第6章

CHAPTERXI

THEHOPPER

Itiscertainlynotthefunctionofaromancetorelate，withtheexactnessofaHousejournal，theproceedingsofaLegislature。Somebodyhaslikenedthestate-housetopioneerKentucky，adarkandbloodygroundoverwhichthebattlesofselfishinterestsebbedandflowed，——noplaceforaninnocentandunselfishbystanderlikeMr。Crewe，whodesiredonlytomakeofhisStateanUtopia；whosemeasureswereforthepublicgood——

nothisown。ButifanypoliticianwerefatuousenoughtobelievethatHumphreyCrewewasamantointroducebillsandcalmlyawaittheirfate；

amanwho，likeSenatorSanderson，onlycamedowntothecapitalwhenhewasnotifiedbytelegram，thatpoliticianwasentirelymistaken。

NosoonerhadhisbillsbeenassignedtothecarefulandjustconsiderationofthecommitteesinchargeoftheHonourableBrushBascom，Mr。Botcher，andothersthanMr。Crewedesiredofeachadayforahearing。Everymemberofthefivehundredwasprovidedwithacopy；nay，nearlyeverymemberwaspersonallyappealedto，toappearandspeakforthemeasures。Foresters，roadbuilders，andagriculturists(expensespaid)weresentforfromotherStates；Mr。BallandotherscamedownfromLeith，andgentlemenwhoforagenerationhadwrittenletterstothenewspapersturnedupfromotherlocalities。IntwocasesthelargestcommitteeroomsprovedtoosmallforthegatheringwhichwastheresultofMr。Crewe\'senergy，andthelegislativehallhadtobelighted。TheStateTribunegavecolumnreportsofthehearings，andlittleeditorialpushesbesides。Andyet，whenallwasover，whenithadbeenprovedbeyondadoubtthat，iftheStatewouldconsenttospendalittlemoney，shewouldtaketheforemostrankamongherfortyoddsistersforprogression，thebillswerestillunderconsiderationbythosehardheadedstatesmen，Mr。BascomandMr。Botcherandtheirassociates。

Itcouldnotbebecausethesegentlemendidnotknowtheargumentsandseethenecessity。Mr。Crewehadhadthemtodinner，andhadspentsomuchtimeintheircompanypresentinghiscase——towhichtheyabsolutelyagreed——thattheytooktoaforcedseclusion。ThememberfromLeithalsowrotelettersandtelegrams，andsentlongtypewrittenargumentsanddocumentstoMr。Flint。Mr。Crewe，althoughfarfromdiscouraged，begantothinktherewassomethingmysteriousaboutallthisseeminglyunnecessarydeliberation。

Mr。Crewe，thoughofgreatdiscernment，wasonlymortal，andwhilehewasfightinghisbattlesingle-handed，howwashetoknowthatthegodsabovehimweretakingsidesandpreparingforconflict？ThegodsdonotgiveouttheirdeclarationsofwarforpublicationtotheAssociatedPress；

andoldTomGaylord，whomaybelikenedtoMars，hadnointentionofsendingJupiternoticeuntilhegothiscohortsintoline。Thestrife，becauseitwastobeinternecine，wasthemoreterrible。HithertotheGaylordLumberCompany，liketheWinonaManufacturingCompanyofNewcastle(themillsofwhichextendedformilesalongtheTyne)，hadbeenafaithfulallyoftheEmpire；and，onoccasionswhenitwasneeded，hadborrowedtheImperialarmytoobtaingrants，extensions，andfranchises。

ThefactisthatoldTomGaylord，intheautumnprevious，hadquarreledwithMr。Flintaboutlumberrates，whichhadbeensteadilyrising。Mr。

Flinthadbeenpolite，butfirm；andoldTom，who，withallhistremendousproperties，couldshipbynootherrailroadthantheNortheastern，hadlefttheNewYorkofficeinablackrage。AmoreinnocentcitizenthanoldTomwouldhaveputhiscase(whichwaswithoutdoubtastrongone)beforetheRailroadCommissionoftheState，butoldTomknewwellenoughthattheRailroadCommissionwasinrealityaneconomyboardoftheNortheasternsystem，asmuchunderMr。Flint\'sordersastheconductorsandbrakemen。OldTom，inconsultingthemap，conceivedanunheard-ofeffrontery，ahightreasonwhichtookawaythebreathofhissecretaryandtreasurerwhenitwaspointedouttohim。

TheplancontemplatedalineofrailroadfromtheheartofthelumberregionsdownthesouthsideofthevalleyofthePingsquittoKingston，wherethelumbercouldtaketothesea。Inshort，itwasaperniciousrevivalofanobsoletestateofaffairs，competition，andifpersistedin，involvednothinglessthanafighttoafinishwiththearmy，thelobbyoftheNortheastern。Otherfavouredbeingsstoodaghastwhentheyheardofit，andhastenedtooldTomwithtimelycounsel；buthehadreachedaframeofmindwhichtheyknewwell。Hewouldlistentonoreason，andmaintainedstoutlythattherewereotherlawyersintheworldasableinpoliticalsagacityandlobbytacticsasHilaryVane；theHonourableGalushaHammer，forinstance，anoldandindependentandwarywar-horsewhohadmorethanoncewrungcompromisesoutoftheHonourableHilary。TheHonourableGalushaHammerwassentfor，andwasnowindustriously，ifquietlyandunobtrusively，atwork。TheHonourableHilarywaslikewiseatwork，equallyquietlyandunobtrusively。Whenthepowersfallout，theydonotopenupatoncewithlong-distanceartillery。Thereisalwaysachanceofafriendlysettlement。Thenewswasworthagooddeal，forinstance，toMr。PeterPardriff(brotherofPaul，ofRipton)，whorefrained，withpraiseworthyself-control，frompublishingitintheStateTribune，althoughthetemptationtodosomusthavebeengreat。Andmostofthesenatorialtwentysawthetroublecomingandbracedtheirbacksagainstit，butinsilence。ThecapitalhadseennosuchwarasthissincethedaysofJethroBass。

InthemeantimeMr。Crewe，blissfullyignorantofthisimpendingconflict，waspreparingaspeechonnationalaffairsandnationalissueswhichwastostartleanunsuspectingState。Mrs。Pomfret，whohadreceivedmanyclippingsandpamphlets，hadwrittenhimweeklylettersofanaturespurringtohisambition，whichincidentallycontainedmanyreferencestoAlice\'sinterestinhiscareer。AndMr。Crewe\'smind，whennotintentuponaffairsofState，sometimesrevertedpleasantlytothoughtsofVictoriaFlint；itoccurredtohimthattheDuncanhousewaslargeenoughforentertaining，andthathemightinviteMrs。PomfrettobringVictoriaandtheinevitableAlicetohearhisoration，forwhichMr。SpeakerDobyhadsetaday。

Inhisdesiretogiveotherpeoplepleasure，Mr。Crewetookthetroubletonotifyagreatmanyofhisfriendsandacquaintancesastothedayofhisspeech，incasetheymightwishtotraveltotheStatecapitalandhearhimdeliverit。HavingunexpectedlyreceivedinthemailachequefromAustenVaneinsettlementofthecaseoftheinjuredhorse，Austenwaslikewiseinvited。

Austensmiledwhenheopenedtheletter，andwithitsbusinesslikecontentsthereseemedtobewaftedfromittheperfumeandsupplianceofaSeptemberdayintheValeoftheBlue。Fromthewindowofhisbackoffice，lookingacrosstherailroadtracks，hecouldseeSawanec，paleinherwintergarbagainstapalewintersky，andtherearoseinhimtheoldrestlessdesireforthewoodsandfieldswhichattimeswasalmostirresistible。HisthoughtsatlengthdescendingfromtheazureaboveSawanec，hiseyesfellagainonMr。Crewe\'stypewrittenwords:“ItmaybeofinteresttoyouthatIamtodeliver，onthe15thinstant，andastheChairmanoftheHouseCommitteeonNationalAffairs，aspeechuponnationalpolicieswhichistheresultofmuchthought，andwhichtouchesuponsuchmaterialneedsofourStateascanbesuppliedbytheFederalGovernment。“

Austenhadabrieffancy，whimsicalasitwas，ofgoingtohearhim。Mr。

Crewe，asatypeabsolutelynewtohim，interestedhim。HehadfollowedtheunusualandsomewhatsurprisingcareerofthegentlemanfromLeithwithsomecare，eventotheextentofreadingofMr。Crewe\'sactivitiesintheStateTribuneswhichhadbeensenthim。WeresuchqualificationsasMr。Crewepossessed，hewondered，ofakindtosweeptheirpossessorintohighoffice？Wereindustry，persistency，andacapacityfortakingadvantageofafairwindsufficient？

SincehisreturnfromPepperCounty，AustenVanehadneverbeentotheStatecapitalduringasession，althoughitwascommonforyounglawyerstohavecasesbeforetheLegislature。Itwouldhavebeendifficulttosaywhyhedidnottakethesecases，asidefromthefactthattheywerenotveryremunerative。OnoccasionsgentlemenfromdifferentpartsoftheState，andsomefromoutsideofitwhohadcertainfavourstoaskatthehandsofthelawmakingbody，hadvisitedhisbackofficeandclosedthedoorafterthem，andinthecourseoftheconversationhadreferredtotherelationshipoftheyounglawyertoHilaryVane。AtsuchtimesAustenwouldfreelyacknowledgethedebtofgratitudeheowedhisfatherforbeingintheworld——andreferthempolitelytoMr。HilaryVanehimself。Inmostcasestheyhadfollowedhisadvice，wonderingnotalittleatthisisolatedexampleofquixotism。

Duringthesessions，exceptforadayortwoatweekendswhichwereoftenoccupiedwithconferences，theHonourableHilary\'sofficewasdeserted；orrather，aswehaveseen，hisheadquarterswereremovedtoroomNumberSeveninthePelicanHotelatthecapital。Austengotmanyofthelayclientswhocametoseehisfatheratsuchtimes；and——withoutgivinganexaggeratedideaofhisincome——itmightbesaidthathewasbeginningtohavewhatmaybecalledasnugpracticeforalawyerofhisexperience。Inotherwords，accordingtoMr。Tooting，whotookanintenseinterestinthematter，“notwearingthecollar“hadbeenmoreofafinancialsuccessforAustenthanthatgentlemanhadimagined。ThereprovedtobemanyclientstowhomthefactthatyoungMr。Vanedidnotcarrya“retainerpass“actuallyappealed。Theseclientspaidtheirbills，buttheywereneitherlargenorinfluential，asarule，withthenotableexceptionoftheGaylordLumberCompany，wherethemattersfortrialwerenotlarge。IfyoungTomGaylordhadhadhisway，Austenwouldhavebeenthechiefcounselforthecorporation。

Totellthetruth，AustenVanehadasecretaversiontogoingtothecapitalduringasession，afeelingthatsuchavisitwouldcausehimunhappiness。Inspiteofhisefforts，andindeedinspiteofHilary\'s，Austenandhisfatherhadgrownsteadilyapart。Theymetintheofficehallway，inthehouseinHanoverStreetwhenHilarycamehometosleep，andtheelderMr。Vanewasnotamantothriveonsmalltalk。Hisworldwasthebattlefieldfromwhichhedirectedtheforcesofthegreatcorporationwhichheserved，andthecherishedvisionofasoninwhomhecouldconfidehisplans，uponwhoseaidandcounselhecouldlean，wasgoneforever。HilaryVanehadtroublesomehalf-hours，butonthewholehehadreachedtheconclusionthatthisson，likeSarahAusten，wasoneofthoseinexplicableproductsinwhichanextravagantandinscrutablenaturesometimesindulged。Ontherareeveningswhenthetwowereathometogether，theHonourableHilarysatunderonesideofthelampwithapileofdocumentsandnewspapers，andAustenundertheotherwithabookfromthecirculatinglibrary。Nopublicquestionscouldbebroacheduponwhichtheywerenotasfarapartasthepoles，andtheHonourableHilaryputliteratureinthesamecategoryasembroidery。Euphrasia，whenshepausedinherbodilyactivitytodarntheirstockings，usedtoglanceatthemcovertlyfromtimetotime，andmanyasilenttearofwhichtheyknewnothingfellonherneedle。

OnthesubjectofhisprotractedweeklyabsencesattheStatecapital，theHonourableHilarywasasuncommunicativeashewouldhavebeenhadheretiredforthoseperiodstoabar-room。Heoftengruntedandclearedhisthroatandglancedathissonwhentheirtalkborderedupontheseabsences；andhewasevenconsciousofanextremeirritationagainsthimselfaswellasAustenbecauseoftheinstinctthatbadehimkeepsilent。Hetoldhimselffiercelythathehadnothingtobeashamedof，norwouldhehaveacknowledgedthatitwasakindofshamethatbadehimrefrainevenfromcircumstantialaccountsofwhatwentoninroomNumberSevenofthePelican。HehadanideathatAustenknewandsilentlycondemned；andhowextremelymaddeningwasthisfeelingtotheHonourableHilarymaywellbeimagined。Allhislifelonghehaddeemedhimselfmorallyinvulnerable，andnowtobejudgedandethicallyfoundwantingbythesonofSarahAustenwas，attimes，almostinsupportable。Werethestandardsofalonglifetobesuddenlyreversedbyaprodigalson？

TogetbacktoAusten。OnSt。Valentine\'sDayofthatyearwhen，totellthetruth，hewasseatedinhisofficescribblingcertaindescriptionsofnaturesuggestedbythevalentinesinMr。Hayman\'sstationerystore，thepostmanbroughtinaletterfromyoungTomGaylord。Austenlaughedashereadit。“TheHonourableGalushaHammeriswellnamed，“youngTomwrote，“buttheconvictionhasbeengaininggroundwithmethatahammerisaboutasmuchuseasashovelwouldbeatthepresenttime。Itisnottheproperinstrument。Butthe“oldman“(itwasthusyoungTomwaswonttodesignatehisparent)“ispig-headedwhenhegetstofighting，andwon\'tlistentoreason。IfhebelieveshecanlicktheNortheasternwithaHammer，heisdurnedbadlymistaken，andItoldhimso。Ihavebeengivinghimsageadviceinlittledrops——aftermeals。ItellhimthereisonlyonemanintheStatewhohassenseenougheventoshaketheNortheastern，andthat\'syou。Hethinksthisaprettygoodjoke。OfcourseIrealizewhereyouroldmanisplanted，andthatyoumighthavesomenaturaldelicacyandwishtorefrainfromgivinghimajar。Butcomedownforanhourandletmetalktoyou，anyway。ThenewstatesmanfromLeithiscuttingawideswath。NotadaypassesbuthisvoiceisheardroaringintheForum；hehasvisitedalltheStateinstitutions，dinedandwinedthegovernorandhisstaffandalltheex-governorshecanlayhishandson，andhehasthathard-headedandcausticjournalist，Mr。PeterPardriff，oftheStateTribune，hypnotized。Hehassomeswellsupathishousetohearhisspeechonnationalaffairs，amongthemoldFlint\'sdaughter，whoisarippertolookat，althoughInevergotnearertoherthanacrossthestreet。Asyoumayguess，itissomethingofacardforCrewetohaveFlint\'sdaughterhere。“

Austensatforalongtimeafterreadingthisletter，idlywatchingthesnow-cloudsgatheringaroundSawanec。Thenhetoreupthepaper，onwhichhehadbeenscribbling，intoverysmallbits，consultedatime-

table，andatnoon，inatumultoffeelings，hefoundhimselfinabackseatoftheexpress，boundforthecapital。

Arrivingatthestation，amidstahurryandbustleoflegislatorsandpoliticianscomingandgoing，manyofwhomnoddedtohim，hestoodforaminuteinthewhirlingsnowreflecting。Nowthathewashere，wherewashetostay？TheideaofspendingthenightatthePelicanwasrepellenttohim，andhewashesitatingbetweentwomoremodesthostelrieswhenhewashailedbyagiantwithaflowingwhitebeard，aweather-beatenface，andacleareyethatshonewithasteadyandkindlylight。ItwasJamesRedbrook，thememberfromMercer。

“Why，howbeyou，Austen？“hecried，extendingawelcomehand；and，whenAustenhadtoldhimhisdilemma:“Comerightalonguptomylodgings。I

liveattheWidowPeasley\'s，andthere\'savacantroomnexttomine。“

Austenacceptedgratefully，andastheytrudgedthroughthestormupthehill，heinquiredhowlegislativematterswereprogressing。WhereuponMr。Redbrookunburdenedhimself。

“Say，IjustwarmedupalloverwhenIseeyou，Austen。I\'msogladtorunacrossanhonestman。Weain\'tforgotinMercerwhatyoudidforZebMeader，andhowyouwentagainstyourinterests。AndIguessitain\'tdoneyouanyharmintheState。Asmanyasthirtyorfortymembershavespoketomeaboutit。AnddownhereI\'vegotsoIjustcan\'tholdinanymore。“

“Isitasbadasthat，Mr。Redbrook？“askedAusten，withaseriousglanceatthefarmer\'sface。

“It\'ssobadIdon\'tknowhowtobegin，“saidthememberfromMercer，andpausedsuddenly。“ButIdon\'twanttohurtyourfeelings，Austen，seeingyourfatheris——whereheis。“

“Goon，“saidAusten，“Iunderstand。“

“Well，“saidMr。Redbrook，“itjustmakesmetrembleasanAmericancitizen。Therailrudsendsthemslickcussesdownherethatsitinthefrontseatswhoknowallthishereparliamentarylawandthetricksofthetrade，andeverytimeanyofusgetsuptospeakourhonestminds，theyhaveusruledoutoforderorgetthethinglaidonthetableuntilsomeFridaymorningwhenthereain\'tnobodyhere，andsenditalonguptotheSenate。Theymadethatfatfeller，Doby，Speaker，andhe\'sstuffedalltheimportantcommitteessothatyoucan\'tgetanhonestmeasureconsidered。Youcantalktothecommitteesallyou\'veamindto，andthey\'lljustlistenandneverdoanything。There\'sfivehundredintheHouse，anditain\'tanymoreofaLegislaturethanacamp-meetin\'is。

WhatdoyousupposetheydonelastFridaymorning，whentherewahn\'tbuttwentymenatthesession？Wehadananti-passlaw，andallthesefellerswerebreakin\'it。Itforbidanybodyridingonapassexceptrailroadpresidents，directors，expressmessengers，andpersonsinmisfortune，andtheystuckinthesewords，\'andotherstowhompasseshavebeengrantedbytheproperofficers。\'Ain\'tthatadisgracetotheState？AndthosetwentysenatorspasseditbeforewegotbackonTuesday。Youcan\'tgetabillthroughthatLegislatureunlessyougouptothePelicanandgetpermissionofHilary——“

HereMr。Redbrookstoppedabruptly，andglancedcontritelyathiscompanion。

“Ididn\'tmeantogetgoin\'so，“hesaid，“butsometimesIwishthisAmericangovernment\'dneverbeenstarted。“

“Ioftenfeelthatwaymyself，Mr。Redbrook，“saidAusten。

“Iknowedyoudid。IguessIcantellanhonestmanwhenIseeone。

It\'streasontosayanythingagainstthisNortheasternlouderthanawhisper。TheywantanelectricrailrudbadupinGreenacre，andwhensomeofusspokeforitandtriedtogetthecommitteetoreportit，thosecheapfellersfromNewcastlestartedsuchacatcallwehadtosetdown。“

BythistimetheywereattheWidowPeasley\'s，stampingthesnowfromofftheirboots。

“Howgeneralisthissentiment？“Austenasked，afterhehadsetdownhisbagintheroomhewastooccupy。

“Why，“saidMr。Redbrook，withconviction，“there\'senoughfeelasIdototurnthatHouseupsidedown——ifweonlyhadaleader。Ifyouwasonlyinthere，Austen。“

“I\'mafraidIshouldn\'tbeofmuchuse，“Austenanswered。“They\'dhavegivenmeabackseat，too。“

TheWidowPeasley\'swasaframeandgabledhouseofRevolutionarydayswithalittleterraceinfrontofitandaretainingwallbuiltupfromthesidewalk。Austen，onthesteps，stoodgazingacrossatasquaremansionwithawidecornice，halfhiddenbyelmsandmaplesandpines。

Itwassetfarbackfromthestreet，andadrivewayenteredthepicket-

fenceandsweptawidesemicircletothefrontdoorandbackagain。

Beforethedoorwasasleighofapatternnewtohim，withaseathighabovethebacksoftwolong-bodied，deep-chestedhorses，theirheadsheldwithdifficultybyalittlefootmanwithhisarmsabovehim。Atthatmomenttwofiguresinfursemergedfromthehouse。Theyoungwomangatheredupthereinsandleapedlightlytothebox，themanfollowed；

thelittlegroomtouchedhisfurhelmetandscrambledaboardasthehorsessprangforwardtothemusicofthesoftestofbells。Thesleighsweptaroundthecurve，avoidedbyacleverturnasnow-pileattheentrance，theyoungwomanraisedhereyesfromthehorses，staredatAusten，andbowed。AsforAusten，hegrewwarmashetookoffhishat，andherealizedthathishandwasactuallytrembling。Thesleighflewonupthehill，butsheturnedoncemoretolookbehindher，andhestillhadhishatinhishand，thesnowflakesfallingonhisbaredhead。ThenhewasawarethatJamesRedbrookwasgazingathimcuriously。

“That\'sFlint\'sdaughter，ain\'tit？“inquiredthememberfromMercer。

“Didn\'tcallateyou\'dknowher。“

Austenflushed。Hefeltexceedinglyfoolish，butananswercametohim。

“Imetherinthehospital。SheusedtogotheretoseeZebMeader。“

“That\'sso，“saidMr。Redbrook；“Zebtoldmeaboutit，andsheusedtocometoMercertoseehimafterhegotout。Sheain\'tmuchliketheoldman，Icallate。“

“Idon\'tthinksheis，“saidAusten。

“Idon\'tknowwhatshe\'sstayin\'withthatfellerCrewefor，“thefarmerremarked；ofalltheetarnaldarnidiots——why，BrushBascomandthatBotcherandtherestof\'emaretrailin\'himalongandusin\'himforthebestthingthatevercamedownhere。Hesetsuptobeapracticalman，anddon\'tknowasmuchassomeofushayseedsinthebackseats。Wherebeyougoin\'？“

“IwasgoingtothePelican。“

“Well，I\'vegotacommitteemeetin\'ofAgriculture，“saidMr。Redbrook。

“CouldyoubeuphereatMis\'Peasley\'sabouteightto-night？“

“Why，yes，“Austenreplied，“ifyouwanttoseeme。“

“Idowanttoseeyou，“saidMr。Redbrook，significantly，andwavedafarewell。

Austentookhiswayslowlyacrossthestate-housepark，threadingamongthegroupsbetweenthesnow-bankstowardsthewidefacadeofthePelicanHotel。Presentlyhepaused，andthenwithasuddendeterminationcrossedtheparkdiagonallyintoMainStreet，walkingrapidlysouthwardandscrutinizingthebuildingsoneithersideuntilatlengththesebegantogrowwideapart，andhespiedaflorist\'ssignwithagreenhouse。behindit。Hehaltedagain，irresolutely，infrontofit，flungopenthedoor，andenteredaboxlikeofficefilledwiththeheatedscentsofflowers。A

littlemaneyedhimwithanobsequiousinterestwhichhemusthaveaccordedtootheryoungmenonsimilarerrands。Austenmaybesparedarepetitionoftheverypainfulconversationthatensued；sufficeittosaythat，aftermaturedeliberation，violetswerechosen。Hehadanotion——notanalyzed——thatshewouldprefervioletstoroses。TheinformationthattheflowerswereforthedaughterofthepresidentoftheNortheasternRailroadscausedavisiblequickeningofthelittleflorist\'sregard，anattitudewhicharousedacorrespondingdisgustanddepressioninAusten。

“Oh，yes，“saidtheflorist，“she\'supatCrewe\'s。“HeglancedatAustenapologetically。“Excuseme，“hesaid，“Ioughttoknowyou。Haveyouacard？“

“No，“saidAusten，withemphasis。

“Andwhatname，please？“

“Noname，“saidthedonor，nowheartilyrepentingofhisrashness，andslammingtheglassdoorinamannerthatmadethepanesrattlebehindhim。

Ashestoodhesitatingonthecurbofthecrossing，hebegantowishthathehadnotleftRipton。

“Hello，Austen，“saidavoice，whichherecognizedastheHonourableBrushBascom\'s，“didn\'tknowyouevercamedownhereinsessiontime。“

“Whatareyoudoingdownhere，Brush？“Austenasked。

Mr。Bascomgrinnedinappreciationofthispleasantry。

“Icameformyhealth，“hesaid；“IpreferittoFlorida。“

“I\'veheardthatitagreeswithsomepeople，“saidAusten。

Mr。Bascomgrinnedagain。

“Justarrived？“heinquired。

“Just，“saidAusten。

“Ithoughtyou\'dgetheresoonerorlater，“saidMr。Bascom。“Somefolkstrystayin\'away，butitain\'tmuchuse。You\'llfindthehonourableHilarydoingbusinessatthesameoldstand，nexttothegovernor，inNumberSevenupthere。“AndMr。Bascompointedtothewell-knownwindowonthesecondfloor。

“Thanks，Brush，“saidAusten，indifferently。“Totellthetruth，Icamedowntohearthatpromisingprotegeofyoursspeakonnationalaffairs。

Iunderstandyou\'repushinghisbillsalong。“

Mr。Bascom，withgreatdeliberation，shutoneofhislittleeyes。

“Solong，“hesaid，“comeandseemewhenyougettime。“

Austenwentslowlydownthestreetandenteredthesmoke-cloudedlobbyofthePelican。Hewasamantodrawattention，andhewasstaredatbymanypoliticiansthereandspokentobysomebeforehereachedthestairs。Mounting，hefoundthedoorwiththenumeral，andknocked。Themedleyofvoiceswithinceased；thereweresoundsofrattlingpapers，andofclosingoffoldingdoors。Thekeyturnedinthelock，andStateSenatorNathanielBillingsappearedinthedoorway，withalookofpoliteinquiryonhisconvivialface。Thisexpression，whenhesawAusten，changedtosomethinglikeconsternation。

“Why，hello，hello，“saidthesenator。“Comein，comein。TheHonourableHilary\'shere。Where\'dyoucomedown？“

“Hello，Nat，“saidAusten，andwentin。

TheHonourableHilarysatinhisusualarm-chair；Mr。Botcherseverelystrainedthetensilestrengthofthebedsprings；Mr。HamiltonTootingstoodbeforethestillwavingportieresinfrontofthefoldingdoors；

andMr。Manning，thedivisionsuperintendent，satpensively，withhispeninhismouth，beforethemarble-toppedtablefromwhicheverythinghadbeenremovedbutaBible。Twogentlemen，whomAustenrecognizedascolleaguesofMr。BillingsintheStateSenate，stoodtogetherinawindow，pointingoutthingsofinterestinthestreet。Austenwalkeduptohisfatherandlaidahandonhisshoulder。

“Howareyou，Judge？“hesaid。“Ionlycameintopaymyrespects。I

hopeIhavenotdisturbedany——entertainmentgoingonhere，“headded，glancinginturnatthethoughtfuloccupantsoftheroom，andthenatthecurtainswhichhidthefoldingdoorstotheapartmentofhisExcellency。

“Why，no，“answeredtheHonourableHilary，hiscustomarygruntbeingtheonlyindicationofsurpriseonhispart；“didn\'tknowyouwerecomingdown。“

“Ididn\'tknowitmyselfuntilthismorning，“saidAusten。

“Legislativecase，Isuppose，“remarkedtheHonourableJacobBotcher，inhisdeepvoice。

“No，merelyapleasuretrip，Mr。Botcher。“

TheHonourableJacobrubbedhisthroat，thetwoStatesenatorsinthewindowgiggled，andMr。HamiltonTootinglaughed。

“Ithoughtyoutooktothemountainsinsuchcases，sir，“saidMr。

Botcher。

“Icameforintellectualpleasurethistime，“saidAusten。“IunderstandthatMr。Creweistodeliveranepoch-makingspeechonthenationalsituationto-morrow。“

ThiswastoomuchevenforthegravityofMr。Manning；Mr。TootingandMr。Billingsandhistwocolleaguesroared，thoughtheHonourableJacob\'slaughwasnotsospontaneous。

“Aust，“saidMr。Tooting，admiringly，you\'reallright。“

“Well，Judge，“saidAusten，pattinghisfather\'sshoulderagain，“I\'mgladtoseeyousocomfortablyfixed。Good-by，andgivemyregardstothegovernor。I\'msorrytohavemissedhim，“headded，glancingattheportieresthathidthefoldingdoors。

“Areyoustoppinghere？“askedtheHonourableHilary。

“No，ImetMr。RedbrookofMercer，andhetookmeuptohislodgings。IfIcandoanythingforyou，amessagewillreachmethere。“

“Humph，“saidtheHonourableHilary，whiletheothersexchangedsignificantglances。

AustenhadnotgonehalfthelengthofthehallwhenhewasovertakenbyMr。Tooting。

“Say，Aust，what\'supbetweenyouandRedbrook？“heasked。

“Nothing。Why？“Austenasked，stoppingabruptly。

“Well，Isupposeyouknowthere\'sananti-railroadfeelinggrowinginthatHouse，andthatRedbrookhasmoreinfluencewiththefarmersthananyotherman。“

“Ididn\'tknowanythingaboutMr。Redbrook\'sinfluence，“saidAusten。

Mr。Tootinglookedunconvinced。

“Say，Aust，ifanything\'sinthewind，Iwishyou\'dletmeknow。I\'llkeepitquiet。“

“IthinkIshallbesafeinpromisingthat，Ham，“saidAusten。“Whenthere\'sanythinginthewind，yougenerallyfinditoutfirst。“

“There\'stroublecomingfortherailroad，“saidMr。Tooting。“Icanseethat。AndIguessyousawitbeforeIdid。“

“Theysayaship\'sabouttosinkwhentheratsbegintoleaveit，“saidAusten。

AlthoughAustenspokesmilingly，Mr。Tootinglookedpained。

“There\'snochanceforyoungmeninthatsystem，“hesaid。

“Youngmenwritethenoblepartsofthegovernor\'sinaugurals，“saidAusten。

“Yes，“saidMr。Tooting，bitterly，“butyounevergettobegovernorandread\'em。You\'vegottobea\'comeon\'withthirtythousanddollarstobeaNortheasterngovernorandlivenextdoortotheHonourableHilaryinthePelican。Well，solong，Aust。Ifanything\'sup，givemethetip，that\'sallIask。“

ReflectingonthesingularcharacterofMr。Tooting，AustensoughttheGaylords\'headquarters，andfoundthematthefurthermostendofthebuildingfromtheRailroadRoom。ThedoorwasopenedbyyoungTomhimself，whosefacebecamewreathedinsmileswhenhesawwhothevisitorwas。

“It\'sAusten！“hecried。“Ithoughtyou\'dcomedownwhenyougotthatappealofmine。“

Austendidnotadmittheself-sacrificeasheshookTom\'shand；butremembered，singularlyenough，theclosingsentencesofTom\'sletter——

whichhadnothingwhatevertodowiththeGaylordbill。

Atthismomentacommotionarosewithintheroom，andahigh，tremulous，butsingularlyfierceandcompellingvoicewasheardcryingout:——

“Getout！Getout，d-nyou，allofyou，anddon\'tcomebackuntilyou\'vegotsomenotionofwhatyou\'rea-goin\'todo。Getout，Isay！“

Theselastwordswerepronouncedwithsuchextraordinaryvigourthatfourgentlemenseemedtobephysicallyimpelledfromtheroom。ThreeofthemAustenrecognizedasdismissedanddisgruntledsoldiersfromthelobbyarmyoftheNortheastern；thefourthwastheHonourableGalushaHammer，whosemodeofprogressmightbedescribedas“stalking，“andwhoselipswereformingtheword“intolerable。“InthecorneroldTomhimselfcouldbeseen，awizenedfigureofwrath。

“Who\'sthat？“hedemandedofhisson，“anotherd-dfool？“

“No，“repliedyoungTom，“it\'sAustenVane。“

“What\'shedoin\'here？“oldTomdemanded，withaprofanequalificationastotheregion。ButyoungTomseemedtobetheonlybeingcapableofserenityamongsttheflamesthatplayedaroundhim。

“Isentforhimbecausehe\'sgotmoresensethanGalushaandalltherestof\'emputtogether，“hesaid。

“Iguessthat\'sso，“oldTomagreedunexpectedly，“butitain\'tsayin\'

much。Bringhimin——bringhimin，andlockthedoor。“

Inobediencetothesesummons，andapullfromyoungTom，Austenenteredandsatdown。

“You\'vereadthePingsquitbill？“oldTomdemanded。

“Yes，“saidAusten。

“JustbecauseyouwonasuitagainsttheNortheastern，andnearlykilledamanoutWest，Tomseemstothinkyoucandoanything。Hewouldn\'t，givemeanypeaceuntilIlethimsendforyou，“Mr。Gaylordremarkedtestily。“Nowyou\'redownhere，whathaveyougottopropose？“

“Ididn\'tcomeheretoproposeanything，Mr。Gaylord，“saidAusten。

“What！“criedMr。Gaylord，withoneofhiscustomaryandforcefulexclamations。“What\'dyoucomedownfor？“

“I\'vebeenaskingmyselfthatquestioneversinceIcame，Mr。Gaylord，“

saidAusten，“andIhaven\'tyetarrivedatanyconclusion。“

YoungTomlookedathisfriendandlaughed，andMr。Gaylord，whoatfirstgaveeveryindicationofbeingabouttoexplodewithanger，suddenlyemittedadrycackle。

“Youain\'tad-nfool，anyway，“hedeclared。

“I\'mbeginningtothinkIam，“saidAusten。

“Thenyou\'vegotsenseenoughtoknowit，“retortedoldTom。Mostof\'emhaven\'t。“Andhisglance，asitfellupontheyoungerman，wasalmostapproving。YoungTom\'swasdistinctlyso。

“ItoldyouAustenwastheonlylawyerwho\'dtalkcommonsensetoyou，“

hesaid。

“Ihaven\'theardmuchofityet，“saidoldTom。

“PerhapsIoughttotellyou，Mr。Gaylord，“saidAusten，smilingalittle，“thatIdidn\'tcomedowninanylegalcapacity。That\'sonlyoneofTom\'sjokes。“

“Thenwhatinh——ldidyoubringhiminherefor？“demandedoldTomofhisson。

“Justforaquietlittlepowwow，“saidyoungTom，“tomakeyoulaugh。

He\'smadeyoulaughbefore。“

“Idon\'twanttolaugh，“saidoldTom，pettishly。Nevertheless，heseemedtobevisiblycooling。“Ifyouain\'tinheretomakemoney，“headdedtoAusten，“Idon\'tcarehowlongyoustay。“

“Say，Austen，“saidyoungTom，“doyourememberthetimewecoveredtheoldmanwithshavingsatthemillsinAvalon，andhowhechaseduswithatwo-by-fourscantling？“

“I\'dmadepulpout\'nyouifI\'dgotyou，“remarkedMr。Gaylord，withareminiscentchucklethatwasalmostpleasant。Butyouwerealwaysagoldurnedsmartboy，Austen，andyou\'vedonewellwiththemlittlesuits。“HegazedatAustenamomentwithhissmall，filmy-blueeye。“I

don\'tknowbutwhatyoumighttakeholdhereandmakeithotforthosed-

drascalsintheNortheastern，afterall。Youcouldn\'tbotchitworsenHammerhas，andyoumightdosomegood。IsaidI\'dmake\'emdance，andbyG-d，I\'lldoit，ifIhavetopaythatTellerLeveringinNewYork，andittakestherestofmylife。Lookthesituationover，andcomebackto-morrowandtellmewhatyouthinkofit。“

“IcantellyouwhatIthinkofitnow，Mr。Gaylord，“saidAusten。

“What\'sthat？“oldTomdemandedsharply。

“Thatyou\'llnevergetthebillpassed，thissessionornext，bylobbying。“

ForthemomenttheelderMr。Gaylordwasspeechless，butyoungTomGaylordclappedhishandheartilyonhisfriend\'sshoulder。

“That\'sthereasonIwantedtogetyoudownhere，Austen，“hecried；

that\'swhatI\'vebeentellingtheoldmanallalong——perhapshe\'llbelieveyou。“

“Thenyouwon\'ttakehold？“saidMr。Gaylord，hisvoicetremblingontheedgeofanotherspasm。“Yourefusebusiness？“

“Irefusethatkindofbusiness，Mr。Gaylord，“Austenansweredquietly，thoughtherewasacertainnoteinhisvoicethatyoungTomknewwell，andwhichactuallyavertedtheimminentexplosionfromMr。Gaylord，whoseeyesglaredandwatered。“Butasidefromthat，youmustknowthattheRepublicanpartyleadersinthisStatearetheheadsofthelobbyoftheNortheasternRailroads。“

“IguessIknowaboutNumberSevenaswellasyoudo，“oldTominterjected。

Austen\'seyeflashed。

“Nowholdon，father，“saidyoungTom，“that\'snowaytotalktoAusten。“

“KnowingNumberSeven，“Austencontinued，“youprobablyrealizethatthepoliticalandbusinessfutureofnearlyeveryoneofthetwentyStatesenatorsdependsuponthefavouroftheNortheasternRailroads。“

“Iknowthatthed-dfoolswon\'tlookatmoney，“saidMr。Gaylord；

“Hammer\'stried\'em。“

“Itoldyouthatbeforeyoustartedin，“youngTomremarked，“butwhenyougetmad，youwon\'tlistentosense。Andthenthere\'stheHonourableAsaGray，whowantstorepresenttheNortheasternsomedayintheUnitedStatesSenate。“

Thebilloughttopass，“shriekedoldTom；“it\'sad-doutrage。There\'snoreasonwhyIshouldn\'tbeallowedtobuildarailroadifI\'vegotthemoneytodoit。Whatinblazesarewecomin\'tointhiscountryifwecan\'tgitcompetition？IfFlintstopsthatbill，I\'llbuyanewspaperandgotothepeoplewiththeissueandthrowhisd-dmonopolyintobankruptcy。“

“It\'sallverywelltotalkaboutcompetitionandmonopoliesandlobbies，“saidyoungTom，“buthowabouttheGaylordLumberCompany？Howaboutthetimeyouusedthelobby，withFlint\'spermission？ThiskindofvirtuoustalkisbeautifultolistentowhenyouandFlintgetintoarow。“

Atthisremarkofhisson\'s，theintermittentgeyserofoldTom\'swrathspoutedupagainwithscaldingsteam，andinamannerutterlyimpossibletoreproduceuponpaper。YoungTomwaitedpatientlyfortheexhibitiontocease，whichitdidatlengthinacoughingfitofsheerexhaustionthatlefthisfatherspeechless，ifnotexpressionless，pointingaleanandtremblingfingerinthedirectionofavaliseonthefloor。

“You\'llgooffinaspellofthatkindsomeday，“saidyoungTom，openingthevaliseandextractingabottle。Uncorkingit，hepressedittohisfather\'slips，andwithhisownpocket-handkerchief(oldTomnotpossessingsuchanarticle)wipedtheperspirationfromMr。Gaylord\'sbrowandthedropsfromhisshabbyblackcoat。“There\'snousegettin\'

madatAusten。He\'sdeadright——youcan\'tlobbythisthingthrough，andyouknewitbeforeyoustarted。Ifyouhadn\'tlostyourtemper，youwouldn\'thavetried。“

“We\'llsee，byG-d，we\'llsee，“saidtheindomitableoldTom，whenhegothisbreath。“Youyoungmenthinkyouknowasight，butyouhaven\'tgotthestuffinyouweoldTellershave。WherewouldIbeifitwasn\'tforfightin\'？Youmarkmywords，beforethissession\'sendedI\'llscareh-loutofFlint——seeifIdon\'t。“

YoungTomwinkedathisfriend。

“Let\'sgodowntosupper，“hesaid。

ThediningroomofthePelicanHotelduringamidweekofabusysessionwasasceneofbustleandconfusionnotlikelytobeforgotten。Everyseatwastaken，andgentlemenwaitedtheirturninthemarble-flaggedrotundawhohadnotthehonourofbeingknowntoMr。Giles，theheadwaiter。IfMr。HamiltonTootingwerepresent，andrecognizedyou，hewouldtakegreatpleasureinpointingoutthecelebrities，andespeciallythattableoverwhichtheHonourableHilaryVanepresided，withthepretty，red-checkedwaitresshoveringaroundit。AttheHonourableHilary\'srighthandwasthedivisionsuperintendent，andathisleft，Mr。

SpeakerDoby——amostconvenientandcongenialarrangement；fartherdowntheboardwereStateSenatorNatBillings，Mr。Ridout(whenhedidnotsupathome)，theHonourablesBrushBascomandElishaJane，andtheHonourableJacobBotchermadeaproperballastforthefoot。ThistablewasknownastheRailroadTable，anditwasverydifficult，atanydistanceawayfromit，tohearwhatwassaid，exceptwhentheHonourableJacobBotchermadeajoke。NextinimportanceandsituationwastheGovernor\'sTable——nowoccupiedbytheHonourableAsaGray。Mr。Tooting\'sdescriptionwouldnothavestoppedhere。

SensationsarecommoninthePelicanHotel，butwhenAustenVanewalkedinthateveningbetweentheGaylords，fatherandson，manyahungryguestlaiddownhisknifeandforkandstared。WastheyoungerVane(knowntobeanti-railroad)totakeuptheGaylords\'waragainsthisownfather？

Alltheindicationswerethatway，andarumourflewfromtabletotable-

leapingspace，asrumourswill——thattheGaylordshadsenttoRiptonforAusten。Therewasbutonetableintheroomtheoccupantsofwhichappearednottotakeanyinterestintheevent，oreventograspthataneventhadoccurred。TheRailroadTablewasoblivious。

AftersupperMr。TootingfoundAustenintherotunda，anddrewhimmysteriouslyaside。

“Say，Aust，theHonourableHilarywantstoseeyouto-night，“hewhispered。

“Didhesendyouwiththemessage？“Austendemanded。

“That\'sright，“saidMr。Tooting。“Iguessyouknowwhat\'sup。“

Austendidnotanswer。AtthefootofthestairwaywasthetallformofHilaryVanehimself，andAustencrossedtherotunda。

“Doyouwanttoseeme，Judge？“heasked。

TheHonourableHilaryfacedaboutquickly。

“Yes，ifyou\'vegotanysparetime。“

“I\'llgotoyourroomathalf-pastnineto-night，ifthat\'sconvenient。“

“Allright，“saidtheHonourableHilary，startingupthestairs。

Austenturned，andfoundMr。HamiltonTootingathiselbow。

CHAPTERXII

Mr。REDBROOK\'SPARTY

Thestormwasover，andthebaretrees，whenthemoonshonebetweenthehurryingclouds，castlacelikeshadowsonthewhitevelvetsurfaceofthesnowasAustenforgedhiswayupthehilltotheWidowPeasley\'sinkeepingwithhispromisetoMr。Redbrook。Acrossthestreethepausedoutsidethepicket-fencetogazeattheyellowbarsoflightbetweentheslatsofthewindowsoftheDuncanhouse。Itwashardtorealizethatshewasthere，withinastone\'sthrowofwherehewastosleep；butthestrange，half-startledexpressioninhereyesthatafternoonandthesmile——whichhadinitacuriousqualityhecouldnotanalyze——weresovividinhisconsciousnessastogivehimpain。Theincident，ashestoodthereankle-deepinthesnow，seemedtohimanotherinexplicableanduselesslycruelcapriceoffate。

AshepicturedherinthediningroombehindMr。Crewe\'ssilverandcutglassandflowers，itwasundoubtedlynaturalthatheshouldwonderwhethershewerethinkingofhimintheWidowPeasley\'slamp-litcottage，andhesmiledatthecontrast。Afterall，itwasthecontrastbetweenhislifeandhers。AsanAmericanofgoodantecedentsandeducation，withaWesternexperiencethrownin，socialgulfs，althoughawkward，mightbecrossedinspiteofoppositionfromladiesliketheRoseofSharon，——whohadcrossedthem。Nevertheless，thelifewhichVictorialedseeminglyaccentuated——toamanstandingbehindapicket-fenceinthesnow——thevoidsbetween。

AstampingoffeetintheWidowPeasley\'svestibuleawokeinhimthatsenseoftheridiculouswhichwasneverfarfromthesurface，andhemadehiswaythitherinmingledamusementandpain。Whathappenedthereisofinterest，butmaybebrieflychronicled。Austenwassurprised，onentering，tofindMrs。Peasley\'sparlourfilledwithmen；andasingleglanceattheirfacesinthelamplightassuredhimthattheywereofatypewhichheunderstood——countrymenofthatruggedNewEnglandstocktowhichhehimselfbelonged，whosesonsforgenerationshadmadelawyersandstatesmenandsoldiersfortheStateandnation。Someweretalkinginlowvoices，andotherssatsilentonthechairsandsofa，notawkwardlyoruncomfortably，butwithacharacteristicself-possessionandrepose。Mr。Redbrook，toweringinfrontofthestove，cameforward。

“Hereyoube，“hesaid，takingAusten\'shandwarmlyandalittleceremoniously；“Iasked\'emheretomeetye。“

“Tomeetme！“Austenrepeated。

“Wantedtheyshouldknowyou，“saidMr。Redbrook。

“They\'veallheardofyouandwhatyoudidforZeb。“

Austenflushed。Hewasawarethathewasundergoingacoolandcriticalexaminationbythosepresent，andthattheyweremenwhousedalltheirfacultiesinmakinguptheirminds。

“I\'mverygladtomeetanyfriendsofyours，Mr。Redbrook，“hesaid。

“WhatIdidforMeaderisn\'tworthmentioning。Itwasanabsolutelysimplecase。“

“Twahn\'tsomuchwhatyedidashowyedidit，“saidMr。Redbrook。“It\'skindofrareinthesedays，“headded，withthemannerofcommentingtohimselfonthecircumstance，“tofindayounglawyerwithbrainsthatwon\'tsell\'emtotherailrud。That\'swhatappealstome，andtosomeotherfolksIknow——especiallywhenwetakeintoaccountthesituationyouwasinandthechancesyouhad。

Austen\'ssilenceunderthiscomplimentseemedtocreateanindefinablethoughfavourableimpression，andthememberfromMercerpermittedhimselftosmile。

“Thesemenareallfriendsofmine，andmembersoftheHouse，“hesaid，玜ndthere\'smorewouldhavecomeifthey\'dhadalongernotice。AllowmetomakeyouacquaintedwithMr。WidgeonofHull。“

“Wekindofwantedtolookyouover，“saidMr。Widgeon，suitingtheactiontotheword。“That\'snaturalain\'tit？“

“Kindofsizeyouup，“addedMr。JarleyofWye，raisinghiseyes。

“Callateyou\'resizableenough。“

“WishyouwasintheHouse，“remarkedMr。AdamsofBarren。“Noneofusismuchontalk，butifwehadyou，Iguesswecouldlaythingswideopen。“

“Ifyouwasthar，andgiveitto\'emashotasyoudidwhenyouwastalkin\'forZeb，themskunksinthefrontseatswouldn\'tknowwhethertheywasafootorhossback，“declaredMr。WilliamsofDevon，atownadjoiningMercer。

“Iusedtothinkrailrudgov\'mentwahn\'tsobaduntilIcometotheHousethistime，“remarkedastockymemberfromOxford；“it\'ssheerwasteofmoneyfortheStatetopayaLegislature。TheymightaswellrunthingsfromtheNewYorkoffice——youknowthat。“

“WemightaswellwearsomanyNortheasternuniformswithbrassbuttons，“

asinewyhillfarmerfromLeeputin。Hehadaleanfacethatdidnotmoveamuscle，butahumorousgrayeyethattwinkled。

InthemeantimeMr。Redbrooklookedonwithanexpressionofapprovalwhichwas(toAusten)distinctlypleasant，butmoreorlessmystifying。

“Iguessyouain\'tdisappointed\'emmuch，“hedeclared，whentheroundwasended；“mostof\'emknewmewellenoughtounderstandthatcattleandlivestockingeneral，includin\'humans，isaboutasIrepresent\'emtobe。“

“Wehavesomeconfidenceinyourjudgment，BrotherRedbrook，“answeredMr。TerryofLee，“andnowwe\'velookedoverthegoods，itain\'tsetbackany，Icallate。“

Thisobservation，whichseemedtomeetwithageneralassent，wastoAustenmoremystifyingthanever。Helaughed。

“Gentlemen，“hesaid，“Ifeelasthoughsomeexpressionofthanksweredueyouforthiskindandmostunexpectedreception。“Hereasuddenseriousnesscameintohiseyeswhichserved，somehow，onlytoenhancehischarmofmanner，andacertaindeterminedringintohisvoice。“Youhaveallreferredtoaconditionofaffairs，“headded，“aboutwhichIhavethoughtagreatdeal，andwhichIdeploreasdeeplyasyoudo。ThereisnodoubtthattheNortheasternRailroadshaveseizedthegovernmentofthisStateforthreemainreasons:tothrottlecompetition；tocontrolourrailroadcommissioninorderthatwemaynotgettheserviceandsafetytowhichweareentitled，——soincreasingdividends；andtomakeandmaintainlawswhichenablethemtobribewithpasses，topaylesstaxesthantheyshould，andtomanipulatepoliticalmachinery。“

“That\'sright，“saidMr。JarleyofWye，withadecidedemphasis。

“That\'sthekindoftalkIliketohear，“exclaimedMr。Terry。

“Andnobody\'shadthegumptiontofight\'em，“saidMr。Widgeon。

“Itlooks，“saidAusten，“asthoughitmustcometoafightintheend。

Idonotthinktheywilllistentoreason。Imean，“headded，withaflashofhumour，“thattheywilllistentoit，butnotactuponit。

Gentlemen，Iregrettohavetosay，forobviousreasons，somethingwhichyouallknow，thatmyfatherisattheheadoftheNortheasternmachine，whichistheRepublicanpartyorganization。“

Therewasasilence。

“Youwentagain\'him，andwehonouryouforit，Austen，“saidMr。

Redbrook，atlength。

“Iwanttosay，“Austencontinued，“thatIhavetriedtolookatthingsasMr。Vaneseesthem，andthatIhaveagooddealofsympathyforhispointofview。Conditionsastheyexistaretheresultofanevolutionforwhichnoonemanisresponsible。Thatdoesnotalterthefactthattheconditionsarewrong。Buttherailroads，beforetheyconsolidated，foundthepoliticalbossinpower，andhadtopayhimforfavours。Thecitizenwastheculprittostartwith，justasheistheculpritnow，becausehedoesnottakesufficientinterestinhisgovernmenttomakeithonest。Wemustn\'tblametherailroadstooseverely，whentheygrewstrongenough，forsubstitutingtheirownpoliticalarmytoavoidbeingblackmailed。Longimmunityhasreenforcedtheminthebeliefthattheyhavebutonedutytopaydividends。Iamafraid，“headded，“thattheywillhavetobeenlightenedsomewhatasPharaohwasenlightened。“

“Well，that\'ssense，too，“saidMr。Widgeon；“Iguessyou\'rethemantoenlighten\'em。“

“Moderatetalkappealstome，“declaredMr。Jarley。

“Andwhenthatfails，“saidMr。Terry，\'hard，tellin\'blows。“

“Don\'tlosetrackofthefactthatwe\'vegotoureyeonyou，“saidMr。

EmersonofOxford，whohadablacksmith\'sgrip，andcamebacktorenewitafterhehadputonhisovershoes。Hewasthelasttolinger，andwhenthedoorhadclosedonhimAustenturnedtoMr。Redbrook。

“Nowwhatdoesallthismean？“hedemanded。

“Itmeans，“saidMr。Redbrook，“thatwhenthetimecomes，wewantyoutorunforgovernor。“

Austenwenttothemantelpiece，andstoodforalongtimewithhisbackturned，staringatacrayonportraitofColonelPeasley，intheuniforminwhichhehadfallenatthebattleofGettysburg。ThenheswungaboutandseizedthememberfromMercerbybothbroadshoulders。

“JamesRedbrook，“hesaid，“untilto-nightIthoughtyouwereaboutaslong-headedandsensibleamanastherewasintheState。“

“SoIbe，“repliedMr。Redbrook，withagrin。“YouaskyoungTomGaylord。“

“SoTomputyouuptothisnonsense。“

“Itain\'tnonsense，“retortedMr。Redbrook，stoutly，“andTomdidn\'tputmeuptoit。It\'sthe\'bestnotionthatevercameintomymind。“

Austen，stillclingingtoMr。Redbrook\'sshoulders，shookhisheadslowly。

“James，“hesaid，“thereareplentyofmenwhoarebetterequippedthanI

fortheplace，andinabettersituationtoundertakeit。I——I\'mmuchobligedtoyou。ButI\'llhelp。I\'vegottogo，“headded；theHonourableHilarywantstoseeme。“

Hewentintotheentryaudputonhisovershoesandhiscoat，whileJamesRedbrookregardedhimwithacuriousminglingofpainandbenevolenceonhisruggedface。

“Iwon\'tpressyounow，Austen，“hesaid，“butthinkonit。ForGod\'ssake，thinkonit。“

Outside，Austenpausedinthesnowoncemore，hisbrainawhirlwithastrangeexaltationthelikeofwhichhehadneverfeltbefore。Althougheminentlyhuman，itwasnotthefactthathonestmenhadaskedhimtobetheirgovernorwhichupliftedhim，——butthattheybelievedhimtobeashonestasthemselves。Inthathourhehadtastedlifeashehadneveryettastedit，hehadlivedashemightneverliveagain。Notoneofthem，herememberedsuddenly，hadutteredasentenceofthepoliticalclaptrapofwhichhehadheardsomuch。Theyhadspokenfromthesoul；

notbitterly，notpassionately，buttheirwordshadrungwiththedeterminationwhichhadmadetheirforefathersandhisleavehome，toil，andkindredtofightanddieatBunkerHillandGettysburgforaprinciple。Ithadbeangivenhimtolookthateightintotheheartofanation，andhewasawed。

Ashestoodthereunderthewintermoon，hegraduallybecameconsciousofmusic，ofanairthatseemedtheveryexpressionofhismood。Hiseyes，irresistiblydrawntowardstheDuncanhouse，werecaughtbytheflutteringoflacecurtainsatanopenwindow。Thenoteswerethoseofapiano，——thoughtheinstrumentmatteredlittle，——thatwithwhichtheywerechargedforhimsetthenightwindquivering。Itwasnotsimplemusic，althoughithadinitagrandsimplicity。Attimesitrose，vibrantwithinexpressiblefeeling，andfellagainintogentler，yearningcadencesthatwrungthesoulwithalongingthatwasworld-oldandworld-wide，thatreachedouttowardstheunattainablestare——and，reaching，becameimmortal。Thuswastheendofit，faintingasitdriftedheavenward。

Thenthewindowwasclosed。

Austenwalkedon；whither，heknewnot。Afteracertaintimeofwhichhehadnocognizancehefoundhimselfundertheglaringarc-lightthathungoverMainStreetbeforethePelicanHotel，infrontofwhatwasknownastheladies\'entrance。Heslippedinthere，avoidingthecrowdedlobbywithitsshiftinggroupsanditshazeofsmoke，——plainlytobeseenbehindthegreatplatesofglass，——wentupstairs，andgainedroomNumber。

Sevenunnoticed。Then，afterthebriefestmomentofhesitation，heknocked。Avoiceresponded——theHonourableHilary\'s。Therewasbutonelightburningintheroom，andMr。Vanesatinhisaccustomedchairinthecorner，alone。Hewasnotreading，norwashedrowsing，buthisheadwasdroppedforwardalittleonhisbreast。Heraiseditslowlyathisson\'sentrance，andregardedAustenfixedly，thoughsilently。

“Youwantedtoseeme，Judge？“saidAusten。

“Comeatlast，haveyou？“saidMr。Vane。

“Ididn\'tintendtobelate，“saidAusten。

“Seemtohaveagooddealofbusinessonhandthesedays，“theHonourableHilaryremarked。

Austentookastepforward，andstopped。Mr。VanewaspreparingapieceofHoneyDew。

“Ifyouwouldliketoknowwhatthebusinesswas，Judge，Iamheretotellyou。“

TheHonourableHilarygrunted。

“Iain\'tgoodenoughtobeconfidedin，Iguess，“hesaid；“Iwouldn\'tunderstandmotivesfromprinciple。“

Austenlookedathisfatherforafewmomentsinsilence。To-nightheseemedatagreaterdistancethaneverbefore，andmorelonelythanever。

WhenAustenhadenteredtheroomandhadseenhimsittingwithhisheadbowedforward，thehostilityofmonthsofmisunderstandinghadfallenawayfromtheson，andhehadlongedtoflytohimashehadasachildafterpunishment。Differencesinafterlife，alas，arenotalwaystobebridgedthus。

“Judge，“hesaidslowly，withanattempttocontrolhisvoice，wouldn\'tithavebeenfairertowaitawhile，beforeyoumadearemarklikethat？

Whateverourdealingsmayhavebeen，Ihaveneverliedtoyou。Anythingyoumaywanttoknow，Iamheretotellyou。“

“Soyou\'regoingtotakeuplobbying，areyou？Ihadanotionyouwereabovelobbying。“

Austenwasangered。Butlikeallmenofcharacter，hisfacebecamesternunderprovocation，andhespokemoredeliberately。

“Beforeevegoanyfarther，“hesaid，“wouldyoumindtellingmewhoyourinformantisonthispoint？“

“IguessIdon\'tneedaninformant。Myeyesightisasgoodasever，“

saidtheHonourableHilary。

“Yourdeductionsareusuallymoreaccurate。IfanyonehastoldyouthatIamabouttoengageinlobbying，theyhaveliedtoyou。“

“ouldn\'tengageinlobbying，wouldyou？“theHonourableHilaryasked，withtheairofmakingacasualinquiry。

Austenflushed，butkepthistemper。

“Ipreferthepracticeoflaw，“hereplied。

“Sawyouwereassociatin\'withsaints，“hisfatherremarked。

Austenbithislip，andthenlaughedoutright，——thecanonizationofoldTomGaylordbeingtoomuchforhim。

“Now，Judge，“hesaid，“itisn\'tlikeyoutodrawhastyconclusions。

BecauseIsatdowntosupperwiththeGaylordsitisn\'tfairtoinferthattheyhaveretainedmeinalegislativecase。“

TheHonourableHilarydidnotrespondtohisson\'shumour，butshiftedtheHoneyDewtotheleftcheek。

“OldTomgoinginforreform？“

“Hemaybringitabout，“answeredAusten，instantlybecomingseriousagain，“whetherhe\'sgoinginforitornot。“

ForthefirsttimetheHonourableHilaryraisedhiseyestohisson\'sface，andshotathimapenetratinglookofcharacteristicshrewdness。

Buthefollowedinconversationthesameruleasinexaminingawitness，rarelyaskingadirectquestion，exceptasatacticalsurprise。

“OldTomoughttohavehisrailroad，oughtn\'the？“

“SofarasIcansee，itwouldbeabenefittothepeopleofthatpartoftheState，“saidAusten。

“Buildingitforthepeople，ishe？“

“Hismotivedoesn\'tcount。Thebillshouldbejudgedonitsmerits，andpropermeasuresforthesafeguardingofpublicinterestsshouldbeputintoit。“

“Don\'tthinkthebillwillbejudgedonitsmerits，doyou？“

“No，Idon\'t，“repliedAusten，“andneitherdoyou。“

“DidyoutelloldTomso？“askedMr。Vane，afterapause。“DidyoutelloldTomsowhenhesentforyoutotakehold？“

“Hedidn\'tsendforme，“answeredAusten，quietly，“andIhavenobusinessdealingswithhimexceptsmallsuits。WhatIdidtellhimwasthathewouldnevergetthebillthroughthissessionornextbylobbying。“

TheHonourableHilarynevershowedsurprise。Heemittedagruntwhichevincedatonceimpatienceandamusement。

“Whynot？“heasked。

“Well，Judge，I\'lltellyouwhatItoldhim——althoughyoubothknow。

It\'sbecausetheNortheasternownstheRepublicanpartymachine，whichisthelobby，andbecausemostofthetwentyStatesenatorsaredependentupontheNortheasternforfuturefavours。“

“DidyoutellTomGaylordthat？“demandedMr。Vane。“Whatdidhesay？“

Austenbracedhimself。Hedidnotfindtheanswereasy。

“HesaidheknewaboutNumberSevenaswellasIdid。“

TheHonourableHilaryroseabruptly——perhapsinsomesecretagitation——

Austencouldnotdiscern。Hisfatherwalkedasfarasthedoor，andturnedslowlyandfacedhim，buthedidnotspeak。Hismouthwastightlyclosed，almostasinpain，andAustenwenttowardshim，appealingly。

“Judge，“hesaid，“yousentforme。YouhaveaskedmequestionswhichI

feltobligedinhonestytoanswer。GodknowsIdon\'twishtodifferwithyou，butcircumstancesseemalwaysagainstus。Iwilltalkplainly，ifyouwillletme。Itrytolookatthingsfromyourpointofview。I

knowthatyoubelievethatapoliticalsystemshouldgohandinhandwiththegreatcommercialsystemwhichyouareengagedinbuilding。I

disagreewithyourbeliefs，butIdonotthinkthatyourpursuitofthemhasnotbeensincere，andjustifiedbyyourconscience。IsupposethatyousentformetoknowwhetherMr。Gaylordhasemployedmetolobbyforhisbill。Hehasnot，becauseIrefusedthatemployment。ButIwilltellyouthat，inmyopinion，ifamanofanyabilitywhatevershouldgetupontheflooroftheHouseandmakeanargumentforthePingsquitbill，thesentimentagainsttheNortheasternanditspoliticalpowerissogreatthattheHousewouldcompelthecommitteetoreportthebill，andpassit。Youprobablyknowthisalready，butImentionitforyourowngoodifyoudonot，inthehopethat，throughyou，theNortheasternRailroadsmaybeinducedtorelaxtheirgripuponthegovernmentofthisState。“

TheHonourableHilaryadvanced，untilonlythemarble-toppedtablewasbetweenhimselfandhisson。Aslightnoiseintheadjoiningroomcausedhimtoturnhisheadmomentarily。ThenhefacedAustenagain。

“DidyoutellGaylordthis？“heasked。

Austenmadeagestureofdistaste，andturnedaway。

“No，“hesaid，“Ireservedtheopinion，whateveritisworth，foryourearsalone。“

“I\'veheardthatkindofcalculationbefore，“saidtheHonourableHilary。

“Myexperienceisthattheynevercometomuch。AsforthisnonsenseabouttheNortheasternRailroadsrunningthings，“headdedmorevigorously，“Iguesswhenit\'sonceinaman\'sheadthere\'snogettingitout。Therailroademploysthebestlawyersitcanfindtolookafteritsinterests。I\'moneof\'em，andI\'mproudofit。IfIhadn\'tbeenoneof\'em，thechancesareyou\'dneverbewhereyouare，thatyou\'dneverhavegonetocollegeandthelawschool。TheRepublicanpartyrealizesthattheNortheasternismostvitallyconnectedwiththematerialinterestsofthisState；thattheprosperityoftheroadmeanstheprosperityoftheState。AndtheleadersofthepartyprotecttheroadfromvindictiveassaultsonitlikeGaylord\'s，andfromscatterbrainsandagitatorslikeyourfriendRedbrook。“

Austenshookhisheadsadlyashegazedathisfather。Hehadalwaysrecognizedthefutilityofarguments，ifargumentonthispointeverarosebetweenthem。

“It\'snouse，Judge，“hesaid。“Ifmaterialprosperityaloneweretobeconsidered，yourcontentionwouldhavesomeweight。TheperpetuationoftheprincipleofAmericangovernmenthastobethoughtof。Governmentbyarailroadwillleadintheendtoanarchy。Youarecourtingdestructionasitis。“

“IfyoucameinheretoquoteyourconfoundedEmerson——“theHonourableHilarybegan，butAustenslippedaroundthetableandtookhimbythearmandledhimperforcetohischair。

“No，Judge，thatisn\'tEmerson，“heanswered。“It\'sjustcommonsense，onlyitsoundstoyoulikedrivel。I\'mgoingnow，——unlessyouwanttohearsomemoreabouttheplotsI\'vebeengettinginto。ButIwanttosaythis。Iaskyoutorememberthatyou\'remyfather，andthat——I\'mfondofyou。Andthat，ifyouandIhappentobeonoppositesides，itwon\'tmakeanydifferenceasfarasmyfeelingsareconcerned。I\'malwaysreadytotellyoufranklywhatI\'mdoing，ifyouwishtoknow。Good-by。

IsupposeI\'llseeyouinRiptonattheendoftheweek。“Andhepressedhisfather\'sshoulder。

Mr。Vanelookedupathissonwithacuriousexpression。Perhaps(aswhenAustenreturnedfromtheshootingofMr。BlodgettintheWest)therewasasmatteringofadmirationandprideinthatlook，andsomethingofanaffectionwhichhadlongceasedinitsstrivingsforutterance。Itwastheunconscioustribute，too，——slightaswasitsexhibition，——ofthemanwhoselifehasbeenspentintheconquestofmaterialthingstothemanwhohastheaudacity，insensatethoughitseem，toflingthesetothewindsinhissearchafterideals。

“Good-by，Austen，“saidMr。Vane。