第7章

It was Washington's turn to be amazed.He was stricken dumb; but the wide-eyed wonder, the reverent admiration expressed in his face were more eloquent than any words could have been.The Colonel's wounded spirit was healed and he resumed his seat pleased and content.He leaned forward and said impressively:

"What was due to a man who had become forever conspicuous by an experience without precedent in the history of the world?--a man made permanently and diplomatically sacred, so to speak, by having been connected, temporarily, through solicitation, with every single diplomatic post in the roster of this government, from Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of St.James all the way down to Consul to a guano rock in the Straits of Sunda--salary payable in guano--which disappeared by volcanic convulsion the day before they got down to my name in the list of applicants.Certainly something august enough to be answerable to the size of this unique and memorable experience was my due, and I got it.By the common voice of this community, by acclamation of the people, that mighty, utterance which brushes aside laws and legislation, and from whose decrees there is no appeal, I was named Perpetual Member of the Diplomatic Body representing the multifarious sovereignties and civilizations of the globe near the republican court of the United States of America.And they brought me home with a torchlight procession.""It is wonderful, Colonel, simply wonderful.""It's the loftiest official position in the whole earth.""I should think so-and the most commanding.""You have named the word.Think of it.I frown, and there is war; Ismile, and contending nations lay down their arms.""It is awful.The responsibility, I mean.""It is nothing.Responsibility is no burden to me; I am used to it; have always been used to it.""And the work--the work! Do you have to attend all the sittings?""Who, I? Does the Emperor of Russia attend the conclaves of the governors of the provinces? He sits at home, and indicates his pleasure."Washington was silent a moment, then a deep sigh escaped him.

"How proud I was an hour ago; how paltry seems my little promotion now!

Colonel, the reason I came to Washington is,--I am Congressional Delegate from Cherokee Strip!"The Colonel sprang to his feet and broke out with prodigious enthusiasm:

"Give me your hand, my boy--this is immense news! I congratulate you with all my heart.My prophecies stand confirmed.I always said it was in you.I always said you were born for high distinction and would achieve it.You ask Polly if I didn't."Washington was dazed by this most unexpected demonstration.

"Why, Colonel, there's nothing to it.That little narrow, desolate, unpeopled, oblong streak of grass and gravel, lost in the remote wastes of the vast continent--why, it's like representing a billiard table--a discarded one.""Tut-tut, it's a great, it's a staving preferment, and just opulent with influence here.""Shucks, Colonel, I haven't even a vote.""That's nothing; you can make speeches."

"No, I can't.The population's only two, hundred--""That's all right, that's all right--"

"And they hadn't any right to elect me; we're not even a territory, there's no Organic Act, the government hasn't any official knowledge of us whatever.""Never mind about that; I'll fix that.I'll rush the thing through, I'll get you organized in no time.""Will you, Colonel?--it's too good of you; but it's just your old sterling self, the same old ever-faithful friend," and the grateful tears welled up in Washington's eyes.

"It's just as good as done, my boy, just as good as done.Shake hands.

We'll hitch teams together, you and I, and we'll make things hum!"