The Washington herald., 1906-10-28

It was these men TO whom Churchill
came, having slipped quietly away from
his associates, drawn by a hint that he
might secure an interview of great i'm
portancc. two columns IN length and ex-
elusive Churchill was a true product OF
the Monitor, a worshipper Of accomplished
facts. a supporter Of every old convention
believing that anything new or in rough
attire was bad. Although he would have
denied ii If accused, he nearly always con-
founded manners with morals, and TO him
the opinion Of Europe was final Hence
the Monitor and Churchill were well suit
ed TO each other. Moreover, Churchill en-
joyed the society Of the great-that IS
of those who seemed 10 him To be tho
great-and he had an admirable fiexibility
Of temperament; while easily able and
willing TO be very nasty 10 those whom
he thought Of an inferior grade. he was
equally able and willing to be extremely
deferentiai TO those whose grade he con-
sidered superior. He was also intolerant
in opinion. thinking that any one who
differed from him on the subjects OF
the day was necessarily a. scoundrei
wherein he was again III perfect accord
with the Monitor.
II was. therefore. with an acute delight.
oiossonning into exultatiOn, that Churchill
slipped away from his associates and
FASTENED toward the hotel where the
financial magnates were staying These
were really great men, not the produc-
tions of moment. thrown briefly into
the lmelight. but solid Ike the pyra-
mids. Mr.. Goodnight must be worth forty
millions at the least. and he was IA power
in many circles. Churchill thrilled with
delight that such being should hint TO
him 20 come and be talked 10. and he was
more than ever conscious Of his own
superiority to his professional associates.
Churchill was not awed by the shotel
clerk, but haughtilv asked that hfs card
be sent at once 10 Mr. Goodnight. and ne
concealed his pride when the message
/ came back that ne be shown up as soon
/ as possible. lie received Il as the natural
tribute 10 his Importance. and he took his
time as he followed the guiding hall boy.
But at the door of Mr.. Goodnight his
/ manner changed; It became deferen;ial.
as befitted modest merit in the presence
of true and recognized greatness.
Mr. Goodnight was hospitabIe: there
was no false pride about him; he was able
in being great 70 be simple Also and Dir.
Cr3yon and the others present shared his
( attractive manner.
I "Ah, Mr. Churchill" he said. as -
shook hands heartily with the correspond
/ ent. 1t gives me pleasure, indeed, 10 vel
1 come YOU here. We noticed your bearing
in Chicago. and we were impressed by it.
/ We therefore had an additional pleasure
/ when we learned that YOU were the cor
! respondent of the Monitor. New York =
! ablest and most conservative journal The
/ American press grows fiippant and unre-
( liable nowadays Mr.. Churchill. but the
waves OF sensationalism wash in vain
/ around the solid base OF the old Monitor.
/ There she stands, as steady as ever, q
/ genuine lighthouse I'm the darkness"
/ Mr.. Goodnight, being member Of Con
| sress, was able 20 acquire and 20 exhibit
( at convenient times "a certain poetical
/ fervor which impressed several kinds Of
/ people Now his associates rubbed their
/ hands IN admiration. and Churchill flush
/ co with pleasure. y compliment 10 the
Monitor was also compliment to him.
( for was he not the very spirit and essence
/ OF the Monitor
Before we get to business" continued
/ Mr.. Goodnight. in the most gratifying in
innate manner, suppose we have some
: thing just 10 wet our threats and promote
/ conversation. This town. I believe IS
/ famous Tor beer. but ii is not impossible
/ 20 get champagne here; in any event, we
shall try IT,"
/ He rang, the champagne was brought
opened. and drunk. and Churchill glowed
+ with his sense OF Importance. These were
men Of many millions. twice his age. but
+ he was now one with them Certainly none
! of his associates would have been invited
( by them 10 such a conference, and ne was
able 20 appreciate the fact
we want you, Mr. Churchill, 20 eel US
+ something about Grayson." said Mr.
+ Goodnight. in most kindly tone; not
F what all the world knows. those super
/ fetal facts which the most careless oh
I server may CLEAN, but something intimate
/ and personal; We want you 10 give Us an
/ insight into his character. from which we
/ may judge what he is likely TO do or
( become. You know that he is from the
+ West the far West. likely TO be afflicted
with local and provincial views, not TO
say heresies. and great vested interests
within his own party feel q little shaky
about him. We cannot have a revolution
] airy, OF even a pdrochial. character I'm the
/ Presidential chair. Those interests which
are the very bulwark of the public must
I be respected. We must watch over him.
and in order 40 know how and what to
watch. I'VE must have information We
/ rely on you to furnish US this informa-
ton"
Churchill was intensely gratified at this
tribute TO his merit, but he was resolved
not to show it even TO these great men.
Instead ne caTelessly emptied his cham
payne glass, rubbed his chin thouShtfully.
and then asked with a certain fullness Of
implication:
Upon what precise point do you wish
information. Mr.. Goodnight? OF course, I
have not been with Mr. Grayson very
long, but I can say truthfully that have
observed him closely within that time,
and perhaps no phase Of a rather COM
plcated character has escaped me"
Eve feel quite sure Of that" said Mr..
Crayon, speaking for the first time. and
using short, choppy sentences. Monitor,
as / happen to know, is extremely careful
IN the selection Of its men, and this I am
journalist enough 20 understand, is most
I important errand upon which it can now
send member of its staff"
Churchill bowed courteously to the de-
served compliment. and remained silent
while Mr. Goodnight resumed the thread
OF talk
What We want to know. Mr. Church
III. he said. is in regard to the elements
of stability in his character. Will ne re-
spect those mighty interests to which l
have Just alluded? Is he, as a compare
| lively young man. and one wholly igno-
rant Of the great world of finance, likely
10 seek the opinion and advice of his
elders? You know that we have the best
wishes in the world for him. His inter
ests and ours, if lac hut perceives it, run
together. and il is our desire to preserve
the utmost harmony within the party"
Churchill bowed Their opinion and his
agreed in the most wonderful manner. 1t
was hard to say, in his present exalted
state. whether this circumstance confirm
ed their intelligence or his. but It GER
fainlv confirmed somebody's
Il have already taken note OF these
facts" he said. in the Indifferent tone Of
one whose advice is asked often. land I
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