Book: The Further Adventures of Quincy Adams Sawyer and Mason\'s Corner Folks

C >> Charles Felton Pidgin >> The Further Adventures of Quincy Adams Sawyer and Mason\'s Corner Folks



Produced by Charles Franks




[Illustration: "HE LOOKED UP, SUDDENLY, AND SAW A PRETTY GIRL,
DRESSED IN PICTURESQUE ITALIAN COSTUME."]




THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF QUINCY ADAMS SAWYER AND MASON'S CORNER
FOLKS


A Novel By Charles Felton Pidgin Author of "Quincy Adams Sawyer,"
"Blennerhassett," "Stephen Holton," etc.




Illustrated by Henry Roth [Illustration]




1909




To My Daughter Dora




Preface

Eight years ago, "Quincy Adams Sawyer and Mason's Corner Folks" was
published, being heralded, truthfully, as the work of an "unknown
author." It met with favour from reviewers and the reading public. My
pleasantest souvenirs are hundreds of letters, from personally
unknown correspondents, wishing to know more about "Quincy" and the
other characters in my first story.

I know that few, if any, "sequels" are considered as interesting as
the original work, and an author, to a certain extent, tempts fate in
writing one. But if we visit friends and have a pleasant time there
seems to be no reason why another invitation should not be accepted.
So, if a book pleases its readers, and the characters therein become
their friends, why should not these readers be invited to renew their
acquaintance?

They may not enjoy themselves as much as at their first visit, but
that is the unavoidable result of repetition. The human mind craves
novelty, and, perhaps, the reader will find it, after all, within
these pages.

C. F. P.

WIDEVIEW FARM, BELMONT, MASS. August, 1908.




CONTENTS

PREFACE

I. THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH
II. A DAY WITH THE GOVERNOR
III. A VACATION AT FERNBOROUGH
IV. THE HAWKINS HOUSE
V. 'ZEKE PETTINGILL'S FARM
VI. "JUST LIKE OLD TIMES"
VII. STROUT AND MAXWELL'S GROCERY
VIII. UNCLE IKE AND OTHERS
IX. A "STORY" SERMON
X. THE RAISED CHECK
XL. THE WRECK OF THE _ALTONIA_
XII. FERNBOROUGH HALL
XIII. "HORNABY HOOK"
XIV. AN AMERICAN HEIRESS
XV. AN ELOPEMENT
XVI. YOUNG QUINCY
XVII. HIS FATHER'S FRIENDS
XVIII. AN OLD STRIFE RENEWED
XIX. BOYHOOD TO MANHOOD
XX. MARY DANA
XXI. AT HARVARD
XXII. ALICE'S DREAM
XXIII. "BY THE BEAUTIFUL BLUE DANUBE"
XXIV. "WE THREE"
XXV. A PERIOD OF TWENTY-THREE YEARS
XXVI. "CATESSA"
XXVII. O. STROUT. FINE GROCIERIES
XXVIII. THE HOME COMING
XXIX. THE FINAL CONFLICT
XXX. TOM, JACK AND NED
XXXI. THE GREAT ISBURN RUBY
XXXII. "IT WAS SO SUDDEN"




The Further Adventures of Quincy Adams Sawyer and Mason's Corner
Folks




CHAPTER I

THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH


When the applause had subsided, Governor Sawyer began to speak.

"My Friends and Fellow Citizens: When I stood before the
representatives chosen by the people, and an audience composed of the
most eminent men and women in the State, and took the oath to support
the constitution of my native State and that of my country, my heart
was filled with what I deemed an honest pride. My fellow citizens had
chosen me to fill the most exalted position in their power to bestow,
and when the Secretary of the Commonwealth uttered the well-known
words which your toastmaster has just repeated--God save the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts--I felt in every fibre of my body that
I would be true to my oath and to the people who had shown their
confidence in me.

"But the satisfaction I felt on that occasion was no greater than
that which I experience to-night. I came among you entirely unknown.
I have heard that some wondered whether I was a city swell, what my
business was, what led me to choose your town for a vacation, and how
long that vacation was to be, especially as I came in the winter when
country life is popularly, but erroneously, supposed to be dull.

"By some I was welcomed,--others--I don't blame them--refused to
extend to me the hand of fellowship. But, I liked some of your people
so well--and one in particular"--all eyes were turned towards his
wife, who bore the scrutiny bravely--"that I determined to stay--and
I did."

Hiram Maxwell could not forget past events in which he had figured
prominently and cried, "Three cheers for Quincy Adams Sawyer," which
were given with a will, and accompanied by many expressions of
approval in the shape of clapping of hands, pounding of canes, and
stamping of thick-soled boots. The Governor continued his remarks.

"I staid so long that I might have become a voter. I did not, but
besides my native city of Boston, I shall always render my allegiance
to this town, which turned the current of my life into such happy
channels.

"I will not weary you with a long speech."

Cries of "Go on," "We can stand it," came from all parts of the hall,
and Mrs. Hawkins said to Olive Green, "He's a beautiful speaker. I
could listen to him all night if it wa'n't for gettin' breakfast for
my boarders. My bread didn't ris worth a cent, and I've got to git up
airly and make biscuits."

His Excellency went on, "I want you to make Fernborough, the Mason's
Corner of five years ago, a beautiful town--more beautiful than it is
now." Make good, wide roads, don't call them streets, and have wide
tires on your wagons to preserve them. Plant trees both for grateful
shade and natural beauty. Support your Village Improvement Society by
suggestions and contributions. Attend town meeting regularly, be
economical but not stingy in your appropriations, pay good salaries
and wages for honest service. Be partisans if you wish, in State and
National elections, but in choosing your town servants, get the best
men regardless of politics.

"Support and constantly aim to elevate the standard of education in
your schools, and remember that the mother and the teacher are the
makers of those who are to rule in the future.

"Do these things, and you will make Fernborough a worthy member of
that galaxy of communities which represents the civic virtues and
possibilities in the highest degree--our New England towns, in which
the government is by the people, of the people, and for the people,
and may God grant that these bulwarks of our freedom may ever be
preserved."

It was decided by the committee to have a reception in the
Selectmen's room. It was conveniently arranged for such a purpose,
having a door at either end, besides the double one near the middle.
At the request of Selectman and Toastmaster Strout, the Governor and
his wife and the Countess of Sussex, formerly Lindy Putnam, stood in
line to greet the citizens of Fernborough.

First came Benoni Hill, who had increased in rotundity since selling
his grocery store and giving up an active life.

"How much is flour a barrel?" asked Quincy as he shook hands with
him.

"When I kept the store myself everything I wanted I got at wholesale,
but now your partners charge me full price."

"That's right," said Quincy. "You got a good price for the store, and
now we're trying to get some of it back," and he laughed heartily as
he extended his hand to young Samuel Hill. His wife, the former Miss
Tilly James, was with him.

"I am pleased to meet a lion-tamer," said Tilly.

"I never saw a live one," said Quincy, somewhat puzzled by the
remark.

"Oh, yes, you have. Our local lion, Obadiah Strout, is as tame as a
dove, and we owe it to you."

"If I remember aright, a certain Miss Tilly James aided me when I
gave the first lesson."

"Oh! you mean the time you whistled 'Listen to the Mocking Bird.' I
wish you had repeated it to-night."

Cobb's Twins, William and James, with their wives, were next in line.

"How's farming?" asked Quincy.

"Bill and I," said James, "spend most of our time on our own places,
but we help 'Zeke and Hiram out on their hayin' an' potato diggin'."

"Samantha," said Quincy, addressing Mrs. James Cobb, "do you remember
the first time I came to see Miss Putnam?"

"Oh, yes, I'd heard about you goin' round with Huldy Mason. Didn't I
laugh when I showed you into Aunt Heppy's room? She did the hearin'
for both of 'em, for you remember her husband, Silas, was as deaf as
a stone post."

"Mrs. Putnam found out all about me before I got away. I shall never
forget what she told me about her husband sitting on the ridge pole
of the barn, blowing his horn, and waiting for Gabriel to come for
him."

As Robert Wood came up, Quincy stepped from the line to greet him.

"Your hand ain't quite as hard as it was five years ago," said
Robert.

"No, I'm out of practice. You could handle me now."

"It cost me two dollars to get my watch fixed," said Robert,
irrelevantly.

"I was on time in that affair," said Quincy, conscious, when too
late, that he had wasted a pun on an obtuse individual. "Are you
still carpentering?"

"Yes. Lots of new houses going up, and Ben Bates and me have all we
can handle. Here, Ben, come here. The Governor's askin' 'bout you."

Benjamin Bates was rather diffident, and had been holding back, but
at Bob's invitation came forward.

"How d'ye do, Governor?" was his salutation. Diffidence when forced
to action often verges on forwardness.

"Glad to meet you again," said Quincy. "Robert says they keep you
busy."

"Yes, we don't have so many resting spells now they use donkey
engines as we did when Pat or Mike had to climb the ladder."

"The march of improvement forces us all into line," said Quincy as he
greeted Miss Seraphina Cotton.

"Teaching school, now, Miss Cotton?"

"No, your Excellency, I am fortunately relieved from what became,
near the end of my long years of service, an intolerable drudgery.
Teaching American children to talk English is one thing, but teaching
French Canadians, Poles, Germans, Russians, Italians, and Greeks was
quite a different proposition."

"And yet it is a most important work," said Quincy--"making good
citizens from these various nationalities. America, to-day, is like a
large garden, with a great variety of flowers from foreign stalks."

Miss Cotton smiled somewhat satirically. "I'm afraid, your
Excellency, if you'd ever been a school teacher, you'd have found
many weeds in the garden."

"But how did you gain your freedom?" asked Quincy. "Did they pension
you?"

"Oh, no. An uncle died out West and left me enough with which to buy
an annuity. I board with the Reverend Mr. Howe. You remember him?"

"Why, certainly, I do. And here's his son, Emmanuel--have I got the
name right?"

"Yes, Governor, just right as to sound. I spell it with an 'E' and
two M's," said young Mr. Howe, as Miss Cotton moved on to tell of her
good fortune to Alice and Linda.

"How's your father, now? Does he preach every Sunday?"

"Reg'lar as clock work. Of course I couldn't tell everybody, but I
reckon he's using some old sermons that he wrote forty years ago, but
the young ones never heard them, and the old ones have forgotten."
Quincy laughed. Ministers' sons are seldom appalled by worldly ways
and, quite often, adopt them.

"This is Arthur Scates," said Mr. Strout, as he presented a young man
with sunken cheeks, hollow eyes, and an emaciated body. "He ain't
enjoyin' the best of health."

"Ah, I remember," said Quincy. "You are the young man who was to sing
at the concert when I first came here. I took your place, and that
act turned out to be the most important one in my life. I owe much of
my present happiness to you. What is your trouble?"

"My lungs are affected. I have lost my voice and cannot sing. I had
counted on becoming an opera singer."

"Why do you not go to one of the out-door hospitals for treatment?"

The young man's face flushed, and he remained silent.

"Pardon me," said Quincy. "I understand. Come to Boston next week, to
the State House, and I will see that you have the best of treatment."

"Wall, Mr. Sawyer, it does one's eyes good to set 'em on you again.
This is Olive Green,--you remember her sister Betsey worked for me
when you was one of my boarders." The woman's voice was loud and
strident, and filled the room.

"Mrs. Hawkins, I shall never forget you and Miss Betsey Green, and
how you both tried to make my stay with you a pleasant one."

"You've put on consid'rable flesh since I saw yer last. Guess you've
been taking your meals reg'lar, which you never did when you lived
with me. But your market's made now, and that makes the difference.
They say folks in love have poor appetites." She laughed loudly, and
stopped only when Olive put a restraining hand on her arm. "I hope
Alice is a good cook, but she never had much chance to learn."

Quincy thought it was time to change the subject. "How's Mr.
Hawkins?"

"I tell him he's just as lazy as ever. He's kalkerlatin' on getting
three good broods of chickens. He's gone on chickens. He wanted to
come tonight, but we've lots of boarders, and they're allus wantin'
ice water or somethin' else, and so I told him he'd got to stay to
home. You'll have plenty of time to see him to-morrer."

Many others greeted the Governor and his right hand felt the effect
of so many hearty grips, some of them of the horny-handed variety.

The Cottonton Brass Band was now stationed in the hall, and a short
concert closed the evening's entertainment, which was allowed, by
all, to be the most high-toned affair ever given in the town.

As Quincy laid his head upon his pillow that night, his mind reverted
to his first arrival at Mason's Corner, and the events that had taken
place since.

"Alice, five years ago, could your wildest imagination have conjured
up such an evening as this?"

"No, Quincy. What has taken place in our lives is truly wonderful. My
daily prayer is that these happy days may last."




CHAPTER II

A DAY WITH THE GOVERNOR


Governor Sawyer sat in the Executive Chamber at the State House. It
was eleven o'clock on the morning following the festivities at
Fernborough. Quincy and Alice had staid over night at the Hawkins'
House, and Ezekiel in the morning urged them strongly to wait a day
and see what great improvements he had made on the old farm which had
been so neglected during the last years of Mrs. Putnam's life. But
Quincy said his presence in Boston was imperative, that certain
matters required his attention, and so the earliest train brought him
and his wife to the city. Quincy left the carriage under the arch at
the State House.

Alice was driven to the well-known house on Mount Vernon Street, in
which Aunt Ella had lived so long, but which had lost much of its
cheerfulness, and all of its Bohemianism since that lady had gone to
England and become Lady Fernborough.

The Executive Chamber was a large room, and simply furnished with a
flat top desk of wine-red mahogany, a bookcase, and a few chairs. A
door to the left led to the office of the private secretary; the one
to the right to a short and narrow corridor across which was the door
of the Council Chamber--a room occupied by that last link between
democratic and aristocratic government. It must not be inferred that
the members of the Council are aristocrats--far from it, but with the
lieutenant-governor they form a "house of lords" which may or may not
agree with the policies of the chief magistrate. They can aid him
greatly, or they can "clip his wings" and materially curb his freedom
of action. The Council is a relic of the old provincial and colonial
days, its inherited aristocratic body clothed in democratic garments.
As its duties could be performed by the Senate without loss of
dignity, and with pecuniary saving, its retention as a part of the
body politic is due to the "let well enough alone" policy of the
American citizen which has supplanted the militant, progressive
democracy of his forefathers.

At the end of the short corridor was the office of the Executive
Secretary and his stenographer from which, through an opening hung
with portières, one passed into the general reception room where the
faithful messenger stood guard, authorized to learn the business of
each new-comer.

The private secretary had opened the mail and had assorted it as
"ordinary," "important," and "most important." For an hour the
Governor dictated steadily, and it would take several hours' clicking
of the typewriter before the letters and documents were ready for his
signature.

The waiting-room was now filled with persons desiring audience with
his Excellency. A well-known city lawyer and ward politician was the
first to enter.

"Good-morning, Guv'nor."

The Governor arose, came forward, and extended his hand. "Good-
morning, Mr. Nutting."

"Are you going to send in the names of the Industrial Expansion
Committee to-day?"

"I have intended to do so."

"Well, I want to say a good word for Mr. Collingwood. He is promoting
a company to develop water power on the Upper Connecticut above
Holyoke. He is a client of mine, and I can vouch for his business
ability and his desire to improve and increase our manufacturing
facilities."

The Governor was silent for a time. He was busily thinking. No doubt
this Mr. Collingwood was concerned financially, indirectly if not
directly, in the proposed company he was promoting, and perhaps Mr.
Nutting himself would profit far beyond his normal legal fee if Mr.
Collingwood was named on the commission. Mr. Nutting noticed the
delay of his Excellency in replying.

"It will be all right if you send his name in. There will be no doubt
of his confirmation."

Again the Governor thought. The four wheels of the executive coach
were in good order, but, apparently, the fifth wheel had been put in
condition for use, if it became necessary.

"Here are Mr. Collingwood's endorsements," said Mr. Nutting, as he
placed a large packet of papers on the governor's desk.

"Thank you, Mr. Nutting. I will give them consideration."

Mr. Nutting withdrew, and the lieutenant-governor, who had arrived
late, was given precedence over the others in the reception room.
After the customary salutations, the lieutenant-governor seated
himself in the governor's chair, which Quincy had temporarily
vacated, and lighted a cigar.

"Are you going to send in Venton's name?"

"He is inexperienced."

"I know it, but he'll learn. If, following precedent, I become your
successor, he will be of great help to me in certain lines."

There was a slight frown on the governor's face. "Mr. Williams, the
present head of the department, has held it for many years, is a most
efficient man, and I have heard no complaints." "I know that," said
his Honour, David Evans, "but he's getting old, and rotation in
office is one of the principles of our Bill of Rights."

"I am well aware of that," said the governor, "but retention in
office for good and efficient service is one of the principles of our
civil service law."

Mr. Evans arose and flicked the ashes from his cigar upon the rich
carpet which covered the floor.

"Am I to understand then that you will renominate Williams? Let me
say now that there is strong opposition to him in the Council and he
may fail of confirmation. Will you send Venton's name in then?"

"I think I should send Mr. Williams' name in again."

"But, suppose he is turned down the second time?" asked Mr. Evans.

"I think I should continue sending in his name until good and
sufficient reasons were given for his rejection. This is not a voting
contest between two nominees. I am convinced Mr. Williams is the best
man for the place. Such being my opinion, to withdraw his name, would
be a self-stultification, and, to speak plainly,"--and his jaw was
firmly set,--"an acknowledgment that the Council is a stronger arm of
the government than the Chief Executive."

Mr. Evans was evidently indignant. "Well, Mr. Venton is backed by men
who contribute heartily for campaign expenses. If you can get along
without their aid this fall have your man Williams," and Mr. Evans
strode from the room with a curt "Good-morning."

The private secretary laid some papers on the governor's desk. The
first one that he examined conferred certain valuable privileges, in
perpetuity, upon a corporation without requiring any compensation for
the franchise. The property thus alienated from public use had been
paid for by the people's money. In response to a vigorous push on an
electric button, the private secretary appeared.

"Send for Senator Downing. I must see him immediately."

His Excellency thought, "How can the people's so-called
representatives give away the property of the people so
indiscriminately? It would not do to mention it, without proof, but I
am convinced that all such public robberies are for private gain. Ah,
good-morning, Senator."

Senator Downing was a short, heavily-built man, with dark hair, black
eyes, and a jaw and chin indicative of bull-dog pertinacity.

"In your bill, Senate 513, I notice that the railroad Company is not
called upon to pay for the great privilege conferred."

"Why should they? It simply gives them a quick connection with tide-
water, and reduced transportation charges means lower prices."

"How will prices be regulated?" was the Governor's query.

"As they always have been," replied the Senator brusquely. "Supply
and demand--"

"And by combinations called trusts," added the Governor. "Cannot some
provision be made by which the Company will pay a yearly rental? It
will reduce the burden of taxation just so much."

"Perhaps if you recommend it, some attention will be given it, but I
should not care to prejudice my political standing by endorsing such
an amendment."

"I will consider the question carefully," said Quincy, wearily, as he
laid down the bill, and Senator Downing departed.

The next bill was what was called "a labour measure." It gave members
of trade unions a right demanded by them, called "peaceful
picketing;" in other words, during a strike, the right to use
argument, persuasion, in fact any rightful inducement to keep a non-
union man from working for the "struck" firm or corporation. The bill
had been passed by a majority of 48 in the House, and by the narrow
margin of one vote in the Senate. A tie had been expected when the
President of the Senate, who was a prominent manufacturer was counted
upon to kill the bill. If the Governor vetoed it, the Senate would
probably sustain the veto, throwing the greater responsibility upon
him, each member voting against the bill sheltering himself behind
the veto. Thus do partisans play politics with the head of their
party. While he was reading the bill the lieutenant-governor was
ushered in again.

"Downing has been talking with me about his bill. He says you are
going to veto it."

"I did not say so. I asked him his reasons for turning over public
property for private use and gain, and he did not seem well-prepared
to answer me."

Mr. Evans replied, "The best reason, to my mind is, that the heaviest
tax payers, members of our party, are all in favour of the bill."

"Are they numerous enough to elect a governor who will do their
bidding?"

"Perhaps not, but their money is powerful enough to do it"--he
paused--"if it becomes necessary."

The Governor arose, and Mr. Evans, influenced by the action, did the
same. The two men faced each other.

"Mr. Evans," and the Governor seemed to increase in stature, "I fully
understand your last remark--if it becomes necessary. You shall have
an open field. I prize the great honour that has been conferred upon
me by placing me here, but I must confess I dislike the duties,
circumscribed as they are by personal and political influences. I can
understand, now, why a ruler wishes to be an autocrat. It is the only
way in which he can make his personality a part of his body. I shall
not be a candidate for re-election this autumn. I wish my personal
freedom of action, and I prize it more than fame or power."

"May I mention your decision to the leaders of the party?"

"If you so desire. From this moment I am to be untrammelled except by
my official oath."

Mr. Evans took his leave, evidently pleased with a part of what he
had heard, and in a short time was closeted with some leading
politicians in a private room of a prominent hotel.

The Governor resumed his reading of the labour bill, but was aroused
from his contemplation of its provisions by the entrance of Mr. Amos
Acton. Mr. Acton was secretary of a manufacturer's association. He
was tall and spare. His hair was sandy in hue, and his mouth twitched
nervously.

"Your Excellency, I came to see you about that picketing bill. If it
becomes a law our manufacturers will be driven from the State. They
are now seriously handicapped by the vigorous provisions of existing
laws. I trust your Excellency will not add to our present burdens."

"I have read the bill, Mr. Acton. It seems conservative, with full
provision for the protection of life and property."

"That's not the question. When Union men strike we must have the Non-
Union men to fill their places; but this bill says the Non-Union man
shan't work."

"It says the Union man may persuade him, peacefully, not to work."

"We all know what that means. If he does work, he will be called a
'scab' and his family will be ostracized in every possible way."

"It is hard to draw the line," said the governor. "You say, or imply,
that every man has a right to work for whoever will employ him.
Granted. But do you always give him work when he wants it? Do you pay
him what he asks, or do you not fix the rate of wage? You must
realize the fact that collective bargaining has superseded dealing
with the individual."

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