CHAPTER XXI.--_Looking at the Receding Dome._
There was one thing that the gay New Yorkers, under Mrs. Mechlin's_chaperoning_, had to do before they left the capital. They must make anexcursion across the Potomac to Arlington, and visit the tomb ofWashington. Patriotism, she said, imposed this duty upon them, whichmust be fulfilled with due reverence.
"Therefore," Mrs. Mechlin added, "they would have a picnic under theglorious trees in the Arlington grounds."
"Let our libations be on that sacred spot," said George; "we will pourwine on the grave of Washington--that is, we will go close to it anddrink it."
"You mean that we will drink the wine and rub the bottle devoutly uponthe monument, as the Irish woman did when she cured her rheumatism," BobGunther added.
"It is awful how unpatriotic and irreverent are the young men nowadays,"Miss Gunther said.
"Yes; it makes me weep," added Arthur Selden, blinking.
There would be a day or two before the picnic, and Mercedes told Georgeshe wanted to go to the dome of the Capitol, and see Washington Cityfrom that elevated place.
"The little puss shall have her wish," George said, and on the followingday all the party drove again to the Capitol, and walked throughlabyrinths of dark corridors leading into committee rooms or may-be intosolemn judicial halls, where justice sat holding the scales in terrificsilence. Emerging from the cool, musty air of the lower halls, theyagain visited the upper rooms and galleries, which Elvira and Mercedesliked better than on their former visits. Now all ascended to thehighest point they could go, and their exertions were amply rewarded bythe pleasure of seeing the beautiful panorama at their feet. WashingtonCity has been viewed and reviewed, and too minutely described to beconsidered any longer interesting to Eastern people, but to ourCalifornians the view of that city of proud and symmetric proportions,with its radiating avenues lost in diminishing distances, its littletriangular parks and haughty edifices, all making a picturesque_ensemble_, was most pleasing and startling.
With Clarence by her side, Mercedes looked carefully at the city thatlike a magnificent picture lay there beneath them. She wished to carryit photographed in her memory.
The picnic to Arlington was much enjoyed by all. Mercedes would havepreferred to walk over the grounds of Mount Vernon with Clarence alone,for her love was of that pure character which longs to associate thecherished object with every thought and feeling having its source in ourhighest faculties. She thought Mount Vernon ought to be visitedreverently, and she knew Clarence would not laugh at her for thinkingso. But, alas! those other young gentlemen had no such thoughts. Theywere in high glee, determined to have fun, and enjoy it; and thoughMercedes and Miss Gunther told them they were behaving like vandals,such rebukes only increased their merriment, which continued even afterthey recrossed the Potomac.
Mr. Mechlin's party had at last to tear itself away from Washington, andhurry to New York, for the "charity ball" was to come off in a few days;then the Liederkranz and the Purim balls would follow--all in the monthof February--and Mrs. Mechlin wished that Elvira and Mercedes should seethem all. They had been at masked balls in Washington at the house of aSenator and of a foreign minister, but Mrs. Mechlin said that no maskedballs in America could or did equal those given in New York at theAcademy of Music, consequently it became an absolute necessity thatthese two young ladies should see those grand affairs. Moreover, she wasone of the matrons of the charity ball, and her presence wasindispensable to attend to their management.
A special car was again in readiness, and the Mechlin party occupied itone morning at eight o'clock. The party was now increased by theaddition of six ladies and eight gentlemen from Washington, who weregoing to attend the charity ball and Liederkranz. The train was inmotion, going out of the city limits, accelerating its speed as itplunged into the woods beyond. George and Clarence sat at one end of thecar, separate from the company, looking at the Capitol, as it seemed toretreat, flying with receding celerity. The woods were beginning tointercept its view at times--the dome would disappear and reappear againand again above the surrounding country.
Mr. Mechlin joined the two young men, saying to them, as he turned theseat in front, and sat facing them: "You are watching the recedingCapitol. I was doing the same. I wonder whether your thoughts were likemine in looking at that proud edifice?"
"I think my thoughts were about the same subject, uncle. What were yourthoughts, Darrell? Tell us," George said.
"I was thinking of your father and of Don Mariano--thinking that underthat white shining dome their fate would be decided perhaps, as theyboth have embarked so hopefully in the boat of the Texas PacificRailroad."
George and his uncle looked at each other as if saying, "We all were ofthe same mind, surely."
Mr. Lawrence Mechlin said: "We certainly were thinking nearly alike, Mr.Darrell, with this difference, may-be, that I don't feel as hopeful as Idid a few weeks ago, when you and I talked about the fair chances of theTexas Pacific as we looked at that same white dome when we were comingdown. Now I am very fearful that the sad condition of the impoverishedSouth is not going to have the weight which it deserves in the minds ofthis Congress. I talked with many of our law-givers about the matter,and all seemed not to realize the importance, the policy, the humanityof helping the South, and of giving to the Pacific Coast a competingrailway, to get California out of the clutches of a grasping monopoly.All agree that it ought to be done, but it looks as if few put theirhearts into the matter."
"Their hearts are in their pockets, uncle, and I am afraid that afterall our reluctance to believe that our Congressmen can be improperlyinfluenced, we will have to submit--with shame and sorrow--and acceptthe fact that bribery has been at work, _successfully_. The chief of thelobby is king."
"Not yet--not yet. It is a frightful thought. Let us not accept it yet.Let us think it is an error, but not knavery. I am coming down again, Ithink, before this session is over. I want to see more before I amconvinced. I have my fears and my doubts, but I still hope--_must_hope--that our Congress has many honest men."
"You can hope--but it will be in vain," George said; "the money of theCentral Pacific Railroad will be too much for Colonel Scott."
"Don't be so desponding, boy."
"I can't have any hope in this Congress. There never can be any betterarguments in favor of the Texas Pacific than are now plain to everybody.So, then, if in the face of all these powerful considerations Congressturns it back and will not hear the wail of the prostrate South, or theimpassionate appeals of California, now, _now_, when there is not onesolitary reason under heaven why such appeals and entreaties should bedisregarded, is there any ground to expect any better in the uncertainfuture? Certainly not. But still, I do not say that we should abandonall hope. For the sake of my father, who has trusted so much in theTexas Pacific, I am glad you will do all you can to help Colonel Scott."
"I certainly shall," Mr. Mechlin replied. Then, after a few minutes ofsilence, he said: "If our legislators could only be induced to adoptHerbert Spencer's view of _the duties of law-givers_, there would be farless misery in the United States. If they could but stop to see howclearly it stands to reason that 'legislative deductions must be basedupon _fundamental morality_,' that 'the inferences of political economyare true, only because they are discoveries by a roundabout process of_what the moral law commands_.' It is an unfortunate mistake that thewords '_moral law_' are generally understood to apply practically onlyto private conduct; to a man's fidelity to his marriage vows; to hisreligious belief; this we learn at school. But these words are onlyloosely applied (if at all) to a man's actions as a legislator. I neverheard in election times that any one expects our law-givers to basetheir legislation upon _fundamental morality_, and regard expediency asa secondary consideration. Congressmen know that they are expected towatch the material interests of their States or counties, but they donot feel any moral responsibility to see that other _constituencies_ donot suffer injustice. Thus, if the Congressmen of one Stat
e choose tobetray the rights of their constituencies, other Congressmen generallylook on indifferently, or, perhaps, amused--and do not interfere anymore than they would in the domestic affairs of perfect strangers. Theydo not seem to perceive that on the very instant in which they see thata community, or an individual, is being wronged by the neglect or designof their own representatives, that then any other Congressman shouldcome forward to protect the betrayed community or defenseless citizen.This is clearly their duty. But it seems to be ignored by tacit consent.All Congressmen are ready to offer objections to every conceivablemeasure. To jump up and shout _against_ anything, seems to be thoughtthe proof of a man being a good legislator. Combativeness is the onefaculty ever in use to offer _obstructions_, and thus necessary anduseful legislation is foolishly retarded, and untold misery is broughtupon innocent citizens. All this is a mistake. Because the '_fundamentallaw of morality_' is not understood. Herbert Spencer says: 'Now, thisthat we call _moral law_ is simply a statement of the _conditions_ ofbeneficial action. Originating in the primary necessities of things, itis the development of these into a series of limitations within whichall conduct conducive to the greatest happiness must be confined. Tooverstep such limitations is to disregard these necessities of things,to fight against the constitution of nature.' Mr. Spencer applies thisaxiom to the happiness of individuals, as well as of entire communities.If the principles of fundamental morality were better understood andmore conscientiously respected, railroad manipulators would find itimpossible to organize a lobby to defeat all laws intended to aid theTexas Pacific. But I repeat, in spite of all discouragement, I will usemy best efforts to help the Texas Pacific, as I firmly believe everyhonest man in these United States ought to do, even when not directlyinterested."
The journey to New York was accomplished safely by our party, and ingood time for the charity ball. Mrs. Mechlin and Mrs. Gunther being inthe list of its distinguished matrons, busied themselves about thatgrand affair from the day after their return until its successful_finale_, which was also a success pecuniarily.
To the charity ball follow the Liederkranz and the Purim.
"Are you to go masked, George?" Mrs. Mechlin asked, as they werediscussing the coming ball with Miss Gunther.
"No, I think not. I think the best plan is to wear a domino and mask, aswe go in with you ladies, so that you may not be recognized. Then afterawhile we will leave you and go out into the vestibule and take off ourmasks and return unmasked."
"But why not keep masked?" Clarence asked.
"Because we will have no fun at all with masks on. The ladies notknowing who we are will have nothing to say to us. But if they see whowe are, then they'll come and talk saucily, thinking we will notrecognize them. We will, though, and then the fun begins."
"Nobody knows at home what my domino is to look like, but I think Bobwill recognize my voice, and know who we all are, as he knows I am goingwith you," Miss Gunther said.
"But is he not to be of our party?" Mrs. Mechlin asked.
"No; he is going to escort Miss Selden. My brother Charles will be myescort. He will be in our secret, of course. How I wish we could mystifyBob."
"But we can't, if we speak to him, as he will recognize our voices,Mercedes and mine, by our accent immediately," Elvira said.
"You can mimic the German way of talking English, and Mercedes can talkhalf French and half English, with an Irish brogue," George suggested.
"She talks Irish brogue to perfection," Elvira said.
"But I'll have to practice before I would speak to him," said Mercedes.
"Practice every day--you have six days yet," Mrs. Mechlin said.
"Do, Miss Mercedes. I would like you to fool Bob," Miss Gunther said.
"But you must make your voice sound guttural. Your voice is naturallyvery musical. You must disguise it," George suggested.
Mercedes followed his suggestion, and by carefully imitating Mrs.Mechlin's French maid (who spoke very broken English and stammered agood deal), she passed herself off for a stammering French girl, who wasvery talkative, in spite of the difficulty in her speech--maintainingher _role_ so well that neither Bob nor Arthur recognized her until shetook off her mask. Then the faces of the two young men were a study.They both had paid most ardent compliments to her feet and hands, andhad earnestly begged for the privilege of calling upon her, which shegranted, promising to give the number of her house when she unmasked.She had danced with both several times, and had asked them to presentGeorge and Clarence to her. Both of whom also asked her to dance, andwhile dancing had a good laugh at the expense of the two deluded ones.
When she unmasked, Selden left the ball in the midst of the peals oflaughter from those who understood the joke. Bob stood his ground, withthe crimson blush up to his ears and eyebrows.
"The fact of the matter is, that you will attract me always, no matterunder what disguise," he whispered to Mercedes.
"_Pas si bete_," she answered, stammering fearfully, and looking theprettier for it.
The Liederkranz and Purim balls were highly enjoyed also, but Mercedes,though in domino, assumed no _role_. She was very amiable to Bob andArthur, to heal the wound of their lacerated vanity.
The winter had now passed, and spring came--bringing to our Californiansthoughts of returning home.
The sun was shining brightly on Madison Square--there had been a heavyshower that morning, in the early March--which had washed the snow offthe pavements into the sewers, leaving the streets clean. Children wereout with their nurses in the square, among the trees, which were tryinghard to bud out, but as yet succeeded very poorly. Still, there weresome little birds of sanguine temperament, chirping like good optimistsabout the ungainly, denuded branches, calculating philosophically oncoming green leaves, though vegetation was slow to awake from its wintersleep.
Clarence, from his window at the hotel, saw that the day was bright, andhastened, in an open carriage, to take Elvira and Mercedes out for adrive in the park. They first went down for George, who had not yet leftthe bank.
"Did you get letters from home to-day?" Elvira asked.
"Yes; and among them a long one from Don Mariano," Clarence replied.
"What did he say? Any good news for poor papa?"
"He has just made twenty thousand dollars, any way, in spite ofsquatters. And he will make sixty thousand dollars more if he will dowhat I asked him in my letter to-day," Clarence said.
"How did he make twenty thousand dollars?" George asked, with abrightened look, which was reflected in the beautiful eyes of thesisters.
"By sending five hundred steers to Fred Haverly."
"Are five hundred steers worth that much?" George asked, surprised.
"Yes--at forty dollars per head--which for large cattle is not too higha price. That is what Fred has been paying for cattle weighing in theneighborhood of four hundred pounds."
"The best thing Don Mariano can do is to sell you all his cattle, evenat half of this price," George said.
"That is what I have been writing to him to-day. As I have to buy cattlefor the mines, and I am willing to pay him a good price, he ought tosell them all to me, and when he gets his rancho clear of trespassersthen buy finer breeds and restock the rancho."
"A most excellent idea," George said.
Robert Gunther passed by, driving his four-in-hand at a furious speed,with a very handsome girl sitting by his side. He bowed as he passed.
Mercedes laughed, saying he looked "sheepish," and though he did nothear what she said, he blushed to the roots of his hair, and ran againsta heavy carriage which slowly rolled ahead of him, loaded with fourelderly ladies, who screamed terrified. This mishap only increased Bob'sconfusion, forcing him to check his speed.
"Do you want our assistance?" George asked, laughing.
"No, thanks. If people did not come to drive their funerals through thepark, no one would run over them," Bob said.
"And you want to kill them, so as not to have funerals without deadbodies?" Mercedes asked.
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"Be merciful! Remember your name is Mercedes," said poor, embarrassedBob.
Whereupon Mercedes wafted a kiss to him, saying: "That goes as a peaceoffering."
"Ah, yes; I understand," said he, following her with his eyes. "A kissto the empty air is all you will ever give me."