“Oh, he beat around a little. He said he should like to help the negro,
his heart went out to the negro, and all that–plenty of them say that
but he was a little afraid of the Tennessee Land bill; if Senator
Dilworthy wasn’t in it, he should suspect there was a fraud on the
government.”
“He said that, did he?”
“Yes. And he said he felt he couldn’t vote for it. He was shy.”
“Not shy, child, cautious. He’s a very cautious man. I have been with
him a great deal on conference committees. He wants reasons, good ones.
Didn’t you show him he was in error about the bill?”
“I did. I went over the whole thing. I had to tell him some of the side
arrangements, some of the–”
“You didn’t mention me?”
“Oh, no. I told him you were daft about the negro and the philanthropy
part of it, as you are.”
“Daft is a little strong, Laura. But you know that I wouldn’t touch this
bill if it were not for the public good, and for the good of the colored
race; much as I am interested in the heirs of this property, and would
like to have them succeed.”
Laura looked a little incredulous, and the Senator proceeded.
“Don’t misunderstand me, I don’t deny that it is for the interest of all
of us that this bill should go through, and it will. I have no
concealments from you. But I have one principle in my public life, which
I should like you to keep in mind; it has always been my guide. I never
push a private interest if it is not Justified and ennobled by some
larger public good. I doubt Christian would be justified in working for
his own salvation if it was not to aid in the salvation of his fellow
men.”
The Senator spoke with feeling, and then added,
“I hope you showed Hopperson that our motives were pure?”
“Yes, and he seemed to have a new light on the measure: I think will vote
for it.”
“I hope so; his name will give tone and strength to it. I knew you would
only have to show him that it was just and pure, in order to secure his
cordial support.”
“I think I convinced him. Yes, I am perfectly sure he will vote right
now.”
“That’s good, that’s good,” said the Senator; smiling, and rubbing his
hands. “Is there anything more?”
“You’ll find some changes in that I guess,” handing the Senator a printed
list of names. “Those checked off are all right.”
“Ah–‘m–‘m,” running his eye down the list. “That’s encouraging. What
is the ‘C’ before some of the names, and the ‘B. B.’?”
“Those are my private marks. That ‘C’ stands for ‘convinced,’ with
argument. The ‘B. B.’ is a general sign for a relative. You see it
stands before three of the Hon. Committee. I expect to see the chairman
of the committee to-day, Mr. Buckstone.”
“So, you must, he ought to be seen without any delay. Buckstone is a
worldly sort of a fellow, but he has charitable impulses. If we secure
him we shall have a favorable report by the committee, and it will be a
great thing to be able to state that fact quietly where it will do good.”
“Oh, I saw Senator Balloon”
“He will help us, I suppose? Balloon is a whole-hearted fellow. I can’t
help loving that man, for all his drollery and waggishness. He puts on
an air of levity sometimes, but there aint a man in the senate knows the
scriptures as he does. He did not make any objections?”
“Not exactly, he said–shall I tell you what he said?” asked Laura
glancing furtively at him.
“Certainly.”
“He said he had no doubt it was a good thing; if Senator Dilworthy was in
it, it would pay to look into it.”
The Senator laughed, but rather feebly, and said, “Balloon is always full
of his jokes.”
“I explained it to him. He said it was all right, he only wanted a word
with you,”, continued Laura. “He is a handsome old gentleman, and he is
gallant for an old man.”