Chapter 42
chapter forty two of ebon holden this librivox recording is in the public domain recording by roger mleene ebon holden a tale of the north country by irving batchelor chapter forty two for every man he knew and loved mr greeley had a kindness that filled him to the finger-tips when i returned he smote me on the breast an unfailing mark of his favor and doubled my salary if he ever smites you on the breast mcclingan had once said to me turn the other side for man your fortune is made and there was some truth in the warning he was writing when i came in a woman sat beside him talking an immense ham lay on the marble top of the steam radiator a basket of eggs sat on the floor near mr greeley's desk all sorts of merchandise were sent to the tribune those days for notice and sold at auction to members of the staff by mr dana yes yes madame go on i hear you said the great editor as his pen flew across the white page she asked him then for a loan of money
he continued writing but presently his left hand dove into his trousers pocket coming up full of bills take what you want said he holding it toward her and please go for i am very busy whereupon she helped herself liberally and went away seeing me mr greeley came and shook my hand warmly and praised me for a good soldier going down town he said in a moment drawing on his big white overcoat walk along with me won't you we crossed the park he leading me with long strides as we walked he told how he had been suffering from brain fever passing st paul's churchyard he brushed the iron pickets with his hand as if to try the feel of them many turned to stare at him curiously he asked me soon if i would care to do a certain thing for the tribune stopping to looking at a shop window as i answered him i waited while he did his errand at a broadway shop then we came back to the office the publisher was in mr greeley's room where's my ham dave said the editor as he looked at the slab of marble where the ham had lain don't know for sure said the publisher it's probably up at the house of the editor by this time
what'd you go an give it to him for drawled mr greeley in a tone of irreparable injury i wanted that ham for myself i didn't give it to him said the publisher he came an helped himself said he supposed it was sent in for notice the infernal thief mr greeley piped with a violent gesture i'll swear if i didn't keep my shirt buttoned tight they'd have that too the ham was a serious obstacle in the way of my business and it went over until evening but that and like incidents made me to know the man as i have never seen him pictured a boy grown old and gray pushing the power of manhood with the ardors of youth i resumed work on the tribune that week my first assignment was a mass meeting in a big temporary structure then called a wigwam over in brooklyn my political life began that day and all by an odd chance the wigwam was crowded to the doors the audience had been waiting half an hour for the speaker the chairman had been doing his best to kill time but had run out of ammunition he had sat down to wait an awkward silence had begun the crowd was stamping and whistling and clapping with impatience
as i walked down the centre aisle to the reporters table they seemed to mistake me for the speaker instantly a great uproar began it grew louder every step i took i began to wonder and then to fear the truth as i neared the stage the chairman came forward beckoning to me i went to the flight of steps leading up to that higher level of distinguished citizens and halted not knowing just what to do he came and leaned over and whispered down at me i remember he was red in the face and damp with perspiration what is your name he inquired brower said i in a whisper a look of relief came into his face and i am sure a look of anxiety came into mind he had taken the centre of the stage before i could stop him ladies and gentlemen said he i am glad to inform you that general brower has at last arrived i remembered then there was a general brower in the army who was also a power in politics
in the storm of applause that followed this announcement i beckoned him to the edge of the platform again i was nearer a condition of mental panic than i have ever known since that day i am not general brower i whispered what said he in amazement i am not general brower i said great heavens he whispered covering his mouth with his hand and looking very thoughtful you'll have to make a speech anyway there's no escape i could see no way out of it and after a moment's hesitation ascended the platform took off my overcoat and made a speech fortunately the issue was one with which i had been long familiar i told them how i had been trapped the story put the audience in good humor and they helped me along with very generous applause and so began my career in politics which has brought me more honor than i deserved although i know it has not been wholly without value to my country it enabled me to repay in part the kindness of my former chief at a time when he was sadly in need of friends i remember meeting him in washington a day of that exciting campaign of seventy-two i was then in congress
i thank you for what you have done brower said he but i tell you i am licked i shall not carry a single state i am going to be slaughtered he had read his fate and better than he knew in politics he was a great prophet chapter forty two recording by roger
