Ten Years Among the Mail Bags Part 37

the allegations against Savage.

"Very well," said the const.i.tuency; "you may be sincere, but we shall investigate the matter a little."

At the allusion to investigation, Atkins winced, and endeavored to dissuade his friends from such a "needless step."

"We'll have a committee appointed to write Savage a letter, at all events, and demand an exposition of his principles," replied they. "We want to know what sort of a man we are supporting. We went for Savage before, mainly through your influence; now we're determined to make sure it's all right, before we give him a single vote."

"Nonsense, gentlemen," said Atkins; "of course it's all right! Don't go to bothering our candidate with letters. Letters are the devil in politics."

The temperance men, however, were not to be dissuaded, and a letter was written, in which the Hon. member was asked, among other things, if he was or was not "in the habit of using intoxicating liquors as a beverage, while at the seat of Government?"

In reply to this question, the gentleman of "enlightened views" wrote to the committee:--

"I frankly admit, that the consequence of the bad water at Washington, which has so deleterious an effect upon my health, when I drink it, as to render me for a large portion of the time unfit for business, I have occasionally, by the advice of my physician, resorted to ardent spirits, simply as a remedial agent.

Yet this habit has been confined _strictly_ to the Capital. Never out of Washington have I indulged in anything of the sort, even as a medicine."

This letter was received with significant nods and winks, expressive of doubts and disapprobation, by the committee; and it was sent to the "Goblet" for publication. In the mean time, however, its author had given Atkins private instructions on the subject; and the "Goblet"

declined to publish the letter.

"Gentlemen," said Atkins, when called on for an explanation, "this is an absurd affair from beginning to end. I opposed the proceeding at the outset. I consider the letter perfectly satisfactory; but my readers are tired of these things, and so am I. I must therefore be excused from having anything to do with the affair."

"You will publish the letter, however, as an advertis.e.m.e.nt?" suggested the committee.

"Not even as an advertis.e.m.e.nt!"

"Not if paid for?"

"No, not if paid for, gentlemen!" said the imperturbable Atkins.

"Very well," replied the committee, exasperated, "we know who will publish it."

They went across the way to the office of the "Freeman," the "rum paper," as it was called. Harmon, who was of the committee, knew the editor, and took him confidentially aside.

"Atkins," said he, "refuses to print this doc.u.ment; 'twill be just the thing for you, and it will spite him to see it in the Freeman."

"To tell you the truth," said he, "I'm afraid to publish it. 'Twill just suit our moderate drinkers, and I'm not so sure but it would injure _our_ candidate with that cla.s.s of men. On the whole," said he, "I think I won't print it."

Foiled in this quarter, John Harmon bethought him of the "News Courier," a neutral paper published in a neighboring town, which offered to print communications relating to the approaching campaign, provided they were written in a proper spirit, and did not compromise too much its position as a neutral journal.

The Savage letter was accordingly sent to the Courier, and promptly appeared in its columns. But the editor, desiring to keep both scales of the balance as nearly in equilibrium as possible, inserted in the same number of his paper a very profound, scientific treatise, signed "Filter," giving an a.n.a.lysis of the Washington water, showing that its chemical properties were identical with those of the member's own well at home! and strongly questioning the utility of mixing whiskey with it at all, and more especially such whiskey as is too often sold at the seat of Government!

The result was decisive. The Goblet lost popularity and patronage; Atkins lost influence and money; and Savage lost the election. On the other hand, the News Courier gained the favor and support of the temperance people, by its "bold and manly course" in exposing the rottenness of Savage's principles. John Harmon was triumphant; and one of the very leaders of the temperance cause was sent to Congress.

The new member was no other than Judge Ames, the "reliable" man, himself! Reader, be not surprised! Political life is fertile in such unexpected events. The Judge had gained popularity by coming out strongly for the Maine law. The old party to which he belonged had endorsed his nomination, John Harmon electioneered for him, and lent his horse and wagon to bring invalids, old men, and indifferent voters to the polls, on election day; and the Judge was returned by an overwhelming majority.

Then the old question of post master was again revived, and the whole ground gone over again; the contest becoming more personal and desperate than before, and the files of the Department teeming with all sorts of exaggerated pet.i.tions and violent remonstrances. The appointing power was made the victim of every kind of imposition and abuse.

In the mean while the new member exercised that better part of valor, called discretion. Popularity rendered him good-natured and conservative; and he lost no time in effecting a reconciliation with the Post Master General, of whom he had so rashly complained. Already, on the other hand he had written to his const.i.tuents describing the embarra.s.sment of his situation, and requesting as a particular favor that he might for a brief period at least be excused from any personal interference with the post-office quarrel.

This unexpected communication somewhat disappointed the enemies of Blake; John Harmon, in particular, was highly exasperated, having previously obtained a promise from Ames that, in case of his election, he would use his influence to have Blake removed.

The antagonistic parties were accordingly left to settle their difficulties as best they could. The battle raged furiously. Fresh pet.i.tions, remonstrances, affidavits, and accusations were volleyed at the Department; and at length a special bearer of dispatches was delegated to Washington, to support the charges against Blake, and demand of the Post Master General his reasons for declining immediate action in so plain a case.

Now, the person selected for this important mission was no other than our old acquaintance, Mr. John Harmon. He was intrusted with the business for several excellent reasons. In the first place, he was a ready and vehement talker. Secondly, he was an enthusiast on the post-office question, and a bitter opponent of the Blake faction.

Thirdly, he understood human nature, and knew how to manage Ames.

Fourthly, and chiefly, he was the author of the most serious charge against Blake. He had a short time before posted a letter containing a twenty dollar bank-note, at the Harrowfork post-office. This letter never reached its destination. Now, Blake knew there was money in that letter; and it could be proved that, not long after its miscarriage, just such a bank-note as the one contained was pa.s.sed by the post master, "under suspicious circ.u.mstances."

This charge was on file among the papers of the Department; and it was thought that Harmon was the most suitable person to agitate the subject.

Mr. John Harmon made a comfortable journey, and arrived at the seat of Government in due season. His first business was to secure lodgings suited to the high character of a delegate from Harrowfork. But Washington was crowded with visitors, and the hotels were filled. Mr.

John Harmon was chagrined. He leaned his chin upon his hand, and his elbow upon the counter of the "National." Mr. John Harmon ruminated.

"I don't see but what me'n' you'll hef to go halves, and turn in together," said a voice at his other elbow.

Mr. John Harmon looked up. A stranger, of tall figure, prominent cheek-bones, sallow complexion, dressed in a very new and very stiff suit of clothes, smiled upon him in a decidedly friendly manner.

"There's jest one room, the landlord says'st we can hav' on a pinch,"

confined the speaker. "It's up pooty high, and an't a very sizable room, at that. I've got the furst offer on't, but I won't mind makin'

a team'th you, if you're a mind to hitch on, and make the best on't.

What d'ye say?"

Mr. John Harmon said he supposed he would accept his new friend's proposal. But at the same time he hinted to the clerk at the desk that he was from the Hon. Mr. Ames' District.

"If you were the President, himself, we could not do any better by you, under the circ.u.mstances," said the clerk.

This a.s.surance served to soothe John Harmon's injured feelings, and he retired to the room in the top of the house, with his new acquaintance.

"Come down on Gov'ment business, I s'pose likely?" suggested the latter.

"Yes," replied John Harmon, "on post-office business."

"I want to know! Glad we fell in," cried the stranger. "I came down on some sich business myself."

"Indeed!" said John Harmon. "You are going to call on the Post Master General, then?"

"Shouldn't be 'tall surprised," remarked the other, rolling up his sleeves over the wash-bowl. "Can't tell exac'ly, though. I wanted to see what was goin' on down here, and git a sight of the big bugs, and hear a little spoutin' in Congress; so I told our folks to hum--says I, I b'lieve I'll scooter off down to Washin'ton, says I, and take a peep into the Dead Letter Office, and see if I can find hide or hair o' that 'ere hundred dollar letter, says I."

"Have you lost a letter containing a hundred dollars?" inquired John Harmon, interested.

The stranger said "'twas jes' so," and went on to relate the circ.u.mstances. He also incidentally stated that his name was Forrester Wilc.o.x; that he owned a farm somewhere "down East," comprising over two hundred acres of land, and one hundred and fifty under cultivation; that he had been a member of the Maine legislature, and held the office of "deputy sheriff" in his county. This account of himself impressed John Harmon favorably; and in return for the confidence, he talked Mr. Forrester Wilc.o.x to sleep that night, on the subject of the Harrowfork post-office.

On the following morning, our friends concluded to pay an early visit to the Post-Office Department. They were now on excellent terms with each other; and on arriving at the Department, John Harmon readily accepted an invitation from Forrester Wilc.o.x to accompany him to the Dead Letter Office, before endangering the digestion of his breakfast, by entering upon the perplexing Harrowfork business. Accordingly, as they entered the building, Mr. Wilc.o.x hailed a messenger.

"Look here! you!" said he, "where abouts does a chap go to find the Dead Letters?"

"This way," replied the polite messenger.

The visitors were shown to the left, through the lower main hall of the Department; then turning into another pa.s.sage, the messenger pointed out the last door on the right, as the one they were in search of.