"May Heaven bless you," cried the woman, the tears coming into her eyes. "I don't know how in the world I can ever repay you for your goodness to us."
"Don't mention it," cried Joe, brusquely. "Here's a five-dollar bill. You may need it."
"Oh," she said, "I can't really take this."
"You must!"
"But I won't be able to give it back to you."
"Well," said Joe, with a laugh, "we'll put that up to Danny. We'll make Danny pay me when he gets better."
And the next moment Joe had started off in the darkness. Barry came out from his hiding place. The woman saw him.
"Are you looking for Joe?"
"Yes; has he gone?"
"Yes," she said, "he has just gone." And then, looking at him inquiringly, "Do you know him?"
"Yes, ma'am; he's my chum."
"Well," she said, "if you know him you know an angel in disguise. My Danny says that and Danny ought to know."
"Danny?" said Barry, inquiringly.
"Yes," she replied, "my boy, Danny Lewis. He is head of the local messenger boys in the district telegraph office. He was taken sick two weeks ago and the doctor said it was typhoid fever. Someone had to take his placeat the office, and when Joe Hart heard of it he volunteered to act as substitute. For more than a week he has been acting as page in the House during the day and chief of the telegraph boys at night. He did it to keep Danny from losing his position. You know these things are mighty uncertain. Now the week for Danny's night shifts is passed and everything is safe, but Joe didn't stop at that. He knew we were poor, and he has been buying food and fruit almost every night."
The strange lump that came into Barry's throat prevented him from making any reply. But his hand was perfectly free, and when he put it into Mrs. Lewis' she found that he had left another five-dollar bill in her palm.
Half an hour later, as he turned into the street where Mrs. Johnson's boarding house was located, he almost collided with Joe Hart, who was coming in another direction. He looked at him very fixedly and said in a stern voice:
"Where have you been?"
"I've been out."
"That don't answer my question," said Barry, severely. "I want to know where you've been spending your nights."
"Oh, nowhere in particular," said Joe, hastily, and then, in an endeavor to turn the subject, he said:
"How do you like your work at the Capitol?"
"It's none of your business how I like my work," laughed Barry, "but it is my business to tell you that you've been discovered!"
"Discovered!" echoed Joe.
"Yes. Caught, captured, found out! Don't you know the meaning of the English language?"
"Yes, but I don't know what you're talking about."
"I'm talking about the way you've been spending your time the last two weeks. I know all about you."
"How do you know?"
"Well, I saw you tonight and know all that you did."
For an instant Joe threatened to become belligerent. He doubled up his fists and came towards Barry in a menacing way. Then he reconsidered himself and his hands dropped listlessly to his sides. He spoke in a reproachful way:
"I think that was mighty mean of you, Barry Wynn."
"I think so, too," confessed Barry. "I'm ashamed of myself all right, but Mrs. Johnson was worried, and Joe—Joe, I'm mighty proud of you."
Barry, as he spoke, put his arm around Joe's shoulder, but the boy pushed it away. His face was flushed and he looked embarrassed.
"Say, Barry," he said finally, "I want you to make a solemn promise to me."
I want you to make a solemn promise to me
"I want you to make a solemn promise to me"See page 126
"I want you to make a solemn promise to me"
See page 126
"What is it?"
"Never mind what it is. I want you to say that you will do as I say."
"All right," said Barry, finally; "I'll promise. What is it?"
Joe looked the picture of humiliation. His eyes were on the ground and he spoke pleadingly:
"Barry, it's just this. I want you to promise me that you'll never mention this business to the other boys at the Capitol."
"Why?" asked Barry.
"Because, I'd never hear the last of it. Those fellows would just guy the life out of me."
Barry, his heart swelling with a new and peculiar sensation, made the promise.
It became evident in the course of a few days that the amendment to the Naval Repair Station bill was to be pushed vigorously. In fact a great deal of sentiment in its favor developed in the most unexpected places.
Mr. Carlton had been under the impression that a large majority of the members of the Committee were for the Cleverly site as against any other, but he learned that he was mistaken. Some of the members declared themselves openly in favor of the Collins amendment; others said that the new proposition was deserving of very careful consideration.
Naturally this worried the Congressman. He spent many anxious hours and days in trying to strengthen his own position. Curious to state no one now seemed to care anything about Cleverly. On the other handthere was wide-spread interest in Green Island. There was a reason. The amendment in favor of Green Island had just enough mystery about it to pique the curiosity of the law makers.
The fact that Jesse Hudson was behind the bill was also significant. It meant that there was at least a chance of its passage. Hudson was not in the habit of enlisting in losing fights. He was one of the best known members of the House. He had served eight consecutive terms. He was resourceful; he was industrious, and he knew the methods of procedure by heart. Besides that he had a great many friends. And that made him a foeman worthy of any man's steel. Some persons pretend that friendship has ceased to exist in the world. It is not true. The poorest man has some friends. Others—even though they be unworthy—have many friends. Friendship is a great asset to any man. It is invaluable to the man in public life. Carlton realized this fact. He knew that Hudson had servedso many men in his day that some of them would want to serve him now. And the member from Maine felt very, very anxious about his favorite piece of legislation.
Two of the things against the Green Island project were its apparent lack of support from the people of that locality, and the fact that it had not been endorsed by the Secretary of the Navy. Under ordinary circumstances the lack of these two requisites would have been sufficient to defeat any bill. In this case, however, they did not seem to count much. One of the reasons was that the land at Green Island was offered to the Government for a much lower price than had been fixed for the site at Cleverly.
"How can you explain that away?" asked the Secretary of the Navy of Mr. Carlton.
"Easily; it's not worth one-fourth as much."
The cabinet officer laughed.
"I like your positiveness."
"I can prove every word I say."
"Maybe you can."
"There's no 'maybe' about it, Mr. Secretary. I know what I'm talking about."
"The other fellows say the same thing," suggested the Secretary.
"See here," cried the Congressman, "you don't intend to indorse this Green Island scheme, do you?"
The Secretary became serious.
"Certainly not. I have already placed the seal of my approval on the Cleverly site. I believe this is the very best location we could get on the Atlantic Coast. But, that is merely my say-so."
"It's sufficient," protested Carlton, stubbornly.
"I hope so; but you mustn't underestimate the shrewdness of the fellows who are against you."
"You wouldn't let it go through, would you?" cried the Congressman, in alarm.
"Not if I could help it, but the thing might get beyond my control."
"How?"
"Well, I suppose you know that we are in urgent need of this Naval Repair Station?"
"I'm sure of it."
"You know, in fact, that we must have it at once."
"Yes."
"Well, suppose these fellows pass the Green Island bill and then have Congress adjourn."
"Well?"
"Picture the position in which I would be placed. If I ask the President to veto the bill, I am put in the attitude of killing a project for which I have been fighting."
"But not in the same place."
"No; not in the same place. But the difference in the desirability of the sites might not be considered sufficient cause for killing the bill after it comes from Congress."
"I see."
"Of course, you see. Now, it's up to you to defeat the Green Island scheme, and after that to pass the Cleverly bill."
"It's a pretty big contract to give to one man."
The Secretary laughed.
"Your shoulders are broad. Besides, I'm sure you must have some good friends."
"No one ever had better ones," was the fervent retort.
"Well, enlist them in your cause. Good-bye, and good luck to you," were the final words of the Cabinet officer.
John Carlton left with a smiling face, but down in his heart he had grave misgivings. As he entered the hall of the House he met Barry Wynn.
"Well, my boy," he said with outward cheerfulness that never deserted him, "what's new?"
"A great deal," replied the young page. "The members have been handing in petitions this morning in favor of placing the Naval Repair Station at Green Island."
"Many of them?"
"Hundreds and hundreds of them. Whyit looked like a snow storm of white papers. They came from all parts of the House."
"Did you say they were all on the same kind of paper?"
"No, I didn't," retorted Barry; "but now that you speak of it, they were all on one kind of paper."
Mr. Carlton nodded his head knowingly.
"It's just as I thought. This is not a natural outburst from the people. It's a scheme—a set-up job."
Barry looked at him helplessly.
"Can I do anything?" he asked, finally.
The Congressman was plunged in thought. Finally he looked up at the boy:
"Yes," he replied, "everybody can do something, Barry," he added, "we've got to stir up Cleverly as it has never been stirred up before. We must have a delegation of citizens come here and present their claims to the members of the Committee on Naval Affairs; we must get in touch with everyone that is worth his salt, and we must have telegrams,letters and petitions fairly rain down upon the members from now until the meeting of the Committee."
The shower came and it was helpful. Also, Mr. Smithers sent a telegram, saying that he was organizing a delegation of leading citizens and that they would reach Washington in a few days. Barry, acting under the direction of Mr. Carlton, sent a number of letters to men who would be likely to assist in agitating the superior claims of Cleverly. One day, after a number of these petitions had been presented in the House, Mr. Carlton happened to meet Jesse Hudson.
"Hello," said the rival, who was still smarting over his defeat in the Garner claim, "you seem to be busy."
"This is my busy day," retorted Carlton, with imperturbable good humor.
"What are you trying to do, advertise Cleverly?" persisted Hudson.
"Incidentally," replied Carlton.
"You know that's all you'll ever get outof it," sneered Hudson. "You know you'll never get that Naval Repair Station."
"No; I don't know that," said the man from Maine; "but I'm glad to get the news from such a distinguished authority. You know you are such a reliable prophet. You remember you said the Garner claim was sure to pass."
Hudson was too angry to reply to this sally. He stalked down the hall with his chin in the air, looking as if he could bite nails. Carlton, on his part, hurried to the office of the Secretary of the Navy. He was anxious to know whether there was anything new in the proposed naval station legislation. The Secretary was not in, but his chief clerk said he would be glad to give the Congressman any information he might have.
"What can you tell me about the proposed station?" asked Carlton.
"Nothing, except that a delegation called here yesterday in the interest of Green Island."
"They did?"
"Yes, sir; and they presented a set of blue prints showing how much the Government would gain by locating the repair station at that point."
"Blue prints don't mean everything," commented the Congressman.
"That's what the Secretary said, and he referred them to the Board of Experts that visited Cleverly."
"Did they go to Green Island?"
"No; they have no authority from Congress to examine the site."
"But they scrutinized the plans?"
"Yes."
"What was the verdict?"
"That, leaving out geographical considerations, the land at Green Island would make as good a location as that at Cleverly."
Mr. Carlton left the office of the Secretary of the Navy in a very thoughtful frame of mind. He realized that the opposition was making progress, and that his own cause was losing ground.
One morning, while Barry was on his way to the Capitol, he passed a popular second-class hotel, known as the Olympic. Quite a crowd had gathered around the entrance to the house and inside the parlor a band was playing the popular airs of the day. Barry hesitated for a moment. Then he turned and went in to satisfy his curiosity. Over the entrance to the double parlor of the hotel was a sign reading: "Headquarters of the Citizen's Committee of Green Island."
He realized that he was in the camp of the enemy. Also, it came to his mind that the backers of the Green Island scheme had resolved to stake the success of their enterprise upon a spectacular campaign. This method of procedure was not new to Barry. He had attended several political conventions and heknew more than one candidate who had accomplished by brag and bluster what would have been impossible through the use of reason. The citizens of Green Island were numerous and noisy. Most of them were puffing away at big black cigars. Some of them, in the words of a witty Hibernian, "were at the bar of the House, pouring red liquor down their English, Irish and French channels." But about it all there was an air of aggressive excitement. "I'll tell you," cried one citizen, whose high silk hat looked like a misfit, "I tell you the people of Green Island do not ask for this Naval Repair Station. They demand it!" This outburst was greeted with loud and prolonged cheers.
When Barry reached the House he reported what he had seen to Congressman Carlton. That gentleman seemed greatly impressed:
"This means that we must be on guard day and night," he said. "Sometimes important legislation is put through with a rush."
For the first time since the project wasbroached, Mr. Hartman, the Congressman whose district included Green Island, now came to the front in defense of the bill for a Naval Supply Station. Carlton met him in the lobby that day:
"Why, Frank," he said in an injured tone, "I never knew that you were going to father a Naval Repair Station bill at this session of Congress."
The legislator looked at him in silence for a moment and then burst into a laugh.
"To tell the truth, I didn't know it myself, John."
"Well, what does it all mean?"
"Blest if I know."
"But you're backing the bill?"
"Yes, of course, I am. But to be entirely frank with you, I didn't know a thing about it until it was introduced as an amendment to your bill in the Committee on Naval Affairs! It interested me then because it was in my district. It interested me still more because it had been presented by a member outsideof the district. I was passive. I didn't support or oppose the bill. I was like the man from Missouri. I wanted to be shown. But yesterday a delegation arrived from home. They included some of my constituents. They asked me to support the bill. I protested against the manner of its introduction, and they admitted that that was a mistake which they regretted. So there you are. On the face of it the proposition is all right. It is supported by men who have supported me. So I suppose I'll have to work and vote for the bill."
"You don't seem to be working very hard."
"No harder than is necessary," was the languid reply.
Carlton was pleased, but not entirely satisfied. The Green Island proposition was really stronger than it had been at any time since its presentation. Three Congressmen were openly committed to it, and a large and enthusiastic delegation of citizens was "boosting" it from early in the morning until late at night.Carlton hoped that the Committee from Cleverly would reach Washington soon. He felt the need of a counter demonstration.
That afternoon he received notice that a meeting of the Committee on Naval Affairs would be held the following day for the purpose of acting on the Green Island amendment. This was short notice, but the Congressman started to work at once. He made a canvass of the Committee, and the result left the matter in doubt. Many of the members said that if the Cleverly proposition was the only one before the Committee, they would gladly promise to vote for it. The Green Island amendment, however, put a different aspect on the question. Most important of all the land at that place was offered to the Government for one hundred dollars per acre.
"What is the price of your site by the acre?" asked one of the members.
"About one hundred and twenty dollars," replied Carlton.
"You see it's higher than Green Island."
"But it's better," was the retort.
"That's to be proven. At any rate, why don't you reduce the price of yours?"
Carlton smiled and shook his head.
"That's impossible."
"Why?"
"Because it would be a confession that it had been made too high in the beginning. Besides the property owners have fixed the price at the assessed value of the land. Many of them could get more for their property. But they've been public spirited enough to shade down to the lowest point for the sake of having the station located at Cleverly."
"Then your people won't offer any other inducements?"
"I'm pretty sure they will not. We want the station very much, indeed, but we want it on its merits."
That night at the boarding house Joe Hart invited Barry to go out with him.
"Where?" asked the boy.
"I've promised to go over and see Danny Lewis."
"Sure," said Barry, "I'll be glad to go with you."
He remembered with pleasure Joe Hart's kindness to the Lewis family, and he wanted to meet Danny, the messenger boy, concerning whom he had heard so much from his fellow page. They found Danny at home, and they spent the evening with him in the cosy sitting room of the little house. Danny proved to be a bright, intelligent chap, with a sense of humor and Barry liked him very much. Presently he recounted some of the odd experiences he had undergone in the service of the telegraph company.
"I suppose they keep you very busy," suggested Barry.
"Rather," smiled Danny, "and lately it's getting so that we don't have a minute to spare."
"Why?"
"Well, for one thing, those Green Island boomers keep us on the jump."
Barry was interested at once.
"I suppose they have a great many telegrams," he said.
"Suppose is no word for it," replied the boy; "it's a stern reality."
"They're hustlers," conceded Barry.
"Yes, and they're fighters, too."
"Fighters?"
"Yes; fist fighters."
"What do you mean?"
"Why, when I was delivering a telegram this morning, the chairman of the delegation got into a dispute with one of the other men and it ended in a rough and tumble fight."
Barry was absorbed.
"What was it about?"
"Oh, this fellow accused the chairman of freezing him out; said his land was good as any other, and if they didn't take him in, he'd raise trouble—only he used a stronger word than trouble."
Barry was on his feet now and had his hand on Danny's shoulder.
"Did—did you hear the fellow's name?"
"Sure; his name was Gaskill—they called him Billy Gaskill."
"Boys," said Barry; "I hope you'll excuse me. I've got an important engagement."
Joe laughed.
"You're getting to be an important man."
Barry smiled back as he reached for his hat.
"If you knew what this meant, you wouldn't make fun of me, Joe," he said.
Joe waved his hand magnanimously.
"It's all right, Barry. You can do as you please, and no questions asked."
From the house of Danny Lewis the page boy hastened to John Carlton's hotel. It was late, and the Congressman was preparing to retire.
"Hello, Barry," he cried, "what in the world do you want at this hour of the night?"
The page boy, in a few quick, jerky sentences told him what he had heard from DannyLewis. Moreover, he said he had learned that Billy Gaskill was still at the Olympic, and most important of all that he continued in a bad humor.
Congressman Carlton went to the telephone and called up the office of Felix Conway.
"Can you come here?" he asked.
"If you need me."
"I've got some big news for you."
After that the legislator insisted that Barry should go home.
"You go and get your rest," he said. "There's nothing more that you can do for me tonight. See me the first thing in the morning."
The following morning each of the newspapers served by Felix Conway contained an article denouncing the Green Island bill for a Naval Repair Station as a sordid scheme, backed by a combination of unscrupulous land speculators. It did not mince words, and it caused a genuine sensation at the Capitol. Mr. Hartman, the Congressman from the GreenIsland district, was amazed. He never had much faith in the bill, but he had supposed that it was legitimate at least. He hurried to the Olympic Hotel and presented himself to Dwight Whalley, the chairman of the Green Island boomers.
"See here, Whalley," cried the disturbed Congressman, "have you read these articles about the Green Island site?"
"Have I?" echoed the Chairman, "I should say so. We've all read them."
"Well, what have you got to say?"
"Say? Why that I'm as mad as a hatter; we're all mad as hatters."
Mr. Hartman waved his hand wearily.
"I don't care anything about feelings. I want to know whether the story is true."
"True?" he repeated. "Surely you don't intend to pay any attention to a sensational newspaper article."
"Don't you?"
"No; certainly not."
"Very well; now, I know what to do."
"Mr. Hartman; Mr. Hartman!" called the Chairman.
But the Congressman was already out of sight. Before noon that day a statement appeared, over the signature of Mr. Hartman, in which he disclaimed all further interest in the legislation affecting Green Island. This added fuel to the fire. Before the Committee met that afternoon nearly everyone in and around the Capitol appeared to be interested in the fight over the Naval Repair Station.
Carlton was on hand very early. Prior to the meeting he held several whispered conversations with Felix Conway. He was here, there and everywhere. There was an air of aggressiveness about him that boded no good for the opposition.
"He seems ready for the battle," suggested one of the Committeemen to another.
"Yes," was the reply. "He's ready to fight at the drop of the hat."
The Committee was called to order, and the clerk read the Green Island amendment asoffered by Congressman Collins. The moment he finished Jesse Hudson got the floor:
"I move that the amendment be adopted," he said.
Carlton was on his feet instantly.
"I think," he said, in purring tones, "that the gentleman has not had the opportunity of reading the articles that appeared in this morning's newspapers, otherwise I'm sure he would not favor this legislation."
"I've no time to read sensational newspapers," snapped Hudson.
"Then I'll have to enlighten the gentleman," said Carlton, still very polite.
"How?"
Instead of answering Hudson, the man from Maine looked about him inquiringly:
"Is Mr. William Douglass in the room?" he called.
In response a square-jawed man advanced to the desk of the Chairman.
"Gentlemen," said Carlton, looking about him smilingly, "Mr. Douglass lives on GreenIsland, and with your permission I want to ask him one or two questions about the Green Island site."
"This seems irregular," protested Hudson.
"It may seem irregular," was the retort, "but you'll find it will be all right."
"What do you hope to demonstrate through Mr. Douglass?" asked the Chairman.
"That this whole Green Island proposition is a land speculation scheme," retorted the Congressman sternly.
The members all looked up at this grave statement. Everyone was paying the closest attention.
"Now, Mr. Douglass," said Carlton, "you're well acquainted with this property, are you not?"
"I know every inch of the ground."
"Do you know the owners of it?"
"I did know the old owners."
"What do you mean by the old owners?"
"I mean that the entire property has changed hands during the last few months."
"Since it first became known that the Government intended to build a Naval Repair Station?"
"Exactly."
"Now, Mr. Douglass, these new owners are offering this property to the Government for one hundred dollars an acre. What did they pay for the land?"
"Less than twenty-five dollars an acre."
"That's all," said Carlton, promptly.
There was a hum of excited voices. Hudson protested that the price of the land had nothing to do with the case, but his argument was lost in the din. A ballot was called for, and the Green Island amendment was overwhelmingly beaten, only two votes being recorded in its favor.
For twenty-four hours after the defeat of the Green Island bill John Carlton was kept busy responding to congratulations. Barry Wynn was one of those who ventured to express his joy to the Congressman.
"I'm awfully glad you've won the fight," said the boy.
The statesman beamed on the youngster.
"You mean well, Barry," he exclaimed, "but I'm afraid you're a little previous."
"But you beat them."
Mr. Carlton nodded.
"Yes, we defeated their bill, but we haven't passed our own!"
"But you will."
"I hope so, but I know we're going to have a terrific battle. Hudson and the others are bitter over their defeat, and they'll moveHeaven and Earth to beat the man from Cleverly."
The session was now drawing near its close, and Mr. Carlton knew that if he was to get his bill through, he would have to get action by the Committee. Accordingly he had a day fixed when the members agreed to hear the citizens of Cleverly. That accomplished, he wired Mr. Smithers to be sure and have his committee in Washington at the time appointed. The caution was heeded, for when the great day arrived, Mr. Carlton received word that the delegation had reached the Capitol city. Barry tried to locate them but failed. He did not know at what time they reached Washington, or where they were domiciled. The only thing he could do was to possess his soul in patience. The public hearing was scheduled for two o'clock in the afternoon in the Committee room, and Barry felt that they would be likely to appear there before the hour indicated.
He was not mistaken. Ten minutes before the time the delegation filed into the officeof Congressman Carlton. Postmaster Ford headed the party, and directly behind him were Mr. Smithers, Hiram Blake, and several other prominent citizens of Cleverly. Mr. Carlton received them cordially, and then Barry went around to them, one by one, shaking hands with a fervency that could not be mistaken. The sight of the familiar faces stirred him until every drop of blood in his body seemed to tingle with delight. The sense of elation was greater than words could properly describe. The sight of their dear old faces was like a whiff of ozone from the ocean to a person parched with the heat of summer.
He had so much to say, and they had so much to say, that none of them knew where to begin. The consequence was a genuine hubbub of voices and a babble of sounds. Hiram Blake, as his relative, naturally claimed his attention. These two talked in whispers for quite a while and the things that Barry learned from his uncle made him very happy indeed. His mother was well and contented, and pleasedwith the progress that he was making in Washington.
After he had finished his talk with his uncle, Barry turned his attention to Mr. Smithers. He had to shake hands with him again and again in order to convince himself that it was really the old schoolmaster himself in the flesh that stood before him. Mr. Daniel Smithers, it might be said, parenthetically, was a different person in Washington from Mr. Smithers in Cleverly. He was dressed neatly and in good taste, and had indulged in the luxury of a shave and a hair cut. Mr. Smithers, like most men of his class in the east, was not only highly educated, but was a man of great capacity, and from the moment he landed in Washington he had been fairly drinking in knowledge. He absorbed facts and figures and information generally as a sponge absorbs water. While the other members of the party had been indulging in the pleasure that comes from viewing monuments and paintings, Mr. Smithers had been making the rounds of thedepartments, and picking up odd bits of information concerning the government of the country, that he was to retain in his wonderful head the rest of his life. He visited the Treasury, Patent Office, and the computing department of the Census Bureau.
Barry looked at him in open-eyed wonder. He had the usual amount of boyish enthusiasm upon the subject of sight-seeing, but he could not understand the motive that would lead a man to visit what he considered the dullest departments of the Government.
"What in the world did you visit the Census Bureau for?" he asked.
"To satisfy the curiosity which I inherited from Mother Eve," was the dry response.
"But," protested Barry, "it is nothing but figures, and to me figures are so dry."
"Well, it is all a question of taste, my boy. To my mind there is nothing in the world so romantic and so fascinating as figures. I would sooner add up a column of figures any day inthe week than read the finest poem that was ever written."
Barry shook his head.
"I can't understand that feeling," he said.
"I suppose not, but anyhow, this census business has a special attraction for me. I wondered how they computed the figures after they gathered them."
"Well, did you find out?"
"I did, indeed. If the boys at the Cleverly school want any information on this subject, all they have to do is to call on their 'Uncle Daniel.'"
In the midst of their conversation the voice of Mr. Carlton rang out warningly:
"Gentlemen, we haven't a minute to spare. The Committee will be called to order on the stroke of two, and we should be present. Just come with me."
He started away from the room and they followed him in single file. They marched through the subway which leads from the office building of the House of Representatives intothe Capitol. In a few minutes they reached the headquarters of the Committee on Naval Affairs. The members were already in session. A quick survey of the room showed John Carlton that Mr. Jesse Hudson was in his place at the right hand of the Chairman of the Committee. Joel Phipps, the clerk of the Committee, for whom Mr. Carlton had no great relish, was calling the roll in a sing-song voice. Carlton wondered vaguely whether Hudson would openly oppose his bill, and if so, on what ground he would base his opposition. Hudson, on his part, gave no intimation of his intentions. He nodded curtly to Carlton on his entrance, and then buried himself in the perusal of a document that he held in his hand.
Presently the business before the Committee was taken up in regular order. Several of the members made motions for the purpose of regulating the method of considering the various bills that were about to be brought to their attention. Hudson was one of these. He reminded the Committee that it was their policynot to consider propositions from cities or towns having a population of less than thirty thousand. This, he said, was necessary because of the labor problem.
Mr. Carlton now arose and said that he desired to have the privilege of presenting arguments to prove that the city of Cleverly should have the new Naval Repair Station, and that he wished to introduce a number of his constituents who had visited Washington for that purpose. The first member who was introduced was Postmaster Ford, who was put forward as a man who was in a position to understand the Government side of the question.
Mr. Ford made an effective little speech, in which he presented statistics to show that Cleverly was just the place for the station. He said that the increasing importance of the place justified the people in making this request. When one of the members suggested that the proposed site might be far from the ocean, he said that very thing insured the Government a fresh-water basin where the barnacles couldbe readily cleaned from the largest battleships afloat.
Mr. Smithers was then presented to the Committee, and the force and originality of his remarks immediately attracted the attention of the members. He had the valuable faculty of saying commonplace things in a very impressive manner, and he proved to be the best speaker of the delegation. He dwelt upon the growth of Cleverly, and said that it was the duty of the National Government, not only to keep step with local progress, but, if possible, always to be a few paces in advance.
After Mr. Smithers had taken his seat, the President of the local Board of Trade told the members that the growing importance of Cleverly as a business centre justified the demand which the citizens were making upon the Congress of the United States. The members of the Committee were beginning to get a little bit bored by this time, and they did not pay much attention to the array of facts which the speaker presented in support of his contentions.
As he sat down Mr. Carlton arose, and turning to the members, said:
"Gentlemen, have you any questions to ask of my constituents? If so, I know that they will be only too glad to answer them."
The members shook their heads, as much as to say that they had heard as much as they cared to hear, but this did not satisfy Mr. Carlton. He desired, if possible, to spike any opposition that might develop. He turned and looked directly at Jesse Hudson.
"Mr. Hudson, have you any questions to ask?"
"No," said Hudson, in a slow-going way, "I've listened to all that has been said, and I have no desire to combat any of the arguments which have been presented."
Carlton beamed with delight. He had no idea that his proposition would have such plain sailing. He turned to the head of the Committee and said:
"I suppose, Mr. Chairman, that it would not be premature if I were to tell the members ofthis Committee that the proposition for a new Naval Repair Station for Cleverly is likely to be reported to Congress with a favorable report?"
"I think that what you say is quite probable," said the Chairman. "For my own part I—"
"One moment," interrupted a determined voice.
Every eye was turned in that direction and discovered Jesse Hudson on his feet, gazing at Carlton in a menacing manner.
"Mr. Hudson has the floor," said the Chairman, respectfully.
"Now, gentlemen," said Hudson, in his bristling, aggressive way, "before we go any further in the business that is before this Committee, I move that we throw out the proposition to give this station to Cleverly."
"Why?" demanded Carlton. "I think we have made it a good case."
"You have made it a splendid case," was the sneering response, "but unfortunatelyCleverly is a city that does not come within the scope of the work which has been mapped out by this Committee."
"What do you mean?" demanded Carlton, angrily.
"I mean that we agreed that we should not consider the application of cities or towns with a population of less than thirty thousand."
"I know that," assented Carlton, "but—"
"There are no 'buts' to it," cried the other, exultingly. "I have here an official copy of the last census," and he held a document in the air, "and according to this book, Cleverly has a population of 29,786."
Carlton looked crestfallen. The other members of the Committee yawned. One of them said with a snicker:
"We have wasted a lot of valuable time."
"Yes," remarked another, "I move that we take up the next bill before the Committee."
"But," protested Carlton, "the figures Mr.Hudson has given are eight or nine years old."
"Yes," retorted his adversary, "but they are the only official figures we can consider."
"One moment," cried a voice from the rear of the room.
Everybody looked in that direction. Mr. Daniel Smithers was standing up and waving a sheet of paper in the air.
"This gentleman is not a member of the Committee," protested Hudson.
"No," shouted the schoolmaster, "but I have some information that the Committee might like to receive."
"What is it?" asked the Chairman.
"It is simply this: I was in the office of the Director of the Census less than an hour ago. He was good enough to tell me that the computers had just finished the count of the new census of the city of Cleverly."
"Yes, yes," cried Carlton, on his feet, "and what were the figures? What is the population of Cleverly today?"
Smithers straightened to his full height in order to fire his shot straight at the bull's eye. He spoke impressively, even dramatically:
"Cleverly, today," he cried, "has a population of 43,986!"
Two or three members of the Committee and the entire delegation from Cleverly broke out in a ripple of applause. Hudson, seated in a corner of the room, looked sick and crestfallen. The Chairman of the Committee turned to the clerk and said, drily:
"Lay the Cleverly bill aside. It is evidently worthy of further consideration."
The Chairman of the delegation thanked the members of the Committee for their attention and then filed out of the room, with Carlton at their head. As they reached the corridor of the Capitol, the big statesman grabbed the schoolteacher by the hand and cried, impulsively:
"By George, Smithers, but you just came in in the very nick of time!"
Smithers smiled in his homely way.
"I guess it was all right," he admitted, "but, John, don't you remember when we were boys, they used to say I was the best pinch hitter on our base-ball team?"
That night Congressman Carlton entertained the Cleverly delegation at dinner. It was a merry party, for they all felt very happy over their preliminary victory in the matter of the new Federal station. Barry was included among the dinner guests, and he conducted himself with due modesty, and yet with all of the confidence of a veteran statesman. The episode of the afternoon naturally came in for a large share of conversation. The various members of the party viewed it according to their respective methods of viewing life.
"I think we might as well go ahead and advertise for proposals," said Postmaster Ford, who had the reputation of being the most optimistic man in Cleverly. "The bill's as good as passed. It's a sure thing!"
Congressman Carlton laughed.
"I wish you would loan me your rose-colored glasses, Ford," was his comment; "you certainly look on the sunny side of things."
"It's the only way to succeed," was the jovial response. "I think pessimists should be suppressed by law."
"What do you think of that, Mr. Blake?" asked the legislator, turning to Barry's uncle.
Hiram was a cautious man. He paused for some moments before replying. He spoke, finally, with great deliberation:
"I think it's a great mistake for any of us, either as individuals or as a community, to count our chickens before they are hatched."
Daniel Smithers had remained silent during the interchange of views. John Carlton glanced in his direction.
"What has the philosopher of Cleverly to say on the burning subject of the hour?"
The schoolmaster modestly disclaimed the title, saying that as far as wisdom was concerned, there was safety in numbers.
"But what do you think of the situation?" insisted the Congressman.
"Well," said the other, "I think Ford and Blake are extremists. I see no occasion for either joy or sorrow."
"Smithers is hedging," called a voice from the other side of the table.
"Not at all," protested the teacher. "As I view the situation, we have every reason to be satisfied. We have won the skirmish, but the big battle is still to be fought. Moreover, it does not take a very bright observer to see that Mr. Carlton has a very resourceful and determined adversary in Jesse Hudson. He was very much chagrined over his setback this afternoon, and if I am not very much mistaken in my man he will do his best to keep Cleverly from getting the new Naval Repair Station."
Mr. Carlton nodded his head.
"You've sized the situation up to the dot. There's no use blinking our eyes to the truth. I'm up against the hardest fight of my life. While you're with me, gentlemen, I feel yourenthusiasm and strength. But when you go away you must not forget that—"
"That you'll be standing all alone against a combination of clever politicians," interrupted Hiram Blake.
The Congressman laughed.
"That's not exactly what I intended to say," he remarked, "but we'll let it go at that."
"Blake's wrong in one particular," observed Smithers.
"How?"
"You won't be alone in this fight."
"No?"
"No; you'll have Barry Wynn with you."
Barry, sitting at the far end of the table, blushed to the roots of his hair.
In the evening the delegation went to one of the theatres in Washington as the guests of John Carlton. He purchased an entire box in honor of the occasion, and thus his friends were able to see and hear to great advantage. The play was one of James M. Barrie's whimsical comedies, and to say that they all enjoyedit would be putting it very mildly indeed. The company was competent and the play itself was not only humorous but wholesome as well. Cleverly, while a thriving town, did not always have the privilege of seeing the best plays, and, as a consequence, this visit to the theatre in Washington was an opportunity that was remembered a long while by each member of the delegation.
After the performance Congressman Carlton escorted his friends to their hotel, and as they were about to part for the night, he said:
"Well, gentlemen, I shall be engaged all day tomorrow with my official duties, and I am going to place you in the hands of Barry Wynn. He will act as my representative. Now, is there anything in particular that you would like to do tomorrow?"
One after another said that they had no special object in view. Finally, Mr. Carlton turned to the boy and said:
"Barry, what do you say? What suggestion have you to make?"
Barry, thus suddenly appealed to, was at a loss what to say. In a moment or two, however, a thought flashed into his mind and he gave it voice:
"I think a trip to Mount Vernon would come pretty nearly filling the bill."
"Good!" ejaculated the Congressman. "I can think of nothing that would be pleasanter or more profitable. A pilgrimage to the tomb of Washington! It's the very thing."
Everybody agreed to the proposition and a call was left with the night clerk at the hotel so that they would be able to have an early breakfast and start out on their trip in good season. They had all breakfasted by nine o'clock the following morning and were ready for the day's sight seeing. The trip was made by rail, and after reaching the home of the Father of his Country, the members separated and spent nearly two hours in viewing every part of the historic estate. They were all enchanted with the simplicity of Mount Vernon. Standing on the colonial porch, they could lookout and see the Potomac river shimmering in the distance. Mr. Smithers voiced the general opinion when he said that Washington could not have secured a more ideal residence in which to spend his honorable old age.
Although they were all men, the members of the delegation were greatly interested in the quaint dining-room, and they admired the Colonial china, the antique furniture, and the picturesque surroundings. They stood in the hallway and looked up the open staircase, which Nellie Custis had walked down one beautiful morning to become a bride. Indeed, they were all intelligent men, and all having read the life of Washington and the history of the country to advantage, they associated every part of the old mansion with some interesting anecdote.
Mr. Smithers was particularly interested in the boyish recollections of the great Washington. He gazed with particular keenness on the little bundle of books which the future President of the country had read with suchprofit when a boy. He examined minutely the fragments of school exercises which showed the round, fair handwriting which has since become so familiar to the civilized world. He noted among the papers many copies of legal forms written by the youthful Washington, as well as the set of rules regarding behavior. It was evident that these rules, while sounding somewhat stilted, had had a remarkable effect in moulding the boy's mind and in forming his character.
"Look at this one, Barry," said the old schoolmaster, "it is worth remembering."
Barry looked over the shoulder of his old friend and read:
"Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called 'conscience.'"
"Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called 'conscience.'"
Hiram Blake and Postmaster Ford, who were standing back of the other two, nodded their assent and indicated by their manner, if not in words, that a boy who would keep that maxim before him at all times could not fail to become a useful member of society.
"Here's another one worth hearing," called out Mr. Smithers.
"What is it?" asked Hiram.
"Let your discourse with men of business be short and comprehensive,"
"Let your discourse with men of business be short and comprehensive,"
read the schoolmaster, slowly.
"Good," cried Postmaster Ford. "That should be printed on a card and placed on the desk of every busy man. It might frighten off the bores."
All the members of the party were now straining to see the little book, which was kept out of the reach of vandals. Hiram Blake read a maxim as follows:
"Speak not evil of the absent, for it is unjust."
"Speak not evil of the absent, for it is unjust."
The Postmaster recited the next one:
"Undertake not what you cannot perform, but be careful to keep your promise."
"Undertake not what you cannot perform, but be careful to keep your promise."
Before they left, the attendant of the estate gave them an outline of the history of Mount Vernon. He said that it was the property of the Mount Vernon Association, which hadincorporated many years before for the purpose of purchasing and holding the estate in perpetuity. The association, he added, was composed of ladies of the United States and was ably managed by a Board of lady Regents. Mount Vernon descended to George Washington when he was about twenty-one years of age, from his half brother, Lawrence Washington, and from that time until his death, on the 14th of December, 1799, it was his home.
The time had passed so quickly and so pleasantly that it was now almost noon, and it was decided that if they desired to reach their hotel in time for lunch, they would have to move at once. As they were about to pass out of the grounds, a large automobile came round one corner of the property, prepared to resume its journey to the Capitol. Four gentlemen were in this party. They had been inspecting Mount Vernon at the same time as the delegation from Cleverly. The gentleman in charge, who appeared to be paying a great deal of attention to the other three, was ratherdignified. But he had a very agreeable manner and frequently said things that caused his companions to laugh.
Barry had been watching this gentleman for some time, and now he stood gazing at him as though he were fascinated. There was something familiar about him. Barry felt that he had met him before and yet, try as he could, the memory of such a meeting would not come to his mind.
While Barry was still engaged in this mental debate, a sudden gust of wind came along and took the stranger's hat from his head. It fell to the ground and being lifted up again by the breeze, started off toward the Potomac river, with the certainty and speed of a bird. Barry did not hesitate, not even for a fraction of a second. He started after the truant hat as fast as his legs would carry him.
It was a wild chase, but the boy won. He picked up the head-piece and started back breathless but triumphant. The gentleman came running toward him, meeting him halfway. The incident had not disturbed his temper. He was in the best of good humor.
"You 're a better sprinter than I," he said, jovially, "but when I was your age I think I could have beaten you."
The boy and the man stood talking for some moments. The gentleman was evidently asking many questions and Barry, very much embarrassed, was answering the best he could.
"Looks as if Barry had made a new friend," commented Mr. Smithers.
Before anyone had a chance to reply, Barry was escorting the stranger towards the delegation from Cleverly. He presented each of them in their turn, but he was so flustered that no one caught the name of the newcomer. Mr. Smithers and Postmaster Ford, however, looked at the stranger very curiously and there was something very much like reverence in their eyes. He chatted very amiably for a few moments and spoke about the historic importance of the ground on which they were standing.
"By the by," he said, turning to Barry, "you're a page boy; do you know Mr. John Carlton?"
"He's the member that had me appointed," replied Barry, proudly.
"Good," was the cordial response, "I'm glad to hear it. Carlton is an able man and," half musingly, "he's a coming man, too; a coming man."
The members of the delegation looked at one another significantly. It was a pleasure to them to hear anyone commend their Congressman. Presently the stranger prepared to depart.
"I am very glad to have seen you gentlemen here," he said. "I think that every man who has the opportunity to pay a pilgrimage to Mount Vernon should do so."
They agreed with him, and presently, after some more talk, he turned and said:
"Where's that little page boy?"
Barry was pushed to the front, and the stranger shook hands with him very cordially.
"It does me good to shake hands with you," he said. "I like all boys, but I have a special liking for boys who are bright and ambitious."
The next moment he had stepped into the automobile with his friends, and as the machine puffed out of the gateway, he turned in his seat and waved his hand, exclaiming:
"Good-bye, and good luck to you all."
It was all done so quickly that the visitors scarcely had time to get their bearings. Hiram Blake, who had been looking after the vanishing machine like a man in a stupor, was the first to speak:
"Who is that man?" he demanded.
"That," answered Barry, proudly, "is the President of the United States!"
"I thought so," commented Mr. Smithers; "he had the air of a man of authority."
"Yes," remarked Postmaster Ford, "I was sure it was he, and he looks just like his pictures."
An hour later the members were taking their lunch at the hotel in Washington, and beforedusk that evening, they had started on their return trip to Cleverly.
"Good-bye," cried Congressman Carlton, who was on the station platform as they boarded the train, "I will promise to do the best I can with that bill."
Mr. Smithers, who was the last one to get on the train, thought of the incident at Mount Vernon, and replied significantly:
"I am sure you won't fail us—not when you have the assistance of such a bright boy as Barry Wynn."