Mr. Farr I wish to speak. I saw +him when he climbed the fence." She hurried her appeal with pitiful +eagerness. + +"Ah yes, I have one little gate for maself--for my frien'--for hees +frien', ma'm'selle. I will break the rule. You shall come in." + +She went softly and stood before Farr for some minutes before he opened +his eyes. + +Then he looked up and saw her and he did not speak. He seemed to accept +her presence as a natural matter. She was clasping her hands tightly to +steady herself. His calm demeanor helped her. + +"I don't know why I came here," she murmured. + +"I know. It's because you are sorry for me." + +"But I followed you. I dared to do that. I don't know why. I haven't the +words--I can't explain." + +"I understand. You wondered why I came away from the convention. You +want to ask me why." + +"Yes, that's it. I am interested in the fight. I have left the office +where so many bad things were planned." + +"I know. It was good of you to warn me." + +"And now I am afraid you are in trouble." + +"I am." + +"But you have many good friends now, sir." + +"I fear they cannot help me. When I left that hall I tried to tell you +with my eyes that I was going away." + +"I--I think I understood," she stammered. "It was wrong--it was +folly--but I followed you without knowing why I did so." + +"I am glad you did. I can say farewell to you here." + +"But you must not go away, Mr. Farr. You are needed." + +"I am going because I can best help the work in that way. If I stay here +I may be the cause of great harm." + +"I cannot understand." + +"I do not want you to understand." + +"Why?" + +"It is a matter which concerns others besides myself." + +"Does Mr. Converse know that you are going away?" + +"I shall tell him to-night before I leave town." + +"He will not allow you to do." + +"Yes--he will," the young man returned, quietly. + +There was a long silence. + +"Coming here--following you--it was a mad thing for me to do," said the +girl, still striving to find explanation for her act. "But I have had so +much trouble in my own life--I am sorry for others who are in trouble. I +want to tell you that I am sorry." + +"I understand," he repeated. + +Another period of silence followed. + +"That is all," said the girl. "I only wanted to tell you what a grand +battle you won to-day--and then I saw your face there in the hall and +I knew that you did not want praise--you wanted somebody to say to you, +'I'm sorry.'" She dwelt upon the word which expressed her sympathy, +putting all her heart into her voice. "And now I'll be going," she said, +"and I hope you understand and will forgive me." + +Farr had been sitting with head against the trunk of the tree. When he +had started to rise she requested him to remain seated. Now he stood up +so quickly that she gasped. She was plainly still less at ease when he +stood and came close to her. + +"Wait a moment. You think that I am a very strange sort of man, do you +not?" + +She was silent. + +"You need not answer--it doesn't need answer. You naturally must think +that. You met me when I was a vagrant. You have seen me selling ice from +a cart-tail. But--I will be very frank, for this is a time which demands +frankness--you have seen me in other circumstances which have been a +bit more creditable. You do not know who I am or what to make of me. But +with all your heart and soul you know that I love you," he declared, his +tones low and tense and thrilling. "That love has needed no words. It +has been strange love-making. Wait! This isn't going to be what you +think. If I were simply going to say I love you I would have said it to +you long ago--I am not a coward--and I had seen the one mate of all the +world; I knew it when I saw you in the dust of the long highway. And +after you went on I picked a rose beside the way, and the ashes of that +rose are in my pocket now. I called you the little sister of the rose +and plodded along after you, playing with a dream. And I threw the rose +away after I saw you in the woods with your lover--and understood. But I +went back and hunted on my knees for your sister. I didn't intend to say +any of this to you. For it is of no use." + +"No; I am promised to Richard Dodd," she sobbed. + +"If that was all that stood between us I'd reach now and take you in my +arms," he said, with bitterness. + +"It is more than a mere promise--he owns me--it was bargain and +sale--it's sacrifice--for--But I must not tell you." She went to the +tree and put her forehead on her crossed arms and wept with a child's +pitiful abandon. He came close and put tender hand upon her shoulder. + +"Sacrifice, little sister of the rose! Then there is another bond +between us! Sacrifice! My God! the curse that is sometimes put upon the +innocent!" He put the tip of his forefinger under her chin and lifted +her face from her arms. "I haven't any right to tell you that I love +you. I must march on. I cannot even explain to you why I cannot take you +in my arms and plead for your love." + +Her eyes told him what answer his pleading would win, and he trembled +and stepped away from her. + +"Since it can never be," she said, brokenly, "you may as well know +that I--that I do--I couldn't help it. I am forward--I am bold--it +is shameless--but I never loved anybody before." She put out both her +hands, and he took them. + +Old Etienne dragged doggedly at his work, his lantern lighting his toil. +The looms clacked behind the dusty windows which splashed their radiance +upon the gloom. + +"It is a bit strange that now another wonderful but bitter experience +should come into my life on this spot where we are standing," he told +her. He spoke quietly, trying to calm her; striving to crowd back his +own emotions. "I guess fate picked this spot as the right place for us +to say farewell to each other. I stood here one day and saw old Etienne +draw a dead woman to the surface of the water, and I found a letter in +her breast and I took her key and went and found little Rosemarie." + +She stared at him, her eyes very wide in the darkness. + +"And that dead woman--she was the mother of the little girl?" + +"Yes, a poor weaver that the mills had broken. And Rosemarie and I sat +all night under this tree. It is too long a story for you now. No matter +about that, but I--" + +"I know about Rosemarie," she confessed. + +"And my heart opened and something new came into it, little sister of +the rose. And now on this spot I stand, and all joy and hope and love +are dead for me when I give back to you these dear little hands." + +She was still staring at him. + +"But I must not--I dare not speak of it," he proceeded. His grasp grew +tense. "See how I am trying to be calm? I will not loose my grip on +myself. Our doom was written for us by other hands, dear heart. When it +was summer I walked here with Rosemarie and play-mamma. Now it is autumn +and--" + +"Play-mamma!" she gasped. + +"Yes, a dear, good girl who worked hard in the mill and who was very +good to our Rosemarie; I was making poor shifts at buying a little +girl's clothes, and Zelie Dionne was wise in those matters and was busy +with her needle." + +"I hope you been excuse me," broke in old Etienne. "I overheard the name +of Zelie Dionne, but I don't mean to listen. I have some good news for +you, M'sieu' Farr, what you don't hear because you ain't been on this +place for long time. And it is not good news for you, ma'm'selle, for +now you can't get acquaint with very nice Canadian girl. The big beau +Jean have come down here from Tadousac and now he own nice farm and they +will get marry and be very happy up in the habitant country." + +"Thank God, there's some happiness in this world," said Farr. "She is a +good girl." + +There was almost joy on Kate Kilgour's face when she looked up at Farr. + +Her god had been restored to his pedestal. + +"Farewell," he said at the little gate through which she had stepped +into the street. + +"No," she cried as she turned and hurried away; "I'll not say it--not +now!" And he wondered because there was joy in her tones. + + + + +XXXI + +THE MASK OF CYNICISM + +Old Etienne came to the gate with his lantern; the big turbines were +stilling their rumble and growl in the deep pits and his day's work was +ended. + +"P'r'aps you may walk to Mother Maillet's with me and say the good word +to Jean from Tadousac and to Zelie Dionne, who is now so very glad," +suggested the old man, humbly. "The good priest he marry them very soon +and they will go home." + +"Yes, I will go, Etienne. I can say good-by there to you and to Miss +Dionne." + +"So you go visit some place, eh, after your hard work? That will be very +good for you, M'sieu' Farr. You shall come back much rest up and then +you will show the poor folks how you will help them some more." + +"I shall not come back--I am going away to stay." + +"But you promise under the big light at the _hotel de ville_--I hear you +promise that you will stay," protested the old man. + +"My work is finished." + +"That is not so, M'sieu' Farr. For many men come to talk to me over the +fence since I stand up in the big hall. They are wiser than such a fool +as I am. They say that you have just begin to do great things for the +poor folks. You shall take the water-pipes away from the men who have +poison them. Ah, that is what they say. I do not understand, but they +say it shall be so." + +"Other men can do it," said Farr, curtly. + +"And yet you will come back--when?" The old man was struggling with his +bewilderment and doubt. + +"Never." + +He understood how he was hurting that old man, but bitterness and +hopelessness were crowding all tender feelings out of Farr at that +moment. Once more he put on the mask of cynicism. He feared to show +anybody the depths of his soul. + +In the good woman's little sitting-room they found Zelie Dionne. + +"I have stopped in to say good-by, Miss Zelie. I am going away. I'm +sorry that the grand young man from Tadousac is not here." + +"He comes to sit with me in the evening. You shall wait and see him." + +"No, I must hurry on." + +"I have been reading about you." She tapped the newspaper in her hand. +"The boy just passed, crying the news. It is very wonderful what you +have done. Now you will be the great man. But I knew all the time that +you were much more than you seemed to be." + +"However, you don't seem to understand me just now," he declared. "I am +going away from this city--from this state. I am going to stay away." + +"_Oui_, he have say that thing to me," said old Etienne, brokenly. "And +I do not understand." + +"And _I_ do not understand." + +"I'm tired--put it that way." + +"Ah no, that is not it." + +"Well, I am more or less of a sneak and a quitter when it comes to a +pinch. I don't want you two good folks to feel sorry about me. Forget +me. That will be the best way. I hope you will be very happy in +Tadousac, Miss Zelie." + +"I hoped we were better friends," she said simply. "I am very sad to +find you do not trust us." + +"Oh, I'm selfish--that's it. Remember me as a selfish man who was tired +and ran away." + +"We have talked about you, Uncle Etienne and I, and we have never said +that you are selfish." + +"That shows you don't know me," said Farr, roughly. + +"But we know what you have done," insisted the old man, with patient +confidence. "For what you say you shall not do we do not care about +that. For we have seen what you have done--ah, we know about that and +care about it very much. You are wiser than we are, and if you say you +must go we can only look at you very sad and bow the head. I wish I had +some language so to tell you how very sorry! But the Yankee words--I +know not those which tell how sorry I shall be. It is not much I can do +for the poor little childs--only whittle and save pennies for the fresh +air." + +Another man, another tone, might have put rebuke, indirectly, into those +words. But old Etienne, rasping his hard palms nervously, was merely +vowing himself to sacrifice because there was no one else left to do so. +Farr understood and was softened. + +"And now I must go to the bed for my sleep, because the rack must be +cleared before the wheel start to go roompy-roomp in the big pit asking +for its water." He was showing nervousness, haste, his voice trembled; +he staggered when he lifted himself out of his chair. + +"You'd better say good-by to me now," said Farr, rising with the old +man. "It's a good night under the stars. I shall probably be far out on +the road by daylight." + +"Good-bye," muttered old Etienne, fumbling his hat and bowing. + +"But aren't you going to say something else to me--say you're sorry to +have me go?" demanded the young man. "We have been close together in +some things we shall never forget." + +"I have told you. I cannot say how sorry." The old man's voice was +little more than a husky whisper. + +"I like you, Uncle Etienne. I want you to know it. You are an old +saint." He put out his hand, but the rack-tender turned and hurried to +the door. "Not take my hand?" cried Farr. "Am I as much of a traitor as +all that?" + +"Oh, I cannot speak! I have no word," wailed the old man from the gloom +in the street. His voice rose in shrill, cracked tones. He began to weep +aloud. He had been restraining his feelings with all the strength of his +will since Farr had announced his intentions. His departure was flight. +He began to run away down the sidewalk. "Saint Joseph, guard my tongue!" +he gasped over and over. "I'll go very fast so that I not say it, for I +am only old Pickaroon, and he is fine gentlemans!" He continued to weep +broken-heartedly. + +"Mr. Farr, he was afraid he would tell you how much he loved you--afraid +that you would be insulted if he presumed to tell you of it." + +"I don't think I just understand that," commented Farr, staring into the +night, peering to get another glimpse of Etienne. + +"I understand!" said the girl. "It would be too bad for you to go away +and think that at parting he was not polite to you. I would not like to +have you suppose that fault is in one from Tadousac. He has told me. If +you will not follow him and frighten him by saying that you know it, I +will tell you." + +"I will not follow him. Probably I shall never see him again." + +"It may be a bit hard for you to understand, for you do not know the +French nature, perhaps. But since little Rosemarie went away for ever he +has loved you. You made something more of him than the old rack-tender +when you took him into partnership. When you made him your friend +before all the big men at the City Hall something bloomed in him, +m'sieu'--something that before had been only a withered bud! Ah, you +think I am fanciful? Very well! I cannot think how to say it any other +way. You are a token for him from little Rosemarie who has gone away; +you are friend, you are son, you are in his eyes destined savior of +these poor people." + +"I am glad I am going away. I would hate to betray such childlike faith. +Good-by, Miss Zelie!" + +He heard her call to him when he was in the street. He turned and +halted and saw her slim, white figure at the gate, and he stepped back +half-way. + +She was girlish sympathy incarnate, and his troubled, hungry, +self-accusatory soul caught the radiation of that womanly solace. + +"It's not what you say to me you are," she said, her breath coming fast, +her tones low. "It's what I know you are! That you will be when at last +you shall come to yourself. I do not care what you say. I shall not +remember! To the world--to me--to poor Etienne, just now, you lied about +yourself, M'sieu' Farr--about your real self. But you did not lie to +a little girl when she asked you to show your true self to her. Of +yourself--with little Rosemarie--that shall I remember!" + +"I thank you," he said, gratefully. + +"Some day some woman will love you," she continued. "And when you are +sure that she does love you, then you will tell her your troubles and +she will know what to say to make things right for you. For that is the +mission of good women. They understand how to listen and how to help the +men they love. You shall see!" She hurried into the house. + +Farr was promptly admitted when he presented himself at the door of +Archer Converse's residence, and he was conducted to that gentleman's +library, and came face to face with his patron, whom he found sitting +very erect in a high-backed chair. + +"I have been waiting for you, sir," said Converse. + +"I expected that you would be waiting, sir." + +"Be seated." + +"I will stand, if you please. I have only a few words to say." + +"Then your nature must have changed very suddenly," said the lawyer, +dryly. "Or did you pump your reservoir dry of language when you put my +name in nomination to-day?" + +Farr bowed without reply. + +"I hear that speech commended very highly. Among opportunists you +deserve high rank, Mr. Farr. You have tipped a state upside down very +effectively, and I am upside down along with the rest." + +"I will stand here very patiently, sir, and take my punishment. As +between ourselves, I had no right to do what I did to-day without +consulting you. As regards conditions in the state, I had a right to +seize that opportunity and give to the people a man who can be depended +on. I did so. Go ahead, now, Mr. Converse!" + +To the young man's surprise, the nominee arose and came to him with +hand outstretched. A smile broke through the grimness of the lawyer's +countenance. "I have accepted a public trust with pride, I am obeying my +plain duty with satisfaction, and I shall work to be elected with all my +might. Otherwise I wouldn't be the son of my father. My boy, I have had +a talk with Citizen Drew to-day. He told me about your idea of kicking +honest men into politics. I want you to understand that I thank you +heartily because you have kicked me in. I'm going to swim!" + +"'Then God's in His Heaven and the world's all right,'" declared Farr. + +The lawyer's quizzical and searching gaze was rather disquieting; the +young man had found Converse eyeing him with peculiar interest during +their meetings in the recent past. Now Converse bestowed particularly +intent scrutiny on his caller. + +"I feel that I have done my work, sir," Farr hastened to say, anxious +to terminate this interview. "I am going away--out of the state. I shall +not return." + +Mr. Converse did not break out into protest. He eyed Farr more closely. +Then he reached a button and turned on the full light of the chandelier. +"You have a good reason for deserting just when you are most needed, I +presume, sir?" + +"I have. It is a reason which especially concerns the success of the +legislation which we have discussed. If I stay I shall hamper you." + +"I will ask you to stand where you are for a few minutes, sir," said the +lawyer, commanding rather than requesting. He went to a cabinet and drew +forth a package. He brought that packet to the table and began to sort +photographs. + +He selected one, regarded it with careful gaze, and shifted his eyes to +the young man's face. + +"Um!" he commented, with judicial tone. "Now--suppose you tell me--just +how your continued presence in this state will hamper me"--he paused; he +drawled the next words, emphasizing them--"Mr. Bristol!" + +Farr had begun nervous retreat when the lawyer had begun comparison of +the living features with the photograph. It was plain that he feared +rather than understood. + +"Hold on, there!" shouted the investigator. "You may as well stay and +settle this matter, Bristol. You look at this picture! You recognize it, +do you? If you are in any doubt I'll inform you that it's a picture of +your father when he and I were in law-school together." + +"I deny any relationship to that man." + +"Your tone and your manner convict you, my boy. I jumped you with that +name purposely. I am no fool when it comes to examining a witness. When +I first laid eyes on you I thought I had seen you, yourself, somewhere, +and I have been puzzling my brains. Then it occurred to me that I had +known in my youth a fellow who looked like you. You're the son of your +father, all right. Don't stultify yourself by lying to me. You are +Morgan Bristol's boy! Hah?" + +"I am," confessed the young man, with resignation. + +"What is your first name?" + +"Thornton." + +"Sit down, Thornton!" + +The visitor obeyed. + +"What have you done that you're ashamed of, my boy?" + +"I cannot tell you," said Bristol, firmly. + +"Oh, but you're going to," insisted the lawyer, with just as +much firmness. "You are now retaining me as your attorney and +counsel--whether you know it or not. And when a man talks to his lawyer +and tells the truth it's no betrayal of confidence. Out with it!" + +"There's nothing to be done, Mr. Converse." + +"There's always something which can be done when a man is in trouble. +You are Morgan Bristol's son. I was in school with your father. He went +West and settled. Is he alive?" + +"I think so." + +"How is it that you don't know?" + +Mr. Converse settled himself into the tone and pose of the +cross-examiner. + +"I have been a vagrant, hiding myself in the highways and byways of this +country, for a long time." + +"What happened to drive you out like that?" + +"Right there, Mr. Converse, is where I must halt. It is a family matter. +I cannot go into it." + +"Look here, Thornton, you are in trouble. If you are in trouble, so is +your father. He has lost a boy! You can tell me now what it's all about, +or I'll drop my affairs and go and hunt up Morgan Bristol and ask him +about it. You may just as well save me all that time and trouble. You're +a lawyer, yourself--I know it." + +"Yes." + +"And you're a good one and know our code when it comes to secrets. I am +not asking you to expose a family skeleton--I'm demanding that you treat +me as your attorney and trust to my discretion. You are in trouble and +need a helper, and, by gad! you have got to take me into this thing." + +Thornton Bristol set his elbows on his knees and clutched his shaking +fingers into his hair. + +"I have been meaning to keep it all to myself, sir," he stammered. + +"Quite likely. You have done mighty well at it, I should judge. But you +know that any man who acts as his own lawyer usually does a mighty poor +job. He lacks perspective." + +Bristol did not reply. + +"I have been studying you a little since I have known you," the lawyer +went on. "You are a very strange mixture, my boy. I much fear that in +some things in this life you are too quixotic in your views. We had a +case here in town--a man named Andrew Kilgour--" + +"I have heard about that man, sir." + +"Thornton, from what glimpses I have had of your nature, I'm going to +tell you here and now that you are covering somebody else's fault. You +are no coward. You would face your own delinquency just as bravely as +you came here and faced me to-night. Now, what did your father do?" + +"Speculated with trust funds of estates." + +"Old story, eh? Too bad, Morgan. I liked you when you were young." + +"But I want you to understand it," cried the son. "It is hard for me to +talk about it, sir, but it isn't exactly the old story. My father was +too indulgent where I was concerned. He tried to do more for me than he +could afford. He didn't tell me the truth about his affairs--I supposed +he was a rich man. I always had everything that money could furnish. +When he found that I was interested in the law he sent me to schools at +home and abroad and ordered me to take my time and go to the bottom of +all." + +"Well, I reckon you did," stated Converse. "If ever I saw a chap with +the true legal mind you have it, polished and pointed. You came into +this state and saw a solution for a problem which has blocked us for +twenty-five years. It's good law! And we will have a legislature that +will pass it. But when did you find out that your father had taken other +folks' money?" + +"I came home and insisted on going to work in the office. Then he told +me. The settlement was due and had been called for. He was obliged to +tell me. And he tried to convince me that he had not taken the money for +my sake. He was willing to appear in my eyes a thief without excuse. But +I knew. I had selfishly accepted it all without thought--and only half +grateful. Young men are thoughtless, sir." + +"Your father seems to have been quixotic after his own fashion, +Thornton. I think I remember some of his traits when he was in school. +But as old Hard-Times Brewster used to say, 'We are all poor, queer +critters and some be queerer than the others!' So you were a little +queerer than your father, eh, and tried to square matters by a worse +piece of folly?" + +"It may have been folly. Perhaps it was. But I did not stop to argue or +reason. That money had been spent on me. I accepted the blame. I said +nothing to my father. I wrote letters to the persons who had lost. I +told them that I had taken the money as my father's agent--without his +knowledge. I said I had deceived him as well as them. And then, so +that I might not perjure myself on the witness-stand or have the truth +gimleted out of me by lawyers, I put on rags and hid myself among the +thousands who trudge the highways and ride the trusses of freight-cars. +And no one has come to me and put heavy hand on my shoulder and said, 'I +want you!' But some one will come if I remain here. I am going to hide +myself again." + +"I say it has all been a piece of folly," insisted Converse. "Dear +folly! Yes, almost noble folly! But it must end, my boy. I suppose +your father is back there toiling to repay those men from whom he took +money." + +"I suppose so, Mr. Converse. But he has not been disgraced in the eyes +of the public." + +"There's where your noble folly has made its mistake. You have doubled +his grief, Thornton. Just sit there a moment and ponder. You will +understand what I mean." + +"I have understood--I have pondered--but I have not had the courage to +go back. At least, they could not say to him that his son was in prison. +He has escaped that grief." + +"And has endured a heavier one, my boy. I'm afraid you're a poor +counselor in your own affairs." He came across the room to Bristol and +slapped the bowed shoulder. "Now you have found a better one. I have +taken your case." + +The young man looked up into the kindly features of his adviser and was +only half convinced. + +"Don't you realize how easy it will be for you to make money from +this time on? You don't? Well, let me tell you. As soon as you can be +admitted to the bar in this state I'm going to make you my law partner. +Hold on! I'm doing you no especial favor--I'm putting into my office a +man who had the legal acumen to devise a plan to break the unholy clutch +of plunderers who have had this state by the throat for a quarter of a +century. I'm simply grabbing you before somebody else gets you. I expect +to be governor of this state, and I want my law business looked after +by a man who is able to keep up the reputation of the firm. But first of +all, my boy, you and I are going back to your home. I think you'll find +me a fairly good lawyer in straightening out tangles. I'll know just how +to talk to those folks out there. And then you're coming back here with +me and face this state as yourself and help me fight the legislation +we want put through to enactment--and be damned to 'em!" He put his arm +about the young man's shoulders and drew him to his feet. "It has been +a hard day for you, my boy. There are some hard things ahead of you. You +must go to bed. The morning will bring comfort and good counsel." + +But when Bristol started toward the door Converse restrained him gently +and led him toward the stairs which led up from the big vestibule. + +"You're home, my boy--right here--you're home here from this time on! +This is your other home until your father needs you more than I do. +I have been pretty lonely in this house for a good many years without +realizing just what was the matter with me." + +"After all, you have only my word for what I am and what I have done," +expostulated Bristol. + +"Oh no, I have the evidence of my eyes and ears and my own common +sense." + +Bristol pressed the hand stretched forth to him. + +"I'm not going to talk to you any more to-night," stated the host, +when they were on the upper landing. "It will all seem different in the +morning. It's going to be all right after this, Thornton. I'm sorry I +haven't a wife. A woman understands how to listen to troubles better +than a man. Is your mother alive?" + +"No, Mr. Converse." + +"I might have known that. You would not have allowed a mother to +suffer--your folly would never have gone so far. You would have been +home long before this. Ah, well, my boy, some woman will know how to +comfort you some day for all you have endured. Good night!" + +The young man knew that Zelie Dionne had been right in what she said; he +did not require the added opinion of the state's most eminent lawyer. + + + + +XXXII + +THE DEBT + +Colonel Symonds Dodd sat at his desk in the First National block and +clutched helplessly at the dragging ends of events. He failed to get +firm hold on anything and irefully informed Judge Warren that the whole +situation was a "damnation nightmare." + +"Well," affirmed the judge, who had been pricked in his legal pride +by his master's tongue, "the Consolidated has eaten some pretty hearty +meals. It's no wonder it is having bad dreams right now." + +"You're squatting down like an old rooster in a dust-heap," raged +the colonel, too angry to be choice in his language. "You, a +twenty-five-thousand-dollar lawyer, come in here to me and say that you +can't block the confiscatory scheme of a bounder--a nobody--a black-leg +stranger in this state!" + +"I'll carry on the fight if you order me to do so," said the corporation +lawyer. "That's my business. We can lobby in the next legislature. We +can fight the laws that Archer Converse's legislature is bound to +pass, for they're after us, Colonel Dodd. We can carry the thing to +the highest tribunal--and then we can fight the appraisals on every +water-plant in the state, but--" + +"Well, but what?" + +"One by one they'll pry loose every finger we have got hooked on to our +proposition. I have submitted that water-district plan to the acid test, +Colonel. It was my duty to do it. A lawyer must keep cool while his +bosses curse and disparage. I have the opinions of the law departments +of three leading colleges on the scheme. They all say that such a +plan, if properly safeguarded by constitutional law, will get by every +blockade we can erect. Now if you want to spend money I'll help you +spend all you care to appropriate," concluded the judge, grimly. + +"We'll fight," was the dictum of the master. + +"Then I take it that you have definitely decided to give up your +political control, Colonel! A certain amount of popularity is needed to +cinch any man in politics. You're going to be the most unpopular man in +this state if you start in to fight every town and city simply for the +purpose of piling up costs and clubbing them away from their own as long +as you have the muscle to do it." + +"I don't care about politics--politics has gone to the devil in this +state already. They'll get tired of chasing fox-fires through a swamp +following after such lah-de-dahs as Arch Converse, and will come back +and be good. I'll wait for 'em to come back. But in the mean time I'm +going to have the courts say whether our property can be confiscated. +I'll take a few pelts while they're trying it on!" + +Judge Warren bowed stiffly and retired from the interview. + +Day after day passed and Colonel Dodd was more than ever convinced that +the nightmare was continuing. Politicians agreed with him--all of them +with amazement, many of them with wrath. + +Because the Honorable Archer Converse and the man who had called himself +Walker Farr had dropped completely out of sight, leaving no explanation +of any sort. + +"They didn't even tell _me_," confessed Daniel Breed, "and I'm their +chief fugler, and here's the November election right plunk on top of +us--and even the Apostle Paul would have to do at least four weeks of +spry campaigning in this state to be sure of being elected if a state +committee was getting ready to lay down on him like ours seems to be +doing. I'm jogafferbasted. I can't express myself no other way." + +Mr. Breed, in moments of especial anxiety and despondency when he +reviewed the situation, darkly hinted that the grand jury ought to look +into the thing. The Consolidated had done about everything up to date +except assassinate and abduct, he averred, and everybody knew Colonel +Dodd's present state of mind. + +However, Colonel Dodd did receive Miss Kate Kilgour politely when she +came to him; he had always held her in estimation next to the bouquets +in his office. + +"I have come to you," she explained, "because I could not get the +information anywhere else. I have tried. I do not want to bother you, +sir." + +The girl was pitifully broken, her voice trembled. + +"Well, well, what is it?" he demanded, impatiently, and yet with a touch +of kindly tolerance. "You needn't be afraid of me even if you did leave +me in hop-and-jump style, Miss Kilgour." + +"Where is your nephew, Richard?" + +And then, in spite of his assuring statement, Miss Kilgour _was_ afraid +of him. + +His square face was suffused with red, he thwacked his fist on his +desk and leaped out of his chair and stamped away from her, cursing +viciously. + +"Who sent you here to ask me that question?" he shouted, advancing on +her from the window. + +"It's my own business--I came on my own account," she stammered. + +"How comes it to be your business, miss?" + +"I gave him my promise to marry him." + +"If you did you made a devil of a mistake; I can tell you that, young +woman!" + +"I realize it, Colonel Dodd. I want to know where he is. I want to take +back that promise." + +He controlled himself and stared at her. "Take my advice and consider +your contract with Richard Dodd annulled--for good and sufficient +reasons, Miss Kilgour. I don't want to say any more. I can't say any +more. This thing touches me on a sore spot. Don't be afraid. I'm not +angry at you. But just forget that fellow and go on about your own +business." + +"I will do so, Colonel Dodd, after I have settled certain business with +him." + +"What business?" + +"I cannot tell you." + +"You'll have to tell me," he insisted, roughly. "I'm now engaged in +looking into my nephew's affairs. I want all the information I can get." + +"I can only ask you--implore you to tell me where he is." + +"I'd like to know, myself," he retorted, bluntly. "I'd give considerable +to know. You needn't look at me as if you think I'm lying! Now you may +as well be frank with me, Miss Kilgour. I'm going to be frank with you. +I have always found you to be a young woman of prudence and caution. +I'll take a chance and tell you something which I have been keeping +to myself. I want you to know why you needn't feel bound to keep any +promise you have made to my nephew. He has played a despicable trick on +me, his own uncle, after all the help I have given him. He practically +stole five thousand dollars from me and has run away, and I don't know +where he is. Now, what have you to tell me?" + +"I want to put this in his hands, sir." She produced a packet, at which +the colonel peered with curiosity. "You will certainly find out where he +is. I want you to give it to him." + +"Oh, love-letters, eh?" + +"No, sir!" + +With shaking fingers she untied the cord and displayed the contents. The +packet was money, many bills stacked neatly, and the size of the bundle +made the colonel open his eyes very wide. + +"We--I--we owe it to him, sir. There are five thousand dollars here." + +"So that's what he did with my money, eh? Well, I'll take it." + +"I don't think it is your money, Colonel Dodd. I have good reason to +feel sure that it is not. I have not seen your nephew since the day +of the convention, and then only at a distance. And this money--it was +borrowed a long time ago." + +"Borrowed by whom--by you?" + +"No, sir. I cannot tell you the circumstances. I simply want you to give +it back to him. I shall feel that I am released from my obligation." + +"Look here, my dear young woman," said the colonel, with all his +masterful firmness, "there are going to be no more riddles here. You +must tell me the truth. I must have it--hear? Otherwise I shall take +steps to make you tell--and that may not be as confidential as a chat +here with me. I propose to know about my nephew's affairs, I inform you +once again!" + +"My mother borrowed this money from him. She was in trouble. He helped +her." + +"Your mother needs a guardian. I beg your pardon! But I thought she had +had her lesson once before in her life. So my nephew loaned money to +your mother! Where did he get that money?" + +"I do not--" + +"Hold on! Wait before you say that, Miss Kilgour. I'll not endure +falsehoods from anybody just now. I have been lied to too much lately. +This is a matter of my own nephew. I command you to tell me the truth." + +She hesitated a long time, her countenance expressing her agony. "I +haven't any right to betray him, sir." + +"He did not get five thousand dollars by any honest means. The +reputation of the family is in jeopardy just now, Miss Kilgour. I want +to protect it for my own sake. He confessed to you, didn't he?" + +"Yes." + +"I can better understand your sense of obligation now. When a man +commits a crime for a woman she gets some fool notions into her head +about standing by him. I know my nephew's extravagances, Miss Kilgour. +He had to steal to get five thousand dollars for your mother. There is +just one handy place where he could steal. He took that money from the +state treasury. He has told you so. Am I not right?" + +"Yes." + +Colonel Dodd turned his back on her and looked up at his bouquets. + +Perspiration streaked his thick neck. His jowls trembled. She pitied +this man, even in her own tribulation. She had never seen him moved +before. + +"How did you get this money, Miss Kilgour?" he asked, after a time, his +voice very low. + +"Must I tell you?" + +"Certainly. We are going to the bottom of this thing." + +"I received a little legacy from my aunt a few years ago--I had put it +away in the bank. I had saved some money from the wages I got here. +My mother--I am sorry to say that she has been vain and extravagant, +sir--she had wasted money on jewels and dress, and now she has sold +everything. We have disposed of all our furniture and have gone to board +in a very cheap place. I have been able to make out the amount of the +debt. Here it is!" She placed it on his desk beside the flabby hand +which lay there. + +He did not speak for a long time. "I am sorry for you," he said at last. +"This is a wicked thing. But I know better than to tell you to keep this +money." + +"Thank you," she said, quietly. "I know you understand!" + +"I will put it in the place where it belongs. That's all!" + +And when he kept his broad back to her she went out of the office, her +feet making no sound on the thick carpet. + + + + +XXXIII + +ALL THE WORLD OUTSIDE + +A good lawyer can accomplish much when men are willing to listen to +reason and to accept the proffer of reparation! + +"All going to show," declared the Honorable Archer Converse to his +young protege, after they had parted at last from Morgan Bristol in the +Western city, "that a thistle doesn't hurt much, after all, if you grab +it with all your might and vim. We have found honest gentlemen here, +thank God! It has been made plain to me, my boy, that they all knew you +better than you knew yourself and that's why they waited so patiently. +But, oh, that folly of yours!" However, he patted Thornton Bristol's +shoulder when he said it. "It's a good thing for a young man to have a +healthy debt when he starts out--a debt that's a joy to pay. Just look +on it as an incentive, boy! You simply mortgaged your future!" + +"I am glad that I have been called on to pay for what I wasted," +declared Bristol. "And I am not sorry, Mr. Converse, that my folly led +me out into the byways of this world. I'll know how to appreciate the +rest of life more highly." + +"Needs a hot fire to make good steel--that's so," agreed his mentor. +"And speaking of fire--I reckon we're going to find it almighty hot when +we get back to the place where we're expected. Now that we're leaving +affairs all serene behind us, you must let me do a little careful +thinking about how to meet the situation that's ahead of us." + +Archer Converse reappeared in his home city as unobtrusively as he had +left it and he held the polished shield of his urbane reserve over any +vulnerable points which darts of questions might attack. + +Mr. Breed, assuring himself that he had certain personal rights in +the matter, came with a veritable lance of interrogation, and thrust +tirelessly. + +"It is the custom when a man has been nominated never to close an eye +or leave the job for a minute. You have broke over all rules and I have +been doing my best to fix up a story to account for it," stated Mr. +Breed. + +"Thank you," returned Mr. Converse. "No doubt you have done a very good +job." + +"I done the best I could without knowing what I was talking about." + +"And the general comment--the run of talk was--what?" + +"General talk was that you didn't seem to be worrying much about the +election." + +Mr. Converse turned a benignant smile on his new law partner. + +"It's generally conceded, then, that I feel sure of being elected?" + +"Why, they think you wouldn't have skyhooted off unless you were +confident." + +"Exactly! That attitude of mine takes care of the band-wagon crowd. They +have climbed aboard, I'm told." + +"Yes," admitted Mr. Breed. "But the state committee has taken advantage +and has laid down on ye!" + +"Breed, you run along and tell the chairman of that committee--from +me--that unless he gets busy with his crowd in every county of this +state inside of twenty-four hours I'll come out with a public statement +that I have been forced to run my own campaign in behalf of the people. +You don't think there'd be any doubt about my election after that +statement, do you?" + +"Not a bit," confessed Mr. Breed. "You're more of a politician than I +had any idea of. Excuse me for any other kind of remarks. I'll go shoot +a little hot lead in that chairman's left ear." + +"Ordinary intelligence and common honesty," commented the Honorable +Archer Converse when Mr. Breed had departed. "They are such new elements +in running politics in this state that they seem to the crowd to be a +brand-new variety of political astuteness, Thornton! I'm not going to +be quite as frank and honest in some other statements I'm about to +make, under the circumstances. I don't believe my conscience is going to +trouble me a bit. We'll go over, if you please, and have a word or two +with Colonel Symonds Dodd." + +Mr. Converse's secretary prefaced that call by a telephoned request for +an appointment, and therefore Mr. Peter Briggs led them directly into +the presence of the colonel. + +"This is my friend and law partner, Mr. Thornton Bristol," said +Converse, apparently and blandly unconscious that he was tossing at the +magnate something much in the nature of a bomb. + +Colonel Dodd came forward in his chair, his hands clutching the carved +mahogany of the desk in front of him. + +"Oh, I beg your pardon, Colonel," purred Mr. Converse, amiably. "I +forget that you are not as familiar with Mr. Bristol's identity as I am. +You have known him merely as a stranger who has called himself Walker +Farr." + +"Yes, and he has registered himself on the voting-lists as Walker Farr," +blustered Colonel Dodd. "Mr. Converse, something will drop in your camp +before long--and it won't be rose-leaves!" + +Mr. Converse fixed a penetrating gaze on the angry man. + +"Colonel," he said, with meaning, "you are probably well aware that in +politics many things are done for a certain purpose--and many of those +things are a bit off color so far as the strict law is concerned. If you +particularly care about digging up the past of politics in this state I +will come with my own little shovel and assist with great pleasure." + +"You're making an ass of me with this peek-a-boo business." + +"Mr. Bristol," continued the nominee, with composure, "after long study +abroad and at home has devoted himself enthusiastically to study in +sociology and economics, and has preferred to gain his knowledge about +conditions by first-hand observation. He came into this state in pursuit +of his object, and by force of circumstances was drawn into our state +upheaval." + +"Much more deeply than I intended to be drawn, Colonel Dodd," stated the +young man, with dignity. "I think you will remember that I said as much +to you in an interview we had. I called myself a Voice, if you will +recollect, and humbly begged you to attend to certain reforms. Your +refusal, and the manner with which you refused, rather forced me into +your affairs." + +"And I give you warning right here and now," blustered the colonel, +"that I'm going to force myself into _your_ affairs. I'm going to have +you investigated from puppyhood to the present, Mr. Whatever-your-name +is." + +"We may as well issue general warnings--all of us," said Mr. Converse. +"I have prepared a statement for the newspapers regarding my friend, Mr. +Bristol, and he will add a statement of his own relative to his project +in regard to water districts. If you care to malign Mr. Bristol on the +heels of that, Colonel, you may go ahead. But if you choose weapons of +that sort in the conduct of this campaign we shall be forced to use +a few cudgels of our own--for instance, we might be able to give the +people considerable information as to how the state departments have +been managed under your general direction. The funds of the state +treasury--" + +Converse was about to mention the matter of the usufruct of the state's +money deposited in the colonel's banks for the benefit of the syndicate. + +Colonel Dodd pulled himself out of his chair and exhibited instant and +alarmed confusion. "We'd better make it a gentlemen's campaign," he +broke in. + +"Very well," agreed Mr. Converse, politely. "And now that we are +proceeding toward such an amicable understanding, will you allow me to +express the hope that the Consolidated will meet us half-way in regard +to the legislation that is inevitable? I have no desire to use any of my +powers as the governor of this state to embarrass your interests; let +us trust that we can get to a prompt adjustment in the matter of the +water-plants. As a lawyer of some experience, I have to inform you, +Colonel Dodd, that the cities and towns of this state are going to own +their own systems. The city of Marion proposes to fight the first test +case through. You are a heavy taxpayer--I trust you will not help to run +your city into debt which is needless." + +"I will confer with you," admitted the colonel, his manner subdued. + +"I will ask you to confer with Mr. Bristol, my partner. He will +have full charge of the litigation. I am assured that the next city +government meeting will attend to the matter of choosing him as counsel, +with a suitable retaining fee," said Mr. Converse, with pride. "I will +appreciate it personally and as chief executive if your interests will +favor the matter. It will be better all around." + +Colonel Dodd did not reply. But there was much significance in his bow +as they retired. + +"I trust I did not intimate that I was employing any sort of threats," +said Mr. Converse, when he and Bristol were on their way down-stairs. + +"I think he understood, sir." + +"His suggestion that we have a gentlemen's campaign was very +significant, coming from Colonel Symonds Dodd. The outlook is very +hopeful," stated the nominee. "We'll see the state committee +chairman to-morrow, Thornton. I feel quite sure that he will +have our speechmaking routes laid out. Mr. Breed is very +convincing--sometimes--when he discusses the political situation." + +When they were at the foot of the steps of the Mellicite Club, the young +man begged permission to go about some affairs of his own. + +"But your own affairs must wait, my boy," insisted Converse. "The party +claims you from now on." + +"I will do my duty, sir," said Bristol, smiling; "but this evening I +must have for myself." + +"I have invited some gentlemen to dine with us. It's an important +conference." + +"The conference I hope to have, Mr. Converse, will be the most important +one of my life." + +The lawyer blinked, trying to understand. + +"I will tell you to-morrow--I trust it will be the happiest news I ever +told to any person--I will tell you first." He hesitated. "You have +always given me good advice, sir. One night you told me that only a +woman can listen with perfect sympathy and comfort a man's troubles +surely." + +Converse came close, put his hands on the young man's shoulders and +studied him with intent regard. "My boy," he said, "go along--and God go +with you!" + +Bristol tore his hand from the lawyer's clasp and hurried away. + +But at the Trelawny he did not find the Kilgours' name on the directory +board. The elevator man, the janitor, the manager, told him the +same story with the same indifference. The Kilgours had sold their +possessions and had removed--they had left no address. + +Bristol walked the streets and cursed the stilted folly that had made +his farewell to her a parting in which he had pledged nothing, had +promised nothing, had left no hopes for the future. He was not consoled +by the thought that his farewell to her had been for her own sake, as +he had viewed his situation. In the depths of his despair, when he +had released her hand at the little gate, he had grimly sacrificed +himself--had resolved to save her from himself by final and complete +separation. + +And thinking of that parting at the little gate, hardly realizing where +his wanderings led him, he went down to the great mills which were dark +and silent under the shadows of the evening. + +Old Etienne had brought a lamp from Mother Maillet's kitchen and had +set it on the stoop. He was whittling, and a little boy snuggled close, +fixing intent regard on the work. + +The evening was bland after a balmy day of Indian summer. + +Bristol stopped at the fence and called greeting. + +The old man peered anxiously, shielding his eyes from the light of the +lamp. + +"M'sieu'! M'sieu'!" He stammered, brokenly, gasping as he spoke the +words. His wrinkled face worked as if he were trying to keep back the +tears. His voice choked. + +"You are surprised to see me back here, Etienne--is that it?" + +"I am not surprised, m'sieu'. I knew you would come back. I am +glad--that's why the tear come up in my eye. I cannot help that." + +"You are working late, Uncle Etienne." + +"_Oui_, the odders are gone home. But this leetle boy--I take care till +his modder come from the shop. But you shall come in here, m'sieu'." + +"I cannot stop, Etienne. I am--" He could not finish the sentence. He +turned to go. + +"I say you shall come in. You must come queeck!" The old man spoke in +a shrill whisper. He put aside his knife and stick and hurried to the +fence. He reached and caught Bristol's sleeve. "Ba gar!" he declared, +with as much impatience as anybody had ever heard in the tone of Etienne +Provancher, "even the poor habitant boy in the Tadousac country know +better how to love the nice girl as what you do, M'sieu' Farr." + +"My name is not Farr; it is--" + +"I don't care what your name be," snapped the old man. "Tell me that +some odder time. It's what _you_ be--that's what I care! And you don't +be good to nice girl." + +"I don't understand." + +"You go back there and rap on Modder Maillet's front door and then you +understand! I'm only poor mans, m'sieu', but I shall talk to you like I +spoke to the mans in the _hotel de ville_--and I shall not be scare when +I am right." + +"Look here, Etienne! What do you mean?" + +"_La belle_ ma'm'selle--ba gar! you have to be hit with brick bang--dat +fine, pretty lady--she what tell me the good word to say to you about +the bad folks--you must know she leeve now in the good woman's house." + +Now it was Bristol's turn to grasp Etienne's arm. He shook the old man. + +"Miss Kilgour--here? Speak up! Don't be so slow!" + +"I have speak up. Odderwise you go off and be a big fool some more," +retorted the rack-tender, boldly. "She's in there. She come here to live +because somet'ing has made her very poor--and very sad. And her modder +she cry all the time. And _la belle_ ma'm'selle she come to the big tree +and she ask me many things--" + +While the old man chattered Bristol was yanking impatiently at the catch +of the gate. He could not find the latch in the dark and so he kicked +off a few more pickets from Mother Maillet's much-abused fence. He +crawled through and bumped against old Etienne, thrusting him from the +path, checking the flow of information. + +The young man leaped up the steps, to the plain dismay of the little +boy, and beat upon the door. + +"It is I, Kate!" he called. "I have come back." + +When she opened the door--half timorous, half eager, wholly beside +herself--he took her in his arms and kissed her, paying no heed to the +goggling eyes of childhood or the averted gaze of old age. + +"But you left no word for me. Did you believe me when I said I would not +come back?" + +"I knew you would come back," she sobbed. "So I came here. I knew you +would find me here." + +Etienne drew near apologetically and picked up the little boy. + +"Oh, my own girl, I have so much to tell you!" the lover murmured. "I +know you will listen." + +"We have so much to tell each other," she said, her hands against his +cheeks. + +The old man puffed out the lamp and set it to one side and tiptoed away, +the child in his arms. + +"You ke'p your head under my coat--just so," he commanded the struggling +and inquisitive youngster. "Your modder would not like to have you +breath in so much night air. We go find her!" + +He heard the murmur of eager voices behind him, and then the door of +Mother Maillet's house was shut softly--and that left all the world +outside. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Landloper, by Holman Day + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LANDLOPER *** + +***** This file should be named 4712.txt or 4712.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/4/7/1/4712/ + +Produced by Dagny; John Bickers; David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/4712.zip b/4712.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..20e60cd --- /dev/null +++ b/4712.zip diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e6c0b53 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #4712 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/4712) diff --git a/old/lndlp10.txt b/old/lndlp10.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..135bafd --- /dev/null +++ b/old/lndlp10.txt @@ -0,0 +1,13102 @@ +The Project Gutenberg Etext of The Landloper, by Holman Day + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the +copyright laws for your country before downloading or redistributing +this or any other Project Gutenberg file. + +We encourage you to keep this file, exactly as it is, on your own disk, +thereby keeping an electronic path open for future readers. + +Please do not remove this. + +This header should be the first thing seen when anyone starts to +view the etext. Do not change or edit it without written permission. +The words are carefully chosen to provide users with the information +they need to understand what they may and may not do with the etext. +To encourage this, we have moved most of the information to the end, +rather than having it all here at the beginning. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**Etexts Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These Etexts Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + +Information on contacting Project Gutenberg to get etexts, and +further information, is included below. We need your donations. + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a 501(c)(3) +organization with EIN [Employee Identification Number] 64-6221541 +Find out about how to make a donation at the bottom of this file. + + + +Title: The Landloper + +Author: Holman Day + +Release Date: December, 2003 [Etext #4712] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on March 6, 2002] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +The Project Gutenberg Etext of The Landloper, by Holman Day +***This file should be named lndlp10.txt or lndlp10.zip*** + +Corrected EDITIONS of our etexts get a new NUMBER, lndlp11.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, lndlp10a.txt + +Etext prepared by Dagny, dagnypg@yahoo.com + and John Bickers, jbickers@ihug.co.nz + + +Project Gutenberg Etexts are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we usually do not +keep etexts in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +The "legal small print" and other information about this book +may now be found at the end of this file. Please read this +important information, as it gives you specific rights and +tells you about restrictions in how the file may be used. + + + + + + + + + + +THE LANDLOPER +By Holman Day + +1915 + + + THE LANDLOPER + + THE ROMANCE OF A MAN ON FOOT + + BY + + HOLMAN DAY + + + + + + THE LANDLOPER + + + + I + + IN THE DUST OF THE LONG HIGHWAY + +The man who called himself Walker Farr plodded down the dusty +stretches of a country road. + +He moved leisurely. He neither slouched like a vagabond nor did he +swing with a stride which indicated that he had aim in life or +destination in mind. When he came under arching elms he plucked his +worn cap from his head and stuffed it into a coat pocket which already +bulged bulkily against his flank. He gazed to right and left upon the +glories of a sun-bathed June morning and strolled bareheaded along the +aisle of a temple of the great Out-of-Doors. + +He was young and stalwart and sunburnt. + +A big, gray automobile squawked curt warning behind him and then swept +past and on its way, kicking dust upon him from its whirring wheels. + +He gave the car only an indifferent glance, but, as he walked on, he +was conscious that out of the blur of impressions the memory of a +girl's profile lingered. + +A farmer-man who had come to the end of a row in a field near the +highway fence leaned on his hoe-handle and squinted against the sun at +the face of the passer-by. Then the farmer shifted his gaze to the +stranger's clothing and scowled. The face was the countenance of a man +who was somebody; the clothing was the road-worn garb of a vagrant. + +"Here, you!" called the farmer. + +"I hear you," said the man who called himself Walker Farr, smiling and +putting subtle insolence into the smile. + +"Do you want a job?" + +"No, sir." + +"Have you got a job?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"What is it?" + +"Chopping down well-holes that have been turned inside out by a +cyclone." + +The man in the highway flashed a wonderful smile at the farmer and +passed on. The farmer blinked and then he scowled more savagely. He +climbed the fence and followed, carrying his hoe. + +"Look here, you! There ain't no such business." + +"Send for me next time you have a well turned wrong side out and I'll +prove it." + +"You're a tramp." + +Farr sauntered on. + +"You're a tramp, and here's what we are doing to tramps in this county +right now!" + +Beyond them in the highway men were delving with shovels and hacking +with mattocks. The men wore blue drilling overalls, obtrusively new, +and their faces were pasty pale. + +"We have taken 'em out of jail and put 'em doing honest work," said +the farmer. He pointed to guards who were marching to and fro with +rifles in the hook of their arms. "Here's where you belong. I'm a +constable of this town. I arrest you." + +The young man halted. His smile became provokingly compassionate as he +stared down at the nickel badge the farmer was tapping. + +"So you represent the law, do you?" inquired Farr. + +"I do." + +"It's too bad you don't know more about the law, then. I have neither +solicited alms, trespassed on private property, begged food, nor +committed crime in your little kingdom, my good and great three-tailed +bashaw. Here is a coin to clear the law." He exhibited a silver piece. +"I am sorry I cannot remain here and help you mend your ways--they +seem to need it!" + +He went on past the sullen gang of pick and shovel, treading the +middle of the broad turnpike. + +"Ain't that a tramp?" asked one of the guards. + +"I don't know what he is," confessed the farmer. + +The man who called himself Farr turned a corner and came upon the same +automobile which had overtaken and passed him, contemptuously kicking +its dust over him, a few minutes before he arrived at the farmer's +fence. + +A rear tire was flat and a young man who was smartly attired in gray +was smacking gloved hands together and cursing the lumps of a jail- +bird-built road and the guilty negligence of a garage-man who had +forgotten to put a lift-jack back into the kit. Two women stood beside +the car and looked upon the young man's helplessness. + +"Enter tortoise, second scene of the ancient drama, 'The Tortoise and +the Hare,'" Walter Farr informed himself. + +His amused brown eyes noted the young man was obviously flabby. + +"Here, you! Help me prop up this axle," commanded the charioteer. + +"You do not need help," suggested Farr. "You need somebody who can do +the whole job." + +The glance he gave the young man, up and down, conveyed his full +meaning. + +"Well, I must say that's saucy talk from a hobo," declared one of the +women. + +"Mother!" warned the third member of the party. + +Farr turned his cynical gaze from the older woman to the younger--from +the bleached hair and rouged lips to a fresh, pure, and vivid +loveliness. He saw her profile once more. + +"No one has remembered to say 'please' yet," the girl informed him, +meeting his gaze. "I say it, sir!" + +He bowed and went straight to the roadside and picked up a bit of +plank on which his searching eyes rested. + +He gave it into the gloved hands of the car's owner, he slipped off +his own sun-faded coat and rolled the sleeves of his flannel shirt +above his elbows, and then, with shoulder thrusting up; and arms +straining, he heaved the car high enough so that the flabby gentleman +could set the prop under the axle. And when the gentleman began to +dust his gloves and to search for spots on his gray immaculateness, +Farr dug tools from the box and proceeded to the work of replacing the +tire. + +The girl stood near him and regarded him with interest. He looked up +when he had the opportunity and found her eyes studying him. She was +entirely frank in her gaze. There was nothing in her eyes except the +earnestness of a scrutiny which was satisfying curiosity. + +When the work was done the owner offered money. + +Farr refused with curt decisiveness. + +"Well, have a drink?" invited the debtor. + +"I do not use liquor." + +The autoist emptied his cigar-case into his hand and offered the +cigars to Farr, who had just tugged on his coat. + +"I do not smoke, sir." + +It was not declination with humility; the manner of the man of the +road contained a hint that anybody who drank or smoked was no better +than he should be. The girl studied him with renewed interest. + +"Don't stand there and try to put anything over on me," advised the +man in gray, showing resentment. "What can I do for you?" + +"You might thank the man, Richard," declared the girl, tartly. She +turned to Farr. + +"He seems to have forgotten 'thank you' as he forgot 'please.' May I +make amends? We thank you!" + +"And now I am in your debt," said the rover. He bowed and walked on. + +When the car passed him the girl turned and gave him a long look. He +waved his hand. The dust-cloud closed in between them. + +"Kat Kilgour! That's a tramp! I'm amazed!" said the elder woman, +observing the look and the salute. + +"Yes, this world is full of surprises," agreed the girl, sweetly. + +"But your own eyes told you that he was a tramp." + +"There isn't any doubt of it, is there, if you used your eyes?" +demanded their escort. + +"We'll consider that the eyes have it--and let the matter drop," said +the girl--and her tone was not sweet. + +The man of the keen brown eyes and the faded garb fared on. + +He plucked a rose from a wayside bush and carried the flower in his +hand. + +"Your sister just passed this way," he informed the rose in whimsical +fashion. "I don't suppose you and I will ever catch up with her. I go +very slowly, but you may journey along with me." + + + + II + + A HOME-MADE KNIGHT-ERRANT + +The wayfarer who called himself Farr came down the long hill and +turned the corner of the highway where the alders crowded to the banks +of the narrow brook; they whispered to one another as the breeze +fluttered their leaves. He drank there, bending and scooping the water +in his palm. He bathed the rose and stroked its wilted petals. + +"Too bad, little one!" he said. "The long road is a killing +proposition, and I'm afraid I had no business inviting you to go with +me. Your sister must be a long way ahead of us." + +The rocks were cool where the alders cast shade, and he sat there for +a little while, watching the drift of tiny flotsam down the eddying +current and observing the skipper-bugs skating over the still shallows +on their spraddled legs. + +There was a pleasant hush all about. The bubbling ecstasy of a +bobolink floated above the grasses of a meadow, and near at hand a +wren hopped about in the alders and chirped dozy notes. Peace and +restfulness brooded. The man at the brook leaned low and thrust his +head into the water and then rose and shook the drops from his thick +thatch of brown hair. He did it with a sort of canine wriggle and +smiled at the thought which came to him. + +"A stray dog!" he muttered. "Of as much account--and he'd better +forget the sister of the rose. Here's a good place to put imagination +to sleep--here's a place where all is asleep." + +He went on around the curtain of the alders. + +There was a big old-fashioned house near at hand. Its walls were +weather-worn, its yard was not tidy. The faded curtains at the windows +hung crookedly. The glass of the panes was dirty. The entire aspect of +the place indicated that there was no woman's hand to make it home. It +was commonplace and uninteresting. + +But the front door was flung open suddenly with a screech of rusty +hinges. + +Then came backing out of the doorway a very old man--a bent and +wrinkled old man with long white hair which trailed down from under a +broad-brimmed hat. He was dragging a coffin, single-handed. The free +end of the solemn box bumped down the wooden steps with a hollow +clatter that suggested emptiness. There was a woodpile at one side of +the yard. The old man tugged the casket over the litter of chips and +dropped the end. He wrenched an ax from its cleft in a chopping-block +and caved in the top of the coffin with the first blow. + +The man Farr, observing from the road, saw that the casket was empty. +The old man continued to bash and batter. + +The wayfarer, before the destruction was begun, had time to note that +the coffin was a remarkably fine specimen of cabinet-maker's work. +There were various sorts of wood inlaid with care, and the fretwork +along its sides had been jig-sawed with much pains spent in detail, +and the pilasters were turned with art. But the old man battered at +all this excellence with savageness. It was evident that he was not +merely providing kindling-wood--he was expending fury. + +It was an affair that demanded undivided attention from the observer +in the road; but a man came around the corner of the house just then +and Farr promptly gave over his interest in the aged chopper. + +The new arrival was clothed cap-a-pie in armor. + +He stood quietly at a little distance and gazed from under his vizor +on the energetic old man at the woodpile. + +Farr noted that the armor was obviously home-made. The helmet, though +burnished and adorned with a horse's tail, had the unmistakable +outlines of a copper kettle. The cuirass could not disguise its +obligation to certain parts of an air-tight stove. But the ensemble +was peculiarly striking and the man in the road took a quick glance +around at the New England landscape in order to assure himself that he +was still where he supposed he was. + +Farr went to the fence and folded his arms on the top. + +The old man, resting a moment, seemed to feel that intent regard from +behind and, without turning his body, hooked his narrow and bony chin +over his shoulder and swapped a long stare with the stranger. + +"Well," inquired the venerable chopper, "what is on thy mind, sir?" +His tone was sour. + +"Seeing that the question is direct and remembering that age deserves +the truth, I'll say that I was thinking that this seems to be an ideal +location for a private lunatic-asylum, and that guests are allowed to +enjoy themselves." + +"I will have thee to understand that I have sat for thirty long years +at the head of the Friends' meeting in this town and never has it been +said that my wits are cracked. Furthermore, this is none of thy +affair. Move on." + +Farr merely shifted his feet and took an easier pose at the fence. + +"Feeling as I do, it will not trouble me much to come over there and +take a chop or two at thee," warned the old man. + +"I didn't know that Quakers ever allowed their feelings to get so +highly spiced." + +"Along with thee, tramp!" + +"You see, my dear sir," drawled the man in the road, "I am out in +search of peace of mind. If I should go on my way without +understanding what this means my itching curiosity would never allow +me another good night's sleep. A word from you to soothe curiosity, +and then I go!" + +"Thee has seen me knocking into pieces a coffin. Is there anything +strange in seeing me knock into pieces a coffin I have made with my +own hands?" + +"No, sir. That is quite within your rights. But why? From what little +I saw of it it seemed to me to be a mighty fine piece of work." + +"It was," stated the old man, a bit mollified. "Walnut with bird's-eye +maple inlaid." + +"May I ask if it was made for anybody who died lately?" + +"I made it for myself--I have had it by me for twenty years! Seeing +that thee must stick thy nose into my business!" His tone was pettish +and he stooped down and began to toss splinters and broken boards upon +the woodpile. + +"Then I suppose it was--er--sort of out of date," suggested Farr, +blandly. + +"I see thee is minded to tease me--the world is full of fools." He +straightened as best he could, propping hands on his hips, and divided +angry gaze between the man at the fence and the armored figure. "I am +not going to die--I have decided to stay alive. I have a fool on my +hands." + +"Father, I think thee had better choose thy words a bit better in the +presence of a stranger," advised the man in armor. + +"Can't thee see that he is a fool?" demanded the old man. + +"I don't think I want to venture an opinion, sir. I'll simply say that +your son's choice of a summer suit seems a little peculiar. But, of +course, every man to his liking!" + +The old man walked down to the fence. He was crooked at the waist and +his legs were hooked with the curves of age, but he strode along with +brisk vigor. His gaze was as sharp as a gimlet, though the puckered +lids were cocked over his eyes with the effect of little tents whose +flaps were partly closed. He put his face close to Farr's. + +"Thee is as cheeky as a crow and as prying as a magpie and I venture +to say thee is a roving scamp. But I may as well talk to thee as to +anybody." + +With armor rattling and squeaking, the son started toward them. + +"I do not care to have thee talk about me, father," he warned. + +Farr noted that the son had eyes as keen and as gray as those of the +elder. The armored citizen was sturdy and of middle age and the face +under the vizor revealed intelligence and self-possession. + +The father paid no heed to the son. + +"Has thee traveled around the world much?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Thee has met many men?" + +"Many and of all sorts and conditions." + +"Then I want to ask thee what thee thinks of the good wit of a man who +declares that he will go forth into the world, faring here and there, +to try to do good to all men, to try to settle the troubles between +men, free of all price?" + +Farr turned gaze from the father to the earnest countenance of the +son, and then stared again into the searching eyes of the old man. +Prolonged and embarrassed silence followed. + +"Thy looks speak louder than words," declared the father. "Thy eyes +say it--he is a fool." + +"It may be as well not to say so with thy tongue," advised the son. "I +might not be as patient with a stranger as I am with my father. He is +wholly practical, without imagination, and so I excuse him." + +"I offer no comments," said Walker Farr with a frank smile which won +an answering flicker from the face under the vizor. "I do not +understand." + +"I would not expect a vagabond to understand anything or to be brave +enough to say what he thinks," piped the father. He turned on his son. +"Here's a scalawag of a tramp. Go along with him and be another such." + +"I may be a peripatetic philosopher, for all you know," said Farr, +teasingly. "There are knights in fustian as well as knights in armor." + +"I think thee is of more account than thy clothing indicates," stated +the son, regarding the stranger keenly. "And thee carries a rose in +thy hand. Little things tell much." + +Farr put the flower into his pocket. "Don't fool yourself about me," +he said, roughly. + +"Thy speech has betrayed thee," insisted the other. + +"I have met crib-crackers who were college men--and pocket +dictionaries are cheap. And so good day to you, gentlemen." + +"Wait one moment!" appealed the man in armor. His face softened when +he approached his father. + +"We have talked much and there is no more to say to each other now. I +have served here patiently many years. If I leave thee for a little +while there is old Ben to wait and tend. And I will come back after I +have done my duty." + +"I will stay alive so that I can bail thee out of prison," his father +informed him, sourly. "Go on, thou fool; learn thy lesson! The world +is all right as it is; it will cuff the ears of meddlers. But go on!" + +"I would rather thee would show another spirit at parting--but have it +thy way," returned the son, with Quaker repression of all emotions. He +came forth from the gate. + +"I am going thy road," he informed Farr, "because all ways are alike +to me. I would be pleased to talk with one who has journeyed. Thee may +have good counsel for me. May I walk with thee?" + +The wayfarer opened his mouth and closed it suddenly on a half-spoken +and indignant refusal of this honor. He pursed his lips and his thick +brows drew together in a frown. Then, as if in spite of himself, he +began to smile. + +"I will be no burden to thee," pleaded the home-made knight. "I have +had my armor for a long time and have practised walking in it." + +"But why the tin suit?" expostulated Farr. + +"I will explain as we walk." + +"Well, come along!" blurted the wayfarer. "Nothing more can happen to +me, anyway." + +"So thee has found one of thy own kind to follow about in the world?" +inquired the father, tauntingly. "Feathers on the head and rattles in +the hand! Cockahoops and fiddle-de-lorums! Thee'll be back soon with +thy folly cured after I have bailed thee from the calaboose! Then +thee'll stick to thy forge and be sensible!" + +Farr noted a small shop by the roadside as they started off. + +"My father is a good man, but practical--wholly practical," said his +new comrade of the ways. "From my good mother I derive imagination. My +life has not been happy here. But work has helped." + +He pointed to the shop. Over the main door a faded, weather-worn sign +advertised "Eastup Chick & Son, Blacksmiths." On the gable was a newer +sign heralding "Jared Chick & Father, Inventors." + +"I am Jared Chick, my friend." + +He talked slowly, pausing to pick words, phrasing with the carefulness +of the man of method, talking as those persons talk who have read many +books and use their tongue but seldom. Farr found much quaintness in +the solemn man's discourse. + +"My father put my name on the sign when I was young, and it pleased +me. I put his name on the other sign when he was old and it did not +please him, though I have insisted that he must share in all credit +which comes to me. But my father does not possess imagination. I am +sorry he lost his temper to-day and broke up his coffin. Not that I +approved of having it in the house all these years, but he was very +proud of it. He made it soon after my mother died. I think, now that +he has destroyed it, he will live many years longer. He is very +strong-minded." + +"I'm glad to have my suspicions confirmed," said Farr. + +"He was extremely angry when his eldest brother died at eighty. He +stood over him in the last moments and made us all very uncomfortable +by telling Uncle Joachim that there was no need of his dying--that if +he would only show a little Chick spunk he could stay alive just as +well as not and would not go fushing out just when he was most needed +in the Friends' meeting." + +"Considering that the old fellow was eighty and probably felt like +quitting, seems as if your father was rubbing it in just a little." + +"Perhaps he was a mite harsh, but there is another side of it. There +were only three of us left of the Friends' society to go to the old +meeting-house on First Day so that it might not be said that after one +hundred years we had allowed the society of the fathers to perish in +our town. Thee may have noted that my father and I still use the plain +language, keeping up the ways of the founders. My father sat at the +head of the meeting, my Uncle Joachim was next to him on the facing +seat. I am the only worshiper. I am not fitted to be a minister. My +father, when Joachim died, had no one with whom to exchange the hand- +shake at the end of the meeting." + +"And now he's losing his congregation?" + +"Yes, my friend, and so my father blames me for going, just as he +blamed Uncle Joachim for dying. He has the meeting much at heart." + +"What will he do for a crowd after you go away?" + +"He will continue to sit at the head of the meeting, sir." + +There was silence between them for some time. The blacksmith clanked +on his way sturdily. + +"He will still sit at the head of the meeting! Only a little fire is +left there, sir, but he will not allow it to go out as long as he is +alive to blow the bellows of devotion." + +"Look here, Brother Chick," demanded Farr. "I don't want to be prying +or impertinent, but what's your idea?" + +"I'm not ashamed of anything I'm going to do. Even though it is a very +strange plan, as the world would look at it, I'm not ashamed of it. A +very few words will tell you: I'm going out among men and spread the +gospel of mercy and forbearance, teach the lessons of peace, urge men +to forgive instead of fight--showing them that courts of law are more +often the devil's playground than the abode of real justice. I have +worked hard, I have read many books, I have stored information in my +mind, I have laid up money enough. You behold my armor--I have wrought +at it patiently for a long time." + +"Expect to have 'em throw things at you?" + +But the blacksmith, replying, gave no sign that he resented this +brusque humor. + +"It is well known that it is hard to attract the attention of the +world from its own affairs. For instance, if I had stood in the yard +to-day, dressed as a plain man, thee would have passed on thy way-- +providing father had been chopping up kindling-wood instead of a +coffin. If I had stopped thee and started to explain my views thee +would have paid little attention to me. Isn't that so?" + +"It's so." + +"Well, then, thee have my theory and know my plan and have noted how +it has worked," said Mr. Chick. + +"I don't want to discourage you in a good thing, but how long do you +think a policeman would let you stand on a street corner?" + +"I shall find places where I can deliver my message without +offending." + +"There's another point--a rather delicate point to consider, Brother +Chick. There are plenty of persons who are a bit dull when they are +examining a man's motives, but who think they are almighty smart in +detecting a man's mental failings; when somebody does anything they +wouldn't do they say he's crazy." + +The blacksmith turned his serene face and smiled at Farr. + +"I appeal to thy good judgment, sir. Would thee, after talking with +me, even if I do wear iron outside my wool garments, send me to an +asylum?" + +"No," acknowledged Farr, "I don't believe I would send you to an +asylum." + +"Thank thee! I believe thee can speak quite generally for the average +man." + +"But the armor scheme--it's a little risky, Friend Chick." + +"But it has been the trade-mark of unselfishness ever since the days +of the Crusaders," declared Mr. Chick. "Why shouldn't its significance +be revived in these modern times? At any rate," he added, with Yankee +shrewdness, "it's necessary to give the world quite a jump these days +before it will stop, look, and listen." + +"Some advertising concern will make you an offer that will pull you +into camp your second day out, if you're not careful. You've certainly +got a good idea of the business." + +"I am sincere. I am not trifling. I have pondered on this for a long +time. I shall be misjudged--but I shall not be afraid!" + + + + III + + KNIGHT-ERRANTRY TESTED + +The two marched on, side by side, and Walker Farr, piecing in his +mind, from the scraps he had heard, the entire history of the Chick +family, indulged the whim of Jared and forgot for a moment the +grotesque figure presented by his companion. + +"No, I am not afraid!" repeated the new apostle of world harmony. + +But it became promptly apparent that Mr. Chick could not communicate +his intrepidity to other creatures. + +Around the bend of the road came a sleepy horse, stubbing his hoofs +into the dust, dragging a wagon in which rode a farmer and his wife. + +The horse became wide awake at sight of Mr. Chick. + +With head up, eyes goggling, nostrils dilating, and mane erect, the +animal stopped short on straddled legs. Then he snorted, whirled, took +the wagon around in a circle on two wheels in spite of the farmer's +endeavors, and made off in the opposite direction, the driver pulling +hard on the reins, hands above his head, elbows akimbo. + +"It occurs to me, Friend Chick," said his companion, after the outfit +had disappeared, "that in planning this pilgrimage of yours you have +failed to take everything into account. If that farmer-man and his +wife pile into the ditch and break their necks, then all your general +mediating in other quarters will hardly make up for the damage you +have caused right here." + +"The world is full of problems," sighed the man in armor. "There seems +to be a hitch to about everything!" + +After a few moments the farmer came pelting into sight on foot. + +"What in the name of bald-headed Nicodemus do you call yourself, and +what are you trying to do?" he shouted. "It's only by luck and chance +and because the webbin's held that me and my wife ain't laying stiff +and stark in the ditch." + +"I am sorry," said friend Chick with dignity. + +"Get a hoss used to bicycles, flying-machines, red whizzers and blue +devils, and then along comes something else that ain't laid down in +the back of the Old Farmer's Almanick! You there, the one that ain't +crazy, what's this thing you're teaming round?" the farmer demanded, +addressing Farr. + +"In this case I am not my brother's keeper," stated the young man. + +"Well, where is his keeper, then? He needs one." He walked around +Chick and rudely rapped his whip-butt on the breastplate. "If I wasn't +afraid of spraining a toe I'd boot you from here to hackenny, you old +two-legged cook-stove!" + +"If there has been damage done, I'll pay for it." + +"There isn't any damage and I'm not looking for anybody's money. But +there /will/ be damage unless you get out of this highway. If you're +in sight when I drive my hoss past here again I'll lick you, even if I +have to use blasting-powder and a can-opener to get you out of that +suit." + +Jared Chick went apart into the bushes and Farr accompanied him. + +"This is a rather vulgar and discouraging adventure for high ideals to +run into so soon," averred the younger man. + +"I am not discouraged." + +"I'm afraid you'll be even more greatly misunderstood." + +"I don't expect silly old horses to understand me. My appeal is to +men." + +Farr sniffed scornfully. "You'd better let men alone," he advised. + +"The world needs pure unselfishness," insisted Chick. + +"The purer it is the more it is misunderstood. I have tested the +matter. I know." + +"Then you yourself would not go forth into the world and do good to +men, without calculation and without price?" + +"I don't think I would," declared Farr, dryly. "And I am so little +interested in the matter that I think you'll have to excuse me from +further talk about it. You have just had one illustration in a crude +way of how the world misunderstands anything that's out of the +ordinary." + +"Have you any advice to give me?" + +"Not a word. I'm not even able to give myself sensible counsel. Good +day to you!" + +"Then you do not care for my company longer on the way?" + +"I do not. Excuse my bluntness, but these are parlous times for +wayfarers and I cannot afford to have a tin can tied to me as I go +about." + +"And you are absolutely selfish?" called Chick. + +"I think so," replied Farr from the highway, getting into his stride. +"When I see you again I expect you'll be wondering why you ever were +altruistic. That will be the case, providing you wear that armor any +longer." + +Jared Chick from behind his bush called, appealingly, "But I fear I +shall never see thee again and I have some questions to ask of thee!" + +"Oh, I promise to look you up somewhere in the world. If you keep on +wearing that suit it will be easy to find you." + +The man in armor leaned against a tree and pondered. + +"A strange young man, and callous and selfish. But there is truly +something under his shell. I would relish putting some questions to +him." + +Then Jared Chick plunked an ash staff from a pile of hoop-poles left +by a chopper and went on his way along shaded woodland paths, avoiding +the main highroad. He decided that it would be better to go by the +roundabout way and show himself on the streets of town instead of on a +rural turnpike where countrified horses did not take kindly to a real +knight-errant. + +"It was a good place back there for sleeping," reflected Walker Farr, +remembering the brook, singing over the stones, the whispering alders, +the old-fashioned house, and the somnolent landscape. "That man who +has been living there until the day of his emigration has certainly +been asleep for a long time and is sleeping soundly now; he is having +a wonderful dream. The nightmare will begin shortly and he will wake +up." + +After a time Farr came into a village, a hamlet of small houses which +toed the crack of a single street. It was near the hour of noon and +from the open windows of kitchens drifted scents of the dinners which +the women were preparing. All the men of the place seemed to be +afield; only women were in sight here and there at back doors, pinning +freshly washed garments on lines, beating dust from rugs, or, seen +through the windows, were bustling about the forenoon tasks set for +patient household slaves in gingham. + +At one back door, his back comfortably set against a folded clothes- +reel, was a greasily fat tramp, gobbling a hand-out lunch which a +housewife had given to him. + +Under a little hill where the road dipped at the edge of the hamlet +here sounded clink of steel on rock, suggesting that men labored there +with trowel and drill. There was complaining creaking of cordage--the +arm of a derrick sliced a slow arc across the blue sky of June. + +The fat tramp held up his empty plate and whined a request and the +hand of a woman emerged from a close-by window and placed something in +the dish. + +Farr slowed his steps and looked at the tramp, and a woman in a yard +near by stared over the top of a sheet which she was pinning on the +line and scowled at the new arrival. + +"I wonder if I'm considered as the Damon of that Pythias?" Farr asked +himself, smiling into her frown. "But Damon is nomad spelled backward! +I wish I dared to ask her for a piece of that pie cooling on the +sill." + +Just then, over the clink of metal under the hill, above wail of +straining pulley, rose the screech of a man in agony, the raucous male +squall whose timbre is more hideous than the death-cry of swine. + +Then came a man running from the valley under the hill. + +"It's your husband, Mrs. Jose," he panted, turning in at the house +where the fat tramp ate with his back against the clothes-reel. "You +better go! I'll telephone for a doctor." + +She ran, white-faced, gasping cries. Other women ran. The spirit of +helpfulness and curiosity to know what had happened set wings on the +heels of the little community. The messenger telephoned and followed +them. + +The fat tramp set down his plate and glanced to right and left and all +about. Then he shuffled into the deserted house and after a brief stay +hastened out with his pockets crammed and bearing garments in his +arms; he scuttled away with sagging trot across the fields. + +Farr saw him go and did not pursue. + +"Yonder goes the spirit of the age," he told himself, with sardonic +twisting of his lips. "When Opportunity knocks, knock Opportunity +down. Embrace Opportunity, but be sure it's with the strangle hold. +The directors of a robbed railroad make a more dignified getaway than +that porcine pedestrian is making--but it's the same as far as the +stockholders are concerned." + +He went on slowly toward the hollow under the hill. + +The procession met him--a limp man, moaning, borne in the arms of his +sweating mates, women trotting alongside and crossing the road, to and +fro, like frightened hens--clucking sympathy. + +Farr found a half-finished stone bridge under the hill. A paunchy boss +with underset jaw and overhanging upper lip was profanely urging his +helpers back to their jobs. + +"Fifteen minutes before knock-off time--fifteen minutes! You can't +help that man by standing around and doing his grunting for him. Get +busy!" + +The men lifted their tools slowly and sullenly. + +"It's hell what can happen when you're fifteen days behind on a +contract, with county commissioners waiting and anxious to grab off a +penalty," declared the boss, to nobody in particular. "One man bunged, +and four to lug him home, and the rest of the crew taking a +sympathetic vacation!" + +Farr, sauntering, swung off the highway down the lane leading to the +temporary bridge. + +"Here, you long-horned steer, want a job?" called the contractor from +his rostrum on the granite block. + +"No, my Sussex shote, I do not!" + +"Damnation! You dare to call me names, you hobo?" + +"Yes," returned Farr, quite simply. + +"Well, quit it. I need men here. You're husky. Two dollars a day, even +if you're not a regular mason." + +"No." + +He drawled both the affirmative and the negative and there was +something subtly insolent in his tone--something that aroused more ire +than a cruder retort would have accomplished. He turned his back on +the cursing man and went on down to the bridge. He waited there for a +time and watched the drift of foam on the fretted waters. The steady +burbling of the stream made him oblivious to other sounds and he did +not hear the two men approach. They leaped on him and seized him. One +of his captors was the paunchy man, and his hands were heavy and his +fingers gripped viciously. + +"No wonder you wouldn't work! You're making your living in an easier +way." + +"What is the occasion of this effusive welcome to your city?" asked +Farr. + +The man who held one of the captive's arms was panting. He had run at +top speed from the house to which he and his mates had borne the +injured man. + +"You thief! You sneak! Eat a man's grub, his hard-earned grub, and +steal when his wife's back is turned!" + +"Of all dirty work this job is the worst," declared the big man. + +"She gave you all you could stuff into yourself, you loafer. You +ransacked when her back was turned. You even stole her husband's +Sunday suit. Where is it?" + +"I saw a fat tramp running away into the woods," returned Farr, +quietly. "He was carrying articles in his arms." + +"You're the only tramp in sight around here," insisted the contractor. +"Where did you hide the plunder?" + +"She said she fed a tramp. She left him at the back door. You're the +sneak," indorsed the panting emissary. + +"If you will take me back to the house you may get some new light on +the affair," suggested their captive. "You need not drag me there. +I'll go with much pleasure." + +The mistress of the despoiled home, red of eyes, hurrying from her +sink with a cold compress in her trembling hands, viewed Farr from her +back door. + +"That isn't the man. I never saw him before. Oh, he is in awful pain. +Why doesn't that doctor get here? But there doesn't seem to be +anything broken. He took my pocketbook, too, with two dollars and +twenty-seven cents in it. And it's every cent of money we've got by +us. And it may be weeks before he can go to work again. Troubles don't +come singly. That mis'able, fat, greasy thief! After I had fed him-- +even gave him pie!" + +"As I told you, gentlemen, it was a fat tramp. I saw him run away into +the woods." + +"If you call yourself a man why didn't you chase him?" inquired the +contractor, with disgust. + +"I took no interest in his affairs--no interest whatever," stated +Farr, with languid tone. + +"You don't care much what happens to anybody else, you hog!" + +"My interest in other persons is very limited." + +"You'll stand by and see one of your kind run away with the property +of poor folks, will you? You meet him later and get your whack?" asked +the big man. + +"No," said Farr, mildly. He directed compelling gaze into the eyes of +his detractor. "And you do not think so yourself." + +"Perhaps not. But you're worse. You have just said it. You're a +selfish renegade!" + +"Peculiarly selfish, hard, and unfeeling." + +"And wouldn't turn your hand over to do a good turn for anybody?" + +"I don't think so." + +"I'll tell you what I think /I'll/ do--I'll detail four of my men to +ride you out of this town on a rail." + +"I wouldn't call them off their jobs if I were you! I overheard you +say that you are short of time and men. By the way, you offered me a +job. I'll take it." + +The contractor blinked and hesitated. + +"If after a half-day you find I'm not worth the money I'll pass on and +you'll have a half-day's work free." + +"Get on to the job, then." + +Through the open door Farr could see the woman of the house wringing +cloths at the sink. + +He stepped to the door and addressed her. "Madame, will you take a +boarder? I'm going to do your husband's work on the job yonder. I will +pay liberally. In your present difficulties the money may help. I'll +be small trouble." + +"We need the money terribly," she said, after pondering. "Yes, I will +take you. In the face you do not look like a tramp!" + +"I thank you," said Farr. "If you will give me some food in my hands +I'll take myself out of your way." + +That afternoon Jared Chick came over the hill where the trowels +clinked and the great derrick complained with its pulleys. He carried +his armor on his back. + +He stopped and watched for some time his former companion of the road, +who was sweating over his man's toil. + +"May I have sixty seconds off to speak with that man yonder?" Farr +asked the contractor. "It partly concerns your business." + +The big man nodded surly assent. + +"Thee sees I have taken off the armor for a time. I will wear it in +the city where horses and people are not so silly. What is thee doing +here?" + +"I have no time to talk about myself, Friend Chick. I want to ask you +if you are still of the same mind about your mission?" + +"I am." + +"Then throw down that hardware and come to work on this job. A man has +been hurt here--his wife is in need. Earn some money and give it to +them." + +"But my mission concerns the world--the wide world." + +"Real selfishness's chief excuse! Here's something ready to your hand. +Will you do it?" + +"But thee told me thee would not go forth and do good!" + +"No matter about me. I am not a professional knight-errant! Will you +do this?" + +"Ten seconds more!" warned the boss. + +"I cannot change my plans so suddenly," protested Chick. + +"A knight-errant should not have plans! My time is up and I have work. +Good-by, Friend Chick!" + +The young man went back to his task and the Quaker passed on, +muttering reaffirmation of his own high aims. + +"And how could I expect a vagrant to understand?" he asked himself. + +The vagrant toiled two weeks at his heavy task and when the man Jose +was about again the volunteer slipped away without farewell. + +He left on the table of his under-the-eaves bedroom in the Jose house +all the pay he received for his work, to the last penny. + +"He wasn't what he seemed to be," ran the burden of Mrs. Jose's +various disquisitions on this strange guest. "He ate his vittles and +asked no questions, and was out from underfoot, and was always willing +to set up with my husband and give me a snippet of rest and a wink of +sleep; and he read out of little books all the time--he had 'em +stuffed into his pockets. And there needn't anybody tell /me/! He left +all his pay on the table, every cent of it, and stole away without +waiting for no thanks from nobody!" + + + + IV + + FARR, THE FAT TRAMP, AND A SUIT OF CLOTHES + +On a balmy forenoon a jovial-appearing old gentleman went jogging out +of the mill city of Marion and along a country road in his two-wheeled +chaise. He sat erect and he was tall above the average of men, and he +was very neat in his attire. + +"I wish," he mused, "that the men who could really appreciate a good +outfit of clothing and could use the same properly were not so +infernally touchy. As it is, cranky human nature drives me out on an +expedition like this--and I'm afraid I am just as cranky as the rest +of 'em, otherwise I wouldn't be doing this!" + +The old gentleman hummed a song under his breath and slapped his reins +against the flanks of the plodding horse to keep time. He came into a +piece of woodland. He seemed to take cheery and fresh interest in this +place. He poked his rubicund face out from the shadow of the chaise's +canopy and peered to right and to left. There was a smile in his +puckery eyes. When there were trees ahead of him, trees behind him, +and trees all about he pulled his old horse to a standstill. + +He listened, squinted quizzically through the glass of his chaise's +rear curtain, and then climbed down. From a box at the rear of the +vehicle he secured various articles of clothing and draped them over +his arm. There was a frock-coat, not too badly worn, trousers in good +repair, waistcoat, and a shirt. He also took out of the box a pair of +shoes and a hat. With this load he went to the roadside and began to +rig out a fence-post. When the garments were hung on it and the broad- +brimmed, black, slouch-hat had been jauntily set on top of the post, +anybody could see that the old gentleman was thus disposing of some of +his own extra clothing. He was wearing a similar hat and a frock-coat, +himself, and the decorated post took on a bizarre and slouchy +resemblance to its decorator. + +He went back to the chaise and found a nickel alarm-clock in the box. +He wound this up carefully and propped it on a rail of the fence near +the clothing. + +Before he could escape from the vicinity of the exhibit and get into +his chaise a wagon came rattling around the bend of the road. There +were firkins and jars in the rear of this wagon and the driver was +plainly a farmer-man. + +He pulled up short and then saluted the old gentleman with a stab of +forefinger at his hat-brim. + +"Any trouble, Judge?" he inquired, affably. + +"None at all," replied the old gentleman, edging away from the fully +garbed fence-post. + +"Airing 'em out, hey?" A jab of the forefinger toward the garments. + +"No, leaving them out." + +All at once the old gentleman appeared to remember something else. He +took off his hat and produced a placard. He straightened it and stuck +it into a crack in a fence-rail. Its legend was "Help Yourself." + +"You're giving them clothes away, are you, Judge Peterson?" + +"I am leaving them here for any one who chooses to take them. Do you +want first pick, Jolson?" + +"Not me! I ain't taking charity hand-me-downs from any man, Judge. If +it's a polite question, why are you giving away your duds this way?" + +"I think you have just answered that question, Jolson. I offered you +these clothes. Your nose went into the air. Other men have acted in +the same way in the past when I have offered to give a fellow a good +suit. I don't want to hurt other folks' feelings. I don't want to have +my own feelings hurt. So, let any man help himself when no one is +looking." + +"I'll take the alarm-clock, if you say so," volunteered Jolson. "It'll +help to rout me out of bed at milking-time." + +"No, you cannot have the clock, Jolson. I have tinkered it so that it +will purr a little every half-hour. It will call attention to the +clothes. You see, a good many men rush through life without looking to +right or left, and so they miss a lot of opportunities." + +Jolson clucked to his horse and rattled away down the road, muttering +sour remarks. + +The old gentleman, with the air of a man who has satisfied his +philanthropic ambitions, climbed into his chaise and followed the +farmer. + +The brisk breeze flirted the tails of the frock-coat and the trousers +legs tried out a modest little gig as if some of the jocose spirit of +the old gentleman had remained with the garments he had discarded. + +There were several passers before another half-hour had elapsed. + +The trousers kicked out quite hilariously when a young couple drove by +in a buggy. The girl was pretty, and companionship with her might have +suited even a judge's garments. But the young man and the girl were +quite absorbed in each other, and the trousers kicked and the frock- +coat flirted ineffectually. + +A peddler's cart passed very slowly, but the driver did not look up +from a paper filled with figures. + +There were others to whom the judge's garments offered themselves +mutely, but no one glanced that way and the clock was discreetly +silent. The breeze died down and the trousers and the coat hung with a +sort of homeless, homesick, and wistful air. One might have thought +they were trying to conceal themselves when the next person appeared, +so still were they. He was not an inviting person--not such a new lord +and master as a judge's garments might be expected to welcome. + +He was grossly fat and his own trousers were lashed about his bulging +waist with a frayed belt; his coat was sun-faded, a greasy Scotch cap +was pulled over to one side on his head with the peak hauled down upon +his ear, and he scuffed along in boots that were disreputable. Surely, +a most unseemly and unwholesome character to be wrapped in the +habiliments of a judge! But just then, with that cursed +inappropriateness of inanimate things, the clock jangled its alarm. + +The tramp--there was no mistaking that gait and that general air of +the vagrant--snapped himself about, located the noise, stared at the +post, and then hurried to it. He made sure that there was no one in +sight. He scooped all into his arms, climbed the fence and trotted +into the woods. He kept looking behind him as if he feared pursuit. It +was plain from his disturbed demeanor that he was much perplexed and +was chased by the uncomfortable thought that he was stealing this +property. He bestowed so much attention behind him that he paid but +little attention to what was ahead of him, and so he ran down into a +little bowl of a valley among the trees and stopped short there, for +he had come upon a man. + +It was the man who called himself Walker Farr. + +The man was kneeling beside a tiny fire, toasting bread on the end of +a beech twig. He held the twig in one hand and an open book in the +other. He looked up without changing his position when the tramp came +charging down the hillside. + +He had wide-open, brown eyes, this man in the hollow. The eyes were +not merely wide open on account of surprise at this irruption--one +could see that they were naturally that way--keenly observant eyes. He +had hair as brown as his eyes; his cap was on the ground beside him. + +But the tramp was not taking account of the attractions of this +stranger; he was more interested in searching for flaws. + +He had been frightened at first sight of the man--for the tramp had +the timidity of his kind; now he began to feel cheered. This stranger +in the hollow had not been shaved recently, his clothing was unkempt, +his shoes bore the marks of a long hike. He was cooking in the open-- +plain indication of the nomad. + +"Well, I say, bo," chaffed the tramp, shifting from fright to high +spirit with the hysteria of weak natures. "I'm sure glad to see one of +the good old sort. I didn't know what I was dropping in on when I fell +down that hill. But it's all right, hey? I'm on the road. My name is +Boston Fat, and my monacker is a bean-pot." + +The brown eyes moved slowly from the grinning face to the garments +heaped in the man's arms. They were cold and critical eyes and there +was no humor in them. + +"I do not do business during my lunch-hours, my man. I do not desire +to change tailors just yet and I do not buy stolen property." + +His chilliness did not dampen the other's good nature. + +"Oh, that's all right, old top. I'm no thief. These clothes were hung +on a fence-post just above here on the road. I reckon they were only +waiting for first-comer." + +He dropped the shoes, cocked the hat on his head, and began to fumble +the garments. The placard dropped out of the folds of the coat and the +man at the fire craned his neck and read aloud: "Help Yourself." + +"Oh, that's what the paper says, hey? I never learned to read any of +the modern languages," confided Boston Fat. "I was too much taken up +with the dead ones at Harvard. Well, comrade, now you can see for +yourself that I didn't steal this mess of moth-food. There was the +sign right on it saying, 'Help Yourself.' It was there, even if I +couldn't read it. Instinck told me them clothes was for me. I took 'em +and came in here." + +He shook out the garments one by one and hung them on a bush, +chattering his comments. He set the ticking clock on a stump. + +The man at the fire slipped a piece of meat between two slabs of +toasted bread and began to eat. He still held the open book in his +hand but his eyes were watching the tramp. + +The vagrant was orally appraising his find, exhibiting the wisdom of +one who has begged garments at back doors for the purposes of peddling +them to second-hand shops. + +"A moucher," observed the man at the fire. He continued aloud, +evidently and sardonically exercising his vocabulary, plainly enjoying +the amazement he provoked by his style of language. "The spirit of a +stray cat at midnight, the tastes of the prowling hyena! The fat thief +I saw running away into the woods! When such as these began to take to +the road, knight-errantry vanished from the face of the earth. The +varlets borrowed the grand idea of care-free itinerancy and debased +it, as waiters borrow a gentleman's evening dress for their menial +uniform, and drunken coachmen wear the same head-gear that a duke +wears to a wedding! Why prove evolution by searching for a man with a +tail? The performances of human nature must convince any thinking man +that we have descended from apes!" + +The astonished tramp stared for a short time at this person who +employed such peculiar language--then mumbled an oath and shook his +head. + +He began to try on the frock-coat, paying scant attention to the +other's monologue. The coat was a ludicrous misfit; it would not meet +over the bulging belly; its tails dragged on the fat man's heels. + +"If I happened to stand handy by when a Kansas cyclone ripped the +insides out of a clothing-store only the boys' sizes would drop in the +same county with me," grumbled the tramp, working his arms out of the +sleeves. + +"The coat was plainly built for a gentleman," stated the man at the +fire. "Therefore it is of no value to you." + +Boston Fat surveyed the stranger with a vicious glint in his little +eyes, as a pig might stare at a man who had struck it across the +snout. + +"Good afternoon, perfesser," he sneered. + +"Why 'professor,' my frayed and frowsled Falstaff?" + +"There you go with it--showing yourself up out of your own mouth! +Words a yard long--words that would break a decent man's teeth! You're +one of these college dudes out on the road getting stuff to write into +a book. I've heard about your kind. And that kind is getting too thick +and plenty and you're putting slush all over the real profesh. Quit it +and go back to college. Don't use me for your book." + +This was reciprocation of derogatory sentiment with a vengeance! + +The man at the fire sat back on his haunches. He finished chewing his +mouthful, regarding the tramp with a languid stare that traveled from +crown of his head to tip of his battered shoe. + +"The only thing about a book that you would be good for," he said, +"would be for use in a volume of this sort." He tapped the book in his +palm. "Your anatomy could supply the binding. It is bound in pigskin." + +The tramp squealed an oath in the falsetto voice that the weak and the +flabby possess and took one step forward. The man at the fire came to +his feet and stood erect. He was tall, and the brown eyes talked for +him better than threats or bluster. The vagrant shifted his gaze from +those eyes and backed away. + +"If I hadn't been penned in a pie-belt jail all winter up North, and +all the strength starved out of me," he whined, "you wouldn't call me +a pig and get away with it." + +"A person who forces himself into the presence of a gentleman who is +dining mustn't expect compliments," stated the stranger. + +"You ain't a tramp--not a real one," snarled Boston Fat. + +Farr's eyes glistened; he smiled; he continued to play on this +ignoramus his satiric pranks of mystifying language: + +"More of your lack of acuteness, my fat friend. Because I do not +patter the flash lingo with you, you appear to take me for a college +professor in disguise. /You/ are not a real tramp. You are a bum, a +loafer, a yeg. You never traveled more than two hundred miles away +from Hoboken--the capital city of hoboes. Have you ever hit the sage- +brush trail, hiked the milk-and-honey route from Ogden through the +Mormon country, decked the Overland Express, beaten the blind baggage +on the Millionaires' Flier? Hey?" + +The sullen vagrant blinked stupidly. + +"Or have you made the prairie run on the truss of a Wagner freight, or +thrown a stone at the Fox Train crew, or beaten the face off the Katy +Shack when he tried to pitch you off a gondola-car?" + +"I don't know what you're chewing about," sneered the fat man. + +"Probably not, for you are not a true man of the road. You disgrace +the name of nomad, you sully an ancient profession. I'll venture to +say you don't know who Ishmael was." + +"Who said I did?" + +"Not I, because I'm not a flatterer. I am going to follow the example +of the man who cast pearls before swine--I'm going to cast you a pearl +from one of my own poems. You may listen. It will pass your ears, +that's all. You cannot contaminate it by taking it in, so I repeat it +for my own entertainment, to refresh my memory: + + + "Of the morrow we take no heed, no care infests the day; + Some hand-out gump and a train to jump, a grip on the rods, and + away! + To the game of grab for gold we give no thought or care. + We own with you the arch of blue--our share of God's fresh air. + One coin to clear the law, a section of rubber hose. + To soften the chafe of a freight-car's truss, our portion of + cast-off clothes, + And the big wide world is ours--a title made good by right-- + By mankind's deed to the nomad breed with the taint of the + Ishmaelite. + Some from the wastes of the sage-brush, some from the orange land, + Some from God's own country, dusty and tattered and tanned. + Why are we? It's idle to tell you--you'd never understand. + To and fro + We come and go. + Old Father Ishmael's band." + + +He leaned back and laughed in the tramp's puzzled face. + +"Well, what's the answer?" scoffed Boston Fat. + +The other man talked on, humor in his eyes, plainly enjoying this +verbal skylarking. + +"I'm afraid I cannot waste time and breath on you in an attempt to +answer the riddle of the ages, to explain the wanderlust that sent +forth the tribes from the Aryan bowl of the birth of the races, my +corpulent bean-pot. Your blank eyes and your flattened skull suggest a +discouraging incapacity for information." + +"I don't know what you're gabbing abut. But there's one thing I do +know. I'll tip 'em off at the next insane-asylum I come to that I met +you headed north." The tramp gathered the articles of clothing from +the bushes and got down on his knees and began to fold them. + +The man of the brown eyes stepped forward, laid down his little book, +picked up the frock-coat and pulled it on, the fat man squealing +expostulation. With serene disregard of this protest Farr buttoned the +coat, smoothed it down, and then straightened his shoulders. + +"You may see that it was built for a gentleman and that it fits a +gentleman, friend pork-barrel." + +"You shuck it off and pass it over, that's what you do," yelped the +tramp. "It's my coat." + +"It was perfectly apparent that it was not your coat when you tried it +on." + +"I tell you I found it hanging on a fence-post just above here." + +"That was merely by accident, and you should have passed on and left +the garments for one whose frame was fitted to wear them. You +illustrate the curse of modern society. Men are so filled with the +greed of getting that they grab misfits simply out of passion for +possessing." + +"I've stood your slurs ever since I got here, but I'll be jobeefed if +I'll stand for your swiping my property." + +The man of the brown eyes smiled. His whole demeanor showed that he +was more than ever hugely enjoying his own verbosity--the florid +language which was both maddening and mystifying the tramp. + +"Further evidence of your mean nature: a gentleman resents an insult +that steals away his character much more quickly than he resents an +act that steals mere property. In that little book which I have just +laid down Shakespeare speaks trenchantly on that matter: 'Who steals +my purse steals trash . . . but he that filches from me my good name +robs me . . . and makes me poor indeed.'" + +The tramp gave over his work of folding, and awkwardly and +cumbersomely got upon his feet. + +"You take off that coat and hand it over. It's mine--I found it. I can +stand a crazy man's gab, but when any one tries to do me out of what's +my own I'll fight." + +"May I ask what you're going to do with these garments of a gentleman +which have fallen into your hands by accident?" + +"I'm going to cash 'em in at the nearest second-hand shop, that's just +what I'm going to do." + +"Just as you sold the Sunday suit you stole from a poor man! My +friend, I was insulted that day on account of you. You owe me +something!" + +Just then the alarm-clock purred a brief signal. + +Up to that time the air of the man with the brown eyes had been that +of banter, of impish desire to harry and confuse by stilted language +the ignorant stranger who had come blundering upon him. + +He stared at the clock, looked down upon the frock-coat, and then +surveyed the other articles of clothing. He scowled as if he had +suddenly begun to reflect. Seriousness smoldered in the brown eyes. +That tinkling touch of metal against metal seemed to change his mood +in astonishing fashion. + +"Ah, it may be morning again, O my soul!" he cried with such tense +feeling in his voice that the tramp surveyed him with gaping mouth and +bulging eyes, as one stares at a person suddenly become mad. + +"I will talk to you though you will not understand! Once upon a time +the world was ruled by men who were ruled by omens. Man was then not +so wise in his own conceit. His own soul was nearer the soul of +things. He was not a mere gob of bumptiousness covered with the shell +of cocksureness. He was willing to be informed. He sought the omens of +true nature--he allowed Fate to guide him. He was not a pig running +against the goad of circumstances, unheeding the upflung arms of +Fortune, waving him toward the right path. He was simpler--he was +truer. He felt that he was a part of nature instead of being boss of +nature. Well, I have got nearer to true nature since I have been in +the open. I am in contact with the soul of things. I am no longer +insulated. I am not reformed, I am simply ready once again to grab +Opportunity. So you think I am crazy, do you?" + +"They had a gink in a padded cell in the jail where I was last winter +and he didn't take on much worse'n you," stated the tramp. + +"As a brainless observer you may be quite right. I may be a lunatic. I +feel much like one just now. It is lunacy to go climbing back to a +level in society from which I have been kicked. But as I knelt there +by that little fire, before you came, yearning sprang up in me--and I +had thought all that sort of yearning was dead in me. A moment later +came habiliments of a gentleman, borne in the arms of a wretch who +could not wear them. There came Opportunity. Then the jangle of that +clock signaled Opportunity--and there was a throb in me as though my +sleeping soul had rolled and blinked at the sunlight of hope and had +murmured, 'It's morning again.' Such are omens, when one is ready to +heed." + +He set his teeth, clenched his fists, and by expression and attitude +showed that he had arrived at a decision of moment. He walked close to +the tramp. "I will admit, Friend Belly-brains, that you came upon +Opportunity before I did this day. But tell me again, are you to make +no further use of said Opportunity than to run to an old-clothes shop +and exchange for a few pennies that which will help to make a man?" + +"They are mine and I'm going to sell 'em," retorted the sullen +vagrant. + +"I am sorry because you have no wit--no power to understand. Otherwise +you would gladly lay these garments in my hands and bid me Godspeed. +You don't understand at all, do you?" + +"Look here, are you trying to frisk me for these duds?" + +"It's all a waste of breath to explain to you that Providence meant +these things for me. You are not acute enough to understand close +reasoning. I could not show you that, for the sake of a few coins, +which would do you only that harm which would come from their value in +cheap whisky or beer, you might be wrecking the future of a soul that +is awake. I simply tell you that I shall keep the clothing for myself. +Perhaps you can understand that plain statement!" The brown eyes +became resolute and piercing. "Even if I had money I would not pay you +for these garments. Money does such as you no good; it may bring you +trouble. My dear Boston Fat, I cannot afford to let you prejudice my +future, which, so instinct tells me, is wrapped up in those poor +things of wool and warp." He snapped a finger into his palm and +extended his hand. "Give me that hat and then pass on about your +business." + +The tramp backed away. His little blinking eyes expressed both fear +and rebelliousness. More than ever did he resemble a pig at bay. The +black hat, set on top of his greasy cap and topping with its +respectability his disreputable general outfit, added a bizarre touch +to the scene between the two men. + +"You think now that you are the injured party," calmly pursued the man +of the brown eyes. "You haven't intelligence enough to take my own +case into account. You are injured because you are losing a few coins +--but I may be injured in all that gives life its flavor if I do not +grasp this opportunity." Both raillery and earnestness dropped out of +his tones. He became merely matter-of-fact. "I'll make it plain. Trot +along about your business, fat one, or I shall proceed to pound the +face off you and then kick you a few rods on your happy way. You +deserve it as a thief--I worked two weeks as a stone-mason on your +account. Do you get me?" + +For answer the infuriated vagrant rushed at him and kicked. + +With one hand the stranger plucked the hat from the tramp's head and +sailed it to a place of safety. With the other hand he grabbed the +attacker's ankle before the foot hit him and with a jerk he laid the +tramp on his back. + +The victim fell so helplessly that the concussion knocked the breath +and a groan out of him. + +The man of the brown eyes had moved languidly and had talked languidly +till then. When he grabbed the foot he moved with a sort of steel-trap +efficiency and quickness. He promptly straddled his victim, seated +himself on the protruding abdomen, and began to beat the man's face. +He battered the flabby cheeks and punched his fists into the pulpy +neck. He ground his knees against the fat flanks and redoubled his +blows when the tramp struggled. After the squalling falsetto had +implored for a long time, the assailant at last gave over the +exercise. + +"Are you licked?" he asked. + +"Yes," whined the tramp. + +"You have stolen--in most dirty style. I whipped you for that job. Now +will you stay licked for some time?" + +"Yes." + +"You'll go on about your own business, will you, without any more +foolish talk about those garments?" + +"Yes." + +"Are you sorry you stole from that good woman who fed you?" + +"Yes." + +The man of the brown eyes swung himself off his prostrate victim, as a +rider dismounts from a horse, and the tramp sat up, moaning and +patting his purple face. + +"I never had no luck, never," he blubbered. "I was kicked out of jail +before the weather got warmed up, I was thrown in last fall just when +the Indian summer was beginning. When other fellows get hand-outs of +pie I get cold potatoes and bannock bread. I have to walk when other +fellows ride. I'm too fat for the trucks and they can always see me on +the blind baggage. I'll keep on walking. I never had no luck in all my +life." + +He rolled upon his hands and knees and then stood up. He started away, +wholly cowed, whining like a quill-pig, bewailing his luck. + +"Luck!" the man of the brown eyes shouted after him in a tone which +expressed anger and regret. "What do you know about luck, you animated +lard-pail? A thing like you is in luck when he is in jail where there +is no workshop. Better luck than that is too good for you. Hold on one +minute! Turn around and look at me." + +The tramp obeyed. The stranger pounded one of those hard fists on his +own breast. + +"I say look at me! No matter what I was once! But to-day you found me +cooking bacon over three sticks and ready to fight for another man's +cast-off clothes. And in between whiles I have hiked every path that +the hobo knows between the oceans. Now jog on and think that over and +keep your jaw shut on luck! I say jog on! Don't look back. Forget that +you ever saw me." + +He waved angry gesture and took two steps as though to enforce his +command with his fists. + +The tramp jogged on at a brisk pace. He hurried to the highway and set +out on his shuffling pilgrimage, rubbing his aching face and muttering +to himself. + + + + V + + THE GIRL WHO GUARDED HER LIPS + +The brown eyes of the victor watched the tramp out of sight and for +some moments surveyed the nick in the undergrowth where the fellow had +disappeared. + +There was no anger in the eyes. There had been none while their +possessor had been pummeling the wretch. He had beaten the man up in a +calm, methodical and perfectly business-like manner. + +When at last he turned and looked at the clothing he smiled +whimsically. + +"The perambulating pork-barrel thinks I am crazy," he mused, looking +at the frock-coat. He had stripped that garment from his shoulders and +had tossed it on a bush when he had decided on combat. "If I should +stop to argue the matter with myself just now I should find myself +flattering his good judgment. I have robbed a poor devil for a whim. +Thank God, I went at it brutally and frankly. There was no 'high +finance' sneak-thieving about that job. I sent him away with his face +smarting. They sent me away with my soul black-and-blue." + +He gathered the garments, picked up the shoes, put the hat on top of +the pile on his arm, and went farther into the woods, following the +course of a tiny stream of water. This stream led him to a pool. It +was tree-bordered, it was a center gem in a dim alcove in the forest, +it was as secret as a private chamber. The pool was glassy, for the +winds were still in the tree-tops. + +The man laid down his burden. He stripped off his own well-worn coat +and shirt, and secured a razor and stick of soap from the scattered +articles he dumped from the coat pocket. He kneeled on the brink of +the pool, leaned over and shaved himself carefully, using the glassy +surface as a mirror. Then he put off his other clothing, the mean +garments of a vagrant, and plunged into the pool. + +When he came forth from the water and dried himself with his discarded +shirt, he revealed himself to the birds whom his splashings had +attracted to the branches above the pool. If the birds' twitterings +were comments on his appearance, they must have been admiring +comments. The man's skin was white and he was lithe and tense and +muscular. Breeding showed in him as it shows in the muscles and +conformation of a race-horse. When he was dried he threw down the +makeshift towel and combed his shock of brown hair with his fingers. +Now that the bristle of beard was off his face he looked younger. + +From the pile of clothing he selected his outfit, garment by garment. +The jovial humor of the judge had provided complete equipment for a +man. In the breast pockets of the frock-coat there were a clean +collar, a necktie, and a freshly laundered handkerchief. + +By the time he had finished his dressing the pool was still and glassy +once more. He flirted out the handkerchief, holding it by one corner, +and swept the soft fabric around and around the crown of the black +hat. + +He carefully set the hat on his head and leaned over the pool and took +an interested peep at himself. + +"You are a fool in this matter," he informed the reflection. "And I +wonder why you are determined to persist in the folly. The man Chick's +tin suit cannot bring as much trouble to him as this garb of +respectability may bring to you. For no man can step up to that poor +Quaker and touch his shoulder and say--" + +He broke off. He began to search through his discarded garments and to +stow his few possessions into the pockets of his new attire. + +"All folly!" ran his thoughts. "I am consumed with it all of a sudden. +I have ranted to a tramp. Now I rant at myself. I am sloughing the +rags that have protected me. All folly!" + +His searching fingers, groping to the deepest corner of a pocket, +found the crumbling fragments of a dried rose. He narrowed his eyes +and surveyed it as it lay in his palm, and then made as if to toss it +into the pool. But he checked the gesture. He set his chin in his +hands and communed aloud with himself after the fashion of those who +hold aloof from mankind: + +"Folly, little sister! I may as well be truthful! Two dark eyes which +gave me the first honest, unafraid, and frank gaze I've had from a +maid in two years, two red lips which said 'Please' and 'Thank you'! A +flash of a glance behind her which called me, even if she did not mean +it as a call--and so, on I fare in a lunatic's dream. Own up! I have +dreamed that some day I will see her again. And down in the depths of +me stirs that impulse of the male which makes the peacock spread his +feathers and silly man perk in front of a mirror. Why not give in to +the sense of heredity once in a while even though it means beating up +a tramp and making myself more of a mark for human eyes?" + +He rolled the old clothes into a bundle and stuffed them under the +roots of a tree. Then he strolled away leisurely, and when he as in +the wider stretches of the wood where the light was better he pulled a +small book from his pocket and read as he walked. + +The volume was /Sartor Resartus/. His eyes happened to find this +passage and he smiled as he read: + + + All visible things are emblems. Hence clothes, as despicable as we + think them, are so unspeakably significant. Clothes, from the + King's mantle downward, are emblematic not of want only but of a + manifold cunning victory over want. Men are properly said to be + clothed with authority, clothed with beauty, with curses and the + like. It is written, the Heavens and the Earth shall fade away + like a vesture; which indeed they are: the time vesture of the + Eternal. Whatsoever sensibly exists, whatsoever represents spirit + to spirit, is properly a clothing, a suit of raiment, put on for a + season and to be laid off. Thus in this one pregnant subject of + clothes, rightly understood, is included all that men have + thought, dreamed, done, and been; the whole Eternal Universe and + what it holds is but clothing; and the essence of all science lies + in the Philosophy of Clothes. + + +From time to time he looked down upon himself complacently. + +When he came near a glade in the wood he heard the chatter of the +voices of a merry party and he saw picnickers, men and women, gathered +about hampers. Automobiles were parked at a little distance, and he +made a detour to avoid the scene. + +He emerged upon an animated tableau of modern nymph and modish satyr +in a close-by forest aisle. The girl was flushed and disheveled and +was resisting a young man who had pushed aside her veil and was +kissing her with ardor. She beat him back with her gloved hands and +eluded him, but he caught her to him with more of rough passion than +tender affection. + +"We are engaged to be married," he insisted. "Why shouldn't I kiss +you? Don't be a prude!" + +She thrust her protesting palms against him and set her arms rigidly +and held her head away, not with coyness, but with indignation and +fierce rebellion. + +"I love you! My God, can't you understand?" he gasped. "I can't keep +my hands off you. You can't handle a man as you're trying to handle +me. I must have some affection from you!" + +"Richard! I'll not endure this! I am insulted!" + +"My kisses an insult? I'm no ice-water lover. You set me crazy. I +can't help myself." + +She wrenched herself from his grasp and faced him, her face filled +with outraged fury. + +Farr had started to leave the scene. He stopped. The girl was the girl +of the red lips and the dark eyes. + +"Don't touch me!" she cried. "The only promise you have had from me, +Richard, is the one my mother has fairly forced from me. I am trying +honestly to like you. I will please my mother and you if I can." + +"That's a devil of a thing to say to a man who loves you as I do," he +declared, with anger. + +"That is all I can say just now. But if you use me again as you would +pull and haul a girl of the streets, I'll despise you. I give you +warning." + +"What sort of books have you been reading, Kate?" he asked, +sarcastically. "Where did you get your idea of what love-making is? +They don't sing serenades under windows these days. They don't kiss +finger-tips and write mush poems. I am going to tell you a few things +you ought to know, as a girl engaged to be married." + +Farr stood close by them and in plain sight, but their absorption in +their struggle had left them attention only for each other. He knew +that if he started away while they were talking his presence would be +promptly noted and undoubtedly misjudged. + +He set his finger between the leaves of his book and took his hat in +his hand. + +"Your pardon!" he pleaded. "I stumbled here quite by accident. Please +suspend conversation on private matters until I can walk out of +earshot." + +He stared straight into the eyes of the girl and once more received +from her that frank and wondering gaze which had touched him so +strangely when he had seen her first on the broad highway. His face +was white under the tan. His hands trembled as he replaced his hat. In +his heart he was saying farewell to her and his eyes expressed some of +his emotion. + +"You may take your own time, sir," said the girl. "This gentleman and +I have finished our conversation." She passed Farr, looking him up and +down with increasing curiosity and dawning recognition, and when her +escort called to her impatiently, she caught her skirts around her and +ran toward the glade where the others of the party were chattering +over their hampers. + +The lover started away slowly and sullenly on her trail, with only a +glance at this blundering stranger. + +"No, they do not sing serenades under windows any more--nor has the +stone age returned with its love-making manners," remarked Farr, his +lips trembling and his emotion still in his eyes. "There are some +manners which ware worse, however, than knocking maidens down with +clubs." + +The other man snapped himself around on his heels. + +"Damn you, you're that fresh hobo! I don't forget a man who shoots off +low-down sneers at me. Here! You come back here! I want to ask a few +questions, my man." + +Farr continued on his way, opening his book. + +"If I ever see you again--" blustered the lover. + +"I sincerely hope that will never happen," remarked the stranger, +without turning his head. "Instinct of the purely animal sort tells me +that if our paths cross in this life it will be very bad for one or +the other." + +When Farr was in the highway he fumbled in his pocket and found the +withered rose. He tossed it away among the roadside bushes. + +But after he had gone on his way for some distance he retraced his +steps and hunted in the bushes for a long time on his hands and knees +until he found the poor little keepsake. + +He put it carefully into the deepest pocket he could find in his newly +acquired habiliments and trudged on down the world. + + + + VI + + A MAN ON FOOT AND A MAN IN HIS CHARIOT + +A blatant orator, haranguing passionately, attracted two new auditors. + +A tall young man sauntered to the edge of the little group in the +square and listened with a smile which indicated cynical half- +interest. + +An automobile halted on the opposite side of the group. A big man sat +alone in the tonneau. + +He began to scowl as he listened. + +The young man continued to smile. + +The big man was plainly a personality. He was cool and crisp in summer +flannels--as immaculate as the accoutrements of his car. + +In face and physique the young man was plainly not of that herd near +which he stood. + +His glance crossed that of the man in the car; he met the scowl with +his smile. + +Like a kiln open to the hot glare from a brassy sky or an oven where +the July caloric blazed like a blast from the open mouth of a retort-- +such that day seemed Moosac Square in the heart of the cotton-mill +city. High buildings closed in its treeless, ill-paved, dirty area. +The air, made blistering by the torch of the sun, beat back and forth +between the buildings in shimmering waves. + +In the center of the square the blatant orator balanced himself on a +stone trough which was arid and dust-choked. He harangued the group of +unkempt men; sweating, blinking, apathetic men; slouchy men; men who +were ticketed in attire and demeanor with all the squalid marks of +idlers, vagrants, and the unemployed. + +The man on the trough was of the ilk of the men who surrounded him. +His face was flaming with the heat and with his vocal efforts. +Perspiration streamed into his eyes, his voice was hoarse with +shouting, but he had the natural eloquence of the demagogue. He was +delivering the creed of the propaganda of rebellious poverty, the +complaints of the dissatisfied, the demands of the idle agitators. He +spiked his diatribe with threats flavored by anarchy. He pointed to +policemen who had taken refuge in strips of shade which had been cast +grudgingly by the high buildings. He reminded his hearers that those +policemen had just driven them out of the tree-shaded parks. There the +selfish rich folks were loafing under the trees. Poor folks were +herded down the street and were forced to hold this meeting in that +Gehenna, so he averred. + +The man in the automobile muttered impatient words. Then he shouted, +breaking in on the impassioned anathema which the orator addressed to +the rich: "Stop lying to these men--stirring them up. The parks are +for the people. You can go there--all you men can go there--if you'll +go without making a disturbance." + +"If men in these days open their mouths to speak for their human +rights it's a disturbance," retorted the demagogue. "If we go up to +the park and sit there and tremble like rabbits you rich men will let +us stay there--perhaps! But we don't have as many rights there as the +rabbits, for the rabbits are allowed to step on the grass." + +"You've got to obey the law like other citizens--you will not be +allowed to disturb decent and respectable people. You and men like you +must stop putting foolish notions in the heads of loafers in this +city." + +"Then put something into our mouths--give us food. Why are we +loafers?" + +"Because you won't go to work. I'll give every able-bodied man here +all the work he wants. Apply at the office of the Consolidated Water +Company--now." + +"What's the work?" inquired a man in the crowd. + +"Digging trenches for water-pipes. How many men want that work? Hold +up hands." + +"It ain't work for human beings in this weather," snarled the man who +had inquired. No hands were raised. + +"That's your style!" blazed the big man. The policemen had sauntered +into the square and their presence was reassuring. He stood up and +began to lecture them. + +"And them's the kind of lord dukes that's running this country to-day +--own it and run it," growled a slouchy fellow who stood near the tall +young man. "They ain't willing to give a poor man a show." + +"He has just offered you a show--all of you," stated the young man. + +"Yes, a Guinea job for white men." + +"You're picking a poor excuse for being a loafer, my friend." + +"Who says I'm a loafer?" + +The young man shot out his hands and grasped the fellow's elbow and +hand. The arm was flabby, the palm was soft. He doubled back the +fingers and exhibited the palm to the crowd. + +"I don't find any labor medals here, men. Is there anybody in the +crowd who can show some?" He released the struggling, cursing captive. + +"What's labor medals?" inquired a bystander. + +The big man was still denouncing them from his car, but the group paid +little attention now. + +"Callous spots in the place where a working-man ought to wear them. +And that place isn't on the tongue." + +"Are you sneering at us because we can't get a job?" + +"You're a loafer yourself, and anybody can see it," declared another. + +The young man raised his arms, showing them his palms. + +"I carry a few labor medals," he returned, curtly. + +"Why ain't you on your job? The lord dukes won't give you one?" + +"/When/ I work and /where/ I work is my own business, so long as I +don't beg food at back doors." + +"Do /we/?" + +They had crowded around him and menaced him with murmurings and +glowering gaze. + +"I should say so," he replied, giving them an indifferent going-over +with his cold eyes. "You carry all the marks." + +Then he shouldered his way out from among them, displaying the air of +one who found further discourse unprofitable. + +He strolled leisurely in the direction of the big man in the car. The +crowd he had left stared after him without presuming to voice taunt or +reply; there was something compelling about him. + +As Farr approached the automobile its owner stopped talking and stared +at the tall stranger with some apprehension. Then the big man beckoned +unobtrusively to a policeman. It was evident that Farr was not of the +same sort as the ruck of men from among whom he had just emerged, +nevertheless he had come from among them. The lordly man in the car +had observed him moving in the group, for Farr had loomed above the +heads of the others; what he had been saying to the malcontents the +big man had not been able to hear, but he guessed. + +"Some sort of sneak has been stirring up the fools in this city +lately," the aristocrat informed the officer who came promptly to the +side of the car. "Who is this fellow coming?" + +"I never saw him before, Colonel Dodd." + +"Stand by! He is going to tackle me and make a grand-stand play in +front of his gang. His clothes give him away--a loafing demagogue!" + +But the tall man did not pause at the car or even glance at the +dignitary who occupied it. He seemed to have lost all interest in the +occasion. He yawned as he passed the automobile and started away +across the square. + +"Here, you! You big chap!" called Colonel Dodd, promptly emboldened. + +Farr halted and turned, his countenance showing mild inquiry. + +"What do you mean by coming into a peaceable city and stirring up +labor troubles?" + +"Have I done so?" + +"You have just been mixing and mingling with those men, talking to +them. I know your kind." + +"Ah, a gentleman of keen discernment!" + +"I have seen you before--you fellows with long-tailed coats and short- +horned ideas. We don't want your kind in this city!" + +"I seem to have made a prompt sensation without trying to do so," +returned Farr, meekly. "I have been in your city less than fifteen +minutes, sir!" + +"You're a traveling labor-agitator, aren't you?" + +"No, sir." + +"But I just saw you circulating among those men. Your rig-out shows +your character!" + +"You mean these garments I wear?" + +"Certainly! A frock-coat helps out your pose before an ignorant +public." + +"He stole that coat from me," squeaked a fat man, standing at a little +distance, scrubbing a torn sleeve over his grimy, sweat-streaked face. +"He picked it fair off'n my back. I have follered him to show him up +as a robber and a fake. That's so help me!" + +Riotous laughter from all the listeners followed that declaration; a +glance at the tubby tramp and survey of the tall young man whose +contours fitted the garments made the fat man's assertion seem like a +huge joke. + +"I can prove it!" squalled the vagrant. + +"Beat it! Get out of this city!" commanded a policeman. "If you don't +we'll have you on the rock-pile. What ye mean by such guff?" He +flourished his stick and the tramp hurried away. + +"It's no use," he whined. "Grab and bluff! Him what can do it best +always wins. That's the way the world goes!" + +"When I took these clothes off the back of my vanishing friend I felt +that they would make a change in my life," stated Farr, with a smile +which provoked more laughter. "But I did not dream that they would +bring me such prominence in so short a time." He bowed to the man in +the car. + +But Colonel Dodd was angry and insistent and did not join in the +merriment. + +"I say you are a labor-agitator. Any man who won't go to work himself +has no right to be stirring up other workers against their own +interests. You may as well own up to me, my man. These men standing +around here know what you are--you have been talking with them. +Outside of stirring trouble, you don't work, do you?" + +"Oh yes, my lord!" + +There was smiling mockery in the tone, almost insolence. He seemed to +be willing to display to the rich man the same lack of respect he had +displayed to the poor men who stood near and listened to this +colloquy. + +"Oh, you do?" Colonel Dodd raised his voice. "Listen sharp, my men! Do +you want to be led around by the noses by a man who doesn't work? This +gentleman is going to tell us what his job is!" He sneered when he +said it. + +"I am an assiduous toiler in my profession, your excellency. I am +surprised that as an employer you do not recognize a real worker when +you see one." + +This tone of raillery and this stilted manner of speech promptly +caught the fancy of the throng. The men crowded more closely and the +orator on the trough was silent. + +"What do you work at?" + +"I am an architect, your gracious highness." + +"Less of that insolence in the way of names, my friend! An architect, +eh? Well, what did you ever build?" + +"I laid out Dream Avenue in the boom city of Expectation and built on +that thoroughfare a magnificent row of castles in the air. If you had +a bit more imagination I might try to sell you something in my line. +But it is useless, I see! Farewell!" + +He swept off his broad-brimmed hat with a deep bow, backed away a few +steps, and bowed again and went on his way. The crowd guffawed. This +baiting of the city's labor magnate had most agreeably scratched their +itching sense of resentment. + +"I don't know who that josher is, but I hate to lose him out of town," +confided the orator on the trough to those near him. + +"I never saw that fellow before, but I'll pinch him if you say so, +Colonel Dodd," volunteered the policeman. "Do you make complaint?" + +"No," snapped the colonel, glowering on the broad back which was +swinging across the square in retreat. He told his chauffeur to drive +on. + +When the car passed Farr the colonel flicked cigar ashes which +alighted in a spray of dust on the sleeve of the frock-coat. + +"Bah!" said the colonel, shooting the young man a scowl. + +Farr gave in return a smile, but it was not a particularly genial +smile. + +The young man went on his way leisurely; by his gait, by his frequent +and somewhat prolonged pauses at shop windows, by his indifferent +starings at traffic and pedestrians, it was plain that he had little +of moment on his mind. + +He bought a penny glass of water at a corner kiosk. + +"Do you mind telling me," he asked the vender, "Who is Colonel Dodd of +this city? I am a stranger and I have just overheard the name." + +The man grinned. "If it wasn't for Colonel Symonds Dodd I wouldn't be +making much of a living here, selling spring-water. He is president of +the Consolidated." + +"And that means?" + +"Why, it means that he is boss of the water trust that owns the system +in this city and in all the other cities and towns of this state. And +they pump all of their water out of the rivers because the lakes are +so far off, and nobody drinks that water unless he has to or don't +know any better. Colonel Dodd? Why, he bosses the whole state, they +tell me." + +"I gathered that he was important," said the young man, and walked on. + +He was held up in the passing crowd at a street corner for a few +moments because a parade of some half-dozen automobiles whirled past. +The cars were decorated with banners, and the wild flowers and other +spoil of forest and field in the arms of the ladies indicated that +this was a party returning from a picnic in the suburbs. + +"Would you mind telling me," asked Farr of the policeman who was +guarding the corner, "who that young man is--the one there in the gray +automobile?" + +"With the bleached blonde and the pretty girl?" asked the officer. +"Oh, that's Colonel Dodd's nephew--Dicky Dodd. Of course you know who +the colonel is." + +"Yes," said Farr. He opened his mouth to ask another question, for the +policeman seemed to be of the obliging sort. Then he closed his lips +resolutely and marched along. + +"What's the use?" he muttered. "Two dark eyes and a red mouth--and I +am almost forgetting how to be a philosopher." + +Farther down the city thoroughfare he met one who had claimed to be a +philosopher. It was Jared Chick, stalking along the sidewalk in his +home-made armor. He held a box of stove-polish in one hand and a brush +in the other, and as he strolled he was giving his corselet and such +parts of the armor as he could handily reach a glossy coat--a gleaming +and burnished surface. On his helmet in place of a crest Knight Chick +bore aloft a metal banneret inscribed, "Invincible Stove Polish." + +"And the mission?" asked Farr, halting his quondam companion, who had +been too intent upon his business to pay heed to passers. + +"I find thee changed, and no doubt thee, too, finds me changed," +sighed Mr. Chick. + +The mouth of an alley between high buildings afforded a retreat and +the breeze blew there fitfully, and Mr. Chick stepped to that oasis of +shade in the glare of sunshine. + +"I have been obliged to modify my mission in some degree. I must +confess that to thee," he said. "This is a strange and wicked world." + +"Didn't you know it before you gave up a good blacksmith business to +go out in the hot sun and suffer torment, all for nothing?" + +"It is very hard work," acknowledged Chick, showing his flushed and +streaming face under his vizor. "If I were not used to the fires of +the forge I think I would fall down and die. But I must keep on." + +"But you are simply an advertising-sign." + +"I have modified my mission. I have not given up, however. I will tell +thee! I found a man beside the way--a man who had been drinking strong +waters and whose pockets had been turned wrong side out. So I took him +to a tavern and I sat with him through the night, and nursed him when +he suffered, and revealed my mission when he awoke. 'I am out to do +good to all men,' I told him, and he searched through his pockets with +blasphemy, and he said that I had done him--and he haled me before the +court, and the judge said that no man could publicly profess such +disinterestedness and escape suspicion, because people in these days +are all looking for the main chance. So he did not believe me and he +sentenced me to the jail. But a good Samaritan interceded for me and +took me from behind the bars, and now in the spirit of gratitude I am +repaying him; he makes and sells this stove-polish." + +"That man is evidently shrewd in business and a good advertiser," +commented Farr. + +"I find that I get along much better in the world," asserted the +knight-errant. "Now that I carry an advertising-sign my armor attracts +no rude mobs. I can go abroad and do good to a foolish world; I can +use the stipend my good benefactor allows to me for my work and I can +help poor folks here and there. Therefore, I am content with my +modified mission. Is thee more at peace with the world?" + +"I ought to be, after hearing you say that /you/ are contented," said +Farr, with irony. + +"Thee has manifestly improved thy condition, so I observe." + +"It often happens in this world, Friend Chick, that the sleeker we are +on the outside, the more ragged we are within. I think I'll move on. I +might say something to jar your sense of sublime content. I'd be sorry +to do that. Real contentment is a rare thing and must be handled very +carefully." + +"I fear thee loves thyself too much," chided the Quaker. "Affection +for somebody might make thee happy, my friend." + +Farr choked back the comment that occurred to him in regard to love +and walked away. + + + + VII + + THE RAKE WHICH GROPED IN DARK WATERS + +The afternoon was waning, but the hot bowl of the sky seemed to shut +down over the city more closely. + +Farr held to the shaded sides of the streets, and yearned for a patch +of green and a tree and its shade. + +At last he came into a section of the city where vast mills, one +succeeding another in rows which vanished in the distance, clacked +their everlasting staccato of hurrying looms, venting clamor from the +thousands of open windows. A canal of slow-moving, turbid water +intersected the city and fed its quota of power to each mill. The +fenced bank of the canal was green; and elms, languid in the fierce +heat, gave shade here and there with wilted leaves. The masses of +brick which inclosed the toilers within the mills puffed off tremulous +heat-waves and suggested that humanity must be baking in those +gigantic ovens. + +A high fence interposed between the canal and the street; the mill +lawn which extended between the canal and the shimmering brick walls +was also inclosed. Signs posted on the fence warned trespassers not to +venture. + +A bridge carried the street across the canal, and Farr stood there for +a time and watched the swirl of the water below. Then he sauntered on +and surveyed the expanse of mill lawn with appraising and envious +gaze. + +The young man climbed the canal fence, exhibiting more of his cool +contempt for authority by helping himself over the sharp spikes with +the aid of a "No Trespassing" sign. The sickly odor of raw cotton came +floating to his nostrils from the open windows. He strolled to the +head of a transverse canal which sucked water from the main stream. A +sprawling tree shaded a foot-worn plank where an old man, with bent +shoulders and a withered face, trudged to and fro, clawing down into +the black waters with a huge rake. He was the rack-tender--it was his +task to keep the ribs of the guarding rack clear of the refuse that +came swirling down with the water, for flotsam, if allowed to lodge, +might filch some of the jealously guarded power away from the mighty +turbines which growled and grunted in the depths of the wheel-pits. +With rake in one hand and a long, barbed pole in the other the old man +bent over the bubbling torrent that the rack's teeth sucked hissingly +between them. Bits of wood, soggy paper, an old umbrella, all manner +of stuff which had been tossed into the canal by lazy folks up-stream, +he raked and pulled up and piled at the end of his foot-bridge. + +"Hy, yi, old Pickaroon!" came a child's shrill voice from a mill +window. "There's a tramp under your tree." + +The old man raised his head from his work at the rack. + +"You must not come on dis place," he cried, with a strong French- +Canadian accent. + +"Who says so?" inquired the stranger, putting his back against the +tree and stretching out his legs. + +"I--Etienne Provancher." + +"And I--my worthy alien--I am Walker Farr from Nowhere. Now that we +have been properly introduced I will sit here and rest. I am here +because I love the soothing sound of babbling waters on a hot day. Go +about your work. I'll watch you. I love surprises. Who knows what next +you'll draw forth from the depths of fate? + +"I can have you arrest!" cried the old man. + +The uninvited guest took off his broad-brimmed hat, laid it across his +knees, and ran his hand through his shock of brown hair; it curled +damply over his forehead and, behind, reached down nearly to his coat- +collar, hiding his tanned neck. In some men that length of hair might +have seemed affectation. It gave this man, as he sat there uncovered, +that touch of the unusual which separates the person of strong +individuality from the mere mob. Then he smiled on old Etienne--such a +warm, radiant, compelling, disarming sort of smile that the rack- +tender turned to his work again, muttering. His mouth twitched and the +crinkles in his withered face deepened. + +Walker Farr found a comfortable indentation in the tree-trunk and +settled his head there. + +"How much do you get a week for doing that, Etienne?" he inquired, +with cool assurance. + +The old man glance sideways sharply, but the smile won him. + +"Six dollaire." + +"After supporting your family, what do you do with the rest of the +money these generous mill-owners allow you?" + +"I never was marry." + +The young man looked up at the mill windows where childish heads were +bobbing to and fro. + +"That was poor judgment, Etienne. You might have married and have a +dozen children now, working hard for you in the mill. Just like those +children yonder." + +The old man came to the end of his foot-bridge and flung down his rake +and his pike-pole. + +The sudden emotions of his Gallic forebears swept through him. His +features worked, his voice was high with passion. + +"Ba gar, I don't sleep the night because I think about dem poor +childs. Dem little white face, dem arm, dem leg--all dry up--not so +big as chicken leg. And all outdoor free to odder childs--not to them +childs up dere." He shook his fists at the mill windows. And some +child who saw the motion, getting a hasty peep from a widow, squealed, +"Hi yi, old Pickaroon!" + +"It doesn't pay to get too excited over the sorrows of the world, my +friend," drawled the young man under the tree. "It doesn't do any +good; and then somebody calls you names. I was something like you +once. But I've changed my philosophy. I have hypnotized my altruism. +Now I'm perfectly happy." + +Etienne stared without understanding these big words. But he had often +told himself that he never expected to understand Yankee speech very +well. He worked alone; he lived alone in his garret in the tenement +block; he talked but little with any person. But this young man with +the wonderful smile seemed to inspire him to talk--even to the extent +of revealing his secrets. + +He lowered his voice. "Thirty year I have work here. I live way up in +the little room. Bread I eat with lard on it. It costs little. Of the +six dollaire I save much. Ah, /oui/! Hist! Not for me I save it. Ah, +/non/! To the priest I give it. To the good priest. And the poor +childs what are sick--he send 'em to the farm--to have some outdoors. +But I don't sleep the night because I think the dollaire come so slow +--and so many poor childs are sick." + +He picked up his rake and pike and went back to his labor. + +The man under the tree did not lose his smile. + +"Yonder is a brand of altruism that cannot be hypnotized or modified +like Knight Chick's, I fear," he muttered. "You'd have to hit it on +the head--kill it with sticks! And my definition of philanthropy has +always been, 'giving away something you don't want in order to get +yourself advertised.' Etienne is interesting. He is the only +philanthropist I have even found who will eat lard instead of butter +so as to save more for his philanthropy." Now his smile grew hard. +"Don't dare to open your eyes, Altruism," he commanded. "I saw the +lids quiver a minute ago while that old man was talking, but remember +you're hypnotized." + +He saw the rack-tender lay down his pike so as to give both hands to +his big rake. + +He was pulling at something heavier than the ordinary flotsam-- +something far below the surface of the water. At last it broke through +the black surface of the turbid flood. To Walker Farr, glancing +carelessly, it seemed like a bedraggled bundle of rags with something +white at the end. + +"You come help, m'sieu'," called old Etienne. "It is a dead woman." + +Together they pulled the rake's dread burden slowly up the bars of the +rack. + +"You seem pretty cool about this," gasped the young man. + +"It is no new thing. Many drown themselves--they drown in the canal so +they will be found. Women and girls, they drown themselves. So! Help +me carry her." + +Farr gazed down on her after she had been laid on the canal bank. She +was young, but thin and work-worn. + +"Weaver," commented old Etienne, laying back on her breast one of the +hands he had lifted. "There's the marks on the fingers where she have +tie so many knots so quick." + +There was a key on her breast; it was secured by a cord that passed +out of sight between the buttons on her waist. Farr stooped and pulled +on the key. A folded paper came with the key; the other end of the +cord was tied around the paper. + +"You must not--it is for the coroner," protested Etienne. "I know the +law--I have drag up so many." + +"My besetting sin is curiosity," declared the young man, his calm +impertinence unruffled. He pulled the wet paper from the noose of the +cord. "We'll read this together." + +"I cannot read," confessed the rack-tender. "You shall read it to me." +His little black eyes gleamed now with curiosity of his own. "I shall +be glad to hear. The coroner he never read to me." + +The water had spread the ink and spotted the paper, but Farr was able +to decipher the missive. He read aloud: + + + "'My head has grown bad since my husband died. It is grief, the + awful heat, the work at the looms. They said if I would give my + little girl away she could go to the country and grow well. But I + could not give her up for ever. I could not earn the money to send + her to board. I could not earn the money except to buy us bread + here in the tenement block. And my bad head has been telling me + it's best to kill myself and take her with me. So I kill myself + before my head grows so bad that I might take away my little + girl's life. It belongs to her and I hope she may be happy. Will + somebody take her and give her happiness? It is wicked to kill + myself, but my head is so bad I cannot think out the right way to + do. This is the key to the room in Block Ten. + + "'MRS. ELISIANE SIROIS. + + "'Her name is Rosemarie.'" + + +Walker Farr finished reading and stared into the glittering eyes of +the old man. + +Etienne Provancher swore roundly and furiously--the strange, hard +oaths that his ancestors had brought from the Normandy of the +seventeenth century. + +"So you shall see--it is as I have say." He shook his fists again at +the mill. Its open windows vomited the staccato chatterings of the +myriad looms. "It chews up the poor people. Hear its dam' teeth go +chank--chank--chank!" + +"The Gallic imagination is always active," said Farr, joggling the key +at the end of the cord and eyeing it with peculiar interest. "But in +this case it seems to picture conditions pretty accurately. I wonder +just what a visitor would find inside the door that this key fits!" + +"You shall go tell them at the office of the mill," commanded Etienne. +"Tell them they have killed another. They will telephone for the +coroner. I will give the paper and the key when he come." He held out +his hand. "It is the law." + +"I have a natural hankering--sometimes--to break the law," affirmed +the young man. "I feel that fatal curiosity of mine stirring again, +Friend Etienne. I will send the coroner. But coroners love mysteries. +If we give him the letter it will take all the spice out of this +affair. Let's make him happy--he can drag out the inquest and give his +friends a long job on the jury." He smiled and started away, shaking +his head when the old man protested shrilly. "Better say nothing about +this letter and the key. You'll get into trouble for letting a +stranger come in here and carry away evidence. Better keep out of the +law, Etienne." He grabbed the "No Trespassing" sign for a hand-hold +and climbed over the fence. "I'll come back and tell you, Etienne. But +keep mum," he advised. + +"It is his smile--it makes me break the law," mumbled the old man. + + + + VIII + + THE KEY TO A DOOR IN BLOCK TEN + +Walker Farr gave the first policeman--a fat and sweltering individual +--a piece of gruesome news and in return casually asked the location +of Block Ten. + +The policeman grudgingly growled the information over his shoulder +while waiting for the station to answer the call from his box. + +The young man, taking his time, found the place at last, one in an +interminable row of tenement-houses, all identical in structure and +squalor, bearing the mark of corporation niggardliness in their cheap +lumber and stingy accommodations. + +The hallway that Farr entered was narrow and stifling--stale odors of +thousands of dead-and-gone boiled dinners mingled there, and a +stairway with a greasy handrail invited him. The key bore a number. He +hunted till he found a room, far up, flight after flight. Through open +doors he saw here and there aged women or doddering old men who were +guardians of dirty babes who tumbled about on the bare floors. + +"Either too old to run a loom or too young to lug a bobbin," Farr +informed himself; "that's why they aren't in the mill." + +Old folks and babes stared at him without showing interest. + +No one looked at him when he opened the door in which the key fitted. + +He stepped in quickly and closed and locked the door behind him. + +It was a little room and pitifully bare, and it was under the roof, +and the ceiling slanted across it so sharply that the young man, tall +above the average, was compelled to bow his head. + +A little girl, a wraith of a child, pale with the pallor of a +prisoner, hardly more than a toddler, sat on the floor and stared up +at the intruder, frozen, silent, immobile with the sudden, paralyzing +terror that grasps the frightened child. Pathetically poor little +playthings were scattered about her: a doll fashioned from gingham and +cotton-waste, makeshift dishes of pasteboard, a doll-carriage made +from a broken flower-basket with spools for wheels. The man who +entered saw all with one glance and understood that here in this bare +room this child had been compelled to drag out the weary hours alone +while the mother had toiled. Here now the child waited patiently for-- +for that water-soaked bundle, with the white, dead face, that lay on +the canal bank waiting for the coroner. + +And when he realized it and saw this and looked down on that lonely, +patient, wistful little creature making the best shift she could with +those pitiable playthings, something came up from that man's breast +into his throat. He had not supposed he had any of it left in his soul +--it was tender, agonizing, heartrending pity. + +She still stared at him, terrorized. Probably she had never seen any +face come in at that door except her mother's. + +His pity must have given Walker Farr a hint of how to deal with this +frightened child. He did not speak to her. He made no move toward her. + +He smiled! + +But it was not the smile he had given the fat plutocrat in the +automobile, nor yet the jocular radiance he had displayed to old +Etienne. It was such a smile as the man had never smiled before--and +he realized it. He did not want to smile. He wanted to weep. But he +brought that smile from tender depths in his soul--depths he had not +known of before--and tears came with the smile. + +Before that time the lines in his face had fitted the smile of the +cynic, the grimace of banter, of irony and insolence. But the strange +glory that now glowed upon his features came there after the mightiest +effort he had ever made to control his feelings and his expression. + +He smiled! + +In that smile he soothed, he promised, he appealed. Then when he saw +the tense expression of fear fade away he smiled more broadly--he +provoked reply in kind. And slowly upon the child's face an answering +smile began to dawn--little crinkles at the corners of the drooping +mouth, little flickerings in the blue eyes, until at last the two +beaming faces pledged--on the part of the man tender protection, on +the part of the child unquestioning confidence. + +But he said no word--he dared not trust his voice. + +He went down on his knees cautiously, her smile welcoming him now. + +He held out his hands. She hesitated a moment and then gave into them +her chiefest possession--her rag doll. It was as if she had pledged +her faith in him. He danced the doll upon his broad palm, and the +child's eyes, dancing too, thanked him for the courtesy he was paying +to her dearest friend. + +But Walker Farr realized that something strange and disquieting in the +case of a man who believed himself a cynic was stirring within him. +That hostage of the doll was not sufficient to satisfy the sudden +queer craving. The knowledge of the hopeless helplessness of that +little girl throbbed through him. The memory of the spectacle of what +he had left on the canal bank made the pathos of this little scene in +the garret doubly poignant as he looked into the child's eyes. Never, +in his memory, had he invited a child to come to him. + +Now he put out his hand--and it trembled. She snuggled her warm little +fist into his grasp. And then she scrambled up and came and nestled +confidingly against him. She couldn't see his face then, and he +allowed the tears of a strong man who is overcome before he has +understood--who wonders at himself--he allowed those tears to streak +his cheeks and did not wipe them away. + +Walker Farr was too perturbed to soliloquize just then in his +philosopher's style, but he did realize that some part of his altruism +had come out of its trance. + +And after he had knelt there on the floor for a time he rose and took +the child in his arms and sat down in a creaky rocking-chair and +crooned under his breath, and was astonished to find that she had gone +sound asleep. He stared into the dusk that was gathering outside the +dormer window and wondered what ailed him. + +He had heard many feet thudding on the stairs below. The workers were +returning. The beehive was filling. There were many voices, clatter of +dishes, chatter of patois. + +He wondered how well the woman Sirois was known in the house--whether +she had relatives--how soon somebody would come and beat upon the +door. + +He wondered just what disposition was made of children left in this +manner. + +If the woman had relatives who were forced to take the child it meant +more of this horrible tenement life. The child in his arms was pale +and thin; her bones seemed as inconsiderable as a bird's. + +He did not know much about children's homes, orphanages, institutions +for the reception of the homeless, but it seemed to him that such a +tiny, frail little girl would be very, very lonely in such a place. + +The skies grew dark without. He was cramped because he had sat for +hours in one position, fearing to waken her. But when he moved she did +not waken--he did not understand how soundly childhood can sleep. He +laid her on the foot of the narrow bed and looked about the room, +shielding a match with his hands. He had resolved to carry her out of +that fetid, overcrowded babel of a tenement. Where? He did not know. +He hunted to find her belongings. He found a few clothes. There was no +receptacle in which he could pack them. He folded them and crowded the +articles in his pockets. He stuffed in the doll and the rude +playthings and hooked the basket doll-carriage upon his arm. She did +not waken when he picked her up. He tiptoed down the stairs and nobody +noticed him, In his own dizzy mind he could not determine whether he +felt most like a thief or a lunatic. At any rate, he found himself +walking the streets of the mill city at ten o'clock at night, carrying +a little girl in his arms and all her earthly possessions in his +pockets. + +It came over him at last that the longer he kept her the more +uncertain he became as to what disposal he should make of her, or else +he was more loath to part with her; he didn't exactly know which. + +Then she woke and spoke for the first time. "Me is te'bble hungry--and +firsty," she mourned. + +"Good Lord! What's the matter with me?" grunted the young man. "If I +had found a cat or a dog, the first thing I would have done would be +to give 'em something to eat. I reckon I must have thought I had +picked up an angel." To her he said, smoothing her hair with his free +hand. "We'll have sumpin for baby's tummy mighty quick." He flushed at +sound of that baby prattle from his lips. But it had popped out in the +most natural manner possible. + +He headed for the nearest night lunch-cart. He entered with his +burden. + +He elbowed aside men who were eating sandwiches and pie at the +counter. With complete and rueful knowledge as to the extent of his +resources, he ordered a bowl of bread and milk--"the best you can do +for a hungry kiddie for ten cents," he added. + +"Anything for yourself?" inquired the waiter. + +He shook his head and paid for the child's supper with his whole +capital, two nickels. He held her on the end of the counter and, +awkwardly but with tender carefulness, fed the bread and milk to her +with a spoon. A healthy man's hunger gnawed within him and the savor +of coffee from the big, bubbling urn tantalized him. He tipped the +bowl to her lips and she drank the last of the milk with a happy +little sigh, and he went out into the night again, carrying her in his +arms. + +He understood all the suspicions that policemen entertain in the case +of night prowlers, and knew that they would be particularly and +meddlesomely interested in one who prowled with a child in his arms. +The child began to whimper softly. Her interest in the stranger who +had won her with a smile, her slumber in his arms, her feast in +strange surroundings, had kept her child's mind busy and pacified till +then. Now she voiced childhood's unvarying lament--"I wants my mamma!" + +He soothed her as best he could, promising, giving her all manner of +assurance regarding her mother, wondering all the time what was to be +done. Why had he interfered? Why had he taken upon himself the custody +of this mite, so trifling a weight in his arms, but now resting--a +giant of a burden--on his responsibility? He did not know. He owned up +to that ignorance frankly. But he walked on, carrying her, and put +away from his thoughts the sensible alternative of placing her in the +hands of those duly appointed to care for such cases. + +He told himself that, as a stranger in the city, he would not be able +to find a refuge--an institution that time of night--and he knew that +he was lying to himself, and wondered why. + +The impulse that directed his course toward the canal was rather grim, +but he remembered the tree which had been sanctuary for him that day. +He carefully lowered the little girl over the fence and climbed after +her. And she did not call any more for her mother because this strange +new scene seemed to impress her and fill her with wonderment. She +stared up into the dim, mysterious, rustling foliage of the tree for a +long time. She patted her hands upon the grass as if it were something +she had never seen or felt before. She seemed to be making her first +acquaintance with Mother Nature--claiming the heritage of outdoors +that children so intensely covet. The sloped ceiling and the walls of +the attic room had been sky and landscape for her. She peered into the +still waters of the canal and saw the stars reflected there, and +cocked her ear to listen when sleepy birds stirred above and chirped +in their dreams. And then she fell asleep again and he tucked her +within his coat to keep from her the dampness of the faint mist rising +from the canal. + +The dawn flushed early and she woke when the birds did, and found so +much to interest her--ants who ran up and down the tree, funny bugs +that tumbled, robins who bounced along the sward on stiff legs--that +she did not ask for her mother nor seem to find at all strange the +companionship of this tall man whose face was so kind. + +And so Etienne Provancher found them when he came with his rake and +pike-pole at six o'clock, the hour when the great turbines began to +grunt and rumble in their deep pits. + +"It is Rosemarie--I found her in the room," said Walker Farr. + +The old man came close and gazed down on the pallor and pathos of this +little snipped who still stared at the new wonders of outdoors. + +"Anodder one, hey? You found her lock up?" + +"Yes, and I brought her away--and I don't know just what the matter is +with me, Etienne. I have not been inclined to put myself out for +anybody in this world--man, woman, or child--of late years. I had made +up my mind to let the world run itself." + +"It is the way the rich man say--he do not care. But the poor man +should care--he should try to help odder poor man. He should care." + +"Oh, there are things that can happen to make a man stop caring. But I +brought her away, just the same. I--I woke up--or something. I have +been awake all night--I have been thinking--I had nothing else to do. +Insomnia has made me insane--one night of it!" He laughed when the old +man blinked at him. "I'm so crazy that I want you to help me find some +good woman who will take this child to board in a comfortable home." + +"Who'll pay?" + +"I'll pay. Oh, I am completely crazy--I'm going to work--earn money to +pay her board." + +"I know a good woman near by--she have leetle house, cat, plant in +window." + +"That's the kind." + +"I will tell you where she live. You shall say you come from Etienne +Provancher and it will make you good for her." He paused, raised a +brown finger, then went on. "But you shall not know where she live +onless I may pay half the board money for the poor little one. We have +been togedder in it--I tell some lie to the coroner--we must be +togedder in help the childs." + +There was firm resolve in old Etienne's face and tones. + +"Partnership it shall be, my old boy," agreed the young man, heartily. +"I'm no pig--I won't keep a good man out of a real picnic." He rose +and swept the child into his arms. "Give me the address and hand her +over the fence to me. I'll have to quit being nurse and find a real +job. By the way, Etienne, I heard a fat man weeping yesterday because +he couldn't get men to dig dirt for the Consolidated Water Company. He +seemed to take a great fancy to me. Where's their office?" + +He received both the information and the child after he had climbed +the fence. Etienne was able to point out the little house of sanctuary +from where he stood--and he waved his rake reassuringly from a +distance when the good woman came to the door, answering Farr's knock. +He danced into the house with the child, behind the good woman, who +had answered Etienne's signal with a return flip of her apron; he was +trying to bring a smile to the little face. + +"You'll have to lie to her more or less about her mother, good woman. +Etienne and I will tell you all about it when there's time. When she +asks about her mother just give her something to eat and lie a bit." +He set the child upon the table where the good woman was making fresh +cookies. He piled the little toys about her. "I'm going to market, to +market to buy a fat pig, and I'll be home again, riggy-jig-jig," he +declared in a singsong that fetched a chuckle from the waif, and she +followed him with a smile as he hurried out. "That smile will sweeten +a day's work in the trench," he assured himself. "I sure am some +foster-father when I get started!" + +A listless clerk at the Consolidated office gave him a ticket to be +delivered to the foreman of construction--the foreman sent him out +with other men on a rattling jigger-wagon. By being very humble, and +with the aid of his smile, he succeeded in begging a corned-beef +sandwich for his breakfast from a workman on the jigger who was +carrying his lunch to work. He ate it very slowly so as to make the +most of it. + +The new trench was in a suburban plot which had just been opened up by +a real-estate syndicate. It was a bare tract, flat and dusty, and the +only trees were newly planted saplings that were about as large as +fishing-poles. How the sun did beat into that trench! But Walker Farr +threw off his coat and used again his ready asset--his smile. He +smiled at the boss who sneered at the style of "fiddler's hair" worn +by a dirt-flinger--smiled so sweetly that the boss came over later and +hit him a friendly clap on the shoulder and said, "Well, old scout, +here's hoping that times will be better!" + +"I'll take her out on the bank of the canal this evening before +bedtime and we'll have a lark," reflected Walker Farr as he toiled in +the hot trench. And he stopped quizzing himself as to the whys of this +sudden devotion to a freakish notion. He seemed to know at last. + + + + IX + + THE GIRL FROM TADOUSAC + +When the noon hour came Farr went and sat under a spindling tree and +began to read in one of his little books, dismissing thoughts of +hunger with the resoluteness of a man who had suffered hollow yearning +of the stomach and knew how to conquer it. + +But he could not escape the keen eyes and kindly generosity of the +fraternity of toilers. + +"A topper down on his luck a bit--see his clothes," said the foreman, +and he took tithes from willing men who were eating from pails that +were pinched between their knees; he carried the food to the young +man. + +Farr accepted with gratitude, ate with thrifty moderation, and hid +what remained in the pockets of his coat; it would serve for his +supper. + +He ate that supper after his day's work was done and after he had +laved his face and hands in the overflow from a public fountain in a +little square. + +Then he hurried to the house of the good woman. + +She was busy with her dishes in the kitchen and Rosemarie was on the +knees of a young woman who sat and rocked in one of the sitting-room +chairs. + +Farr entered by the kitchen door and stood there, looking in with some +confusion on the girl and child. + +"It is only Zelie Dionne; she is my boarder," the woman informed him. +"She is a good girl and she has the very nice job in the cloth-hall of +the big Haxton mill. She lives with me because I was neighbor of her +good folks in the Tadousac country, so far away from here in our +Canada. Come! I make you acquaint. You shall see. She is a good girl!" + +Zelie Dionne rose and acknowledged the introduction with a French +girl's pretty grace. A bit of a flush lighted the dusky pallor of her +cheeks when Farr bent before her. The bow in her hair was cocked with +true Gallic chic and her gown was crisply smart in its simplicity. Her +big, dark eyes were the wonderful feature of her face, and Farr looked +into them and seemed to lose a bit of his cool self-possession; he +faltered in speech, groping for words in the first commonplaces. + +"You must talk together. I must work," said the good woman. She +hurried back into her kitchen. + +The child ran to Farr and climbed upon his knees. + +"You have been good to Rosemarie. I thank you," he said. "I suppose +the good woman has told you how it has happened." + +"Yes, when I came at noon." Her tones were peculiarly sweet and +compassionate. A touch of accent gave piquancy to what she said. She +looked at him meaningly. "I have been talking to our little Rosemarie +and she will not cry any more for her good mamma who has gone up to +the green hills because she is sick and must rest. So Rosemarie will +be patient and live here and I will be play-mamma." + +"Yes, play-mamma," agreed the child. "Good play-mamma! Two mammas! But +only one papa!" She put up her arms and tucked them about his neck and +snuggled down with a happy sense of complete understanding of his +protection. At last, so it seemed to her, she had recovered the father +she had never known. Poor, little, caged bird, her release from that +lonely prison was dated in her happy consciousness from his appearance +in the doorway, and all things had been well for her after he came-- +sunlight, the trees, the blue sky, and tender care, and the +companionship of human beings. Therefore, the rush of a love her +child's comprehension could not analyze had gone out to him. + +Farr returned with significance the look Zelie Dionne's dark eyes gave +him. + +"I found the note. It made me go a-meddling. It left a legacy to +somebody--and I accepted--without understanding why I did so." He +stroked the child's curls. + +"I did not understand at first--when Madame Maillet told me," she +confessed, with a smile. "Old Etienne came at noon to tell her and she +has told it to me. It is very sad--but yet it is comical when I look +at you. But as I look at you I understand better. You have a good +heart. I can see!" + +"I am only a strolling stranger--here to-day and there to-morrow," +protested Farr. "I think the heat must have affected my head. It has +been very warm lately. But when I saw her--" He choked suddenly. + +"Oh, it is easy to understand," said the girl, reassuringly. A mist of +tears came across her big eyes, though her mouth did not lose the +wistful smile. "The poor folks help one another--and they understand." + +"It wouldn't be right to give her to an orphanage," insisted Farr. +"She has missed too much already. Of course I don't pretend to know +what a little girl needs--but I am willing to be told." + +"I will tell you and I will help." + +"I think old Etienne and I need you in the partnership--as adviser. I +thank you." + +Then came the old Canadian, his wrinkled face tender with solicitous +interest, and he chuckled when he welcomed the new member of the firm. + +"Ah, Mam'selle Zelie she shall help us the very much in what we do not +know," he informed the young man, and continued, while the dark eyes +flashed protest: "I am of the Tadousac country, and she is a good +girl, for I have know her all the years since I trot her on my knee +when she much small as the petite Rosemarie. I can tell you how she +dance down the meadows in the ring-a-rosy play and how she--" + +"Phut! Your tongue is as long as your rake and it goes reaching down +into other folks' affairs, old Etienne! What cares this strange +gentleman for what happened in Tadousac? Go use your key instead of +your tongue. Unlock your little door so that Rosemarie may walk on the +cool grass beside the canal." + +The old man grinned and started away. + +"We're going out where the birds will sing good night to you," Farr +told the child and lifted her off his knees. But at the door she +stopped and turned to Zelie Dionne, who had not risen. + +"Come, play-mamma!" + +"I will wait here till you come back, Rosemarie." + +But the child was coaxingly insistent, holding out her hand. + +"I think it is because she has been so lonely all her life," suggested +Farr. "Now that she has found friends she wants them to be with her in +her little pleasures. May I presume enough to add my invitation to +hers?" + +She came and the child walked between them, holding their hands. + +"One papa and my play-mamma!" she said, looking up at them in turn. + +Mother Maillet came to the kitchen door and waved adieu with her dish- +towel. + +"Ah, the family!" she cried. "Yesterday it was not--to-day it is. And +grandpere marching off ahead!" + +"Old folks and children--they say embarrassing things," remarked Farr +when they were on their way. + +"One must be silly along with them to be disturbed by such chatter," +said Zelie Dionne, tartly. + +They followed old Etienne through his little door and walked along the +canal bank where the waters were still and glassy, for the big gates +had been closed and power lay motionless and locked in the sullen +depths till morning. The sunset behind the big mills glowed redly +through the myriad windows. + +They walked slowly because little Rosemarie found marvels for childish +eyes at every step, and even the cool carpet of the grass provided +unfailing delight as she set slow and cautious footsteps into its +yielding luxuriance. The old man plodded ahead, muttering and frowning +as he peered down at the flotsam in the motionless waters. + +The silence between the two who accompanied the child continued a long +time and Farr found it oppressive. + +"I have never been in Canada," he said. "I am sorry you did not care +to have Etienne talk about your home. I would like to know more about +that country." + +"He was talking about me instead of my home in Tadousac. I am not so +important that I am to be talked about." + +"Where is Tadousac?" + +Her vivacity returned, her dark eyes glowed. "Ah, m'sieu', you should +go there. It is in the country of the good habitants where the St. +Lawrence and the Saguenay meet. And now, as the sun is setting, the +people are resting under the wide eaves of the little white houses, +looking up where the hills are all so blue, or off across the wide +bay. The white houses are very small and they crowd along the road, +and the farms are narrow, and there is not much money in the homespun +clothes or in the old clock, but the good world is wide about them and +the people are not sad like those who sit yonder." + +She pointed across the canal to rows of wooden tenement-houses many +stories in height; on narrow porches, nicked one above another, and on +fire-escapes which were slowly cooling after hours on the forge of the +sun, men, women, and children were packed, seeking a breath of fresh +air. + +"They stand at loom and spinner and slasher all day," she said. "They +are too tired to walk afar to the parks. They wait there for good air +to come and it does not come." + +"I don't understand why they flock down here from Canada--why they +stay," he declared, bluntly. + +"Ah, you look at me when you say that!" she cried, arching her brows. +"You hear me talk about the sunset over the meadows and the hills, and +you wonder why I am not there? Well, listen! There are fourteen sons +and daughters of Onesime Dionne--that's my father--for all the +habitant folks marry young, and the priest smiles and blesses the +household when there are many children. And girls are not of much +account in the house. The sons claim and receive their shares of the +arpents of land when those boys are grown and married. The girl may +marry--yes! But what if the right one does not ask? What if the right +one has a father who says to him that he must obey and marry one the +father has chosen? All kinds of things can happen in the habitant +country, m'sieu'. So, then, the girl is less account in the house. And +the letters come back from the girls who have gone down into the mills +in the States. The pictures come back showing the new gown and the +smart hat--and so!" She shrugged her shoulders and tossed her free +hand. "One more girl for the big mill!" + +He stared at her with some curiosity. + +"You ask yourself which one of those things happened to me, do you +not?" + +"Perhaps," he confessed. + +"I talk little about myself. I talk about the habitant girls. I am +fortunate. I do not breathe the air where the looms clack. I inspect +in the cloth-hall because I have sharp eyes and nimble fingers." + +"But you came here alone--it is strange. I mean, do not the father and +mother and all the family move here, usually?" + +She lifted her chin and gazed at him with pride in her mien. + +"If you go to Tadousac you shall find that my father owns a large farm +and that one of his grandfathers was a captain with General Montcalm, +and many Dionnes have lived on the land that was given to a brave man. +I came to the States because I wanted to come. My people did not +come." + +She clipped the last sentence in a manner that suggested to Farr that +there was no more to be said on that topic. But she went on after a +time in softened tones. + +"It is not strange that so many came to the States, sir. The farms of +Beauce, of l'Islet, of the Chaudiere, were so crowded. Years ago, the +old folks used to tell me, the boys began to drive the little white +horses hitched to buckboards across the border in the early summer, +and the boys were strong and willing, and the farmers who laughed at +them and called them Canucks hired them for the hay-fields just the +same. And they slept in the haymows and under the trees and worked +hard and brought back all their money. Then the big mills needed men +and women and children, and the Yankee girls would not work in the +mills any more. You must understand how it was: Ouillette, who had +worked in the hay-field, would hear of the work in the mill, and the +Ouillettes would sell and go to the city. And as soon as they had seen +the lights and the theater and the car which ran with a stick on a +wire, and had earned their first pay and had bought Yankee clothes +they wrote home to their cousins the Pelletiers and the Pelletiers sat +nights till late talking excitedly--and then they sold and came, and +so it has gone on and on--the endless chain, one family pulling on its +neighbor, down the long way from Canada to the States. But it may be +all for the best. I am not wise in such things. But when the sun bakes +and the fever comes and the children die in the tenements, then I wish +the fathers and mothers were back on the little farms and that workers +of some other race than the habitants were chained to the looms in the +big mills. That may be a selfish thought, but my own people are dear +to me." + +Farr was not in the mood to argue the economic side of that question +with this girl who had so tersely told the story of two generations of +mill-toilers. With that little waif between them, victim of the +industrial Moloch which must roll on even if its wheels crushed the +innocent here and there, he permitted sentiment to sway him. In fact, +for a day and a night he had surrendered to sentiment and had found a +strange sort of intoxication in the experience. His heart was with the +humble folk and pity was in him--pity which was uncalculating and in +which his cynicism was dissolving. + +And when the stars were mirrored in the still canal and the grass was +damp with the dew, they walked back to the house of Mother Maillet and +little Rosemarie murmured her bit of a prayer and was tucked in bed. + +"I hope that some day I may go to Tadousac," said Farr to the girl, +before he passed out of the good woman's house. "I would like to see +the sunset, for you have praised it." + +"Ask for the house of Onesime Dionne, second beyond the big parish +cross. It will be easy to find, and the sunset is very grand from the +porch under the eaves." + +Farr went along with the old man and they walked slowly. Their way +took them down narrow streets between the high tenements. + +"Yes, you shall find it very grand at Tadousac--and M'sieu' Dionne is +an honest man," declared Etienne. "Now and then in the thirty year I +have been visit up there in Tadousac, and I sit those day and whittle +for the children and then little Zelie trot on my knee with the +others. So I know the story of those place. And all the people up +there don't care if I know, because I listen and am glad to know, and +sometimes I can give advice, for I have live long on the States where +great matters are happening. But Farmer Leroux would not listen to me +when I advise about his good son Jean and Zelie Dionne. Farmer Leroux +is a good man, but he is a hard man when his ugly mad get stir. And +the children up there do what the father tell--because that is what +the cure preach and it is the way of the habitants." + +"The old, old story--the Montagues and the Capulets on the banks of +the river of the North." + +"I think I know something what you mean, m'sieu', though I don't know +your friend you speak about. But if he say to his son, 'Ba gar, you +don't marry no girl what I don't like her fadder because we have +hosswhip one anodder t'ree or two time when we have fuss over line +fence--or crowd our wagon when we go to market'--why, then that's your +friend. And it start from there and grow into big thing, so that all +the cure can say it don't make no friend of them. So they wait--Jean +and Zelie! Ah yes, they wait!" He put his finger beside his nose and +winked. "They love. They get marry some nice day. But now!" He flirted +his gaunt fingers. "They say nottings. I maself say nottings. But I +see some very queer look in Jean Leroux's eye when he say to me as I +meet him at the gate of his fadder's farm, 'And how carries Zelie +Dionne herself these days?' And though he look high over the tree and +chew the straw and look very careless, ah, I see the big tear in his +eye and hear him choke in his throat." + +"It's played out and old-fashioned, this letting old folks manage +young folks that way just to satisfy old grudges," scoffed Farr. "If +they are in love they ought to get married and tell the old folks to +go hang!" + +Etienne stopped and gazed quizzically at the young man who thus +expounded the law for lovers. + +"I think you have in you none of the understanding of the French +habitants who have live the three generation on one farm so that a +young man, no matter if he love a mam'selle so very much that all the +bread he eat taste ashes in his mouth--ah, he cannot say 'I will +leave--I will go!' For then that young man must turn himself to be +anodder young man--and the habitant does not so change." + +"I may be a poor judge," acknowledged Farr. "I have never yet taken +root in the soil of any one place." + +"And I think, mebbe, the girl you do not understand! Is it to stay in +the home and hear every day about you love the pig of a Leroux, bah? +No, no, m'sieu'! That's too proud, is Zelie Dionne. And so is Zelie +Dionne too proud to take a son from a home that do not want her. So +they wait." + +"It's a tough old world, Uncle Etienne," said Farr. "Why, even I, lord +of my own affairs as I am, don't know where I'm going to sleep +to-night. Do you have a boarding-place?" + +"I have my little room on the block up there--my room and my place at +the big table. It is not grand. But there is place for you--and +anodder little room. If you like you shall come and I will speak good +for you." + +"All right, Etienne! Take me along and speak good for me." + +It was another such place as Block Ten. It was a crowded and stuffy +warren, and the basement kitchen advertised itself with stale odors in +all the corridors. But Farr was glad to stretch himself upon the +narrow bed. He owned up to himself that he was a very weary bird of +passage and confessed to his own heart, just as frankly, that he was a +captive in the frail grasp of a little girl--and he did not try to +understand. + + + + X + + POISON FOR THE POOR + +It proved to be an amicable and satisfactory partnership between +Etienne Provancher and Walker Farr and dark-eyed Zelie Dionne. + +When the days were pleasant the old man kept the little girl with him +out of doors on the canal bank. She did not trouble him by running +about. Her long days of confinement in the attic room had accustomed +her to remain quietly in one place. She sat contentedly in the shade +and watched the bugs in the grass and the birds in the tree above her. +In the cool of the evening she trudged along the canal bank with Farr +and the play-mamma until eyes grew heavy and little feet stumbled with +weariness and it was time for bed. Rainy evenings they studied the +alphabet or he read to her from picture-books in blazing colors, and +after a time she remembered all the stories and made believe read them +to him. + +He worked in the trench and looked forward impatiently to Saturday +nights when the clerk came along with the pay-envelopes; there were so +many things in the stores that would delight the heart of a little +girl who had never had any toys except a rag doll and a broken flower- +basket. Then there were pretty dresses to buy. The taste of Zelie +Dionne took charge of that shopping. When he bought the first one--one +that was white and fluffy--and Rosemarie walked out with him she +displayed such feminine pride in fine feathers that he looked forward +to future Saturdays nights and new dresses with anticipatory gusto. If +one had questioned him he could have told weeks ahead just what his +plans of purchases were, for he canvassed all the possibilities with +the play-mamma who knew so well how to get value for a dollar--who +knew the places to buy and whose needle helped to much. + +It was a wicked summer for those who were doomed to the mills and the +tenement-houses. The heat puffed and throbbed over the lashing +machinery. The slashers seemed to spit caloric. The spinning-frames +tossed it off their spindles. The looms fairly wove it into the warp. +The thick, sweet, greasy air seemed to distil cotton-oil upon the +faces of the workers. The nights proved to be no better than the days. +The stuffy tenements gulped in the hot air of midday and held it as a +person holds his breath. All the folks came out upon the little +platforms that were ranged, story after story, above each other. They +gasped for air in the narrow spaces between the high buildings. The +stars above those narrow spaces did not sparkle and suggest coolness; +they seemed to float above the hot earth like red cinders. + +Every day the undertakers' wagons came "boombling" down the narrow +canyons of streets between the "Blocks," for the people were dying. +The little white hearse was a more frequent visitor than the rusty +black one; the ranks of the children were paying the greatest toll to +death. + +"But we shall not worry about our Rosemarie," old Etienne told Farr. +"Under the shade on the green grass she shall stay where outdoors can +paint her cheeks the very fine color." + +But when the old man called for her at the good woman's house one +morning something else than the sun had painted the little girl's +cheeks--they were flushed with fever. He told the good woman to send +straight for the doctor, and went to his work much disturbed. + +Later in the day the yard overseer, passing the rack, saw that the man +was working with furious energy. He was even reaching out his rake to +capture floating stuff before it touched the bars. + +"This seems to be your busy day, Pickaroon," suggested the overseer. + +"I make believe this old rack to be a good friend of mine and that the +float stuff be sickness come at him--so I work hard to keep it away." + +The overseer went along about his business, commenting mentally on a +Frenchman's imagination. + +When the big mill bells clanged the noon hour Etienne hurried to the +good woman's house. The city physician had been there and had left +medicine--two tumblers of it. He had hurried in and had hurried away +and had been curt and brusk and had not told her what was the trouble, +so the woman reported. But the child had been sleeping. + +She was drowsy all that evening while Farr held her in his arms and +Etienne sat near by with Zelie Dionne, ministering solicitously. + +"Her cheeks are not so hot," said the young man many times. He talked +hopefully to reassure himself as well as the others, for he had been +dreadfully frightened when he had come from his work. Fright had +trodden close on the heels of much joy--for the superintendent of the +Consolidated had taken him out of the hot trench that day and had +appointed him boss of twoscore Italian diggers, doubling his pay. + +"I have been watching you," the superintendent told him. "You're built +to boss men. What kind of a bump was it that ever slammed you down +like this?" + +The answer the superintendent got was a smile which put further +questions out of his mind. + +"No, her cheeks are not so hot," affirmed Farr when he laid her in her +bed that night. "She will come along all right." + +But at the end of a week languor still weighed on the child. There +were circles under her eyes and her cheeks were wan, and she did not +clap her hands with the old-time glee when he brought her new toys; +the playthings lay beside her on the bed and invited her touch-- +staring eyes of dolls, beady eyes of toy dogs--without avail. + +"It is the queer way of being sick," lamented the old man. "The doctor +mebbe not know, because he very gruff and do not say. I think I know +what may cure her--it has been done many time. + +"Away up in the Canada country there is the shrine of the good Sainte +Anne de Beaupre. There she stand in the middle of the big church and +she hold her little grandson in her arm--the little boy Jesus. So she +feel very tender toward poor, sick childs. Ah, I have seen her many +time--I have seen childs healed there and made so very smart--all +cure. She loves little childs. /Oui/. All about her feet are short, +small crutch where she has cure childs. The piece of her wrist-bone is +there in the sacristy--it look like a wee scrap of some gray moss +under the glass. And it cure when the good priest say the word for +her. I know the way to the shrine of La Bonne Sainte Anne--I will go +with the little Rosemarie and she shall sing and dance after that." + +For a moment the cynical smile of the skeptic etched itself at the +corners of Farr's mouth--the flash of the nature the young man had +hidden during recent weeks. + +He turned to Zelie Dionne and found her regarding him with grave eyes. + +"It is as M'sieu' Etienne says," she assured the young man. "La Bonne +Sainte listens very tenderly when the children come to her. She is +good to all, but her spirit leans over the poor little children and +comforts them." + +"You have been there?" + +"Many times, sir. It is not only the sick body that the good Sainte +Anne heals--she comforts anybody who is in much sorrow--she tells the +right way to go. There are many roads to take in this life--and if any +one goes to her with prayer and humble soul she will guide. Ah, it is +true, sir." + +There was earnestness in her features and conviction in her tones and +it was plain that Zelie Dionne was speaking out of the depths of her +heart, and Farr remembered what old Etienne had said about the son of +Farmer Leroux. + +"Yes, she will lead to the right way and make all well in the end," +asserted the girl. "And, most of all, she is kind and gentle to the +little children." + +Between her and the wistful old man Farr divided tolerant and kindly +gaze. + +"I believe in more things than I used to," he said. "I'm willing to +admit in these days that things I do not understand may have truth in +them. The doctor is not making her well. But it is a long way to that +shrine." + +"It is a long way, so! But I am very scare for her as she lie here all +day. I will carry her very tender--on the railway car--on the big +boat. The good Sainte Anne is everywhere, too. She will help." + +"If faith can move mountains it ought to heal easily one poor, little +toddlekins," muttered Farr. + +A new doctor came the next day, a breezy young man, a talkative and +frank young man, the assistant of the over-worked city physician, +whose municipal duties had obliged him to take on helpers. + +"I shall ask him, hey--about the shrine?" whispered Etienne to Farr +while the doctor was examining the child. + +"Yes; he'll be more patient with you than with me." + +"And do you think that pretty soon she can go on the railway if I be +very careful, good docteur?" asked the old man, wistfully, +apologetically. + +"Go where?" + +"On the pilgrimage to the shrine of the good Sainte Anne in the Canada +country." + +"Don't you realize what this case is?" demanded the young physician. + +"He have not say--he hurry in, he hurry out." + +"You the grandfather?" + +"No!" + +The doctor turned on Farr. + +"Father?" + +"No." + +"Then I can talk right out to you two. This is a case of typhoid that +will be fatal in twenty-four hours. There's no use lying about it." + +Old Etienne's mouth and eyes seemed to sink deep into his wrinkles, as +if Time had forced him suddenly to swallow an extra score of years. He +looked at Farr's blank and whitening face, and as quickly looked away. + +"Break it to her grandmother," advised the doctor, nodding toward the +kitchen where the good woman was at work. + +"But you don't know what you say," stammered the old man. + +"It so happens that I do, my man. I've been handling too many of these +cases to be fooled. Why, I've got more than fifty cases of typhoid in +this city--just myself." + +"But she has had sun and fresh air--on the canal bank where I tend the +rack." + +"Sun and fresh air can't cure victims of the poison that is being +pumped through the water-mains of this city," snapped the doctor. + +"Water-mains!" + +The doctor turned and stared at Farr, for the husky croak of his +exclamation had not sounded human. + +"That's what I said. You can't have lived very long in this state not +to know what we're up against on the water proposition." + +"I haven't lived here long. But about the child--it can't--" + +"Why, this Consolidated Company is owned by Colonel Dodd and his +politicians--and they own all the city and town water systems in this +state," said the doctor, no longer interested in his patient-- +exploding with the violence of imprudent youth. "They boss mayors, the +aldermen, the politicians--boss the governor himself. That's because +they've got the machine and the money. They've got a lot of money, +because they won't wake up and spend it to lay lines far enough to tap +the lakes in the hills. They tap these rotten rivers at our back +doors, pump poison through the mains, sell it at prices that yield +them twenty percent dividends. They say the water is all right--and +back it up with analyses. I say it's all wrong." + +"And you damnation doctors are letting this go on--letting folks drink +poison--telling us when it's too late!" shouted Farr, purple replacing +the white in his face. + +"Well, the folks up-town who have got wisdom and the money buy spring- +water and mineral water. All the doctors don't agree that the river is +responsible for the typhoid. With the governor and the legislature +bossed by Dodd and his associates, and the city governments tied up by +them, and the banks taking orders from the syndicate in case any town +or an independent company tries to borrow money and install a water +system, and the mill corporations and the tenement-block owners all in +cahoots, a crusader who expected to get anywhere in politics or make +money out of his business would stand a fine and dandy show, now +wouldn't he? And the most of us in this world are trying to get ahead +either in business or in politics." He snapped the catch of his little +black case. "Forget what I have said, you two. I hold my job through +politics. I'm apt to talk too much when I get started. But don't drink +city water, no matter if Colonel Dodd's analyses do give it a clean +bill." + +Farr caught him at the door, restraining him with a heavy hand. + +"You stay here, don't you let that baby die. By the gods, she sha'n't +die!" + +"My staying will do no good, my friend. The little girl is death- +struck already. It's quick work with the children. Sometimes we can +bring the grown folks through. Get another doctor, if you feel like +it, but I've got to keep moving--there are lots of folks waiting for +me in these tenements." + +He shook off Farr's hand and hurried away. + +Old Etienne stood by the bedside, gazing down on the little sufferer, +closing and unclosing his shriveled hands as if he were grasping at +straws of hope, dragging the depths of his soul for reassurance even +as he dragged his rake in the black waters of the canal. + +"The whippersnapper lied about her. Because she's a baby he won't +bother," stormed Farr. "I'll ransack this town for doctors--I'll find +one who knows his business." He tiptoed to the bed and laid tender +palm against the child's cheek. "I say her face isn't as hot as it +was," he persisted. "Where can I find a doctor with gray whiskers, +Etienne? That young fool doesn't know." + +"There are many wise old docteurs in the long street named Western +Boulevard--they live in the big houses--but they don't come to the +tenement folks." + +"One of them will come this time even if I have to lug him on my +back." + +He began to search for his hat, not remembering where he had tossed it +in the haste and eagerness of his arrival at the good woman's house. +He did not find it readily and he rushed out bareheaded. + +"The sun and the air they do no good! It is the poison water--and the +poor folks of the tenements they do not know!" muttered the old man. +"That is what he say?" He went to the kitchen sink and unscrewed the +faucet. He sniffed and made a wry face, then he ran his thin finger +into the valve-chamber. He hooked and brought forth stringy slime, +held it near his nose, and groaned. "The poor folks do not know. They +who ask for the votes of the slashers, the weavers, the beamers--the +men of the mills--they who ask votes do not want the poor folks to +know, because the votes would not be given to them who sell poison in +the water," he told the astonished good woman who had watched his act. + +"I am careful about my kitchen--I am neat--I wash everything, +Etienne," she assured him, sniffing at the slime in the sink, overcome +by confusion, her housewife's reputation at stake. + +"Yes, but you cannot wash the souls of them dam' scoundrels who send +that water through the pipes to the poor people who can buy no other," +he raged. "This is not your blame--you did not know." He pointed his +finger, quivering, dripping with the slime, at the child on the bed. +"They have murder her! With this!" He slatted his finger with the +gesture of one who throws off a noisome serpent. + +"But I drink the water--it hasn't made me sick," she protested. + +"You--me--odders that are all dry up--tough old fools--we ought to die +and we don't," he raged, stamping back and forth across the kitchen, +waving his arms. "We have been poison so much we do not notice. But +the poor little childs--the young folks that die--die in these +tenements all the time--and we see the white ribbons hanging from the +doors, so many place every day--the poor young folks with life ahead +and much to live for even down here--they are poison and they do not +know! Oh, /le bon Dieu/! Boil dem dam' devil in hell in the water they +have sell to the poor!" He stopped, shocked by these words he heard +coming from his mouth, and crossed himself contritely. "But I look at +her--I hear what the docteur say--I talk and I cannot help!" He +staggered into the room where the child lay, and sat down in a chair +and held his face in his hands. + +It was an aged and somewhat unctuous physician whom Farr brought. The +doctor pursed his lips and puckered his eyebrows above the little +wraith who minded him not at all, lying with eyes half closed, +plucking with finger and thumb at the bedclothing. + +"With a bit stronger constitution--if she were a little older-- Take +the case of an adult--" + +"Say it short," growled Farr, clenching his fists as if he wanted to +beat indulgence for the child out of the hide of the world. "I'm +paying you for her life." + +"I have nothing to sell you in this case--therefore there can be no +pay." He leaned over the bed and smoothed the moist, tangled hair away +from the child's brow. "I can only /give/ you something, my friend. I +give you all my sympathy. This baby is departing on a long journey, +and I'm Christian enough to believe that the way will be made very +smooth for the feet of little children. That's the faith of an old +man." + +There were both earnestness and tenderness in his tones--the smugness +of the physician was gone. He shook Farr's hand and went out of the +room, treading softly. + +And the next day Rosemarie's tiny fingers stopped their flutterings +and she went away--somewhere! + + + + XI + + THE LORDS OF THE CITY + +Walker Farr would not allow the tiny body of Rosemarie to be carried +away in the white hearse. In his grief he had not been able as yet to +dissociate the identity of the child from the poor little tenement in +which her spirit had dwelt for the few barren years of her life; it +seemed to him that she would be very lonely in the white hearse. He +rode to the cemetery, holding the tiny casket across his knees. There +was only the one carriage--it was sufficient to carry the friends of +little Rosemarie: one Walker Farr and old Etienne and play-mamma Zelie +Dionne. + +The rack-tender sat opposite Farr and nursed a bundle on his knees. He +had wrapped it surreptitiously. + +The two men sent Zelie Dionne back to the city in the carriage. But +they waited beside the grave until the sexton had finished his work; +Farr felt an uncontrollable impulse to wait till all was ended, as he +had always waited every night till the little girl was sound asleep +and tucked up in bed in the good woman's house. He sat crouched on the +edge of a turfed grave, elbows on his knees, his hands clutched into +his shock of hair. + +After the sexton had departed, tools on his shoulder, Etienne +unwrapped the bundle. He began to arrange the child's toys on the +grave. + +"It is as the others do--the fathers and mothers of our faith in the +tenement-houses," he explained, wistfully, to the young man. He +pointed to other graves in the vicinity, short and narrow graves. Toys +were spread on them, too. They were the poor treasures of dead +children. The toys had been left there in the vague, helpless yearning +of parents who strove to reach their human consolation beyond the +grave. + +Farr gazed on these pitiful memorials of the children--from those +graves to the new mound which covered Rosemarie. The ache that had +been in his throat for so many hours grew more excruciating. He +realized that a father in those circumstances would weep, but he did +not feel like shedding tears, and he was ashamed of himself for what +seemed lack of something within himself. What he felt then, what he +had felt ever since that young doctor had passed sentence of death was +surly, bitter rancor--the anger of a man who is robbed. + +"Look all around at the graves," said Etienne, tears in his wrinkles. +"I know something better since I take off that faucet. Not all the +martyr die when the lion eat 'em up and the fire burn 'em; there be +some martyr these day, too. And sometimes, mebbe, some man what have +the power will come here and see all these poor little grave and then +he go and choke the lion what eat all these poor childs." + +"What kind of man would that be?" pondered Farr. At that moment he had +little faith--much less faith than usual--in the decency of any human +being; and for many years his faith in humankind had been expressed by +a contemptuous snap of his finger. + +To sit there longer and look at that fresh earth with the pathetic +toys sprinkled over it was a torment his soul could not endure. + +He arose and hurried away and Etienne followed him. They trudged in +silence back to the city--Etienne to take his rake and pike-pole from +the hands of the man who had substituted at the rack, and Farr to +resume surly domination over his sweating Italians. + +"The martyrs," Etienne had called them. The notion of that stuck in +Farr's brooding thoughts. + +He tried to look deeper into his own heart than he had ever looked +before and explain to himself just what motive had attracted him to +the child in the first place; he had never been especially interested +in children before. He found himself muttering, "And a little child +shall lead them," without understanding just why this child had led +him so strangely. + +If one Walker Farr had understood it at all and had been able to +explain it to himself, he would have penetrated the mystery of the +dynamics of love--the great gift to humanity that God has not seen fit +to expose in its inner workings. Therefore, Farr strode here and there +in the hot sun, spurred his diggers with crisp oaths, and on the heels +of his profanity muttered to himself, "And a little child shall lead +them." + +The tile boss of the Consolidated, whose crew was following the +trench-diggers, accosted Farr, after several inspections of his +lugubrious countenance. + +"Don't you think you need to be cheered up a little?" + +Farr scowled at him. + +"I don't know what has disagreed with you, but you're certainly in a +bad way," pursued the boss. "Go up with the crowd to City Hall +to-night and hear 'em open up the police scandals. Plenty of free fun +for the heavy-hearted! There are about half a dozen fat cops in this +city who'll be fried to a crisp on both sides, and the sound of the +sizzling will be pleasant in the ears." + +"I'm not interested." + +"You will be, if you tend out. The hearing is before the mayor and the +whole city government. Nothing very hefty in the way of charges--only +loafing in beer-coolers during the heat of the day, spending their +time chasing the labor-agitators out of the parks, and letting +burglars keep house all summer in the mansions up-town while the +owners are away at the seashore. It's all more or less of a joke." + +"Why don't the mayor and aldermen of this city attend to duty instead +of jokes?" + +"Oh, this city is run so smooth that there's nothing to do in the +summer except stage a little farce comedy at City Hall." + +"Let me tell you that there's something to be investigated in this +city that isn't a joke," raged Farr, his bitter ponderings blossoming +into speech. + +"What's that?" + +"Murder going on every day in this damnable town." + +"Well, I guess if there was any murder going on which we didn't hear +about, even from our fat cops, it would be investigated, all right. +What's the matter with you?" + +"I'm glad now you told me about that hearing to-night," stated Farr, +ignoring the other's curiosity. "I'm glad I know when and where to +locate the mayor and his men in session. I'll find out if they propose +to waste the people's time hearing funny stories about policemen and +are going to let murder go on while they are laughing." + +He strode away, cursing at his workmen as he tramped along the side of +the ditch. + +Farr knocked at the garret room of Etienne early that evening. + +"I want you to come with me," he commanded. + +The old man obeyed without questions. As they walked along the streets +Farr did not volunteer information. He was grimly sure that if Etienne +should receive an inkling of what was expected of him the old man +would not stop running until he had crossed the Canadian border. + +They were ten minutes worming their way through the press that packed +the corridors of City Hall. Groups were bulked at the doors admitting +to the aldermen's room--men thatched against each other and +overlapping like bees in a swarm at the door of a hive. + +But the young man was tall and his shoulders were broad and he kept +uttering the magic words, "Room for witnesses!" In his own +consciousness he knew that what he should attempt to testify to that +night was not on the slate, but the crowd accepted him as one of those +from whom they anticipated entertainment, and allowed him to pass--and +Etienne, holding to his young friend's coat, followed close and made +his way before the throng could close in again. + +The hearing began and progressed, and there was much laughter when the +delinquencies of certain fat policemen were related--it was a free- +and-easy affair--a sort of midsummer fantasy in municipal politics--a +squabble between ward bosses who had become jealous in matters of the +distribution of police patronage. + +Walker Farr, standing against the wall of the audience-chamber, did +not laugh. He was busy with thoughts of his own. This bland fooling in +municipal matters while stealthy death, protected by city franchise, +dripped, so he believed, from every faucet in the tenement-house +district, stirred his bitter indignation. Etienne Provancher stood +beside him, and the old man did not laugh, either, because he did not +understand in the least what those men were talking about. And he was +very uneasy, wistfully awe-stricken, hardly daring to touch with his +hands the polished oak at his back. He was in the great /hotel de +ville/ whose exterior he had stared at many times without presuming or +daring to enter the broad portals. + +Then there came a recess while the mayor examined papers at his desk. +The aldermen leaned back in their chairs with lighted cigars. + +"Etienne," whispered the young man, deep resolve thrilling him, his +eyes blazing into the wondering gaze of the old man, "those men who +sit behind those desks can do something to save the children and the +poor folks in the tenements. But they must wake up, these men here +must. You and I must try to wake them up!" + +Etienne's eyes opened wide. He did not in the least comprehend how he +could serve. + +"I know you will not desert a friend, Etienne. I know you'll stand +behind me. I know you love the children. So be a brave man now!" + +The next moment Etienne was so frightened that he feared he would drop +where he stood, because the young man raised his voice so that it rang +through the great hall and all eyes were turned that way. + +"Your honor the mayor, and gentlemen; I am a stranger here. But I +humbly ask permission to address you." + +"If you are a witness in the police matter you will be called on in +your turn after the recess," stated the mayor. + +"I am not a witness in the police matter. I am here on other +business." + +"There is no other business before this meeting." + +"But there should be, sir, for the business I have come on is a +dreadful matter. It is a matter of life and death." + +A hush fell on those in the chamber, and the mayor and his aldermen +leaned forward, staring apprehensively. They had been warned that +there were dangerous labor-agitators in the city. Many meetings had +been broken up by the police at the request of Colonel Dodd, president +of the Consolidated Water Company, and other employers had backed him. +This tall young man had startled them with his sudden outbreak. + +"It is a matter, gentlemen, which concerns every man, woman, and child +in this city--vitally concerns them every hour of the day--every hour +they are awake. You say you have no other business now except this +silly police investigation. For God's sake, wake up and attend to real +business--save the people's lives. Here you are in session and here +are the people to listen." + +"State your complaint. Be very brief," commanded the mayor. + +But Walker Farr, it was plain, possessed craft as well as courage; he +realized that curiosity, properly tickled, will make men more patient +in listening. + +"First, I want to call a witness. I am not known to this city. But I +have here a man whom many of you know, I'm sure, for he has stood out +in plain view of a street where many pass, and has worked there for +thirty years. It is Etienne Provancher." + +Several men laughed when Farr pushed the old man into view. There was +a murmured chorus of "Pickaroon." + +"It's for the children--the poor folks--for the memory of our little +girl," hissed Farr in the old man's ear. "Will you go to your bed +to-night--the night of the day we buried her--knowing that--you are a +coward? These are only men. We must tell them so that they will know. +Speak! Tell them!" He set his firm clutch around the trembling old +Frenchman's arm and held him out where all could see. + +"I do not know how to talk here--to so much man--to the lords of the +city," stammered the miserable old man, licking his parched lips, +scared until all was black before his eyes. + +The hush was profound. Men curved their palms at their ears, wondering +what old Pickaroon could have to say in City Hall. + +"Remember what we have left up there--in the cemetery--the poor +children in their graves," muttered Farr, again bending close to +Etienne's ear. + +Then, thus reminded, thus spurred, all his Gallic emotion bursting +into flame in him suddenly, the old man felt the desperate resolution +that often animates the humble and ignorant in great emergencies. The +little ones had been martyrs--why not he? That thought flashed through +the tumult in his brain. + +"Yes, since you all hark for me to speak I will speak," he declared. +"Messieurs, I am a poor man. Not wise. It is very hard for me to talk +to you. But I have been to-day up where the little children are bury-- +so many of them, with their playthings on the graves. I went to take +there anodder little child, poor baby girl. I leave her there with the +odder ones--so very lonesome all of them--their modders cannot sing +them to sleep any more." + +"This is irregular," cried the mayor. "What do you want?" + +"Nottings for maself," cried Etienne, passionately shrill in his tone +now. "But I have to ask you, masters of this city, how much longer +shall you send poison down the water-pipes to the poor folks and the +children in the tenement blocks? It is poison that has kill our little +Rosemarie--and all her life ahead! The doctor say so--and he say I +cannot understand about the rich man, why he do it. But I understand +that the childs are dying. I say you shall not sent that water--if you +do send it I will bring here the fadders who have lost their babies +and the modders of the babies." His lips curled back in his excitement +and froth flecked his mouth. "Sacred name of God! We shall tear that +poison-factory up from the ground with our bare hands!" + +"Officer, put that man out of the room," ordered the mayor. + +"Won't you listen to us?" shouted Farr. "You are the chief magistrate +of this city. You and these aldermen are the guardians of the people. +Are you going to sit there in those cushioned chairs and let a crowd +of rich assassins murder the poor people?" + +Men hissed that speech. + +The mayor rapped his gavel furiously. + +"This is no matter to be brought up here at this time. You're +slandering honorable men, sir! We have other business." + +"Can there be any other business as important as this?" + +"Put both of these men out, officer." + +"Are you and these aldermen owned by the water syndicate, as report +says you are?" cried Farr. "Look here, you men, men in this room and +at the door! This is your City Hall--these aldermen are elected by +your votes. Aren't you going to demand that the people be heard in +this matter? Don't you know that typhoid fever is killing off the +children in this city--and that poison water is the cause of it?" + +"It's rotten stuff to drink--we all know that," cried a voice. "But +there'll have to be a change in politics in this state before they'll +give us anything else." + +Two policemen elbowed their rough way to Farr and Etienne. + +"The big chap is right--it's about time to have this water question +opened up, Mr. Mayor," called another voice. + +"Open it up in a legal and proper way, then," snapped the mayor. "Go +to the law." + +"That's it--go to the law--go to the law," jeered another. "And we'll +all be dead and the lawyers will have all our money before the thing +is decided." + +There were more hisses. + +But an outburst of indorsing voices indicated that many men in that +chamber understood more or less of the political management behind the +Consolidated Water Company. + +"If a thing is wrong, change it. What better law do you need than +that?" asked Farr, disregarding an officer's thumb that jerked +imperious gesture. + +"When you know a little more law you won't be ignoramus enough to come +into a public hearing and try to break it up. You'd better go and +study law," said the indignant mayor. He pounded his gavel to indicate +that the recess was over. + +"I'll take your advice," replied Farr, towering over the policeman and +vibrating his finger at his Honor. "If you hadn't found law so handy +in your own case you wouldn't forget yourself in your excitement and +recommend it to others. If we've got to fight the devil we'd better +use his weapons." + +Men shouted approval all around him. + +"Clear the room," ordered the mayor. "Everybody out!" + +"Keep your hands off," Farr advised the officer nearest him. "I'll go +without any help. I have found out that I'm only wasting my time in +this place." + +In the corridor men pressed around him. Some of them insisted on +shaking his hand. Others shouted commendation. Still others exhibited +only frank curiosity in the stalwart stranger. And others were +clamorously hostile. + +"By gad! If you wanted to start something you took the right way to do +it," affirmed one of the throng. + +"You showed good courage," declared an elderly man with an earnest +face. "Some of the rest of us have tried to do something in the past. +But those who didn't have much power were either kept out or kicked +out of any office in city government or the legislature--and those who +did amount to something were gobbled up by the machine. The machine +can pay. Working for the people isn't very profitable. So I'm afraid +you won't get very far." + +"You needn't worry about that chap not getting along all right," +remarked one of the group--but his indorsement was ironical. "He's a +construction boss for the Consolidated, and he went into that hearing +to start some kind of a back-fire. Shrewd operators--the Consolidated +folks." + +The men about Farr pulled away from him and there was considerable +malicious laughter in the crowd. + +"So we see the game, even if we don't catch on to the meaning of it +just now," said the observant one. + +Farr squared his shoulders. They stared at him with fresh interest and +a bit of additional respect. They saw in him something more than a +mere popular agitator--a disturber of a municipal hearing; he must be +a trusted agent of the great political machine, executing a secret +mission. + +"You're right--I have been working for the Consolidated," he admitted +in tones that all could hear. + +"Move on! Get outdoors! Clear this corridor--all of you," shouted a +captain of police who had come hurrying up from down-stairs and had +taken command of the situation. + +The crowd began to surge on, following Farr. + +"I went to work digging in their trenches because I struck this town +on my uppers and needed the money--needed it quick. I was promoted to +be a boss. But I want to tell you now, gentlemen, that I do not work +for the Consolidated." + +"I reckon you're right," said somebody. "I just overheard a man +telephoning to the superintendent about you--and if I'm any judge of a +conversation you are /not/ working for the Consolidated. Not any +more!" + +"I'm sorry you're going to leave the city," lamented the elderly man. +"We need chaps like you." + +"I'm not going to leave the city." + +"You might just as well," counseled one of the bystanders, "after what +you said in that hearing. If you get a job in this city after this +you'll be a good one!" + +When they were outside City Hall, Farr waited for a moment on the +steps. Etienne, still trembling after that most terrible experience of +his placid life, pressed close at the young man's side. + +"Will all you gentlemen please take a good look at me so that you'll +know me when you see me again?" invited the ex-boss for the +Consolidated. + +They stared at him. His face was well lighted by the arc-light under +the arch of the door. + +"I am not a labor-leader, nor a walking delegate, nor a politician, +nor an anarchist. You men go home and unscrew the faucets in your +kitchens, take a good sniff, and pull the slime out of the valve. Then +remember that the mayor and aldermen of this city wouldn't listen to +me to-night in the Hall that the tax-payer's money built. Also +remember that a little later they will listen to me. Gentlemen, my +name is Walker Farr. I'm going to stay here in this city. Good night." + + + + XII + + AT THE FOOT OF THE THRONE + +As usual at nine-thirty in the afternoon, the big tower clock on the +First National Bank building in the city of Marion pointed the finger +of its minute-hand straight downward. + +As usual, at this hour, as he had done for many years, Colonel Symonds +Dodd eased himself down from the equipage that brought him to his +office. This day the vehicle was his limousine car. + +In view of the fact that Colonel Dodd owned the First National block +the big clock seemed to point its finger at him with the bland pride +of a flunky in a master. It seemed to say, "Behold! The great man is +here!" + +Colonel Dodd was never embarrassed when fingers were pointed at him +wherever he went. If a man is lord of finance and politics in his +state he expects to be pointed out. + +When he stepped from his car he carried in his arms, with great +tenderness, a long parcel which was carefully wrapped in tissue-paper. +He always carried a similar parcel when he came to his office. Each +morning the gardener of the Dodd estate laid choice flowers on the +seat of that vehicle which had been chosen to convey the master to the +city. + +Colonel Dodd coddled the long parcel with the care a nurse would have +bestowed on an infant--but he kicked his fat leg clumsily at an urchin +who got in his way on the sidewalk. A college professor of Marion +happened to be passing at the moment and saw the act and knew what the +colonel was carrying in his arms. The professor made a mental note of +fresh material for his lecture on "The Psychological Phenomena of the +Bizarre in the Emotions." The professor had just met a woman wheeling +a cat out in a baby-carriage. + +The doctor had advised exercise for the colonel--a small amount. The +colonel toilsomely climbed the one flight of stairs to his office. +That was his daily quota of exercise. + +A little man with a beak of a nose was waiting in the corridor and +hastened to unlock a door marked "Private," and the colonel went in, +and the little man locked the door and tiptoed down the corridor to +the general offices. + +Before he removed his hat Colonel Dodd carefully stripped the tissue- +paper from the damp flowers. There were two huge bouquets. He set +these into vases of ornate bronze, one on each end of his desk. He +patted and stroked the flowers until they appeared to best advantage. +He stood back and bestowed affectionate regard on them. No human being +had ever reported the receipt of such a look from Colonel Symonds +Dodd. It was rather astonishing to find softness in him in respect to +flowers. He seemed as hard as a block of wood. He had a squat, square +body and his legs seemed to be set on the corners of that body. His +square face was smooth except for a wisp of whisker, minute as a +water-color brush, jutting from under his pendulous lower lip. + +He hung up his hat and stood for a moment before a massive mirror. The +report in Marion was that he stood before that mirror and made up his +expression to suit the character of a day's business. + +Then he sat down at his desk and stuck a pudgy finger on one button of +a battery of buttons. + +A girl entered with a promptitude which showed that she had been +waiting for the summons. + +He did not look up at her. His gaze was on one of the bouquets. + +She brought a portfolio and packets of letters all neatly docketed. + +His salutation was merely, "Miss Kilgour." Colonel Dodd did not deal +in many "Good-mornings." It was also reported in Marion and the state +that his stock of urbanity was so small he was compelled to expend it +very thriftily. He certainly did not waste any of it on his office +help. He might have afforded at least one glance at the girl, for she +was extremely pretty. Still another report in Marion was to the effect +that he had selected Kate Kilgour as his secretary as the final +artistic touch to the beauty of his private office in order that he +might have a perfect ensemble. She did seem, so far as his interest in +her went, to be only a part of that ensemble which he occasionally +swept carelessly with his gaze--he reserved all his intimate +admiration for the bouquets. + +She laid his "Strictly Personal" letters on his fresh blotter. + +She sat down and began to read the business letters aloud, not waiting +for his orders to begin. It was her daily routine, business transacted +as Colonel Dodd wished it to be transacted--crisply, promptly, +directly. + +He dictated replies, usually laconic, even curt, as soon as she had +finished each letter. His eyes were on the flowers as he talked. + +When the letters were finished she retired with her portfolio and her +notes, the thick carpet muffling the sound of her withdrawal. + +After he had slit the envelopes of his personal correspondence and had +read the contents the colonel pushed another button. The little man +who had been waiting in the corridor slipped edgewise in at the door. +He was thin and elderly and his knob of a head, set well down on his +pinched shoulders, had peering eyes on each side of that beak of a +nose. When he walked across the room his long arms were behind him +under his coat-tails and held them extended, and he bore some +resemblance to a bird. In fact, one did not require much imagination +to note resemblance to a bird in Peter Briggs--many folks likened him +to a woodpecker--for he flitted to and fro in Colonel Dodd's anteroom, +among those awaiting audience, tapping here and rapping there with the +metaphorical beak of questions, starting up the moths and grubs of +business which men who came and waited hid under the bark of their +demeanor. + +"Seventeen, Colonel Dodd. Five for real business; twelve of them are +sponges." + +"The five?" + +"Chief Engineer Snell of the Consolidated, Dr. Dohl of the State Board +of Health, the three promoters of the Danburg Village Water system." + +"Send in Snell." + +Engineer Snell did not sit in the presence of his president, nor did +the president ask him to sit. + +"Briggs tells me the Danburg men are here." + +"They're waiting out there, Colonel Dodd." + +"Quitting?" + +"I don't think so--just yet. They look too mad. I gave 'em the harpoon +in good shape, as is usual, but I didn't expect they'd run here so +soon. Thought they would flop a little longer." + +"They got their poke from Stone & Adams yesterday afternoon, did +they?" + +"Yes, Colonel. My report to Stone & Adams showed that the Danburg plan +of levels is faulty, that their unions are not up to contract, that +their station and pumps are inefficient for the demands. So Stone & +Adams had to tell 'em that their bonds were turned down." + +"Do you know whether they have tried another banking-house yet?" + +"I don't believe they have had time, Colonel." + +"But such fellows always do try. Their banging in here on me so +quickly looks a little irregular. In business, you know, Snell, if you +tie a tin can to a dog and he runs and ki-yi's, that's perfectly +natural and you can sit back and wait for nature to take its course. +If the dog doesn't run, but sits down and gnaws the string in two-- +then look out for the dog." + +"I must admit they're coming here sudden after their jolt. They look +mad. But I figure they must have quit. The jolt was a hard one, for +Stone & Adams had been leading 'em on--according to orders." + +The colonel stared at a bouquet. + +"Have you got your other report--the side report--in shape for me to +get a hasty idea? If they have come here with a proposition--want to +quit and cover themselves, I need information right now." + +Engineer Snell laid papers on the desk. He proceeded to explain. + +"If you don't feel you have time to go over it--don't want to keep the +Danburg crowd waiting--I can tell you that the plant is pretty nearly +all right. So much all right that you can afford to slip 'em a couple +of thousand apiece on top of what they have already spent. I don't +suppose you want 'em to holler too loud. I can tell you that Davis, +Erskine, and Owen--those men out there--are cleaned out. They have put +in all their ready money. They were depending on Stone & Adams for the +first instalment from the bonds, so as to take up some thirty-day +notes and pay bills due on material." + +Colonel Dodd meditated, pulling on his wisp of whisker. + +"It's one thing to encourage enterprise in this state--it's another +thing to be everlastingly paying rake-offs to local promoters who grab +a franchise when we're not looking and then hold us up. I don't want +to hurt the Danburg men. But my stockholders expect certain things of +me and it's about time men in this state understand that we propose to +control the water question. Snell, you go and talk to those Danburg +men like a father to children. Send them in here smoothed down and +we'll do the right thing by them." + +He signaled for Briggs and told him to admit Dr. Dohl. + +The doctor, chairman of the State Board of Health, was a chubby man +with a tow-colored, fan-shaped beard. He sat down and sprung his eye- +glasses on his bulgy nose and drew out a package of manuscript. + +"Colonel, I have felt it my duty to write a special chapter on the +typhoid situation in this state for the report of the State Board of +Health." + +"Very well, Doctor." The colonel was curt and his tone admitted +nothing of his sentiments. + +"DO you care to listen to it? It rather vitally concerns the +Consolidated Water Company." + +"You don't blame us for all these typhoid cases, do you?" + +"No, sir--not for all of them." + +"Why blame us for any of them? Our analyses show that we're giving +clean water. How about dirty milkmen and the sanitary arrangements in +these tenement-houses and all such? It's the fashion to blame a +corporation for everything bad that happens in this world." + +"We have placed blame on milkmen where any blame is due," stated Dr. +Dohl. He tapped his manuscript. "But I have spent considerable of my +department's money in making a house-to-house canvass, tracing the +sources. The man before me /guessed/. I have made /sure/! Colonel +Dodd, the Consolidated water is pretty poisonous stuff these days." + +"What's the matter in this state all of a sudden?" snapped the +colonel. "I am told that a lunatic almost broke up our city government +meeting the other night, shouting that the Consolidated is trying to +poison folks. You're too level-headed a man to get into that class, +Dr. Dohl." + +"I'll allow you to set me down in any class which seems fitting from +your point of view," replied the doctor, stiffly. "But if that +lunatic, as you call him, got an angle-worm or a frog's leg out of his +tap I don't blame him for breaking up a meeting of the city government +which will tolerate the water which is being pumped through the city +mains just now." + +"We're working on the filtering-plant--it will be all right in a +little while. It got out of hand before we realized it," said the +colonel, now a bit apologetic. + +"In this crisis your filter amounts to about that!" The doctor snapped +a pudgy finger into a plump palm. "The river-water in this state has +been poisoned. You must go into the hills--to the lakes, Colonel +Dodd." + +"You don't mean to say that you recommend that in your report, +Doctor?" + +"Absolutely--emphatically." + +"Without stopping to think of the millions it will cost my company to +build over its plants?" + +"It has come to a point where it isn't a question of money, Colonel." + +"We can't afford it." + +"Then let the cities and towns of the state buy in their water-plants +and do it." + +"Good Jefferson! Don't you know that every city and town in this state +where we have a water-plant has already exceeded its debt limit of +five percent?" + +"Do I understand you as intimating, Colonel Dodd, that there is no +help for this present condition of affairs?" + +"Look here--I'm neither a Herod nor a Moloch, even if some of the +crack-brained agitators in this state will have it that way," +protested the magnate, with heat. "Are you going to print that report +before you have given us time to turn around?" + +"With one hundred deaths a day from typhoid fever in this state, +Colonel, that matter of time becomes mighty important." + +"Look here, Dohl, don't you remember that it was my indorsement that +gave you your job?" + +"I do, Colonel Dodd. But I'm a physician, not a politician." + +"I see you're not," retorted the colonel, dryly. "But you're a member +of our political party, and you know that the Consolidated and its +associate interests are the backbone of that party. There are a lot of +soreheads in this state, and we're having a devil of a time to hold +'em in line. Every savings-bank in this state, furthermore, holds +bonds of the Consolidated. Do you want to start a panic? You've got to +be careful how you touch the first brick standing in a row. Dohl, you +leave that report with me. I'll go over it. I'll take the matter up +with the directors. We'll move as fast as possible." + +The doctor hesitated, stroking the folds of his manuscript. + +"You're not doubting my word, are you?" demanded the colonel. + +"No, sir!" Even the physician's sense of duty did not embolden him to +persist under this scowl of the man of might. + +The colonel took the document from Dr. Dohl's relaxing hands and +shoved it into a pigeonhole of the big desk. + +"You must understand that pipe-lines to lakes cannot be laid in a +minute as a child strings straws, Doctor," admonished the magnate. + +"Do you propose to lay lines to the lakes, Colonel? I need to throw a +little sop to my conscience if my report is delayed." + +"Everything right will be done in good time, Dr. Dohl. I will proceed +as rapidly as possible, considering that the law, finance, and +politics are all concerned. As you are leaving," he added, giving his +visitor the blunt hint that the interview was over, "I must draw your +attention to the fact that if you bludgeon the Consolidated with a +report like this it may be a long time before we can move in the +matter. You'll only scare the banks and set the cranks to yapping. +Just remember that you're a state officer and have a weighty +responsibility to your party and to financial interests." + +Dr. Dohl went away. He sourly realized that he was only a cog in the +big machine; that for a moment he had threatened to develop a rough +edge and start a squeak, but the big file had been used on him. It had +been used on many another of the State House cogs, as he well knew. +Responsibility as to his party! Safety and sanity in regard to +financial interests! He knew that these talismanic words had been used +to control even the lords in national politics. He departed from the +Presence, muttering his rebellion, but fully conscious that a +political Samson in modern days made but a sorry spectacle of himself +when he started to pull down the pillars of the party temple. + +He continued to mutter when he walked through the anteroom. + +Most of the men who waited there had faces as lowering as the visage +which Dr. Dohl displayed. + +The doctor had not lost all faith in his own fearlessness and +rectitude of motive, but he was obliged to acknowledge to himself that +just then he was a rather weak champion. + +"However, I'd like to lay eyes on the sort of man who can unjoint this +devilish combination of politics and law and finance," he informed +himself, trying to justify his own retreat. + +His eyes, in passing, swept a stranger. + +The stranger was a tall young man with wavy hair and brown eyes. He +sat patiently, nursing a broad-brimmed black hat on his knees. + +"I'd like to see that man!" repeated Dr. Dohl, mentally, sugar-coating +his disgust at his own weakness. + +If mortal man were gifted with prescience Dr. Dohl would have stared +out of countenance the tall young man who sat on a bench in the outer +office of the state's overlord and nursed a broad-brimmed hat upon his +knees. + + + + XIII + + THE CODE AND THE GAGE OF BATTLE + +"I appreciate zeal in public affairs," mused Colonel Dodd, gazing at +the door which Dr. Dohl had closed behind him. "But once there was a +retriever dog who chased his master with a stick of dynamite that had +a sputtering fuse." + +He set his broad hands upon the arms of his chair, derricked himself +up, and went over to the mirror. He peered at himself and seemed to +rearrange his countenance, much as a woman would smooth the ruffled +plumage of her hat. + +"We're not murderers," he informed the composed visage which the +mirror held forth to him. "But we haven't got to the point where we're +letting lunatics who break up city government meetings, or crank +doctors, tell us how to spend a million or two of the money we've +worked hard to accumulate. There's getting to be too much of this +telling business men in this country how to run their business. If +we're peddling typhoid fever in spite of what our analyses tell us, +then we'll go ahead, of course, and clean up." Colonel Dodd was +willing to acknowledge that much to himself, surveying his countenance +in the mirror. "But we'll continue to run our own business," he added. + +Then he sat down again in his chair and pushed a button. "Briggs," he +directed, "send in those three men from Danburg." + +He whirled his swivel-chair and sat there at his desk, his rectangular +front squared to meet them. + +The three men who came in were of the rural businessmen type, and +their faces were not amiable. Two of them halted in the middle of the +sumptuous apartment and the third stepped a couple of paces ahead of +them. He carried a huge roll of engineers' plans under his arm. + +"My name is Davis, as I suppose you know, Colonel Dodd," he reported. + +"Have seats, gentlemen." + +"We are tired of sitting," stated the spokesmen, with sour +significance. + +"I understand, Mr. David. But mornings are very busy times for me. I +was attending to appointments made beforehand. You made no +appointment, and I was not expecting you." + +There was silence, and the three men glowered on him. It was evident +that settled animosity emboldened these country merchants even in the +presence of Colonel Symonds Dodd. + +"I was not expecting you, I say." + +The colonel's demeanor displayed a little uncertainty; he had rather +expected suppliants. He knew what a nasty blow had been dealt these +men the day before. + +"Probably not," assented Davis. "You expected that after Stone & Adams +yanked the gangplank out from under us yesterday we would put in at +least one day tearing around to other banking firms, trying to place +our bonds." + +"Why--why-- Well, if Stone & Adams-- You naturally wouldn't take the +verdict of one banking-house on a matter of bonds, would you?" + +"Look here, Colonel Dodd, we understand you--clear way down to the +ground--and we may as well save wear on our tongues. And first of all +we have come right here to save shoe-leather. We have come straight to +headquarters. Do you suppose we're going to gallop around this city to +bankers after the word has gone out about us? Not much! We are here in +the captain's office, and you can't fool us about that." + +"I never heard such--" the colonel began to sputter. + +"I know you never did--and it's getting your goat," asserted the blunt +countryman. "We've got a plain and pertinent question to put to you-- +do you intend to ram us to the wall in our water deal?" + +The head of the state's water trust simulated anger perfectly, even if +he didn't feel it. And there was astonishment in his anger. + +"What have I to do with your dealings with bankers?" he demanded. +"Probably your plant isn't up to pitch." + +"That talk doesn't go with us, not for a minute, Colonel Dodd," +shouted the undaunted Davis. "You're talking to business men, not to +children. We offered to leave the matter of our plan to any three +engineers in this state. Why is it that Stone & Adams refuse to take +the word of anybody except your man, Snell?" + +"They probably want the word of the best consulting-engineer in the +state." + +"But he's your man." + +"He is our man because he is the best. We hire him for our work. But +we do not control his opinions when he is consulted by others. Oh no! +And I want to tell you, my men, that I refuse to listen to any more +such talk from you." + +"Then call in one of your political policemen and have us put out," +invited the unterrified Davis. + +"Build your plant right and your bonds will sell. Our bonds sell when +Mr. Snell reports on our plants." + +"We'll save our strength in the matter of building plants and running +around trying to place bonds with brokers who have been tipped off by +the money trust of this state. We propose to get it straight from you +first. You can't fool us for one minute, I repeat! We'll have our last +wiggle right here. Will you take your hands off our affairs?" + +"I haven't put my hands /on/ your affairs," shouted Colonel Dodd, +furious at being baited in this amazing manner. Never before had any +visitor dared to raise his voice in that office. "You're crazy." + +"You're right--we are--pretty nearly so. Myself and these two +neighbors of mine have tied up every dollar we can rake and scrape to +build a water-plant for our little village and give our folks clean +water from a lake, not the rotten poison you would pump out of our +millstream for us. We have tried to do this for our town and make an +honest dollar for ourselves. Now you have got us lashed to the mast, +financially, so you think, and you propose to step in and gobble our +franchise. That's enough to make men crazy." + +"Get out of my office!" + +"You grabbed the franchise and common stock of Westham that way," +declared Davis. "You scooped in Durham and Newry and a lot of others. +But I'm here to warn you, Colonel Dodd. Danburg is going to choke you +if you try to swallow it. We are only countrymen, and we know it. You +have always done all the bossing and threatening in this state up to +now. But I tell you, Colonel Dodd, there comes a time when the rabbit +will spit in the bulldog's eye. If we three go out of this room in the +same spirit in which we came into it something will drop in this +state. We shall have a story to tell." + +Colonel Dodd swung his chair around and faced his desk. + +"Gentlemen, let's not get excited," he appealed. Ostensibly he reached +for a pencil. He also pushed a button he had not touched before that +day. Then he came around slowly on the swivel of his chair. "You have +mentioned certain towns, Davis. Those towns have water systems that +are a part of the Consolidated, to be sure. But the men who promoted +those plants and were unable to complete them came to us and begged us +to step in and take the burden off their hands." While Colonel Dodd +talked he kept glancing, but in an extremely unobtrusive manner, at a +huge and magnificent Japanese screen that occupied one corner of his +office. "It is easy enough to start ventures in this world, Mr. Davis. +An inexperienced man can do that. But it most often takes experience +and a lot of money to install a successful water plant." + +"We want to get down to cases, Colonel Dodd," insisted the spokesman. +"We haven't come here without posting ourselves. We know how you have +talked to the others. But you can't bluff us. You propose to steal our +plant, such of it as we have been able to build to date. One word from +you to the money gang takes the hoodoo off us. Now talk business! Do +you propose to pot us like you have the rest?" + +The heart of the big rose in the center of the screen flashed once +with a glow that was imperceptible unless one had been gazing at it, +watching for a signal. Colonel Dodd understood that Miss Kate Kilgour +had entered through a low door and was behind the screen, ready with +note-book and pencil. He leaned back in his deep chair and interlocked +his pudgy fingers across his paunch. + +"I assure you I have not the least interest in your projects as to the +Danburg water system, Mr. Davis, Mr. Erskine, Mr. Owen." He dwelt on +the names. "The Consolidated has plenty of its own business to attend +to." + +"But I say you are trying to run /our/ business, too--no, ruin it!" + +"Do you realize, Mr. Davis, that you are accusing me of criminal +conspiracy--making a statement that might go hard with you in a court +of law? You have accused me of trying to discredit you with banking- +houses. Can you produce any proof except your foolish and unjust +suspicions? You have been made angry by a refusal to handle your +bonds. I don't sell bonds. I build and operate water systems." + +"The same old game," sneered Davis. "Your water syndicate, the +railroads of this state, the banks, the politics--they're all snarled +up together like snakes in winter quarters. I say, if you pass the +word our bonds will be taken. If you don't do it, I'm going to trot +out of this office and expose your highway-robber system." + +"In one breath you threaten me because you say I'm interfering in your +affairs. In the next breath you threaten me because I refuse to +interfere. You are making dangerous talk, Davis. I may call the courts +to pass on that threat. There is only one proposition I can make to +you--and that's strictly in the line of my business. If you are tied +up financially--are at the end of your resources and must have help-- +I'll give you my aid in getting the Consolidated to take over the +Danburg plant at a fair valuation." + +"Is that the best word you've got for us?" + +"I have made you an honorable business proposition." + +"That your final talk?" + +"Absolutely." + +Davis found words inadequate for his boiling emotions just then. He +advanced on Dodd, who shrank back into his chair. Davis whipped the +long roll of plans out from under his arm, held the roll by one end, +and swung it like a bat-stick. But he did not strike at Dodd, as the +magnate seemed to apprehend. + +He swung over the colonels' head and swept the top of the desk clean +of everything; vases, bouquets, /objets d'art/, all went rolling and +smashing to the floor. + +Colonel Dodd ducked low and held his square head in his hands as if he +feared that the next assault would be on that. But Davis led his +associates out of the room through the door which Briggs had flung +open, summoned by the crash in his master's holy of holies. + +For the first time, perhaps, in the history of that private office the +door leading into the anteroom was left open and unguarded. Briggs ran +into the room, his coat-tails streaming, his inquisitive beak +stretched forward. On his heels followed the tall young man who had +been waiting in the anteroom. It was Walker Farr, who closed the door +behind him, shutting out the curious anteroom clients who flocked and +peered. + +When the colonel lifted his head he found himself looking squarely +into the eyes of this tall young man whom he in no way remembered. + +Briggs went down on his hands and knees and began to pick up the +debris. + +One of the bouquets had rolled to the colonel's feet, and he stooped +with some difficulty, recovered it, and laid it across his knees. He +gazed past Farr with a frown--with a significant, dismissing jerk of +his head. The young man turned in time to see the capitalist's +handsome secretary. The amazing riot in the sanctuary of her employer +had brought her from behind the screen. Uncertainty and alarm were in +her eyes and excitement had flushed her cheeks. Against the background +of the gorgeous screen she seemed a veritable apparition of +loveliness, and while Farr stared, frankly admiring her, recognizing +her, exchanging that startled recognition with her, she disappeared. + +"How do you dare to come into my private office in this fashion?" + +"I have waited in that anteroom every day for ten days, trying to get +an audience. The door was open just now and I came in." + +"It's your own fault if you haven't seen me. I see men who have +business with me and who send in an explanation of that business." + +"So I have been told by that man," stated Farr, pointing to Briggs, +who was groping about on the carpet. "But my business with you +couldn't be discussed through a third party." + +"Now that you're in here, what is that business?" + +"I'll tell you first what it is /not/, so that there won't be any +misunderstanding in your mind about me. I am not here to borrow money, +beg money, ask for work, ask for a personal favor of any kind, solicit +a political job, nor have I anything to sell to you or to give to you. +So, you see, my business is different." + +With a quick motion he brought out a parcel which he had held +concealed in the broad-brimmed hat. + +Briggs straightened up on his knees and remained thus, seemingly +paralyzed, staring at the parcel. + +The capitalist sank back in his chair, his face growing greenish +white. + +"Don't you throw that bomb!" he gasped. In his panic he was not able +to deduce any other explanation for the presence of this stranger who +had so strenuously disclaimed all reasonable motives for his visit. He +quailed before this man who seemed to be a dangerous crank--for Farr's +attire was out of the ordinary and his eyes were flashing and his +poise was that of a man sure of himself. + +"What do you think I have here in this package?" + +"Dynamite!" mumbled the magnate. + +"It's worse." + +Colonel Dodd rolled his head to and fro on the back of his chair, +shutting his eyes in vain attempt to find somebody to whom to appeal +for help. He started a furtive hand in the direction of the battery of +buttons. + +"Keep your hands in your lap," commanded Farr. "I say that what I have +here in this package is worse than dynamite." He tore the paper and +disclosed a half-dozen faucets that were still dripping with slime. +"You know now what I mean, Colonel Dodd. This is the stuff your water +company is pumping through the pipes in this state." + +The president of the Consolidated straightened in his chair, but he +had been thoroughly frightened. + +While Farr talked on the colonel seemed to be gathering himself-- +recovering his voice. + +"It's a mighty bold act for me to come in here like this, Colonel +Dodd. I understand it. I'm a poor man and a stranger in this city. +Just consider me a voice--call me Balaam's ass if you want to. But +I've come up from the tenement-house districts where the children are +dying." + +"What do you want?" The magnate discharged the question explosively. + +"Pure water in the city mains." + +"Whom do you represent?" + +Farr hesitated. Colonel Dodd scented possible political strategy in +this visit, and was controlling his ire in order to probe the matter. + +"Come, my man. Out with it! Who commissioned you to come here?" + +"I'll not claim that I have any powers delegated to me, sir." + +"How did you dare to force your way in here?" + +"Considering what kind of a man I was a few weeks ago, I'm having +pretty hard work to explain to myself what I'm doing, sir." + +The colonel knotted bushy brows. This person seemed to be playing with +him. "Who told you to come here?" + +"The soul of a little girl who was named Rosemarie." + +Colonel Dodd came out of his chair, thoroughly angry--and yet he +repressed his anger. This person, more than ever, seemed to him to be +a crank with vagaries. + +Farr put up a protesting palm. His tones trembled, and into them he +put all the appeal a human voice can compass. + +"I know I astonish you, Colonel," he added. "I astonish myself. I'm +not much on self-analysis. I don't know just what has come over me the +last few weeks. But they do say the Deity picks out queer instruments +when He wants things done. Man to man, now, forgetting you're a mighty +man and I'm a small one, won't you say you'll give the people of this +state pure water instead of poison?" + +"You don't think you can stroll in here and coax me to build over the +whole Consolidated system, do you?" + +"That isn't the idea at all, sir. Treat me simply as a voice--a jog of +your conscience--a reminder. I'll go away and you'll never see me +again." + +"If you think the cranks in this state can influence me in the least +item about running my own business you're the worst lunatic outside +the state asylum," declared the colonel, with passion. + +"You mean that what I have asked on behalf of women and children +hasn't had any effect on you?" + +"Not the slightest. Get out!" In his present mood Colonel Dodd would +not admit to this interloper that he planned reforms, and in that +moment he unwittingly created his Frankenstein's monster. + +Farr retreated a couple of steps and bowed. "Colonel Dodd, in my part +of the West we fellows had a little code: help a woman, always, +everywhere; tote a tired child in our arms; and, in the case of a man +who announced himself an enemy, give him fair notice when it came time +to pull guns. Better get your weapon loose on your hip." + +He bowed again and went out. + +Briggs rose from his knees and his master snapped an angry stare from +the door that the young man had closed softly behind himself. + +"What kind of a resort is my office getting to be? Do you know who +that devilish fool is, Briggs?" + +"No, sir. He has been hanging around here, that's all I know. I kept +at him." He made a little dab of his woodpecker beak. "But I couldn't +find out anything from him." + +"Well find out from somebody else, then. And get judge Warren on the +'phone for me." + +When the bell rang and the colonel heard the voice of the +Consolidated's corporation counsel greeting him on the wire he ordered +the judge to come over at once. + +"Hell has just burned through here in three small patches," stated the +colonel, grimly. "The sooner we turn on the Consolidated hose, the +better." + + + +In the early dusk of a summer evening Mr. Peter Briggs stood at the +edge of the sidewalk of one of the squalid avenues of the district of +the tenement-houses of Marion. His hands were behind him, propping out +his coat-tails. He kept peering at the gloomy stairway of a house near +at hand. Take the gloom, his attitude, and his sooty garb, and he gave +a very picturesque impression of a raven doing sentinel duty. + +At last a tall young man came down the stairs which Mr. Briggs was +watching and strolled off leisurely up the avenue, stopping here and +there to chat, nodding to this man, flourishing a hand salute to that +man. The young man apparently had nothing whatever on his mind except +to enjoy a stroll in the summer evening. + +Mr. Briggs watched him out of sight without moving from his tracks. +Then he withdrew both hands from under his coat-tails. In one hand was +a note-book, in the other hand was a pencil. Mr. Briggs made an entry, +closed the book with decision, and snapped an elastic band around the +covers. Then he made off toward his home. He lived up-town in a +section where there were fewer smells and better scenery. He +determined that this should be his last tour of surveillance. He had +found his trips into the nooks and crannies of the Eleventh Ward to be +very distasteful employment for a man who had served Colonel Dodd for +so many years in the sumptuous surroundings of that office in the +First National block. + +He asked himself what would be the use of hunting for any more +information regarding such an inconsequential individual as one Walker +Farr? He wondered why this crank had impressed Colonel Symonds Dodd +sufficiently to stir up all this trouble for himself, Peter Briggs. +The fellow had come from somewhere--nobody in Marion seemed to know. +He had been discharged from the employment of the Consolidated. Now he +was going about, warning all the people to boil the city water they +drew from the faucets. He seemed to be a crank on the water subject, +so Peter Brigg's note-book recorded. + +The book also recorded that this queer Walker Farr strolled about the +streets in the poorer quarters, "currying favor": so Peter Briggs +expressed the young man's evening activities in the note-book. That +seemed to be all there was to it. At any rate, Peter Briggs decided +that he had finished his quest. + +Thereupon he had snapped the elastic band with vigor and made up his +mind to tell Colonel Dodd the next morning that chasing that worthless +fellow around or thinking that such a fellow could do anything to +interfere with Colonel Dodd was poppycock. Peter Briggs hoped he would +dare to call it "poppycock" in the presence of his master--for he was +thoroughly sick of being a sleuth in the ill-smelling Eleventh Ward. + +He did dare to call it poppycock. And Colonel Dodd shrugged his +shoulders and forgot one Walker Farr. The fellow seemed inconsiderable +--and Colonel Dodd found other matters very pressing. + +For one thing, those three men from Danburg had brought suit against +both Stone & Adams and the Consolidated Water Company and had engaged +as counsel no less a personage than the Honorable Archer Converse, the +state's most eminent corporation lawyer, a man of such high ideals and +such scrupulous conception of legal responsibility that he had never +been willing to accept a retainer from the great System which +dominated state affairs. Colonel Symonds Dodd feared the Honorable +Archer Converse. It was hinted that the Danburg case would involve +charges of conspiracy with intent to restrain independents, and would +be used to show up what the opponents of the Consolidated insisted was +general iniquity in finance and politics. + +Colonel Dodd outwardly was not intimidated. He sent no flag of truce. +He decided to intrench and fight. He cursed when he remembered the +interview with the Danburg triumvirate. + +"Under ordinary circumstances I would buy them off in the usual way," +he informed Judge Warren. "But that damnation lunatic raved at me with +all the insults he could think of--then he up with his dirty bunch of +plans and knocked my flowers on to the floor--yes, sir, that was what +the mad bull did--he knocked my flowers on to the floor!" + +And Colonel Dodd emphasized that as the crime unforgivable. + + + + XIV + + THE MATTER OF DOING WHAT ONE CAN + +It was from Citizen Drew that Walker Farr heard the story of Captain +Andrew Kilgour. + +Citizen Drew was the elderly man with the earnest face who had been +first to commend Farr that evening at City Hall when he and old +Etienne had made their pathetically useless foray against bulwarked +privilege. + +Folks in Marion who knew Citizen Drew had forgotten his given name. In +his propaganda of protest he called himself "Citizen." He built +carriage-tops in a little shop where there were drawers stuffed with +political and economic literature, and he read and pondered during his +spare hours. + +Farr sought out Citizen Drew and sat at his feet, with open ears. + +For Citizen Drew knew the political history of his state, the men +concerned, their characters, their aims, their weaknesses, their +virtues, their faults--especially did he understand their faults-- +their affiliations with the Machine, their attitude toward the weak; +he had followed their trails as the humble hound follows big game. + +Therefore, Farr, a stranger in that land, seeking knowledge with which +to arm his resolve, went and sat with Citizen Drew and learned many +things. + +Sometimes loquacity carried Citizen Drew a bit afield from the highway +of politics, and when he touched on the case of Captain Andrew Kilgour +Farr's heart thumped and his eyes glistened. For Drew prefaced the bit +of a story with this: + +"I never knew Symonds Dodd to do anything toward squaring a wrong he +had committed except when he gave Kate Kilgour a fine position in his +office. And there are those who say that he was only showing more of +his selfishness when he hired her; he wanted the prettiest girl in the +city to match his office furnishings." + +"I have seen her," said Farr, trying to be matter-of-fact. "I--I sort +of wondered!" + +"Her father was a friend of mine. He was a good man. And the +Consolidated money couldn't buy him. His people were Kilgowers in +Scotland and he was a man not given to much talk, but he was willing +to let me run on, nodding his head now and then while he smoked. He +was an honest man and the best engineer in the state, and he kept his +own counsel in all things. And he showed me the Kilgower coat of arms +--and he didn't show that to many. He was no boaster. He was proud of +his people, but he used to say that it made but little difference who +the ancestors were unless the descendants copied the virtues and tried +to improve over the faults. There was a Kilgower who went down across +the border and gave himself as a hostage so that the clan might gain +time--and he knew that he would be hung--and he was. But he saved his +people. And I wish you would remember that, Mr. Farr, for it explains +a bit the state of mind of Andrew Kilgour. + +"He wouldn't sell himself for the gang's dirty work--he made honest +reports. So they did for him, Mr. Farr. And he couldn't afford to have +them do for him, because his wife was vain and a spendthrift and he +let her waste and spend because he was a good and simple man when it +came to the matter of a woman's domination over him. That's the curse +on strong men--they are tender when it comes to a woman. She wasn't +worthy of him, his wife. It's the daughter who has his honesty. I +think if she knew who had done for her father she would not stay in +Symonds Dodd's office. But the gang does for a man most often without +leaving the trail open when they run away and hide. + +"He would come here and sit with me and smoke and was very silent. I +knew there were debts and I knew well enough that the woman wanted him +to sell himself. + +"He raked and scraped money--he sold everything of his own, his +instruments and all. He took out every cent of insurance that money +would buy. Then he put prussic acid in a capsule--a shell of salol, I +believe they said it was--so that the work of the poison would be +delayed, and he swallowed the capsule on the street and went into an +office and sat and chatted with friends and joked and laughed much +more than was his habit till at last his eyes closed and his face grew +white and he fell out of his chair upon the floor stone-dead, and +never uttered a groan. + +"It was brave work. They called it heart disease, but it's not easy to +fool insurance people. They took him out of his grave and proved +suicide--and they did not pay a dollar of insurance to his family. +They were not obliged to. The policies were new and the suicide clause +let the companies out. So he left only debts instead of twenty-five +thousand dollars. However, I say it was brave work." + +"It would have been braver to stay and face it," blurted Farr. + +"But Andrew Kilgour had a code of his own--a state of mind some of us +could not understand--the example of an ancestor. We are not all +alike. Many cannot stay and face trouble. You might be able to do it-- +you seem to have a level head!" + +Farr grew pale, his hands trembled on the arms of his chair, and then +he got up and marched across the little shop to the window, turning +his back on Citizen Drew. + +"You told them in City Hall that you would stay here and fight," +pursued Citizen Drew. "That is brave work." + +"I'll be much obliged to you, Citizen Drew, if you'll leave me out of +your catalogue of heroes. And I take back what I said about his facing +it. I hadn't any right to make any such comment." + +"So the girl went to work in Symonds Dodd's office and his nephew is +courting her. I hope he doesn't get Andrew Kilgour's daughter. He +never went after any other girl honestly. I have looked into this case +because I was Andrew's friend. Young Dodd wants to marry her and the +mother is helping him. But I know that rapscallion, Mr. Farr. I can't +believe that Kate Kilgour will be caught by him." + +"He has a fine position, they tell me," said Farr, still gazing out of +the window. + +"The Machine made old Peleg Johnstone state treasurer, and he doesn't +know bonds from biscuit. Colonel Dodd put in his nephew as chief +clerk, and old Peleg is a figure-head, smoking his pipe in the back +office and resting his wool-tipped boots on his desk. Oh, I know the +bunch of 'em, sir. I can tell you the inside of things. Young Dodd +takes orders from his uncle and runs the treasury. All the state's +money is in the Dodd banks on the checking-account basis--and the gang +is letting it out at six percent. Tidy little profit! And nobody to +say a word, even to ask how Richard Dodd finds so much money to spend. +But that's the principal wonder in the world, Mr. Farr--how your +neighbor gets his money to blow. Jones, Smith, Brown, and Robinson-- +they stand and look at one another and ask the same question. And +folks in the Eleventh Ward are even asking me how you get your +living," added Citizen Drew, smoothing his curiosity with a bit of +jocoseness. + +"I have been working in this city--doing good, hard work," stated +Farr, moving toward the door. + +"Yes, but you have been discharged." + +"I understand how it is you know so much stuff to tell me," returned +the young man, smiling. "Well, Citizen Drew, I'm going to take the +first job that offers itself. Tell 'em that!" + +"I'm glad of it," said Citizen Drew, with blunt heartiness. "If you +have set out to do anything among the plain folks you've got to be at +work in the open, earning honest wages, or they'll suspect you. They +have been fooled too often by fakes and loafers. But since you +advertised yourself in City Hall you may find jobs a little hard to +land. It's pretty much of an air-tight proposition, Consolidated +influence." + +"I have somebody looking after my interests in that line, Citizen +Drew. I'm not worrying." He opened the door. "In fact, there are two +mighty helpful chaps whom I'm going to associate with more or less +from now on." + +"Bring 'em with you and let me know 'em. Can't have too many in a good +cause." + +"I'll bring them--but they are pretty hard to understand--rather slow +getting acquainted--lots of folks have no use for them," said Farr, +starting down-stairs. + +"What are their names?" asked the inquisitive citizen, eager for more +additions to his general stock of information. + +"I'll tell you later." + +But Farr named them to himself when he was on the street. + +"Chance and Humility--I hope you are going to stick by me from now +on," he muttered. "Chance, you have led me into a queer position and +into a strange state of mind. Humility, you are helping me to +understand. Now, Chance, what have you to say to me?" + +It was more of the fantastic whimsy with which Walker Farr played. + +His eyes, searching the street after this challenge to Chance, beheld +an ice-wagon rumbling past. It was a neat-looking cart, painted white, +and bore the advertisement, "Crystal Pure Independent Ice Company." + +Another wagon, painted dirty yellow, followed. It was a Consolidated +ice-cart; Farr knew those carts with their loads of river-ice. + +The spectacle of something which promised rivalry to that yellow cart +piqued his interest. His mood welcomed the first adventure which +Chance presented. He had found Chance playing peculiar pranks with his +affairs in the days just past. + +He hurried in pursuit of the white cart and accosted the driver. + +"Where can I find the manager of this company?" + +"He's up at Coosett Lake this afternoon, sir." The man was respectful. +The stranger's garb and demeanor impressed him. "The trolley will take +you pretty near it. Take a car in the square--a Halcyon Park car." + +Without canvassing the matter further Farr took the car. + +He decided that it was a most comforting sensation, this abandoning +his problems to Chance! It saved so much fuss and worry. + +He found the little lake at the limits of the park area--a hollow +among the hills. + +Men were busy at the foot of the slope over whose crest he marched. He +saw several rough buildings at the edge of the lake, plainly makeshift +ice-houses. One was a new structure and the other two were old barns +which had been "darned" here and there with new material, and their +yawed sides were propped with joists. Men were loading ice upon carts; +the translucent cubes flashed in the rays of the sun. + +During the process of his little crusade he had become acquainted with +the conditions in the city of Marion and he knew that the Consolidated +folks controlled the ice-supply as well as the water. They held an +iron grip by legislative charter on all the riparian rights along the +river and allowed no one else to operate an ice-field. He had seen and +sniffed the unwholesome slime which a melted cake of Consolidated ice +deposited. + +When he found opportunity he accosted a man in corduroy. He was a big +chap, bronzed by the sun, and Farr singled him out as the manager +because he had been directing the other workers while he toiled +himself. + +"It's a little business of my own," said the man. "I have started in +independent." + +"I had thought the Consolidated had control of everything." + +"They would control everything if they could. They wouldn't let me run +my carts through the city streets if they knew how to stop me. I +worked for them fifteen years, lugging their dirty ice on my back, up +stairs and down, and I know that crowd. I don't understand much of +anything but the ice business, mister, whoever you are. But I wouldn't +lug any more of that ice into homes. I put my savings in here, every +cent, hired these barns and a shore privilege, and I'm selling clean +ice. But I'm going to lose every blamed cent! It's no use. I can't +buck 'em. Excuse me! It's no interest to you. My mouth runs away with +me when I get talking about that gang." + +He went back to the barn to help his men shift a runway. + +Farr waited patiently until he was able to speak to the busy man +again. + +"I don't mean to bother you, sir," he said, humbly. "But I am +interested in this proposition of yours. I have worked for the +Consolidated, myself. I was discharged because I stood up and damned +their water before the mayor and aldermen." + +"Say, I heard something about that!" cried the iceman, displaying +prompt interest and admiration. "The boys said it was good work." + +"I mention it merely to put myself right with you." + +"Then say on ahead, my friend!" + +"Do you tell me you can't make a go of this?" + +"I'm afraid I can't. It's a half-mile haul for me to the nearest +siding. The railroad folks don't give me any better rate than they're +obliged to--and you know why that is! And I have to have another set +of carts for the city delivery. And no capital to work with! I'm up +against a crowd that has all the money, plenty of equipment, and has +its supply right at the back door of the city--and it belongs at the +back door! But you know what the buying public is! The only reason why +I have lasted is because my old customers gave me their business and +are sticking pretty well." + +"My friend," declared Farr, putting his hand on the shoulder bent and +ridged by many years of ice-toting, "lots of men who are making money +as missionaries are not doing half the good in the world you're doing. +You're certainly showing some of the citizens of Marion the difference +between good ice and frozen gobs of pestilence." + +"A fellow needs grit, grace, gumption, and a lot of missionary spirit +to fight what I'm fighting, mister. I ain't going to say anything +about a lot of obstacles the syndicate has put in my way. Those were +to be expected in the way of regular business competition. But you can +see I have only got limited resources here, and I can't afford a big +outfit in the city. Sometimes I have run short, the best I could do-- +and it's mighty little sleep I have. And the Consolidated drivers have +refused to sell ice to anybody who has been buying of me even when +mothers have pleaded so as to keep milk for sick babies from souring. +That's orders from headquarters! You wouldn't think that the same big +chaps who boss the governor of the state would get down to such +nubbins as that, eh? But they do--that's their system. They used to +tell me that it's the only way a big syndicate can keep its grip-- +never leave a bar down! Yes, sir, they have blacklisted my customers +until they'll be good and give the Consolidated a yearly contract. +More than that, they pass word along that I'll be out of business by +another season and that folks who have bought of me this year will be +given the go-by next! Can you beat it?" + +"Are you going to see out to them?" + +"No," said the iceman, grimly. "There are two good reasons: I won't +sell and they won't buy. They will kill me out so that nobody else +will be encouraged to try the scheme again." + +"I want a job," stated Farr, curtly. "I want to work for you. Give me +a place on one of your carts in the city." + +"Say, look here," blurted the other man, frankly astonished, "you look +more like a gent than an iceman!" + +"No matter what I look like. The main question is, can I lug ice? Feel +of my muscle!" + +"It may be a poor outlook for your pay--working for me," warned the +proprietor. "And if you ever want another job in Marion you may be +blacklisted. I don't want to get you into a scrape." + +"I can't be in any worse scrape than the one I am in now. Haven't I +just told you who I am?" + +"Oh, I know that! I reckon you're the same fellow. But, see here, +mister, I'm one of those simple kind of galoots--and the less a man +knows the more suspicious he is. You ain't wanting to work for me just +because you need a job!" + +"I do need a job! I have spent the little money I had by me after I +was fired by the Consolidated. I had some special expenses--the +funeral of a--a friend," he added, wistfulness in his tones. He drove +his hand into his pockets and exhibited a few small coins in his palm +when he pulled his hand out. "That's my cash--every cent of it!" + +"Sure! I see it. But money's easy enough to come at by a fellow like +you when he needs it. You haven't come across all square with me yet!" +It was not mere inquisitiveness; it was the insistence of a plain man +who wanted a definite peg on which to hitch the first warp of +association. "You've got to handle money of mine," he went on. "I'm in +a tight place and I have got to have the right men tied up with me. I +wouldn't have to ask one of those boys yonder why he wanted to lug +ice. But you ain't no ordinary slouch, mister. You don't do things-- +not many of 'em--unless you've got a good reason for same." It was the +instinct of ingenuousness. "Keep it all to yourself if you want to. +But in that case you'll have to excuse /me/!" + +Farr did not hesitate. He smiled. + +"You're a down-on-the-ground fellow who may be able to understand the +thing better than I do myself," he declared. Again he put his hand on +the bent shoulder. + +"You didn't break loose from a good job and start this ice business +here simply to make more money, did you?" + +"Well, I've got a family to support and I wanted to make some money, +of course, but I thought it was about time to have less relics, germs, +curiosities, microbes, and general knickknacks left in ice-boxes after +the ice had melted. So I went out of the frozen museum business, +mister." His voice softened suddenly. "We lost a little girl a year +ago last summer. Typhoid!" + +"I lost a little girl--a friend," said Farr, patting the shoulder. +"It's this way with me-- What is your name?" + +"Freeland Nowell." + +"Mr. Nowell, I have poked more or less fun in my life at men who +claimed to have missions. Perhaps that was because those men drew my +attention by advertising their missions loudly--and, therefore, I +concluded that all men with licenses to cure this and fix that and +regulate the other were fooling themselves or else were bluffs. But +all of a sudden I have waked up to something. I believe that any human +being who isn't doing a little something on the side to help somebody +else in this life is mighty miserable. I believe that the average sort +of folks are doing it--keeping it quiet, in most cases, perhaps. I +thought I had a mission and I stood up in your city government and +advertised it and made considerable of an ass of myself." + +"Well, it was all right one way you look at it," said Nowell, with the +caution of the honest citizen. "But, of course, you got the stigmy put +onto you of being a crank and a disturber and you don't get nowhere! +It ain't gab and holler that does it! If talk sets folks to thinking-- +that's all right, so far as it goes. But a lot of these chaps set +their mouths to going and let their hands lay crossed in their laps +and then wonder why the world doesn't get better because they have +asked it to be good." + +It was sagacity from the humble observer. + +"Mr. Nowell, I don't want to be quite as lonesome in this world as I +have been," said Farr, with earnestness. "It's an awful feeling, that! +A man can be lonely for a time and crowd down the hankering to be in +the march of honest men where he can touch elbows and be a part of +things. I see you look at me! That's right--it's queer stuff to be +talking to you." He pondered for a moment and went on. "Queer thing, +eh, for a fellow to wake up all of a sudden--a fellow of my stamp--and +want to do some real good in the world? Well, it surprises /me/, and +it would surprise you a whole lot more if you knew me better. We won't +try to analyze the feeling. I've given up trying to do it." He paused +and his brown eyes surveyed the blinking iceman with a quizzical +appeal in them. "That's a pretty long preface, Mr. Nowell. It ought to +lead up to some very important request. But it doesn't. I simply want +a job on your ice-cart. It will give me the best opportunity I know of +to go into homes and tell mothers to boil the water which comes out of +those dirty taps; after I unscrew the faucets I won't have to argue +much. I told Colonel Dodd in his office to look out for me! That may +have been bluster. I am a nobody. But I'm on his trail, and there is +one thing I can do to start with! I can help save the lives of a few +children. That's all! I'll be following my new motto. Will you give me +the job?" + +"I sure will," declared Nowell, heartily. "If I don't know when a man +is talking rock-bottom to me, then it's my own fault. When do you want +to go to work?" + +"Now." + +Nowell gave the new man's garments a disparaging side glance. + +"You look more as if you was going out to preach instead of deliver +ice. But I can fix that if you're busted, my friend. You slip off that +coat and help here till we're loaded. Then ride into the city on the +freight-car and tell any one of my men to give you the overalls and +jumper I left hanging in my stable office." + +In this fashion it came about that Farr that day was riding on an ice- +wagon in Marion, learning his route. A red-headed youth who was +nursing an ice-pick wound in a bundled-up foot served as guide and +driver and spotted the "Crystal Pure" cards propped here and there in +windows, mutely signaling the household needs. With zestful +complacency, and with secret enjoyment in being allowed to "team" this +chap who looked and talked like a "nob," the youth allowed Farr to do +all the work. + +The route took in many apartment-houses of the city. + +The labor was muscle-racking. In most cases there were stairs to +climb. He stood, sagging under his burden, till chests were cleared by +the housewives or sluggish maids. He discovered that the iceman was +considered a fair and logical butt for all the forenoon grouches of +the kitchen. Women complained querulously that the ice dripped on the +clean floor, or that the piece was not up to the twenty-cent piece +delivered by the other company, or that he was late, or he had not had +his eyes about him the day before or else he would have seen the card. + +On numerous occasions he was obliged to carry a piece of ice back +down-stairs to his cart and exchange it for a piece of another size +and price. He received no apology in such cases; he was tartly +informed that he ought to have common sense enough to know what was +wanted in that house. In other cases, the mistress of the apartments +turned him from the door and explained with entire lack of interest in +his long climb that the card had been left up by oversight--the chest +had been filled the day before. + +And at two places sharp-tongued women would not allow him to enter, +frankly stating that icemen were too dirty creatures to allow inside +the door of a respectable house; the women received their ten-cent +cubes in pans and slammed the door in his face. + +And through all this Farr preserved his smile. + +In this slavery, tongue-lashed by fretful women, sweating under his +burden, he was happy; he could not account for it and did not attempt +to, but he knew it. He accepted the situation. + +He received rewards enough to fortify his resolution. + +A motherly woman asked him to wait a moment and she mixed for him a +glass of lemonade. That gave him an opportunity to say a few words to +her about drinking-water, modestly and deferentially. She was +interested, and he showed her what the guilty faucet of her tap held +in concealment. + +And he saw that she was shocked and after he had warned her he asked +her to tell all the other women whom she knew. She promised to bring +the matter up in her sewing-club. + +"And even the fussy women," he told himself, as he plodded back to his +cart, encouraged by his first experiment, "if I keep calm, if I keep +smiling--I shall find my chance to say something to them after a +time." + +A fresh doughnut was given to him by a maid who smiled up at his manly +good looks approvingly, and he was very grateful, for his breakfast +had been a meager one because he had barely enough small coins to make +a jingle in his pocket. + +The maid gasped affrightedly when he showed her what was in the +faucet, and immediately set on water to boil to supply the bottles in +the ice-chest. + +Furthermore, the maid stated that she knew many other maids who would +be glad to know about such a dreadful thing, and that she would have a +word to say to them on the way to Sunday mass and back. + +Farr began to understand more clearly what can be accomplished by a +lone voice, carrying a gospel which can be backed and illustrated by +signs and wonders. + +"I'll have them listening to me yet," he pondered. "I'll never say +another unkind word about a woman's tongue." + +Colonel Symonds Dodd flashed past the ice-cart that afternoon in his +limousine. + +Farr laughed aloud at the humor of a thought which occurred to him: he +reflected that he would like to behold Colonel Dodd's face and hear +Colonel Dodd's remarks if somebody told that gentleman that the man +before whom he had quailed and grown pale was now starting what the +man believed was a more effective assault on the dynasty than even a +whole car-load of dynamite bombs could make, even if they were +exploded in all the Consolidated reservoirs. The remarks which would +entertain, so Farr pondered, would come when the colonel was informed +that the assault consisted of a lone iceman making talk to women in +kitchens. + +"However," said the iceman to himself, as he checked a nick in a ten- +cent cube at the back of his cart. "I hold that my new motto is all +right, and old Etienne will indorse it, and he knows what self- +sacrifice consists of. It isn't rolling up your eyes and folding your +hands and saying, 'What can I do?' It's saying, 'I'll do what I can!' +--and then keeping your hands busy!" + + + + XV + + WHEN A MAID IS COY + +Mr. Richard Dodd came wooing. + +He waited in his gray car at the curb in front of the First National +Bank block until Kate Kilgour issued forth into the afternoon +sunshine. + +He called to her, holding open the side door. + +"I just had to see you," he told her. "I have come down from the +capital, doing forty miles an hour. You're more precious than all the +money I have locked up in the vaults." + +He did not find in her eyes any of that acclaimed glad love-light +which eager lovers seek. On the contrary, Miss Kilgour made just a bit +of a face at him and was distinctly petulant. + +"I do not want to ride, Richard. I enjoy my walk. I need it after a +day at my desk." + +"But I'm going to take you on a long ride into the country. We'll have +dinner at Hillcrest Inn and we'll--" + +"I'll go straight home, if you please." + +"Then come in here with me." + +"Oh, if you insist!" She said it with weary impatience. + +"Are you tired?" + +"Yes." + +He drove slowly. "I don't want you to work any more. You know I don't. +You know how I feel. Kate, I have published our intentions of +marriage." + +Her demeanor till then had been marked by tolerance, a bit pettish. +Now she turned on him the indignant stare of offended womanhood. + +"Richard, I have not given you permission to do that." + +"But you are going to marry me!" + +"Some day. I will tell you when. I am not ready." + +"You are playing with me." + +"I am not so frivolous." + +"But why do you keep putting it off?" + +"A woman who gives herself has the right to say when it shall be." + +"My God!" he raged. "I wish you would wake up." + +She did not answer. + +"You don't know what love is. You won't let me touch you." + +"I suppose that your experience has qualified you, Richard," she +returned, half humorously, half scornfully. + +"We are going to be married. Your mother is anxious for you to marry. +I am going to tell my uncle to hunt for another secretary." + +"Be careful how you take liberties with my private business," she +warned him, sharply. + +"You need somebody to take care of it for you. You have promised to be +my wife. You can't give me a single good reason for waiting any +longer." + +"But I intend to wait." + +He drove along in angry silence and they left the car together at the +Trelawny Apartments. The car had made a detour in reaching the curb-- +avoiding a white wagon at the rear of which an iceman was briskly +pecking in twain a cake of ice. + +The girl glanced sharply at the man and turned her head when she +reached the sidewalk in order to survey him more closely. The iceman, +peering up at the windows to locate such signal-cards as might be +visible, lowered his gaze and intercepted the girl's scrutiny. Color +came into her cheeks, but she frowned as if resenting his stare and +hurried into the vestibule, her lover at her heels. + +"Look here, Friend Myself," reflected Walker Farr, "it's time you woke +up!" He sighed and swung a chunk of ice upon his shoulder. "But what +else can I expect? Come on, Humility, and give me a soft word or two. +I was hoping I'd never see her again." + +"Youse take those two front numbers--ten and twelve--Mrs. Kilgour and +Mr. Knowles," advised his helper. "Package-entrance is around behind." + +Farr toiled up the stairs, carrying one ice cube on his shoulder, with +another swinging from tongs. There was but one door to the Kilgour +apartment and the girl and Dodd stood in front of it; they had +evidently waited in the corridor after emerging from the elevator, and +the young man was detaining her, talking earnestly. + +The girl opened the door with her latch-key, and with an apology he +stepped in front of the pair and entered. + +"Well, I'll be--" blurted Dodd. "So that's what he is--a cheap, low- +lived iceman!" + +Mrs. Kilgour came into her vestibule and led the way to the kitchen, +for Farr stood irresolutely in the doorway, awaiting directions as to +his burden. Following her, the young man noted her house-dress, +beribboned over-much, her rouged face, her bleached hair, and wondered +how such a woman could have beguiled Andrew Kilgour, as he felt he +knew that sacrificing hero from what Citizen Drew had said. + +"Say, that's the plug-ugly who insulted us in the woods. I'll never +forget that face," stormed Dodd, making no effort by lowered tones to +conceal his sentiments from the iceman. "Where else am I going to run +across him? He needs a horse-whipping. If there weren't ladies present +I'd give him one." + +"The man seems to be minding his own business," said the girl, coldly. + +Farr heard her. There was a hint of contempt in her tones, and the +young man humbly accepted the scorn as directed toward him. He lifted +the ice into the box and received his coin from the languid woman, who +seemed to pay as little heed to his presence as she did to Dodd's +threats. + +She seemed to be more especially interested in herself, and when Farr +departed was fondling into place the masses of her hair before a +mirror in the vestibule. Through the space formed by the portieres he +saw Dodd reaching eager hands to the girl, her presence having +apparently charmed away his thoughts of vengeance. + +The iceman went humbly on his way. + +He was meditating on the sacrifice of Captain Andrew Kilgour; he +remembered that stalwart men are willing slaves of the weakest women. +He wondered how much of the honesty of the father was in the daughter. +He tried to console himself by insisting that it was not there. He had +had only a limited opportunity to study Richard Dodd. However, he was +convinced that his unflattering estimate of that young man was surely +justified; and so certain was he that the character of Dodd must be +patent to all he went back to his tasks with a lowered estimate of the +girl who would select such a man as husband. And yet out of the dust +of the highway the profile of her face had touched him as his heart +never had been touched before; he had plucked the rose and had plodded +on behind the little sister of the rose. He wondered what strange +impulse had touched him. She must be merely like all the rest. Her +graciousness in that first meeting had tempted him to believe that she +was different. Now some consciousness, equally as intangible, +suggested to him that she was selfishly selling herself for ease. His +thoughts were pretty much mixed, he acknowledged. But as he went on, +bearing his burdens, listening to the petty tyrants who may ruthlessly +taunt the man who comes in by the back door, he was aware that he had +full need of much ministration from his new friend, Humility. + +In the sitting-room of the Kilgour flat Richard Dodd was telling the +mother that he had made application for a marriage license. + +"And I have waited long enough," he declared. "Mother Kilgour, you +must convince Kate that we are to be married within a week." + +And he gave the mother a look which made her turn pale and twist her +ringed fingers nervously. + +"Kate, what is the use?" she pleaded. "You are acting like a child. +You love Richard. You know you love him. You tell me often that you +love him! Richard is such a dear boy!" She said this fawningly, with +evident intent to placate the sullen young man. Her tone, her air +suggested the nervous embarrassment of a debtor who seeks to put off a +creditor with flattery and fresh promises. "Now be a darling child and +say that we'll have the wedding next week without any fuss or +feathers." + +"I am not ready to get married, and I simply will not be married just +yet," declared the girl, her red lips compressed. + +"You don't love me!" complained Dodd. + +"I like you, Richard," admitted the girl, frankly, without any +coquettishness. "I have never cared for anybody else. You have been +good to me, except when you were foolish." + +"Foolishness--that's what she calls being so much in love with her +that I can't keep my hands off her," said Dodd to the mother. "Mother +Kilgour, you haven't talked to Kate as you should. She doesn't know +what love is." + +"Oh, I'll find out all about it, and then we'll be married--when I'm +ready to become a wife," said the girl, with an indulgent smile. "All +at once I'll wake up, just as you have been begging me to do, and then +we'll simply run away and be married and live happily for ever after." + +"I don't like this stalling," growled Dodd, brutally. + +"I'll leave you two children together," said the mother. "I'm sure +you'll come to an understanding." She went away, showing relief. + +"Sit down here on the divan with me, sweetheart," pleaded the young +man. + +But without removing her hat she went to the piano and began to play. + +"Please come!" he entreated. + +She smiled at him over her shoulder and made a pretty /moue/. + +Muttering an oath of passion he leaped up, hurried across the room, +and began to kiss her fiercely. + +He crushed back with his lips all her protests; standing over her, he +held her upon the piano-bench until by main strength and with all the +force of her resentment she tore away from him. + +"And now you are going to blame me because I can't help it," he +gasped. + +"I don't in the least understand why normal persons can find any +pleasure in that kind of folly." + +"Is your idea of loving anybody rubbing noses like Eskimos?" + +"I'd endure that kind of loving in preference to that kind of kissing, +Richard. That isn't love which you're offering--not the kind of love I +want. I am going out for my walk--you filched it from me. No, I'm +going alone. Go and talk with mamma, if you like." + +She escaped the clutch he made and hurried out and to the elevator. + +Flushed and angry, Dodd made his way to an inner room where Mrs. +Kilgour was reading a novel, sunning herself with feline indolence. +She put the book by with evident regret. + +"Oh, Kate, has so much poise!" she lamented, breaking in on the young +man's complaints. "She is so like her father. No one except myself +could do anything with him at all. Sometime it was very hard for me! +He would set his mind and his teeth! But I always won in the end." + +"Well, go ahead and win now," commanded the surly lover. "You are +simply letting this thing run along." + +"I know Kate's nature, Richard. It's only a matter of the right time." + +He sat down at her feet on the end of the couch. + +"The time is here--now!" he told her. "I insist that you make Kate +understand. I have been patient and reasonable for a year. You have +promised me that you will bring everything around all right. Why don't +you do it?" + +"But delivering a daughter into marriage isn't like delivering +groceries on order!" Her tone showed a bit of impatience. "Be +reasonable!" + +"I don't want to say anything to hurt your feelings, but we must get +down to cases. I'm not asking you to deliver anything to me except +what was promised long ago--promised by Kate herself. And you know +what you said when I loaned you five thousand dollars to help you save +those stocks. Excuse me, Mother Kilgour, but I can't always control my +nature; I've been in the game with the bunch for a long time and I'm +naturally suspicious--I have seen a good many chaps trimmed, and I +don't propose to have anything put over on me." + +"You are insolent and cruel," she cried, her cheeks pale. + +"I don't mean you--I believe you want to help me. But it's time to be +up and doing. She doesn't give me one good reason why she will not be +married right away. It's only jolly and putting it off." + +"But you are twitting me about the service you have done me! I am not +selling my daughter!" + +"That isn't it at all! But you must agree that I have been good to +you. I want you to be a friend to me. But I don't get anything that's +definite. If this thing drags on and on the first thing I know some +fellow will come along and she'll fall for him. That's the girl +nature!" + +"You are talking about my daughter, Richard! She has her father's +disposition and she is true blue. She has given her promise and she +will keep it." + +"When?" he demanded, curtly. + +"I can't drive her." + +"You said you could," he insisted. "You said a year ago when I +advanced that money that you knew just how to handle her." + +"Are you going to keep twitting me about that money?" + +"No; only I'm going to say that you haven't even told me about what +stocks you were protecting. You haven't said anything about repaying +the loan, Mother Kilgour. It has been a sort of general stand-off all +around for me. Hold on! I'm not making a holler! But I like to be +taken in right. I'm a Dodd, and I can't help playing to protect +myself." + +"It will come around all right, Richard. You don't know Kate as I do. +I understand her because I understood her father. She is rather self- +centered. But she is romantic underneath! But you know you're so sort +--sort of--well, just a business man--so matter-of-fact. A girl like +Kate needs to be stirred--her poise shaken--something like that!" + +"Lochinvar business, eh?" he sneered. + +"It must be something a little bit out of the ordinary to hurry her, +Richard. Go away, please. Let me think. I have an idea. I must spend a +little time on it." + +"How much time?" + +"Oh, I don't know just how much. Be patient." + +"Mrs. Kilgour, if this thing cannot be put through by you I want you +to say so. I'm at the end of that patience you're appealing to. I +won't be fooled." + +"You don't need to say that you're Colonel Dodd's nephew," she +retorted. "You have all the family traits." + +"Well, there's one I haven't got: I loaned you five thousand dollars +without taking security--and that's the act of a good friend. Excuse +me, but I've got to speak of it--you need a little reminder. Four days +from now I'll have my marriage license from the city clerk. And when I +have it in my hands I shall come to you and shall expect that you'll +do your part." + +"I will," she said. + +"How? I want plain statements from now on." + +"I will write you a letter to-morrow," she faltered. "I will give you +directions what to do. You'd better not come here till--till I have it +all arranged. You know what they say about absence!" + +"I know what they say about a good many things. But I want something +besides say-so." + +"I will tell you in my letter what to do. Then you follow +instructions." + +"I don't like to go into a thing blind. What is the plan?" + +"Oh, if I tell you all about it you'll go and do something to spoil +it," she protested, impatiently. "A woman knows about such matters +better than a man does. I will write to you at the State House. Now be +patient!" + +"I'll be going before you preach any more patience to me," he said, +sourly. "I might be provoked into saying something you won't like." + +After he had gone she rose and touched up her cheeks. + +"The fool! They are all alike," she muttered, viciously. "They pay. +They never forget they have paid. Then they stand with their hand out +--and just remember that they have paid. I am glad I bought this +novel," she added, taking the book from the couch and settling herself +to read. "The woman who wrote it must have known human nature. If the +plan worked in the case of the girl she writes about it ought to work +in the case of Kate. If it doesn't it will be his fault because he has +hurried me so. A poor, persecuted woman can't do everything." + +And she applied herself to her recently discovered manual of procedure +in the case of stubbornness in a maid. + + + + XVI + + FARR HAS A VISION AND CLOSES HIS LIPS + +Walker Farr put aside papers upon which he had been working since he +had eaten his modest supper, and pulled on his coat and went forth +into the evening. He strolled up one of the streets in the Eleventh +Ward of Marion, manifestly glad to be out among the people. + +He stopped at the curb and hailed the driver of a truck-wagon which +was loaded down with kegs and jugs. + +"Marston," he said, when the driver halted, "it's good to see the +noble work going on." + +"Yes, and now that the babies aren't dying off so fast old Dodd's +newspapers are claiming that the new filtering-plant is doing all the +good, sir." + +"Well, it shows that our work is worth while if they're claiming it, +Marston. But we'll wake up the folks all in good time. Do what we can +for first aid, that's the idea! The people are waking up to what we're +doing. And they are waking up in other places. I took a little run up +state last week. Five other cities are going to try this co-operative +scheme of getting good water to the poor folks until something better +can be done." + +"You've got a head on you," commended the driver. "It's a little tough +on tired horses to work at this after a day's trudging on regular +business, but my nags seem to understand what it's all about--honest +they do. I have hauled five hundred gallons this week. But I'd like to +haul old Dodd up to Coosett Lake and drown him, if it wasn't for +spoiling water that the poor folks are drinking." + +Farr shook his head and walked on. + +He was a rather striking figure for a New England city as he strolled +along. It did not seem to be affectation for this man to wear a frock- +coat without a waistcoat, a flowing black tie setting off his snowy +linen. The attire seemed to belong to his physique and manner. + +Women smiled at him in friendly fashion; men gave respectful and +affectionate salutation. + +Soon he stepped off the street into a room where a group of men were +waiting for him, so it appeared, because they all rose when he +entered. + +He called the little meeting to order promptly, informing them that he +would detain them only a short time. + +"I rise to make a motion," said a man at one stage of the proceedings. +"There have been so many volunteers in the work and the folks have +been so ready to pay for real water in place of that stuff we get from +the taps, that three hundred dollars have accumulated in the treasury. +We all know that there is just one man who had been responsible for +this whole plan and has given his time and has run about our state and +hasn't charged anything but expenses for doing it all. I move we give +that sum to Mr. Farr--wishing it was more." + +The speaker was loudly applauded. + +Farr was so quickly on his feet and spoke so promptly that he clipped +the man's last words. + +"A moment, my friends, before that motion is seconded." He held up his +hand and checked their protests against what his air told them. +"Because my little plan has succeeded better than I hoped is not due +to me, but to the generous co-operation of good men who have given +their time. We are saving the babies, thank God! But do you know what +else we have done by our hard toil and our devotion? We are propping +up the Consolidated Water Company in this state. Understand me! I am +not attacking that company because it is a corporation. If it were now +making preparations to pipe down to us clean water from the hills I +would gladly go on giving my time to this cause in order to help the +case of the Consolidated. But the men in control are deliberately +shutting their eyes to the real situation. Now that folks aren't +dying, they claim all the credit--when we know the credit is due to +weary men who go on working after their day's toil is over. It isn't +right--it isn't just! My friends, I have got hold of a bigger thing +than I reckoned on when I started out to wake those poison-peddlers +up. Now that we are cleaning up the typhoid, the Consolidated is +simply riding on our backs--refusing to see the real truth. If they +give Marion pure water it will be only at more exorbitant rates, +because the nearest lake is twenty miles away. I'm not an anarchist--I +want to see capital get its just reward. But when a syndicate takes a +franchise from citizens and makes them pay over and over for what was +their own the citizens have a right to rise in self-defense. When we +force the Consolidated to give us what we're paying for--pure water-- +they evidently propose to make us pay for what they call our cheek in +asking." He paused for a moment, and his smile succeeded his +earnestness. "I beg your pardon for saying 'we.' I must remember that +I'm still a stranger in this city." + +"I'll have to dispute you there," interposed a man. "You're one of us. +And we're going to prove it to you a little later." + +"My friends," went on Farr, "until the cities and towns of this state +own their own water-plants and take their own profits they will be +paying double tribute to a merciless crowd." + +"But we can't own our plants till the millennium, sir. There's that +five-percent-debt-limit clause in the constitution." + +Farr smiled--this time wistfully. "I've--I've had a sort of vision in +regard to that," he said. "I don't dare to explain myself just now, +friends. It may be only a vision--but I think not. I'll not say any +more at present. I did not intend to say as much. What was on my mind +when I got up was this: I will not accept that money in the treasury-- +on no account will I take it. Because I believe that strange days are +coming upon us soon in this state--days when we shall need money. Keep +that nest-egg and guard it." He picked up his hat and started for the +door. "The meeting is adjourned," he informed them. He smiled at them +over his shoulder in such a manner that they wondered whether he joked +or was in earnest. "Guard well that money--for the only way my vision +can be realized, I fear, is by turning this state's politics upside +down, and that will be quite a job for a rank outsider fighting +Colonel Symonds Dodd--and fighting without money. Good night!" + +Men whom Walker Farr met as he strolled ducked amiable greetings. They +grinned admiringly after him as he passed on. + +If a woman asked in regard to him or a stranger in the ward questioned +a native they were informed with gusto that he was "the boy who stood +in City Hall and talked turkey to the mayor and all the bunch, and +said a good word for the poor people, and twisted the tail of the +Consolidated and lost a good job doing it--and that's more than any +alderman would do for those who elected him." + +At a street corner children of the poor were dancing around a hurdy- +gurdy. Farr gave the man at the crank a handful of change and told him +to stay there and keep the kiddies happy. Shrill juvenile voices +promptly proclaimed his praises to all the neighborhood, and mothers +and fathers beamed benedictions on him from windows. + +He stopped at another street corner where a dozen youths were +congregated. They were heavy-eyed, leering cubs, their hats were +tipped back, and frowzled fore-tops stuck out over their pimply faces +--types of youths whom modest girls avoid hurriedly by detours. + +"Boys, folks are writing to the newspapers complaining that young +chaps are insulting girls on the street corners of Marion. But it must +be those high-toned loafers up-town. You're not up to any of that +business down here, of course." + +"None of us would ever as much as say 'shoo' to a chicken," protested +one of the group. + +"You're Dave Joyce's boy, aren't you?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"The fifty men he bosses at the ice-house like him because he's +square. Here's a good motto: 'Square with the boys and nice to the +girls.' But keep off the street corners, fellows, or they'll get you +mixed up with some of that masher gang." + +The Joyce boy pulled his hat forward and marshaled the retreat from +the loafing-place. + +"Naw, he ain't no candidate, nuther," he informed his associates when +they were out of hearing. "He ain't canvassing for no votes. My old +man says he ain't. He ain't a four-flusher. He's the guy that stood +for the poor folks up at City Hall and doped out the spring-water +stuff." + +At the side of a street where traffic raged to and from the city's +Union Station Farr came upon two shriveled old ladies who were +teetering on the curbstones, waiting tremulously for an opportunity to +cross. They put down into the roaring street first one apprehensive +foot and then another, like children trying chilly water. The big +fellow offered an arm to each and led them safely across. + +"You're a real knight-errant, sir," squeaked one of the two, looking +up into the kindly face. + +He laughed, doffed the broad-brimmed hat with a low bow, and strolled +on his way. + +"Knight-errant," he muttered, still smiling. "Guess not. They don't +have 'em these days. The stories about 'em read well. Wonder what kind +of a feeling it was that started those boys off on the hike! Perhaps +there wasn't enough doing in politics. It must have been a fine game, +though, rescuing distressed damsels. And all for love and not for +pay!" + +A poster in the window of an empty store caught his eye just then. It +advertised a woman's-suffrage rally. + +"The girls would paint rally signs on a knight's tin suit these days +and send him off on an advertising trip," was his whimsical +reflection. + +At that moment, with this thought of knight in armor in his mind, he +was attracted by a flare of red fire in a blacksmith shop located just +off the street. The one worker in the place was revealed by the forge +fire. The glow lighted the features of the man. There was no mistaking +him--it was Friend Jared Chick. And Farr turned off the street and +went into the shop and greeted his one-time traveling companion. + +"How does thee do?" replied Jared Chick, quietly, his Quaker calm +undisturbed. He drew forth a white-hot iron and deftly hammered it +into a circle around the snout of the anvil. + +"So you have given up knight-errantry and have gone back to the old +job, have you, Friend Chick?" + +"No. This is a part of my service. The man who owns this shop is a +good man who works hard here all day. And after he has gone home he +allows me to work here in the evening." + +He pounded away industriously and Farr walked up to the anvil to +inspect the nature of the work, for the iron rod was assuming queer +shapes. + +"A new kind of armor, Friend Chick?" + +If there was a bit of sarcasm in Farr's tone the Quaker paid no +apparent heed. + +"No," he said, quietly and meekly, "this is a brace for the leg of a +little lame boy. I have found many children in this city who cannot +walk. Their parents are too poor to buy braces. So I come here nights, +when the good man is away from the forge, and I make braces and carry +them with my blessing. I have some knack with the hammer. I hope to +find other ways of doing my bit of good." + +"I beg your pardon, Friend Chick," said Farr, a catch in his voice. "I +will not bother you in your work. Good night!" + +"Good night to thee!" said the Quaker, swinging at the bellows arm. + +Farr went back upon the street, his head bowed. "We all have our own +way of doing it," he pondered, contritely. + +He met a man and greeted him with a friendly handclasp. It was Citizen +Drew, that elderly man with the earnest face. + +And as he had in the past, he turned, caught step with Farr, and they +walked together. + +Their stroll took them into the broader avenues of up-town. + +As they talked, Farr caught side glances from his companion. The +glances were a bit inquisitive. + +"Well, Citizen Drew," asked the young man, "what is on your mind this +evening?" + +"Since I have known you and studied you I have been thinking that you +have the spirit of knight-errantry in you," stated Citizen Drew. + +Farr laughed boyishly. + +"Two very nice old ladies have just got ahead of you with that +accusation, my friend." + +"Laugh if you feel like it. But there are so few men who can do +anything unselfishly in these days that when a chap like you does come +along he gets noticed--at any rate, I notice him." He stopped dealing +in side glances and stared at Farr fully and frankly. "Other men who +would do the things you are doing so quietly in this state have been +playing politics--and I have made it my business to watch politicians. +And as soon as men have been elected to office by fooling the people-- +well, those men have simply been set into the Big Machine as new cogs. +Are you like the rest, Mr. Farr? Nobody knows where you came from. +Everybody who sees you knows you're above the jobs you have been +working at. They're talking you up for alderman in our ward. But we +have been fooled so many times!" + +Farr replied to this wistful inquisition in a way there was no +misunderstanding. + +"I am not a candidate for anything, Citizen Drew. And I'll tell you +how I can prove I am not. I am not a voter here. I have intentionally +failed to have myself registered. Whenever you hear another man +talking me up for office you tell him that. Therefore, it makes no +difference to anybody where I came from or what job I work at." + +Citizen Drew accepted the rebuke humbly and walked on in silence. + +"You have always been fooled, you say, when you have elected men to +office. Haven't you any men in this state whom you can elect to high +office, knowing for sure that they'll stay straight?" + +"No," returned Citizen Drew. + +"I'm a stranger--I don't know your big men--you do know them, and I +suppose I ought to take your word. But I don't believe you, Citizen +Drew." + +"But I told you the truth. We have big men who are honest men. But +they won't go into politics. They feel too far above the game. +Therefore, how can we elect them to office? I say I told you the +truth. The men who go out and hunt for office are the ones who work +the thing for their own profit--and that means they stand in with the +bunch and the head boss." + +It was the same old lament which is everlastingly on the lips of the +voters of America! Citizen Drew had again epitomized the average +politics of the great Republic! + +Walker Farr smiled--and he could express in a smile more than most men +can express in speech. + +"An original idea has just occurred to me, Citizen Drew," he said, +with humorous drawl in his tones. "I'm sure nothing like it has ever +been thought of before. There ought to be a new party formed in this +country--a party outside all the others. No, not a party, exactly! +What should I call it? You see, the idea has just come to me, and I'm +floundering a little." His tone was still jocular. "You're right about +most of the able and big men staying out of politics except when the +highest offices are passed around. Now, how's this for a scheme? +Organize a loyal band and call it--well, say the Purified Political +Privateers, the Sanctified Kidnappers, the People's Progressive and +Public-spirited Press Gang. Go around and grab the Great and the Good +who insist on minding their private business and who are letting the +country be gobbled up--just go and grab 'em right up by the scruff of +the neck and fling them into politics head over heels. They would +sputter and froth and flop for a little while--and then they'd strike +out and swim. They couldn't help swimming! They'd know that the folks +were looking on. And then a lot of the sinking and drowning poor +devils, like you and me and the folks in the tenements, could grab +onto the Great and the Good and ask 'em to tow us safely ashore; and +by that time their pride and their dander would be up and they'd swim +all the harder--with the other folks looking on. Hah! An idea, eh? You +see, I feel rather imaginative and on the high pressure and in a mood +for adventure this evening! Probably because the nice old ladies +called me a knight-errant." + +Citizen Drew was not ready with comment on this amazing suggestion. He +clawed his hand into his sparse hair and wrinkled his forehead in +attempt to decide whether or not he ought to resent this playful +retort to his lament. The next moment he dealt Farr a swift jab in the +ribs with his elbow. + +"Take a good look at this man coming," he mumbled. + +The oncomer was close upon them, and in spite of the dusk Farr's sharp +gaze took him all in. + +In garb and mien he was a fine type of the American gentleman who is +marked by a touch of the old school. There was a clean-cut crispness +about him; the white mustache and the hair which matched it looked as +if they would crackle if rubbed. His eyes were steely blue, and he +held himself very erect as he walked, and he tapped the pavement +briskly with his cane. + +He passed them, marched up the steps of a large building, and +disappeared through a door which a boy in club uniform held open for +him. + +"That man," explained Citizen Drew, complacently displaying his +boasted knowledge of public men in minute detail, "is the Honorable +Archer Converse, whose father was General Aaron Converse, the war +governor of this state. Lawyer, old bach, rich, just as crisp in talk +as he is in looks, just as straight in his manners and morals and +honesty as he is in his back, arrives every night at the Mellicite +Club for his dinner on the dot of eight"--Citizen Drew waved his hand +at the illuminated circle of the First National clock--"leaves the +club exactly at nine for a walk through the park, then marches home, +plays three games of solitaire, and goes to bed." + +"I know him!" stated Farr. + +Citizen Drew's air betrayed a bit of a showman's disappointment. + +"I never saw him before--never heard of him. But I mean I know him now +after your description--know his nature, his thoughts. You have a fine +touch in your size-ups, Citizen Drew." + +"I've studied 'em all." + +"What has he done in politics?" + +"Never a thing. He is one of the kind I was complaining about. Too +high-minded." + +"But, ho, how a man like that would swim if he were once thrown in!" +declared Farr. + +"He never even tended out on a caucus." + +"I know the style when I see it," pursued Farr. He did not look at +Citizen Drew. He was talking as much to himself as to his companion. +"Spirit of a crusader harnessed by every-day habit! Righteousness in a +rut! Achievement timed to the tick of the clock. But, once in, how he +would swim!" + +"Think how our affairs would swing along with a man like that at the +head of the state!" + +"Why hasn't he been put at the head?" + +"I have been in delegations that have gone to him"--he waved his hand +--"he said he couldn't think of being mixed into political messes." + +"He looked on you wallowing in muddy water and you invited him in. I +don't blame him for not jumping." + +"He's a good man," insisted Citizen Drew. "He gives more money to the +poor than any other man in town. The only way I found that out is by +having a natural nose for finding out things. He doesn't say anything +about it." + +"How he would swim!" repeated Farr. "Steady and strong and straight +toward the shore, Citizen Drew, and he wouldn't kick away the poor +drowning devils, either." + +"He probably thinks he has paid his debt to the world when he hands +out his money," stated Drew. "When he looks around and sees so many +other men holding the poor chaps upside down and shaking the dollars +out of their pockets he must think he is doing a mighty sight more +than is required of him. But sticking plasters of dollar bills onto +sore places in this state ain't curing anything." He stopped. "I've +walked with you farther than I intended to, Mr. Farr. But somehow I +wanted to talk with you. There's a meeting of the Square Deal Club +this evening at Union Hall. I didn't know but in some way we might-- +It was thought you might be going to run for office." + +"The registration-office will prove that I'm not. Pass that word!" + +"I'll go back--to the meeting. It doesn't seem to be much use in +holding the meetings," said the man. "We hear one another talk--we +know we are talking the truth. But nobody listens who can help us poor +folks. Well, I'll admit that the politicians come in and listen and +promise to help us and we give our votes; but that's all: they give +nothing back to us." + +Farr broke out with a remark which seemed to have no bearing on what +Citizen Drew was saying. + +"He comes out at nine o'clock, eh?" + +"Who?" + +"The Honorable Archer Converse. Leaves that clubhouse then, does he?" + +"Regular to the tick of the clock." + +"Citizen Drew, hold your club in session until half past nine or a +little later. My experience with those meetings is that you always +have troubles enough to keep you talking for at least two hours." + +Citizen Drew glanced at the face of Farr and then at the big door of +the Mellicite Club. + +"You don't mean to say--" + +"I don't say anything. I seem to be in a queer state of mind to-night, +Citizen Drew." Again there was an odd note of raillery in his voice. +"A lot of odd ideas keep coming to me. Another one had just popped +into my head. That's all! Keep your boys at the hall." + +He swung off up the street. + +He turned after a few steps and saw the elderly man standing where he +had left him. Drew was a rather pathetic figure there in the +brilliantly lighted main thoroughfare, a poor, plain man from the +Eleventh Ward of the tenement-houses--this man who had been striving +and struggling, reading and studying, endeavoring to find some way out +for the poor people; some relief--something that would help. Farr knew +what sort of men were waiting in the little hall. He had attended +their meetings. It was the only resource they understood--a public +meeting. They knew that the important folks up-town held public +meetings of various sorts, and the poor folks had decided that there +must be virtue in assemblages. But nothing had seemed to come out of +their efforts in the tenement districts. + +Farr stepped back to where Citizen Drew stood. + +"I think I will say something to you, after all. Tell the boys in +Union Hall to be patient and I'll bring the Honorable Archer Converse +around this evening." + +He smiled into the stare of blank amazement on the man's face, flung +up a hand to check the stammering questions, and went off up the +street. + +"A decent man's conscience will make him keep a promise he has made to +a child or to the simple or to the helpless," Farr told himself. "I +have undertaken a big contract, I reckon, but now that I have put +myself on record I've got to go ahead and deliver the goods. At any +rate, I feel on my mettle." Then he smiled at what seemed to be his +sudden folly. "I think I'll have to lay it all to those nice old +ladies who were foolish enough to put that knight-errant idea into my +head," he said. + + + + XVII + + THE MADNESS OF A MIDSUMMER NIGHT + +Farr glanced again at the big clock in the First National block. + +He had less than one hour to wait, according to the schedule Citizen +Drew had promulgated in regard to the unvarying movements of the +Honorable Archer Converse. As to how this first coup in the operations +of that nascent organization, the Public-spirited Press Gang, was to +be managed Farr had little idea at that moment. + +He decided to devote that hour to devising a plan, deciding to attempt +nothing until he saw the honorable gentleman march down the club +steps. A club must be sanctuary--but the streets belonged to the +people. + +Therefore, Farr took a walk. He went back into that quarter of the +city from which he had emerged during his stroll with Citizen Drew; he +felt his courage deserting him in those more imposing surroundings of +up-town; he went back to the purlieus of the poor, hoping for contact +that might charge him afresh with determination. He realized that he +needed all the dynamics of courage in the preposterous task he had set +himself. + +He knew he would find old Etienne sitting on the stoop of Mother +Maillet's house where the old man posted himself on pleasant summer +evenings and whittled whirligigs for the crowding children--just as +his peasant ancestors whittled the same sort of toys in old Normandy. + +Mother Maillet's house had a yard. It was narrow and dusty, because +the feet of the children had worn away all the grass. Some of the +palings were off the fence, and through the spaces the little folks +came and went as they liked. It was not much of a yard to boast of, +but there were few open spaces in that part of the city where the big +land corporation hogged all the available feet of earth in order to +stick the tenement-houses closely together. Therefore, because Mother +Maillet was kind, the yard was a godsend so far as the little folks +were concerned. The high fence kept children off the greensward where +the canal flowed. Householders who had managed to save their yards +down that way were, in most cases, fussy old people who were hanging +on to the ancient cottage homes in spite of the city's growth, and +they shooed the children out of their yards where the flower-beds +struggled under the coal-dust from the high chimneys. + +But Mother Maillet did not mind because she had no flower-beds and +because the palings were off and the youngsters made merry in her +yard. She had two geraniums and a begonia and a rubber-plant on the +window-sill in order to give the canary-bird a comfortable sense of +arboreal surroundings; so why have homesick flowers out in a front +yard where they must all the time keep begging the breeze to come and +dust the grime off their petals? It should be understood that Mother +Maillet had known what /real/ flower-beds were when she was a girl in +the Tadousac country. + +Furthermore, Etienne Provancher always came to the yard o' fine +evenings and it served as his little realm; and the door-step of the +good woman's house was his throne where he sat in state among his +little subjects. However, on second thought, this metaphor is not +happy description; old Etienne did not rule--he obeyed. + +He did not resent familiarity--he welcomed the comradeship of the +children. When they called him "Pickaroon" it seemed to him that they +were making a play-fellow of him. + +He sat and whittled toys for them out of the pine-wood scraps which +the yard foreman gave him. There were grotesque heads for rag dolls, +and the good woman seemed to have unlimited rags and an excellent +taste in doll-dressmaking; there were chunky automobiles with spools +for wheels; there were funny little wooden men who jumped in most +amusing fashion at the end of wires which were stuck into their backs. +Old Etienne was always ready to sit and whittle until the evening +settled down and he could see no longer, even though he held the wood +and busy knife close to his eyes. + +So on that evening he whittled as usual. + +Walker Farr came to the yard and sat beside the old man on the door- +step and was plainly thinking no agreeable thoughts while he listened +to the chatter of the children. + +After the darkness had come and the larger boys and girls, custodians +of their tiny kin, had dragged away the protesting and whimpering +little folks because it was bedtime, Zelie Dionne laid down her +needlework over which she had been straining her eyes. The good woman +protested often because the girl toiled so steadily with her needle +after her day at the mill was ended. And on that summer evening she +voiced complaint again. + +"You have so many pretty gowns already! You wear one last evening--you +wear anodder this evening--and still you make some more! When a young +girl nigh kill herself so as to make a picture-book of her dresses I +think it is time to look for some young man who seems to like the +pictures. Eh?" + +"Mother Angelique, I do not relish jokes which are silly," protested +the girl. "You know how the girls of our country are taught! We cannot +sit with hands in our laps without being very unhappy." + +She went out and sat upon the door-step where old Etienne made way for +her. + +"At first I did not think I would come out, Mr. Farr," she said. "But +I have made bold to come." + +"I do not think it needs boldness to come where I am," he returned. "I +hope you are not going to make a stranger of me because I have not +been very neighborly of late. I have been busy and I have been away. +The boys have paid my fare up-country, and so I ran about to carry the +gospel of the free water. The truckmen have volunteered in half a +dozen places. We are doing a great work." + +"And yet I am afraid," she confessed. "You are fighting men who can do +you much harm. I have been asking questions so as to know more about +those men. For they have threatened poor Father Etienne. I wanted to +know about them. I cannot help. But can you not help, Mr. Farr? I +think you are much more than you seem to be," she added, naively. + +"They have threatened Etienne?" demanded Farr, a sharp note in his +voice. + +"Ah, m'sieu', I have said nottin's to you. I am only poor old man. No +matter." + +"Why didn't you say something to me?" + +"It's because you might feel bad, m'sieu'. P'raps not, for I'm only +poor man and don't count." + +"What have they said to you?" + +"It's nottin's," said Etienne, stubbornly. "You shall not think you +got me into trouble. You did not. I would have done it maself as soon +as I thought of it." + +"I command you to tell me what has been said to you, Etienne." + +"They say that I shall be discharge from the rack. They say I have +talk too much to my compatriots about the poison water. But I shall +talk--yes--jesso!" + +"Who says so?" + +"The yard boss say to me that. Oh, there's no mistake. He have the +power, M'sieu' Farr. The super tell the yard boss, the mill agent tell +the super, the alderman tell the mill agent, the mayor he tell the +alderman." + +"And probably Colonel Symonds Dodd told the mayor," growled Farr. +"It's a great system, Etienne. Nobody too small--nobody too big!" + +"But I do not care. I shall talk some more--yes, I shall talk in the +/hotel de ville/ when you shall tell me to talk. I was scare at first +and I tol' you I would not talk; but now I have found out I can talk-- +and I am not scare any more, and I will talk." Pride and determination +were in the old man's tones. Since that most wonderful evening in all +his life when he had heard his voice as if it were the voice of +another man ringing forth denunciation of those in high places, the +old rack-tender had referred to that new manifestation of himself as +if he were discussing another man whom he had discovered. The memory +of his feat was ever fresh within him. And his meek pride was filled +with much wonderment that such a being should have been hidden all the +years in Etienne Provancher. Many men had called around to shake his +hand and increase his wonderment as to his own ability. + +"We will wait awhile," counseled Farr, understanding the pride and +treating it gently. "Stay at your work and be very quiet, Etienne, and +they will not trouble you. You need your money, and I will call on you +when you can help again." + +"Then I will come. I shall be sorry to see somebody have my rake and +pole, but I shall come." + +A moment of silence fell between them, and during that moment a young +woman passed rapidly along the sidewalk. Walker Farr shut his eyes +suddenly, as a man tries to wink away what he considers an illusion, +and then opened his eyes and made sure that she was what she seemed; +there was no mistaking that face--it was Kate Kilgour. + +He stared after her. She halted on the next corner, peered up at the +dingy street light to make sure of the sign legend on its globe and +then turned down an alley. + +"Ba gar!" commented old Etienne, putting Farr's thoughts into words, +"that be queer t'ing for such a fine, pretty lady to go down into Rose +Alley, because Rose Alley ain't so sweet as what it sounds." + +Then two men came hurrying past without paying any attention to the +denizens of the neighborhood who were sitting in the gloom on the +stoop. The street light revealed the faces of the men as it had shown +to them the girl's features. One was Richard Dodd. Unmistakably, they +were following the girl. Farr heard Dodd say: "Slow up! Give her time +to get there. She's headed all right." + +And Farr stared after those men, more than ever amazed. + +One of them was obtrusively a clergyman--that is to say, he was cased +in a frock-coat that flapped against his calves, wore a white necktie, +and carried a book under his arm. + +Dodd was attired immaculately in gray, and as he walked he whipped a +thin cane nervously. They began to stroll soon after they had hurried +past the stoop, and were sauntering leisurely when they turned into +Rose Alley. + +"I now say two ba gars!" exploded Etienne. "Because I been see the +jailbird, Dennis Burke, all dress up like minister, go past here with +the nephew of Colonel Dodd. And they go 'long after la belle +mam'selle." + +"A jailbird!" + +"He smart, bad man, that Dennis Burke. But he was hire by the big man +to do something with the votes on election-time--so to cheat--and he +get caught and so he been in the state prison. But he seem to be out +all free now and convert to religion in some funny way. Eh?" + +"Etienne, are you sure of what you are talking about?" demanded Farr. +His voice trembled. The visit of that handsome girl to that quarter of +the city--those men so patently pursuing her--there was a sinister +look to the affair. + +"Oh, we all know that Burke. He hire many votes in this ward for many +years. He known in Marion just so well as the steeple on the /hotel de +ville/. And that odder--that young mans, we know him, for his oncle is +Colonel Dodd. Oh yes!" + +"Good night, Etienne--and to you Miss Zelie!" said Farr, curtly, +walking off toward the entrance of Rose Alley. He did not ask the old +man to go with him. He was drawn in two directions by his emotions and +stopped after he had taken a few steps. This seemed like espionage in +a matter which was none of his concern. It was entirely possible that +the confidential secretary of Colonel Dodd and the nephew of that +gentleman might have common business even in Rose Alley and at that +time of evening. + +But the matter of that masquerading ballot-falsifier, just out of +state prison, overcame Farr's scruples about meddling in the affairs +of Kate Kilgour. + +He turned the corner into the alley in season to see the two men far +ahead of him; they passed out of the radiance shed by a dim light and +he saw no more of them. He walked the length of the alley and was not +able to locate any of the party. At its lower end the alley was closed +in by houses, and it was plain that the people he sought had not +passed out into another thoroughfare. He marched back, scrutinizing +the outside of buildings, trying to conjecture what business the +handsome girl and the two men could have in that section at that hour, +and where they had entered to prosecute that business. + +"I must continue to blame it all on the nice old ladies," he told +himself, smiling at the shamed zest he was finding in this hunt. "But +I hope this knight-errantry will not grow to be a habit with me. I +mustn't forget that I have another job on hand for nine o'clock--also +knight-errantry!" + +He paused under the dim light where his men had disappeared and looked +at his cheap watch. + +Twenty-five minutes of nine! + +Then he heard a woman's protesting voice. She cried "No, /no/, NO!" in +crescendo. + +He gazed at the house from which the voice seemed to come. It was near +at hand, a shabby little cottage with a thin slice of yard closed in +by a dilapidated picket fence. He perceived no observers in the alley, +and he stepped into the yard. The front windows were open, for the +evening was warm, but no lights were visible in the house. + +He heard the protesting cry again. It was more earnest. + +He head the rumble of a man's voice, but could not catch the words. +Whatever was happening was taking place in some rear room. + +"No, I say, no! Unlock that door," cried the voice, passionately. + +Farr troubled his mind no longer with quixotic considerations about +intrusion. He hoisted himself over the window-sill into the darkened +front room, passed down a short corridor and, when he heard the voice +once again on the inside of a door which he found locked, he +immediately kicked the door open. He appeared to those in the room, +heralded by an amazing crash and flying splinters. + +First of all, he was astonished to find two women there; one was Miss +Kilgour and the other was her mother. And there were the two men whom +he had followed. + +Farr swept off his hat and addressed the girl. + +"I happened to be passing and heard your voice," he said. "If you +are--" He hesitated, a bit confused, realizing all at once that +knight-errantry in modern days is not quite as free and easy a matter +as it used to be when damsels were in distress in the ruder times of +yore. "I am at your service," he added, a bit curtly. + +But she did not reply. Her attitude was tense, her cheeks were +flaming, her eyes were like glowing coals. + +"You lunatic, you have come slamming in here, disturbing a private +wedding," announced the man in the white tie, slapping his palm upon +the book he carried. + +"Get out of here!" shouted Dodd. He had dodged into a corner of the +room, his face whitening, when Farr had burst in. He remained in the +corner now, brandishing his cane. + +The uninvited guest surveyed the young man with more composure than he +had been able to command when he looked at the girl. + +Etienne Provancher had fortified him with some valuable information. + +"Mr. Richard Dodd, I'll apologize and walk out of here after you have +explained to me why you have faked up into a parson one Dennis Burke, +late of the state prison, to officiate at weddings." + +Upon the silence that followed the girl thrust an "Oh!" into which she +put grief, protest, anger, consternation. + +"Mother!" she cried. "Did you know? How could you allow--how did you +come to do such a terrible thing?" + +Her mother put her hands to her face and sat down and began to sob +with hysterical display of emotion. Farr scowled a bit as he looked at +her. She was overdressed. There was an artificial air about her whole +appearance--even her hysterics seemed artificial. + +The girl turned from her with a gesture of angry despair as if she +realized, from experience, that she could expect, at that juncture, +only emotion without explanation. + +"Hold on here," cried Dodd, "hold on here, everybody! This is all +right. You just let me inform you, Mr. Butter-in, that Mr. Burke has +full authority to solemnize a marriage. He is a notary and was +commissioned at the last meeting of the governor and council. And I +know that," he added, attempting a bit of a swagger, "for I secured +the commission for him myself." He came out of his corner and shook +his cane at Farr. "I want you to understand that I have political +power in this state!" + +"I wouldn't brag about that kind of political power, when you can use +it to make notaries out of jailbirds. That must be a nice bunch you +have up at your State House!" + +"On your way!" Again the cane swished in front of Farr's face. + +"I beg your pardon, madam," apologized Farr, bowing to the girl. "You +seem to be the only one in this room entitled to that courtesy," he +added, with a touch of his cynicism. "Am I intruding on your personal +business?" + +"You are not," she answered, her eyes flashing. "I am glad you came in +here. I could have stopped the wretched folly myself, but you have +helped me, and I thank you." She delivered that little speech with +vigor. + +"Kate!" pleaded Dodd. "This isn't fair. I meant it all right. Here's +your mother here! You wouldn't be reasonable the other way. We had to +do something. For the love of Heaven, be good. You know I--" + +She had turned her back on him. Now she whirled and spat furious words +at him, commanding him to be silent. + +"Do you want to spread all this miserable business before this +gentleman?" she demanded. "I am ashamed--ashamed! My mother to consent +to such a thing!" + +She turned her back on him again and walked to and fro, beating her +hands together in her passion. And now ire boiled in Dodd. He directed +it all at the man who had interfered. + +"This is no business of yours, you loafer. I don't know who you are, +but you--" + +Farr grabbed the switching cane as he would have swept into his palm +an annoying insect. He broke it into many pieces between his sinewy +fingers and tossed the bits into Dodd's convulsed face. + +"You'll know me better later on--you and your uncle, too. Ask him what +I advised him to do about having his weapon loose on his hip--take the +same advice for yourself." + +Then his expression altered suddenly. A disquieting jog of memory +prompted him to yank out the cheap watch. + +Twelve minutes to nine. + +It was a long way to the foot of the steps of the Mellicite Club! And +Union Hall was filled with men who were patiently waiting for him to +keep his pledged word! + +"I hope you'll be all right now," he said to the girl, haste in his +tones. "I'm sorry--I must go--I have an important engagement." + +Her eyes met his in level gaze, turned scornful glance at the others +in the room, and then came back to his. + +"Are you going in the direction of the Boulevard?" she asked him. + +"Straight there." + +"Will you bother with me as far as the Boulevard?" + +"If you are a good walker," he informed her. There was strict business +in her tone and cool civility in his. + +"I'm going along with this gentleman, mother." + +Farr ushered her ahead of him through the shattered door. + +"But I want to walk home with you, my child," wailed the sobbing +woman. + +"You'd better ask Mr. Dodd to escort you. And I trust that the talk +you and he will have will bring both of you to your senses." + +She hurried away up the alley with Farr, after he had unlocked the +front door, finding the key on the inside. + +"I am sorry I must hurry you," he apologized, "and if you cannot keep +up I must desert you when we get to a well-lighted street." + +She drove a sharp side glance at him and did not reply. Probably for +the first time in her life she heard a young man declare with +determination that he was in a hurry to leave her. Even a sensible +young woman who is pretty must feel some sort of momentary pique +because a young man can have engagements so summary and so engrossing. + +He offered her his arm that they might walk faster. Her touch thrilled +him. He was far from feeling the outward calm that he displayed to +her. + +They did not speak as they hurried. + +Both were nearly breathless when they came out on the Boulevard. He +saw the big clock--its hands were nearly at the right angle. + +"Good night!" she gasped, and she put out her hand to him. "I thank +you!" + +"It was nothing," he assured her. + +When their palms met they looked into each other's eyes. It was a +momentary flash which they exchanged, but in that instant both of them +were thrilled with the strange, sweet knowledge that no human soul may +analyze: it is the mystic conviction which makes this man or that +woman different from all the rest of humankind to the one whose heart +is touched. + +She gave him a smile. "Are you a knight-errant?" + +She hurried away before he could reply--and, though all his yearning +nature strove against his man's resolution to do his duty, it could +not prevail: he did not follow her as he wanted to--running after her, +crying his love. But duty won out by a mere hazard of a margin because +her face, as she had shown it to him at the moment of parting, +possessed not merely the wonderful beauty which had so impressed him +when he had first seen her--it shone with a sudden flash of emotion +that glorified it. + +He turned away and hurried to the foot of the steps of the Mellicite +Club. + +He had no time to ponder on the nature of that mystery which he had +uncovered in the shabby cottage in Rose Alley nor to wonder what sort +of persecution it was that could enlist a mother's aid in that +grotesque fashion against her own daughter. + +He had not time even to frame a plan of campaign against the man whom +the patient waiters in Union Hall were expecting him to capture. + +The bell in the tower was booming its nine strokes and the Honorable +Archer Converse was coming down the steps from his club, erect, crisp, +immaculate, dignified--tapping his cane against the stones. + + + + XVIII + + CORRALING A CONVERT + +Mr. Converse bestowed only a careless glance at the stranger who was +waiting at the foot of the club-house steps. + +The young man accosted him, not obsequiously, but frankly. + +"I know you always take a turn in the park at this hour, Mr. Converse. +I beg your pardon, but may I walk for a few steps with you?" + +"Why do you want to walk with me?" + +"It's a matter--" + +"I never discuss business on the street, sir. Come to my office +to-morrow." + +He marched on and Farr went along behind him. + +"You heard?" demanded the attorney. + +"I heard." Farr replied very respectfully, but he kept on. + +He had rushed away from the girl and had come face to face with Mr. +Converse, his mind utterly barren of plan or resource. That interim on +which he had counted as a time in which he might devise ways and means +had been so crowded with happenings that all consideration of plans in +regard to Archer Converse had been swept from his mind. + +At all events, he had rendered a service in that time; he had made +good use of that forty-five minutes--that reflection comforted him +even while he dizzily wondered what he was to do now. + +That service had demanded sacrifice from him--why not demand something +from that service? An idea, sudden, brazen, undefendable, even +outrageous, popped into his head. He had no time for sensible +planning. Mr. Converse was glancing about with the air of a citizen +who would like to catch the eye of a policeman. + +"I know all about you, Mr. Converse, even if you know nothing about +me. I'm making a curious appeal--it's to your chivalry!" + +That was appeal sufficiently novel, so the demeanor of Mr. Converse +announced, to arrest even the attention of a gentleman who usually +refused to allow the routine of his life to be interrupted by anything +less than an earthquake. He halted and fronted this stranger. + +"A man who wears that," proceeded Farr, indicating the rosette of the +Military Order of the Loyal Legion in the lapel of Mr. Converse's +coat, "and wears it because it came to him by inheritance from General +Aaron Converse is bound to listen to that appeal." + +"Explain, sir." + +"Do you know a Richard Dodd who is the nephew of Colonel Dodd?" + +"I do, sir. You aren't asking me to assist him, are you? I will have +nothing to do with him--no help from me!" + +"Just a moment--wait one moment! Mr. Converse, do you know a man named +Dennis Burke who has been in prison for ballot frauds?" + +"I helped send him there, sir. Are you reciting the rogues' roster to +me?" + +"Richard Dodd has dressed Burke up as a parson and is trying to force +a young woman into a marriage. I haven't time to tell you how I +happened to know about this affair--but it is in Rose Alley and +there's no time to waste." + +"A preposterous yarn." + +"I have just come from that house." + +"You're a young man of muscle--why didn't you stop it?" + +"The girl's mother is there, backing Dodd. Mr. Converse, the cause +needs a man like you--a man of law, of standing, of influence. I +appeal to you to follow me." + +"A moment--a moment! I scent a ruse. I don't know you. Are you a decoy +for blackmailers or robbers?" he inquired, bluntly. + +Farr took off his hat and stood before the Honorable Archer Converse, +his strange, slow, winning smile dawning on his face. + +"I beg your pardon for interrupting your stroll," he said, gently. "I +hope you'll look at me! You may see, perhaps, that you're in error. +I'll go back and kill Dodd--and come to your office to-morrow--on +business--engaging you as counsel for the defense." + +"Lead the way to that house," snapped Mr. Converse. The attitude of +Farr, his forbearance, his refraining from further solicitation, his +frank demeanor, won out for him. "I'm sometimes a little hasty in my +remarks," acknowledged Mr. Converse in the tone of one who felt +chastened. "Are you a new-comer to our city?" he continued as they +hurried away. "You must be. I should certainly have remembered you if +I had ever seen you before." It was an indirect compliment--a +gentleman's careful approach to an apology. + +The young man did not reply. He had conceived for this stately man a +sudden hero-worship. What Citizen Drew had told him was added to his +own instinct in matters of the understanding of a personality. He did +not dare to stop and consider to what despicable extent he was lying +to his victim. He knew if he stopped to think he would quit. Now the +whole affair seemed a crazy thing. Did even his proposed ends justify +this procedure? + +"There's a short cut through Sanson Street," stammered Farr, the sense +of his own iniquity increasing in the same ratio in which his respect +and admiration grew. The honorable gentleman traveled along at a brisk +jog, evidently desiring to show his apologetic mood by exhibiting +confidence in his guide. + +And Farr, stealing side glances at him, was more self-accusatory, more +abashed. He cherished the hope that they would be able to anticipate +the departure of Dodd and the confederates from the cottage. It was +not clear to him just how he would make the incident serve, anyway. He +was conscious that he had grasped at any opportunity which would open +the ears of the Honorable Archer Converse to a person who had accosted +him on the street. Finding somebody in the house would, at least, +stamp his story with verity even if it served no purpose in the main +intent of Farr's efforts. + +But on a well-lighted street corner the young man halted suddenly. + +"It's no use," he informed the astonished Mr. Converse. "Conscience +has tripped me. I can't do it." + +"Do you mean to intimate that you have been tricking me, sir?" + +"I mean to say, Mr. Converse, that I had proposed to take a half-hour +or so and think up some method of honestly and properly interesting +you in a matter which is very dear to me--a public matter, sir. But +here is how I spent that half-hour." + +Frankly, simply, convincingly he related to his amazed listener the +full story of what he had found in the cottage in Rose Alley. + +"And therefore I had no time to ponder on my business with you--I +simply turned from the young lady, and there you were, sir, coming +down the club steps. I did the very best I could on short notice--but +what I did was very crude. I apologize. I suppose, under the +circumstances, I may as well say 'Good-night'!" He raised his hat. + +But there was something in all this which piqued Converse's curiosity. + +"Wait one moment. This is getting to be interesting." + +A rather hazy conviction began to assure Farr that possibly chance had +dealt a better stroke for him than well-considered planning. It was +surely something to know that the honorable gentleman was interested. + +"If you had had time to think out a method of approaching me-- Let me +see, your name is--" + +"Farr." + +"Mr. Farr, supposing I had been amenable to your suggestions, what is +it you wanted of me?" + +"I wanted you to attend a public meeting," blurted the young man. +"They are men who need help--they need--" + +"That's sufficient," snapped Converse. "I am not in politics. I do not +address public meetings. Mr. Farr, you would have wasted your time +planning. Absolutely!" + +"But is there not some appeal that--" + +"Useless--useless, sir." He tapped his cane, and his tones showed +irritation. He whirled on his heels. "It is decidedly evident that you +are a stranger in these parts, sir. On that account I forgive your +presumption." + +At that moment a jigger-wagon rumbled to a halt near them. The corner +light had revealed them to the driver. + +"Mr. Farr," called the man, "it hasn't taken long for the news of what +you did at the meeting to-night to travel around among the boys. And +we ain't going to let you get ahead of us, sir." + +"The more, the merrier, in a good cause," said Farr; but he was +staring regretfully at the back of Mr. Converse, who had begun his +retreat. + +"I want to tell you I'm on the executive committee of the State +Teamsters Union, Mr. Farr. I've been talking the matter up and I can +promise you that the union as a body will vote to lend horses and men +to carry your spring-water free gratis. And I hope that gent who's +starting up-town where the dudes are will tell 'em that there are +honest men enough left to protect the poor folks from that poison +water him and his rich friends are pumping out of the river to us." + +The Honorable Archer Converse halted his departure very suddenly. + +"You are not referring to me, are you, my man?" + +"I am if you're tied up with that Consolidated Water Company bunch," +stated the unterrified member of the proletariat. + +Mr. Converse retraced his steps. He shook his cane at the driver. + +"I want to inform you very distinctly, sir, that I am /not/ interested +in the Consolidated." + +"Dawson, apologize to this gentleman," Farr admonished the driver. + +"I'm sorry I said anything," muttered the man. "But all dudes look +alike to me," he told himself under his breath. + +Mr. Converse appeared to be considerably disturbed by the humble +citizen's sneer in regard to the Consolidated matter. He addressed +himself to Farr. + +"I have been touched on a point where I am very sensitive," he +informed the young man. "I do not condone the policies of the +Consolidated in regard to their control of franchises. Their system of +operation has introduced a bad element into our finance and politics. +I would be sorry to be misunderstood by the people of this state." + +"I hope you will not be misunderstood, sir," averred Farr, with +humility. + +"In order to show you my stand in the matter and so that you may +correct any misunderstanding among your friends in these quarters," +proceeded Mr. Converse, stiffly, "I will inform you that I am taking +the case of the citizens' syndicate of Danburg on appeal up to our +highest court. We hope to prove criminal conspiracy. We hope to show +up some of the corruption in the state. That is why I have gone into +the case." + +"I thank you for informing me. I have been trying to fight the +Consolidated in my own humble way." + +The eminent lawyer came closer and was promptly interested. + +"I am in search of information of all kinds, sir. Kindly explain." + +Eliminating himself as much as possible, Farr described the operations +of the Co-operative Spring Water Association. But he could not +eliminate the man on the box-seat of the jigger-wagon. When Farr had +finished his brief explanation that loyal admirer gave in some +enthusiastic testimony in regard to the man who had devised the plan +and had sacrificed his time in efforts to extend the system. He kept +on until Farr checked him. + +"I will say, Mr. Converse, before you leave, that I'd like to have you +carry away a right opinion of me. I was not trying to drag you to a +mere political gathering. There are some poor men assembled just now +in this quarter who need a sympathetic listener and a little good +advice. They are also trying to get justice from the Consolidated and +all the general oppression it represents." + +"Where are those men?" asked Converse, after a pause during which he +wrinkled his brows and tapped his cane. + +Farr pointed down the street. Not far away a low-hung transparency +heralded "The Square Deal Club." + +Mr. Converse gazed in that direction and hesitated a few moments +longer. + +"You assure me that it's not a mere political rally?" + +"I do, sir!" + +Then the son of General Converse gallantly extended his arm. + +"I'll be glad to be escorted by you, Mr. Farr," he said. "Now that I +understand this thing a bit better, I am going to break one of my +rules." As they walked along he remarked: "A man's affairs are +sometimes directed and controlled for him in a most singular fashion. +Little things change preconceived notions very suddenly." + +"They do, sir," agreed Walker Farr. + + + + XIX + + CONSCIENCE ENLISTING A RECRUIT + +A man who stood at the head of the stairs, an outpost, saw them coming +and ran and opened a door ahead of them. The door admitted to a hall +which was packed with men who were ranged on settees and stood in the +aisles and at the sides of the big room. + +"Make way for the Honorable Archer Converse," shrieked their /avant +courier/, excitedly. + +"Three cheers for the Honorable Archer Converse," called a voice, and +all the men came on to their feet and yelled lustily. + +The distinguished guest climbed upon the platform--Farr close at his +heels. The young man placed a chair for the lawyer and remained +standing. He raised his hand to command silence. + +"This is rather unexpected, boys. But this distinguished man happened +to be passing our hall to-night and has dropped in on us in a purely +informal manner. It's a great honor, and I want to say to him for all +of us that the old Square Deal Club is mighty grateful. I ask you to +rise, gentlemen of the club." + +All came to their feet again. + +"Bow your heads and for thirty seconds of deep silence pay your +respect and veneration to the memory of our great war governor, +General Aaron Converse." + +The Honorable Archer Converse looked forth over those bowed and bared +heads. The most of them were gray heads, and toil-worn hands were +clasped in front of those men. And when at last the faces were raised +to his there was an appealing earnestness in their gaze which touched +him poignantly. + +"Boys, the son of that great man is present. How will you express your +admiration and respect for him?" + +They cheered again tumultuously. + +Farr walked to the edge of the platform. + +"It is kind and generous of Mr. Converse to consent to step in here +for a few moments this evening. I will leave the meeting in his +hands." + +There was a hush for a moment. Then the guest carried his chair to the +extreme front edge of the platform. + +"I don't know just what sort of meeting this is--I have not been fully +informed," he said, very crisply. "But I want it distinctly understood +that I am not here to make any speech. Your faces indicate that you +are very much in earnest in regard to the business you are met to +consider. I am assured that this is no mere political rally?" + +"No," somebody replied. + +"I'm glad of that. I am not in politics. The political mess grows to +be nastier every year. But what are you here for? Come, now! Come! +Let's talk it over." He was a bit brusque, but his tone was kindly. + +A man who stood up in the middle of the hall was rather shabby in his +attire, but he had the deep eyes of one who thinks. + +"Honored sir," he said, "I don't stand up as one presuming to speak +for all the rest. But I have talked with many men. I know what some of +us want. We don't expect that laws or leaders will make lazy men get +ahead in the world or that victuals can be legislated into the +cupboard without a man gets out and hustles for 'em. I have worked at +a bench ever since I was fourteen. I expect to work there until I drop +out. I don't want any political office. I couldn't fill one. But why +is it that the only men who get into office are the kind who turn +around and get rich selling off property which belongs to all of us--I +mean the franchises for this, that, and the other?" He sat down. + +A thin man in the front row got up. + +"Honorable Archer Converse, one franchise that was given away by those +men years ago was the right to furnish water to this city. A private +concern got hold of that franchise. It holds the right to-day. It +saves money by pumping its water out of the Gamonic River. Saves money +and wastes lives. The Board of Health's reports show that there were +eleven hundred cases of typhoid fever in this city last year. In my +family my mother and two of my children died. I shiver every time I +touch a tap--but spring-water that can be depended on costs us at the +grocer's a dollar for a five-gallon carboy--and my wages are only ten +dollars a week. There are lakes twenty miles from this city. Pure +water there for all of us! But every tap drips sewage from the Gamonic +River. Haven't we got any leaders who will make that water company +pump health instead of death?" + +"They sent 'Tabulator' Burke up for ballot frauds," said a voter who +stood up in a far corner. "But anybody in this city understands well +enough that the judge who sent him to state prison knew who the real +chaps were, knew how much the real ones paid 'Tabulator' to take the +whole blame. And the governor knows it all and has just reappointed +that judge." + +The Honorable Archer Converse sat very straight in his chair and +listened to those men. He continued to sit straight and listened to +others. The men dealt in no diatribe. There was no raving, there was +no anarchistic sentiments. They arose, uttered their grievances +gloomily but without passion, and sat down. + +One elderly man stood up and raised both hands. + +"I came across the sea to this country, sir. I came because I could +have my little share in the government where I paid taxes and labored +--I could vote here. It's the only public privilege I have. But, O +God, give us some one to vote for!" + +"I sympathize with your feelings," replied Mr. Converse. "But you are +talking to the wrong man. I'm not in politics." + +"By the gods, you will be if my nerve only holds out," Farr told +himself. + +Another man sprang to his feet. He spoke quietly, but his very +repression made him more effective. + +"What's the good of voting till men like you do get into politics, Mr. +Converse, and give us leaders who will use their power to help the +people who voted for them? I'm sick of voting. I'm teamed up to the +polls by ward workers--and I know just why those men are in the game +and who they're working for. What do you suppose Colonel Dodd cares +which side carries this city, or which side carries the state? He and +his crowd stand to win, whatever party gets in. You can't beat 'em. +Business is business, no matter what politics may be! The city money +is wasted just the same, the policy game is let run for the benefit of +the rich men who back it, all the grafts go right on. You can't fool +me any longer. They stir us poor chaps up at election-time, we rush to +the polls and vote, and sometimes think we are accomplishing +something. But what we're doing is simply boosting out some fellow who +has made his pile and putting in another who wants office so that he +can fill his own pockets by selling our common rights out to the same +men. I say, you can't beat it!" + +The Honorable Archer Converse seemed to find his position on the +platform uncomfortable. He rose suddenly and stepped down on the +floor. He went among the men. He grasped the hands that were +outstretched to him. He realized that he had scant encouragement for +these men. The meeting had given him new light. He knew considerable +about the old days, and in the old days of politics men flocked to +rallies. They harkened humbly to speeches from their leaders, and +swallowed the sugar-coated facts, and listened to bands, and joined +the torch-light parades, and voted according to party lines, and +thought they had done well; the surface of things was nicely slicked +over. + +He understood that out of the ease with which the mob could be herded, +with others doing their thinking for them, had grown politics as a +business--with the big interests dominating both parties--and no one +realized how it had all come about better than Converse. This new +spirit, however, rather surprised him, for he had been keeping aloof +from politics. These men who crowded about him were not mere dumb, +driven voters in the mass--they were individuals who were thinking, +who were demanding, who were seeking a leader that would consider them +as citizens to be served, not chattels to be sold to the highest +bidder. His keen lawyer's insight understood all this! + +"I'm a butcher down in the stock-yards, Mr. Converse," said one man, +who pressed forward. "We've got trained bulls there who tole the +cattle along into the slaughter-pens. I've got tired of being a steer +in politics and following these old trained bulls." + +Converse worked his way through the press to the door, Farr at his +heels. + +When they were on the street the honorable gentleman turned sharply +toward the Boulevard. + +"I haven't any spirit or taste to-night for moonlight in the park, +sir! A nice trick you played on me." + +"I wanted you to get a first-hand notion of a state of affairs, Mr. +Converse." + +"But you ought to understand my temperament better--you ought to know +it's going to stick in my mind, worry me, vex me, set me to seeking +for remedies. It's just as if I'd been retained on a case. I feel +almost duty-bound to pitch in." + +"It's strange how a man gets pulled into a thing sometimes--into +something he had no idea of meddling with," philosophized Farr, +blandly. "That's the way it has happened in my case." + +"It has, eh?" demanded Mr. Converse, sharply. He had tacitly accepted +the young man's companionship for the walk back to the Boulevard. +"Now, look here! Just who are you?" + +"My name is Farr and I'm nothing." + +"You needn't bluff me--you're a politician--a candidate for +something." + +"I'm not even a voter in this state. It's men like you, sir, who ought +to be candidates for the high offices." + +"My sainted father trained me to respect self-sacrifice, Mr. Farr. But +for a clean man to try to accomplish things for the people in politics +these days isn't self-sacrifice--it's martyrdom. The cheap politicians +heap the fagots, the sneering newspapers light the fire and keep +blowing it with their bellows, and the people stand around and seem to +show a sort of calm relish in watching the operation. And when it is +all over not a bit of good has been done." + +"I'm afraid I have wasted an evening for you, sir. I'm sorry. I hoped +the troubles of those men, when you heard them at first hand, would +interest you." + +"Interest me! Confound it all, you have wrecked my peace of mind! I +knew it all before. But I'm selfish, like almost everybody else. I +kept away where I couldn't hear about these things. Now, if I sleep +soundly to-night I'll be ashamed to look up at my father's portrait +when I walk into my office to-morrow morning. Why didn't you have +better sense than to coax me into your infernal meeting?" He rapped +his cane angrily against the curbstone as he strode on. "And the +trouble with me is," continued Mr. Converse, with much bitterness, "I +know the conditions are such in this state that a meeting like that +can be assembled in every city and town--and the complaints will be +just and demand help. But there's no organization--it's only blind +kittens miauling. It's damnable!" + +"But this is the kind of country where some mighty quick changes can +be made when the people do get their eyes open," suggested the young +man. + +Mr. Converse merely grunted, tapping his cane more viciously. + +They were on the frontier of the Eleventh Ward now. The brighter +lights of the avenues of up-town blazed before them. + +"Then you will not go into politics?" inquired Farr. + +"I'd sooner sail for India with a cargo of hymn-books and give +singing-lessons to Bengal tigers." + +"Good night, sir," said Farr. He halted on the street corner which +marked the boundary of the ward. + +"Good night, sir!" replied Mr. Converse, striding on. + +The young man watched him out of sight. He heard the angry clack of +the cane on the stones long after the Honorable Archer Converse had +turned the next corner. + +"Maxim in the case of a true gentleman," mused Farr: "tap his +conscience on the shoulder, point your finger at the enemy, say +nothing, simply stand back and give conscience plenty of elbow-room-- +it needs no help. There, by the grace of God, goes the next governor +of this state." + + + + XX + + CONSIDERATION: ONE DAUGHTER + +On the morning following his discomfiture Richard Dodd posted himself +in a little tobacco-shop opposite the Trelawny Apartment-house. +Lurking behind cigar-boxes in the window, he held the door of the +house under surly espionage. It was plain to the shopkeeper that "the +gent had made a night of it." Dodd's eyes were heavy, his face was +flushed, and he lighted one cigarette after another with shaky hands. + +Shortly before nine o'clock Kate Kilgour came out and walked down the +avenue on the way to her work. Dodd stared after her until she was out +of sight. Shame and anger and desire mingled in the steady gaze he +leveled on her; in her crisp freshness she represented both the +longed-for and the unattainable. He was conscious of a new sentiment +in regard to her. In the past his impatience had been tempered by the +comforting knowledge that she had promised herself to him--that she +was his to own, to possess after a bit of tantalizing procrastination. +Now he was not at all sure of her. He had been just a bit patronizing +in the past--his successes with women had inflated his conceit--he had +exhibited a rather careless air of proprietorship--his manner had said +to her and to others, "This is mine; look at it!" But now when he had +watched her out of sight jealousy, anger, the sour conviction that he +had forfeited her regard combined to make him desperate, and the +excesses of the night before kindled a flame which heated all his evil +passions. + +He threw away his cigarette, cursed roundly aloud, and hurried across +the street into the Trelawny. + +When Mrs. Kilgour admitted him to her suite she clung to the door- +casing, exhibiting much trepidation. + +He stepped in, closed the door, and put his back against it. + +"Have you got those hysterics out of you so that you can listen to me +and then talk sense?" he demanded, coarsely. + +She went into her sitting-room and he followed, muttering: + +"No wonder you ran away from me last night--no wonder you didn't have +the face to stay and take what you deserve. How in tophet I ever +allowed you to plan and manage I can't understand." + +"You asked me to," she faltered. + +"I didn't ask you to rig up a dirty conspiracy to queer me." + +"Richard, you are not yourself. You have been drinking!" She tried to +exhibit protesting indignation and failed. "Come to me when you are +yourself." + +"There's no more of this to-morrow business goes with me, Mrs. +Kilgour. I'll admit that you're Kate's mother. But just now you are +something else. You have tried to do me, and nobody gets by with that +stuff--man, woman, or child. We'll have our settlement here and now." + +"I did the best I could," she wailed. + +"Out of what damnation novel did you get that idea?" he raged. + +"It seemed to be a good plan, Richard. I swear by everything sacred I +thought it would come out all right. Don't rave at me." Her voice sunk +to an appealing whisper. She picked up a book from her table. "If you +will only listen--" + +"So you did get it out of a novel! My God! what have your fool ideas +done to me?" + +"How do you dare to talk to Kate's mother like that?" + +"I am not talking to Kate's mother, I tell you! I'm talking to a woman +who has put me into a hell on earth. I'm talking to you, Mrs. Kilgour, +and you don't know the whole story yet." + +"All my life it has been the same--only trouble and sorrow and to be +misunderstood." She began to sob. + +"Is there anything in that novel about ringing in an iceman to break +up a marriage? I say it was all a conspiracy. You didn't intend to be +square. You intended to rig a scheme so that you could duck out from +under. You have always done that, Mrs. Kilgour." + +"I had nothing to do with that man coming in." + +"Don't try to fool me any more. You told me to come, didn't you? You +must have told some yarn to your daughter to have her come." + +"I did--it was all--" + +"And then you told that plug-ugly to come in, too, and break it up so +as to queer me. Why did I ever fall for such lunacy? If I hadn't been +desperate I would never have let you drag me into such a devilish +scheme. But now you have got to do your part to square me. It's going +to be straight talk from now on, Mrs. Kilgour. There must be a +settlement between us." + +She looked away from him. She was plainly searching her soul for +excuses to postpone that settlement. + +"That person who came in, Dicky! I swear I did not arrange any such +thing. He is only an iceman. I don't know the man. It was some +accident. If the matter hadn't been interrupted! It was going along +all right." + +"What's the matter with your intellect? You know it wasn't going along +at all! You simply had us chasing shadows. Good God! I ought to have +made you tell me what you were planning. Think of it! Think of me +waltzing down there like a boob and thinking you had something real to +offer." + +"But you frightened her with that jailbird. You should have brought a +real clergyman." + +"The man I brought has the power to perform marriages! I would have +made a nice spectacle towing a clergyman into that mess, wouldn't I?" + +She broke in upon his further speech. She wrung her hands, paltering, +pleading, trying to explain, trying more desperately to postpone that +settlement he was demanding. + +"But, honestly, it did seem to be a good plan, Dicky. I'm her mother. +I know her nature. You know how some natures have to be handled! She +is so self-centered. She has to be taken by surprise. She has to know +that she is making a sacrifice. That is why I arranged it all for Rose +Alley and borrowed that house. And I had it all planned out what to +say to her at the last moment there." + +"Well, what was this great thing you were going to say?" He glared at +her, disgust and suspicion in his eyes. + +She flushed. She hesitated, unable to meet his gaze. + +"It's no use to tell you now, Dicky. Somehow, now that I come to think +it all over, it sounds rather tame. It all did seem so plausible, what +I was going to say when I sat down and planned out the thing. And the +romance of it--you know even self-centered girls like to feel that a +man wants them so much that he gets desperate--and she said once that +she would marry you some time--perhaps--and--" + +"Oh, you--you--" He broke in and then stopped, lacking words. "What's +the use?" he muttered. "You don't even know your own daughter. She has +been enduring me because you have been keeping at her. I understand it +now. You told me you could hurry it up. You have made me look like a +melodrama villain. You have made her hate me. Now own up! Didn't she +rave to you after you got home and tell you she hated me? You have +nailed me to the cross for ever where she is concerned--now haven't +you? Own up." + +"I can win her back, Dicky. Give me a little time." But she was not +able to look at him. "Don't scold me any more. I'm her mother. She +will obey her own mother in time. Don't hurt my sensitive nature any +more." She began to weep, twisting her rings on her trembling fingers. + +He scowled at her, narrowing his eyes. "You haven't been playing +square with me, Mrs. Kilgour." + +"Call me Mother Kilgour, Dicky, just as you always have." + +"I won't stand for any more bluffing, Mrs. Kilgour. Kate has sworn to +you that she will never marry me--now hasn't she?" + +"But I can talk her around--you can win her back. I'll tell her it was +my plan--I'll have courage to tell her later--" + +"So you have been laying that crazy idea all to me?" + +"But I'll get up courage to tell her some day--and your devotion will +win her back--devotion always wins. You can--" + +"Mrs. Kilgour, I know you pretty well. I repeat, I know you have +always ducked out from under--that's your nature. But here's a thing +you can't dodge. You've got to come to time. You know how I love Kate. +There isn't any reason why she shouldn't marry me. There's no excuse +for her holding me off the way she does. You've got to fix it for me-- +quick! Understand? This fluff talk about 'devotion' and 'some day' +doesn't go. I want action. Now hold on! I don't mean to threaten--I've +been square with you till now. Good gad, you don't realize what a +price I've paid!" + +"And now on top of your other insults you are going to twit me again +because I have borrowed five thousand dollars from you. Oh, Dicky, I +thought you were more of a gentleman?" + +"Mrs. Kilgour, I have simply got to make you understand what I have +done for you before you'll wake up and do something for me." + +"I appreciate what you did, Dicky. Honestly, I do. You save me from +losing money on my stocks." + +"Where are those stocks?" + +She did not look at him. "I have them put away--all safe. They are all +right. Just as soon as business is better I will get your money for +you, Dicky. You shall have it, every cent." + +"Where are those stocks, I say! Mrs. Kilgour, look at me. Were are +they?" + +"Why are you so particular about knowing where they are?" Protecting +herself, she showed a flicker of resentment. + +"Because you must sell and hand me that money--at once." + +"I--I don't believe I can realize on them just now. They are--are down +just at present. They--" + +"What are the stocks?" + +"I don't care to reveal my private business, Richard." + +"It happens to be my business, too. I'm in trouble. I must know. I +shall stay here till I find out. You may as well come across." + +"As soon as I can arrange it--I will tell you. Very soon now!" + +He snapped himself out of his chair and went across the room to her. +He put his hands on her shoulders and bent his face to hers. + +"You haven't any stocks, Mrs. Kilgour." + +"No," she whispered, his eyes dominating her. + +"What did you do with that money I loaned you?" + +"I paid--a debt." + +"What debt? Answer! This thing must be cleared up--/now/!" + +She began to weep. + +"No more hysterics, Mrs. Kilgour. We are now down to cases. Something +bad will happen if you don't confide in me." + +Then, cornered, with the impulse of weak natures to seek support from +stronger--to appeal to a victor who cannot be eluded--she blurted the +truth. + +"They got to suspecting me when I was cashier for Dalton & Company. I +heard they were going to put experts upon my books, Dicky. I didn't +want to go to jail. I would have disgraced Kate. I knew you loved her +and would not want her mother to be arrested. I had to have that +money. I told you the story about the stocks. So I was saved from +being disgraced." + +"Oh, you were?" His eyes flamed so furiously that she turned her gaze +from him. + +"And now I feel better, for I have confided in you and you're going to +be my good and true friend from now on. It will be made up to you, +Dicky." + +"What had you done with all that money you took from Dalton & +Company?" + +"It costs so much to live--and keep up the position I had when Andrew +was alive! A woman needs so many things, Richard. I have always been +proud. I was obliged to--" + +He swore and swung away from her. "Wasted it on dress and jewelry! You +turned the trick on one man and put him underground. And I'm the next +victim! I knew I was being played for a sucker, but, oh--" + +He battered his fists against the wall in pure ecstasy of rage. Then +he sat down and put his face in his hands. + +The woman clucked sobs which did not ring true. + +"I wonder what Kate would say if she knew how I had come to the +scratch. She knew her father was a hero. I wonder whether she would +think I am one!" he said, after silence had continued for a long time. + +"Are you going to tell her?" the mother gasped. + +"I love her too much. But, see here! Do you think I picked that five +thousand off a rose-bush?" + +"You told me your uncle loaned it to you." + +"You think I got it easy--got it for the asking, and that's why you +have been loafing on the job," he said, with bitterness. "Ask my uncle +for money? I should say not. He never loosened for anybody yet--not +even his relatives. Mrs. Kilgour, I love your daughter so much--I was +so anxious to help you--I stole that five thousand from the state +treasury. I have been covering it in my accounts for more than a year +--hell all the time with plenty of white-hot when the legislative +committee has been over the accounts. Some day some blasted fool will +wake up enough to see that there's a hole in my figures." + +He put his elbows on his knees and stared at the carpet. The woman's +face grew white. + +"That's how it stands with me, Mrs. Kilgour. You know you were not +square with me at the start. You said you needed the money for only a +few weeks--you said you were pinched in a stock deal. You lied to me. +You have wasted the money on fine feathers for your back. I have kept +still. You can't pay me. I've got to struggle out of the mess as best +I can. But, by the eternal gods, there's something coming to me, and +that's your daughter. Now are you going to wake up?" + +"I'll do everything I can." Her tone was not convincing, however. + +He realized that this woman with the pulpy conscience and the +artificial emotions, selfish and a coward, was merely vaguely stirred +by his revelation, not spurred by the extent of his sacrifice in her +behalf. + +"Do what you /can/? Whine to me like that after I have stolen state's +money and am standing under my steal? What if this state tips over +politically and they investigate the treasury? I tell you, Mrs. +Kilgour, I deserve to have Kate. I'm going to have her. You have got +to fix it--and right away." + +"But I can't marry off a girl of twenty as if she were a Chinese +slave." His insistence caused her to display more of her pettish +resentment. + +"If you can't deliver the goods, Mrs. Kilgour, I shall take a hand in +it." + +"How?" + +"I'll tell her the story." + +"You wouldn't dare." + +"She has a sense of honor and of obligation even if you haven't. She +will pay. She'll pay with herself. That's a devil of a way to get a +wife, but if that's the only way I'll take it." + +"But you have just owned up that you have embezzled money. As Kate's +mother it's my duty to protect her from disgrace." + +That amazing declaration fairly took away Dodd's breath. + +By the manner in which the woman now looked at him it was plain that +he had sunk in her estimation. + +"You know, Richard, a mother feels called on to protect a good +daughter." + +He got up and stamped on the floor in his passion and swore. + +"I appreciate what you did for me--but, really, I didn't ask you to +steal money--and I supposed your uncle was always liberal with you. +You should not have told me falsehoods." + +The maddening feature of this calm assumption of superiority was the +fact that the woman seemed really to believe for the moment exactly +what she was saying and to forget why Dodd had jeopardized his +fortunes; her manner showed her shallow estimate of the situation. + +"There's another way of doing it," raged the young man, infuriated by +this repudiation of obligation. "I'll blow the whole thing about the +two of us--and she'll be glad enough to have me after it's all over." + +"You haven't any right to bring all this trouble and disgrace into my +family." + +"You know one way of preventing it and you'd better get busy, Mrs. +Kilgour," he advised. "I'm going to give you another chance of keeping +your word and paying your debt to me. I want Kate--and I have waited +for her long enough." + +He clapped on his hat and hurried away. + +He left the mother sprawled on a couch, her ringed hands clutched into +her dyed hair. She was still clucking sobs which would not have +convinced any unprejudiced hearer that she felt real grief. + +When Richard Dodd entered his uncle's offices in the First National +block a little later he was in the mood to force his affairs a bit. He +enjoyed liberties there which the ordinary caller did not have and he +walked into Kate Kilgour's little room without attracting attention or +comment. + +"I know exactly how you feel about last night, Kate." He addressed her +respectfully and humbly. "I understand that this is no place to +discuss the matter. I haven't come here to do so. I apologize for the +affair. I'm going to say this to you--I took your mother's advice. She +planned the thing and trumped up the errand which called you to that +house. I'm afraid she is rather too romantic. I only say this, Kate: a +man's love can make him do foolish things. Please talk with your +mother when you go home--and take her advice. If you do, it will be +better for all of us." He trembled with the restraint he had put upon +himself. "You can see that I have been punished, Kate. I am a +different man--you ought to be able to see it. Awful trouble has come +to me. I need your love to help me through it." + +She gazed at him with level, cold eyes. + +"You don't understand. I can't explain, dear! But I'm telling you the +truth. Kate, if you don't forget that folly I was guilty of last night +and be to me what you have been--if you don't marry me very soon you +will be sorry." + +"Are you threatening me, Richard?" + +"No, I didn't mean it to sound like that. But I know that with your +appreciation of what sacrifice means you will be very unhappy if you +toss me away and then find out certain things." + +"This is not the time for riddles, Richard. What do you mean?" + +"I have said all I can say." + +"I do not love you well enough to be your wife. I have not meant to +play the coquette. I have not known myself. You and my mother-- Oh, +why rehearse? You know the story. You have understood that my love for +you was not what you should have. We may as well end it here and now, +Richard. I will forget last night. I will forget all the rest--for it +is ended!" + +"It cannot be ended," he retorted. "Understand! It cannot be ended. I +am trying to hold myself together, Kate. Don't provoke me. I call on +you to keep your promise. No other man shall have you." He leaned +close. "Do you love any other man?" + +She looked up at him and spoke slowly and gravely. "I do not think I +do, Richard." + +He scowled at her. "You don't /think/ you do! What in the name of +Judas do you mean by a remark like that?" + +"It's because I'm trying to tell the truth," she returned, with simple +earnestness. + +"This is a sort of new mood you're in?" he persisted. + +"Yes." + +He hesitated. He started to speak and then was silent for a long time. +"Damnation! I won't insult you!" he blurted at last. + +"I hope not, Richard." + +"It's preposterous!" + +"What is preposterous?" Her tone was calm. + +"I saw you look at a man last evening." + +"Very well!" + +"I have seen women look at me like that in my life." + +"I was not conscious that I looked at any man in any especial manner." + +"You couldn't see yourself. Perhaps you did not realize that you +looked at that man with any meaning in your eyes. But the women who +looked at me as you looked at him told me that they loved me. I am +talking it right out! But if I should hint that you're in love with a +tramp I should insult you. I am crazy, that's all. My troubles are +affecting my mind. Forgive me, Kate." + +"You are, of course, referring to the young man who broke in on our +prospective business last evening." There was just a touch of contempt +in her demeanor; but her air was coldly business-like; sitting there +at her desk she held him, physically and mentally, at arm's-length. +Her poise was sure. It seemed perfectly natural for her to be +discussing a young man in an impersonal manner. + +"I am referring to that low-lived vagrant we met on the road--that +iceman--that--well, I don't know what he is except that the devil +seems to be kicking him under my feet to trip me. Kate, Kate, it's too +ridiculous to talk about--that wretch!" + +"Do you mean by that remark that I am taking any interest in that +young man outside of mere curiosity?" + +"I don't know why you should have any curiosity about a tramp." + +"You are not a good student of physiognomy, Richard." + +"So you have been studying him, have you? You went away with him and +left me. What did he say to you? Where did he leave you? I haven't +dared to think about your going away with him. I excused it because +you were angry--so angry you'd even pick up a tramp for an escort. But +what interest do you take in that renegade?" His tones were acrid with +jealousy. + +"I did not find him a renegade. I found him a mystery, Richard. And I +hope that some day I will know what the mystery is." + +"Are you trying to drive me mad?" + +"I am merely chatting along in order to keep you off a topic which is +distressing. I heard that your uncle intended to have the man +investigated after he came into the office here and made that brave +stand. I happened to hear the talk the young man made. Perhaps that +accounts for my curiosity. Did your uncle find out much about the +man?" + +"I don't know what he found out," declared Dodd, rapidly losing +control of himself. "But I propose to find out for myself." + +"Please do, Richard," said the girl, ingenuously and earnestly. She +seemed to be losing some of the hauteur she had shown at the first of +their meeting. + +"I'll find out enough to put him in jail, where he probably belongs. +I'm not going to insult you, Kate, by any more talk about a tramp. You +can't shift me from the main topic. Go home and talk with your mother, +as I have told you. We are going to be married!" + +"Richard, our affair is ended." + +"Then who is the man?" + +"There is no man." + +"If you say that and mean it, then you don't know women as well as I +know them. You don't know even yourself!" he declared. "I want to say +to you, Kate, that we are all walking on mighty thin ice. The sooner +you and I take hold of hands and get safely ashore--just you and I-- +the better it will be. Just let your curiosity about other men fall +asleep. I tell you again, go home and talk with your mother." + +He bowed, reached his hand to touch hers, but refrained when she +turned suddenly to her desk and resumed her work. + +Young Dodd hurried out of the building without attempting to see his +uncle, and cooled his head and his passion and soothed his physical +discomfort by a headlong dash in his car back to the state's capital +city. + +The girl took her courage in her hands and asked Mr. Peter Briggs, in +as matter-of-fact tone as she could muster, whether he did not want +any record copy made of his notes in regard to that person who had +bearded Colonel Dodd. But Mr. Briggs informed her that the matter was +not of sufficient importance. + +"The fellow is merely a cheap, loafing sort--here to-day, there +to-morrow," said Briggs. "I investigated him thoroughly." + +Until then Miss Kilgour had always had a high opinion of Peter +Briggs's acumen. She promptly revised that estimate, reflecting that +age is bound to dull a person's senses and cloud his judgment. + + + + XXI + + THE HONORABLE LION CONFERS WITH COLONEL TIGER + +All his people in the offices of the Honorable Archer Converse noticed +that the chief was not amiable that day. His usual dignified composure +was wholly lacking. He gave off orders fretfully, he slapped papers +about on his desk when he worked there; every now and then he glanced +up at the portrait of his distinguished father and muttered under his +breath. He had called for more documents relating to state health +statistics, reports on water systems, and had despatched a clerk to +the capital city to secure certain additional facts, figures, and +literature. The junior members of his law firm knew that he had taken +much to heart the case of the citizens of Danburg, who had been +blocked in their honest efforts to build a water system and who now +charged various high interests with conspiracy. The litigation was +important--the issues revolutionary. But the juniors had never seen +the chief fussed up by any law case before. + +Then something really did happen! + +The three citizens of Danburg who had occasionally conferred with him +came into his office and lined up in front of him. Mr. Davis scratched +his chin and blinked meekly, Mr. Erskine exhibited his nervousness by +running his fingers around inside his collar, and Mr. Owen fairly +oozed unspoken apology. + +"Look here, gentlemen," snapped Mr. Converse, "I'm not ready for you. +I told you not to come until next week. I have an immense mass of +material to study. You're only wasting time--mine and yours--coming +here to-day." + +"Well, you see, your honor," stammered Davis, "we came to-day so as to +save you more trouble and work." + +"Work!" echoed Mr. Converse, seizing the arms of his chair and shoving +an astonished face forward. + +"Why--why--you see we've decided not to push this case any further. +And whatever is owing to you--name the sum." He did not relish the +glow which was coming into the attorney's eyes, nor the grim wrinkles +settling about the thin lips. "So that there won't be any hard +feelings, in any way," Davis hastened to say. + +"What has happened to you men all of a sudden?" demanded the lawyer. +"Explain! Speak up!" + +Davis's face was red, and he found much difficulty in replying. + +"Well--you see--you know--if you get into law you never know when +you're going to get out. We feel that this case is bound to drag! It's +an awful big case--and they've got lots of money to fight us." + +"I told you I'd take your case for bare expenses and court fees," +stormed the lawyer. "It's a case I wanted to prosecute." + +"We know--you were mighty fine about it--but we've decided different. +You see, the Consolidated--" + +Mr. Converse came onto his feet and shook his finger under Davis's +nose. "Don't you dare to tell me you have sold out to the +Consolidated," he shouted in tones that rang through his offices and +brought all his force to the right about and attention. + +"That wasn't it--exactly. But they'll take it off our hands--will do +the right thing, now that we have shown 'em a few things! Colonel Dodd +has seen new light. And it is too good a price for us to throw down." + +"You have let those monopolists buy you off. They have paid you a big +bribe because they are getting scared. They were afraid they had +played the old game once too often. I have them where I want them! No, +my men! You've got to fight this thing, I say." + +"You can't drag us into law unless we're willing to go," stated Davis, +doggedly. "We've taken their money and the papers have been passed-- +and that settles it. We haven't done anything different than the +others have done in this state." + +"No, and that's the trouble with this state," cried Converse, with +passion. "You came in here at first and talked like men--like honest +men who had good reason for righteous anger--and I took your case. And +now you sneak back here and give up your fight--bribed after I clubbed +them until they were willing to offer you enough money." + +"We have only done what straight business men would do Mr. Converse," +declared Owen. + +"We had a chance to go to the high court with a case that would open +up the whole rottenness in this state before we got done fighting, and +you have sold out!" + +"Good day. We don't have to listen to such talk," said Erskine. + +"You wait one minute." The lawyer pulled open a drawer and found his +check-book. He wrote hastily and tore out the check. "Here's that +retaining-fee you paid me. Now get out of my office." + +He drove them ahead of him to the door, shouting insistent commands +that they hurry. + +When they were gone he gazed about at his astonished associates, his +partners, and his clerks. + +"I apologize most humbly ladies and gentlemen, for making such a +disturbance. I--I hardly seem to be myself to-day." + +He went to his desk and sat down and stared up at the portrait of War- +Governor Converse for a long time. At last he thumped his fist on his +desk and shook his head. + +"No," he declared, as if the portrait had been asking him a question +and pressing him for a reply, "I can't do it. I could have gone into +the courts and fought them as an attorney. I could have maintained my +self-respect. But not in politics--no--no! It's too much of a mess in +these days." + +But he pushed aside the papers which related to the affairs of the big +corporations for which he was counsel and kept on studying the reports +which his clerks had secured for him--such statements on health and +financial affairs as they were able to dig up. + +A day later his messenger brought a mass of data back from the State +House along with a story about insolent clerks and surly heads of +departments who offered all manner of slights and did all they dared +to hinder investigation. + +"It's a pretty tough condition of affairs, Mr. Converse," complained +the clerk, "when a state's hired servants treat citizens as if they +were trespassers in the Capitol. It has got so that our State House +isn't much of anything except a branch office for Colonel Dodd." + +"But you told them from what office you came--from my office?" + +"Of course I did, sir." + +"Well, what did they say?" + +The clerk's face grew red and betrayed sudden embarrassment. + +"Oh, they--they--didn't say anything special: just uppish--only--" + +"What did they say?" roared Mr. Converse. "You've got a memory! Out +with it! Exact words." + +Clerks were taught to obey orders in that office. + +"They said," choked the man, "that simply because your father was +governor of this state once you needn't think you could tell folks in +the State House to stand around! They said you didn't cut any ice in +politics." + +"That's the present code of manners, eh? Insult a citizen and salaam +to a politician!" + +"Mr. Converse, I waited an hour in the Vital Statistics Bureau while +the chief smoked cigars with Alf Symmes, that ward heeler. I had sent +in our firm card, and the chief held it in his hand and flipped it and +smoked and sat where he could look out at me and grin--and when Symmes +had finished his loafing they let me in." + +Mr. Converse turned to his desk and plunged again into the data. + +The next day he put a clerk at the long-distance telephone to call +physicians in all parts of the state--collecting independent +information in regard to the past and present prevalence of typhoid; +he read certain official reports with puckered brow and little mutters +of disbelief, and after he had read for a long time that disbelief was +very frank. Mr. Converse had rather keen vision in matters of +prevarication, even when the lying was done adroitly with figures. + +He was not a pleasant companion for his office force during those +days; his irascibility seemed to increase. He knew it himself, and he +felt a gentleman's shame because of a state of mind which he could not +seem to control. + +And finally, out of the complexity of his emotions, he fully realized +that he was angry at himself and that his anger at himself was growing +more acute from the fact that he realized that the anger was +justified. For he woke to the knowledge that he had allowed himself to +grow selfish. He resented the fact that anybody should expect him to +meddle with public affairs--to get into the muddle of politics. And he +knew he ought to be ashamed of such selfishness--and, therefore, he +grew more angry at himself as he continued to harbor resentment +against any agency which threatened to drag him into public life. + +He knew where the shell of that selfishness had been broken--it was +cracked in the meeting where his chivalry had received its call to +arms in behalf of the helpless. Those men had gazed at him, had told +their troubles--and had left it all to his conscience! He did not +believe those men were shrewd enough to understand so exactly in what +fashion he could be snared in their affairs. + +"Confound that rascal who inveigled me there!" ran his mental anathema +of the strange young man. "He must have been the devil, wearing that +frock-coat to hide his forked tail. And here I am now, fighting for +peace of mind!" + +And his struggle for his peace of mind drove him, at last, to set his +hat very straight on his head and march across the street to Colonel +Symonds Dodd's office. + +The Honorable Archer Converse had made up his mind that no influence +in the world could pull or push him into politics. He held firmly +fixed convictions as to what would happen to a good man in politics. +To get office this man of principle would be obliged to fight +manipulators with their own choice of weapons. And once in office, all +his motives would be mocked and his movements assailed. Converse was a +keen man who had studied men; he was not one of those amiable +theorists who believe that the People always have sense enough in the +mass to turn to and elect the right men for rulers. He understood +perfectly well that accomplishing real things in politics is not a +game of tossing rose-petals. + +He went to call on Colonel Dodd. He went with the lofty purpose of a +patriotic citizen, resolved to exhort the colonel to clean house. It +seemed to be quite the natural thing to do, now that the idea had +occurred to him. Certainly Colonel Dodd would listen to reason--would +wake up when the thing was presented to him in the right manner; he +must understand that new fashions had come to stay in these days of +reform. + +Thinking it all over, considering that really the matter of this +water-supply and attendant monopoly of franchises had become an evil, +that the prospects of the party would be endangered if the party +leaders continued to nurse this evil, Mr. Converse was certain that he +and the colonel would be able to arrange for reform, by letting the +colonel do the reforming. + +They faced each other. Their respective attitudes told much! + +Colonel Dodd filled his chair in front of his desk, using all the +space in it, swelling into all its concavities--usurping it all. + +The Honorable Archer Converse sat very straight, his shoulders not +touching his chair-back. + +Physically they represented extremes; mentally, morally, and in +political ethics they were as divergent as their physical attributes. + +"I'm sorry that you were able to take those Danburg men into camp," +said Mr. Converse, couching his lance promptly and in plain sight like +an honorable antagonist. "I had been retained and proposed to expose +conditions in the management of water systems." + +"I don't know what you mean," replied the colonel, following his own +code of combat and mentally fumbling at a net to throw over this +antagonist. + +"Yes, you do," retorted Mr. Converse. "You know better than I do +because you own the water systems of this state. But if you need to be +reminded, Colonel, I'll say that you are making great profits. You can +afford to tap lakes--spend money for mains even if you do have to go +fifteen or twenty miles into the hills around the cities and towns." + +"Whom do you represent, sir?" + +"Colonel Dodd, I think--really--that I'm representing /you/ when I +give you mighty good advice and do not charge for it." + +"I've got my own lawyers, Mr. Converse." + +Both men were employing politeness that was grim, and they were +swapping glances as duelists slowly chafe swords, awaiting an opening. + +Sullen anger was taking possession of the colonel, thus bearded. + +Righteous indignation, born from his bitterness of the past few days, +made Converse's eyes flash. + +"You are one of the richest men in this state, Colonel Dodd, and your +money has come to you from the pockets of the people--tolls from +thousands of them. Remember that!" + +"Huh!" snorted the colonel, looking up at a bouquet. + +It is not often given to men to place proper estimate on their own +limitations. Otherwise, the Honorable Archer Converse would never have +gone in person to prevail upon Colonel Symonds Dodd. In temperament +and ethics they were so far asunder that conference between them on a +common topic was as hopeless an undertaking as would be argument +between a tiger and a lion over the carcass of a sheep. + +Mr. Converse rose, unfolding himself with dignified angularity. + +"I must remind you, sir, that I belong to the political party of which +you assume to be boss. If you refuse to give common justice to the +people, then you are using that party to cover iniquity." + +Colonel Dodd worked himself out of his chair and stood up. "I am +taking no advice from you, sir, as to how I shall manage business or +politics." + +"Perhaps, sir, in regard to your business I can only exhort you to be +honest, but as regards the party which my honored father led to +victory in this state I have something to say, by gad! sir, when I see +it being led to destruction." + +"Well, sir, what have you to say?" + +"I will not stand by and allow it to be ruined by men who are using it +to protect their methods in business dealings." + +"What ice do you think you cut in the politics of this state?" +inquired the colonel, dropping into the vernacular of the politician, +too angry to deal in any more grim politeness. + +"Not the kind you are cutting, sir--your political ice is like the ice +you cut from the poisoned rivers." + +"It seems to be still popular for cranks to come here and threaten +me," sneered the colonel. "It was started a while ago by a shock- +headed idiot from the Eleventh Ward." + +The Honorable Archer Converse displayed prompt interest which +surprised the colonel. "A young man from the Eleventh Ward? Was he +tall and rather distinguished-looking?" + +Colonel Dodd snorted his disgust. "Distinguished-looking! He +threatened me, and I had him followed. He's a ward heeler. Better look +him up!" His choler was driving him to extremes. He was pricked by his +caller's high-bred stare of disdain. "He seems to be another apostle +of the people who wants to tell me how to run my own business. Yes, +you better look him up, Converse." + +"Very well, sir! If he came in here and tried to tell you the truth +about yourself he's worth knowing. Furthermore, I think I do know +him." + +"Ah, one of those you train with, eh? Do you like him?" + +It was biting sarcasm, but to the colonel's disappointment it did not +appear to affect his caller in the least. Converse even smiled--a most +peculiar sort of smile. + +"I must say, sir, that I have been hating him cordially." + +The colonel grunted approbation. + +"But from now on, sir, for reasons best known to myself, I'm going to +make that young man my close and particular friend. You'll hear from +us later." + +He bowed stiffly and went out, leaving Colonel Dodd staring after him +with his square face twisted into an expression of utter astonishment, +his little eyes goggling, his tuft of whisker sticking up like an +exclamation-point. + +"The first appropriation the next legislature makes," he soliloquized, +"will have to be money enough to build a new wing on the insane- +hospital. They're all going crazy in this state, from aristocrats to +tramps." + + + + XXII + + ENLISTING A KNIGHT-ERRANT + +On his way down the stairs to the street the Honorable Archer +Converse, moving more rapidly than was his wont, overtook and passed +Kate Kilgour. He was too absorbed to notice even a pretty girl. She +had finished her work for the day and was on her way home. + +When she reached the street she observed something which interested +her immensely: Mr. Converse suddenly flourished his cane to attract +the attention of a man on the opposite side of the street. Then Mr. +Converse called to him from the curb with the utmost friendliness in +his tones. The girl passed near him and heard what he said. It was not +a mere hail to an inferior. The eminent lawyer very politely and +solicitously asked the tall young man across the way if he could not +spare time to come to the Converse office. + +She cast a look over her shoulder. The young man came across the +street promptly. He was the man who had served her in her time of +need! + +She went on, but turned again. An uncontrollable impulse prompted her. + +They were entering the door of the office-building, and the +aristocratic hand of the Honorable Archer Converse was patting the +shoulder of this stranger. Her cheeks flushed and she turned away +hastily, for the young man caught her backward glance and returned an +appealing smile. + +"Who is he?" she asked herself, knowing well the chill reserve of Mr. +Converse in the matter of mankind. + +"Who are you?" demanded Mr. Converse, planting himself in front of the +young man when they were in the private office. + +The other met the lawyer's searching look with his rare smile. "The +same man I was last time we met--Walker Farr." + +"I have no right to pry into your private affairs, sir, but I have +special reasons for wanting you to volunteer plenty of information +about yourself." + +For reply the young man spread his palms and silently, by his smile, +invited inspection of himself. + +"Yes, I see you. But the outside of you doesn't tell me what I want to +know." + +"It will have to speak for me." + +"Look here, I have let myself be tied up most devilishly by a train of +circumstances that you started, young man. I was minding my own +private business until a little while ago." + +"So was I, Mr. Converse." + +"You're a moderately humble citizen, judged from outside looks just +now. How did I allow myself to be pulled in as I've been?" + +The young man's smile departed. "I asked myself that question a little +while ago, sir, after I was pulled in, for I am a stranger--not even a +voter here." + +"Well, did you decide how it was?" + +"I was led in by the hand of a helpless child--a poor little orphan +girl whom I carried to the cemetery on my knees--a martyr--poisoned by +that Consolidated water." + +The lawyer was stirred by the intensity of feeling which the man's +tones betrayed. + +"And it was borne in upon me afresh, Mr. Converse, that the philosophy +of the causes by which God moves this world of ours will never be +understood by man." + +"See here," snapped the son of the war governor, "take off your mask, +Walker Farr! There's something behind it I want to see. You are an +educated gentleman! What are you? Where did you come from?" + +Again Farr spread out his palms and was silent. + +"You are right about causes. You are one in my case. There may be some +fatalism in me--but I'm impelled to use you in a great fight that I +feel honor-bound to take up. Now be frank!" + +"For all use you can make of me, Mr. Converse, my life starts from the +minute I picked that little girl up from the floor of a tenement-house +in this city. For what I was /before/ is so different from what I am +/now/ that I cannot mix that identity with my affairs." + +"But I cannot take a man into a matter like this unless I know all +about him." + +Farr rose and bowed. "I'm sorry you can't accept me at face value, +sir. I'm very sorry, because I'd like to serve under such a commander +as you. However, I understand your position. I don't blame you. The +rule of the world is pretty binding: know a man before you associate +with him. But I am as I am. There's nothing more to be said." + +"You sit down," commanded Converse. "This is a case where rules of the +world can be suspended. For I need the kind of man who dares to face +even Symonds Dodd in his office and tell him what he is. Oh, I have +just come from there," he explained in reply to Farr's stare. "He told +me." + +"I went merely as a voice, sir." + +"But you seem to have been more than that in getting the confidence of +the men in your ward. I know an organizer when I see him. I watched +the faces of those men when you stepped before them. They have faith +in you. That's a rare quality--the ability to inspire faith in the +humble. First, faith--and then they'll follow. The movement I'm going +to start needs followers, Mr. Farr! Can you do with other men what you +have done with men in the Eleventh?" + +"I believe I can, sir." + +"Ah, you have led men in the past, have you?" Mr. Converse fired the +question at him. But he did not jump Walker Farr from his equipoise. +The young man took refuge behind that inscrutable smile. + +"Well," sighed the lawyer, after a pause, "it's the dictum that one +must be as wise as a serpent in politics, therefore I am picking out a +man who will probably give a good account of himself. But it's a crazy +performance of mine--going into this thing--and I may as well plunge +to the extent of lunacy. Mr. Farr, the rebellious unrest in this state +must be organized. We need a house-cleaning. We need the humbler +voters! The men with interests are too well taken care of by the +Machine to be interested. I want you to go out and hunt for sore spots +and get to the voters just as you have in your ward. Find the right +men in each town and city to help you. You must know many on account +of your work for your water association. The fight will be financed-- +you need have no worry about that. Perhaps you have organized +political revolts before," pursued Converse, still craftily probing. +"Then you'll tell me what honorarium you expect." + +"My expenses--nothing more, sir. If I had any money laid by I would +pay my own way." + +"I think," stated Mr. Converse, warming with the spirit of combat, +glancing up at the portrait of the war governor, "that we'll be able +to surprise some of the fat toads of politicians in this state, +sitting so comfortably under their cabbage-leaves. You're a stranger, +young man, and as you go about your work the regular politicians will +simply blink at you and will not understand, I hope, provided you go +softly. It is very silly of me to be in this affair, sir. But a man of +my age must have peace of mind, and that infernal meeting in your ward +awoke me. Furthermore," he added, displaying the acrimony that even a +good man requires to spur him to honest fighting, "a cheap politician +only lately flipped my card insolently and referred in slighting tones +to my honored father." He rose and gave Farr his hand. "I'll have +assembled here in my office at ten o'clock to-morrow morning some +gentlemen who will stand for decency in public affairs as soon as they +have been waked up. You will please attend that conference, Mr. Farr. +We have only a short month before the state convention, and we must +bring there at least a respectable number of delegates whom Symonds +Dodd cannot bribe or browbeat." + +"Most extraordinary--most extraordinary!" mused the Honorable Archer +Converse, when he was alone. "From that meeting--to an investigation-- +from Dodd--to this young man--I have been leaping from crag to crag +like a mountain-goat, never stopping to take breath. And here I +haven't even been able to find out just who he is--and they do say I'm +the best cross-examiner in this state! However, I'll show Symonds Dodd +that I'm not to be sneered at, even if I have to hire Patagonians in +this campaign." + +Even chivalry must needs be spiced with a little strictly personal +animosity to achieve its best results! + +Colonel Symonds Dodd, laboriously climbing into his limousine in front +of the First National block, scowled at a young man because the man +grinned at him so broadly as he passed along. In his general +indifference and contempt for the humble the colonel did not search +his memory and did not recognize this person as the young man who had +appealed to him in his office. The face seemed familiar and had some +sort of an unpleasant recollection connected with it; therefore the +colonel scowled. He was far from realizing that this person carried on +his palm the warmth from a hand-clasp which, just a moment before, had +ratified an agreement to dynamite the Dodd political throne. + +If some seer had risen beside his chariot to predict disaster the +colonel would have shriveled him with a contemptuous look. For the +Consolidated Water Company had that day been intrenched more firmly +than ever in its autocracy by a decision handed down from the Supreme +Court. A city had hired the best of lawyers and had fought desperately +for the right to have pure water. But the law, as expounded by the +judges, had held as inexorable the provision that no city or town in +the state could extend its debt limit above the legal five percent of +its valuation, no matter for what purpose. The city sought for some +avenue, some plan, some evasion, even, so that it might take over the +water system and give its people crystal water from the lakes instead +of the polluted river-water. The city pointed to typhoid cases, to +slothful torpor on the part of the water syndicate. But the court +could only, in the last analysis, point to the law--and that law in +regard to debt limit was rooted in the constitution of the state--and +a law fortified by the constitution is seldom dislodged. + +Backed by law, bulwarked by political power, owning men and money- +bags, Colonel Dodd rode home with great serenity. He had even +forgotten his rather tempestuous half-hour with the Honorable Archer +Converse. As a matter of fact, gentlemen of the aristocracy of the +state who prided themselves on their ancestry were considered by +Colonel Dodd to be impracticable cranks; he despised the poor and +hated the proud--and called himself a self-made man. And Colonel Dodd +was firmly convinced that nobody could /unmake/ him. + +He strolled among his flower-beds that evening. + +Walker Farr sat in his narrow chamber and pored over interlined +manuscripts. At last he shook the papers above his head, not gaily, +but with grim bitterness. + +"That plan will stand law, and no other lawyer ever thought of it!" he +cried, aloud. "You've got an iron clutch on those cities and towns, +Colonel Dodd, but I've got something that will pry your fingers +loose!" He threw the papers from him and set his face in his hands. +"And they ask me who I am and I can't tell them," he sobbed. + + + + XXIII + + THE PROPHET WHO WAS UNDERRATED + +The first sniffer to catch the trail of Walker Farr was the veteran, +Daniel Breed, an old political hound who always traveled with muffled +paws and nose close to the ground. But when he went to the meeting of +the state committee and the Big Boys with his news their reception of +him hinted that they suspected he was making up a political bugaboo in +order to get a job. He was even told that his services as field man +would not be needed in that campaign. And it may be imagined what +effect that news had on old Daniel Breed, who had been a trusted +pussy-footer and caucus manipulator for a quarter of a century. + +"You don't mean to tell me that you're trying to slam me onto the +scrap-heap, do you?" he demanded. "I'll scrap before I'll be +scrapped." + +"Look here, Dan, it's the colonel's orders," explained the chairman. +"It has been decided to play politics a little more smoothly. There is +too much jaw-gab going among the cranks. If there is any outside work +done at all it will be put over by new chaps who are not so well +advertised as you old bucks. We want to hide the machinery this year." + +"That's a jobeefed nice thing to say to me, a man that would go up in +a balloon and troll for hen-hawks, asking no questions, provided the +state committee told me it would help in carrying a caucus." + +"But we're taking care of the old boys all right, Dan. Vose is in the +pension-office; Ambrose and Sturdivant are in the adjutant-general's +office patching up the Civil War rolls, with orders to take their time +about it. And you'll be used well." + +"I want to be in the field," insisted Breed, 'sipping' his lips +importantly. "Those fellows are old fuddy-duddies. I'm a natural +politician." + +He was an interesting figure, this Honorable Daniel Breed. He was +entitled to the "Honorable." He had been a state senator from his +county. With his slow, side-wheel gait, head too little for his body, +nose like a beak, sunken mouth, cavernous eyes, and a light hat +perched on the back of his narrow head he suggested a languid, tame, +bald-headed eagle. And his voice was a dry, nasal, querulous squawk--a +sound more avian than human. + +"I tell ye there's yeast a-stirring," he told the state committee. +"There's a fellow come up out of the Eleventh Ward in Marion that's +some punkins in organizing. He pretends to be a law student in Arch +Converse's law-office. He ain't a native. I don't know where he hails +from. He ain't a registered voter as yet. But he's a man who needs to +be trailed." + +"Squire Converse isn't in politics, Dan. You're getting notional in +your old age," said the committeeman from Breed's county. + +"But good gad! there ain't any statute to keep him out. Something has +happened to make him good and mad. Some of these fancy jumping-jacks +can make awful leaps when the box is opened, gents! Better take +warning from what I tell you!" + +The committeemen exchanged smiles. + +"We are going to steal a little of the kid-gloved chaps' thunder," +explained the chairman. "They have been howling about machine politics +and interlocking interests and air-tight methods until the people are +growling about the close corporation they say we've got. So we're +going to show 'em a thing or two. Nothing like frankness and open +house." + +"Gor-ram it, you ain't even square with me--after I have worked +politics with you for twenty-five years!" He marched up to the table +and rapped his hard little knuckles on it. "It's this way, gents," he +said, "and I'll be short and sweet. What's the matter with politics +when a man like I've always been gets pi-oogled out of the councils?" + +"We don't need workers like you any more," stated the chairman. + +"But there's politics to play, just the same." + +"But in a different way, Breed. There are the new ideas, and new men +can operate more efficiently. They won't attract attention." + +"Old Maid Orne down in my town came into church late and crawled up +the aisle on her hands and knees so as not to attract attention. And +she broke up the meeting!" + +"We've got to fall in with the new ways, Dan," said the attorney- +general. "These are touchy times. We must be careful of the party." + +"I 'ain't never disgraced it, have I?" + +"Uncle Dan, we want you to take a good, comfortable position and +settle down," affirmed Governor Alonzo Harwood, an unctuous, rubicund +gentleman who had been listening, smiling his everlasting smile. + +"I prefer to hold myself in readiness for a call to the field," +squalled Breed. "I'm better'n three of these young snydingles. They +don't know how to organize!" + +"There isn't much chance for organizing," said a Congressman, +placatingly. "The primaries take care of themselves pretty well." + +"Yes," sneered old Dan, "a fellow thinks well of himself, or else his +neighbors tell him he can save the nation, and he puts a piece in the +paper saying how good he is and sets pictures of himself up in store +winders like a cussed play-actor, keeps a cash account, and thinks +that's politics. I don't care if there ain't ever no more caucuses. +This thing ain't going to last. I want to keep in the field. I'll see +chances to heave trigs into the spokes of these hallelujah chariots +they're rolling to political glory in!" + +The mighty ones exchanged glances--deprecating glances--apprehensive +glances. + +"You don't think I'm dangerous, do you, after I've been in politics as +long as I have?" + +"No, but we feel that the old war-horses are entitled to run to +pasture with their shoes off," coaxed the chairman. + +"It seems to me more like tying me up to a stanchion in a stall. I +ain't ungrateful, gents. I know this younger element doesn't believe +in setting hens in politics any more. It's the incubator nowadays-- +wholesale job of it. But, by dadder! my settings have always cracked +the shells, twelve to the dozen! Then you don't want me, eh?" + +"That job in the state land-office--we thought it would just about fit +you," suggested the chairman. + +"I'd just as soon be sent to state prison--solitary confinement. The +state hasn't got any land any more. It has all been peddled out to the +grabbers. I've messed and mingled with men all my life. Nobody ever +comes into the land-office. You ain't afraid of me to that extent, be +you?" + +"What do you want?" asked the governor. + +"Settled, is it, you don't want me in politics?" + +"There isn't anything for you to do," declared his Excellency, and he +showed a little impatience, though his smile did not fade. + +"Well, then make me state liberian," said old Dan, with an air of +resignation. + +There was deep and horrified silence. + +"I'm developing literary instinks," explained Breed. "I've got a son +who owns a printing-office, and my granddaughter can take down +anything in shorthand and write it off. I'm going to write a book. +She'll take it down and he'll print it." + +"I can't appoint you state librarian," said the governor, getting +control of his emotions. "It's already tied up, that appointment. Keep +it under your hat, but I have selected Reverend Doctor Fletcher, of +Cornish, and have notified him." + +"Giving a plum like that to a parson who never controlled but one +vote, and that's his own--and then voted the way the deacon told him +to? I reckon it's about as you say--there are new times in politics. +All right! I'll go and climb a sumach-bush. You needn't bother about +any job for me, gents. I'll settle down to my literary work." + +"What is the book?" asked the chairman. + +"I have your word for it that the old days in politics have all gone +by," said Breed. "All the old things dead and buried! Very well. +That's going to make my book valuable and interesting. No harm in +putting it out in these times. I shall entitle it 'Breed's Handbook of +Political Deviltry.' I shall tell the story of how it was done when +politics was really politics." + +"Going to tell all you know?" inquired the governor. + +"Of course. Truth, and not poetry, will be my motto. And just for a +test of how popular it will be, I'd like to ask you gents how many of +you will subscribe for a volume?" + +"I think this committee will take the whole edition," said the +chairman, dryly. + +"Look here, Dan," blurted the attorney-general, "you must be joking." + +"I don't know what ever gave you the impression that I'm a humorist," +returned Breed. "If there ain't going to be anything more like the old +times, then what's the matter with having the story of how it was +done? That book will sell like hot cakes. I'll go out and sell it--it +will give me a chance to keep on mixing and messing with men." + +"Dan, if it wasn't you talking--knowing you well--I'd say this is a +piece of blackmail," declared the attorney-general. "Of course you +can't put out a book of that kind in this state." + +Mr. Breed blinked angrily. + +"I'll take all the cases of libel against you and won't charge my +clients a cent." + +"Fill everybody else's little tin dipper, eh? Passing everybody else a +bottle and a rubber nipple! Everybody getting his, and me left out! +All right. If that's political gratitude in these new times, go on +with you medinkculum! And last year I snapped the six up-country +caucuses that gave you your plurality in joint convention!" + +"We appreciate all your past services, Dan. If we didn't we wouldn't +be trying so hard to place you," said the governor. "We're taking care +of all the old boys. You mustn't embarrass us. In these days it's for +the good of the party to put in each office the man who is especially +fitted for it. We mustn't invite criticism. A librarian needs peculiar +qualifications." + +"Well, old Jaquish was liberian, wasn't he? And he wouldn't even go +vote unless you went and dragged him to the polls by the scruff of his +neck. What did he ever do for the party? And look at old Tomdoozle as +state treasurer!" + +"Jaquish was a bookman, and our state treasurer--but no matter. Now +listen! I'm going to put you at the head of a new department in the +State House where you won't be lonesome. More people will come there +than to the library. You'll have the title of curator." + +"What's that?" asked Breed, suspiciously. "And what is the department, +anyway?" + +"The museum of natural history in the fish-and-game rooms. We're going +to make it complete--mounted specimens of all our animals. You'll be +curator--you see, you will get a title that sounds well!" + +"I'm of a restless and inquiring disposition, and my special forty is +politics," stated Breed, sulking. "I don't believe I'm going to relish +being ringmaster of a lot of stuffed animals, no matter what kind of a +title I get. How much pay goes with the job?" + +"Fifteen hundred," said the governor. + +"Well," sighed Breed, "it will give me a chance to be around the State +House during the session, and I'll take it. Then if I don't like it I +can resign after the legislature adjourns." + +The Big Ones understood his frame of mind and overlooked his +ingratitude. + +"And so I'll bid you good day, gents," he said, and straddled out with +his hands under his coat-tails. + +"So we've got /him/ side-tracked and out of mischief," averred the +governor. "That takes care of all of 'em, and I'm relieved. It isn't +stylish any more to come to town with a lot of old hounds trotting +under the tail of the political cart." + +But before the end of that week the governor was obliged to call Uncle +Dan to a private conference in the Executive Chamber. + +"You must remember that you're a state officer," warned his +Excellency. "You're a part of the administration. But you are out +talking politics all the time. I want you to stay in your department. +Just remember that you're curator of our museum." + +"I don't like that blamed job," complained Breed. "I don't care what +my title is, it only means that I have to dust off that old stuffed +loon, keep moths out of that loosivee, and fleas or some kind of +insecks off'n that bull moose. It ain't no job for a politician. And +there's a steady stream through there asking me all kinds of questions +about animals. I don't know nothing about animals. I don't know +whether a live moose eats hay or chopped liver. Those questions keep +me all hestered up. It puts me in a wrong position before the public. +I can't tell 'em which or what, and they think I'm losing my mind." + +"Post up! It will keep you busy. Get books out of the library and +read. Inform yourself and have a story for the folks!" + +A few days later the chairman of the state committee had an indignant +report to make to the governor regarding Uncle Dan's natural-history +activities. + +"He has turned that museum into a circus show, your Excellency. He has +named every one of those stuffed animals for somebody in politics he +doesn't like, and leads a snickering mob of sight-seers around the +room and lectures. When a state officer names a saucer-eyed Canadian +lynx for me and then folks come up from that basement and grin at me, +it's time a halt was called." + +His Excellency called for Breed and called a halt, using forceful +language. + +"I resign," declared old Dan, nipping his little bunghole of a mouth +under the hook of his nose. "Those animals are getting onto my nerves. +The whole pack and caboodle are chasing me in a nightmare every time I +go to sleep. Their condemned glass eyes are boring me worse than +gimlets. I'm going on with that book of mine. I've got a new idea for +it. I'm going to put in pictures of animals and name 'em for those +tin-horn flukedubbles who could never get an office if it wasn't for +the primaries." + +"Look here, Breed, you're an old man and you've done a lot of good +work in your day, and we're all trying to do something for you. But I +have pretty nigh reached the limit of my patience. Politics isn't what +it used to be. Different manners, different men. I'm the head of our +party and I command you to eliminate yourself. You go back to your +job, use common sense, and keep out of things! You are silly--you're +senile!" + +"You have taken me out of where I belong and have put me in where I +don't belong and now you're blaming me because I can't learn a lot of +new tricks at my age. I resign, I say!" + +"If you give up that job you'll never get another one." + +Uncle Dan put his hands under his coat-tails and marched out, his beak +in the air. + +"The trouble is," he confided to old Sturdivant in the adjutant- +general's office, "this younger element that's coming along thinks men +like you and I have lost all our ability and influence. They're sally- +lavering all over us, telling us how they want us to have an easy job. +But it's all a damnation insult--that's what it amounts to." + +"All I have to do is lap sticking-paper and gum up the places where +these rolls are torn," said old Sturdivant. "I'm perfectly contented." + +"Then stay were you're put and swaller the insult," retorted Breed, +with disgust. "I thought you had more get-up-and-get. There's a +stuffed rabbit in that museum. He'll make a good chum for you in your +off hour. Go and sit down with him." He went over to old Ambrose's +desk. Ambrose was numbering dog's-eared pages with a rubber stamp and +would not admit that he had been insulted by the state committee. +"There's nobody got the right to ask me to stop being active and +influential in this state," insisted Breed. "They haven't taken my +pride into account. I ain't naturally a kicker. I've always obeyed +orders. If I've got to go out alone and show 'em that the old guard +can't be insulted, then I'll do it." + +This time he took the trail of Walker Farr once more and followed that +energetic young man until he cornered him. + +Farr harkened with interest to the story of the scrapping of the +Honorable Daniel Breed as related by that gentleman himself. + +"And the moral of the tale is," added Mr. Breed, "when a gang does you +dirt turn around and plaster a few gobs onto the dirt-slingers. That +ain't the rule in religion, but it's the natural and correct policy in +politics. I have been hurt in my tender feelings. If them animals had +been alive and savage enough I would have taken 'em up to the state +committee-room and ste' boyed 'em onto the ungrateful cusses who have +tried to make my last days unhappy. I know every sore spot in this +state. You don't know 'em unless you have got second sight. I can take +you to every man who has got a political bruise on him. Good gad! I +have been poulticing those sore spots for twenty-five years. You need +a man like I am." + +"I'll admit that I do need such a man. I am a stranger in the state. +But I'm going to be perfectly frank with you, Mr. Breed. How do I know +but you're a spy who wants to attach himself to me for the benefit of +the ring?" + +"You don't know," returned Mr. Breed, serenely. "You have to take +chances in politics. I'm taking chances when I join in with you. Just +who are you and how do you happen to be mixed up in our politics?" + +"I am mixing into politics because the men, women, and children are +being poisoned by the Consolidated water. That's platform enough, +isn't it?" + +"Well, I reckon it is, knowing what I know of general conditions. You +have got a pretty good head for politics, even if you ain't sincere on +the water question," said Breed, with a politician's ready suspicion +of motives. "You've got a come-all-ye hoorah there that will make +votes." + +"As to my personality, that has nothing to do with the matter. I am +only an agent. Will you come with me and allow Mr. Converse to ask you +some questions?" + +"Sure thing!" agreed the Honorable Daniel, with great heartiness. "In +politics the first thing to do before you get real busy is to have a +nice heart-to-heart talk with the gent who says 'How much?' and laps +his forefinger and begins to count. You understand, young man, that I +have been in politics a long time. And I ain't an animal-trainer--I'm +a field worker and I can earn my pay." + +And inside of a week Walker Farr, who had been previously struggling +hard against lack of acquaintance in the state, found that Mr. Breed +had spoken the truth. The two made a team which excited the full +approval--the wondering admiration--of the Honorable Archer Converse. + +Farr's power to control and interest men achieved astonishing results +with Daniel Breed's exact knowledge of persons and conditions. + +But they were rather humble citizens. There was no fanfare about their +work. If Colonel Symonds Dodd knew anything at all about the fires +they were setting, he made no move to turn on the Consolidated hose. + + + + XXIV + + THE STAR CHAMBER IN THE OLD NATIONAL + +They did not come furtively, yet they came unobtrusively--these men +who drifted into the National Hotel in Marion that day. + +At one side of the big rotunda of the National stood Walker Farr, his +keen gaze noting the men who came dribbling in, singly, by twos and +threes. They were not men of Marion city. A newspaper reporter, +happening in at the National, noted that fact. He stood for a time and +watched the filtering arrivals. There were some who were plainly men +of affairs, others were solid men who bore the stamp of the rural +sections. They went to the desk, wrote their names, and were shown up- +stairs by bellhops. Most of them, as they crossed the office, nodded +greeting to the tall young man who wore a frock coat and a broad- +brimmed hat and stood almost motionless at one side of the rotunda. + +The National was state Mecca for all kinds of conventions. The +reporter studied his date-book. No convention was scheduled for that +day. He managed to get a peep at the hotel register. The men who had +been signing their names hailed from all portions of the state, but +the reporter did not find identities which suggested political +activities. It was plainly not a gathering of politicians--none of the +old war-horses were in evidence. + +The reporter questioned a few of the arrivals, chasing beside them. +They all gave the same answer--they had come to Marion on business. + +The reply was safe, succinct, and stopped further questions. The +reporter did venture to pick out a little man and inquire what kind of +business called him to Marion, and the little man informed him with +sarcasm that he was a baker from Banbury and had come down to purchase +doughnut holes. + +The reporter thereupon dodged into the bar to escape the grins of some +of the office crew, and his haste was such that he nearly beat the +baize doors into the face of Richard Dodd, who was coming out. + +"You're the first real politician I've seen in this bunch," affirmed +the reporter. "What's it all about?" + +"What's what about?" + +"This convention that's assembling here." + +"I know nothing about it," stated Mr. Dodd, with dignity. "It's +nothing of a political nature, I can assure you of that." + +The reporter noted that young Mr. Dodd's eyes were red and that his +step wavered, and that he exhaled the peculiar odor which emanates +from gentlemen who have been prolonging for some time what is known +vulgarly as a "toot." In fact, the reporter remembered then the rumor +in newspaper circles that the chief clerk of the state treasury had +been attending to stimulants instead of to business for almost two +weeks. + +"I assure you that I know all that's to be known about politics," +insisted Mr. Dodd. "If there's a convention here, who's running it?" + +They had returned from the bar into the main office. + +"I don't know--can't find out. That tall fellow over there seems to +know everybody who had been coming in--all the bunch of outsiders. But +I never saw him before." + +Mr. Dodd closed one eye in order to focus his attention on this +unknown across the office. + +A deep glow of antipathy and distrust came into the eye which located +and identified Walker Farr. + +Mr. Dodd cursed without using names, verbs, or information. + +"Oh, you know him, do you?" + +"No, I don't know him." Mr. Dodd hung to his vengeful secret doggedly. +He left the reporter and went and sat down in a chair and continued to +stare at Farr, who remained oblivious to this inspection. + +The reporter went across the office. There seemed to be more or less +mystery about this man who had provoked all those curses from the +secretive chief clerk of the treasury. + +"Can you give me any information about these men who are meeting here +to-day?" + +"Meeting of the Independent Corn-Growers' Association." The reporter's +gaze was frankly skeptical, but Farr met it without a flicker of the +eyelids. + +"I never heard of any such association." + +"You have now, sir." + +"Is it open to the newspapers?" + +"Closed doors--absolutely private." + +"Who'll give out the statement?" + +Farr put his hand on the reporter's shoulder and gave him a smile. + +"You see, it's to fight the packers' union and so we are not giving +away our ammunition to the enemy. Keep it quiet and when the thing +breaks I'll give you our side." + +"All right, sir. If it's to be an exclusive for me I'll steer away the +other newspaper men. But do you know just why Richard Dodd--that man +over there--is damning you into shoe-strings?" + +Even at that distance Farr's keen gaze detected the filmy eyes and the +flushed face. + +"Perhaps it's because the Corn-Growers propose to put their corn into +johnny-bread instead of using it for whisky?" + +The newspaper man, his suspicions dulled by Farr's radiant good nature +and wholesome frankness, went away about his business, but he halted +long enough beside Dodd's chair to repeat "the corn-grower's" joke +regarding the young man who had been glowering on him. + +Dodd got up with as much alacrity as he could command and went across +to Farr. Sober, the nephew of Colonel Dodd had treated this person +with rather lofty contempt; drunk, he was not so finical in matters of +caste--and, besides, this man now wore the garb of a gentleman, and +young Mr. Dodd always placed much emphasis on clothes. + +"Look here, my fellow, now that I have you where I don't need to +consider the presence of ladies, I want to ask you how you dared to +mess into my private business?" + +Farr, towering above him, beamed down on him with tolerant +indifference and did not answer. + +"That Lochinvar business may sound good in a poem, but it doesn't go +here in Marion--not when it's my business and my girl." + +Dodd raised his voice. He seemed about to become a bit hysterical. + +Farr set slow, gripping, commanding clutch about the young man's +elbow. + +"If your business with me can possibly be any talk about a lady," he +advised, "you'd better come along into the reading-room." + +"It is about a lady," persisted Dodd when they had swung in behind a +newspaper-rack. The room was apparently empty. "You understand what +you came butting in upon, don't you?" + +"I took it to be a rehearsal of a melodrama, crudely conceived and +very poorly played." + +"Say, you use pretty big words for a low-lived iceman." + +"State your business with me if you have any," Farr reminded him. "I +have something else to do besides swap talk with a drunken man--and +your breath is very offensive." + +Dodd began to tap a finger on Farr's breast. + +"I want you to understand that I've got a full line on you; you have +been chumming with a Canuck rack-tender, you deserted a woman, and she +committed suicide, and you took the brat--" + +Farr's big hand released the elbow and set itself around Mr. Dodd's +neck. Thumb and forefinger bored under the jaw and Mr. Dodd's +epiglottis ceased vibrating. + +"I don't like to assault a man, but talk doesn't seem to fit your case +and I can't stop long enough to talk, anyway. This choking is my +comment on your lies." He pushed Mr. Dodd relentlessly down into the +nearest chair and spanked his face slowly and deliberately with the +flat of his hand. "And this will indicate to you just how much I care +for your threats. You'll remember it longer than you will recollect +words." + +He finished and went away, leaving his victim getting his breath in +the chair. Dodd, peering under the rack, saw him hasten and join the +Honorable Archer Converse in the hotel lobby and they went up the +broad stairs together. + +The chief clerk of the state treasury sat there and smoothed his +smarting face with trembling hands and worked his jaws to dislodge the +grinding ache in his neck. But the stinging, malevolent rancor within +him burned hotter and hotter. He started to get up out of the chair +and sat back again, much disturbed. + +A man who had been hidden by an adjoining rack of newspapers was now +leaning forward, jutting his head past the ambuscade. He was an +elderly man with an up-cocked gray mustache, and there was a queer +little smile in his shrewd blue eyes. Dodd knew him; he was one +Mullaney, a state detective. + +"What are you doing here--practicing your sneak work?" demanded the +young man. As a state official he did not entertain a high opinion of +the free-lance organization to which Mullaney belonged. + +"I'm here reading a paper--supposed it's what the room is for," +returned Detective Mullaney. "But excuse me--I'll get out. Room seems +to be reserved for prize-fighters." + +"You keep your mouth shut about that--that insult." + +"I never talk--it would hurt my business." + +"I don't fight in a public place. I'm a gentleman. I want you to +remember what you saw, Mullaney! I'll get to that cheap bum in a way +he won't forget." + +"Do you mind telling me who your friend is?" asked the detective. + +Dodd shot him a sour side-glance and muttered profanity. + +"I couldn't help wondering what particular kind of business you and he +could have, seeing how it was transacted," pursued the detective. + +Dodd glowered at the floor. "Look here, Mullaney! There's a whole lot +about that man I want to know, if you can help me and keep your mouth +closed. I haven't got much confidence in the work you fellows do--they +tell me you can't detect mud on your own boots." + +Mr. Mullaney pulled his chair out from behind the papers and leaned +back in it and crossed his hands over his stomach and smiled without a +trace of resentment. + +"I might tell you something right now about that tall friend of yours +that would jump you, Mr. Dodd--I'm that much of a detective!" + +"Tell me, then." + +"Just as it stands it's guesswork--considerable guesswork." + +"What does that amount to?" + +"A great deal in my business. Take this city of one hundred thousand! +I'm the only man in it who is making guesswork about strangers his +special line of work. The rest of the citizens rub elbows with all +passers and don't give a hoot. There are a good many thousand men in +this country whom the law wants and whom the law can't find. That +fellow may be one of them, for all I know. I guess he is, for +instance. Then I make it my business to prove guesswork." + +"You must be doing a devil of a rushing business!" sneered Dodd. + +"I manage to make a good living. I don't talk about my business, for +if I should blow it I wouldn't have any. I say, I /guess/! Then I +spend my spare time hunting through my books of pointers. For ten +years I have read every newspaper I could get hold of. I come in here +and study papers from all over. Every crime that has been committed, +every man wanted, every chap who has got away, I write down all I can +find out about him. Then, if anything comes up to make me guess about +a man I begin to hunt my books through." + +"Well, if I'm any good on a guess," snorted Dodd, "that renegade who +just insulted me is down in your books, somewhere. You'd better hunt." + +"It's slow work and eats up time," sighed Mr. Mullaney. + +Dodd looked at him for a time and then began to pull crumpled bills +from his waistcoat pocket. He straightened five ten-dollar bills, +creased them into a trough, and stuck the end toward the detective. + +"Follow his trail back. I never heard of your book scheme before. Take +this money for a starter. If you can't find him in your books, pick +out half a dozen of the worst crimes any man can commit and hitch 'em +on to him somehow," urged Dodd, with fury. "Go after him. And when we +get him good and proper I want to do some gloating through the bars. +He's the first man who ever smacked my face for me--and I'll see that +he gets his." + +He left Mr. Mullaney stowing the money away in a big wallet which was +stuffed with newspaper clippings. He hurried in to the bar, gulped +down a drink, and then went to the office desk and examined the hotel +register. Anger and zest for revenge were stimulating in him a lively +interest in that meeting which Farr seemed to be promoting. Mr. Dodd +did not care especially what kind of meeting it was. He had set forth +to camp on Walker Farr's trail and do him what hurt he could. + +Dodd was a well-posted political worker. The names of the men were not +names especially prominent in state politics, but his suspicions were +stirred when he saw that all counties in the state were represented. +And no more were arriving. He decided that the conference must be in +session. + +Dodd avoided the elevator. He tramped up the broad stairs to the floor +above the office. The doors of the large parlor were closed. He turned +the knob cautiously; the doors were locked. He heard within the dull +mumble of many voices--men in conversation. It was evident that the +formal meeting, whatever it might be, had not begun its session. He +tiptoed away from the door and climbed another flight of stairs. + +There were no nooks and corners of the old National Hotel which +Richard Dodd did not understand in all their intricacies. As his +uncle's political scout it had been his business to know them. + +He hunted along the corridor until he found a maid. + +"Is there anybody in Number 29?" he asked. + +"Two of that new crowd that just came in have it, Mr. Dodd. But they +have gone down-stairs again." + +He wadded a bill in his palm and jammed it into her hand. "Let me in +with your pass-key, that's a good girl. It's all right. I won't +disturb their stuff. I only want to listen. You understand! There's a +political game on. I want to get to that ventilator in the closet--you +know it!" + +"Oh, if it's only politics, Mr. Dodd!" she sniffed, with the scorn of +a girl who has seen many conventions come and go, knew the little +tricks, and had developed for the whole herd of politicians lofty +disdain; she knew them merely as loud-talking men who had little +consideration for hotel maids, men who littered their rooms with cigar +stubs and whisky-bottles. She started for the door, swinging the pass- +key on its cord. "If it's just politics, sure you can go in. Many a +buck I've let in to listen to their old palaver down in that parlor." + +Dodd bolted the door behind him. + +He felt entirely safe, for he understood that the rightful tenants of +that room were locked into the parlor below. He climbed upon a chair +in the closet and put his ear to the grating of the ventilator. + +He heard only one man's voice. He recognized its crisp tones--it was +the Honorable Archer Converse. + +"I repeat, gentlemen, that this interest of yours would amaze me if I +had not been prepared by reports from our agents who have been so well +captained by Mr. Walker Farr. Remember that this is simply a +conference, prior to organization. Every man of you is a chief in it. +Let us be calm, discreet, sensible, and silent. + +"I'm not going over the details of the unrest in this state. The fact +that so many of you are present here from all sections is sufficient +commentary on that unrest. We understand perfectly well that a certain +clique of self-seekers has arrogated to itself supreme control of the +party. A party must be controlled, I admit. If that control were in +the hands of honest and patriotic men we would not be here today. + +"I'm not going to bother you with details of what has been going on in +departments in our State House. The employees are the tools of the +ring and they have misused their power. I'm afraid of what may be +uncovered there when the house-cleaning begins. But the honor of our +party demands such a house-cleaning." + +Richard Dodd's hands trembled as he clung to the ventilator bars. + +"However, we are faced by something in the way of an issue that's +bigger than graft." + +Now his earnestness impressed more than ever the listener at the +grating. + +"Gentlemen, to a certain extent graft is bound to be fostered and +protected by any party; but when a party is used to protect and +aggrandize those who monopolize the people's franchise rights it's +time for the honest men in that party to be /men/ instead of +partisans. Don't you allow those monopolists to hold you in line by +whining about party loyalty. And don't let them whip you into line by +their threats, either. I refuse, for one, as much as I love my party, +to have its tag tied into my ear if that tag isn't clean!" + +The assemblage applauded that sentiment. + +"I'm going to call names, gentlemen. Colonel Symonds Dodd has this +state by its throat. With Colonel Dodd stand all the financial +interests--the railroads, the corporations, even the savings-banks. He +is intrenched behind that law which limits the indebtedness of our +cities and towns. Municipalities cannot own their own plants under +present conditions. Those men are even using the people's own money +against them! They scare depositors by threats of financial havoc if +present conditions and the big interest are bothered by any +legislation. + +"I must warn you, gentlemen, that it's a long and difficult road ahead +of us. But we must start. I have not intended to discourage you by +stating the obstacles to be overcome. + +"I have explained them so that, if we make slow progress at first, we +shall not be discouraged. + +"We will organize prevailing unrest and the innate honesty in this +state. We will establish a branch of the Square Deal Club in every +town and city. It must be done carefully, conservatively, and as +secretly as possible." The lawyer's cautious fear of too much haste +now displayed itself. "The most we can hope to do is send to the state +convention some men who will leaven that lump of ring politics. Party +usage and tradition are so strong that we must renominate Governor +Harwood, I suppose, for a complimentary second term." + +"I think we can do better," cried a voice. + +"Possibly," returned Mr. Converse, dryly, "but we must do that +'better' carefully and slowly. In politics, gentlemen, we cannot +transform the ogre into the saint merely by waving the magic wand and +expecting the charm to operate instantly. Possibly we can control the +next legislature. I do not know just what legislation we may be able +to devise and pass, but I hope for inspiration. + +"I will say now that I am with you. My purse is open. Command my +services for all questions of law. I will establish myself at the +capital for the legislative session. + +"But there is one thing I will not do under any circumstances--I will +not accept political office." + +"You bet you won't," muttered young Dodd, at the grating. "You +wouldn't be elected a pound-keeper in the town of Bean Center." + +But if Mr. Dodd could have seen through that grating as well as hear +he would have been greatly interested just then in the expression on +the face of Walker Farr. The face was not exactly the face of a +prophet, but it had a large amount of resolution written over it. + +"I don't want to be the first one to throw any cold water on our +prospects," declared a voice, after Mr. Converse had announced that +the meeting was open for general discussion; "it really does seem to +me that we stand a good show of getting control of the next +legislature. But after we do get control what prospect is there of +passing any legislation that will help us? Wherever there is a water +system in this state the municipality has been so loaded down with +debts our machine politics have plastered into it that the legal debt +limit has been reached. The only way this water question can be +cleared up is by taking the systems away from those monopolists-- +making them the property of towns and cities. But if towns and cities +can't borrow any more money, just how is this to be done? Mr. Converse +hasn't told us! We can clean up politics, perhaps, but it seems to me +that we'll never be able to clean up the dirtiest and most dangerous +mess." + +On the silence that followed broke a voice which made Dodd, his ear to +the grating, grate his teeth. His hatred recognized this speaker. It +was Walker Farr. + +"I apologize for venturing to speak in this meeting," he said. "But if +that gentleman's question isn't answered here and now in some way I'm +afraid men will go away discouraged. I have heard the same question, +Mr. Converse, as I have traveled about the state lately. I have +thought about this matter constantly, in my poor fashion. And because +I went into that job of pondering with an open mind is the reason, +perhaps, why a strange idea has come to me. You know they say that +strange notions are born out of ignorance. The better way would have +been, possibly, to submit the plan first of all to your legal mind, +Mr. Converse. I will keep silence now and confer with you, sir, if you +think best." His tone was wistful. + +"Talk it out in open meeting," cried the cordial voice of Mr. +Converse. "Free speech and all of us taken into confidence--that's the +spirit of this movement of ours!" + +"Has it ever occurred to anybody to form a new municipality for water +purposes only? I have studied your state constitution, and the +language in which the debt limit of five percent is provided I find +applies strictly to towns and cities. Suppose the citizens of Marion, +together with the adjoining towns of Weston and Turner, all of them +now served by the Consolidated, should unite simply as individuals for +the common purpose of owning and operating their own water-plant-- +form, say a water district?" + +"An independent body politic and corporate?" It was Converse's voice +and it betrayed quick interest and some astonishment. + +"I suppose that would be the legal name, sir. Wouldn't it be possible +to organize such a combination of the people, distinct from other +municipal responsibilities? Then if we can elect the right men to our +legislature we can go to the State House and ask for some legislation +that will enable us to take over systems by the right of eminent +domain, provide a plan of fair appraisal, give us a law which will +make water-district bonds a legal investment for savings-banks. In +short, gentlemen, I repeat, this plan is nothing more than an +organization of the desired territory and people into a new, distinct, +and separate municipality for water purposes only, leaving all other +forms of municipal government to pursue their accustomed functions +precisely as though the district had not been organized. That's the +idea as best I can state it in few words." + +There was a long period of silence. + +Dodd, listening to the mutterings of a revolt which threatened the +whole political fabric which protected him, his interest clearing his +brain of the liquor fog, could imagine the scene below. That +assemblage was staring wide-eyed at Archer Converse, the law's best- +grounded man in the state. + +"It is very modest to call that suggestion an idea," stated Mr. +Converse, at last. "Mr. Farr, if I can find the necessary law in our +statutes to back it up, it's an inspiration." + +There was the ring of conviction in his tones. + +Mr. Dodd left the grating and escaped from the hotel. + +He fairly cantered to headquarters in the First National block; he +felt a politician's frightened conviction that he had something mighty +important to tell his uncle. + + + + XXV + + A GIRL AND A MATTER OF HONOR + +It had been a protracted session. + +Judge Ambrose Warren, corporation counsel for the Consolidated, leaned +back in his chair and gazed at the ceiling over the peak of the +skeleton structure he had erected in front of his nose with his +fingers. + +Colonel Dodd squinted first at his nephew and then at the bouquet on +his desk. + +The nephew had been attempting by all the methods known to the +appealing male to win only one return glance from Kate Kilgour; but +the young lady held her eyes on her note-book, poised her pencil above +the page, and waited for more of that conversation and statement of +which she had been the silent recorder. + +"You think you have given us all the main points of what you +overheard, do you, Mr. Dodd?" inquired the judge, turning sharp gaze +on the young man. + +"I can't remember any more." + +"You think you recognized voices sufficiently well to be sure that +this person named Farr made that novel suggestion in regard to what +was called a 'water district'?" + +"There was no mistaking his voice," said Dodd, with the malevolence of +bitter recollection. + +Another prolonged silence. Then the judge asked, his eyes again on the +ceiling, "Just who is this Walker Farr?" + +Richard Dodd, keeping jealous espionage on all the girl's emotions and +movements saw a flush suffuse her cheeks; her hands trembled. She +raised her eyes in a quick glance and he detected eager inquiry. + +"I don't know who he is," growled the colonel. + +"You'd better find out," advised the corporation counsel. + +"Why?" + +"Of course this thing has been put up to me very suddenly. I can give +you only a snap judgment. But that scheme has possibilities." + +"As a lawyer you don't mean to tell me that a crazy idea like that can +be put through in this state against the combination we control?" + +"It will not be a case of combination and money and politics, Colonel, +when it gets to the high court. It will be /law/. And I'm sorry you +can't tell me any more about the man who has devised the plan. I'd +like to know how he dug it out." + +"But a gang of pirates can't organize like that and confiscate our +property! We're going to tap the lakes. We're going ahead right away. +But can that fool's scheme scoop in the Consolidated Water Company?" + +"That's to be found out. I am going to tell you now that I believe an +organization of citizens into an independent water district can be +made legally and be independent of other debts. Colonel Dodd, if that +opposition gets control of the next legislature you can depend upon it +that the necessary legislation will be passed. We may as well look +facts in the face: they're getting mighty restive in this state; the +people have been penned in by the Machine very effectually to date-- +but show 'em a place now where they can jump the fence and they're +going to do it." + +"But what's the good of paying you twenty-five thousand dollars a year +for law if you can't keep the bars up?" The tone was that of the +impatient tyrant. + +"You'll please remember that this thing is likely to go to the United +States court. When you go in there you've got to leave your side-arms +of politics--pull and pocket-book--at the door. I will say this: the +Federal Constitution guarantees protection against any irregular, +illegal, or confiscatory action under state authority. That is, no +states shall pass any law impairing the obligation of contracts nor +shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property +without due process of law nor deny to any person within its +jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. Now, of course, a +corporation is a person in the meaning of the law, and therefore we +can carry the matter to the United States Supreme Court, but I want to +tell you that if the next legislature enacts law permitting water +districts, and the state authorities proceed to condemn your plants, +you may as well get ready to step out from under. You are a shrewd man +and you understand the spirit of these times in regard to giving to +the people their full rights in public utilities. I say again, you'd +better get a line on this Walker Farr, because it's either a case of +ignorance inspired or else he's a deep one. He has started with a plan +that can be defended by law--and the judges in these days are handing +the people's rights and property back to them when there is a legal +opportunity." + +"Why, this Farr is a nothing--nobody. Dug in our trenches for a while +until he was discharged. Briggs looked him up for me. The only man in +this city he has been at all intimate with is an old Canuck named +Provancher who tends the rack down at Gamonic Mill. You can judge him +by the company he keeps." + +"Well, he seems to be fraternizing with better men just now," drawled +the judge. "Archer Converse, for instance!" + +"The thing to do," suggested young Dodd, still watching the girl, "is +get something on that hobo and boot him out of town or put him in +jail. It ought to be easy enough." + +"And it will be attended to," declared the colonel, with venom. "We'll +kill that one crow and hang him up in full view of the rest of those +croakers! I'll put something over on that fellow and have all the +papers in the state print it--and high-and-mighty Converse will be so +disgusted that he'll quit and the rest of the crowd will be ashamed to +keep on. Disgrace a reformer! That's the surest play in politics! We +must get Farr!" + +He turned his scowling gaze away from the flowers and found Miss +Kilgour looking at him with an expression in her eyes he had never +seen there before. Reproach and scorn seemed to mingle in the stare +she gave him. He blinked, and when he looked again she was examining +the point of her pencil; he decided that his eyesight had played him a +strange prank. + +"By the way, Miss Kilgour," he informed her, "you need not remain. +Make two typewritten copies--the judge will need one." + +Richard Dodd arose when she left her chair, but she did not glance at +him. He began to speak before she had reached the door, unable to +restrain his jealous temper longer. + +"Uncle Symonds, pass the word to that old Provancher, through the +superintendent of the Gamonic, that unless he comes across with all +the stuff he knows about that Farr he'll be fired. And I've got a +hunter out on my own account. It will be easy enough to catch the +skunk and strip off his pelt." + +Miss Kilgour closed the door behind her with a sharper click than she +had ever given its latch before. She hurried to her typewriter in her +little room and began to work with all her energy. + +She was so busy and her machine clattered so viciously that she did +not hear Richard Dodd when he entered. He leaned over her. + +"Have you talked with your mother yet? Has she given you some advice?" +he asked. His jealousy still fired him and his tone was not +conciliatory. + +The contempt in the glance she flung upward at him roused him to +passion. In the state of mind in which he then was he made no +allowances for her ignorance of conditions in her mother's case. He +knew what he had done for Mrs. Kilgour's sake, and this attitude on +the daughter's part pricked him like wilful ingratitude. + +He put his hands on the keyboard of the typewriter and stopped her +work. "I love you, Kate, and you have known it for a long time. I +tried to show you how much I loved you. I know I did a foolish thing. +But I loved you." He almost sobbed the protestation. "I've been in +hell's torment since it happened. I've been a fool all the way +through, but I won't be a fool any more if you'll take pity on me." + +She did not speak. Her silent, utter contempt stung more deeply and +surely than words. + +"If you insist on being so high above, I'm going to bring you down a +little," he sneered. "I hate to do it, but you've got to be shown +where your real friends are. I have given your mother a chance to say +something to you, and say it right. But she hasn't done it, and I +don't propose to be made the goat." In his anger he was not choice in +his language. "You go home and ask her whether or not she owes me five +thousand dollars. Oh, you needn't open your eyes at me in that style! +It's time we all got down to cases in this thing, Kate. I've waited +for her long enough. She has simply fluffed me along. Now she has got +to do her part." + +"Have you lost your mind?" she demanded. + +"No! But I lost five thousand dollars when I loaned it to your mother. +Kate, she told me she had a stock deal on--that she would be able to +pay it back. Listen! I may as well go the limit with you. I took money +that wasn't mine so that I could help your mother out--it was because +I loved you. Now you realize how much I have loved you. I protected +your mother. And now, by the gods, if you and she don't come to the +scratch in this thing and do right by me I'll show up why she had to +be protected, and after that you'll never draw a happy breath again in +your life. I advised you to talk with your mother once before. This +time you'd better to it." + +She leaned back in her chair, white and trembling, for his tones +carried conviction. + +"I have hated to open this thing up, Kate. I have waited a long time, +hoping you'd understand that I would make a good husband--that I +deserved to have you. I'm only speaking out now so that you'll wake +up. You've got to stand by the man who has stood by you. Go talk with +your mother!" + +After he had hurried out she went back to her work, but her fingers +could only fumble at the keys. By effort of will persons of strong +character can compose themselves after disaster has been confirmed; +but impending disaster that is hinted at--guessed at--is a menace +which paralyzes. She was endeavoring to write down what Richard Dodd +had revealed of the plans of Walker Farr. She understood that the +mighty power of the state machine was now doubling its fist over the +head of the stranger who had come into her life in such peculiar +fashion. At the same moment she was cowering under the threat of +something she did not fully understand. + +And from the Dodds--uncle and nephew--came the menace which loomed +over both of them. + +Then to her came Peter Briggs, who had been summoned to a conference +in the inner office; by direction of his chief he had been reading to +Judge Warren certain entries penciled in the note-book which he +guarded with the elastic band. + +"The governor wants you to add these items to the record, so that the +judge can have a copy," said Mr. Briggs to the confidential secretary. +"The subject isn't a very genteel one, Miss Kilgour, but orders are +orders, and you'll have to excuse me." + +And Mr. Briggs kept snapping the elastic band nervously while he +dictated, carefully looking away from the young woman. + +In such manner Kate Kilgour learned of the existence of Zelie Dionne +and of the child whom Walker Farr had protected; Mr. Briggs's zeal in +the interest of his employer had made him a partisan in that affair, +with easy conscience regarding the matter of the details. The bald +record showed that Farr and the girl had cared for the child between +them, had nursed it with grief and solicitude, had borne it to the +plot of land where the little graves were crowded so closely. Mr. +Briggs complacently avoided dates and age and the minuter details. He +even pleaded the case, having caught a cue from Colonel Dodd; his +record left the impression that Walker Farr, who had come from +nowhere--nobody knew when--had lived in Marion unknown and unnoticed +at the time when he had compassed the ruin of a confiding girl. + +"A scalawag, and a bad one!" commented Mr. Briggs, closing his note- +book. "And of course there's worse to come! Posing as a reformer-- +that's the way such renegades work the thing. A new game for every new +place!" + +And Kate Kilgour, remembering the vagrant on the broad highway, wrote +down the arraignment of this person, trying to understand her +emotions. + +Her own eyes had seen him garbed as a tramp, plainly a homeless nomad. + +Her ears had just listened to the story of his shame. + +But after a time, in spite of what she had seen and heard, that +strange instinct which dominates the feminine mind in spite of what +the mere senses affirm took possession of her. + +She had known from the first that Richard Dodd's garments, his +attitude, his professions, his position did not make him what her +woman's heart desired. + +But, somehow, this other man, no matter what he seemed to be from +outward appearance, stood forth for her from all the world. At times, +in her ponderings, she had disgustedly termed her mood regarding him +pure lunacy. Then she gave rein to the domination of her intuition; +the man was not what he seemed to be! + +She determined to put him out of her thoughts for ever. + +Just then, however, writing out the story of his turpitude, she must +needs have him in her mind. + +She wondered whether he were honest in his attempts to help the poor +people. + +She had believed that he was when he had faced Colonel Dodd. + +She determined that she would make some investigation of her own in +regard to the mysterious person who had taken such possession of her +thoughts since she had met him in the highway--whose personality had +so pricked her curiosity. She comforted herself by calling her +interest mere curiosity. That was it! If this man were what they +claimed he was she might help in revealing him as an enemy of the poor +folks. + +And then to her came another thought. + +She looked around the offices where she worked and bitter lines were +etched in her forehead and about her mouth. + +The place had become hateful. She was conscious of a passionate desire +to be free from the atmosphere of that central web of the Great +Spider. + +She bent over her work and hurried. + +What was the shadow over her home? + +She realized that she was not thinking clearly in the matter. She knew +that impulse was driving her. But it was impulse which was +uncontrollable. For a long time she had understood the sinister +influence which had radiated from that office in the First National +block. But it had been rather the impersonal influence of partisan +politics and she had had little knowledge of the persons concerned. +But, now that the situation had been so sharply pointed by recent +happenings, she understood better what had gone on in the past. + +This stranger, whoever he was, seemed to be fighting for the good of +the people. She had heard him declare his principles boldly; she knew +the selfishness of the men who opposed him. She resolved to know more. + +It was close upon six o'clock when she finished the transcription. + +She had given much thought to her own affairs while she had been +working. And now she allowed impulse to dominate. She resolved to +leave that employment which brought her into contact with Richard Dodd +and where her duties required her to prepare material for the ruin of +a man who seemed to be doing an unselfish duty, no matter what they +said. She did not try to analyze that quixotic impulse; she merely +obeyed. + +She tied up the packet of manuscript, addressed it to Colonel Dodd, +and slipped under the string a sealed note. In that note she resigned +her position, stating that a matter of personal honor demanded that +she leave instantly. She did not qualify that statement by any +explanation. But she knew in her own heart just what it meant. For +when she left the office she did not hasten straight home as her +anxious fears prompted her; she made a detour around by Gamonic Mill +in search of one Provancher, who, she had learned, tended the rack of +the canal. + +The thought that dominated all other thoughts and comforted her was +the reflection that she was no longer the confidential secretary of +Colonel Symonds Dodd, and that now she might obey certain promptings +of both curiosity and conscience. + +The rumble of the big turbines was stilled when she came to the fence +which surrounded the rack, and old Etienne was starting away with rake +and pike-pole. But when she called he came to her--wondering, much +abashed, for she was by far the prettiest lady he had ever seen. + +"Are you the friend of Mr. Walker Farr?" she asked, and she was even +more embarrassed than he. + +"I am too poor mans to be call a friend, ma'm'selle. I can just say +that he is grand mans that I love." + +"Then you are the one to give him this message. Tell him that men who +are fighting him in politics intend to do him great harm and that he +must be very careful. Tell him that he will understand who these men +are." + +"/Oui/, ma'm'selle. But will he understand who tell me that thing?" + +Her cheeks were crimson. "No, no! He mustn't know that." + +"Then he will tell me, 'Poh, old Etienne, you know nottings what you +talk about.' He is very bold mans, and he not scare very easy." + +"But he must be cautious, for these men have power. He need not be +afraid of them, but he must watch carefully. You tell him that they +want to make out bad things about him so that they can print them in +the papers and hurt the cause he is working for. Can you remember?" + +"/Oui/, ma'm'selle! I never forget anything what may be for his good. +I will tell him." + +She hesitated for a long time and stared wistfully at the old man. She +started to go away and then returned to the fence, plainly mustering +her courage. + +"Do you know whether there is anything--about him--which wicked men +can use to hurt him?" she stammered. + +"I only know about him what I know, ma'm'selle," he replied, with a +gentle smile nestling in the wrinkles of his withered face. + +"Could you tell me some of the things you know?" she asked, after much +effort, striving to make her voice calmly inquiring. + +Old Etienne set the rake and the pike-pole against the fence. "I will +be quick in what I tell you, ma'm'selle, for I have no place to ask +you to take the seat. But I'm sure you will listen very well to this +what I say." + +And he told her the story of Rosemarie. + +But he did not go back as far as the pitiful figure on the canal bank, +he made no mention of the water-soaked wad of paper which bore a +mother's appeal to the world, he did not mention the key to Block Ten. +He told the story of Walker Farr's devotion to a child. He did not +dare to reveal to this stranger the identity of that child, because +the telltale letter had been hidden from the coroner, and old Etienne +stood in awe of the curt and domineering men who enforced the laws. +But with simple earnestness and in halting speech he revealed the +tenderness of Farr's nature and gave further testimony to her woman's +understanding that this man who had come into her life possessed +depths which she longed to probe. + +"But the child!" she ventured, after Etienne had finished the story of +how the two of them, voices in the wilderness of careless greed, had +faced the masters of the city in the /hotel de ville/; "it seems +strange that a man--that anybody should take a child and--" She +hesitated. + +"/Oui/, ma'm'selle, it seemed strange," agreed the old man, studying +her with sharp glance of suspicion--a gaze so strange that she shifted +her eyes uneasily. + +Ah, Etienne told himself, the law sometimes sent queer emissaries to +probe for it--and he feared the law very much. + +He must be very careful how he told any of the secrets which might +trouble his good friend, who was now such a friend of the mighty +folks; as for himself--well, he would willingly be a martyr if the law +demanded--but he did fear that law! + +"But he loved the child very much," she hinted. + +"So much that he will fight them because they have poisoned her--he +will fight them and not be scare." + +"It is strange!" she repeated. + +"/Oui/, ma'm'selle," he said, regarding her with still more suspicion. + +"But before that morning--when you found them here under the tree! He +told you--" + +"He walk the street with her in his arm. I don't tell you some more +about dat t'ing what I do not know!" + +But she knew that he was withholding something from her. She mustered +her courage. + +"Mr. Provancher, the bad men are making threats that they will print +stories about the child--and its mamma--to hurt your friend. And the +stories will make the mamma very sad." + +"No stories can make her sad," said old Etienne, solemnly. But he did +not say that he had raked the mother from the canal. The law must not +know! + +"But I have heard about her," she insisted. + +The old man's mouth trembled; he was frightened. "What you hear?" he +faltered. + +"Only good things. That she was very tender and went with you to the +grave." + +"/Oui/," admitted Etienne, visibly relieved and grasping at this +opportunity. "She's sweet and good. She's play-mamma." + +"And her name is Zelie Dionne?" she asked, her face growing white in +the dusk. + +"/Oui/, ma'm'selle--she live across in the little house where there +are plant in the window--she live with the good Mother Maillet what I +told you about." He pointed to the cottage. "You go some time and talk +with her--but not now," he added, his fears flaming. He was anxious to +be the first to talk to Zelie Dionne, in order that she might help him +to protect their friend. "You shall talk with her--soon--p'raps. I +will tell her so that she will not be afraid. Yes, you shall hear the +play-mamma say good things of poor Rosemarie." + +She bowed and hurried away. + +And before her tear-wet eyes the words "play-mamma" danced in letters +of fire. It seemed to be only another sordid story. + +But she remembered the face of Walker Farr, and in her heart she +wondered why she still refused to condemn him. + + + + XXVI + + THE DRIVEN BARGAIN + +The Honorable Daniel Breed, "sipping" his thin lips and propping his +coat-tails on his gaunt fingers, patrolled the lobby of the National +Hotel and his complacency was not a whit disturbed when Richard Dodd +passed in front of him and sneered in his face. + +"Keep on practising making up faces," advised the old man, amiably. +"Perhaps in the course of time your uncle will give you a job making +up faces as his understudy, seeing that his physog is getting so tough +he can't manage it very well these days." + +Young Dodd whirled on his heel and returned. "We've got a line on you +and your amateur angels, Breed." + +"Don't consider me an amateur, do you?" asked the old politician, +smacking his lips complacently. + +"You're a has-been." + +"Sure thing!" agreed Mr. Breed. "The state committee told me so, and +the state committee never made a mistake." + +"We've got so much of a line on your crowd that my uncle has called +off the organizers. There's no need of our wasting money in this +campaign. You're that!" He clacked a finger smartly into his palm. + +"Oh yes! You're right! Some snap to us." + +"I mean you're nothing." + +"Run in and take another drink, sonny," advised Breed, giving slow +cant of his head to denote the baize door through which Dodd had +emerged. "What you have had up to date seems to be making you +optimistic--and there's nothing like being optimistic in politics. I'm +always optimistic--but naturally so. Don't need torching!" + +"Look here, Breed, we've got enough dope on that ex-hobo who is doing +your errand-boy work--we know enough about him to kill your whole +sorehead proposition. But I don't believe my uncle will even use it. +No need of it." + +"Probably not," said Mr. Breed, without resentment. "And I wouldn't if +I were he." + +"We won't descend to it. Now that we have got rid of a lot of old +battle-axes of politicians--and I'm calling no names--we can conduct a +campaign with dignity." + +"So do! So do! And it will save a lot of trouble, son; that's why the +newspapers wouldn't print that stuff about Mr. Farr after your uncle +got it ready. Libel cases make a lot of trouble." + +Dodd grew red and scowled. "Look here, Breed, you're licked before the +start, and as a good politician you know you are. My uncle wants you +to drop in and see him. He told me to tell you so. This is no official +order, you understand. Just drop in informally, and he'll probably +have something interesting to say to you." + +"I'm terribly rushed up--shall be till after convention," averred Mr. +Breed, piercing the end of a cigar with a peg he had whittled from a +match. + +"What's the good of your being a fool any longer?" + +"Always have been, so I've found out from that state committee who +never told a lie--and it's comfortable to keep on being one," he said, +with great serenity. + +"You don't think for a minute that you are going to get control of the +next legislature, do you?" + +"How much money have you got--your own money, I mean?" inquired Mr. +Breed, guilelessly, his eyes centered carefully on the lighted tip of +his cigar. + +"Say--you--you-- What do you mean by that?" rasped Dodd, putting the +cracker of a good round oath on the question. + +"I meant that I wanted to bet something--and I wouldn't want you to go +out and borrow money--or--or--anything else." From the cavernous +depths where his eyes were set Mr. Breed turned a slow and solemn +stare on the enraged chief clerk of the state treasury. + +"What do you want to bet?" + +"Any amount in reason that after the first of next January there'll be +a fresh deal in the way of state officers in every department in the +Capitol. Arguing futures don't get you anywhere, son. If you've got +money to back that opinion you just gave me it will express your +notions without any more talk. But don't go borrow--or--or anything +else." + +Dodd stared at the shrewd old political manipulator for a long time. + +"You have money to bet, have you?" he asked. + +Mr. Breed languidly drew forth a wallet which would make a valise for +some men and carelessly displayed a thick packet of bills. + +"There it is," he said, "and I earned it myself and so I ain't poking +it down any rat-hole without being condemned sure that I'll be able to +pull it all back again with just as much more sticking to it. That +wouldn't be sooavable--and from what you know of me I'm always +sooavable." + +Dodd looked at the bills, carefully straightened in their packet, and +giving every evidence of having been hoarded with an old man's +caution. + +There was something about that money which impressed him with the +sincerity of Mr. Breed's belief in his own cause. The young man grew +visibly white around the mouth. + +"I'll see you later, Breed," he gulped. "I don't believe you know what +you are talking about--but I'm not national bank on legs. I'll be +around and cover your cash." + +He went back into the bar, swallowed a glass of whisky, and went out +and hailed a cab. He directed the driver to carry him to the Trelawny +Apartment. + +Mrs. Kilgour admitted him to the vestibule of the suite. + +"Is Kate at home?" he demanded. + +"Yes, Richard!" She shrank away from him, for his aspect was not +reassuring. "You know--she has given up her work--she is--" + +"I know all about it, Mrs. Kilgour. But I want to ask you whether she +has given up her work in order to marry me at once?" + +"Why, I-- She said-- I think it will come about all right, Dicky." She +was pitifully unnerved. + +"Have you told her why she must marry me?" + +"It is not time to tell her--it is not right--I can't--" + +He seized her arm and pulled her into the sitting-room. The daughter +rose and faced them, reproof and astonishment mingling in her +expression. + +"This thing is going to be settled here and now," said the lover, +roughly. "There is going to be no more fooling. Has your mother put +this matter up to you so that you understand it, Kate?" + +"She has told me that she owes you five thousand dollars," returned +the girl. Her eyes flashed her contempt. "You told me that yourself. I +repeated the statement to her and she admits it." + +"But did she tell you how it happens that she owes me that money?" + +"For God's sake, Richard, have some pity! This is my own daughter. I +will sell everything. I will slave. I will pay you. Kate, for my sake +--for your own sake, tell him that you will marry him." + +"I will not marry this man," declared the girl. "It has been a mistake +from the beginning. As to your business with him, mother, that is not +my affair. You must settle it." + +"You belong in the settlement," declared Dodd. "Hold on! Don't leave +this room, Kate." + +He reached out his hands to intercept her, and Mrs. Kilgour, released, +fell upon the floor and began to grovel and cry entreaties. + +But his raucous tones overrode her appeals. + +"We're all together in this. I am five thousand dollars shy in the +state treasury, Kate. I took that money and loaned it to your mother +when she begged me to save her stocks. But she didn't have any +stocks." + +Mrs. Kilgour grasped his knees and shook him. But he kept on. + +"She had embezzled from Dalton & Company. What I did saved her from +prison and you from disgrace, Kate. And now I am in the hole! Listen +here! There's hell to pay in this state just now! The soreheads are +banding together. A man has just offered to bet me big money that +there's going to be an overturn in the State House departments. I +don't know whether it will happen--but you can understand what kind of +torment I'm in. Kate, are you going to let me stand this thing all +alone?" + +The girl stood silent and motionless in the middle of the room. + +She did not weep or faint. Her face displayed no emotion. It was as +white as marble. + +"Do you want to drag my daughter down with you?" cried Mrs. Kilgour. + +"You'd better not talk about dragging down," he shouted, passionately. +"I didn't steal for myself. Give me your love, Kate! Give me yourself +to encourage me, and I'll get out of the scrape somehow. I'll find +ways. But if you don't come with me I won't have the courage or the +desire to fight my way through. I'll not disgrace you if you marry me +--I swear I will not! With you to protect from everything I'll make +good. Symonds Dodd is my uncle. He won't see the family name pulled +in. But you must marry me!" + +"And if I do not?" she asked. + +"We'll all go to damnation together. I don't care! I'll blow it all. I +won't be disgraced alone because of something I did for your mother. I +may sound like a cur. I don't care, I say! I'm going to have you, and +I don't care how I get you!" + +"We need not be so dramatic," said the girl. Some wonderful influence +seemed to be controlling her. "Mother, stop your noise and go and sit +in that chair. You demand, do you, Mr. Dodd, that to save my mother +from exposure as a woman who has stolen, I must be your wife?" + +"I do." + +"Do you really want a wife who has been won in that fashion?" + +"I want you." + +"You realize, fully, don't you, the spirit in which I shall marry +you?" + +"We'll take care of that matter after we are married, Kate. You have +liked me. You will care for me more when you come to your senses in +this thing." + +"You remember what my father did in the way of sacrifice, I suppose? +It was no secret in this state." + +"Yes," he muttered, abashed under her steady gaze. + +"I am like my father in many ways--in many of my thoughts. Perhaps if +he had not set me such an example in the way of sacrifice I should say +something else to you, Mr. Dodd. But as the matter stands between us, +considering the demand you make on me, I will marry you." + +The concession was flung at him so suddenly--he had expected so much +more of rebellion--that he staggered where he stood. He advanced +toward her. But she waved him back. + +"Sit down!" she commanded. "This matter has gone far outside romance. +It has become one of business. It is a matter of barter. I have had +some experience in business. You say that mother owes you five +thousand dollars which you took from the state treasury?" + +"Yes, Kate." + +"And your books will be examined very carefully, of course, if there +is an overturn in your office?" + +"Yes. It won't be any mere legislative auditing." + +"I know something about politics as well as about business, Mr. Dodd. +I cannot very well help knowing, after my experience in your uncle's +office. I suppose the next state convention will determine pretty +effectually whether there will be an overturn or not?" + +"If we renominate Harwood it ought to give us a good line on the +control of the next legislature," he told her. "A hobo and a goody- +goody," he added, with scorn, "think they have stirred up a +revolution, but they have another think coming." He had been calmed by +her outwardly matter-of-fact acceptance of the situation. But he did +not perceive the fires of her soul gleaming deep in her eyes. + +"If Governor Harwood is renominated and the next legislature is in the +hands of your uncle, as usual, you will be sure to remain in your +position?" + +"Of course!" + +"And you can hide the discrepancy on your books from the auditing +committee?" + +"I am pretty sure I can." + +"You appreciate fully, don't you, Mr. Dodd, why, after all my troubles +in this life up till now, I should hesitate to marry a man with state +prison hanging over him?" + +"Yes." + +"If Governor Harwood is not renominated I shall expect you to defer +our marriage until you can work out of your difficulties. There will +be danger and it is not in the bargain of my sacrifice that I shall +pass through such disgrace with you; at any rate, I do not consider +that added suffering is in the trade and will not agree to it. I +prefer to remain as I am and share the disgrace of my mother. Do you +agree to that?" + +"I don't like it, but I suppose I've got to be decent in the matter." + +"But if Governor Harwood is renominated at the convention I will +concede a point on my part and will marry you at once, taking it for +granted that you will be able to clear yourself. In that way both of +us are making concessions--and such things should be considered in a +bargain." She was coldly polite. + +He bowed, not knowing exactly what reply to make to her. + +"You have accused me of trifling in the past," she continued. "I will +now try to show you that I can conduct straight business as it should +be handled. Shall I make a memo of our agreement and hand it to you?" + +"There is no need of it," he stammered. + +"Thank you, Mr. Dodd. And now that the matter has been settled to our +mutual satisfaction, I will ask you to go. I think my mother needs my +attention. And I am reminded that our bargain does not dispose of the +fact that my mother owes you five thousand dollars. I will reflect on +how that debt may be paid--by insurance"--her face grew whiter still-- +"or by some arrangement." + +"I wish you wouldn't say such--" But she interrupted him. + +"On my part, this is strictly business, Mr. Dodd, and I must consider +all sides. I will give the money matter careful thought. I'm sure we +can arrange it. I have merely bought my mother's good name with +/myself/!" + +He stumbled out of the room and went on his way. + +"Mother, you and I have some long, long thoughts to busy ourselves +with before we attempt to talk to each other," said the girl when the +two were alone. "I am going to my room. Please do not disturb me until +to-morrow." + +For an hour Kate Kilgour was a girl once more, sobbing her heart out +against her pillow, stretched upon her bed in abandon of woe, torn by +the bitter knowledge that she was alone in her pitiful fight. She was +more frank with herself in her sorrow than she ever had been before. +She owned to her heart that a few days before even a mother's +desperate plight would hardly have won such a sacrifice as she had +made. + +She was ready to own that she loved that tall young man of mystery +whose face had refuted the suspicion that he was a mere vagrant. It +was strange--it was unaccountable. But she had ceased to wonder at the +vagaries of love. In her prostration of mental energies and of hope +she confessed to herself that she had loved him. + +But now between his face and hers, as she shut her eyes and reproduced +his features, limned in her memory, those fiery words danced--there +was a "play-mamma" who with him had loved the little girl named +Rosemarie. + +Checking her sobs, she sighed, and her heart surrendered him. + +Her sacrifice had been made both easier and yet more difficult. + +Then she snuggled close to her pillows and gazed out into the +gathering night, and pondered on the fact that if Walker Farr won his +fight in the state convention that victory put an end to her poor +little truce in the matter of Richard Dodd. + +Then she was sure that she had put Walker Farr out of her heart for +ever, because she found herself hoping that he would win. The girl had +not yet grown into full knowledge of the dynamics of a true and +unselfish love--she did not fully know herself. + + + + XXVII + + A DICKER FOR A MAN'S SOUL + +The populace came first and packed solidly into the galleries of the +great auditorium of Marion city. + +For years the state conventions of the dominant party had attracted +but little public attention. They had been simple affairs of routine, +indorsing the men and the principles of the Big Machine. The next +governor had been groomed and announced to the patient people long +months before the date of the convention; platforms protecting the +interests were glued placidly and secretly and brought forth from the +star chamber to be admired; and no delegate was expected or allowed to +joggle a plank or nick the smooth varnish which had been smoothed over +selfish privilege. + +But this year came all the people who could pack themselves into +galleries and aisles. + +Below on the main floor were more than two thousand delegates. Every +town and city sent the full number accredited. After these men had +been seated the men and women who thronged the corridors and stairways +were allowed to enter and stand in the rear of the great hall. + +Strange stories, rumors, predictions, had been running from lip to lip +all over the big commonwealth. It was reported that the throne of the +tyrant was menaced at last by rebellion which was not mere vaporings +of the restless and resentful; organized revolt had appeared, marching +in grim silence, not revealing all its strength, and therefore all the +more ominous. + +A military band brayed music unceasingly into the high arches of the +hall. The music served as obbligato for the mighty diapason of men's +voices; the thousands talked as they waited. + +The broad platform of the stage was untenanted. The speakers, the +chairman, the clerks, the members of the state committee, did not +appear, though the hour named as the time of calling the meeting to +order arrived and passed. + +In an anteroom, so far removed from the main hall that only the dull +rumble of voices and the shredded echoes of the blaring music reached +there, was assembled the state's oligarchy awaiting the pleasure of +Colonel Symonds Dodd. + +He sat in a big chair, his squat figure crowding its confines. + +The state committee and the rest of his entourage were gathered about +him. + +There was a committeeman from every county in the state--the men who +formed the motive cogs of his machine. + +One after the other they had reported to him. + +And each time a man finished talking the colonel drove a solid fist +down on the arm of the chair and roared: "I say again I don't believe +it's as bad as you figure it. It can't be as bad. Do you tell me that +this party is going to be turned upside down by a kid-glove aristocrat +who has hardly stirred out of his office during this campaign?" + +"He has had a chap to do his stirring for him," stated one of the +group. + +"A hobo, scum of the rough-scruff, hailing from nowhere! Shown up in +our newspapers as a ditch-digger--a fly-by-night--a nobody! I'm +ashamed of this state committee, coming here and telling me that he +has been allowed to influence anybody." + +"Colonel Dodd, what I'm going to say to you may not sound like +politics as we usually talk it," declared a committeeman, a gray- +haired and spectacled person who had the grave mien of a student, "and +it is not admitted very often by regular politicians who run with the +machine. But we are up against something which has happened in this +queer old world of ours a good many times. We have had the best +organization here in this state that a machine ever put together. But +in American politics it's always just when the machine is running best +that something happens. Something is dropped into the gear, and it's +usually done by the last man you'd expect to do it. The fellows who +are tending the machine are too busy watching that part of the crowd +they think is dangerous, and then the inconspicuous chap slips one +over." + +"I don't want any lecture on politics," snapped the boss. "Do you mean +to insinuate that that low-lived Farr has put /this/ over on /us/?" + +"I have hunted to the bottom of things and I do say so, Colonel Dodd." + +"How in blazes did that fellow ever get any influence? I haven't been +able to believe that he has been accomplishing anything." + +"You ought to have listened a little more closely to us, Colonel," +insisted the committeeman. "Every once in a while there comes forward +a man whom the people will follow. And he is never the rich man nor +the proud man, but he is one who knows how to reach the hearts of the +crowd. A shrewd politician can get power by building up his machine. +And then some fellow in overalls who has some kind of a God-given +quality that has never been explained yet so that we can understand, +smashes into sight like a comet. It may be his way of talking to men, +it may be his personality--it is more likely a divine spark in him +that neither he himself nor other men understand. But every now and +again some humble chap like that has changed the history of the world, +and I reckon it's pretty easy for such a man to change the politics of +a mere state." + +His associates were staring at him and Colonel Dodd was giving him +furious glances. He had spoken with enthusiasm. He broke off suddenly. + +"I beg your pardon. I don't mean to go quite so far. But I'm a student +of history and I've read a lot about natural-born leaders." + +"You evidently know more about history than you do about politics," +growled the colonel. "This whole state committee doesn't seem to know +much politics. If you have allowed that Farr to slime his way around +under cover and do you up in your own counties, I'll see to it that we +have a new state committee." + +"I have an idea that that convention out there will attend to the +matter of a new state committee for us." + +The new speaker's voice was very soft. His nickname in state politics +was "Whispering Saunders." He was known as being the most artistic +political "pussy-foot" in the party. It was averred that he could put +on rubber boots and run twice around the State House on a fresh fall +of light snow and not leave a track. + +"If I'm any kind of a smeller--and I reckon it's admitted that I am," +purred Saunders, "we are walloped before the start-off in every county +delegation out on that floor." + +"But what has been the matter with you fellows all the time?" blazed +the boss. "Up to now you have been reporting simply that the soreheads +were growling and were not getting together so as to be dangerous." + +"Did you ever try to shovel up soft soap from a cellar floor with a +knitting-needle?" inquired the politician. "That's how it's been in +this case. Every man I talked with was slippery. I know slippery times +when I see 'em. I've been afraid, but I hoped for the best. Now that +they are here, with this convention due to be called to order, they +are not slippery any longer. They don't need to be. I've just been +through the convention hall. They are out and open--and they're +against us." + +"That Farr has a proxy from a delegate in the Eleventh Ward and is on +the floor," stated another. + +"But he isn't a voter." + +"He wasn't a little while ago, but he is to-day, Colonel. The board of +registration had to put his name on the books--he has lived here long +enough to become a voter." + +Colonel Dodd glared from face to face. It was plain that he was +angered rather than dismayed; he was like a bull at bay, shaking the +pricking darts out of his shoulders. He took a hasty glance at his +watch. 'Twas twenty minutes past the hour appointed for the calling of +the convention. He could hear the distant band still bellowing bravely +to kill time. + +A giant of a man stood up--a cool man, rather cynical. He was the +chairman of the state committee. + +"I have been waiting till all these gentlemen got the panic worked out +of their systems--or, at least, had said all they could think of about +that panic, Colonel. Now we can go ahead and do real business. We have +not had a battle in this state for a long time, and this panic may be +excusable. They say that the men who are the worst frightened before +the battle do the best fighting after they get into the real scrap. I +will admit that the situation in the state has been a little slippery, +as Saunders has said. And some men have dared to do a lot of loud +talking since they have arrived here in this city. It is so strange a +thing that it has got everybody in a panic. The Chinese are wise--they +show dragons to the enemy, but the dragons are only paper. Wouldn't +think the enemy could be scared that way, eh? But look at this bunch +of state committeemen! A pasteboard 'natural-born leader' set up, and +Archer Converse puffing smoke through the nostrils of that effigy! +Gentlemen, you ought to be ashamed of yourselves!" + +Colonel Dodd snorted emphatic approval. + +"You are talking like children. Guff and growls can't carry this +convention. That crowd hasn't even got a candidate for governor. Have +you heard one mentioned?" + +"I don't suppose they would dare to go as far as that," said one of +the committeemen. "Governor Harwood, by party usage, is entitled to a +renomination, of course. What they figure on is a new state committee +and a platform that will include reforms." + +"Huh! Yes! So much striped candy! Give it to 'em. Then we've got only +twenty-four men to handle in the way we have always handled state +committees--and even that crowd can't find saints and archangels for +their candidates! And as for a political platform--bah!" + +It was the practical politician's caustic estimate of conditions. + +Then the chairman joined in, bolstering this supercilious view: "As +for that legislature--how many bills were ever passed in our +legislature over a governor's veto after we had got in our work? We +are going to have a safe man for governor. That band's lungs won't +last for ever. Colonel Dodd, are you ready?" + +If revolt and the spirit of resentment and rebellion did exist in that +assemblage, which the magnates of the party faced when they marched +upon the platform, the tumult of applause covered all sinister outward +aspects. The routine of the convention was entered upon: the secretary +read the convention call, the organization was perfected without +protest, and the orator of the day, as president pro tem, a +conservative United States Senator, began his "key-note speech." It +was a document which had been in proof slips for a week, and which all +the party workers from Colonel Dodd down had read and approved. +Therefore, when Richard Dodd entered from one of the side doors and +came tiptoeing across the platform and touched the colonel's arm and +jerked energetic request for the colonel to follow, the colonel +followed, glad of an excuse to be absent while the Senator fulminated. + +Young Dodd's face was flushed and working with excitement. He hurried +his uncle into a small retiring-room and locked the door. + +"I've got your man, uncle," he declared. + +"What man?" The colonel was grouchy and indifferent. + +"Your man Farr." + +"I don't claim him." + +"But you said you wanted him. You said you wanted to hang him like a +dead crow in the political bean-patch." + +"Merely momentary insanity on my part, Richard. There seems to have +been a little run of it in this state, and when Judge Warren caught it +and gave it to me I talked like a fool, I suppose. But you must +remember that a polecat can give the most level-headed man an almighty +start--and then the level-headed man walks out around the polecat and +goes on his way very calmly." + +"But don't you consider that Farr is a dangerous man?" + +The colonel held up his pudgy hand and snapped a finger into his palm. +"He amounts to that in front of the muzzle of a ten-inch gun." + +"But I went ahead after what you said. I have put out time and money. +I hired a detective. I figured I was doing a good job for the +machine." Young Dodd's voice trembled and disappointment was etched +into his anxious features. + +"Well, what have you found out?" + +"I can't tell you. It's another man's secret, and he's got to have +cash or a guaranty before he'll come across with it." + +"What's the price?" + +Richard Dodd exhibited confusion and hesitation. "I made some promises +to him, uncle, because I know what has been paid in the past for +things which didn't seem to be as important as this--judging from the +way you and the judge talked. So I--well, I--" + +"Price, price, I say! I'm used to hearing money talked," harked the +colonel. "I've got to get back into that convention. Out with it!" He +made two steps toward the door. + +"Five thousand!" blurted the young man. + +Colonel Dodd whirled and whipped off his eye-glasses so as to give his +nephew the full effect of his contemptuous fury. + +"Why, you young lunatic, I wouldn't pay that price if they were going +to elect Farr the governor of this state, and make him a present of +the Consolidated, and you could bring proof that he is the +reincarnation of Judas Iscariot." + +A roar of voices and a thunder of thudding feet announced that the +Senator had finished. + +Colonel Dodd hurried away. + +The nephew found Detective Mullaney in the alley behind the +auditorium, and the young man's air of discomfiture and the sagging +shake of his head told the story of his errand without words. + +"If they're getting too mean in their old age to hand me a fair price +for a good job then let 'em get licked," declared the detective. "You +stuck to our original figure of five hundred dollars, didn't you?" + +The young man looked over the detective's head and lied. "Five +hundred--that's what I told him." + +"And he wouldn't consider it?" + +"Something has braced him so that he isn't afraid of the man any +longer. Perhaps he has got a line of his own on him. It doesn't seem +to be worth anything any longer. Suppose you tell me just who he is +and what about him?" + +"Not on your life!" retorted Detective Mullaney, sharply. "I ain't +saying anything against your family, of course, but when I give a Dodd +something for nothing--even a hint--it will be when I'm talking in my +sleep and don't know it. But I'll tell you what I /will/ do. Give me +my two hundred and fifty and I'll hand you the whole proposition and +you may go ahead and make what you can of it. I swear to you again +that I've got it on him. Seeing what he did to /you/, you ought to +feel that the story is worth that much of a gamble even for private +purposes." + +Dodd hesitated, put his hand in his pocket--then withdrew it empty. + +"No, Mullaney. What's the good? He says Farr isn't dangerous, and has +turned down the whole thing flat. I may as well keep my money. If you +want to sit on the platform, come along with me. I can find a place +for you." + +Detective Mullaney followed willingly, for he knew that people were +fairly piling over one another in an attempt to get into the hall by +the main entrance. + +He sat down in one of the square chairs on the platform and searched +with his sharp little eyes until he found the face of Walker Farr in +the terraced rows of humanity. It was not difficult to locate him, for +his physique made him loom among other men and he was posted under the +banner which marked the location of Moosac County. + +The detective found the eyes of the young man directed toward the +gallery with such intentness and for so long a time that he endeavored +to trace that earnest scrutiny to its object. The detective was not +exactly certain, but he finally picked out a very handsome young lady +who occupied a front chair in the balcony; she seemed to be returning +the young man's intent regard. + +"You have the reputation of knowing all the pretty girls in the +state," whispered Mullaney, drawing Dodd's attention with a nudge. +"Who is that up there in the gallery, front row, fifth from the aisle; +blue feather, and so handsome she hurts my eyes?" + +To have his attention drawn thus rudely to the one girl in all the +world gave Dodd a sensation which he did not relish--and his face +showed his astonished resentment. + +"That is Miss Kilgour, who used to be my uncle's secretary. Why do you +want to know who she is?" + +"Because there seems to be something very especial on between her and +the man we thought was worth five hundred dollars to us." + +"That young lady, Mr. Mullaney, is engaged to me," stated Dodd, +acridly. "You'd better drop the topic." + +But he did not display either the joy or the pride of the accepted +suitor as he looked up at her. + +"I'll simply say that you're a mighty lucky chap and I congratulate +you," returned Mr. Mullaney, hiding his confusion by getting very busy +with newspaper clippings and papers which he drew from his breast +pocket. + +The detective was wholly unconscious of the irony of that remark. But +it brought a flush of shame to Dodd's cheek, for the sorrow and sting +and ignominy of that part which he had played had not departed from +his soul nor did even the fervor of his passion for her help him +forgive himself; he stared at her guiltily as the thief gloats over +his loot and is conscious of his degradation without feeling +sufficient contrition to give up the object he has stolen. + +For he remembered with fresh and poignant recollection the +circumstances under which that girl had given her promise to him so +recently: she had stood over a mother who had abased herself before +them, had cast herself down and had writhed and screamed and implored +her to consent; and the mother was driven to do this by the lash of +his threats. He had stood there and demanded, and the woman on the +floor had confessed her frailty, owned to her misdeeds, acknowledged +her debt, and had frantically begged her daughter to sacrifice +herself. + +The girl had given her "Yes," paying the debt with herself; but her +eyes had been wide and dry and her face was white and set and she had +looked past the man to whom she promised herself when she had murmured +that promise. + +Dodd swept cold sweat from his forehead as he remembered; he found +almost the same expression now on her face as she gazed down on Walker +Farr, who stared back at her anxiously, perceiving a grief that he +could not understand. + +In that vast assemblage those three, thus wordlessly, no one marking +them, fought a tragic battle of hopeless love with their eyes. + +Detective Mullaney pored over his papers. "By gad," he mused, "I +haven't kept my books all this time for nothing. I know my card. I've +got him right--it's dead open and shut. But I swear he doesn't look +the part he played, even if the description does fit him. Well, law is +law! If I can't sell him to Symonds Dodd, I'll find out how much those +will pay who do want him." + +The routine of the great convention had been proceeding. + +"And the gentleman from Danton, Mr. Gray, moves that we do now proceed +with the nomination of a candidate for governor," intoned the chairman +in sing-song tones. + + + + XXVIII + + THE MAN WHO WAS NOT AFRAID + +One after the other, dignified and decorous, three men of the Big +Machine, representing three of the large counties of the state, came +upon the platform and put in nomination the name of Governor Harwood +to succeed himself. + +These speakers had been carefully selected. They were elderly +gentlemen whose reputations, tones, and demeanor bespoke safe and sane +conservatism. They took occasion to rebuke the new spirit of unrest in +the old party, and their tremolo notes of protest were extremely +effective. While these men talked, a listener was compelled to feel +that rebellion against the established order of things could only be +rank sedition; for many years have these arts of oratory been employed +to appeal to the average man's party loyalty; voters have listened and +have been ashamed to revolt--as a son dutifully bows his head under a +father's reprimand and responds to a father's appeal--for, after all, +in matters where appeal is made to loyalty the human emotions are not +so very complex. + +The elderly gentlemen put great stress on the fact that not in twenty +years had a faithful governor been refused the honor of renomination +for a second term. Would their convention deny that compliment to +Governor Harwood? It was the same appeal that had been made for +twoscore years in order to perpetuate the dynasty of gubernatorial +figureheads who had obeyed the ring's orders. + +Walker Farr heard /sotto voce/ murmurings of men in his vicinity. They +were men who had joined the new revolt and had stood bravely enough +for a change in county political managers. But these men revealed that +they were timorous about altering long party custom. They said, one to +another, that it would be going too far to refuse renomination to +Governor Harwood. It might split their party so widely that the rival +political party would be able to carry the state--and that would never +do. + +Farr was in no wise surprised to hear these murmurings. + +He had sounded men before that convention as he had traveled about the +state. + +He had found them ready to begin house-cleaning in the smaller affairs +of county management, and by assault on the little wheels of the gear +of the machine which had so long ground political grist; but they were +unwilling to temp fate by venturing on such a general overturn as +putting up for governor a man who had not been selected and groomed +for high office during the accustomed term of apprenticeship-- +legislature, senate, and council. + +He realized how well the great ring had intrenched itself in absolute +power by appealing to conservatism in matters of safe men for high +office. Safe men meant those who protected the big interests and saw +that no raids were made on capital--no matter how many abuses capital +might be fostering. + +Mumble and grumble all about him, and men's faces showing that they +were agreeing with the tremolo appeals of the elderly orators! + +Even the Honorable Archer Converse, his legal cautiousness governing +his opinion, knowing the temper of conditions in his state, had +emphatically discouraged Farr when the young man had timidly +questioned him in regard to the advisability of securing a candidate +for governor outside the ring's dynasty. + +Mr. Converse's discouragement of such hopes would have been even more +emphatic had he ever dreamed that this apostle whom he had sent out +into the field was coddling the audacious hope that Mr. Converse +himself by some miracle might be put into the governor's chair. + +The orators proceeded, one after the other. They were applauded. They +retired. + +Walker Farr was oppressed by the lugubrious conviction that he was the +only man in that great assemblage who felt enough of the zealot's fire +to be willing to put all his hopes to the test. + +He looked at the faces on the platform. There sat Colonel Dodd, +wearing his expression assumed for that day and date--smug political +hypocrisy. + +His henchmen winged out to right and left of him. They represented +finance and respectability. + +Sometimes political rebels will gallantly and audaciously venture when +they rail behind the backs of their leaders; but when those leaders +appear and fill the foreground with their personalities the rebels +subside; they are impressed by the men whom they behold. They defer, +even when they are stung by knowledge of their leaders' principles. + +Colonel Dodd and those with him were the accredited leaders. + +Delegates glared, but were cowed and silent. + +Farr pondered. Perhaps the advice of Mr. Converse was best: + +"Take what we can get in our first skirmish. Keep it for the nucleus +of what we hope to get later. If we put all to the test in our first +fight against forces that have been in power for all the years and +lose, then the cause gets a setback which may discourage our men for +ever." + +And Mr. Converse, having so declared, had remained away from the +convention that day, feeling that no more was to be gained. + +"And I move you, Mr. Chairman," called a voice, "that the nominations +for governor do now close." + +This had been the custom in the past. + +It was not in the minds of that convention that another candidate +would be put forward. Governor Harwood was waiting in an anteroom, +thumbing the leaves of his speech, and all the delegates knew it. All +desired to expedite matters, nominate by acclamation, hear the +inevitable speech, and go home. + +"One moment before that motion is seconded!" + +The voice was so loud, so clear, so dominant, so ringing, that the +effect on the convention was as galvanically intense as if somebody +had blown upon a bugle. + +Walker Farr had risen to his feet. + +Colonel Dodd set his curved palm at his mouth and from behind the +chairman shot a few words at the presiding officer as one might shoot +pellets from a bean-shooter. The chairman scowled impatiently at Farr, +and a delegate among those who watched eagerly for signals from the +throne rose half-way to his feet and bellowed, "Question!" The cry was +taken up by other delegates, just as the unthinking mob follows a +cheer-master. + +Farr climbed upon a settee. He stood there, silent and waiting, and +his expression, poise, and mien wrought for him more effectively than +speech. + +He towered over all the heads. He was markedly not one of those New- +Englanders there assembled. His mass of dark-brown hair, his garb, the +very set of his head on his shoulders, differed from the physical +attributes of all others in the hall. And, as the delegates continued +to shout for the question to be put, he turned slowly so that his +expression of dignified and mild protest and appeal was visible to +all. And as he turned he gave the girl in the gallery a long look. + +The chairman pounded with his gavel. + +"I second the motion," called a delegate, taking advantage of the +first moment of silence. + +There was another roaring chorus of, "Question!" + +But Walker Farr remained standing on the settee, waiting patiently. He +showed no confusion. There was added dignity as well as appeal in his +attitude and expression. + +"Before that vote is taken I want to say one word as a man to men," +shouted a delegate. "It's plain to be seen that that man standing +there is a gentleman. We are sent here to attend a meeting for the +good of our party. If, as delegates, we refuse to listen to a +gentleman because we're in too much of a hurry, we'd ought to be +ashamed of ourselves. If, on the other hand, we're /afraid/ to listen +to him, whatever it is he wants to say, then God save this party of +ours!" + +That was a sentiment which promptly struck fire in that assemblage. + +There before their eyes stood the subject of that challenge, stalwart, +modest, appealing silently--the sort of appeal which won. + +The galleries broke into applause first. Then the delegates took up +the demonstration in behalf of fair play. They beat their hands and +pounded their feet. The applause from the galleries had more or less +of rebuke in it, because it began while the challenger's voice still +echoed in the great hall. + +The chairman's gavel thumped ferociously. + +Colonel Dodd cursed under his breath. He had been on the trail of that +convention, its movements, its progress, as a hound dog would follow +the trail of a fox. He had seen it safely headed for the corner where +it would be run to earth. He detected sudden peril in this threat of a +detour. + +"Good Jericho!" gasped a committeeman near him. "The chairman ain't +letting this convention get away from him, is he?" + +It was natural alarm in the case of a man who feared to allow any +expression in a convention except such as had been arranged for +previously and had been passed upon by those in power. + +"This isn't the kind of convention that will get away!" hissed the +colonel in reply, bolstering his own convictions that all was safely +harnessed. "But I don't want any fooling." + +He caught the eye of his nephew and summoned him with an impatient +jerk of the head. + +Richard Dodd hastened across the platform and bent his ear close to +his uncle's mouth--the colonel pulling him down. + +"If your man can stop that fool now--quick--for five hundred dollars, +I'll pay." + +Young Dodd gulped. He needed five thousand dollars! + +"He won't consider less than I told you." + +"Well, let the idiot talk to us--he can't do any harm." + +The colonel pushed his nephew away. In spite of that applause he still +half expected that the convention would close the nominations. What +else was there to do? + +"The vote is upon the motion to close the nominations for governor," +stated the chairman. "Those in favor will say 'Aye!'" + +Every delegate in that hall was looking at Farr. They were staring at +him with curiosity and interest. But even curiosity does not always +prompt politicians to open a convention to a person who may prove to +be a bomb that will upset plans and precedent. + +Then Farr gave them that wonderful smile! + +The "Ayes" were scattered and sporadic! Men did not relish shutting +off a chap who stood there and smiled upon them in that fashion. + +At the call for the "Noes" a bellow of voices shook the hall. + +The convention had given this stranger permission to speak by that +refusal to subscribe to the cut-and-dried plans. Colonel Dodd was no +longer smug. He scowled ferociously. + +"Gentlemen of the convention, I am grateful," cried Walker Farr. "And +I will not abuse your patience." + +"Platform--take the platform!" called many of the delegates. + +He smiled and shook his head. "Let me talk to you standing here where +I can look into your eyes, gentlemen. I feel pretty much alone in this +convention. I /am/ alone! I represent no faction, no interest except +the cause of the humble who have asked for help from the masters who +have been set over them. Perhaps I ought to have remained silent here +to-day. My cowardice has been prompting me to keep still. It is no +easy matter for me to stand up here and disturb the order of events +which had been arranged by the gentlemen who have managed your public +affairs for you so many years. But it would be much more difficult for +some of the others here to speak, because the gentlemen who manage +politics have methods by which they can discredit a man in his +profession, ruin him in his business, stop his credit at banks and in +other ways make him pay dearly for his boldness in speech. I have no +money in banks, no business which can be ruined." + +"I rise to a point of order!" shouted a delegate, obeying a nod from +the stage. "The business in hand is the nomination of a governor." + +"That is my business," stated Farr, calmly. + +With political scent sharpened by his apprehension, Colonel Dodd +narrowed his eyes, sat straight in his chair, and desperately +endeavored to fathom the intentions of this rank outsider. + +In spite of his bluster to the state committee he was worried. He had +not felt comfortable since his conference with Judge Ambrose Warren. +He did not like the "feel" of political conditions. There was some +indefinable slipperiness about matters. + +He could not bring himself to consider the impossible idea that the +convention would bolt--would run amuck, no matter who addressed it--no +matter what contingency arose. But to have the convention even +tolerate this brazen interloper troubled his sense of mastery; the +convention had been too ready to permit the stranger to speak. It +wasn't politics as the colonel had been accustomed to play the game. +And this--this man from nowhere--it was preposterous! + +He snapped his head around and found his nephew close behind him. + +"You young whelp," gritted Colonel Dodd, visiting his anger on the +nearest object, "where's your political loyalty? This isn't any time +to drive bargains. If you can stop that fellow hustle and do it." + +"It's another man's secret, I tell you. I've got to buy it." + +"I'll make it a thousand." + +Young Dodd's face was white, but he knew how desperate his case was +and how vitally necessary it was to play his cards as he held them. + +"I gave you final figures," he whispered. + +"Where is that man? Let me deal with him." + +"It must be done through me." + +"If you wasn't my nephew I'd think this was blackmail." + +Young Dodd stepped back to avoid the glare in his uncle's eyes. + +The colonel turned away and listened. Farr's voice was raised now in +solemn appeal. + +"The idea of my letting myself get rattled by a crack-brained +demagogue," muttered the colonel. He had been fondling the outside of +his coat furtively, locating his check-book. Now he took his hand +away. + +"It is well to respect service and to show courtesy, gentlemen. I have +listened with interest to the eulogies which have been given Governor +Harwood. He is, without doubt, an amiable gentleman. But let me tell +you that the next legislature is going to be asked to pass a law which +will be a club with which the people will rap the knuckles of Greed +till that unholy clutch on the water systems of this state will be +loosened for ever." + +The delegates stared at him for a few seconds when he paused, and then +a tumult of applause greeted his utterance. + +"I ask you, gentlemen, whether Governor Harwood--and you know him well +and how he has been chosen--will ever sign a bill that will take +profit from the hands of his political makers even to give that profit +to the people who are the rightful owners?" + +This time men were silent, but he knew what they thought from the +manner in which they looked at him. + +"I do not need to tell you that the veto of a bill by a governor +means, in most cases, its death. Gentlemen, it would be polite and +kind and gracious of you to bow low here to-day and hand up the +nomination to the amiable Governor Harwood. But with the conditions as +they are in this state are you going to be polite, merely, while the +hearses are rumbling down your streets? I have no way of knowing how +many of you into whose eyes I am looking have seen death enter your +own homes from the taps of this much-promising, little-accomplishing +water syndicate. But if you have seen death touch your loved ones, or +if you go home from here and behold fever ravaging your community, it +will be poor consolation to your soul to remember that at least you +were polite to an amiable man who desired the honor of a +renomination." + +The faces of the convention showed that this blunt yet shrewd appeal +to the individual antagonism of men had produced profound effect. + +"But that is only one feature of what this state demands and needs, +gentlemen," was Farr's ringing declaration. "This struggle for pure +water has opened a broad avenue. The towns and cities of this state +must take back into their own hands the properties and franchises +which have been mismanaged by the men to whose hands unwise gift by +the people has intrusted the people's own. We need a man in the Big +Chair of State who will stand with the people in this crusade!" + +This amazing declaration in open convention produced as much +consternation on the platform as if Farr had dropped a bomb there. + +He uttered something which was worse than mere political rebellion: he +was proposing to take for the people properties which constituted the +backbone of the oligarchy's power in state affairs. + +Colonel Dodd had been growling behind the chairman, angrily +endeavoring to get the ear of that gentleman. But the chairman seemed +to be as wholly absorbed by this astonishing arraignment as were the +delegates. + +The head of the state machine, for the first time in his career, was +compelled to come into the open instead of through the mouth of a +lieutenant. He could not wait to give orders. + +He rose and stamped to the front of the platform. His voice rang +hoarse and loud. + +"There can be no more of this unparliamentary and irregular nonsense. +What has got into this convention? Don't you understand that no +speaker is allowed to break the rules and attack a man under guise of +nominating another? Mr. Chairman, I demand that this slanderer be +removed from the hall and that we proceed to the nomination of a +governor." + +There was a hush during which Farr and Colonel Dodd looked at each +other, crossing their stares like long rapiers over the terraced +heads. + +"I fear I was wrong," confessed Farr, gently. "But we poor folks down +in the ranks don't know much about the rules, and when we are +struggling to save the ones we love we are apt to forget and talk to +the heart of things. I am not trying to show that I am a skilful +orator, gentlemen of the convention." He held up his arms. "I am +crying for /Justice/!" + +The delegates broke into applause once more. + +And Walker Farr sent a queer look straight into the eyes of the +colonel. + +Conviction slapped Colonel Symonds Dodd in his mental face with a +violence that made him blink! + +This man was no amateur in understanding how to sway an audience. To +be sure, he had transgressed parliamentary usage, but in those words +he had driven home facts that all knew to be truths--truths which +others had been afraid to voice, but which, once put into words in +public, tied the hideous stamp of ring favoritism upon Governor +Harwood, made him a candidate who could not be trusted. + +The colonel understood, and he also saw plainly that the most of the +audience had accepted the apology, and held no prejudice against the +speaker. + +"Now that I understand what the rules governing nominations are I will +not break them again," declared Farr. + +But like a shrewd and not over-scrupulous lawyer he had jabbed into +the proceedings a stinging truth which, though excluded by the rules, +nevertheless served vitally the big purpose of his efforts; the +colonel understood that, too, and turned back to his chair fairly +livid with rage. + +"There is a man in this state who knows true law," continued the +speaker, "and that you may be assured that he will sign a bill which +is passed for the good of the people, let me tell you a little about +his character." + +Colonel Dodd cursed without trying to moderate his tones very much. + +"There's no telling what tack that renegade will take next. This +infernal convention is getting to be a nightmare. Those fools out +there are listening as if they expected that cheap demagogue to bring +'em a new Messiah," he told the committeemen near him. + +"There's a funny noise going on out there among 'em," ventured +"Whispering Saunders." "Round-up fellows say they hear something like +it when a herd is getting ready to stampede. It's the same thing in a +political convention sometimes. The reason for it is: the crowd is +ripe and the head steer gives the right bellow--and off they go!" + +Colonel Dodd grabbed his nephew by the elbow and rushed him off the +stage and into an anteroom. + +"Is that matter on the hair-trigger, Richard?" he demanded. + +"It's ready to be snapped any minute." + +The colonel whipped out his check-book and began to write. "It's as +old Saunders said," he muttered as he wrote. "And we've got to rope, +throw, and tie that one steer." + +The check was for five thousand dollars! + +Young Dodd seized it, and when his uncle hurried back upon the stage +the nephew, through the door which was left open, beckoned to +Mullaney. The detective came, hurrying past Colonel Dodd, who stared +until the door had closed behind young Dodd and the officer. + +"But he's my own nephew!" he assured himself, as if he were replying +to an accusation laid against Richard Dodd. He shook his head and sat +down in his chair. "I wonder how long it has been since old Bob +Mullaney put a price of that size on his secrets! I'm afraid Richard +hasn't the Dodd ability to drive a sharp trade." + +But Richard was showing considerable ability in that line behind the +door of the anteroom. + +He jammed two hundred and fifty dollars in crumpled bills into the +detective's hands, cleaning out his pockets for the purpose. He had +slipped the check into his deepest pocket the moment his uncle had +handed it to him. + +"It was hard work to screw him up, Mullaney. You have seen how I +worked him. This is all he gave me--two hundred and fifty. Take it and +spring your trap." + +"You don't look honest," grumbled the detective. "If I'm any kind of a +guesser you're holding out on me." + +"That's your price. You agreed. There isn't any time to argue this. +Give me back the money." He grabbed the bills from Mullaney's clutch. +It was magnificent bluff. "I'll hand it to my uncle. He isn't very +keen on the thing, anyway." + +"I'll take it--give it back. I'll apologize," pleaded Mullaney. + +"Will you swear to keep all this under your hat--the whole thing? +Uncle says if you dare to speak to him about it--hint to him or +anybody that he paid money for anything on Farr--he'll deny the story +and have your license taken away." + +"I promise--swear it," Mullaney agreed. + +Dodd returned the money, and the detective started out on the trot. + +"You come, too, and I'll tell you on the way. Time is short. You'd +better help me," he advised Dodd. They hurried away together, rushed +out into the alley and around to the front of the hall, the detective +pouring certain information into Dodd's ear as they made their way to +the big door and into the main corridor. + +Then they bored through the crowds. + +The detective led the way and showed his badge to compel the people to +give them a lane. + +They entered the rear of the auditorium. + +"You take the left side and I'll take the right," commanded Mullaney. +"We need to paralyze him first. That's all there's time for just now-- +I've had short notice. But get that name to every man of your crowd +you can, and when the howl is started tell 'em all to join in." + +Dodd had had scant time to digest the knowledge which the detective +had imparted on the run. But his eyes gleamed wickedly as he began to +whisper to men among the delegates. And as he moved about he noticed +that the girl in the gallery had marked his activity, even to the +extent of turning her gaze from Walker Farr, whose voice was ringing +through the spacious hall. + + + + XXIX + + THE BOMB + +Walker Farr, towering over their heads, talked to the men in whose +midst he stood. + +Mere eloquence no longer avails in these days of cynical disbelief in +the motives of political orators. But this young man who stood there +was sincerity incarnate. The wonderful and mystic magnetic quality +which wins men and inspires confidence radiated from him. And every +now and then, as he glanced up at one face in the gallery his voice +took on new tones of appeal and pathos. He was one crying from the +depths to those in authority! By the marvel of his language he made +the men who sat there as delegates understand that theirs was the +power to make or mar--to save or sacrifice their state in the crisis +which was upon them. He made them feel their responsibility after he +made them understand their power. + +And he also made their duty plain. + +The crux of the situation rested on such a man as they should place in +the highest office in the state. + +In other times, under other conditions, some pliant and amiable +figurehead might serve them well. + +He told them, with outstretched finger and vibrant voice, what must be +the masterful qualifications of the man who should assume the cross of +public service and carry it up the steeps where he would be lashed at +every step of his weary way by the thongs in the hands of privileged +capital. + +Colonel Symonds Dodd had come back to the platform, cursing himself +for a fool. The moment the check had left his hands he was angry +because he had allowed circumstances to stampede him. + +He wondered what was getting into him and into politics. + +Was he afraid of mere talk from a demagogue! + +But after he had sat there for a few moments and listened, and had +watched the faces of the delegates, he decided that if five thousand +dollars would stop the mouth of that man he had spent money wisely. It +was borne in upon him that he had spent greater sums many times for +lesser service. + +He saw Richard Dodd and Mullaney circulating among the delegates. He +restrained with difficulty an impulse to rise and shout to them to +hurry. He felt that danger to his program and his political structure +was imminent. Because once again were true eloquence and masterly +appeal winning men. + +All the listeners in the vast hall were as still as death. All eyes +were on this speaker who seemed to be clothing with effective speech +all the hidden convictions of the delegates themselves who had nursed +protest without being able to put it into force. + +Colonel Dodd had seen conventions in similar mood in the old days +before the saddle of party had been as securely cinched as it had been +in late years. + +The chairman of the state committee uttered the colonel's rising +fears. The chairman had lost his sneer and his bumptious confidence. +His face was red, he was sweating, he was staring out over the +convention and snapping his fingers impatiently. + +"Good gad!" he informed those in hearing on the platform, "what kind +of a turn is this thing taking? We have let this convention get away +from us. That chap has got the whole crowd marching to the mourners' +bench. He can wind up by nominating a yellow dog and they'll rise and +howl him into office by acclamation!" + +Farr paused for a moment to give effect to his next words. + +"Such in character, in honest impulse, in honor, in ability, in +devotion, and in God-given nobility must be the man who will lead you. +Has God given such a man to this state? He has!" + +"Yes and the devil has given us Nelson Sinkler to speak for that man!" + +The voice was shrill and agitated and it came from a section of the +hall where the rabid adherents of the machine were massed; it was an +amazing and shocking interruption. + +"I said Nelson Sinkler--that's you!" screamed the voice. + +And on that, from here and there in the hall, like snipers posted in +ambush, men shouted the name "Nelson Sinkler"--the words popping like +rifles. + +There was uproar. Part of it was protest, part hysterical +demonstration of excitement in an assemblage which did not in the +least understand. + +Then after a time came quiet, for the object of the attack stood in +his elevated position, unruffled, stern, turning bold front to right +and left as men barked at him. + +"I am here where all may look on me," he said. "Let one or all of +those who are attacking me stand forth in view, too." + +No one stood up. + +"It's a cowardly man who will not put his name to a letter or show his +face when he makes an accusation," cried Farr. + +"How about a man who doesn't dare to use his own name?" This +questioner remained in ambush. + +"Your right name isn't Walker Farr and you know it isn't," bellowed a +voice on the opposite side of the hall. + +Other voices pot-shotted at him with the words, "Nelson Sinkler." + +"Will one man in this convention stand up and show himself so that I +can talk to him face to face?" shouted the man at bay. + +Detective Mullaney and Richard Dodd could not find seats. The others +were sitting, and the two were marked men. + +"Well, Dodd, you have been whispering. What have you to say aloud?" +demanded the man they were baiting. + +"I say your name is not Walker Farr." + +"You!" The tall young man darted a finger at Mullaney. + +"I say you're Nelson Sinkler." + +"And what of him?" + +"He is wanted by the state of Nebraska for murder." + +A sound that was mingled sigh and groan ran and throbbed from +galleries to floor; it filled the great hall and seemed to vibrate +back and forth over the assemblage. And for the long minute that the +dreadful sound continued until it had breathed itself out into +horrified silence the man who stood on the settee looked straight into +the white face of the girl in the gallery. + +But those of the throng who devoured him with eager stares could not +discern one trace of confession on his countenance. + +Then he did a strange thing. + +He held his arms out toward Detective Mullaney and crossed them, wrist +over wrist, and he smiled. + +"If you are certain enough of your man to dare to arrest me, sir, I +stand here waiting for the handcuffs." + +The detective hesitated, visibly embarrassed. He had been looking for +confusion, confession by manner, even collapse. + +"This is a put-up political job," declared a delegate. "That's no +murderer--that man." + +"I am waiting," repeated Farr. + +Detective Mullaney flushed. There were murmurs of hostility in the +throng about him. He ran over swiftly in his mind the contents of his +note-book and fortified his courage. + +"I haven't secured a warrant yet--but I'll take your dare," he +announced. He started to come down the aisle. + +"Just one moment," called a stentorian voice in the gallery. "You're +wrong, my man, down there. I don't want to see an innocent person +disgraced in public nor an officer get himself into a scrape. That man +is not Nelson Sinkler." + +"What are we running here--a state convention or a police court?" +Colonel Dodd demanded, leaping up and grabbing the arm of the +presiding officer. "Order all those men ejected from the hall." + +But at that moment the convention was not in the control of the +chairman. Irregular as it all was, human nature demanded to be shown +there and then. + +Delegates arose, shouting, and surrounded Farr, making effectual +bulwarks against Mullaney with their bodies. Voices asked the stranger +in the gallery for information, and he motioned the vociferous mob +into silence. + +"I am a United States post-office inspector, and I can easily prove my +identity, gentlemen. I'm here in this convention merely as a +spectator, killing time till my train leaves. But I know Nelson +Sinkler because I arrested him a month or so ago after he had been a +fugitive for two years. He killed a mail clerk. He is now awaiting +trial. If that man down there is arrested as being Nelson Sinkler it +will mean a lot of trouble for somebody." He sat down. + +"Who are you?" yelled a chorus of the ring's henchmen. They pressed as +near to Farr as his body-guard would permit and shook their fists at +him. + +"I am a man and not a spirit," he said in the first silence--and +silence came quickly, for they were eager to hear. "You can see that +for yourselves. But just now I am less a man than a /Voice/." He +shouted that last word. "The Voice calls you to rebuke the kind of +politics that has just been attempted here. You have seen, you have +heard! Will you indorse it by your votes? Will you keep in power that +gang that has attempted it in the desperation of defeat?" + +"No," the voices of men tumultuously replied. + +Reckless and unjust attack had never tossed a more golden opportunity +into a man's hands. + +"Then come over to the side of decency, my men. Nominate a champion +who will be spotless and unafraid. There is war in this commonwealth +instead of politics. Through one war the great patriot of this state +led his people with high chivalry. For the next governor of this +state, in these trying times, I nominate the son of that patriot--the +Honorable Archer Converse of this city--God bless him!" + +"We're licked," gasped Colonel Dodd, trying to make the state chairman +hear him, for the roar that rocked the great hall was deafening. "A +boomerang has come back and mowed us flatter than an oven door in +tophet." + +In the rout, in the retreat--horse, foot and dragoons--crisp orders +were issued and obeyed. The friends of Governor Harwood had only one +resource--it was to save that gentleman's face. His nomination was +withdrawn. + +That convention had run amuck, it was a mass of wild men who were +feeling liberty from oppression for the first time and gloried in +their new and sudden freedom from ring rule. + +Then the delegates who came upon their feet roared the unanimous +nomination of Archer Converse. + +In the gale of that acclaim the opposition uttered no protest; the +delegates who still remained loyal to the machine scowled and kept +their seats. + +Ducking under the tossing arms of men who flung aloft their hats and +cheered with the frenzy of delight that the amazing victory inspired, +Richard Dodd escaped to the rear of the hall and jammed himself into +the press of the spectators. He hid behind a hedge of bodies and then +dared to look at Colonel Dodd's face. The mighty passion which flamed +on the uncle's countenance was revealed to the nephew's gaze even at +that distance. The colonel was at the edge of the platform and was +beckoning imperiously to some one. Young Dodd saw Detective Mullaney +work his way out of the throng which surrounded Walker Farr; the +officer was obviously obeying the summons of Colonel Dodd and marched +to the platform and climbed on a chair in order to converse with the +angry man who had beckoned. + +And when Richard Dodd saw that conference begin overwhelming fear +swept out of his soul all other emotions. He no longer had eyes for +that girl in the gallery. Not even love and the promise she had made +availed to stay him. Panic allowed him no time for planning an excuse +or framing a lie. In playing for the stakes he had exacted he had felt +that his uncle would hold no autopsy on the price of success. But five +thousand dollars plucked from the Dodd pocket by a falsehood for which +no excuse could be offered! And on top of that a crushing defeat which +had been made definite and final by the work which Colonel Dodd had +paid for! + +The nephew saw Mullaney shake his head and throw up his hands in +appeal and protest. + +That spectacle made Richard Dodd a fugitive who thought only of saving +himself. He fought his way through the crowd and ran out of the hall. +The thought of facing Symonds Dodd in that crisis or of waiting to be +dragged before the furious tyrant--that thought lashed the traitor +into mad flight. + +He glanced up at the clock in the First National tower. He had three +minutes before the bank's closing time. He controlled his emotions as +best he could and presented the check at the paying-teller's grill. +The money was counted out to him without question, and when he held +the thick packet in his hand he realized still more acutely in what +position he stood in his affairs with Symonds Dodd. + +He rushed to a garage, secured his car, and fled. + +"I tell you I gave my nephew a check for five thousand dollars," +insisted the colonel. "And the Dodds don't lie to each other!" + +"Then they have begun to do it," declared Mullaney. "He has double- +crossed the two of us. There was never any talk between us of more +than five hundred for the job." + +Colonel Dodd hurried into the anteroom and called the bank on the +telephone. "Almighty Herod!" he yelped, when he was informed that the +check had been cashed. He banged the receiver upon its hook. "Even my +own nephew has joined the pack of those damnation wolves!" + +Then with the air of a man recovering from a blow and wondering +dizzily what had struck him, he left the convention hall by a rear +door and went to his office. + +Those whom he passed on his way out made no attempt to stop him, did +not urge him to remain. That convention seemed to be doing very well +without calling upon Colonel Symonds Dodd for help or suggestions. + + + + XXX + + A GIRL'S IMPULSE + +Herald unofficial, /avant courier/, Mr. Daniel Breed squeezed himself +through the pack of people while they were still cheering the name of +the Honorable Archer Converse. + +"Giving candy to youngsters and good news to grown folks never made +anybody specially unpopular," Mr. Breed assured himself with +politician's sagacity. + +Therefore, he jog-trotted down to the Converse law-offices and shot +himself into the presence of the estimable gentleman who had remained +aloof from the distracting business of a convention. + +"He's done it," proclaimed Mr. Breed, making his sentences short and +his message to the point because he was out of breath. + +"Who has done what?" demanded Mr. Converse, with equal crispness. + +"Farr. You're nominated for governor. Acclamation! He's a wiz with his +tongue." Mr. Breed pursed his little mouth and "sipped" with gusto. +"Some talker! Don't ever tell me that good talk doesn't win when the +right man makes it at the right time." + +Mr. Converse rose and stood--a rigid statue of consternation and +protest. "Do you mean to come in here and tell me that I have been +nominated by that state convention? Without my sanction? Without my +consent?" + +"Sure thing! Easy work! Played all the tricks. Made believe he was +green. Poked rights and lefts to Harwood's jaw. Had himself paged as a +murderer--at least, I reckon it was his own get-up. It cinched the +thing, anyway. He understands human nature." + +But Mr. Converse did not in the least understand this talk. "Look +here, Breed, you haven't gone crazy yourself, along with the rest, +have you?" + +"Nobody's crazy. People have simply woke up." + +"I'll be eternally condemned if I--" + +"That's right! You will be if you don't button up your coat and go +over to the hall along with that notification committee that's +probably on the way, give the folks your best bow, and say you'll take +the job. We're some little team when we get started." + +"You're an infernal steer team, and you have dragged me into a mess of +trouble," declared Mr. Converse, with venom. + +"Glad you're in," retorted the imperturbable Breed. "A man needs more +or less trouble so as to round himself out; I've been having some +troubles of my own. Whatever job you give me after you're elected, +don't put me back with them stuffed animals. Harwood made his mistake +right there!" + +"It has begun already, has it?" asked Converse, indignantly. "Office- +seekers at it?" + +"Sure thing!" responded Mr. Breed, amiably. "When you cool down you'll +remember that I got to you first with the good news." + +Five minutes later the Honorable Archer Converse, muttering, but more +calm, was marching toward the convention hall in the company of a +proud committee of notification. + +He walked out upon the platform and waited for the wild tumult of +greeting to subside, and while he waited he searched the assemblage +with stern scrutiny to find the face of Walker Farr. + +But that young worker of miracles was not in evidence. + +He had risen with the others when the band began to blare the music +which signaled the approach of the nominee. + +Once more he turned his gaze toward the girl in the gallery. + +There was nothing in his demeanor to suggest that he had been a +victor. His face was white, and after his eyes had held hers for a +long time he gave her a wistful little smile which expressed regret, +sorrow, renunciation, rather than pride. She no longer wondered at the +interest she felt in this man; she knew that she loved him. She was +able to own that truth to herself, and to view it calmly because she +had made her promise to Richard Dodd and was resolved to keep it. That +determination made of this love a precious possession that she could +put away for ever out of the sight of all the world. Such a poor, +meager, little story of love it was! A few meetings--a hand-touch--a +word or two. + +There in that packed forum had been their only real love-making. Over +the heads of angry men they had told each other with their eyes. There +was no misunderstanding on the part of either. Both knew the truth. + +And yet, after he had told her, this enigma of a man bowed his head +and edged his way to the door, moving unobtrusively through the press +of humanity, taking advantage of the confusion which marked the +entrance of Archer Converse. + +Impulse goaded Kate Kilgour at that moment. She did not reason or +reflect. Something in the air of this man told her that sorrow instead +of triumph was dominating him; his whole demeanor had said "Farewell" +when he had turned from her. The instinct of the woman who loves and +longs to comfort the object of that affection drove her out of the +hall, and she followed him--ashamed, marveling at herself, searching +her soul for words with which to excuse her madness, should he turn +and behold her. + +But the autumn dusk was early and she was grateful because it shrouded +her. + +Farr, leaving the din of the convention, going forth alone, looked +more like the vanquished than the victor. He walked slowly, his head +was lowered, and he turned off the Boulevard at once, seeking deserted +streets which led him down toward the big mills. + +Their myriad lights shone from dusty windows, row upon row, and the +staccato chatter of the looms sounded ceaselessly. + +Farr climbed the fence where old Etienne was everlastingly raking. The +young man had not seen much of the old rack-tender for some weeks, and +now he greeted Etienne rather curtly as he passed on his way to the +tree. But Etienne seemed to understand. + +"Ah, I will not talk, m'sieu'. I will not bodder you. I hear how much +you have work and run about, and you must be very tire." + +There was a crackle of autumn chill in the air, but Farr took off his +hat and sat down and leaned his head against the tree. He closed his +eyes. One might have thought that he wished to sleep. + +When the rack-tender made his next turn toward the street he saw a +woman at the fence, and as he peered she beckoned to him. He went +close and saw it was the pretty lady to whom he had told the story of +Rosemarie. She trembled as she clutched the top of the high fence, and +when she spoke to him he understood that she was very near to tears. + +"Is there not some way--some gate by which I may come in?" she +pleaded. + +"That is not allow, ma'm'selle. It is trespass." + +"But I want to speak--to--tell him-- We can talk over there beside the +tree and will not be heard. It is to Mr. Farr I wish to speak. I saw +him when he climbed the fence." She hurried her appeal with pitiful +eagerness. + +"Ah yes, I have one little gate for maself--for my frien'--for hees +frien', ma'm'selle. I will break the rule. You shall come in." + +She went softly and stood before Farr for some minutes before he +opened his eyes. + +Then he looked up and saw her and he did not speak. He seemed to +accept her presence as a natural matter. She was clasping her hands +tightly to steady herself. His calm demeanor helped her. + +"I don't know why I came here," she murmured. + +"I know. It's because you are sorry for me." + +"But I followed you. I dared to do that. I don't know why. I haven't +the words--I can't explain." + +"I understand. You wondered why I came away from the convention. You +want to ask me why." + +"Yes, that's it. I am interested in the fight. I have left the office +where so many bad things were planned." + +"I know. It was good of you to warn me." + +"And now I am afraid you are in trouble." + +"I am." + +"But you have many good friends now, sir." + +"I fear they cannot help me. When I left that hall I tried to tell you +with my eyes that I was going away." + +"I--I think I understood," she stammered. "It was wrong--it was folly +--but I followed you without knowing why I did so." + +"I am glad you did. I can say farewell to you here." + +"But you must not go away, Mr. Farr. You are needed." + +"I am going because I can best help the work in that way. If I stay +here I may be the cause of great harm." + +"I cannot understand." + +"I do not want you to understand." + +"Why?" + +"It is a matter which concerns others besides myself." + +"Does Mr. Converse know that you are going away?" + +"I shall tell him to-night before I leave town." + +"He will not allow you to do." + +"Yes--he will," the young man returned, quietly. + +There was a long silence. + +"Coming here--following you--it was a mad thing for me to do," said +the girl, still striving to find explanation for her act. "But I have +had so much trouble in my own life--I am sorry for others who are in +trouble. I want to tell you that I am sorry." + +"I understand," he repeated. + +Another period of silence followed. + +"That is all," said the girl. "I only wanted to tell you what a grand +battle you won to-day--and then I saw your face there in the hall and +I knew that you did not want praise--you wanted somebody to say to +you, 'I'm sorry.'" She dwelt upon the word which expressed her +sympathy, putting all her heart into her voice. "And now I'll be +going," she said, "and I hope you understand and will forgive me." + +Farr had been sitting with head against the trunk of the tree. When he +had started to rise she requested him to remain seated. Now he stood +up so quickly that she gasped. She was plainly still less at ease when +he stood and came close to her. + +"Wait a moment. You think that I am a very strange sort of man, do you +not?" + +She was silent. + +"You need not answer--it doesn't need answer. You naturally must think +that. You met me when I was a vagrant. You have seen me selling ice +from a cart-tail. But--I will be very frank, for this is a time which +demands frankness--you have seen me in other circumstances which have +been a bit more creditable. You do not know who I am or what to make +of me. But with all your heart and soul you know that I love you," he +declared, his tones low and tense and thrilling. "That love has needed +no words. It has been strange love-making. Wait! This isn't going to +be what you think. If I were simply going to say I love you I would +have said it to you long ago--I am not a coward--and I had seen the +one mate of all the world; I knew it when I saw you in the dust of the +long highway. And after you went on I picked a rose beside the way, +and the ashes of that rose are in my pocket now. I called you the +little sister of the rose and plodded along after you, playing with a +dream. And I threw the rose away after I saw you in the woods with +your lover--and understood. But I went back and hunted on my knees for +your sister. I didn't intend to say any of this to you. For it is of +no use." + +"No; I am promised to Richard Dodd," she sobbed. + +"If that was all that stood between us I'd reach now and take you in +my arms," he said, with bitterness. + +"It is more than a mere promise--he owns me--it was bargain and sale-- +it's sacrifice--for-- But I must not tell you." She went to the tree +and put her forehead on her crossed arms and wept with a child's +pitiful abandon. He came close and put tender hand upon her shoulder. + +"Sacrifice, little sister of the rose! Then there is another bond +between us! Sacrifice! My God! the curse that is sometimes put upon +the innocent!" He put the tip of his forefinger under her chin and +lifted her face from her arms. "I haven't any right to tell you that I +love you. I must march on. I cannot even explain to you why I cannot +take you in my arms and plead for your love." + +Her eyes told him what answer his pleading would win, and he trembled +and stepped away from her. + +"Since it can never be," she said, brokenly, "you may as well know +that I--that I do--I couldn't help it. I am forward--I am bold--it is +shameless--but I never loved anybody before." She put out both her +hands, and he took them. + +Old Etienne dragged doggedly at his work, his lantern lighting his +toil. The looms clacked behind the dusty windows which splashed their +radiance upon the gloom. + +"It is a bit strange that now another wonderful but bitter experience +should come into my life on this spot where we are standing," he told +her. He spoke quietly, trying to calm her; striving to crowd back his +own emotions. "I guess fate picked this spot as the right place for us +to say farewell to each other. I stood here one day and saw old +Etienne draw a dead woman to the surface of the water, and I found a +letter in her breast and I took her key and went and found little +Rosemarie." + +She stared at him, her eyes very wide in the darkness. + +"And that dead woman--she was the mother of the little girl?" + +"Yes, a poor weaver that the mills had broken. And Rosemarie and I sat +all night under this tree. It is too long a story for you now. No +matter about that, but I--" + +"I know about Rosemarie," she confessed. + +"And my heart opened and something new came into it, little sister of +the rose. And now on this spot I stand, and all joy and hope and love +are dead for me when I give back to you these dear little hands." + +She was still staring at him. + +"But I must not--I dare not speak of it," he proceeded. His grasp grew +tense. "See how I am trying to be calm? I will not loose my grip on +myself. Our doom was written for us by other hands, dear heart. When +it was summer I walked here with Rosemarie and play-mamma. Now it is +autumn and--" + +"Play-mamma!" she gasped. + +"Yes, a dear, good girl who worked hard in the mill and who was very +good to our Rosemarie; I was making poor shifts at buying a little +girl's clothes, and Zelie Dionne was wise in those matters and was +busy with her needle." + +"I hope you been excuse me," broke in old Etienne. "I overheard the +name of Zelie Dionne, but I don't mean to listen. I have some good +news for you, M'sieu' Farr, what you don't hear because you ain't been +on this place for long time. And it is not good news for you, +ma'm'selle, for now you can't get acquaint with very nice Canadian +girl. The big beau Jean have come down here from Tadousac and now he +own nice farm and they will get marry and be very happy up in the +habitant country." + +"Thank God, there's some happiness in this world," said Farr. "She is +a good girl." + +There was almost joy on Kate Kilgour's face when she looked up at +Farr. + +Her god had been restored to his pedestal. + +"Farewell," he said at the little gate through which she had stepped +into the street. + +"No," she cried as she turned and hurried away; "I'll not say it--not +now!" And he wondered because there was joy in her tones. + + + + XXXI + + THE MASK OF CYNICISM + +Old Etienne came to the gate with his lantern; the big turbines were +stilling their rumble and growl in the deep pits and his day's work +was ended. + +"P'r'aps you may walk to Mother Maillet's with me and say the good +word to Jean from Tadousac and to Zelie Dionne, who is now so very +glad," suggested the old man, humbly. "The good priest he marry them +very soon and they will go home." + +"Yes, I will go, Etienne. I can say good-by there to you and to Miss +Dionne." + +"So you go visit some place, eh, after your hard work? That will be +very good for you, M'sieu' Farr. You shall come back much rest up and +then you will show the poor folks how you will help them some more." + +"I shall not come back--I am going away to stay." + +"But you promise under the big light at the /hotel de ville/--I hear +you promise that you will stay," protested the old man. + +"My work is finished." + +"That is not so, M'sieu' Farr. For many men come to talk to me over +the fence since I stand up in the big hall. They are wiser than such a +fool as I am. They say that you have just begin to do great things for +the poor folks. You shall take the water-pipes away from the men who +have poison them. Ah, that is what they say. I do not understand, but +they say it shall be so." + +"Other men can do it," said Farr, curtly. + +"And yet you will come back--when?" The old man was struggling with +his bewilderment and doubt. + +"Never." + +He understood how he was hurting that old man, but bitterness and +hopelessness were crowding all tender feelings out of Farr at that +moment. Once more he put on the mask of cynicism. He feared to show +anybody the depths of his soul. + +In the good woman's little sitting-room they found Zelie Dionne. + +"I have stopped in to say good-by, Miss Zelie. I am going away. I'm +sorry that the grand young man from Tadousac is not here." + +"He comes to sit with me in the evening. You shall wait and see him." + +"No, I must hurry on." + +"I have been reading about you." She tapped the newspaper in her hand. +"The boy just passed, crying the news. It is very wonderful what you +have done. Now you will be the great man. But I knew all the time that +you were much more than you seemed to be." + +"However, you don't seem to understand me just now," he declared. "I +am going away from this city--from this state. I am going to stay +away." + +"/Oui/, he have say that thing to me," said old Etienne, brokenly. +"And I do not understand." + +"And /I/ do not understand." + +"I'm tired--put it that way." + +"Ah no, that is not it." + +"Well, I am more or less of a sneak and a quitter when it comes to a +pinch. I don't want you two good folks to feel sorry about me. Forget +me. That will be the best way. I hope you will be very happy in +Tadousac, Miss Zelie." + +"I hoped we were better friends," she said simply. "I am very sad to +find you do not trust us." + +"Oh, I'm selfish--that's it. Remember me as a selfish man who was +tired and ran away." + +"We have talked about you, Uncle Etienne and I, and we have never said +that you are selfish." + +"That shows you don't know me," said Farr, roughly. + +"But we know what you have done," insisted the old man, with patient +confidence. "For what you say you shall not do we do not care about +that. For we have seen what you have done--ah, we know about that and +care about it very much. You are wiser than we are, and if you say you +must go we can only look at you very sad and bow the head. I wish I +had some language so to tell you how very sorry! But the Yankee words +--I know not those which tell how sorry I shall be. It is not much I +can do for the poor little childs--only whittle and save pennies for +the fresh air." + +Another man, another tone, might have put rebuke, indirectly, into +those words. But old Etienne, rasping his hard palms nervously, was +merely vowing himself to sacrifice because there was no one else left +to do so. Farr understood and was softened. + +"And now I must go to the bed for my sleep, because the rack must be +cleared before the wheel start to go roompy-roomp in the big pit +asking for its water." He was showing nervousness, haste, his voice +trembled; he staggered when he lifted himself out of his chair. + +"You'd better say good-by to me now," said Farr, rising with the old +man. "It's a good night under the stars. I shall probably be far out +on the road by daylight." + +"Good-bye," muttered old Etienne, fumbling his hat and bowing. + +"But aren't you going to say something else to me--say you're sorry to +have me go?" demanded the young man. "We have been close together in +some things we shall never forget." + +"I have told you. I cannot say how sorry." The old man's voice was +little more than a husky whisper. + +"I like you, Uncle Etienne. I want you to know it. You are an old +saint." He put out his hand, but the rack-tender turned and hurried to +the door. "Not take my hand?" cried Farr. "Am I as much of a traitor +as all that?" + +"Oh, I cannot speak! I have no word," wailed the old man from the +gloom in the street. His voice rose in shrill, cracked tones. He began +to weep aloud. He had been restraining his feelings with all the +strength of his will since Farr had announced his intentions. His +departure was flight. He began to run away down the sidewalk. "Saint +Joseph, guard my tongue!" he gasped over and over. "I'll go very fast +so that I not say it, for I am only old Pickaroon, and he is fine +gentlemans!" He continued to weep broken-heartedly. + +"Mr. Farr, he was afraid he would tell you how much he loved you-- +afraid that you would be insulted if he presumed to tell you of it." + +"I don't think I just understand that," commented Farr, staring into +the night, peering to get another glimpse of Etienne. + +"I understand!" said the girl. "It would be too bad for you to go away +and think that at parting he was not polite to you. I would not like +to have you suppose that fault is in one from Tadousac. He has told +me. If you will not follow him and frighten him by saying that you +know it, I will tell you." + +"I will not follow him. Probably I shall never see him again." + +"It may be a bit hard for you to understand, for you do not know the +French nature, perhaps. But since little Rosemarie went away for ever +he has loved you. You made something more of him than the old rack- +tender when you took him into partnership. When you made him your +friend before all the big men at the City Hall something bloomed in +him, m'sieu'--something that before had been only a withered bud! Ah, +you think I am fanciful? Very well! I cannot think how to say it any +other way. You are a token for him from little Rosemarie who has gone +away; you are friend, you are son, you are in his eyes destined savior +of these poor people." + +"I am glad I am going away. I would hate to betray such childlike +faith. Good-by, Miss Zelie!" + +He heard her call to him when he was in the street. He turned and +halted and saw her slim, white figure at the gate, and he stepped back +half-way. + +She was girlish sympathy incarnate, and his troubled, hungry, self- +accusatory soul caught the radiation of that womanly solace. + +"It's not what you say to me you are," she said, her breath coming +fast, her tones low. "It's what I know you are! That you will be when +at last you shall come to yourself. I do not care what you say. I +shall not remember! To the world--to me--to poor Etienne, just now, +you lied about yourself, M'sieu' Farr--about your real self. But you +did not lie to a little girl when she asked you to show your true self +to her. Of yourself--with little Rosemarie--that shall I remember!" + +"I thank you," he said, gratefully. + +"Some day some woman will love you," she continued. "And when you are +sure that she does love you, then you will tell her your troubles and +she will know what to say to make things right for you. For that is +the mission of good women. They understand how to listen and how to +help the men they love. You shall see!" She hurried into the house. + +Farr was promptly admitted when he presented himself at the door of +Archer Converse's residence, and he was conducted to that gentleman's +library, and came face to face with his patron, whom he found sitting +very erect in a high-backed chair. + +"I have been waiting for you, sir," said Converse. + +"I expected that you would be waiting, sir." + +"Be seated." + +"I will stand, if you please. I have only a few words to say." + +"Then your nature must have changed very suddenly," said the lawyer, +dryly. "Or did you pump your reservoir dry of language when you put my +name in nomination to-day?" + +Farr bowed without reply. + +"I hear that speech commended very highly. Among opportunists you +deserve high rank, Mr. Farr. You have tipped a state upside down very +effectively, and I am upside down along with the rest." + +"I will stand here very patiently, sir, and take my punishment. As +between ourselves, I had no right to do what I did to-day without +consulting you. As regards conditions in the state, I had a right to +seize that opportunity and give to the people a man who can be +depended on. I did so. Go ahead, now, Mr. Converse!" + +To the young man's surprise, the nominee arose and came to him with +hand outstretched. A smile broke through the grimness of the lawyer's +countenance. "I have accepted a public trust with pride, I am obeying +my plain duty with satisfaction, and I shall work to be elected with +all my might. Otherwise I wouldn't be the son of my father. My boy, I +have had a talk with Citizen Drew to-day. He told me about your idea +of kicking honest men into politics. I want you to understand that I +thank you heartily because you have kicked me in. I'm going to swim!" + +"'Then God's in His Heaven and the world's all right,'" declared Farr. + +The lawyer's quizzical and searching gaze was rather disquieting; the +young man had found Converse eyeing him with peculiar interest during +their meetings in the recent past. Now Converse bestowed particularly +intent scrutiny on his caller. + +"I feel that I have done my work, sir," Farr hastened to say, anxious +to terminate this interview. "I am going away--out of the state. I +shall not return." + +Mr. Converse did not break out into protest. He eyed Farr more +closely. Then he reached a button and turned on the full light of the +chandelier. "You have a good reason for deserting just when you are +most needed, I presume, sir?" + +"I have. It is a reason which especially concerns the success of the +legislation which we have discussed. If I stay I shall hamper you." + +"I will ask you to stand where you are for a few minutes, sir," said +the lawyer, commanding rather than requesting. He went to a cabinet +and drew forth a package. He brought that packet to the table and +began to sort photographs. + +He selected one, regarded it with careful gaze, and shifted his eyes +to the young man's face. + +"Um!" he commented, with judicial tone. "Now--suppose you tell me-- +just how your continued presence in this state will hamper me"--he +paused; he drawled the next words, emphasizing them--"Mr. Bristol!" + +Farr had begun nervous retreat when the lawyer had begun comparison of +the living features with the photograph. It was plain that he feared +rather than understood. + +"Hold on, there!" shouted the investigator. "You may as well stay and +settle this matter, Bristol. You look at this picture! You recognize +it, do you? If you are in any doubt I'll inform you that it's a +picture of your father when he and I were in law-school together." + +"I deny any relationship to that man." + +"Your tone and your manner convict you, my boy. I jumped you with that +name purposely. I am no fool when it comes to examining a witness. +When I first laid eyes on you I thought I had seen you, yourself, +somewhere, and I have been puzzling my brains. Then it occurred to me +that I had known in my youth a fellow who looked like you. You're the +son of your father, all right. Don't stultify yourself by lying to me. +You are Morgan Bristol's boy! Hah?" + +"I am," confessed the young man, with resignation. + +"What is your first name?" + +"Thornton." + +"Sit down, Thornton!" + +The visitor obeyed. + +"What have you done that you're ashamed of, my boy?" + +"I cannot tell you," said Bristol, firmly. + +"Oh, but you're going to," insisted the lawyer, with just as much +firmness. "You are now retaining me as your attorney and counsel-- +whether you know it or not. And when a man talks to his lawyer and +tells the truth it's no betrayal of confidence. Out with it!" + +"There's nothing to be done, Mr. Converse." + +"There's always something which can be done when a man is in trouble. +You are Morgan Bristol's son. I was in school with your father. He +went West and settled. Is he alive?" + +"I think so." + +"How is it that you don't know?" + +Mr. Converse settled himself into the tone and pose of the cross- +examiner. + +"I have been a vagrant, hiding myself in the highways and byways of +this country, for a long time." + +"What happened to drive you out like that?" + +"Right there, Mr. Converse, is where I must halt. It is a family +matter. I cannot go into it." + +"Look here, Thornton, you are in trouble. If you are in trouble, so is +your father. He has lost a boy! You can tell me now what it's all +about, or I'll drop my affairs and go and hunt up Morgan Bristol and +ask him about it. You may just as well save me all that time and +trouble. You're a lawyer, yourself--I know it." + +"Yes." + +"And you're a good one and know our code when it comes to secrets. I +am not asking you to expose a family skeleton--I'm demanding that you +treat me as your attorney and trust to my discretion. You are in +trouble and need a helper, and, by gad! you have got to take me into +this thing." + +Thornton Bristol set his elbows on his knees and clutched his shaking +fingers into his hair. + +"I have been meaning to keep it all to myself, sir," he stammered. + +"Quite likely. You have done mighty well at it, I should judge. But +you know that any man who acts as his own lawyer usually does a mighty +poor job. He lacks perspective." + +Bristol did not reply. + +"I have been studying you a little since I have known you," the lawyer +went on. "You are a very strange mixture, my boy. I much fear that in +some things in this life you are too quixotic in your views. We had a +case here in town--a man named Andrew Kilgour--" + +"I have heard about that man, sir." + +"Thornton, from what glimpses I have had of your nature, I'm going to +tell you here and now that you are covering somebody else's fault. You +are no coward. You would face your own delinquency just as bravely as +you came here and faced me to-night. Now, what did your father do?" + +"Speculated with trust funds of estates." + +"Old story, eh? Too bad, Morgan. I liked you when you were young." + +"But I want you to understand it," cried the son. "It is hard for me +to talk about it, sir, but it isn't exactly the old story. My father +was too indulgent where I was concerned. He tried to do more for me +than he could afford. He didn't tell me the truth about his affairs--I +supposed he was a rich man. I always had everything that money could +furnish. When he found that I was interested in the law he sent me to +schools at home and abroad and ordered me to take my time and go to +the bottom of all." + +"Well, I reckon you did," stated Converse. "If ever I saw a chap with +the true legal mind you have it, polished and pointed. You came into +this state and saw a solution for a problem which has blocked us for +twenty-five years. It's good law! And we will have a legislature that +will pass it. But when did you find out that your father had taken +other folks' money?" + +"I came home and insisted on going to work in the office. Then he told +me. The settlement was due and had been called for. He was obliged to +tell me. And he tried to convince me that he had not taken the money +for my sake. He was willing to appear in my eyes a thief without +excuse. But I knew. I had selfishly accepted it all without thought-- +and only half grateful. Young men are thoughtless, sir." + +"Your father seems to have been quixotic after his own fashion, +Thornton. I think I remember some of his traits when he was in school. +But as old Hard-Times Brewster used to say, 'We are all poor, queer +critters and some be queerer than the others!' So you were a little +queerer than your father, eh, and tried to square matters by a worse +piece of folly?" + +"It may have been folly. Perhaps it was. But I did not stop to argue +or reason. That money had been spent on me. I accepted the blame. I +said nothing to my father. I wrote letters to the persons who had +lost. I told them that I had taken the money as my father's agent-- +without his knowledge. I said I had deceived him as well as them. And +then, so that I might not perjure myself on the witness-stand or have +the truth gimleted out of me by lawyers, I put on rags and hid myself +among the thousands who trudge the highways and ride the trusses of +freight-cars. And no one has come to me and put heavy hand on my +shoulder and said, 'I want you!' But some one will come if I remain +here. I am going to hide myself again." + +"I say it has all been a piece of folly," insisted Converse. "Dear +folly! Yes, almost noble folly! But it must end, my boy. I suppose +your father is back there toiling to repay those men from whom he took +money." + +"I suppose so, Mr. Converse. But he has not been disgraced in the eyes +of the public." + +"There's where your noble folly has made its mistake. You have doubled +his grief, Thornton. Just sit there a moment and ponder. You will +understand what I mean." + +"I have understood--I have pondered--but I have not had the courage to +go back. At least, they could not say to him that his son was in +prison. He has escaped that grief." + +"And has endured a heavier one, my boy. I'm afraid you're a poor +counselor in your own affairs." He came across the room to Bristol and +slapped the bowed shoulder. "Now you have found a better one. I have +taken your case." + +The young man looked up into the kindly features of his adviser and +was only half convinced. + +"Don't you realize how easy it will be for you to make money from this +time on? You don't? Well, let me tell you. As soon as you can be +admitted to the bar in this state I'm going to make you my law +partner. Hold on! I'm doing you no especial favor--I'm putting into my +office a man who had the legal acumen to devise a plan to break the +unholy clutch of plunderers who have had this state by the throat for +a quarter of a century. I'm simply grabbing you before somebody else +gets you. I expect to be governor of this state, and I want my law +business looked after by a man who is able to keep up the reputation +of the firm. But first of all, my boy, you and I are going back to +your home. I think you'll find me a fairly good lawyer in +straightening out tangles. I'll know just how to talk to those folks +out there. And then you're coming back here with me and face this +state as yourself and help me fight the legislation we want put +through to enactment--and be damned to 'em!" He put his arm about the +young man's shoulders and drew him to his feet. "It has been a hard +day for you, my boy. There are some hard things ahead of you. You must +go to bed. The morning will bring comfort and good counsel." + +But when Bristol started toward the door Converse restrained him +gently and led him toward the stairs which led up from the big +vestibule. + +"You're home, my boy--right here--you're home here from this time on! +This is your other home until your father needs you more than I do. I +have been pretty lonely in this house for a good many years without +realizing just what was the matter with me." + +"After all, you have only my word for what I am and what I have done," +expostulated Bristol. + +"Oh no, I have the evidence of my eyes and ears and my own common +sense." + +Bristol pressed the hand stretched forth to him. + +"I'm not going to talk to you any more to-night," stated the host, +when they were on the upper landing. "It will all seem different in +the morning. It's going to be all right after this, Thornton. I'm +sorry I haven't a wife. A woman understands how to listen to troubles +better than a man. Is your mother alive?" + +"No, Mr. Converse." + +"I might have known that. You would not have allowed a mother to +suffer--your folly would never have gone so far. You would have been +home long before this. Ah, well, my boy, some woman will know how to +comfort you some day for all you have endured. Good night!" + +The young man knew that Zelie Dionne had been right in what she said; +he did not require the added opinion of the state's most eminent +lawyer. + + + + XXXII + + THE DEBT + +Colonel Symonds Dodd sat at his desk in the First National block and +clutched helplessly at the dragging ends of events. He failed to get +firm hold on anything and irefully informed Judge Warren that the +whole situation was a "damnation nightmare." + +"Well," affirmed the judge, who had been pricked in his legal pride by +his master's tongue, "the Consolidated has eaten some pretty hearty +meals. It's no wonder it is having bad dreams right now." + +"You're squatting down like an old rooster in a dust-heap," raged the +colonel, too angry to be choice in his language. "You, a twenty-five- +thousand-dollar lawyer, come in here to me and say that you can't +block the confiscatory scheme of a bounder--a nobody--a black-leg +stranger in this state!" + +"I'll carry on the fight if you order me to do so," said the +corporation lawyer. "That's my business. We can lobby in the next +legislature. We can fight the laws that Archer Converse's legislature +is bound to pass, for they're after us, Colonel Dodd. We can carry the +thing to the highest tribunal--and then we can fight the appraisals on +every water-plant in the state, but--" + +"Well, but what?" + +"One by one they'll pry loose every finger we have got hooked on to +our proposition. I have submitted that water-district plan to the acid +test, Colonel. It was my duty to do it. A lawyer must keep cool while +his bosses curse and disparage. I have the opinions of the law +departments of three leading colleges on the scheme. They all say that +such a plan, if properly safeguarded by constitutional law, will get +by every blockade we can erect. Now if you want to spend money I'll +help you spend all you care to appropriate," concluded the judge, +grimly. + +"We'll fight," was the dictum of the master. + +"Then I take it that you have definitely decided to give up your +political control, Colonel! A certain amount of popularity is needed +to cinch any man in politics. You're going to be the most unpopular +man in this state if you start in to fight every town and city simply +for the purpose of piling up costs and clubbing them away from their +own as long as you have the muscle to do it." + +"I don't care about politics--politics has gone to the devil in this +state already. They'll get tired of chasing fox-fires through a swamp +following after such lah-de-dahs as Arch Converse, and will come back +and be good. I'll wait for 'em to come back. But in the mean time I'm +going to have the courts say whether our property can be confiscated. +I'll take a few pelts while they're trying it on!" + +Judge Warren bowed stiffly and retired from the interview. + +Day after day passed and Colonel Dodd was more than ever convinced +that the nightmare was continuing. Politicians agreed with him--all of +them with amazement, many of them with wrath. + +Because the Honorable Archer Converse and the man who had called +himself Walker Farr had dropped completely out of sight, leaving no +explanation of any sort. + +"They didn't even tell /me/," confessed Daniel Breed, "and I'm their +chief fugler, and here's the November election right plunk on top of +us--and even the Apostle Paul would have to do at least four weeks of +spry campaigning in this state to be sure of being elected if a state +committee was getting ready to lay down on him like ours seems to be +doing. I'm jogafferbasted. I can't express myself no other way." + +Mr. Breed, in moments of especial anxiety and despondency when he +reviewed the situation, darkly hinted that the grand jury ought to +look into the thing. The Consolidated had done about everything up to +date except assassinate and abduct, he averred, and everybody knew +Colonel Dodd's present state of mind. + +However, Colonel Dodd did receive Miss Kate Kilgour politely when she +came to him; he had always held her in estimation next to the bouquets +in his office. + +"I have come to you," she explained, "because I could not get the +information anywhere else. I have tried. I do not want to bother you, +sir." + +The girl was pitifully broken, her voice trembled. + +"Well, well, what is it?" he demanded, impatiently, and yet with a +touch of kindly tolerance. "You needn't be afraid of me even if you +did leave me in hop-and-jump style, Miss Kilgour." + +"Where is your nephew, Richard?" + +And then, in spite of his assuring statement, Miss Kilgour /was/ +afraid of him. + +His square face was suffused with red, he thwacked his fist on his +desk and leaped out of his chair and stamped away from her, cursing +viciously. + +"Who sent you here to ask me that question?" he shouted, advancing on +her from the window. + +"It's my own business--I came on my own account," she stammered. + +"How comes it to be your business, miss?" + +"I gave him my promise to marry him." + +"If you did you made a devil of a mistake; I can tell you that, young +woman!" + +"I realize it, Colonel Dodd. I want to know where he is. I want to +take back that promise." + +He controlled himself and stared at her. "Take my advice and consider +your contract with Richard Dodd annulled--for good and sufficient +reasons, Miss Kilgour. I don't want to say any more. I can't say any +more. This thing touches me on a sore spot. Don't be afraid. I'm not +angry at you. But just forget that fellow and go on about your own +business." + +"I will do so, Colonel Dodd, after I have settled certain business +with him." + +"What business?" + +"I cannot tell you." + +"You'll have to tell me," he insisted, roughly. "I'm now engaged in +looking into my nephew's affairs. I want all the information I can +get." + +"I can only ask you--implore you to tell me where he is." + +"I'd like to know, myself," he retorted, bluntly. "I'd give +considerable to know. You needn't look at me as if you think I'm +lying! Now you may as well be frank with me, Miss Kilgour. I'm going +to be frank with you. I have always found you to be a young woman of +prudence and caution. I'll take a chance and tell you something which +I have been keeping to myself. I want you to know why you needn't feel +bound to keep any promise you have made to my nephew. He has played a +despicable trick on me, his own uncle, after all the help I have given +him. He practically stole five thousand dollars from me and has run +away, and I don't know where he is. Now, what have you to tell me?" + +"I want to put this in his hands, sir." She produced a packet, at +which the colonel peered with curiosity. "You will certainly find out +where he is. I want you to give it to him." + +"Oh, love-letters, eh?" + +"No, sir!" + +With shaking fingers she untied the cord and displayed the contents. +The packet was money, many bills stacked neatly, and the size of the +bundle made the colonel open his eyes very wide. + +"We--I--we owe it to him, sir. There are five thousand dollars here." + +"So that's what he did with my money, eh? Well, I'll take it." + +"I don't think it is your money, Colonel Dodd. I have good reason to +feel sure that it is not. I have not seen your nephew since the day of +the convention, and then only at a distance. And this money--it was +borrowed a long time ago." + +"Borrowed by whom--by you?" + +"No, sir. I cannot tell you the circumstances. I simply want you to +give it back to him. I shall feel that I am released from my +obligation." + +"Look here, my dear young woman," said the colonel, with all his +masterful firmness, "there are going to be no more riddles here. You +must tell me the truth. I must have it--hear? Otherwise I shall take +steps to make you tell--and that may not be as confidential as a chat +here with me. I propose to know about my nephew's affairs, I inform +you once again!" + +"My mother borrowed this money from him. She was in trouble. He helped +her." + +"Your mother needs a guardian. I beg your pardon! But I thought she +had had her lesson once before in her life. So my nephew loaned money +to your mother! Where did he get that money?" + +"I do not--" + +"Hold on! Wait before you say that, Miss Kilgour. I'll not endure +falsehoods from anybody just now. I have been lied to too much lately. +This is a matter of my own nephew. I command you to tell me the +truth." + +She hesitated a long time, her countenance expressing her agony. "I +haven't any right to betray him, sir." + +"He did not get five thousand dollars by any honest means. The +reputation of the family is in jeopardy just now, Miss Kilgour. I want +to protect it for my own sake. He confessed to you, didn't he?" + +"Yes." + +"I can better understand your sense of obligation now. When a man +commits a crime for a woman she gets some fool notions into her head +about standing by him. I know my nephew's extravagances, Miss Kilgour. +He had to steal to get five thousand dollars for your mother. There is +just one handy place where he could steal. He took that money from the +state treasury. He has told you so. Am I not right?" + +"Yes." + +Colonel Dodd turned his back on her and looked up at his bouquets. + +Perspiration streaked his thick neck. His jowls trembled. She pitied +this man, even in her own tribulation. She had never seen him moved +before. + +"How did you get this money, Miss Kilgour?" he asked, after a time, +his voice very low. + +"Must I tell you?" + +"Certainly. We are going to the bottom of this thing." + +"I received a little legacy from my aunt a few years ago--I had put it +away in the bank. I had saved some money from the wages I got here. My +mother--I am sorry to say that she has been vain and extravagant, sir +--she had wasted money on jewels and dress, and now she has sold +everything. We have disposed of all our furniture and have gone to +board in a very cheap place. I have been able to make out the amount +of the debt. Here it is!" She placed it on his desk beside the flabby +hand which lay there. + +He did not speak for a long time. "I am sorry for you," he said at +last. "This is a wicked thing. But I know better than to tell you to +keep this money." + +"Thank you," she said, quietly. "I know you understand!" + +"I will put it in the place where it belongs. That's all!" + +And when he kept his broad back to her she went out of the office, her +feet making no sound on the thick carpet. + + + + XXXIII + + ALL THE WORLD OUTSIDE + +A good lawyer can accomplish much when men are willing to listen to +reason and to accept the proffer of reparation! + +"All going to show," declared the Honorable Archer Converse to his +young protege, after they had parted at last from Morgan Bristol in +the Western city, "that a thistle doesn't hurt much, after all, if you +grab it with all your might and vim. We have found honest gentlemen +here, thank God! It has been made plain to me, my boy, that they all +knew you better than you knew yourself and that's why they waited so +patiently. But, oh, that folly of yours!" However, he patted Thornton +Bristol's shoulder when he said it. "It's a good thing for a young man +to have a healthy debt when he starts out--a debt that's a joy to pay. +Just look on it as an incentive, boy! You simply mortgaged your +future!" + +"I am glad that I have been called on to pay for what I wasted," +declared Bristol. "And I am not sorry, Mr. Converse, that my folly led +me out into the byways of this world. I'll know how to appreciate the +rest of life more highly." + +"Needs a hot fire to make good steel--that's so," agreed his mentor. +"And speaking of fire--I reckon we're going to find it almighty hot +when we get back to the place where we're expected. Now that we're +leaving affairs all serene behind us, you must let me do a little +careful thinking about how to meet the situation that's ahead of us." + +Archer Converse reappeared in his home city as unobtrusively as he had +left it and he held the polished shield of his urbane reserve over any +vulnerable points which darts of questions might attack. + +Mr. Breed, assuring himself that he had certain personal rights in the +matter, came with a veritable lance of interrogation, and thrust +tirelessly. + +"It is the custom when a man has been nominated never to close an eye +or leave the job for a minute. You have broke over all rules and I +have been doing my best to fix up a story to account for it," stated +Mr. Breed. + +"Thank you," returned Mr. Converse. "No doubt you have done a very +good job." + +"I done the best I could without knowing what I was talking about." + +"And the general comment--the run of talk was--what?" + +"General talk was that you didn't seem to be worrying much about the +election." + +Mr. Converse turned a benignant smile on his new law partner. + +"It's generally conceded, then, that I feel sure of being elected?" + +"Why, they think you wouldn't have skyhooted off unless you were +confident." + +"Exactly! That attitude of mine takes care of the band-wagon crowd. +They have climbed aboard, I'm told." + +"Yes," admitted Mr. Breed. "But the state committee has taken +advantage and has laid down on ye!" + +"Breed, you run along and tell the chairman of that committee--from +me--that unless he gets busy with his crowd in every county of this +state inside of twenty-four hours I'll come out with a public +statement that I have been forced to run my own campaign in behalf of +the people. You don't think there'd be any doubt about my election +after that statement, do you?" + +"Not a bit," confessed Mr. Breed. "You're more of a politician than I +had any idea of. Excuse me for any other kind of remarks. I'll go +shoot a little hot lead in that chairman's left ear." + +"Ordinary intelligence and common honesty," commented the Honorable +Archer Converse when Mr. Breed had departed. "They are such new +elements in running politics in this state that they seem to the crowd +to be a brand-new variety of political astuteness, Thornton! I'm not +going to be quite as frank and honest in some other statements I'm +about to make, under the circumstances. I don't believe my conscience +is going to trouble me a bit. We'll go over, if you please, and have a +word or two with Colonel Symonds Dodd." + +Mr. Converse's secretary prefaced that call by a telephoned request +for an appointment, and therefore Mr. Peter Briggs led them directly +into the presence of the colonel. + +"This is my friend and law partner, Mr. Thornton Bristol," said +Converse, apparently and blandly unconscious that he was tossing at +the magnate something much in the nature of a bomb. + +Colonel Dodd came forward in his chair, his hands clutching the carved +mahogany of the desk in front of him. + +"Oh, I beg your pardon, Colonel," purred Mr. Converse, amiably. "I +forget that you are not as familiar with Mr. Bristol's identity as I +am. You have known him merely as a stranger who has called himself +Walker Farr." + +"Yes, and he has registered himself on the voting-lists as Walker +Farr," blustered Colonel Dodd. "Mr. Converse, something will drop in +your camp before long--and it won't be rose-leaves!" + +Mr. Converse fixed a penetrating gaze on the angry man. + +"Colonel," he said, with meaning, "you are probably well aware that in +politics many things are done for a certain purpose--and many of those +things are a bit off color so far as the strict law is concerned. If +you particularly care about digging up the past of politics in this +state I will come with my own little shovel and assist with great +pleasure." + +"You're making an ass of me with this peek-a-boo business." + +"Mr. Bristol," continued the nominee, with composure, "after long +study abroad and at home has devoted himself enthusiastically to study +in sociology and economics, and has preferred to gain his knowledge +about conditions by first-hand observation. He came into this state in +pursuit of his object, and by force of circumstances was drawn into +our state upheaval." + +"Much more deeply than I intended to be drawn, Colonel Dodd," stated +the young man, with dignity. "I think you will remember that I said as +much to you in an interview we had. I called myself a Voice, if you +will recollect, and humbly begged you to attend to certain reforms. +Your refusal, and the manner with which you refused, rather forced me +into your affairs." + +"And I give you warning right here and now," blustered the colonel, +"that I'm going to force myself into /your/ affairs. I'm going to have +you investigated from puppyhood to the present, Mr. Whatever-your-name +is." + +"We may as well issue general warnings--all of us," said Mr. Converse. +"I have prepared a statement for the newspapers regarding my friend, +Mr. Bristol, and he will add a statement of his own relative to his +project in regard to water districts. If you care to malign Mr. +Bristol on the heels of that, Colonel, you may go ahead. But if you +choose weapons of that sort in the conduct of this campaign we shall +be forced to use a few cudgels of our own--for instance, we might be +able to give the people considerable information as to how the state +departments have been managed under your general direction. The funds +of the state treasury--" + +Converse was about to mention the matter of the usufruct of the +state's money deposited in the colonel's banks for the benefit of the +syndicate. + +Colonel Dodd pulled himself out of his chair and exhibited instant and +alarmed confusion. "We'd better make it a gentlemen's campaign," he +broke in. + +"Very well," agreed Mr. Converse, politely. "And now that we are +proceeding toward such an amicable understanding, will you allow me to +express the hope that the Consolidated will meet us half-way in regard +to the legislation that is inevitable? I have no desire to use any of +my powers as the governor of this state to embarrass your interests; +let us trust that we can get to a prompt adjustment in the matter of +the water-plants. As a lawyer of some experience, I have to inform +you, Colonel Dodd, that the cities and towns of this state are going +to own their own systems. The city of Marion proposes to fight the +first test case through. You are a heavy taxpayer--I trust you will +not help to run your city into debt which is needless." + +"I will confer with you," admitted the colonel, his manner subdued. + +"I will ask you to confer with Mr. Bristol, my partner. He will have +full charge of the litigation. I am assured that the next city +government meeting will attend to the matter of choosing him as +counsel, with a suitable retaining fee," said Mr. Converse, with +pride. "I will appreciate it personally and as chief executive if your +interests will favor the matter. It will be better all around." + +Colonel Dodd did not reply. But there was much significance in his bow +as they retired. + +"I trust I did not intimate that I was employing any sort of threats," +said Mr. Converse, when he and Bristol were on their way down-stairs. + +"I think he understood, sir." + +"His suggestion that we have a gentlemen's campaign was very +significant, coming from Colonel Symonds Dodd. The outlook is very +hopeful," stated the nominee. "We'll see the state committee chairman +to-morrow, Thornton. I feel quite sure that he will have our +speechmaking routes laid out. Mr. Breed is very convincing--sometimes +--when he discusses the political situation." + +When they were at the foot of the steps of the Mellicite Club, the +young man begged permission to go about some affairs of his own. + +"But your own affairs must wait, my boy," insisted Converse. "The +party claims you from now on." + +"I will do my duty, sir," said Bristol, smiling; "but this evening I +must have for myself." + +"I have invited some gentlemen to dine with us. It's an important +conference." + +"The conference I hope to have, Mr. Converse, will be the most +important one of my life." + +The lawyer blinked, trying to understand. + +"I will tell you to-morrow--I trust it will be the happiest news I +ever told to any person--I will tell you first." He hesitated. "You +have always given me good advice, sir. One night you told me that only +a woman can listen with perfect sympathy and comfort a man's troubles +surely." + +Converse came close, put his hands on the young man's shoulders and +studied him with intent regard. "My boy," he said, "go along--and God +go with you!" + +Bristol tore his hand from the lawyer's clasp and hurried away. + +But at the Trelawny he did not find the Kilgours' name on the +directory board. The elevator man, the janitor, the manager, told him +the same story with the same indifference. The Kilgours had sold their +possessions and had removed--they had left no address. + +Bristol walked the streets and cursed the stilted folly that had made +his farewell to her a parting in which he had pledged nothing, had +promised nothing, had left no hopes for the future. He was not +consoled by the thought that his farewell to her had been for her own +sake, as he had viewed his situation. In the depths of his despair, +when he had released her hand at the little gate, he had grimly +sacrificed himself--had resolved to save her from himself by final and +complete separation. + +And thinking of that parting at the little gate, hardly realizing +where his wanderings led him, he went down to the great mills which +were dark and silent under the shadows of the evening. + +Old Etienne had brought a lamp from Mother Maillet's kitchen and had +set it on the stoop. He was whittling, and a little boy snuggled +close, fixing intent regard on the work. + +The evening was bland after a balmy day of Indian summer. + +Bristol stopped at the fence and called greeting. + +The old man peered anxiously, shielding his eyes from the light of the +lamp. + +"M'sieu'! M'sieu'!" He stammered, brokenly, gasping as he spoke the +words. His wrinkled face worked as if he were trying to keep back the +tears. His voice choked. + +"You are surprised to see me back here, Etienne--is that it?" + +"I am not surprised, m'sieu'. I knew you would come back. I am glad-- +that's why the tear come up in my eye. I cannot help that." + +"You are working late, Uncle Etienne." + +"/Oui/, the odders are gone home. But this leetle boy--I take care +till his modder come from the shop. But you shall come in here, +m'sieu'." + +"I cannot stop, Etienne. I am--" He could not finish the sentence. He +turned to go. + +"I say you shall come in. You must come queeck!" The old man spoke in +a shrill whisper. He put aside his knife and stick and hurried to the +fence. He reached and caught Bristol's sleeve. "Ba gar!" he declared, +with as much impatience as anybody had ever heard in the tone of +Etienne Provancher, "even the poor habitant boy in the Tadousac +country know better how to love the nice girl as what you do, M'sieu' +Farr." + +"My name is not Farr; it is--" + +"I don't care what your name be," snapped the old man. "Tell me that +some odder time. It's what /you/ be--that's what I care! And you don't +be good to nice girl." + +"I don't understand." + +"You go back there and rap on Modder Maillet's front door and then you +understand! I'm only poor mans, m'sieu', but I shall talk to you like +I spoke to the mans in the /hotel de ville/--and I shall not be scare +when I am right." + +"Look here, Etienne! What do you mean?" + +"/La belle/ ma'm'selle--ba gar! you have to be hit with brick bang-- +dat fine, pretty lady--she what tell me the good word to say to you +about the bad folks--you must know she leeve now in the good woman's +house." + +Now it was Bristol's turn to grasp Etienne's arm. He shook the old +man. + +"Miss Kilgour--here? Speak up! Don't be so slow!" + +"I have speak up. Odderwise you go off and be a big fool some more," +retorted the rack-tender, boldly. "She's in there. She come here to +live because somet'ing has made her very poor--and very sad. And her +modder she cry all the time. And /la belle/ ma'm'selle she come to the +big tree and she ask me many things--" + +While the old man chattered Bristol was yanking impatiently at the +catch of the gate. He could not find the latch in the dark and so he +kicked off a few more pickets from Mother Maillet's much-abused fence. +He crawled through and bumped against old Etienne, thrusting him from +the path, checking the flow of information. + +The young man leaped up the steps, to the plain dismay of the little +boy, and beat upon the door. + +"It is I, Kate!" he called. "I have come back." + +When she opened the door--half timorous, half eager, wholly beside +herself--he took her in his arms and kissed her, paying no heed to the +goggling eyes of childhood or the averted gaze of old age. + +"But you left no word for me. Did you believe me when I said I would +not come back?" + +"I knew you would come back," she sobbed. "So I came here. I knew you +would find me here." + +Etienne drew near apologetically and picked up the little boy. + +"Oh, my own girl, I have so much to tell you!" the lover murmured. "I +know you will listen." + +"We have so much to tell each other," she said, her hands against his +cheeks. + +The old man puffed out the lamp and set it to one side and tiptoed +away, the child in his arms. + +"You ke'p your head under my coat--just so," he commanded the +struggling and inquisitive youngster. "Your modder would not like to +have you breath in so much night air. We go find her!" + +He heard the murmur of eager voices behind him, and then the door of +Mother Maillet's house was shut softly--and that left all the world +outside. + + + + +THE END + + + + + + +The Project Gutenberg Etext of The Landloper, by Holman Day +***This file should be named lndlp10.txt or lndlp10.zip*** + +Corrected EDITIONS of our etexts get a new NUMBER, lndlp11.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, lndlp10a.txt + +Etext prepared by Dagny, dagnypg@yahoo.com + and John Bickers, jbickers@ihug.co.nz + +More information about this book is at the top of this file. + +We are now trying to release all our etexts one year in advance +of the official release dates, leaving time for better editing. +Please be encouraged to tell us about any error or corrections, +even years after the official publication date. + +Please note neither this listing nor its contents are final til +midnight of the last day of the month of any such announcement. +The official release date of all Project Gutenberg Etexts is at +Midnight, Central Time, of the last day of the stated month. A +preliminary version may often be posted for suggestion, comment +and editing by those who wish to do so. + +Most people start at our Web sites at: +http://gutenberg.net or +http://promo.net/pg + +These Web sites include award-winning information about Project +Gutenberg, including how to donate, how to help produce our new +etexts, and how to subscribe to our email newsletter (free!). + + +Those of you who want to download any Etext before announcement +can get to them as follows, and just download by date. This is +also a good way to get them instantly upon announcement, as the +indexes our cataloguers produce obviously take a while after an +announcement goes out in the Project Gutenberg Newsletter. + +http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/etext03 or +ftp://ftp.ibiblio.org/pub/docs/books/gutenberg/etext03 + +Or /etext02, 01, 00, 99, 98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 92, 91 or 90 + +Just search by the first five letters of the filename you want, +as it appears in our Newsletters. + + +Information about Project Gutenberg (one page) + +We produce about two million dollars for each hour we work. The +time it takes us, a rather conservative estimate, is fifty hours +to get any eBook selected, entered, proofread, edited, copyright +searched and analyzed, the copyright letters written, etc. Our +projected audience is one hundred million readers. If the value +per text is nominally estimated at one dollar then we produce $2 +million dollars per hour in 2002 as we release over 100 new text +files per month: 1240 more eBooks in 2001 for a total of 4000+ +We are already on our way to trying for 2000 more eBooks in 2002 +If they reach just 1-2% of the world's population then the total +will reach over half a trillion eBooks given away by year's end. + +The Goal of Project Gutenberg is to Give Away 1 Trillion eBooks! +This is ten thousand titles each to one hundred million readers, +which is only about 4% of the present number of computer users. + +Here is the briefest record of our progress (* means estimated): + +eBooks Year Month + + 1 1971 July + 10 1991 January + 100 1994 January + 1000 1997 August + 1500 1998 October + 2000 1999 December + 2500 2000 December + 3000 2001 November + 4000 2001 October/November + 6000 2002 December* + 9000 2003 November* +10000 2004 January* + + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation has been created +to secure a future for Project Gutenberg into the next millennium. + +We need your donations more than ever! + +As of February, 2002, contributions are being solicited from people +and organizations in: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, +Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, +Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, +Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New +Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, +Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South +Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West +Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. + +We have filed in all 50 states now, but these are the only ones +that have responded. + +As the requirements for other states are met, additions to this list +will be made and fund raising will begin in the additional states. +Please feel free to ask to check the status of your state. + +In answer to various questions we have received on this: + +We are constantly working on finishing the paperwork to legally +request donations in all 50 states. If your state is not listed and +you would like to know if we have added it since the list you have, +just ask. + +While we cannot solicit donations from people in states where we are +not yet registered, we know of no prohibition against accepting +donations from donors in these states who approach us with an offer to +donate. + +International donations are accepted, but we don't know ANYTHING about +how to make them tax-deductible, or even if they CAN be made +deductible, and don't have the staff to handle it even if there are +ways. + +The most recent list of states, along with all methods for donations +(including credit card donations and international donations), may be +found online at http://www.gutenberg.net/donation.html + +Donations by check or money order may be sent to: + +Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +PMB 113 +1739 University Ave. +Oxford, MS 38655-4109 + +Contact us if you want to arrange for a wire transfer or payment +method other than by check or money order. + + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation has been approved by +the US Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) organization with EIN +[Employee Identification Number] 64-622154. Donations are +tax-deductible to the maximum extent permitted by law. As fund-raising +requirements for other states are met, additions to this list will be +made and fund-raising will begin in the additional states. + +We need your donations more than ever! + +You can get up to date donation information at: + +http://www.gutenberg.net/donation.html + + +*** + +If you can't reach Project Gutenberg, +you can always email directly to: + +Michael S. Hart <hart@pobox.com> + +Prof. Hart will answer or forward your message. + +We would prefer to send you information by email. + + +**The Legal Small Print** + + +(Three Pages) + +***START**THE SMALL PRINT!**FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS**START*** +Why is this "Small Print!" statement here? You know: lawyers. +They tell us you might sue us if there is something wrong with +your copy of this etext, even if you got it for free from +someone other than us, and even if what's wrong is not our +fault. So, among other things, this "Small Print!" statement +disclaims most of our liability to you. It also tells you how +you may distribute copies of this etext if you want to. + +*BEFORE!* YOU USE OR READ THIS ETEXT +By using or reading any part of this PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm +etext, you indicate that you understand, agree to and accept +this "Small Print!" statement. If you do not, you can receive +a refund of the money (if any) you paid for this etext by +sending a request within 30 days of receiving it to the person +you got it from. If you received this etext on a physical +medium (such as a disk), you must return it with your request. + +ABOUT PROJECT GUTENBERG-TM ETEXTS +This PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm etext, like most PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm etexts, +is a "public domain" work distributed by Professor Michael S. Hart +through the Project Gutenberg Association (the "Project"). +Among other things, this means that no one owns a United States copyright +on or for this work, so the Project (and you!) can copy and +distribute it in the United States without permission and +without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth +below, apply if you wish to copy and distribute this etext +under the "PROJECT GUTENBERG" trademark. + +Please do not use the "PROJECT GUTENBERG" trademark to market +any commercial products without permission. + +To create these etexts, the Project expends considerable +efforts to identify, transcribe and proofread public domain +works. Despite these efforts, the Project's etexts and any +medium they may be on may contain "Defects". Among other +things, Defects may take the form of incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other +intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged +disk or other etext medium, a computer virus, or computer +codes that damage or cannot be read by your equipment. + +LIMITED WARRANTY; DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES +But for the "Right of Replacement or Refund" described below, +[1] Michael Hart and the Foundation (and any other party you may +receive this etext from as a PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm etext) disclaims +all liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including +legal fees, and [2] YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE OR +UNDER STRICT LIABILITY, OR FOR BREACH OF WARRANTY OR CONTRACT, +INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE +OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE +POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. + +If you discover a Defect in this etext within 90 days of +receiving it, you can receive a refund of the money (if any) +you paid for it by sending an explanatory note within that +time to the person you received it from. If you received it +on a physical medium, you must return it with your note, and +such person may choose to alternatively give you a replacement +copy. If you received it electronically, such person may +choose to alternatively give you a second opportunity to +receive it electronically. + +THIS ETEXT IS OTHERWISE PROVIDED TO YOU "AS-IS". NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, ARE MADE TO YOU AS +TO THE ETEXT OR ANY MEDIUM IT MAY BE ON, INCLUDING BUT NOT +LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A +PARTICULAR PURPOSE. + +Some states do not allow disclaimers of implied warranties or +the exclusion or limitation of consequential damages, so the +above disclaimers and exclusions may not apply to you, and you +may have other legal rights. + +INDEMNITY +You will indemnify and hold Michael Hart, the Foundation, +and its trustees and agents, and any volunteers associated +with the production and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm +texts harmless, from all liability, cost and expense, including +legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the +following that you do or cause: [1] distribution of this etext, +[2] alteration, modification, or addition to the etext, +or [3] any Defect. + +DISTRIBUTION UNDER "PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm" +You may distribute copies of this etext electronically, or by +disk, book or any other medium if you either delete this +"Small Print!" and all other references to Project Gutenberg, +or: + +[1] Only give exact copies of it. Among other things, this + requires that you do not remove, alter or modify the + etext or this "small print!" statement. You may however, + if you wish, distribute this etext in machine readable + binary, compressed, mark-up, or proprietary form, + including any form resulting from conversion by word + processing or hypertext software, but only so long as + *EITHER*: + + [*] The etext, when displayed, is clearly readable, and + does *not* contain characters other than those + intended by the author of the work, although tilde + (~), asterisk (*) and underline (_) characters may + be used to convey punctuation intended by the + author, and additional characters may be used to + indicate hypertext links; OR + + [*] The etext may be readily converted by the reader at + no expense into plain ASCII, EBCDIC or equivalent + form by the program that displays the etext (as is + the case, for instance, with most word processors); + OR + + [*] You provide, or agree to also provide on request at + no additional cost, fee or expense, a copy of the + etext in its original plain ASCII form (or in EBCDIC + or other equivalent proprietary form). + +[2] Honor the etext refund and replacement provisions of this + "Small Print!" statement. + +[3] Pay a trademark license fee to the Foundation of 20% of the + gross profits you derive calculated using the method you + already use to calculate your applicable taxes. If you + don't derive profits, no royalty is due. Royalties are + payable to "Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation" + the 60 days following each date you prepare (or were + legally required to prepare) your annual (or equivalent + periodic) tax return. Please contact us beforehand to + let us know your plans and to work out the details. + +WHAT IF YOU *WANT* TO SEND MONEY EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE TO? +Project Gutenberg is dedicated to increasing the number of +public domain and licensed works that can be freely distributed +in machine readable form. + +The Project gratefully accepts contributions of money, time, +public domain materials, or royalty free copyright licenses. +Money should be paid to the: +"Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +If you are interested in contributing scanning equipment or +software or other items, please contact Michael Hart at: +hart@pobox.com + +[Portions of this header are copyright (C) 2001 by Michael S. Hart +and may be reprinted only when these Etexts are free of all fees.] +[Project Gutenberg is a TradeMark and may not be used in any sales +of Project Gutenberg Etexts or other materials be they hardware or +software or any other related product without express permission.] + +*END THE SMALL PRINT! FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.10/04/01*END* + +End of the Project Gutenberg Etext of The Landloper, by Holman Day + diff --git a/old/lndlp10.zip b/old/lndlp10.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..38e9917 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/lndlp10.zip |