The Honorable Peter Stirling and What People Thought of Him

by Paul Leicester Ford

  CHAPTER XXII.

  POLITICS.

  Peter sat up later than was prudent that night, studying his blank wall.Yet when he rose to go to bed, he gave his head a puzzled shake. When hehad gone through his papers, and drunk his coffee the next morning, hewent back to wall-gazing again. He was working over two conundrums notvery easy to answer, which were somewhat to this effect:

  Does the best man always make the best official?

  Is the honest judgment of a fellow verging on twenty-four better thanthe experienced opinion of many far older men?

  Peter began to think life had not such clear and direct "right" and"wrong" roads as he had thought. He had said to himself long ago that itwas easy to take the right one, but he had not then discovered that itis often difficult to know which is the right, in order to follow it. Hehad started in to punish Bohlmann, and had compromised. He haddisapproved of Dennis breaking the law, and had compromised hisdisapproval. He had said he should not go into saloons, and had ended bygoing. Now he was confronted with the problem whether the interests ofhis ward would be better served by the nomination of a man of goodrecord, whom Peter personally liked, or by that of a colorless man, whowould be ruled by the city's leaders. In the one case Peter feared nosupport for his measures from his own party. In the other case he sawaid that was tantamount to success. Finally he shook himself.

  "I believe Dennis is right," he said aloud. "There are more 'real'things than 'convictions' in New York politics, and a 'real' thing ismuch harder to decide about in voting than a 'conviction.'"

  He went to his bedroom, packed his bag, and took his way to the station.There he found a dense crowd of delegates and "well-wishers," bothsurrounding and filling the special train which was to carry New York'scontribution to the collected party wisdom, about to concentrate atSaratoga.

  Peter felt like a stranger in the crowd, but on mingling in it hequickly found himself a marked man. He was seized upon by one of thediners of the evening before, and soon found himself forming part of agroup, which constantly changed its components, but continued to talkconvention affairs steadily. Nor did the starting of the train, withcheers, brass bands, flags, and other enthusing elements, make more thana temporary break. From the time the special started, till it rolledinto Saratoga, six hours later, there was one long series of politicaldebates and confabs. Peter listened much, and learned much, for the talkwas very straight and plain. He had chats with Costell and Green. Histwo fellow-delegates from "de sixt" sought him and discussed intentions.He liked Schlurger, a simple, guileless German, who wanted only to dowhat his constituents wished him to do, both in convention and Assembly.Of Kennedy he was not so sure. Kennedy had sneered a little at Peter'stalk about the "best man," and about "helping the ward," and had onlyfound that Peter's ideas had value after he had been visited by variousof the saloon-keepers, seen the vast torchlight meeting, and heard thecheers at Peter's arguments. Still, Peter was by no means sure thatKennedy was not a square man, and concluded he was right in notcondemning him, when, passing through one of the cars, he overheard thefollowing:

  "What kind of man is that Stirling, who's raised such ---- in thesixth?"

  "I don't know him, but Kennedy told me, before he'd swung round, that hewas a darned good sort of a cuss."

  This was flattery, Peter understood, however questionable the form mightseem, and he was pleased. Very few of us do not enjoy a real compliment.What makes a compliment uncomfortable is either a suspicion that themaker doesn't mean it, or a knowledge that it is not merited.

  Peter went at once to his room on reaching the hotel in Saratoga,intending to make up the sleep of which his long "think" the nightbefore had robbed him. But scarcely had the colored gentleman bowedhimself out, after the usual "can I git de gentleman a pitcher of icewater" (which translated means: "has de gentleman any superfluouschange?") when a knock came at the door. Peter opened it, to find a manoutside.

  "Is this Mr. Stirling's room?" inquired the individual.

  "Yes."

  "Can I see him?"

  "Come in." Peter moved his bag off one of his chairs, and his hat andovercoat off the other.

  "Mr. Stirling," said the stranger as he sat down, "I am Senator Maguire,and am, as perhaps you know, one of Porter's managers."

  "Yes."

  "We understand that you are friendly to us. Now, I needn't say that NewYork is otherwise a unit in opposing us."

  "No," said Peter. "My fellow-delegates from the sixth, Schlurger andKennedy, stand as I do!"

  "Are you sure?"

  "Yes."

  "The change must have been very sudden. They were elected as Catlin men,we were told."

  "Yes. But there's quite a different feeling in the ward now, and theyhave yielded to it."

  "That's good news."

  "We all three come here prepared to do what seems best."

  The Senator's expression lost some of the satisfaction Peter's news hadput into it. He gave a quick look at Peter's face, as if to try and findfrom it what lay behind the words. He hesitated, as if divided in mindover two courses of action. Finally he said:

  "I needn't tell you that this opposition of practically the whole of theNew York City delegation, is the most serious set-back to Porter'schance. Now, we have talked it over, and it seemed to us that it wouldbe a great card for him if he could be nominated by a city delegate.Will you do it?"

  "I don't know him well enough, do I? Doesn't the nominating delegatehave to make a speech in his favor?"

  "Yes. But I can give you the material to-night. Or if you prefer, we'llgive it to you all written for delivery?"

  "I don't make other men's speeches, Mr. Maguire."

  "Suit yourself about that. It shall be just as you please."

  "The difficulty is that I have not decided myself, yet, how I shallvote, and of course such an act is binding."

  Mr. Maguire's countenance changed again. "I'm sorry to hear that. Ihoped you were for Porter. He's far away the best man."

  "So I think."

  The Senator leaned back in his chair, and tucked his thumbs into thearmholes of his waistcoat. He thought he had fathomed Peter, and feltthat the rest was plain sailing. "This is not a chap to be tolled. I'llgive him the gaff at once," was his mental conclusion. Then he askedaloud:

  "What do you want?"

  It was a question susceptible of many different constructions, but asMr. Maguire asked it, it seemed to him to have but one, and that notvery honest. Peter hesitated. The temptation was strong to lead theSenator on, but he did not like to do it. It seemed to savor of traps,and Peter had never liked traps. Still--he did want to know if themanagers on Porter's side would stoop to buy his support by somebargain. As Peter hesitated, weighing the pros and cons, Maguire spokeagain.

  "What does the other side offer you?"

  Peter spoke quickly. "They haven't offered me anything, but advice. Thatis, Costell said he'd try and help me on some legislation I want--"

  "Special?" interrupted Maguire.

  "No, General. I've talked about it with Porter as well"

  "Oh! Indeed?"

  "I'm really anxious to get that. Otherwise I want nothing."

  "Whew," said the Senator to himself. "That was a narrow squeak. If hehadn't spoken so quickly, I should have shown my hand before the call. Iwonder if he got any inkling?" He never dreamed that Peter had spokenquickly to save that very disclosure.

  "I needn't say, Mr. Stirling, that if you can see your way to nominatePorter, we shall not forget it. Nor will he. He isn't the kind of manwho forgets his friends. Many a man in to-morrow's convention would giveanything for the privilege we offer you."

  "Well," said Peter, "I realize the honor offered me, but I don't see myway to take it. It will please me better to see him nominated by someone who has really stood close to him, than to gain his favor by doingit myself."

  "Think twice, Mr. Stirling."

  "If you would rather, I will not give you my answer till to-morrowmorning?"

  "
I would," said Maguire rising, "Try and make it favorable. It's a greatchance to do good for yourself and for your side. Good-night."

  Peter closed his door, and looked about for a bit of blank wall. But onsecond thought he sat down on his window-sill, and, filling his pipe,tried to draw conclusions as well as smoke from it.

  "I wonder," he pondered to himself, "how much of that was Maguire, andhow much Porter? Ought I, for the sake of doing my best for my ward, tohave let him go on? Has an agent any right to refuse what will help isclient, even if it comes by setting pitfalls?"

  Rap, rap, rap.

  "Come in," called Peter, forgetting he had turned down his light.

  The door opened and Mr. Costell came in. "Having a quiet smoke?" heasked.

  "Yes. I haven't a cigar to offer you. Can you join me in a pipe?"

  "I haven't come to that yet. Suppose you try one of my cigars." Costellsat down on the window-ledge by Peter.

  "Thank you," said Peter. "I like a cigar, but it must be a good one, andthat kind I can't afford." He lit the cigar, and leaned back toluxuriate in it.

  "You'll like that, I'm sure. Pretty sight, isn't it?" Costell pointed tothe broad veranda, three stories below them, gay with brilliant dresses.

  "Yes. It's my first visit here, so it's new to me."

  "It won't be your last. You'll be attending other conventions thanthis."

  "I hope so."

  "One of my scouts tells me you've had a call from Maguire?"

  "Yes." Peter hesitated a moment. "He wants me to nominate Porter," hecontinued, as soon as he had decided that plain speaking was fair toMaguire.

  "We shall be very sorry to see you do it."

  "I don't think I shall. They only want me because it would give theimpression that Porter has a city backing, and to try to give thatamounts to a deception."

  "Can they get Schlurger or Kennedy?"

  "Schlurger is safe. I don't know about Kennedy."

  "Can you find out for us?"

  "Yes. When would you like to know?"

  "Can you see him now? I'll wait here."

  Peter rose, looking at his cigar with a suggestion of regret. But herubbed out the light, and left the room. At the office, he learned thenumber of Kennedy's room, and went to it. On knocking, the door wasopened only a narrow crack.

  "Oh! it's you," said Kennedy. "Come in."

  Peter entered, and found Maguire seated in an easy attitude on a lounge.He noticed that his thumbs were once more tucked into his waistcoat.

  "Mr. Kennedy," said Peter without seating himself, "there is an attemptbeing made to get a city delegate to nominate Porter. It seems to methat is his particular friends' business."

  Maguire spoke so quickly that Kennedy had no chance to reply: "Kennedy'spromised to nominate him, Mr. Stirling, if you won't."

  "Do you feel that you are bound to do it?" asked Peter.

  Kennedy moved uneasily in his chair. "Yes, I suppose I have promised."

  "Will you release Mr. Kennedy from his promise if he asks it?" Peterqueried to Maguire.

  "Why, Mr. Stirling, I don't think either he or you ought to ask it."

  "That was not my question."

  It was the Senator's turn to squirm. He did not want to say no, for fearof angering Peter, yet he did not like to surrender the advantage.Finally he said: "Yes, I'll release him, but Mr. Kennedy isn't the kindof a man that cries off from a promise. That's women's work."

  "No," said Kennedy stiffening suddenly in backbone, as he saw the outletopened by Maguire, between antagonizing Peter, and retracting hisconsent. "I don't play baby. Not me."

  Peter stood thinking for a longer time than the others foundcomfortable. Maguire whistled to prove that he was quite at ease, but hewould not have whistled if he had been.

  "I think, Mr. Kennedy, that I'll save you from the difficulty bynominating Mr. Porter myself," said Peter finally.

  "Good!" said Maguire; and Kennedy, reaching down into his hip pocket,produced a version of the holy text not yet included in anybibliography. Evidently the atmosphere was easier. "About your speech,Mr. Stirling?" continued the Senator.

  "I shall say what I think right."

  Something in Peter's voice made Maguire say: "It will be of the usualkind, of course?"

  "I don't know," said Peter, "I shall tell the facts."

  "What sort of facts?"

  "I shall tell how it is that a delegate of the sixth ward nominatesPorter."

  "And that is?"

  "I don't see," said Peter, "why I need say it. You know it as well as Ido."

  "I know of many reasons why you should do it."

  "No," said Peter. "There's only one, and that has been created in thelast ten minutes. Mr. Maguire, if you insist on the sixth wardnominating Mr. Porter, the sixth ward is going to tell why it does so.I'm sorry, for I like Porter, but the sixth ward shan't lend itself to afraud, if I can help it."

  Kennedy had been combining things spiritual and aqueous at hiswash-stand. But his interest in the blending seemed suddenly to cease.Maguire, too, took his thumbs from their havens of rest, and lookeddissatisfied.

  "Look here, Mr. Stirling," he said, "it's much simpler to leave it toKennedy. You think you're doing what's right, but you'll only do harm tous, and to yourself. If you nominate Porter, the city gang won't forgiveyou, and unless you can say what we want said, we shall be down on you.So you'll break with both sides."

  "I think that is so. That is why I want some real friend of Porter's todo it."

  Maguire laughed rather a forced laugh. "I suppose we've got to satisfyyou. We'll have Porter nominated by one of our own crowd."

  "I think that's best. Good-evening." Peter went to the door.

  "Mr. Stirling," called Kennedy. "Won't you stay and take some whisky andwater with us?"

  "Thank you," said Peter. "Mr. Costell's in my room and he must be tiredof waiting." He closed the door, and walked away.

  The couple looked at each other blankly for a moment.

  "The ---- cuss is playing a double game," Maguire gasped.

  "I don't know what it means!" said Kennedy.

  "Mean?" cried Maguire. "It can mean only one thing. He's acting underCostell's orders."

  "But why should he give it away to us?"

  "How the ---- should I know? Look here, Kennedy, you must do it, afterall."

  "I don't want to."

  "Tut, tut, man, you must."

  "But my ward?"

  "Come. We'll make it quarantine, as you want. That's six years, and youcan ---- your ward."

  "I'll do it."

  "That's the talk."

  They sat and discussed plans and whisky for nearly an hour. Then Maguiresaid good-night.

  "You shall have the speech the first thing in the morning," he said atparting. Then as he walked down the long corridor, he muttered, "Nowthen, Stirling, look out for the hind heel of the mule."

  Peter found Costell still waiting for him.

  "It took me longer than I thought, for Maguire was there."

  "Indeed!" said Costell, making room for Peter on the window-ledge.

  Peter re-lit his cigar, "Maguire promises me that Porter shall benominated by one of his friends."

  "He had been trying Kennedy?"

  "I didn't ask."

  Costell smiled. "I had no business to ask you that?"

  "No," Peter said frankly.

  Both puffed their cigars for a time in silence.

  Then Costell began talking about Saratoga. He told Peter where the"Congress" spring was, and what was worth seeing. Finally he rose to go.He held out his hand, and said:

  "Mr. Stirling, you've been as true as steel with us, and with the othermen. I don't want you to suppose we are not conscious of it. I thinkyou've done us a great service to-night, although it might have beenvery profitable to you if you had done otherwise. I don't think thatyou'll lose by it in the long run, but I'm going to thank you now, formyself. Good-night."

  Peter had a good night. Perhaps it was onl
y because he was sleepy, but apleasant speech is not a bad night-cap. At least it is better than amental question-mark as to whether one has done wrong. Peter did notknow how it was coming out, but he thought he had done right, and neednot spend time on a blank wall that evening.