The Vision Splendid
Page 6
CHAPTER 6
"The cure for the evils of Democracy is more Democracy." --De Tocqueville.
THE REBEL HUMBLY ASSISTS AT THE UNVEILING OF A HERO'S STATUE
Part 1
On the occasion when his cousin was graduated with the highest honorsfrom the law school of Verden University Jeff sat inconspicuously nearthe rear of the chapel. James, as class orator, rose to his hour. Fromthe moment that he moved slowly to the front of the platform, handsomeand impassive, his calm gaze sweeping over the audience while he waitedfor the little bustle of expectancy to subside, Jeff knew that the nameof Farnum was going to be covered with glory.
The orator began in a low clear voice that reached to the last seatin the gallery. Jeff knew that before he finished its echoes would beringing through the hall like a trumpet call to the emotions of thosepresent.
It was not destined that Jeff should hear a word of that stirringperoration. His eye fell by chance upon a young woman seated in a boxbeside an elderly man whom he recognized as Peter C. Frome. From thatinstant he was lost to all sense perception that did not focus upon her.For he was looking at the dryad who had come upon him out of the fernsthree years before. She would never know it, but Alice Frome had savedhim from the weakness that might have destroyed him. From that day hehad been a total abstainer. Now as he looked at her the vivid irregularbeauty of the girl flowed through him like music. Her charm for him laydeeper than the golden gleams of imprisoned sunlight woven in her hair,than the gallant poise of the little head above the slender figure.Though these set his heart beating wildly, a sure instinct told him ofthe fine and exquisite spirit that found its home in her body.
She was leaning forward in her chair, her eyes fixed on James almost asif she were fascinated by his oratory. Her father watched her, a trifleamused at her eagerness. In her admiration she was frank as a boy. WhenFarnum's last period was rounded out and he made to leave the stage hergloved hands beat together in excited applause.
After the ceremonies were over James came straight to her. Jeff missedno detail of their meeting. The young lawyer was swimming on a tideof triumph, but it was easy to see that Alice Frome's approval wasthe thing he most desired. His cousin had never seen him so gay, sohandsome, so altogether irresistible. For the first time a little spasmof envy shot through Jeff, That the girl liked James was plain enough.How could any girl help liking him?
The orator was so much the center of attention that Jeff postponed hiscongratulations till evening. He called on his cousin after midnightat his rooms. James had just returned from a class banquet where he hadbeen the toastmaster. He was still riding the big wave.
"It's been a great day for me, Jeff," he broke out after his cousin hadcongratulated him. "I've earned it, too. For seven years I've workedtoward this day as a climax. Did you see me talking to P. C. Frome andhis daughter? I'm going to be accepted socially in the best houses ofthe city. I'll make them all open to me."
"I don't doubt it."
"And the best of it is that I've made my own success."
"Yes, you've worked hard," Jeff admitted with a little gleam of humorin his eyes. He would not remind his cousin that he had lent him most ofthe money to see him through law school.
"Oh, worked!" James was striding up and down the room to get rid ofsome of his nervous energy. "I've done more than work. I've madeopportunities... grabbed them coming and going. Young as I am Verdenexpects big things of me. And I'll deliver the goods, too."
"What's the program?" Jeff asked, much amused.
"Don't know yet. I'm going into politics and I mean to get ahead. I'llmake a big splash and keep in the public eye."
His cousin could not help laughing. "You always were a pretty good pressagent for J. K. Farnum."
"Why shouldn't I be?"
"I don't know why you shouldn't. A man who gets ahead puts himself in aposition where he can bring about reforms."
"That's it exactly. I mean to make myself a power."
"Get hold of one good practical reform and back it. Pound away on ituntil the people identify you with it. Take direct legislation as yourtext, say. There's going to be a strong drift that way in the next tenyears. Machines and bosses are going to be swept to the junk heap."
"How do you know?"
Jeff could give no adequate justification for the faith that was in him.It would be no answer to tell James that he knew the plain people ofthe state better than the politicians did. However, he mentioned a fewfacts.
"It's all very well for you to be a radical, but I have to conserve myinfluence," James objected. "I've got to be practical. If I were justgoing to be a reporter it would be different."
"Don't be too practical, James. You've got to have some vision if you'regoing to lead the people. Nobody is so blind to the future as practicalpoliticians and business men." He stopped, smiling quizzically. "Butyou're the orator of the family. I don't want to infringe on yourcopyright. Only you have the personality to be a real leader. Getstarted right. Remember that America faces forward, and that we're goingto move with seven league boots to better conditions."
James mused out loud. "If a man could be a Lincoln to save the peoplefrom industrial slavery it would be worth while."
Jeff did not laugh at his conceit. "Go to it. I'll promise you thebacking of the _World_."
"What have you to do with the _World_?"
"Beginning with next Monday I'm to be managing editor."
"You!"
"Even so. Captain Chunn has bought the paper."
"Chunn, the man who made millions in a lucky strike in Alaska?"
"Same man."
James was still incredulous. "How did Chunn happen to pick you for theeditor?"
"He's an old friend of mine. 'Member the day I had the fight with NedMerrill. Captain Chunn was the man who stood up for me."
"And you've known him ever since?"
"I've always corresponded with him."
"Well, I'll be hanged. Talk about luck." James looked his cousin overwith increased respect. He always took off his hat to success, but hehad been so long accustomed to thinking of Jeff as a failure that hecould not adjust his mind to the situation. "Why, you can't run a paper.Can you?"
Jeff smiled. "I told Captain Chunn he was taking a big chance."
"If he's as rich as they say he is he can afford to lose some money."
James took the news of his cousin's good fortune a little peevishly. Hedid not grudge Jeff's advancement, but he resented that it had befallenhim to-day of all days. The promotion of the reporter took the edge offhis own achievements.