Making the wind my post-horse, still unfold
The acts commenced on this ball of earth:
The which in every language I pronounce,
Stuffing the ears of men with false reports.
King Henry IV.
As may be readily believed, Col. Beriah Sellers was by this time one of the best known men in Washington. For the first time in his life his talents had a fair field.
He was now at the centre of the manufacture of gigantic schemes, of speculations5 of all sorts, of political and social gossip. The atmosphere was full of little and big rumors6 and of vast, undefined expectations. Everybody was in haste, too, to push on his private plan, and feverish7 in his haste, as if in constant apprehension8 that tomorrow would be Judgment9 Day. Work while Congress is in session, said the uneasy spirit, for in the recess10 there is no work and no device.
The Colonel enjoyed this bustle11 and confusion amazingly; he thrived in the air of indefinite expectation. All his own schemes took larger shape and more misty12 and majestic13 proportions; and in this congenial air, the Colonel seemed even to himself to expand into something large and mysterious. If he respected himself before, he almost worshipped Beriah Sellers now, as a superior being. If he could have chosen an official position out of the highest, he would have been embarrassed in the selection. The presidency14 of the republic seemed too limited and cramped15 in the constitutional restrictions16. If he could have been Grand Llama of the United States, that might have come the nearest to his idea of a position. And next to that he would have luxuriated in the irresponsible omniscience17 of the Special Correspondent.
Col. Sellers knew the President very well, and had access to his presence when officials were kept cooling their heels in the Waiting-room. The President liked to hear the Colonel talk, his voluble ease was a refreshment18 after the decorous dullness of men who only talked business and government, and everlastingly19 expounded20 their notions of justice and the distribution of patronage21. The Colonel was as much a lover of farming and of horses as Thomas Jefferson was. He talked to the President by the hour about his magnificent stud, and his plantation22 at Hawkeye, a kind of principality—he represented it. He urged the President to pay him a visit during the recess, and see his stock farm.
“The President’s table is well enough,” he used to say, to the loafers who gathered about him at Willard’s, “well enough for a man on a salary, but God bless my soul, I should like him to see a little old-fashioned hospitality—open house, you know. A person seeing me at home might think I paid no attention to what was in the house, just let things flow in and out. He’d be mistaken. What I look to is quality, sir. The President has variety enough, but the quality! Vegetables of course you can’t expect here. I’m very particular about mine. Take celery, now—there’s only one spot in this country where celery will grow. But I am surprised about the wines. I should think they were manufactured in the New York Custom House. I must send the President some from my cellar. I was really mortified24 the other day at dinner to see Blacque Bey leave his standing25 in the glasses.”
When the Colonel first came to Washington he had thoughts of taking the mission to Constantinople, in order to be on the spot to look after the dissemination26 of his Eye Water, but as that invention; was not yet quite ready, the project shrank a little in the presence of vaster schemes. Besides he felt that he could do the country more good by remaining at home. He was one of the Southerners who were constantly quoted as heartily27 “accepting the situation.”
“I’m whipped,” he used to say with a jolly laugh, “the government was too many for me; I’m cleaned out, done for, except my plantation and private mansion28. We played for a big thing, and lost it, and I don’t whine29, for one. I go for putting the old flag on all the vacant lots. I said to the President, says I, ‘Grant, why don’t you take Santo Domingo, annex30 the whole thing, and settle the bill afterwards. That’s my way. I’d take the job to manage Congress. The South would come into it. You’ve got to conciliate the South, consolidate31 the two debts, pay ’em off in greenbacks, and go ahead. That’s my notion. Boutwell’s got the right notion about the value of paper, but he lacks courage. I should like to run the treasury32 department about six months. I’d make things plenty, and business look up.’”
The Colonel had access to the departments. He knew all the senators and representatives, and especially, the lobby. He was consequently a great favorite in Newspaper Row, and was often lounging in the offices there, dropping bits of private, official information, which were immediately, caught up and telegraphed all over the country. But it used to surprise even the Colonel when he read it, it was embellished33 to that degree that he hardly recognized it, and the hint was not lost on him. He began to exaggerate his heretofore simple conversation to suit the newspaper demand.
People used to wonder in the winters of 187- and 187-, where the “Specials” got that remarkable34 information with which they every morning surprised the country, revealing the most secret intentions of the President and his cabinet, the private thoughts of political leaders, the hidden meaning of every movement. This information was furnished by Col. Sellers.
When he was asked, afterwards, about the stolen copy of the Alabama Treaty which got into the “New York Tribune,” he only looked mysterious, and said that neither he nor Senator Dilworthy knew anything about it. But those whom he was in the habit of meeting occasionally felt almost certain that he did know.
It must not be supposed that the Colonel in his general patriotic35 labors36 neglected his own affairs. The Columbus River Navigation Scheme absorbed only a part of his time, so he was enabled to throw quite a strong reserve force of energy into the Tennessee Land plan, a vast enterprise commensurate with his abilities, and in the prosecution37 of which he was greatly aided by Mr. Henry Brierly, who was buzzing about the capitol and the hotels day and night, and making capital for it in some mysterious way.
“We must create a public opinion,” said Senator Dilworthy. “My only interest in it is a public one, and if the country wants the institution, Congress will have to yield.”
It may have been after a conversation between the Colonel and Senator Dilworthy that the following special despatch38 was sent to a New York newspaper:
“We understand that a philanthropic plan is on foot in relation to the colored race that will, if successful, revolutionize the whole character of southern industry. An experimental institution is in contemplation in Tennessee which will do for that state what the Industrial School at Zurich did for Switzerland. We learn that approaches have been made to the heirs of the late Hon. Silas Hawkins of Missouri, in reference to a lease of a portion of their valuable property in East Tennessee. Senator Dilworthy, it is understood, is inflexibly39 opposed to any arrangement that will not give the government absolute control. Private interests must give way to the public good. It is to be hoped that Col. Sellers, who represents the heirs, will be led to see the matter in this light.”
When Washington Hawkins read this despatch, he went to the Colonel in some anxiety. He was for a lease, he didn’t want to surrender anything. What did he think the government would offer? Two millions?
“May be three, may be four,” said the Colonel, “it’s worth more than the bank of England.”
“If they will not lease,” said Washington, “let ’em make it two millions for an undivided half. I’m not going to throw it away, not the whole of it.”
Harry40 told the Colonel that they must drive the thing through, he couldn’t be dallying41 round Washington when Spring opened. Phil wanted him, Phil had a great thing on hand up in Pennsylvania.
“What is that?” inquired the Colonel, always ready to interest himself in anything large.
“A mountain of coal; that’s all. He’s going to run a tunnel into it in the Spring.”
“Does he want any capital?”, asked the Colonel, in the tone of a man who is given to calculating carefully before he makes an investment.
“No. Old man Bolton’s behind him. He has capital, but I judged that he wanted my experience in starting.”
“If he wants me, tell him I’ll come, after Congress adjourns42. I should like to give him a little lift. He lacks enterprise—now, about that Columbus River. He doesn’t see his chances. But he’s a good fellow, and you can tell him that Sellers won’t go back on him.”
“By the way,” asked Harry, “who is that rather handsome party that’s hanging ’round Laura? I see him with her everywhere, at the Capitol, in the horse cars, and he comes to Dilworthy’s. If he weren’t lame43, I should think he was going to run off with her.”
“Oh, that’s nothing. Laura knows her business. He has a cotton claim. Used to be at Hawkeye during the war.
“Selby’s his name, was a Colonel. Got a wife and family. Very respectable people, the Selby’s.”
“Well, that’s all right,” said Harry, “if it’s business. But if a woman looked at me as I’ve seen her at Selby, I should understand it. And it’s talked about, I can tell you.”
Jealousy44 had no doubt sharpened this young gentleman’s observation. Laura could not have treated him with more lofty condescension45 if she had been the Queen of Sheba, on a royal visit to the great republic. And he resented it, and was “huffy” when he was with her, and ran her errands, and brought her gossip, and bragged46 of his intimacy47 with the lovely creature among the fellows at Newspaper Row.
Laura’s life was rushing on now in the full stream of intrigue48 and fashionable dissipation. She was conspicuous49 at the balls of the fastest set, and was suspected of being present at those doubtful suppers that began late and ended early. If Senator Dilworthy remonstrated50 about appearances, she had a way of silencing him. Perhaps she had some hold on him, perhaps she was necessary to his plan for ameliorating the condition of the colored race.
She saw Col. Selby, when the public knew and when it did not know. She would see him, whatever excuses he made, and however he avoided her. She was urged on by a fever of love and hatred51 and jealousy, which alternately possessed52 her. Sometimes she petted him, and coaxed53 him and tried all her fascinations54. And again she threatened him and reproached him. What was he doing? Why had he taken no steps to free himself? Why didn’t he send his wife home? She should have money soon. They could go to Europe—anywhere. What did she care for talk?
And he promised, and lied, and invented fresh excuses for delay, like a cowardly gambler and roue as he was, fearing to break with her, and half the time unwilling55 to give her up.
He told his wife that this woman was a lobbyist, whom he had to tolerate and use in getting through his claims, and that he should pay her and have done with her, when he succeeded.
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1
vent
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| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
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2
rumor
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| n.谣言，谣传，传说 | |
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3
drooping
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| adj. 下垂的，无力的 动词droop的现在分词 | |
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4
slanders
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| 诽谤，诋毁( slander的名词复数 ) | |
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5
speculations
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| n.投机买卖( speculation的名词复数 )；思考；投机活动；推断 | |
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6
rumors
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| n.传闻( rumor的名词复数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷v.传闻( rumor的第三人称单数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷 | |
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7
feverish
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| adj.发烧的，狂热的，兴奋的 | |
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8
apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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9
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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10
recess
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| n.短期休息，壁凹（墙上装架子，柜子等凹处） | |
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11
bustle
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| v.喧扰地忙乱，匆忙，奔忙；n.忙碌；喧闹 | |
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12
misty
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| adj.雾蒙蒙的，有雾的 | |
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13
majestic
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| adj.雄伟的，壮丽的，庄严的，威严的，崇高的 | |
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14
presidency
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| n.总统(校长，总经理)的职位(任期) | |
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15
cramped
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| a.狭窄的 | |
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16
restrictions
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| 约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则） | |
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17
omniscience
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| n.全知，全知者，上帝 | |
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18
refreshment
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| n.恢复，精神爽快，提神之事物；（复数）refreshments:点心，茶点 | |
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19
everlastingly
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| 永久地，持久地 | |
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20
expounded
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| 论述，详细讲解( expound的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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21
patronage
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| n.赞助，支援，援助；光顾，捧场 | |
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22
plantation
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| n.种植园，大农场 | |
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23
hawk
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| n.鹰，骗子；鹰派成员 | |
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24
mortified
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| v.使受辱( mortify的过去式和过去分词 )；伤害（人的感情）；克制；抑制（肉体、情感等） | |
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25
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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26
dissemination
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| 传播,宣传,传染(病毒) | |
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27
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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28
mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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29
whine
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| v.哀号，号哭；n.哀鸣 | |
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30
annex
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| vt.兼并，吞并；n.附属建筑物 | |
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31
consolidate
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| v.使加固，使加强；(把...)联为一体，合并 | |
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32
treasury
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| n.宝库；国库，金库；文库 | |
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33
embellished
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| v.美化( embellish的过去式和过去分词 )；装饰；修饰；润色 | |
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34
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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35
patriotic
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| adj.爱国的，有爱国心的 | |
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36
labors
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| v.努力争取(for)( labor的第三人称单数 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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37
prosecution
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| n.起诉，告发，检举，执行，经营 | |
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38
despatch
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| n./v.(dispatch)派遣；发送；n.急件；新闻报道 | |
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39
inflexibly
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| adv.不屈曲地，不屈地 | |
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40
harry
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| vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼 | |
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41
dallying
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| v.随随便便地对待( dally的现在分词 )；不很认真地考虑；浪费时间；调情 | |
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42
adjourns
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| （使）休会， （使）休庭( adjourn的第三人称单数 ) | |
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43
lame
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| adj.跛的，(辩解、论据等)无说服力的 | |
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44
jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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45
condescension
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| n.自以为高人一等，贬低(别人) | |
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46
bragged
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| v.自夸，吹嘘( brag的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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47
intimacy
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| n.熟悉，亲密，密切关系，亲昵的言行 | |
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48
intrigue
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| vt.激起兴趣，迷住；vi.耍阴谋；n.阴谋，密谋 | |
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49
conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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50
remonstrated
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| v.抗议( remonstrate的过去式和过去分词 )；告诫 | |
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51
hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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52
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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53
coaxed
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| v.哄，用好话劝说( coax的过去式和过去分词 )；巧言骗取；哄劝，劝诱 | |
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54
fascinations
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| n.魅力( fascination的名词复数 )；有魅力的东西；迷恋；陶醉 | |
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55
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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