A Gentleman from Mississippi. Frederick R. Toombs
been strolling about the lobby, hoping to be noticed. The flame had lured the moth, and it liked the manner of the singeing. The Congressman hurried precipitately across at Stevens' summons.
"I've been wanting to speak to you, gentlemen," said Norton, full of the good trick he had turned, "but I didn't like to interrupt you. I think I've done a big stroke for Altacoola to-day."
Even Peabody pricked up his ears.
"Yes?" said both Senators together.
With a keen sense of the dramatic, the Congressman let his next words drawl out with full effect.
"I've got Senator Langdon interested—financially interested," he said.
His two hearers exchanged a significant glance.
"How?" asked Peabody, sharply.
Norton smiled shrewdly.
"Well, I just let his son invest $50,000 of the Senator's money in
Altacoola land. That ought to help some."
Stevens stared in amazement at his Congressman, his eyes threatening to bulge out of his head.
"What!" he gasped. "You got Langdon's money in Altacoola, through his son?"
"I sure have, Senator," chuckled Norton. "He's in to the extent of fifty thousand, and I've promised that the fifty shall make a hundred by spring."
"It'll make three hundred thousand at least," snapped Peabody. "Norton, you've done a good day's work. By the way, a New York client of mine has a little business that I cannot attend to handily. Doesn't involve much work, and a young, hustling lawyer like you ought to take charge of it easily. The fee, I should say, would be about $10,000. Have you the time to undertake it?"
The Congressman drew a long breath. His eyes beamed with gratitude.
"I should say I have, Senator. Of course, it won't interfere with any of my duties as a Congressman."
Peabody smiled.
"Of course not, Norton. I see that your sense of humor is improving. If convenient, run over to New York the last of the week. I'll give you a card. My client's office is at 10 Broadway."
The ruler of the Senate nodded a curt dismissal.
"Thank you, Senator; thank you very much." And Norton bowed and left, rejoicing.
Peabody turned to Stevens.
"You see, even a Congressman can be useful sometimes," remarked
Stevens, dryly.
"Keep your eye on that young man, Stevens. He's the most valuable Congressman we've had from your State in a long while. Does just what he is told and doesn't ask any fool questions. This was good work. Langdon's on the naval committee now sure. Come, Stevens; let's go to some quiet corner in the smoking-room. I want to talk to you about something else the Standard has on hand for you to do."
Hardly had they departed from the lobby when resounding commotion at the entrance, followed by the rushing of porters and bellboys and an expectant pose on the part of the clerk, indicated that the new Senator from Mississippi had arrived.
CHAPTER V
THE BOSS OF THE SENATE INSPECTS A NEW MEMBER
An actor playing the rôle of a high type of Southern planter would score a decided success by picturing the character exactly after the fashion of Senator William H. Langdon as he strode to the desk of the International Hotel. A wide-brimmed black hat thrust back on his head, a long black perfecto in his mouth, coattails spreading out behind as he walked, and the "Big Bill" Langdon smile on his face that carried sunshine and good will wherever he went, he was good to look on, an inspiration, particularly in Washington.
Following the Senator were Miss Langdon and Hope Georgia, leading a retinue of hotel attendants staggering under a large assortment of luggage. Both beautiful girls, they caused a sensation all of their own. Carolina, a different type from the younger, had an austere loveliness denoting pride and birth, a brunette of the quality that has contributed so much to the fame of Southern women. Hope Georgia, more girlish, and a vivacious blonde, was the especial pet of her father, and usually succeeded in doing with him what she chose.
A real Senator and two such young women handsomely gowned seemed to take the old hotel back a score of years—back to the times when such sights were of daily occurrence. The ancient greatness of the now dingy International lived again.
"How are you, Senator? Glad to welcome you, sir," was the clerk's greeting.
The genial Senator held out his hand. Everybody was his friend.
"Glad to meet you, sir; glad to meet you," he exclaimed. "Must make you acquainted with my daughters. This is Miss Carolina Langdon, this Miss Hope Georgia Langdon."
The two girls, with their father's idea of courtesy, shook hands with the clerk, who was not at all taken aback by the unexpected honor.
Hope Georgia was thoroughly delighted with everything, but Carolina looked at the worn and faded walls and furnishings with evident distaste.
"Oh, this is Washington," murmured Hope Georgia ecstatically, clasping her hands and gazing at a vista of artificial palms in a corridor.
"Ah, this is Washington," sighed the new Senator contentedly, as he gazed across a hall at the biggest and most gorgeous cigar stand he had ever seen or ever hoped to see—the only new thing added to the hotel since Grant was President.
"Truly magnificent establishment you have here, sir; magnificent!" he exclaimed as an imitation marble column came within his purview. "I remember my friend Senator Moseley speaking to me of it thirty years ago. Are our rooms ready?"
The clerk, hugely pleased, hastened to assure him that everything was in first-class order, waiting.
"You better go up, girls, while I look around a bit and sort of get the hang of things."
"Yes, I think we had better look around a bit, too, before we decide, father," said Carolina, diplomatically.
Her father patted her affectionately on the arm.
"Now, don't you worry, Carolina. I see you think this place too expensive from its looks—too good for us. But I tell you the best, even this, isn't too good for you girls and your dad. Run away, and I'll come up and see you soon."
The new Senator leaned his elbow on the desk, surveying the place.
"I understand this is a favorite haunt for the big men of Washington," he said.
The clerk eagerly agreed.
"Yes, indeed, Senator; we have them all. Senator Peabody and Senator
Stevens were here just a moment ago. Boy, find Senator Peabody and
Senator Stevens and tell them Senator Langdon is here."
The two Senators came quickly.
"I'm glad to see you, Langdon; glad to see you," exclaimed Stevens, with an assumption of effusiveness. "I want to introduce you to Senator Peabody of Pennsylvania."
Peabody bowed, and Langdon held out his hand.
"I'm delighted to meet you, Senator. This is a proud day for me, sir."
Peabody had put on his smoothest and most polished manner.
"I came especially to meet you, Senator Langdon," he said. "Although we are on different sides we may be interested in the same things. I hope we shall see a great deal of each other."
Langdon chuckled.
"That's mighty good of you, Senator. I'm depending on you experienced fellows