\"MissDeHaroispeculiar，\"explainedthepoliticMrs。Plodgitttoherguests;\"shemakesnoacquaintances，whichIconsiderbadforherbusiness。Ifithadnotbeenforme，shewouldnothaveknownRoyalThatcher，thegreatquicksilverminer，——andhadhisorderforapictureofhismine！\"
Thetwoforeigngentlemenexchangedglances。Onesaid，\"Ah，God！
thisisbad，\"andtheother，\"Itisnotpossible;\"andthen，whenthelandlady’sbackwasturned，introducedthemselveswithaskeletonkeyintothethenvacantbedroomandstudiooftheirfaircountrywoman，whowasabsentsketching。\"Thouobservest，\"saidMr。
Pedro，refugee，toMiguel，ex-ecclesiastic，\"thatthisAmericanoisall-powerful，andthatthisVictor，drunkardasheis，isrightinhissuspicions。\"
\"Ofaverity，yes，\"repliedMiguel，\"thoudostrememberitwasJovitaCastrowho，forherAmericanolover，betrayedtheSobrienteclaim。Itisonlywithus，myPedro，thattheMexicanspirit，therealGodandLiberty，yetlives！\"
Theyshookhandsnoblyandwithsentimentalfervor，andthenwenttowork，i。e。，therummagingoverthetrunks，drawers，andportmanteausofthepoorlittlepainter，CarmendeHaro，andevenrippedupthemattressofhervirginalcot。Buttheyfoundnotwhattheysought。
\"Whatisthatyonderontheeasel，coveredwithacloth？\"saidMiguel：\"itisatrickoftheseartiststoputtheirvaluablestogether。\"
Pedrostrodetotheeaselandtoreawaythemuslincurtainthatveiledit;thenutteredashriekthatappalledhiscomradeandbroughthimtohisside。
\"InthenameofGod，\"saidMiguelhastily，\"areyoutryingtoalarmthehouse？\"
Theex-vaquerowastremblinglikeachild。\"Look，\"hesaidhoarsely，\"look，doyousee？ItisthehandofGod，\"andfaintedonthefloor！
Miguellooked。ItwasCarmen’spartly-finishedsketchofthedesertedfurnace。ThefigureofConcho，thrownoutstronglybythecampfire，occupiedtheleftforeground。Buttobalanceherpictureshehadevidentlybeenobligedtointroduceanother，——thefaceandfigureofPedro，onallfours，creepingtowardsthesleepingman。
PARTIII。——INCONGRESS
CHAPTERX
WHOLOBBIEDFORIT
Itwasamidsummer’sdayinWashington。Evenatearlymorning，whilethesunwasyetlevelwiththefacesofpedestriansinitsbroad，shadelessavenues，itwasinsufferablyhot。Latertheavenuesthemselvesshonelikethedivergingraysofanothersun，——
theCapitol，——athingtobefearedbythenakedeye。Lateryetitgrewhotter，andthenamistarosefromthePotomac，andblottedouttheblazingarchabove，andpresentlypiledupalongthehorizondelusivethunderclouds，thatspenttheirstrengthandsubstanceelsewhere，andleftithotterthanbefore。Towardseveningthesuncameoutinvigorated，havingclearedtheheavenlybrowofperspiration，butleavingitsfeverunabated。
Thecitywasdeserted。Thefewwhoremainedapparentlyburiedthemselvesfromthegarishlightofdayinsomedim，cloisteredrecessofshop，hotel，orrestaurant;andtheperspiringstranger，dazedbytheouterglare，whobrokeinupontheirquiet，sequesteredrepose，confrontedcollarlessandcoatlessspectersofthepast，withfansintheirhands，who，afterdreamilygoingthroughsomeperfunctorybusiness，immediatelyretiredtosleepafterthestrangerhadgone。CongressmenandSenatorshadlongsincereturnedtotheirseveralconstituencieswiththevariousinformationthatthecountrywasgoingtoruin，orthattheoutlookneverwasmorehopefulandcheering，asthetastesoftheirconstituencyindicated。AfewCabinetofficersstilllingered，havingbythistimebecomeconvincedthattheycoulddonothingtheirownway，orindeedinanywaybuttheoldway，andgettinggloomilyresignedtotheirsituation。Abodyoflearned，cultivatedmen，representingthehighestlegaltribunalintheland，stilllingeredinavagueideaofearningthescantsalarybestoweduponthembytheeconomicalfoundersoftheGovernment，andlistenedpatientlytotheargumentsofcounsel，whosefeesforadvocacyofclaimsbeforethemwouldhavepaidthelifeincomeofhalfthebench。TherewasMr。Attorney-GeneralandhisassistantsstillprotectingtheGovernment’smillionsfromrapacioushands，anddrawingtheyearlypublicpittancethattheirwealthierprivateantagonistswouldhavescarcegivenasaretainertotheirjuniorcounsel。Thelittlestandingarmyofdepartmentalemployes，——
thehelplessvictimsofthemostsenselessandidioticformofdisciplinetheworldhasknown，——adisciplinesomadeupofcaprice，expediency，cowardice，andtyrannythatitsreformmeantrevolution，nottobetoleratedbylegislatorsandlawgivers，oradespotisminwhichhalfadozenaccidentally-chosenmeninterpretedtheirprejudicesorpreferencesasbeingthatReform。AdministrationafteradministrationandPartyafterPartyhadpersistedintheirdesperateattemptstofittheyouthfulcolonialgarments，madebyourFathersafteraby-gonefashion，overtheexpandedlimitsandgenerousoutlineofamaturednation。Therewerepatcheshereandthere;thereweregrievousrentsandholeshereandthere;therewereludicrousandpainfulexposuresofgrowinglimbseverywhere;
andthePartyinPowerandthePartyoutofPowercoulddonothingbutmendandpatch，andrevampandcleanseandscour，andoccasionally，inthewildnessofdespair，suggesteventhecuttingofftherebelliouslimbsthatpersistedingrowingbeyondtheswaddlingclothesofitsinfancy。
ItwasacapitalofContradictionsandInconsistencies。AtoneendoftheAvenuesattheresponsibleHighKeeperofthemilitaryhonor，valor，andwar-likeprestigeofagreatnation，withoutthepowertopayhisowntroopstheirlegalduesuntilsomeselfishquarrelbetweenPartyandPartywassettled。HardbysatanotherSecretary，whoseestablishedfunctionsseemedtobethemisrepresentationofthenationabroadbytheleastcharacteristicofitsclasses，thepoliticians，——andonlythenwhentheyhadbeendefeatedaspoliticians，andwhentheirconstituentshaddeclaredthemnolongerworthytobeevenTHEIRrepresentatives。ThisNationalAbsurditywasonlyequaledbyanother，whereinanex-
Politicianwasforfouryearsexpectedtoupholdthehonorofaflagofagreatnationoveranoceanhehadnevertempted，withadisciplinetherudimentsofwhichhecouldscarcelyacquirebeforehewasremoved，orhistermofofficeexpired，receivinghisordersfromasuperiorofficerasignorantofhisspecialdutiesashimself，andsubjectedtotherevisionofaCongresscognizantofhimonlyasapolitician。AtthefartherendoftheAvenuewasanotherdepartmentsovastinitsextentandsovariedinitsfunctionsthatfewofthereallygreatpracticalworkersofthelandwouldhaveaccepteditsresponsibilityfortentimesitssalary，butwhichthemostperfectconstitutionintheworldhandedovertomenwhowereobligedtomakeitasteppingstonetofuturepreferment。Therewasanotherdepartment，moresuggestiveofitsfinancialfunctionsfromtheoccasionalextravagancesoreconomiesexhibitedinitspayrolls，——successiveCongresseshavingtakenothermattersoutofitshands，——presidedoverbyanofficialwhoborethetitleandresponsibilityoftheCustodianandDisburseroftheNation’sPurse，andreceivedasalarythatabank-Presidentwouldhavesniffedat。ForitwaspartofthisConstitutionalInconsistencyandAdministrativeAbsurditythatinthematterofhonor，justice，fidelitytotrust，andevenbusinessintegrity，theofficialwasalwaysexpectedtobethesuperioroftheGovernmentherepresented。YetthecrowningInconsistencywasthat，fromtimetotime，itwassubmittedtothesovereignpeopletodeclareifthesevariousInconsistencieswerenotreallytheperfectexpressionofthemostperfectGovernmenttheworldhadknown。AnditistoberecordedthattheunanimousvoicesofRepresentative，Orator，andUnfetteredPoetrywerethatitwas！
EventhepublicpresslentitselftotheGreatInconsistency。ItwasasclearascrystaltothejournalononesideoftheAvenuethatthecountrywasgoingtothedogsunlesstheSPIRIToftheFathersoncemorereanimatedthepublic;itwasequallycleartothejournalontheothersideoftheAvenuethatonlyarigidadherencetotheLETTERoftheFatherswouldsavethenationfromdecline。Itwasobvioustothefirst-namedjournalthatthe\"letter\"meantGovernmentpatronagetotheotherjournal;itwaspatenttothatjournalthatthe\"shekels\"ofSenatorXreallyanimatedthespiritoftheFathers。Yetallagreeditwasagreatandgoodandperfectgovernment，——subjectonlytothepredatoryincursionsofaHydra-headedmonsterknownasa\"Ring。\"TheRing’soriginwaswrappedinsecrecy，itsfecunditywasalarming;butalthoughitsrapacitywaspreternatural，itsdigestionwasperfectandeasy。Itcircumvolvedallaffairsinanatmosphereofmystery;
itcloudedallthingswiththedustandashesofdistrust。Alldisappointmentofplace，ofavarice，ofincompetencyorambition，wasclearlyattributabletoit。Itevenpermeatedprivateandsociallife;therewereRingsinourkitchenandhouseholdservice;
inourpublicschools，thatkepttheactiveintelligencesofourchildrenpassive;therewereRingsofengaging，handsome，dissoluteyoungfellows，whokeptusmoralbutunengagingseniorsfromthefavorsofthefair;thereweresubtle，conspiringRingsamongourcreditors，whichsentusintobankruptcyandrestrictedourcredit。
Infactitwouldnotbehazardoustosaythatallthatwascalamitousinpublicandprivateexperiencewasclearlytraceabletothatcombinationofpowerinaminorityoverweaknessinamajority——knownasaRing。
Haplytherewasabodyofdemigods，asyetuninvoked，whoshouldspeedilysettleallthat。WhenSmithofMinnesota，RobinsonofVermont，andJonesofGeorgiareturnedtoCongressfromtheseruralseclusionssopotentwithinformationandsofreedfromlocalprejudices，itwasunderstood，vaguely，thatgreatthingswouldbedone。Thiswasalwaysunderstood。ThereneverwasatimeinthehistoryofAmericanpoliticswhen，tousetheexpressionofthejournalsbeforealludedto，\"thepresentsessionofCongress\"didnot\"bidfairtobethemostmomentousinourhistory，\"anddidnot，asfarasthefactsgo，leaveavastamountofunfinishedimportantbusinesslyinghopelesslyuponitsdesks，having\"bolted\"
therestasrashlyandwithaslittleregardtodigestionorassimilationastheAmericantravellerhasforhisrailwayrefreshment。
Inthiscapital，onthislanguidmidsummerday，inanupperroomofoneofitssecond-ratehotels，theHonorablePrattC。Gashwilersatathiswriting-table。Therearecertainlarge，fleshymenwithwhomtheomissionofevenanecktieorcollarhasalltheeffectofanindecentexposure。TheHon。Mr。Gashwiler，inhistrousersandshirt，wasasighttobeavoidedbythemodesteye。Thereweresuchpalpablesuggestionsofvastextentsofunctuousfleshintheslightglimpseofferedbyhisopenthroatthathisdishabilleshouldhavebeenasprivateashisbusiness。Nevertheless，whentherewasaknockathisdoorheunhesitatinglysaid，\"Comein！\"——
pushingawayagobletcrownedwithacertainaromaticherbwithhisrighthand，whilehedrewtowardshimwithhisleftafewproofslipsofhisforthcomingspeech。TheGashwilerbrowbecame，asitwere，intelligentlyabstracted。
TheintruderregardedGashwilerwithaglanceoffamiliarrecognitionfromhisrighteye，whilehislefttookinarapidsurveyofthepapersonthetable，andgleamedsardonically。
\"Youareatwork，Isee，\"hesaidapologetically。
\"Yes，\"repliedtheCongressman，withanairofperfunctoryweariness，——\"oneofmyspeeches。Thosed————dprintersmakesuchamessofit;IsupposeIdon’twriteaveryfinehand。\"
IfthegiftedGashwilerhadaddedthathedidnotwriteaveryintelligenthand，oraverygrammaticalhand，andthathisspellingwasfaulty，hewouldhavebeentruthful，althoughthecopyandproofbeforehimmightnothavebornehimout。ThenearfactwasthatthespeechwascomposedandwrittenbyoneExpectantDobbs，apoorretainerofGashwiler，andthehonorablemember’slaborasaproof-readerwasconfinedtotheintroductionofsuchwordsas\"anarchy，\"\"oligarchy，\"\"satrap，\"\"palladium，\"and\"Argus-eyed\"intheproof，withlittlerelevancyastopositionorplace，andnoperceptibleeffectastoargument。
Thestrangersawallthiswithhiswickedlefteye，butcontinuedtobeammildlywithhisright。RemovingthecoatandwaistcoatofGashwilerfromachair，hedrewittowardsthetable，pushingasideaportly，loud-tickingwatch，——theveryimageofGashwiler，——thatlaybesidehim，and，restinghiselbowsontheproofs，said：
\"Well？\"
\"Haveyouanythingnew？\"askedtheparliamentaryGashwiler。
\"Much！awoman！\"repliedthestranger。
TheastuteGashwiler，waitingfurtherinformation，concludedtoreceivethisfactgailyandgallantly。\"Awoman？——mydearMr。
Wiles，——ofcourse！Thedearcreatures，\"hecontinued，withafat，offensivechuckle，\"somehowarealwaysmakingtheircharmingpresencefelt。Ha！ha！Aman，sir，inpubliclifebecomesaccustomedtothatsortofthing，andknowswhenhemustbeagreeable，——agreeable，sir，butfirm！I’vehadmyexperience，sir，——myOWNexperience，\"——andtheCongressmanleanedbackinhischair，notunlikearobustSt。Anthonywhohadwithstoodonetemptationtothriveonanother。
\"Yes，\"saidWilesimpatiently，\"butd——nit，she’sontheOTHER
SIDE。\"
\"Theotherside！\"repeatedGashwilervacantly。
\"Yes，she’sanieceofGarcia’s。Alittleshedevil。\"
\"ButGarcia’sonourside，\"rejoinedGashwiler。
\"Yes，butsheisboughtbytheRing。\"
\"Awoman！\"sneeredMr。Gashwiler;\"whatcanshedowithmenwhowon’tbemadefoolsof？Isshesohandsome？\"
\"Ineversawanygreatbeautyinher，\"saidWilesshortly，\"althoughtheysaythatshe’srathercaughtthatd————dThatcher，inspiteofhiscoldness。Atanyrate，sheishisprotegee。Butsheisn’tthesortyou’rethinkingof，Gashwiler。Theysaysheknows，orpretendstoknow，somethingaboutthegrant。Shemayhavegotholdofsomeofheruncle’spapers。ThoseGreaserswerealwaysd————dfools;and，ifhedidanythingfoolish，likeasnothebungledordidn’tcoveruphistracks。Andwithhisknowledgeandfacilitiestoo！Why，ifI’d——\"buthereMr。Wilesstoppedtosighovertheinequalitiesoffortunethatwastedopportunitiesonthelessskillfulscamp。
Mr。Gashwilerbecamedignified。\"Shecandonothingwithus，\"hesaidpotentially。
Wilesturnedhiswickedeyeonhim。\"ManuelandMiguel，whosoldouttoourman，areafraidofher。Theywereourwitnesses。I
verilybelievethey’dtakebackeverythingifshegotafterthem。
AndasforPedro，hethinkssheholdsthepoweroflifeanddeathoverhim。\"
\"Pedro！lifeanddeath，——what’sallthis？\"saidtheastonishedGashwiler。
Wilessawhisblunder，butsawalsothathehadgonetoofartostop。\"Pedro，\"hesaid，\"wasstronglysuspectedofhavingmurderedConcho，oneoftheoriginallocators。\"
Mr。Gashwilerturnedwhiteasasheet，andthenflushedagainintoanapoplecticglow。\"Doyoudaretosay，\"hebeganassoonashecouldfindhistongueandhislegs，forintheexerciseofhiscongressionalfunctionstheseextremememberssupportedeachother，——\"doyoumeantosay，\"hestammeredinrisingrage，\"thatyouhavedaredtodeceiveanAmericanlawgiverintolegislatinguponameasureconnectedwithacapitaloffense？DoIunderstandyoutosay，sir，thatmurderstandsupontherecord——standsupontherecord，sir，——ofthiscausetowhich，asarepresentativeofRemus，Ihavelentmyofficialaid？Doyoumeantosaythatyouhavedeceivedmyconstituency，whosesacredtrustIhold，ininveiglingmetohidingacrimefromtheArguseyesofjustice？\"
AndMr。Gashwilerlookedtowardsthebell-pullasifabouttosummonaservanttowitnessthisoutrageagainsttheestablishedjudiciary。
\"Themurder，ifitWASamurder，tookplacebeforeGarciaentereduponthisclaim，orhadafootinginthiscourt，\"returnedWilesblandly，\"andisnopartoftherecord。\"
\"Youaresureitisnotspreadupontherecord？\"
\"Iam。Youcanjudgeforyourself。\"
Mr。Gashwilerwalkedtothewindow，returnedtothetable，finishedhisliquorinasinglegulp，andthen，withaslightresumptionofdignity，said：
\"Thataltersthecase。\"
WilesglancedwithhislefteyeattheCongressman。Therightplacidlylookedoutofthewindow。Presentlyhesaidquietly，\"I’vebroughtyouthecertificatesofstock;doyouwishthemmadeoutinyourownname？\"
Mr。GashwilertriedhardtolookasifheweretryingtorecallthemeaningofWiles’swords。\"Oh！——ah！——umph！——letmesee，——oh，yes，thecertificates，——certainly！Ofcourseyouwillmakethemoutinthenameofmysecretary，Mr。ExpectantDobbs。Theywillperhapsrepayhimfortheextraclericallaborrequiredintheprosecutionofyourclaim。Heisaworthyyoungman。Althoughnotapublicofficer，yetheissoneartomethatperhapsIamwronginpermittinghimtoacceptafeeforprivateinterests。AnAmericanrepresentativecannotbetoocautious，Mr。Wiles。Perhapsyouhadbetterhavealsoablanktransfer。Thestockis，Iunderstand，yetinthefuture。Mr。Dobbs，thoughtalentedandpraiseworthy，ispoor;hemaywishtorealize。Ifsome——ahem！someFRIEND——bettercircumstancedshouldchoosetoadvancethecashtohimandruntherisk，——why，itwouldonlybeanactofkindness。\"
\"Youareproverbiallygenerous，Mr。Gashwiler，\"saidWiles，openingandshuttinghislefteyelikeadarklanternonthebenevolentrepresentative。
\"Youth，whenfaithfulandpainstaking，shouldbeencouraged，\"
repliedMr。Gashwiler。\"IlatelyhadoccasiontopointthisoutinafewremarksIhadtomakebeforetheSabbathschoolreunionatRemus。Thankyou，Iwillseethattheyare——ahem！——conveyedtohim。Ishallgivethemtohimwithmyownhand，\"heconcluded，fallingbackinhischair，asifthebettertocontemplatetheperspectiveofhisowngenerosityandcondescension。Mr。Wilestookhishatandturnedtogo。BeforehereachedthedoorMr。
Gashwilerreturnedtothesociallevelwithachuckle：
\"Yousaythiswoman，thisGarcia’sniece，ishandsomeandsmart？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Icansetanotherwomanonthetrackthat’lleuchrehereverytime！\"
Mr。WileswastooclevertoappeartonoticethesuddenlapseintheCongressman’sdignity，andonlysaid，withhisrighteye：
\"Canyou？\"
\"ByG-d，IWILL，orIdon’tknowhowtorepresentRemus。\"
Mr。Wilesthankedhimwithhisrighteye，andlookedadaggerwithhisleft。\"Good，\"hesaid，andaddedpersuasively：\"Doesshelivehere？\"
TheCongressmannoddedassent。\"Anawfullyhandsomewoman，——aparticularfriendofmine！\"Mr。Gashwilerherelookedasifhewouldnotmindtohavebeenralliedalittleoverhisintimacywiththefairone;buttheastuteMr。Wileswasatthesamemomentmakinguphismind，afterinterpretingtheCongressman’slookandmanner，thathemustknowthisfairincognitaifhewishedtoswayGashwiler。Hedeterminedtobidehistime，andwithdrew。
ThedoorwasscarcelycloseduponhimwhenanotherknockdivertedMr。Gashwiler’sattentionfromhisproofs。Thedooropenedtoayoungmanwithsandyhairandanxiousface。Heenteredtheroomdeprecatingly，asifconsciousofthepresenceofapowerfulbeing，tobesupplicatedandfeared。Mr。Gashwilerdidnotattempttodisabusehismind。\"Busy，yousee，\"hesaidshortly，\"correctingyourwork！\"
\"Ihopeitisacceptable？\"saidtheyoungmantimidly。
\"Well——yes——itwilldo，\"saidGashwiler;\"indeedImaysayitissatisfactoryonthewhole，\"headdedwiththeappearanceofalargegenerosity;\"quitesatisfactory。\"
\"Youhavenonews，Isuppose，\"continuedtheyoungman，withaslightflush，bornofprideorexpectation。
\"No，nothingasyet。\"Mr。Gashwilerpausedasifathoughthadstruckhim。
\"Ihavethought，\"hesaid，finally，\"thatsomeposition——suchasasecretaryshipwithme——wouldhelpyoutoabetterappointment。
Now，supposingthatImakeyoumyprivatesecretary，givingyousomeimportantandconfidentialbusiness。Eh？\"
Dobbslookedathispatronwithacertainwistful，dog-likeexpectancy，movedhimselfexcitedlyonhischairseatinapeculiarcanine-likeanticipationofgratitude，stronglysuggestingthathewouldhavewaggedhistailifhehadone。AtwhichMr。Gashwilerbecamemoreimpressive。
\"Indeed，ImaysayIanticipateditbycertainpapersIhaveputinyourchargeandinyourname，onlytakingfromyouatransferthatmightenablemetosatisfymyconsciencehereafterinrecommendingyouasmy——ahem！——privatesecretary。Perhaps，asamereform，youmightnow，whileyouarehere，putyournametothesetransfers，and，sotospeak，beginyourdutiesatonce。\"
TheglowofprideandhopethatmantledthecheekofpoorDobbsmighthavemeltedaharderheartthanGashwiler’s。ButthesenatorialtogahadinvestedMr。GashwilerwithamorethanRomanstoicismtowardsthefeelingsofothers，andheonlyfellbackinhischairintheposeofconsciousrectitudeasDobbshurriedlysignedthepaper。
\"Ishallplacetheminmyportman-tell，\"saidGashwiler，suitingthewordtotheaction，\"forsafekeeping。Ineednotinformyou，whoarenow，asitwere，onthethresholdofofficiallife，thatperfectandinviolablesecrecyinallaffairsofState\"——Mr。G。
heremotionedtowardhisportmanteauasifitcontainedatreatyatleast——\"ismostessentialandnecessary。\"
Dobbsassented。\"Thenmydutieswillkeepmewithyouhere？\"heaskeddoubtfully。
\"No，no，\"saidGashwilerhastily;then，correctinghimself，headded：\"thatis——forthepresent——no！\"
PoorDobbs’sfacefell。Thenearfactwasthathehadlatelyhadnoticetoquithispresentlodgingsinconsequenceofarrearsinhisrent，andhehadahopefulreliancethathisconfidentialoccupationwouldcarrybreadandlodgingwithit。Butheonlyaskediftherewereanynewpaperstomakeout。
\"Ahem！notatpresent;thefactisIamobligedtogivesomuchofmytimetocallers——Ihaveto-daybeenobligedtoseehalfadozen——
thatImustlockmyselfupandsay’Notathome’fortherestoftheday。\"Feelingthatthiswasanintimationthattheinterviewwasover，thenewprivatesecretary，alittledashedastohisnearhopes，butstillsanguineofthefuture，humblytookhisleave。
ButhereacertainProvidence，perhapsmindfulofpoorDobbs，threwintohissimplehands——tobeusedornot，ifhewereworthyorcapableofusingit——acertainpowerandadvantage。Hehaddescendedthestaircase，andwaspassingthroughthelowercorridor，whenhewasmadetheunwillingwitnessofaremarkableassault。
ItappearedthatMr。Wiles，whohadquittedGashwiler’spresenceasDobbswasannounced，hadotherbusinessinthehotel，andinpursuanceofithadknockedatroomNo。90。Inresponsetothegruffvoicethatbadehimenter，Mr。Wilesopenedthedoor，andespiedthefigureofatall，muscular，fiery-beardedmanextendedonthebed，withthebedclothescarefullytuckedunderhischin，andhisarmslyingflatbyhisside。
Mr。Wilesbeamedwithhisrightcheek，andadvancedtothebedasiftotakethehandofthestranger，who，however，neitherbywordorsignrespondedtohissalutation。
\"PerhapsI’mintruding？\"saidMr。Wilesblandly。
\"Perhapsyouare，\"saidRedBearddryly。
Mr。Wilesforcedasmileonhisrightcheek，whichheturnedtothesmiter，butpermittedthelefttoindulgeinunlimitedmalevolence。
\"Iwantedmerelytoknowifyouhavelookedintothatmatter？\"hesaidmeekly。
\"I’velookedintoitandrounditandacrossitandoveritandthroughit，\"respondedthemangravely，withhiseyesfixedonWiles。
\"Andyouhaveperusedallthepapers？\"continuedMr。Wiles。
\"I’vereadeverypaper，everyspeech，everyaffidavit，everydecision，everyargument，\"saidthestrangerasifrepeatingaformula。
Mr。Wilesattemptedtoconcealhisembarrassmentbyaneasy，right-
handedsmile，thatwentoffsardonicallyontheleft，andcontinued：\"ThenIhope，mydearsir，that，havingthoroughlymasteredthecase，youareinclinedtobefavorabletous？\"
Thegentlemaninthebeddidnotreply，butapparentlynestledmorecloselybeneaththecoverlids。
\"IhavebroughtthesharesIspokeof，\"continuedMr。Wiles，insinuatingly。
\"Hevyouafriendwithincall？\"interruptedtherecumbentmangently。
\"Idon’tquiteunderstand！\"smiledMr。Wiles。\"Ofcourseanynameyoumightsuggest——\"
\"Hevyouafriend，anychapthatyoumightwaltzinhereatamoment’scall？\"continuedthemaninbed。\"No？Doyouknowanyofthemwaitersinthehouse？Thar’sabelloveryan！\"andhemotionedwithhiseyestowardsthewall，butdidnototherwisemovehisbody。
\"No，\"saidWiles，becomingslightlysuspiciousandwrathful。
\"Mebbeastrangermightdo？Ireckonthar’sonepassin’inthehall。Callhimin，——he’lldo！\"
Wilesopenedthedooralittleimpatiently，yetinquisitively，asDobbspassed。Themaninbedcalledout，\"Oh，stranger！\"and，asDobbsstopped，said，\"Comeyar。\"
Dobbsenteredalittletimidly，aswashishabitwithstrangers。
\"Idon’tknowwhoyoube——norcare，Ireckon，\"saidthestranger。
\"Thisyerman\"——pointingtoWiles——isWiles。I’mJoshSibbleeofFresno，MemberofCongressfromthe4thCongressionalDistrictofCaliforny。I’mjistlyinghere，withaderringerintoeachhand，——
jistlyingherekiveredupandholdin’inon’ytokeepfromblowin’
thetopo’thisd————dskunk’sheadoff。IkinderfeelIcan’tholdinanylonger。WhatIwanttosaytoye，stranger，isthatthisyerskunk——whichhisnameisWiles——hezbintryin’hisd——desttogetabribeontoJosh，andJosh，outorespectforhisconstituents，isjistwaitin’forsomestrangertowaltzinandstopthed——destfight——\"
\"But，mydearMr。Sibblee，theremustbesomemistake，\"saidWilesearnestly。
\"Mistake？Stripme！\"
\"No！No！\"saidWiles，hurriedly，asthesimple-mindedDobbswasabouttodrawdownthecoverlid。
\"Takehimaway，\"saidtheHon。Mr。Sibblee，\"beforeIdisgracemyconstituency。TheysaidI’dbeinjailaforeIgetthroughthesession。Efyou’vegotanyhumanity，stranger，snakehimout，andpow’fulquick，too。\"
Dobbs，quitewhiteandaghast，lookedatWilesandhesitated。
Therewasaslightmovementinthebed。Bothmenstartedforthedoor;andthenextminuteitclosedverydecidedlyonthememberfromFresno。
CHAPTERXI
HOWITWASLOBBIEDFOR
TheHon。PrattC。Gashwiler，M。C。，wasofcourseunawareoftheincidentdescribedinthelastchapter。Hissecret，evenifithadbeendiscoveredbyDobbs，wassafeinthatgentleman’sinnocentandhonorablehands，andcertainlywasnotofaqualitythatMr。Wiles，atpresent，wouldhavecaredtoexpose。For，inspiteofMr。
Wiles’sdiscomfiture，hestillhadenoughexperienceofcharactertoknowthattheiratememberfromFresnowouldbesatisfiedwithhisownpeculiarmannerofvindicatinghisownpersonalintegrity，andwouldnotmakeapublicscandalofit。Again，WileswasconvincedthatDobbswasequallyimplicatedwithGashwiler，andwouldbesilentforhisownsake。SothatpoorDobbs，asistoooftenthefateofsimplebutweaknatures，hadfullcreditforduplicitybyeveryrascalintheland。
FromwhichitmaybeinferredthatnothingoccurredtodisturbthesecurityofGashwiler。WhenthedoorcloseduponMr。Wiles，heinditedanotewhich，withacostlybutexceedinglydistastefulbouquet，——rearrangedbyhisownfatfingers，anddiscordandincongruityvisibleineverycombinationofcolor，——hesentoffbyaspecialmessenger。Thenheproceededtomakehistoilet，——anoperationrarelygracefulorpicturesqueinoursex，andaninsulttothespectatorwhenobesityissuperadded。Whenhehadputonacleanshirt，ofwhichtherewasgrosslytoomuch，andaddedawhitewaistcoat，thatseemedtoaccenthisrotundity，hecompletedhisattirewithablackfrockcoatofthelateststyle，andsurveyedhimselfcomplacentlybeforeamirror。Itistoberecordedthat，howeversatisfactorytheresultmighthavebeentoMr。Gashwiler，itwasnotsotothedisinterestedspectator。Therearesomemenonwhom\"thatdeformedthief，Fashion，\"avengeshimselfbymakingtheirclothesappearperenniallynew。Theglossofthetailor’sironneverdisappears;thecreasesoftheshelfperpetuallyriseinjudgmentagainstthewearer。NoveltywasthegeneralsuggestionofMr。Gashwiler’sfull-dress，——itwasneverhisHABITUDE;——and\"OurownMake，\"\"Nobby，\"andthe\"LatestStyle，only$15，\"wasaspatentonthelegislator’sbroadbackasifitstillretainedtheshop-
man’sticket。
Thusarrayed，withinanhourhecomplacentlyfollowedthenoteandhisfloraloffering。ThehousehesoughthadbeenoncetheresidenceofaforeignAmbassador，whohadloyallyrepresentedhisgovernmentinasingleunimportanttreaty，nowforgotten，andinvariousreceptionsanddinners，stillactivelyrememberedbyoccasionalvisitstoitssalon;nowtheaveragedrearyAmericanparlor。\"Dearme，\"thefascinatingMr。Xwouldsay，\"butdoyouknow，love，inthisveryroomIremembermeetingthedistinguishedMarquisofMontePio;\"orperhapsthefashionableJonesoftheStateDepartmentinstantlycrushedthedecayedfriendhewasperfunctorilyvisitingbysaying，\"’Ponmysoul，YOUhere;——why，thelasttimeIwasinthisroomIgossipedforanhourwiththeCountessdeCastenetinthatverycorner。\"For，withtherecalloftheaforesaidAmbassador，themansionhadbecomeaboarding-place，keptbythewifeofadepartmentalclerk。
Perhapstherewasnothinginthehistoryofthehousemorequaintandphilosophicthanthestoryofitspresentoccupant。RogerFauquierhadbeenadepartmentalclerkforfortyyears。Itwasatoncehispracticalgoodluckandhismisfortunetohavebeenearlyappointedtoapositionwhichrequiredathoroughandcompleteknowledgeoftheformulasandroutineofadepartmentthatexpendedmillionsofthepublicfunds。Fauquier，onapoorsalary，diminishinginsteadofincreasingwithhisservice，hadseensuccessiveadministrationsbudandblossomanddecay，buthadkepthispositionthroughthefactthathisknowledgewasanecessitytothesuccessivechiefsandemployes。OnceitwastruethathehadbeensummarilyremovedbyanewSecretary，tomakeroomforacampfollower，whoseexhaustiveandintellectualservicesinapoliticalcampaignhadmadehimeminentlyfitforanything;butthealarmingdiscoverythatthenewclerk’sknowledgeofgrammarandetymologywasevenworsethanthatoftheSecretaryhimself，andthat，throughignoranceofdetail，thebusinessofthatdepartmentwasretardedtoadamagetotheGovernmentofoverhalfamillionofdollars，ledtothereinstatementofMr。Fauquier——ATALOWER
SALARY。Foritwasfeltthatsomethingwaswrongsomewhere，andasithadalwaysbeenthecustomofCongressandtheadministrationtocutdownsalariesasthefirststeptoreform，theymadeofMr。
Fauquieramoralexample。Agentlemanborn，ofsomewhatexpensivetastes，havingliveduptohisformersalary，thischangebroughtanotherbread-winnerintothefield，Mrs。Fauquier，whotried，moreorlessunsuccessfully，toturnheroldSouthernhabitsofhospitalitytoremunerativeaccount。ButaspoorFauquiercouldneverbeprevailedupontopresentabilltoagentleman，sir，andassomeofthescionsofthebestSouthernfamilieswerestillwaitingfor，orhadbeenrecentlydismissedfrom，aposition，theexperimentwasapecuniaryfailure。Yetthehousewasofexcellentreputeandwellpatronized;indeed，itwasworthsomethingtoseeoldFauquiersittingattheheadofhisowntable，insomethingofhisancestralstyle，relatinganecdotesofgreatmennowdeadandgone，interruptedonlybyoccasionalvisitsfromimportunatetradesmen。
ProminentamongwhatMr。Fauquiercalledhis\"littlefamily\"wasablack-eyedladyofgreatpowersoffascination，andconsiderablelocalreputationasaflirt。Nevertheless，thesesocialaberrationswereamplycondonedbyafacileandcomplacenthusband，wholookedwithalenientandevenadmiringeyeuponthelittlelady’samusement，andtoacertainextentlentatacitindorsementtoherconduct。NobodymindedHopkinson;intheblazeofMrs。
Hopkinson’sfascinationshewascompletelylostsightof。Afewmarriedwomenwithundulysensitivehusbands，andseveralsingleladiesofthebestandlongeststanding，reflectedseverelyonherconduct。Theyoungermenofcourseadmiredher，butIthinkshegotherchiefsupportfromoldfogieslikeourselves。Foritisyourquiet，self-conceited，complacent，philosophic，broad-waistedpaterfamiliaswho，afterall，istheonetowhomthegayandgiddyoftheproverbiallyimpulsive，unselfishsexowetheirplaceinthesocialfirmament。Weareneverinclinedtobecaptious;welaughatasafollywhatourwivesanddaughterscondemnasafault;OUR
\"withersareunwrung，\"yetwestillconfesstothefascinationsofaprettyface。Weknow，blessus，fromdearexperience，theexactvalueofonewoman’sopinionofanother;wewantourbrilliantlittlefriendtoshine;itisonlythemothswhowillburntheirtwo-pennyimmaturewingsintheflame！Andwhyshouldtheynot？
Naturehasbeenpleasedtosupplymoremothsthancandles！Goto！——
givetheprettycreature——beshemaid，wife，orwidow——ashow！
Andso，mydearsir，whilemater-familiasbendsherblackbrowsindisgust，wesmileoursuperiorlittlesmile，andextendtoMistressAnonymaourgraciousindorsement。Andifgiddinessisgrateful，oriffollyisfriendly，——well，ofcourse，wecan’thelpthat。Indeeditratherprovesourtheory。
IhadintendedtosaysomethingaboutHopkinson;butreallythereisverylittletosay。Hewasinvariablygoodhumored。Afewladiesoncetriedtoshowhimthathereallyoughttofeelworsethanhedidabouttheconductofhiswife;anditisrecordedthatHopkinson，inanexcessofgoodhumorandkindliness，promisedtodoso。IndeedthegoodfellowwassoaccessiblethatitissaidthatyoungDeLancyoftheTapeDepartmentconfidedtoHopkinsonhisjealousyofarival;andrevealedtheawfulsecretthathe（DeLancy）hadreasontoexpectmoreloyaltyfromhis（Hopkinson’s）
wife。Thegoodfellowisreportedtohavebeenverysympathetic，andtohavepromisedDelaneytolendwhateverinfluencehehadwithMrs。Hopkinsoninhisfavor。\"Yousee，\"hesaidexplanatorilytoDeLancy，\"shehasagooddealtoattendtolately，andIsupposehasgotrathercareless，——that’swomen’sways。ButifIcan’tbringherroundI’llspeaktoGashwiler，——I’llgethimtousehisinfluencewithMrs。Hop。Socheerup，myboy，HE’LLmakeitallright。\"
TheappearanceofabouquetonthetableofMrs。Hopkinsonwasnorareevent;nevertheless，Mr。Gashwiler’swasnotthere。Itshideouscontrastshadoffendedherwoman’seye，——itisobservablethatgoodtastesurvivesthewreckofalltheotherfemininevirtues，——andshehaddistributedittomakeboutonnieresforothergentlemen。Yet，whenheappeared，shesaidtohimhastily，puttingherlittlehandoverthecardiacregion：
\"I’msogladyoucame。ButyougavemeSUCHafrightanhourago。\"
Mr。Gashwilerwasbothpleasedandastounded。\"WhathaveIdone，mydearMrs。Hopkinson？\"hebegan。
\"Oh，don’ttalk，\"shesaidsadly。\"Whathaveyoudone，indeed！
Why，yousentmethatbeautifulbouquet。Icouldnotmistakeyourtasteinthearrangementoftheflowers;——butmyhusbandwashere。
Youknowhisjealousy。Iwasobligedtoconcealitfromhim。
never——promisemenow——NEVERdoitagain。\"
Mr。Gashwilergallantlyprotested。
\"No！Iamserious！Iwassoagitated：hemusthaveseenmeblush。\"
NothingbutthegrossflatterytothisspeechcouldhavecloudeditsmanifestabsurditytotheGashwilerconsciousness。ButMr。
Gashwilerhadalreadysuccumbedtothegirlishhalf-timiditywithwhichitwasuttered。Nevertheless，hecouldnothelpsaying：
\"Butwhyshouldhebesojealousnow？OnlydaybeforeyesterdayI
sawSimpsonofDuluthhandyouanosegayrightbeforehim！\"
\"Ah，\"returnedthelady，\"hewasoutwardlycalmTHEN，butyouknownothingofthescenethatoccurredbetweenusafteryouleft。\"
\"But，\"gaspedthepracticalGashwiler，\"Simpsonhadgivenyourhusbandthatcontract，——acoolfiftythousandinhispocket！\"
Mrs。HopkinsonlookedasdignifiedlyatGashwileraswasconsistentwithfivefeetthree（theextrathreeinchesbeingapyramidalstructureofstraw-coloredhair），afrondoffaintcurls，apairoflaughingblueeyes，andasmallbeltedwaist。Thenshesaid，withacastingdownofherlids：
\"Youforgetthatmyhusbandlovesme。\"Andforoncetheminxappearedtolookpenitent。Itwasbecoming;butasithadbeenoriginallypracticedinasimplewhitedress，relievedonlywithpale-blueribbons，itwasnotentirelyinkeepingwithbe-flouncedlavenderandrose-coloredtrimmings。Yetthewomanwhohesitatesbetweenhermoralexpressionandtheharmonyofherdressislost。
AndMrs。Hopkinsonwasvictrixbyherveryaudacity。
Mr。Gashwilerwasflattered。Themostdissolutemanlikestheappearanceofvirtue。\"Butgracesandaccomplishmentslikeyours，dearMrs。Hopkinson，\"hesaidoleaginously，\"belongtothewholecountry。\"Which，withsomethingbetweenacourtesyandastrut，heendeavoredtorepresent。\"AndIshallwanttoavailmyselfofall，\"headded，\"inthematteroftheCastroclaim。AlittlesupperatWelcker’s，aglassortwoofchampagne，andasingleflashofthosebrighteyes，andthethingisdone。\"
\"But，\"saidMrs。Hopkinson，\"I’vepromisedJosiahthatIwouldgiveupallthosefrivolities，andalthoughmyconscienceisclear，youknowhowpeopletalk！Josiahhearsit。Why，onlylastnight，atareceptionatthePatagonianMinister’s，everywomanintheroomgossipedaboutmebecauseIledthegermanwithhim。Asifamarriedwoman，whosehusbandwasinterestedintheGovernment，couldnotbeciviltotherepresentativeofafriendlypower？\"
Mr。GashwilerdidnotseehowMr。Hopkinson’slatecontractforsupplyingsaltporkandcannedprovisionstothearmyoftheUnitedStatesshouldmakehiswifesusceptibletotheadvancesofforeignprinces;butheprudentlykeptthattohimself。Still，notbeinghimselfadiplomat，hecouldnothelpsaying：
\"ButIunderstoodthatMr。Hopkinsondidnotobjecttoyourinterestingyourselfinthisclaim，andyouknowsomeofthestock——\"
Theladystarted，andsaid：
\"Stock！DearMr。Gashwiler，forHeaven’ssakedon’tmentionthathideousnametome。Stock，Iamsickofit！Haveyougentlemennoothertopicforalady？\"
Shepunctuatedhersentencewithamischievouslookatherinterlocutor。ForasecondtimeIregrettosaythatMr。Gashwilersuccumbed。TheRomanconstituencyatRemus，itistobehoped，werehappilyignorantofthislastdefectionoftheirgreatlegislator。Mr。Gashwilerinstantlyforgothistheme，——begantoplytheladywithacertainbovine-likegallantry，whichitistobesaidtohercreditsheparriedwithaplayful，terrier-likedexterity，whentheservantsuddenlyannounced，\"Mr。Wiles。\"
Gashwilerstarted。NotsoMrs。Hopkinson，who，however，prudentlyandquietlyremovedherownchairseveralinchesfromGashwiler’s。
\"DoyouknowMr。Wiles？\"sheaskedpleasantly。
\"No！Thatis，I——ah——yes，ImaysayIhavehadsomebusinessrelationswithhim，\"respondedGashwilerrising。
\"Won’tyoustay？\"sheaddedpleadingly。\"Do！\"
Mr。Gashwiler’sprudencealwaysgotthebetterofhisgallantry。
\"Notnow，\"herespondedinsomenervousness。\"PerhapsIhadbettergonow，inviewofwhatyouhavejustsaidaboutgossip。Youneednotmentionmynametothis-er——this——Mr。Wiles。\"Andwithoneeyeonthedoor，andanawkwarddashofhislipsatthelady’sfingers，hewithdrew。
TherewasnointroductoryformulatoMr。Wiles’sinterview。Hedashedatonceinmediasres。\"Gashwilerknowsawomanthat，hesays，canhelpusagainstthatSpanishgirlwhoiscomingherewithproofs，prettiness，fascination，andwhatnot！Youmustfindherout。\"
\"Why？\"askedtheladylaughingly。
\"BecauseIdon’ttrustthatGashwiler。Awomanwithaprettyfaceandanounceofbrainscouldsellhimout;aye，andUSwithhim。\"
\"Oh，sayTWOouncesofbrains。Mr。Wiles，Mr。Gashwilerisnofool。\"
\"Possibly，exceptwhenyoursexisconcerned，anditisverylikelythatthewomanishissuperior。\"
\"Ishouldthinkso，\"saidMrs。Hopkinsonwithamischievouslook。
\"Ah，youknowher，then？\"
\"NotsowellasIknowhim，\"saidMrs。H。quiteseriously。\"IwishIdid。\"
\"Well，you’llfindoutifshe’stobetrusted！Youarelaughing，——
itisaseriousmatter！Thiswoman——\"
Mrs。Hopkinsondroppedhimacharmingcourtesyandsaid，\"C’estmoi！\"
CHAPTERXII
ARACEFORIT
RoyalThatcherworkedhard。Thattheboyishlittlepainterwhosharedhishospitalityatthe\"BlueMass\"mineshouldafterwardhavelittlepartinhisactivelifeseemednotinconsistentwithhishabits。Atpresenttheminewashisonlymistress，claiminghisentiretime，exasperatinghimwithfickleness，butstillrequiringthatsupremedevotionofwhichhisnaturewascapable。
ItispossiblethatMissCarmensawthistoo，andsosetaboutwithfemininetact，ifnottosupplement，atleasttomakeherrivallesspertinaciousandabsorbing。Apartfromthisobject，shezealouslylaboredinherprofession，yetwithsmallpecuniaryresult，Ifear。LocalartwasatadiscountinCalifornia。Thesceneryofthecountryhadnotyetbecomefamous;ratheritwasreservedforacertainEasternartist，alreadyfamous，tomakeitso;andpeoplecaredlittleforthereproduction，undertheirverynoses，ofthatwhichtheysawcontinuallywiththeirowneyes，andvaluednot。SothatlittleMistressCarmenwasfaintodivertherartistsoultosupportherplumplittlematerialbody;andmadediversexcursionsintotheregionsofceramicart，paintingonvelvet，illuminatingmissals，decoratingchina，andthelike。I
haveinmypossessionsomewaxflowers——astartlingfuchsiaandabewilderingdahlia——soldforamerepittancebythislittlelady，whosepictureslatelytooktheprizeataforeignexhibition，shortlyaftershehadbeenhalfstarvedbyaCaliforniapublic，andclaimedbyaCaliforniapressasitsfosteredchildofgenius。
OfthesestrugglesandtriumphsThatcherhadnoknowledge;yethewasperhapsmorestartledthanhewouldowntohimselfwhen，oneDecemberday，hereceivedthisdespatch：\"CometoWashingtonatonce。——CarmendeHaro。\"
\"CarmendeHaro！\"Igrievetostatethatsuchwasthepreoccupationofthisman，electedbyfatetobetheheroofthesolitaryamatoryepisodeofhisstory，thatforamomenthecouldnotrecallher。
Whenthehonestlittlefigurethathadsomanfullystoodupagainsthim，andhadprovedhersexbyafterwardsrunningawayfromhim，camebackatlasttohismemory，hewasatfirstmystifiedandthenself-reproachful。Hehadbeen，hefeltvaguely，untruetohimself。
Hehadbeenremisstotheself-confesseddaughterofhisenemy。
Yetwhyshouldshetelegraphtohim，andwhatwasshedoinginWashington？Toallthesespeculationsitistobesaidtohiscreditthathelookedfornosentimentalorromanticanswer。
RoyalThatcherwasnaturallymodestandself-depreciatinginhisrelationstotheothersex，asindeedmostmenwhoareapttobesuccessfulwithwomengenerallyare，despiteavastdegreeofsuperannuatedboshtothecontrary。Tothehalfdozenwomenwhoarestartledbysheeraudacityintosubmissiontherearescoreswhoarepiquedbyaself-respectfulpatience;andwhereawomenhastodohalfthewooing，shegenerallymakesaprettysurethingofit。
InhisbewildermentThatcherhadoverlookedaletterlyingonhistable。ItwasfromhisWashingtonlawyer。Theconcludingparagraphcaughthiseye，——\"Perhapsitwouldbewellifyoucamehereyourself。Roscommonishere;andtheysaythereisanieceofGarcia’s，latelyappeared，whoislikelytogetupastrongsocialsympathyfortheoldMexican。Idon’tknowthattheyexpecttoproveanythingbyher;butI’mtoldsheisattractiveandclever，andhasenlistedthesympathiesofthedelegation。\"Thatcherlaidtheletterdownalittleindignantly。Strongmenarequiteasliableasweakwomenaretosuddeninconsistenciesonanyquestiontheymayhaveincommon。Whatrighthadthispoorlittlebudhehadcherished，——hewasquitesatisfiednowthathehadcherishedher，andreallyhadsufferedfromherabsence，——whatrighthadshetosuddenlyblossominthesunshineofpowertobe，perhaps，pluckedandwornbyoneofhisenemies？Hedidnotagreewithhislawyerthatshewasinanywayconnectedwithhisenemies：hetrustedtohermasculineloyaltythatfar。Butherewassomethingvaguelydangeroustothefemininemind，——position，flattery，power。
Hewasalmostasfirmlysatisfiednowthathehadbeenwrongedandneglectedashehadbeenpositiveafewmomentsbeforethathehadbeenremissinhisattention。Theirritation，althoughmomentary，wasenoughtodecidethisstrongman。HetelegraphedtoSanFrancisco;and，havingmissedthesteamer，securedanoverlandpassagetoWashington;thoughtbetterofit，andpartlychangedhismindanhouraftertheticketwaspurchased;but，manlike，havingoncemadeapracticalstepinawrongdirection，hekeptonratherthanadmitaninconsistencytohimself。Yethewasnotentirelysatisfiedthathisjourneywasabusinessone。Theimpulsive，weaklittleMistressCarmenhadprudentlyscoredoneagainstthestrongman。
Onlyasmallpartofthepresentgreattrans-continentalrailwayatthistimehadbeenbuilt，andwasbutpiersateitherendofadesolateandwildexpanseasyetunbridged。WhentheoverlandtravellerlefttherailatReno，heleft，asitwere，civilizationwithit;and，untilhereachedtheNebraskafrontier，therestofhisroadwasonlytheoldemigranttrailtraversedbythecoachesoftheOverlandCompany。Exceptingapartof\"Devil’sCanyon，\"thewaywasunpicturesqueandflat;andthepassageoftheRockyMountains，farfromsuggestingtheallegedpoetryofthatregion，wasonlyareminderofthosesteriledistancesofalevelNewEnglandlandscape。
Thejourneywasadrearymonotonythatwasscarcelyenlivenedbyitsdiscomforts，neveramountingtoactualaccidentorincident，bututterlydestructivetoallnervoustissue。Insanityoftensupervened。\"Onthethirddayout，\"saidHankMonk，driver，speakingcasuallybutcharitablyofa\"fare，\"——\"onthethirddayout，afteraxingnoendofquestionsandgettingnoanswers，hetooktochewingstrawsthathepickedouterthecushion，andkussin’tohisself。FromthatverydayIknewitwasalloverwithhim，andIhandedhimovertohisfriendsat’ShyAnn，’strappedtothebackseat，andravin’andcussin’atBenHolliday，thegent’manlyproprietor。\"Itispresumedthattheunfortunatetourist’sindignationwasexcitedatthelateMr。BenjaminHolliday，thentheproprietoroftheline，——anevidenceofhisinsanitythatnoonewhoknewthatlarge-hearted，fastidious，andelegantly-culturedCalifornian，sincealliedtoforeignnobility，willforamomentdoubt。
Mr。RoyalThatcherwastoooldandexperiencedamountaineertodoaughtbutacceptpatientlyandcynicallyhisbrotherCalifornian’smethodofincreasinghisprofits。AsitwasgenerallyunderstoodthatanyonewhocamefromCaliforniabythatroutehadsomedarkdesign，thevictimreceivedlittlesympathy。Thatcher’sequabletemperamentandindomitablewillstoodhimingoodstead，andhelpedhimcheerfullyinthisemergency。Heatehisscantmeals，andotherwisetookcareofthefunctionsofhisweakhumannature，whenandwherehecould，withoutgrumbling，andattimesearnedeventhepraiseofhisdriverbyhisabilityto\"roughit。\"Which\"roughingit，\"bytheway，meanttheabilityofthepassengerstoaccepttheincompetencyoftheCompany。Itistruethereweretimeswhenheregrettedthathehadnottakenthesteamer;butthenhereflectedthathewasoneofaVigilanceCommittee，sworntohangthatadmirableman，thelateCommodoreCorneliusVanderbilt，forcertainpracticesandcrueltiesdoneuponthebodiesofcertainsteeragepassengersbyhisline，andfordiversirregularitiesintheirtransportation。ImentionthisfactmerelytoshowhowsopracticalandstoutavoyagerasThatchermighthaveconfoundedtheperplexitiesattendingtheadministrationofagreatsteamshipcompanywithselfishgreedandbrutality;andthathe，withotherCalifornians，maynothaveknownthefact，sincerecordedbytheCommodore’sfamilyclergyman，thatthegreatmillionairewasalwaystruetothehymnsofhischildhood。
Nevertheless，Thatcherfoundtimetobecheerfulandhelpfultohisfellowpassengers，andeventobesofarinterestingto\"YubaBill，\"thedriver，astohavetheboxseatplacedathisdisposal。
\"But，\"saidThatcher，insomeconcern，\"theboxseatwaspurchasedbythatothergentlemaninSacramento。Hepaidextraforit，andhisname’sonyourway-bill！\"\"That，\"saidYubaBill，scornfully，\"don’tfetchmeevenefhe’dcharteredthewholeshebang。Lookyar，doyoureckonI’mgoin’tospilemytemperbysettingnexttoamanwithagameeye？Andsuchaneye！Gewhillikins！Why，darnmyskin，theotherdaywhenwewarwateringatWebster’s，hegotdownandpassedinfrontoftheoff-leader，——thatyerpintocoltthat’sbinaccustomedtoinjins，grizzlies，andbuffalo，andI’mblessef，whenhereyetackledhis，efshedidn’tjistgitupandrarroundthatIreckonedI’dhevtogodownandtakethemblindersofffromHEReyesandclaponHIS。\"\"Buthepaidthemoney，andisentitledtohisseat，\"persistedThatcher。\"Mebbeheis——intheofficeoftheKempeny，\"growledYubaBill;\"butit’stimesomefolksknowedthatoutintheplainsIrunthisyerteammyself。\"——A
factwhichwasself-evidenttomostofthepassengers。\"Isupposehisauthorityisasabsoluteonthisdrearywasteasashipcaptain’sinmidocean，\"exclaimedThatchertothebaleful-eyedstranger。Mr。Wiles——whomthereaderhasrecognized——assentedwiththepublicsideofhisface，butlookedvengeanceatYubaBillwiththeother，whileThatcher，innocentofthepresenceofoneofhisworstenemies，placatedBillsofarastorestoreWilestohisrights。Wilesthankedhim。\"ShallIhavethepleasureofyourcompanyfar？\"Wilesaskedinsinuatingly。\"ToWashington，\"repliedThatcherfrankly。\"Washingtonisagaycityduringthesession，\"
againsuggestedthestranger。\"I’mgoingonbusiness，\"saidThatcherbluntly。
AtriflingincidentoccurredatPine-TreeCrossingwhichdidnotheightenYubaBill’sadmirationofthestranger。AsBillopenedthedouble-lockedboxinthe\"boot\"ofthecoach——sacredtoWells，Fargo&Co。’sExpressandtheOverlandCompany’streasures——Mr。
Wilesperceivedasmall，blackmoroccoportemanteauamongtheparcels。\"Ah，youcarrybaggagetheretoo？\"hesaidsweetly。\"Notoften，\"respondedYubaBillshortly。\"Ah，thisthencontainsvaluables？\"\"Itbelongstothatmanwhoseseatyou’vegot，\"saidYubaBill，who，forinsultingpurposesofhisown，preferredtoestablishthefictionthatWileswasaninterloper;\"andefhereckons，inasortermixedkempenylikethis，tolockuphisportmantle，Idon’tknowwho’sbusinessitis。Who？\"continuedBill，lashinghimselfintoasimulatedrage，\"who，inblank，isrunningthisyerteam？Hey？Mebbeyouthink，sittin’uptharontheboxseat，youare。Mebbeyouthinkyoukinseeroundcornerswiththatthareye，andkinpullupforteamsroundcorners，ondowngrades，amileahead？\"ButhereThatcher，who，withsomethingofLancelot’sconcernforModred，hadanoblepityforallinfirmities，interferedsosternlythatYubaBillstopped。
Onthefourthdaytheystruckablindingsnow-storm，whileascendingthedrearyplateauthathenceforwardforsixhundredmileswastobetheirroadbed。Thehorses，afterflounderingthroughthedrift，gaveoutcompletelyonreachingthenextstation，andtheprospectsahead，toallbuttheexperiencedeye，lookeddoubtful。Afewpassengersadvisedtakingtosledges，othersapostponementofthejourneyuntiltheweatherchanged。
YubaBillalonewasforpressingforwardastheywere。\"Twomilesmoreandwe’reonthehighgrade，wharthewindisstrongenoughtoblowyouthroughthewindy，andjistpeartenoughtopackawayoverthemcliffseveryinchofsnowthatfalls。I’lljistskirmishroundinandouto’themdriftsonthesefourwheelswharyecan’tdragoneo’themflat-bottomeddry-goodsboxesthroughadrift。\"
BillhadaCaliforniawhip’scontemptforasledge。ButhewaswarmlysecondedbyThatcher，whohadthenextbestthingtoexperience，theinstinctthattaughthimtoreadcharacter，andtakeadvantageofanotherman’sexperience。\"Themthatwantstostopkindoso，\"saidBillauthoritatively，cuttingtheGordianknot;\"themaswantstotakeasledgecandoso，——thar’soneinthebarn。Themaswantstogoonwithmeandtherelaywillcomeon。\"
Mr。Wilesselectedthesledgeandadriver，afewremainedforthenextstage，andThatcher，withtwoothers，decidedtoaccompanyYubaBill。Thesechangestookupsomevaluabletime;andthestormcontinuing，thestagewasrunundertheshed，thepassengersgatheringaroundthestationfire;andnotuntilaftermidnightdidYubaBillputintherelays。\"Iwishyouagoodjourney，\"saidWiles，ashedrovefromtheshedasBillentered。Billvouchsafednoreply，but，addressinghimselftothedriver，saidcurtly，asifgivinganorderforthedeliveryofgoods，\"ShovehimoutatRawlings，\"andpassedcontemptuouslyaroundtothetailboardofthesled，andreturnedtotheharnessingofhisrelay。
ThemooncameoutandshonehighasYubaBilloncemoretookthereinsinhishands。Thewind，whichinstantlyattackedthemastheyreachedthelevel，seemedtomakethedriver’stheoryplausible，andforhalfamiletheroadbedwassweptclean，andfrozenhard。Furtheronatongueofsnow，extendingfromabouldertotheright，reachedacrosstheirpathtotheheightoftwoorthreefeet。ButYubaBilldashedthroughapartofit，andbyskillfulmaneuveringcircumventedtherest。Butevenastheobstaclewaspassed，thecoachdroppedwithanominouslurchononeside，andtheoffforewheelflewoffinthedarkness。Billthrewthehorsesbackontheirhaunches;but，beforetheirmomentumcouldbechecked，thenearhindwheelslippedaway，thevehiclerockedviolently，plungedbackwardsandforwards，andstopped。
YubaBillwasontheroadinaninstantwithhislantern。ThenfollowedanoutbreakofprofanitywhichIregret，forartisticpurposes，exceedsthatgenerouslimitwhichasympathizingpublichasalreadyextendedtomeintheexplicationofcharacter。Letmestate，therefore，thatinaveryfewmomentshesucceededindisparagingthecharactersofhisemployers，theirmaleandfemalerelatives，thecoachbuilder，thestationkeeper，theroadonwhichhetravelled，andthetravellersthemselves，withoccasionalbroadexpletivesaddressedtohimselfandhisownrelatives。Forthespiritofthisandamorecultivatedpoetryofexpression，Ibegtoreferthetemperatereadertothe3dchapterofJob。
ThepassengersknewBill，andsat，conservative，patient，andexpectant。Asyetthecauseofthecatastrophewasnotknown。
AtlastThatcher’svoicecamefromtheboxseat：
\"What’sup，Bill？\"
\"Notablanklynchpininthewholeblankcoach，\"wastheanswer。
Therewasadeadsilence。YubaBillexecutedawildwardanceofhelplessrage。
\"BlanktheblankENCHANTEDthingtoblank！\"
（IbegheretoreferthefastidiousandcultivatedreadertotheonlyadjectiveIhavedaredtranscribeofthisactualoathwhichI
oncehadthehonorofhearing。HewillItrustnotfailtorecognizetheoldclassicdaemoninthiswildwesternobjurgation。）
\"Whodidit？\"askedThatcher。
YubaBilldidnotreply，butdashedupagaintothebox，unlockedthe\"boot，\"andscreamedout：
\"Themanthatstoleyourportmantle，——Wiles！\"
Thatcherlaughed：
\"Don’tworryaboutthat，Bill。A’biled’shirt，anextracollar，andafewpapers。Nothingmore。\"
YubaBillslowlydescended。Whenhereachedtheground，hepluckedThatcherasidebyhiscoatsleeve：
\"Yedon’tmeantosayyehadnothinginthatbagyewastryingtogetawaywith？\"
\"No，\"saidthelaughingThatcherfrankly。
\"AndthatWileswarn’toneo’themdetectives？\"
\"Nottomyknowledge，certainly。\"
YubaBillsighedsadly，andreturnedtoassistinthereplacingofthecoachonitswheelsagain。
\"Nevermind，Bill，\"saidoneofthepassengerssympathizingly，\"we’llcatchthatmanWilesatRawlingssure;\"andhelookedaroundattheinchoatevigilancecommittee，already\"roundingintoform\"
abouthim。
\"Ketchhim！\"returnedYubaBill，derisively，\"whywe’vegottogobacktothestation;andaforewe’reoffaginhe’spintedfurClarmontontherelaywelose。Ketchhim！H-ll’sfullofsuchketches！\"
Therewasclearlynothingtodobuttogobacktothestationtoawaittherepairingofthecoach。WhilethiswasbeingdoneYubaBillagaindrewThatcheraside：
\"Iallerssuspectedthatchap’sgameeye，butIdidn’tsomehowallowforanythinglikethis。Ireckoneditwasonlythesquarethingtolookarterthingsgen’rally，and’speciallyyourtraps。
So，topurventtroubil，andkeepthingsaboutekal，ezhewasgoin’
away，Isorterliftedthisyerbagofhizouterthetailboardofhissleigh。Idon’tknowasitisanyexchangeorcompensation，butitmaygiveyeachancetospothimagin，orhimyou。Itstrikesmeasbein’far-mindedandsquar’;\"andwiththesewordshedepositedatthefeetoftheastoundedThatchertheblacktravellingbagofMr。Wiles。
\"But，Bill，——seehere！Ican’ttakethis！\"interruptedThatcherhastily。\"Youcan’tswearthathe’stakenmybag，——and——and，——
blankitall，——thiswon’tdo，youknow。I’venorighttothisman’sthings，evenif——\"
\"Holdyourhosses，\"saidBillgravely;\"Iondertooktotakechargeo’yourtraps。Ididn’t——atleastthatd————dwall-eyed——Thar’saportmantle！Idon’tknowwho’sitis。Takeit。\"
Halfamused，halfembarrassed，yetstillprotesting，Thatchertookthebaginhishands。
\"Yemightopenitinmypresence，\"suggestedYubaBillgravely。
Thatcher，halflaughingly，didso。Itwasfullofpapersandsemi-
legal-lookingdocuments。Thatcher’sownnameononeofthemcaughthiseye;heopenedthepaperhastilyandperusedit。Thesmilefadedfromhislips。
\"Well，\"saidYubaBill，\"supposewecallitafairexchangeatpresent。\"
Thatcherwasstillexaminingthepapers。Suddenlythiscautious，strong-mindedmanlookedupintoYubaBill’swaitingface，andsaidquietly，inthedespicableslangoftheepochandregion：
\"It’sago！Supposewedo。\"