Chapter IX.

When William We therell and Cynthia had reached the last turn in the road in Northcutt's woods, quarter of a mile from Coniston, they met the nasal Mr. Samuel Price driving silently in the other direction. The word"silently"is used deliberately, because to Mr. Price appertained a certain ghostlike quality of flitting, and to Mr. Price's horse and wagon likewise. He drew up for a brief moment when he saw We therell.

"Wouldn't hurry back if I was you, Will."

"Why not?"

Mr. Price leaned out of the wagon.

"Bije has come over from Clovelly to spy around a little mite."

It was evident from Mr. Price's manner that he regarded the storekeeper as a member of the reform party.

"What did he say, Daddy?"asked Cynthia, as We therell stood staring after the flitting buggy in bewilderment.

"I haven't the faintest idea, Cynthia,"answered her father, and they walked on.

"Don't you know who'Bije'is?

"No,"said her father,"and I don't care."

It was almost criminal ignorance for a man who lived in that part of the country not to know Bijah Bixby of Clovelly, who was paying a little social visit to Coniston that day on his way home from the state capital,—tending, as it were, Jethro's flock. Still, We therell must be excused because he was an impractical literary man with troubles of his own. But how shall we chronicle Bijah's rank and precedence in the Jethro army, in which there are neither shoulder-straps nor annual registers? To designate him as the Chamberlain of that hill Rajah, the Honorable Heth Sutton, would not be far out of the way. The Honorable Heth, whom we all know and whom we shall see presently, is the man of substance and of broad acres in Clovelly: Bijah merely owns certain mortgages in that town, but he had created the Honorable Heth (politically) as surely as certain prime ministers we could name have created their sovereigns. The Honorable Heth was Bijah's creation, and a grand creation he was, as no one will doubt when they see him.

Bijah—as he will not hesitate to tell you—took Heth down in his pocket to the Legislature, and has more than once delivered him, in certain blocks of five and ten, and four and twenty, for certain considerations. The ancient Song of Sixpence applies to Bijah, but his pocket was generally full of proxies instead of rye, and the Honorable Heth was frequently one of the four and twenty blackbirds. In short, Bijah was the working bee, and the Honorable Heth the ornamental drone.

I do not know why I have dwelt so long on such a minor character as Bijah, except that the man fascinates me. Of all the lieutenants in the state, his manners bore the closest resemblance to those of Jethro Bass. When he walked behind Jethro in the corridors of the Pelican, kicking up his heels behind, he might have been taken for Jethro's shadow. He was of a good height and size, smooth-shaven, with little eyes that kindled, and his mouth moved not at all when he spoke: unlike Jethro, he"used"tobacco.

When Bijah had driven into Coniston village and hitched his wagon to the rail, he went direct to the store. Chester Perkins and others were watching him with various emotions from the stoop, and Bijah took a seat in the midst of them, characteristically engaging in conversation without the usual conventional forms of greeting, as if he had been there all day.

"H-how much did you git for your wool, Chester—h-how much?"

"Guess you hain't here to talk about wool, Bije,"said Chester, red with anger.

"Kind of neglectin'the farm lately, I hear,"observed Bijah.

"Jethro Bass sent you up to find out how much I was neglectin'it,"retorted Chester, throwing all caution to the winds.

"Thinkin'of upsettin'Jethro, be you? Thinkin'of upsettin'Jethro?"remarked Bije, in a genial tone.

"Folks in Clovelly hain't got nothin'to do with it, if I am,"said

Chester.

"Leetle early for campaignin', Chester, leetle early."

"We do our campaignin'when we're a mind to."

Bijah looked around.

"We ll, that's funny. I could have took oath I seed Rias Richardson here."

The re was a deep silence.

"And Sam Price,"continued Bijah, in pretended astonishment,"wahn't he settin'on the edge of the stoop when I drove up?"

Another silence, broken only by the enraged breathing of Chester, who was unable to retort. Moses Hatch laughed. The discreet departure of these gentlemen certainly had its comical side.

"Rias as indoostrious as ever, Mose?"inquired Bijah.

"He has his busy times,"said Mose, grinning broadly.

"See you've got the boys with their backs up, Chester,"said Bijah.

"Some of us are sick of tyranny,"cried Chester;"you kin tell that to Jethro Bass when you go back, if he's got time to listen to you buyin'and sellin'out of railroads."

"Hear Jethro's got the Grand Gulf Road in his pocket to do as he's a mind to with,"said Moses, with a view to drawing Bijah out. But the remark had exactly the opposite effect, Bijah screwing up his face into an expression of extraordinary secrecy and cunning.

"How much did you git out of it, Bije?"demanded Chester.

"Hain't looked through my clothes yet,"said Bijah, his face screwed up tighter than ever."N-never look through my clothes till I git home, Chester, it hain't safe."

It has become painfully evident that Mr. Bixby is that rare type of man who can sit down under the enemy's ramparts and smoke him out. It was a rule of Jethro's code either to make an effective departure or else to remain and compel the other man to make an ineffective departure. Lem Hallowell might have coped with him; but the stage was late, and after some scratching of heads and delving for effectual banter (through which Mr. Bixby sat genial and unconcerned), Chester's followers took their leave, each choosing his own pretext.

In the meantime William We therell had entered the store by the back door—unperceived, as he hoped. He had a vehement desire to be left in peace, and to avoid politics and political discussions forever—vain desire for the storekeeper of Coniston. Mr. We therell entered the store, and to take his mind from his troubles, he picked up a copy of Byron: gradually the conversation on the stoop died away, and just as he was beginning to congratulate himself and enjoy the book, he had an unpleasant sensation of some one approaching him measuredly. We therell did not move; indeed, he felt that he could not—he was as though charmed to the spot. He could have cried aloud, but the store was empty, and there was no one to hear him. Mr. Bixby did not speak until he was within a foot of his victim's ear. His voice was very nasal, too.

"We therell, hain't it?"

The victim nodded helplessly.

"Want to see you a minute."

"What is it?"

"Where can we talk private?"asked Mr. Bixby, looking around.

"The re's no one here,"We therell answered."What do you wish to say?"

"If the boys was to see me speakin'to you, they might git suspicious—you understand,"he confided, his manner conveying a hint that they shared some common policy.

"I don't meddle with politics,"said We therell, desperately.

"Exactly!"answered Bijah, coming even closer."I knowed you was a level-headed man, moment I set eyes on you. Made up my mind I'd have a little talk in private with you—you understand. The boys hain't got no reason to suspicion you care anything about politics, have they?"

"None whatever."

"You don't pay no attention to what they say?"

"None."

You hear it?"

"Sometimes I can't help it."

"Ex'actly! You hear it."

"I told you I couldn't help it."

"Want you should vote right when the time comes,"said Bijah."D-don't want to see such an intelligent man go wrong an'be sorry for it—you understand. Chester Perkins is hare-brained. Jethro Bass runs things in this state."

"Mr. Bixby—"

"You understand,"said Bijah, screwing up his face."Guess your watch is a-comin'out."He tucked it back caressingly, and started for the door—the back door. Involuntarily We therell put his hand to his pocket, felt something crackle under it, and drew the something out. To his amazement it was a ten-dollar bill.

"Here!"he cried so sharply in his fright that Mr. Bixby, turned around.

We therell ran after him."Take this back!"

"Guess you got me,"said Bijah."W-what is it?"

"This money is yours,"cried We therell, so loudly that Bijah started and glanced at the front of the store.

"Guess you made some mistake,"he said, staring at the storekeeper with such amazing innocence that he began to doubt his senses, and clutched the bill to see if it was real.

"But I had no money in my pocket,"said We therell, perplexedly. And then, gaining, indignation,"Take this to the man who sent you, and give it back to him."

But Bijah merely whispered caressingly in his ear,"Nobody sent me,—you understand,—nobody sent me,"and was gone. We therell stood for a moment, dazed by the man's audacity, and then, hurrying to the front stoop, the money still in his hand, he perceived Mr. Bixby in the sunlit road walking, Jethro-fashion, toward Ephraim Prescott's harness shop.

"Why, Daddy,"said Cynthia, coming in from the garden,"where did you get all that money? Your troubles must feel better."

"It is not mine,"said We therell, starting. And then, quivering with anger and mortification, he sank down on the stoop to debate what he should do.

"Is it somebody else's?"asked the child, presently.

"Yes."

"Then why don't you give it back to them, Daddy?"

How was We therell to know, in his fright, that Mr. Bixby had for once indulged in an overabundance of zeal in Jethro's behalf? He went to the door, laughter came to him across the green from the harness shop, and his eye following the sound, fastened on Bijah seated comfortably in the midst of the group there. Bitterly the storekeeper comprehended that, had he possessed courage, he would have marched straight after Mr. Bixby and confronted him before them all with the charge of bribery. The blood throbbed in his temples, and yet he sat there, trembling, despising himself, repeating that he might have had the courage if Jethro Bass had not bought the mortgage. The fear of the man had entered the storekeeper's soul.

"Does it belong to that man over there?"asked Cynthia.

"Yes."

"I'll take it to him, Daddy,"and she held out her hand.

"Not now,"We therell answered nervously, glancing at the group. He went into the store, addressed an envelope to"Mr. Bijah Bixby of Clovelly,"and gave it to Cynthia."When he comes back for his wagon, hand it to him,"he said, feeling that he would rather, at that moment, face the devil himself than Mr. Bixby.

Half an hour later, Cynthia gave Mr. Bixby the envelope as he unhitched his horse; and so deftly did Bijah slip it into his pocket, that he must certainly have misjudged its contents. None of the loungers at Ephraim's remarked the transaction.

If Jethro had indeed instructed Bijah to look after his flock at Coniston, it was an ill-conditioned move, and some of the flock resented it when they were quite sure that Bijah was climbing the notch road toward Clovelly. The discussion (from which the storekeeper was providentially omitted) was in full swing when the stage arrived, and Lem Hallowell's voice silenced the uproar. It was Lem's boast that he never had been and never would be a politician.

"Why don't you folks quit railin'against Jethro and do somethin'?"he said."Bije turns up here, and you all scatter like a flock of crows. I'm tired of makin'complaints about that Brampton road, and to-day the hull side of it give way, and put me in the ditch. Sure as the sun rises to-morrow, I'm goin'to make trouble for Jethro."

"What be you a-goin'to do, Lem?"

"Indict the town,"replied Lem, vigorously."Who is the town? Jethro, hain't he? Who has charge of the highways? Jethro Bass, Chairman of the Selectmen. I've spoke to him, time and agin, about that piece, and he hain't done nothin'. To-night I go to Harwich and git the court to app'int an Agent to repair that road, and the town'll hev to pay the bill."

The boldness of Lem's intention for the moment took away their breaths, and then the awe-stricken hush which followed his declaration was broken by the sound of Chester's fist hammering on the counter.

"That's the sperrit,"he cried;"I'll go along with you, Lem."

"No, you won't,"said Lem,"you'll stay right whar you be."

"Chester wants to git credit for the move,"suggested Sam Price, slyly.

"It's a lie, Sam Price,"shouted Chester."What made you sneak off when

Bije Bixby come?"

"Didn't sneak off,"retorted Sam, indignantly, through his nose;"forgot them eggs I left to home."

"Sam,"said Lem, with a wink at Moses Hatch,"you hitch up your hoss and fetch me over to Harwich to git that indictment. Might git a chance to see that lady."

"Wal, now, I wish I could, Lem, but my hoss is stun lame."

The re was a roar of laughter, during which Sam tried to look unconcerned.

"Mebbe Rias'll take me over,"said Lem, soberly."You hitch up, Rias?"

"He's gone,"said Joe Northcutt,"slid out the door when you was speakin'to Sam."

"Hain't none of you folks got spunk enough to carry me over to see the jedge?"demanded Lem;"my horses ain't fit to travel to-night."Another silence followed, and Lem laughed contemptuously but good-naturedly, and turned on his heel."Guess I'll walk, then,"he said.

"You kin have my white hoss, Lem,"said Moses Hatch.

"All right,"said Lem;"I'll come round and hitch up soon's I git my supper."

An hour later, when Cynthia and her father and Millicent Skinner—who condescended to assist in the work and cooking of Mr. We therell's household—were seated at supper in the little kitchen behind the store, the head and shoulders of the stage-driver were thrust in at the window, his face shining from its evening application of soap and water. He was making eyes at Cynthia.

"Want to go to Harwich, Will?"he asked.

William set his cup down quickly.

"You hain't afeard, be you?"he continued."Most folks that hasn't went

We st or died is afeard of Jethro Bass."

"Daddy isn't afraid of him, and I'm not,"said Cynthia.

"That's right, Cynthy,"said Lem, leaning over and giving a tug to the pigtail that hung down her back;"there hain't nothin'to be afeard of."

"I like him,"said Cynthia;"he's very good to me."

"You stick to him, Cynthy,"said the stage driver.

"Ready, Will?"

It may readily be surmised that Mr. We therell did not particularly wish to make this excursion, the avowed object of which was to get Mr. Bass into trouble. But he went, and presently he found himself jogging along on the mountain road to Harwich. From the crest of Town's End ridge they looked upon the western peaks tossing beneath a golden sky. The spell of the evening's beauty seemed to have fallen on them both, and for a long time Lem spoke not a word, and nodded smilingly but absently to the greetings that came from the farm doorways.

"Will,"he said at last,"you acted sensible. The re's no mite of use of your gettin'mixed up in politics. You're too good for'em."

"Too good!"exclaimed the storekeeper.

"You're eddicated,"Lem replied, with a tactful attempt to cover up a deficiency;"you're a gentleman, ef you do keep store."

Lemuel apparently thought that gentlemen and politics were contradictions. He began to whistle, while We therell sat and wondered that any one could be so care-free on such a mission. The day faded, and went out, and the lights of Harwich twinkled in the valley. We therell was almost tempted to mention his trouble to this man, as he had been to Ephraim: the fear that each might think he wished to borrow money held him back.

"Jethro's all right,"Lem remarked,"but if he neglects the road, he's got to stand for it, same's any other. I writ him twice to the capital, and give him fair warning afore he went. He knows I hain't doin'of it for politics. I've often thought,"Lem continued,"that ef some smart, good woman could have got hold of him when he was young, it would have made a big difference. What's the matter?"