CHAPTER II
HUGH SEARLES OF LONDON ARRIVES
The next day was Sunday, and the Harris family slept late. Jean was firstto rise, and buying the morning papers left them at Colonel Harris'sdoor.
It was almost nine o'clock when the family gathered in their privatedining-room. The night's sleep had refreshed all. The mother was verycheerful over her coffee, and heartily enjoyed planning for the day. Sheliked New York best of the American cities. Brown stone and marblefronts, fine equipage and dress, had charms for her, that almost madeher forget a pleasant home and duties at Harrisville. She was heart andsoul in her husband's newest scheme to close out business, and devotethe balance of life to politics and society. Naturally therefore thetable-talk drifted to a discussion of the possible causes of thesteamer's delay.
Lucille looked up, and said, "Father, the _Tribune_ says, 'Fair weatherfor New England and the Atlantic coast.' Cheer up! The 'Majestic' willbring your Englishman in, I think. This is a lovely day to be in themetropolis. Come father, let me sweeten your coffee. One or two lumps?"
"Two, my dear, if you please. Now what will give you all the mostpleasure to-day?"
Alfonso answered, "Why not take a drive, and possibly attend somechurch?"
This plan was approved. Breakfast over, the Harris family entereda carriage, and the coachman, with Jean by his side, drove throughWashington Square, under the American Arch of Triumph, and out FifthAvenue, the fashionable street of New York. Alfonso acted as guide. "Thiswhite sepulchral looking building on the left at the corner of 34thstreet is where A.T. Stewart, the Irish merchant prince, lived."
Gertrude remarked, "How true in his case, the proverb 'Riches certainlymake themselves wings; they fly away, as an eagle towards heaven.'"
"You should quote Scripture correctly, my child," said the mother."'Riches take wings.'"
"No, no, mamma--I am sure that I am right. 'Riches _make_ themselveswings' and the proverb is as true to-day as in Solomon's time."
"Well, Gertrude, we will look at the hotel Bible on our return."
"Yes, mamma, if the hotel has one."
Colonel Harris responded, "I think Gertrude is right. Stewart's millionshave changed hands. Dead men have no need of dollars. No wonder Stewart'sbones were restless."
"Here at West 39th Street is the sumptuous building of the Union LeagueClub. It has over 1500 members, all pledged to absolute loyalty to theGovernment of the United States, to resist every attempt against theintegrity of the nation, and to promote reform in national, state, andmunicipal affairs. The club equipped and sent two full regiments to thefront in the Civil War."
Alfonso pointed out Jay Gould's old residence, more club houses,libraries, the Windsor Hotel, Dr. Hall's handsome Presbyterian Church,and the brown stone and marble palaces of the Vanderbilt family, twomiles of splendid residences and magnificent churches before you reachCentral Park at 59th Street.
The walks were thronged with beautiful women and well dressed men. It wasnow 10:30 o'clock. The chimes had ceased their hallowed music. People ofall nationalities were jostling each other in their haste to enter St.Patrick's Cathedral, a copy of the Gothic masterpiece in Cologne, and themost imposing church building in America.
The Harris carriage stopped; Lucille's heart suddenly began to beatquickly, for she saw Leo Colonna hastening from the Cathedral stepstowards the carriage. "Good morning, Mrs. Harris! Glad you have come tomy church," Leo said; then taking her hand cordially, he added, "Andyou have brought the family. Well, I am pleased, for you could not havecome to a more beautiful church or service."
As Leo conducted his friends up the granite steps, all were enthusiasticin their praise of the Fifth Avenue facade; white marble from granitebase to the topmost stones of the graceful twin spires.
All passed under the twelve apostles, that decorate the grand portal,and entered the cathedral. The interior is as fine as the exterior. Thecolumns are massive, the ceiling groined; the style is the decorated orgeometric architecture, that prevailed in Europe in the thirteenthcentury. The cardinal's gothic throne is on the right. The four altarsare of carved French walnut, Tennessee marble and bronze. Half of theseventy windows are memorials, given by parishes and individuals invarious parts of America. The vicar-general was conducting services. Hisimpressive manner, aided by the sweet tones of singers and organ, and thesun's rays changed to rainbows by the stained-glass windows, produceda deep religious feeling in the hearts of the several thousand personspresent.
As the party left the church, Leo said, "In 1786, the Kings of France andSpain contributed to the erection of the first cathedral church, St.Peter's, in New York." The Harrises having invited Leo to dinner, saidgood-bye to him, and in their carriage returned to the Waldorf for lunch.
While the colonel waited near the reception-room, he chanced to look atthe stained-glass window over the entrance to the Garden Court. Here waspictured the village of Waldorf, the birthplace of the original JohnJacob Astor. This pretty little hamlet is part of the Duchy of Baden,Germany, and has been lovingly remembered in the Astor wills. Hereformerly lived the impecunious father of John Jacob Astor and hisbrother. Both gained wealth, very likely, because the value of money wasfirst learned in the early Waldorf school of poverty. It was not an illnorth wind that imprisoned young Astor for weeks in the ice of theChesapeake Bay, as there on the small ship that brought him from Germany,he listened to marvelous tales of fortunes to be made in furs in thenorthwest. Shrewdly he determined first to acquire expert knowledge ofskins, and on landing he luckily found employment in a fur store in NewYork at two dollars per week. This knowledge became the foundation of thevast fortune of the Astor family. The colonel was told that the Waldorfoccupies the site of the town-house of John Jacob Astor, third of thename, and was erected by his son, William Waldorf, ex-minister to Italy.
It was two o'clock when the Harrises entered the main dining-room fortheir lunch. The colonel led the party, Alfonso conducting his sisterLucille, the light blue ribbon at her throat of the tint of herresponsive eyes. Mrs. Harris came with Gertrude. The mother wore a graygown, and her daughter a pretty silk. This first entrance of the familyto the public dining-room caused a slight diversion among some of theguests at lunch, where not a few rightly surmised who they were.
Few markets in the world rival that of New York. The coast, streams, andvalleys of New England and the Central States, send their best food byswift steamers and express, that the exacting cosmopolitan appetite maybe satisfied.
Before the lunch was over and while Reuben Harris was making reference tothe delay of his English visitor, the waiter placed a white card by hisplate. The color in the colonel's face suddenly deepened, as he read uponthe card the name of Mr. Hugh Searles, representing Messrs. Guerney &Barring, London.
"What's the matter, Reuben?" anxiously inquired Mrs. Harris.
"Oh, nothing," said the colonel, "only that our overdue English visitor,Hugh Searles, has sent in his card."
"How surprising," said Lucille; "you remember, father, that I said atbreakfast, that the weather was to be fair. Probably the 'Majestic'quickened her speed, and stole in unobserved to the docks."
"I will send him my card;" and upon it Mr. Harris wrote in pencil, "Iwill soon join you in the reception room."
The black coffee disposed of, it was agreed that all should accompanyColonel Harris, and give Mr. Searles a cordial welcome to America.
The English agent was a good sailor, and had enjoyed immensely the oceanvoyage. Mr. Searles, of late over-worked in England, was compelled onboard ship to rest both mind and body. A true Englishman, Mr. Searles,was very practical. He comprehended fully the importance of his missionto America, and possessed the tact of getting on in the world. If theproposed deal with Reuben Harris was a success, he expected as commissionnot less than five thousand pounds. Before the "Majestic" left theMersey, that his mind might be alert on arrival at New York, he hadmeasured with tape line the promenade deck of the steamer, and resolvedto make enough laps for a mi
le, both before and after each meal, a walkof six miles per day, or a total of forty-eight miles for the voyage.
A sturdy Englishman, taking such vigorous and methodical exercise,created some comment among the passengers, but it was excused on theground that Englishmen believe in much outdoor exercise. Searles camefrom a good family, who lived north of London in Lincolnshire. Hisfather, the Hon. George Searles, had a competency, largely invested inlands, and three per cent consols. His rule of investment was, securityunquestioned and interest not above three per cent, believing thatneither creditors nor enterprise of any kind, in the long run, couldafford to pay more. His ancestors were Germans, who crossed the GermanOcean, soon after the Romans withdrew from England.
A large area of Lincolnshire lies below the level of the sea, from whichit is protected by embankments. This fenny district gradually had beenreclaimed, and to-day the deep loam and peat-soils, not unlike the richfarms of Holland, are celebrated for their high condition of agriculture.What mortgages the Hon. George Searles held were secured uponLincolnshire estates, some of England's best lands.
Hugh Searles, his son, however, had known only London life since hegraduated from Cambridge. His office was in Chancery Lane, and hissurroundings and teachings had been of the speculative kind, hence he wasa fit agent for his firm. Already he had acquired a sunny suburban homein Kent, and was ambitious to hold a seat in Parliament. As he walked thesteamer's deck, he looked the typical Englishman, five feet ten inches inheight, broad shoulders and full chest; his weight about two hundredpounds, or "fifteen stones" as Searles phrased it.
His face was round and ruddy, his beard closely cut, and his hair lightand fine, indicating quality. His step was firm, and he seemed always indeep study. When addressed by his fellow passengers however, he wascourteous, always talked to the point in his replies, and was anxious tolearn more of America, or as he expressed it, "of the Anglo-Saxonconfederation." He was very proud of his Anglo-Saxon origin, and Empire,and believed in the final Anglo-Saxon ascendancy over the world.
On board ship were several young Englishmen, who were on their return tovarious posts of duty. Three were buyers for cotton firms in Liverpooland Manchester, and they were hastening back to Norfolk, Va., Memphis,and New Orleans. Two of the passengers were English officers, returningto their commands in far away Australia. Others, like Searles, werecrossing the Atlantic for the first time in search of fame and fortune.These adventurous Englishmen thought it fine sport as the "Majestic"sighted Fire Light Island to join the enthusiastic Americans in singing"America." So heartily did they sing, that the Americans in turn, usingthe same tune, cordially sang "God save the Queen."
At first Hugh Searles was a little disconcerted, when the whole Harrisfamily approached him in the Waldorf reception-room. Colonel Harriscordially extended his hand, and said, "Mr. Searles, we are all glad tomeet you, and bid you hearty welcome to America. Please let me make youacquainted with my wife, Mrs. Harris, my daughters, Gertrude and Lucille,and my son, Alfonso."
"An unexpected greeting you give me, Colonel Harris," said Hugh Searles,as he gave each person a quick hand-shake, thinking that to be anAmerican he must grasp hands cordially.
The family were much interested in the details of Mr. Searles's voyage,as they expected soon to be en route for Europe. Mr. Searles said, "Thecause of the 'Majestic's' delay was a broken propeller in rough seas offthe Banks of Newfoundland. I am glad to reach New York." He had arrivedat the Hotel at ten o'clock and already had been to lunch.
Mr. Searles gladly accepted an invitation from Colonel Harris for adrive, Mrs. Harris and Lucille to accompany them. Searles expressed awish to see the famous Roebling suspension bridge, so the coachman drovefirst down Broadway to the post office, then past the great newspaperbuildings, and out upon the marvelous highway or bridge suspended in theair between New York and Brooklyn. When midway, Mr. Searles begged tostep out of the carriage, and putting his arms around one of the fourenormous cables, inquired of Colonel Harris how these huge cables werecarried over the towers.
Colonel Harris explained that each cable was composed of over fivethousand steel wires, and that a shuttle carried the wire back and forthtill the requisite strength of cables was obtained. The expense of thebridge was about $15,000,000, which the two cities paid. Its greatutility had been abundantly proved by the repeated necessity of enlargingthe approaches.
The drive to the Central Park was up Fifth Avenue, home of America'smulti-millionaires. An unending cavalcade of superb family equipages waspassing through the entrance at 59th Street. Colonel Harris explainedthat "Central Park had been planted with over half a million trees,shrubs and vines, and that which was once a waste of rock and swamp, hadby skill of enthusiastic engineers and landscape gardeners blossomed intogreen lawns, shady groves, vine-covered arbors, with miles of roads andwalks, inviting expanses of water, picturesque bits of architecture, andscenery, that rival the world's parks."
The ride and comments of Mr. Searles afforded the Harris family anopportunity to study their guest, and on returning to the hotel, allagreed that Hugh Searles was thoroughly equipped to protect his Englishpatrons in any deal that he might decide to make. It was planned that allshould dine together at eight, and Leo was to join the party byinvitation of Lucille.
Evidently the Harrises were well pleased with their English visitor, buttheir pleasure was also quickened with the bright prospect of severalmillions of English money for their manufacturing interest. Then aftertheir visit to Europe might follow the long looked-for residence indelightful New York. Already rich Americans, famous authors and artistsgravitate as naturally to this new world metropolis, as the world's eliteto London and Paris.