Mr. Crewe's Career -- Volume 2

DBROOK

eet he paused outside the picket-fence to gaze at the yellow bars of light between the slats of the windows of the Duncan house. It was hard to realize that she was there, within a stone's throw of where he was to sleep; but the strange, half-startled expression in her

he smiled at the contrast. After all, it was the contrast between his life and hers. As an American of good antecedents and education, with a Western experience thrown in, social gulfs, although awkward, might be cross

n entering, to find Mrs. Peasley's parlour filled with men; and a single glance at their faces in the lamplight assured him that they were of a type which he understood-countrymen of that rugged New England stock to which he himself belonged, whose sons for generations had made la

n's hand warmly and a little ceremon

e!" Austen

uld know you," s

d of you and what

and critical examination by those present, and that they we

edbrook," he said. "What I did for Meader isn't wo

commenting to himself on the circumstance, "to find a young lawyer with brains that won't sell 'em to the railrud. That's what ap

eate an indefinable though favourable impression, a

said, "and there's more would have come if they'd had a longer n

said Mr. Widgeon, suiting the action t

" added Mr. Jarley of

ou're siza

of Barren. "None of us is much on talk, but if w

' for Zeb, them skunks in the front seats wouldn't know whether they was a

remarked a stocky member from Oxford; "it's sheer waste of money for the State to pa

uttons," a sinewy hill farmer from Lee put in. He had a lean face

expression of approval which was (to Austen) di

s ended; "most of 'em knew me well enough to understand that cattle and l

dbrook," answered Mr. Terry of Lee, "and now we've lo

h seemed to meet with

tifying than ev

have all referred to a condition of affairs," he added, "about which I have thought a great deal, and which I deplore as deeply as you do. There is no doubt that the Northeastern Railroads have seized the government of this State for three main reasons: to throttle competition; to

Mr. Jarley of Wye, wi

talk I like to hear,

gumption to fight 'e

with a flash of humour, "that they will listen to it, but not act upon it. Gentlemen, I regret to have to say, for obvious reasons,

was a

and we honour you fo

ok, at

ong. But the railroads, before they consolidated, found the political boss in power, and had to pay him for favours. The citizen was the culprit to start with, just as he is the culprit now, because he does not take sufficient interest in his government to make it honest. We mustn't blame the railroads to

id Mr. Widgeon; "I guess you'

peals to me," dec

," said Mr. Terry, '

ho had a blacksmith's grip, and came back to renew it after he had put on his overshoes. He

all this mean

"that when the time comes, we

a crayon portrait of Colonel Peasley, in the uniform in which he had fallen at the battle o

I thought you were about as long-headed and

. Redbrook, with a gr

lor

you up to th

toutly, "and Tom didn't put me up to it. It's

o Mr. Redbrook's shoulde

e place, and in a better situation to undertake it. I-I'm much obliged to you. B

s coat, while James Redbrook regarded him with a curio

n," he said, "but think on it

nest as themselves. In that hour he had tasted life as he had never yet tasted it, he had lived as he might never live again. Not one of them, he remembered suddenly, had uttered a sentence of the political claptrap of which he had heard so much. They had spoken from the soul; not bitter

e notes were those of a piano,-though the instrument mattered little,-that with which they were charged for him set the night wind quivering. It was not simple music, although it had in it a grand simplicity. At times it rose, vibrant with inexpressible feeli

window wa

ed lobby with its shifting groups and its haze of smoke,-plainly to be seen behind the great plates of glass,-went upstairs, and gained room Number. Seven unnoticed. Then, after the briefest moment of hesitation, he knocked. A voice responded-the Honourable Hilary's. There was bu

see me, Judge

, have you?"

nd to be late,

l of business on hand th

y rem

and stopped. Mr. Vane was pr

what the business was, Ju

able Hilar

in, I guess," he said; "I wouldn't

n Austen had entered the room and had seen him sitting with his head bowed forward, the hostility of months of misunderstanding had fallen away fro

irer to wait awhile, before you made a remark like that? Whatever our dealings may have

obbying, are you? I had a not

haracter, his face became stern under pro

id, "would you mind telling me wh

nt. My eyesight is as good as ev

ally more accurate. If a

e in lobbying, they

ou?" the Honourable Hilary asked, wit

ed, but kept

practice of la

atin' with saints,"

then laughed outright,

being too

ions. Because I sat down to supper with the Gaylords it isn't f

ond to his son's humour, but shift

oing in fo

en, instantly becoming serious again,

a penetrating look of characteristic shrewdness. But he followed in conversation the same ru

o have his railr

e a benefit to the people of tha

for the peo

ed on its merits, and proper measures for the safe

l will be judged on

plied Austen, "an

ne, after a pause. "Did you tell old To

ness dealings with him except small suits. What I did tell him was tha

rprise. He emitted a grunt which evin

ot?" h

Northeastern owns the Republican party machine, which is the lobby, and because most

rd that?" demanded Mr.

elf. He did not fi

bout Number Seven

n. His father walked as far as the door, and turned slowly and faced him, but he did not spea

ed in building. I disagree with your beliefs, but I do not think that your pursuit of them has not been sincere, and justified by your conscience. I suppose that you sent for me to know whether Mr. Gaylord has employed me to lobby for his bill. He has not, because I refused that employment. But I will tell you that, in my opinion, if a man of any ability whatever should get up on the floor of the House

as between himself and his son. A slight noise in the adjoining room

l Gaylord th

ture of distaste,

the opinion, whatever it is

lroad employs the best lawyers it can find to look after its interests. I'm one of 'em, and I'm proud of it. If I hadn't been one of 'em, the chances are you'd never be where you are, that you'd never have gone to college and the law school. The Republican party realizes that the Northeastern

r. He had always recognized the futility of argument

would have some weight. The perpetuation of the principle of American government has to be thought o

Honourable Hilary began, but Austen slipped around the tab

ut I want to say this. I ask you to remember that you're my father, and that-I'm fond of you. And that, if you and I happen to be on opposite sides, it won't make any difference as far as my feeli

pride in that look, and something of an affection which had long ceased in its strivings for utterance. It was the unconscious tribute, too,-slight as was its exhibition,-of the

usten," sai

er Seven from the governor's room. In three strides he had reached them, flung them open, and the folding doors behind them, already parted by four inches. The gas was turned low, but under the chandelier was the figure of a young man struggling with an overcoat. The Honourable Hilary did not hesitate, but c

ere you, Ham?

vehemence he meant for force.

ip on Mr. Tooting 's arm, and with the other turning up the gas until it

this afternoon when you sent

ane, "it isn't an

ver did. I often lied for you," he added, "and

o of the arm c

eemingly gaining confidence now that he was free; "I've slaved for 'em, and what have t

reform

ch right to turn reform

regard Mr. Tooting in a manner extremely disconcerting to that gentleman. This quality of impenetrability, of

night,

say-" Mr. T

am," said Mr.

m, slowly buttoned up hi