第8章

Avainerman，alightercharacterthanHumphreyCrewe，wouldhavebeencontenttohavegotsomething；andletitrestatthat。LittleMr。

ButcherorMr。SpeakerDoby，withhissorrowfulsmile，guessedtheironhandwithinthevelvetgloveoftheLeithstatesman；littletheyknewthemantheyweredealingwith。Oncearoused，hewouldnotbepacifiedbybribesofcheapolivebranchesandlaurels。Whenthepropertimecame，hewouldflingdownthegauntlet——beforeRomeitself，andthenletHoratiusandhisfriendsbeware。

Thehourhasstruckatlast——andthemanisnotwanting。TheFrenchRevolutionfoundNapoleonready，andourownCivilWarGeneralUlyssesGrant。Ofthatevermemorablesessionbutthreedaysremained，andthosewhohadbeenpreparedtoriseinthegoodcausehadlongsincedespaired。

ThePingsquitbill，andallotherbillsthatspelledliberty，werestillprisonersinthehandsofgrimjailers，andThomasGaylord，theelder，hadwornseveralholesinthecarpetofhisprivateroominthePelican，andcouldoftenbedescriedfromMainStreetrunningupanddownbetweenthewindowslikeacagedlion，whileyoungTomhadbeenspiedstanding，withhishandsinhispockets，smilingontheworld。

YoungTomhadhisownwayofdoingthings，thoughhelittledreamedofthehelpHeavenwastosendhiminthismatter。Therewas，inthelowerHouse，ayoungmanbythenameofHarper，alawyerfromBrighton，whowassufficientlyeccentricnottocarryapass。Thelightoffame，asthesunsetgildsaweathercockonasteeple，sometimestouchessuchmenforaninstantandmakesthemimmortal。ThenameofMr。Harperisremembered，becauseitislinkedwithagreaterone。ButMr。Harperwasthefirstmanoverthewall。

Historychoosesoddmomentsforherentrances。Itwasattheendofoneofthosebusyafternoonsessions，withafullhouse，whenMessrs。

Bascom，Botcher，andRidouthaddoneenoughofblockingandhackingandhewingtosatisfythosedoughtydefendersofthebridge，thataslight，unprepossessing-lookingyoungmanwithspectaclesarosetomakeamotion。

TheHonourableJacobBotcher，withhisbooksandpapersunderhisarm，wasalreadypickinghiswayuptheaisle，noddinggeniallytosuchofthefaithfulashesaw；Mr。BascomwasattheSpeaker\'sdesk，andMr。RidoutreceivingamessengerfromtheHonourableHilaryatthedoor。TheSpeaker，notwithoutsomedifficulty，recognizedMr。Harperamidstwhatseemedthebeginningofanexodus——andMr。Harperreadhismotion。

Menhaltedintheaisles，andnudgedothermentomakethemstoptalking。

Mr。Harper\'svoicewasnotloud，anditshookatriflewithexcitement，butthosewhoheardpassedonthenewssoswiftlytothosewhohadnotthattheHousewassitting(orstanding)inamazedsilencebythetimethemotionreachedtheSpeaker，whohadactuallyrisentoreceiveit。

Mr。DobyregardeditforafewsecondsandraisedhiseyesmournfullytoMr。Harperhimself，asmuchastosaythathewouldgivetheyoungmanachancetotakeitbackifhecould——ifthewordshadnotbeenspokenwhichwouldbringtheoffendertotheblockinthebloomandenthusiasmofyouth。MisguidedMr。HarperhadcommittedunutterabletreasontotheEmpire！

“ThegentlemanfromBrighton，Mr。Harper，“saidtheSpeaker，sadly，“offersthefollowingresolution，andmovesitsadoption:\'Resolved，thattheCommitteeonIncorporationsbeinstructedtoreportHousebillnumber302，entitled“AnacttoincorporatethePingsquitRailroad，“byeleven-

thirtyo\'clockto-morrowmorning\'——thegentlemanfromPutnam，Mr。

Bascom。“

TheHouselistenedandlookedonentranced，asthoughtheywerethespectatorstoatragedy。Andindeeditseemedasthoughtheywere。

NeckswerecranedtoseeMr。Harper；hedidn\'tlooklikeahero，butonenevercantellabouttheselittlemen。HehadhurleddefianceattheNortheasternRailroads，andthatwasenoughforMr。RedbrookandMr。

Widgeonandtheirfriends，whopreparedtorushintothefraytrustingtoHeavenforspeechandparliamentarylaw。Oforaleadernow！Horatiusisonthebridge，scarceconcealinghisdisdainforthispunyopponent，andLartiusandHerminiusnottakingthetroubletoarm。Mr。Bascomwillcrushthisonewiththeflatofhissword。

“Mr。Speaker，“saidthatgentleman，informally，“asChairmanoftheCommitteeonIncorporations，Irisetoprotestagainstsuchanunheard-ofmotioninthisHouse。Theveryessenceoforderlyprocedure，ofeffectivebusiness，dependsontheconfidenceoftheHouseinitscommittees，andinallofmyyearsasamemberIhaveneverknownofsuchathing。GentlemenoftheHouse，yourcommitteearegivingtothisbillandothermeasurestheirundividedattention，andwillreportthemattheearliestpracticablemoment。Ihopethatthismotionwillbevoteddown。“

Mr。Bascom，withaglancearoundtoassurehimselfthatmostofthehundredmembersoftheNewcastledelegation——vassalsoftheWinonaCorporationandsubjecttotheEmpire——hadnotmadeuseoftheirpassesandboarded，asusual，thesixo\'clocktrain，tookhisseat。Abuzzofexcitementranoverthehouse，adozenmenwereontheirfeet，includingtheplainlyagitatedMr。Harperhimself。Butwhoisthis，inthelunarcockpitbeforetheSpeaker\'sdesk，demandingfirmlytobeheard——sofirmlythatMr。Harper，withaglanceathim，sitsdownagain；sofirmlythatMr。SpeakerDoby，hypnotizedbyaneye，makestheblunderthatwilleventuallycosthimhisownhead？

“ThegentlemanfromLeith，Mr。Crewe。“

Asthoughsensingadrama，themutteringswerehushedoncemore。Mr。

JacobBotcherleanedforward，andcrackedhisseat；butnone，eventhosewhohadtastedofhishospitality，recognizedthattheBlackKnighthadenteredthelists——thegreatestdeedsofthisworld，andtheheroesofthem，comingunheraldedoutoftheplainclay。Mr。CrewewasthecalmestmanundertheroofashesalutedtheSpeaker，walkeduptotheclerk\'sdesk，turnedhisbacktoit，andleanedbothelbowsonit；andheregardedtheseaoffaceswiththeidenticalself-possessionhehadexhibitedwhenhehadmadehisfamousaddressonnationalaffairs。Hedidnotraisehisvoiceatthebeginning，buthisverypresenceseemedtocompelsilence，andcuriositywasatfeverheat。Whatwashegoingtosay？

“GentlemenoftheHouse，“saidMr。Crewe，“IhavelistenedtothegentlemanfromPutnamwithsome——amusement。HehasmadethestatementthatheandhiscommitteearegivingtothePingsquitbillandothermeasures——someothermeasures——theirundividedattention。OfthisIhavenodoubtwhatever。Heneglectedtodefinethespeciesofattentionheisgivingthem——Ishoulddefineitasthekindlycarewhichthewardenofapenitentiarybestowsuponhischarges。“

Mr。Crewewasinterruptedhere。Thesubmergedfourhundredandseventyhadhadtimetorubtheireyesandgettheirbreath，torealizethattheirchampionhaddealtMr。Bascomablowtocleavehishelm，andaroarofmingledlaughterandexultationaroseinthebackseats，andtherewasmorecraningtoseetheglitteringeyesoftheHonourableBrushandtheexpressionsofhistwocompanions-in-arms。Mr。SpeakerDobybeatthestonewithhisgavel，whileMr。Crewecontinuedtoleanbackcalmlyuntilthenoisewasover。

“Gentlemen，“hewenton，“Iwillenteratthepropertimeintoasituation——known，Ibelieve，tomostofyou——thatbringsaboutaconditionofaffairsbywhichthegentleman\'scommittee，orthegentlemanhimself，withhiscapaciouspockets，doesnothavetoaccounttotheHouseforeverybillassignedtohimbytheSpeaker。Ihavetakenthetroubletoexaminealittleintothegentleman\'spastrecord——hehasbeenchairmanofsuchcommitteesforyearspast，andIfindnotracethatbillsinimicaltocertaingreatinterestshaveeverbeenreportedbackbyhim。ThePingsquitbillinvolvesthevitalprincipleofcompetition。I

havereaditwithconsiderablecareandbelieveittobe，initself，agoodmeasure，whichdeservesafairhearing。Ihavehadnoconversationwhateverwiththosewhoaresaidtobeitspromoters。Ifthebillistopass，ithaslittleenoughtimetogettotheSenate。BythegentlemanfromPutnam\'sownstatementhiscommitteehavegivenititsshareofattention，andIbelievethisHouseisentitledtoknowtheverdict，isentitledtoacceptorrejectareport。Ihopethemotionwillprevail。“

Hesatdownamidstastormofapplausewhichwouldhaveturnedtheheadofalesserman。NosuchpersonalovationhadbeenseenintheHouseforyears。HowtheSpeakergotorder；howtheHonourableBrushBascomdeclaredthatMr。Crewewouldbecalledupontoprovehisstatements；howMr。Botcherregrettedthatanewmemberofsuchpromiseshouldgooffathalf-cock；howMr。Ridouthintedthatthenewmembermightthinkhehadananimus；howMr。TerryofLeeandMr。WidgeonofHulldenounced，inplainhilllanguage，theNortheasternRailroadsandlaudedthemanofprominencewhohadthegrittoopposethem，neednotbegoneinto。Mr。

Creweatlengthdemandedthepreviousquestion，whichwascarried，andthemotionwascarried，too，twohundredandfiftytoonehundredandfifty-two。TheHouseadjourned。

Wewillsparetheblushesoftheheroofthisoccasion，whowasthreatenedwithsuffocationbyaninundationfromthebackseats。Inanswertothecongratulationsandqueries，herepliedmodestlythatnobodyelseseemedtohavehadthesandtodoit，sohedidithimself。

Heregardeditasamatterofduty，howeverunpleasantandunforeseen；

andif，astheysaid，hehadbeenapioneer，educationandaknowledgeofrailroadsandtheworldhadhelpedhim。Whereupon，addingtactfullythathedesiredtheeveningtohimselftoprepareforthebattleofthemorrow(ofwhichheforesawhewastobeartheburden)，heextricatedhimselffromhisadmirersandmadehiswayunostentatiouslyoutofasidedoorintohissleigh。Forthemanwhohadkindledafire——theblazeofwhichwastomarkanepoch——hewasexceptionallycalm。NotsotheonlyvisitorwhomWatershadinstructionstoadmitthatevening。

“Say，youhititjustright，“criedthevisitor，tooexultanttotakeoffhisovercoat。“I\'vebeendownthroughthePelican，andthereain\'tbeensuchexcitementsinceSnowandGiddingshadthefightforUnitedStatessenatorinthe\'80\'s。Theplaceisalltornup，andyoucan\'tgetaroomthereforloveormoney。Theytellmethey\'vebeenhavin\'conferencessteadyinNumberSevensincethesessionclosed，andHilaryVane\'ssentforalltheFederalandStateoffice-holderstobehereinthemorningandlobby。BotcherandJaneandBascomarecirculatin\'likehotwater，tellin\'everybodythatbecausetheywouldn\'tsaddletheStatewithadebtwithyourbillsyouturnedsouron\'em，andthatyou\'remoreofacorporationandrailroadmanthananyof\'em。They\'vegottheirmachinetoworkingathousandtotheminute，andeverybodytheyhaveaslantonisgoingintoline。Oneofthemfellers，aconductor，toldmehehadtogowith\'em。Butourboysain\'tidle，Icantellyouthat。Iwasinthebackofthegallerywhenyouspokeup，andIshook\'emofftheleashrightaway。“

Mr。Creweleanedbackfromthetableandthrusthishandsinhispocketsandsmiled。Hewasinoneofhisdelightfulmoods。

“Takeoffyourovercoat，Tooting，“hesaid；“you\'llfindoneofmybestpoliticalcigarsoverthere，intheusualplace。“

“Well，Iguessedaboutright，didn\'tI？“inquiredMr。Tooting，bitingoffoneofthepoliticalcigars。“Igaveyouaprettystraighttip，didn\'tI，thatyoungTomGaylordwasgoin\'tohavesomebodymakethatmotionto-

day？Butsay，it\'sfunnyhecouldn\'tgetabetteronethanthatfellerHarper。Ifyouhadn\'tcomealong，they\'dhavesmashedhimtopulp。I\'llbetthemostsurprisedmanintheStateto-night，nexttoBrushBascom，isyoungTomGaylord。It\'sawonderheain\'tbeenupheretothankyou。“

“Maybehehasbeen，“repliedMr。Crewe。“ItoldWaterstokeepeverybodyoutto-nightbecauseIwanttoknowexactlywhatI\'mgoingtosayonthefloortomorrow。Idon\'twant\'emtogivemetrouble。Didyoubringsomeofthosepaperswithyou？“

Mr。Tootingfishedabundlefromhisovercoatpocket。Thepapersinquestion，ofwhichhehadagreatnumberstoredawayinRipton，representedtheforesight，onMr。Tooting\'spart，ofyears。Hewasayoungmanwithapraiseworthyambitiontogetonintheworld，andduringhisapprenticeshipintheofficeoftheHonourableHilaryVanemanylettersanddocumentshadpassedthroughhishands。Alessindustriouspersonwouldhaveneglectedtheopportunity。Mr。Tootingcopiedthem；

andsome，whichwouldhavegoneintothewaste-basket，helaidcarefullyaside，bearinginmindtheadageaboutlittlescrapsofpaper——ifthereisone。Atanyrate，henowhadamanuscriptcollectionwhichwasuniqueinitsway，whichwouldhavebeenworthmuchtoagreatmanymen，andwithcharacteristicgenerosityhewasplacingitatthedisposalofMr。

Crewe。

Mr。Crewe，inreadingthem，hadothersensations。HewarmedwithindignationasanAmericancitizenthatamanshouldsitinamahoganyofficeinNewYorkanddictatethegovernmentofafreeandsovereignState；andhefoundhimselfinthegripofarighteouswrathwhenherecalledwhatMr。Flinthadwrittentohim。“Asaneighbour，itwillgivemethegreatestpleasuretohelpyoutotheextentofmypower，buttheNortheasternRailroadscannotinterfereinlegislativeorpoliticalmatters。“Theeffronteryofitwasappalling！Where，hedemandedofMr。

Tooting，didthecommonpeoplecomein？AndthisextremelypertinentquestionMr。Tootingwasunabletoanswer。

Butthewheelsofjusticehadbeguntoturn。

Mr。TootinghadnotexaggeratedthetumultandaffrightatthePelicanHotel。TheprivatetelephoneinNumberSevenwasbusyallevening，whilemoreorlessprominentgentlemenwereusingcontinuallythepubliconesintheboxesinthereadingroomdownstairs。TheFeudalsystemwasshowingwhatitcoulddo，andthewordhadgoneouttoalltheholdersoffiefsthatthevassalsshouldbesummoned。TheDukeofPutnamhadsentoutageneralcalltotheoffice-holdersinthatcounty。Theirsnottoreasonwhy——butobey；andsomeofthem，lateaswasthehour，werealreadytravelling(free)towardsthecapital。EventhecongressionaldelegationinWashingtonhadreceivedtelegrams，andsentthemagaintoFederaloffice-holdersinvariouspartsoftheState。IfMr。Crewehadchosentolisten，hecouldhaveheardthetrampofarmedmen。Buthewasnotofthemetaltobedismayedbytheprospectofagreatconflict。HewasascoolasCromwell，andafterMr。Tootinghadlefthimtotakechargeoncemoreofhisownarmiesintheyield，thegenlemonfromLeithwenttobedandsleptsoundly。

Thedayofthebattledawneddarkly，withgreatflakesflying。Asearlyasseveno\'clockthelatercohortsbegantoarrive，andweresoonasthickasbeesinthePelican，circulatinginthelobby，conferringinvariousroomsofwhichtheyhadthenumberswithoccupantsinbedandout。Awonderfulorganization，thatFeudalSystem，whicheouldmobilizeanarmyovernight！Andeachunitofit，likethebee，workingunselfishlyforthegoodofthewhole；likethebee，flyingstraightfortheobjecttobeattained。EverymemberoftheHousefromPutnamCounty，forinstance，wasseenbyoneoftheseindefatigablecaptains，andifthememberhadamortgageoranambition，orawifeandfamilythatmadelifeaproblem，orasituationontherailroadorinsomeofthelargermanufacturingestablishments，lethimbeware！Ifhelivedinlodgingsinthetown，hestuckhisheadoutofthewindowtoperceiveacheeryneighbourfromthecountryonhisdoorstep。Thinkofasystemwhichcoulddothis，notforPutnamCountyalone，butforallthecountiesintheState！

TheHonourableHilaryVane，captain-generaloftheForces，hadhadbutfourhours\'sleep，andhisExcellency，theHonourableAsaGray，whenhearoseinthetwilightofthemorning，hadtostepcarefullytoavoidthecigarbuttsonthefloorwhich——likesomanyemptycartridgeshellswereunpleasantremindersthatarebellionofnomeanmagnitudehadarisenagainstthepowertowhichheowedallegiance，andbythefavourofwhichhewasattendedwithpompandcircumstancewhereverhechosetogo。

Longbeforeeleveno\'clockthepathstothestate-housewerethrongedwithpeople。Besidetheoffice-holdersandtheirfriendswhowereintown，thereweremanyresidentsofthecapitalcityinthehabitofgoingtohearthelivelierdebates。NotthatthepowersoftheEmpirehadpermitteddebatesonmostsubjects，buttherecouldbenoharminallowingthelowerHousetodiscussasfiercelyastheypleaseddogandsheeplawsandhedgehogbounties。Butnow！Theoldestresidentcouldn\'trememberacaseofhightreasonandrebellionagainsttheNortheasternsuchasthispromisedtobe，andthesensationtookonanaddedflavourfromthefactthatthearchrebelwasafigureofpicturesqueinterest，amillionairewithmoneyenoughtorenttheDuncanhouseandfillitslong-

disusedstablewithhorses，whowasacapitalisthimselfandafriendofMr。Flint\'s；ofwhomitwassaidthathewasgoingtomarryMr。Flint\'sdaughter！

Longbeforeeleven，too，thechiefsovertensandthechiefsoverhundredshadgatheredtheirmenandmarchedthemintothestate-house；

andMr。Tooting，whowaseverywherethatmorning，noticedthatsomeoftheseledsoldiershadpiecesofpaperintheirhands。Thechaplainarosetoprayforguidance，andtheHousewascrowdedtoitscapacity，andthegalleryfilledwitheagerandexpectantfaces——buttheheroofthehourhadnotyetarrived。Whenatlengthhedidwalkdowntheaisle，asunconcernedlyasthoughhewereanunknownmanenteringatheatre，femininewhispersof“Thereheis！“couldplainlybeheardabovethebuzz，andsimultaneousapplausebrokeoutinspots，causingtheSpeakertorapsharplywithhisgavel。PoorMr。SpeakerDoby！Helookedmorelikethemock-turtlethanever！andmighthaveexclaimed，too，thatoncehehadbeenarealturtle:onlyyesterday，infact，beforehehadmadetheinconceivableblunderofrecognizingMr。HumphreyCrewe。Mr。SpeakerDobyhadspentapartofthenightinroomNumberSevenlisteningtothingsabouthimself。HerminiustheunspeakablehasgiventheenemyafootholdinRome。

Apparentlyunawarethathewasthecentreofinterest，Mr。Crewe，carryinganeatlittlebagfullofpapers，tookhisseatbesidetheHonourableJacobBotcher，noddingtothaterstwhilefriendasamanoftheworldshould。AndMr。Botcher，nottobeoutdone，noddedback。

Weshallskipoverthepainfulintervalthatelapsedbeforethebillinquestionwasreached:painful，atleast，foreveryonebutMr。Crewe，whosatwithhiskneescrossedandhisarmsfolded。Thehostswerefacingeachother，awaitingtheword；therebelsprayerfullywatchingtheirgallantleader；andtheloyalvassals——whosewaveringrankshadbeenaddedtoovernight——withtheireyesonMr。Bascom。Andinjusticetothatveteranitmustbesaid，despitetheknock-outblowhehadreceived，thatheseemedasdebonairasever。

“NowwhilethethreeweretighteningTheharnessontheirbacks。“

Mr。SpeakerDobyreadmanycommitteereports，andatthebeginningofeachtherewasastirofexpectationthatitmightbethesignalforbattle。Butatlengthhefumbledamonghispapers，clearedawaythelumpinhisthroat，andglancedsignificantlyatMr。Bascom。

“TheCommitteeonIncorporations，towhomwasreferredHousebillnumber302，entitled“AnacttoincorporatethePingsquitRailroad，“havingconsideredthesame，reportthesamewiththefollowingresolution:

\'Resolved，thatitisinexpedienttolegislate。BrushBascom，fortheCommittee。\'Gentlemen，areyoureadyforthequestion？AsmanyasareofopinionthatthereportoftheCommitteeshouldbeadopted——thegentlemanfromPutnam，Mr。Bascom。“

Againletusdoexactjustice，andletusnotbeledbyourfeelingstogiveaprejudicedaccountofthisstruggle。TheHonourableBrushBascom，skilledfromyouthintheuseofweapons，openedthecombatsoadroitlythatmorethanoncethefollowersofhisnobleopponentwincedandtrembled。Thebill，Mr。Bascomsaid，wouldhavebeenreportedthatday，anyway——astatementreceivedwithmingledcheersandjeers。ThenfollowedabriefandsomewhatintimatehistoryoftheGaylordLumberCompany，notatallflatteringtothatcorporation。Mr。Bascomhinted，atananimus:therewasnomoreneedforarailroadinthePingsquitValleythantherewasforamerry-go-roundinthecellarofthestate-

house。(Loudlaughterfromeverybody，someirreverentpersoncryingoutthatamerry-go-roundwasbetterthanpokertables。)WhenMr。BascomcametodiscussthegentlemanfromLeith，andrecitedthenamesofthecommitteesforwhichMr。Crewe——inhisdesiretobeofservicetotheStatehadapplied，therewasmorelaughter，evenamongstMr。Crewe\'sfriends，andMr。SpeakerDobyrelaxedsofarastosmilesadly。Mr。

Bascomlaidhiswatchontheclerk\'sdeskandbegantoreadthelistofbillsMr。Crewehadintroduced，andasthisreadingproceededsomeofthelight-mindedshowedatendencytobecomeslightlyhysterical。Mr。Bascomsaidthathewouldliketoseeallthosebillsgrowintolaws，——withcertainslightchanges，——butthathecouldnotconscientiouslyvotetosaddlethepeoplewithanotherCivilWardebt。ItwaswellfortheState，hehinted，thatthosecommitteeswerecomposedofstanchmenwhowoulddotheirdutyinallweathers，regardlessofdemagogueswhosoughttogratifyinordinateambitions。

Thehopeoftherevolutionistsborethesestrokesandothersasmightywithcomplacency，asthoughtheyhadbeensomanyplayfultaps；andwhilethebattlesurgedhotlyaroundhimhesatcalmlylisteningormakingoccasionalnoteswithagoldpencil。Bornleaderthathewas，hewasbidinghistime。Mr。Bascom\'sattackwasmetvaliantly，butunskillfully，fromthebackseats。TheHonourableJacobBotcherarose，andfilledthehallwithextractsfromthe“BookofArguments“——inwhichhehadbeencoachedovernightbytheHonourableHilaryVane。Mr。

Botcher\'stonetowardshiserstwhilefriendwasregretful，——agoodmangonewrongthroughimpulseandinexperience。“Iam，sir，“saidMr。

BascomtotheSpeaker，“sincerelysorry——sincerelysorrythatanindividualofsuchabilityasthememberfromLeithshouldbeled，bytherepresentationsofpoliticaladventurersandbrigandsandmalcontents，intohispresentdeplorablepositionofcriticisingaStatewhichishisonlybyadoption，thepoliticalconditionsofwhichwereassoundandasfreefromcorporatedomination，sir，asthoseofanyStateinthebroadUnion。“(Loudcheers。)ThisappealtoStatepridebyMr。Botchesisamasterstroke，andthefriendsofthechampionofthelibertiesofthepeoplearebeginning(someofthem)tobealittlenervousanddoubtful。

FollowingMr。Botcheswerewildandscatteringspeechesfromthebackbenches——unskillfulandpitiablecounter-strokes。Wherewasthechampion？Hadhebeentamperedwithovernight，andpersuadedofthefutilityofrebellion？Persuadedthathisheadwouldbemoreusefulonhisownneckinthecouncilsofthenationthanonexhibitiontothepopulacefromthepointofapike？Itlooks，toacalmspectatorfromthegallery，asthoughtherebelforcesaregrowingweakerandmoredemoralizedeverymoment。Mr。Redbrook\'sspeech，vehementandhonest，helpsalittle；

peoplelistentoanhonestandforcefulman，howeverhemaylacktechnicalknowledge，butthemajorityoftherepliesaremereincoherentdenunciationsoftheNortheasternRailroads。

Ontheotherhand，theastoundingdisciplineamongstthelegionsoftheEmpireexcitestheadmirationanddespairevenoftheirenemies；thereisnorandomfightinghereandbreakingofrankstodouselesshacking。A

gravefarmerwithabearddeliversashortandtemperatespeech(whichhehasbyheart)，mildlyinquiringwhattheStatewoulddowithouttheNortheasternRailroads；andtheverymoderationofthisquerycomingfromaplainandhard-headedagriculturist(thebossofGrenville，ifonebutknewit！)hasatellingeffect。Andthentocaptheclimax，tomaketheattitudeoftherebelsevenmoreridiculousinthemindsofthinkingpeople，Mr。Ridoutisgiventhefloor。Skilledindebatewhenhechoosestoenterit，hisknowledgeofthelawonlyexceededbyhisknowledgeofhowitistobeevaded——toLartiusisassignedthetaskoffollowinguptherout。AndMr。Crewehasceasedtakingnotes。

WhentheHouseleaderandattorneyfortheNortheasterntookhisseat，thevictorytoallappearanceswaswon。Itwasavictoryforconservatismandestablishedorderagainstsensationalismandanarchy——

Mr。Ridouthadcontrivedtomakethatclearwithoutactuallysayingso。

ItwasasiftheUteIndianshadsoughttocaptureWashingtonandconductthegovernment。Justasridiculousasthat！Thedebateseemedtobeexhausted，andthelong-sufferingMr。DobywasinquiringforthefiftiethtimeiftheHousewerereadyforthequestion，whenMr。CreweofLeitharoseandwasrecognized。Inthreemonthshehadacquiredsucharemarkableknowledgeofthegameofparliamentarytacticsastobeable，patiently，towaituntiltheboltofhisopponentshadbeenshot；andaglancesufficedtorevivethedroopingspiritsofhisfollowers，andtoassurethemthattheirleaderknewwhathewasabout。

“Mr。Speaker，“hesaid，“Ihavelistenedwithgreatcaretothemasterlydefenceofthatcorporationonwhichourmaterialprosperityandcivicwelfareisfounded(laughter)；Ihavelistenedtothegentleman\'slearneddiscussionofthefinancesofthatroad，tendingtoprovethatitisaneleemosynaryinstitutiononagrandscale。IdonotwishtoquestionundulytheintellectsofthosemembersofthisHousewhobytheirvoteswillprovethattheyhavebeenconvincedbythegentleman\'sargument。“

HereMr。Crewepausedanddrewaslipofpaperfromhispocketandsurveyedthebackseats。“ButIperceive，“hecontinued，“thatagreatinteresthasbeentakeninthisdebate——sogreataninterestthatsinceyesterdaynumbersofgentlemenhavecomeinfromvariouspartsoftheStatetolistentoit(laughterandastonishment)，gentlemenwhoholdFederalandStateoffices。(RenewedlaughterandsearchingoftheHouse。)Irepeat，Mr。Speaker，thatIdonotwishtoquestiontheintellectsofmyfellow-members，butInoticethatmanyofthemwhoareseatedneartheFederalandStateoffice-holdersinquestionhaveintheirhandsslipsofpapersimilartothis。AndIhavereasontobelievethattheseslipswerewrittenbysomebodyinroomNumberSevenofthePelicanHotel。“(Tremendouscommotion，andcraningtoseewhetherone\'sneighbourhasaslip。The，facesoftheredoubtablethreeastudy。)

“Iprocuredoneoftheseslips，“Mr。Crewecontinued，“throughafellow-

memberwhohasnouseforit——whoseintelligence，infact，isunderratedbythegentlemeninNumberSeven。Iwillreadtheslip。

“\'Voteyesonthequestion。YesmeansthatthereportoftheCommitteewillbeaccepted，andthatthePingsquitbillwillnotpass。WaitforBascom\'ssignal，anddestroythispaper。“\'

Therewasnoneed，indeed，forMr。Crewetosayanymorethanthat——noneedfortheadmirablediscussionofrailroadfinancefromanexpert\'sstandpointwhichfollowedtocontrovertMr。Ridout\'smisleadingstatements。Thereadingofthewordsontheslipofpaperofwhichhehadsomysteriouslygotpossession(throughMr。HamiltonTooting)wassufficienttobringaboutadisorderthatforafullminute——Mr。SpeakerDobyfounditimpossibletoquell。Thegalleryshookwithlaughter，andhonourablememberswithslipsofpaperintheirhandsweremadeasconspicuousasiftheyhadbeencaughtwearingdunces\'caps。

Itwasthenonly，withbelatedwisdom，thatMr。Bascomandhistwonoblecompanionsgaveupthefight，andletthehordeacrossthebridge——toolate，asweshallsee。Thepopulace，ledbyaredoubtableleader，havelearnedtheirstrength。Itistruethattheshiningsenatorialtwentyofthebody-guardstandreadytobehackedtopiecesattheirpostsbeforethePingsquitbillshallbecomealaw；andshouldunutterabletreasontakeplacehere，hisExcellencyispreparedtobedrawnandquarteredratherthansignit。ItistheSenatewhich，inthissomewhatinaccuraterepetitionofhistory，holdthecitadelifnotthebridge；andinspiteofthehowlingmobbelowtheirwindows，scornfullyrefuseeventodiscussthePingsquitbill。TheHonourableHilaryVane，whosefacetheystudyatdinnertime，isnotworried。Popularwrathdoesnotcontinuetoboil，andmanychangeswilltakeplaceintheyearbeforetheLegislaturemeetsagain。

ThisistheHonourableHilary\'spublicface。ButaretherenotprivateconferencesinroomNumberSevenofwhichwecanknownothing——

exceedinglyuncomfortableconferencesforHoratiusandhiscompanions？

AretherenotprivatetelegramsandletterstothepresidentoftheNortheasterninNewYorkadvisinghimthatthePingsquitbillhaspassedtheHouse，andthatacertainMr。Creweisprimarilyresponsible？Andaretherenotqueries——whichhistorymaydiscloseinafteryears——astowhetherMr。Crewe\'sabilitiesasastatesmanhavenotbeenseriouslyunderratedbythosewhoshouldhavebeenthefirsttoperceivethem？

Verily，pridegoethbeforeafall。

Inthismodernversionofours，thefathersthrongaboutanotherthanHoratiusafterthesessionofthatmemorablemorning。Publiclyandprivately，Mr。Creweisbeingcongratulated，andweknowenoughofhischaractertoappreciatethemodestywithwhichthecongratulationsareaccepted。HeisthesameHumphreyCrewethathewasbeforehebecamethecorner-stoneofthetemple；successisamereoutwardandvisiblesignofintrinsicworthintheinnerman，andMr。Crewehadneverforamomentunderestimatedhistruevalue。

“There\'s，nousewastingtimeintalkingaboutit，“hetoldthegratefulmemberswhosoughttopresshishands。“Gohomeandorganize。I\'vegotyourname。Getyourneighboursintoline，andkeepmeinformed。I\'llpayforthepostage-stamps。I\'mnoimpracticalreformer，andifwe\'regoingtodothisthing，we\'llhavetodoitright。“

Theylefthim，impressedbytheforceofthisargument，withanaddedrespectforMr。Crewe，andavaguefeelingthattheywerepledgedtosomethingwhichmadenotafewofthematrifleuneasy。Mr。Redbrookwasoneofthese。

Thefelicitationsofhisnew-foundfriendandconvert，Mr。Tooting，Mr。

Crewecutshortwiththetersenessofaborncommander。

“Nevermindthat，“hesaid，“andfollow\'emupandget\'empledgedifyoucan。“

Get\'empledged！Pledgedtowhat？Mr。Tootingevidentlyknew，forhewastednopreciousmomentsinaskingquestions。

ThereisnotimeatthisplacetogointothefeelingsofMr。TomGaylordtheyoungerwhenhelearnedthathisbillhadpassedtheHouse。He，too，meetingMr。Creweinthesquare，tooktheopportunitytoexpresshisgratitudetothememberfromLeith。

“ComeinonFridayafternoon，Gaylord，“answeredMr。Crewe。“I\'vegotseveralthingstotalktoyouabout。YourgeneralacquaintancearoundtheStatewillbeuseful，andtheremustbemenyouknowofinthelumbersectionswhocanhelpusconsiderably。“

“Helpus？“repeatedyoungTom，insamesurprise。

“Certainly，“repliedMr。Crewe；“youdon\'tthinkwe\'regoingtodropthefighthere，doyou？We\'vegottoputastopinthisStatetopoliticaldominationbyarailroad，andaslongastheredoesn\'tseemtobeanyoneelsetotakehold，I\'mgoingto。Yourbill\'sagoodbill，andwe\'llpassitnextsession。“

YoungTomregardedMr。Crewewithafrankstare。

“I\'mgoinguptothePingsquitValleyonFriday，“heanswered。

“Thenyou\'dbettercomeuptoLeithtoseemeassoonasyougetback，“

saidMr。Crewe。“Thesethingscan\'twait，andhavetobedealtwithpractically。“

YoungTomhadnotbeenthevirtualheadoftheGaylordCompanyforsomeyearswithoutgainingalittleknowledgeofpoliticsandhumanity。TheinvitationtoLeithhevalued，ofcourse，buthefeltthatitwouldnotdotoacceptitwithtoomuchardour。Hewas，hesaid，averybusyman。

“That\'sthetroublewithmostpeople，“declaredMr。Crewe；“theywon\'ttakethetimetobotheraboutpolitics，andthentheycomplainwhenthingsdon\'tgoright。NowI\'mgivin\'mytimetoit，whenI\'vegototherlargeintereststoattendto。“

OnhiswaybacktothePelican，youngTomhaltedseveraltimesreflectively，ascertainpointsinthisconversationwhichheseemedtohavemissedatthetime——camebacktohim。HisgratitudetoMr。Creweasapublicbenefactorwasprofound，ofcourse；butyoungTom\'ssenseofhumourwaspeculiar，andhelaughedmorethanonce，outloud，atnothingatall。Thenhebecamegraveagain，andwentintothehotelandwrotealongletter，whichheaddressedtoMr。AustenVane。

Andnow，beforethischapterwhichcontainsthesememorableeventsisclosed，onemorestrangeandsignificantfactistobechronicled。OntheeveningofthedaywhichsawMr。Crewetriumphantlyleadingtheinsurgentforcestovictory，thatgentlemansenthisprivatesecretarytotheofficeoftheStateTribunetoleaveanorderforfiftycopiesofthepapertobedeliveredinthemorning。Morningcame，andthefiftycopies，andMr。Crewe\'spersonalcopyinaddition，werehandedtohimbythefaithfulWaterswhenheenteredhisdiningroomatanearlyhour。

Lifeisfullofdisillusions。CouldthisbetheStateTribuneheheldinhishand？TheStateTribuneofMr。PeterPardriff，whohadstoodsostanchlyforMr。Creweandbetterthings？WhohadhithertoheldthewordsoftheLeithstatesmaninsuchgoldenestimateastocurtailadvertisingcolumnswhenitwasnecessarytoprintthemforthepublicgood？

Mr。Crewe\'seyetravelledfromcolumntocolumn，frompagetopage，invain。BysomeincredibleoversightonthepartofMr。Pardriff，theringingwordswerenotthere，——nay，thesoul-stirringeventsofthateventfuldayappeared，oncloserinspection，tohavebeendeliberatelyeditedout！TheterribleindignationoftherighteousaroseasMr。Creweread(inthelegislativeproceedingsofthedaybefore)thatthePingsquitbillhadbeendiscussedbycertainmembers——ofwhomhewasone——

andpassed。Thiswasall——literallyall！IfMr。Pardriffhadlivedintheeighteenthcentury，hewouldprobablyhavereferredascasuallytotheBostonmassacreasastreetfight——whichitwas。

Profoundlydisgustedwithhumankind，——asthenoblestofuswillbeattimes，——Mr。Creweflungdownthepaper，andactuallyforgottosendthefiftycopiestohisfriends！

CHAPTERXV

THEDISTURBANCEOFJUNESEVENTH

AfterMr。SpeakerDobyhadgothisgoldwatchfromanadmiringandapparentlyreunitedHouse，andhadweptoverit，theLegislatureadjourned。ThiswasaboutthefirstofApril，thatsloppiestandwindiestofmonthsinanorthernclimate，andMr。Crewehadintended，asusual，tomakealittletripsouthwardtoaclubofwhichhewasamember。Asenseofduty，instead，tookhimtoLeith，wherehesatthroughthedaysinhisstudy，dictatingletters，poringoveragreatmapoftheStatewhichhehadhungonthewall，andscanninglongprintedlists。Ifwecouldstandbehindhim，weshouldseethatthesearewhatareknownascheck-lists，orrostersofthevotersinvarioustowns。

Mr。Crewealsohasanunusualnumberofvisitorsforthismuddyweather，whenthesnow-waterismakingbrooksoftheroads。Interestedobservers——

iftherewereany——mighthaveremarkedthathisfriendshipwithMr。

HamiltonTootinghadincreased，thatgentlemancomingupfromRiptonatleasttwiceaweek，andaidingMr。Crewetomultiplyhisacquaintancesbybringingnumerousstrangerstoseehim。Mr。Tooting，asweknow，hadabandonedthelawofficeoftheHonourableHilaryVaneandwasnowengagedintravellingovertheState，apparentlyinsearchofhealth。

Theseweresigns，surely，whichthewisemighthavereadwithprofit:intheoffices，forinstance，oftheHonourableHilaryVaneinRiptonSquare，whereseismicdisturbanceswereregistered；butthemovementoftheneedle(totheHonourableHilary\'seye)wasalmostimperceptible。

Whatobserver，howeverexperienced，wouldhavebelievedthatsuchdelicatetracingscouldheraldavolcaniceruption？

ThroughoutthemonthofApriltheneedlekeptupitspersistentregistering，andtheHonourableHilarycontinuedtosmile。TheHonourableJacobBotcher，whohadmadeatriptoRiptonandhadcitedthatverydecidedearthquakeshockofthePingsquitbill，hadbeenridiculedforhispains，andhadgoneawayagaincomfortedbycommunionwithastrongman。TheHonourableJacobhadfeltlittleshocksinhisfief:Mr。Tootinghadvisitedit，sittingwithhisfeetonthetablesofhotelwaiting-rooms，holdingprivateintercoursewithgentlemenwhohadbeendisappointedinoffice。Mr。TootinghadlikewisebeenasojournerinthedomainoftheDukeofPutnam。ButtheHonourableBrushwasnottroubled，andhadpresentedMr。Tootingwithacigar。

InspiteofthestrangeomissionoftheStateTribunetoprinthisspeechandtogivehisvictoryinthematterofthePingsquitbillproperrecognition，Mr。Crewewastoobigamantostophissubscriptiontothepaper。Consciousthathehaddonehisdutyinthatmatter，neitherpraisenorblamecouldaffecthim；andalthoughhehadnotbeenmentionedsince，hereaditassiduouslyeveryafternoonuponitsarrivalatLeith，feelingconfidentthatMr。PeterPardriff(whohadalwaysinprivateconversationproclaimedhimselfemphaticallyforreform)wouldnoteventuallyrefuse——toaprophet——publicrecognition。OneafternoontowardstheendofthatmonthofApril，whenthesunhadmadethelastsnow-driftintoapool，Mr。CrewesettledhimselfonhissouthporchandopenedtheStateTribune，andhisheartgaveaboundashiseyefelluponthefollowingheadingtotheleadingeditorial:——

AWORTHYPUBLICSERVANTFORGOVERNOR

Hadhisrewardcomeatlast？HadMr。PeterPardriffseentheerrorofhisway？Mr。Creweleisurelyfoldedbackthesheet，andcalledtohissecretary，whowasneverfardistant。

“Lookhere，“hesaid，“IguessPardriff\'srecoveredhissenses。Lookhere！“

Thetiredsecretary，readywithhispencilandnotebooktoorderfiftycopies，responded，staringoverhisemployer\'sshoulder。Ithasbeensaidofmeninbattlethattheyhavebeenshotandhaverunforwardsomehundredfeetwithoutknowingwhathashappenedtothem。AndsoMr。CrewegotfiveorsixlinesintothateditorialbeforeherealizedinfullthebasenessofMr。Pardriff\'streachery。

“Thesearetimes“(soranMr。Pardriff\'scomposition)whenthesureandsteadyinghandofastrongmanisneededatthehelmofState。Amanofconservative，businesshabitsofmind；amanwhoweighsthevalueoftraditionsequallywiththejustdemandsofanewera；amanwithaknowledgeofpublicaffairsderivedfromlongexperience；“(！！！)，amanwhohasneversoughtoffice，buthashelditbythewillofthepeople，andwhohimselfisaproofthattheconductofStateinstitutionsinthepasthasbeenjustandequitable。OnewhohasservedwithdistinctionuponsuchboardsastheRailroadCommission，theBoardofEqualization，etc。，etc。“(！！！)“AstanchRepublican，onewhoputspartybefore——“herethenewspaperbegantoshakealittle，andMr。Crewecouldnotforthemomentseewhetherthenextwordwereplaceorprinciple。Heskippedafewlines。TheTribune，itappeared，hadascintillatingidea，whichsurelymusthaveoccurredtoothersintheState。“WhynottheHonourableAdamB。HuntofEdmundtonforthenextgovernor？“

TheHonourableAdamB。HuntofEdmundton！

Itisapleasuretorecord，atthiscrisis，thatMr。CrewefixeduponhissecretaryassteadyaneyeasthoughMr。Pardriff\'sbullethadmisseditsmark。

“Getme，“hesaidcoolly，“the\'StateEncyclopaediaofProminentMen。\'“

(Justprinted。FogartyandCo。，Newcastle，publishers。)

Thesecretaryfetchedit，openatthehandsomeandlifelikesteel-

engravingoftheHonourableAdam，withhisbroadforeheadandkindly，twinklingeyes，andthetuftofbeardonhischin；withhisamplestatesman\'scoatinnaturalcreases，andhiswhiteshirt-frontandlittleblacktie。Mr。Crewegazedatthisworkofartlongandearnestly。TheHonourableAdamB。Huntdidnotintheleasthavetheappearanceofaboltfromtheblue。AndthenMr。Crewereadhisbiography。

Twothingsheshrewdlynotedaboutthatbiography；itwasplaced，outofalphabeticalorder，fourthinthebook，anditwaslongerthananyotherwithoneexceptionthatofMr。Ridout，thecapitallawyer。Mr。Ridout\'splacewassecondinthisinvaluablevolume，hebeingprecededonlybyaharmlesspatriarch。ThesefactswerelaidbeforeMr。Tooting，whowasdirectedbytelephonetocometoLeithassoonasheshouldarriveinRiptonfromhislatestexcursion。Itwasnineo\'clockatnightwhenthatlong-sufferingandmud-bespatteredindividualputinanappearanceatthedoorofhisfriend\'sstudy。

“BecauseIdidn\'tgetontoit，“answeredMr。Tooting，inresponsetoareproachfornothavingregisteredawarning——forhewasMr。Crewe\'sseismograph。IknewoldAdamvasontheRailroads\'governor\'sbench，butIhadn\'tanynotionhe\'dbeenmoveduptothetopofthebattinglist。Itoldyouright。Ridoutwasgoingtobetheirnextgovernorifyouhadn\'tsingedhimwiththePingsquitbill。Thiswasdoneprettyslick，wasn\'tit？HilarygotbackfromNewYorkdaybeforeyesterday，andPardriffhastheeditorialto-day。Say，IalwaystoldyouPardriffwasn\'tareformer，didn\'tI？“

Mr。Crewelookedpained。

“IprefertobelievethebestofpeopleuntilIknowtheworst，“hesaid。

“IdidnotthinkMr。Pardriffcapableofingratitude。“

WhatMr。Crewemeantbythisremarkisenigmatical。

“Heain\'t，“repliedMr。Tooting，“he\'sgratefulforthatredtickethecarriesaroundwithhimwhenhetravels，andhe\'sgratefultotheHonourableAdamB。Huntforfavourstocome。PeterPardriff\'sagratefulcuss，all-right，allright。“

Mr。Crewetappedhisfingersonthedeskthoughtfully。

“Theneedofareformcampaignismoreapparentthanever，“heremarked。

Mr。Tootingputhistongueinhischeek；and，seeingadreamyexpressiononhisfriend\'sface，accidentallyhelpedhimselftoacigaroutofthewrongbox。

“It\'suptoamanwithasenseofdutyandmoneytomakeit，“Mr。Tootingagreed，takingalongpullattheHavana。

“Asforthemoney，“repliedMr。Crewe，“thegoodcitizensoftheStateshouldbewillingtocontributelargely。Ihavehadalistofmenofmeansprepared，whowillreceivenoticesatthepropertime。“

Mr。HamiltonTootingspreadouthisfeet，andappearedtobestudyingthemcarefully。

“It\'sfunnyyoushouldhavementionedcash，“hesaid，afteramoment\'ssilence，“andit\'stoughonyoutohavetobethepublic-spiritedmantoputitupatthestart。I\'vegotalittlememorandumhere，“headded，fumblingapologeticallyinhispocket；“itcertainlycostssomethingtomovetheboysaroundandkeep\'emindignant。“

Mr。Tootingputthepaperontheedgeofthedesk，andMr。Crewe，withoutlooking，reachedouthishandforit，thepainedexpressionreturningtohisface。

“Tooting，“hesaid，“you\'vegotaveryflippantwayofspeakingofseriousthings。Itstrikesmethattheseexpensesareoutofallproportiontothesimplicityofthetaskinvolved。Itstrikesme——ahemthatyoumightfind，insomequartersatleast，afreerresponsetoamovementfoundedonprinciple。“

“That\'sright，“declaredMr。Tooting，“I\'vethoughtsomyself。I\'vegotmad，andtold\'emsototheirfaces。Butyou\'vesaidyourself，Mr。

Crewe，thatwe\'vegottodealwiththisthingpractically。“

“Certainly，“Mr。Creweinterrupted。Helovedtheword。

“Andwe\'vegottogetworkers，haven\'twe？Anditcostsmoneytomove\'emround，don\'tit？Wehaven\'tgotabushelbasketofpasses。Lookhere，“andhepushedanotherpaperatMr。Crewe，“here\'stennewoneswho\'vemadeuptheirmindsthatyou\'rethefinestmanintheState。Thatmakestwenty。“

Mr。Crewetookthatpaperdeprecatingly，butneverthelessbeganafireofcross-questionsonMr。Tootingastothepersonality，habits，andoccupationsofthediscerningteninquestion，makingcertainlittlemarksofhisownagainsteachname。ThusitwillbeseenthatMr。Creweknewperfectlywhathewasabout——althoughnooneelsedidexceptMr。

Tooting，whomerelylookedmysteriouswhenquestionedonthestreetsofRiptonorNewcastleorKingston。Itwasgenerallysupposed，however，thatthegentlemanfromLeithwasgoingtorunfortheStateSenate，andwasattemptingtogetafollowinginothercounties，inordertopushthroughhismeasuresnexttime。HencethetinyfluctuationsofHilaryVane\'sseismographaninstrument，aswillbeshown，utterlyout-of-date。

Notsothemottotoujoursl\'audace。Geniusescontinue(atlongintervals)tobeborn，andtoliveuptothatmotto。

ThatseismographoftheHonourableHilary\'spersistedintracingonlyaslightlyraggedlinethroughoutthebeautifulmonthofMay，inwhichfavourableseasonthecampaignoftheHonourableAdamB。Hunttookrootandflourished——apparentlyfromtheseedplantedbytheStateTribune。

Theground，asusual，hadbeencarefullyprepared，andtrainedgardenersraked，andwatered，andweededthepatch。IthadbeendecreedandcountersignedthattheHonourableAdamB。Huntwastheflowerthatwastogrowthisyear。

TheremustbesomethingvitallywrongwithaninstrumentwhichfailedtoregisterthegreatearthquakeshockofJunetheseventh！

Nowthatwehavecometothepointwherethisshockistoberecordedonthesepages，webegintodoubtwhetherourownpenwillbeableadequatelytoregisterit，andwhetherthesheetislongenoughandbroadenoughuponwhichtoportraytherelativeimportanceofthedisturbancecreated。Thetroubleis，thatthereisnothingtomeasureitby。WhatothereventinthehistoryoftheStateproducedthevexationofspirit，theanger，thetears，theprofanity；thederision，thelaughteroffools，thecontempt；thehope，theglee，theprayers，theawe，thedumbamazementatthesuperbcourageofthisact？No，forajustcomparisonweshallhavetoreachbacktohistoryandfable:DavidandGoliath；

TheseusandtheMinotaur；or，betterstill，CadmusandtheDragon！ItwasCadmus(ifwerememberrightly)whowastednotimewhatever，butactuallyjumpeddownthedragon\'sthroatandcuthimupfromtheinside！

AnditwasCadmus，likewise，whoafterwardssowedthedragon\'steeth。

ThatwondrousclearandfreshsummermorningofJunetheseventhwillnotbeforgottenformanyyears。ThetreeswereintheirearlyleafinRiptonSquare，andthedarkpinepatchesonSawaneclooked(fromAusten\'slittleoffice)likecloudshadowsagainsttheshimmerofthetendergreen。Hesatathistable，whichwascoveredwithopenlaw-booksandpapers，buthiseyeswereonthedistantmountain，andeveryscent-ladenbreezewaftedinathisopenwindowseemedthebearerofatremulous，wistful，yetimperiousmessage——“Come！“ThroughoutthechangingseasonsSawaneccalledtohiminwordsoflove:sometimesherfacewashiddenbycloudandfogandyetheheardhervoice！Sometimesherperfumeasto-day——madehimdream；sometimes，whenthewesternheavenswerefloodedwiththegoldenlightoftheinfinite，sheveiledherselfinmagicpurple，whentogazeatherwasanexquisiteagony，andshebecameasoneforbiddentoman。Thoughhissoulcriedouttoheracrossthespaces，shewasnotforhim。Shewasnotforhim！

Withasighheturnedtohislaw-booksagain，andsatforawhilestaringsteadfastlyatasectionofthe\'ActofConsolidationoftheNortheasternRailroads\'whichhehadstumbledonthatmorning。Thesection，ifhereaditsmeaningaright，wasfraughtwiththegravestconsequencesfortheNortheasternRailroads；ifhereaditsmeaningaright，theNortheasternRailroadshadbeenviolatingitpersistentlyformanyyearsandwereliableforunknownsumsindamages。Thediscoveryofithaddazedhim，andtheconsequencesresultingfromasuccessfulsuitunderthesectionwouldbesogreatthathehadsearcheddiligently，thoughinvain，forsomemodificationofitsinceitsenactment。Whyhadnotsomeonediscovereditbefore？Thisqueryappearedtobeunanswerable，untilthesimple——thoughnonethelessremarkable——solutioncametohim，thatperhapsnodefiniteoccasionhadhithertoarisenforseekingit。

UndoubtedlytheRailroads\'attorneysmustknowofitsexistence——hisownfather，HilaryVane，havingbeeninstrumentalindrawinguptheAct。AndalongperiodhadelapsedunderwhichtheNortheasternRailroadshadbeenalawuntothemselves。

ThediscoverywasofgraveimporttoAusten。Amonthbefore，chieflythroughtheeffortsofhisfriend，Tom，whowasgraduallytakinghisfather\'splaceintheGaylordLumberCompany，Austenhadbeenappointedjuniorcounselforthatcorporation。TheHonourableGalushaHammerstillremainedtheseniorcounsel，butwasnowconfinedinhishouseatNewcastlebyanillnesswhichmadetheprobabilityofhisreturntoactivelifeextremelydoubtful；andTomhadrepeatedlydeclaredthatintheeventofhisnon-recoveryAustenshouldhaveMr。Hammer\'splace。AscounselfortheGaylordLumberCompany，itwasclearlyhisdutytocalltheattentionofyoungMr。Gaylordtothesection；andincaseMr。Hammerdidnotresumehislawpractice，itwouldfalluponAustenhimselftobringthesuit。HisopponentinthismatterwouldbehisownfatherTheconsequencesofthisculminatingconflictbetweenthem，thecomingofwhichhehadlongdreaded——althoughhehadnotforeseenitsspecificcause——weighedheavilyuponAusten。ItwasTomGaylordhimselfwhoabruptlyarousedhimfromhisreverybyburstinginatthedoor。

“Haveyouheardwhat\'sup？“hecried，flingingdownanewspaperbeforeAusten\'seyes。“HaveyouseentheGuardian？“

“What\'sthematternow，Tom？“

“Matter！“exclaimedTom；“readthat。Yourfriendandclient，theHonourableHumphreyCrewe，isoutforgovernor。“

“HumphreyCreweforgovernor！“

“Onananti-railroadplatform。ImighthaveknownsomethingofthekindwasupwhenhebegantoassociatewithTooting，andfromthewayhespoketomeinMarch。Butwho\'dhavethoughthe\'dhavethecheektocomeoutforgovernor？Didyoueverhearofsuchtommyrot？“

Austenlookedgrave。

“I\'mnotsureit\'ssuchtommyrot，“hesaid。

“Nottommyrot？“Tomejaculated。“Everybody\'slaughing。WhenIpassedtheHonourableHilary\'sdoorjustnow，BrushBascomandsomeoftheoldlinerswerethere，recitingpartsoftheproclamation，andtheboysdownintheRiptonHousearehavingthetimeoftheirlives。“

AustentooktheGuardian，andthere，sureenough，fillingaleadingcolumn，andinalittlecoarsertypethantherestofthepage，heread:

DOWNWITHRAILROADRULE！

TheHonourableHumphreyCreweofLeith，attherequestoftwentyprominentcitizens，consentstobecomeacandidatefortheRepublicanNominationforGovernor。

Ringingletterofacceptance，inwhichhedenouncesthepoliticalpoweroftheNortheasternRailroads，anddeclaresthattheStateisgovernedfromagildedsuiteofofficesinNewPork。

“Thefollowingletter，evincingasitdoesapublicopinionthoroughlyarousedinallpartsoftheStateagainstthepresentdisgracefulpoliticalconditions，speaksforitself。ThestandingandcharacterofitssignersgiveitastatuswhichRepublicanvoterscannotignore。“

Theletterfollowed。ItprayedMr。Crewe，inthenameofdecencyandgoodgovernment，tocarrythestandardofhonestmentovictory。ToolonghadaproudandsovereignStatewrithedundertheheelofanall-

devouringcorporation！ToolonghadtheNortheasternRailroadselected，fortheirownselfishends，governorsandlegislaturesandcontrolledrailroadcommissionsThespiritof1776wasabroadintheland。ItwaseminentlyfittingthattheHonourableHumphreyCreweofLeith，whohaddaredtoflingdownthegauntletinthefaceofanarrogantpower，shouldbetheleaderoftheplainpeople，torecovertherightswhichhadbeenwrestedfromthem。Hadhenotgiventhehighestproofthathehadthepeople\'sinterestsatheart？Hewasclearlyamanwho“didthings。“

AtthispointAustenlookedupandsmiled。

“Tom，“heasked，“hasitstruckyouthatthisiswritteninthesameinimitablestyleasapartofthemessageoftheHonourableAsaGray？“

Tomslappedhisknee。

“That\'sexactlywhatIsaidI！“hecried。“Tootingwroteit。I\'llsweartoit。“

“Andthetwentyprominentcitizens——doyouknowanyof\'em，Tom？“

“Well，“saidTom，indelightedappreciation，“I\'veheardofthreeof\'em，andthat\'smorethananymanI\'vemetcanboastof。EdDuboiscutsmyhairwhenIgotoKingston。Hecertainlyisaprominentcitizeninthefourthward。JimKendallrunstheweeklynewspaperinGrantley——I

understooditwasforsale。BillClementsisprominentenoughupatGroveton。Hewantedatrolleyfranchisesomeyearsago，youremember。“

“Anddidn\'tgetit。“

Mr。Crewe\'sanswerwascharacteristicallyterseandbusinesslike。Theoverwhelmingcomplimentofarequestfromsuchgentlemenmustbetreatedinthenatureofacommand——andyethehadhesitatedforseveralweeks，duringwhichperiodhehadcastaboutforanothermoreworthyofthehonour。Thenfollowedasomewhattechnicaland(tothelaymind)obscurerecapitulationoftheiniquitiestheNortheasternwascommitting，whichprovedbeyondperadventurethatMr。Creweknewwhathewastalkingabout；

suchphrasesas““rollingstock，““milkingtheroad“——animposingarrayoffactsandfigures。Mr。Crewemadeitplainthathewasamanwho“didthings。“AndifitwerethewillofHeaventhathebecamegovernor，certainmaterialbenefitswouldasinevitablyensueasthedayfollowsthenight。Thelistofthematerialbenefits，forwhichtherewasacryingneed，boreastrongresemblancetoasummaryoftheworthymeasuresuponwhichMr。CrewehadspentsomuchtimeandlabourinthelastLegislature。

Austenlaiddownthepaper，leanedbackinhischair，andthrusthishandsinhispockets，andwithalittleverticalpuckerinhisforehead，regardedhisfriend。

“Whatdoyouthinkofthat？“Tomdemanded。“Now，whatdoyouthinkofit？“

“Ithink，“saidAusten，“thathe\'llscarethelifeoutoftheNortheasternbeforehegetsthroughwiththem。“

“What！“exclaimedTom，incredulously。HehadalwaysbeenwillingtoacceptAusten\'sjudgmentonmenandaffairs，butthiswasprettystiff。

“Whatmakesyouthinkso？“

“Well，peopledon\'tknowMr。Crewe，foronething。AndtheyarebeginningtohaveaglimmeroflightupontheRailroad。“

“Doyoumeantosayhehasachanceforthenomination？“

“Idon\'tknow。Itdependsuponhowmuchthevotersfindoutabouthimbeforetheconvention。“

Tomsatdownratherheavily。

“Youcouldhavebeengovernor，“hecomplainedreproachfully，“byraisingyourhand。You\'vegotmoreabilitythananymanintheState，andyousitheregazin\'atthatmountainandlettin\'adarnedfoolmillionairewalkinaheadofyou。“

AustenroseandcrossedovertoMr。Gaylord\'schair，and，hishandsstillinhispockets，lookeddownthoughtfullyintothatgentleman\'ssquareandruggedface。

“Tom，“hesaid，“there\'snousediscussingthisdelusionofyours，whichseemstobetheonlyflawinanotherwisesanecharacter。Wemusttrytokeepitfromtheworld。“

Tomlaughedinspiteofhimself。

“I\'mhangedifIunderstandyou，“hedeclared，“butIneverdid。YouthinkCreweandTootingmaycarryoffthegovernorship，andyoudon\'tseemtocare。“

“Idocare，“saidAusten，briefly。Hewenttothewindowandstoodforamomentwithhisbacktohisfriend，staringacrossatSawanec。Tomhadlearnedbylongexperiencetorespectthesemoods，althoughtheyweretohiminexplicable。AtlengthAustenturned。

“Tom，“hesaid，“canyoucomeinto-morrowaboutthistime？Ifyoucan\'t，I\'llgotoyourofficeifyouwillletmeknowwhenyou\'llbein。

There\'samatterofbusinessIwanttotalktoyouabout。“

Tompulledouthiswatch。

“I\'vegottocatchatrainforMercer，“hereplied，“butIwillcomeininthemorningandseeyou。“

AquarterofanhourlaterAustenwentdownthenarrowwoodenflightofstairsintothestreet，andasheemergedfromtheentryalmostbumpedintothefigureofayoungmanthatwashurryingby。Hereachedoutandgraspedtheyoungmanbythecollar，pullinghimupsoshortasalmosttochokehim。

“Hullygee！“criedtheyoungmanwhoseprogresshadbeensorudelyarrested。“Greatsnakes！“(Acough。)“What\'reyoutryin\'todo？Oh，“

(apologetically)“it\'syou，Aust。Letmego。Thisdayain\'tlongenoughforme。Letmego。“

AustenkepthisgripandregardedMr。Tootingthoughtfully。

“Iwanttospeaktoyou，Ham，“hesaid；“bettercomeupstairs。“

“Say，Aust，onthedead，Ihaven\'ttime。Pardriff\'swaitin\'forsomecopynow。“

“Justforaminute，Ham，“saidAusten；“Iwon\'tkeepyoulong。“

“Leggomycollar，then，ifyoudon\'twanttochokeme。Say，Idon\'tbelieveyouknowhowstrongyouare。“

“Ididn\'tknowyouworeacollaranymore，Ham，“saidAusten。

Mr。Tootinggrinnedinappreciationofthisjoke。

“Youmustthinkyou\'vegotoneofyourWildWestnecktiepartieson，“hegasped。“I\'llcome。Butifyouloveme，don\'tlettheboysinHilary\'sofficeseeme。“

“Theyusetheotherentry，“answeredAusten，indicatingthatMr。Tootingshouldgoupfirst——whichhedid。WhentheyreachedtheofficeAustenshutthedoor，andstoodwithhisbackagainstit，regardingMr。Tootingthoughtfully。

AtfirstMr。Tootingreturnedthelookwithinterestswagger——aggressionwouldbetooemphatic，anddefiancewouldnotdo。Hiswastheair，perhaps，ofTalleyrandwhenhesaid，“Thereseemstobeaninexplicablesomethinginmethatbringsbadlucktogovernmentsthatneglectme:“theairofamanwhohasmadeabrilliantcoupd\'etat。Alldayhehadwornthatair——sincefiveo\'clockinthemorning，whenhehadsprungfromhispallet。TheworldmightnowbeholdthestuffthatwasinHamiltonTooting。Powerflowedoutofhisrighthandfromaninexhaustiblereservoirwhichhehadhadthesagacitytotap，andmenleapedintoactionathistouch。He，theonce，neglected，hadthedestinyofaStateinhiskeeping。

Gradually，however，itbecameforsomestrangereasondifficulttomaintainthataggressivestareuponAustenVane，whoshookhisheadslowly。

“Ham，whydidyoudoit？“heasked。

“Why？“criedMr。Tooting，fiercelybitingbackatreasonablesmile。“Whynot？Ain\'thethebestmanintheStatetomakeawinner？Hasn\'thegotthemoney，andthebrains，andtheget-up-and-git？Why，it\'sasurething。I\'vebeenaroundtheState，andIknowthesentiment。We\'vegot\'emlicked，rightnow。Whathaveyougotagainstit？You\'reonourside，Aust。“

“Ham，“saidAusten，“areyousureyouhavethenamesandaddressesofthosetwentyprominentcitizensright，sothatanyvotermaygooutandfind\'em？“

“Whatareyoukiddingabout，Aust？“retortedMr。Tooting，bitingbackthesmileagain。“Say，younevergetdowntobusinesswithme。Youdon\'tblameCreweforcomin\'out，doyou？“

“Idon\'tseehowMr。Crewecouldhaveresistedsuchanoverwhelmingdemand，“saidAusten。“Hecouldn\'tshirksuchaduty。Hesayssohimself，doesn\'the？“

“Oh，goon！“exclaimedMr。Tooting，whowasnotabletorepressagrin。

“TheletterofthetwentymusthavebeenagreatsurprisetoMr。Crewe。

Hesayshewasastonished。DidthewholedelegationgouptoLeith，oronlyacommittee？“

Mr。Tooting\'sgrinhadbythistimespreadalloverhisface——afloodbeyondhiscontrol。

“Well，there\'snousepuffin\'itonwithyou，Aust。Thatwasdoneprettyslick，thattwenty-prominent-citizenbusiness，ifIdosayitmyself。

Butyoudon\'tknowthatfellerCrewe——he\'safull-sizecyclonewhenhegetsstarted，andnothin\'butarangeofmountainscouldstophim。“

“Itmustbefairlyexcitingto——ridehim，Ham。“

“Say，butitjustis。Kindofbreathless，though。Heain\'tverywellknownaroundtheState，andhewasboundtorun——andIjustcouldn\'tlethimcomeoutwithoutanyclotheson。“

“Iquiteappreciateyourdelicacy，Ham。“

Mr。Tooting\'sfacetookononcemoreasheepishlook，whichchangedalmostimmediatelytooneofdisquietude。

“Say，I\'llcomebackagainsomedayandkidwithyou。I\'vegottogo，Aust——that\'sstraight。Thisismybusyday。“

“Wouldn\'tyougainsometimeifyouleftbythewindow？“Austenasked。

AtthissuggestionMr。Tooting\'sexpressivecountenanceshowedgenuinealarm。

“Say，youain\'tgoingtoputupanyWildWesttricksonme，areyou？I

heardyounearlyflungTomGaylordoutoftheoneintheotherroom。“

“Ifthiswerealesscivilizedplace，Ham，I\'dinitiateyouintowhatisknownasthebulletdance。Asitis，Ihaveagreatmindtospeedyouonyourwaybyassistingyoudownstairs。“

Mr。HamiltonTootingbecameashypale。

“Ihaven\'tdoneanythingtoyou，Aust。Say——youdidn\'t——？“Hedidnotfinish。

TerrifiedbysomethinginAusten\'seye，whichmayormaynothavebeenthereatthetimeoftheBlodgettincident，Mr。Tootingfledwithoutcompletinghisinquiry。And，hisimaginationbeinggreat，hereproducedforhimselfsuchavividsensationofabullet-holeinhisspinethathemissedhisfootingnearthebottom，andmeasuredhislengthintheentry。

SucharethehumiliatingexperienceswhichsometimesbefalltheTalleyrands——butrarelycreepintotheirbiographies。

Austen，fromthetopofthestairway，sawthiscatastrophe，butdidnotsmile。Heturnedonhisheel，andmadehiswayslowlyaroundthecornerofthepassageintotheotherpartofthebuilding，andpausedattheopendoorwayoftheHonourableHilary\'souteroffice。BythestreetwindowssattheHonourableBrushBascom，sphinx-like，absorbingwisdomandcloudsofcigarsmokewhichemanatedfromtheHonourableNatBillings。

“Howdy，Austen？“saidBrush，genially，lookin\'fortheHonourableHilary？

FlintgotupfromNewYorkthismorning，andsentforhimacoupleofhoursago。He\'llbebackattwo。“

“Haveyoureadthepronunciamento？“inquiredMr。Billings。“Say，Austen，knowin\'yoursentiments，Iwonderyouweren\'toneofthetwentyprominentcitizens。“

“Allyouanti-railroadfellersoughttogettogether，“Mr。Bascomsuggested；“you\'vegotusterrifiedsinceyourfriendfromLeithturnedthelightofpublicityonusthismorning。IhearHamTooting\'sbeeninandmadeyouanoffer。“

NewstravelsfastinRipton。

“Austenkickedhimdownstairs，“saidJimmyTowle，theofficeboy，whohadmadeabreathlessentranceduringtheconversation，andfeltittobethepsychologicalmomenttogiveventtothenewswithwhichhewasbursting。

“Isthatstraight？“Mr。Billingsdemanded。Hewishedhehaddoneithimself。“Isthatstraight？“herepeated，butAustenhadgone。

“Ofcourseit\'sstraight，“saidJimmyTowle，vigorously。Ashrewdobserverofhumannature，hehadlittlerespectforSenatorBillings。

“NedJohnsonsawhimpickhimselfupatthefootofAusten\'sstairway。“

TheHonourableBrush\'sagateeyescaughtthelight，andheaddressedMr。

Billingsinavoicewhich，bydintoflongtraining，onlycarriedafewfeet。

“There\'sthemantheNortheastern\'sgottolookoutfor，“hesaid。“TheHumphreyCrewesdon\'tcount。ButifAustenVaneevergetsstarted，there\'llbetrouble。OldmanFlint\'sgotsomesuchideaasthat，too。I

overheardhimgivin\'ittooldHilaryonce，upatFairview，andHilarysaidhecouldn\'tcontrolhim。Iguessnobodyelsecancontrolhim。I

wishI\'dseenhimkickHamdownstairs。“

“I\'dliketokickhimdownstairs，“saidMr。Billings，savagelybitingoffanothercigar。

“Iguessyouhadn\'tbettertryit，Nat，“saidMr。Bascom。

MeanwhileAustenhadreturnedtohisownoffice，andshutthedoor。Hisluncheonhourcameandwent，andstillhesatbytheopenwindowgazingoutacrosstheteemingplain，andupthegreenvalleywhencetheBluecamesingingfromthehighlands。InspirithefollowedthewatertoLeith，andbeyond，whereitswunginawidecirclearidhurriedbetweenwondroushillslikethoseinthebackgroundsoftheoldItalians:hillsofclose-croppedpastures，dottedwithshapelysentineloaksandmapleswhichcastsharp，roundedshadowsontheslopesatnoonday；withthinfantasticelmsonthegentlesky-lines，andforestsmassedhereandthere——silent，impenetrablehillsfromastory-bookofalandofmystery。

Therivercoursedbetweenthemonitsrockybed，flingingitsmyriadgemstothesun。ThiswastheValeoftheBlue，andshehadtoucheditwithmeaningforhim，andgone。

Hedrewfromhiscoatawornpocket-book，andfromthepocket-bookaletter。ItwasdatedinNewYorkinFebruary，andthoughheknewitbyhearthefoundastrangesolaceinthepainwhichitgavehimtorereadit。Hestaredatthemonogramonthepaper，whichseemedsoemblematicofher；forhehadoftenreflectedthatherthings——evensuchminuteinsigniaasthis——belongedtoher。Sheimpressedthemnotonlywithhertaste，butwithhercharacter。Theentwinedletters，Y。F。，ofthedesignwerenot，hethought，ofameaningless，frivolousdaintiness，butstoodforsomething。Thenhereadthenoteagain。Itwasonlyanote。

“MYDEARMR。VANE:Ihavecomebacktofindmymotherill，andIamtakinghertoFrance。Wearesailing，unexpectedly，to-morrow，therebeingadifficultyaboutapassagelater。IcannotrefrainfromsendingyoualinebeforeIgototellyouthatIdidyouaninjustice。YouwillnodoubtthinkitstrangethatIshouldwritetoyou，butIshallbetroubleduntilitisoffmymind。Iamashamedtohavebeensostupid。IthinkIknownowwhyyouwouldnotconsenttobeacandidate，andIrespectyouforit。

Sincerelyyourfriend，“VICTORIAFLINT。“