第7章

Inconversationhealwaysappearedtodescendonlyhalfwaydownalongmoralandintellectualstaircase，andalwaysdeliveredhisconclusionsoverthebalusters。

Ihadbeenspeakingofmyfriend，theTramp。"Thereisbutonewayoftreatingthatclassofimpostors；itissimplytorecognizethefactthatthelawcallshima’vagrant，’andmakeshistradeamisdemeanor。Anysentimentontheothersiderendersyouparticepscriminis。Idon’tknowbutanactionwouldlieagainstyouforencouragingtramps。Now，Ihaveanefficaciouswayofdealingwiththesegentry。"Heroseandtookadouble-barreledfowling-piecefromthechimney。"Whenatrampappearsonmyproperty，Iwarnhimoff。Ifhepersists，Ifireonhim——asIwouldonanycriminaltrespasser。"

"Fireonhim？"Iechoedinalarm。

"Yes——BUTWITHPOWDERONLY！OfcourseHEdoesn’tknowthat。Buthedoesn’tcomeback。"

Itstruckmeforthefirsttimethatpossiblymanyotherofmyfriend’sargumentsmightbeonlyblankcartridges，andusedtofrightenoffothertrespassingintellects。

"Ofcourse，ifthetrampstillpersisted，Iwouldbejustifiedinusingshot。LasteveningIhadavisitfromone。Hewascomingoverthewall。Myshotgunwasefficacious；youshouldhaveseenhimrun！"

Itwasuselesstoarguewithsopositiveamind，andIdroppedthesubject。AfterbreakfastIstrolledoverthedowns，myfriendpromisingtojoinmeassoonashearrangedsomehouseholdbusiness。

Itwasalovely，peacefulmorning，notunlikethedaywhenIfirstmetmyfriend，theTramp。Thehushofagreatbenedictionlayonlandandsea。Afewwhitesailstwinkledafar，butsleepily；oneortwolargeshipswerecreepinginlazily，likemyfriend，theTramp。Avoicebehindmestartledme。

Myhosthadrejoinedme。Hisface，however，lookedalittletroubled。

"Ijustnowlearnedsomethingofimportance，"hebegan。"ItappearsthatwithallmyprecautionsthatTramphasvisitedmykitchen，andtheservantshaveentertainedhim。Yesterdaymorning，itappears，whileIwasabsent，hehadtheaudacitytoborrowmyguntogoduck-shooting。Attheendoftwoorthreehourshereturnedwithtwoducksand——thegun。"

"Thatwas，atleast，honest。"

"Yes——but！Thatfoolofagirlsaysthat，ashehandedbackthegun，hetoldheritwasallright，andthathehadloadeditupagaintosavethemastertrouble。"

IthinkIshowedmyconcerninmyface，forheadded，hastily："Itwasonlyduck-shot；afewwouldn’thurthim！"

Nevertheless，webothwalkedoninsilenceforamoment。"I

thoughtthegunkickedalittle，"hesaidatlast，musingly；"buttheideaof——Hallo！what’sthis？"

HestoppedbeforethehollowwhereIhadfirstseenmyTramp。Itwasdeserted，butonthemossestherewerespotsofbloodandfragmentsofanoldgown，blood-stained，asifusedforbandages。

Ilookedatitclosely：itwasthegownintendedfortheconsumptivewifeofmyfriend，theTramp。

Butmyhostwasalreadynervouslytrackingthebloodstainsthatonrock，moss，andboulderweresteadilyleadingtowardthesea。WhenIovertookhimatlastontheshore，hewasstandingbeforeaflatrock，onwhichlayabundleIrecognized，tiedupinahandkerchief，andacrookedgrape-vinestick。

"Hemayhavecomeheretowashhiswounds——saltisastyptic，"saidmyhost，whohadrecoveredhiscorrectprecisionofstatement。

Isaidnothing，butlookedtowardthesea。Whateversecretlayhidinitsbreast，itkeptitfast。Whateveritscalmeyeshadseenthatsummernight，itgavenoreflectionnow。Itlaytherepassive，imperturbable，andreticent。Butmyfriend，theTramp，wasgone！

THEMANFROMSOLANO

Hecametowardmeoutofanoperalobby，betweentheacts，——afigureasremarkableasanythingintheperformance。Hisclothes，notwoarticlesofwhichwereofthesamecolor，hadtheappearanceofhavingbeenpurchasedandputononlyanhourortwobefore，——afactmoredirectlyestablishedbytheclothes-dealer’sticketwhichstilladheredtohiscoat-collar，givingthenumber，size，andgeneraldimensionsofthatgarmentsomewhatobtrusivelytoanuninterestedpublic。Histrousershadastraightlinedowneachleg，asifhehadbeenbornflatbuthadsincedeveloped；andtherewasanothercreasedownhisback，likethosefigureschildrencutoutoffoldedpaper。Imayaddthattherewasnoconsciousnessofthisinhisface，whichwasgood-natured，and，butforacertainsquarenessintheangleofhislowerjaw，utterlyuninterestingandcommonplace。

"Youdisrememberme，"hesaid，briefly，asheextendedhishand，"butI’mfromSolano，inCaliforny。Imetyouthereinthespringof’57。Iwastendin’sheep，andyouwasburnin’charcoal。"

Therewasnottheslightesttraceofanyintentionalrudenessinthereminder。Itwassimplyastatementoffact，andassuchtobeaccepted。

"WhatIhailedyeforwasonlythis，"hesaid，afterIhadshakenhandswithhim。"Isawyouaminnitagostandin’overinyonbox——

chirpin’withalady——ayounglady，peartandpretty。Mightyoubetellingmehername？"

Igavehimthenameofacertainnotedbelleofaneighboringcity，whohadlatelystirredtheheartsofthemetropolis，andwhowasespeciallyadmiredbythebrilliantandfascinatingyoungDashboard，whostoodbesideme。

TheManfromSolanomusedforamoment，andthensaid，"Thet’sso！

thet’sthename！It’sthesamegal！"

"Youhavemether，then？"Iasked，insurprise。

"Ye-es，"heresponded，slowly："Imetheraboutfowermonthsago。

She’dbinmakin’atourofCalifornywithsomefriends，andIfirstsawheraboardthecarsthissideofReno。Shelostherbaggage-

checks，andIfoundthemonthefloorandgave’embacktoher，andshethankedme。Ireckonnowitwouldbeaboutthesquarethingtogoovertharandsorterrecognizeher。"Hestoppedamoment，andlookedatusinquiringly。

"Mydearsir，"struckinthebrilliantandfascinatingDashboard，"ifyourhesitationproceedsfromanydoubtastotheproprietyofyourattire，Ibegyoutodismissitfromyourmindatonce。Thetyrannyofcustom，itistrue，compelsyourfriendandmyselftodresspeculiarly，butIassureyounothingcouldbefinerthanthewaythattheolivegreenofyourcoatmeltsinthedelicateyellowofyourcravat，orthepearlgrayofyourtrousersblendswiththebrightblueofyourwaistcoat，andlendsadditionalbrilliancytothatmassiveoroidewatch-chainwhichyouwear。"

Tomysurprise，theManfromSolanodidnotstrikehim。HelookedattheironicalDashboardwithgraveearnestness，andthensaidquietly：——

"ThenIreckonyouwouldn’tmindshowin’meinthar？"

Dashboardwas，Iadmit，alittlestaggeredatthis。Butherecoveredhimself，and，bowingironically，ledthewaytothebox。

IfollowedhimandtheManfromSolano。

Now，thebelleinquestionhappenedtobeagentlewoman——descendedfromgentlewomen——andafterDashboard’sironicalintroduction，inwhichtheManfromSolanowasnotspared，shecomprehendedthesituationinstantly。ToDashboard’ssurpriseshedrewachairtoherside，madetheManfromSolanositdown，quietlyturnedherbackonDashboard，andinfullviewofthebrilliantaudienceandthefocusofahundredlorgnettes，enteredintoconversationwithhim。

Here，forthesakeofromance，Ishouldliketosayhebecameanimated，andexhibitedsometraitofexcellence，——somerarewitorsolidsense。Butthefactishewasdullandstupidtothelastdegree。Hepersistedinkeepingtheconversationuponthesubjectofthelostbaggage-checks，andeverybrightattemptoftheladytodiverthimfailedsignally。Atlast，toeverybody’srelief，herose，andleaningoverherchair，said：——

"Icalklatetostopoverheresometime，miss，andyouandmebein’

sorterstrangershere，maybewhenthere’sanyshowlikethisgoin’

onyou’llletme——"

MissX。saidsomewhathastilythatthemultiplicityofherengagementsandthebrieflimitofherstayinNewYorkshefearedwould，etc。，etc。Thetwootherladieshadtheirhandkerchiefsovertheirmouths，andwerestaringintentlyonthestage，whentheManfromSolanocontinued：——

"Then，maybe，miss，wheneverthereisashowgoin’onthatyou’llattend，you’lljustdropmewordtoEarle’sHotel，tothisyeraddress，"andhepulledfromhispocketadozenwell-wornletters，andtakingthebuffenvelopefromone，handedittoherwithsomethinglikeabow。

"Certainly，"brokeinthefacetiousDashboard，"MissX。goestotheCharityBallto-morrownight。TheticketsarebutatrifletoanopulentCalifornian，andamanofyourevidentmeans，andtheobjectaworthyone。Youwill，nodoubt，easilysecureaninvitation。"

MissX。raisedherhandsomeeyesforamomenttoDashboard。"Byallmeans，"shesaid，turningtotheManfromSolano；"andasMr。

Dashboardisoneofthemanagersandyouareastranger，hewill，ofcourse，sendyouacomplimentaryticket。IhaveknownMr。

Dashboardlongenoughtoknowthatheisinvariablycourteoustostrangersandagentleman。"Shesettledherselfinherchairagainandfixedhereyesuponthestage。

TheManfromSolanothankedtheManofNewYork，andthen，aftershakinghandswitheverybodyinthebox，turnedtogo。WhenhehadreachedthedoorhelookedbacktoMissX。，andsaid，——

"ItWASoneofthequeerestthingsintheworld，miss，thatmyfindin’themchecks——"

Butthecurtainhadjustthenrisenonthegardenscenein"Faust，"

andMissX。wasabsorbed。TheManfromSolanocarefullyshuttheboxdoorandretired。Ifollowedhim。

Hewassilentuntilhereachedthelobby，andthenhesaid，asifrenewingapreviousconversation，"SheISamightypeartgal——

that’sso。She’sjustmykind，andwillmakeastavin’goodwife。"

IthoughtIsawdangeraheadfortheManfromSolano，soIhastenedtotellhimthatshewasbesetbyattentions，thatshecouldhaveherpickandchoiceofthebestofsociety，andfinally，thatshewas，mostprobably，engagedtoDashboard。

"That’sso，"hesaidquietly，withouttheslightesttraceoffeeling。"Itwouldbemightyqueerifshewasn’t。ButIreckonI’llsteerdowntotheho-tel。Idon’tcaremuchforthisyellin’。"（Hewasalludingtoacadenzaofthatfamouscantatrice，SignoraBattiBatti。）"What’sthetime？"

Hepulledouthiswatch。Itwassuchaglaringchain，soobviouslybogus，thatmyeyeswerefascinatedbyit。"You’relookingatthatwatch，"hesaid；"it’spurtytolookat，butshedon’tgoworthacent。Andyetherpricewas$125，gold。IgobbledherupinChathamStreetdaybeforeyesterday，wheretheywereselling’emverycheapatauction。"

"Youhavebeenoutrageouslyswindled，"Isaid，indignantly。"Watchandchainarenotworthtwentydollars。"

"Aretheyworthfifteen？"heasked，gravely。

"Possibly。"

"ThenIreckonit’safairtrade。Yesee，Itold’emIwasaCalifornianfromSolano，andhadn’tanythingaboutmeofgreenbacks。Ihadthreeslugswithme。Yerememberthemslugs？"

（Idid；the"slug"wasa"token"issuedintheearlydays——ahexagonalpieceofgoldalittleovertwicethesizeofatwenty-

dollargoldpiece——worthandacceptedforfiftydollars。）

"Well，Ihandedthemthat，andtheyhandedmethewatch。YouseethemslugsIhadmademyselfouterbrassfilingsandironpyrites，andusedtoslap’emdownontheboysforabluffinagameofdrawpoker。Yousee，notbeingreg’largov-mentmoney，itwasn’tcounterfeiting。Ireckontheycostme，countingtimeandanxiety，aboutfifteendollars。So，ifthisyerwatchisworththat，it’saboutasquaregame，ain’tit？"

IbegantounderstandtheManfromSolano，andsaiditwas。Hereturnedhiswatchtohispocket，toyedplayfullywiththechain，andremarked，"Kindermakesamanlookfash’nableandwealthy，don’tit？"

Iagreedwithhim。"Butwhatdoyouintendtodohere？"Iasked。

"Well，I’vegotacashcapitalofnighonsevenhundreddollars。I

guessuntilIgetintoreg’larbusinessI’llskirmishroundWallStreet，andsorterlaylow。"Iwasabouttogivehimafewwordsofwarning，butIrememberedhiswatch，anddesisted。Weshookhandsandparted。

AfewdaysafterImethimonBroadway。Hewasattiredinanothernewsuit，butIthinkIsawaslightimprovementinhisgeneralappearance。Onlyfivedistinctcolorswerevisibleinhisattire。

Butthis，Ihadreasontobelieveafterwards，wasaccidental。

Iaskedhimifhehadbeentotheball。Hesaidhehad。"Thatgal，andamightypeartgalshewastoo，wasthere，butshesorterfoughtshyofme。Igotthisnewsuittogoin，butthosewaiterssorterrunmeintoaprivatebox，andIdidn’tgetmuchchancetocontinnerourtalkaboutthemchecks。Butthatyoungfeller，Dashboard，wasmightyperlite。Hebroughtlotsoffellersandyoungwomenroundtotheboxtoseeme，andhemadeupapartythatnighttotakemeroundWallStreetandinthemStockBoards。Andthenextdayhecalledformeandtookme，andIinvestedaboutfivehundreddollarsinthemstocks——maybemore。Yousee，wesorterswoppedstocks。YouknowIhadtensharesinthePeacockCopperMine，thatyouwasoncesecretaryof。"

"Butthosesharesarenotworthacent。Thewholethingexplodedtenyearsago。"

"That’sso，maybe；YOUsayso。ButthenIdidn’tknowanythingmoreaboutCommunipawCentral，ortheNaphthaGaslightCompany，andsoIthoughtitwasasquaregame。OnlyIrealizedonthestocksI

bought，andIkemupouterWallStreetaboutfourhundreddollarsbetter。Youseeitwasasorterrisk，afterall，forthemPeacockstocksMIGHTcomeup！"

Ilookedintohisface：itwasimmeasurablysereneandcommonplace。

Ibegantobealittleafraidoftheman，or，rather，ofmywantofjudgmentoftheman；andafterafewwordsweshookhandsandparted。

ItwassomemonthsbeforeIagainsawtheManfromSolano。WhenI

did，IfoundthathehadactuallybecomeamemberoftheStockBoard，andhadalittleofficeonBroadStreet，wherehetransactedafairbusiness。MyremembrancegoingbacktothefirstnightI

methim，IinquiredifhehadrenewedhisacquaintancewithMissX。

"IheerdthatshewasinNewportthissummer，andIrandowntherefuraweek。"

"Andyoutalkedwithheraboutthebaggage-checks？"

"No，"hesaid，seriously；"shegavemeacommissiontobuysomestocksforher。Yousee，Iguessthemfash’nablefellerssortergottorunnin’heraboutme，andsosheputouracquaintanceonasquarebusinessfooting。Itellyou，she’sarightpeartgal。Didyehearoftheaccidentthathappenedtoher？"

Ihadnot。

"Well，yousee，shewasoutyachting，andImanagedthroughoneofthosefellerstogetaninvite，too。Thewholethingwasgotupbyamanthattheysayisgoingtomarryher。Well，oneafternoontheboomswingsroundinalittlesquallandknocksheroverboard。

Therewasanawfulexcitement，——you’veheardaboutit，maybe？"

"No！"ButIsawitallwitharomancer’sinstinctinaflashofpoetry！Thispoorfellow，debarredthroughuncouthnessfromexpressinghisaffectionforher，hadatlastfoundhisfittingopportunity。Hehad——

"Tharwasanawfulrow，"hewenton。"Iranoutonthetaffrail，andthereadozenyardsawaywasthatpurtycreature，thatpeartgal，and——I——"

"Youjumpedforher，"Isaid，hastily。

"No！"hesaidgravely。"Ilettheothermandothejumping。I

sorterlookedon。"

Istaredathiminastonishment。

"No，"hewenton，seriously。"Hewasthemanwhojumped——thatwasjustthenhis’put’——hislineofbusiness。Yousee，ifIhadwaltzedoverthesideofthatship，andcavoortedin，andflummuxedroundandfinallyfloppedtothebottom，thatothermanwouldhavejumpednateral-likeandsavedher；andezhewasgoingtomarryheranyway，Idon’texactlyseewhereI’Dhevbeenrepresentedinthetransaction。Butdon’tyousee，ef，afterhe’djumpedandhadn’tgother，he’dgonedownhimself，I’dhevhadthenextbestchance，andtheadvantageofhevinghimoutertheway。Yousee，youdon’tunderstandme——Idon’tthinkyoudidinCaliforny。"

"Thenhedidsaveher？"

"Ofcourse。Don’tyouseeshewasallright。Ifhe’dmissedher，I’dhavechippedin。Tharwarn’tnosenseinmydoinghisdutyonlesshefailed。"

Somehowthestorygotout。TheManfromSolanoasabuttbecamemorepopularthanever，andofcoursereceivedinvitationstoburlesquereceptions，andnaturallymetagreatmanypeoplewhomotherwisehewouldnothaveseen。Itwasobservedalsothathissevenhundreddollarsweresteadilygrowing，andthatheseemedtobegettingoninhisbusiness。CertainCaliforniastockswhichI

hadseenquietlyinterredintheolddaysinthetombsoftheirfathersweremagicallyrevived；andIremember，asonewhohasseenaghost，tohavebeenshockedasIlookedoverthequotationsonemorningtohaveseentheghostlyfaceofthe"DeadBeatBeachMiningCo。，"rougedandplastered，lookingoutfromthecolumnsofthemorningpaper。Atlastafewpeoplebegantorespect，orsuspect，theManfromSolano。Atlast，suspicionculminatedwiththisincident：——

Hehadlongexpressedawishtobelongtoacertain"fash’n’ble"

club，andwithaviewofburlesquehewasinvitedtovisittheclub，whereaseriesofridiculousentertainmentsweregivenhim，windingupwithacardparty。AsIpassedthestepsoftheclub-

houseearlynextmorning，Ioverheardtwoorthreememberstalkingexcitedly，——

"Hecleanedeverybodyout。""Why，hemusthaverakedinnighon$40，000。"

"Who？"Iasked。

"TheManfromSolano。"

AsIturnedaway，oneofthegentlemen，avictim，notedforhissportingpropensities，followedme，andlayinghishandonmyshoulders，asked：——

"Tellmefairlynow。WhatbusinessdidyourfriendfollowinCalifornia？"

"Hewasashepherd。"

"Awhat？"

"Ashepherd。Tendedhisflocksonthehoney-scentedhillsofSolano。"

"Well，allIcansayis，d——nyourCaliforniapastorals！"

THEOFFICESEEKER

HeaskedmeifIhadeverseenthe"RemusSentinel。"

IrepliedthatIhadnot，andwouldhaveaddedthatIdidnotevenknowwhereRemuswas，whenhecontinuedbysayingitwasstrangethehotelproprietordidnotkeepthe"Sentinel"onhisfiles，andthathe，himself，shouldwritetotheeditoraboutit。Hewouldnothavespokenaboutit，buthe，himself，hadbeenanhumblememberoftheprofessiontowhichIbelonged，andhadoftenwrittenforitscolumns。Somefriendsofhis——partial，nodoubt——hadsaidthathisstylesomewhatresembledJunius’s；butofcourse，youknow——well，whathecouldsaywasthatinthelastcampaignhisarticleswerewidelysoughtfor。Hedidnotknowbuthehadacopyofone。Herehishanddivedintothebreast-pocketofhiscoat，withacertaindeftnessthatindicatedlonghabit，and，afterdepositingonhislapabundleofwell-worndocuments，everyoneofwhichwasglaringlysuggestiveofcertificatesandsignatures，heconcludedhehadleftitinhistrunk。

Ibreathedmorefreely。WeweresittingintherotundaofafamousWashingtonhotel，andonlyafewmomentsbeforehadthespeaker，anutterstrangertome，movedhischairbesidemineandopenedaconversation。Inoticedthathehadthattimid，lonely，helplessairwhichinveststhebucolictravelerwho，forthefirsttime，findshimselfamongstrangers，andhisidentitylost，inaworldsomuchlarger，somuchcolder，somuchmoreindifferenttohimthanheeverimagined。Indeed，Ithinkthatwhatweoftenattributetotheimpertinentfamiliarityofcountry-menandrustictravelersonrailwaysorincitiesislargelyduetotheirawfullonelinessandnostalgia。Iremembertohaveoncemetinasmoking-caronaKansasrailwayoneoftheselonelyones，who，afterplyingmewithathousanduselessquestions，finallyelicitedthefactthatIknewslightlyamanwhohadoncedweltinhisnativetowninIllinois。

Duringtherestofourjourneytheconversationturnedchieflyuponhisfellow-townsman，whomitafterwardsappearedthatmyIllinoisfriendknewnobetterthanIdid。Buthehadestablishedalinkbetweenhimselfandhisfar-offhomethroughme，andwashappy。

WhilethiswaspassingthroughmymindItookafairlookathim。

Hewasaspareyoungfellow，notmorethanthirty，withsandyhairandeyebrows，andeyelashessowhiteastobealmostimperceptible。

Hewasdressedinblack，somewhattothe"rearwardo’thefashion，"

andIhadanoddideathatithadbeenhisweddingsuit，anditafterwardsappearedIwasright。Hismannerhadtheprecisionandmuchofthedogmatismofthecountryschoolmaster，accustomedtowrestlewiththefeeblestintellects。Fromhishistory，whichhepresentlygaveme，itappearedIwasrightherealso。

HewasbornandbredinaWesternState，and，asschoolmasterofRemusandClerkofSupervisors，hadmarriedoneofhisscholars，thedaughterofaclergyman，andamanofsomelittleproperty。Hehadattractedsomeattentionbyhispowersofdeclamation，andwasoneoftheprincipalmembersoftheRemusDebatingSociety。ThevariousquestionsthenagitatingRemus，——"Isthedoctrineofimmortalityconsistentwithanagriculturallife？"and，"Arerounddancesmorallywrong？"——affordedhimanopportunityofbringinghimselfprominentlybeforethecountrypeople。PerhapsImighthaveseenanextractcopiedfromthe"RemusSentinel"inthe"ChristianRecorder"ofMay7，1875？No？Hewouldgetitforme。

Hehadtakenanactivepartinthelastcampaign。Hedidnotliketosayit，butithadbeenuniversallyacknowledgedthathehadelectedGashwiler。

Who？

Gen。PrattC。Gashwiler，memberofCongressfromourdeestrict。

Oh！

Apowerfulman，sir——averypowerfulman；amanwhoseinfluencewillpresentlybefelthere，sir——HERE！Well，hehadcomeonwithGashwiler，and——well，hedidnotknowwhy——Gashwilerdidnotknowwhyheshouldnot，youknow（afeeble，half-apologeticlaughhere），receivethatreward，youknow，fortheseserviceswhich，etc。，etc。

Iaskedhimifhehadanyparticularordefiniteofficeinview。

Well，no。HehadleftthattoGashwiler。Gashwilerhadsaid——herememberedhisverywords："Leaveitalltome；I’lllookthroughthedifferentdepartments，andseewhatcanbedoneforamanofyourtalents。"

And——

He’slooking。I’mexpectinghimbackhereeveryminute。He’sgoneovertotheDepartmentofTape，toseewhatcanbedonethere。Ah！

herehecomes。

Alargemanapproachedus。Hewasveryheavy，veryunwieldy，veryunctuousandoppressive。Heaffectedthe"honestfarmer，"butsobadlythatthepooresthusbandmanwouldhaveresentedit。Therewasasuggestionofacheaplawyerabouthimthatwouldhavejustifiedanyself-respectingjudgeinthrowinghimoverthebaratonce。Therewasamilitarysuspicionabouthimthatwouldhaveentitledhimtoacourt-martialonthespot。Therewasanintroduction，fromwhichIlearnedthatmyoffice-seekingfriend’snamewasExpectantDobbs。AndthenGashwileraddressedme：——

"Ouryoungfriendhereiswaiting，waiting。Waiting，Imaysay，ontheaffairsofState。Youth，"continuedtheHon。Mr。Gashwiler，addressinganimaginaryconstituency，"isnothingbutaseasonofwaiting——ofpreparation——ha，ha！"

Ashelaidhishandinafatherlymanner——afatherlymannerthatwasasmuchofashamasanythingelseabouthim——Idon’tknowwhetherIwasmoreincensedathimorhisvictim，whoreceiveditwithevidentprideandsatisfaction。Neverthelessheventuredtofalterout：——

"Hasanythingbeendoneyet？"

"Well，no；Ican’tsaythatanything——thatis，thatanythinghasbeenCOMPLETED；butImaysayweareinexcellentpositionforanadvance——ha，ha！Butwemustwait，myyoungfriend，wait。WhatisittheLatinphilosophersays？’Letusbyallmeanshastenslowly’——ha，ha！"andheturnedtomeasifsayingconfidentially，"Observetheimpatienceoftheseboys！""Imet，amomentago，myoldfriendandboyhood’scompanion，JimMcGlasher，chiefoftheBureaufortheDisseminationofUselessInformation，and，"loweringhisvoicetoamysteriousbutaudiblewhisper，"Ishallseehimagainto-morrow。"

The"Allaboard！"oftherailwayomnibusatthismomenttoremefromthepresenceofthisgiftedlegislatorandhisprotege；butaswedroveawayIsawthroughtheopenwindowthepowerfulmindofGashwileroperating，sotospeak，uponthesusceptibilitiesofMr。

Dobbs。

Ididnotmeethimagainforaweek。ThemorningofmyreturnI

sawthetwoconversingtogetherinthehall，butwiththepalpabledistinctionbetweenthisandtheirformerinterviews，thatthegiftedGashwilerseemedtobeanxioustogetawayfromhisfriend。

Iheardhimsaysomethingabout"committees"and"to-morrow，"andwhenDobbsturnedhisfreckledfacetowardmeIsawthathehadgotatlastsomeexpressionintoit——disappointment。

Iaskedhimpleasantlyhowhewasgettingon。

Hehadnotlosthisprideyet。Hewasdoingwell，althoughsuchwasthevaluesetuponhisfriendGashwiler’sabilitiesbyhisbrothermembersthathewasalmostalwaysoccupiedwithcommitteebusiness。Inoticedthathisclotheswerenotinasgoodcaseasbefore，andhetoldmethathehadleftthehotel，andtakenlodgingsinaby-street，whereitwaslessexpensive。Temporarilyofcourse。

AfewdaysafterthisIhadbusinessinoneofthegreatdepartments。FromthevarioussignsoverthedoorsofitsvariousofficesandbureausitalwaysoddlyremindedmeofStewart’sorArnoldandConstable’s。Youcouldgetpensions，patents，andplants。Youcouldgetlandandtheseedstoputinit，andtheIndianstoprowlroundit，andwhatnot。Therewasaperpetualclangingofofficedeskbells，andarunninghitherandthitherofmessengersstronglysuggestiveof"Cash47。"

AsmybusinesswaswiththemanagerofthisGreatNationalFancyShop，Imanagedtopushbythesad-eyed，eager-facedcrowdofmenandwomenintheanteroom，andenteredthesecretary’sroom，consciousofhavingleftbehindmeagreatdealofenvyanduncharitablenessofspirit。AsIopenedthedoorIheardamonotonousflowofWesternspeechwhichIthoughtIrecognized。

Therewasnomistakingit。ItwasthevoiceoftheGashwiler。

"Theappointmentofthisman，Mr。Secretary，wouldbemostacceptabletothepeopleinmydeestrict。Hisfamilyarewealthyandinfluential，andit’sjustaswellinthefallelectionstohavethesupervisorsandcountyjudgepledgedtosupporttheadministration。OurdelegatestotheStateCentralCommitteearetoaman"——buthere，perceivingfromthewanderingeyeofMr。

Secretarythattherewasanothermanintheroom，hewhisperedtherestwithafamiliaritythatmusthaverequiredallthepoliticianintheofficial’sbreasttokeepfromresenting。

"Youhavesomepapers，Isuppose？"askedthesecretary，wearily。

Gashwilerwasprovidedwithapocketful，andproducedthem。Thesecretarythrewthemonthetableamongtheotherpapers，wheretheyseemedinstantlytolosetheiridentity，andlookedasiftheywerereadytorecommendanybodybutthepersontheybelongedto。

Indeed，inonecornertheentireMassachusettsdelegation，withtheSupremeBenchattheirhead，appearedtobeearnestlyadvocatingthemanuringofIowawastelands；andtotheinexperiencedeye，anotedfemalereformerhadapparentlyappendedhersignaturetoarequestforapensionforwoundsreceivedinbattle。

"Bytheway，"saidthesecretary，"IthinkIhavealetterherefromsomebodyinyourdistrictaskinganappointment，andreferringtoyou？Doyouwithdrawit？"

"Ifanybodyhasbeenpresumingtospeculateuponmypatronage，"

saidtheHon。Mr。Gashwiler，withrisingrage。

"I’vegotthelettersomewherehere，"saidthesecretary，lookingdazedlyathistable。Hemadeafeeblemovementamongthepapers，andthensankbackhopelesslyinhischair，andgazedoutofthewindowasifhethoughtandratherhopeditmighthaveflownaway。

"ItwasfromaMr。Globbs，orGobbs，orDobbs，ofRemus，"hesaidfinally，afterasuperhumaneffortofmemory。

"Oh，that’snothing——afoolishfellowwhohasbeenboringmeforthelastmonth。"

"ThenIamtounderstandthatthisapplicationiswithdrawn？"

"Asfarasmypatronageisconcerned，certainly。Infact，suchanappointmentwouldnotexpressthesentiments——indeed，Imaysay，wouldbecalculatedtoraiseactiveoppositioninthedeestrict。"

Thesecretaryutteredasighofrelief，andthegiftedGashwilerpassedout。Itriedtogetagoodlookatthehonorablescamp’seye，butheevidentlydidnotrecognizeme。

ItwasaquestioninmymindwhetherIoughtnottoexposethetreacheryofDobbs’sfriend，butthenexttimeImetDobbshewasinsuchgoodspiritsthatIforebore。ItappearedthathiswifehadwrittentohimthatshehaddiscoveredasecondcousininthepersonoftheAssistantSuperintendentoftheEnvelopeFlapMoisteningBureauoftheDepartmentofTape，andhadaskedhisassistance；andDobbshadseenhim，andhehadpromisedit。"Yousee，"saidDobbs，"intheperformanceofhisdutiesheisoftenverynearthepersonofthesecretary，frequentlyinthenextroom，andheisapowerfulman，sir——apowerfulmantoknow，sir——aVERY

powerfulman。"

HowlongthiscontinuedIdonotremember。Longenough，however，forDobbstobecomequiteseedy，forthegivingupofwristcuffs，fortheneglectofshoesandbeard，andforgreathollowstoformroundhiseyes，andaslightflushonhischeek-bones。Iremembermeetinghiminallthedepartments，writinglettersorwaitingpatientlyinanteroomsfrommorningtillnight。Hehadlostallhisolddogmatism，butnothispride。"Imightaswellbehereasanywhere，whileI’mwaiting，"hesaid，"andthenI’mgettingsomeknowledgeofthedetailsofofficiallife。"

InthefaceofthismysteryIwassurprisedatfindinganotefromhimoneday，invitingmetodinewithhimatacertainfamousrestaurant。Ihadscarcegotovermyamazement，whenthewriterhimselfovertookmeatmyhotel。ForamomentIscarcelyrecognizedhim。Anewsuitoffashionably-cutclotheshadchangedhim，without，however，entirelyconcealinghisrusticangularityoffigureandoutline。Heevenaffectedafashionabledilettanteair，butsomildlyandsoinnocentlythatitwasnotoffensive。

"Yousee，"hebegan，explanatory-wise，"I’vejustfoundoutthewaytodoit。Noneofthesebigfellows，thesecabinetofficers，knowmeexceptasanapplicant。Now，thewaytodothisthingistomeet’emfustsociably；wine’emanddine’em。Why，sir，"——hedroppedintotheschoolmasteragainhere，——"Ihadtwocabinetministers，twojudges，andageneralatmytablelastnight。"

"OnYOURinvitation？"

"Dear，no！allIdidwastopayforit。TomSouffletgavethedinnerandinvitedthepeople。EverybodyknowsTom。Yousee，afriendofmineputmeuptoit，andsaidthatSoufflethadfixedupnoendofappointmentsandjobsinthatway。Yousee，whenthesegentlemengetsociableovertheirwine，hesayscarelessly，’Bytheway，there’sSo-and-so——agoodfellow——wantssomething；giveittohim。’Andthefirstthingyouknow，ortheyknow，hegetsapromisefromthem。Theygetadinner——andagoodone——andhegetsanappointment。"

"Butwheredidyougetthemoney？"

"Oh，"——hehesitated，——"Iwrotehome，andFanny’sfatherraisedfifteenhundreddollarssomeway，andsentittome。Iputitdowntopoliticalexpenses。"Helaughedaweak，foolishlaughhere，andadded，"Astheoldmandon’tdrinknorsmoke，he’dlifthiseyebrowstoknowhowthemoneygoes。ButI’llmakeitallrightwhentheofficecomes——andshe’scoming，surepop。"

Hisslangfittedaspoorlyonhimashisclothes，andhisfamiliaritywasworsethanhisformerawkwardshyness。ButIcouldnothelpaskinghimwhathadbeentheresultofthisexpenditure。

"Nothingjustyet。ButtheSecretaryofTapeandthemanattheheadoftheInferiorDepartment，bothspoketome，andoneofthemsaidhethoughthe’dheardmynamebefore。Hemight，"headded，withaforcedlaugh，"forI’vewrittenhimfifteenletters。"

Threemonthspassed。Aheavysnow-stormstayedmychariotwheelsonaWesternrailroad，tenmilesfromanervouslecturecommitteeandawaitingaudience；therewasnothingtodobuttomaketheattempttoreachtheminasleigh。Butthewaywaslongandthedriftsdeep，andwhenatlastfourmilesoutwereachedalittlevillage，thedriverdeclaredhiscattlecouldholdoutnolonger，andwemuststopthere。Bribesandthreatswereequallyofnoavail。Ihadtoacceptthefact。

"Whatplaceisthis？"

"Remus。"

"Remus，Remus，"wherehadIheardthatnamebefore？ButwhileI

wasreflectinghedroveupbeforethedoorofthetavern。Itwasadismal，sleep-forbiddingplace，andonlynineo’clock，andherewasthelongwinter’snightbeforeme。Failingtogetthelandlordtogivemeateamtogofurther，Iresignedmyselftomyfateandacigar，behindthered-hotstove。Inafewmomentsoneoftheloungersapproachedme，callingmebyname，andinaroughbutheartyfashioncondoledwithmeformymishap，advisedmetostayatRemusallnight，andadded："Thequartersain’tthebestintheworldyeratthishotel。Butthar’sanoldmanyer——thepreacherthatwas——thatfortwentyyearsheztakeninsuchfellersasyouandlodged’emfreegratisfornothing，andhezbeenproudtodoit。Theoldmanusedtoberich；heain’tsonow；soldhisbighouseonthecrossroads，andlivesinalittlecottagewithhisdarterrightoveryan。Butyecouldn’tdohimabetterturnthantogoovertharandstay，andifhethoughtI’dletyegoouto’

Remuswithoutaxingye，he’dgivemeh-ll。Stop，I’llgowithye。"

Imightatleastcallontheoldman，andIaccompaniedmyguidethroughthestillfallingsnowuntilwereachedalittlecottage。

Thedooropenedtomyguide’sknock，andwiththebriefanddiscomposingintroduction，"Yer，oleman，I’vebroughtyouoneo’

themsnow-boundlecturers，"heleftmeonthethreshold，asmyhost，akindly-faced，white-hairedmanofseventy，cameforwardtogreetme。

Hisfranknessandsimplecourtesyovercametheembarrassmentleftbymyguide’sintroduction，andIfollowedhimpassivelyasheenteredtheneat，butplainly-furnishedsitting-room。Atthesamemomentapretty，butfadedyoungwomanarosefromthesofaandwasintroducedtomeashisdaughter。"FannyandIliveherequitealone，andifyouknewhowgooditwastoseesomebodyfromthegreatoutsideworldnowandthen，youwouldnotapologizeforwhatyoucallyourintrusion。"

DuringthisspeechIwasvaguelytryingtorecallwhereandwhenandunderwhatcircumstancesIhadeverbeforeseenthevillage，thehouse，theoldmanorhisdaughter。Wasitinadream，orinoneofthosedimreveriesofsomepreviousexistencetowhichthespiritofmankindissubject？Ilookedatthemagain。Inthecarewornlinesaroundtheonceprettygirlishmouthoftheyoungwoman，inthefurrowedseamsovertheforeheadoftheoldman，inthetickingoftheold-fashionedclockontheshelf，inthefaintwhisperofthefallingsnowoutside，Ireadthelegend，"Patience，patience；WaitandHope。"

Theoldmanfilledapipe，andofferingmeone，continued，"AlthoughIseldomdrinkmyself，itwasmycustomtoalwayskeepsomenourishingliquorinmyhouseforpassingguests，butto-nightIfindmyselfwithoutany。"Ihastenedtoofferhimmyflask，which，afteramoment’scoyness，heaccepted，andpresentlyunderitsbenigninfluenceatleasttenyearsdroppedfromhisshoulders，andhesatupinhischairerectandloquacious。

"AndhowareaffairsattheNationalCapital，sir？"hebegan。

Now，iftherewasanysubjectofwhichIwasprofoundlyignorant，itwasthis。Buttheoldmanwasevidentlybentonhavingagoodpoliticaltalk。SoIsaidvaguely，yetwithacertainsenseofsecurity，thatIguessedtherewasn’tmuchbeingdone。

"Isee，"saidtheoldman，"inthemattersofresumption；ofthesovereignrightsofStatesandfederalinterference，youwouldimplythatacertainconservativetentativepolicyistobepromulgateduntilaftertheelectoralcommitteehavegiventheirverdict。"Ilookedforhelptowardsthelady，andobservedfeeblythathehadveryclearlyexpressedmyviews。

Theoldman，observingmylook，said："Althoughmydaughter’shusbandholdsafederalpositioninWashington，thepressureofhisbusinessissogreatthathehaslittletimetogiveusmeregossip——Ibegyourpardon，didyouspeak？"

Ihadunconsciouslyutteredanexclamation。This，then，wasRemus——

thehomeofExpectantDobbs——andthesehiswifeandfather；andtheWashingtonbanquet-table，ahme！hadsparkledwiththeyearningheart’sbloodofthispoorwife，andhadbeenupheldbythistotteringCaryatidofafather。

"Doyouknowwhatpositionhehas？"

Theoldmandidnotknowpositively，butthoughtitwassomegeneralsupervisingposition。HehadbeenassuredbyMr。Gashwilerthatitwasafirst-classclerkship；yes，aFIRSTclass。

Ididnottellhimthatinthis，asinmanyotherofficialregulationsinWashington，theyreckonedbackward，butsaid：——

"IsupposethatyourM。C。，Mr。——Mr。Gashwiler——"

"Don’tmentionhisname，"saidthelittlewoman，risingtoherfeethastily；"heneverbroughtExpectantanythingbutdisappointmentandsorrow。Ihate，Idespisetheman。"

"DearFanny，"expostulatedtheoldman，gently，"thisisunchristianandunjust。Mr。Gashwilerisapowerful，averypowerfulman！Hisworkisagreatone；histimeispreoccupiedwithweightiermatters。"

"HistimewasnotsopreoccupiedbuthecouldmakeuseofpoorExpectant，"saidthiswoundeddove，alittlespitefully。

NeverthelessitwassomesatisfactiontoknowthatDobbshadatlastgotaplace，nomatterhowunimportant，orwhohadgivenittohim；andwhenIwenttobedthatnightintheroomthathadbeenevidentlypreparedfortheirconjugalchamber，IfeltthatDobbs’sworsttrialswereover。Thewallswerehungwithsouvenirsoftheirante-nuptialdays。TherewasaportraitofDobbs，aetat。25；

therewasafadedbouquetinaglasscase，presentedbyDobbstoFannyonexamination-day；therewasaframedresolutionofthankstoDobbsfromtheRemusDebatingSociety；therewasacertificateofDobbs’selectionasPresidentoftheRemusPhilomatheanSociety；

therewashiscommissionasCaptainintheRemusIndependentContingentofHomeGuards；therewasaFreemason’schart，inwhichDobbswasaddressedinepithetsmorefulsomeandextravagantthananylivingmonarch。Andyetallthesecheapgloriesofanarrowlifeandnarrowerbrainwereupheldandmadesacredbytheloveofthedevotedpriestesswhoworshipedatthislonelyshrine，andkeptthelightburningthroughgloomanddoubtanddespair。Thestormtoreroundthehouse，andshookitswhitefistsinthewindows。A

driedwreathoflaurelthatFannyhadplacedonDobbs’sheadafterhiscelebratedcentennialaddressattheschool-house，July4，1876，swayedinthegusts，andsentafewofitsdeadleavesdownonthefloor，andIlayinDobbs’sbedandwonderedwhatafirst-

classclerkshipwas。

Ifoundoutearlythenextsummer。Iwasstrollingthroughthelongcorridorsofacertaingreatdepartment，whenIcameuponamanaccuratelyyokedacrosstheshoulders，andsupportingtwohugepailsoficeoneitherside，fromwhichhewasreplenishingthepitchersinthevariousoffices。AsIpassedIturnedtolookathimagain。ItwasDobbs！

Hedidnotsetdownhisburden；itwasagainsttherules，hesaid。

Buthegossipedcheerily，saidhewasbeginningatthefootoftheladder，butexpectedsoontoclimbup。ThatitwasCivilServiceReform，andofcoursehewouldbepromotedsoon。

"HadGashwilerprocuredtheappointment？"

No。HebelieveditwasME。IhadtoldhisstorytoAssistant-

secretaryBlank，whohad，inturnrelatedittoBureau-directorDash——bothgoodfellows——butthiswasalltheycoulddo。Yes，itwasafoothold。Buthemustgonow。

Nevertheless，Ifollowedhimupanddown，and，cheeredupwitharose-coloredpictureofhiswifeandfamily，andmyvisitthere，andpromisingtocomeandseehimthenexttimeIcametoWashington，Ilefthimwithhisself-imposedyoke。

Withanewadministration，CivilServiceReformcamein，crudeandill-digested，asallsuddenandsweepingreformsmustbe；crueltotheindividual，asallcrudereformswilleverbe；andamongthelistofhelplessmenandwomen，incapacitatedforotherworkbylongserviceinthedullroutineoffederaloffice，whoweredecapitated，theweak，foolish，emaciatedheadofExpectantDobbswenttotheblock。ItafterwardappearedthatthegiftedGashwilerwasresponsiblefortheappointmentoftwentyclerks，andthattheletterofpoorDobbs，inwhichhedaredtorefertothenowpowerlessGashwiler，hadsealedhisfate。ThecountrymadeanexampleofGashwilerand——Dobbs。

Fromthatmomenthedisappeared。Ilookedforhiminvaininanterooms，lobbies，andhotelcorridors，andfinallycametotheconclusionthathehadgonehome。

HowbeautifulwasthatJulySabbath，whenthemorningtrainfromBaltimorerolledintotheWashingtondepot。HowtenderlyandchastelythemorningsunlightlayontheeastfrontoftheCapitoluntilthewholebuildingwashushedinagrandandawfulrepose。