eben holden-第40章

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'Take　what　you　want；'said　he；　holding　it　toward　her；　'and　please　go　for　I　am　very　busy。'Whereupon　she　helped　herself　liberally　and　went　away。

Seeing　me；　Mr　Greeley　came　and　shook　my　hand　warmly　and　praised　me　fer　a　good　soldier。

'Going　down　town；'he　said　in　a　moment；　drawing　on　his　big　white　overcoat；　'walk　along　with　me　…　won't　you？　

We　crossed　the　park；　he　leading　me　with　long　strides。　As　we　walked　he　told　how　he　had　been　suffering　from　brain　fever。　Passing　St　Paul's　churchyard　he　brushed　the　iron　pickets　with　his　hand　as　if　to　try　the　feel　of　them。　Many　turned　to　stare　at　him　curiously。　He　asked　me；　soon；　if　I　would　care　to　do　a　certain　thing　for　the　Tribune；　stopping；　to　look　in　at　a　shop　window；　as　I　answered　him。　I　waited　while　he　did　his　errand　at　a　Broadway　shop；　then　we　came　back　to　the　office。　The　publisher　was　in　Mr　Greeley's　room。

'Where's　my　ham；　Dave？'said　the　editor　as　he　looked　at　the　slab　of　marble　where　the　ham　had　lain。

'Don't　know　for　sure；'said　the　publisher；　'it's　probably　up　at　the　house　of　the　…　editor　by　this　time。　

'What　did　you　go　'n　give　it　to　him　for？'drawled　Mr　Greeley　in　a　tone　of　irreparable　injury。　'I　wanted　that　ham　for　myself。　

'I　didn　t　give　it　to　him；'said　the　publisher。　'He　came　and　helped　himself。　Said　he　supposed　it　was　sent　in　for　notice。　

'The　infernal　thief！'Mr　Greeley　piped　with　a　violent　gesture。　'I　ll　swear！　if　I　didn　t　keep　my　shirt　buttoned　tight　they　d　have　that；　too。　

The　ham　was　a　serious　obstacle　in　the　way　of　my　business　and　it　went　over　until　evening。　But　that　and　like　incidents　made　me　to　know　the　man　as　I　have　never　seen　him　pictured　…　a　boy　grown　old　and　grey；　pushing　the　power　of　manhood　with　the　ardours　of　youth。

I　resumed　work　on　the　Tribune　that　week。　My　first　assignment　was　a　mass　meeting　in　a　big　temporary　structure　…　then　called　a　wigwam　…　over　in　Brooklyn。　My　political　life　began　that　day　and　all　by　an　odd　chance。　The　wigwam　was　crowded　to　the　doors。　The　audience　bad　been　waiting　half　an　hour　for　the　speaker。　The　chairman　had　been　doing　his　best　to　kill　time　but　had　run　out　of　ammunition。　He　had　sat　down　to　wait；　an　awkward　silence　had　begun。　The　crowd　was　stamping　and　whistling　and　clapping　with　impatience。　As　I　walked　down　the　centre　aisle；　to　the　reporter　s　table；　they　seemed　to　mistake　me　for　the　speaker。　Instantly　a　great　uproar　began。　It　grew　louder　every　step　I　took。　I　began　to　wonder　and　then　to　fear　the　truth。　As　I　neared　the　stage　the　chairman　came　forward　beckoning　to　me。　I　went　to　the　ffight　of　steps　leading　up　to　that　higher　level　of　distinguished　citizens　and　halted；　not　knowing　just　what　to　do。　He　came　and　leaned　over　and　whispered　down　at　me。　I　remember　he　was　red　in　the　face　and　damp　with　perspiration。

'What　is　your　name？'he　enquired。

'Brower；'said　I　in　a　whisper。

A　look　of　relief　came　into　his　face　and　I　am　sure　a　look　of　anxiety　came　into　mine。　He　had　taken　the　centre　of　the　stage　before　I　could　stop　him。

'Lathes　and　gentlemen；'said　he；　'I　am　glad　to　inform　you　that　General　Brower　has　at　last　arrived。　

I　remembered　then　there　was　a　General　Brower　in　the　army　who　was　also　a　power　in　politics。

In　the　storm　of　applause　that　followed　this　announcement；　I　beckoned　him　to　the　edge　of　the　platform　again。　I　was　nearer　a　condition　of　mental　panic　than　I　have　ever　known　since　that　day。

'I　am　not　General　Brower；'I　whispered。

'What！'said　he　in　amazement。

'I　am　not　General　Brower；'I　said。

'Great　heavens！'he　whispered；　covering　his　mouth　with　his　band　and　looking　very　thoughtful。　'You　ll　have　to　make　a　speech；　anyway　…　there's　no　escape。　

I　could　see　no　way　out　of　it　and；　after　a　moment's　hesitation；　ascended　the　platform　took　off　my　overcoat　and　made　a　speech。

Fortunately　the　issue　was　one　with　which　I　had　been　long　familiar。　I　told　them　how　I　had　been　trapped。　The　story　put　the　audience　in　good　humour　and　they　helped　me　along　with　very　generous　applause。　And　so　began　my　career　in　politics　which　has　brought　me　more　honour　than　I　deserved　although　I　know　it　has　not　been　wholly　without　value　to　my　country。　It　enabled　me　to　repay　in　part　the　kindness　of　my　former　chief　at　a　time　when　he　was　sadly　in　need　of　friends。　I　remember　meeting　him　in　Washington　a　day　of　that　exciting　campaign　of　72。　I　was　then　in　Congress。

'I　thank　you　for　what　you　have　done；　Brower；'said　he；　'but　I　tell　you　I　am　licked。　I　shall　not　carry　a　single　state。　I　am　going　to　be　slaughtered。　

He　had　read　his　fate　and　better　than　he　knew。　In　politics　he　was　a　great　prophet。

Chapter　43

The　north　country　lay　buried　in　the　snow　that　Christmastime。　Here　and　there　the　steam　plough　had　thrown　its　furrows；　on　either　side　of　the　railroad；　high　above　the　window　line。　The　fences　were　muffled　in　long　ridges　of　snow；　their　stakes　showing　like　pins　in　a　cushion　of　white　velvet。　Some　of　the　small　trees　on　the　edge　of　the　big　timber　stood　overdrifted　to　their　boughs。　I　have　never　seen　such　a　glory　of　the　morning　as　when　the　sun　came　up；　that　day　we　were　nearing　home；　and　lit　the　splendour　of　the　hills；　there　in　the　land　I　love。　The　frosty　nap　of　the　snow　glowed　far　and　near　with　pulsing　glints　of　pale　sapphire。

We　came　into　Hillsborough　at　noon　the　day　before　Christmas。　Father　and　Uncle　Eb　met　us　at　the　depot　and　mother　stood　waving　her　handkerchief　at　the　door　as　we　drove　up。　And　when　we　were　done　with　our　greetings　and　were　standing；　damp　eyed；　to　warm　ourselves　at　the　fire；　Uncle　Eb　brought　his　palms　together　with　a　loud　whack　and　said：

'Look　here；　Liz　beth　Brower！　I　want　if　hey　ye　tell　me　if　ye　ever　see　a　likelier　pair　o'colts。　

She　laughed　as　she　looked　at　us。　In　a　moment　she　ran　her　hand　down　the　side　of　Hope's　gown。　Then　she　lifted　a　fold　of　the　cloth　and　felt　of　it　thoughtfully。

'How　much　was　that　a　yard？'she　asked　a　dreamy　look　in　her　eyes。　'Wy！　w'y！'she　continued　as　Hope　told　her　the　sum。　'Terrible　steep！　but　it　does　fit　splendid！　Oughter　wear　well　too！　Wish　ye　d　put　that　on　if　ye　go　t'church　nex'Sunday。　

'O　mother！'said　Hope；　laughing；　'I　ll　wear　my　blue　silk。　

'Come　boys　'n　girls；'said　Elizabeth　suddenly；　'dinner's　all　ready　in　the　other　room。　

'Beats　the　world！'said　Uncle　Eb；　as　we　sat　down　at　the　table。　'Ye　do　look　gran'if　me　…　ree…markable　gran　；　both　uv　ye。　Tek　a　premium　at　any　fair　…　ye　would　sartin。　

'Has　he　won　yer　affections？'said　David　laughing　as　he　looked　over　at　Hope。

'He　has；'said　she　solemnly。

'Affections　are　a　sing　lar　kind　o'prop　ty；'said　Uncle　Eb。　'Hain't　good　fer　nuthin''iii　ye　ve　gin　em　away。　Then；　like　as　not；　they　git　very　valyble。　

'Good　deal　that　way　with　money　too；'said　Elizabeth　Brower。

'I　recollec'when　Hope　was　a　leetle　bit　uv　a　girl'said　Uncle　Eb；　'she　used　if　say　'et　when　she　got　married　she　was　goin'if　hev　her　husban'rub　my　back　fer　me　when　it　was　lame。　

'I　haven　t　forgotten　it；'said　Hope；　'and　if　you　will　all　come　you　will　make　us　happier。　

'Good　many　mouths　if　feed！'Uncle　Ebb　remarked。

'I　could　take　in　sewing　and　help　some；'said　Elizabeth　Brower；　as　she　sipped　her　tea。

There　was　a　little　quiver　in　David's　under　lip　as　he　looked　over　at　her。　'You　ain't　able　t'do　hard　work　any　more；　mother；'said　he。　'She　won't　never　hey　to　nuther；'said　Uncle　Eb。　'Don't　never　pay　if　go　bookin'fer　trouble　…　it　　stew　easy　if　find。　There　ain'no　sech　thing　's　trouble　'n　this　world　'less　ye　look　for　it。　Happiness　won't　hey　nuthin　if　dew　with　a　man　thet　likes　trouble。　Minnit　a　man　stops　lookin'fer　trouble　happiness　'II　look　fer　him。　Things　came　puny　nigh's　ye　like　'em　here　'n　this　world　…　hot　er　cold　er　only　middlin　。　Ye　can　either　laugh　er　cry　er　fight　er　fish　er　go　if　meetin　。　If　ye　don't　like　erry　one　you　can　fin　fault。　I　m　on　the　lookout　fer　happiness　…　suits　me　best；　someway；　an　don't　hurt　my　feelin's　a　bit。　

'Ev'ry　day's　a　kind　uv　a　circus　day　with　you；　Holden；'said　David　Brower。　'Alwuss　hevin'a　good　time。　Ye　can　hey　more　fun　with　yerseif　'n　any　man　I　ever　see。'

'If　I　hey　as　much　hereafter　es　I've　hed　here；　I　ain't　a　goin'if　fin'no　fault；'said　Uncle　Eb。　''S　a　reel；　splendid　world。　God's　fixed　it　up　so　ev　ry　body　can　hey　a　good　time　if　they　ll　only　hey　it。　Once　I　heard　uv　a　poor　man　'at　hed　a　bushel　o'corn　give　tew　him。　He　looked　up　kind　o'sad　an'ast　if　they　wouldn　t　please　shell　it。　Then　they　tuk　it　away。　God's　gin　us　happiness　in　the　ear；　but　He　ain't　a　goin't'shell　it　fer　us。　You　n　'Lizabeth　oughter　be　very　happy。　Look　a'them　tew　childern！　

There　came　a　rap　at　the　door　then。　David　put　on　his　cap　and　went　out　with　Uncle　Eb。

'It's　somebody　for　more　money；'Elizabeth　whispered；　her　eyes　filling。　'I　know　'tis；　or　he　would　have　asked　him　in。　We　re　goin't　　lose　our　home。　

Her　lips　quivered；　she　covered　her　eyes　a　moment。

'David　ain't　well；'she　continued。　'Worries　night　'n　day　over　money　matters。　Don't　say　much；　but　I　can　see　it's　alwuss　on　his　mind。　Woke　up　in　the　middle　o'the　night　awhile　ago。　Found　him　sittm　　by　the　stove。　〃Mother；〃　he　said；　〃we　can't　never　go　back　to　farmin　。　I've　ploughed　furrows　enough　if　go　'round　the　world。　Couldn't　never　go　through　it　ag　in。〃　〃Well；〃　said　I；　〃if　you　think　best　we　could　start　over　see　how　we　git　along。　I　m　willin'if　try　it。〃　〃No；　we　re　too　old；〃　he　says。　〃Thet's　out　o'the　question。　I've　been　thinkin'what'll　we　do　there　with　Bill　'n　Hope　if　we　go　t'live　with　'em？　Don't　suppose　they　ll　hey　any　hosses　if　take　care　uv　er　any　wood　if　chop。　What　we'll　hey　if　do　is　more　n　I　can　make　out。　We　can't　do　nuthin；　we've　never　learnt　how。〃　

'We　ve　thought　that　all　over；'I　said。　'We　may　have　a　place　in　the　country　with　a　big　garden。　

'Well；'said　she；　'I　m　very　well　if　I　am　over　sixty。　I　can　cook　an　　wash　an'mend　an'iron　just　as　well　as　I　ever　could。　

Uncle　Eb　came　to　the　door　then。

'Bill；'he　said；　'I　want　you　'n　Hope　if　come　out　here　'n　look　at　this　young　colt　o'mine。　He's　playful　's　a　kitten。　

We　put　on　our　wraps　and　went　to　the　stable。　Uncle　Eb　was　there　alone。

'If　ye　brought　any　Cnssmus　presents；'he　whispered；　'slip　'em　into　my　han　s。　I　m　goin'if　run　the　cirkis　t'morrow　an'if　we　don't　hev　fun　a　plenty　I'll　miss　my　guess。　

'I　ll　lay　them　out　in　my　room；'said　Hope。

'Be　sure　'n　put　the　names　on　'em；'Uncle　Eb　whispered；　as　Hope　went　away。

'What　have　ye　done　with　the　〃bilers〃？'I　enquired。

'Sold　'em；'said　he；　laughing。　'Barker　never　kep'his　promise。　Heard　they　d　gone　over　t'the　'Burg　an'was　tryin't'sell　more　territory。　I　says　if　Dave；　〃You　let　me　manage　'em　an'I　ll　put　'em　out　o　　business　here　'n　this　part　o'the　country。〃　So　I　writ　out　an　advertisement　fer　the　paper。　Read　about　this　way：　〃Fer　sale。　Twelve　hunderd　patented　suction　Wash　B　ilers。　Anyone　at　can't　stan'prosperity　an'is　learnin'if　swear　ll　find　'em　a　great　help。　If　he　don't　he's　a　bigger　fool　'n　I　am。　Nuthin'in　'em　but　tin　…　that's　wuth　somethin　。　Warranted　t'hold　water。〃

'Wall　ye　know　how　that　editor　talks？　'Twant　a　day　'fore　the　head　man　o'the　b　iler　business　come　'n　bought　'em。　An'the　advertisement　was　never　put　in。　Guess　he　wan　t　hankerin'if　hey　his　business　sp　ilt。　

Uncle　Eb　was　not　at　the　supper　table　that　evening。

'Where's　Holden？'said　Elizabeth　Brower。

'Dunno；'said　David。　'Goin'after　Santa　Claus　he　tol'me。　

'Never　see　the　beat　o'that　man！'was　the　remark　of　Elizabeth；　as　she　poured　the　tea。　'Jes'like　a　boy　ev　ry　Crissmus　time。　Been　so