A Gentleman from Mississippi. Frederick R. Toombs
you'll learn; you'll learn quickly," assured Peabody. "With
Stevens, here, for a guide you can't go wrong. We all look up to
Stevens. He's one of the powers on your side. He's an able man, is
Stevens."
The new Senator from Mississippi gladly corroborated this.
"You're right, sir. A great man! I tell you, when he told that Legislature what they ought to do, Senator Peabody, they did it. If it wasn't for Stevens I wouldn't be here now."
In mock protest the senior Senator from Mississippi raised his hands.
"Now, now, Langdon, don't say that. Your worth, your integrity, your character and our old friendship got you the senatorship."
The old planter laughed gleefully.
"Sure, Stevens, I have the character and the integrity, but I reckon the character and integrity wouldn't have done much business if you hadn't had the Legislature."
Clearly delighted, Peabody considered it certain that this new Senator knew just the way he should go and would cause no difficulty. His keen sense of gratitude made him appreciate how he had been elected. Peabody literally beamed on Langdon.
"I hope we shall be able to work a good deal together, Senator," he said. "I have the interests of the South at heart, particularly with regard to this new naval base. Perhaps we may be able to get you on the naval committee."
"Me!" laughed Langdon. "Well, that would be going strong! But I tell you I'm for the naval base."
"For Altacoola?" suggested Stevens.
Langdon hesitated. Peabody and Stevens watched him as eagles watch their prey from the mountain crag.
"Well, it looks to me like Altacoola ought to be a fine site. But the actual place isn't so important to me. I tell you, gentlemen," he said in impressive seriousness that rang with sturdy American manhood—"I tell you that what is important is that the great, sweeping curve of the gulf shall hold some of those white ships of ours to watch over the Indies and the canal and to keep an eye on South America.
"And right there on our own Southern coast I want these ships built and equipped and the guns cast and the men found to man them. I want the South to have her part in the nation's defense. I want her to have this great naval city as the living proof that there is again just one country—the United States—and the North and the South both have forgiven."
Senator Peabody clapped the new member on the back.
"Good!" he exclaimed. "You've got to make some speeches like that.
We'll have you as the orator for the naval base."
Langdon's eyes opened wide.
"Orator!" he gasped. "Me! An orator!"
"Why, that was oratory, good oratory," exclaimed Stevens, with enthusiasm.
"Huh!" grunted the planter. "You call that oratory. Why, that was only the truth."
"We'll see that you do some more of it, then," laughed Peabody.
"Remember, we count on you for the naval base."
"For rural simplicity he's perfection," whispered Peabody to Stevens as they left the planter. "He's a living picture of innocence. We'll push him forward and let him do the talking for the naval affairs committee. Hiding behind him, we could put through almost any kind of a proposition."
Once more did the senior Senator from Mississippi acquiesce.
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