登陆注册
5184300000022

第22章 LIN McLEAN'S HONEY-MOON(3)

Now Jode is the most extraordinarily solemn man I have ever known.He has the solemnity of all science,added to the unspeakable weight of representing five of the oldest families in South Carolina.The Jodes themselves were not old in South Carolina,but immensely so in--I think he told me it was Long Island.His name is Poinsett Middleton Manigault Jode.He used to weigh a hundred and twenty-eight pounds then,but his health has strengthened in that climate.His clothes were black;his face was white,with black eyes sharp as a pin;he had the shape of a spout--the same narrow size all the way down--and his voice was as dry and light as an egg-shell.In his first days at Cheyenne he had constantly challenged large cowboys for taking familiarities with his dignity,and they,after one moment's bewilderment,had concocted apologies that entirely met his exactions,and gave them much satisfaction also.Nobody would have hurt Jode for the world.In time he came to see that Wyoming was a game invented after his book of rules was published,and he looked on,but could not play the game.He had fallen,along with other incongruities,into the roaring Western hotch-pot,and he passed his careful,precise days with barometers and weather-charts.

He answered the Governor with official and South Carolina impressiveness.

"There is no indication of diminution of the prevailing pressure,"he said.

"Well,that's what I thought,"said the joyous Governor,"so I'm going to whoop her up.""What do you expect to whoop up,sir?"

"Atmosphere,and all that,"said the Governor."Whole business has got to get a move on.I've sent for a rain-maker.""Governor,you are certainly a wag,sir,"said Jode,who enjoyed Barker as some people enjoy a symphony,without understanding it.But after we had reached the club and were lunching,and Jode realized that a letter had actually been written telling Hilbrun to come and bring his showers with him,the punctilious signal-service officer stated his position.

"Have your joke,sir,"he said,waving a thin,clean hand,"but I decline to meet him.""Hilbrun?"said the Governor,staring.

"If that's his name--yes,sir.As a member of the Weather Bureau and the Meteorological Society I can have nothing to do with the fellow.""Glory!"said the Governor."Well,I suppose not.I see your point,Jode.

I'll be careful to keep you apart.As a member of the College of Physicians I've felt that way about homeopathy and the faith-cure.All very well if patients will call 'em in,but can't meet 'em in consultation.But three months'drought annually,Jode!It's slow--too slow.The Western people feel that this conservative method the Zodiac does its business by is out of date.""I am quite serious,sir,"said Jode."And let me express my gratification that you do see my point."So we changed the subject.

Our weather scheme did not at first greatly move the public.Beyond those who made up the purse,few of our acquaintances expressed curiosity about Hilbrun,and next afternoon Lin McLean told me in the street that he was disgusted with Cheyenne's coldness toward the enterprise."But the boys would fly right at it and stay with it if the round-up was near town,you bet,"said he.

He was walking alone."How's Mrs.McLean to-day?"I inquired.

"She's well,"said Lin,turning his eye from mine."Who's your friend all bugged up in English clothes?""About as good a man as you,"said I,"and more cautious.""Him and his eye-glasses!"said the sceptical puncher,still looking away from me and surveying Ogden,who was approaching with the Governor.That excellent man,still at long range,broke out smiling till his teeth shone,and he waved a yellow paper at us.

"Telegram from Hilbrun,"he shouted;"be here to-morrow";and he hastened up.

"Says he wants a cart at the depot,and a small building where he can be private,"added Ogden."Great,isn't it?""You bet!"said Lin,brightening.The New Yorker's urbane but obvious excitement mollified Mr.McLean."Ever seen rain made,Mr.Ogden?"said he.

"Never.Have you?"

Lin had not.Ogden offered him a cigar,which the puncher pronounced excellent,and we all agreed to see Hilbrun arrive.

"We're going to show the telegram to Jode,"said the Governor;and he and Ogden departed on this mission to the signal service.

"Well,I must be getting along myself,"said Lin;but he continued walking slowly with me."Where're yu'bound?"he said.

"Nowhere in particular,"said I.And we paced the board sidewalks a little more.

"You're going to meet the train to-morrow?"said he.

"The train?Oh yes.Hilbrun's.To-morrow.You'll be there?""Yes,I'll be there.It's sure been a dry spell,ain't it?""Yes.Just like last year.In fact,like all the years.""Yes.I've never saw it rain any to speak of in summer.I expect it's the rule.Don't you?""I shouldn't wonder."

"I don't guess any man knows enough to break such a rule.Do you?""No.But it'll be fun to see him try."

"Sure fun!Well,I must be getting along.See yu'to-morrow.""See you to-morrow,Lin."

He left me at a corner,and I stood watching his tall,depressed figure.

A hundred yards down the street he turned,and seeing me looking after him,pretended he had not turned;and then I took my steps toward the club,telling myself that I had been something of a skunk;for I had inquired for Mrs.McLean in a certain tone,and I had hinted to Lin that he had lacked caution;and this was nothing but a way of saying "I told you so"to the man that is down.Down Lin certainly was,although it had not come so home to me until our little walk together just now along the boards.

同类推荐
  • 西方确指

    西方确指

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 俨山集

    俨山集

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 峚窖大道心驱策法

    峚窖大道心驱策法

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 佛说阿罗汉具德经

    佛说阿罗汉具德经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 佛说四自侵经

    佛说四自侵经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 一曲清歌赋

    一曲清歌赋

    她是凉国公主,幼时母妃被人构陷,惨死于深宫之中,从此之后,她为了给母亲报仇,走上了完全不同一条路。他是南国质子,从小俊美聪慧,却被送入凉国苟且活着,而他忍辱负重,一步步策划一步步隐忍,终是夺回自己的一切。从最初以心为饵,步步利用,到最后执子之手,生死不离。 宫权谋夺,天下之争,皇室秘闻,真假太子,圣女辛秘。 他们一步步走来,却逃不过命运的捉弄,最后又该何去何从? 这是第一次正式写古言,很多地方都做的不好,但是毕竟也是自己的心血,希望大家多多收藏,非常感谢所有阅读过本书的人。
  • 打动人心的98个推销技巧(教你成功丛书)

    打动人心的98个推销技巧(教你成功丛书)

    本书从推销员的基本技能和要求出发,以推销活动程序为线索规划内容,本着精炼理论、强化应用、培养技能的原则,主要阐释和解决推销实践中的98个具体问题。全书具有内容结构合理,逻辑严密,深入浅出,案例生动丰富,应用性、实践性、操作性强等特点,有利于提高读者的学习兴趣和分析问题、解决问题的能力。本书可作为高职高专经济管理类专业的课外读物,同时为需要职业推销员的企业提供了一本实用的员工技能培训资料,也为广大推销员提供了一本有益的自学用书。
  • 夏阳和多多的假日(中国好小说)

    夏阳和多多的假日(中国好小说)

    本文叙写怀揣文学梦想和文艺情怀的一对儿恋人的故事。夏阳是学校老师,多多是夏阳的学生,离了婚的夏阳在学生多多的身上看到了新的热情和希望。于是想约旅行,中途发生过不愉快,但唯其如此,考验出恋人对文学和生活的向往。
  • 乱宋之水浒风云

    乱宋之水浒风云

    重生水浒世界,栾飞成为铁棒栾廷玉之遗孤,注定成为水泊梁山的死敌。山雨欲来风满楼,面对即将到来的风雨飘摇的乱世,栾飞感觉自己要提前做点什么。世事如棋,栾飞想要当那个下棋的人,就先要把棋盘搞乱。乱而后治,才能重塑筋骨,涅槃重生。
  • 天域苍穹

    天域苍穹

    笑尽天下英雄,宇内我为君主!万水千山,以我为尊;八荒六合,唯我称雄!我欲舞风云,凌天下,踏天域,登苍穹!谁可争锋?!诸君可愿陪我,并肩凌天下,琼霄风云舞,征战这天域苍穹?!…………天域苍穹官方群一:376497379天域苍穹官方群二:374474820
  • 宁负天下不负卿(全集)

    宁负天下不负卿(全集)

    超人气古代言情小说之且赋深情系列新锐作家乔初十年深情挚爱之作不悔此生,情根深种;宁负天下,不负卿卿。他屏住呼吸看着那面巾一点点下移,当那张熟悉的面容终于全部出现时,他听到全世界花开的声音,他看到漫天飞红……《宁负天下不负卿(全集)》讲述:三年前,卷入轩辕国夺位之争的北棠半夏被人追杀。她重伤失忆后辗转流落到龙临国,为龙临国三王爷龙煜寒所救。龙煜寒根据“失忆”的谐音为她起名为“十一”。对失忆的十一而言,龙煜寒就是她的全部。这个本来惊才艳绝的奇女子,为了心爱的男子敛去一身光华。
  • 观音经持验记

    观音经持验记

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 终成眷属

    终成眷属

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 你是南风,我自沉沦

    你是南风,我自沉沦

    锒铛入狱,负责给她做笔录的人,偏偏是这个世界上最痛恨她的人——她的前夫。她竟然还被莫名背负了“虐童”的罪名!真相扑朔迷离,直到一束微光,引出了幕后真相。他才明白,是自己错了……--情节虚构,请勿模仿
  • 元神记2:元神少年

    元神记2:元神少年

    伐纣的封神榜时代过后,那些灿烂辉煌的神人,可曾在大地消失了踪迹?在烽火连天的东周列国时代,平野间突然出现了能力强大的「元神之族」,这些人的背后有着黑色猛兽、蓝色飞鸟、深红毒蕈、澄黄厨人、鲜绿奇树的怪异「元神」。与「元神」相牵扯的大神、能人的数量极多,他们和东周时代的许多军国大事息息相关。这些奇异的人们,会在古代中国的大地上,谱出什么样的动人传说呢?