第35章 THE DUPLICITY OF HARGRAVES(2)

The fox hunts, the 'possum suppers, the hoe downs and jubilees in the Negro quarters, the banquets in the plantation-house hall, when invitations went for fifty miles around; the occasional feuds with the neighbouring gentry; the major's duel with Rathbone Culbertson about Kitty Chalmers, who afterward married a Thwaite of South Carolina; and private yacht races for fabulous sums on Mobile Bay; the quaint beliefs, improvident habits, and loyal virtues of the old slaves -- all these were subjects that held both the major and Hargraves absorbed for hours at a time.

Sometimes, at night, when the young man would be coming upstairs to his room after his turn at the theatre was over, the major would appear at the door of his study and beckon archly to him.Going in, Hargraves would find a little table set with a decanter, sugar bowl, fruit, and a big bunch of fresh green mint.

"It occurred to me," the major would begin -- he was always ceremonious --"that perhaps you might have found your duties at the -- at your place of occupation -- sufficiently arduous to enable you, Mr.Hargraves, to appreciate what the poet might well have had in his mind when he wrote, 'tired Nature's sweet restorer,' -- one of our Southern juleps."It was a fascination to Hargraves to watch him make it.He took rank among artists when he began, and he never varied the process.With what delicacy he bruised the mint; with what exquisite nicety he estimated the ingredients; with what solicitous care he capped the compound with the scarlet fruit glowing against the dark green fringe! And then the hospitality and grace with which he offered it, after the selected oat straws had been plunged into its tinkling depths!

After about four months in Washington, Miss Lydia discovered one morning that they were almost without money.The "Anecdotes and Reminiscences"was completed, but publishers had not jumped at the collected gems of Alabama sense and wit.The rental of a small house which they still owned in Mobile was two months in arrears.Their board money for the month would be due in three days.Miss Lydia called her father to a consultation.

"No money?" said he with a surprised look."It is quite annoying to be called on so frequently for these petty sums.Really, I --"The major searched his pockets.He found only a two-dollar bill, which he returned to his vest pocket.

"I must attend to this at once, Lydia," he said."Kindly get me my umbrella and I will go down town immediately.The congressman from our district, General Fulghum, assured me some days ago that he would use his influence to get my book published at an early date.I will go to his hotel at once and see what arrangement has been made."With a sad little smile Miss Lydia watched him button his "Father Hubbard"and depart, pausing at the door, as he always did, to bow profoundly.

That evening, at dark, he returned.It seemed that Congressman Fulghum had seen the publisher who had the major's manuscript for reading.That person had said that if the anecdotes, etc., were carefully pruned down about one half, in order to eliminate the sectional and class prejudice with which the book was dyed from end to end, he might consider its publication.

The major was in a white heat of anger, but regained his equanimity, according to his code of manners, as soon as he was in Miss Lydia's presence.

"We must have money," said Miss Lydia, with a little wrinkle above her nose."Give me the two dollars, and I will telegraph to Uncle Ralph for some to-night."The major drew a small envelope from his upper vest pocket and tossed it on the table.

"Perhaps it was injudicious," he said mildly, "but the sum was so merely nominal that I bought tickets to the theatre to-night.It's a new war drama, Lydia.I thought you would be pleased to witness its first production in Washington.I am told that the South has very fair treatment in the play.I confess I should like to see the performance myself."Miss Lydia threw up her hands in silent despair.

Still, as the tickets were bought, they might as well be used.So that evening, as they sat in the theatre listening to the lively overture, even Miss Lydia was minded to relegate their troubles, for the hour, to second place.The major, in spotless linen, with his extraordinary coat showing only where it was closely buttoned, and his white hair smoothly roached, looked really fine and distinguished.The curtain went up on the first act of "A Magnolia Flower," revealing a typical Southern plantation scen e.Major Talbot betrayed some interest.

"Oh, see!" exclaimed Miss Lydia, nudging his arm, and pointing to her programme.

The major put on his glasses and read the line in the cast of characters that her finger indicated.

Col.Webster Calhoun...H.Hopkins Hargraves.

"It's our Mr.Hargraves," said Miss Lydia."It must be his first appearance in what he calls 'the legitimate.' I'm so glad for him."Not until the second act did Col.Webster Calhoun appear upon the stage.