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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/23010-0.txt b/23010-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..04d2846 --- /dev/null +++ b/23010-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2312 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Gulmore, The Boss, by Frank Harris + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Gulmore, The Boss + +Author: Frank Harris + +Release Date: October 12, 2007 [EBook #23010] +Last Updated: March 8, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GULMORE, THE BOSS *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +GULMORE, THE BOSS. + +By Frank Harris + + +The habits of the Gulmore household were in some respects primitive. +Though it was not yet seven o'clock two negro girls were clearing away +the breakfast things under the minute supervision of their mistress, +an angular, sharp-faced woman with a reedy voice, and nervously abrupt +movements. Near the table sat a girl of nineteen absorbed in a book. In +an easy-chair by the open bay-window a man with a cigar in his mouth +was reading a newspaper. Jonathan Byrne Gulmore, as he always signed +himself, was about fifty years of age; his heavy frame was muscular, and +the coarse dark hair and swarthy skin showed vigorous health. There was +both obstinacy and combative-ness in his face with its cocked nose, low +irregular forehead, thick eyebrows, and square jaw, but the deep-set +grey eyes gleamed at times with humorous comprehension, and the usual +expression of the countenance was far from ill-natured. As he laid the +paper on his knees and looked up, he drew the eye. His size and strength +seemed to be the physical equivalents of an extraordinary power of +character and will. When Mrs. Gulmore followed the servants out of the +room the girl rose from her chair and went towards the door. She was +stopped by her father's voice: + +“Ida, I want a talk with you. You'll be able to go to your books +afterwards; I won't keep you long.” She sat down again and laid her book +on the table, while Mr. Gulmore continued: + +“The election's next Monday week, and I've no time to lose.” A moment's +silence, and he let his question fall casually: + +“You know this--Professor Roberts--don't you? He was at the University +when you were there--eh?” The girl flushed slightly as she assented. + +“They say he's smart, an' he ken talk. I heard him the other night; +but I'd like to know what you think. Your judgment's generally worth +havin'.” + +Forced to reply without time for reflection, Miss Gulmore said as little +as possible with a great show of frankness: + +“Oh, yes; he's smart, and knows Greek and Latin and German, and a great +many things. The senior students used to say he knew more than all the +other professors put together, and he--he thinks so too, I imagine,” and +she laughed intentionally, for, on hearing her own strained laughter, +she blushed, and then stood up out of a nervous desire to conceal her +embarrassment. But her father was looking away from her at the glowing +end of his cigar; and, as she resumed her seat, he went on: + +“I'm glad you seem to take no stock in him, Ida, for he's makin' himself +unpleasant. I'll have to give him a lesson, I reckon, not in Greek or +Latin or them things--I never had nothin' taught me beyond the 'Fourth +Reader,' in old Vermont, and I've forgotten some of what I learned +then--but in election work an' business I guess I ken give Professor +Roberts points, fifty in a hundred, every time. Did you know he's always +around with Lawyer Hutchin's?” + +“Is he? That's because of May--May Hutch-ings. Oh, she deserves him;” + the girl spoke with sarcastic bitterness, “she gave herself trouble +enough to get him. It was just sickening the way she acted, blushing +every time he spoke to her, and looking up at him as if he were +everything. Some people have no pride in them.” + +Her father listened impassively, and, after a pause, began his +explanation: + +“Wall, Ida, anyway he means to help Hutchin's in this city election. +'Tain't the first time Hutchin's has run for mayor on the Democratic +ticket and come out at the little end of the horn, and I propose to whip +him again. But this Professor's runnin' him on a new track, and I want +some points about _him_. It's like this. At the Democratic meetin' +the other night, the Professor spoke, and spoke well. What he said was +popcorn; but it took with the Mugwumps--them that think themselves too +high-falutin' to work with either party, jest as if organization was no +good, an' a mob was as strong as an army. Wall, he talked for an hour +about purity an' patriotism, and when he had warmed 'em up he +went bald-headed for me. He told 'em--you ken read it all in the +'Tribune'--that this town was run by a ring, an' not run honestly; +contracts were given only to members of the Republican party; all +appointments were made by the ring, and never accordin' to ability--as +if sich a ring could last ten years. He ended up by saying, though he +was a Republican, as his father is, he intended to vote Democratic--he's +domiciled here--as a protest against the impure and corrupt Boss-system +which was disgracin' American political life. Twas baby talk. But it's +like this. The buildin' of the branch line South has brought a lot +of Irish here--they're all Democrats--and there's quite a number of +Mugwumps, an' if this Professor goes about workin' them all up--what +with the flannel-mouths and the rest--it might be a close finish. I'm +sure to win, but if I could get some information about him, it would +help me. His father's all right. We've got him down to a fine point. +Prentiss, the man I made editor of the 'Herald,' knows him well; ken +tell us why he left Kaintucky to come West. But I want to know somethin' +about the Professor, jest to teach him to mind his own business, and +leave other folk to attend to theirs. Ken you help me? Is he popular +with the students and professors?” + +She thought intently, while the colour rose in her cheeks; she was eager +to help. + +“With the students, yes. There's nothing to be done there. The +professors--I don't think they like him much; he is too clever. When he +came into the class-room and talked Latin to Johnson, the Professor +of Latin, and Johnson could only stammer out a word or two, I guess he +didn't make a friend;” and the girl laughed at the recollection. + +“I don't know anything else that could be brought against him. They say +he is an Atheist. Would that be any use? He gave a lecture on 'Culture +as a Creed' about three months ago which made some folk mad. The other +professors are Christians, and, of course, all the preachers took it +up. He compared Buddha with Christ, and said--oh, I remember!--that +Shakespeare was the Old Testament of the English-speaking peoples. That +caused some talk; they all believe in the Bible. He said, too, that +'Shakespeare was inspired in a far higher sense than St. Paul, who was +thin and hard, a logic-loving bigot.' And President Campbell--he's a +Presbyterian--preached the Sunday afterwards upon St Paul as the great +missionary of Protestantism. I don't think the professors like him, but +I don't know that they can do anything, for all the students, the senior +ones, at least, are with him,” and the girl paused, and tried to find +out from her father's face whether what she had said was likely to be of +service. + +“Wall! I don't go much on them things myself, but I guess somethin' +ken be done. I'll see Prentiss about it: send him to interview this +President Campbell, and wake him up to a sense of his duty. This is a +Christian country, I reckon,” the grey eyes twinkled, “and those who +teach the young should teach them Christian principles, or else--get +out. I guess it ken be worked. The University's a State institution. You +don't mind if he's fired out, do you?” And the searching eyes probed her +with a glance. + +“Oh! I don't mind,” she said quickly, in a would-be careless tone, +rising and going towards him, “it has nothing to do with me. He belongs +to May Hutchings--let her help him, if she can. I think you're quite +right to give him a lesson--he needs one badly. What right has he to +come and attack you?” She had passed to her father's side, and was +leaning against his shoulder. Those grey eyes saw more than she cared to +reveal; they made her uncomfortable. + +“Then I understand it's like this. You want him to get a real lesson? Is +that it? You ken talk straight to me, Ida. I'm with you every time. You +know that.” + +The feminine instinct of concealment worked in her, but she knew this +father of hers would have plain speech, and some hidden feeling forced +her violent temper to an outburst of curiously mingled hatred of the +Professor and exultation in her power of injuring him. + +“Why, father, it's all the same to me. I've no interest in it, except +to help you. You know I never said a word against him till you asked +me. But he has no business to come down and attack _you_,” and the voice +grew shrill. “It's shameful of him. If he were a man he'd never do it. +Yes--give him a _real_ lesson; teach him that those he despises are +stronger than he is. Let him lose his place and be thrown out of work, +then we'll see if May Hutchings,” and she laughed, “will go and help +him. We'll see who is--” + +Her father interrupted her in the middle of a tirade which would have +been complete self-revelation; but it is not to be presumed that he did +this out of a delicate regard for his daughter's feelings. He had got +the information he required. + +“That's all right, Ida. I guess he'll get the lesson. You ken count on +me. You've put me on the right track, I believe. I knew if any one could +help me, you'd be able to. Nobody knows what's in you better'n I do. +You're smarter'n any one I know, and I know a few who think they're real +smart--” + +In this vein he continued soothing his daughter's pride, and yet +speaking in an even, impersonal tone, as if merely stating facts. + +“Now I've got to go. Prentiss'll be waiting for me at the office.” + +While driving to the office, Mr. Gulmore's thoughts, at first, were with +his daughter. “I don't know why, but I suspicioned that. That's why she +left the University before graduatin', an' talked of goin' East, and +makin' a name for herself on the stage. That Professor's foolish. Ida's +smart and pretty, and she'll have a heap of money some day. The ring +has a few contracts on hand still--he's a fool. How she talked: she +remembered all that lecture--every word; but she's young yet. She'd have +given herself away if I hadn't stopped her. I don't like any one to do +that; it's weak. But she means business every time, just as I do; she +means him to be fired right out, and then she'd probably go and cry over +him, and want me to put him back again. But no. I guess not. That's not +the way I work. I'd be willin' for him to stay away, and leave me alone, +but as she wants him punished, he shall be, and she mustn't interfere +at the end. It'll do her good to find out that things can't both be done +and undone, if she's that sort. But p'r'aps she won't want to undo +them. When their pride's hurt women are mighty hard--harder than men +by far.... I wonder how long it'll take to get this Campbell to move. I +must start right in; I hain't got much time.” + +As soon as her father left her, Miss Ida hurried to her own room, in +order to recover from her agitation, and to remove all traces of it. She +was an only child, and had accordingly a sense of her own importance, +which happened to be uncorrected by physical deficiencies. Not that +she was astonishingly beautiful, but she was tall and just good-looking +enough to allow her to consider herself a beauty. Her chief attraction +was her form, which, if somewhat flat-chested, had a feline flexibility +rarer and more seductive than she imagined. She was content to believe +that nature had fashioned her to play the part in life which, she knew, +was hers of right. Her name, even, was most appropriate--dignified. Ida +should be queen-like, stately; the oval of her face should be long, and +not round, and her complexion should be pallid; colour in the cheeks +made one look common. Her dark hair, too, pleased her; everything, in +fact, save her eyes; they were of a nameless, agate-like hue, and she +would have preferred them to be violet That would have given her face +the charm of unexpectedness, which she acknowledged was in itself a +distinction. And Miss Ida loved everything that conduced to distinction, +everything that flattered her pride with a sense of her own superiority. +It seemed as if her mother's narrowness of nature had confined and shot, +so to speak, all the passions and powers of the father into this one +characteristic of the daughter. That her father had risen to influence +and riches by his own ability did not satisfy her. She had always felt +that the Hutchingses and the society to which they belonged, persons who +had been well educated for generations, and who had always been more or +less well off, formed a higher class. It was the longing to become one +of them that had impelled her to study with might and main. Even in +her school-days she had recognized that this was the road to social +eminence. The struggle had been arduous. In the Puritan surroundings of +middle-class life her want of religious training and belief had almost +made a pariah of the proud, high-tempered girl, and when as a clever +student of the University and a daughter of one of the richest and most +powerful men in the State, she came into a circle that cared as little +about Christian dogmas as she did, she attributed the comparative +coolness with which her companions treated her, to her father's want of +education, rather than to the true cause, her own domineering temper. As +she had hated her childish playmates, who, instructed by their mothers, +held aloof from the infidel, so she had grown to detest the associates +of her girlhood, whose parents seemed, by virtue of manners and +education, superior to hers. The aversion was acrid with envy, and had +fastened from the beginning on her competitor as a student and her rival +in beauty, Miss May Hutchings. Her animosity was intensified by the fact +that, when they entered the Sophomore class together, Miss May had made +her acquaintance, had tried to become friends with her, and then, for +some inscrutable reason, had drawn coldly away. By dint of working twice +as hard as May, Ida had managed to outstrip her, and to begin the Junior +year as the first of the class; but all the while she was conscious that +her success was due to labour, and not to a larger intelligence. And +with the coming of the new professor of Greek, this superiority, her one +consolation, was called in question. + +Professor Roberts had brought about a revolution in the University. He +was young and passionately devoted to his work; had won his Doctor's +degree at Berlin _summa cum laude_, and his pupils soon felt that +he represented a standard of knowledge higher than they had hitherto +imagined as attainable, and yet one which, he insisted, was common +in the older civilization of Europe. It was this nettling comparison, +enforced by his mastery of difficulties, which first aroused the ardour +of his scholars. In less than a year they passed from the level of +youths in a high school to that of University students. On the best +heads his influence was magical. His learning and enthusiasm quickened +their reverence for scholarship, but it was his critical faculty which +opened to them the world of art, and nerved them to emulation. + +“Until one realizes the shortcomings of a master,” he said in a lecture, +“it is impossible to understand him or to take the beauty of his works +to heart When Sophocles repeats himself--the Electra is but a feeble +study for the Antigone, or possibly a feeble copy of it--we get near the +man; the limitations of his outlook are characteristic: when he +deforms his Ajax with a tag of political partisanship, his servitude to +surroundings defines his conscience as an artist; and when painting by +contrasts he poses the weak Ismene and Chrysothemis as foils to their +heroic sisters, we see that his dramatic power in the essential was +rudimentary. Yet Mr. Matthew Arnold, a living English poet, writes that +Sophocles 'saw life steadily and saw it whole.' This is true of no man, +not of Shakespeare nor of Goethe, much less of Sophocles or Racine. The +phrase itself is as offensively out of date as the First Commandment.” + The bold, incisive criticism had a singular fascination for his hearers, +who were too young to remark in it the crudeness that usually attaches +to originality. + +Miss Hutchings was the first of the senior students to yield herself to +the new influence. In the beginning Miss Gulmore was not attracted by +Professor Roberts; she thought him insignificant physically; he was neat +of dress too, and ingenuously eager in manner--all of which conflicted +with her ideal of manhood. It was but slowly that she awoke to a +consciousness of his merits, and her awakening was due perhaps as much +to jealousy of May Hutchings as to the conviction that with Professor +Roberts for a husband she would realize her social ambitions. Suddenly +she became aware that May was passing her in knowledge of Greek, and was +thus winning the notice of the man she had begun to look upon as worthy +of her own choice. Ida at once addressed herself to the struggle with +all the energy of her nature, but at first without success. It was +evident that May was working as she had never worked before, for as the +weeks flew by she seemed to increase her advantage. During this period +Ida Gulmore's pride suffered tortures; day by day she understood more +clearly that the prize of her life was slipping out of reach. In +mind and soul now she realized Roberts' daring and charm. With the +intensified perceptions of a jealous woman, she sometimes feared that he +sympathized with her rival. + +But he had not spoken yet; of that she was sure, and her conceit enabled +her to hope desperately. A moment arrived when her hatred of May was +sweetened by contempt. For some reason or other May was neglecting her +work; when spoken to by the Professor her colour came and went, and a +shyness, visible to all, wrapped her in confusion. Ida felt that there +was no time to be lost, and increased her exertions. As she thought of +her position she determined first to surpass her competitor, and then in +some way or other to bring the Professor to speech. But, alas! for +her plans. One morning she demonstrated her superiority with cruel +clearness, only to find that Roberts, self-absorbed, did not notice her. +He seemed to have lost the vivid interest in the work which aforetime +had characterized him, and the happiness of the man was only less +tell-tale than the pretty contentment and demure approval of all he said +which May scarcely tried to conceal. Wild with fear, blinded by temper, +Ida resolved to know the truth. + +One morning when the others left the room she waited, busying herself +apparently with some notes, till the Professor returned, as she knew he +would, in time to receive the next class. While gathering up her books, +she asked abruptly: + +“I suppose I should congratulate you, Professor?” + +“I don't think I understand you.” + +“Yes, you do. Why lie? You are engaged to May Hutchings,” and the girl +looked at him with flaming eyes. + +“I don't know why you should ask me, or why I should answer, but we have +no motive for concealment--yes, I am.” + +His words were decisive; his reverence for May and her affection had +been wounded by the insolent challenge, but before he finished speaking +his manner became considerate. He was quick to feel the pain of others +and shrank from adding to it--these, indeed, were the two chief articles +of the unformulated creed which directed his actions. His optimism was +of youth and superficial, but the sense of the brotherhood of human +suffering touched his heart in a way that made compassion and tenderness +appear to him to be the highest and simplest of duties. It was Ida's +temper that answered his avowal. Still staring at him she burst into +loud laughter, and as he turned away her tuneless mirth grew shriller +and shriller till it became hysterical. A frightened effort to regain +her self-control, and her voice broke in something like a sob, while +tears trembled on her lashes. The Professor's head was bent over +his desk and he saw nothing. Ida dashed the tears from her eyes +ostentatiously, and walked with shaking limbs out of the room. She would +have liked to laugh again scornfully before closing the door, but she +dared not trust her nerves. From that moment she tried to hate Professor +Roberts as she hated May Hutchings, for her disappointment had been very +sore, and the hurt to her pride smarted like a burn. On returning home, +she told her father that she had taken her name off the books of the +University; she meant to be an actress, and a degree could be of no use +to her in her new career. Her father did not oppose her openly; he was +content to postpone any decisive step, and in a few days she seemed to +have abandoned her project. But time brought no mitigation of her spite. +She was tenacious by nature, and her jealous rage came back upon her in +wild fits. To be outdone by May Hutchings was intolerable. Besides, the +rivalry and triumphs of the class-room had been as the salt of life to +her; now she had nothing to do, nothing to occupy her affections or give +object to her feverish ambition. And the void of her life she laid to +the charge of Roberts. So when the time came and the temptation, she +struck as those strike who are tortured by pain. + +Alone in her room, she justified to herself what she had done. She +thought with pleasure of Professor Roberts' approaching defeat +and punishment. “He deserves it, and more! He knows why I left the +University; drew myself away from him for ever. What does he care for my +suffering? He can't leave me in peace. I wasn't good enough for him, and +my father isn't honest enough. Oh, that I were a man! I'd teach him that +it was dangerous to insult the wretched. + +“How I was mistaken in him! He has no delicacy, no true manliness of +character. I'm glad he has thrown down the challenge. Father may not be +well-educated nor refined, but he's strong. Professor Roberts shall +find out what it means to attack _us_. I hope he'll be turned out of the +University; I hope he will. Let me think. I have a copy of that lecture +of his; perhaps there's something in it worse than I remembered. At any +rate, the report will be proof.” + +She searched hurriedly, and soon found the newspaper account she wanted. +Glancing down the column with feverish eagerness, she burst out: “Here +it is; this will do. I knew there was something more.” + +“... Thus the great ones contribute, each his part, towards the +humanization of man. Christ and Buddha are our teachers, but so also, +and in no lower degree, are Plato, Dante, Goethe, and Shakespeare.... + +“But strange to say, the _Divina Commedia_ seems to us moderns more +remote than the speculations of Plato. For the modern world is founded +upon science, and may be said to begin with the experimental philosophy +of Bacon. The thoughts of Plato, the 'fair humanities' of Greek +religion, are nearer to the scientific spirit than the untutored +imaginings of Christ. The world to-day seeks its rule of life in exact +knowledge of man and his surroundings; its teachers, high-priests in +the temple of Truth, are the Darwins, the Bunsens, the Pasteurs. In the +place of God we see Law, and the old concept of rewards and punishments +has been re-stated as 'the survival of the fittest,' If, on the other +hand, you need emotions, and the inspiration of concrete teaching, you +must go to Balzac, to Turgenief, and to Ibsen....” + +“I think that'll do,” said the girl half-aloud as she marked the above +passages, and then sent the paper by a servant to her father's office. +“The worst of it is, he'll find another place easily; but, at any rate, +he'll have to leave this State.... How well I remember that lecture. I +thought no one had ever talked like that before. But the people disliked +it, and even those who stayed to the end said they wouldn't have come +had they known that a professor could speak against Christianity. How +mad they made me then! I wouldn't listen to them, and now--now he's with +May Hutchings, perhaps laughing at me with her. Or, if he's not so base +as that, he's accusing my father of dishonesty, and I mean to defend +him. But if, ah, if--” and the girl rose to her feet suddenly, with +paling face. + +The house of Lawyer Hutchings was commodious and comfortable. It was +only two storeys high, and its breadth made it appear squat; it was +solidly built of rough, brown stone, and a large wooden verandah gave +shade and a lounging-place in front. It stood in its own grounds on the +outskirts of the town, not far from Mr. Gulmore's, but it lacked the +towers and greenhouse, the brick stables, and black iron gates, which +made Mr. Gulmore's residence an object of public admiration. It had, +indeed, a careless, homelike air, as of a building that disdains show, +standing sturdily upon a consciousness of utility and worth. The study +of the master lay at the back. It was a room of medium size, with two +French windows, which gave upon an orchard of peach and apple-trees +where lush grass hid the fallen fruit. The furniture was plain and +serviceable. A few prints on the wall and a wainscoting of books showed +the owner's tastes. + +In this room one morning Lawyer Hutchings and Professor Roberts +sat talking. The lawyer was sparely built and tall, of sympathetic +appearance. The features of the face were refined and fairly regular, +the blue eyes pleasing, the high forehead intelligent-looking. +Yet--whether it was the querulous horizontal lines above the brows, or +the frequent, graceful gestures of the hands--Mr. Hutchings left on one +an impression of weakness, and, somehow or other, his precise way of +speaking suggested intellectual narrowness. It was understood, however, +that he had passed through Harvard with honours, and had done well in +the law-course. It is, therefore, not to be wondered at that when he +went West, he went with the idea that that was the shortest way to +Washington. Yet he had had but a moderate degree of success; he was too +thoroughly grounded in his work not to get a good practice, but he was +not the first in his profession. He had been outdone by men who fought +their cases, and his popularity was due to affable manners, and not to +admiration of his power or talents. His obvious good nature had got +with years a tinge of discontent; life had been to him a series of +disappointments. + +One glance at Professor Roberts showed him to be a different sort of +a man, though perhaps harder to read. Square shoulders and attenuated +figure--a mixture of energy and nervous force without muscular strength; +a tyrannous forehead overshadowing lambent hazel eyes; a cordial +frankness of manner with a thinker's tricks of gesture, his nervous +fingers emphasizing his words. + +Their talk was of an article assailing the Professor that had appeared +that morning in “The Republican Herald.” + +“I don't like it,” Mr. Hutchings was saying. “It's inspired by Gulmore, +and he always means what he says--and something more.” + +“Except the suggestion that my father had certain good, or rather bad, +reasons for leaving Kentucky, it seems to me merely spiteful. It's very +vilely written.” + +“He only begins with your father. Then he wonders what the real motives +are which induce you to change your political creed. But the affectation +of fairness is the danger signal. One can't imagine Gulmore hesitating +to assert what he has heard, that you have no religious principles. +Coming from him, that means a declaration of war; he'll attack you +without scruple--persistently. It's well known that he cares nothing +for religion--even his wife's a Unitarian. What he's aiming at, I don't +know, but he's sure to do you harm. He has done me harm, and yet he +never gave me such a warning. He only went for me when I ran for office. +As soon as the elections were over, he left me in peace. He's eminently +practical, and rather good-natured. There's no small vicious malice or +hate in him; but he's overbearing and loves a fight. Is it worth your +while to make an enemy of him? We're sure to be beaten.” + +“Of course it isn't worth my while in that sense, but it's my duty, I +think, as you think it yours. Remark, too, that I've never attacked +Mr. Gulmore--never even mentioned him. I've criticised the system, and +avoided personalities.” + +“He won't take it in that way. He is the system; when you criticise it, +you criticise him. Every one will so understand it. He makes all the +appointments, from mayor down to the boy who sweeps out an office; every +contract is given to him or his appointees; that's how he has made his +fortune. Why, he beat me the second time I ran for District Court Judge, +by getting an Irishman, the Chairman of my Committee, to desert me at +the last moment. He afterwards got Patrick Byrne elected a Justice of +the Peace, a man who knows no law and can scarcely sign his own name.” + +“How disgraceful! And you would have me sit down quietly under the +despotism of Mr. Gulmore? And such a despotism! It cost the city half a +million dollars to pave the streets, and I can prove that the work +could have been done as well for half the sum. Our democratic system of +government is the worst in the world, if a tenth part of what I hear +is true; and before I admit that, I'll see whether its abuses are +corrigible. But why do you say we're sure to be beaten? I thought you +said--” + +“Yes,” Mr. Hutchings interrupted, “I said that this railway extension +gives us a chance. All the workmen are Irishmen, Democrats to a man, +who'll vote and vote straight, and that has been our weak point. You +can't get one-half the better classes to go to the polls. The negroes +all vote, too, and vote Republican--that has been Gulmore's strength. +Now I've got the Irishmen against his negroes I may win. But what I feel +is that even if I do get to be Mayor, you'll suffer for it more than I +shall gain by your help. Do you see? And, now that I'm employed by the +Union Pacific I don't care much for city politics. I'd almost prefer +to give up the candidature. May'll suffer, too. I think you ought to +consider the matter before going any further.” + +“This is not the time for consideration. Like you I am trying to put +an end to a corrupt tyranny. I work and shall vote against a venal and +degrading system. May and I will bear what we must. She wouldn't have +me run away from such adversaries. Fancy being governed by the most +ignorant, led on by the most dishonest! It's incomprehensible to me how +such a paradoxical infamy can exist.” + +“I think it'll become comprehensible to you before this election's over. +I've done my best for years to alter it, and so far I've not been very +successful. You don't seem to understand that where parties are almost +equal in strength, a man who'll spend money is sure to win. It has paid +Gulmore to organize the Republican party in this city; he has made +it pay him and all those who hold office by and through him. 'To the +victors, the spoils.' Those who have done the spoiling are able to pay +more than the spoiled--that's all.” + +“Yes, but in this case the spoilers are a handful, while the spoiled are +the vast majority. Why should it be impossible to convince the majority +that they're being robbed?” + +“Because ideas can't get into the heads of negroes, nor yet into the +heads of illiterate Irishmen. You'll find, too, that five Americans out +of every ten take no interest in ordinary politics, and the five who +do are of the lowest class--a Boss is their natural master. Our party +politics, my friend, resembles a game of faro--the card that happens to +be in the box against the same card outside--and the banker holding the +box usually manages to win. Let me once get power and Gulmore'll find +his labour unremunerative. If it hadn't been for him I'd have been in +Congress long ago. But now I'll have to leave you. Talk it over with May +and--you see that Gulmore challenges you to prove the corruption or else +withdraw the imputation? What do you mean to do?” + +“I'll prove it, of course. Long before I spoke I had gone into that +paving contract; it was clearly a fraud.” + +“Well, I'd think, if I were you, before I acted, though you're a great +help to me; your last speech was very powerful.” + +“Unfortunately I'm no speaker, but I'll do as well as I can, and you +may rely on me to go on to the end. The rich at least must be forced +to refrain from robbing the poor.... That malicious sneer at my father +hurts me. It can only mean that he owed money in Kentucky. He was always +careless in money matters, too careless, but he's very generous at +heart. I owe him everything. I'll find out about it at once, and if it +is as I fear, the debt shall be paid. That'll be one good result of +Mr. Gul-more's malice. As for me, let him do his worst. At any rate I'm +forewarned.” + +“A poor satisfaction in case--but here's May, and I must go. I've stayed +too long already. You should look through our ticket; it's strong, the +men are all good, I think--anyway, they're the best we can get. Teach +him to be careful, May; he's too bold.” + +“I will, father,” replied a clear, girlish voice; “it's mother who +spoils him,” and then, as the door shut, she moved to her lover, and +holding out both her hands, with a little air of dignity, added, “He +tries to spoil _me_. But, dear, what's the matter? You seem annoyed.” + +“It's nothing. An article in that paper strikes at my father, and hurts +me; but it can be made right, and to look at you is a cure for pain.” + +“Let me read it--no, please! I want to help you, and how can I do that +if I don't know what pains you?” The girl took the “Herald “and sat down +to read it. + +May Hutchings was more than good-looking, were it only by reason of +a complexion such as is seldom given even to blondes. The inside of a +sea-shell has the same lustre and delicacy, but it does not pale and +flush as did May's cheeks in quick response to her emotions. Waves of +maize-coloured hair with a sheen of its own went with the fairness of +the skin, and the pretty features were redeemed from a suspicion of +insipidity by large violet eyes. She was of good height and lissom, with +small feet and hands, but the outlines of her figure were Southern in +grace and fulness. + +After reading the article, she put down the paper without saying a word + +“Why, May, you seem to take it as seriously as your father does. It's +nothing so very terrible, is it?” + +“What did father say?” + +“That it was inspired by Gulmore, and that he was a dangerous man; but +I don't see much in it. If my father owed money in Kentucky it shall be +repaid, and there the matter ends.” + +“'Tisn't that I'm troubling about; it's that lecture of yours. Oh, it +was wonderful! but I sat trembling all the time. You don't know the +people. If they had understood it better, they'd have made a big fuss +about it. I'm frightened now.” + +“But what fuss can they make? I've surely a right to my own opinions, +and I didn't criticise any creed offensively.” + +“That's it--that's what saved you. Oh, I wish you'd see it as I do! You +spoke so enthusiastically about Jesus, that you confused them. A lot +of them thought, and think still, that you're a Christian. But if it's +brought up again and made clear to them--Won't you understand? If it's +made quite clear that Jesus to you was only a man, and not superior +even to all other men, and that you believe Christianity has served +its purpose, and is now doing harm rather than good in the world, why, +they'd not want to have you in the University. Don't you know that?” + +“Perhaps you're right,” returned the Professor thoughtfully. “You see +I wasn't brought up in any creed, and I've lived in so completely +different an atmosphere for years past, that it's hard to understand +such intolerant bigotry. I remember enough, though, to see that you +are right. But, after all, what does it matter? I can't play hypocrite +because they're blind fanatics.” + +“No, but you needn't have gone _quite_ so far--been _quite_ so frank; +and even now you might easily--” She stopped, catching a look of +surprise in her lover's face, and sought confusedly to blot out the +effect of her last words. “I mean--but of course you know best. I want +you to keep your place; you love the work, and no one could do it so +well as you. No one, and--” + +“It doesn't matter, May. I'm sure you were thinking of what would be +best for both of us, but I've nothing to alter or extenuate. They must +do as they think fit, these Christians, if they have the power. After +all, it can make no difference to us; I can always get work enough +to keep us, even if it isn't such congenial work. But do you think +Gulmore's at the bottom of it? Has he so much influence?” + +“Yes, I think so,” and the girl nodded her head, but she did not give +the reasons for her opinion. She knew that Ida Gulmore had been in love +with him, so she shrank instinctively from mentioning her name, partly +because it might make him pity her, and partly because the love +of another woman for him seemed to diminish her pride of exclusive +possession. She therefore kept silence while seeking for a way to warn +her lover without revealing the truth, which might set him thinking of +Ida Gulmore and her fascinating because unrequited passion. At length +she said: + +“Mr. Gulmore has injured father. He knows him: you'd better take his +opinion.” + +“Your father advises me to have nothing more to do with the election.” + He didn't say it to try her; he trusted her completely. The girl's +answer was emphatic: + +“Oh, that's what you should do; I'm frightened for you. Why need you +make enemies? The election isn't worth that, indeed it isn't. If father +wants to run for Mayor, let him; he knows what he's about. But you, you +should do great things, write a great book; and make every one as proud +of you as I am.” Her face flushed with enthusiasm. She felt relieved, +too; somehow she had got into the spirit of her part once more. But her +lover took the hot face and eager speech as signs of affection, and he +drew her to him while his face lit up with joy. + +“You darling, darling! You overrate me, dear, but that does me good: +makes me work harder. What a pity it is, May, that one can't add a cubit +to his stature. I'd be a giant then.... But never fear; it'll be all +right. You wouldn't wish me, I'm sure, to run away from a conflict I +have provoked; but now I must see my father about those debts, and then +we'll have a drive, or perhaps you'd go with me to him. You could wait +in the buggy for me. You know I have to speak again this evening.” + +The girl consented at once, but she was not satisfied with the decision +her lover had come to. “It's too plain,” she thought in her clear, +common-sense way, “that he's getting into a 'fuss' when he might just as +well, or better, keep out of it.” + +May was eminently practical, and not at all as emotional as one might +have inferred from the sensitive, quick-changing colour that at one +moment flushed her cheeks and at another ebbed, leaving her pallid, as +with passion. Not that she was hardhearted or selfish. Far from it. But +her surroundings had moulded her as they do women. Her mother had been +one of the belles of Baltimore, a Southerner, too, by temperament May +had a brother and a sister older than herself (both were now married), +and a younger brother who had taken care that she should not be spoiled +for want of direct personal criticism. It was this younger brother, Joe, +who first called her “Towhead,” and even now he often made disparaging +remarks about “girls who didn't weigh 130”--in Joe's eyes, a Venus of +Rubens would have seemed perfect. May was not vain of her looks; indeed, +she had only come to take pleasure in them of recent years. As a young +girl, comparing herself with her mother, she feared that she would +always be “quite homely.” Her glass and the attentions of men had +gradually shown her the pleasant truth. She did not, however, even now, +overrate her beauty greatly. But her character had been modified +to advantage in those schoolgirl days, when, with bitter tears, she +admitted to herself that she was not pretty. Her teacher's praise of her +quickness and memory had taught her to set her pride on learning. And +indeed she had been an intelligent child, gifted with a sponge-like +faculty of assimilating all kinds of knowledge--the result, perhaps, of +generations of educated forbears. The admiration paid to her looks +did not cause her to relax her intellectual efforts. But when at the +University she found herself outgrowing the ordinary standards of +opinion, conceit at first took possession of her. It seemed to her +manifest that she had always underrated herself. She was astonished by +her own excessive modesty, and keenly interested in it. She had thought +herself ugly and she was beautiful, and now it was evident that she was +a genius as well. With soul mightily uplifted by dreams of all she would +do and the high part she would play in life, always nobly serious, yet +with condescension of exquisite charming kindliness, taking herself +gravely for a perfect product of the race and time, she proceeded to +write the book which should discover to mankind all her qualities--the +delicacy, nobility, and sweetness of an ideal nature. + +During this period she even tried to treat Joe with sweet courtesy, but +Joe told her not to make herself “more of a doggoned fool” than she +was. And soon the dream began to lose its brightness. The book would not +advance, and what she wrote did not seem to her wonderful--not inspired +and fascinating as it ought to have been. Her reading had given her some +slight critical insight. She then showed parts of it to her admirers, +hoping thus to justify vanity, but they used the occasion to pay +irrelevant compliments, and so disappointed her--all, save Will +Thornton, who admitted critically that “it was poetic” and guessed “she +ought to write poetry.” Accordingly she wrote some lyrics, and one on +“Vanished Hopes” really pleased her. Forthwith she read it to Will, who +decided “'twas fine, mighty fine. Tennyson had written more, of course, +but nothing better--nothing easier to understand.” + +That last phrase killed her trust in him. She sank into despondence. +Even when Ida Gul-more, whom she had learned to dislike, began to +outshine her in the class, she made no effort. To graduate first of her +year appeared a contemptible ambition in comparison with the dreams she +had foregone. About this period she took a new interest in her dress; +she grew coquettish even, and became a greater favourite than ever. +Then Professor Roberts came to the University, and with his coming life +opened itself to her anew, vitalized with hopes and fears. She was drawn +to him from the first, as spirit is sometimes drawn to spirit, by an +attraction so imperious that it frightened her, and she tried to hold +herself away from him. But in her heart she knew that she studied and +read only to win his praise. His talents revealed to her the futility of +her ambition. Here was one who stood upon the heights beyond her power +of climbing, and yet, to her astonishment, he was very doubtful of +his ability to gain enduring reputation. Not only was there a plane of +knowledge and feeling above the conventional--that she had found out by +herself--but there were also table-lands where teachers of repute in the +valley were held to be blind guides. Her quick receptivity absorbed +the new ideas with eagerness; but she no longer deluded herself. Her +practical good sense came to her aid. What seemed difficult or doubtful +to the Professor must, she knew, be for ever impossible to her. And +already love was upon her, making her humility as sweet as was her +admiration. At last he spoke, and life became altogether beautiful to +her. As she learned to know him intimately she began to understand his +un-worldliness, his scholar-like idealism, and ignorance of men and +motives, and thus she came to self-possession again, and found her true +mission. She realized with joy, and a delightful sense of an assured +purpose in life, that her faculty of observation and practical insight, +though insufficient as “bases for Eternity,” would be of value to +her lover. And if she now and then fell back into the part of a +nineteenth-century Antigone, it was but a momentary relapse into what +had been for a year or so a dear familiar habit The heart of the girl +grew and expanded in the belief that her new _rôle_ of counsellor and +worldly guide to her husband was the highest to which any woman could +attain. + +A few days later Mr. Hutchings had another confidential talk with +Professor Roberts, and, as before, the subject was suggested by an +article in “The Republican Herald.” This paper, indeed, devoted a column +or so every day to personal criticism of the Professor, and each attack +surpassed its forerunner in virulence of invective. All the young man's +qualities of character came out under this storm of unmerited abuse. +He read everything that his opponents put forth, replied to nothing, in +spite of the continual solicitation of the editor of “The Democrat,” + and seemed very soon to regard “The Herald's” calumnies merely from the +humorous side. Meanwhile his own speeches grew in knowledge and vigour. +With a scholar's precision he put before his hearers the inner history +and significance of job after job. His powers of study helped him to +“get up his cases” with crushing completeness. He quickly realized the +value of catch-words, but his epigrams not being hardened in the fire of +life refused to stick. He did better when he published the balance-sheet +of the “ring” in pamphlet form, and showed that each householder paid +about one hundred and fifty dollars a year, or twice as much as all his +legal taxes, in order to support a party organization the sole object +of which was to enrich a few at the expense of the many. One job, in +especial, the contract for paving the streets, he stigmatized as a +swindle, and asserted that the District Attorney, had he done his duty, +would long ago have brought the Mayor and Town Council before a criminal +court as parties to a notorious fraud. His ability, steadfastness, and +self-restraint had had a very real effect; his meetings were always +crowded, and his hearers were not all Democrats. His courage and +fighting power were beginning to win him general admiration. The public +took a lively though impartial interest in the contest. To critical +outsiders it seemed not unlikely that the Professor (a word of +good-humoured contempt) might “whip” even “old man Gulmore.” Bets were +made on the result and short odds accepted. Even Mr. Hutchings allowed +himself to hope for a favourable issue. + +“You've done wonderfully well,” was the burden of his conversations with +Roberts; “I should feel certain of success against any one but Gulmore. +And he seems to be losing his head--his perpetual abuse excites sympathy +with you. If we win I shall owe it mainly to you.” + +But on this particular morning Lawyer Hutchings had something to say to +his friend and helper which he did not like to put into plain words. He +began abruptly: + +“You've seen the 'Herald'?” + +“Yes; there's nothing in it of interest, is there?” + +“No; but 'twas foolish of your father to write that letter saying you +had paid his Kentucky debts.” + +“I was sorry when I saw it. I know they'll say I got him to write the +letter. But it's only another incident.” + +“It's true, then? You did pay the money?” + +“Yes; I was glad to.” + +“But it was folly. What had you to do with your father's debts? Every +house to-day should stand on its own foundation.” + +“I don't agree with you; but in this case there was no question of +that sort. My father very generously impoverished himself to send me +to Europe and keep me there for six years. I owed him the five thousand +dollars, and was only too glad to be able to repay him. You'd have done +the same.” + +“Would I, indeed! Five thousand dollars! I'm not so sure of that.” The +father's irritation conquered certain grateful memories of his +younger days, and the admiration which, in his heart, he felt for the +Professor's action, only increased his annoyance. “It must have nearly +cleaned you out?” + +“Very nearly.” + +“Well, of course it's your affair, not mine; but I think you foolish. +You paid them in full, I suppose? Whew! + +“Do you see that the 'Herald' calls upon the University authorities to +take action upon your lecture? 'The teaching of Christian youth by an +Atheist must be stopped,' and so forth.” + +“Yes; but they can do nothing. I'm not responsible to them for my +religious opinions.” + +“You're mistaken. A vote of the Faculty can discharge you.” + +“Impossible! On what grounds?” + +“On the ground of immorality. They've got the power in that case. It's a +loose word, but effective.” + +“I'd have a cause of action against them.” + +“Which you'd be sure to lose. Eleven out of every twelve jurymen in this +state would mulct an Agnostic rather than give him damages.” + +“Ah! that's the meaning, then, I suppose, of this notice I've just +got from the secretary to attend a special Faculty meeting on Monday +fortnight.” + +“Let me see it. Why, here it is! The object of the meeting is 'To +consider the anti-Christian utterances of Professor Roberts, and to take +action thereon.' That's the challenge. Didn't you read it?” + +“No; as soon as I opened it and saw the printed form, I took it for the +usual notification, and put it aside to think of this election work. But +it would seem as if the Faculty intended to out-herald the 'Herald.'” + +“They are simply allowed to act first in order that the 'Herald,' a +day later, may applaud them. It's all worked by Gulmore, and I tell you +again, he's dangerous.” + +“He may be; but I won't change for abuse, nor yet to keep my post. Let +him do his worst. I've not attacked him hitherto for certain reasons of +my own, nor do I mean to now. But he can't frighten me; he'll find that +out.” + +“Well, we'll see. But, at any rate, it was my duty to warn you. It +would be different if I were rich, but, as it is, I can only give May a +little, and--” + +“My dear Hutchings, don't let us talk of that. In giving me May, you +give me all I want.” The young man's tone was so conclusive that it +closed the conversation. + +Mr. Gulmore had not been trained for a political career. He had begun +life as a clerk in a hardware store in his native town. But in his early +manhood the Abolition agitation had moved him deeply--the colour of his +skin, he felt, would never have made him accept slavery--and he became +known as a man of extreme views. Before he was thirty he had managed to +save some thousands of dollars. He married and emigrated to Columbus, +Ohio, where he set up a business. It was there, in the stirring years +before the war, that he first threw himself into politics; he laboured +indefatigably as an Abolitionist without hope or desire of personal +gain. But the work came to have a fascination for him, and he saw +possibilities in it of pecuniary emolument such as the hardware business +did not afford. When the war was over, and he found himself scarcely +richer than he had been before it began, he sold his store and emigrated +again--this time to Tecumseh, Nebraska, intending to make political +organization the business of his life. He wanted “to grow up” with +a town and become its master from the beginning. As the negroes +constituted the most ignorant and most despised class, a little +solicitation made him their leader. In the first election it was found +that “Gulmore's negroes” voted to a man, and that he thereby controlled +the Republican party. In the second year of his residence in Tecumseh he +got the contract for lighting the town with gas. The contract was to +run for twenty years, and was excessively liberal, for Mr. Gulmore had +practically no competitor, no one who understood gas manufacture, and +who had the money and pluck to embark in the enterprise. He quickly +formed a syndicate, and fulfilled the conditions of the contract. The +capital was fixed at two hundred thousand dollars, and the syndicate +earned a profit of nearly forty per cent, in the first year. Ten years +later a one hundred dollar share was worth a thousand. This first +success was the foundation of Mr. Gulmore's fortune. The income derived +from the gas-works enabled him to spend money on the organization of his +party. The first manager of the works was rewarded with the position of +Town Clerk--an appointment which ran for five years, but which under Mr. +Gulmore's rule was practically permanent. His foremen became the most +energetic of ward-chairmen. He was known to pay well, and to be a kind +if strenuous master. What he had gained in ten years by the various +contracts allotted to him or his nominees no one could guess; he was +certainly very rich. From year to year, too, his control of the city +government had grown more complete. There was now no place in the civil +or judicial establishment of the city or county which did not depend on +his will, and his influence throughout the State was enormous. + +A municipal election, or, indeed, any election, afforded Mr. Gulmore +many opportunities of quiet but intense self-satisfaction. He loved +the struggle and the consciousness that from his office-chair he had so +directed his forces that victory was assured. He always allowed a broad +margin in order to cover the unforeseen. Chance, and even ill-luck, +formed a part of his strategy; the sore throat of an eloquent speaker; +the illness of a popular candidate; a storm on polling-day--all were to +him factors in the problem. He reckoned as if his opponents might have +all the luck upon their side; but, while considering the utmost malice +of fortune, it was his delight to base his calculations upon the +probable, and to find them year by year approaching more nearly +to absolute exactitude. As soon as his ward-organization had been +completed, he could estimate the votes of his party within a dozen or +so. His plan was to treat every contest seriously, to bring all his +forces to the poll on every occasion--nothing kept men together, he used +to say, like victory. It was the number of his opponent's minority which +chiefly interested him; but by studying the various elections carefully, +he came to know better than any one the value as a popular candidate of +every politician in the capital, or, indeed, in the State. The talent of +the man for organization lay in his knowledge of men, his fairness and +liberality, and, perhaps, to a certain extent, in the power he possessed +of inspiring others with confidence in himself and his measures. He was +never satisfied till the fittest man in each ward was the Chairman of +the ward; and if money would not buy that particular man's services, +as sometimes though rarely happened, he never rested until he found the +gratification which bound his energy to the cause. Besides--and this was +no small element in his successes--his temper disdained the applause of +the crowd. He had never “run” for any office himself, and was not nearly +so well known to the mass of the electorate as many of his creatures. +The senator, like the mayor or office-messenger of his choice, got +all the glory: Mr. Gulmore was satisfied with winning the victory, and +reaping the fruits of it. He therefore excited, comparatively speaking, +no jealousy; and this, together with the strength of his position, +accounts for the fact that he had never been seriously opposed before +Professor Roberts came upon the scene. + +Better far than Lawyer Hutchings, or any one else, Mr. Gulmore knew that +the relative strength of the two parties had altered vastly within the +year. Reckoning up his forces at the beginning of the campaign, he felt +certain that he could win--could carry his whole ticket, including a +rather unpopular Mayor; but the majority in his favour would be small, +and the prospect did not please him, for the Professor's speeches had +aroused envy. He understood that if his majority were not overwhelming +he would be assailed again next year more violently, and must in the +long run inevitably lose his power. Besides, “fat” contracts required +unquestionable supremacy. He began, therefore, by instituting such +a newspaper-attack upon the Professor as he hoped would force him to +abandon the struggle. When this failed, and Mr. Gulmore saw that it had +done worse than fail, that it had increased his opponent's energy and +added to his popularity, he went to work again to consider the whole +situation. He must win and win “big,” that was clear; win too, if +possible, in a way that would show his “smartness” and demonstrate +his adversary's ignorance of the world. His anger had at length been +aroused; personal rivalry was a thing he could not tolerate at any time, +and Roberts had injured his position in the town. He was resolved to +give the young man such a lesson that others would be slow to follow his +example. The difficulty of the problem was one of its attractions. Again +and again he turned the question over in his mind--How was he to make +his triumph and the Professor's defeat sensational? All the factors were +present to him and he dwelt upon them with intentness. He was a man of +strong intellect; his mind was both large and quick, but its activity, +owing to want of education and to greedy physical desires, had been +limited to the ordinary facts and forces of life. What books are to most +persons gifted with an extraordinary intelligence, his fellow-men +were to Mr. Gulmore--a study at once stimulating and difficult, of +an incomparable variety and complexity. His lack of learning was of +advantage to him in judging most men. Their stock of ideas, sentiments +and desires had been his for years, and if he now viewed the patchwork +quilt of their morality with indulgent contempt, at least he was +familiar with all the constituent shades of it. But he could not make +the Professor out--and this added to his dislike of him; he recognized +that Roberts was not, as he had at first believed, a mere mouthpiece of +Hutchings, but he could not fathom his motives; besides, as he said to +himself, he had no need to; Roberts was plainly a “crank,” book-mad, and +the species did not interest him. But Hutchings he knew well; knew that +like himself Hutchings, while despising ordinary prejudices, was ruled +by ordinary greeds and ambitions. In intellect they were both above +the average, but not in morals. So, by putting himself in the lawyer's +place, a possible solution of the problem occurred to him. + +A couple of days before the election, Mr. Hutchings, who had been hard +at work till the evening among his chief subordinates, was making his +way homeward when Mr. Prentiss accosted him, with the request that he +would accompany him to his rooms for a few minutes on a matter of the +utmost importance. Having no good reason for refusing, Mr. Hutchings +followed the editor of the “Herald” up a flight of stairs into a large +and comfortable room. As he entered and looked about him Mr. Gulmore +came forward: + +“I wanted a talk with you, Lawyer, where we wouldn't be disturbed, and +Prentiss thought it would be best to have it here, and I guess he was +about right. It's quiet and comfortable. Won't you be seated?” + +“Mr. Gulmore!” exclaimed the surprised lawyer stopping short. “I don't +think there's anything to be discussed between us, and as I'm in a hurry +to get home to dinner, I think I'll--” + +“Don't you make any mistake,” interrupted Mr. Gulmore; “I mean +business--business that'll pay both you and me, and I guess 'twon't do +you any damage to take a seat and listen to me for a few minutes.” + +As Lawyer Hutchings, overborne by the authority of the voice and manner, +sat down, he noticed that Mr. Prentiss had disappeared. Interpreting +rightly the other's glance, Mr. Gulmore began: + +“We're alone, Hutchin's. This matter shall be played fair and square. +I guess you know that my word can be taken at its face-value.” Then, +settling himself in his chair, he went on: + +“You and I hev been runnin' on opposite tickets for a good many years, +and I've won right along. It has paid me to win and it has not paid you +to lose. Now, it's like this. You reckon that those Irishmen on the line +give you a better show. They do; but not enough to whip me. You appear +to think that that'll have to be tried the day after tomorrow, but you +ought to know by now that when I say a thing is so, it's so--every time. +If you had a chance, I'd tell you: I'm playin' square. I ken carry my +ticket from one end to the other; I ken carry Robinson as Mayor against +you by at least two hundred and fifty of a majority, and the rest of +your ticket has just no show at all--you know that. But, even if you +could get in this year or next what good would it do you to be Mayor? +You're not runnin' for the five thousand dollars a year salary, I +reckon, and that's about all you'd get--unless you worked with me. I +want a good Mayor, a man like you, of position and education, a fine +speaker that knows everybody and is well thought of--popular. Robinson's +not good enough for me; he hain't got the manners nor the knowledge, nor +the popularity. I'd have liked to have had you on my side right along. +It would have been better for both of us, but you were a Democrat, an' +there wasn't any necessity. Now there is. I want to win this election by +a large majority, an' you ken make that sartin. You see I speak square. +Will you join me?” + +The question was thrown out abruptly. Mr. Gul-more had caught a gleam in +the other's eye as he spoke of a good Mayor and his qualifications. “He +bites, I guess,” was his inference, and accordingly he put the question +at once. + +Mr. Hutchings, brought to himself by the sudden interrogation, +hesitated, and decided to temporize. He could always refuse to join +forces, and Gulmore might “give himself away.” He answered: + +“I don't quite see what you mean. How are we to join?” + +“By both of us givin' somethin'.” + +“What am I to give?” + +“Withdraw your candidature for Mayor as a Democrat.” + +“I can't do that.” + +“Jest hear me out. The city has advertised for tenders for a new Court +House and a new Town Hall. The one building should cover both, and be +near the middle of the business part. That's so--ain't it? Well, land's +hard to get anywhere there, and I've the best lots in the town. I guess” + (carelessly) “the contract will run to a million dollars; that +should mean two hundred thousand dollars to some one. It's like this, +Hutchin's: Would you rather come in with me and make a joint tender, or +run for Mayor and be beaten?” + +Mr. Hutchings started. Ten years before the proposal would have won him. +But now his children were provided for--all except Joe, and his position +as Counsel to the Union Pacific Railroad lifted him above pecuniary +anxieties. Then the thought of the Professor and May came to him--No! he +wouldn't sell himself. But in some strange way the proposition excited +him; he felt elated. His quickened pulse-beats prevented him from +realizing the enormity of the proposed transaction, but he knew that +he ought to be indignant. What a pity it was that Gulmore had made no +proposal which he might have accepted--and then disclosed! + +“If I understand you, you propose that I should take up this contract, +and make money out of it. If that was your business with me, you've made +a mistake, and Professor Roberts is right.” + +“Hev I?” asked Mr. Gulmore slowly, coldly, in sharp contrast to the +lawyer's apparent excitement and quick speech. Contemptuously he thought +that Hutchings was “foolisher” than he had imagined--or was he sincere? +He would have weighed this last possibility before speaking, if the +mention of Roberts had not angered him. His combativeness made him +persist: + +“If you don't want to come in with me, all you've got to do is to say +so. You've no call to get up on your hind legs about it; it's easy to +do settin'. But don't talk poppycock like that Professor; he's silly. He +talks about the contract for street pavin', and it ken be proved--'twas +proved in the 'Herald'--that our streets cost less per foot than the +streets of any town in this State. He knows nothin'. He don't even know +that an able man can make half a million out of a big contract, an' do +the work better than an ordinary man could do it who'd lose money by it +At a million our Court House'll be cheap; and if the Professor had the +contract with the plans accordin' to requirement to-morrow, he'd +make nothin' out of it--not a red cent. No, sir. If I ken, that's my +business--and yours, ain't it? Or, are we to work for nothin' because +he's a fool?” + +While Mr. Gulmore was speaking, Mr. Hutchings gave himself to thought. +After all, why was he running for Mayor? The place, as Gulmore said, +would be of no use to him. He was weary of fighting which only ended in +defeat, and could only end in a victory that would be worthless. Mayor, +indeed! If he had a chance of becoming a Member of Congress, that would +be different. And across his brain flitted the picture so often evoked +by imagination in earlier years. Why not? Gulmore could make it certain. +Would he? + +“What you say seems plausible enough, but I don't see my way. I don't +feel inclined to go into business at my time of life.” + +“You don't need to go into the business. I'll see to that.” + +“No. I don't need money now particularly.” + +“Next year, Hutchin's, I'll have a better man than Robinson against you. +Lawyer Nevilson's as good as ken be found, I reckon, and he wouldn't +refuse to join me if I gave him the chance.” But while he was speaking, +Mr. Gulmore kept his opponent's answer in view. He considered it +thoughtfully; “I don't need money now particularly.” What did the +man need? Congress? As a Republican? That would do as well. When Mr. +Hutchings shook his head, careless of the menace, Mr. Gulmore made up +his mind. His obstinacy came out; he would win at any price. He began: + +“It's what I said at first, Hutchin's; we've each got to give what the +other wants. I've told you what I want; tell me squarely what you want, +an' p'r'aps the thing ken be settled.” + +As Mr. Hutchings did not answer at once, the Boss went on: + +“You're in politics for somethin'. What is it? If you're goin' to buck +agen me, you might as well draw out; you'll do no good. You know that. +See here! Is it the State Legislature you're after, or--Congress?” + +The mere words excited Mr. Hutchings; he wanted to be back again in the +East as a victor; he longed for the cultivated amenities and the social +life of Washington. He could not help exclaiming: + +“Ah! if it hadn't been for you I'd have been in Congress long ago.” + +“As a Democrat? Not from this State, I guess.” + +“What does it matter? Democrat or Republican, the difference now is only +in the name.” + +“The price is high, Hutchin's. I ask you to give up runnin' for Mayor, +and you ask me for a seat in Congress instead. But--I'll pay it, if you +do as I say. You've no chance in this State as a Democrat; you know that +yourself. To run for Mayor as a Democrat hurts you; that must stop right +now--in your own interest. But what I want from you is that you don't +announce your withdrawal till the day after to-morrow, an' meantime you +say nothin' to the Professor or any one else. Are you agreed?” + +Mr. Hutchings paused. The path of his desire lay open before him; the +opportunity was not to be missed; he grew eager. But still there was +something disagreeable in an action which demanded secrecy. He must +think coolly. What was the proposal? What was he giving? Nothing. He +didn't wish to be Mayor with Gulmore and all the City Council against +him. Nothing--except the withdrawal on the very morning of the election. +That would look bad, but he could pretend illness, and he had told the +Professor he didn't care to be Mayor; he had advised him not to mix in +the struggle; besides, Roberts would not suspect anything, and if he +did there'd be no shadow of proof for a long time to come. In the other +scale of the balance he had Gulmore's promise: it was trustworthy, he +knew, but--: + +“Do you mean that you'll run me for the next term and get me elected?” + +“I'll do all I know, and I guess you'll succeed.” + +“I have nothing but your word.” + +“Nothin'.” + +Again Mr. Hutchings paused. To accept definitively would be dangerous if +the conversation had had listeners. It was characteristic of the place +and time that he could suspect a man of laying such a trap, upon +whose word he was prepared to rely. Mr. Gulmore saw and understood his +hesitation: + +“I said we were alone, Hutchin's, and I meant it. Jest as I say now, +if you withdraw and tell no one and be guided by me in becoming a +Republican, I'll do what I ken to get you into Congress,” and as he +spoke he stood up. + +Mr. Hutchings rose, too, and said, as if in excuse: “I wanted to think +it over, but I'm agreed. I'll do as you say,” and with a hurried “Good +night!” he left the room. + +Mr. Gulmore returned to his chair and lit a cigar. He was fairly +satisfied with the result of his efforts. His triumph over the Professor +would not be as flagrant, perhaps, as if Hutchin's' name had been linked +with his in a city contract; but, he thought with amusement, every one +would suspect that he had bought the lawyer for cash. What a fool the +man was! What did he want to get into Congress for? Weak vanity! He'd +have no weight there. To prefer a seat in Congress to wealth--silly. +Besides, Hutchin's would be a bad candidate. Of course the party name +would cover anythin'. But what a mean skunk! Here Mr. Gulmore's thoughts +reverted to himself. Ought he to keep his word and put such a man +into Congress? He hated to break a promise. But why should he help the +Professor's father-in-law to power? Wall, there was no hurry. He'd make +up his mind later. Anyway, the Professor'd have a nice row to hoe on the +mornin' of the election, and Boss Gulmore'd win and win big, an' that +was the point The laugh would be on the Professor-- + +On the morning of the election Professor Roberts was early afoot. He +felt hopeful, light-hearted, and would not confess even to himself +that his good spirits were due chiefly to the certainty that in +another twelve hours his electioneering would be at an end. The work of +canvassing and public speaking had become very disagreeable to him. The +mere memory of the speeches he had listened to, had left, as it were, +an unpleasant aftertaste. How the crowds had cheered the hackneyed +platitudes, the blatant patriotic appeals, the malevolent caricature +of opponents! Something unspeakably trivial, vulgar, and evil in it +all reminded him of tired children when the romping begins to grow +ill-natured. + +And if the intellectual side of the struggle had been offensive, the +moral atmosphere of the Committee Rooms, infected as it was by the +candidates, had seemed to him to be even worse--mephitic, poisonous. He +had shrunk from realizing the sensations which had been forced upon him +there--a recoil of his nature as from unappeasable wild-beast greeds, +with their attendant envy, suspicion, and hatred seething like lava +under the thin crust of a forced affability, of a good-humour assumed +to make deception easy. He did not want to think of it; it was horrible. +And perhaps, after all, he was mistaken; perhaps his dislike of the +work had got upon his nerves, and showed him everything in the darkest +colours. It could scarcely be as bad as he thought, or human society +would be impossible. But argument could not blunt the poignancy of his +feelings; he preferred, therefore, to leave them inarticulate, striving +to forget. In any case, the ordeal would soon be over; it had to be +endured for a few hours more, and then he would plunge into his books +again, and enjoy good company, he and May together. + +He was still lingering over this prospect when the servant came to +tell him that some gentlemen were waiting for him, and he found in the +sitting-room half-a-dozen of his favourite students. One of the Seniors, +named Cartrell, a young man of strong figure, and keen, bold face, +remarked, as he shook hands, that they had come to accompany him--” + Elections are sometimes rough, and we know the ropes.” Roberts thanked +them warmly, and they set off. + +The Committee Rooms of the Democratic party were situated near the Court +House, in what had been once the centre, but was now the edge of the +town. The little troop had to pass through the negro quarter--small +frame-houses, peppered over grassless, bare lots, the broken-down fences +protesting against unsociable isolation. The Rooms, from the outside, +reminded one of a hive of angry bees. In and out of the door men were +hurrying, and a crowd swarmed on the side-walk talking in a loud, +excited hum. As soon as the Professor was recognized, a silence of +astonishment fell upon the throng. With stares of curiosity they +drew aside to let him enter. Slightly surprised by the reception, the +Professor passed into the chief room. At a table in the middle a man was +speaking in a harsh, loud voice--one Simpson, a popular orator, who had +held aloof from the meetings of the party. He was saying: + +“It's a put-up game between them, but the question is, who's to go on +the ticket in--” + +As Simpson's eyes met those of Roberts he stopped speaking. + +“Good morning, gentlemen. Please continue, Mr. Simpson; I hope I'm not +interrupting you.” + +The Professor did not like Mr. Simpson. The atrabilious face, the +bitter, thin lips, and grey eyes veined with yellow, reminded him +indefinably of a wild beast. Mr. Simpson seemed to take the courteous +words as a challenge. Drawing his wiry figure up he said, with insult in +voice and manner: + +“Perhaps you've come to nominate a Mayor; we'd all like to know your +choice.” + +“I don't understand you.” + +The Professor's tone was frank, his sincerity evident, but Simpson went +on: + +“Don't ye? Perhaps Hutchin's has sent you to say, as he's sick it'd be +well to run Robinson on both tickets--eh?” + +“I don't know what you mean. I expected to meet Mr. Hutchings here. Is +he ill?” + +“He'll get well soon, I reckon; but after taking a perscription from +Gulmore, he's mighty bad and can't leave the house.” + +“What do you mean?” + +“I mean that Hutchin's has withdrawn his candidature as Mayor. I mean +that the 'Herald' has the announcin' of it. I mean it's a put-up job +between him and Gulmore to ruin the Democratic party in this town. I +mean--” + +As the Professor drew back in amazement, young Cartrell stepped in front +of him and addressed Simpson: + +“What proof have you of what you say?” + +“Proof! Proof enough. Does an honest man resign a candidature on the +morning of an election, and give the other side the news before his own +party?” + +The interruption had given Roberts time for reflection. He felt that +Simpson's facts must be right. It was characteristic of him that his +first thought was, Had Hutchings withdrawn in order to save him from +further attacks? No. If he had he'd have told him before the event. +A sort of nausea overpowered him as he remembered that Hutchings had +related how Gulmore had bought Patrick Byrne--and now he, too, had sold +himself. As in a flash Hutchings' weakness of fibre was laid bare to +him. “That's the reason I couldn't find him yesterday.” His heart sank +within him. “How could Hutchings have been so--?” With the belief in +the lawyer's guilt came the understanding that he too was concerned, +suspected even. Disgust of traitorism, conscious innocence impelled him +to clear himself--but how? To his surprise he found that companionship +with these men had given him some insight into their character. He put +the question to Simpson: + +“Can anything be done now?” + +The steadiness of the tone, the resolve in his face, excited a certain +curiosity. Shrugging his shoulders, Simpson replied: + +“We've not got a candidate. It's too late to get the party together. New +tickets'd have to be printed. I--” + +“Will you accept the candidature?” Reading the man at once, Roberts +turned to the others: “Gentlemen, I hope some one will second me; I +nominate Mr. Simpson as Mayor, and propose that his name should be +substituted for that of Mr. Hutchings. To show that I'm in earnest I'll +contribute five hundred dollars towards the expense of printing the +tickets.” + +The Professor's offer of money seemed to exercise a magical influence +upon the crowd; the loud tones, the provocative rudeness of speech and +bearing, disappeared at once; the men began to show him the respect of +attention, and Mr. Simpson was even quicker than the rest in changing +his attitude--perhaps because he hoped to gain more than they did. + +“I had no idee,” he began, “but if the Committee thinks I oughter run +I've no objection. I hain't ever cared for office, but I'm a party-man, +an' what the party wants me to do I'll do every time. I'm a Democrat +right through. I guess Lawyer Hutchin's has gone back on us, but that's +not your fault, Professor, and five hundred dollars--an' your work will +do a pile. The folk all like you an'--respect you an'--” + +Roberts looked at the man; his offer had been a movement of indignant +contempt, and yet it had succeeded. He could have laughed; the key +to the enigma was in his hands; these men answered to the motive of +self-interest as a ship answers to the helm, and yet--how revolting it +all was! The next moment he again banished reflection. + +“I'll go and get the money, and return as soon as possible. In the +meantime, perhaps you, Mr. Simpson, will see that the printing is +begun without delay. Then if you'll tell us what polling-stations need +superintendence, my friends and I will do our best.” + +The appeal found an immediate response--in a few minutes order and +energetic work had taken the place of the former angry excitement and +recrimination. + +To Professor Roberts the remainder of the day was one whirl of restless +labour; he hastened from one polling-station to another, and when the +round was completed drove to the Central Rooms, where questions had to +be answered, and new arrangements made without time for thought. Then he +was off again on his hurried round as canvasser. One incident, however, +made a definite impression upon him. Returning for the second or third +time to the Central Rooms he found himself in a crowd of Irish labourers +who had come in deference to priestly bidding to record their votes. Mr. +Hutchings' retirement had excited their native suspiciousness; they +felt that they had been betrayed, and yet the peremptory orders they had +received must be followed. The satisfaction of revolt being denied +to them, their anger became dangerous. Professor Roberts faced them +quietly; he soon saw that they were sincere, or were playing the part of +sincerity; he therefore spoke for the cause, for the party to which they +belonged; surely they wouldn't abandon the struggle because a leader had +deserted them! His words and manner; his appeal to their combativeness; +his earnestness and good temper were successful. The storm of invective +gradually subsided, and although one or two, for the sake of a row, +sought to insult him, they did not go to extremes in face of the +resolute disapprobation of the American party-leaders. Loyalty to their +shibboleth was beginning to draw them, still grumbling and making use of +expressive imprecations, on the way to the nearest polling-station, when +one of their leaders drew Professor Roberts aside, and asked him: + +“Are the bhoys to have nothin' for their throuble? Half a day they'll +lose, so they will--a dollar each now would be no more than fair--” + +The Professor shook his head; he was not rich, he said, and had already +spent more money in the contest than he could afford. + +“Be gob, it's poor worruk this talkin' an' votin' for us that gets +nothin' by it “--the phrase stuck in his memory as illustrating the +paltry baseness of the whole affair. It was with a sense of relief that +he threw himself again into the turmoil that served to deaden thought. +As the day wore towards evening he became conscious of fatigue, a +weariness that was not of the body alone, but of the head and heart. +After the closing of the polls he returned to the Central Rooms. They +were filled with an enthusiastic crowd, most of whom professed to +believe that the Democratic party had won all along the line. Roberts +found it hard to bear their self-gratulation and the exuberance of their +triumph, but when Simpson began to take the liberties of comradeship +with him, the cup ran over. He cut the man short with a formally polite +phrase, and betook himself to his house. He would not think even of May; +her image brought him face to face with her father; and he wanted rest. + +In the morning the Professor awoke with a feeling of utter depression. +Before he opened the paper he was sure that his hopelessness had been +justified. He was right--Gulmore had carried his whole ticket, and +Simpson had been beaten by a majority of more than a thousand. The +Democratic organ did not scruple to ascribe the defeat to the fact that +Lawyer Hutchings had sold his party. The simulated indignation of the +journalist found expression in phrases which caricatured the simplicity +of sincere condemnation. “Never did shameless corruption...” Roberts +could not read the stuff. Yet the feigned passion and tawdry rhetoric +in some way stirred up his bile; he would see Hutchings and--but if he +unpacked his heart's bitterness upon her father, he would hurt May. He +must restrain himself; Hutchings would understand from his manner, and +May would be sympathetic--as she always was. + +Another thought exasperated him afresh. His idealism had made him +ridiculous in the eyes of the townsfolk. He had spent money he could +ill spare in a hopeless cause, which was not even a worthy one. And now +everybody was laughing at him or sneering--he grew hot with shame. That +his motives were honourable only heightened the ludicrousness of his +action: it seemed as if he had made a fool of himself. He almost wished +that he had left the Democrats to their own devices. But no! he had done +the right, and that was the main point. The sense of failure, however, +robbed him of confidence in regard to the future. How should he act? +Since high motives were ineffectual, Quixotic, ought he to discard them +and come down to the ordinary level? 'Twould be better not to live at +all. The half-life of a student, a teacher, dwelling apart from the +world, would be preferable to such degradation; but-- + +The situation appeared to him to be so difficult that as soon as he had +taken his breakfast he went out for a walk away from the town in order +to avoid importunate visits, and to decide upon a course of conduct. The +air and exercise invigorated him; the peace and solitude of the prairie, +the beauty of earth and sky, the unconsciousness of nature consoled him, +reduced his troubles to relative unimportance, and allowed him to regain +his equanimity. + +Even his ideas in regard to Hutchings underwent a change. After all it +was not his part to condemn; his indignation owed its heat to baffled +egotism and paltry vanity. When the personal element was abstracted from +the causes of his vexation, what remained? Were Hutchings a figure in +history, would he judge him with the same intolerance? No; weakness, +corruptibility even, would then excite no harsher feeling than a sort of +amused contempt. The reflection mitigated his anger. He began to take +an intellectual pleasure in the good-humoured acceptance of the wrong +inflicted upon him. Plato was right, it was well to suffer injustice +without desiring to retaliate. He had yet to learn that just as oil only +smoothes the surface of waves, so reason has merely a superficial effect +upon character. + +Early in the afternoon he made his way to May's home. According to +his habit he passed by the servant-girl and entered the study--to find +himself face to face with the lawyer. + +The shock of disappointment and a certain latent antagonism caused him +to speak with a directness which was in itself discourteous. + +“Is Miss May in? I wished to see her.” After a momentary pause he added, +with a tinge of sarcasm, “Your illness wasn't serious, I see.” + +Mr. Hutchings was not taken by surprise; he had prepared for this +meeting, and had resolved to defend himself. The task, he believed, +would be easy. He had almost persuaded himself that he had acted in the +Professor's interest. Roberts was singularly unworldly; he might accept +the explanation, and if he didn't--what did it matter? His own brighter +prospects filled him with a sense of triumph; in the last three days +his long-repressed vanity had shot up to self-satisfaction, making him +callous to what Roberts or any one else might think. But the sneer in +his visitor's words stung him, induced him to throw off the mask of +illness which he had intended to assume. He replied with an indifference +that was defiant: + +“No; I wasn't well yesterday, but I'm better now, though I shall keep +indoors for a day or two. A chill, I suppose.” + +Receiving no answer, he found relief in complete boldness. + +“You see my prediction as to the result of the election has been +justified?” + +“You might even say _pars magna fui_.” + +The retort slipped out. The impudent challenge had to be met. The +Professor did not realize how contemptuously he spoke. + +The womanish weakness in Hutchings sprang to hurried attack. + +“At any rate you've no cause for reproach. I resigned chiefly to shield +you. I told you long ago that I didn't want particularly to be Mayor, +and the assault upon your position in the University decided me. There +was no way to save your place except by giving Gulmore the victory he +wanted. You're engaged to May, and May is fond of you: I'm not rich, and +a post of three thousand dollars a year is not often to be found by a +young man. What would you do if you were dismissed? I had to--sacrifice +myself. Not that it matters much, but I've got myself into a fuss with +the party, injured myself all round on your account, and then you +talk as if you had some reason to be offended. That's hardly right, +Professor.” The lawyer was satisfied with his case; his concluding +phrase built a bridge for a magnanimous reconciliation. + +“You wish me to believe that you resigned at the last moment without +telling me of your intention in order to further my interests?” Mr. +Hutchings was disagreeably shocked by the disdainful, incredulous +question; Roberts was harder to blind than he had supposed; his +indignation became more than half sincere. + +“I didn't make up my mind till the last minute--I couldn't. It wasn't +easy for me to leave the party I've fought with for ten years. And the +consequences don't seem likely to be pleasant to me. But that doesn't +signify. This discussion is useless. If you'll take my advice you'll +think of answering the charge that will be brought against you in the +Faculty meeting, instead of trying to get up a groundless accusation +against me.” The menace in the words was not due solely to excitement +and ill-temper. Mr. Hutchings had been at pains to consider all his +relations with the Professor. He had hoped to deceive him, at least for +the moment, and gain time--postpone a painful decision. He had begun to +wish that the engagement between Roberts and May might be broken off. In +six months or a year he would have to declare himself on Gulmore's side; +the fact would establish his complicity, and he had feared what he +now knew, that Roberts would be the severest of critics--an impossible +son-in-law. Besides, in the East, as the daughter of a Member of +Congress, May might command a high position--with her looks she could +marry any one--while Roberts would be dismissed or compelled to resign +his post. A young man without a career who would play censor upon him +in his own house was not to be thought of. The engagement must be +terminated. May could be brought to understand.... + +The Professor did not at once grasp the situation in so far as he +himself was concerned. But he divined the cause of the lawyer's +irritability, and refrained from pushing the argument further. The +discussion could, indeed, serve no purpose, save to embitter the +quarrel. He therefore answered quietly: + +“I didn't come here to dispute with you. I came to see May. Is she in?” + +“No, I think not. I believe she went out some time ago.” + +“In that case I'll go home. Perhaps you'll tell her I called. Good day.” + +“Good day!” + +As the Professor left the house his depression of the morning returned +upon him. He was dissatisfied with himself. He had intended to show no +anger, no resentment, and, nevertheless, his temper had run away +with him. He recognized that he had made a grave mistake, for he was +beginning to foresee the consequences of it. Trained to severe +thinking, but unaccustomed to analyze motives, the full comprehension +of Hutchings' attitude and its probable effects upon his happiness only +came to him gradually, but it came at length so completely that he could +remember the very words of the foregoing conversation, and recall the +tones of the voices. He could rebuild the puzzle; his understanding of +it, therefore, must be the true one. The irrationality of the defence +was a final proof that the lawyer had played him false. “Hutchings sold +himself--most likely for place. He didn't fear a quarrel with me--that +was evident; perhaps he wishes to get rid of me--evident, too. He +believes that I shall be dismissed, or else he wouldn't have laid stress +upon the importance of my keeping my position. When I spoke of May he +was curt. And the explanation? He has wronged me. The old French proverb +holds true, 'The offender seldom forgives.' He'll probably go on to harm +me further, for I remind him of his vileness. This, then, is life, not +as I imagined it, but as it is, and such creatures as Hutchings are +human beings. Well, after all, it is better to know the truth than to +cheat oneself with a mirage. I shall appreciate large natures with noble +and generous impulses better, now that I know how rare they are.” + +In his room he found May awaiting him. Across his surprise and joy there +came an intense admiration of her, a heart-pang of passionate gratitude. +As she moved towards him her incommunicable grace of person and manner +completed the charm. The radiant gladness of the eyes; the outstretched +hands; the graceful form, outlined in silver-grey; the diadem of +honey-coloured hair; something delicate yet courageous, proud yet tender +in her womanhood remained with him ever afterwards. + +“Ah, May!” The word seemed to bring joy and tingling life to his +half-numbed heart. He seized her hands and drew her to him, and kissed +her on the hair, and brows, and eyes with an abandonment of his whole +nature, such as she had never before known in him. All her shyness, her +uneasiness vanished in the happiness of finding that she had so pleased +him, and mingled with this joy was a new delightful sense of her own +power. When released from his embrace she questioned him by a look. His +emotion astonished her. + +“My love,” he said, kissing her hands, “how good of you to come to me, +how sweet and brave you are to wait for me here! I was growing weak with +fear lest I should lose you, too, in the general wreck. And you came and +sat here for me patiently--Darling!” + +There was a mingling of self-surrender and ruffled pride in her smiling +reproach: + +“Lose me? What do you mean? I waited for you last night, sir, and all +this weary morning, till I could wait no longer; I had to find you. I +would have stayed at home till you came; I meant to, but father startled +me: he said he was afraid you'd lose your place as Professor in spite +of all he had done for you. 'Twas good of him, wasn't it, to give up +running for Mayor, so as not to embitter Gulmore against you? I was +quite proud of him. But you won't lose your post, will you? Has anything +serious happened?--Dear!” + +He paused to think, but he could not see any way to avoid telling her +the truth. Disappointments had so huddled upon him, the insight he +had won into human nature was so desolating that his heart ached for +sympathy and affection. He loved her; she was to be his wife; how could +he help winning her to his side? Besides, her words voiced his own +fears--her father had already begun to try to part them. She must know +all and judge. But how? Should he give her “The Tribune” to read? No--it +was vindictive. + +“Come and sit down, May, and I'll tell you what happened yesterday. You +shall judge for yourself whether I was right or wrong.” + +He told her, point by point, what had occurred. May listened in silence +till he stopped. + +“But why did he resign? What could he gain by that?” + +While she was speaking a thought crimsoned her cheeks; she had found +the key to the enigma. Three nights before her father had talked of +Washington and the East with a sort of exultation. At the time she +had not paid much attention to this, though it had struck her as very +different from his habit. Now the peculiarity of it confirmed her +suspicion. In some way or other his action in resigning was connected +with his inexplicable high spirits. A wave of indignation swept over +her. Not that she felt the disgust which had sickened the Professor when +he first heard of the traitorism. He had condemned Mr. Hutchings on the +grounds of public morality; May's anger was aroused because her father +had sought to deceive _her_; had tried by lying suggestion to take +credit to himself, whereas-- + +“I wouldn't have believed it,” she murmured, with the passionate revolt +of youth against mean deceit. “I can never forgive him or trust him +again.” + +“Don't let us talk of it any more, dear. I wouldn't have told you only +I was afraid that he would try to separate us. Now I know you are on my +side I wouldn't have you judge him harshly.” + +“On your side,” she repeated, with a certain exaltation of manner. “On +your side always in spite of everything. I feel for you more intensely +than for myself.” In a lower voice and with hesitating speech she added: +“Did he--did he tell you that he resigned on your account?” + +He nodded. + +“And you're not angry?” + +“No.” He smiled slightly. “I understand men better now than I did +yesterday. That's all.” + +“Oh, but you ought to be mad. I am. How can you--” + +“Let us talk, dear, of what concerns us more. Have you heard anything? +From what your father said I half fear that the meeting to-morrow may go +against me. Has no one called?” + +“Professor Krazinski. I saw his card on the table when I came in. You +think it's a bad sign that he's the only one?” + +“I'm afraid so. It may be merely anxiety, but I'm growing suspicious +of every one now. I catch myself attributing low motives to men without +reason. That electioneering has infected me. I hate myself for it, but +I can't help it; I loathe the self-seeking and the vileness. I'd rather +not know men at all than see them as they've shown themselves lately. +I want to get away and rinse my mouth out and forget all about it--away +somewhere with you, my sweet love.” + +“But you mustn't let them condemn you without an effort.” While speaking +she put her hand on his shoulder and moved close to him. “It might +injure us later. And you know you can persuade them if you like. No one +can listen to you without being won over. And I want you to keep your +post; you love teaching and you're the best teacher in the world, ah--” + +He put his arms round her, and she bowed her head on his neck, that he +might not see the gathering tears. + +“You're right, dear. I spoke hastily. I'll do my best. It won't be as +bad as we think. My colleagues are men of some education and position. +They're not like the crowd of ignorant voters and greedy place-hunters; +they'll listen to reason, and “--half bitterly--“they've no motive to +do me wrong. Besides, Krazinksi has called, and I scarcely know him; +perhaps the others didn't think of coming. It was kind of him, wasn't +it? I'm very grateful to him. He must be a good fellow.” + +“What has he done so wonderful? Oh, my!”--and she turned her face up to +his with half-laughing deprecation--“I'm afraid I'm deteriorating too. I +can't hear you praise any one now without feeling horribly jealous. Yes, +he must be good. But don't be _too_ grateful to him, or--I must be going +now, and, oh! what a long time it'll be until to-morrow! I shall have +grown old before--to-morrow.” + +“Sweetheart! You'll come here and wait for me in the afternoon, won't +you? I shall want to see you so much.” + +“Yes, if you like; but I intended to go up to the University--mayn't I? +It'll seem ages--aeons--waiting here by myself.” + +“The meeting will not last long, and I'll come to you as soon as it's +over. Darling, you don't know how much you have helped me. You have +given me courage and hope,” and he folded her in his arms. + +Mr. Gulmore liked to spend his evenings with his wife and daughter. It +amused him to hear what they had been doing during the day. Their gossip +had its value; sentimental or spiteful, it threw quaint sidelights upon +character. On the evening before the Faculty meeting Ida was bending +over a book, while Mr. Gulmore smoked, and watched her. His daughter was +somewhat of a puzzle to him still, and when occasion offered he studied +her. “Where does she get her bitterness from? I'm not bitter, an' I had +difficulties, was poor an' ignorant, had to succeed or go under, while +she has had everythin' she wanted. It's a pity she ain't kinder....” + +Presently Mrs. Gulmore put away her work and left the room. Taking up +the thread of a conversation that had been broken off by his wife's +presence, Mr. Gulmore began: + +“I don't say Roberts'll win, Ida. The bettin' 's the other way; but I'm +not sure, for I don't know the crowd. He may come out on top, though I +hev noticed that young men who run into their first fight and get badly +whipped ain't likely to fight desperate the second time.--Grit's half +trainin'!” + +“I wish I could be there to _see_ him beaten!” Ida had tried to turn her +wounded pride into dislike, and was succeeding. “I hate to feel he's in +the same town with us--the coward!” + +At this moment Mrs. Gulmore reentered the room. + +“To think of it! Sal left the gas-stove flarin'. I made her get up and +come downstairs to put it out. That'll learn her! Of all the careless, +shiftless creatures, these coloured people are the worst. Come, Ida, +it's long after nine, and I'm tired. You can read in your bedroom if you +want to.” + +After the usual “good night” and kisses, Ida went upstairs. While +Mrs. Gulmore busied herself putting “things straight,” Mr. Gulmore sat +thinking: + +“She takes after her mother in everythin', but she has more pride. It's +that makes her bitter. She's jest like her--only prettier. The same +peaky nose, pointed chin, little thin ears set close to her head, fine +hair--the Yankee school-marm. First-rate managin' women; the best wives +in the world to keep a house an' help a man on. But they hain't got +sensuality enough to be properly affectionate.” + +On the following afternoon Roberts stopped before the door of his house +and looked back towards the University. There on the crest of the hill +stood the huge building of bluish-grey stone with the round tower of +the observatory in the middle--like a mallet with a stubby handle in the +air. + +While gazing thus a shrill voice reached him, the eager treble of a +newsboy: + +“Great Scandal!” he heard--and then “Scandal in the University! Full +Report! Only five cents! Five cents for the 'Herald's' Special!” + +He hastened to the gate and beckoned to the little figure in the +distance. His thoughts were whirling. What did it mean? Could the +“Herald” have issued a special edition with the report of the meeting? +Impossible! there wasn't time for that. Yet, he had walked leisurely +with Krazinski, and newspapers did wonders sometimes. Wonders! 'twould +be a breach of confidence. There was an honourable understanding that +no one should divulge what took place in a Faculty meeting. “Honourable” + and Gulmore--the two words wouldn't go together. Could it be? + +A glance at the contents-bill brought a flush to his face. He gave a +quarter for the sheet, and as the boy fumbled for change he said, taking +hold of the bill: + +“I want this too; you can keep the rest of the money,” and hurried into +the house. + +May met him at the door of the sitting-room, but did not speak, while +he opened out the paper, and in silence showed her the six columns, +containing a verbatim report of the meeting. + +“What do you think of that?” he asked, and without waiting for an answer +he spread the contents-bill upon the table. + +“This is better,” he went on, bitterly. “Read this!” And she read: + + Ructions in Learning's Home. The President's Flank Attack. + + Fours to a Pair. The Pagan retires and the Pole. + +“Oh, the brutes! How could they?” May exclaimed. “But what does it +mean?” + +“You have it all there,” he said, touching the bill; “all in two or +three lines of cheerful insult, as is our American fashion. In spite of +the opinion of every leading lawyer in the State, sixteen--fanatics, to +give them the benefit of the doubt, voted that a disbelief in Christian +dogma was the same thing as 'open immorality.' The Father of Lies made +such men!” + +“Did no one vote for you?” + +“Two, Krazinski and some one else, I think 'twas little Black, and two +papers were blank. But fancy the President speaking against me, though +he has a casting-vote. All he could say was that the parents were the +only proper judges of what a student should be taught. Let us grant +that; I may have been mistaken, wrong, if you like; but my fault was not +'open immorality,' as specified in the Statute. They lied against me, +those sixteen.” + +May sympathized too keenly with his indignation to think of trying to +allay it; she couldn't help asking, “What did you do after the voting?” + +“What could I do? I had had enough of such opponents. I told them that +if they dismissed me I'd take the case into the courts, where at the +worst their reading of the words 'open immorality' would be put upon +record, and my character freed from stain. But, if they chose to rescind +their vote I said I was willing to resign.” + +“They accepted that?” + +“Krazinski forced them to. He told them some home-truths. They dared not +face the law courts lest it should come out that the professorships were +the rewards of sectarian bigotry. He went right through the list, and +ended by resigning his position. + +“Then Campbell got up and regretted his speech. It was uncalled-for +and--you know the sort of thing. My colleagues, he said, would have +preferred to retain my services if I had yielded to the opinion of the +parents. Under the circumstances there was no course open but to accept +my resignation. They would not enter the vote upon the minutes; they +would even write me a letter expressing regret at losing me, etc. So the +matter ended. + +“Coming down the hill I tried to persuade Krazinski not to resign on my +account. But the dear old fellow was obstinate; he had long intended to +retire. He was very kind. He thinks I shall find another place easily. + +“Now, May, you have heard the whole tale, what is your opinion? Are you +disappointed with me? You might well be. I'm disappointed with myself. +Somehow or other I've not got hate enough in me to be a good fighter.” + +“Disappointed? How little you know me! It's my life now to be with you. +Whatever you say or do is right to me. I think it's all for the best; I +wouldn't have you stay here after what has passed.” + +May meant all she said, and more. At the bottom of her heart she was +not sorry that he was going to leave Tecumseh. If she thereby lost the +pleasure of appearing as his wife before the companions of her youth, on +the other hand, he would belong to her more completely, now that he +was cut off from all other sympathy and no longer likely to meet Miss +Gulmore. Moreover, her determination to follow him in single-hearted +devotion seemed to throw the limelight of romance upon her disagreement +with her father, which had been much more acute than she had given +Roberts to suppose. She had loved her father, and if he had appealed +to her affection he could have so moved her that she would have shown +Roberts a hesitation which, in his troubled and depressed condition, +might have brought about a coldness between them, if not a rupture of +their relations. But Hutchings, feeling that he was in the wrong, had +contented himself with depreciating Roberts by sneer and innuendo, and +so had aroused her generous partisanship. The proceedings of the Faculty +naturally increased her sympathy with her lover, and her enthusiastic +support did much to revive his confidence in himself. When they parted +in the evening he had already begun to think of the preparations to be +made for his journey Eastwards. + +A few weeks later a little knot of friends stood together one morning on +the down-platform of the Tecumseh station, waiting for the train to come +in. Professor Roberts was the centre of the group, and by his side stood +dainty May Hutchings, the violet eyes intense with courage that held the +sweet lips to a smile. Around them were some ten or a dozen students and +Krazinski, all in the highest spirits. They were talking about Roberts' +new appointment at Yale, which he attributed to Krazinsk's influence. +Presently they became aware of an unwonted stir at the entrance-door +behind them. As they turned in wonder they saw that the negro hands had +formed a lane through which, heralded by the obsequious station-master, +Mr. Gul-more, with his daughter on his arm, was coming towards them. +Heedless of their astonishment, the Boss walked on till he stood in +front of Roberts. + +“Professor, we've heard of your good fortune, and are come to +congratulate you. Ida here always thought a pile of your knowledge an' +teachin', an' I guess she was right. Our little difference needn't count +now. You challenged me to a sort of wrastle an' you were thrown; but +I bear no malice, an' I'm glad to offer you my hand an' to wish +you--success.” + +Roberts shook hands without hesitation. He was simply surprised, and had +no inkling of the reason which had led Gulmore to come to the station +and to bring Ida. Had he been told that this was the father's plan for +protecting his daughter against the possibility of indiscreet gossip +he would have been still more astonished. “Nor do I bear malice,” he +rejoined, with a smile; “though the wrestling can hardly be considered +fair when twenty pull one man down.” + +“'Twas my crowd against yours,” replied the Boss indifferently. “But I'm +kinder sorry that you're leavin' the town. I'd never have left a place +where I was beaten. No, sir; I'd have taken root right there an' waited. +Influence comes with time, an' you had youth on your side.” + +“That may be your philosophy, Mr. Gulmore,” said Roberts lightly, as the +other paused, “but it's not mine. I'm satisfied with one or two falls; +they've taught me that the majority is with you.” + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Gulmore, The Boss, by Frank Harris + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GULMORE, THE BOSS *** + +***** This file should be named 23010-0.txt or 23010-0.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/3/0/1/23010/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/23010-0.zip b/23010-0.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3c052f2 --- /dev/null +++ b/23010-0.zip diff --git a/23010-8.txt b/23010-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..de90217 --- /dev/null +++ b/23010-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2311 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Gulmore, The Boss, by Frank Harris + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Gulmore, The Boss + +Author: Frank Harris + +Release Date: October 12, 2007 [EBook #23010] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GULMORE, THE BOSS *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +GULMORE, THE BOSS. + +By Frank Harris + + +The habits of the Gulmore household were in some respects primitive. +Though it was not yet seven o'clock two negro girls were clearing away +the breakfast things under the minute supervision of their mistress, +an angular, sharp-faced woman with a reedy voice, and nervously abrupt +movements. Near the table sat a girl of nineteen absorbed in a book. In +an easy-chair by the open bay-window a man with a cigar in his mouth +was reading a newspaper. Jonathan Byrne Gulmore, as he always signed +himself, was about fifty years of age; his heavy frame was muscular, and +the coarse dark hair and swarthy skin showed vigorous health. There was +both obstinacy and combative-ness in his face with its cocked nose, low +irregular forehead, thick eyebrows, and square jaw, but the deep-set +grey eyes gleamed at times with humorous comprehension, and the usual +expression of the countenance was far from ill-natured. As he laid the +paper on his knees and looked up, he drew the eye. His size and strength +seemed to be the physical equivalents of an extraordinary power of +character and will. When Mrs. Gulmore followed the servants out of the +room the girl rose from her chair and went towards the door. She was +stopped by her father's voice: + +"Ida, I want a talk with you. You'll be able to go to your books +afterwards; I won't keep you long." She sat down again and laid her book +on the table, while Mr. Gulmore continued: + +"The election's next Monday week, and I've no time to lose." A moment's +silence, and he let his question fall casually: + +"You know this--Professor Roberts--don't you? He was at the University +when you were there--eh?" The girl flushed slightly as she assented. + +"They say he's smart, an' he ken talk. I heard him the other night; +but I'd like to know what you think. Your judgment's generally worth +havin'." + +Forced to reply without time for reflection, Miss Gulmore said as little +as possible with a great show of frankness: + +"Oh, yes; he's smart, and knows Greek and Latin and German, and a great +many things. The senior students used to say he knew more than all the +other professors put together, and he--he thinks so too, I imagine," and +she laughed intentionally, for, on hearing her own strained laughter, +she blushed, and then stood up out of a nervous desire to conceal her +embarrassment. But her father was looking away from her at the glowing +end of his cigar; and, as she resumed her seat, he went on: + +"I'm glad you seem to take no stock in him, Ida, for he's makin' himself +unpleasant. I'll have to give him a lesson, I reckon, not in Greek or +Latin or them things--I never had nothin' taught me beyond the 'Fourth +Reader,' in old Vermont, and I've forgotten some of what I learned +then--but in election work an' business I guess I ken give Professor +Roberts points, fifty in a hundred, every time. Did you know he's always +around with Lawyer Hutchin's?" + +"Is he? That's because of May--May Hutch-ings. Oh, she deserves him;" +the girl spoke with sarcastic bitterness, "she gave herself trouble +enough to get him. It was just sickening the way she acted, blushing +every time he spoke to her, and looking up at him as if he were +everything. Some people have no pride in them." + +Her father listened impassively, and, after a pause, began his +explanation: + +"Wall, Ida, anyway he means to help Hutchin's in this city election. +'Tain't the first time Hutchin's has run for mayor on the Democratic +ticket and come out at the little end of the horn, and I propose to whip +him again. But this Professor's runnin' him on a new track, and I want +some points about _him_. It's like this. At the Democratic meetin' +the other night, the Professor spoke, and spoke well. What he said was +popcorn; but it took with the Mugwumps--them that think themselves too +high-falutin' to work with either party, jest as if organization was no +good, an' a mob was as strong as an army. Wall, he talked for an hour +about purity an' patriotism, and when he had warmed 'em up he +went bald-headed for me. He told 'em--you ken read it all in the +'Tribune'--that this town was run by a ring, an' not run honestly; +contracts were given only to members of the Republican party; all +appointments were made by the ring, and never accordin' to ability--as +if sich a ring could last ten years. He ended up by saying, though he +was a Republican, as his father is, he intended to vote Democratic--he's +domiciled here--as a protest against the impure and corrupt Boss-system +which was disgracin' American political life. Twas baby talk. But it's +like this. The buildin' of the branch line South has brought a lot +of Irish here--they're all Democrats--and there's quite a number of +Mugwumps, an' if this Professor goes about workin' them all up--what +with the flannel-mouths and the rest--it might be a close finish. I'm +sure to win, but if I could get some information about him, it would +help me. His father's all right. We've got him down to a fine point. +Prentiss, the man I made editor of the 'Herald,' knows him well; ken +tell us why he left Kaintucky to come West. But I want to know somethin' +about the Professor, jest to teach him to mind his own business, and +leave other folk to attend to theirs. Ken you help me? Is he popular +with the students and professors?" + +She thought intently, while the colour rose in her cheeks; she was eager +to help. + +"With the students, yes. There's nothing to be done there. The +professors--I don't think they like him much; he is too clever. When he +came into the class-room and talked Latin to Johnson, the Professor +of Latin, and Johnson could only stammer out a word or two, I guess he +didn't make a friend;" and the girl laughed at the recollection. + +"I don't know anything else that could be brought against him. They say +he is an Atheist. Would that be any use? He gave a lecture on 'Culture +as a Creed' about three months ago which made some folk mad. The other +professors are Christians, and, of course, all the preachers took it +up. He compared Buddha with Christ, and said--oh, I remember!--that +Shakespeare was the Old Testament of the English-speaking peoples. That +caused some talk; they all believe in the Bible. He said, too, that +'Shakespeare was inspired in a far higher sense than St. Paul, who was +thin and hard, a logic-loving bigot.' And President Campbell--he's a +Presbyterian--preached the Sunday afterwards upon St Paul as the great +missionary of Protestantism. I don't think the professors like him, but +I don't know that they can do anything, for all the students, the senior +ones, at least, are with him," and the girl paused, and tried to find +out from her father's face whether what she had said was likely to be of +service. + +"Wall! I don't go much on them things myself, but I guess somethin' +ken be done. I'll see Prentiss about it: send him to interview this +President Campbell, and wake him up to a sense of his duty. This is a +Christian country, I reckon," the grey eyes twinkled, "and those who +teach the young should teach them Christian principles, or else--get +out. I guess it ken be worked. The University's a State institution. You +don't mind if he's fired out, do you?" And the searching eyes probed her +with a glance. + +"Oh! I don't mind," she said quickly, in a would-be careless tone, +rising and going towards him, "it has nothing to do with me. He belongs +to May Hutchings--let her help him, if she can. I think you're quite +right to give him a lesson--he needs one badly. What right has he to +come and attack you?" She had passed to her father's side, and was +leaning against his shoulder. Those grey eyes saw more than she cared to +reveal; they made her uncomfortable. + +"Then I understand it's like this. You want him to get a real lesson? Is +that it? You ken talk straight to me, Ida. I'm with you every time. You +know that." + +The feminine instinct of concealment worked in her, but she knew this +father of hers would have plain speech, and some hidden feeling forced +her violent temper to an outburst of curiously mingled hatred of the +Professor and exultation in her power of injuring him. + +"Why, father, it's all the same to me. I've no interest in it, except +to help you. You know I never said a word against him till you asked +me. But he has no business to come down and attack _you_," and the voice +grew shrill. "It's shameful of him. If he were a man he'd never do it. +Yes--give him a _real_ lesson; teach him that those he despises are +stronger than he is. Let him lose his place and be thrown out of work, +then we'll see if May Hutchings," and she laughed, "will go and help +him. We'll see who is--" + +Her father interrupted her in the middle of a tirade which would have +been complete self-revelation; but it is not to be presumed that he did +this out of a delicate regard for his daughter's feelings. He had got +the information he required. + +"That's all right, Ida. I guess he'll get the lesson. You ken count on +me. You've put me on the right track, I believe. I knew if any one could +help me, you'd be able to. Nobody knows what's in you better'n I do. +You're smarter'n any one I know, and I know a few who think they're real +smart--" + +In this vein he continued soothing his daughter's pride, and yet +speaking in an even, impersonal tone, as if merely stating facts. + +"Now I've got to go. Prentiss'll be waiting for me at the office." + +While driving to the office, Mr. Gulmore's thoughts, at first, were with +his daughter. "I don't know why, but I suspicioned that. That's why she +left the University before graduatin', an' talked of goin' East, and +makin' a name for herself on the stage. That Professor's foolish. Ida's +smart and pretty, and she'll have a heap of money some day. The ring +has a few contracts on hand still--he's a fool. How she talked: she +remembered all that lecture--every word; but she's young yet. She'd have +given herself away if I hadn't stopped her. I don't like any one to do +that; it's weak. But she means business every time, just as I do; she +means him to be fired right out, and then she'd probably go and cry over +him, and want me to put him back again. But no. I guess not. That's not +the way I work. I'd be willin' for him to stay away, and leave me alone, +but as she wants him punished, he shall be, and she mustn't interfere +at the end. It'll do her good to find out that things can't both be done +and undone, if she's that sort. But p'r'aps she won't want to undo +them. When their pride's hurt women are mighty hard--harder than men +by far.... I wonder how long it'll take to get this Campbell to move. I +must start right in; I hain't got much time." + +As soon as her father left her, Miss Ida hurried to her own room, in +order to recover from her agitation, and to remove all traces of it. She +was an only child, and had accordingly a sense of her own importance, +which happened to be uncorrected by physical deficiencies. Not that +she was astonishingly beautiful, but she was tall and just good-looking +enough to allow her to consider herself a beauty. Her chief attraction +was her form, which, if somewhat flat-chested, had a feline flexibility +rarer and more seductive than she imagined. She was content to believe +that nature had fashioned her to play the part in life which, she knew, +was hers of right. Her name, even, was most appropriate--dignified. Ida +should be queen-like, stately; the oval of her face should be long, and +not round, and her complexion should be pallid; colour in the cheeks +made one look common. Her dark hair, too, pleased her; everything, in +fact, save her eyes; they were of a nameless, agate-like hue, and she +would have preferred them to be violet That would have given her face +the charm of unexpectedness, which she acknowledged was in itself a +distinction. And Miss Ida loved everything that conduced to distinction, +everything that flattered her pride with a sense of her own superiority. +It seemed as if her mother's narrowness of nature had confined and shot, +so to speak, all the passions and powers of the father into this one +characteristic of the daughter. That her father had risen to influence +and riches by his own ability did not satisfy her. She had always felt +that the Hutchingses and the society to which they belonged, persons who +had been well educated for generations, and who had always been more or +less well off, formed a higher class. It was the longing to become one +of them that had impelled her to study with might and main. Even in +her school-days she had recognized that this was the road to social +eminence. The struggle had been arduous. In the Puritan surroundings of +middle-class life her want of religious training and belief had almost +made a pariah of the proud, high-tempered girl, and when as a clever +student of the University and a daughter of one of the richest and most +powerful men in the State, she came into a circle that cared as little +about Christian dogmas as she did, she attributed the comparative +coolness with which her companions treated her, to her father's want of +education, rather than to the true cause, her own domineering temper. As +she had hated her childish playmates, who, instructed by their mothers, +held aloof from the infidel, so she had grown to detest the associates +of her girlhood, whose parents seemed, by virtue of manners and +education, superior to hers. The aversion was acrid with envy, and had +fastened from the beginning on her competitor as a student and her rival +in beauty, Miss May Hutchings. Her animosity was intensified by the fact +that, when they entered the Sophomore class together, Miss May had made +her acquaintance, had tried to become friends with her, and then, for +some inscrutable reason, had drawn coldly away. By dint of working twice +as hard as May, Ida had managed to outstrip her, and to begin the Junior +year as the first of the class; but all the while she was conscious that +her success was due to labour, and not to a larger intelligence. And +with the coming of the new professor of Greek, this superiority, her one +consolation, was called in question. + +Professor Roberts had brought about a revolution in the University. He +was young and passionately devoted to his work; had won his Doctor's +degree at Berlin _summa cum laude_, and his pupils soon felt that +he represented a standard of knowledge higher than they had hitherto +imagined as attainable, and yet one which, he insisted, was common +in the older civilization of Europe. It was this nettling comparison, +enforced by his mastery of difficulties, which first aroused the ardour +of his scholars. In less than a year they passed from the level of +youths in a high school to that of University students. On the best +heads his influence was magical. His learning and enthusiasm quickened +their reverence for scholarship, but it was his critical faculty which +opened to them the world of art, and nerved them to emulation. + +"Until one realizes the shortcomings of a master," he said in a lecture, +"it is impossible to understand him or to take the beauty of his works +to heart When Sophocles repeats himself--the Electra is but a feeble +study for the Antigone, or possibly a feeble copy of it--we get near the +man; the limitations of his outlook are characteristic: when he +deforms his Ajax with a tag of political partisanship, his servitude to +surroundings defines his conscience as an artist; and when painting by +contrasts he poses the weak Ismene and Chrysothemis as foils to their +heroic sisters, we see that his dramatic power in the essential was +rudimentary. Yet Mr. Matthew Arnold, a living English poet, writes that +Sophocles 'saw life steadily and saw it whole.' This is true of no man, +not of Shakespeare nor of Goethe, much less of Sophocles or Racine. The +phrase itself is as offensively out of date as the First Commandment." +The bold, incisive criticism had a singular fascination for his hearers, +who were too young to remark in it the crudeness that usually attaches +to originality. + +Miss Hutchings was the first of the senior students to yield herself to +the new influence. In the beginning Miss Gulmore was not attracted by +Professor Roberts; she thought him insignificant physically; he was neat +of dress too, and ingenuously eager in manner--all of which conflicted +with her ideal of manhood. It was but slowly that she awoke to a +consciousness of his merits, and her awakening was due perhaps as much +to jealousy of May Hutchings as to the conviction that with Professor +Roberts for a husband she would realize her social ambitions. Suddenly +she became aware that May was passing her in knowledge of Greek, and was +thus winning the notice of the man she had begun to look upon as worthy +of her own choice. Ida at once addressed herself to the struggle with +all the energy of her nature, but at first without success. It was +evident that May was working as she had never worked before, for as the +weeks flew by she seemed to increase her advantage. During this period +Ida Gulmore's pride suffered tortures; day by day she understood more +clearly that the prize of her life was slipping out of reach. In +mind and soul now she realized Roberts' daring and charm. With the +intensified perceptions of a jealous woman, she sometimes feared that he +sympathized with her rival. + +But he had not spoken yet; of that she was sure, and her conceit enabled +her to hope desperately. A moment arrived when her hatred of May was +sweetened by contempt. For some reason or other May was neglecting her +work; when spoken to by the Professor her colour came and went, and a +shyness, visible to all, wrapped her in confusion. Ida felt that there +was no time to be lost, and increased her exertions. As she thought of +her position she determined first to surpass her competitor, and then in +some way or other to bring the Professor to speech. But, alas! for +her plans. One morning she demonstrated her superiority with cruel +clearness, only to find that Roberts, self-absorbed, did not notice her. +He seemed to have lost the vivid interest in the work which aforetime +had characterized him, and the happiness of the man was only less +tell-tale than the pretty contentment and demure approval of all he said +which May scarcely tried to conceal. Wild with fear, blinded by temper, +Ida resolved to know the truth. + +One morning when the others left the room she waited, busying herself +apparently with some notes, till the Professor returned, as she knew he +would, in time to receive the next class. While gathering up her books, +she asked abruptly: + +"I suppose I should congratulate you, Professor?" + +"I don't think I understand you." + +"Yes, you do. Why lie? You are engaged to May Hutchings," and the girl +looked at him with flaming eyes. + +"I don't know why you should ask me, or why I should answer, but we have +no motive for concealment--yes, I am." + +His words were decisive; his reverence for May and her affection had +been wounded by the insolent challenge, but before he finished speaking +his manner became considerate. He was quick to feel the pain of others +and shrank from adding to it--these, indeed, were the two chief articles +of the unformulated creed which directed his actions. His optimism was +of youth and superficial, but the sense of the brotherhood of human +suffering touched his heart in a way that made compassion and tenderness +appear to him to be the highest and simplest of duties. It was Ida's +temper that answered his avowal. Still staring at him she burst into +loud laughter, and as he turned away her tuneless mirth grew shriller +and shriller till it became hysterical. A frightened effort to regain +her self-control, and her voice broke in something like a sob, while +tears trembled on her lashes. The Professor's head was bent over +his desk and he saw nothing. Ida dashed the tears from her eyes +ostentatiously, and walked with shaking limbs out of the room. She would +have liked to laugh again scornfully before closing the door, but she +dared not trust her nerves. From that moment she tried to hate Professor +Roberts as she hated May Hutchings, for her disappointment had been very +sore, and the hurt to her pride smarted like a burn. On returning home, +she told her father that she had taken her name off the books of the +University; she meant to be an actress, and a degree could be of no use +to her in her new career. Her father did not oppose her openly; he was +content to postpone any decisive step, and in a few days she seemed to +have abandoned her project. But time brought no mitigation of her spite. +She was tenacious by nature, and her jealous rage came back upon her in +wild fits. To be outdone by May Hutchings was intolerable. Besides, the +rivalry and triumphs of the class-room had been as the salt of life to +her; now she had nothing to do, nothing to occupy her affections or give +object to her feverish ambition. And the void of her life she laid to +the charge of Roberts. So when the time came and the temptation, she +struck as those strike who are tortured by pain. + +Alone in her room, she justified to herself what she had done. She +thought with pleasure of Professor Roberts' approaching defeat +and punishment. "He deserves it, and more! He knows why I left the +University; drew myself away from him for ever. What does he care for my +suffering? He can't leave me in peace. I wasn't good enough for him, and +my father isn't honest enough. Oh, that I were a man! I'd teach him that +it was dangerous to insult the wretched. + +"How I was mistaken in him! He has no delicacy, no true manliness of +character. I'm glad he has thrown down the challenge. Father may not be +well-educated nor refined, but he's strong. Professor Roberts shall +find out what it means to attack _us_. I hope he'll be turned out of the +University; I hope he will. Let me think. I have a copy of that lecture +of his; perhaps there's something in it worse than I remembered. At any +rate, the report will be proof." + +She searched hurriedly, and soon found the newspaper account she wanted. +Glancing down the column with feverish eagerness, she burst out: "Here +it is; this will do. I knew there was something more." + +"... Thus the great ones contribute, each his part, towards the +humanization of man. Christ and Buddha are our teachers, but so also, +and in no lower degree, are Plato, Dante, Goethe, and Shakespeare.... + +"But strange to say, the _Divina Commedia_ seems to us moderns more +remote than the speculations of Plato. For the modern world is founded +upon science, and may be said to begin with the experimental philosophy +of Bacon. The thoughts of Plato, the 'fair humanities' of Greek +religion, are nearer to the scientific spirit than the untutored +imaginings of Christ. The world to-day seeks its rule of life in exact +knowledge of man and his surroundings; its teachers, high-priests in +the temple of Truth, are the Darwins, the Bunsens, the Pasteurs. In the +place of God we see Law, and the old concept of rewards and punishments +has been re-stated as 'the survival of the fittest,' If, on the other +hand, you need emotions, and the inspiration of concrete teaching, you +must go to Balzac, to Turgenief, and to Ibsen...." + +"I think that'll do," said the girl half-aloud as she marked the above +passages, and then sent the paper by a servant to her father's office. +"The worst of it is, he'll find another place easily; but, at any rate, +he'll have to leave this State.... How well I remember that lecture. I +thought no one had ever talked like that before. But the people disliked +it, and even those who stayed to the end said they wouldn't have come +had they known that a professor could speak against Christianity. How +mad they made me then! I wouldn't listen to them, and now--now he's with +May Hutchings, perhaps laughing at me with her. Or, if he's not so base +as that, he's accusing my father of dishonesty, and I mean to defend +him. But if, ah, if--" and the girl rose to her feet suddenly, with +paling face. + +The house of Lawyer Hutchings was commodious and comfortable. It was +only two storeys high, and its breadth made it appear squat; it was +solidly built of rough, brown stone, and a large wooden verandah gave +shade and a lounging-place in front. It stood in its own grounds on the +outskirts of the town, not far from Mr. Gulmore's, but it lacked the +towers and greenhouse, the brick stables, and black iron gates, which +made Mr. Gulmore's residence an object of public admiration. It had, +indeed, a careless, homelike air, as of a building that disdains show, +standing sturdily upon a consciousness of utility and worth. The study +of the master lay at the back. It was a room of medium size, with two +French windows, which gave upon an orchard of peach and apple-trees +where lush grass hid the fallen fruit. The furniture was plain and +serviceable. A few prints on the wall and a wainscoting of books showed +the owner's tastes. + +In this room one morning Lawyer Hutchings and Professor Roberts +sat talking. The lawyer was sparely built and tall, of sympathetic +appearance. The features of the face were refined and fairly regular, +the blue eyes pleasing, the high forehead intelligent-looking. +Yet--whether it was the querulous horizontal lines above the brows, or +the frequent, graceful gestures of the hands--Mr. Hutchings left on one +an impression of weakness, and, somehow or other, his precise way of +speaking suggested intellectual narrowness. It was understood, however, +that he had passed through Harvard with honours, and had done well in +the law-course. It is, therefore, not to be wondered at that when he +went West, he went with the idea that that was the shortest way to +Washington. Yet he had had but a moderate degree of success; he was too +thoroughly grounded in his work not to get a good practice, but he was +not the first in his profession. He had been outdone by men who fought +their cases, and his popularity was due to affable manners, and not to +admiration of his power or talents. His obvious good nature had got +with years a tinge of discontent; life had been to him a series of +disappointments. + +One glance at Professor Roberts showed him to be a different sort of +a man, though perhaps harder to read. Square shoulders and attenuated +figure--a mixture of energy and nervous force without muscular strength; +a tyrannous forehead overshadowing lambent hazel eyes; a cordial +frankness of manner with a thinker's tricks of gesture, his nervous +fingers emphasizing his words. + +Their talk was of an article assailing the Professor that had appeared +that morning in "The Republican Herald." + +"I don't like it," Mr. Hutchings was saying. "It's inspired by Gulmore, +and he always means what he says--and something more." + +"Except the suggestion that my father had certain good, or rather bad, +reasons for leaving Kentucky, it seems to me merely spiteful. It's very +vilely written." + +"He only begins with your father. Then he wonders what the real motives +are which induce you to change your political creed. But the affectation +of fairness is the danger signal. One can't imagine Gulmore hesitating +to assert what he has heard, that you have no religious principles. +Coming from him, that means a declaration of war; he'll attack you +without scruple--persistently. It's well known that he cares nothing +for religion--even his wife's a Unitarian. What he's aiming at, I don't +know, but he's sure to do you harm. He has done me harm, and yet he +never gave me such a warning. He only went for me when I ran for office. +As soon as the elections were over, he left me in peace. He's eminently +practical, and rather good-natured. There's no small vicious malice or +hate in him; but he's overbearing and loves a fight. Is it worth your +while to make an enemy of him? We're sure to be beaten." + +"Of course it isn't worth my while in that sense, but it's my duty, I +think, as you think it yours. Remark, too, that I've never attacked +Mr. Gulmore--never even mentioned him. I've criticised the system, and +avoided personalities." + +"He won't take it in that way. He is the system; when you criticise it, +you criticise him. Every one will so understand it. He makes all the +appointments, from mayor down to the boy who sweeps out an office; every +contract is given to him or his appointees; that's how he has made his +fortune. Why, he beat me the second time I ran for District Court Judge, +by getting an Irishman, the Chairman of my Committee, to desert me at +the last moment. He afterwards got Patrick Byrne elected a Justice of +the Peace, a man who knows no law and can scarcely sign his own name." + +"How disgraceful! And you would have me sit down quietly under the +despotism of Mr. Gulmore? And such a despotism! It cost the city half a +million dollars to pave the streets, and I can prove that the work +could have been done as well for half the sum. Our democratic system of +government is the worst in the world, if a tenth part of what I hear +is true; and before I admit that, I'll see whether its abuses are +corrigible. But why do you say we're sure to be beaten? I thought you +said--" + +"Yes," Mr. Hutchings interrupted, "I said that this railway extension +gives us a chance. All the workmen are Irishmen, Democrats to a man, +who'll vote and vote straight, and that has been our weak point. You +can't get one-half the better classes to go to the polls. The negroes +all vote, too, and vote Republican--that has been Gulmore's strength. +Now I've got the Irishmen against his negroes I may win. But what I feel +is that even if I do get to be Mayor, you'll suffer for it more than I +shall gain by your help. Do you see? And, now that I'm employed by the +Union Pacific I don't care much for city politics. I'd almost prefer +to give up the candidature. May'll suffer, too. I think you ought to +consider the matter before going any further." + +"This is not the time for consideration. Like you I am trying to put +an end to a corrupt tyranny. I work and shall vote against a venal and +degrading system. May and I will bear what we must. She wouldn't have +me run away from such adversaries. Fancy being governed by the most +ignorant, led on by the most dishonest! It's incomprehensible to me how +such a paradoxical infamy can exist." + +"I think it'll become comprehensible to you before this election's over. +I've done my best for years to alter it, and so far I've not been very +successful. You don't seem to understand that where parties are almost +equal in strength, a man who'll spend money is sure to win. It has paid +Gulmore to organize the Republican party in this city; he has made +it pay him and all those who hold office by and through him. 'To the +victors, the spoils.' Those who have done the spoiling are able to pay +more than the spoiled--that's all." + +"Yes, but in this case the spoilers are a handful, while the spoiled are +the vast majority. Why should it be impossible to convince the majority +that they're being robbed?" + +"Because ideas can't get into the heads of negroes, nor yet into the +heads of illiterate Irishmen. You'll find, too, that five Americans out +of every ten take no interest in ordinary politics, and the five who +do are of the lowest class--a Boss is their natural master. Our party +politics, my friend, resembles a game of faro--the card that happens to +be in the box against the same card outside--and the banker holding the +box usually manages to win. Let me once get power and Gulmore'll find +his labour unremunerative. If it hadn't been for him I'd have been in +Congress long ago. But now I'll have to leave you. Talk it over with May +and--you see that Gulmore challenges you to prove the corruption or else +withdraw the imputation? What do you mean to do?" + +"I'll prove it, of course. Long before I spoke I had gone into that +paving contract; it was clearly a fraud." + +"Well, I'd think, if I were you, before I acted, though you're a great +help to me; your last speech was very powerful." + +"Unfortunately I'm no speaker, but I'll do as well as I can, and you +may rely on me to go on to the end. The rich at least must be forced +to refrain from robbing the poor.... That malicious sneer at my father +hurts me. It can only mean that he owed money in Kentucky. He was always +careless in money matters, too careless, but he's very generous at +heart. I owe him everything. I'll find out about it at once, and if it +is as I fear, the debt shall be paid. That'll be one good result of +Mr. Gul-more's malice. As for me, let him do his worst. At any rate I'm +forewarned." + +"A poor satisfaction in case--but here's May, and I must go. I've stayed +too long already. You should look through our ticket; it's strong, the +men are all good, I think--anyway, they're the best we can get. Teach +him to be careful, May; he's too bold." + +"I will, father," replied a clear, girlish voice; "it's mother who +spoils him," and then, as the door shut, she moved to her lover, and +holding out both her hands, with a little air of dignity, added, "He +tries to spoil _me_. But, dear, what's the matter? You seem annoyed." + +"It's nothing. An article in that paper strikes at my father, and hurts +me; but it can be made right, and to look at you is a cure for pain." + +"Let me read it--no, please! I want to help you, and how can I do that +if I don't know what pains you?" The girl took the "Herald "and sat down +to read it. + +May Hutchings was more than good-looking, were it only by reason of +a complexion such as is seldom given even to blondes. The inside of a +sea-shell has the same lustre and delicacy, but it does not pale and +flush as did May's cheeks in quick response to her emotions. Waves of +maize-coloured hair with a sheen of its own went with the fairness of +the skin, and the pretty features were redeemed from a suspicion of +insipidity by large violet eyes. She was of good height and lissom, with +small feet and hands, but the outlines of her figure were Southern in +grace and fulness. + +After reading the article, she put down the paper without saying a word + +"Why, May, you seem to take it as seriously as your father does. It's +nothing so very terrible, is it?" + +"What did father say?" + +"That it was inspired by Gulmore, and that he was a dangerous man; but +I don't see much in it. If my father owed money in Kentucky it shall be +repaid, and there the matter ends." + +"'Tisn't that I'm troubling about; it's that lecture of yours. Oh, it +was wonderful! but I sat trembling all the time. You don't know the +people. If they had understood it better, they'd have made a big fuss +about it. I'm frightened now." + +"But what fuss can they make? I've surely a right to my own opinions, +and I didn't criticise any creed offensively." + +"That's it--that's what saved you. Oh, I wish you'd see it as I do! You +spoke so enthusiastically about Jesus, that you confused them. A lot +of them thought, and think still, that you're a Christian. But if it's +brought up again and made clear to them--Won't you understand? If it's +made quite clear that Jesus to you was only a man, and not superior +even to all other men, and that you believe Christianity has served +its purpose, and is now doing harm rather than good in the world, why, +they'd not want to have you in the University. Don't you know that?" + +"Perhaps you're right," returned the Professor thoughtfully. "You see +I wasn't brought up in any creed, and I've lived in so completely +different an atmosphere for years past, that it's hard to understand +such intolerant bigotry. I remember enough, though, to see that you +are right. But, after all, what does it matter? I can't play hypocrite +because they're blind fanatics." + +"No, but you needn't have gone _quite_ so far--been _quite_ so frank; +and even now you might easily--" She stopped, catching a look of +surprise in her lover's face, and sought confusedly to blot out the +effect of her last words. "I mean--but of course you know best. I want +you to keep your place; you love the work, and no one could do it so +well as you. No one, and--" + +"It doesn't matter, May. I'm sure you were thinking of what would be +best for both of us, but I've nothing to alter or extenuate. They must +do as they think fit, these Christians, if they have the power. After +all, it can make no difference to us; I can always get work enough +to keep us, even if it isn't such congenial work. But do you think +Gulmore's at the bottom of it? Has he so much influence?" + +"Yes, I think so," and the girl nodded her head, but she did not give +the reasons for her opinion. She knew that Ida Gulmore had been in love +with him, so she shrank instinctively from mentioning her name, partly +because it might make him pity her, and partly because the love +of another woman for him seemed to diminish her pride of exclusive +possession. She therefore kept silence while seeking for a way to warn +her lover without revealing the truth, which might set him thinking of +Ida Gulmore and her fascinating because unrequited passion. At length +she said: + +"Mr. Gulmore has injured father. He knows him: you'd better take his +opinion." + +"Your father advises me to have nothing more to do with the election." +He didn't say it to try her; he trusted her completely. The girl's +answer was emphatic: + +"Oh, that's what you should do; I'm frightened for you. Why need you +make enemies? The election isn't worth that, indeed it isn't. If father +wants to run for Mayor, let him; he knows what he's about. But you, you +should do great things, write a great book; and make every one as proud +of you as I am." Her face flushed with enthusiasm. She felt relieved, +too; somehow she had got into the spirit of her part once more. But her +lover took the hot face and eager speech as signs of affection, and he +drew her to him while his face lit up with joy. + +"You darling, darling! You overrate me, dear, but that does me good: +makes me work harder. What a pity it is, May, that one can't add a cubit +to his stature. I'd be a giant then.... But never fear; it'll be all +right. You wouldn't wish me, I'm sure, to run away from a conflict I +have provoked; but now I must see my father about those debts, and then +we'll have a drive, or perhaps you'd go with me to him. You could wait +in the buggy for me. You know I have to speak again this evening." + +The girl consented at once, but she was not satisfied with the decision +her lover had come to. "It's too plain," she thought in her clear, +common-sense way, "that he's getting into a 'fuss' when he might just as +well, or better, keep out of it." + +May was eminently practical, and not at all as emotional as one might +have inferred from the sensitive, quick-changing colour that at one +moment flushed her cheeks and at another ebbed, leaving her pallid, as +with passion. Not that she was hardhearted or selfish. Far from it. But +her surroundings had moulded her as they do women. Her mother had been +one of the belles of Baltimore, a Southerner, too, by temperament May +had a brother and a sister older than herself (both were now married), +and a younger brother who had taken care that she should not be spoiled +for want of direct personal criticism. It was this younger brother, Joe, +who first called her "Towhead," and even now he often made disparaging +remarks about "girls who didn't weigh 130"--in Joe's eyes, a Venus of +Rubens would have seemed perfect. May was not vain of her looks; indeed, +she had only come to take pleasure in them of recent years. As a young +girl, comparing herself with her mother, she feared that she would +always be "quite homely." Her glass and the attentions of men had +gradually shown her the pleasant truth. She did not, however, even now, +overrate her beauty greatly. But her character had been modified +to advantage in those schoolgirl days, when, with bitter tears, she +admitted to herself that she was not pretty. Her teacher's praise of her +quickness and memory had taught her to set her pride on learning. And +indeed she had been an intelligent child, gifted with a sponge-like +faculty of assimilating all kinds of knowledge--the result, perhaps, of +generations of educated forbears. The admiration paid to her looks +did not cause her to relax her intellectual efforts. But when at the +University she found herself outgrowing the ordinary standards of +opinion, conceit at first took possession of her. It seemed to her +manifest that she had always underrated herself. She was astonished by +her own excessive modesty, and keenly interested in it. She had thought +herself ugly and she was beautiful, and now it was evident that she was +a genius as well. With soul mightily uplifted by dreams of all she would +do and the high part she would play in life, always nobly serious, yet +with condescension of exquisite charming kindliness, taking herself +gravely for a perfect product of the race and time, she proceeded to +write the book which should discover to mankind all her qualities--the +delicacy, nobility, and sweetness of an ideal nature. + +During this period she even tried to treat Joe with sweet courtesy, but +Joe told her not to make herself "more of a doggoned fool" than she +was. And soon the dream began to lose its brightness. The book would not +advance, and what she wrote did not seem to her wonderful--not inspired +and fascinating as it ought to have been. Her reading had given her some +slight critical insight. She then showed parts of it to her admirers, +hoping thus to justify vanity, but they used the occasion to pay +irrelevant compliments, and so disappointed her--all, save Will +Thornton, who admitted critically that "it was poetic" and guessed "she +ought to write poetry." Accordingly she wrote some lyrics, and one on +"Vanished Hopes" really pleased her. Forthwith she read it to Will, who +decided "'twas fine, mighty fine. Tennyson had written more, of course, +but nothing better--nothing easier to understand." + +That last phrase killed her trust in him. She sank into despondence. +Even when Ida Gul-more, whom she had learned to dislike, began to +outshine her in the class, she made no effort. To graduate first of her +year appeared a contemptible ambition in comparison with the dreams she +had foregone. About this period she took a new interest in her dress; +she grew coquettish even, and became a greater favourite than ever. +Then Professor Roberts came to the University, and with his coming life +opened itself to her anew, vitalized with hopes and fears. She was drawn +to him from the first, as spirit is sometimes drawn to spirit, by an +attraction so imperious that it frightened her, and she tried to hold +herself away from him. But in her heart she knew that she studied and +read only to win his praise. His talents revealed to her the futility of +her ambition. Here was one who stood upon the heights beyond her power +of climbing, and yet, to her astonishment, he was very doubtful of +his ability to gain enduring reputation. Not only was there a plane of +knowledge and feeling above the conventional--that she had found out by +herself--but there were also table-lands where teachers of repute in the +valley were held to be blind guides. Her quick receptivity absorbed +the new ideas with eagerness; but she no longer deluded herself. Her +practical good sense came to her aid. What seemed difficult or doubtful +to the Professor must, she knew, be for ever impossible to her. And +already love was upon her, making her humility as sweet as was her +admiration. At last he spoke, and life became altogether beautiful to +her. As she learned to know him intimately she began to understand his +un-worldliness, his scholar-like idealism, and ignorance of men and +motives, and thus she came to self-possession again, and found her true +mission. She realized with joy, and a delightful sense of an assured +purpose in life, that her faculty of observation and practical insight, +though insufficient as "bases for Eternity," would be of value to +her lover. And if she now and then fell back into the part of a +nineteenth-century Antigone, it was but a momentary relapse into what +had been for a year or so a dear familiar habit The heart of the girl +grew and expanded in the belief that her new _rle_ of counsellor and +worldly guide to her husband was the highest to which any woman could +attain. + +A few days later Mr. Hutchings had another confidential talk with +Professor Roberts, and, as before, the subject was suggested by an +article in "The Republican Herald." This paper, indeed, devoted a column +or so every day to personal criticism of the Professor, and each attack +surpassed its forerunner in virulence of invective. All the young man's +qualities of character came out under this storm of unmerited abuse. +He read everything that his opponents put forth, replied to nothing, in +spite of the continual solicitation of the editor of "The Democrat," +and seemed very soon to regard "The Herald's" calumnies merely from the +humorous side. Meanwhile his own speeches grew in knowledge and vigour. +With a scholar's precision he put before his hearers the inner history +and significance of job after job. His powers of study helped him to +"get up his cases" with crushing completeness. He quickly realized the +value of catch-words, but his epigrams not being hardened in the fire of +life refused to stick. He did better when he published the balance-sheet +of the "ring" in pamphlet form, and showed that each householder paid +about one hundred and fifty dollars a year, or twice as much as all his +legal taxes, in order to support a party organization the sole object +of which was to enrich a few at the expense of the many. One job, in +especial, the contract for paving the streets, he stigmatized as a +swindle, and asserted that the District Attorney, had he done his duty, +would long ago have brought the Mayor and Town Council before a criminal +court as parties to a notorious fraud. His ability, steadfastness, and +self-restraint had had a very real effect; his meetings were always +crowded, and his hearers were not all Democrats. His courage and +fighting power were beginning to win him general admiration. The public +took a lively though impartial interest in the contest. To critical +outsiders it seemed not unlikely that the Professor (a word of +good-humoured contempt) might "whip" even "old man Gulmore." Bets were +made on the result and short odds accepted. Even Mr. Hutchings allowed +himself to hope for a favourable issue. + +"You've done wonderfully well," was the burden of his conversations with +Roberts; "I should feel certain of success against any one but Gulmore. +And he seems to be losing his head--his perpetual abuse excites sympathy +with you. If we win I shall owe it mainly to you." + +But on this particular morning Lawyer Hutchings had something to say to +his friend and helper which he did not like to put into plain words. He +began abruptly: + +"You've seen the 'Herald'?" + +"Yes; there's nothing in it of interest, is there?" + +"No; but 'twas foolish of your father to write that letter saying you +had paid his Kentucky debts." + +"I was sorry when I saw it. I know they'll say I got him to write the +letter. But it's only another incident." + +"It's true, then? You did pay the money?" + +"Yes; I was glad to." + +"But it was folly. What had you to do with your father's debts? Every +house to-day should stand on its own foundation." + +"I don't agree with you; but in this case there was no question of +that sort. My father very generously impoverished himself to send me +to Europe and keep me there for six years. I owed him the five thousand +dollars, and was only too glad to be able to repay him. You'd have done +the same." + +"Would I, indeed! Five thousand dollars! I'm not so sure of that." The +father's irritation conquered certain grateful memories of his +younger days, and the admiration which, in his heart, he felt for the +Professor's action, only increased his annoyance. "It must have nearly +cleaned you out?" + +"Very nearly." + +"Well, of course it's your affair, not mine; but I think you foolish. +You paid them in full, I suppose? Whew! + +"Do you see that the 'Herald' calls upon the University authorities to +take action upon your lecture? 'The teaching of Christian youth by an +Atheist must be stopped,' and so forth." + +"Yes; but they can do nothing. I'm not responsible to them for my +religious opinions." + +"You're mistaken. A vote of the Faculty can discharge you." + +"Impossible! On what grounds?" + +"On the ground of immorality. They've got the power in that case. It's a +loose word, but effective." + +"I'd have a cause of action against them." + +"Which you'd be sure to lose. Eleven out of every twelve jurymen in this +state would mulct an Agnostic rather than give him damages." + +"Ah! that's the meaning, then, I suppose, of this notice I've just +got from the secretary to attend a special Faculty meeting on Monday +fortnight." + +"Let me see it. Why, here it is! The object of the meeting is 'To +consider the anti-Christian utterances of Professor Roberts, and to take +action thereon.' That's the challenge. Didn't you read it?" + +"No; as soon as I opened it and saw the printed form, I took it for the +usual notification, and put it aside to think of this election work. But +it would seem as if the Faculty intended to out-herald the 'Herald.'" + +"They are simply allowed to act first in order that the 'Herald,' a +day later, may applaud them. It's all worked by Gulmore, and I tell you +again, he's dangerous." + +"He may be; but I won't change for abuse, nor yet to keep my post. Let +him do his worst. I've not attacked him hitherto for certain reasons of +my own, nor do I mean to now. But he can't frighten me; he'll find that +out." + +"Well, we'll see. But, at any rate, it was my duty to warn you. It +would be different if I were rich, but, as it is, I can only give May a +little, and--" + +"My dear Hutchings, don't let us talk of that. In giving me May, you +give me all I want." The young man's tone was so conclusive that it +closed the conversation. + +Mr. Gulmore had not been trained for a political career. He had begun +life as a clerk in a hardware store in his native town. But in his early +manhood the Abolition agitation had moved him deeply--the colour of his +skin, he felt, would never have made him accept slavery--and he became +known as a man of extreme views. Before he was thirty he had managed to +save some thousands of dollars. He married and emigrated to Columbus, +Ohio, where he set up a business. It was there, in the stirring years +before the war, that he first threw himself into politics; he laboured +indefatigably as an Abolitionist without hope or desire of personal +gain. But the work came to have a fascination for him, and he saw +possibilities in it of pecuniary emolument such as the hardware business +did not afford. When the war was over, and he found himself scarcely +richer than he had been before it began, he sold his store and emigrated +again--this time to Tecumseh, Nebraska, intending to make political +organization the business of his life. He wanted "to grow up" with +a town and become its master from the beginning. As the negroes +constituted the most ignorant and most despised class, a little +solicitation made him their leader. In the first election it was found +that "Gulmore's negroes" voted to a man, and that he thereby controlled +the Republican party. In the second year of his residence in Tecumseh he +got the contract for lighting the town with gas. The contract was to +run for twenty years, and was excessively liberal, for Mr. Gulmore had +practically no competitor, no one who understood gas manufacture, and +who had the money and pluck to embark in the enterprise. He quickly +formed a syndicate, and fulfilled the conditions of the contract. The +capital was fixed at two hundred thousand dollars, and the syndicate +earned a profit of nearly forty per cent, in the first year. Ten years +later a one hundred dollar share was worth a thousand. This first +success was the foundation of Mr. Gulmore's fortune. The income derived +from the gas-works enabled him to spend money on the organization of his +party. The first manager of the works was rewarded with the position of +Town Clerk--an appointment which ran for five years, but which under Mr. +Gulmore's rule was practically permanent. His foremen became the most +energetic of ward-chairmen. He was known to pay well, and to be a kind +if strenuous master. What he had gained in ten years by the various +contracts allotted to him or his nominees no one could guess; he was +certainly very rich. From year to year, too, his control of the city +government had grown more complete. There was now no place in the civil +or judicial establishment of the city or county which did not depend on +his will, and his influence throughout the State was enormous. + +A municipal election, or, indeed, any election, afforded Mr. Gulmore +many opportunities of quiet but intense self-satisfaction. He loved +the struggle and the consciousness that from his office-chair he had so +directed his forces that victory was assured. He always allowed a broad +margin in order to cover the unforeseen. Chance, and even ill-luck, +formed a part of his strategy; the sore throat of an eloquent speaker; +the illness of a popular candidate; a storm on polling-day--all were to +him factors in the problem. He reckoned as if his opponents might have +all the luck upon their side; but, while considering the utmost malice +of fortune, it was his delight to base his calculations upon the +probable, and to find them year by year approaching more nearly +to absolute exactitude. As soon as his ward-organization had been +completed, he could estimate the votes of his party within a dozen or +so. His plan was to treat every contest seriously, to bring all his +forces to the poll on every occasion--nothing kept men together, he used +to say, like victory. It was the number of his opponent's minority which +chiefly interested him; but by studying the various elections carefully, +he came to know better than any one the value as a popular candidate of +every politician in the capital, or, indeed, in the State. The talent of +the man for organization lay in his knowledge of men, his fairness and +liberality, and, perhaps, to a certain extent, in the power he possessed +of inspiring others with confidence in himself and his measures. He was +never satisfied till the fittest man in each ward was the Chairman of +the ward; and if money would not buy that particular man's services, +as sometimes though rarely happened, he never rested until he found the +gratification which bound his energy to the cause. Besides--and this was +no small element in his successes--his temper disdained the applause of +the crowd. He had never "run" for any office himself, and was not nearly +so well known to the mass of the electorate as many of his creatures. +The senator, like the mayor or office-messenger of his choice, got +all the glory: Mr. Gulmore was satisfied with winning the victory, and +reaping the fruits of it. He therefore excited, comparatively speaking, +no jealousy; and this, together with the strength of his position, +accounts for the fact that he had never been seriously opposed before +Professor Roberts came upon the scene. + +Better far than Lawyer Hutchings, or any one else, Mr. Gulmore knew that +the relative strength of the two parties had altered vastly within the +year. Reckoning up his forces at the beginning of the campaign, he felt +certain that he could win--could carry his whole ticket, including a +rather unpopular Mayor; but the majority in his favour would be small, +and the prospect did not please him, for the Professor's speeches had +aroused envy. He understood that if his majority were not overwhelming +he would be assailed again next year more violently, and must in the +long run inevitably lose his power. Besides, "fat" contracts required +unquestionable supremacy. He began, therefore, by instituting such +a newspaper-attack upon the Professor as he hoped would force him to +abandon the struggle. When this failed, and Mr. Gulmore saw that it had +done worse than fail, that it had increased his opponent's energy and +added to his popularity, he went to work again to consider the whole +situation. He must win and win "big," that was clear; win too, if +possible, in a way that would show his "smartness" and demonstrate +his adversary's ignorance of the world. His anger had at length been +aroused; personal rivalry was a thing he could not tolerate at any time, +and Roberts had injured his position in the town. He was resolved to +give the young man such a lesson that others would be slow to follow his +example. The difficulty of the problem was one of its attractions. Again +and again he turned the question over in his mind--How was he to make +his triumph and the Professor's defeat sensational? All the factors were +present to him and he dwelt upon them with intentness. He was a man of +strong intellect; his mind was both large and quick, but its activity, +owing to want of education and to greedy physical desires, had been +limited to the ordinary facts and forces of life. What books are to most +persons gifted with an extraordinary intelligence, his fellow-men +were to Mr. Gulmore--a study at once stimulating and difficult, of +an incomparable variety and complexity. His lack of learning was of +advantage to him in judging most men. Their stock of ideas, sentiments +and desires had been his for years, and if he now viewed the patchwork +quilt of their morality with indulgent contempt, at least he was +familiar with all the constituent shades of it. But he could not make +the Professor out--and this added to his dislike of him; he recognized +that Roberts was not, as he had at first believed, a mere mouthpiece of +Hutchings, but he could not fathom his motives; besides, as he said to +himself, he had no need to; Roberts was plainly a "crank," book-mad, and +the species did not interest him. But Hutchings he knew well; knew that +like himself Hutchings, while despising ordinary prejudices, was ruled +by ordinary greeds and ambitions. In intellect they were both above +the average, but not in morals. So, by putting himself in the lawyer's +place, a possible solution of the problem occurred to him. + +A couple of days before the election, Mr. Hutchings, who had been hard +at work till the evening among his chief subordinates, was making his +way homeward when Mr. Prentiss accosted him, with the request that he +would accompany him to his rooms for a few minutes on a matter of the +utmost importance. Having no good reason for refusing, Mr. Hutchings +followed the editor of the "Herald" up a flight of stairs into a large +and comfortable room. As he entered and looked about him Mr. Gulmore +came forward: + +"I wanted a talk with you, Lawyer, where we wouldn't be disturbed, and +Prentiss thought it would be best to have it here, and I guess he was +about right. It's quiet and comfortable. Won't you be seated?" + +"Mr. Gulmore!" exclaimed the surprised lawyer stopping short. "I don't +think there's anything to be discussed between us, and as I'm in a hurry +to get home to dinner, I think I'll--" + +"Don't you make any mistake," interrupted Mr. Gulmore; "I mean +business--business that'll pay both you and me, and I guess 'twon't do +you any damage to take a seat and listen to me for a few minutes." + +As Lawyer Hutchings, overborne by the authority of the voice and manner, +sat down, he noticed that Mr. Prentiss had disappeared. Interpreting +rightly the other's glance, Mr. Gulmore began: + +"We're alone, Hutchin's. This matter shall be played fair and square. +I guess you know that my word can be taken at its face-value." Then, +settling himself in his chair, he went on: + +"You and I hev been runnin' on opposite tickets for a good many years, +and I've won right along. It has paid me to win and it has not paid you +to lose. Now, it's like this. You reckon that those Irishmen on the line +give you a better show. They do; but not enough to whip me. You appear +to think that that'll have to be tried the day after tomorrow, but you +ought to know by now that when I say a thing is so, it's so--every time. +If you had a chance, I'd tell you: I'm playin' square. I ken carry my +ticket from one end to the other; I ken carry Robinson as Mayor against +you by at least two hundred and fifty of a majority, and the rest of +your ticket has just no show at all--you know that. But, even if you +could get in this year or next what good would it do you to be Mayor? +You're not runnin' for the five thousand dollars a year salary, I +reckon, and that's about all you'd get--unless you worked with me. I +want a good Mayor, a man like you, of position and education, a fine +speaker that knows everybody and is well thought of--popular. Robinson's +not good enough for me; he hain't got the manners nor the knowledge, nor +the popularity. I'd have liked to have had you on my side right along. +It would have been better for both of us, but you were a Democrat, an' +there wasn't any necessity. Now there is. I want to win this election by +a large majority, an' you ken make that sartin. You see I speak square. +Will you join me?" + +The question was thrown out abruptly. Mr. Gul-more had caught a gleam in +the other's eye as he spoke of a good Mayor and his qualifications. "He +bites, I guess," was his inference, and accordingly he put the question +at once. + +Mr. Hutchings, brought to himself by the sudden interrogation, +hesitated, and decided to temporize. He could always refuse to join +forces, and Gulmore might "give himself away." He answered: + +"I don't quite see what you mean. How are we to join?" + +"By both of us givin' somethin'." + +"What am I to give?" + +"Withdraw your candidature for Mayor as a Democrat." + +"I can't do that." + +"Jest hear me out. The city has advertised for tenders for a new Court +House and a new Town Hall. The one building should cover both, and be +near the middle of the business part. That's so--ain't it? Well, land's +hard to get anywhere there, and I've the best lots in the town. I guess" +(carelessly) "the contract will run to a million dollars; that +should mean two hundred thousand dollars to some one. It's like this, +Hutchin's: Would you rather come in with me and make a joint tender, or +run for Mayor and be beaten?" + +Mr. Hutchings started. Ten years before the proposal would have won him. +But now his children were provided for--all except Joe, and his position +as Counsel to the Union Pacific Railroad lifted him above pecuniary +anxieties. Then the thought of the Professor and May came to him--No! he +wouldn't sell himself. But in some strange way the proposition excited +him; he felt elated. His quickened pulse-beats prevented him from +realizing the enormity of the proposed transaction, but he knew that +he ought to be indignant. What a pity it was that Gulmore had made no +proposal which he might have accepted--and then disclosed! + +"If I understand you, you propose that I should take up this contract, +and make money out of it. If that was your business with me, you've made +a mistake, and Professor Roberts is right." + +"Hev I?" asked Mr. Gulmore slowly, coldly, in sharp contrast to the +lawyer's apparent excitement and quick speech. Contemptuously he thought +that Hutchings was "foolisher" than he had imagined--or was he sincere? +He would have weighed this last possibility before speaking, if the +mention of Roberts had not angered him. His combativeness made him +persist: + +"If you don't want to come in with me, all you've got to do is to say +so. You've no call to get up on your hind legs about it; it's easy to +do settin'. But don't talk poppycock like that Professor; he's silly. He +talks about the contract for street pavin', and it ken be proved--'twas +proved in the 'Herald'--that our streets cost less per foot than the +streets of any town in this State. He knows nothin'. He don't even know +that an able man can make half a million out of a big contract, an' do +the work better than an ordinary man could do it who'd lose money by it +At a million our Court House'll be cheap; and if the Professor had the +contract with the plans accordin' to requirement to-morrow, he'd +make nothin' out of it--not a red cent. No, sir. If I ken, that's my +business--and yours, ain't it? Or, are we to work for nothin' because +he's a fool?" + +While Mr. Gulmore was speaking, Mr. Hutchings gave himself to thought. +After all, why was he running for Mayor? The place, as Gulmore said, +would be of no use to him. He was weary of fighting which only ended in +defeat, and could only end in a victory that would be worthless. Mayor, +indeed! If he had a chance of becoming a Member of Congress, that would +be different. And across his brain flitted the picture so often evoked +by imagination in earlier years. Why not? Gulmore could make it certain. +Would he? + +"What you say seems plausible enough, but I don't see my way. I don't +feel inclined to go into business at my time of life." + +"You don't need to go into the business. I'll see to that." + +"No. I don't need money now particularly." + +"Next year, Hutchin's, I'll have a better man than Robinson against you. +Lawyer Nevilson's as good as ken be found, I reckon, and he wouldn't +refuse to join me if I gave him the chance." But while he was speaking, +Mr. Gulmore kept his opponent's answer in view. He considered it +thoughtfully; "I don't need money now particularly." What did the +man need? Congress? As a Republican? That would do as well. When Mr. +Hutchings shook his head, careless of the menace, Mr. Gulmore made up +his mind. His obstinacy came out; he would win at any price. He began: + +"It's what I said at first, Hutchin's; we've each got to give what the +other wants. I've told you what I want; tell me squarely what you want, +an' p'r'aps the thing ken be settled." + +As Mr. Hutchings did not answer at once, the Boss went on: + +"You're in politics for somethin'. What is it? If you're goin' to buck +agen me, you might as well draw out; you'll do no good. You know that. +See here! Is it the State Legislature you're after, or--Congress?" + +The mere words excited Mr. Hutchings; he wanted to be back again in the +East as a victor; he longed for the cultivated amenities and the social +life of Washington. He could not help exclaiming: + +"Ah! if it hadn't been for you I'd have been in Congress long ago." + +"As a Democrat? Not from this State, I guess." + +"What does it matter? Democrat or Republican, the difference now is only +in the name." + +"The price is high, Hutchin's. I ask you to give up runnin' for Mayor, +and you ask me for a seat in Congress instead. But--I'll pay it, if you +do as I say. You've no chance in this State as a Democrat; you know that +yourself. To run for Mayor as a Democrat hurts you; that must stop right +now--in your own interest. But what I want from you is that you don't +announce your withdrawal till the day after to-morrow, an' meantime you +say nothin' to the Professor or any one else. Are you agreed?" + +Mr. Hutchings paused. The path of his desire lay open before him; the +opportunity was not to be missed; he grew eager. But still there was +something disagreeable in an action which demanded secrecy. He must +think coolly. What was the proposal? What was he giving? Nothing. He +didn't wish to be Mayor with Gulmore and all the City Council against +him. Nothing--except the withdrawal on the very morning of the election. +That would look bad, but he could pretend illness, and he had told the +Professor he didn't care to be Mayor; he had advised him not to mix in +the struggle; besides, Roberts would not suspect anything, and if he +did there'd be no shadow of proof for a long time to come. In the other +scale of the balance he had Gulmore's promise: it was trustworthy, he +knew, but--: + +"Do you mean that you'll run me for the next term and get me elected?" + +"I'll do all I know, and I guess you'll succeed." + +"I have nothing but your word." + +"Nothin'." + +Again Mr. Hutchings paused. To accept definitively would be dangerous if +the conversation had had listeners. It was characteristic of the place +and time that he could suspect a man of laying such a trap, upon +whose word he was prepared to rely. Mr. Gulmore saw and understood his +hesitation: + +"I said we were alone, Hutchin's, and I meant it. Jest as I say now, +if you withdraw and tell no one and be guided by me in becoming a +Republican, I'll do what I ken to get you into Congress," and as he +spoke he stood up. + +Mr. Hutchings rose, too, and said, as if in excuse: "I wanted to think +it over, but I'm agreed. I'll do as you say," and with a hurried "Good +night!" he left the room. + +Mr. Gulmore returned to his chair and lit a cigar. He was fairly +satisfied with the result of his efforts. His triumph over the Professor +would not be as flagrant, perhaps, as if Hutchin's' name had been linked +with his in a city contract; but, he thought with amusement, every one +would suspect that he had bought the lawyer for cash. What a fool the +man was! What did he want to get into Congress for? Weak vanity! He'd +have no weight there. To prefer a seat in Congress to wealth--silly. +Besides, Hutchin's would be a bad candidate. Of course the party name +would cover anythin'. But what a mean skunk! Here Mr. Gulmore's thoughts +reverted to himself. Ought he to keep his word and put such a man +into Congress? He hated to break a promise. But why should he help the +Professor's father-in-law to power? Wall, there was no hurry. He'd make +up his mind later. Anyway, the Professor'd have a nice row to hoe on the +mornin' of the election, and Boss Gulmore'd win and win big, an' that +was the point The laugh would be on the Professor-- + +On the morning of the election Professor Roberts was early afoot. He +felt hopeful, light-hearted, and would not confess even to himself +that his good spirits were due chiefly to the certainty that in +another twelve hours his electioneering would be at an end. The work of +canvassing and public speaking had become very disagreeable to him. The +mere memory of the speeches he had listened to, had left, as it were, +an unpleasant aftertaste. How the crowds had cheered the hackneyed +platitudes, the blatant patriotic appeals, the malevolent caricature +of opponents! Something unspeakably trivial, vulgar, and evil in it +all reminded him of tired children when the romping begins to grow +ill-natured. + +And if the intellectual side of the struggle had been offensive, the +moral atmosphere of the Committee Rooms, infected as it was by the +candidates, had seemed to him to be even worse--mephitic, poisonous. He +had shrunk from realizing the sensations which had been forced upon him +there--a recoil of his nature as from unappeasable wild-beast greeds, +with their attendant envy, suspicion, and hatred seething like lava +under the thin crust of a forced affability, of a good-humour assumed +to make deception easy. He did not want to think of it; it was horrible. +And perhaps, after all, he was mistaken; perhaps his dislike of the +work had got upon his nerves, and showed him everything in the darkest +colours. It could scarcely be as bad as he thought, or human society +would be impossible. But argument could not blunt the poignancy of his +feelings; he preferred, therefore, to leave them inarticulate, striving +to forget. In any case, the ordeal would soon be over; it had to be +endured for a few hours more, and then he would plunge into his books +again, and enjoy good company, he and May together. + +He was still lingering over this prospect when the servant came to +tell him that some gentlemen were waiting for him, and he found in the +sitting-room half-a-dozen of his favourite students. One of the Seniors, +named Cartrell, a young man of strong figure, and keen, bold face, +remarked, as he shook hands, that they had come to accompany him--" +Elections are sometimes rough, and we know the ropes." Roberts thanked +them warmly, and they set off. + +The Committee Rooms of the Democratic party were situated near the Court +House, in what had been once the centre, but was now the edge of the +town. The little troop had to pass through the negro quarter--small +frame-houses, peppered over grassless, bare lots, the broken-down fences +protesting against unsociable isolation. The Rooms, from the outside, +reminded one of a hive of angry bees. In and out of the door men were +hurrying, and a crowd swarmed on the side-walk talking in a loud, +excited hum. As soon as the Professor was recognized, a silence of +astonishment fell upon the throng. With stares of curiosity they +drew aside to let him enter. Slightly surprised by the reception, the +Professor passed into the chief room. At a table in the middle a man was +speaking in a harsh, loud voice--one Simpson, a popular orator, who had +held aloof from the meetings of the party. He was saying: + +"It's a put-up game between them, but the question is, who's to go on +the ticket in--" + +As Simpson's eyes met those of Roberts he stopped speaking. + +"Good morning, gentlemen. Please continue, Mr. Simpson; I hope I'm not +interrupting you." + +The Professor did not like Mr. Simpson. The atrabilious face, the +bitter, thin lips, and grey eyes veined with yellow, reminded him +indefinably of a wild beast. Mr. Simpson seemed to take the courteous +words as a challenge. Drawing his wiry figure up he said, with insult in +voice and manner: + +"Perhaps you've come to nominate a Mayor; we'd all like to know your +choice." + +"I don't understand you." + +The Professor's tone was frank, his sincerity evident, but Simpson went +on: + +"Don't ye? Perhaps Hutchin's has sent you to say, as he's sick it'd be +well to run Robinson on both tickets--eh?" + +"I don't know what you mean. I expected to meet Mr. Hutchings here. Is +he ill?" + +"He'll get well soon, I reckon; but after taking a perscription from +Gulmore, he's mighty bad and can't leave the house." + +"What do you mean?" + +"I mean that Hutchin's has withdrawn his candidature as Mayor. I mean +that the 'Herald' has the announcin' of it. I mean it's a put-up job +between him and Gulmore to ruin the Democratic party in this town. I +mean--" + +As the Professor drew back in amazement, young Cartrell stepped in front +of him and addressed Simpson: + +"What proof have you of what you say?" + +"Proof! Proof enough. Does an honest man resign a candidature on the +morning of an election, and give the other side the news before his own +party?" + +The interruption had given Roberts time for reflection. He felt that +Simpson's facts must be right. It was characteristic of him that his +first thought was, Had Hutchings withdrawn in order to save him from +further attacks? No. If he had he'd have told him before the event. +A sort of nausea overpowered him as he remembered that Hutchings had +related how Gulmore had bought Patrick Byrne--and now he, too, had sold +himself. As in a flash Hutchings' weakness of fibre was laid bare to +him. "That's the reason I couldn't find him yesterday." His heart sank +within him. "How could Hutchings have been so--?" With the belief in +the lawyer's guilt came the understanding that he too was concerned, +suspected even. Disgust of traitorism, conscious innocence impelled him +to clear himself--but how? To his surprise he found that companionship +with these men had given him some insight into their character. He put +the question to Simpson: + +"Can anything be done now?" + +The steadiness of the tone, the resolve in his face, excited a certain +curiosity. Shrugging his shoulders, Simpson replied: + +"We've not got a candidate. It's too late to get the party together. New +tickets'd have to be printed. I--" + +"Will you accept the candidature?" Reading the man at once, Roberts +turned to the others: "Gentlemen, I hope some one will second me; I +nominate Mr. Simpson as Mayor, and propose that his name should be +substituted for that of Mr. Hutchings. To show that I'm in earnest I'll +contribute five hundred dollars towards the expense of printing the +tickets." + +The Professor's offer of money seemed to exercise a magical influence +upon the crowd; the loud tones, the provocative rudeness of speech and +bearing, disappeared at once; the men began to show him the respect of +attention, and Mr. Simpson was even quicker than the rest in changing +his attitude--perhaps because he hoped to gain more than they did. + +"I had no idee," he began, "but if the Committee thinks I oughter run +I've no objection. I hain't ever cared for office, but I'm a party-man, +an' what the party wants me to do I'll do every time. I'm a Democrat +right through. I guess Lawyer Hutchin's has gone back on us, but that's +not your fault, Professor, and five hundred dollars--an' your work will +do a pile. The folk all like you an'--respect you an'--" + +Roberts looked at the man; his offer had been a movement of indignant +contempt, and yet it had succeeded. He could have laughed; the key +to the enigma was in his hands; these men answered to the motive of +self-interest as a ship answers to the helm, and yet--how revolting it +all was! The next moment he again banished reflection. + +"I'll go and get the money, and return as soon as possible. In the +meantime, perhaps you, Mr. Simpson, will see that the printing is +begun without delay. Then if you'll tell us what polling-stations need +superintendence, my friends and I will do our best." + +The appeal found an immediate response--in a few minutes order and +energetic work had taken the place of the former angry excitement and +recrimination. + +To Professor Roberts the remainder of the day was one whirl of restless +labour; he hastened from one polling-station to another, and when the +round was completed drove to the Central Rooms, where questions had to +be answered, and new arrangements made without time for thought. Then he +was off again on his hurried round as canvasser. One incident, however, +made a definite impression upon him. Returning for the second or third +time to the Central Rooms he found himself in a crowd of Irish labourers +who had come in deference to priestly bidding to record their votes. Mr. +Hutchings' retirement had excited their native suspiciousness; they +felt that they had been betrayed, and yet the peremptory orders they had +received must be followed. The satisfaction of revolt being denied +to them, their anger became dangerous. Professor Roberts faced them +quietly; he soon saw that they were sincere, or were playing the part of +sincerity; he therefore spoke for the cause, for the party to which they +belonged; surely they wouldn't abandon the struggle because a leader had +deserted them! His words and manner; his appeal to their combativeness; +his earnestness and good temper were successful. The storm of invective +gradually subsided, and although one or two, for the sake of a row, +sought to insult him, they did not go to extremes in face of the +resolute disapprobation of the American party-leaders. Loyalty to their +shibboleth was beginning to draw them, still grumbling and making use of +expressive imprecations, on the way to the nearest polling-station, when +one of their leaders drew Professor Roberts aside, and asked him: + +"Are the bhoys to have nothin' for their throuble? Half a day they'll +lose, so they will--a dollar each now would be no more than fair--" + +The Professor shook his head; he was not rich, he said, and had already +spent more money in the contest than he could afford. + +"Be gob, it's poor worruk this talkin' an' votin' for us that gets +nothin' by it "--the phrase stuck in his memory as illustrating the +paltry baseness of the whole affair. It was with a sense of relief that +he threw himself again into the turmoil that served to deaden thought. +As the day wore towards evening he became conscious of fatigue, a +weariness that was not of the body alone, but of the head and heart. +After the closing of the polls he returned to the Central Rooms. They +were filled with an enthusiastic crowd, most of whom professed to +believe that the Democratic party had won all along the line. Roberts +found it hard to bear their self-gratulation and the exuberance of their +triumph, but when Simpson began to take the liberties of comradeship +with him, the cup ran over. He cut the man short with a formally polite +phrase, and betook himself to his house. He would not think even of May; +her image brought him face to face with her father; and he wanted rest. + +In the morning the Professor awoke with a feeling of utter depression. +Before he opened the paper he was sure that his hopelessness had been +justified. He was right--Gulmore had carried his whole ticket, and +Simpson had been beaten by a majority of more than a thousand. The +Democratic organ did not scruple to ascribe the defeat to the fact that +Lawyer Hutchings had sold his party. The simulated indignation of the +journalist found expression in phrases which caricatured the simplicity +of sincere condemnation. "Never did shameless corruption..." Roberts +could not read the stuff. Yet the feigned passion and tawdry rhetoric +in some way stirred up his bile; he would see Hutchings and--but if he +unpacked his heart's bitterness upon her father, he would hurt May. He +must restrain himself; Hutchings would understand from his manner, and +May would be sympathetic--as she always was. + +Another thought exasperated him afresh. His idealism had made him +ridiculous in the eyes of the townsfolk. He had spent money he could +ill spare in a hopeless cause, which was not even a worthy one. And now +everybody was laughing at him or sneering--he grew hot with shame. That +his motives were honourable only heightened the ludicrousness of his +action: it seemed as if he had made a fool of himself. He almost wished +that he had left the Democrats to their own devices. But no! he had done +the right, and that was the main point. The sense of failure, however, +robbed him of confidence in regard to the future. How should he act? +Since high motives were ineffectual, Quixotic, ought he to discard them +and come down to the ordinary level? 'Twould be better not to live at +all. The half-life of a student, a teacher, dwelling apart from the +world, would be preferable to such degradation; but-- + +The situation appeared to him to be so difficult that as soon as he had +taken his breakfast he went out for a walk away from the town in order +to avoid importunate visits, and to decide upon a course of conduct. The +air and exercise invigorated him; the peace and solitude of the prairie, +the beauty of earth and sky, the unconsciousness of nature consoled him, +reduced his troubles to relative unimportance, and allowed him to regain +his equanimity. + +Even his ideas in regard to Hutchings underwent a change. After all it +was not his part to condemn; his indignation owed its heat to baffled +egotism and paltry vanity. When the personal element was abstracted from +the causes of his vexation, what remained? Were Hutchings a figure in +history, would he judge him with the same intolerance? No; weakness, +corruptibility even, would then excite no harsher feeling than a sort of +amused contempt. The reflection mitigated his anger. He began to take +an intellectual pleasure in the good-humoured acceptance of the wrong +inflicted upon him. Plato was right, it was well to suffer injustice +without desiring to retaliate. He had yet to learn that just as oil only +smoothes the surface of waves, so reason has merely a superficial effect +upon character. + +Early in the afternoon he made his way to May's home. According to +his habit he passed by the servant-girl and entered the study--to find +himself face to face with the lawyer. + +The shock of disappointment and a certain latent antagonism caused him +to speak with a directness which was in itself discourteous. + +"Is Miss May in? I wished to see her." After a momentary pause he added, +with a tinge of sarcasm, "Your illness wasn't serious, I see." + +Mr. Hutchings was not taken by surprise; he had prepared for this +meeting, and had resolved to defend himself. The task, he believed, +would be easy. He had almost persuaded himself that he had acted in the +Professor's interest. Roberts was singularly unworldly; he might accept +the explanation, and if he didn't--what did it matter? His own brighter +prospects filled him with a sense of triumph; in the last three days +his long-repressed vanity had shot up to self-satisfaction, making him +callous to what Roberts or any one else might think. But the sneer in +his visitor's words stung him, induced him to throw off the mask of +illness which he had intended to assume. He replied with an indifference +that was defiant: + +"No; I wasn't well yesterday, but I'm better now, though I shall keep +indoors for a day or two. A chill, I suppose." + +Receiving no answer, he found relief in complete boldness. + +"You see my prediction as to the result of the election has been +justified?" + +"You might even say _pars magna fui_." + +The retort slipped out. The impudent challenge had to be met. The +Professor did not realize how contemptuously he spoke. + +The womanish weakness in Hutchings sprang to hurried attack. + +"At any rate you've no cause for reproach. I resigned chiefly to shield +you. I told you long ago that I didn't want particularly to be Mayor, +and the assault upon your position in the University decided me. There +was no way to save your place except by giving Gulmore the victory he +wanted. You're engaged to May, and May is fond of you: I'm not rich, and +a post of three thousand dollars a year is not often to be found by a +young man. What would you do if you were dismissed? I had to--sacrifice +myself. Not that it matters much, but I've got myself into a fuss with +the party, injured myself all round on your account, and then you +talk as if you had some reason to be offended. That's hardly right, +Professor." The lawyer was satisfied with his case; his concluding +phrase built a bridge for a magnanimous reconciliation. + +"You wish me to believe that you resigned at the last moment without +telling me of your intention in order to further my interests?" Mr. +Hutchings was disagreeably shocked by the disdainful, incredulous +question; Roberts was harder to blind than he had supposed; his +indignation became more than half sincere. + +"I didn't make up my mind till the last minute--I couldn't. It wasn't +easy for me to leave the party I've fought with for ten years. And the +consequences don't seem likely to be pleasant to me. But that doesn't +signify. This discussion is useless. If you'll take my advice you'll +think of answering the charge that will be brought against you in the +Faculty meeting, instead of trying to get up a groundless accusation +against me." The menace in the words was not due solely to excitement +and ill-temper. Mr. Hutchings had been at pains to consider all his +relations with the Professor. He had hoped to deceive him, at least for +the moment, and gain time--postpone a painful decision. He had begun to +wish that the engagement between Roberts and May might be broken off. In +six months or a year he would have to declare himself on Gulmore's side; +the fact would establish his complicity, and he had feared what he +now knew, that Roberts would be the severest of critics--an impossible +son-in-law. Besides, in the East, as the daughter of a Member of +Congress, May might command a high position--with her looks she could +marry any one--while Roberts would be dismissed or compelled to resign +his post. A young man without a career who would play censor upon him +in his own house was not to be thought of. The engagement must be +terminated. May could be brought to understand.... + +The Professor did not at once grasp the situation in so far as he +himself was concerned. But he divined the cause of the lawyer's +irritability, and refrained from pushing the argument further. The +discussion could, indeed, serve no purpose, save to embitter the +quarrel. He therefore answered quietly: + +"I didn't come here to dispute with you. I came to see May. Is she in?" + +"No, I think not. I believe she went out some time ago." + +"In that case I'll go home. Perhaps you'll tell her I called. Good day." + +"Good day!" + +As the Professor left the house his depression of the morning returned +upon him. He was dissatisfied with himself. He had intended to show no +anger, no resentment, and, nevertheless, his temper had run away +with him. He recognized that he had made a grave mistake, for he was +beginning to foresee the consequences of it. Trained to severe +thinking, but unaccustomed to analyze motives, the full comprehension +of Hutchings' attitude and its probable effects upon his happiness only +came to him gradually, but it came at length so completely that he could +remember the very words of the foregoing conversation, and recall the +tones of the voices. He could rebuild the puzzle; his understanding of +it, therefore, must be the true one. The irrationality of the defence +was a final proof that the lawyer had played him false. "Hutchings sold +himself--most likely for place. He didn't fear a quarrel with me--that +was evident; perhaps he wishes to get rid of me--evident, too. He +believes that I shall be dismissed, or else he wouldn't have laid stress +upon the importance of my keeping my position. When I spoke of May he +was curt. And the explanation? He has wronged me. The old French proverb +holds true, 'The offender seldom forgives.' He'll probably go on to harm +me further, for I remind him of his vileness. This, then, is life, not +as I imagined it, but as it is, and such creatures as Hutchings are +human beings. Well, after all, it is better to know the truth than to +cheat oneself with a mirage. I shall appreciate large natures with noble +and generous impulses better, now that I know how rare they are." + +In his room he found May awaiting him. Across his surprise and joy there +came an intense admiration of her, a heart-pang of passionate gratitude. +As she moved towards him her incommunicable grace of person and manner +completed the charm. The radiant gladness of the eyes; the outstretched +hands; the graceful form, outlined in silver-grey; the diadem of +honey-coloured hair; something delicate yet courageous, proud yet tender +in her womanhood remained with him ever afterwards. + +"Ah, May!" The word seemed to bring joy and tingling life to his +half-numbed heart. He seized her hands and drew her to him, and kissed +her on the hair, and brows, and eyes with an abandonment of his whole +nature, such as she had never before known in him. All her shyness, her +uneasiness vanished in the happiness of finding that she had so pleased +him, and mingled with this joy was a new delightful sense of her own +power. When released from his embrace she questioned him by a look. His +emotion astonished her. + +"My love," he said, kissing her hands, "how good of you to come to me, +how sweet and brave you are to wait for me here! I was growing weak with +fear lest I should lose you, too, in the general wreck. And you came and +sat here for me patiently--Darling!" + +There was a mingling of self-surrender and ruffled pride in her smiling +reproach: + +"Lose me? What do you mean? I waited for you last night, sir, and all +this weary morning, till I could wait no longer; I had to find you. I +would have stayed at home till you came; I meant to, but father startled +me: he said he was afraid you'd lose your place as Professor in spite +of all he had done for you. 'Twas good of him, wasn't it, to give up +running for Mayor, so as not to embitter Gulmore against you? I was +quite proud of him. But you won't lose your post, will you? Has anything +serious happened?--Dear!" + +He paused to think, but he could not see any way to avoid telling her +the truth. Disappointments had so huddled upon him, the insight he +had won into human nature was so desolating that his heart ached for +sympathy and affection. He loved her; she was to be his wife; how could +he help winning her to his side? Besides, her words voiced his own +fears--her father had already begun to try to part them. She must know +all and judge. But how? Should he give her "The Tribune" to read? No--it +was vindictive. + +"Come and sit down, May, and I'll tell you what happened yesterday. You +shall judge for yourself whether I was right or wrong." + +He told her, point by point, what had occurred. May listened in silence +till he stopped. + +"But why did he resign? What could he gain by that?" + +While she was speaking a thought crimsoned her cheeks; she had found +the key to the enigma. Three nights before her father had talked of +Washington and the East with a sort of exultation. At the time she +had not paid much attention to this, though it had struck her as very +different from his habit. Now the peculiarity of it confirmed her +suspicion. In some way or other his action in resigning was connected +with his inexplicable high spirits. A wave of indignation swept over +her. Not that she felt the disgust which had sickened the Professor when +he first heard of the traitorism. He had condemned Mr. Hutchings on the +grounds of public morality; May's anger was aroused because her father +had sought to deceive _her_; had tried by lying suggestion to take +credit to himself, whereas-- + +"I wouldn't have believed it," she murmured, with the passionate revolt +of youth against mean deceit. "I can never forgive him or trust him +again." + +"Don't let us talk of it any more, dear. I wouldn't have told you only +I was afraid that he would try to separate us. Now I know you are on my +side I wouldn't have you judge him harshly." + +"On your side," she repeated, with a certain exaltation of manner. "On +your side always in spite of everything. I feel for you more intensely +than for myself." In a lower voice and with hesitating speech she added: +"Did he--did he tell you that he resigned on your account?" + +He nodded. + +"And you're not angry?" + +"No." He smiled slightly. "I understand men better now than I did +yesterday. That's all." + +"Oh, but you ought to be mad. I am. How can you--" + +"Let us talk, dear, of what concerns us more. Have you heard anything? +From what your father said I half fear that the meeting to-morrow may go +against me. Has no one called?" + +"Professor Krazinski. I saw his card on the table when I came in. You +think it's a bad sign that he's the only one?" + +"I'm afraid so. It may be merely anxiety, but I'm growing suspicious +of every one now. I catch myself attributing low motives to men without +reason. That electioneering has infected me. I hate myself for it, but +I can't help it; I loathe the self-seeking and the vileness. I'd rather +not know men at all than see them as they've shown themselves lately. +I want to get away and rinse my mouth out and forget all about it--away +somewhere with you, my sweet love." + +"But you mustn't let them condemn you without an effort." While speaking +she put her hand on his shoulder and moved close to him. "It might +injure us later. And you know you can persuade them if you like. No one +can listen to you without being won over. And I want you to keep your +post; you love teaching and you're the best teacher in the world, ah--" + +He put his arms round her, and she bowed her head on his neck, that he +might not see the gathering tears. + +"You're right, dear. I spoke hastily. I'll do my best. It won't be as +bad as we think. My colleagues are men of some education and position. +They're not like the crowd of ignorant voters and greedy place-hunters; +they'll listen to reason, and "--half bitterly--"they've no motive to +do me wrong. Besides, Krazinksi has called, and I scarcely know him; +perhaps the others didn't think of coming. It was kind of him, wasn't +it? I'm very grateful to him. He must be a good fellow." + +"What has he done so wonderful? Oh, my!"--and she turned her face up to +his with half-laughing deprecation--"I'm afraid I'm deteriorating too. I +can't hear you praise any one now without feeling horribly jealous. Yes, +he must be good. But don't be _too_ grateful to him, or--I must be going +now, and, oh! what a long time it'll be until to-morrow! I shall have +grown old before--to-morrow." + +"Sweetheart! You'll come here and wait for me in the afternoon, won't +you? I shall want to see you so much." + +"Yes, if you like; but I intended to go up to the University--mayn't I? +It'll seem ages--aeons--waiting here by myself." + +"The meeting will not last long, and I'll come to you as soon as it's +over. Darling, you don't know how much you have helped me. You have +given me courage and hope," and he folded her in his arms. + +Mr. Gulmore liked to spend his evenings with his wife and daughter. It +amused him to hear what they had been doing during the day. Their gossip +had its value; sentimental or spiteful, it threw quaint sidelights upon +character. On the evening before the Faculty meeting Ida was bending +over a book, while Mr. Gulmore smoked, and watched her. His daughter was +somewhat of a puzzle to him still, and when occasion offered he studied +her. "Where does she get her bitterness from? I'm not bitter, an' I had +difficulties, was poor an' ignorant, had to succeed or go under, while +she has had everythin' she wanted. It's a pity she ain't kinder...." + +Presently Mrs. Gulmore put away her work and left the room. Taking up +the thread of a conversation that had been broken off by his wife's +presence, Mr. Gulmore began: + +"I don't say Roberts'll win, Ida. The bettin' 's the other way; but I'm +not sure, for I don't know the crowd. He may come out on top, though I +hev noticed that young men who run into their first fight and get badly +whipped ain't likely to fight desperate the second time.--Grit's half +trainin'!" + +"I wish I could be there to _see_ him beaten!" Ida had tried to turn her +wounded pride into dislike, and was succeeding. "I hate to feel he's in +the same town with us--the coward!" + +At this moment Mrs. Gulmore reentered the room. + +"To think of it! Sal left the gas-stove flarin'. I made her get up and +come downstairs to put it out. That'll learn her! Of all the careless, +shiftless creatures, these coloured people are the worst. Come, Ida, +it's long after nine, and I'm tired. You can read in your bedroom if you +want to." + +After the usual "good night" and kisses, Ida went upstairs. While +Mrs. Gulmore busied herself putting "things straight," Mr. Gulmore sat +thinking: + +"She takes after her mother in everythin', but she has more pride. It's +that makes her bitter. She's jest like her--only prettier. The same +peaky nose, pointed chin, little thin ears set close to her head, fine +hair--the Yankee school-marm. First-rate managin' women; the best wives +in the world to keep a house an' help a man on. But they hain't got +sensuality enough to be properly affectionate." + +On the following afternoon Roberts stopped before the door of his house +and looked back towards the University. There on the crest of the hill +stood the huge building of bluish-grey stone with the round tower of +the observatory in the middle--like a mallet with a stubby handle in the +air. + +While gazing thus a shrill voice reached him, the eager treble of a +newsboy: + +"Great Scandal!" he heard--and then "Scandal in the University! Full +Report! Only five cents! Five cents for the 'Herald's' Special!" + +He hastened to the gate and beckoned to the little figure in the +distance. His thoughts were whirling. What did it mean? Could the +"Herald" have issued a special edition with the report of the meeting? +Impossible! there wasn't time for that. Yet, he had walked leisurely +with Krazinski, and newspapers did wonders sometimes. Wonders! 'twould +be a breach of confidence. There was an honourable understanding that +no one should divulge what took place in a Faculty meeting. "Honourable" +and Gulmore--the two words wouldn't go together. Could it be? + +A glance at the contents-bill brought a flush to his face. He gave a +quarter for the sheet, and as the boy fumbled for change he said, taking +hold of the bill: + +"I want this too; you can keep the rest of the money," and hurried into +the house. + +May met him at the door of the sitting-room, but did not speak, while +he opened out the paper, and in silence showed her the six columns, +containing a verbatim report of the meeting. + +"What do you think of that?" he asked, and without waiting for an answer +he spread the contents-bill upon the table. + +"This is better," he went on, bitterly. "Read this!" And she read: + + Ructions in Learning's Home. The President's Flank Attack. + + Fours to a Pair. The Pagan retires and the Pole. + +"Oh, the brutes! How could they?" May exclaimed. "But what does it +mean?" + +"You have it all there," he said, touching the bill; "all in two or +three lines of cheerful insult, as is our American fashion. In spite of +the opinion of every leading lawyer in the State, sixteen--fanatics, to +give them the benefit of the doubt, voted that a disbelief in Christian +dogma was the same thing as 'open immorality.' The Father of Lies made +such men!" + +"Did no one vote for you?" + +"Two, Krazinski and some one else, I think 'twas little Black, and two +papers were blank. But fancy the President speaking against me, though +he has a casting-vote. All he could say was that the parents were the +only proper judges of what a student should be taught. Let us grant +that; I may have been mistaken, wrong, if you like; but my fault was not +'open immorality,' as specified in the Statute. They lied against me, +those sixteen." + +May sympathized too keenly with his indignation to think of trying to +allay it; she couldn't help asking, "What did you do after the voting?" + +"What could I do? I had had enough of such opponents. I told them that +if they dismissed me I'd take the case into the courts, where at the +worst their reading of the words 'open immorality' would be put upon +record, and my character freed from stain. But, if they chose to rescind +their vote I said I was willing to resign." + +"They accepted that?" + +"Krazinski forced them to. He told them some home-truths. They dared not +face the law courts lest it should come out that the professorships were +the rewards of sectarian bigotry. He went right through the list, and +ended by resigning his position. + +"Then Campbell got up and regretted his speech. It was uncalled-for +and--you know the sort of thing. My colleagues, he said, would have +preferred to retain my services if I had yielded to the opinion of the +parents. Under the circumstances there was no course open but to accept +my resignation. They would not enter the vote upon the minutes; they +would even write me a letter expressing regret at losing me, etc. So the +matter ended. + +"Coming down the hill I tried to persuade Krazinski not to resign on my +account. But the dear old fellow was obstinate; he had long intended to +retire. He was very kind. He thinks I shall find another place easily. + +"Now, May, you have heard the whole tale, what is your opinion? Are you +disappointed with me? You might well be. I'm disappointed with myself. +Somehow or other I've not got hate enough in me to be a good fighter." + +"Disappointed? How little you know me! It's my life now to be with you. +Whatever you say or do is right to me. I think it's all for the best; I +wouldn't have you stay here after what has passed." + +May meant all she said, and more. At the bottom of her heart she was +not sorry that he was going to leave Tecumseh. If she thereby lost the +pleasure of appearing as his wife before the companions of her youth, on +the other hand, he would belong to her more completely, now that he +was cut off from all other sympathy and no longer likely to meet Miss +Gulmore. Moreover, her determination to follow him in single-hearted +devotion seemed to throw the limelight of romance upon her disagreement +with her father, which had been much more acute than she had given +Roberts to suppose. She had loved her father, and if he had appealed +to her affection he could have so moved her that she would have shown +Roberts a hesitation which, in his troubled and depressed condition, +might have brought about a coldness between them, if not a rupture of +their relations. But Hutchings, feeling that he was in the wrong, had +contented himself with depreciating Roberts by sneer and innuendo, and +so had aroused her generous partisanship. The proceedings of the Faculty +naturally increased her sympathy with her lover, and her enthusiastic +support did much to revive his confidence in himself. When they parted +in the evening he had already begun to think of the preparations to be +made for his journey Eastwards. + +A few weeks later a little knot of friends stood together one morning on +the down-platform of the Tecumseh station, waiting for the train to come +in. Professor Roberts was the centre of the group, and by his side stood +dainty May Hutchings, the violet eyes intense with courage that held the +sweet lips to a smile. Around them were some ten or a dozen students and +Krazinski, all in the highest spirits. They were talking about Roberts' +new appointment at Yale, which he attributed to Krazinsk's influence. +Presently they became aware of an unwonted stir at the entrance-door +behind them. As they turned in wonder they saw that the negro hands had +formed a lane through which, heralded by the obsequious station-master, +Mr. Gul-more, with his daughter on his arm, was coming towards them. +Heedless of their astonishment, the Boss walked on till he stood in +front of Roberts. + +"Professor, we've heard of your good fortune, and are come to +congratulate you. Ida here always thought a pile of your knowledge an' +teachin', an' I guess she was right. Our little difference needn't count +now. You challenged me to a sort of wrastle an' you were thrown; but +I bear no malice, an' I'm glad to offer you my hand an' to wish +you--success." + +Roberts shook hands without hesitation. He was simply surprised, and had +no inkling of the reason which had led Gulmore to come to the station +and to bring Ida. Had he been told that this was the father's plan for +protecting his daughter against the possibility of indiscreet gossip +he would have been still more astonished. "Nor do I bear malice," he +rejoined, with a smile; "though the wrestling can hardly be considered +fair when twenty pull one man down." + +"'Twas my crowd against yours," replied the Boss indifferently. "But I'm +kinder sorry that you're leavin' the town. I'd never have left a place +where I was beaten. No, sir; I'd have taken root right there an' waited. +Influence comes with time, an' you had youth on your side." + +"That may be your philosophy, Mr. Gulmore," said Roberts lightly, as the +other paused, "but it's not mine. I'm satisfied with one or two falls; +they've taught me that the majority is with you." + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Gulmore, The Boss, by Frank Harris + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GULMORE, THE BOSS *** + +***** This file should be named 23010-8.txt or 23010-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/3/0/1/23010/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Gulmore, The Boss + +Author: Frank Harris + +Release Date: October 12, 2007 [EBook #23010] +Last Updated: March 8, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GULMORE, THE BOSS *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <div style="height: 8em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + GULMORE, THE BOSS. + </h1> + <h2> + By Frank Harris + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <p> + The habits of the Gulmore household were in some respects primitive. + Though it was not yet seven o'clock two negro girls were clearing away the + breakfast things under the minute supervision of their mistress, an + angular, sharp-faced woman with a reedy voice, and nervously abrupt + movements. Near the table sat a girl of nineteen absorbed in a book. In an + easy-chair by the open bay-window a man with a cigar in his mouth was + reading a newspaper. Jonathan Byrne Gulmore, as he always signed himself, + was about fifty years of age; his heavy frame was muscular, and the coarse + dark hair and swarthy skin showed vigorous health. There was both + obstinacy and combative-ness in his face with its cocked nose, low + irregular forehead, thick eyebrows, and square jaw, but the deep-set grey + eyes gleamed at times with humorous comprehension, and the usual + expression of the countenance was far from ill-natured. As he laid the + paper on his knees and looked up, he drew the eye. His size and strength + seemed to be the physical equivalents of an extraordinary power of + character and will. When Mrs. Gulmore followed the servants out of the + room the girl rose from her chair and went towards the door. She was + stopped by her father's voice: + </p> + <p> + “Ida, I want a talk with you. You'll be able to go to your books + afterwards; I won't keep you long.” She sat down again and laid her book + on the table, while Mr. Gulmore continued: + </p> + <p> + “The election's next Monday week, and I've no time to lose.” A moment's + silence, and he let his question fall casually: + </p> + <p> + “You know this—Professor Roberts—don't you? He was at the + University when you were there—eh?” The girl flushed slightly as she + assented. + </p> + <p> + “They say he's smart, an' he ken talk. I heard him the other night; but + I'd like to know what you think. Your judgment's generally worth havin'.” + </p> + <p> + Forced to reply without time for reflection, Miss Gulmore said as little + as possible with a great show of frankness: + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes; he's smart, and knows Greek and Latin and German, and a great + many things. The senior students used to say he knew more than all the + other professors put together, and he—he thinks so too, I imagine,” + and she laughed intentionally, for, on hearing her own strained laughter, + she blushed, and then stood up out of a nervous desire to conceal her + embarrassment. But her father was looking away from her at the glowing end + of his cigar; and, as she resumed her seat, he went on: + </p> + <p> + “I'm glad you seem to take no stock in him, Ida, for he's makin' himself + unpleasant. I'll have to give him a lesson, I reckon, not in Greek or + Latin or them things—I never had nothin' taught me beyond the + 'Fourth Reader,' in old Vermont, and I've forgotten some of what I learned + then—but in election work an' business I guess I ken give Professor + Roberts points, fifty in a hundred, every time. Did you know he's always + around with Lawyer Hutchin's?” + </p> + <p> + “Is he? That's because of May—May Hutch-ings. Oh, she deserves him;” + the girl spoke with sarcastic bitterness, “she gave herself trouble enough + to get him. It was just sickening the way she acted, blushing every time + he spoke to her, and looking up at him as if he were everything. Some + people have no pride in them.” + </p> + <p> + Her father listened impassively, and, after a pause, began his + explanation: + </p> + <p> + “Wall, Ida, anyway he means to help Hutchin's in this city election. + 'Tain't the first time Hutchin's has run for mayor on the Democratic + ticket and come out at the little end of the horn, and I propose to whip + him again. But this Professor's runnin' him on a new track, and I want + some points about <i>him</i>. It's like this. At the Democratic meetin' + the other night, the Professor spoke, and spoke well. What he said was + popcorn; but it took with the Mugwumps—them that think themselves + too high-falutin' to work with either party, jest as if organization was + no good, an' a mob was as strong as an army. Wall, he talked for an hour + about purity an' patriotism, and when he had warmed 'em up he went + bald-headed for me. He told 'em—you ken read it all in the 'Tribune'—that + this town was run by a ring, an' not run honestly; contracts were given + only to members of the Republican party; all appointments were made by the + ring, and never accordin' to ability—as if sich a ring could last + ten years. He ended up by saying, though he was a Republican, as his + father is, he intended to vote Democratic—he's domiciled here—as + a protest against the impure and corrupt Boss-system which was disgracin' + American political life. Twas baby talk. But it's like this. The buildin' + of the branch line South has brought a lot of Irish here—they're all + Democrats—and there's quite a number of Mugwumps, an' if this + Professor goes about workin' them all up—what with the + flannel-mouths and the rest—it might be a close finish. I'm sure to + win, but if I could get some information about him, it would help me. His + father's all right. We've got him down to a fine point. Prentiss, the man + I made editor of the 'Herald,' knows him well; ken tell us why he left + Kaintucky to come West. But I want to know somethin' about the Professor, + jest to teach him to mind his own business, and leave other folk to attend + to theirs. Ken you help me? Is he popular with the students and + professors?” + </p> + <p> + She thought intently, while the colour rose in her cheeks; she was eager + to help. + </p> + <p> + “With the students, yes. There's nothing to be done there. The professors—I + don't think they like him much; he is too clever. When he came into the + class-room and talked Latin to Johnson, the Professor of Latin, and + Johnson could only stammer out a word or two, I guess he didn't make a + friend;” and the girl laughed at the recollection. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know anything else that could be brought against him. They say he + is an Atheist. Would that be any use? He gave a lecture on 'Culture as a + Creed' about three months ago which made some folk mad. The other + professors are Christians, and, of course, all the preachers took it up. + He compared Buddha with Christ, and said—oh, I remember!—that + Shakespeare was the Old Testament of the English-speaking peoples. That + caused some talk; they all believe in the Bible. He said, too, that + 'Shakespeare was inspired in a far higher sense than St. Paul, who was + thin and hard, a logic-loving bigot.' And President Campbell—he's a + Presbyterian—preached the Sunday afterwards upon St Paul as the + great missionary of Protestantism. I don't think the professors like him, + but I don't know that they can do anything, for all the students, the + senior ones, at least, are with him,” and the girl paused, and tried to + find out from her father's face whether what she had said was likely to be + of service. + </p> + <p> + “Wall! I don't go much on them things myself, but I guess somethin' ken be + done. I'll see Prentiss about it: send him to interview this President + Campbell, and wake him up to a sense of his duty. This is a Christian + country, I reckon,” the grey eyes twinkled, “and those who teach the young + should teach them Christian principles, or else—get out. I guess it + ken be worked. The University's a State institution. You don't mind if + he's fired out, do you?” And the searching eyes probed her with a glance. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! I don't mind,” she said quickly, in a would-be careless tone, rising + and going towards him, “it has nothing to do with me. He belongs to May + Hutchings—let her help him, if she can. I think you're quite right + to give him a lesson—he needs one badly. What right has he to come + and attack you?” She had passed to her father's side, and was leaning + against his shoulder. Those grey eyes saw more than she cared to reveal; + they made her uncomfortable. + </p> + <p> + “Then I understand it's like this. You want him to get a real lesson? Is + that it? You ken talk straight to me, Ida. I'm with you every time. You + know that.” + </p> + <p> + The feminine instinct of concealment worked in her, but she knew this + father of hers would have plain speech, and some hidden feeling forced her + violent temper to an outburst of curiously mingled hatred of the Professor + and exultation in her power of injuring him. + </p> + <p> + “Why, father, it's all the same to me. I've no interest in it, except to + help you. You know I never said a word against him till you asked me. But + he has no business to come down and attack <i>you</i>,” and the voice grew + shrill. “It's shameful of him. If he were a man he'd never do it. Yes—give + him a <i>real</i> lesson; teach him that those he despises are stronger + than he is. Let him lose his place and be thrown out of work, then we'll + see if May Hutchings,” and she laughed, “will go and help him. We'll see + who is—” + </p> + <p> + Her father interrupted her in the middle of a tirade which would have been + complete self-revelation; but it is not to be presumed that he did this + out of a delicate regard for his daughter's feelings. He had got the + information he required. + </p> + <p> + “That's all right, Ida. I guess he'll get the lesson. You ken count on me. + You've put me on the right track, I believe. I knew if any one could help + me, you'd be able to. Nobody knows what's in you better'n I do. You're + smarter'n any one I know, and I know a few who think they're real smart—” + </p> + <p> + In this vein he continued soothing his daughter's pride, and yet speaking + in an even, impersonal tone, as if merely stating facts. + </p> + <p> + “Now I've got to go. Prentiss'll be waiting for me at the office.” + </p> + <p> + While driving to the office, Mr. Gulmore's thoughts, at first, were with + his daughter. “I don't know why, but I suspicioned that. That's why she + left the University before graduatin', an' talked of goin' East, and + makin' a name for herself on the stage. That Professor's foolish. Ida's + smart and pretty, and she'll have a heap of money some day. The ring has a + few contracts on hand still—he's a fool. How she talked: she + remembered all that lecture—every word; but she's young yet. She'd + have given herself away if I hadn't stopped her. I don't like any one to + do that; it's weak. But she means business every time, just as I do; she + means him to be fired right out, and then she'd probably go and cry over + him, and want me to put him back again. But no. I guess not. That's not + the way I work. I'd be willin' for him to stay away, and leave me alone, + but as she wants him punished, he shall be, and she mustn't interfere at + the end. It'll do her good to find out that things can't both be done and + undone, if she's that sort. But p'r'aps she won't want to undo them. When + their pride's hurt women are mighty hard—harder than men by far.... + I wonder how long it'll take to get this Campbell to move. I must start + right in; I hain't got much time.” + </p> + <p> + As soon as her father left her, Miss Ida hurried to her own room, in order + to recover from her agitation, and to remove all traces of it. She was an + only child, and had accordingly a sense of her own importance, which + happened to be uncorrected by physical deficiencies. Not that she was + astonishingly beautiful, but she was tall and just good-looking enough to + allow her to consider herself a beauty. Her chief attraction was her form, + which, if somewhat flat-chested, had a feline flexibility rarer and more + seductive than she imagined. She was content to believe that nature had + fashioned her to play the part in life which, she knew, was hers of right. + Her name, even, was most appropriate—dignified. Ida should be + queen-like, stately; the oval of her face should be long, and not round, + and her complexion should be pallid; colour in the cheeks made one look + common. Her dark hair, too, pleased her; everything, in fact, save her + eyes; they were of a nameless, agate-like hue, and she would have + preferred them to be violet That would have given her face the charm of + unexpectedness, which she acknowledged was in itself a distinction. And + Miss Ida loved everything that conduced to distinction, everything that + flattered her pride with a sense of her own superiority. It seemed as if + her mother's narrowness of nature had confined and shot, so to speak, all + the passions and powers of the father into this one characteristic of the + daughter. That her father had risen to influence and riches by his own + ability did not satisfy her. She had always felt that the Hutchingses and + the society to which they belonged, persons who had been well educated for + generations, and who had always been more or less well off, formed a + higher class. It was the longing to become one of them that had impelled + her to study with might and main. Even in her school-days she had + recognized that this was the road to social eminence. The struggle had + been arduous. In the Puritan surroundings of middle-class life her want of + religious training and belief had almost made a pariah of the proud, + high-tempered girl, and when as a clever student of the University and a + daughter of one of the richest and most powerful men in the State, she + came into a circle that cared as little about Christian dogmas as she did, + she attributed the comparative coolness with which her companions treated + her, to her father's want of education, rather than to the true cause, her + own domineering temper. As she had hated her childish playmates, who, + instructed by their mothers, held aloof from the infidel, so she had grown + to detest the associates of her girlhood, whose parents seemed, by virtue + of manners and education, superior to hers. The aversion was acrid with + envy, and had fastened from the beginning on her competitor as a student + and her rival in beauty, Miss May Hutchings. Her animosity was intensified + by the fact that, when they entered the Sophomore class together, Miss May + had made her acquaintance, had tried to become friends with her, and then, + for some inscrutable reason, had drawn coldly away. By dint of working + twice as hard as May, Ida had managed to outstrip her, and to begin the + Junior year as the first of the class; but all the while she was conscious + that her success was due to labour, and not to a larger intelligence. And + with the coming of the new professor of Greek, this superiority, her one + consolation, was called in question. + </p> + <p> + Professor Roberts had brought about a revolution in the University. He was + young and passionately devoted to his work; had won his Doctor's degree at + Berlin <i>summa cum laude</i>, and his pupils soon felt that he + represented a standard of knowledge higher than they had hitherto imagined + as attainable, and yet one which, he insisted, was common in the older + civilization of Europe. It was this nettling comparison, enforced by his + mastery of difficulties, which first aroused the ardour of his scholars. + In less than a year they passed from the level of youths in a high school + to that of University students. On the best heads his influence was + magical. His learning and enthusiasm quickened their reverence for + scholarship, but it was his critical faculty which opened to them the + world of art, and nerved them to emulation. + </p> + <p> + “Until one realizes the shortcomings of a master,” he said in a lecture, + “it is impossible to understand him or to take the beauty of his works to + heart When Sophocles repeats himself—the Electra is but a feeble + study for the Antigone, or possibly a feeble copy of it—we get near + the man; the limitations of his outlook are characteristic: when he + deforms his Ajax with a tag of political partisanship, his servitude to + surroundings defines his conscience as an artist; and when painting by + contrasts he poses the weak Ismene and Chrysothemis as foils to their + heroic sisters, we see that his dramatic power in the essential was + rudimentary. Yet Mr. Matthew Arnold, a living English poet, writes that + Sophocles 'saw life steadily and saw it whole.' This is true of no man, + not of Shakespeare nor of Goethe, much less of Sophocles or Racine. The + phrase itself is as offensively out of date as the First Commandment.” The + bold, incisive criticism had a singular fascination for his hearers, who + were too young to remark in it the crudeness that usually attaches to + originality. + </p> + <p> + Miss Hutchings was the first of the senior students to yield herself to + the new influence. In the beginning Miss Gulmore was not attracted by + Professor Roberts; she thought him insignificant physically; he was neat + of dress too, and ingenuously eager in manner—all of which + conflicted with her ideal of manhood. It was but slowly that she awoke to + a consciousness of his merits, and her awakening was due perhaps as much + to jealousy of May Hutchings as to the conviction that with Professor + Roberts for a husband she would realize her social ambitions. Suddenly she + became aware that May was passing her in knowledge of Greek, and was thus + winning the notice of the man she had begun to look upon as worthy of her + own choice. Ida at once addressed herself to the struggle with all the + energy of her nature, but at first without success. It was evident that + May was working as she had never worked before, for as the weeks flew by + she seemed to increase her advantage. During this period Ida Gulmore's + pride suffered tortures; day by day she understood more clearly that the + prize of her life was slipping out of reach. In mind and soul now she + realized Roberts' daring and charm. With the intensified perceptions of a + jealous woman, she sometimes feared that he sympathized with her rival. + </p> + <p> + But he had not spoken yet; of that she was sure, and her conceit enabled + her to hope desperately. A moment arrived when her hatred of May was + sweetened by contempt. For some reason or other May was neglecting her + work; when spoken to by the Professor her colour came and went, and a + shyness, visible to all, wrapped her in confusion. Ida felt that there was + no time to be lost, and increased her exertions. As she thought of her + position she determined first to surpass her competitor, and then in some + way or other to bring the Professor to speech. But, alas! for her plans. + One morning she demonstrated her superiority with cruel clearness, only to + find that Roberts, self-absorbed, did not notice her. He seemed to have + lost the vivid interest in the work which aforetime had characterized him, + and the happiness of the man was only less tell-tale than the pretty + contentment and demure approval of all he said which May scarcely tried to + conceal. Wild with fear, blinded by temper, Ida resolved to know the + truth. + </p> + <p> + One morning when the others left the room she waited, busying herself + apparently with some notes, till the Professor returned, as she knew he + would, in time to receive the next class. While gathering up her books, + she asked abruptly: + </p> + <p> + “I suppose I should congratulate you, Professor?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't think I understand you.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, you do. Why lie? You are engaged to May Hutchings,” and the girl + looked at him with flaming eyes. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know why you should ask me, or why I should answer, but we have + no motive for concealment—yes, I am.” + </p> + <p> + His words were decisive; his reverence for May and her affection had been + wounded by the insolent challenge, but before he finished speaking his + manner became considerate. He was quick to feel the pain of others and + shrank from adding to it—these, indeed, were the two chief articles + of the unformulated creed which directed his actions. His optimism was of + youth and superficial, but the sense of the brotherhood of human suffering + touched his heart in a way that made compassion and tenderness appear to + him to be the highest and simplest of duties. It was Ida's temper that + answered his avowal. Still staring at him she burst into loud laughter, + and as he turned away her tuneless mirth grew shriller and shriller till + it became hysterical. A frightened effort to regain her self-control, and + her voice broke in something like a sob, while tears trembled on her + lashes. The Professor's head was bent over his desk and he saw nothing. + Ida dashed the tears from her eyes ostentatiously, and walked with shaking + limbs out of the room. She would have liked to laugh again scornfully + before closing the door, but she dared not trust her nerves. From that + moment she tried to hate Professor Roberts as she hated May Hutchings, for + her disappointment had been very sore, and the hurt to her pride smarted + like a burn. On returning home, she told her father that she had taken her + name off the books of the University; she meant to be an actress, and a + degree could be of no use to her in her new career. Her father did not + oppose her openly; he was content to postpone any decisive step, and in a + few days she seemed to have abandoned her project. But time brought no + mitigation of her spite. She was tenacious by nature, and her jealous rage + came back upon her in wild fits. To be outdone by May Hutchings was + intolerable. Besides, the rivalry and triumphs of the class-room had been + as the salt of life to her; now she had nothing to do, nothing to occupy + her affections or give object to her feverish ambition. And the void of + her life she laid to the charge of Roberts. So when the time came and the + temptation, she struck as those strike who are tortured by pain. + </p> + <p> + Alone in her room, she justified to herself what she had done. She thought + with pleasure of Professor Roberts' approaching defeat and punishment. “He + deserves it, and more! He knows why I left the University; drew myself + away from him for ever. What does he care for my suffering? He can't leave + me in peace. I wasn't good enough for him, and my father isn't honest + enough. Oh, that I were a man! I'd teach him that it was dangerous to + insult the wretched. + </p> + <p> + “How I was mistaken in him! He has no delicacy, no true manliness of + character. I'm glad he has thrown down the challenge. Father may not be + well-educated nor refined, but he's strong. Professor Roberts shall find + out what it means to attack <i>us</i>. I hope he'll be turned out of the + University; I hope he will. Let me think. I have a copy of that lecture of + his; perhaps there's something in it worse than I remembered. At any rate, + the report will be proof.” + </p> + <p> + She searched hurriedly, and soon found the newspaper account she wanted. + Glancing down the column with feverish eagerness, she burst out: “Here it + is; this will do. I knew there was something more.” + </p> + <p> + “... Thus the great ones contribute, each his part, towards the + humanization of man. Christ and Buddha are our teachers, but so also, and + in no lower degree, are Plato, Dante, Goethe, and Shakespeare.... + </p> + <p> + “But strange to say, the <i>Divina Commedia</i> seems to us moderns more + remote than the speculations of Plato. For the modern world is founded + upon science, and may be said to begin with the experimental philosophy of + Bacon. The thoughts of Plato, the 'fair humanities' of Greek religion, are + nearer to the scientific spirit than the untutored imaginings of Christ. + The world to-day seeks its rule of life in exact knowledge of man and his + surroundings; its teachers, high-priests in the temple of Truth, are the + Darwins, the Bunsens, the Pasteurs. In the place of God we see Law, and + the old concept of rewards and punishments has been re-stated as 'the + survival of the fittest,' If, on the other hand, you need emotions, and + the inspiration of concrete teaching, you must go to Balzac, to Turgenief, + and to Ibsen....” + </p> + <p> + “I think that'll do,” said the girl half-aloud as she marked the above + passages, and then sent the paper by a servant to her father's office. + “The worst of it is, he'll find another place easily; but, at any rate, + he'll have to leave this State.... How well I remember that lecture. I + thought no one had ever talked like that before. But the people disliked + it, and even those who stayed to the end said they wouldn't have come had + they known that a professor could speak against Christianity. How mad they + made me then! I wouldn't listen to them, and now—now he's with May + Hutchings, perhaps laughing at me with her. Or, if he's not so base as + that, he's accusing my father of dishonesty, and I mean to defend him. But + if, ah, if—” and the girl rose to her feet suddenly, with paling + face. + </p> + <p> + The house of Lawyer Hutchings was commodious and comfortable. It was only + two storeys high, and its breadth made it appear squat; it was solidly + built of rough, brown stone, and a large wooden verandah gave shade and a + lounging-place in front. It stood in its own grounds on the outskirts of + the town, not far from Mr. Gulmore's, but it lacked the towers and + greenhouse, the brick stables, and black iron gates, which made Mr. + Gulmore's residence an object of public admiration. It had, indeed, a + careless, homelike air, as of a building that disdains show, standing + sturdily upon a consciousness of utility and worth. The study of the + master lay at the back. It was a room of medium size, with two French + windows, which gave upon an orchard of peach and apple-trees where lush + grass hid the fallen fruit. The furniture was plain and serviceable. A few + prints on the wall and a wainscoting of books showed the owner's tastes. + </p> + <p> + In this room one morning Lawyer Hutchings and Professor Roberts sat + talking. The lawyer was sparely built and tall, of sympathetic appearance. + The features of the face were refined and fairly regular, the blue eyes + pleasing, the high forehead intelligent-looking. Yet—whether it was + the querulous horizontal lines above the brows, or the frequent, graceful + gestures of the hands—Mr. Hutchings left on one an impression of + weakness, and, somehow or other, his precise way of speaking suggested + intellectual narrowness. It was understood, however, that he had passed + through Harvard with honours, and had done well in the law-course. It is, + therefore, not to be wondered at that when he went West, he went with the + idea that that was the shortest way to Washington. Yet he had had but a + moderate degree of success; he was too thoroughly grounded in his work not + to get a good practice, but he was not the first in his profession. He had + been outdone by men who fought their cases, and his popularity was due to + affable manners, and not to admiration of his power or talents. His + obvious good nature had got with years a tinge of discontent; life had + been to him a series of disappointments. + </p> + <p> + One glance at Professor Roberts showed him to be a different sort of a + man, though perhaps harder to read. Square shoulders and attenuated figure—a + mixture of energy and nervous force without muscular strength; a tyrannous + forehead overshadowing lambent hazel eyes; a cordial frankness of manner + with a thinker's tricks of gesture, his nervous fingers emphasizing his + words. + </p> + <p> + Their talk was of an article assailing the Professor that had appeared + that morning in “The Republican Herald.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't like it,” Mr. Hutchings was saying. “It's inspired by Gulmore, + and he always means what he says—and something more.” + </p> + <p> + “Except the suggestion that my father had certain good, or rather bad, + reasons for leaving Kentucky, it seems to me merely spiteful. It's very + vilely written.” + </p> + <p> + “He only begins with your father. Then he wonders what the real motives + are which induce you to change your political creed. But the affectation + of fairness is the danger signal. One can't imagine Gulmore hesitating to + assert what he has heard, that you have no religious principles. Coming + from him, that means a declaration of war; he'll attack you without + scruple—persistently. It's well known that he cares nothing for + religion—even his wife's a Unitarian. What he's aiming at, I don't + know, but he's sure to do you harm. He has done me harm, and yet he never + gave me such a warning. He only went for me when I ran for office. As soon + as the elections were over, he left me in peace. He's eminently practical, + and rather good-natured. There's no small vicious malice or hate in him; + but he's overbearing and loves a fight. Is it worth your while to make an + enemy of him? We're sure to be beaten.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course it isn't worth my while in that sense, but it's my duty, I + think, as you think it yours. Remark, too, that I've never attacked Mr. + Gulmore—never even mentioned him. I've criticised the system, and + avoided personalities.” + </p> + <p> + “He won't take it in that way. He is the system; when you criticise it, + you criticise him. Every one will so understand it. He makes all the + appointments, from mayor down to the boy who sweeps out an office; every + contract is given to him or his appointees; that's how he has made his + fortune. Why, he beat me the second time I ran for District Court Judge, + by getting an Irishman, the Chairman of my Committee, to desert me at the + last moment. He afterwards got Patrick Byrne elected a Justice of the + Peace, a man who knows no law and can scarcely sign his own name.” + </p> + <p> + “How disgraceful! And you would have me sit down quietly under the + despotism of Mr. Gulmore? And such a despotism! It cost the city half a + million dollars to pave the streets, and I can prove that the work could + have been done as well for half the sum. Our democratic system of + government is the worst in the world, if a tenth part of what I hear is + true; and before I admit that, I'll see whether its abuses are corrigible. + But why do you say we're sure to be beaten? I thought you said—” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” Mr. Hutchings interrupted, “I said that this railway extension + gives us a chance. All the workmen are Irishmen, Democrats to a man, + who'll vote and vote straight, and that has been our weak point. You can't + get one-half the better classes to go to the polls. The negroes all vote, + too, and vote Republican—that has been Gulmore's strength. Now I've + got the Irishmen against his negroes I may win. But what I feel is that + even if I do get to be Mayor, you'll suffer for it more than I shall gain + by your help. Do you see? And, now that I'm employed by the Union Pacific + I don't care much for city politics. I'd almost prefer to give up the + candidature. May'll suffer, too. I think you ought to consider the matter + before going any further.” + </p> + <p> + “This is not the time for consideration. Like you I am trying to put an + end to a corrupt tyranny. I work and shall vote against a venal and + degrading system. May and I will bear what we must. She wouldn't have me + run away from such adversaries. Fancy being governed by the most ignorant, + led on by the most dishonest! It's incomprehensible to me how such a + paradoxical infamy can exist.” + </p> + <p> + “I think it'll become comprehensible to you before this election's over. + I've done my best for years to alter it, and so far I've not been very + successful. You don't seem to understand that where parties are almost + equal in strength, a man who'll spend money is sure to win. It has paid + Gulmore to organize the Republican party in this city; he has made it pay + him and all those who hold office by and through him. 'To the victors, the + spoils.' Those who have done the spoiling are able to pay more than the + spoiled—that's all.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but in this case the spoilers are a handful, while the spoiled are + the vast majority. Why should it be impossible to convince the majority + that they're being robbed?” + </p> + <p> + “Because ideas can't get into the heads of negroes, nor yet into the heads + of illiterate Irishmen. You'll find, too, that five Americans out of every + ten take no interest in ordinary politics, and the five who do are of the + lowest class—a Boss is their natural master. Our party politics, my + friend, resembles a game of faro—the card that happens to be in the + box against the same card outside—and the banker holding the box + usually manages to win. Let me once get power and Gulmore'll find his + labour unremunerative. If it hadn't been for him I'd have been in Congress + long ago. But now I'll have to leave you. Talk it over with May and—you + see that Gulmore challenges you to prove the corruption or else withdraw + the imputation? What do you mean to do?” + </p> + <p> + “I'll prove it, of course. Long before I spoke I had gone into that paving + contract; it was clearly a fraud.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I'd think, if I were you, before I acted, though you're a great + help to me; your last speech was very powerful.” + </p> + <p> + “Unfortunately I'm no speaker, but I'll do as well as I can, and you may + rely on me to go on to the end. The rich at least must be forced to + refrain from robbing the poor.... That malicious sneer at my father hurts + me. It can only mean that he owed money in Kentucky. He was always + careless in money matters, too careless, but he's very generous at heart. + I owe him everything. I'll find out about it at once, and if it is as I + fear, the debt shall be paid. That'll be one good result of Mr. Gul-more's + malice. As for me, let him do his worst. At any rate I'm forewarned.” + </p> + <p> + “A poor satisfaction in case—but here's May, and I must go. I've + stayed too long already. You should look through our ticket; it's strong, + the men are all good, I think—anyway, they're the best we can get. + Teach him to be careful, May; he's too bold.” + </p> + <p> + “I will, father,” replied a clear, girlish voice; “it's mother who spoils + him,” and then, as the door shut, she moved to her lover, and holding out + both her hands, with a little air of dignity, added, “He tries to spoil <i>me</i>. + But, dear, what's the matter? You seem annoyed.” + </p> + <p> + “It's nothing. An article in that paper strikes at my father, and hurts + me; but it can be made right, and to look at you is a cure for pain.” + </p> + <p> + “Let me read it—no, please! I want to help you, and how can I do + that if I don't know what pains you?” The girl took the “Herald “and sat + down to read it. + </p> + <p> + May Hutchings was more than good-looking, were it only by reason of a + complexion such as is seldom given even to blondes. The inside of a + sea-shell has the same lustre and delicacy, but it does not pale and flush + as did May's cheeks in quick response to her emotions. Waves of + maize-coloured hair with a sheen of its own went with the fairness of the + skin, and the pretty features were redeemed from a suspicion of insipidity + by large violet eyes. She was of good height and lissom, with small feet + and hands, but the outlines of her figure were Southern in grace and + fulness. + </p> + <p> + After reading the article, she put down the paper without saying a word + </p> + <p> + “Why, May, you seem to take it as seriously as your father does. It's + nothing so very terrible, is it?” + </p> + <p> + “What did father say?” + </p> + <p> + “That it was inspired by Gulmore, and that he was a dangerous man; but I + don't see much in it. If my father owed money in Kentucky it shall be + repaid, and there the matter ends.” + </p> + <p> + “'Tisn't that I'm troubling about; it's that lecture of yours. Oh, it was + wonderful! but I sat trembling all the time. You don't know the people. If + they had understood it better, they'd have made a big fuss about it. I'm + frightened now.” + </p> + <p> + “But what fuss can they make? I've surely a right to my own opinions, and + I didn't criticise any creed offensively.” + </p> + <p> + “That's it—that's what saved you. Oh, I wish you'd see it as I do! + You spoke so enthusiastically about Jesus, that you confused them. A lot + of them thought, and think still, that you're a Christian. But if it's + brought up again and made clear to them—Won't you understand? If + it's made quite clear that Jesus to you was only a man, and not superior + even to all other men, and that you believe Christianity has served its + purpose, and is now doing harm rather than good in the world, why, they'd + not want to have you in the University. Don't you know that?” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps you're right,” returned the Professor thoughtfully. “You see I + wasn't brought up in any creed, and I've lived in so completely different + an atmosphere for years past, that it's hard to understand such intolerant + bigotry. I remember enough, though, to see that you are right. But, after + all, what does it matter? I can't play hypocrite because they're blind + fanatics.” + </p> + <p> + “No, but you needn't have gone <i>quite</i> so far—been <i>quite</i> + so frank; and even now you might easily—” She stopped, catching a + look of surprise in her lover's face, and sought confusedly to blot out + the effect of her last words. “I mean—but of course you know best. I + want you to keep your place; you love the work, and no one could do it so + well as you. No one, and—” + </p> + <p> + “It doesn't matter, May. I'm sure you were thinking of what would be best + for both of us, but I've nothing to alter or extenuate. They must do as + they think fit, these Christians, if they have the power. After all, it + can make no difference to us; I can always get work enough to keep us, + even if it isn't such congenial work. But do you think Gulmore's at the + bottom of it? Has he so much influence?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I think so,” and the girl nodded her head, but she did not give the + reasons for her opinion. She knew that Ida Gulmore had been in love with + him, so she shrank instinctively from mentioning her name, partly because + it might make him pity her, and partly because the love of another woman + for him seemed to diminish her pride of exclusive possession. She + therefore kept silence while seeking for a way to warn her lover without + revealing the truth, which might set him thinking of Ida Gulmore and her + fascinating because unrequited passion. At length she said: + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Gulmore has injured father. He knows him: you'd better take his + opinion.” + </p> + <p> + “Your father advises me to have nothing more to do with the election.” He + didn't say it to try her; he trusted her completely. The girl's answer was + emphatic: + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that's what you should do; I'm frightened for you. Why need you make + enemies? The election isn't worth that, indeed it isn't. If father wants + to run for Mayor, let him; he knows what he's about. But you, you should + do great things, write a great book; and make every one as proud of you as + I am.” Her face flushed with enthusiasm. She felt relieved, too; somehow + she had got into the spirit of her part once more. But her lover took the + hot face and eager speech as signs of affection, and he drew her to him + while his face lit up with joy. + </p> + <p> + “You darling, darling! You overrate me, dear, but that does me good: makes + me work harder. What a pity it is, May, that one can't add a cubit to his + stature. I'd be a giant then.... But never fear; it'll be all right. You + wouldn't wish me, I'm sure, to run away from a conflict I have provoked; + but now I must see my father about those debts, and then we'll have a + drive, or perhaps you'd go with me to him. You could wait in the buggy for + me. You know I have to speak again this evening.” + </p> + <p> + The girl consented at once, but she was not satisfied with the decision + her lover had come to. “It's too plain,” she thought in her clear, + common-sense way, “that he's getting into a 'fuss' when he might just as + well, or better, keep out of it.” + </p> + <p> + May was eminently practical, and not at all as emotional as one might have + inferred from the sensitive, quick-changing colour that at one moment + flushed her cheeks and at another ebbed, leaving her pallid, as with + passion. Not that she was hardhearted or selfish. Far from it. But her + surroundings had moulded her as they do women. Her mother had been one of + the belles of Baltimore, a Southerner, too, by temperament May had a + brother and a sister older than herself (both were now married), and a + younger brother who had taken care that she should not be spoiled for want + of direct personal criticism. It was this younger brother, Joe, who first + called her “Towhead,” and even now he often made disparaging remarks about + “girls who didn't weigh 130”—in Joe's eyes, a Venus of Rubens would + have seemed perfect. May was not vain of her looks; indeed, she had only + come to take pleasure in them of recent years. As a young girl, comparing + herself with her mother, she feared that she would always be “quite + homely.” Her glass and the attentions of men had gradually shown her the + pleasant truth. She did not, however, even now, overrate her beauty + greatly. But her character had been modified to advantage in those + schoolgirl days, when, with bitter tears, she admitted to herself that she + was not pretty. Her teacher's praise of her quickness and memory had + taught her to set her pride on learning. And indeed she had been an + intelligent child, gifted with a sponge-like faculty of assimilating all + kinds of knowledge—the result, perhaps, of generations of educated + forbears. The admiration paid to her looks did not cause her to relax her + intellectual efforts. But when at the University she found herself + outgrowing the ordinary standards of opinion, conceit at first took + possession of her. It seemed to her manifest that she had always + underrated herself. She was astonished by her own excessive modesty, and + keenly interested in it. She had thought herself ugly and she was + beautiful, and now it was evident that she was a genius as well. With soul + mightily uplifted by dreams of all she would do and the high part she + would play in life, always nobly serious, yet with condescension of + exquisite charming kindliness, taking herself gravely for a perfect + product of the race and time, she proceeded to write the book which should + discover to mankind all her qualities—the delicacy, nobility, and + sweetness of an ideal nature. + </p> + <p> + During this period she even tried to treat Joe with sweet courtesy, but + Joe told her not to make herself “more of a doggoned fool” than she was. + And soon the dream began to lose its brightness. The book would not + advance, and what she wrote did not seem to her wonderful—not + inspired and fascinating as it ought to have been. Her reading had given + her some slight critical insight. She then showed parts of it to her + admirers, hoping thus to justify vanity, but they used the occasion to pay + irrelevant compliments, and so disappointed her—all, save Will + Thornton, who admitted critically that “it was poetic” and guessed “she + ought to write poetry.” Accordingly she wrote some lyrics, and one on + “Vanished Hopes” really pleased her. Forthwith she read it to Will, who + decided “'twas fine, mighty fine. Tennyson had written more, of course, + but nothing better—nothing easier to understand.” + </p> + <p> + That last phrase killed her trust in him. She sank into despondence. Even + when Ida Gul-more, whom she had learned to dislike, began to outshine her + in the class, she made no effort. To graduate first of her year appeared a + contemptible ambition in comparison with the dreams she had foregone. + About this period she took a new interest in her dress; she grew + coquettish even, and became a greater favourite than ever. Then Professor + Roberts came to the University, and with his coming life opened itself to + her anew, vitalized with hopes and fears. She was drawn to him from the + first, as spirit is sometimes drawn to spirit, by an attraction so + imperious that it frightened her, and she tried to hold herself away from + him. But in her heart she knew that she studied and read only to win his + praise. His talents revealed to her the futility of her ambition. Here was + one who stood upon the heights beyond her power of climbing, and yet, to + her astonishment, he was very doubtful of his ability to gain enduring + reputation. Not only was there a plane of knowledge and feeling above the + conventional—that she had found out by herself—but there were + also table-lands where teachers of repute in the valley were held to be + blind guides. Her quick receptivity absorbed the new ideas with eagerness; + but she no longer deluded herself. Her practical good sense came to her + aid. What seemed difficult or doubtful to the Professor must, she knew, be + for ever impossible to her. And already love was upon her, making her + humility as sweet as was her admiration. At last he spoke, and life became + altogether beautiful to her. As she learned to know him intimately she + began to understand his un-worldliness, his scholar-like idealism, and + ignorance of men and motives, and thus she came to self-possession again, + and found her true mission. She realized with joy, and a delightful sense + of an assured purpose in life, that her faculty of observation and + practical insight, though insufficient as “bases for Eternity,” would be + of value to her lover. And if she now and then fell back into the part of + a nineteenth-century Antigone, it was but a momentary relapse into what + had been for a year or so a dear familiar habit The heart of the girl grew + and expanded in the belief that her new <i>rôle</i> of counsellor and + worldly guide to her husband was the highest to which any woman could + attain. + </p> + <p> + A few days later Mr. Hutchings had another confidential talk with + Professor Roberts, and, as before, the subject was suggested by an article + in “The Republican Herald.” This paper, indeed, devoted a column or so + every day to personal criticism of the Professor, and each attack + surpassed its forerunner in virulence of invective. All the young man's + qualities of character came out under this storm of unmerited abuse. He + read everything that his opponents put forth, replied to nothing, in spite + of the continual solicitation of the editor of “The Democrat,” and seemed + very soon to regard “The Herald's” calumnies merely from the humorous + side. Meanwhile his own speeches grew in knowledge and vigour. With a + scholar's precision he put before his hearers the inner history and + significance of job after job. His powers of study helped him to “get up + his cases” with crushing completeness. He quickly realized the value of + catch-words, but his epigrams not being hardened in the fire of life + refused to stick. He did better when he published the balance-sheet of the + “ring” in pamphlet form, and showed that each householder paid about one + hundred and fifty dollars a year, or twice as much as all his legal taxes, + in order to support a party organization the sole object of which was to + enrich a few at the expense of the many. One job, in especial, the + contract for paving the streets, he stigmatized as a swindle, and asserted + that the District Attorney, had he done his duty, would long ago have + brought the Mayor and Town Council before a criminal court as parties to a + notorious fraud. His ability, steadfastness, and self-restraint had had a + very real effect; his meetings were always crowded, and his hearers were + not all Democrats. His courage and fighting power were beginning to win + him general admiration. The public took a lively though impartial interest + in the contest. To critical outsiders it seemed not unlikely that the + Professor (a word of good-humoured contempt) might “whip” even “old man + Gulmore.” Bets were made on the result and short odds accepted. Even Mr. + Hutchings allowed himself to hope for a favourable issue. + </p> + <p> + “You've done wonderfully well,” was the burden of his conversations with + Roberts; “I should feel certain of success against any one but Gulmore. + And he seems to be losing his head—his perpetual abuse excites + sympathy with you. If we win I shall owe it mainly to you.” + </p> + <p> + But on this particular morning Lawyer Hutchings had something to say to + his friend and helper which he did not like to put into plain words. He + began abruptly: + </p> + <p> + “You've seen the 'Herald'?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; there's nothing in it of interest, is there?” + </p> + <p> + “No; but 'twas foolish of your father to write that letter saying you had + paid his Kentucky debts.” + </p> + <p> + “I was sorry when I saw it. I know they'll say I got him to write the + letter. But it's only another incident.” + </p> + <p> + “It's true, then? You did pay the money?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; I was glad to.” + </p> + <p> + “But it was folly. What had you to do with your father's debts? Every + house to-day should stand on its own foundation.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't agree with you; but in this case there was no question of that + sort. My father very generously impoverished himself to send me to Europe + and keep me there for six years. I owed him the five thousand dollars, and + was only too glad to be able to repay him. You'd have done the same.” + </p> + <p> + “Would I, indeed! Five thousand dollars! I'm not so sure of that.” The + father's irritation conquered certain grateful memories of his younger + days, and the admiration which, in his heart, he felt for the Professor's + action, only increased his annoyance. “It must have nearly cleaned you + out?” + </p> + <p> + “Very nearly.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, of course it's your affair, not mine; but I think you foolish. You + paid them in full, I suppose? Whew! + </p> + <p> + “Do you see that the 'Herald' calls upon the University authorities to + take action upon your lecture? 'The teaching of Christian youth by an + Atheist must be stopped,' and so forth.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; but they can do nothing. I'm not responsible to them for my + religious opinions.” + </p> + <p> + “You're mistaken. A vote of the Faculty can discharge you.” + </p> + <p> + “Impossible! On what grounds?” + </p> + <p> + “On the ground of immorality. They've got the power in that case. It's a + loose word, but effective.” + </p> + <p> + “I'd have a cause of action against them.” + </p> + <p> + “Which you'd be sure to lose. Eleven out of every twelve jurymen in this + state would mulct an Agnostic rather than give him damages.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! that's the meaning, then, I suppose, of this notice I've just got + from the secretary to attend a special Faculty meeting on Monday + fortnight.” + </p> + <p> + “Let me see it. Why, here it is! The object of the meeting is 'To consider + the anti-Christian utterances of Professor Roberts, and to take action + thereon.' That's the challenge. Didn't you read it?” + </p> + <p> + “No; as soon as I opened it and saw the printed form, I took it for the + usual notification, and put it aside to think of this election work. But + it would seem as if the Faculty intended to out-herald the 'Herald.'” + </p> + <p> + “They are simply allowed to act first in order that the 'Herald,' a day + later, may applaud them. It's all worked by Gulmore, and I tell you again, + he's dangerous.” + </p> + <p> + “He may be; but I won't change for abuse, nor yet to keep my post. Let him + do his worst. I've not attacked him hitherto for certain reasons of my + own, nor do I mean to now. But he can't frighten me; he'll find that out.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, we'll see. But, at any rate, it was my duty to warn you. It would + be different if I were rich, but, as it is, I can only give May a little, + and—” + </p> + <p> + “My dear Hutchings, don't let us talk of that. In giving me May, you give + me all I want.” The young man's tone was so conclusive that it closed the + conversation. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Gulmore had not been trained for a political career. He had begun life + as a clerk in a hardware store in his native town. But in his early + manhood the Abolition agitation had moved him deeply—the colour of + his skin, he felt, would never have made him accept slavery—and he + became known as a man of extreme views. Before he was thirty he had + managed to save some thousands of dollars. He married and emigrated to + Columbus, Ohio, where he set up a business. It was there, in the stirring + years before the war, that he first threw himself into politics; he + laboured indefatigably as an Abolitionist without hope or desire of + personal gain. But the work came to have a fascination for him, and he saw + possibilities in it of pecuniary emolument such as the hardware business + did not afford. When the war was over, and he found himself scarcely + richer than he had been before it began, he sold his store and emigrated + again—this time to Tecumseh, Nebraska, intending to make political + organization the business of his life. He wanted “to grow up” with a town + and become its master from the beginning. As the negroes constituted the + most ignorant and most despised class, a little solicitation made him + their leader. In the first election it was found that “Gulmore's negroes” + voted to a man, and that he thereby controlled the Republican party. In + the second year of his residence in Tecumseh he got the contract for + lighting the town with gas. The contract was to run for twenty years, and + was excessively liberal, for Mr. Gulmore had practically no competitor, no + one who understood gas manufacture, and who had the money and pluck to + embark in the enterprise. He quickly formed a syndicate, and fulfilled the + conditions of the contract. The capital was fixed at two hundred thousand + dollars, and the syndicate earned a profit of nearly forty per cent, in + the first year. Ten years later a one hundred dollar share was worth a + thousand. This first success was the foundation of Mr. Gulmore's fortune. + The income derived from the gas-works enabled him to spend money on the + organization of his party. The first manager of the works was rewarded + with the position of Town Clerk—an appointment which ran for five + years, but which under Mr. Gulmore's rule was practically permanent. His + foremen became the most energetic of ward-chairmen. He was known to pay + well, and to be a kind if strenuous master. What he had gained in ten + years by the various contracts allotted to him or his nominees no one + could guess; he was certainly very rich. From year to year, too, his + control of the city government had grown more complete. There was now no + place in the civil or judicial establishment of the city or county which + did not depend on his will, and his influence throughout the State was + enormous. + </p> + <p> + A municipal election, or, indeed, any election, afforded Mr. Gulmore many + opportunities of quiet but intense self-satisfaction. He loved the + struggle and the consciousness that from his office-chair he had so + directed his forces that victory was assured. He always allowed a broad + margin in order to cover the unforeseen. Chance, and even ill-luck, formed + a part of his strategy; the sore throat of an eloquent speaker; the + illness of a popular candidate; a storm on polling-day—all were to + him factors in the problem. He reckoned as if his opponents might have all + the luck upon their side; but, while considering the utmost malice of + fortune, it was his delight to base his calculations upon the probable, + and to find them year by year approaching more nearly to absolute + exactitude. As soon as his ward-organization had been completed, he could + estimate the votes of his party within a dozen or so. His plan was to + treat every contest seriously, to bring all his forces to the poll on + every occasion—nothing kept men together, he used to say, like + victory. It was the number of his opponent's minority which chiefly + interested him; but by studying the various elections carefully, he came + to know better than any one the value as a popular candidate of every + politician in the capital, or, indeed, in the State. The talent of the man + for organization lay in his knowledge of men, his fairness and liberality, + and, perhaps, to a certain extent, in the power he possessed of inspiring + others with confidence in himself and his measures. He was never satisfied + till the fittest man in each ward was the Chairman of the ward; and if + money would not buy that particular man's services, as sometimes though + rarely happened, he never rested until he found the gratification which + bound his energy to the cause. Besides—and this was no small element + in his successes—his temper disdained the applause of the crowd. He + had never “run” for any office himself, and was not nearly so well known + to the mass of the electorate as many of his creatures. The senator, like + the mayor or office-messenger of his choice, got all the glory: Mr. + Gulmore was satisfied with winning the victory, and reaping the fruits of + it. He therefore excited, comparatively speaking, no jealousy; and this, + together with the strength of his position, accounts for the fact that he + had never been seriously opposed before Professor Roberts came upon the + scene. + </p> + <p> + Better far than Lawyer Hutchings, or any one else, Mr. Gulmore knew that + the relative strength of the two parties had altered vastly within the + year. Reckoning up his forces at the beginning of the campaign, he felt + certain that he could win—could carry his whole ticket, including a + rather unpopular Mayor; but the majority in his favour would be small, and + the prospect did not please him, for the Professor's speeches had aroused + envy. He understood that if his majority were not overwhelming he would be + assailed again next year more violently, and must in the long run + inevitably lose his power. Besides, “fat” contracts required + unquestionable supremacy. He began, therefore, by instituting such a + newspaper-attack upon the Professor as he hoped would force him to abandon + the struggle. When this failed, and Mr. Gulmore saw that it had done worse + than fail, that it had increased his opponent's energy and added to his + popularity, he went to work again to consider the whole situation. He must + win and win “big,” that was clear; win too, if possible, in a way that + would show his “smartness” and demonstrate his adversary's ignorance of + the world. His anger had at length been aroused; personal rivalry was a + thing he could not tolerate at any time, and Roberts had injured his + position in the town. He was resolved to give the young man such a lesson + that others would be slow to follow his example. The difficulty of the + problem was one of its attractions. Again and again he turned the question + over in his mind—How was he to make his triumph and the Professor's + defeat sensational? All the factors were present to him and he dwelt upon + them with intentness. He was a man of strong intellect; his mind was both + large and quick, but its activity, owing to want of education and to + greedy physical desires, had been limited to the ordinary facts and forces + of life. What books are to most persons gifted with an extraordinary + intelligence, his fellow-men were to Mr. Gulmore—a study at once + stimulating and difficult, of an incomparable variety and complexity. His + lack of learning was of advantage to him in judging most men. Their stock + of ideas, sentiments and desires had been his for years, and if he now + viewed the patchwork quilt of their morality with indulgent contempt, at + least he was familiar with all the constituent shades of it. But he could + not make the Professor out—and this added to his dislike of him; he + recognized that Roberts was not, as he had at first believed, a mere + mouthpiece of Hutchings, but he could not fathom his motives; besides, as + he said to himself, he had no need to; Roberts was plainly a “crank,” + book-mad, and the species did not interest him. But Hutchings he knew + well; knew that like himself Hutchings, while despising ordinary + prejudices, was ruled by ordinary greeds and ambitions. In intellect they + were both above the average, but not in morals. So, by putting himself in + the lawyer's place, a possible solution of the problem occurred to him. + </p> + <p> + A couple of days before the election, Mr. Hutchings, who had been hard at + work till the evening among his chief subordinates, was making his way + homeward when Mr. Prentiss accosted him, with the request that he would + accompany him to his rooms for a few minutes on a matter of the utmost + importance. Having no good reason for refusing, Mr. Hutchings followed the + editor of the “Herald” up a flight of stairs into a large and comfortable + room. As he entered and looked about him Mr. Gulmore came forward: + </p> + <p> + “I wanted a talk with you, Lawyer, where we wouldn't be disturbed, and + Prentiss thought it would be best to have it here, and I guess he was + about right. It's quiet and comfortable. Won't you be seated?” + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Gulmore!” exclaimed the surprised lawyer stopping short. “I don't + think there's anything to be discussed between us, and as I'm in a hurry + to get home to dinner, I think I'll—” + </p> + <p> + “Don't you make any mistake,” interrupted Mr. Gulmore; “I mean business—business + that'll pay both you and me, and I guess 'twon't do you any damage to take + a seat and listen to me for a few minutes.” + </p> + <p> + As Lawyer Hutchings, overborne by the authority of the voice and manner, + sat down, he noticed that Mr. Prentiss had disappeared. Interpreting + rightly the other's glance, Mr. Gulmore began: + </p> + <p> + “We're alone, Hutchin's. This matter shall be played fair and square. I + guess you know that my word can be taken at its face-value.” Then, + settling himself in his chair, he went on: + </p> + <p> + “You and I hev been runnin' on opposite tickets for a good many years, and + I've won right along. It has paid me to win and it has not paid you to + lose. Now, it's like this. You reckon that those Irishmen on the line give + you a better show. They do; but not enough to whip me. You appear to think + that that'll have to be tried the day after tomorrow, but you ought to + know by now that when I say a thing is so, it's so—every time. If + you had a chance, I'd tell you: I'm playin' square. I ken carry my ticket + from one end to the other; I ken carry Robinson as Mayor against you by at + least two hundred and fifty of a majority, and the rest of your ticket has + just no show at all—you know that. But, even if you could get in + this year or next what good would it do you to be Mayor? You're not + runnin' for the five thousand dollars a year salary, I reckon, and that's + about all you'd get—unless you worked with me. I want a good Mayor, + a man like you, of position and education, a fine speaker that knows + everybody and is well thought of—popular. Robinson's not good enough + for me; he hain't got the manners nor the knowledge, nor the popularity. + I'd have liked to have had you on my side right along. It would have been + better for both of us, but you were a Democrat, an' there wasn't any + necessity. Now there is. I want to win this election by a large majority, + an' you ken make that sartin. You see I speak square. Will you join me?” + </p> + <p> + The question was thrown out abruptly. Mr. Gul-more had caught a gleam in + the other's eye as he spoke of a good Mayor and his qualifications. “He + bites, I guess,” was his inference, and accordingly he put the question at + once. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Hutchings, brought to himself by the sudden interrogation, hesitated, + and decided to temporize. He could always refuse to join forces, and + Gulmore might “give himself away.” He answered: + </p> + <p> + “I don't quite see what you mean. How are we to join?” + </p> + <p> + “By both of us givin' somethin'.” + </p> + <p> + “What am I to give?” + </p> + <p> + “Withdraw your candidature for Mayor as a Democrat.” + </p> + <p> + “I can't do that.” + </p> + <p> + “Jest hear me out. The city has advertised for tenders for a new Court + House and a new Town Hall. The one building should cover both, and be near + the middle of the business part. That's so—ain't it? Well, land's + hard to get anywhere there, and I've the best lots in the town. I guess” + (carelessly) “the contract will run to a million dollars; that should mean + two hundred thousand dollars to some one. It's like this, Hutchin's: Would + you rather come in with me and make a joint tender, or run for Mayor and + be beaten?” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Hutchings started. Ten years before the proposal would have won him. + But now his children were provided for—all except Joe, and his + position as Counsel to the Union Pacific Railroad lifted him above + pecuniary anxieties. Then the thought of the Professor and May came to him—No! + he wouldn't sell himself. But in some strange way the proposition excited + him; he felt elated. His quickened pulse-beats prevented him from + realizing the enormity of the proposed transaction, but he knew that he + ought to be indignant. What a pity it was that Gulmore had made no + proposal which he might have accepted—and then disclosed! + </p> + <p> + “If I understand you, you propose that I should take up this contract, and + make money out of it. If that was your business with me, you've made a + mistake, and Professor Roberts is right.” + </p> + <p> + “Hev I?” asked Mr. Gulmore slowly, coldly, in sharp contrast to the + lawyer's apparent excitement and quick speech. Contemptuously he thought + that Hutchings was “foolisher” than he had imagined—or was he + sincere? He would have weighed this last possibility before speaking, if + the mention of Roberts had not angered him. His combativeness made him + persist: + </p> + <p> + “If you don't want to come in with me, all you've got to do is to say so. + You've no call to get up on your hind legs about it; it's easy to do + settin'. But don't talk poppycock like that Professor; he's silly. He + talks about the contract for street pavin', and it ken be proved—'twas + proved in the 'Herald'—that our streets cost less per foot than the + streets of any town in this State. He knows nothin'. He don't even know + that an able man can make half a million out of a big contract, an' do the + work better than an ordinary man could do it who'd lose money by it At a + million our Court House'll be cheap; and if the Professor had the contract + with the plans accordin' to requirement to-morrow, he'd make nothin' out + of it—not a red cent. No, sir. If I ken, that's my business—and + yours, ain't it? Or, are we to work for nothin' because he's a fool?” + </p> + <p> + While Mr. Gulmore was speaking, Mr. Hutchings gave himself to thought. + After all, why was he running for Mayor? The place, as Gulmore said, would + be of no use to him. He was weary of fighting which only ended in defeat, + and could only end in a victory that would be worthless. Mayor, indeed! If + he had a chance of becoming a Member of Congress, that would be different. + And across his brain flitted the picture so often evoked by imagination in + earlier years. Why not? Gulmore could make it certain. Would he? + </p> + <p> + “What you say seems plausible enough, but I don't see my way. I don't feel + inclined to go into business at my time of life.” + </p> + <p> + “You don't need to go into the business. I'll see to that.” + </p> + <p> + “No. I don't need money now particularly.” + </p> + <p> + “Next year, Hutchin's, I'll have a better man than Robinson against you. + Lawyer Nevilson's as good as ken be found, I reckon, and he wouldn't + refuse to join me if I gave him the chance.” But while he was speaking, + Mr. Gulmore kept his opponent's answer in view. He considered it + thoughtfully; “I don't need money now particularly.” What did the man + need? Congress? As a Republican? That would do as well. When Mr. Hutchings + shook his head, careless of the menace, Mr. Gulmore made up his mind. His + obstinacy came out; he would win at any price. He began: + </p> + <p> + “It's what I said at first, Hutchin's; we've each got to give what the + other wants. I've told you what I want; tell me squarely what you want, + an' p'r'aps the thing ken be settled.” + </p> + <p> + As Mr. Hutchings did not answer at once, the Boss went on: + </p> + <p> + “You're in politics for somethin'. What is it? If you're goin' to buck + agen me, you might as well draw out; you'll do no good. You know that. See + here! Is it the State Legislature you're after, or—Congress?” + </p> + <p> + The mere words excited Mr. Hutchings; he wanted to be back again in the + East as a victor; he longed for the cultivated amenities and the social + life of Washington. He could not help exclaiming: + </p> + <p> + “Ah! if it hadn't been for you I'd have been in Congress long ago.” + </p> + <p> + “As a Democrat? Not from this State, I guess.” + </p> + <p> + “What does it matter? Democrat or Republican, the difference now is only + in the name.” + </p> + <p> + “The price is high, Hutchin's. I ask you to give up runnin' for Mayor, and + you ask me for a seat in Congress instead. But—I'll pay it, if you + do as I say. You've no chance in this State as a Democrat; you know that + yourself. To run for Mayor as a Democrat hurts you; that must stop right + now—in your own interest. But what I want from you is that you don't + announce your withdrawal till the day after to-morrow, an' meantime you + say nothin' to the Professor or any one else. Are you agreed?” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Hutchings paused. The path of his desire lay open before him; the + opportunity was not to be missed; he grew eager. But still there was + something disagreeable in an action which demanded secrecy. He must think + coolly. What was the proposal? What was he giving? Nothing. He didn't wish + to be Mayor with Gulmore and all the City Council against him. Nothing—except + the withdrawal on the very morning of the election. That would look bad, + but he could pretend illness, and he had told the Professor he didn't care + to be Mayor; he had advised him not to mix in the struggle; besides, + Roberts would not suspect anything, and if he did there'd be no shadow of + proof for a long time to come. In the other scale of the balance he had + Gulmore's promise: it was trustworthy, he knew, but—: + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean that you'll run me for the next term and get me elected?” + </p> + <p> + “I'll do all I know, and I guess you'll succeed.” + </p> + <p> + “I have nothing but your word.” + </p> + <p> + “Nothin'.” + </p> + <p> + Again Mr. Hutchings paused. To accept definitively would be dangerous if + the conversation had had listeners. It was characteristic of the place and + time that he could suspect a man of laying such a trap, upon whose word he + was prepared to rely. Mr. Gulmore saw and understood his hesitation: + </p> + <p> + “I said we were alone, Hutchin's, and I meant it. Jest as I say now, if + you withdraw and tell no one and be guided by me in becoming a Republican, + I'll do what I ken to get you into Congress,” and as he spoke he stood up. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Hutchings rose, too, and said, as if in excuse: “I wanted to think it + over, but I'm agreed. I'll do as you say,” and with a hurried “Good + night!” he left the room. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Gulmore returned to his chair and lit a cigar. He was fairly satisfied + with the result of his efforts. His triumph over the Professor would not + be as flagrant, perhaps, as if Hutchin's' name had been linked with his in + a city contract; but, he thought with amusement, every one would suspect + that he had bought the lawyer for cash. What a fool the man was! What did + he want to get into Congress for? Weak vanity! He'd have no weight there. + To prefer a seat in Congress to wealth—silly. Besides, Hutchin's + would be a bad candidate. Of course the party name would cover anythin'. + But what a mean skunk! Here Mr. Gulmore's thoughts reverted to himself. + Ought he to keep his word and put such a man into Congress? He hated to + break a promise. But why should he help the Professor's father-in-law to + power? Wall, there was no hurry. He'd make up his mind later. Anyway, the + Professor'd have a nice row to hoe on the mornin' of the election, and + Boss Gulmore'd win and win big, an' that was the point The laugh would be + on the Professor— + </p> + <p> + On the morning of the election Professor Roberts was early afoot. He felt + hopeful, light-hearted, and would not confess even to himself that his + good spirits were due chiefly to the certainty that in another twelve + hours his electioneering would be at an end. The work of canvassing and + public speaking had become very disagreeable to him. The mere memory of + the speeches he had listened to, had left, as it were, an unpleasant + aftertaste. How the crowds had cheered the hackneyed platitudes, the + blatant patriotic appeals, the malevolent caricature of opponents! + Something unspeakably trivial, vulgar, and evil in it all reminded him of + tired children when the romping begins to grow ill-natured. + </p> + <p> + And if the intellectual side of the struggle had been offensive, the moral + atmosphere of the Committee Rooms, infected as it was by the candidates, + had seemed to him to be even worse—mephitic, poisonous. He had + shrunk from realizing the sensations which had been forced upon him there—a + recoil of his nature as from unappeasable wild-beast greeds, with their + attendant envy, suspicion, and hatred seething like lava under the thin + crust of a forced affability, of a good-humour assumed to make deception + easy. He did not want to think of it; it was horrible. And perhaps, after + all, he was mistaken; perhaps his dislike of the work had got upon his + nerves, and showed him everything in the darkest colours. It could + scarcely be as bad as he thought, or human society would be impossible. + But argument could not blunt the poignancy of his feelings; he preferred, + therefore, to leave them inarticulate, striving to forget. In any case, + the ordeal would soon be over; it had to be endured for a few hours more, + and then he would plunge into his books again, and enjoy good company, he + and May together. + </p> + <p> + He was still lingering over this prospect when the servant came to tell + him that some gentlemen were waiting for him, and he found in the + sitting-room half-a-dozen of his favourite students. One of the Seniors, + named Cartrell, a young man of strong figure, and keen, bold face, + remarked, as he shook hands, that they had come to accompany him—” + Elections are sometimes rough, and we know the ropes.” Roberts thanked + them warmly, and they set off. + </p> + <p> + The Committee Rooms of the Democratic party were situated near the Court + House, in what had been once the centre, but was now the edge of the town. + The little troop had to pass through the negro quarter—small + frame-houses, peppered over grassless, bare lots, the broken-down fences + protesting against unsociable isolation. The Rooms, from the outside, + reminded one of a hive of angry bees. In and out of the door men were + hurrying, and a crowd swarmed on the side-walk talking in a loud, excited + hum. As soon as the Professor was recognized, a silence of astonishment + fell upon the throng. With stares of curiosity they drew aside to let him + enter. Slightly surprised by the reception, the Professor passed into the + chief room. At a table in the middle a man was speaking in a harsh, loud + voice—one Simpson, a popular orator, who had held aloof from the + meetings of the party. He was saying: + </p> + <p> + “It's a put-up game between them, but the question is, who's to go on the + ticket in—” + </p> + <p> + As Simpson's eyes met those of Roberts he stopped speaking. + </p> + <p> + “Good morning, gentlemen. Please continue, Mr. Simpson; I hope I'm not + interrupting you.” + </p> + <p> + The Professor did not like Mr. Simpson. The atrabilious face, the bitter, + thin lips, and grey eyes veined with yellow, reminded him indefinably of a + wild beast. Mr. Simpson seemed to take the courteous words as a challenge. + Drawing his wiry figure up he said, with insult in voice and manner: + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps you've come to nominate a Mayor; we'd all like to know your + choice.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't understand you.” + </p> + <p> + The Professor's tone was frank, his sincerity evident, but Simpson went + on: + </p> + <p> + “Don't ye? Perhaps Hutchin's has sent you to say, as he's sick it'd be + well to run Robinson on both tickets—eh?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know what you mean. I expected to meet Mr. Hutchings here. Is he + ill?” + </p> + <p> + “He'll get well soon, I reckon; but after taking a perscription from + Gulmore, he's mighty bad and can't leave the house.” + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean?” + </p> + <p> + “I mean that Hutchin's has withdrawn his candidature as Mayor. I mean that + the 'Herald' has the announcin' of it. I mean it's a put-up job between + him and Gulmore to ruin the Democratic party in this town. I mean—” + </p> + <p> + As the Professor drew back in amazement, young Cartrell stepped in front + of him and addressed Simpson: + </p> + <p> + “What proof have you of what you say?” + </p> + <p> + “Proof! Proof enough. Does an honest man resign a candidature on the + morning of an election, and give the other side the news before his own + party?” + </p> + <p> + The interruption had given Roberts time for reflection. He felt that + Simpson's facts must be right. It was characteristic of him that his first + thought was, Had Hutchings withdrawn in order to save him from further + attacks? No. If he had he'd have told him before the event. A sort of + nausea overpowered him as he remembered that Hutchings had related how + Gulmore had bought Patrick Byrne—and now he, too, had sold himself. + As in a flash Hutchings' weakness of fibre was laid bare to him. “That's + the reason I couldn't find him yesterday.” His heart sank within him. “How + could Hutchings have been so—?” With the belief in the lawyer's + guilt came the understanding that he too was concerned, suspected even. + Disgust of traitorism, conscious innocence impelled him to clear himself—but + how? To his surprise he found that companionship with these men had given + him some insight into their character. He put the question to Simpson: + </p> + <p> + “Can anything be done now?” + </p> + <p> + The steadiness of the tone, the resolve in his face, excited a certain + curiosity. Shrugging his shoulders, Simpson replied: + </p> + <p> + “We've not got a candidate. It's too late to get the party together. New + tickets'd have to be printed. I—” + </p> + <p> + “Will you accept the candidature?” Reading the man at once, Roberts turned + to the others: “Gentlemen, I hope some one will second me; I nominate Mr. + Simpson as Mayor, and propose that his name should be substituted for that + of Mr. Hutchings. To show that I'm in earnest I'll contribute five hundred + dollars towards the expense of printing the tickets.” + </p> + <p> + The Professor's offer of money seemed to exercise a magical influence upon + the crowd; the loud tones, the provocative rudeness of speech and bearing, + disappeared at once; the men began to show him the respect of attention, + and Mr. Simpson was even quicker than the rest in changing his attitude—perhaps + because he hoped to gain more than they did. + </p> + <p> + “I had no idee,” he began, “but if the Committee thinks I oughter run I've + no objection. I hain't ever cared for office, but I'm a party-man, an' + what the party wants me to do I'll do every time. I'm a Democrat right + through. I guess Lawyer Hutchin's has gone back on us, but that's not your + fault, Professor, and five hundred dollars—an' your work will do a + pile. The folk all like you an'—respect you an'—” + </p> + <p> + Roberts looked at the man; his offer had been a movement of indignant + contempt, and yet it had succeeded. He could have laughed; the key to the + enigma was in his hands; these men answered to the motive of self-interest + as a ship answers to the helm, and yet—how revolting it all was! The + next moment he again banished reflection. + </p> + <p> + “I'll go and get the money, and return as soon as possible. In the + meantime, perhaps you, Mr. Simpson, will see that the printing is begun + without delay. Then if you'll tell us what polling-stations need + superintendence, my friends and I will do our best.” + </p> + <p> + The appeal found an immediate response—in a few minutes order and + energetic work had taken the place of the former angry excitement and + recrimination. + </p> + <p> + To Professor Roberts the remainder of the day was one whirl of restless + labour; he hastened from one polling-station to another, and when the + round was completed drove to the Central Rooms, where questions had to be + answered, and new arrangements made without time for thought. Then he was + off again on his hurried round as canvasser. One incident, however, made a + definite impression upon him. Returning for the second or third time to + the Central Rooms he found himself in a crowd of Irish labourers who had + come in deference to priestly bidding to record their votes. Mr. + Hutchings' retirement had excited their native suspiciousness; they felt + that they had been betrayed, and yet the peremptory orders they had + received must be followed. The satisfaction of revolt being denied to + them, their anger became dangerous. Professor Roberts faced them quietly; + he soon saw that they were sincere, or were playing the part of sincerity; + he therefore spoke for the cause, for the party to which they belonged; + surely they wouldn't abandon the struggle because a leader had deserted + them! His words and manner; his appeal to their combativeness; his + earnestness and good temper were successful. The storm of invective + gradually subsided, and although one or two, for the sake of a row, sought + to insult him, they did not go to extremes in face of the resolute + disapprobation of the American party-leaders. Loyalty to their shibboleth + was beginning to draw them, still grumbling and making use of expressive + imprecations, on the way to the nearest polling-station, when one of their + leaders drew Professor Roberts aside, and asked him: + </p> + <p> + “Are the bhoys to have nothin' for their throuble? Half a day they'll + lose, so they will—a dollar each now would be no more than fair—” + </p> + <p> + The Professor shook his head; he was not rich, he said, and had already + spent more money in the contest than he could afford. + </p> + <p> + “Be gob, it's poor worruk this talkin' an' votin' for us that gets nothin' + by it “—the phrase stuck in his memory as illustrating the paltry + baseness of the whole affair. It was with a sense of relief that he threw + himself again into the turmoil that served to deaden thought. As the day + wore towards evening he became conscious of fatigue, a weariness that was + not of the body alone, but of the head and heart. After the closing of the + polls he returned to the Central Rooms. They were filled with an + enthusiastic crowd, most of whom professed to believe that the Democratic + party had won all along the line. Roberts found it hard to bear their + self-gratulation and the exuberance of their triumph, but when Simpson + began to take the liberties of comradeship with him, the cup ran over. He + cut the man short with a formally polite phrase, and betook himself to his + house. He would not think even of May; her image brought him face to face + with her father; and he wanted rest. + </p> + <p> + In the morning the Professor awoke with a feeling of utter depression. + Before he opened the paper he was sure that his hopelessness had been + justified. He was right—Gulmore had carried his whole ticket, and + Simpson had been beaten by a majority of more than a thousand. The + Democratic organ did not scruple to ascribe the defeat to the fact that + Lawyer Hutchings had sold his party. The simulated indignation of the + journalist found expression in phrases which caricatured the simplicity of + sincere condemnation. “Never did shameless corruption...” Roberts could + not read the stuff. Yet the feigned passion and tawdry rhetoric in some + way stirred up his bile; he would see Hutchings and—but if he + unpacked his heart's bitterness upon her father, he would hurt May. He + must restrain himself; Hutchings would understand from his manner, and May + would be sympathetic—as she always was. + </p> + <p> + Another thought exasperated him afresh. His idealism had made him + ridiculous in the eyes of the townsfolk. He had spent money he could ill + spare in a hopeless cause, which was not even a worthy one. And now + everybody was laughing at him or sneering—he grew hot with shame. + That his motives were honourable only heightened the ludicrousness of his + action: it seemed as if he had made a fool of himself. He almost wished + that he had left the Democrats to their own devices. But no! he had done + the right, and that was the main point. The sense of failure, however, + robbed him of confidence in regard to the future. How should he act? Since + high motives were ineffectual, Quixotic, ought he to discard them and come + down to the ordinary level? 'Twould be better not to live at all. The + half-life of a student, a teacher, dwelling apart from the world, would be + preferable to such degradation; but— + </p> + <p> + The situation appeared to him to be so difficult that as soon as he had + taken his breakfast he went out for a walk away from the town in order to + avoid importunate visits, and to decide upon a course of conduct. The air + and exercise invigorated him; the peace and solitude of the prairie, the + beauty of earth and sky, the unconsciousness of nature consoled him, + reduced his troubles to relative unimportance, and allowed him to regain + his equanimity. + </p> + <p> + Even his ideas in regard to Hutchings underwent a change. After all it was + not his part to condemn; his indignation owed its heat to baffled egotism + and paltry vanity. When the personal element was abstracted from the + causes of his vexation, what remained? Were Hutchings a figure in history, + would he judge him with the same intolerance? No; weakness, corruptibility + even, would then excite no harsher feeling than a sort of amused contempt. + The reflection mitigated his anger. He began to take an intellectual + pleasure in the good-humoured acceptance of the wrong inflicted upon him. + Plato was right, it was well to suffer injustice without desiring to + retaliate. He had yet to learn that just as oil only smoothes the surface + of waves, so reason has merely a superficial effect upon character. + </p> + <p> + Early in the afternoon he made his way to May's home. According to his + habit he passed by the servant-girl and entered the study—to find + himself face to face with the lawyer. + </p> + <p> + The shock of disappointment and a certain latent antagonism caused him to + speak with a directness which was in itself discourteous. + </p> + <p> + “Is Miss May in? I wished to see her.” After a momentary pause he added, + with a tinge of sarcasm, “Your illness wasn't serious, I see.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Hutchings was not taken by surprise; he had prepared for this meeting, + and had resolved to defend himself. The task, he believed, would be easy. + He had almost persuaded himself that he had acted in the Professor's + interest. Roberts was singularly unworldly; he might accept the + explanation, and if he didn't—what did it matter? His own brighter + prospects filled him with a sense of triumph; in the last three days his + long-repressed vanity had shot up to self-satisfaction, making him callous + to what Roberts or any one else might think. But the sneer in his + visitor's words stung him, induced him to throw off the mask of illness + which he had intended to assume. He replied with an indifference that was + defiant: + </p> + <p> + “No; I wasn't well yesterday, but I'm better now, though I shall keep + indoors for a day or two. A chill, I suppose.” + </p> + <p> + Receiving no answer, he found relief in complete boldness. + </p> + <p> + “You see my prediction as to the result of the election has been + justified?” + </p> + <p> + “You might even say <i>pars magna fui</i>.” + </p> + <p> + The retort slipped out. The impudent challenge had to be met. The + Professor did not realize how contemptuously he spoke. + </p> + <p> + The womanish weakness in Hutchings sprang to hurried attack. + </p> + <p> + “At any rate you've no cause for reproach. I resigned chiefly to shield + you. I told you long ago that I didn't want particularly to be Mayor, and + the assault upon your position in the University decided me. There was no + way to save your place except by giving Gulmore the victory he wanted. + You're engaged to May, and May is fond of you: I'm not rich, and a post of + three thousand dollars a year is not often to be found by a young man. + What would you do if you were dismissed? I had to—sacrifice myself. + Not that it matters much, but I've got myself into a fuss with the party, + injured myself all round on your account, and then you talk as if you had + some reason to be offended. That's hardly right, Professor.” The lawyer + was satisfied with his case; his concluding phrase built a bridge for a + magnanimous reconciliation. + </p> + <p> + “You wish me to believe that you resigned at the last moment without + telling me of your intention in order to further my interests?” Mr. + Hutchings was disagreeably shocked by the disdainful, incredulous + question; Roberts was harder to blind than he had supposed; his + indignation became more than half sincere. + </p> + <p> + “I didn't make up my mind till the last minute—I couldn't. It wasn't + easy for me to leave the party I've fought with for ten years. And the + consequences don't seem likely to be pleasant to me. But that doesn't + signify. This discussion is useless. If you'll take my advice you'll think + of answering the charge that will be brought against you in the Faculty + meeting, instead of trying to get up a groundless accusation against me.” + The menace in the words was not due solely to excitement and ill-temper. + Mr. Hutchings had been at pains to consider all his relations with the + Professor. He had hoped to deceive him, at least for the moment, and gain + time—postpone a painful decision. He had begun to wish that the + engagement between Roberts and May might be broken off. In six months or a + year he would have to declare himself on Gulmore's side; the fact would + establish his complicity, and he had feared what he now knew, that Roberts + would be the severest of critics—an impossible son-in-law. Besides, + in the East, as the daughter of a Member of Congress, May might command a + high position—with her looks she could marry any one—while + Roberts would be dismissed or compelled to resign his post. A young man + without a career who would play censor upon him in his own house was not + to be thought of. The engagement must be terminated. May could be brought + to understand.... + </p> + <p> + The Professor did not at once grasp the situation in so far as he himself + was concerned. But he divined the cause of the lawyer's irritability, and + refrained from pushing the argument further. The discussion could, indeed, + serve no purpose, save to embitter the quarrel. He therefore answered + quietly: + </p> + <p> + “I didn't come here to dispute with you. I came to see May. Is she in?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I think not. I believe she went out some time ago.” + </p> + <p> + “In that case I'll go home. Perhaps you'll tell her I called. Good day.” + </p> + <p> + “Good day!” + </p> + <p> + As the Professor left the house his depression of the morning returned + upon him. He was dissatisfied with himself. He had intended to show no + anger, no resentment, and, nevertheless, his temper had run away with him. + He recognized that he had made a grave mistake, for he was beginning to + foresee the consequences of it. Trained to severe thinking, but + unaccustomed to analyze motives, the full comprehension of Hutchings' + attitude and its probable effects upon his happiness only came to him + gradually, but it came at length so completely that he could remember the + very words of the foregoing conversation, and recall the tones of the + voices. He could rebuild the puzzle; his understanding of it, therefore, + must be the true one. The irrationality of the defence was a final proof + that the lawyer had played him false. “Hutchings sold himself—most + likely for place. He didn't fear a quarrel with me—that was evident; + perhaps he wishes to get rid of me—evident, too. He believes that I + shall be dismissed, or else he wouldn't have laid stress upon the + importance of my keeping my position. When I spoke of May he was curt. And + the explanation? He has wronged me. The old French proverb holds true, + 'The offender seldom forgives.' He'll probably go on to harm me further, + for I remind him of his vileness. This, then, is life, not as I imagined + it, but as it is, and such creatures as Hutchings are human beings. Well, + after all, it is better to know the truth than to cheat oneself with a + mirage. I shall appreciate large natures with noble and generous impulses + better, now that I know how rare they are.” + </p> + <p> + In his room he found May awaiting him. Across his surprise and joy there + came an intense admiration of her, a heart-pang of passionate gratitude. + As she moved towards him her incommunicable grace of person and manner + completed the charm. The radiant gladness of the eyes; the outstretched + hands; the graceful form, outlined in silver-grey; the diadem of + honey-coloured hair; something delicate yet courageous, proud yet tender + in her womanhood remained with him ever afterwards. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, May!” The word seemed to bring joy and tingling life to his + half-numbed heart. He seized her hands and drew her to him, and kissed her + on the hair, and brows, and eyes with an abandonment of his whole nature, + such as she had never before known in him. All her shyness, her uneasiness + vanished in the happiness of finding that she had so pleased him, and + mingled with this joy was a new delightful sense of her own power. When + released from his embrace she questioned him by a look. His emotion + astonished her. + </p> + <p> + “My love,” he said, kissing her hands, “how good of you to come to me, how + sweet and brave you are to wait for me here! I was growing weak with fear + lest I should lose you, too, in the general wreck. And you came and sat + here for me patiently—Darling!” + </p> + <p> + There was a mingling of self-surrender and ruffled pride in her smiling + reproach: + </p> + <p> + “Lose me? What do you mean? I waited for you last night, sir, and all this + weary morning, till I could wait no longer; I had to find you. I would + have stayed at home till you came; I meant to, but father startled me: he + said he was afraid you'd lose your place as Professor in spite of all he + had done for you. 'Twas good of him, wasn't it, to give up running for + Mayor, so as not to embitter Gulmore against you? I was quite proud of + him. But you won't lose your post, will you? Has anything serious + happened?—Dear!” + </p> + <p> + He paused to think, but he could not see any way to avoid telling her the + truth. Disappointments had so huddled upon him, the insight he had won + into human nature was so desolating that his heart ached for sympathy and + affection. He loved her; she was to be his wife; how could he help winning + her to his side? Besides, her words voiced his own fears—her father + had already begun to try to part them. She must know all and judge. But + how? Should he give her “The Tribune” to read? No—it was vindictive. + </p> + <p> + “Come and sit down, May, and I'll tell you what happened yesterday. You + shall judge for yourself whether I was right or wrong.” + </p> + <p> + He told her, point by point, what had occurred. May listened in silence + till he stopped. + </p> + <p> + “But why did he resign? What could he gain by that?” + </p> + <p> + While she was speaking a thought crimsoned her cheeks; she had found the + key to the enigma. Three nights before her father had talked of Washington + and the East with a sort of exultation. At the time she had not paid much + attention to this, though it had struck her as very different from his + habit. Now the peculiarity of it confirmed her suspicion. In some way or + other his action in resigning was connected with his inexplicable high + spirits. A wave of indignation swept over her. Not that she felt the + disgust which had sickened the Professor when he first heard of the + traitorism. He had condemned Mr. Hutchings on the grounds of public + morality; May's anger was aroused because her father had sought to deceive + <i>her</i>; had tried by lying suggestion to take credit to himself, + whereas— + </p> + <p> + “I wouldn't have believed it,” she murmured, with the passionate revolt of + youth against mean deceit. “I can never forgive him or trust him again.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't let us talk of it any more, dear. I wouldn't have told you only I + was afraid that he would try to separate us. Now I know you are on my side + I wouldn't have you judge him harshly.” + </p> + <p> + “On your side,” she repeated, with a certain exaltation of manner. “On + your side always in spite of everything. I feel for you more intensely + than for myself.” In a lower voice and with hesitating speech she added: + “Did he—did he tell you that he resigned on your account?” + </p> + <p> + He nodded. + </p> + <p> + “And you're not angry?” + </p> + <p> + “No.” He smiled slightly. “I understand men better now than I did + yesterday. That's all.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, but you ought to be mad. I am. How can you—” + </p> + <p> + “Let us talk, dear, of what concerns us more. Have you heard anything? + From what your father said I half fear that the meeting to-morrow may go + against me. Has no one called?” + </p> + <p> + “Professor Krazinski. I saw his card on the table when I came in. You + think it's a bad sign that he's the only one?” + </p> + <p> + “I'm afraid so. It may be merely anxiety, but I'm growing suspicious of + every one now. I catch myself attributing low motives to men without + reason. That electioneering has infected me. I hate myself for it, but I + can't help it; I loathe the self-seeking and the vileness. I'd rather not + know men at all than see them as they've shown themselves lately. I want + to get away and rinse my mouth out and forget all about it—away + somewhere with you, my sweet love.” + </p> + <p> + “But you mustn't let them condemn you without an effort.” While speaking + she put her hand on his shoulder and moved close to him. “It might injure + us later. And you know you can persuade them if you like. No one can + listen to you without being won over. And I want you to keep your post; + you love teaching and you're the best teacher in the world, ah—” + </p> + <p> + He put his arms round her, and she bowed her head on his neck, that he + might not see the gathering tears. + </p> + <p> + “You're right, dear. I spoke hastily. I'll do my best. It won't be as bad + as we think. My colleagues are men of some education and position. They're + not like the crowd of ignorant voters and greedy place-hunters; they'll + listen to reason, and “—half bitterly—“they've no motive to do + me wrong. Besides, Krazinksi has called, and I scarcely know him; perhaps + the others didn't think of coming. It was kind of him, wasn't it? I'm very + grateful to him. He must be a good fellow.” + </p> + <p> + “What has he done so wonderful? Oh, my!”—and she turned her face up + to his with half-laughing deprecation—“I'm afraid I'm deteriorating + too. I can't hear you praise any one now without feeling horribly jealous. + Yes, he must be good. But don't be <i>too</i> grateful to him, or—I + must be going now, and, oh! what a long time it'll be until to-morrow! I + shall have grown old before—to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + “Sweetheart! You'll come here and wait for me in the afternoon, won't you? + I shall want to see you so much.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, if you like; but I intended to go up to the University—mayn't + I? It'll seem ages—aeons—waiting here by myself.” + </p> + <p> + “The meeting will not last long, and I'll come to you as soon as it's + over. Darling, you don't know how much you have helped me. You have given + me courage and hope,” and he folded her in his arms. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Gulmore liked to spend his evenings with his wife and daughter. It + amused him to hear what they had been doing during the day. Their gossip + had its value; sentimental or spiteful, it threw quaint sidelights upon + character. On the evening before the Faculty meeting Ida was bending over + a book, while Mr. Gulmore smoked, and watched her. His daughter was + somewhat of a puzzle to him still, and when occasion offered he studied + her. “Where does she get her bitterness from? I'm not bitter, an' I had + difficulties, was poor an' ignorant, had to succeed or go under, while she + has had everythin' she wanted. It's a pity she ain't kinder....” + </p> + <p> + Presently Mrs. Gulmore put away her work and left the room. Taking up the + thread of a conversation that had been broken off by his wife's presence, + Mr. Gulmore began: + </p> + <p> + “I don't say Roberts'll win, Ida. The bettin' 's the other way; but I'm + not sure, for I don't know the crowd. He may come out on top, though I hev + noticed that young men who run into their first fight and get badly + whipped ain't likely to fight desperate the second time.—Grit's half + trainin'!” + </p> + <p> + “I wish I could be there to <i>see</i> him beaten!” Ida had tried to turn + her wounded pride into dislike, and was succeeding. “I hate to feel he's + in the same town with us—the coward!” + </p> + <p> + At this moment Mrs. Gulmore reentered the room. + </p> + <p> + “To think of it! Sal left the gas-stove flarin'. I made her get up and + come downstairs to put it out. That'll learn her! Of all the careless, + shiftless creatures, these coloured people are the worst. Come, Ida, it's + long after nine, and I'm tired. You can read in your bedroom if you want + to.” + </p> + <p> + After the usual “good night” and kisses, Ida went upstairs. While Mrs. + Gulmore busied herself putting “things straight,” Mr. Gulmore sat + thinking: + </p> + <p> + “She takes after her mother in everythin', but she has more pride. It's + that makes her bitter. She's jest like her—only prettier. The same + peaky nose, pointed chin, little thin ears set close to her head, fine + hair—the Yankee school-marm. First-rate managin' women; the best + wives in the world to keep a house an' help a man on. But they hain't got + sensuality enough to be properly affectionate.” + </p> + <p> + On the following afternoon Roberts stopped before the door of his house + and looked back towards the University. There on the crest of the hill + stood the huge building of bluish-grey stone with the round tower of the + observatory in the middle—like a mallet with a stubby handle in the + air. + </p> + <p> + While gazing thus a shrill voice reached him, the eager treble of a + newsboy: + </p> + <p> + “Great Scandal!” he heard—and then “Scandal in the University! Full + Report! Only five cents! Five cents for the 'Herald's' Special!” + </p> + <p> + He hastened to the gate and beckoned to the little figure in the distance. + His thoughts were whirling. What did it mean? Could the “Herald” have + issued a special edition with the report of the meeting? Impossible! there + wasn't time for that. Yet, he had walked leisurely with Krazinski, and + newspapers did wonders sometimes. Wonders! 'twould be a breach of + confidence. There was an honourable understanding that no one should + divulge what took place in a Faculty meeting. “Honourable” and Gulmore—the + two words wouldn't go together. Could it be? + </p> + <p> + A glance at the contents-bill brought a flush to his face. He gave a + quarter for the sheet, and as the boy fumbled for change he said, taking + hold of the bill: + </p> + <p> + “I want this too; you can keep the rest of the money,” and hurried into + the house. + </p> + <p> + May met him at the door of the sitting-room, but did not speak, while he + opened out the paper, and in silence showed her the six columns, + containing a verbatim report of the meeting. + </p> + <p> + “What do you think of that?” he asked, and without waiting for an answer + he spread the contents-bill upon the table. + </p> + <p> + “This is better,” he went on, bitterly. “Read this!” And she read: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Ructions in Learning's Home. The President's Flank Attack. + + Fours to a Pair. The Pagan retires and the Pole. +</pre> + <p> + “Oh, the brutes! How could they?” May exclaimed. “But what does it mean?” + </p> + <p> + “You have it all there,” he said, touching the bill; “all in two or three + lines of cheerful insult, as is our American fashion. In spite of the + opinion of every leading lawyer in the State, sixteen—fanatics, to + give them the benefit of the doubt, voted that a disbelief in Christian + dogma was the same thing as 'open immorality.' The Father of Lies made + such men!” + </p> + <p> + “Did no one vote for you?” + </p> + <p> + “Two, Krazinski and some one else, I think 'twas little Black, and two + papers were blank. But fancy the President speaking against me, though he + has a casting-vote. All he could say was that the parents were the only + proper judges of what a student should be taught. Let us grant that; I may + have been mistaken, wrong, if you like; but my fault was not 'open + immorality,' as specified in the Statute. They lied against me, those + sixteen.” + </p> + <p> + May sympathized too keenly with his indignation to think of trying to + allay it; she couldn't help asking, “What did you do after the voting?” + </p> + <p> + “What could I do? I had had enough of such opponents. I told them that if + they dismissed me I'd take the case into the courts, where at the worst + their reading of the words 'open immorality' would be put upon record, and + my character freed from stain. But, if they chose to rescind their vote I + said I was willing to resign.” + </p> + <p> + “They accepted that?” + </p> + <p> + “Krazinski forced them to. He told them some home-truths. They dared not + face the law courts lest it should come out that the professorships were + the rewards of sectarian bigotry. He went right through the list, and + ended by resigning his position. + </p> + <p> + “Then Campbell got up and regretted his speech. It was uncalled-for and—you + know the sort of thing. My colleagues, he said, would have preferred to + retain my services if I had yielded to the opinion of the parents. Under + the circumstances there was no course open but to accept my resignation. + They would not enter the vote upon the minutes; they would even write me a + letter expressing regret at losing me, etc. So the matter ended. + </p> + <p> + “Coming down the hill I tried to persuade Krazinski not to resign on my + account. But the dear old fellow was obstinate; he had long intended to + retire. He was very kind. He thinks I shall find another place easily. + </p> + <p> + “Now, May, you have heard the whole tale, what is your opinion? Are you + disappointed with me? You might well be. I'm disappointed with myself. + Somehow or other I've not got hate enough in me to be a good fighter.” + </p> + <p> + “Disappointed? How little you know me! It's my life now to be with you. + Whatever you say or do is right to me. I think it's all for the best; I + wouldn't have you stay here after what has passed.” + </p> + <p> + May meant all she said, and more. At the bottom of her heart she was not + sorry that he was going to leave Tecumseh. If she thereby lost the + pleasure of appearing as his wife before the companions of her youth, on + the other hand, he would belong to her more completely, now that he was + cut off from all other sympathy and no longer likely to meet Miss Gulmore. + Moreover, her determination to follow him in single-hearted devotion + seemed to throw the limelight of romance upon her disagreement with her + father, which had been much more acute than she had given Roberts to + suppose. She had loved her father, and if he had appealed to her affection + he could have so moved her that she would have shown Roberts a hesitation + which, in his troubled and depressed condition, might have brought about a + coldness between them, if not a rupture of their relations. But Hutchings, + feeling that he was in the wrong, had contented himself with depreciating + Roberts by sneer and innuendo, and so had aroused her generous + partisanship. The proceedings of the Faculty naturally increased her + sympathy with her lover, and her enthusiastic support did much to revive + his confidence in himself. When they parted in the evening he had already + begun to think of the preparations to be made for his journey Eastwards. + </p> + <p> + A few weeks later a little knot of friends stood together one morning on + the down-platform of the Tecumseh station, waiting for the train to come + in. Professor Roberts was the centre of the group, and by his side stood + dainty May Hutchings, the violet eyes intense with courage that held the + sweet lips to a smile. Around them were some ten or a dozen students and + Krazinski, all in the highest spirits. They were talking about Roberts' + new appointment at Yale, which he attributed to Krazinsk's influence. + Presently they became aware of an unwonted stir at the entrance-door + behind them. As they turned in wonder they saw that the negro hands had + formed a lane through which, heralded by the obsequious station-master, + Mr. Gul-more, with his daughter on his arm, was coming towards them. + Heedless of their astonishment, the Boss walked on till he stood in front + of Roberts. + </p> + <p> + “Professor, we've heard of your good fortune, and are come to congratulate + you. Ida here always thought a pile of your knowledge an' teachin', an' I + guess she was right. Our little difference needn't count now. You + challenged me to a sort of wrastle an' you were thrown; but I bear no + malice, an' I'm glad to offer you my hand an' to wish you—success.” + </p> + <p> + Roberts shook hands without hesitation. He was simply surprised, and had + no inkling of the reason which had led Gulmore to come to the station and + to bring Ida. Had he been told that this was the father's plan for + protecting his daughter against the possibility of indiscreet gossip he + would have been still more astonished. “Nor do I bear malice,” he + rejoined, with a smile; “though the wrestling can hardly be considered + fair when twenty pull one man down.” + </p> + <p> + “'Twas my crowd against yours,” replied the Boss indifferently. “But I'm + kinder sorry that you're leavin' the town. I'd never have left a place + where I was beaten. No, sir; I'd have taken root right there an' waited. + Influence comes with time, an' you had youth on your side.” + </p> + <p> + “That may be your philosophy, Mr. Gulmore,” said Roberts lightly, as the + other paused, “but it's not mine. I'm satisfied with one or two falls; + they've taught me that the majority is with you.” + </p> + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Gulmore, The Boss, by Frank Harris + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GULMORE, THE BOSS *** + +***** This file should be named 23010-h.htm or 23010-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/3/0/1/23010/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Gulmore, The Boss + +Author: Frank Harris + +Release Date: October 12, 2007 [EBook #23010] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GULMORE, THE BOSS *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +GULMORE, THE BOSS. + +By Frank Harris + + +The habits of the Gulmore household were in some respects primitive. +Though it was not yet seven o'clock two negro girls were clearing away +the breakfast things under the minute supervision of their mistress, +an angular, sharp-faced woman with a reedy voice, and nervously abrupt +movements. Near the table sat a girl of nineteen absorbed in a book. In +an easy-chair by the open bay-window a man with a cigar in his mouth +was reading a newspaper. Jonathan Byrne Gulmore, as he always signed +himself, was about fifty years of age; his heavy frame was muscular, and +the coarse dark hair and swarthy skin showed vigorous health. There was +both obstinacy and combative-ness in his face with its cocked nose, low +irregular forehead, thick eyebrows, and square jaw, but the deep-set +grey eyes gleamed at times with humorous comprehension, and the usual +expression of the countenance was far from ill-natured. As he laid the +paper on his knees and looked up, he drew the eye. His size and strength +seemed to be the physical equivalents of an extraordinary power of +character and will. When Mrs. Gulmore followed the servants out of the +room the girl rose from her chair and went towards the door. She was +stopped by her father's voice: + +"Ida, I want a talk with you. You'll be able to go to your books +afterwards; I won't keep you long." She sat down again and laid her book +on the table, while Mr. Gulmore continued: + +"The election's next Monday week, and I've no time to lose." A moment's +silence, and he let his question fall casually: + +"You know this--Professor Roberts--don't you? He was at the University +when you were there--eh?" The girl flushed slightly as she assented. + +"They say he's smart, an' he ken talk. I heard him the other night; +but I'd like to know what you think. Your judgment's generally worth +havin'." + +Forced to reply without time for reflection, Miss Gulmore said as little +as possible with a great show of frankness: + +"Oh, yes; he's smart, and knows Greek and Latin and German, and a great +many things. The senior students used to say he knew more than all the +other professors put together, and he--he thinks so too, I imagine," and +she laughed intentionally, for, on hearing her own strained laughter, +she blushed, and then stood up out of a nervous desire to conceal her +embarrassment. But her father was looking away from her at the glowing +end of his cigar; and, as she resumed her seat, he went on: + +"I'm glad you seem to take no stock in him, Ida, for he's makin' himself +unpleasant. I'll have to give him a lesson, I reckon, not in Greek or +Latin or them things--I never had nothin' taught me beyond the 'Fourth +Reader,' in old Vermont, and I've forgotten some of what I learned +then--but in election work an' business I guess I ken give Professor +Roberts points, fifty in a hundred, every time. Did you know he's always +around with Lawyer Hutchin's?" + +"Is he? That's because of May--May Hutch-ings. Oh, she deserves him;" +the girl spoke with sarcastic bitterness, "she gave herself trouble +enough to get him. It was just sickening the way she acted, blushing +every time he spoke to her, and looking up at him as if he were +everything. Some people have no pride in them." + +Her father listened impassively, and, after a pause, began his +explanation: + +"Wall, Ida, anyway he means to help Hutchin's in this city election. +'Tain't the first time Hutchin's has run for mayor on the Democratic +ticket and come out at the little end of the horn, and I propose to whip +him again. But this Professor's runnin' him on a new track, and I want +some points about _him_. It's like this. At the Democratic meetin' +the other night, the Professor spoke, and spoke well. What he said was +popcorn; but it took with the Mugwumps--them that think themselves too +high-falutin' to work with either party, jest as if organization was no +good, an' a mob was as strong as an army. Wall, he talked for an hour +about purity an' patriotism, and when he had warmed 'em up he +went bald-headed for me. He told 'em--you ken read it all in the +'Tribune'--that this town was run by a ring, an' not run honestly; +contracts were given only to members of the Republican party; all +appointments were made by the ring, and never accordin' to ability--as +if sich a ring could last ten years. He ended up by saying, though he +was a Republican, as his father is, he intended to vote Democratic--he's +domiciled here--as a protest against the impure and corrupt Boss-system +which was disgracin' American political life. Twas baby talk. But it's +like this. The buildin' of the branch line South has brought a lot +of Irish here--they're all Democrats--and there's quite a number of +Mugwumps, an' if this Professor goes about workin' them all up--what +with the flannel-mouths and the rest--it might be a close finish. I'm +sure to win, but if I could get some information about him, it would +help me. His father's all right. We've got him down to a fine point. +Prentiss, the man I made editor of the 'Herald,' knows him well; ken +tell us why he left Kaintucky to come West. But I want to know somethin' +about the Professor, jest to teach him to mind his own business, and +leave other folk to attend to theirs. Ken you help me? Is he popular +with the students and professors?" + +She thought intently, while the colour rose in her cheeks; she was eager +to help. + +"With the students, yes. There's nothing to be done there. The +professors--I don't think they like him much; he is too clever. When he +came into the class-room and talked Latin to Johnson, the Professor +of Latin, and Johnson could only stammer out a word or two, I guess he +didn't make a friend;" and the girl laughed at the recollection. + +"I don't know anything else that could be brought against him. They say +he is an Atheist. Would that be any use? He gave a lecture on 'Culture +as a Creed' about three months ago which made some folk mad. The other +professors are Christians, and, of course, all the preachers took it +up. He compared Buddha with Christ, and said--oh, I remember!--that +Shakespeare was the Old Testament of the English-speaking peoples. That +caused some talk; they all believe in the Bible. He said, too, that +'Shakespeare was inspired in a far higher sense than St. Paul, who was +thin and hard, a logic-loving bigot.' And President Campbell--he's a +Presbyterian--preached the Sunday afterwards upon St Paul as the great +missionary of Protestantism. I don't think the professors like him, but +I don't know that they can do anything, for all the students, the senior +ones, at least, are with him," and the girl paused, and tried to find +out from her father's face whether what she had said was likely to be of +service. + +"Wall! I don't go much on them things myself, but I guess somethin' +ken be done. I'll see Prentiss about it: send him to interview this +President Campbell, and wake him up to a sense of his duty. This is a +Christian country, I reckon," the grey eyes twinkled, "and those who +teach the young should teach them Christian principles, or else--get +out. I guess it ken be worked. The University's a State institution. You +don't mind if he's fired out, do you?" And the searching eyes probed her +with a glance. + +"Oh! I don't mind," she said quickly, in a would-be careless tone, +rising and going towards him, "it has nothing to do with me. He belongs +to May Hutchings--let her help him, if she can. I think you're quite +right to give him a lesson--he needs one badly. What right has he to +come and attack you?" She had passed to her father's side, and was +leaning against his shoulder. Those grey eyes saw more than she cared to +reveal; they made her uncomfortable. + +"Then I understand it's like this. You want him to get a real lesson? Is +that it? You ken talk straight to me, Ida. I'm with you every time. You +know that." + +The feminine instinct of concealment worked in her, but she knew this +father of hers would have plain speech, and some hidden feeling forced +her violent temper to an outburst of curiously mingled hatred of the +Professor and exultation in her power of injuring him. + +"Why, father, it's all the same to me. I've no interest in it, except +to help you. You know I never said a word against him till you asked +me. But he has no business to come down and attack _you_," and the voice +grew shrill. "It's shameful of him. If he were a man he'd never do it. +Yes--give him a _real_ lesson; teach him that those he despises are +stronger than he is. Let him lose his place and be thrown out of work, +then we'll see if May Hutchings," and she laughed, "will go and help +him. We'll see who is--" + +Her father interrupted her in the middle of a tirade which would have +been complete self-revelation; but it is not to be presumed that he did +this out of a delicate regard for his daughter's feelings. He had got +the information he required. + +"That's all right, Ida. I guess he'll get the lesson. You ken count on +me. You've put me on the right track, I believe. I knew if any one could +help me, you'd be able to. Nobody knows what's in you better'n I do. +You're smarter'n any one I know, and I know a few who think they're real +smart--" + +In this vein he continued soothing his daughter's pride, and yet +speaking in an even, impersonal tone, as if merely stating facts. + +"Now I've got to go. Prentiss'll be waiting for me at the office." + +While driving to the office, Mr. Gulmore's thoughts, at first, were with +his daughter. "I don't know why, but I suspicioned that. That's why she +left the University before graduatin', an' talked of goin' East, and +makin' a name for herself on the stage. That Professor's foolish. Ida's +smart and pretty, and she'll have a heap of money some day. The ring +has a few contracts on hand still--he's a fool. How she talked: she +remembered all that lecture--every word; but she's young yet. She'd have +given herself away if I hadn't stopped her. I don't like any one to do +that; it's weak. But she means business every time, just as I do; she +means him to be fired right out, and then she'd probably go and cry over +him, and want me to put him back again. But no. I guess not. That's not +the way I work. I'd be willin' for him to stay away, and leave me alone, +but as she wants him punished, he shall be, and she mustn't interfere +at the end. It'll do her good to find out that things can't both be done +and undone, if she's that sort. But p'r'aps she won't want to undo +them. When their pride's hurt women are mighty hard--harder than men +by far.... I wonder how long it'll take to get this Campbell to move. I +must start right in; I hain't got much time." + +As soon as her father left her, Miss Ida hurried to her own room, in +order to recover from her agitation, and to remove all traces of it. She +was an only child, and had accordingly a sense of her own importance, +which happened to be uncorrected by physical deficiencies. Not that +she was astonishingly beautiful, but she was tall and just good-looking +enough to allow her to consider herself a beauty. Her chief attraction +was her form, which, if somewhat flat-chested, had a feline flexibility +rarer and more seductive than she imagined. She was content to believe +that nature had fashioned her to play the part in life which, she knew, +was hers of right. Her name, even, was most appropriate--dignified. Ida +should be queen-like, stately; the oval of her face should be long, and +not round, and her complexion should be pallid; colour in the cheeks +made one look common. Her dark hair, too, pleased her; everything, in +fact, save her eyes; they were of a nameless, agate-like hue, and she +would have preferred them to be violet That would have given her face +the charm of unexpectedness, which she acknowledged was in itself a +distinction. And Miss Ida loved everything that conduced to distinction, +everything that flattered her pride with a sense of her own superiority. +It seemed as if her mother's narrowness of nature had confined and shot, +so to speak, all the passions and powers of the father into this one +characteristic of the daughter. That her father had risen to influence +and riches by his own ability did not satisfy her. She had always felt +that the Hutchingses and the society to which they belonged, persons who +had been well educated for generations, and who had always been more or +less well off, formed a higher class. It was the longing to become one +of them that had impelled her to study with might and main. Even in +her school-days she had recognized that this was the road to social +eminence. The struggle had been arduous. In the Puritan surroundings of +middle-class life her want of religious training and belief had almost +made a pariah of the proud, high-tempered girl, and when as a clever +student of the University and a daughter of one of the richest and most +powerful men in the State, she came into a circle that cared as little +about Christian dogmas as she did, she attributed the comparative +coolness with which her companions treated her, to her father's want of +education, rather than to the true cause, her own domineering temper. As +she had hated her childish playmates, who, instructed by their mothers, +held aloof from the infidel, so she had grown to detest the associates +of her girlhood, whose parents seemed, by virtue of manners and +education, superior to hers. The aversion was acrid with envy, and had +fastened from the beginning on her competitor as a student and her rival +in beauty, Miss May Hutchings. Her animosity was intensified by the fact +that, when they entered the Sophomore class together, Miss May had made +her acquaintance, had tried to become friends with her, and then, for +some inscrutable reason, had drawn coldly away. By dint of working twice +as hard as May, Ida had managed to outstrip her, and to begin the Junior +year as the first of the class; but all the while she was conscious that +her success was due to labour, and not to a larger intelligence. And +with the coming of the new professor of Greek, this superiority, her one +consolation, was called in question. + +Professor Roberts had brought about a revolution in the University. He +was young and passionately devoted to his work; had won his Doctor's +degree at Berlin _summa cum laude_, and his pupils soon felt that +he represented a standard of knowledge higher than they had hitherto +imagined as attainable, and yet one which, he insisted, was common +in the older civilization of Europe. It was this nettling comparison, +enforced by his mastery of difficulties, which first aroused the ardour +of his scholars. In less than a year they passed from the level of +youths in a high school to that of University students. On the best +heads his influence was magical. His learning and enthusiasm quickened +their reverence for scholarship, but it was his critical faculty which +opened to them the world of art, and nerved them to emulation. + +"Until one realizes the shortcomings of a master," he said in a lecture, +"it is impossible to understand him or to take the beauty of his works +to heart When Sophocles repeats himself--the Electra is but a feeble +study for the Antigone, or possibly a feeble copy of it--we get near the +man; the limitations of his outlook are characteristic: when he +deforms his Ajax with a tag of political partisanship, his servitude to +surroundings defines his conscience as an artist; and when painting by +contrasts he poses the weak Ismene and Chrysothemis as foils to their +heroic sisters, we see that his dramatic power in the essential was +rudimentary. Yet Mr. Matthew Arnold, a living English poet, writes that +Sophocles 'saw life steadily and saw it whole.' This is true of no man, +not of Shakespeare nor of Goethe, much less of Sophocles or Racine. The +phrase itself is as offensively out of date as the First Commandment." +The bold, incisive criticism had a singular fascination for his hearers, +who were too young to remark in it the crudeness that usually attaches +to originality. + +Miss Hutchings was the first of the senior students to yield herself to +the new influence. In the beginning Miss Gulmore was not attracted by +Professor Roberts; she thought him insignificant physically; he was neat +of dress too, and ingenuously eager in manner--all of which conflicted +with her ideal of manhood. It was but slowly that she awoke to a +consciousness of his merits, and her awakening was due perhaps as much +to jealousy of May Hutchings as to the conviction that with Professor +Roberts for a husband she would realize her social ambitions. Suddenly +she became aware that May was passing her in knowledge of Greek, and was +thus winning the notice of the man she had begun to look upon as worthy +of her own choice. Ida at once addressed herself to the struggle with +all the energy of her nature, but at first without success. It was +evident that May was working as she had never worked before, for as the +weeks flew by she seemed to increase her advantage. During this period +Ida Gulmore's pride suffered tortures; day by day she understood more +clearly that the prize of her life was slipping out of reach. In +mind and soul now she realized Roberts' daring and charm. With the +intensified perceptions of a jealous woman, she sometimes feared that he +sympathized with her rival. + +But he had not spoken yet; of that she was sure, and her conceit enabled +her to hope desperately. A moment arrived when her hatred of May was +sweetened by contempt. For some reason or other May was neglecting her +work; when spoken to by the Professor her colour came and went, and a +shyness, visible to all, wrapped her in confusion. Ida felt that there +was no time to be lost, and increased her exertions. As she thought of +her position she determined first to surpass her competitor, and then in +some way or other to bring the Professor to speech. But, alas! for +her plans. One morning she demonstrated her superiority with cruel +clearness, only to find that Roberts, self-absorbed, did not notice her. +He seemed to have lost the vivid interest in the work which aforetime +had characterized him, and the happiness of the man was only less +tell-tale than the pretty contentment and demure approval of all he said +which May scarcely tried to conceal. Wild with fear, blinded by temper, +Ida resolved to know the truth. + +One morning when the others left the room she waited, busying herself +apparently with some notes, till the Professor returned, as she knew he +would, in time to receive the next class. While gathering up her books, +she asked abruptly: + +"I suppose I should congratulate you, Professor?" + +"I don't think I understand you." + +"Yes, you do. Why lie? You are engaged to May Hutchings," and the girl +looked at him with flaming eyes. + +"I don't know why you should ask me, or why I should answer, but we have +no motive for concealment--yes, I am." + +His words were decisive; his reverence for May and her affection had +been wounded by the insolent challenge, but before he finished speaking +his manner became considerate. He was quick to feel the pain of others +and shrank from adding to it--these, indeed, were the two chief articles +of the unformulated creed which directed his actions. His optimism was +of youth and superficial, but the sense of the brotherhood of human +suffering touched his heart in a way that made compassion and tenderness +appear to him to be the highest and simplest of duties. It was Ida's +temper that answered his avowal. Still staring at him she burst into +loud laughter, and as he turned away her tuneless mirth grew shriller +and shriller till it became hysterical. A frightened effort to regain +her self-control, and her voice broke in something like a sob, while +tears trembled on her lashes. The Professor's head was bent over +his desk and he saw nothing. Ida dashed the tears from her eyes +ostentatiously, and walked with shaking limbs out of the room. She would +have liked to laugh again scornfully before closing the door, but she +dared not trust her nerves. From that moment she tried to hate Professor +Roberts as she hated May Hutchings, for her disappointment had been very +sore, and the hurt to her pride smarted like a burn. On returning home, +she told her father that she had taken her name off the books of the +University; she meant to be an actress, and a degree could be of no use +to her in her new career. Her father did not oppose her openly; he was +content to postpone any decisive step, and in a few days she seemed to +have abandoned her project. But time brought no mitigation of her spite. +She was tenacious by nature, and her jealous rage came back upon her in +wild fits. To be outdone by May Hutchings was intolerable. Besides, the +rivalry and triumphs of the class-room had been as the salt of life to +her; now she had nothing to do, nothing to occupy her affections or give +object to her feverish ambition. And the void of her life she laid to +the charge of Roberts. So when the time came and the temptation, she +struck as those strike who are tortured by pain. + +Alone in her room, she justified to herself what she had done. She +thought with pleasure of Professor Roberts' approaching defeat +and punishment. "He deserves it, and more! He knows why I left the +University; drew myself away from him for ever. What does he care for my +suffering? He can't leave me in peace. I wasn't good enough for him, and +my father isn't honest enough. Oh, that I were a man! I'd teach him that +it was dangerous to insult the wretched. + +"How I was mistaken in him! He has no delicacy, no true manliness of +character. I'm glad he has thrown down the challenge. Father may not be +well-educated nor refined, but he's strong. Professor Roberts shall +find out what it means to attack _us_. I hope he'll be turned out of the +University; I hope he will. Let me think. I have a copy of that lecture +of his; perhaps there's something in it worse than I remembered. At any +rate, the report will be proof." + +She searched hurriedly, and soon found the newspaper account she wanted. +Glancing down the column with feverish eagerness, she burst out: "Here +it is; this will do. I knew there was something more." + +"... Thus the great ones contribute, each his part, towards the +humanization of man. Christ and Buddha are our teachers, but so also, +and in no lower degree, are Plato, Dante, Goethe, and Shakespeare.... + +"But strange to say, the _Divina Commedia_ seems to us moderns more +remote than the speculations of Plato. For the modern world is founded +upon science, and may be said to begin with the experimental philosophy +of Bacon. The thoughts of Plato, the 'fair humanities' of Greek +religion, are nearer to the scientific spirit than the untutored +imaginings of Christ. The world to-day seeks its rule of life in exact +knowledge of man and his surroundings; its teachers, high-priests in +the temple of Truth, are the Darwins, the Bunsens, the Pasteurs. In the +place of God we see Law, and the old concept of rewards and punishments +has been re-stated as 'the survival of the fittest,' If, on the other +hand, you need emotions, and the inspiration of concrete teaching, you +must go to Balzac, to Turgenief, and to Ibsen...." + +"I think that'll do," said the girl half-aloud as she marked the above +passages, and then sent the paper by a servant to her father's office. +"The worst of it is, he'll find another place easily; but, at any rate, +he'll have to leave this State.... How well I remember that lecture. I +thought no one had ever talked like that before. But the people disliked +it, and even those who stayed to the end said they wouldn't have come +had they known that a professor could speak against Christianity. How +mad they made me then! I wouldn't listen to them, and now--now he's with +May Hutchings, perhaps laughing at me with her. Or, if he's not so base +as that, he's accusing my father of dishonesty, and I mean to defend +him. But if, ah, if--" and the girl rose to her feet suddenly, with +paling face. + +The house of Lawyer Hutchings was commodious and comfortable. It was +only two storeys high, and its breadth made it appear squat; it was +solidly built of rough, brown stone, and a large wooden verandah gave +shade and a lounging-place in front. It stood in its own grounds on the +outskirts of the town, not far from Mr. Gulmore's, but it lacked the +towers and greenhouse, the brick stables, and black iron gates, which +made Mr. Gulmore's residence an object of public admiration. It had, +indeed, a careless, homelike air, as of a building that disdains show, +standing sturdily upon a consciousness of utility and worth. The study +of the master lay at the back. It was a room of medium size, with two +French windows, which gave upon an orchard of peach and apple-trees +where lush grass hid the fallen fruit. The furniture was plain and +serviceable. A few prints on the wall and a wainscoting of books showed +the owner's tastes. + +In this room one morning Lawyer Hutchings and Professor Roberts +sat talking. The lawyer was sparely built and tall, of sympathetic +appearance. The features of the face were refined and fairly regular, +the blue eyes pleasing, the high forehead intelligent-looking. +Yet--whether it was the querulous horizontal lines above the brows, or +the frequent, graceful gestures of the hands--Mr. Hutchings left on one +an impression of weakness, and, somehow or other, his precise way of +speaking suggested intellectual narrowness. It was understood, however, +that he had passed through Harvard with honours, and had done well in +the law-course. It is, therefore, not to be wondered at that when he +went West, he went with the idea that that was the shortest way to +Washington. Yet he had had but a moderate degree of success; he was too +thoroughly grounded in his work not to get a good practice, but he was +not the first in his profession. He had been outdone by men who fought +their cases, and his popularity was due to affable manners, and not to +admiration of his power or talents. His obvious good nature had got +with years a tinge of discontent; life had been to him a series of +disappointments. + +One glance at Professor Roberts showed him to be a different sort of +a man, though perhaps harder to read. Square shoulders and attenuated +figure--a mixture of energy and nervous force without muscular strength; +a tyrannous forehead overshadowing lambent hazel eyes; a cordial +frankness of manner with a thinker's tricks of gesture, his nervous +fingers emphasizing his words. + +Their talk was of an article assailing the Professor that had appeared +that morning in "The Republican Herald." + +"I don't like it," Mr. Hutchings was saying. "It's inspired by Gulmore, +and he always means what he says--and something more." + +"Except the suggestion that my father had certain good, or rather bad, +reasons for leaving Kentucky, it seems to me merely spiteful. It's very +vilely written." + +"He only begins with your father. Then he wonders what the real motives +are which induce you to change your political creed. But the affectation +of fairness is the danger signal. One can't imagine Gulmore hesitating +to assert what he has heard, that you have no religious principles. +Coming from him, that means a declaration of war; he'll attack you +without scruple--persistently. It's well known that he cares nothing +for religion--even his wife's a Unitarian. What he's aiming at, I don't +know, but he's sure to do you harm. He has done me harm, and yet he +never gave me such a warning. He only went for me when I ran for office. +As soon as the elections were over, he left me in peace. He's eminently +practical, and rather good-natured. There's no small vicious malice or +hate in him; but he's overbearing and loves a fight. Is it worth your +while to make an enemy of him? We're sure to be beaten." + +"Of course it isn't worth my while in that sense, but it's my duty, I +think, as you think it yours. Remark, too, that I've never attacked +Mr. Gulmore--never even mentioned him. I've criticised the system, and +avoided personalities." + +"He won't take it in that way. He is the system; when you criticise it, +you criticise him. Every one will so understand it. He makes all the +appointments, from mayor down to the boy who sweeps out an office; every +contract is given to him or his appointees; that's how he has made his +fortune. Why, he beat me the second time I ran for District Court Judge, +by getting an Irishman, the Chairman of my Committee, to desert me at +the last moment. He afterwards got Patrick Byrne elected a Justice of +the Peace, a man who knows no law and can scarcely sign his own name." + +"How disgraceful! And you would have me sit down quietly under the +despotism of Mr. Gulmore? And such a despotism! It cost the city half a +million dollars to pave the streets, and I can prove that the work +could have been done as well for half the sum. Our democratic system of +government is the worst in the world, if a tenth part of what I hear +is true; and before I admit that, I'll see whether its abuses are +corrigible. But why do you say we're sure to be beaten? I thought you +said--" + +"Yes," Mr. Hutchings interrupted, "I said that this railway extension +gives us a chance. All the workmen are Irishmen, Democrats to a man, +who'll vote and vote straight, and that has been our weak point. You +can't get one-half the better classes to go to the polls. The negroes +all vote, too, and vote Republican--that has been Gulmore's strength. +Now I've got the Irishmen against his negroes I may win. But what I feel +is that even if I do get to be Mayor, you'll suffer for it more than I +shall gain by your help. Do you see? And, now that I'm employed by the +Union Pacific I don't care much for city politics. I'd almost prefer +to give up the candidature. May'll suffer, too. I think you ought to +consider the matter before going any further." + +"This is not the time for consideration. Like you I am trying to put +an end to a corrupt tyranny. I work and shall vote against a venal and +degrading system. May and I will bear what we must. She wouldn't have +me run away from such adversaries. Fancy being governed by the most +ignorant, led on by the most dishonest! It's incomprehensible to me how +such a paradoxical infamy can exist." + +"I think it'll become comprehensible to you before this election's over. +I've done my best for years to alter it, and so far I've not been very +successful. You don't seem to understand that where parties are almost +equal in strength, a man who'll spend money is sure to win. It has paid +Gulmore to organize the Republican party in this city; he has made +it pay him and all those who hold office by and through him. 'To the +victors, the spoils.' Those who have done the spoiling are able to pay +more than the spoiled--that's all." + +"Yes, but in this case the spoilers are a handful, while the spoiled are +the vast majority. Why should it be impossible to convince the majority +that they're being robbed?" + +"Because ideas can't get into the heads of negroes, nor yet into the +heads of illiterate Irishmen. You'll find, too, that five Americans out +of every ten take no interest in ordinary politics, and the five who +do are of the lowest class--a Boss is their natural master. Our party +politics, my friend, resembles a game of faro--the card that happens to +be in the box against the same card outside--and the banker holding the +box usually manages to win. Let me once get power and Gulmore'll find +his labour unremunerative. If it hadn't been for him I'd have been in +Congress long ago. But now I'll have to leave you. Talk it over with May +and--you see that Gulmore challenges you to prove the corruption or else +withdraw the imputation? What do you mean to do?" + +"I'll prove it, of course. Long before I spoke I had gone into that +paving contract; it was clearly a fraud." + +"Well, I'd think, if I were you, before I acted, though you're a great +help to me; your last speech was very powerful." + +"Unfortunately I'm no speaker, but I'll do as well as I can, and you +may rely on me to go on to the end. The rich at least must be forced +to refrain from robbing the poor.... That malicious sneer at my father +hurts me. It can only mean that he owed money in Kentucky. He was always +careless in money matters, too careless, but he's very generous at +heart. I owe him everything. I'll find out about it at once, and if it +is as I fear, the debt shall be paid. That'll be one good result of +Mr. Gul-more's malice. As for me, let him do his worst. At any rate I'm +forewarned." + +"A poor satisfaction in case--but here's May, and I must go. I've stayed +too long already. You should look through our ticket; it's strong, the +men are all good, I think--anyway, they're the best we can get. Teach +him to be careful, May; he's too bold." + +"I will, father," replied a clear, girlish voice; "it's mother who +spoils him," and then, as the door shut, she moved to her lover, and +holding out both her hands, with a little air of dignity, added, "He +tries to spoil _me_. But, dear, what's the matter? You seem annoyed." + +"It's nothing. An article in that paper strikes at my father, and hurts +me; but it can be made right, and to look at you is a cure for pain." + +"Let me read it--no, please! I want to help you, and how can I do that +if I don't know what pains you?" The girl took the "Herald "and sat down +to read it. + +May Hutchings was more than good-looking, were it only by reason of +a complexion such as is seldom given even to blondes. The inside of a +sea-shell has the same lustre and delicacy, but it does not pale and +flush as did May's cheeks in quick response to her emotions. Waves of +maize-coloured hair with a sheen of its own went with the fairness of +the skin, and the pretty features were redeemed from a suspicion of +insipidity by large violet eyes. She was of good height and lissom, with +small feet and hands, but the outlines of her figure were Southern in +grace and fulness. + +After reading the article, she put down the paper without saying a word + +"Why, May, you seem to take it as seriously as your father does. It's +nothing so very terrible, is it?" + +"What did father say?" + +"That it was inspired by Gulmore, and that he was a dangerous man; but +I don't see much in it. If my father owed money in Kentucky it shall be +repaid, and there the matter ends." + +"'Tisn't that I'm troubling about; it's that lecture of yours. Oh, it +was wonderful! but I sat trembling all the time. You don't know the +people. If they had understood it better, they'd have made a big fuss +about it. I'm frightened now." + +"But what fuss can they make? I've surely a right to my own opinions, +and I didn't criticise any creed offensively." + +"That's it--that's what saved you. Oh, I wish you'd see it as I do! You +spoke so enthusiastically about Jesus, that you confused them. A lot +of them thought, and think still, that you're a Christian. But if it's +brought up again and made clear to them--Won't you understand? If it's +made quite clear that Jesus to you was only a man, and not superior +even to all other men, and that you believe Christianity has served +its purpose, and is now doing harm rather than good in the world, why, +they'd not want to have you in the University. Don't you know that?" + +"Perhaps you're right," returned the Professor thoughtfully. "You see +I wasn't brought up in any creed, and I've lived in so completely +different an atmosphere for years past, that it's hard to understand +such intolerant bigotry. I remember enough, though, to see that you +are right. But, after all, what does it matter? I can't play hypocrite +because they're blind fanatics." + +"No, but you needn't have gone _quite_ so far--been _quite_ so frank; +and even now you might easily--" She stopped, catching a look of +surprise in her lover's face, and sought confusedly to blot out the +effect of her last words. "I mean--but of course you know best. I want +you to keep your place; you love the work, and no one could do it so +well as you. No one, and--" + +"It doesn't matter, May. I'm sure you were thinking of what would be +best for both of us, but I've nothing to alter or extenuate. They must +do as they think fit, these Christians, if they have the power. After +all, it can make no difference to us; I can always get work enough +to keep us, even if it isn't such congenial work. But do you think +Gulmore's at the bottom of it? Has he so much influence?" + +"Yes, I think so," and the girl nodded her head, but she did not give +the reasons for her opinion. She knew that Ida Gulmore had been in love +with him, so she shrank instinctively from mentioning her name, partly +because it might make him pity her, and partly because the love +of another woman for him seemed to diminish her pride of exclusive +possession. She therefore kept silence while seeking for a way to warn +her lover without revealing the truth, which might set him thinking of +Ida Gulmore and her fascinating because unrequited passion. At length +she said: + +"Mr. Gulmore has injured father. He knows him: you'd better take his +opinion." + +"Your father advises me to have nothing more to do with the election." +He didn't say it to try her; he trusted her completely. The girl's +answer was emphatic: + +"Oh, that's what you should do; I'm frightened for you. Why need you +make enemies? The election isn't worth that, indeed it isn't. If father +wants to run for Mayor, let him; he knows what he's about. But you, you +should do great things, write a great book; and make every one as proud +of you as I am." Her face flushed with enthusiasm. She felt relieved, +too; somehow she had got into the spirit of her part once more. But her +lover took the hot face and eager speech as signs of affection, and he +drew her to him while his face lit up with joy. + +"You darling, darling! You overrate me, dear, but that does me good: +makes me work harder. What a pity it is, May, that one can't add a cubit +to his stature. I'd be a giant then.... But never fear; it'll be all +right. You wouldn't wish me, I'm sure, to run away from a conflict I +have provoked; but now I must see my father about those debts, and then +we'll have a drive, or perhaps you'd go with me to him. You could wait +in the buggy for me. You know I have to speak again this evening." + +The girl consented at once, but she was not satisfied with the decision +her lover had come to. "It's too plain," she thought in her clear, +common-sense way, "that he's getting into a 'fuss' when he might just as +well, or better, keep out of it." + +May was eminently practical, and not at all as emotional as one might +have inferred from the sensitive, quick-changing colour that at one +moment flushed her cheeks and at another ebbed, leaving her pallid, as +with passion. Not that she was hardhearted or selfish. Far from it. But +her surroundings had moulded her as they do women. Her mother had been +one of the belles of Baltimore, a Southerner, too, by temperament May +had a brother and a sister older than herself (both were now married), +and a younger brother who had taken care that she should not be spoiled +for want of direct personal criticism. It was this younger brother, Joe, +who first called her "Towhead," and even now he often made disparaging +remarks about "girls who didn't weigh 130"--in Joe's eyes, a Venus of +Rubens would have seemed perfect. May was not vain of her looks; indeed, +she had only come to take pleasure in them of recent years. As a young +girl, comparing herself with her mother, she feared that she would +always be "quite homely." Her glass and the attentions of men had +gradually shown her the pleasant truth. She did not, however, even now, +overrate her beauty greatly. But her character had been modified +to advantage in those schoolgirl days, when, with bitter tears, she +admitted to herself that she was not pretty. Her teacher's praise of her +quickness and memory had taught her to set her pride on learning. And +indeed she had been an intelligent child, gifted with a sponge-like +faculty of assimilating all kinds of knowledge--the result, perhaps, of +generations of educated forbears. The admiration paid to her looks +did not cause her to relax her intellectual efforts. But when at the +University she found herself outgrowing the ordinary standards of +opinion, conceit at first took possession of her. It seemed to her +manifest that she had always underrated herself. She was astonished by +her own excessive modesty, and keenly interested in it. She had thought +herself ugly and she was beautiful, and now it was evident that she was +a genius as well. With soul mightily uplifted by dreams of all she would +do and the high part she would play in life, always nobly serious, yet +with condescension of exquisite charming kindliness, taking herself +gravely for a perfect product of the race and time, she proceeded to +write the book which should discover to mankind all her qualities--the +delicacy, nobility, and sweetness of an ideal nature. + +During this period she even tried to treat Joe with sweet courtesy, but +Joe told her not to make herself "more of a doggoned fool" than she +was. And soon the dream began to lose its brightness. The book would not +advance, and what she wrote did not seem to her wonderful--not inspired +and fascinating as it ought to have been. Her reading had given her some +slight critical insight. She then showed parts of it to her admirers, +hoping thus to justify vanity, but they used the occasion to pay +irrelevant compliments, and so disappointed her--all, save Will +Thornton, who admitted critically that "it was poetic" and guessed "she +ought to write poetry." Accordingly she wrote some lyrics, and one on +"Vanished Hopes" really pleased her. Forthwith she read it to Will, who +decided "'twas fine, mighty fine. Tennyson had written more, of course, +but nothing better--nothing easier to understand." + +That last phrase killed her trust in him. She sank into despondence. +Even when Ida Gul-more, whom she had learned to dislike, began to +outshine her in the class, she made no effort. To graduate first of her +year appeared a contemptible ambition in comparison with the dreams she +had foregone. About this period she took a new interest in her dress; +she grew coquettish even, and became a greater favourite than ever. +Then Professor Roberts came to the University, and with his coming life +opened itself to her anew, vitalized with hopes and fears. She was drawn +to him from the first, as spirit is sometimes drawn to spirit, by an +attraction so imperious that it frightened her, and she tried to hold +herself away from him. But in her heart she knew that she studied and +read only to win his praise. His talents revealed to her the futility of +her ambition. Here was one who stood upon the heights beyond her power +of climbing, and yet, to her astonishment, he was very doubtful of +his ability to gain enduring reputation. Not only was there a plane of +knowledge and feeling above the conventional--that she had found out by +herself--but there were also table-lands where teachers of repute in the +valley were held to be blind guides. Her quick receptivity absorbed +the new ideas with eagerness; but she no longer deluded herself. Her +practical good sense came to her aid. What seemed difficult or doubtful +to the Professor must, she knew, be for ever impossible to her. And +already love was upon her, making her humility as sweet as was her +admiration. At last he spoke, and life became altogether beautiful to +her. As she learned to know him intimately she began to understand his +un-worldliness, his scholar-like idealism, and ignorance of men and +motives, and thus she came to self-possession again, and found her true +mission. She realized with joy, and a delightful sense of an assured +purpose in life, that her faculty of observation and practical insight, +though insufficient as "bases for Eternity," would be of value to +her lover. And if she now and then fell back into the part of a +nineteenth-century Antigone, it was but a momentary relapse into what +had been for a year or so a dear familiar habit The heart of the girl +grew and expanded in the belief that her new _role_ of counsellor and +worldly guide to her husband was the highest to which any woman could +attain. + +A few days later Mr. Hutchings had another confidential talk with +Professor Roberts, and, as before, the subject was suggested by an +article in "The Republican Herald." This paper, indeed, devoted a column +or so every day to personal criticism of the Professor, and each attack +surpassed its forerunner in virulence of invective. All the young man's +qualities of character came out under this storm of unmerited abuse. +He read everything that his opponents put forth, replied to nothing, in +spite of the continual solicitation of the editor of "The Democrat," +and seemed very soon to regard "The Herald's" calumnies merely from the +humorous side. Meanwhile his own speeches grew in knowledge and vigour. +With a scholar's precision he put before his hearers the inner history +and significance of job after job. His powers of study helped him to +"get up his cases" with crushing completeness. He quickly realized the +value of catch-words, but his epigrams not being hardened in the fire of +life refused to stick. He did better when he published the balance-sheet +of the "ring" in pamphlet form, and showed that each householder paid +about one hundred and fifty dollars a year, or twice as much as all his +legal taxes, in order to support a party organization the sole object +of which was to enrich a few at the expense of the many. One job, in +especial, the contract for paving the streets, he stigmatized as a +swindle, and asserted that the District Attorney, had he done his duty, +would long ago have brought the Mayor and Town Council before a criminal +court as parties to a notorious fraud. His ability, steadfastness, and +self-restraint had had a very real effect; his meetings were always +crowded, and his hearers were not all Democrats. His courage and +fighting power were beginning to win him general admiration. The public +took a lively though impartial interest in the contest. To critical +outsiders it seemed not unlikely that the Professor (a word of +good-humoured contempt) might "whip" even "old man Gulmore." Bets were +made on the result and short odds accepted. Even Mr. Hutchings allowed +himself to hope for a favourable issue. + +"You've done wonderfully well," was the burden of his conversations with +Roberts; "I should feel certain of success against any one but Gulmore. +And he seems to be losing his head--his perpetual abuse excites sympathy +with you. If we win I shall owe it mainly to you." + +But on this particular morning Lawyer Hutchings had something to say to +his friend and helper which he did not like to put into plain words. He +began abruptly: + +"You've seen the 'Herald'?" + +"Yes; there's nothing in it of interest, is there?" + +"No; but 'twas foolish of your father to write that letter saying you +had paid his Kentucky debts." + +"I was sorry when I saw it. I know they'll say I got him to write the +letter. But it's only another incident." + +"It's true, then? You did pay the money?" + +"Yes; I was glad to." + +"But it was folly. What had you to do with your father's debts? Every +house to-day should stand on its own foundation." + +"I don't agree with you; but in this case there was no question of +that sort. My father very generously impoverished himself to send me +to Europe and keep me there for six years. I owed him the five thousand +dollars, and was only too glad to be able to repay him. You'd have done +the same." + +"Would I, indeed! Five thousand dollars! I'm not so sure of that." The +father's irritation conquered certain grateful memories of his +younger days, and the admiration which, in his heart, he felt for the +Professor's action, only increased his annoyance. "It must have nearly +cleaned you out?" + +"Very nearly." + +"Well, of course it's your affair, not mine; but I think you foolish. +You paid them in full, I suppose? Whew! + +"Do you see that the 'Herald' calls upon the University authorities to +take action upon your lecture? 'The teaching of Christian youth by an +Atheist must be stopped,' and so forth." + +"Yes; but they can do nothing. I'm not responsible to them for my +religious opinions." + +"You're mistaken. A vote of the Faculty can discharge you." + +"Impossible! On what grounds?" + +"On the ground of immorality. They've got the power in that case. It's a +loose word, but effective." + +"I'd have a cause of action against them." + +"Which you'd be sure to lose. Eleven out of every twelve jurymen in this +state would mulct an Agnostic rather than give him damages." + +"Ah! that's the meaning, then, I suppose, of this notice I've just +got from the secretary to attend a special Faculty meeting on Monday +fortnight." + +"Let me see it. Why, here it is! The object of the meeting is 'To +consider the anti-Christian utterances of Professor Roberts, and to take +action thereon.' That's the challenge. Didn't you read it?" + +"No; as soon as I opened it and saw the printed form, I took it for the +usual notification, and put it aside to think of this election work. But +it would seem as if the Faculty intended to out-herald the 'Herald.'" + +"They are simply allowed to act first in order that the 'Herald,' a +day later, may applaud them. It's all worked by Gulmore, and I tell you +again, he's dangerous." + +"He may be; but I won't change for abuse, nor yet to keep my post. Let +him do his worst. I've not attacked him hitherto for certain reasons of +my own, nor do I mean to now. But he can't frighten me; he'll find that +out." + +"Well, we'll see. But, at any rate, it was my duty to warn you. It +would be different if I were rich, but, as it is, I can only give May a +little, and--" + +"My dear Hutchings, don't let us talk of that. In giving me May, you +give me all I want." The young man's tone was so conclusive that it +closed the conversation. + +Mr. Gulmore had not been trained for a political career. He had begun +life as a clerk in a hardware store in his native town. But in his early +manhood the Abolition agitation had moved him deeply--the colour of his +skin, he felt, would never have made him accept slavery--and he became +known as a man of extreme views. Before he was thirty he had managed to +save some thousands of dollars. He married and emigrated to Columbus, +Ohio, where he set up a business. It was there, in the stirring years +before the war, that he first threw himself into politics; he laboured +indefatigably as an Abolitionist without hope or desire of personal +gain. But the work came to have a fascination for him, and he saw +possibilities in it of pecuniary emolument such as the hardware business +did not afford. When the war was over, and he found himself scarcely +richer than he had been before it began, he sold his store and emigrated +again--this time to Tecumseh, Nebraska, intending to make political +organization the business of his life. He wanted "to grow up" with +a town and become its master from the beginning. As the negroes +constituted the most ignorant and most despised class, a little +solicitation made him their leader. In the first election it was found +that "Gulmore's negroes" voted to a man, and that he thereby controlled +the Republican party. In the second year of his residence in Tecumseh he +got the contract for lighting the town with gas. The contract was to +run for twenty years, and was excessively liberal, for Mr. Gulmore had +practically no competitor, no one who understood gas manufacture, and +who had the money and pluck to embark in the enterprise. He quickly +formed a syndicate, and fulfilled the conditions of the contract. The +capital was fixed at two hundred thousand dollars, and the syndicate +earned a profit of nearly forty per cent, in the first year. Ten years +later a one hundred dollar share was worth a thousand. This first +success was the foundation of Mr. Gulmore's fortune. The income derived +from the gas-works enabled him to spend money on the organization of his +party. The first manager of the works was rewarded with the position of +Town Clerk--an appointment which ran for five years, but which under Mr. +Gulmore's rule was practically permanent. His foremen became the most +energetic of ward-chairmen. He was known to pay well, and to be a kind +if strenuous master. What he had gained in ten years by the various +contracts allotted to him or his nominees no one could guess; he was +certainly very rich. From year to year, too, his control of the city +government had grown more complete. There was now no place in the civil +or judicial establishment of the city or county which did not depend on +his will, and his influence throughout the State was enormous. + +A municipal election, or, indeed, any election, afforded Mr. Gulmore +many opportunities of quiet but intense self-satisfaction. He loved +the struggle and the consciousness that from his office-chair he had so +directed his forces that victory was assured. He always allowed a broad +margin in order to cover the unforeseen. Chance, and even ill-luck, +formed a part of his strategy; the sore throat of an eloquent speaker; +the illness of a popular candidate; a storm on polling-day--all were to +him factors in the problem. He reckoned as if his opponents might have +all the luck upon their side; but, while considering the utmost malice +of fortune, it was his delight to base his calculations upon the +probable, and to find them year by year approaching more nearly +to absolute exactitude. As soon as his ward-organization had been +completed, he could estimate the votes of his party within a dozen or +so. His plan was to treat every contest seriously, to bring all his +forces to the poll on every occasion--nothing kept men together, he used +to say, like victory. It was the number of his opponent's minority which +chiefly interested him; but by studying the various elections carefully, +he came to know better than any one the value as a popular candidate of +every politician in the capital, or, indeed, in the State. The talent of +the man for organization lay in his knowledge of men, his fairness and +liberality, and, perhaps, to a certain extent, in the power he possessed +of inspiring others with confidence in himself and his measures. He was +never satisfied till the fittest man in each ward was the Chairman of +the ward; and if money would not buy that particular man's services, +as sometimes though rarely happened, he never rested until he found the +gratification which bound his energy to the cause. Besides--and this was +no small element in his successes--his temper disdained the applause of +the crowd. He had never "run" for any office himself, and was not nearly +so well known to the mass of the electorate as many of his creatures. +The senator, like the mayor or office-messenger of his choice, got +all the glory: Mr. Gulmore was satisfied with winning the victory, and +reaping the fruits of it. He therefore excited, comparatively speaking, +no jealousy; and this, together with the strength of his position, +accounts for the fact that he had never been seriously opposed before +Professor Roberts came upon the scene. + +Better far than Lawyer Hutchings, or any one else, Mr. Gulmore knew that +the relative strength of the two parties had altered vastly within the +year. Reckoning up his forces at the beginning of the campaign, he felt +certain that he could win--could carry his whole ticket, including a +rather unpopular Mayor; but the majority in his favour would be small, +and the prospect did not please him, for the Professor's speeches had +aroused envy. He understood that if his majority were not overwhelming +he would be assailed again next year more violently, and must in the +long run inevitably lose his power. Besides, "fat" contracts required +unquestionable supremacy. He began, therefore, by instituting such +a newspaper-attack upon the Professor as he hoped would force him to +abandon the struggle. When this failed, and Mr. Gulmore saw that it had +done worse than fail, that it had increased his opponent's energy and +added to his popularity, he went to work again to consider the whole +situation. He must win and win "big," that was clear; win too, if +possible, in a way that would show his "smartness" and demonstrate +his adversary's ignorance of the world. His anger had at length been +aroused; personal rivalry was a thing he could not tolerate at any time, +and Roberts had injured his position in the town. He was resolved to +give the young man such a lesson that others would be slow to follow his +example. The difficulty of the problem was one of its attractions. Again +and again he turned the question over in his mind--How was he to make +his triumph and the Professor's defeat sensational? All the factors were +present to him and he dwelt upon them with intentness. He was a man of +strong intellect; his mind was both large and quick, but its activity, +owing to want of education and to greedy physical desires, had been +limited to the ordinary facts and forces of life. What books are to most +persons gifted with an extraordinary intelligence, his fellow-men +were to Mr. Gulmore--a study at once stimulating and difficult, of +an incomparable variety and complexity. His lack of learning was of +advantage to him in judging most men. Their stock of ideas, sentiments +and desires had been his for years, and if he now viewed the patchwork +quilt of their morality with indulgent contempt, at least he was +familiar with all the constituent shades of it. But he could not make +the Professor out--and this added to his dislike of him; he recognized +that Roberts was not, as he had at first believed, a mere mouthpiece of +Hutchings, but he could not fathom his motives; besides, as he said to +himself, he had no need to; Roberts was plainly a "crank," book-mad, and +the species did not interest him. But Hutchings he knew well; knew that +like himself Hutchings, while despising ordinary prejudices, was ruled +by ordinary greeds and ambitions. In intellect they were both above +the average, but not in morals. So, by putting himself in the lawyer's +place, a possible solution of the problem occurred to him. + +A couple of days before the election, Mr. Hutchings, who had been hard +at work till the evening among his chief subordinates, was making his +way homeward when Mr. Prentiss accosted him, with the request that he +would accompany him to his rooms for a few minutes on a matter of the +utmost importance. Having no good reason for refusing, Mr. Hutchings +followed the editor of the "Herald" up a flight of stairs into a large +and comfortable room. As he entered and looked about him Mr. Gulmore +came forward: + +"I wanted a talk with you, Lawyer, where we wouldn't be disturbed, and +Prentiss thought it would be best to have it here, and I guess he was +about right. It's quiet and comfortable. Won't you be seated?" + +"Mr. Gulmore!" exclaimed the surprised lawyer stopping short. "I don't +think there's anything to be discussed between us, and as I'm in a hurry +to get home to dinner, I think I'll--" + +"Don't you make any mistake," interrupted Mr. Gulmore; "I mean +business--business that'll pay both you and me, and I guess 'twon't do +you any damage to take a seat and listen to me for a few minutes." + +As Lawyer Hutchings, overborne by the authority of the voice and manner, +sat down, he noticed that Mr. Prentiss had disappeared. Interpreting +rightly the other's glance, Mr. Gulmore began: + +"We're alone, Hutchin's. This matter shall be played fair and square. +I guess you know that my word can be taken at its face-value." Then, +settling himself in his chair, he went on: + +"You and I hev been runnin' on opposite tickets for a good many years, +and I've won right along. It has paid me to win and it has not paid you +to lose. Now, it's like this. You reckon that those Irishmen on the line +give you a better show. They do; but not enough to whip me. You appear +to think that that'll have to be tried the day after tomorrow, but you +ought to know by now that when I say a thing is so, it's so--every time. +If you had a chance, I'd tell you: I'm playin' square. I ken carry my +ticket from one end to the other; I ken carry Robinson as Mayor against +you by at least two hundred and fifty of a majority, and the rest of +your ticket has just no show at all--you know that. But, even if you +could get in this year or next what good would it do you to be Mayor? +You're not runnin' for the five thousand dollars a year salary, I +reckon, and that's about all you'd get--unless you worked with me. I +want a good Mayor, a man like you, of position and education, a fine +speaker that knows everybody and is well thought of--popular. Robinson's +not good enough for me; he hain't got the manners nor the knowledge, nor +the popularity. I'd have liked to have had you on my side right along. +It would have been better for both of us, but you were a Democrat, an' +there wasn't any necessity. Now there is. I want to win this election by +a large majority, an' you ken make that sartin. You see I speak square. +Will you join me?" + +The question was thrown out abruptly. Mr. Gul-more had caught a gleam in +the other's eye as he spoke of a good Mayor and his qualifications. "He +bites, I guess," was his inference, and accordingly he put the question +at once. + +Mr. Hutchings, brought to himself by the sudden interrogation, +hesitated, and decided to temporize. He could always refuse to join +forces, and Gulmore might "give himself away." He answered: + +"I don't quite see what you mean. How are we to join?" + +"By both of us givin' somethin'." + +"What am I to give?" + +"Withdraw your candidature for Mayor as a Democrat." + +"I can't do that." + +"Jest hear me out. The city has advertised for tenders for a new Court +House and a new Town Hall. The one building should cover both, and be +near the middle of the business part. That's so--ain't it? Well, land's +hard to get anywhere there, and I've the best lots in the town. I guess" +(carelessly) "the contract will run to a million dollars; that +should mean two hundred thousand dollars to some one. It's like this, +Hutchin's: Would you rather come in with me and make a joint tender, or +run for Mayor and be beaten?" + +Mr. Hutchings started. Ten years before the proposal would have won him. +But now his children were provided for--all except Joe, and his position +as Counsel to the Union Pacific Railroad lifted him above pecuniary +anxieties. Then the thought of the Professor and May came to him--No! he +wouldn't sell himself. But in some strange way the proposition excited +him; he felt elated. His quickened pulse-beats prevented him from +realizing the enormity of the proposed transaction, but he knew that +he ought to be indignant. What a pity it was that Gulmore had made no +proposal which he might have accepted--and then disclosed! + +"If I understand you, you propose that I should take up this contract, +and make money out of it. If that was your business with me, you've made +a mistake, and Professor Roberts is right." + +"Hev I?" asked Mr. Gulmore slowly, coldly, in sharp contrast to the +lawyer's apparent excitement and quick speech. Contemptuously he thought +that Hutchings was "foolisher" than he had imagined--or was he sincere? +He would have weighed this last possibility before speaking, if the +mention of Roberts had not angered him. His combativeness made him +persist: + +"If you don't want to come in with me, all you've got to do is to say +so. You've no call to get up on your hind legs about it; it's easy to +do settin'. But don't talk poppycock like that Professor; he's silly. He +talks about the contract for street pavin', and it ken be proved--'twas +proved in the 'Herald'--that our streets cost less per foot than the +streets of any town in this State. He knows nothin'. He don't even know +that an able man can make half a million out of a big contract, an' do +the work better than an ordinary man could do it who'd lose money by it +At a million our Court House'll be cheap; and if the Professor had the +contract with the plans accordin' to requirement to-morrow, he'd +make nothin' out of it--not a red cent. No, sir. If I ken, that's my +business--and yours, ain't it? Or, are we to work for nothin' because +he's a fool?" + +While Mr. Gulmore was speaking, Mr. Hutchings gave himself to thought. +After all, why was he running for Mayor? The place, as Gulmore said, +would be of no use to him. He was weary of fighting which only ended in +defeat, and could only end in a victory that would be worthless. Mayor, +indeed! If he had a chance of becoming a Member of Congress, that would +be different. And across his brain flitted the picture so often evoked +by imagination in earlier years. Why not? Gulmore could make it certain. +Would he? + +"What you say seems plausible enough, but I don't see my way. I don't +feel inclined to go into business at my time of life." + +"You don't need to go into the business. I'll see to that." + +"No. I don't need money now particularly." + +"Next year, Hutchin's, I'll have a better man than Robinson against you. +Lawyer Nevilson's as good as ken be found, I reckon, and he wouldn't +refuse to join me if I gave him the chance." But while he was speaking, +Mr. Gulmore kept his opponent's answer in view. He considered it +thoughtfully; "I don't need money now particularly." What did the +man need? Congress? As a Republican? That would do as well. When Mr. +Hutchings shook his head, careless of the menace, Mr. Gulmore made up +his mind. His obstinacy came out; he would win at any price. He began: + +"It's what I said at first, Hutchin's; we've each got to give what the +other wants. I've told you what I want; tell me squarely what you want, +an' p'r'aps the thing ken be settled." + +As Mr. Hutchings did not answer at once, the Boss went on: + +"You're in politics for somethin'. What is it? If you're goin' to buck +agen me, you might as well draw out; you'll do no good. You know that. +See here! Is it the State Legislature you're after, or--Congress?" + +The mere words excited Mr. Hutchings; he wanted to be back again in the +East as a victor; he longed for the cultivated amenities and the social +life of Washington. He could not help exclaiming: + +"Ah! if it hadn't been for you I'd have been in Congress long ago." + +"As a Democrat? Not from this State, I guess." + +"What does it matter? Democrat or Republican, the difference now is only +in the name." + +"The price is high, Hutchin's. I ask you to give up runnin' for Mayor, +and you ask me for a seat in Congress instead. But--I'll pay it, if you +do as I say. You've no chance in this State as a Democrat; you know that +yourself. To run for Mayor as a Democrat hurts you; that must stop right +now--in your own interest. But what I want from you is that you don't +announce your withdrawal till the day after to-morrow, an' meantime you +say nothin' to the Professor or any one else. Are you agreed?" + +Mr. Hutchings paused. The path of his desire lay open before him; the +opportunity was not to be missed; he grew eager. But still there was +something disagreeable in an action which demanded secrecy. He must +think coolly. What was the proposal? What was he giving? Nothing. He +didn't wish to be Mayor with Gulmore and all the City Council against +him. Nothing--except the withdrawal on the very morning of the election. +That would look bad, but he could pretend illness, and he had told the +Professor he didn't care to be Mayor; he had advised him not to mix in +the struggle; besides, Roberts would not suspect anything, and if he +did there'd be no shadow of proof for a long time to come. In the other +scale of the balance he had Gulmore's promise: it was trustworthy, he +knew, but--: + +"Do you mean that you'll run me for the next term and get me elected?" + +"I'll do all I know, and I guess you'll succeed." + +"I have nothing but your word." + +"Nothin'." + +Again Mr. Hutchings paused. To accept definitively would be dangerous if +the conversation had had listeners. It was characteristic of the place +and time that he could suspect a man of laying such a trap, upon +whose word he was prepared to rely. Mr. Gulmore saw and understood his +hesitation: + +"I said we were alone, Hutchin's, and I meant it. Jest as I say now, +if you withdraw and tell no one and be guided by me in becoming a +Republican, I'll do what I ken to get you into Congress," and as he +spoke he stood up. + +Mr. Hutchings rose, too, and said, as if in excuse: "I wanted to think +it over, but I'm agreed. I'll do as you say," and with a hurried "Good +night!" he left the room. + +Mr. Gulmore returned to his chair and lit a cigar. He was fairly +satisfied with the result of his efforts. His triumph over the Professor +would not be as flagrant, perhaps, as if Hutchin's' name had been linked +with his in a city contract; but, he thought with amusement, every one +would suspect that he had bought the lawyer for cash. What a fool the +man was! What did he want to get into Congress for? Weak vanity! He'd +have no weight there. To prefer a seat in Congress to wealth--silly. +Besides, Hutchin's would be a bad candidate. Of course the party name +would cover anythin'. But what a mean skunk! Here Mr. Gulmore's thoughts +reverted to himself. Ought he to keep his word and put such a man +into Congress? He hated to break a promise. But why should he help the +Professor's father-in-law to power? Wall, there was no hurry. He'd make +up his mind later. Anyway, the Professor'd have a nice row to hoe on the +mornin' of the election, and Boss Gulmore'd win and win big, an' that +was the point The laugh would be on the Professor-- + +On the morning of the election Professor Roberts was early afoot. He +felt hopeful, light-hearted, and would not confess even to himself +that his good spirits were due chiefly to the certainty that in +another twelve hours his electioneering would be at an end. The work of +canvassing and public speaking had become very disagreeable to him. The +mere memory of the speeches he had listened to, had left, as it were, +an unpleasant aftertaste. How the crowds had cheered the hackneyed +platitudes, the blatant patriotic appeals, the malevolent caricature +of opponents! Something unspeakably trivial, vulgar, and evil in it +all reminded him of tired children when the romping begins to grow +ill-natured. + +And if the intellectual side of the struggle had been offensive, the +moral atmosphere of the Committee Rooms, infected as it was by the +candidates, had seemed to him to be even worse--mephitic, poisonous. He +had shrunk from realizing the sensations which had been forced upon him +there--a recoil of his nature as from unappeasable wild-beast greeds, +with their attendant envy, suspicion, and hatred seething like lava +under the thin crust of a forced affability, of a good-humour assumed +to make deception easy. He did not want to think of it; it was horrible. +And perhaps, after all, he was mistaken; perhaps his dislike of the +work had got upon his nerves, and showed him everything in the darkest +colours. It could scarcely be as bad as he thought, or human society +would be impossible. But argument could not blunt the poignancy of his +feelings; he preferred, therefore, to leave them inarticulate, striving +to forget. In any case, the ordeal would soon be over; it had to be +endured for a few hours more, and then he would plunge into his books +again, and enjoy good company, he and May together. + +He was still lingering over this prospect when the servant came to +tell him that some gentlemen were waiting for him, and he found in the +sitting-room half-a-dozen of his favourite students. One of the Seniors, +named Cartrell, a young man of strong figure, and keen, bold face, +remarked, as he shook hands, that they had come to accompany him--" +Elections are sometimes rough, and we know the ropes." Roberts thanked +them warmly, and they set off. + +The Committee Rooms of the Democratic party were situated near the Court +House, in what had been once the centre, but was now the edge of the +town. The little troop had to pass through the negro quarter--small +frame-houses, peppered over grassless, bare lots, the broken-down fences +protesting against unsociable isolation. The Rooms, from the outside, +reminded one of a hive of angry bees. In and out of the door men were +hurrying, and a crowd swarmed on the side-walk talking in a loud, +excited hum. As soon as the Professor was recognized, a silence of +astonishment fell upon the throng. With stares of curiosity they +drew aside to let him enter. Slightly surprised by the reception, the +Professor passed into the chief room. At a table in the middle a man was +speaking in a harsh, loud voice--one Simpson, a popular orator, who had +held aloof from the meetings of the party. He was saying: + +"It's a put-up game between them, but the question is, who's to go on +the ticket in--" + +As Simpson's eyes met those of Roberts he stopped speaking. + +"Good morning, gentlemen. Please continue, Mr. Simpson; I hope I'm not +interrupting you." + +The Professor did not like Mr. Simpson. The atrabilious face, the +bitter, thin lips, and grey eyes veined with yellow, reminded him +indefinably of a wild beast. Mr. Simpson seemed to take the courteous +words as a challenge. Drawing his wiry figure up he said, with insult in +voice and manner: + +"Perhaps you've come to nominate a Mayor; we'd all like to know your +choice." + +"I don't understand you." + +The Professor's tone was frank, his sincerity evident, but Simpson went +on: + +"Don't ye? Perhaps Hutchin's has sent you to say, as he's sick it'd be +well to run Robinson on both tickets--eh?" + +"I don't know what you mean. I expected to meet Mr. Hutchings here. Is +he ill?" + +"He'll get well soon, I reckon; but after taking a perscription from +Gulmore, he's mighty bad and can't leave the house." + +"What do you mean?" + +"I mean that Hutchin's has withdrawn his candidature as Mayor. I mean +that the 'Herald' has the announcin' of it. I mean it's a put-up job +between him and Gulmore to ruin the Democratic party in this town. I +mean--" + +As the Professor drew back in amazement, young Cartrell stepped in front +of him and addressed Simpson: + +"What proof have you of what you say?" + +"Proof! Proof enough. Does an honest man resign a candidature on the +morning of an election, and give the other side the news before his own +party?" + +The interruption had given Roberts time for reflection. He felt that +Simpson's facts must be right. It was characteristic of him that his +first thought was, Had Hutchings withdrawn in order to save him from +further attacks? No. If he had he'd have told him before the event. +A sort of nausea overpowered him as he remembered that Hutchings had +related how Gulmore had bought Patrick Byrne--and now he, too, had sold +himself. As in a flash Hutchings' weakness of fibre was laid bare to +him. "That's the reason I couldn't find him yesterday." His heart sank +within him. "How could Hutchings have been so--?" With the belief in +the lawyer's guilt came the understanding that he too was concerned, +suspected even. Disgust of traitorism, conscious innocence impelled him +to clear himself--but how? To his surprise he found that companionship +with these men had given him some insight into their character. He put +the question to Simpson: + +"Can anything be done now?" + +The steadiness of the tone, the resolve in his face, excited a certain +curiosity. Shrugging his shoulders, Simpson replied: + +"We've not got a candidate. It's too late to get the party together. New +tickets'd have to be printed. I--" + +"Will you accept the candidature?" Reading the man at once, Roberts +turned to the others: "Gentlemen, I hope some one will second me; I +nominate Mr. Simpson as Mayor, and propose that his name should be +substituted for that of Mr. Hutchings. To show that I'm in earnest I'll +contribute five hundred dollars towards the expense of printing the +tickets." + +The Professor's offer of money seemed to exercise a magical influence +upon the crowd; the loud tones, the provocative rudeness of speech and +bearing, disappeared at once; the men began to show him the respect of +attention, and Mr. Simpson was even quicker than the rest in changing +his attitude--perhaps because he hoped to gain more than they did. + +"I had no idee," he began, "but if the Committee thinks I oughter run +I've no objection. I hain't ever cared for office, but I'm a party-man, +an' what the party wants me to do I'll do every time. I'm a Democrat +right through. I guess Lawyer Hutchin's has gone back on us, but that's +not your fault, Professor, and five hundred dollars--an' your work will +do a pile. The folk all like you an'--respect you an'--" + +Roberts looked at the man; his offer had been a movement of indignant +contempt, and yet it had succeeded. He could have laughed; the key +to the enigma was in his hands; these men answered to the motive of +self-interest as a ship answers to the helm, and yet--how revolting it +all was! The next moment he again banished reflection. + +"I'll go and get the money, and return as soon as possible. In the +meantime, perhaps you, Mr. Simpson, will see that the printing is +begun without delay. Then if you'll tell us what polling-stations need +superintendence, my friends and I will do our best." + +The appeal found an immediate response--in a few minutes order and +energetic work had taken the place of the former angry excitement and +recrimination. + +To Professor Roberts the remainder of the day was one whirl of restless +labour; he hastened from one polling-station to another, and when the +round was completed drove to the Central Rooms, where questions had to +be answered, and new arrangements made without time for thought. Then he +was off again on his hurried round as canvasser. One incident, however, +made a definite impression upon him. Returning for the second or third +time to the Central Rooms he found himself in a crowd of Irish labourers +who had come in deference to priestly bidding to record their votes. Mr. +Hutchings' retirement had excited their native suspiciousness; they +felt that they had been betrayed, and yet the peremptory orders they had +received must be followed. The satisfaction of revolt being denied +to them, their anger became dangerous. Professor Roberts faced them +quietly; he soon saw that they were sincere, or were playing the part of +sincerity; he therefore spoke for the cause, for the party to which they +belonged; surely they wouldn't abandon the struggle because a leader had +deserted them! His words and manner; his appeal to their combativeness; +his earnestness and good temper were successful. The storm of invective +gradually subsided, and although one or two, for the sake of a row, +sought to insult him, they did not go to extremes in face of the +resolute disapprobation of the American party-leaders. Loyalty to their +shibboleth was beginning to draw them, still grumbling and making use of +expressive imprecations, on the way to the nearest polling-station, when +one of their leaders drew Professor Roberts aside, and asked him: + +"Are the bhoys to have nothin' for their throuble? Half a day they'll +lose, so they will--a dollar each now would be no more than fair--" + +The Professor shook his head; he was not rich, he said, and had already +spent more money in the contest than he could afford. + +"Be gob, it's poor worruk this talkin' an' votin' for us that gets +nothin' by it "--the phrase stuck in his memory as illustrating the +paltry baseness of the whole affair. It was with a sense of relief that +he threw himself again into the turmoil that served to deaden thought. +As the day wore towards evening he became conscious of fatigue, a +weariness that was not of the body alone, but of the head and heart. +After the closing of the polls he returned to the Central Rooms. They +were filled with an enthusiastic crowd, most of whom professed to +believe that the Democratic party had won all along the line. Roberts +found it hard to bear their self-gratulation and the exuberance of their +triumph, but when Simpson began to take the liberties of comradeship +with him, the cup ran over. He cut the man short with a formally polite +phrase, and betook himself to his house. He would not think even of May; +her image brought him face to face with her father; and he wanted rest. + +In the morning the Professor awoke with a feeling of utter depression. +Before he opened the paper he was sure that his hopelessness had been +justified. He was right--Gulmore had carried his whole ticket, and +Simpson had been beaten by a majority of more than a thousand. The +Democratic organ did not scruple to ascribe the defeat to the fact that +Lawyer Hutchings had sold his party. The simulated indignation of the +journalist found expression in phrases which caricatured the simplicity +of sincere condemnation. "Never did shameless corruption..." Roberts +could not read the stuff. Yet the feigned passion and tawdry rhetoric +in some way stirred up his bile; he would see Hutchings and--but if he +unpacked his heart's bitterness upon her father, he would hurt May. He +must restrain himself; Hutchings would understand from his manner, and +May would be sympathetic--as she always was. + +Another thought exasperated him afresh. His idealism had made him +ridiculous in the eyes of the townsfolk. He had spent money he could +ill spare in a hopeless cause, which was not even a worthy one. And now +everybody was laughing at him or sneering--he grew hot with shame. That +his motives were honourable only heightened the ludicrousness of his +action: it seemed as if he had made a fool of himself. He almost wished +that he had left the Democrats to their own devices. But no! he had done +the right, and that was the main point. The sense of failure, however, +robbed him of confidence in regard to the future. How should he act? +Since high motives were ineffectual, Quixotic, ought he to discard them +and come down to the ordinary level? 'Twould be better not to live at +all. The half-life of a student, a teacher, dwelling apart from the +world, would be preferable to such degradation; but-- + +The situation appeared to him to be so difficult that as soon as he had +taken his breakfast he went out for a walk away from the town in order +to avoid importunate visits, and to decide upon a course of conduct. The +air and exercise invigorated him; the peace and solitude of the prairie, +the beauty of earth and sky, the unconsciousness of nature consoled him, +reduced his troubles to relative unimportance, and allowed him to regain +his equanimity. + +Even his ideas in regard to Hutchings underwent a change. After all it +was not his part to condemn; his indignation owed its heat to baffled +egotism and paltry vanity. When the personal element was abstracted from +the causes of his vexation, what remained? Were Hutchings a figure in +history, would he judge him with the same intolerance? No; weakness, +corruptibility even, would then excite no harsher feeling than a sort of +amused contempt. The reflection mitigated his anger. He began to take +an intellectual pleasure in the good-humoured acceptance of the wrong +inflicted upon him. Plato was right, it was well to suffer injustice +without desiring to retaliate. He had yet to learn that just as oil only +smoothes the surface of waves, so reason has merely a superficial effect +upon character. + +Early in the afternoon he made his way to May's home. According to +his habit he passed by the servant-girl and entered the study--to find +himself face to face with the lawyer. + +The shock of disappointment and a certain latent antagonism caused him +to speak with a directness which was in itself discourteous. + +"Is Miss May in? I wished to see her." After a momentary pause he added, +with a tinge of sarcasm, "Your illness wasn't serious, I see." + +Mr. Hutchings was not taken by surprise; he had prepared for this +meeting, and had resolved to defend himself. The task, he believed, +would be easy. He had almost persuaded himself that he had acted in the +Professor's interest. Roberts was singularly unworldly; he might accept +the explanation, and if he didn't--what did it matter? His own brighter +prospects filled him with a sense of triumph; in the last three days +his long-repressed vanity had shot up to self-satisfaction, making him +callous to what Roberts or any one else might think. But the sneer in +his visitor's words stung him, induced him to throw off the mask of +illness which he had intended to assume. He replied with an indifference +that was defiant: + +"No; I wasn't well yesterday, but I'm better now, though I shall keep +indoors for a day or two. A chill, I suppose." + +Receiving no answer, he found relief in complete boldness. + +"You see my prediction as to the result of the election has been +justified?" + +"You might even say _pars magna fui_." + +The retort slipped out. The impudent challenge had to be met. The +Professor did not realize how contemptuously he spoke. + +The womanish weakness in Hutchings sprang to hurried attack. + +"At any rate you've no cause for reproach. I resigned chiefly to shield +you. I told you long ago that I didn't want particularly to be Mayor, +and the assault upon your position in the University decided me. There +was no way to save your place except by giving Gulmore the victory he +wanted. You're engaged to May, and May is fond of you: I'm not rich, and +a post of three thousand dollars a year is not often to be found by a +young man. What would you do if you were dismissed? I had to--sacrifice +myself. Not that it matters much, but I've got myself into a fuss with +the party, injured myself all round on your account, and then you +talk as if you had some reason to be offended. That's hardly right, +Professor." The lawyer was satisfied with his case; his concluding +phrase built a bridge for a magnanimous reconciliation. + +"You wish me to believe that you resigned at the last moment without +telling me of your intention in order to further my interests?" Mr. +Hutchings was disagreeably shocked by the disdainful, incredulous +question; Roberts was harder to blind than he had supposed; his +indignation became more than half sincere. + +"I didn't make up my mind till the last minute--I couldn't. It wasn't +easy for me to leave the party I've fought with for ten years. And the +consequences don't seem likely to be pleasant to me. But that doesn't +signify. This discussion is useless. If you'll take my advice you'll +think of answering the charge that will be brought against you in the +Faculty meeting, instead of trying to get up a groundless accusation +against me." The menace in the words was not due solely to excitement +and ill-temper. Mr. Hutchings had been at pains to consider all his +relations with the Professor. He had hoped to deceive him, at least for +the moment, and gain time--postpone a painful decision. He had begun to +wish that the engagement between Roberts and May might be broken off. In +six months or a year he would have to declare himself on Gulmore's side; +the fact would establish his complicity, and he had feared what he +now knew, that Roberts would be the severest of critics--an impossible +son-in-law. Besides, in the East, as the daughter of a Member of +Congress, May might command a high position--with her looks she could +marry any one--while Roberts would be dismissed or compelled to resign +his post. A young man without a career who would play censor upon him +in his own house was not to be thought of. The engagement must be +terminated. May could be brought to understand.... + +The Professor did not at once grasp the situation in so far as he +himself was concerned. But he divined the cause of the lawyer's +irritability, and refrained from pushing the argument further. The +discussion could, indeed, serve no purpose, save to embitter the +quarrel. He therefore answered quietly: + +"I didn't come here to dispute with you. I came to see May. Is she in?" + +"No, I think not. I believe she went out some time ago." + +"In that case I'll go home. Perhaps you'll tell her I called. Good day." + +"Good day!" + +As the Professor left the house his depression of the morning returned +upon him. He was dissatisfied with himself. He had intended to show no +anger, no resentment, and, nevertheless, his temper had run away +with him. He recognized that he had made a grave mistake, for he was +beginning to foresee the consequences of it. Trained to severe +thinking, but unaccustomed to analyze motives, the full comprehension +of Hutchings' attitude and its probable effects upon his happiness only +came to him gradually, but it came at length so completely that he could +remember the very words of the foregoing conversation, and recall the +tones of the voices. He could rebuild the puzzle; his understanding of +it, therefore, must be the true one. The irrationality of the defence +was a final proof that the lawyer had played him false. "Hutchings sold +himself--most likely for place. He didn't fear a quarrel with me--that +was evident; perhaps he wishes to get rid of me--evident, too. He +believes that I shall be dismissed, or else he wouldn't have laid stress +upon the importance of my keeping my position. When I spoke of May he +was curt. And the explanation? He has wronged me. The old French proverb +holds true, 'The offender seldom forgives.' He'll probably go on to harm +me further, for I remind him of his vileness. This, then, is life, not +as I imagined it, but as it is, and such creatures as Hutchings are +human beings. Well, after all, it is better to know the truth than to +cheat oneself with a mirage. I shall appreciate large natures with noble +and generous impulses better, now that I know how rare they are." + +In his room he found May awaiting him. Across his surprise and joy there +came an intense admiration of her, a heart-pang of passionate gratitude. +As she moved towards him her incommunicable grace of person and manner +completed the charm. The radiant gladness of the eyes; the outstretched +hands; the graceful form, outlined in silver-grey; the diadem of +honey-coloured hair; something delicate yet courageous, proud yet tender +in her womanhood remained with him ever afterwards. + +"Ah, May!" The word seemed to bring joy and tingling life to his +half-numbed heart. He seized her hands and drew her to him, and kissed +her on the hair, and brows, and eyes with an abandonment of his whole +nature, such as she had never before known in him. All her shyness, her +uneasiness vanished in the happiness of finding that she had so pleased +him, and mingled with this joy was a new delightful sense of her own +power. When released from his embrace she questioned him by a look. His +emotion astonished her. + +"My love," he said, kissing her hands, "how good of you to come to me, +how sweet and brave you are to wait for me here! I was growing weak with +fear lest I should lose you, too, in the general wreck. And you came and +sat here for me patiently--Darling!" + +There was a mingling of self-surrender and ruffled pride in her smiling +reproach: + +"Lose me? What do you mean? I waited for you last night, sir, and all +this weary morning, till I could wait no longer; I had to find you. I +would have stayed at home till you came; I meant to, but father startled +me: he said he was afraid you'd lose your place as Professor in spite +of all he had done for you. 'Twas good of him, wasn't it, to give up +running for Mayor, so as not to embitter Gulmore against you? I was +quite proud of him. But you won't lose your post, will you? Has anything +serious happened?--Dear!" + +He paused to think, but he could not see any way to avoid telling her +the truth. Disappointments had so huddled upon him, the insight he +had won into human nature was so desolating that his heart ached for +sympathy and affection. He loved her; she was to be his wife; how could +he help winning her to his side? Besides, her words voiced his own +fears--her father had already begun to try to part them. She must know +all and judge. But how? Should he give her "The Tribune" to read? No--it +was vindictive. + +"Come and sit down, May, and I'll tell you what happened yesterday. You +shall judge for yourself whether I was right or wrong." + +He told her, point by point, what had occurred. May listened in silence +till he stopped. + +"But why did he resign? What could he gain by that?" + +While she was speaking a thought crimsoned her cheeks; she had found +the key to the enigma. Three nights before her father had talked of +Washington and the East with a sort of exultation. At the time she +had not paid much attention to this, though it had struck her as very +different from his habit. Now the peculiarity of it confirmed her +suspicion. In some way or other his action in resigning was connected +with his inexplicable high spirits. A wave of indignation swept over +her. Not that she felt the disgust which had sickened the Professor when +he first heard of the traitorism. He had condemned Mr. Hutchings on the +grounds of public morality; May's anger was aroused because her father +had sought to deceive _her_; had tried by lying suggestion to take +credit to himself, whereas-- + +"I wouldn't have believed it," she murmured, with the passionate revolt +of youth against mean deceit. "I can never forgive him or trust him +again." + +"Don't let us talk of it any more, dear. I wouldn't have told you only +I was afraid that he would try to separate us. Now I know you are on my +side I wouldn't have you judge him harshly." + +"On your side," she repeated, with a certain exaltation of manner. "On +your side always in spite of everything. I feel for you more intensely +than for myself." In a lower voice and with hesitating speech she added: +"Did he--did he tell you that he resigned on your account?" + +He nodded. + +"And you're not angry?" + +"No." He smiled slightly. "I understand men better now than I did +yesterday. That's all." + +"Oh, but you ought to be mad. I am. How can you--" + +"Let us talk, dear, of what concerns us more. Have you heard anything? +From what your father said I half fear that the meeting to-morrow may go +against me. Has no one called?" + +"Professor Krazinski. I saw his card on the table when I came in. You +think it's a bad sign that he's the only one?" + +"I'm afraid so. It may be merely anxiety, but I'm growing suspicious +of every one now. I catch myself attributing low motives to men without +reason. That electioneering has infected me. I hate myself for it, but +I can't help it; I loathe the self-seeking and the vileness. I'd rather +not know men at all than see them as they've shown themselves lately. +I want to get away and rinse my mouth out and forget all about it--away +somewhere with you, my sweet love." + +"But you mustn't let them condemn you without an effort." While speaking +she put her hand on his shoulder and moved close to him. "It might +injure us later. And you know you can persuade them if you like. No one +can listen to you without being won over. And I want you to keep your +post; you love teaching and you're the best teacher in the world, ah--" + +He put his arms round her, and she bowed her head on his neck, that he +might not see the gathering tears. + +"You're right, dear. I spoke hastily. I'll do my best. It won't be as +bad as we think. My colleagues are men of some education and position. +They're not like the crowd of ignorant voters and greedy place-hunters; +they'll listen to reason, and "--half bitterly--"they've no motive to +do me wrong. Besides, Krazinksi has called, and I scarcely know him; +perhaps the others didn't think of coming. It was kind of him, wasn't +it? I'm very grateful to him. He must be a good fellow." + +"What has he done so wonderful? Oh, my!"--and she turned her face up to +his with half-laughing deprecation--"I'm afraid I'm deteriorating too. I +can't hear you praise any one now without feeling horribly jealous. Yes, +he must be good. But don't be _too_ grateful to him, or--I must be going +now, and, oh! what a long time it'll be until to-morrow! I shall have +grown old before--to-morrow." + +"Sweetheart! You'll come here and wait for me in the afternoon, won't +you? I shall want to see you so much." + +"Yes, if you like; but I intended to go up to the University--mayn't I? +It'll seem ages--aeons--waiting here by myself." + +"The meeting will not last long, and I'll come to you as soon as it's +over. Darling, you don't know how much you have helped me. You have +given me courage and hope," and he folded her in his arms. + +Mr. Gulmore liked to spend his evenings with his wife and daughter. It +amused him to hear what they had been doing during the day. Their gossip +had its value; sentimental or spiteful, it threw quaint sidelights upon +character. On the evening before the Faculty meeting Ida was bending +over a book, while Mr. Gulmore smoked, and watched her. His daughter was +somewhat of a puzzle to him still, and when occasion offered he studied +her. "Where does she get her bitterness from? I'm not bitter, an' I had +difficulties, was poor an' ignorant, had to succeed or go under, while +she has had everythin' she wanted. It's a pity she ain't kinder...." + +Presently Mrs. Gulmore put away her work and left the room. Taking up +the thread of a conversation that had been broken off by his wife's +presence, Mr. Gulmore began: + +"I don't say Roberts'll win, Ida. The bettin' 's the other way; but I'm +not sure, for I don't know the crowd. He may come out on top, though I +hev noticed that young men who run into their first fight and get badly +whipped ain't likely to fight desperate the second time.--Grit's half +trainin'!" + +"I wish I could be there to _see_ him beaten!" Ida had tried to turn her +wounded pride into dislike, and was succeeding. "I hate to feel he's in +the same town with us--the coward!" + +At this moment Mrs. Gulmore reentered the room. + +"To think of it! Sal left the gas-stove flarin'. I made her get up and +come downstairs to put it out. That'll learn her! Of all the careless, +shiftless creatures, these coloured people are the worst. Come, Ida, +it's long after nine, and I'm tired. You can read in your bedroom if you +want to." + +After the usual "good night" and kisses, Ida went upstairs. While +Mrs. Gulmore busied herself putting "things straight," Mr. Gulmore sat +thinking: + +"She takes after her mother in everythin', but she has more pride. It's +that makes her bitter. She's jest like her--only prettier. The same +peaky nose, pointed chin, little thin ears set close to her head, fine +hair--the Yankee school-marm. First-rate managin' women; the best wives +in the world to keep a house an' help a man on. But they hain't got +sensuality enough to be properly affectionate." + +On the following afternoon Roberts stopped before the door of his house +and looked back towards the University. There on the crest of the hill +stood the huge building of bluish-grey stone with the round tower of +the observatory in the middle--like a mallet with a stubby handle in the +air. + +While gazing thus a shrill voice reached him, the eager treble of a +newsboy: + +"Great Scandal!" he heard--and then "Scandal in the University! Full +Report! Only five cents! Five cents for the 'Herald's' Special!" + +He hastened to the gate and beckoned to the little figure in the +distance. His thoughts were whirling. What did it mean? Could the +"Herald" have issued a special edition with the report of the meeting? +Impossible! there wasn't time for that. Yet, he had walked leisurely +with Krazinski, and newspapers did wonders sometimes. Wonders! 'twould +be a breach of confidence. There was an honourable understanding that +no one should divulge what took place in a Faculty meeting. "Honourable" +and Gulmore--the two words wouldn't go together. Could it be? + +A glance at the contents-bill brought a flush to his face. He gave a +quarter for the sheet, and as the boy fumbled for change he said, taking +hold of the bill: + +"I want this too; you can keep the rest of the money," and hurried into +the house. + +May met him at the door of the sitting-room, but did not speak, while +he opened out the paper, and in silence showed her the six columns, +containing a verbatim report of the meeting. + +"What do you think of that?" he asked, and without waiting for an answer +he spread the contents-bill upon the table. + +"This is better," he went on, bitterly. "Read this!" And she read: + + Ructions in Learning's Home. The President's Flank Attack. + + Fours to a Pair. The Pagan retires and the Pole. + +"Oh, the brutes! How could they?" May exclaimed. "But what does it +mean?" + +"You have it all there," he said, touching the bill; "all in two or +three lines of cheerful insult, as is our American fashion. In spite of +the opinion of every leading lawyer in the State, sixteen--fanatics, to +give them the benefit of the doubt, voted that a disbelief in Christian +dogma was the same thing as 'open immorality.' The Father of Lies made +such men!" + +"Did no one vote for you?" + +"Two, Krazinski and some one else, I think 'twas little Black, and two +papers were blank. But fancy the President speaking against me, though +he has a casting-vote. All he could say was that the parents were the +only proper judges of what a student should be taught. Let us grant +that; I may have been mistaken, wrong, if you like; but my fault was not +'open immorality,' as specified in the Statute. They lied against me, +those sixteen." + +May sympathized too keenly with his indignation to think of trying to +allay it; she couldn't help asking, "What did you do after the voting?" + +"What could I do? I had had enough of such opponents. I told them that +if they dismissed me I'd take the case into the courts, where at the +worst their reading of the words 'open immorality' would be put upon +record, and my character freed from stain. But, if they chose to rescind +their vote I said I was willing to resign." + +"They accepted that?" + +"Krazinski forced them to. He told them some home-truths. They dared not +face the law courts lest it should come out that the professorships were +the rewards of sectarian bigotry. He went right through the list, and +ended by resigning his position. + +"Then Campbell got up and regretted his speech. It was uncalled-for +and--you know the sort of thing. My colleagues, he said, would have +preferred to retain my services if I had yielded to the opinion of the +parents. Under the circumstances there was no course open but to accept +my resignation. They would not enter the vote upon the minutes; they +would even write me a letter expressing regret at losing me, etc. So the +matter ended. + +"Coming down the hill I tried to persuade Krazinski not to resign on my +account. But the dear old fellow was obstinate; he had long intended to +retire. He was very kind. He thinks I shall find another place easily. + +"Now, May, you have heard the whole tale, what is your opinion? Are you +disappointed with me? You might well be. I'm disappointed with myself. +Somehow or other I've not got hate enough in me to be a good fighter." + +"Disappointed? How little you know me! It's my life now to be with you. +Whatever you say or do is right to me. I think it's all for the best; I +wouldn't have you stay here after what has passed." + +May meant all she said, and more. At the bottom of her heart she was +not sorry that he was going to leave Tecumseh. If she thereby lost the +pleasure of appearing as his wife before the companions of her youth, on +the other hand, he would belong to her more completely, now that he +was cut off from all other sympathy and no longer likely to meet Miss +Gulmore. Moreover, her determination to follow him in single-hearted +devotion seemed to throw the limelight of romance upon her disagreement +with her father, which had been much more acute than she had given +Roberts to suppose. She had loved her father, and if he had appealed +to her affection he could have so moved her that she would have shown +Roberts a hesitation which, in his troubled and depressed condition, +might have brought about a coldness between them, if not a rupture of +their relations. But Hutchings, feeling that he was in the wrong, had +contented himself with depreciating Roberts by sneer and innuendo, and +so had aroused her generous partisanship. The proceedings of the Faculty +naturally increased her sympathy with her lover, and her enthusiastic +support did much to revive his confidence in himself. When they parted +in the evening he had already begun to think of the preparations to be +made for his journey Eastwards. + +A few weeks later a little knot of friends stood together one morning on +the down-platform of the Tecumseh station, waiting for the train to come +in. Professor Roberts was the centre of the group, and by his side stood +dainty May Hutchings, the violet eyes intense with courage that held the +sweet lips to a smile. Around them were some ten or a dozen students and +Krazinski, all in the highest spirits. They were talking about Roberts' +new appointment at Yale, which he attributed to Krazinsk's influence. +Presently they became aware of an unwonted stir at the entrance-door +behind them. As they turned in wonder they saw that the negro hands had +formed a lane through which, heralded by the obsequious station-master, +Mr. Gul-more, with his daughter on his arm, was coming towards them. +Heedless of their astonishment, the Boss walked on till he stood in +front of Roberts. + +"Professor, we've heard of your good fortune, and are come to +congratulate you. Ida here always thought a pile of your knowledge an' +teachin', an' I guess she was right. Our little difference needn't count +now. You challenged me to a sort of wrastle an' you were thrown; but +I bear no malice, an' I'm glad to offer you my hand an' to wish +you--success." + +Roberts shook hands without hesitation. He was simply surprised, and had +no inkling of the reason which had led Gulmore to come to the station +and to bring Ida. Had he been told that this was the father's plan for +protecting his daughter against the possibility of indiscreet gossip +he would have been still more astonished. "Nor do I bear malice," he +rejoined, with a smile; "though the wrestling can hardly be considered +fair when twenty pull one man down." + +"'Twas my crowd against yours," replied the Boss indifferently. "But I'm +kinder sorry that you're leavin' the town. I'd never have left a place +where I was beaten. No, sir; I'd have taken root right there an' waited. +Influence comes with time, an' you had youth on your side." + +"That may be your philosophy, Mr. Gulmore," said Roberts lightly, as the +other paused, "but it's not mine. I'm satisfied with one or two falls; +they've taught me that the majority is with you." + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Gulmore, The Boss, by Frank Harris + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GULMORE, THE BOSS *** + +***** This file should be named 23010.txt or 23010.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/3/0/1/23010/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Gulmore, The Boss + +Author: Frank Harris + +Release Date: October 12, 2007 [EBook #23010] +Last Updated: March 8, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GULMORE, THE BOSS *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <div style="height: 8em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + GULMORE, THE BOSS. + </h1> + <h2> + By Frank Harris + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <p> + The habits of the Gulmore household were in some respects primitive. + Though it was not yet seven o'clock two negro girls were clearing away the + breakfast things under the minute supervision of their mistress, an + angular, sharp-faced woman with a reedy voice, and nervously abrupt + movements. Near the table sat a girl of nineteen absorbed in a book. In an + easy-chair by the open bay-window a man with a cigar in his mouth was + reading a newspaper. Jonathan Byrne Gulmore, as he always signed himself, + was about fifty years of age; his heavy frame was muscular, and the coarse + dark hair and swarthy skin showed vigorous health. There was both + obstinacy and combative-ness in his face with its cocked nose, low + irregular forehead, thick eyebrows, and square jaw, but the deep-set grey + eyes gleamed at times with humorous comprehension, and the usual + expression of the countenance was far from ill-natured. As he laid the + paper on his knees and looked up, he drew the eye. His size and strength + seemed to be the physical equivalents of an extraordinary power of + character and will. When Mrs. Gulmore followed the servants out of the + room the girl rose from her chair and went towards the door. She was + stopped by her father's voice: + </p> + <p> + “Ida, I want a talk with you. You'll be able to go to your books + afterwards; I won't keep you long.” She sat down again and laid her book + on the table, while Mr. Gulmore continued: + </p> + <p> + “The election's next Monday week, and I've no time to lose.” A moment's + silence, and he let his question fall casually: + </p> + <p> + “You know this—Professor Roberts—don't you? He was at the + University when you were there—eh?” The girl flushed slightly as she + assented. + </p> + <p> + “They say he's smart, an' he ken talk. I heard him the other night; but + I'd like to know what you think. Your judgment's generally worth havin'.” + </p> + <p> + Forced to reply without time for reflection, Miss Gulmore said as little + as possible with a great show of frankness: + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes; he's smart, and knows Greek and Latin and German, and a great + many things. The senior students used to say he knew more than all the + other professors put together, and he—he thinks so too, I imagine,” + and she laughed intentionally, for, on hearing her own strained laughter, + she blushed, and then stood up out of a nervous desire to conceal her + embarrassment. But her father was looking away from her at the glowing end + of his cigar; and, as she resumed her seat, he went on: + </p> + <p> + “I'm glad you seem to take no stock in him, Ida, for he's makin' himself + unpleasant. I'll have to give him a lesson, I reckon, not in Greek or + Latin or them things—I never had nothin' taught me beyond the + 'Fourth Reader,' in old Vermont, and I've forgotten some of what I learned + then—but in election work an' business I guess I ken give Professor + Roberts points, fifty in a hundred, every time. Did you know he's always + around with Lawyer Hutchin's?” + </p> + <p> + “Is he? That's because of May—May Hutch-ings. Oh, she deserves him;” + the girl spoke with sarcastic bitterness, “she gave herself trouble enough + to get him. It was just sickening the way she acted, blushing every time + he spoke to her, and looking up at him as if he were everything. Some + people have no pride in them.” + </p> + <p> + Her father listened impassively, and, after a pause, began his + explanation: + </p> + <p> + “Wall, Ida, anyway he means to help Hutchin's in this city election. + 'Tain't the first time Hutchin's has run for mayor on the Democratic + ticket and come out at the little end of the horn, and I propose to whip + him again. But this Professor's runnin' him on a new track, and I want + some points about <i>him</i>. It's like this. At the Democratic meetin' + the other night, the Professor spoke, and spoke well. What he said was + popcorn; but it took with the Mugwumps—them that think themselves + too high-falutin' to work with either party, jest as if organization was + no good, an' a mob was as strong as an army. Wall, he talked for an hour + about purity an' patriotism, and when he had warmed 'em up he went + bald-headed for me. He told 'em—you ken read it all in the 'Tribune'—that + this town was run by a ring, an' not run honestly; contracts were given + only to members of the Republican party; all appointments were made by the + ring, and never accordin' to ability—as if sich a ring could last + ten years. He ended up by saying, though he was a Republican, as his + father is, he intended to vote Democratic—he's domiciled here—as + a protest against the impure and corrupt Boss-system which was disgracin' + American political life. Twas baby talk. But it's like this. The buildin' + of the branch line South has brought a lot of Irish here—they're all + Democrats—and there's quite a number of Mugwumps, an' if this + Professor goes about workin' them all up—what with the + flannel-mouths and the rest—it might be a close finish. I'm sure to + win, but if I could get some information about him, it would help me. His + father's all right. We've got him down to a fine point. Prentiss, the man + I made editor of the 'Herald,' knows him well; ken tell us why he left + Kaintucky to come West. But I want to know somethin' about the Professor, + jest to teach him to mind his own business, and leave other folk to attend + to theirs. Ken you help me? Is he popular with the students and + professors?” + </p> + <p> + She thought intently, while the colour rose in her cheeks; she was eager + to help. + </p> + <p> + “With the students, yes. There's nothing to be done there. The professors—I + don't think they like him much; he is too clever. When he came into the + class-room and talked Latin to Johnson, the Professor of Latin, and + Johnson could only stammer out a word or two, I guess he didn't make a + friend;” and the girl laughed at the recollection. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know anything else that could be brought against him. They say he + is an Atheist. Would that be any use? He gave a lecture on 'Culture as a + Creed' about three months ago which made some folk mad. The other + professors are Christians, and, of course, all the preachers took it up. + He compared Buddha with Christ, and said—oh, I remember!—that + Shakespeare was the Old Testament of the English-speaking peoples. That + caused some talk; they all believe in the Bible. He said, too, that + 'Shakespeare was inspired in a far higher sense than St. Paul, who was + thin and hard, a logic-loving bigot.' And President Campbell—he's a + Presbyterian—preached the Sunday afterwards upon St Paul as the + great missionary of Protestantism. I don't think the professors like him, + but I don't know that they can do anything, for all the students, the + senior ones, at least, are with him,” and the girl paused, and tried to + find out from her father's face whether what she had said was likely to be + of service. + </p> + <p> + “Wall! I don't go much on them things myself, but I guess somethin' ken be + done. I'll see Prentiss about it: send him to interview this President + Campbell, and wake him up to a sense of his duty. This is a Christian + country, I reckon,” the grey eyes twinkled, “and those who teach the young + should teach them Christian principles, or else—get out. I guess it + ken be worked. The University's a State institution. You don't mind if + he's fired out, do you?” And the searching eyes probed her with a glance. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! I don't mind,” she said quickly, in a would-be careless tone, rising + and going towards him, “it has nothing to do with me. He belongs to May + Hutchings—let her help him, if she can. I think you're quite right + to give him a lesson—he needs one badly. What right has he to come + and attack you?” She had passed to her father's side, and was leaning + against his shoulder. Those grey eyes saw more than she cared to reveal; + they made her uncomfortable. + </p> + <p> + “Then I understand it's like this. You want him to get a real lesson? Is + that it? You ken talk straight to me, Ida. I'm with you every time. You + know that.” + </p> + <p> + The feminine instinct of concealment worked in her, but she knew this + father of hers would have plain speech, and some hidden feeling forced her + violent temper to an outburst of curiously mingled hatred of the Professor + and exultation in her power of injuring him. + </p> + <p> + “Why, father, it's all the same to me. I've no interest in it, except to + help you. You know I never said a word against him till you asked me. But + he has no business to come down and attack <i>you</i>,” and the voice grew + shrill. “It's shameful of him. If he were a man he'd never do it. Yes—give + him a <i>real</i> lesson; teach him that those he despises are stronger + than he is. Let him lose his place and be thrown out of work, then we'll + see if May Hutchings,” and she laughed, “will go and help him. We'll see + who is—” + </p> + <p> + Her father interrupted her in the middle of a tirade which would have been + complete self-revelation; but it is not to be presumed that he did this + out of a delicate regard for his daughter's feelings. He had got the + information he required. + </p> + <p> + “That's all right, Ida. I guess he'll get the lesson. You ken count on me. + You've put me on the right track, I believe. I knew if any one could help + me, you'd be able to. Nobody knows what's in you better'n I do. You're + smarter'n any one I know, and I know a few who think they're real smart—” + </p> + <p> + In this vein he continued soothing his daughter's pride, and yet speaking + in an even, impersonal tone, as if merely stating facts. + </p> + <p> + “Now I've got to go. Prentiss'll be waiting for me at the office.” + </p> + <p> + While driving to the office, Mr. Gulmore's thoughts, at first, were with + his daughter. “I don't know why, but I suspicioned that. That's why she + left the University before graduatin', an' talked of goin' East, and + makin' a name for herself on the stage. That Professor's foolish. Ida's + smart and pretty, and she'll have a heap of money some day. The ring has a + few contracts on hand still—he's a fool. How she talked: she + remembered all that lecture—every word; but she's young yet. She'd + have given herself away if I hadn't stopped her. I don't like any one to + do that; it's weak. But she means business every time, just as I do; she + means him to be fired right out, and then she'd probably go and cry over + him, and want me to put him back again. But no. I guess not. That's not + the way I work. I'd be willin' for him to stay away, and leave me alone, + but as she wants him punished, he shall be, and she mustn't interfere at + the end. It'll do her good to find out that things can't both be done and + undone, if she's that sort. But p'r'aps she won't want to undo them. When + their pride's hurt women are mighty hard—harder than men by far.... + I wonder how long it'll take to get this Campbell to move. I must start + right in; I hain't got much time.” + </p> + <p> + As soon as her father left her, Miss Ida hurried to her own room, in order + to recover from her agitation, and to remove all traces of it. She was an + only child, and had accordingly a sense of her own importance, which + happened to be uncorrected by physical deficiencies. Not that she was + astonishingly beautiful, but she was tall and just good-looking enough to + allow her to consider herself a beauty. Her chief attraction was her form, + which, if somewhat flat-chested, had a feline flexibility rarer and more + seductive than she imagined. She was content to believe that nature had + fashioned her to play the part in life which, she knew, was hers of right. + Her name, even, was most appropriate—dignified. Ida should be + queen-like, stately; the oval of her face should be long, and not round, + and her complexion should be pallid; colour in the cheeks made one look + common. Her dark hair, too, pleased her; everything, in fact, save her + eyes; they were of a nameless, agate-like hue, and she would have + preferred them to be violet That would have given her face the charm of + unexpectedness, which she acknowledged was in itself a distinction. And + Miss Ida loved everything that conduced to distinction, everything that + flattered her pride with a sense of her own superiority. It seemed as if + her mother's narrowness of nature had confined and shot, so to speak, all + the passions and powers of the father into this one characteristic of the + daughter. That her father had risen to influence and riches by his own + ability did not satisfy her. She had always felt that the Hutchingses and + the society to which they belonged, persons who had been well educated for + generations, and who had always been more or less well off, formed a + higher class. It was the longing to become one of them that had impelled + her to study with might and main. Even in her school-days she had + recognized that this was the road to social eminence. The struggle had + been arduous. In the Puritan surroundings of middle-class life her want of + religious training and belief had almost made a pariah of the proud, + high-tempered girl, and when as a clever student of the University and a + daughter of one of the richest and most powerful men in the State, she + came into a circle that cared as little about Christian dogmas as she did, + she attributed the comparative coolness with which her companions treated + her, to her father's want of education, rather than to the true cause, her + own domineering temper. As she had hated her childish playmates, who, + instructed by their mothers, held aloof from the infidel, so she had grown + to detest the associates of her girlhood, whose parents seemed, by virtue + of manners and education, superior to hers. The aversion was acrid with + envy, and had fastened from the beginning on her competitor as a student + and her rival in beauty, Miss May Hutchings. Her animosity was intensified + by the fact that, when they entered the Sophomore class together, Miss May + had made her acquaintance, had tried to become friends with her, and then, + for some inscrutable reason, had drawn coldly away. By dint of working + twice as hard as May, Ida had managed to outstrip her, and to begin the + Junior year as the first of the class; but all the while she was conscious + that her success was due to labour, and not to a larger intelligence. And + with the coming of the new professor of Greek, this superiority, her one + consolation, was called in question. + </p> + <p> + Professor Roberts had brought about a revolution in the University. He was + young and passionately devoted to his work; had won his Doctor's degree at + Berlin <i>summa cum laude</i>, and his pupils soon felt that he + represented a standard of knowledge higher than they had hitherto imagined + as attainable, and yet one which, he insisted, was common in the older + civilization of Europe. It was this nettling comparison, enforced by his + mastery of difficulties, which first aroused the ardour of his scholars. + In less than a year they passed from the level of youths in a high school + to that of University students. On the best heads his influence was + magical. His learning and enthusiasm quickened their reverence for + scholarship, but it was his critical faculty which opened to them the + world of art, and nerved them to emulation. + </p> + <p> + “Until one realizes the shortcomings of a master,” he said in a lecture, + “it is impossible to understand him or to take the beauty of his works to + heart When Sophocles repeats himself—the Electra is but a feeble + study for the Antigone, or possibly a feeble copy of it—we get near + the man; the limitations of his outlook are characteristic: when he + deforms his Ajax with a tag of political partisanship, his servitude to + surroundings defines his conscience as an artist; and when painting by + contrasts he poses the weak Ismene and Chrysothemis as foils to their + heroic sisters, we see that his dramatic power in the essential was + rudimentary. Yet Mr. Matthew Arnold, a living English poet, writes that + Sophocles 'saw life steadily and saw it whole.' This is true of no man, + not of Shakespeare nor of Goethe, much less of Sophocles or Racine. The + phrase itself is as offensively out of date as the First Commandment.” The + bold, incisive criticism had a singular fascination for his hearers, who + were too young to remark in it the crudeness that usually attaches to + originality. + </p> + <p> + Miss Hutchings was the first of the senior students to yield herself to + the new influence. In the beginning Miss Gulmore was not attracted by + Professor Roberts; she thought him insignificant physically; he was neat + of dress too, and ingenuously eager in manner—all of which + conflicted with her ideal of manhood. It was but slowly that she awoke to + a consciousness of his merits, and her awakening was due perhaps as much + to jealousy of May Hutchings as to the conviction that with Professor + Roberts for a husband she would realize her social ambitions. Suddenly she + became aware that May was passing her in knowledge of Greek, and was thus + winning the notice of the man she had begun to look upon as worthy of her + own choice. Ida at once addressed herself to the struggle with all the + energy of her nature, but at first without success. It was evident that + May was working as she had never worked before, for as the weeks flew by + she seemed to increase her advantage. During this period Ida Gulmore's + pride suffered tortures; day by day she understood more clearly that the + prize of her life was slipping out of reach. In mind and soul now she + realized Roberts' daring and charm. With the intensified perceptions of a + jealous woman, she sometimes feared that he sympathized with her rival. + </p> + <p> + But he had not spoken yet; of that she was sure, and her conceit enabled + her to hope desperately. A moment arrived when her hatred of May was + sweetened by contempt. For some reason or other May was neglecting her + work; when spoken to by the Professor her colour came and went, and a + shyness, visible to all, wrapped her in confusion. Ida felt that there was + no time to be lost, and increased her exertions. As she thought of her + position she determined first to surpass her competitor, and then in some + way or other to bring the Professor to speech. But, alas! for her plans. + One morning she demonstrated her superiority with cruel clearness, only to + find that Roberts, self-absorbed, did not notice her. He seemed to have + lost the vivid interest in the work which aforetime had characterized him, + and the happiness of the man was only less tell-tale than the pretty + contentment and demure approval of all he said which May scarcely tried to + conceal. Wild with fear, blinded by temper, Ida resolved to know the + truth. + </p> + <p> + One morning when the others left the room she waited, busying herself + apparently with some notes, till the Professor returned, as she knew he + would, in time to receive the next class. While gathering up her books, + she asked abruptly: + </p> + <p> + “I suppose I should congratulate you, Professor?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't think I understand you.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, you do. Why lie? You are engaged to May Hutchings,” and the girl + looked at him with flaming eyes. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know why you should ask me, or why I should answer, but we have + no motive for concealment—yes, I am.” + </p> + <p> + His words were decisive; his reverence for May and her affection had been + wounded by the insolent challenge, but before he finished speaking his + manner became considerate. He was quick to feel the pain of others and + shrank from adding to it—these, indeed, were the two chief articles + of the unformulated creed which directed his actions. His optimism was of + youth and superficial, but the sense of the brotherhood of human suffering + touched his heart in a way that made compassion and tenderness appear to + him to be the highest and simplest of duties. It was Ida's temper that + answered his avowal. Still staring at him she burst into loud laughter, + and as he turned away her tuneless mirth grew shriller and shriller till + it became hysterical. A frightened effort to regain her self-control, and + her voice broke in something like a sob, while tears trembled on her + lashes. The Professor's head was bent over his desk and he saw nothing. + Ida dashed the tears from her eyes ostentatiously, and walked with shaking + limbs out of the room. She would have liked to laugh again scornfully + before closing the door, but she dared not trust her nerves. From that + moment she tried to hate Professor Roberts as she hated May Hutchings, for + her disappointment had been very sore, and the hurt to her pride smarted + like a burn. On returning home, she told her father that she had taken her + name off the books of the University; she meant to be an actress, and a + degree could be of no use to her in her new career. Her father did not + oppose her openly; he was content to postpone any decisive step, and in a + few days she seemed to have abandoned her project. But time brought no + mitigation of her spite. She was tenacious by nature, and her jealous rage + came back upon her in wild fits. To be outdone by May Hutchings was + intolerable. Besides, the rivalry and triumphs of the class-room had been + as the salt of life to her; now she had nothing to do, nothing to occupy + her affections or give object to her feverish ambition. And the void of + her life she laid to the charge of Roberts. So when the time came and the + temptation, she struck as those strike who are tortured by pain. + </p> + <p> + Alone in her room, she justified to herself what she had done. She thought + with pleasure of Professor Roberts' approaching defeat and punishment. “He + deserves it, and more! He knows why I left the University; drew myself + away from him for ever. What does he care for my suffering? He can't leave + me in peace. I wasn't good enough for him, and my father isn't honest + enough. Oh, that I were a man! I'd teach him that it was dangerous to + insult the wretched. + </p> + <p> + “How I was mistaken in him! He has no delicacy, no true manliness of + character. I'm glad he has thrown down the challenge. Father may not be + well-educated nor refined, but he's strong. Professor Roberts shall find + out what it means to attack <i>us</i>. I hope he'll be turned out of the + University; I hope he will. Let me think. I have a copy of that lecture of + his; perhaps there's something in it worse than I remembered. At any rate, + the report will be proof.” + </p> + <p> + She searched hurriedly, and soon found the newspaper account she wanted. + Glancing down the column with feverish eagerness, she burst out: “Here it + is; this will do. I knew there was something more.” + </p> + <p> + “... Thus the great ones contribute, each his part, towards the + humanization of man. Christ and Buddha are our teachers, but so also, and + in no lower degree, are Plato, Dante, Goethe, and Shakespeare.... + </p> + <p> + “But strange to say, the <i>Divina Commedia</i> seems to us moderns more + remote than the speculations of Plato. For the modern world is founded + upon science, and may be said to begin with the experimental philosophy of + Bacon. The thoughts of Plato, the 'fair humanities' of Greek religion, are + nearer to the scientific spirit than the untutored imaginings of Christ. + The world to-day seeks its rule of life in exact knowledge of man and his + surroundings; its teachers, high-priests in the temple of Truth, are the + Darwins, the Bunsens, the Pasteurs. In the place of God we see Law, and + the old concept of rewards and punishments has been re-stated as 'the + survival of the fittest,' If, on the other hand, you need emotions, and + the inspiration of concrete teaching, you must go to Balzac, to Turgenief, + and to Ibsen....” + </p> + <p> + “I think that'll do,” said the girl half-aloud as she marked the above + passages, and then sent the paper by a servant to her father's office. + “The worst of it is, he'll find another place easily; but, at any rate, + he'll have to leave this State.... How well I remember that lecture. I + thought no one had ever talked like that before. But the people disliked + it, and even those who stayed to the end said they wouldn't have come had + they known that a professor could speak against Christianity. How mad they + made me then! I wouldn't listen to them, and now—now he's with May + Hutchings, perhaps laughing at me with her. Or, if he's not so base as + that, he's accusing my father of dishonesty, and I mean to defend him. But + if, ah, if—” and the girl rose to her feet suddenly, with paling + face. + </p> + <p> + The house of Lawyer Hutchings was commodious and comfortable. It was only + two storeys high, and its breadth made it appear squat; it was solidly + built of rough, brown stone, and a large wooden verandah gave shade and a + lounging-place in front. It stood in its own grounds on the outskirts of + the town, not far from Mr. Gulmore's, but it lacked the towers and + greenhouse, the brick stables, and black iron gates, which made Mr. + Gulmore's residence an object of public admiration. It had, indeed, a + careless, homelike air, as of a building that disdains show, standing + sturdily upon a consciousness of utility and worth. The study of the + master lay at the back. It was a room of medium size, with two French + windows, which gave upon an orchard of peach and apple-trees where lush + grass hid the fallen fruit. The furniture was plain and serviceable. A few + prints on the wall and a wainscoting of books showed the owner's tastes. + </p> + <p> + In this room one morning Lawyer Hutchings and Professor Roberts sat + talking. The lawyer was sparely built and tall, of sympathetic appearance. + The features of the face were refined and fairly regular, the blue eyes + pleasing, the high forehead intelligent-looking. Yet—whether it was + the querulous horizontal lines above the brows, or the frequent, graceful + gestures of the hands—Mr. Hutchings left on one an impression of + weakness, and, somehow or other, his precise way of speaking suggested + intellectual narrowness. It was understood, however, that he had passed + through Harvard with honours, and had done well in the law-course. It is, + therefore, not to be wondered at that when he went West, he went with the + idea that that was the shortest way to Washington. Yet he had had but a + moderate degree of success; he was too thoroughly grounded in his work not + to get a good practice, but he was not the first in his profession. He had + been outdone by men who fought their cases, and his popularity was due to + affable manners, and not to admiration of his power or talents. His + obvious good nature had got with years a tinge of discontent; life had + been to him a series of disappointments. + </p> + <p> + One glance at Professor Roberts showed him to be a different sort of a + man, though perhaps harder to read. Square shoulders and attenuated figure—a + mixture of energy and nervous force without muscular strength; a tyrannous + forehead overshadowing lambent hazel eyes; a cordial frankness of manner + with a thinker's tricks of gesture, his nervous fingers emphasizing his + words. + </p> + <p> + Their talk was of an article assailing the Professor that had appeared + that morning in “The Republican Herald.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't like it,” Mr. Hutchings was saying. “It's inspired by Gulmore, + and he always means what he says—and something more.” + </p> + <p> + “Except the suggestion that my father had certain good, or rather bad, + reasons for leaving Kentucky, it seems to me merely spiteful. It's very + vilely written.” + </p> + <p> + “He only begins with your father. Then he wonders what the real motives + are which induce you to change your political creed. But the affectation + of fairness is the danger signal. One can't imagine Gulmore hesitating to + assert what he has heard, that you have no religious principles. Coming + from him, that means a declaration of war; he'll attack you without + scruple—persistently. It's well known that he cares nothing for + religion—even his wife's a Unitarian. What he's aiming at, I don't + know, but he's sure to do you harm. He has done me harm, and yet he never + gave me such a warning. He only went for me when I ran for office. As soon + as the elections were over, he left me in peace. He's eminently practical, + and rather good-natured. There's no small vicious malice or hate in him; + but he's overbearing and loves a fight. Is it worth your while to make an + enemy of him? We're sure to be beaten.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course it isn't worth my while in that sense, but it's my duty, I + think, as you think it yours. Remark, too, that I've never attacked Mr. + Gulmore—never even mentioned him. I've criticised the system, and + avoided personalities.” + </p> + <p> + “He won't take it in that way. He is the system; when you criticise it, + you criticise him. Every one will so understand it. He makes all the + appointments, from mayor down to the boy who sweeps out an office; every + contract is given to him or his appointees; that's how he has made his + fortune. Why, he beat me the second time I ran for District Court Judge, + by getting an Irishman, the Chairman of my Committee, to desert me at the + last moment. He afterwards got Patrick Byrne elected a Justice of the + Peace, a man who knows no law and can scarcely sign his own name.” + </p> + <p> + “How disgraceful! And you would have me sit down quietly under the + despotism of Mr. Gulmore? And such a despotism! It cost the city half a + million dollars to pave the streets, and I can prove that the work could + have been done as well for half the sum. Our democratic system of + government is the worst in the world, if a tenth part of what I hear is + true; and before I admit that, I'll see whether its abuses are corrigible. + But why do you say we're sure to be beaten? I thought you said—” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” Mr. Hutchings interrupted, “I said that this railway extension + gives us a chance. All the workmen are Irishmen, Democrats to a man, + who'll vote and vote straight, and that has been our weak point. You can't + get one-half the better classes to go to the polls. The negroes all vote, + too, and vote Republican—that has been Gulmore's strength. Now I've + got the Irishmen against his negroes I may win. But what I feel is that + even if I do get to be Mayor, you'll suffer for it more than I shall gain + by your help. Do you see? And, now that I'm employed by the Union Pacific + I don't care much for city politics. I'd almost prefer to give up the + candidature. May'll suffer, too. I think you ought to consider the matter + before going any further.” + </p> + <p> + “This is not the time for consideration. Like you I am trying to put an + end to a corrupt tyranny. I work and shall vote against a venal and + degrading system. May and I will bear what we must. She wouldn't have me + run away from such adversaries. Fancy being governed by the most ignorant, + led on by the most dishonest! It's incomprehensible to me how such a + paradoxical infamy can exist.” + </p> + <p> + “I think it'll become comprehensible to you before this election's over. + I've done my best for years to alter it, and so far I've not been very + successful. You don't seem to understand that where parties are almost + equal in strength, a man who'll spend money is sure to win. It has paid + Gulmore to organize the Republican party in this city; he has made it pay + him and all those who hold office by and through him. 'To the victors, the + spoils.' Those who have done the spoiling are able to pay more than the + spoiled—that's all.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but in this case the spoilers are a handful, while the spoiled are + the vast majority. Why should it be impossible to convince the majority + that they're being robbed?” + </p> + <p> + “Because ideas can't get into the heads of negroes, nor yet into the heads + of illiterate Irishmen. You'll find, too, that five Americans out of every + ten take no interest in ordinary politics, and the five who do are of the + lowest class—a Boss is their natural master. Our party politics, my + friend, resembles a game of faro—the card that happens to be in the + box against the same card outside—and the banker holding the box + usually manages to win. Let me once get power and Gulmore'll find his + labour unremunerative. If it hadn't been for him I'd have been in Congress + long ago. But now I'll have to leave you. Talk it over with May and—you + see that Gulmore challenges you to prove the corruption or else withdraw + the imputation? What do you mean to do?” + </p> + <p> + “I'll prove it, of course. Long before I spoke I had gone into that paving + contract; it was clearly a fraud.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I'd think, if I were you, before I acted, though you're a great + help to me; your last speech was very powerful.” + </p> + <p> + “Unfortunately I'm no speaker, but I'll do as well as I can, and you may + rely on me to go on to the end. The rich at least must be forced to + refrain from robbing the poor.... That malicious sneer at my father hurts + me. It can only mean that he owed money in Kentucky. He was always + careless in money matters, too careless, but he's very generous at heart. + I owe him everything. I'll find out about it at once, and if it is as I + fear, the debt shall be paid. That'll be one good result of Mr. Gul-more's + malice. As for me, let him do his worst. At any rate I'm forewarned.” + </p> + <p> + “A poor satisfaction in case—but here's May, and I must go. I've + stayed too long already. You should look through our ticket; it's strong, + the men are all good, I think—anyway, they're the best we can get. + Teach him to be careful, May; he's too bold.” + </p> + <p> + “I will, father,” replied a clear, girlish voice; “it's mother who spoils + him,” and then, as the door shut, she moved to her lover, and holding out + both her hands, with a little air of dignity, added, “He tries to spoil <i>me</i>. + But, dear, what's the matter? You seem annoyed.” + </p> + <p> + “It's nothing. An article in that paper strikes at my father, and hurts + me; but it can be made right, and to look at you is a cure for pain.” + </p> + <p> + “Let me read it—no, please! I want to help you, and how can I do + that if I don't know what pains you?” The girl took the “Herald “and sat + down to read it. + </p> + <p> + May Hutchings was more than good-looking, were it only by reason of a + complexion such as is seldom given even to blondes. The inside of a + sea-shell has the same lustre and delicacy, but it does not pale and flush + as did May's cheeks in quick response to her emotions. Waves of + maize-coloured hair with a sheen of its own went with the fairness of the + skin, and the pretty features were redeemed from a suspicion of insipidity + by large violet eyes. She was of good height and lissom, with small feet + and hands, but the outlines of her figure were Southern in grace and + fulness. + </p> + <p> + After reading the article, she put down the paper without saying a word + </p> + <p> + “Why, May, you seem to take it as seriously as your father does. It's + nothing so very terrible, is it?” + </p> + <p> + “What did father say?” + </p> + <p> + “That it was inspired by Gulmore, and that he was a dangerous man; but I + don't see much in it. If my father owed money in Kentucky it shall be + repaid, and there the matter ends.” + </p> + <p> + “'Tisn't that I'm troubling about; it's that lecture of yours. Oh, it was + wonderful! but I sat trembling all the time. You don't know the people. If + they had understood it better, they'd have made a big fuss about it. I'm + frightened now.” + </p> + <p> + “But what fuss can they make? I've surely a right to my own opinions, and + I didn't criticise any creed offensively.” + </p> + <p> + “That's it—that's what saved you. Oh, I wish you'd see it as I do! + You spoke so enthusiastically about Jesus, that you confused them. A lot + of them thought, and think still, that you're a Christian. But if it's + brought up again and made clear to them—Won't you understand? If + it's made quite clear that Jesus to you was only a man, and not superior + even to all other men, and that you believe Christianity has served its + purpose, and is now doing harm rather than good in the world, why, they'd + not want to have you in the University. Don't you know that?” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps you're right,” returned the Professor thoughtfully. “You see I + wasn't brought up in any creed, and I've lived in so completely different + an atmosphere for years past, that it's hard to understand such intolerant + bigotry. I remember enough, though, to see that you are right. But, after + all, what does it matter? I can't play hypocrite because they're blind + fanatics.” + </p> + <p> + “No, but you needn't have gone <i>quite</i> so far—been <i>quite</i> + so frank; and even now you might easily—” She stopped, catching a + look of surprise in her lover's face, and sought confusedly to blot out + the effect of her last words. “I mean—but of course you know best. I + want you to keep your place; you love the work, and no one could do it so + well as you. No one, and—” + </p> + <p> + “It doesn't matter, May. I'm sure you were thinking of what would be best + for both of us, but I've nothing to alter or extenuate. They must do as + they think fit, these Christians, if they have the power. After all, it + can make no difference to us; I can always get work enough to keep us, + even if it isn't such congenial work. But do you think Gulmore's at the + bottom of it? Has he so much influence?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I think so,” and the girl nodded her head, but she did not give the + reasons for her opinion. She knew that Ida Gulmore had been in love with + him, so she shrank instinctively from mentioning her name, partly because + it might make him pity her, and partly because the love of another woman + for him seemed to diminish her pride of exclusive possession. She + therefore kept silence while seeking for a way to warn her lover without + revealing the truth, which might set him thinking of Ida Gulmore and her + fascinating because unrequited passion. At length she said: + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Gulmore has injured father. He knows him: you'd better take his + opinion.” + </p> + <p> + “Your father advises me to have nothing more to do with the election.” He + didn't say it to try her; he trusted her completely. The girl's answer was + emphatic: + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that's what you should do; I'm frightened for you. Why need you make + enemies? The election isn't worth that, indeed it isn't. If father wants + to run for Mayor, let him; he knows what he's about. But you, you should + do great things, write a great book; and make every one as proud of you as + I am.” Her face flushed with enthusiasm. She felt relieved, too; somehow + she had got into the spirit of her part once more. But her lover took the + hot face and eager speech as signs of affection, and he drew her to him + while his face lit up with joy. + </p> + <p> + “You darling, darling! You overrate me, dear, but that does me good: makes + me work harder. What a pity it is, May, that one can't add a cubit to his + stature. I'd be a giant then.... But never fear; it'll be all right. You + wouldn't wish me, I'm sure, to run away from a conflict I have provoked; + but now I must see my father about those debts, and then we'll have a + drive, or perhaps you'd go with me to him. You could wait in the buggy for + me. You know I have to speak again this evening.” + </p> + <p> + The girl consented at once, but she was not satisfied with the decision + her lover had come to. “It's too plain,” she thought in her clear, + common-sense way, “that he's getting into a 'fuss' when he might just as + well, or better, keep out of it.” + </p> + <p> + May was eminently practical, and not at all as emotional as one might have + inferred from the sensitive, quick-changing colour that at one moment + flushed her cheeks and at another ebbed, leaving her pallid, as with + passion. Not that she was hardhearted or selfish. Far from it. But her + surroundings had moulded her as they do women. Her mother had been one of + the belles of Baltimore, a Southerner, too, by temperament May had a + brother and a sister older than herself (both were now married), and a + younger brother who had taken care that she should not be spoiled for want + of direct personal criticism. It was this younger brother, Joe, who first + called her “Towhead,” and even now he often made disparaging remarks about + “girls who didn't weigh 130”—in Joe's eyes, a Venus of Rubens would + have seemed perfect. May was not vain of her looks; indeed, she had only + come to take pleasure in them of recent years. As a young girl, comparing + herself with her mother, she feared that she would always be “quite + homely.” Her glass and the attentions of men had gradually shown her the + pleasant truth. She did not, however, even now, overrate her beauty + greatly. But her character had been modified to advantage in those + schoolgirl days, when, with bitter tears, she admitted to herself that she + was not pretty. Her teacher's praise of her quickness and memory had + taught her to set her pride on learning. And indeed she had been an + intelligent child, gifted with a sponge-like faculty of assimilating all + kinds of knowledge—the result, perhaps, of generations of educated + forbears. The admiration paid to her looks did not cause her to relax her + intellectual efforts. But when at the University she found herself + outgrowing the ordinary standards of opinion, conceit at first took + possession of her. It seemed to her manifest that she had always + underrated herself. She was astonished by her own excessive modesty, and + keenly interested in it. She had thought herself ugly and she was + beautiful, and now it was evident that she was a genius as well. With soul + mightily uplifted by dreams of all she would do and the high part she + would play in life, always nobly serious, yet with condescension of + exquisite charming kindliness, taking herself gravely for a perfect + product of the race and time, she proceeded to write the book which should + discover to mankind all her qualities—the delicacy, nobility, and + sweetness of an ideal nature. + </p> + <p> + During this period she even tried to treat Joe with sweet courtesy, but + Joe told her not to make herself “more of a doggoned fool” than she was. + And soon the dream began to lose its brightness. The book would not + advance, and what she wrote did not seem to her wonderful—not + inspired and fascinating as it ought to have been. Her reading had given + her some slight critical insight. She then showed parts of it to her + admirers, hoping thus to justify vanity, but they used the occasion to pay + irrelevant compliments, and so disappointed her—all, save Will + Thornton, who admitted critically that “it was poetic” and guessed “she + ought to write poetry.” Accordingly she wrote some lyrics, and one on + “Vanished Hopes” really pleased her. Forthwith she read it to Will, who + decided “'twas fine, mighty fine. Tennyson had written more, of course, + but nothing better—nothing easier to understand.” + </p> + <p> + That last phrase killed her trust in him. She sank into despondence. Even + when Ida Gul-more, whom she had learned to dislike, began to outshine her + in the class, she made no effort. To graduate first of her year appeared a + contemptible ambition in comparison with the dreams she had foregone. + About this period she took a new interest in her dress; she grew + coquettish even, and became a greater favourite than ever. Then Professor + Roberts came to the University, and with his coming life opened itself to + her anew, vitalized with hopes and fears. She was drawn to him from the + first, as spirit is sometimes drawn to spirit, by an attraction so + imperious that it frightened her, and she tried to hold herself away from + him. But in her heart she knew that she studied and read only to win his + praise. His talents revealed to her the futility of her ambition. Here was + one who stood upon the heights beyond her power of climbing, and yet, to + her astonishment, he was very doubtful of his ability to gain enduring + reputation. Not only was there a plane of knowledge and feeling above the + conventional—that she had found out by herself—but there were + also table-lands where teachers of repute in the valley were held to be + blind guides. Her quick receptivity absorbed the new ideas with eagerness; + but she no longer deluded herself. Her practical good sense came to her + aid. What seemed difficult or doubtful to the Professor must, she knew, be + for ever impossible to her. And already love was upon her, making her + humility as sweet as was her admiration. At last he spoke, and life became + altogether beautiful to her. As she learned to know him intimately she + began to understand his un-worldliness, his scholar-like idealism, and + ignorance of men and motives, and thus she came to self-possession again, + and found her true mission. She realized with joy, and a delightful sense + of an assured purpose in life, that her faculty of observation and + practical insight, though insufficient as “bases for Eternity,” would be + of value to her lover. And if she now and then fell back into the part of + a nineteenth-century Antigone, it was but a momentary relapse into what + had been for a year or so a dear familiar habit The heart of the girl grew + and expanded in the belief that her new <i>rôle</i> of counsellor and + worldly guide to her husband was the highest to which any woman could + attain. + </p> + <p> + A few days later Mr. Hutchings had another confidential talk with + Professor Roberts, and, as before, the subject was suggested by an article + in “The Republican Herald.” This paper, indeed, devoted a column or so + every day to personal criticism of the Professor, and each attack + surpassed its forerunner in virulence of invective. All the young man's + qualities of character came out under this storm of unmerited abuse. He + read everything that his opponents put forth, replied to nothing, in spite + of the continual solicitation of the editor of “The Democrat,” and seemed + very soon to regard “The Herald's” calumnies merely from the humorous + side. Meanwhile his own speeches grew in knowledge and vigour. With a + scholar's precision he put before his hearers the inner history and + significance of job after job. His powers of study helped him to “get up + his cases” with crushing completeness. He quickly realized the value of + catch-words, but his epigrams not being hardened in the fire of life + refused to stick. He did better when he published the balance-sheet of the + “ring” in pamphlet form, and showed that each householder paid about one + hundred and fifty dollars a year, or twice as much as all his legal taxes, + in order to support a party organization the sole object of which was to + enrich a few at the expense of the many. One job, in especial, the + contract for paving the streets, he stigmatized as a swindle, and asserted + that the District Attorney, had he done his duty, would long ago have + brought the Mayor and Town Council before a criminal court as parties to a + notorious fraud. His ability, steadfastness, and self-restraint had had a + very real effect; his meetings were always crowded, and his hearers were + not all Democrats. His courage and fighting power were beginning to win + him general admiration. The public took a lively though impartial interest + in the contest. To critical outsiders it seemed not unlikely that the + Professor (a word of good-humoured contempt) might “whip” even “old man + Gulmore.” Bets were made on the result and short odds accepted. Even Mr. + Hutchings allowed himself to hope for a favourable issue. + </p> + <p> + “You've done wonderfully well,” was the burden of his conversations with + Roberts; “I should feel certain of success against any one but Gulmore. + And he seems to be losing his head—his perpetual abuse excites + sympathy with you. If we win I shall owe it mainly to you.” + </p> + <p> + But on this particular morning Lawyer Hutchings had something to say to + his friend and helper which he did not like to put into plain words. He + began abruptly: + </p> + <p> + “You've seen the 'Herald'?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; there's nothing in it of interest, is there?” + </p> + <p> + “No; but 'twas foolish of your father to write that letter saying you had + paid his Kentucky debts.” + </p> + <p> + “I was sorry when I saw it. I know they'll say I got him to write the + letter. But it's only another incident.” + </p> + <p> + “It's true, then? You did pay the money?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; I was glad to.” + </p> + <p> + “But it was folly. What had you to do with your father's debts? Every + house to-day should stand on its own foundation.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't agree with you; but in this case there was no question of that + sort. My father very generously impoverished himself to send me to Europe + and keep me there for six years. I owed him the five thousand dollars, and + was only too glad to be able to repay him. You'd have done the same.” + </p> + <p> + “Would I, indeed! Five thousand dollars! I'm not so sure of that.” The + father's irritation conquered certain grateful memories of his younger + days, and the admiration which, in his heart, he felt for the Professor's + action, only increased his annoyance. “It must have nearly cleaned you + out?” + </p> + <p> + “Very nearly.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, of course it's your affair, not mine; but I think you foolish. You + paid them in full, I suppose? Whew! + </p> + <p> + “Do you see that the 'Herald' calls upon the University authorities to + take action upon your lecture? 'The teaching of Christian youth by an + Atheist must be stopped,' and so forth.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; but they can do nothing. I'm not responsible to them for my + religious opinions.” + </p> + <p> + “You're mistaken. A vote of the Faculty can discharge you.” + </p> + <p> + “Impossible! On what grounds?” + </p> + <p> + “On the ground of immorality. They've got the power in that case. It's a + loose word, but effective.” + </p> + <p> + “I'd have a cause of action against them.” + </p> + <p> + “Which you'd be sure to lose. Eleven out of every twelve jurymen in this + state would mulct an Agnostic rather than give him damages.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! that's the meaning, then, I suppose, of this notice I've just got + from the secretary to attend a special Faculty meeting on Monday + fortnight.” + </p> + <p> + “Let me see it. Why, here it is! The object of the meeting is 'To consider + the anti-Christian utterances of Professor Roberts, and to take action + thereon.' That's the challenge. Didn't you read it?” + </p> + <p> + “No; as soon as I opened it and saw the printed form, I took it for the + usual notification, and put it aside to think of this election work. But + it would seem as if the Faculty intended to out-herald the 'Herald.'” + </p> + <p> + “They are simply allowed to act first in order that the 'Herald,' a day + later, may applaud them. It's all worked by Gulmore, and I tell you again, + he's dangerous.” + </p> + <p> + “He may be; but I won't change for abuse, nor yet to keep my post. Let him + do his worst. I've not attacked him hitherto for certain reasons of my + own, nor do I mean to now. But he can't frighten me; he'll find that out.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, we'll see. But, at any rate, it was my duty to warn you. It would + be different if I were rich, but, as it is, I can only give May a little, + and—” + </p> + <p> + “My dear Hutchings, don't let us talk of that. In giving me May, you give + me all I want.” The young man's tone was so conclusive that it closed the + conversation. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Gulmore had not been trained for a political career. He had begun life + as a clerk in a hardware store in his native town. But in his early + manhood the Abolition agitation had moved him deeply—the colour of + his skin, he felt, would never have made him accept slavery—and he + became known as a man of extreme views. Before he was thirty he had + managed to save some thousands of dollars. He married and emigrated to + Columbus, Ohio, where he set up a business. It was there, in the stirring + years before the war, that he first threw himself into politics; he + laboured indefatigably as an Abolitionist without hope or desire of + personal gain. But the work came to have a fascination for him, and he saw + possibilities in it of pecuniary emolument such as the hardware business + did not afford. When the war was over, and he found himself scarcely + richer than he had been before it began, he sold his store and emigrated + again—this time to Tecumseh, Nebraska, intending to make political + organization the business of his life. He wanted “to grow up” with a town + and become its master from the beginning. As the negroes constituted the + most ignorant and most despised class, a little solicitation made him + their leader. In the first election it was found that “Gulmore's negroes” + voted to a man, and that he thereby controlled the Republican party. In + the second year of his residence in Tecumseh he got the contract for + lighting the town with gas. The contract was to run for twenty years, and + was excessively liberal, for Mr. Gulmore had practically no competitor, no + one who understood gas manufacture, and who had the money and pluck to + embark in the enterprise. He quickly formed a syndicate, and fulfilled the + conditions of the contract. The capital was fixed at two hundred thousand + dollars, and the syndicate earned a profit of nearly forty per cent, in + the first year. Ten years later a one hundred dollar share was worth a + thousand. This first success was the foundation of Mr. Gulmore's fortune. + The income derived from the gas-works enabled him to spend money on the + organization of his party. The first manager of the works was rewarded + with the position of Town Clerk—an appointment which ran for five + years, but which under Mr. Gulmore's rule was practically permanent. His + foremen became the most energetic of ward-chairmen. He was known to pay + well, and to be a kind if strenuous master. What he had gained in ten + years by the various contracts allotted to him or his nominees no one + could guess; he was certainly very rich. From year to year, too, his + control of the city government had grown more complete. There was now no + place in the civil or judicial establishment of the city or county which + did not depend on his will, and his influence throughout the State was + enormous. + </p> + <p> + A municipal election, or, indeed, any election, afforded Mr. Gulmore many + opportunities of quiet but intense self-satisfaction. He loved the + struggle and the consciousness that from his office-chair he had so + directed his forces that victory was assured. He always allowed a broad + margin in order to cover the unforeseen. Chance, and even ill-luck, formed + a part of his strategy; the sore throat of an eloquent speaker; the + illness of a popular candidate; a storm on polling-day—all were to + him factors in the problem. He reckoned as if his opponents might have all + the luck upon their side; but, while considering the utmost malice of + fortune, it was his delight to base his calculations upon the probable, + and to find them year by year approaching more nearly to absolute + exactitude. As soon as his ward-organization had been completed, he could + estimate the votes of his party within a dozen or so. His plan was to + treat every contest seriously, to bring all his forces to the poll on + every occasion—nothing kept men together, he used to say, like + victory. It was the number of his opponent's minority which chiefly + interested him; but by studying the various elections carefully, he came + to know better than any one the value as a popular candidate of every + politician in the capital, or, indeed, in the State. The talent of the man + for organization lay in his knowledge of men, his fairness and liberality, + and, perhaps, to a certain extent, in the power he possessed of inspiring + others with confidence in himself and his measures. He was never satisfied + till the fittest man in each ward was the Chairman of the ward; and if + money would not buy that particular man's services, as sometimes though + rarely happened, he never rested until he found the gratification which + bound his energy to the cause. Besides—and this was no small element + in his successes—his temper disdained the applause of the crowd. He + had never “run” for any office himself, and was not nearly so well known + to the mass of the electorate as many of his creatures. The senator, like + the mayor or office-messenger of his choice, got all the glory: Mr. + Gulmore was satisfied with winning the victory, and reaping the fruits of + it. He therefore excited, comparatively speaking, no jealousy; and this, + together with the strength of his position, accounts for the fact that he + had never been seriously opposed before Professor Roberts came upon the + scene. + </p> + <p> + Better far than Lawyer Hutchings, or any one else, Mr. Gulmore knew that + the relative strength of the two parties had altered vastly within the + year. Reckoning up his forces at the beginning of the campaign, he felt + certain that he could win—could carry his whole ticket, including a + rather unpopular Mayor; but the majority in his favour would be small, and + the prospect did not please him, for the Professor's speeches had aroused + envy. He understood that if his majority were not overwhelming he would be + assailed again next year more violently, and must in the long run + inevitably lose his power. Besides, “fat” contracts required + unquestionable supremacy. He began, therefore, by instituting such a + newspaper-attack upon the Professor as he hoped would force him to abandon + the struggle. When this failed, and Mr. Gulmore saw that it had done worse + than fail, that it had increased his opponent's energy and added to his + popularity, he went to work again to consider the whole situation. He must + win and win “big,” that was clear; win too, if possible, in a way that + would show his “smartness” and demonstrate his adversary's ignorance of + the world. His anger had at length been aroused; personal rivalry was a + thing he could not tolerate at any time, and Roberts had injured his + position in the town. He was resolved to give the young man such a lesson + that others would be slow to follow his example. The difficulty of the + problem was one of its attractions. Again and again he turned the question + over in his mind—How was he to make his triumph and the Professor's + defeat sensational? All the factors were present to him and he dwelt upon + them with intentness. He was a man of strong intellect; his mind was both + large and quick, but its activity, owing to want of education and to + greedy physical desires, had been limited to the ordinary facts and forces + of life. What books are to most persons gifted with an extraordinary + intelligence, his fellow-men were to Mr. Gulmore—a study at once + stimulating and difficult, of an incomparable variety and complexity. His + lack of learning was of advantage to him in judging most men. Their stock + of ideas, sentiments and desires had been his for years, and if he now + viewed the patchwork quilt of their morality with indulgent contempt, at + least he was familiar with all the constituent shades of it. But he could + not make the Professor out—and this added to his dislike of him; he + recognized that Roberts was not, as he had at first believed, a mere + mouthpiece of Hutchings, but he could not fathom his motives; besides, as + he said to himself, he had no need to; Roberts was plainly a “crank,” + book-mad, and the species did not interest him. But Hutchings he knew + well; knew that like himself Hutchings, while despising ordinary + prejudices, was ruled by ordinary greeds and ambitions. In intellect they + were both above the average, but not in morals. So, by putting himself in + the lawyer's place, a possible solution of the problem occurred to him. + </p> + <p> + A couple of days before the election, Mr. Hutchings, who had been hard at + work till the evening among his chief subordinates, was making his way + homeward when Mr. Prentiss accosted him, with the request that he would + accompany him to his rooms for a few minutes on a matter of the utmost + importance. Having no good reason for refusing, Mr. Hutchings followed the + editor of the “Herald” up a flight of stairs into a large and comfortable + room. As he entered and looked about him Mr. Gulmore came forward: + </p> + <p> + “I wanted a talk with you, Lawyer, where we wouldn't be disturbed, and + Prentiss thought it would be best to have it here, and I guess he was + about right. It's quiet and comfortable. Won't you be seated?” + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Gulmore!” exclaimed the surprised lawyer stopping short. “I don't + think there's anything to be discussed between us, and as I'm in a hurry + to get home to dinner, I think I'll—” + </p> + <p> + “Don't you make any mistake,” interrupted Mr. Gulmore; “I mean business—business + that'll pay both you and me, and I guess 'twon't do you any damage to take + a seat and listen to me for a few minutes.” + </p> + <p> + As Lawyer Hutchings, overborne by the authority of the voice and manner, + sat down, he noticed that Mr. Prentiss had disappeared. Interpreting + rightly the other's glance, Mr. Gulmore began: + </p> + <p> + “We're alone, Hutchin's. This matter shall be played fair and square. I + guess you know that my word can be taken at its face-value.” Then, + settling himself in his chair, he went on: + </p> + <p> + “You and I hev been runnin' on opposite tickets for a good many years, and + I've won right along. It has paid me to win and it has not paid you to + lose. Now, it's like this. You reckon that those Irishmen on the line give + you a better show. They do; but not enough to whip me. You appear to think + that that'll have to be tried the day after tomorrow, but you ought to + know by now that when I say a thing is so, it's so—every time. If + you had a chance, I'd tell you: I'm playin' square. I ken carry my ticket + from one end to the other; I ken carry Robinson as Mayor against you by at + least two hundred and fifty of a majority, and the rest of your ticket has + just no show at all—you know that. But, even if you could get in + this year or next what good would it do you to be Mayor? You're not + runnin' for the five thousand dollars a year salary, I reckon, and that's + about all you'd get—unless you worked with me. I want a good Mayor, + a man like you, of position and education, a fine speaker that knows + everybody and is well thought of—popular. Robinson's not good enough + for me; he hain't got the manners nor the knowledge, nor the popularity. + I'd have liked to have had you on my side right along. It would have been + better for both of us, but you were a Democrat, an' there wasn't any + necessity. Now there is. I want to win this election by a large majority, + an' you ken make that sartin. You see I speak square. Will you join me?” + </p> + <p> + The question was thrown out abruptly. Mr. Gul-more had caught a gleam in + the other's eye as he spoke of a good Mayor and his qualifications. “He + bites, I guess,” was his inference, and accordingly he put the question at + once. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Hutchings, brought to himself by the sudden interrogation, hesitated, + and decided to temporize. He could always refuse to join forces, and + Gulmore might “give himself away.” He answered: + </p> + <p> + “I don't quite see what you mean. How are we to join?” + </p> + <p> + “By both of us givin' somethin'.” + </p> + <p> + “What am I to give?” + </p> + <p> + “Withdraw your candidature for Mayor as a Democrat.” + </p> + <p> + “I can't do that.” + </p> + <p> + “Jest hear me out. The city has advertised for tenders for a new Court + House and a new Town Hall. The one building should cover both, and be near + the middle of the business part. That's so—ain't it? Well, land's + hard to get anywhere there, and I've the best lots in the town. I guess” + (carelessly) “the contract will run to a million dollars; that should mean + two hundred thousand dollars to some one. It's like this, Hutchin's: Would + you rather come in with me and make a joint tender, or run for Mayor and + be beaten?” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Hutchings started. Ten years before the proposal would have won him. + But now his children were provided for—all except Joe, and his + position as Counsel to the Union Pacific Railroad lifted him above + pecuniary anxieties. Then the thought of the Professor and May came to him—No! + he wouldn't sell himself. But in some strange way the proposition excited + him; he felt elated. His quickened pulse-beats prevented him from + realizing the enormity of the proposed transaction, but he knew that he + ought to be indignant. What a pity it was that Gulmore had made no + proposal which he might have accepted—and then disclosed! + </p> + <p> + “If I understand you, you propose that I should take up this contract, and + make money out of it. If that was your business with me, you've made a + mistake, and Professor Roberts is right.” + </p> + <p> + “Hev I?” asked Mr. Gulmore slowly, coldly, in sharp contrast to the + lawyer's apparent excitement and quick speech. Contemptuously he thought + that Hutchings was “foolisher” than he had imagined—or was he + sincere? He would have weighed this last possibility before speaking, if + the mention of Roberts had not angered him. His combativeness made him + persist: + </p> + <p> + “If you don't want to come in with me, all you've got to do is to say so. + You've no call to get up on your hind legs about it; it's easy to do + settin'. But don't talk poppycock like that Professor; he's silly. He + talks about the contract for street pavin', and it ken be proved—'twas + proved in the 'Herald'—that our streets cost less per foot than the + streets of any town in this State. He knows nothin'. He don't even know + that an able man can make half a million out of a big contract, an' do the + work better than an ordinary man could do it who'd lose money by it At a + million our Court House'll be cheap; and if the Professor had the contract + with the plans accordin' to requirement to-morrow, he'd make nothin' out + of it—not a red cent. No, sir. If I ken, that's my business—and + yours, ain't it? Or, are we to work for nothin' because he's a fool?” + </p> + <p> + While Mr. Gulmore was speaking, Mr. Hutchings gave himself to thought. + After all, why was he running for Mayor? The place, as Gulmore said, would + be of no use to him. He was weary of fighting which only ended in defeat, + and could only end in a victory that would be worthless. Mayor, indeed! If + he had a chance of becoming a Member of Congress, that would be different. + And across his brain flitted the picture so often evoked by imagination in + earlier years. Why not? Gulmore could make it certain. Would he? + </p> + <p> + “What you say seems plausible enough, but I don't see my way. I don't feel + inclined to go into business at my time of life.” + </p> + <p> + “You don't need to go into the business. I'll see to that.” + </p> + <p> + “No. I don't need money now particularly.” + </p> + <p> + “Next year, Hutchin's, I'll have a better man than Robinson against you. + Lawyer Nevilson's as good as ken be found, I reckon, and he wouldn't + refuse to join me if I gave him the chance.” But while he was speaking, + Mr. Gulmore kept his opponent's answer in view. He considered it + thoughtfully; “I don't need money now particularly.” What did the man + need? Congress? As a Republican? That would do as well. When Mr. Hutchings + shook his head, careless of the menace, Mr. Gulmore made up his mind. His + obstinacy came out; he would win at any price. He began: + </p> + <p> + “It's what I said at first, Hutchin's; we've each got to give what the + other wants. I've told you what I want; tell me squarely what you want, + an' p'r'aps the thing ken be settled.” + </p> + <p> + As Mr. Hutchings did not answer at once, the Boss went on: + </p> + <p> + “You're in politics for somethin'. What is it? If you're goin' to buck + agen me, you might as well draw out; you'll do no good. You know that. See + here! Is it the State Legislature you're after, or—Congress?” + </p> + <p> + The mere words excited Mr. Hutchings; he wanted to be back again in the + East as a victor; he longed for the cultivated amenities and the social + life of Washington. He could not help exclaiming: + </p> + <p> + “Ah! if it hadn't been for you I'd have been in Congress long ago.” + </p> + <p> + “As a Democrat? Not from this State, I guess.” + </p> + <p> + “What does it matter? Democrat or Republican, the difference now is only + in the name.” + </p> + <p> + “The price is high, Hutchin's. I ask you to give up runnin' for Mayor, and + you ask me for a seat in Congress instead. But—I'll pay it, if you + do as I say. You've no chance in this State as a Democrat; you know that + yourself. To run for Mayor as a Democrat hurts you; that must stop right + now—in your own interest. But what I want from you is that you don't + announce your withdrawal till the day after to-morrow, an' meantime you + say nothin' to the Professor or any one else. Are you agreed?” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Hutchings paused. The path of his desire lay open before him; the + opportunity was not to be missed; he grew eager. But still there was + something disagreeable in an action which demanded secrecy. He must think + coolly. What was the proposal? What was he giving? Nothing. He didn't wish + to be Mayor with Gulmore and all the City Council against him. Nothing—except + the withdrawal on the very morning of the election. That would look bad, + but he could pretend illness, and he had told the Professor he didn't care + to be Mayor; he had advised him not to mix in the struggle; besides, + Roberts would not suspect anything, and if he did there'd be no shadow of + proof for a long time to come. In the other scale of the balance he had + Gulmore's promise: it was trustworthy, he knew, but—: + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean that you'll run me for the next term and get me elected?” + </p> + <p> + “I'll do all I know, and I guess you'll succeed.” + </p> + <p> + “I have nothing but your word.” + </p> + <p> + “Nothin'.” + </p> + <p> + Again Mr. Hutchings paused. To accept definitively would be dangerous if + the conversation had had listeners. It was characteristic of the place and + time that he could suspect a man of laying such a trap, upon whose word he + was prepared to rely. Mr. Gulmore saw and understood his hesitation: + </p> + <p> + “I said we were alone, Hutchin's, and I meant it. Jest as I say now, if + you withdraw and tell no one and be guided by me in becoming a Republican, + I'll do what I ken to get you into Congress,” and as he spoke he stood up. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Hutchings rose, too, and said, as if in excuse: “I wanted to think it + over, but I'm agreed. I'll do as you say,” and with a hurried “Good + night!” he left the room. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Gulmore returned to his chair and lit a cigar. He was fairly satisfied + with the result of his efforts. His triumph over the Professor would not + be as flagrant, perhaps, as if Hutchin's' name had been linked with his in + a city contract; but, he thought with amusement, every one would suspect + that he had bought the lawyer for cash. What a fool the man was! What did + he want to get into Congress for? Weak vanity! He'd have no weight there. + To prefer a seat in Congress to wealth—silly. Besides, Hutchin's + would be a bad candidate. Of course the party name would cover anythin'. + But what a mean skunk! Here Mr. Gulmore's thoughts reverted to himself. + Ought he to keep his word and put such a man into Congress? He hated to + break a promise. But why should he help the Professor's father-in-law to + power? Wall, there was no hurry. He'd make up his mind later. Anyway, the + Professor'd have a nice row to hoe on the mornin' of the election, and + Boss Gulmore'd win and win big, an' that was the point The laugh would be + on the Professor— + </p> + <p> + On the morning of the election Professor Roberts was early afoot. He felt + hopeful, light-hearted, and would not confess even to himself that his + good spirits were due chiefly to the certainty that in another twelve + hours his electioneering would be at an end. The work of canvassing and + public speaking had become very disagreeable to him. The mere memory of + the speeches he had listened to, had left, as it were, an unpleasant + aftertaste. How the crowds had cheered the hackneyed platitudes, the + blatant patriotic appeals, the malevolent caricature of opponents! + Something unspeakably trivial, vulgar, and evil in it all reminded him of + tired children when the romping begins to grow ill-natured. + </p> + <p> + And if the intellectual side of the struggle had been offensive, the moral + atmosphere of the Committee Rooms, infected as it was by the candidates, + had seemed to him to be even worse—mephitic, poisonous. He had + shrunk from realizing the sensations which had been forced upon him there—a + recoil of his nature as from unappeasable wild-beast greeds, with their + attendant envy, suspicion, and hatred seething like lava under the thin + crust of a forced affability, of a good-humour assumed to make deception + easy. He did not want to think of it; it was horrible. And perhaps, after + all, he was mistaken; perhaps his dislike of the work had got upon his + nerves, and showed him everything in the darkest colours. It could + scarcely be as bad as he thought, or human society would be impossible. + But argument could not blunt the poignancy of his feelings; he preferred, + therefore, to leave them inarticulate, striving to forget. In any case, + the ordeal would soon be over; it had to be endured for a few hours more, + and then he would plunge into his books again, and enjoy good company, he + and May together. + </p> + <p> + He was still lingering over this prospect when the servant came to tell + him that some gentlemen were waiting for him, and he found in the + sitting-room half-a-dozen of his favourite students. One of the Seniors, + named Cartrell, a young man of strong figure, and keen, bold face, + remarked, as he shook hands, that they had come to accompany him—” + Elections are sometimes rough, and we know the ropes.” Roberts thanked + them warmly, and they set off. + </p> + <p> + The Committee Rooms of the Democratic party were situated near the Court + House, in what had been once the centre, but was now the edge of the town. + The little troop had to pass through the negro quarter—small + frame-houses, peppered over grassless, bare lots, the broken-down fences + protesting against unsociable isolation. The Rooms, from the outside, + reminded one of a hive of angry bees. In and out of the door men were + hurrying, and a crowd swarmed on the side-walk talking in a loud, excited + hum. As soon as the Professor was recognized, a silence of astonishment + fell upon the throng. With stares of curiosity they drew aside to let him + enter. Slightly surprised by the reception, the Professor passed into the + chief room. At a table in the middle a man was speaking in a harsh, loud + voice—one Simpson, a popular orator, who had held aloof from the + meetings of the party. He was saying: + </p> + <p> + “It's a put-up game between them, but the question is, who's to go on the + ticket in—” + </p> + <p> + As Simpson's eyes met those of Roberts he stopped speaking. + </p> + <p> + “Good morning, gentlemen. Please continue, Mr. Simpson; I hope I'm not + interrupting you.” + </p> + <p> + The Professor did not like Mr. Simpson. The atrabilious face, the bitter, + thin lips, and grey eyes veined with yellow, reminded him indefinably of a + wild beast. Mr. Simpson seemed to take the courteous words as a challenge. + Drawing his wiry figure up he said, with insult in voice and manner: + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps you've come to nominate a Mayor; we'd all like to know your + choice.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't understand you.” + </p> + <p> + The Professor's tone was frank, his sincerity evident, but Simpson went + on: + </p> + <p> + “Don't ye? Perhaps Hutchin's has sent you to say, as he's sick it'd be + well to run Robinson on both tickets—eh?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know what you mean. I expected to meet Mr. Hutchings here. Is he + ill?” + </p> + <p> + “He'll get well soon, I reckon; but after taking a perscription from + Gulmore, he's mighty bad and can't leave the house.” + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean?” + </p> + <p> + “I mean that Hutchin's has withdrawn his candidature as Mayor. I mean that + the 'Herald' has the announcin' of it. I mean it's a put-up job between + him and Gulmore to ruin the Democratic party in this town. I mean—” + </p> + <p> + As the Professor drew back in amazement, young Cartrell stepped in front + of him and addressed Simpson: + </p> + <p> + “What proof have you of what you say?” + </p> + <p> + “Proof! Proof enough. Does an honest man resign a candidature on the + morning of an election, and give the other side the news before his own + party?” + </p> + <p> + The interruption had given Roberts time for reflection. He felt that + Simpson's facts must be right. It was characteristic of him that his first + thought was, Had Hutchings withdrawn in order to save him from further + attacks? No. If he had he'd have told him before the event. A sort of + nausea overpowered him as he remembered that Hutchings had related how + Gulmore had bought Patrick Byrne—and now he, too, had sold himself. + As in a flash Hutchings' weakness of fibre was laid bare to him. “That's + the reason I couldn't find him yesterday.” His heart sank within him. “How + could Hutchings have been so—?” With the belief in the lawyer's + guilt came the understanding that he too was concerned, suspected even. + Disgust of traitorism, conscious innocence impelled him to clear himself—but + how? To his surprise he found that companionship with these men had given + him some insight into their character. He put the question to Simpson: + </p> + <p> + “Can anything be done now?” + </p> + <p> + The steadiness of the tone, the resolve in his face, excited a certain + curiosity. Shrugging his shoulders, Simpson replied: + </p> + <p> + “We've not got a candidate. It's too late to get the party together. New + tickets'd have to be printed. I—” + </p> + <p> + “Will you accept the candidature?” Reading the man at once, Roberts turned + to the others: “Gentlemen, I hope some one will second me; I nominate Mr. + Simpson as Mayor, and propose that his name should be substituted for that + of Mr. Hutchings. To show that I'm in earnest I'll contribute five hundred + dollars towards the expense of printing the tickets.” + </p> + <p> + The Professor's offer of money seemed to exercise a magical influence upon + the crowd; the loud tones, the provocative rudeness of speech and bearing, + disappeared at once; the men began to show him the respect of attention, + and Mr. Simpson was even quicker than the rest in changing his attitude—perhaps + because he hoped to gain more than they did. + </p> + <p> + “I had no idee,” he began, “but if the Committee thinks I oughter run I've + no objection. I hain't ever cared for office, but I'm a party-man, an' + what the party wants me to do I'll do every time. I'm a Democrat right + through. I guess Lawyer Hutchin's has gone back on us, but that's not your + fault, Professor, and five hundred dollars—an' your work will do a + pile. The folk all like you an'—respect you an'—” + </p> + <p> + Roberts looked at the man; his offer had been a movement of indignant + contempt, and yet it had succeeded. He could have laughed; the key to the + enigma was in his hands; these men answered to the motive of self-interest + as a ship answers to the helm, and yet—how revolting it all was! The + next moment he again banished reflection. + </p> + <p> + “I'll go and get the money, and return as soon as possible. In the + meantime, perhaps you, Mr. Simpson, will see that the printing is begun + without delay. Then if you'll tell us what polling-stations need + superintendence, my friends and I will do our best.” + </p> + <p> + The appeal found an immediate response—in a few minutes order and + energetic work had taken the place of the former angry excitement and + recrimination. + </p> + <p> + To Professor Roberts the remainder of the day was one whirl of restless + labour; he hastened from one polling-station to another, and when the + round was completed drove to the Central Rooms, where questions had to be + answered, and new arrangements made without time for thought. Then he was + off again on his hurried round as canvasser. One incident, however, made a + definite impression upon him. Returning for the second or third time to + the Central Rooms he found himself in a crowd of Irish labourers who had + come in deference to priestly bidding to record their votes. Mr. + Hutchings' retirement had excited their native suspiciousness; they felt + that they had been betrayed, and yet the peremptory orders they had + received must be followed. The satisfaction of revolt being denied to + them, their anger became dangerous. Professor Roberts faced them quietly; + he soon saw that they were sincere, or were playing the part of sincerity; + he therefore spoke for the cause, for the party to which they belonged; + surely they wouldn't abandon the struggle because a leader had deserted + them! His words and manner; his appeal to their combativeness; his + earnestness and good temper were successful. The storm of invective + gradually subsided, and although one or two, for the sake of a row, sought + to insult him, they did not go to extremes in face of the resolute + disapprobation of the American party-leaders. Loyalty to their shibboleth + was beginning to draw them, still grumbling and making use of expressive + imprecations, on the way to the nearest polling-station, when one of their + leaders drew Professor Roberts aside, and asked him: + </p> + <p> + “Are the bhoys to have nothin' for their throuble? Half a day they'll + lose, so they will—a dollar each now would be no more than fair—” + </p> + <p> + The Professor shook his head; he was not rich, he said, and had already + spent more money in the contest than he could afford. + </p> + <p> + “Be gob, it's poor worruk this talkin' an' votin' for us that gets nothin' + by it “—the phrase stuck in his memory as illustrating the paltry + baseness of the whole affair. It was with a sense of relief that he threw + himself again into the turmoil that served to deaden thought. As the day + wore towards evening he became conscious of fatigue, a weariness that was + not of the body alone, but of the head and heart. After the closing of the + polls he returned to the Central Rooms. They were filled with an + enthusiastic crowd, most of whom professed to believe that the Democratic + party had won all along the line. Roberts found it hard to bear their + self-gratulation and the exuberance of their triumph, but when Simpson + began to take the liberties of comradeship with him, the cup ran over. He + cut the man short with a formally polite phrase, and betook himself to his + house. He would not think even of May; her image brought him face to face + with her father; and he wanted rest. + </p> + <p> + In the morning the Professor awoke with a feeling of utter depression. + Before he opened the paper he was sure that his hopelessness had been + justified. He was right—Gulmore had carried his whole ticket, and + Simpson had been beaten by a majority of more than a thousand. The + Democratic organ did not scruple to ascribe the defeat to the fact that + Lawyer Hutchings had sold his party. The simulated indignation of the + journalist found expression in phrases which caricatured the simplicity of + sincere condemnation. “Never did shameless corruption...” Roberts could + not read the stuff. Yet the feigned passion and tawdry rhetoric in some + way stirred up his bile; he would see Hutchings and—but if he + unpacked his heart's bitterness upon her father, he would hurt May. He + must restrain himself; Hutchings would understand from his manner, and May + would be sympathetic—as she always was. + </p> + <p> + Another thought exasperated him afresh. His idealism had made him + ridiculous in the eyes of the townsfolk. He had spent money he could ill + spare in a hopeless cause, which was not even a worthy one. And now + everybody was laughing at him or sneering—he grew hot with shame. + That his motives were honourable only heightened the ludicrousness of his + action: it seemed as if he had made a fool of himself. He almost wished + that he had left the Democrats to their own devices. But no! he had done + the right, and that was the main point. The sense of failure, however, + robbed him of confidence in regard to the future. How should he act? Since + high motives were ineffectual, Quixotic, ought he to discard them and come + down to the ordinary level? 'Twould be better not to live at all. The + half-life of a student, a teacher, dwelling apart from the world, would be + preferable to such degradation; but— + </p> + <p> + The situation appeared to him to be so difficult that as soon as he had + taken his breakfast he went out for a walk away from the town in order to + avoid importunate visits, and to decide upon a course of conduct. The air + and exercise invigorated him; the peace and solitude of the prairie, the + beauty of earth and sky, the unconsciousness of nature consoled him, + reduced his troubles to relative unimportance, and allowed him to regain + his equanimity. + </p> + <p> + Even his ideas in regard to Hutchings underwent a change. After all it was + not his part to condemn; his indignation owed its heat to baffled egotism + and paltry vanity. When the personal element was abstracted from the + causes of his vexation, what remained? Were Hutchings a figure in history, + would he judge him with the same intolerance? No; weakness, corruptibility + even, would then excite no harsher feeling than a sort of amused contempt. + The reflection mitigated his anger. He began to take an intellectual + pleasure in the good-humoured acceptance of the wrong inflicted upon him. + Plato was right, it was well to suffer injustice without desiring to + retaliate. He had yet to learn that just as oil only smoothes the surface + of waves, so reason has merely a superficial effect upon character. + </p> + <p> + Early in the afternoon he made his way to May's home. According to his + habit he passed by the servant-girl and entered the study—to find + himself face to face with the lawyer. + </p> + <p> + The shock of disappointment and a certain latent antagonism caused him to + speak with a directness which was in itself discourteous. + </p> + <p> + “Is Miss May in? I wished to see her.” After a momentary pause he added, + with a tinge of sarcasm, “Your illness wasn't serious, I see.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Hutchings was not taken by surprise; he had prepared for this meeting, + and had resolved to defend himself. The task, he believed, would be easy. + He had almost persuaded himself that he had acted in the Professor's + interest. Roberts was singularly unworldly; he might accept the + explanation, and if he didn't—what did it matter? His own brighter + prospects filled him with a sense of triumph; in the last three days his + long-repressed vanity had shot up to self-satisfaction, making him callous + to what Roberts or any one else might think. But the sneer in his + visitor's words stung him, induced him to throw off the mask of illness + which he had intended to assume. He replied with an indifference that was + defiant: + </p> + <p> + “No; I wasn't well yesterday, but I'm better now, though I shall keep + indoors for a day or two. A chill, I suppose.” + </p> + <p> + Receiving no answer, he found relief in complete boldness. + </p> + <p> + “You see my prediction as to the result of the election has been + justified?” + </p> + <p> + “You might even say <i>pars magna fui</i>.” + </p> + <p> + The retort slipped out. The impudent challenge had to be met. The + Professor did not realize how contemptuously he spoke. + </p> + <p> + The womanish weakness in Hutchings sprang to hurried attack. + </p> + <p> + “At any rate you've no cause for reproach. I resigned chiefly to shield + you. I told you long ago that I didn't want particularly to be Mayor, and + the assault upon your position in the University decided me. There was no + way to save your place except by giving Gulmore the victory he wanted. + You're engaged to May, and May is fond of you: I'm not rich, and a post of + three thousand dollars a year is not often to be found by a young man. + What would you do if you were dismissed? I had to—sacrifice myself. + Not that it matters much, but I've got myself into a fuss with the party, + injured myself all round on your account, and then you talk as if you had + some reason to be offended. That's hardly right, Professor.” The lawyer + was satisfied with his case; his concluding phrase built a bridge for a + magnanimous reconciliation. + </p> + <p> + “You wish me to believe that you resigned at the last moment without + telling me of your intention in order to further my interests?” Mr. + Hutchings was disagreeably shocked by the disdainful, incredulous + question; Roberts was harder to blind than he had supposed; his + indignation became more than half sincere. + </p> + <p> + “I didn't make up my mind till the last minute—I couldn't. It wasn't + easy for me to leave the party I've fought with for ten years. And the + consequences don't seem likely to be pleasant to me. But that doesn't + signify. This discussion is useless. If you'll take my advice you'll think + of answering the charge that will be brought against you in the Faculty + meeting, instead of trying to get up a groundless accusation against me.” + The menace in the words was not due solely to excitement and ill-temper. + Mr. Hutchings had been at pains to consider all his relations with the + Professor. He had hoped to deceive him, at least for the moment, and gain + time—postpone a painful decision. He had begun to wish that the + engagement between Roberts and May might be broken off. In six months or a + year he would have to declare himself on Gulmore's side; the fact would + establish his complicity, and he had feared what he now knew, that Roberts + would be the severest of critics—an impossible son-in-law. Besides, + in the East, as the daughter of a Member of Congress, May might command a + high position—with her looks she could marry any one—while + Roberts would be dismissed or compelled to resign his post. A young man + without a career who would play censor upon him in his own house was not + to be thought of. The engagement must be terminated. May could be brought + to understand.... + </p> + <p> + The Professor did not at once grasp the situation in so far as he himself + was concerned. But he divined the cause of the lawyer's irritability, and + refrained from pushing the argument further. The discussion could, indeed, + serve no purpose, save to embitter the quarrel. He therefore answered + quietly: + </p> + <p> + “I didn't come here to dispute with you. I came to see May. Is she in?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I think not. I believe she went out some time ago.” + </p> + <p> + “In that case I'll go home. Perhaps you'll tell her I called. Good day.” + </p> + <p> + “Good day!” + </p> + <p> + As the Professor left the house his depression of the morning returned + upon him. He was dissatisfied with himself. He had intended to show no + anger, no resentment, and, nevertheless, his temper had run away with him. + He recognized that he had made a grave mistake, for he was beginning to + foresee the consequences of it. Trained to severe thinking, but + unaccustomed to analyze motives, the full comprehension of Hutchings' + attitude and its probable effects upon his happiness only came to him + gradually, but it came at length so completely that he could remember the + very words of the foregoing conversation, and recall the tones of the + voices. He could rebuild the puzzle; his understanding of it, therefore, + must be the true one. The irrationality of the defence was a final proof + that the lawyer had played him false. “Hutchings sold himself—most + likely for place. He didn't fear a quarrel with me—that was evident; + perhaps he wishes to get rid of me—evident, too. He believes that I + shall be dismissed, or else he wouldn't have laid stress upon the + importance of my keeping my position. When I spoke of May he was curt. And + the explanation? He has wronged me. The old French proverb holds true, + 'The offender seldom forgives.' He'll probably go on to harm me further, + for I remind him of his vileness. This, then, is life, not as I imagined + it, but as it is, and such creatures as Hutchings are human beings. Well, + after all, it is better to know the truth than to cheat oneself with a + mirage. I shall appreciate large natures with noble and generous impulses + better, now that I know how rare they are.” + </p> + <p> + In his room he found May awaiting him. Across his surprise and joy there + came an intense admiration of her, a heart-pang of passionate gratitude. + As she moved towards him her incommunicable grace of person and manner + completed the charm. The radiant gladness of the eyes; the outstretched + hands; the graceful form, outlined in silver-grey; the diadem of + honey-coloured hair; something delicate yet courageous, proud yet tender + in her womanhood remained with him ever afterwards. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, May!” The word seemed to bring joy and tingling life to his + half-numbed heart. He seized her hands and drew her to him, and kissed her + on the hair, and brows, and eyes with an abandonment of his whole nature, + such as she had never before known in him. All her shyness, her uneasiness + vanished in the happiness of finding that she had so pleased him, and + mingled with this joy was a new delightful sense of her own power. When + released from his embrace she questioned him by a look. His emotion + astonished her. + </p> + <p> + “My love,” he said, kissing her hands, “how good of you to come to me, how + sweet and brave you are to wait for me here! I was growing weak with fear + lest I should lose you, too, in the general wreck. And you came and sat + here for me patiently—Darling!” + </p> + <p> + There was a mingling of self-surrender and ruffled pride in her smiling + reproach: + </p> + <p> + “Lose me? What do you mean? I waited for you last night, sir, and all this + weary morning, till I could wait no longer; I had to find you. I would + have stayed at home till you came; I meant to, but father startled me: he + said he was afraid you'd lose your place as Professor in spite of all he + had done for you. 'Twas good of him, wasn't it, to give up running for + Mayor, so as not to embitter Gulmore against you? I was quite proud of + him. But you won't lose your post, will you? Has anything serious + happened?—Dear!” + </p> + <p> + He paused to think, but he could not see any way to avoid telling her the + truth. Disappointments had so huddled upon him, the insight he had won + into human nature was so desolating that his heart ached for sympathy and + affection. He loved her; she was to be his wife; how could he help winning + her to his side? Besides, her words voiced his own fears—her father + had already begun to try to part them. She must know all and judge. But + how? Should he give her “The Tribune” to read? No—it was vindictive. + </p> + <p> + “Come and sit down, May, and I'll tell you what happened yesterday. You + shall judge for yourself whether I was right or wrong.” + </p> + <p> + He told her, point by point, what had occurred. May listened in silence + till he stopped. + </p> + <p> + “But why did he resign? What could he gain by that?” + </p> + <p> + While she was speaking a thought crimsoned her cheeks; she had found the + key to the enigma. Three nights before her father had talked of Washington + and the East with a sort of exultation. At the time she had not paid much + attention to this, though it had struck her as very different from his + habit. Now the peculiarity of it confirmed her suspicion. In some way or + other his action in resigning was connected with his inexplicable high + spirits. A wave of indignation swept over her. Not that she felt the + disgust which had sickened the Professor when he first heard of the + traitorism. He had condemned Mr. Hutchings on the grounds of public + morality; May's anger was aroused because her father had sought to deceive + <i>her</i>; had tried by lying suggestion to take credit to himself, + whereas— + </p> + <p> + “I wouldn't have believed it,” she murmured, with the passionate revolt of + youth against mean deceit. “I can never forgive him or trust him again.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't let us talk of it any more, dear. I wouldn't have told you only I + was afraid that he would try to separate us. Now I know you are on my side + I wouldn't have you judge him harshly.” + </p> + <p> + “On your side,” she repeated, with a certain exaltation of manner. “On + your side always in spite of everything. I feel for you more intensely + than for myself.” In a lower voice and with hesitating speech she added: + “Did he—did he tell you that he resigned on your account?” + </p> + <p> + He nodded. + </p> + <p> + “And you're not angry?” + </p> + <p> + “No.” He smiled slightly. “I understand men better now than I did + yesterday. That's all.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, but you ought to be mad. I am. How can you—” + </p> + <p> + “Let us talk, dear, of what concerns us more. Have you heard anything? + From what your father said I half fear that the meeting to-morrow may go + against me. Has no one called?” + </p> + <p> + “Professor Krazinski. I saw his card on the table when I came in. You + think it's a bad sign that he's the only one?” + </p> + <p> + “I'm afraid so. It may be merely anxiety, but I'm growing suspicious of + every one now. I catch myself attributing low motives to men without + reason. That electioneering has infected me. I hate myself for it, but I + can't help it; I loathe the self-seeking and the vileness. I'd rather not + know men at all than see them as they've shown themselves lately. I want + to get away and rinse my mouth out and forget all about it—away + somewhere with you, my sweet love.” + </p> + <p> + “But you mustn't let them condemn you without an effort.” While speaking + she put her hand on his shoulder and moved close to him. “It might injure + us later. And you know you can persuade them if you like. No one can + listen to you without being won over. And I want you to keep your post; + you love teaching and you're the best teacher in the world, ah—” + </p> + <p> + He put his arms round her, and she bowed her head on his neck, that he + might not see the gathering tears. + </p> + <p> + “You're right, dear. I spoke hastily. I'll do my best. It won't be as bad + as we think. My colleagues are men of some education and position. They're + not like the crowd of ignorant voters and greedy place-hunters; they'll + listen to reason, and “—half bitterly—“they've no motive to do + me wrong. Besides, Krazinksi has called, and I scarcely know him; perhaps + the others didn't think of coming. It was kind of him, wasn't it? I'm very + grateful to him. He must be a good fellow.” + </p> + <p> + “What has he done so wonderful? Oh, my!”—and she turned her face up + to his with half-laughing deprecation—“I'm afraid I'm deteriorating + too. I can't hear you praise any one now without feeling horribly jealous. + Yes, he must be good. But don't be <i>too</i> grateful to him, or—I + must be going now, and, oh! what a long time it'll be until to-morrow! I + shall have grown old before—to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + “Sweetheart! You'll come here and wait for me in the afternoon, won't you? + I shall want to see you so much.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, if you like; but I intended to go up to the University—mayn't + I? It'll seem ages—aeons—waiting here by myself.” + </p> + <p> + “The meeting will not last long, and I'll come to you as soon as it's + over. Darling, you don't know how much you have helped me. You have given + me courage and hope,” and he folded her in his arms. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Gulmore liked to spend his evenings with his wife and daughter. It + amused him to hear what they had been doing during the day. Their gossip + had its value; sentimental or spiteful, it threw quaint sidelights upon + character. On the evening before the Faculty meeting Ida was bending over + a book, while Mr. Gulmore smoked, and watched her. His daughter was + somewhat of a puzzle to him still, and when occasion offered he studied + her. “Where does she get her bitterness from? I'm not bitter, an' I had + difficulties, was poor an' ignorant, had to succeed or go under, while she + has had everythin' she wanted. It's a pity she ain't kinder....” + </p> + <p> + Presently Mrs. Gulmore put away her work and left the room. Taking up the + thread of a conversation that had been broken off by his wife's presence, + Mr. Gulmore began: + </p> + <p> + “I don't say Roberts'll win, Ida. The bettin' 's the other way; but I'm + not sure, for I don't know the crowd. He may come out on top, though I hev + noticed that young men who run into their first fight and get badly + whipped ain't likely to fight desperate the second time.—Grit's half + trainin'!” + </p> + <p> + “I wish I could be there to <i>see</i> him beaten!” Ida had tried to turn + her wounded pride into dislike, and was succeeding. “I hate to feel he's + in the same town with us—the coward!” + </p> + <p> + At this moment Mrs. Gulmore reentered the room. + </p> + <p> + “To think of it! Sal left the gas-stove flarin'. I made her get up and + come downstairs to put it out. That'll learn her! Of all the careless, + shiftless creatures, these coloured people are the worst. Come, Ida, it's + long after nine, and I'm tired. You can read in your bedroom if you want + to.” + </p> + <p> + After the usual “good night” and kisses, Ida went upstairs. While Mrs. + Gulmore busied herself putting “things straight,” Mr. Gulmore sat + thinking: + </p> + <p> + “She takes after her mother in everythin', but she has more pride. It's + that makes her bitter. She's jest like her—only prettier. The same + peaky nose, pointed chin, little thin ears set close to her head, fine + hair—the Yankee school-marm. First-rate managin' women; the best + wives in the world to keep a house an' help a man on. But they hain't got + sensuality enough to be properly affectionate.” + </p> + <p> + On the following afternoon Roberts stopped before the door of his house + and looked back towards the University. There on the crest of the hill + stood the huge building of bluish-grey stone with the round tower of the + observatory in the middle—like a mallet with a stubby handle in the + air. + </p> + <p> + While gazing thus a shrill voice reached him, the eager treble of a + newsboy: + </p> + <p> + “Great Scandal!” he heard—and then “Scandal in the University! Full + Report! Only five cents! Five cents for the 'Herald's' Special!” + </p> + <p> + He hastened to the gate and beckoned to the little figure in the distance. + His thoughts were whirling. What did it mean? Could the “Herald” have + issued a special edition with the report of the meeting? Impossible! there + wasn't time for that. Yet, he had walked leisurely with Krazinski, and + newspapers did wonders sometimes. Wonders! 'twould be a breach of + confidence. There was an honourable understanding that no one should + divulge what took place in a Faculty meeting. “Honourable” and Gulmore—the + two words wouldn't go together. Could it be? + </p> + <p> + A glance at the contents-bill brought a flush to his face. He gave a + quarter for the sheet, and as the boy fumbled for change he said, taking + hold of the bill: + </p> + <p> + “I want this too; you can keep the rest of the money,” and hurried into + the house. + </p> + <p> + May met him at the door of the sitting-room, but did not speak, while he + opened out the paper, and in silence showed her the six columns, + containing a verbatim report of the meeting. + </p> + <p> + “What do you think of that?” he asked, and without waiting for an answer + he spread the contents-bill upon the table. + </p> + <p> + “This is better,” he went on, bitterly. “Read this!” And she read: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Ructions in Learning's Home. The President's Flank Attack. + + Fours to a Pair. The Pagan retires and the Pole. +</pre> + <p> + “Oh, the brutes! How could they?” May exclaimed. “But what does it mean?” + </p> + <p> + “You have it all there,” he said, touching the bill; “all in two or three + lines of cheerful insult, as is our American fashion. In spite of the + opinion of every leading lawyer in the State, sixteen—fanatics, to + give them the benefit of the doubt, voted that a disbelief in Christian + dogma was the same thing as 'open immorality.' The Father of Lies made + such men!” + </p> + <p> + “Did no one vote for you?” + </p> + <p> + “Two, Krazinski and some one else, I think 'twas little Black, and two + papers were blank. But fancy the President speaking against me, though he + has a casting-vote. All he could say was that the parents were the only + proper judges of what a student should be taught. Let us grant that; I may + have been mistaken, wrong, if you like; but my fault was not 'open + immorality,' as specified in the Statute. They lied against me, those + sixteen.” + </p> + <p> + May sympathized too keenly with his indignation to think of trying to + allay it; she couldn't help asking, “What did you do after the voting?” + </p> + <p> + “What could I do? I had had enough of such opponents. I told them that if + they dismissed me I'd take the case into the courts, where at the worst + their reading of the words 'open immorality' would be put upon record, and + my character freed from stain. But, if they chose to rescind their vote I + said I was willing to resign.” + </p> + <p> + “They accepted that?” + </p> + <p> + “Krazinski forced them to. He told them some home-truths. They dared not + face the law courts lest it should come out that the professorships were + the rewards of sectarian bigotry. He went right through the list, and + ended by resigning his position. + </p> + <p> + “Then Campbell got up and regretted his speech. It was uncalled-for and—you + know the sort of thing. My colleagues, he said, would have preferred to + retain my services if I had yielded to the opinion of the parents. Under + the circumstances there was no course open but to accept my resignation. + They would not enter the vote upon the minutes; they would even write me a + letter expressing regret at losing me, etc. So the matter ended. + </p> + <p> + “Coming down the hill I tried to persuade Krazinski not to resign on my + account. But the dear old fellow was obstinate; he had long intended to + retire. He was very kind. He thinks I shall find another place easily. + </p> + <p> + “Now, May, you have heard the whole tale, what is your opinion? Are you + disappointed with me? You might well be. I'm disappointed with myself. + Somehow or other I've not got hate enough in me to be a good fighter.” + </p> + <p> + “Disappointed? How little you know me! It's my life now to be with you. + Whatever you say or do is right to me. I think it's all for the best; I + wouldn't have you stay here after what has passed.” + </p> + <p> + May meant all she said, and more. At the bottom of her heart she was not + sorry that he was going to leave Tecumseh. If she thereby lost the + pleasure of appearing as his wife before the companions of her youth, on + the other hand, he would belong to her more completely, now that he was + cut off from all other sympathy and no longer likely to meet Miss Gulmore. + Moreover, her determination to follow him in single-hearted devotion + seemed to throw the limelight of romance upon her disagreement with her + father, which had been much more acute than she had given Roberts to + suppose. She had loved her father, and if he had appealed to her affection + he could have so moved her that she would have shown Roberts a hesitation + which, in his troubled and depressed condition, might have brought about a + coldness between them, if not a rupture of their relations. But Hutchings, + feeling that he was in the wrong, had contented himself with depreciating + Roberts by sneer and innuendo, and so had aroused her generous + partisanship. The proceedings of the Faculty naturally increased her + sympathy with her lover, and her enthusiastic support did much to revive + his confidence in himself. When they parted in the evening he had already + begun to think of the preparations to be made for his journey Eastwards. + </p> + <p> + A few weeks later a little knot of friends stood together one morning on + the down-platform of the Tecumseh station, waiting for the train to come + in. Professor Roberts was the centre of the group, and by his side stood + dainty May Hutchings, the violet eyes intense with courage that held the + sweet lips to a smile. Around them were some ten or a dozen students and + Krazinski, all in the highest spirits. They were talking about Roberts' + new appointment at Yale, which he attributed to Krazinsk's influence. + Presently they became aware of an unwonted stir at the entrance-door + behind them. As they turned in wonder they saw that the negro hands had + formed a lane through which, heralded by the obsequious station-master, + Mr. Gul-more, with his daughter on his arm, was coming towards them. + Heedless of their astonishment, the Boss walked on till he stood in front + of Roberts. + </p> + <p> + “Professor, we've heard of your good fortune, and are come to congratulate + you. Ida here always thought a pile of your knowledge an' teachin', an' I + guess she was right. Our little difference needn't count now. You + challenged me to a sort of wrastle an' you were thrown; but I bear no + malice, an' I'm glad to offer you my hand an' to wish you—success.” + </p> + <p> + Roberts shook hands without hesitation. He was simply surprised, and had + no inkling of the reason which had led Gulmore to come to the station and + to bring Ida. Had he been told that this was the father's plan for + protecting his daughter against the possibility of indiscreet gossip he + would have been still more astonished. “Nor do I bear malice,” he + rejoined, with a smile; “though the wrestling can hardly be considered + fair when twenty pull one man down.” + </p> + <p> + “'Twas my crowd against yours,” replied the Boss indifferently. “But I'm + kinder sorry that you're leavin' the town. I'd never have left a place + where I was beaten. No, sir; I'd have taken root right there an' waited. + Influence comes with time, an' you had youth on your side.” + </p> + <p> + “That may be your philosophy, Mr. Gulmore,” said Roberts lightly, as the + other paused, “but it's not mine. I'm satisfied with one or two falls; + they've taught me that the majority is with you.” + </p> + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Gulmore, The Boss, by Frank Harris + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GULMORE, THE BOSS *** + +***** This file should be named 23010-h.htm or 23010-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/3/0/1/23010/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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