THE
CLEVERDALE MYSTERY;
OR,
THE MACHINE AND ITS WHEELS.
_A STORY OF AMERICAN LIFE._
BY
W. A. WILKINS,
EDITOR OF "THE WHITEHALL (N. Y.) TIMES."
NEW YORK:
FORDS, HOWARD, & HULBERT.
1882.
Copyright, 1882,
By W. A. WILKINS.
All rights reserved.
PREFACE.
In presenting this volume to the public, the author hopes to
impart information to some; reflect their own character to others;
possibly point a moral, and by the tale interest the reader.
The warp of the fabric is reality, the woof fiction, the
coloring domestic.
Awaiting the verdict,
Respectfully,
THE AUTHOR.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
CHAPTER I.--BEAUTIFUL LAKE GEORGE, 9
" II.--A QUARTETTE OF SCHEMERS, 18
" III.--TEMPEST-TOSSED LAKE GEORGE, 26
" IV.--THE BOSS AND HIS AIDS, 33
" V.--TO THE RESCUE, 44
" VI.--THE CAMP DINNER, 52
" VII.--THE CRUEL THUNDERBOLT, 58
" VIII.--AFFAIRS AT CLEVERDALE, 65
" IX.--THE CAUCUS, 72
" X.--THE CRUELTY OF AMBITION, 82
" XI.--THE CONVENTION, 90
" XII.--A WICKED SCHEME, 99
" XIII.--DALEY'S STRENGTH WANES, 108
" XIV.--THE ELECTION, 116
" XV.--GLOOMY FOREBODINGS, 125
" XVI.--PRINCE OF MANNIS MANOR, 134
" XVII.--SARGENT ENLISTED, 144
" XVIII.--GEORGE AND FANNIE ALDEN, 149
" XIX.--THE BURNING FACTORY, 155
" XX.--THE SECRET MARRIAGE, 164
" XXI.--SPOILS! SPOILS! 172
" XXII.--SAD FAREWELLS, 179
" XXIII.--EXILED FROM HOME AND FRIENDS, 186
" XXIV.--THE DISTRACTED WIFE, 198
" XXV.--THE CRUEL LETTER, 209
" XXVI.--A DIRTY JOB, 215
" XXVII.--CLEVERDALE'S SORROW, 223
" XXVIII.--AMONG THE HILLS OF COLORADO, 232
" XXIX.--POOR MARY HARRIS, 239
" XXX.--THE ATTEMPTED SUICIDE, 247
" XXXI.--A REVELATION, 258
" XXXII.--THE WANDERER'S RETURN, 265
" XXXIII.--RETRIBUTIVE JUSTICE, 274
" XXXIV.--THE CLEVERDALE MYSTERY, 277
" XXXV.--EPILOGUE--THE MACHINE AND ITS WHEELS, 285
CHARACTERS.
Hon. DARIUS HAMBLIN--State Senator and Political "Boss."
Hon. WALTER MANNIS--State Assemblyman; one of the "Boss's"
Lieutenants.
ASSEMBLYMAN DALEY--Bolting candidate.
CYRUS HART MILLER--Wily country politician.
GEORGE ALDEN--Bank officer; hero; lover.
SARGENT--Purchasable commodity, convenient to his owner.
JOE RAWLINGS--Editor; wise; in the market.
PADDY SULLIVAN--Pothouse politician; an important factor.
FARMER JOHNSON--Honest; cheap; "_Let me speak to you privately!_"
GEORGE HORTON--Chairman of County Committee; fertile in schemes.
FARMER HARRIS--Avenger.
BELLE HAMBLIN--Sweetheart; oppressed by a father's ambition.
FANNIE ALDEN--Self-sacrificing sister.
MARY HARRIS--Betrayed.
MRS. DARIUS HAMBLIN--Model mother.
MRS. NASH--Good Samaritan.
CAMPERS, FACTORY BOSSES, VILLAGERS, MINERS, POLITICIANS, and other
incidental characters.
THE
CLEVERDALE MYSTERY.
CHAPTER I.
BEAUTIFUL LAKE GEORGE.
The world is full of charming spots that seem to be the original site
of Paradise, but none show more perfectly the grace and grandeur of the
Creator's handiwork than Lake George. Its limpid waters reflect the
outlines of numerous islands--one for each calendar day of the year, yet
each possessing beauties distinctly its own. The mirror of the lake's
surface is framed by mountains of varying shape and size, yet each with
special charms, while between them nestle lovely valleys, over which the
eye never tires of roaming. In summer, every isle, hill, and valley is
glorious with verdure; in winter they are dazzling in snowy vesture; but
no matter what the season or condition, the lake and its surroundings
are a constant source of delight to those who are fortunate enough to
dwell on its shore.
It is to the credit of humanity that Lake George is a favorite place
of resort during the summer, and that hundreds of families delight in
building permanent summer homes there. Beautiful villas, picturesque
hotels, tasteful cottages, unique cabins, and snowy tents abound on the
water's marge, and pleasure boats of all sorts dance gaily on its waves.
The vulgar, the dissipated, and stupid classes that haunt summer resorts
seem to avoid Lake George; even humanity seems to endeavor to be in
keeping with its surroundings at this beautiful retreat, and fair women,
robust, active men, and healthy children are the rule at this modern
Eden.
On the forward deck of a steamer that ploughed its way through the
crystal waters on a bright summer day in 187- was a small party,
consisting of Hon. Darius Hamblin, Mrs. Hamblin, Miss Belle Hamblin, and
two little boys, George and Willie, aged respectively ten and six, with
their nurse.
The Hon. Darius, a man of fifty-five, had served his district as New
York State Senator at Albany for two terms. He possessed excellent
judgment, and knew this so well that no one could help seeing that he
was vain and inclined to be arbitrary in his manner. Mrs. Hamblin was a
small, brown-haired lady, with whom time had dealt so gently that the
unwelcome and indelible lines of approaching age had been sparingly
distributed across a sweet and placid countenance.
Devoting her whole attention to the wants and pleasures of her children,
she was not merely a kind mother, for with dignity and power she held
the reins firmly in her grasp, although the high-spirited boys tightly
champed the bits.
While the mother, as she sat on the steamer's deck, was all attention
to her youthful treasures, the father discussed the politics and
finances of the country with several gentlemen whom he chanced to meet.
Thoroughly engrossed in conversation, he scarce noticed his daughter
Belle, who, affectionately taking his arm, called attention to a landing
the steamer was about to make.
As the boat drew in, there was seen a gathering bevy of males and
females. Small row-boats hovered near the little coves surrounding the
dock, and as great waves from the _Horicon's_ paddles dashed their
snow-crested tops upon the rocks, the little craft danced upon the
water, some girlish voices uttering exclamations of fear for their
owners' safety. Several persons leaving the steamer were quickly
surrounded by friends gathered to meet them.
In a moment the captain cried, "All aboard!" The engine resuming its
work, the paddle-wheels lashed the water, many little boats shooting out
into the swell. Those on the steamer eagerly watched the merry throng on
the dock or the still happier ones rocked by the "rollies."
"Oh, papa," exclaimed Belle, "this is delightful! See that party on
the little island--isn't it a funny sight? See that gentleman shaking
a frying-pan over his head! See the other campers washing dishes in
the lake! Oh, how I shall enjoy this month! We are to stop at the
next landing, and in ten minutes will leave the boat. Oh, isn't it
delightful!"
The father rising took his daughter by the arm, his manner indicating
unbounded love and parental pride. Belle Hamblin was a beautiful girl
scarcely nineteen years of age. Of medium height, she possessed a
faultless form combining exquisite symmetry and grace. Full of animation
when speaking, her tender blue eyes flashed intelligence and goodness,
captivating every one who came within their reach.
She completely won the admiration of those on the boat by the tender and
sympathetic way in which she ministered to a poor woman accompanied by
four children, giving to the little ones from her lunch-basket oranges,
bananas, and cakes, while the mother was offered more substantial food
in the way of sandwiches. Tender-hearted and kind when Willie injured
his wee finger, she worked over the wound, hugged the curly-headed boy
to her heart, stilling his cries with sisterly caresses. Belle Hamblin
was no ordinary character, for God had wrought those lovely attributes
into her nature which cannot fail to command respect and admiration. She
could not avoid being a prominent figure in any life picture of which
she was part, for to her mother's instinctive quality of love was added
the natural intelligence of her father. Possessing a pride in striking
contrast with that so positive in her father's character, she readily
assumed her natural position as leader in social circles. Endowed with a
liberal education, taught the economies of life, and instructed in the
art of housekeeping, she was fitted to be queen of the kitchen or the
enchantress of the drawing-room.
The boat nearing the beautiful retreat where the Hamblins were to
sojourn, wraps, baskets, and umbrellas were gathered up while Mr.
Hamblin was taking leave of his friends. The _Horicon_ slowly
approached the dock close at hand; the party passed through the cabin
to the gangway; lines were thrown ashore and the steamer made fast.
Mr. Hamblin led the way, the children, wild as young colts, jumping in
gleeful anticipation. About thirty persons crowded to the gangway, a
rush was made for shore, when suddenly the piercing shriek of a female
startled the bystanders, as a little boy fell headlong into the lake.
"Willie is overboard! Save him!" The voice was that of Belle Hamblin.
Rushing wildly to the edge of the gangway and seeing the little fellow
sink into the water, she was nearly frantic with excitement. Mr. and
Mrs. Hamblin were filled with terror, while those standing on shore
appeared as if paralyzed. Suddenly a blue-shirted man darted through the
crowd, and throwing himself into the lake, seized Willie, and a moment
later placed him in the arms of the sister.
Belle, looking into his face, quickly exclaimed:
"Mr. Alden! I did not expect to see you here, but God bless you for
saving the life of our treasure."
The curly-headed boy, with water dripping from his locks, lay in his
sister's arms. Gasping and moving his head, the water running from his
nostrils and mouth, he was carried to the family parlor at the hotel,
where a physician soon restored him to his normal condition, and then
the family, recovering from their fatigue and fright, appeared on
the grounds, their exciting introduction and acknowledged social and
political standing making them the observed of all.
Mr. Hamblin, having held many important positions in his party, was soon
on terms of friendship with the sterner sex, Mrs. Hamblin and Belle
taking their natural places among the ladies.
Mr. Hamblin was a genial conversationalist, and with his political
reputation preceding him was of course much courted by all at the
"Lakeside." Having been a State Senator for two terms, a prominent
candidate for gubernatorial honors at a late convention, and possessing
wealth and eloquence, his power was naturally great. A candidate for
renomination the coming fall, he had already started the machinery to
obtain control of delegates needed to consummate his desired wish.
American politics are controlled entirely by "wires," those of the great
political machine being intricate as the telegraph netting one sees over
the roof-tops of a large city. Mr. Hamblin, with a perfect knowledge
of the workings of this machine, knew that a successful candidate must
be able to manipulate the little wires of the party caucus, for as the
caucuses are the expression of each town in the senatorial or assembly
district, to obtain needed support requires wire-pullers in every school
district. A candidate's personal merit is of minor consequence; he can
do nothing without understanding the working of the party machinery, and
knowing also how to lubricate the entire apparatus with money.
Mr. Hamblin had been a little uneasy of late, a rival having arisen to
contest his field. Heretofore enjoying the monopoly in the district, he
was now in danger of meeting an obstacle in his onward course. As he
sat on the piazza holding a letter in his hand, he soliloquized:
"Well, well! Making my way in politics has always been easy as knocking
the ashes from this cigar, but if Miller's letter is correct Darius
Hamblin is in danger. Let me see; I'll read this over again"--and he
closely scanned the following letter:
CLEVERDALE, July 31, 187-.
HON. DARIUS HAMBLIN:
DEAR SIR: It is just as I feared: Daley says he will be a
candidate at all hazards, and asserts he can drive you from the
track very easily, having your former clerk's evidence to use
against you. He is desperate, and has already been seen to visit
saloons in the village, spending considerable money to win over the
boys. Can you meet Rawlings, Horton, and myself at Saratoga Saturday
night?
Answer by telegraph at once.
Yours,
CYRUS HART MILLER.
Mr. Hamblin knit his brow for a moment and said:
"Of course I must go. I must not be beaten this year. The next
gubernatorial nomination may be mine if I win this time. I can be
elected Governor, and Daley must be crushed or bought off. The die is
cast--I leave on the next boat for Saratoga."
Rising from his seat and wiping the perspiration from his brow, he
passed on to his room. Mrs. Hamblin expressed no surprise when informed
he was going to Saratoga, for she had become accustomed to his sudden
moves since he had gone into politics; she had learned that everything
must be secondary to his ambition and political necessities. She
quickly packed a small satchel, and the boat being due in an hour, Mr.
Hamblin walked out to bid his children good-by.
Belle, leaving the side of a gentleman sitting beneath an arbor, came to
meet him.
"Oh, papa! are you going away? That is too bad! I expected to take you
out for a row this evening. Beside, a moonlight concert at Cleverdale
Camp is announced in honor of your visit. Can't you postpone your
departure?"
"No, my pet, business before pleasure. I am to meet a few friends at
Saratoga to-night on very important business. By the way, I must send a
telegram at once."
Embracing his daughter, he stepped into the office and hastily wrote a
dispatch. When he came out Belle took his arm and said:
"Papa, we shall be _so_ disappointed if you go. Mr. Alden has arranged
to do you honor. And--"
"Belle," said he, interrupting her, "say no more about it, for I must
go. By the way, Alden, who seems to be paying you much attention, may be
good enough for a casual acquaintance at Lake George, but a daughter of
Darius Hamblin, fit to be queen, in choosing associates must look higher
than her father's bank clerk."
"But, papa, he is a gentleman--the very soul of honor--and there is not
a lady in our party but feels honored by George Alden's attentions.
Didn't he save Willie's life? He didn't know who it was, but seeing a
child fall overboard his duty was plain. Beside, he always admired you,
and you have repeatedly acknowledged that you liked him better than any
other clerk in your employ. If you could see his kindness to the boys
and myself, you would be more than ever pleased with him."
Mr. Hamblin's features grew hard; his lips became tightly compressed and
the color left his cheeks as he said:
"Belle, my honor and that of your family is in your keeping. Bestow
your affection upon that bank clerk and my affection for you will end
forever. The Hamblin family can ill afford to make low connections. You
hear my wishes--my commands. There comes the boat. Here, George, bring
my satchel, and tell your mother I am awaiting her."
Poor Belle! trembling with involuntary emotion, her pale face was a
reflection of the countenance of her proud father. She scarcely beheld
the boat as it drew near; dimly saw a happy throng on the deck and
the usual bevy of glad-hearted persons on the dock; faintly heard the
paddle-wheels beating the water, and barely caught a glimpse of the
small boats dancing in the steamer's wake, when a flood of tears burst
from her eyes. Her mother quickly led her away, but not before her
companions became conscious of her weakness.
The stern look upon her father's face and the cold good-by he returned
to all was plain evidence of something wrong in the family which all
had begun to look upon as a perfect pattern of happiness and domestic
goodness.