The Cleverdale Mystery; or, The Machine and Its Wheels: A Story of American Life Read online

  CHAPTER I.

  BEAUTIFUL LAKE GEORGE.

  The world is full of charming spots that seem to be the original siteof Paradise, but none show more perfectly the grace and grandeur of theCreator's handiwork than Lake George. Its limpid waters reflect theoutlines of numerous islands--one for each calendar day of the year, yeteach possessing beauties distinctly its own. The mirror of the lake'ssurface is framed by mountains of varying shape and size, yet each withspecial charms, while between them nestle lovely valleys, over which theeye never tires of roaming. In summer, every isle, hill, and valley isglorious with verdure; in winter they are dazzling in snowy vesture; butno matter what the season or condition, the lake and its surroundingsare a constant source of delight to those who are fortunate enough todwell on its shore.

  It is to the credit of humanity that Lake George is a favorite placeof resort during the summer, and that hundreds of families delight inbuilding permanent summer homes there. Beautiful villas, picturesquehotels, tasteful cottages, unique cabins, and snowy tents abound on thewater's marge, and pleasure boats of all sorts dance gaily on its waves.The vulgar, the dissipated, and stupid classes that haunt summer resortsseem to avoid Lake George; even humanity seems to endeavor to be inkeeping with its surroundings at this beautiful retreat, and fair women,robust, active men, and healthy children are the rule at this modernEden.

  On the forward deck of a steamer that ploughed its way through thecrystal waters on a bright summer day in 187- was a small party,consisting of Hon. Darius Hamblin, Mrs. Hamblin, Miss Belle Hamblin, andtwo little boys, George and Willie, aged respectively ten and six, withtheir nurse.

  The Hon. Darius, a man of fifty-five, had served his district as NewYork State Senator at Albany for two terms. He possessed excellentjudgment, and knew this so well that no one could help seeing that hewas vain and inclined to be arbitrary in his manner. Mrs. Hamblin was asmall, brown-haired lady, with whom time had dealt so gently that theunwelcome and indelible lines of approaching age had been sparinglydistributed across a sweet and placid countenance.

  Devoting her whole attention to the wants and pleasures of her children,she was not merely a kind mother, for with dignity and power she heldthe reins firmly in her grasp, although the high-spirited boys tightlychamped the bits.

  While the mother, as she sat on the steamer's deck, was all attentionto her youthful treasures, the father discussed the politics andfinances of the country with several gentlemen whom he chanced to meet.Thoroughly engrossed in conversation, he scarce noticed his daughterBelle, who, affectionately taking his arm, called attention to a landingthe steamer was about to make.

  As the boat drew in, there was seen a gathering bevy of males andfemales. Small row-boats hovered near the little coves surrounding thedock, and as great waves from the _Horicon's_ paddles dashed theirsnow-crested tops upon the rocks, the little craft danced upon thewater, some girlish voices uttering exclamations of fear for theirowners' safety. Several persons leaving the steamer were quicklysurrounded by friends gathered to meet them.

  In a moment the captain cried, "All aboard!" The engine resuming itswork, the paddle-wheels lashed the water, many little boats shooting outinto the swell. Those on the steamer eagerly watched the merry throng onthe dock or the still happier ones rocked by the "rollies."

  "Oh, papa," exclaimed Belle, "this is delightful! See that party onthe little island--isn't it a funny sight? See that gentleman shakinga frying-pan over his head! See the other campers washing dishes inthe lake! Oh, how I shall enjoy this month! We are to stop at thenext landing, and in ten minutes will leave the boat. Oh, isn't itdelightful!"

  The father rising took his daughter by the arm, his manner indicatingunbounded love and parental pride. Belle Hamblin was a beautiful girlscarcely nineteen years of age. Of medium height, she possessed afaultless form combining exquisite symmetry and grace. Full of animationwhen speaking, her tender blue eyes flashed intelligence and goodness,captivating every one who came within their reach.

  She completely won the admiration of those on the boat by the tender andsympathetic way in which she ministered to a poor woman accompanied byfour children, giving to the little ones from her lunch-basket oranges,bananas, and cakes, while the mother was offered more substantial foodin the way of sandwiches. Tender-hearted and kind when Willie injuredhis wee finger, she worked over the wound, hugged the curly-headed boyto her heart, stilling his cries with sisterly caresses. Belle Hamblinwas no ordinary character, for God had wrought those lovely attributesinto her nature which cannot fail to command respect and admiration. Shecould not avoid being a prominent figure in any life picture of whichshe was part, for to her mother's instinctive quality of love was addedthe natural intelligence of her father. Possessing a pride in strikingcontrast with that so positive in her father's character, she readilyassumed her natural position as leader in social circles. Endowed with aliberal education, taught the economies of life, and instructed in theart of housekeeping, she was fitted to be queen of the kitchen or theenchantress of the drawing-room.

  The boat nearing the beautiful retreat where the Hamblins were tosojourn, wraps, baskets, and umbrellas were gathered up while Mr.Hamblin was taking leave of his friends. The _Horicon_ slowlyapproached the dock close at hand; the party passed through the cabinto the gangway; lines were thrown ashore and the steamer made fast.Mr. Hamblin led the way, the children, wild as young colts, jumping ingleeful anticipation. About thirty persons crowded to the gangway, arush was made for shore, when suddenly the piercing shriek of a femalestartled the bystanders, as a little boy fell headlong into the lake.

  "Willie is overboard! Save him!" The voice was that of Belle Hamblin.

  Rushing wildly to the edge of the gangway and seeing the little fellowsink into the water, she was nearly frantic with excitement. Mr. andMrs. Hamblin were filled with terror, while those standing on shoreappeared as if paralyzed. Suddenly a blue-shirted man darted through thecrowd, and throwing himself into the lake, seized Willie, and a momentlater placed him in the arms of the sister.

  Belle, looking into his face, quickly exclaimed:

  "Mr. Alden! I did not expect to see you here, but God bless you forsaving the life of our treasure."

  The curly-headed boy, with water dripping from his locks, lay in hissister's arms. Gasping and moving his head, the water running from hisnostrils and mouth, he was carried to the family parlor at the hotel,where a physician soon restored him to his normal condition, and thenthe family, recovering from their fatigue and fright, appeared onthe grounds, their exciting introduction and acknowledged social andpolitical standing making them the observed of all.

  Mr. Hamblin, having held many important positions in his party, was soonon terms of friendship with the sterner sex, Mrs. Hamblin and Belletaking their natural places among the ladies.

  Mr. Hamblin was a genial conversationalist, and with his politicalreputation preceding him was of course much courted by all at the"Lakeside." Having been a State Senator for two terms, a prominentcandidate for gubernatorial honors at a late convention, and possessingwealth and eloquence, his power was naturally great. A candidate forrenomination the coming fall, he had already started the machinery toobtain control of delegates needed to consummate his desired wish.

  American politics are controlled entirely by "wires," those of the greatpolitical machine being intricate as the telegraph netting one sees overthe roof-tops of a large city. Mr. Hamblin, with a perfect knowledgeof the workings of this machine, knew that a successful candidate mustbe able to manipulate the little wires of the party caucus, for as thecaucuses are the expression of each town in the senatorial or assemblydistrict, to obtain needed support requires wire-pullers in every schooldistrict. A candidate's personal merit is of minor consequence; he cando nothing without understanding the working of the party machinery, andknowing also how to lubricate the entire apparatus with money.

  Mr. Hamblin had been a little uneasy of late, a rival having arisen tocontest his field. Heretofore en
joying the monopoly in the district, hewas now in danger of meeting an obstacle in his onward course. As hesat on the piazza holding a letter in his hand, he soliloquized:

  "Well, well! Making my way in politics has always been easy as knockingthe ashes from this cigar, but if Miller's letter is correct DariusHamblin is in danger. Let me see; I'll read this over again"--and heclosely scanned the following letter:

  CLEVERDALE, July 31, 187-.

  HON. DARIUS HAMBLIN:

  DEAR SIR: It is just as I feared: Daley says he will be a candidate at all hazards, and asserts he can drive you from the track very easily, having your former clerk's evidence to use against you. He is desperate, and has already been seen to visit saloons in the village, spending considerable money to win over the boys. Can you meet Rawlings, Horton, and myself at Saratoga Saturday night?

  Answer by telegraph at once.

  Yours, CYRUS HART MILLER.

  Mr. Hamblin knit his brow for a moment and said:

  "Of course I must go. I must not be beaten this year. The nextgubernatorial nomination may be mine if I win this time. I can beelected Governor, and Daley must be crushed or bought off. The die iscast--I leave on the next boat for Saratoga."

  Rising from his seat and wiping the perspiration from his brow, hepassed on to his room. Mrs. Hamblin expressed no surprise when informedhe was going to Saratoga, for she had become accustomed to his suddenmoves since he had gone into politics; she had learned that everythingmust be secondary to his ambition and political necessities. Shequickly packed a small satchel, and the boat being due in an hour, Mr.Hamblin walked out to bid his children good-by.

  Belle, leaving the side of a gentleman sitting beneath an arbor, came tomeet him.

  "Oh, papa! are you going away? That is too bad! I expected to take youout for a row this evening. Beside, a moonlight concert at CleverdaleCamp is announced in honor of your visit. Can't you postpone yourdeparture?"

  "No, my pet, business before pleasure. I am to meet a few friends atSaratoga to-night on very important business. By the way, I must send atelegram at once."

  Embracing his daughter, he stepped into the office and hastily wrote adispatch. When he came out Belle took his arm and said:

  "Papa, we shall be _so_ disappointed if you go. Mr. Alden has arrangedto do you honor. And--"

  "Belle," said he, interrupting her, "say no more about it, for I mustgo. By the way, Alden, who seems to be paying you much attention, may begood enough for a casual acquaintance at Lake George, but a daughter ofDarius Hamblin, fit to be queen, in choosing associates must look higherthan her father's bank clerk."

  "But, papa, he is a gentleman--the very soul of honor--and there is nota lady in our party but feels honored by George Alden's attentions.Didn't he save Willie's life? He didn't know who it was, but seeing achild fall overboard his duty was plain. Beside, he always admired you,and you have repeatedly acknowledged that you liked him better than anyother clerk in your employ. If you could see his kindness to the boysand myself, you would be more than ever pleased with him."

  Mr. Hamblin's features grew hard; his lips became tightly compressed andthe color left his cheeks as he said:

  "Belle, my honor and that of your family is in your keeping. Bestowyour affection upon that bank clerk and my affection for you will endforever. The Hamblin family can ill afford to make low connections. Youhear my wishes--my commands. There comes the boat. Here, George, bringmy satchel, and tell your mother I am awaiting her."

  Poor Belle! trembling with involuntary emotion, her pale face was areflection of the countenance of her proud father. She scarcely beheldthe boat as it drew near; dimly saw a happy throng on the deck andthe usual bevy of glad-hearted persons on the dock; faintly heard thepaddle-wheels beating the water, and barely caught a glimpse of thesmall boats dancing in the steamer's wake, when a flood of tears burstfrom her eyes. Her mother quickly led her away, but not before hercompanions became conscious of her weakness.

  The stern look upon her father's face and the cold good-by he returnedto all was plain evidence of something wrong in the family which allhad begun to look upon as a perfect pattern of happiness and domesticgoodness.