Only the man who is sheet-armored in a triple plate of selfishness can be sure that weak hands won't clutch at him and delay his march to success.--From the Note Book of a Dreamer.
THE HERO, CONFRONTED WITH AN UNPLEASANT POSSIBILITY, PROVES HIS GREATNESS BY RISING SUPERIOR TO SENTIMENTPART 1
James came down to the office one morning in his car with a smile of contentment on his handsome face. It had been decided that he was to be made speaker of the House after the next election, assuming that he and his party were returned to power. Jeff and the progressives were to stand back of him, and he felt sure that after a nominal existence the standpatters would accept him. He intended by scrupulous fair play to win golden opinions for himself. From the speakership to the governor's chair would not be a large step. After that--well, there were many possibilities.
He did not for a moment admit to himself that there was anything of duplicity in the course he was following. His intention was to line up with the progressives during the campaign, to win his reelection on that platform, and to support a rational liberal program during the session. He would favor an initiative and referendum amendment not so radical as the one Jeff offered, a bill that would not cripple business or alarm capital. As he looked at it life was a compromise. The fusion of many minds to a practical result always demanded this. And results were more important than any number of theories.
As James passed into his office the stenographer stopped him with a remark.
"A man has been in twice to see you this morning, Mr. Farnum." "Did he leave his name?""No. He said he would call again."
James passed into his private office and closed the door.
A quarter of an hour later his stenographer knocked. "He's here again, Mr. Farnum.""Who?"
"The man I told you of."
"Oh!" James put down the brief he was reading. "Show him in."A figure presently stood hesitating in the doorway. James saw an oldish man, gray and stooped with a rather wistful lost-dog expression on his face.
"What can I do for you, sir?" he questioned.
"Don't you know me?" the stranger asked with a quaver in his voice.
The lawyer did not, but some premonition of disaster clutched at his heart. He rose swiftly and closed the door behind his caller.
A faint smile doubtful of its right touched the weak face of the little old man. "So you don't know your own father--boy!"A sudden sickness ran through the lawyer and sapped his strength. He leaned against the desk uncertainly. It had come at last. The whole world would learn the truth about him. The Merrills, the Fromes, Valencia Van Tyle--all of them would know it and scorn him.
"What are you doing here?" James heard himself say hoarsely. "Why, I--I--I came to see my son.""What for?"
Before so harsh and abrupt a reception the weak smile went out like a blown candle.
"I thought you'd be glad to see me--after so many years.""Why should I be glad to see you? What have you ever done for me but disgrace me?"Tears showed in the watery eyes. "That's right. It's gospel truth, I reckon.""And now, when I've risen above it, so that all men respect me, you come back to drag me down.""No--no, I wouldn't do that, son."
"That's what you'll do. Do you think my friends will want to know a man who is the son of a convict? I've got a future before me. Already I've been mentioned for governor. What chance would I have when peopleknow my father is a thief?" "Son," winced the old man.
"Oh, well! I'm not picking my words," James went on with angry impatience. "I'm telling you the facts. I've got enemies. Every strong man has. They'll smash me like an empty eggshell.""They don't need to know about me. I'll not do any talking.""That's all very well. Things leak out," James grumbled a little more graciously. "Well, you better sit down now you're here. I thought you were living in Arkansas.""So I am. I've done right well there. And I thought I'd take a little run out to see you. I didn't know but what you might need a little help." He glanced aimlessly around the well-furnished office. "But I expect you don't, from the looks of things.""If you think I've got money you're wrong," James explained. "I'm just starting in my profession, and of course I owe a good deal here and there. I've been hard pressed ever since I left college."His father brightened up timidly. "I owe you money. We can fix that up. I've got a little mill down there and I've done well, though it was hard sledding at first."James caught at a phrase. What do you mean?" "Owe me money!
"I knew it must be you paid off the shortage at the Planters' National. When I sent the money it was returned. You'd got ahead of me. I was THAT grateful to you, son."The lawyer found himself flushing. "Oh, Jeff paid that. He was earning money at the time and I wasn't. Of course I intended to pay him back some day.""Did Jeff do that? Then you and he must be friends. Tell me about him.""There's not much to tell. He's managing editor of a paper here that has a lot of influence. Yes. Jeff has been a staunch friend to me always. He recognizes that I'm a rising man and ought to be kept before the public.""I wonder if he's like his father."
"Can't tell you that," his son replied carelessly. "I don't rememberUncle Phil much. Jeff's a queer fellow, full of Utopian notions about brotherhood and that sort of thing. But he's practical in a way. He gets things done in spite of his softheadedness."There was a knock at the door. "Mr. Jefferson Farnum, sir."James considered for a second. "Tell him to come in, Miss Brooks."The lawyer saw that the door was closed before he introduced Jeff to his father. It gave him a momentary twinge of conscience to see his cousin take the old man quickly by both hands. It was of course a mere detail, but James had not yet shaken hands with his father.
"I'm glad to see you, Uncle Robert," Jeff said.
His voice shook a little. There was in his manner that hint of affection which made him so many friends, the warmth that suggested a woman's sympathy, but not effeminacy.
