THE PEOPLE'S IDOL
If David Lockwin had planned to increase all his prospects, and if all
his plans had worked with precision, he could in nowise have pushed his
interests more powerfully than by marrying Esther Wandrell.
It might have been said of Lockwin that he was impractical; that he was
a dreamer. He had done singular things. He had not studied the ways
of public opinion.
But now, to solidify all his future--to take a secure place in society,
especially as his leanings toward politics are pronounced--to do these
things--this palliates and excuses the adoption of the golden-haired
boy.
Lockwin hears this from his friend, the doctor. Lockwin hears it from
the world. The more he hears it the less he likes it.
But people, particularly the doctor, are happy in Lockwin. His
popularity in the district is amazing. He will soon be deep in
politics. He has put Harpwood out of the combat--so the doctor says.
And David Lockwin, when he comes home at night, still sees his boy at
the window. What a noble affection is that love for this waif! Why
should such a thought seize the man as he sits in his library with wife
and son? Why should not David be tender and good to the woman who
loves him so well, and is so proud of her husband?
Tender and good he is--as if he pitied her. Tender and good is she.
So that if an orphan in the great city should be in the especial care
of the Lord, why should not that orphan drop into this house, exactly
as has happened, and no matter at all what society may have said?
"You must run for Congress!" the doctor commands.
It spurs Lockwin. He thinks of the great white dome at Washington. He
thinks of his marked ability as an orator, everywhere conceded. He
says he does not care to enter upon a life so active, but he is not
truly in earnest.
"You must run for Congress!" the committee says the next week.
Feelings of friendliness for the incumbent of the office to give
Lockwin a sufficient excuse for inaction.
The incumbent dies suddenly a week later.
"You must run to save the party," the committeemen announce.
A day later the matter is settled. The great editors are seen; the
boss of the machine is satisfied; the ward-workers and the
saloon-keepers are infused with party allegiance.
David Lockwin begins at one end of State street and drinks, or pretends
to drink, at every bar between Lake and Fortieth streets. This
libation poured on the altar of liberty, he is popularly declared to be
in the race. The newspapers announce that he is the people's idol, and
the boss of the machine sends word to the newspapers that it is all
well enough, but it must be kept up.
David Lockwin rents head-quarters in the district, and shakes hands
with all the touching committees. Twelve members of the Sons of Labor
can carry their union over to him. It will require $100, as the union
is mostly democratic.
They are told they must see Mr. Lockwin's central committee. But Mr.
Lockwin must be prepared to deliver an address on the need of reform in
the government, looking to the civil service, to retrenchment and to
the complete allegiance of the officeholder to his employers, the
voters.
Mr. Lockwin must listen with attention to a plan by which the central
committee of the Sodalified Assembly can be packed with republicans at
the annual election, to take place the next Sunday. This will enable
Lockwin to carry the district in case he should get the nomination. To
show a deep interest in the party and none in himself must arouse
popular idolatry.
This popular idolatry must be kept awake, because Harpwood has opened
head-quarters and is visited by the same touching committees. He has
been up and down State street, and has drunk more red liquor than was
seen to go down Lockwin's throat. In more ways than one, Harpwood
shows the timber out of which popular idols are made.
The doctor is alarmed. He makes a personal canvass of all his
patients. They do not know when the primaries will be held. They do
not know who ought to go to Washington. All they know is that the
congressman is dead and there must be a special election, which is
going to cost them some extra money. If the boss of the machine will
see to it, that will do!
But Lockwin is the man. This the boss has been at pains to determine.
The marriage has made things clear.
One should study the boss. Why is he king? If we have a democracy how
is it that everybody in office or in hope of office obeys the pontiff?
It is the genius of the people for government. The boss is at a summer
resort near the city.
To him comes Harpwood, and finds the great contractor, the promoter of
the outer docks, the park commissioners, and a half-dozen other great
men already on the ground.
"Harpwood," says the boss, "I am out of politics, particularly in your
district. Yet, if you can carry the primaries, I could help you
considerably. Carry the primaries, me boy, and I'll talk with you
further. See you again. Good-bye."
The next day comes Lockwin.
There are no "me-boys" now. Here is the candidate. He must be put in
irons.
"Lockwin, what makes you want to go to Congress?"
"I don't believe I do want to go, but I was told you wished to see me
up here, privately."
"Well, you ought to know whether or not you want to go. Nobody wants
you there if it isn't yourself. Harpwood will go if you don't."
"Yes, I suppose so."
"Well, if you want our support, we must have a pledge from you. I
guess you want to go, and we are willing to put you there for the
unexpired term and the next one. Then are you ready to climb down?
Say the word. The mayor and the senator are out there waiting for me."
"All right. It is a bargain."
"And you won't feel bad when we knock you out, in three years?"
"No. I will probably be glad to come home."
"Very well; we will carry the primaries. But that district needs
watching. Spend lots of money."