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ANCE had [158] been in Waterville something over a week, and his
enthusiasm was noticeably subdued. One evening he discovered that a
great many citizens were assembling in the Town Hall. He joined the
crowd, and found it was composed of representative of nearly every
family in Waterville.
The meeting was called to order with J. Arthur Boast in the chair. It
was an indignation meeting. Instead of huzzaing for the Waterville
Town Company, its members were being vigorously denounced. A speaker
addressed the chair, and among other things said:
“Where is our sash, blind and door factory? Where is our foundry?
Where is our woolen mill? Where are our canning factories? Where is our
great smelting plant, and other manufacturing enterprises which have
been promised us by the Waterville Town Company? When we see anything
in a newspaper we have a right to believe what it says. Outside of
Waterville, the newspapers claim the members of the Waterville Town
Company to be a lot of restless town site boomers. I believe what I see
in the papers. The dog-fennel is already growing in our streets—our
town is dead; not one stranger in a week alights from the train at
Waterville. [159] We have been deceived, and it is now time for an
indignant community to assert its rights, take the reins of government,
so to speak, in our own hands, and give the Waterville Town Company to
understand that no more bonds of any kind will be voted or subsidies
given.”
A number of other speakers expressed themselves in bitter terms against
the Waterville Town Company. The chairman, J. Arthur Boast, finally
addressed the meeting, and with his thin, piping voice advise
moderation.
He said it was true that, during his absence, prices had been
unfortunately inflated, and a reaction had set in. He reminded his
hearers that he was still in the real estate business, and by listing
their property with him he would try to put it on his “special bargain
list,” and thought possibly he could, in time, re-establish confidence
and create a new era of activity in the real estate business.
Boast was very careful not to openly charge the depression in Waterville
to anyone in particular, but his insinuations left no room to doubt he
meant the Waterville Town Company.
It seemed to be the sense of the meeting that retrenchment was in order.
One speaker advised the closing of the public school. The suggestion
seemed to meet with favor. Old Dick Ballard pushed his way through
the crowd, and addressing the chairman, begged the crowd to listen to
reason. “You know,” he continued, “that I’m your school director
in this township. The office sought me; I didn’t seek the office.
Retrenchment in any other line exceptin’ the closin’ down of our
public school is, perhaps, all right; but do not take a step backward.
Our public school system is our pride, and should appeal to the
patriotism of every one here.” [160] In conclusion, he offered to give
an entertainment with his State Militia Company for the benefit of the
public school of Waterville. Hi is remarks would probably have been
effective had not a fiery speaker followed him and advanced the idea
that by discontinuing the public school it would be a direct rebuke to
the Waterville Town Company.
“Let it be noised abroad,” said he, “that the residents of
Waterville refuse to pay any school taxes, and then the Waterville town
Company will begin to understand that we must be consulted, or we will
thwart their schemes of booming this town. All they care for, anyway, is
the money there is in selling town lots.”
The speaker then asked Dick Ballard how much money was in the
teacher’s fund of the school treasury. Ballard said he did not know,
but he could find out in a day or two. The speaker then addressed the
chair, and said:
“I move you, sir, that it is the sense of this public demonstration
that we quit paying taxes to support a public school in Waterville, and
when the funds now on hand are exhausted that our school be closed.”
The motion almost unanimously prevailed. There were a few feeble
protests, but they were not recognized by the presiding officer.
A little later Vance felt some one plucking at his sleeve, and old Dick
Ballard motioned him to follow.
“Now, sir,” said Ballard, in a deep whisper when they were alone,
“there is some mighty important work to be done. Be in the parlor
of my hotel in half an hour from now. Say nothin’.” At this Dick
Ballard, with a mysterious look on his face, turned and hurried away.
A little later Vance walked over to the hotel and found [161] Dick
Ballard, Homer Winthrop, and Marcus Donald. They apparently were waiting
for him. Ballard was very careful to lock the door securely.
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He then turned and said: “Now, gentlemen, we have business of
importance on hand. Yes, sir, the time has come for us to act, and act
promptly. Hold on—just wait a moment until I read you a letter. This
is private,” said he, tapping a letter which he unfolded with a great
flourish. “This is from General Ira House, the greatest town builder
in the world. Now, here’s what he says:
“‘I will settle my board bill, no, hold on; that isn’t the place.
Here it is: ‘Tell the people to be patient. The darkest hour is just
before the dawn. Waterville is all right.’.rdquo;
“What do you think of that, gentlemen?” said he, folding the letter
and putting it into his pocket. “I tell you, General House can come as
near breakin’ the shell and gettin’ at the meat of the kernel as
any man I ever knew’. He’s brainy, and no mistake. Our citizens
are excited,” Ballard went on, “and in their excitement they are
foolish. They’re attemptin’ to bite the hand that is feedin’ us
all. ‘The Town Company has made this town. I address my remarks, Mr.
Gilder, to you. Modesty forbids, sir, that I should say to my friends,
Mr. Donald and Mr. Winthrop, that which I unhesitatingly proclaim to an
outside party. Now let me ask, Mr. Gilder, if I didn’t tell you long
ago that the members of the Waterville Town Company were the brainiest
men this country had ever produced?”
[162] “I believe you made that remark,” replied Vance.
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“Yes, sir, and I am proud to repeat the statement, and in the letter
which I have just read to you I have the evidence, the prima facie
evidence, that Watcrville is only restin’, as it were, preparatory to
enterin’ the free-for-all hurdle race, and makin’ the fastest time
on record. Yes, sir, her time will be a record breaker, and she will
distance all would-be competitors, notwithstandin’ the slanderous
[163] and libelous articles now goin’ the rounds in the press.’
“We now,” continued Mallard, “are a ways-and-means committee. The
closing of our public school would indeed be a calamity. They asked me
over at the town meetin’ how much money was in the school treasury. I
told them I didn’t know. I beg you gentlemen’s pardon for my reply,
I do know. There is not a cent. I was forced into the awkward position
of tellin’ a falsehood for the good of my adopted city, Waterville.
Now, gentle men, what do you advise?”
“I think,” said Donald, “that our taxpayers proper are not
objecting to the expense of our public school. The Waterville Town
Company owns fully three-fourths of all the property in Waterville,
and we want the school to go on. The citizens who are the loudest in
denouncing the expense, and calling most vigorously for retrenchment, as
a matter of fact, do not pay a penny of tax.”
“You’re right,” said Dick Ballard, glowingly, “that’s the
talk! There’s argument in your remarks, Mr. Donald, and if I had them
printed on dodgers I would regard it as a personal privilege to deliver
copies to members of my State Militia Company, and issue a general order
to have them distributed over the entire town.”
“I wish to call your attention to one thing,” continued Ballard.
“No member of my State Militia Company voted to discontinue our public
school; no, sir, not one.”
Winthrop was called on for remarks, and observed that the demonstration
was a hasty action that would not be approved, probably, by the people
themselves on mature reflection. [164] “A few weeks ago,” he went on,
“these same people were hurrahing; for the Waterville Town Company.
They expect us to perform wonders in a few weeks’ time, that in
reality require months, and even years. I fully believe the present
depression will be followed by a healthy activity that will satisfy the
most pronounced pessimist in Waterville.”
“Gentlemen.” said Dick Ballard, “there are four of us. Miss
Virginia Bonifield is a most exemplary young lady, while, as a teacher,
she is without a peer. I stand ready to pledge myself for one-fourth of
her salary. Her salary for the entire year is $500.
“Put me down for one fourth,” said Vance.
“I will gladly pay one fourth,” said Marcus Donald, “and my check
is ready at any time.”
“Count me in on the deal,” said Homer Winthrop “Just one thing,
gentlemen,” said Dick Ballard, “I am pretty well acquainted with
Miss Virginia Bonifield.
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She posseses the spirit of independence to a very large degree. She is,
indeed, the daughter of her father, Colonel Bonifield. If she knew that
her salary was comin’ from a private source, why, you could not get
her to touch a dollar of it, therefore I think it best to consider this
compact and agreement strictly confidential.”
Dick Ballard’s views met with the approval of his associates, and then
the conversation became general. Vance inquired when the Town Company
would probably hold another meeting.
[165] “Not for some time, from present indications,” replied Winthrop.
“No,” replied Marcus Donald, “I have to-day received a letter
from Colonel Alexander, and he says it will be necessary, on account of
pressing business in the Wharfage and Dockage Company down on the Gulf
coast, to defer holding another Town Company meeting for some months.
The only thing we can do,” continued Donald, “is to keep a good grip
on our holdings here and wait. The dark days will roll by like so
many clouds and the sun will shine again. Waterville will be in the
ascendency. Strangers will be coming in, bringing money for internal
improvements; this great valley will be settled up, and successful
activity, in my judgment, will take the place of the present unfortunate
depression.”
Vance continued his stay in Waterville several days longer than he had
at intended. His frequent consultations with Horner Winthrop and Marcus
Donald led him to believe they were two of the most honorable men he had
ever met. Possibly they were wrong in their judgment about Waterville,
but they certainly were sincere. They seemed like men who had been
fighting for a goal against bitter odds. The goal was finally reached
when the last obligation of the Waterville Town Company had been paid.
They were left practically penniless, or at best, with very little
money; yet they were content to wait until time should lift then out of
the trough of the sea upon the waves of commercial activity again, which
they fully believed would come.
When Vance started for Gold Bluff, he said he might see them again in
a couple of weeks, and again, he might [166] not see them for a year or
longer. He was wholly undecided what to do.
Arriving at Gold Bluff in the evening, Vance made a hasty toilet and
called upon the woman he secretly loved so devotedly. She welcomed him
warmly. Soon after, they were seated in the little parlor where Vance
had spent so many happy evenings.
The Colonel greeted him enthusiastically.
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The open grate was crackling and burning cheerily with a bright wood
fire, and seemed to add warmth to the welcome extended.
“Am delighted to see yo’, Mr. Gilder, I am indeed, still. We have at
last reached the 400 foot level. Tempo’ary embarrassments will soon be
relegated into antiquity, yes, suh; a few days longer, a few days mo’
of waitin’, suh, and the struggle for a livin’ will be oveh with. No
matteh how much we may fight against it, we are bound to be wealthy. Of
cou’se it’ll take a few days yet, but only a few.”
It was evident that the Colonel was greatly in earnest. It was a welcome
hope to Vance. He briefly related to the Colonel and Louise concerning
the depression at Waterville, but that he still had hopes that
eventually—he did not pretend to say exactly when, but some time in
the future—his investment in Waterville town lots would turn out all
right.
“On gen’al principles,” said Colonel Bonifield, “I am not
favo’able to real estate spec’lations. I presume, suh, the reason
is I know so vehy little about them, but when [167] it comes to a mine,
suh,’.pecially like Gray Rocks, I inva’ably know, suh, what I am
talkin’ about. Louise,” said the Colonel, looking at his daughter,
“let us have some music. I see Mr. Gilder is vehy tired, and we will
talk no mo’ business this evenin’.”
Louise opened the piano and sang for them. There was a plaintive
sweetness in the girl’s voice that made Vance’s heart pulse with
delicious contentment. Hope played back and forth among the chords as
the music swelled and surged in sweet, symphonious strains. While she
was singing, he felt how easy it would be to declare his love, but when
she had ceased, and the last vibrations of music had died away, he knew
he lacked the courage.
Vance would be called a brave man in the daily walks of life, and yet,
as Louise’s lover, he was the most arrant of cowards.