The visit to the Spillini family had, indeed, led to strange
complications and far-reaching results. No one who had known young
Seldon Avery and his social life would ever have suspected him, or
any member of his set, of a desire to take part in what, by their club
friends or favorite reviews, was usually alluded to as the "dirty pool
of politics." For the past decade political advancement, at least in New
York, had grown to be looked upon by many as a mere matter of purchase
and sale, and as quite beneath the dignity of the more refined and
cultured men. It had been heralded as a vast joke, therefore, when young
Selden Avery, the representative of one of the most cultured families
and the honored son of an honored ancestry, had suddenly announced
himself as a candidate for the Assembly. His club friends guyed him
unmercifully. "We never did believe that you were half as good as you
pretended to be, Avery," said one of them, the first time he appeared
at the club after his nomination, "but I don't believe a man of us ever
suspected you of the depths of depravity that this implies. What ever
did put such a ridiculous idea into such a level and self-respecting
head? Out with it!"
Banter of this nature met him on every hand. He realized more fully than
ever how changed the point of view had grown to be from the historical
days of Washington or even of Lincoln. He recalled the time when in
his own boyhood his honored father had served in the Legislature of his
native state, and had not felt it other than a crowning distinction. Nor
had it been so looked upon then by his associates.
Nevertheless the constant jokes and gibes, which held something of a
real sting, had become so frequent that, young Avery felt like resenting
his friends' humorous thrusts.
"I can't see that I need be ashamed to follow in the footsteps of my
father," he said, a little hotly. "Some of the noblest of men--those
upon whom the history of this country depends for lustre--held seats in
the Assembly, and helped shape the laws of their states. I don't see why
I need apologize for a desire to do the same."
"It used to be an association of gentlemen up at the state capital, my
boy. Today it is--Lord! you know what it is, I guess. But if you don't,
just peruse this sacred volume," laughed his friend, sarcastically,
producing a small pamphlet.
"Looks to me as if you'd be rather out of your element with your
colleagues. 'M-m-m! Yes, here is the list. Hunted this up after I heard
you were going to stand for your district."
The English form of expression was no affectation, for the speaker was
far more familiar with political nomenclature abroad than at home. He
would have felt it an honor to a man to be called upon to "stand" for
his constituency in London, but to "run" for it in New York was far less
dignified. Standing gave an idea of repose; running was vulgar. Then,
too, the State Legislature did not bear the proportionate relationship
to Congress that the Commons did to Parliament, and it was always in
connection with that latter body that he had associated the term.
"Let me see. One, two, three, four, 'teen 'steen--yes, I thought I
was right! Just exactly nineteen of your nearest colleagues are saloon
keepers. One used to keep that disorderly house on Prince Street, four
are butchers, one was returned because he had won fame as a base-ballist
and--but why go further? Here, Martin, I'm trying to convince Avery that
it will be a trifle trying on his nerves to hobnob with the new set he's
making for. Don't you think it is rather an anti-climax from the Union
to the lower house at Albany? Ye gods!" and he laughed, half in scorn
and half in real amusement.
John Martin had extended his hand for the small pamphlet of statistics.
He ran his eye over the list, and then turned an amused face upon Avery.
"Think you'll like it?" he asked, dryly. "Or are you taking it as my
French friend here says his countrymen take heaven?"
"How's that?" queried Avery, smiling. "In broken doses--or not at all?"
The French gentleman stood with that poise which belongs to the
successful man. He glanced from one to the other and spread his hands to
either side.
"All Frenchmen desire to go to ze heaven, zhentlemen. Why? Ah, zere air
two at-traczions which to effrey French zhentle-man air irresisteble.
Ze angels--zey air women--and I suppose zat ze God weal also be an
attraction. Ees eet not so?"
Every one in the group laughed and he went on gravely on.
"I zink zat eet ees true--ees eet not?--zat loafly woman will always be
vara much ob-searved even in ze heaven eef we zhentlemen are zere. Eef?"
He cast up the comers of his eyes, and made another elaborate movement
of his hands.
The others all laughed again.
"Yes, zhentlemen, ze true Frenchman cares for two zings: a new
sensation--someings zey haf not before experienced,--and zat ees God;
and for zat which zey haf obsearved, but of which zey can naavear
obsearve enough--loafly woman!"
The explosion of laughter that greeted this sally brought about them a
number of other gentlemen, and the talk drifted into different channels.
Presently young Avery glanced at his watch and started, with rather
a sore heart toward the door. He remembered that he had promised the
managers of his campaign that he would be seen that evening at a certain
open-air garden frequented by the humbler portion of his constituency.
He concluded to go alone the first time that he might the better observe
without attracting too much attention. This plan was thought wise to
enable him to meet the exigencies of the coming campaign when he should
be called upon to speak to this element of this supporters.
Once outside the club house, he took a card from his pocket and glanced
at the directions he had jotted upon it.
"I'll walk across to the elevated," he thought, "and make my connection
for Grady's place that way. It will save time and look more democratic."