Chapter 24

by Upton Sinclair

　　In the face of all his handicaps, Jurgis was obliged to make theprice of a lodging, and of a drink every hour or two, underpenalty of freezing to death. Day after day he roamed about inthe arctic cold, his soul filled full of bitterness and despair.He saw the world of civilization then more plainly than ever hehad seen it before; a world in which nothing counted but brutalmight, an order devised by those who possessed it for thesubjugation of those who did not. He was one of the latter; andall outdoors, all life, was to him one colossal prison, which hepaced like a pent-up tiger, trying one bar after another, andfinding them all beyond his power. He had lost in the fiercebattle of greed, and so was doomed to be exterminated; and allsociety was busied to see that he did not escape the sentence.Everywhere that he turned were prison bars, and hostile eyesfollowing him; the well-fed, sleek policemen, from whose glanceshe shrank, and who seemed to grip their clubs more tightly whenthey saw him; the saloon-keepers, who never ceased to watch himwhile he was in their places, who were jealous of every moment helingered after he had paid his money; the hurrying throngs uponthe streets, who were deaf to his entreaties, oblivious of hisvery existence--and savage and contemptuous when he forcedhimself upon them. They had their own affairs, and there was noplace for him among them. There was no place for him anywhere--every direction he turned his gaze, this fact was forced uponhim: Everything was built to express it to him: the residences,with their heavy walls and bolted doors, and basement windowsbarred with iron; the great warehouses filled with the productsof the whole world, and guarded by iron shutters and heavy gates;the banks with their unthinkable billions of wealth, all buriedin safes and vaults of steel.And then one day there befell Jurgis the one adventure of hislife. It was late at night, and he had failed to get the priceof a lodging. Snow was falling, and he had been out so long thathe was covered with it, and was chilled to the bone. He wasworking among the theater crowds, flitting here and there, takinglarge chances with the police, in his desperation half hoping tobe arrested. When he saw a bluecoat start toward him, however,his heart failed him, and he dashed down a side street and fled acouple of blocks. When he stopped again he saw a man comingtoward him, and placed himself in his path."Please, sir," he began, in the usual formula, "will you give methe price of a lodging? I've had a broken arm, and I can't work,and I've not a cent in my pocket. I'm an honest working-man,sir, and I never begged before! It's not my fault, sir--"Jurgis usually went on until he was interrupted, but this man didnot interrupt, and so at last he came to a breathless stop. Theother had halted, and Jurgis suddenly noticed that he stood alittle unsteadily. "Whuzzat you say?" he queried suddenly, in athick voice.Jurgis began again, speaking more slowly and distinctly; beforehe was half through the other put out his hand and rested it uponhis shoulder. "Poor ole chappie!" he said. "Beenup--hic--up--against it, hey?"Then he lurched toward Jurgis, and the hand upon his shoulderbecame an arm about his neck. "Up against it myself, ole sport,"he said. "She's a hard ole world."They were close to a lamppost, and Jurgis got a glimpse of theother. He was a young fellow--not much over eighteen, with ahandsome boyish face. He wore a silk hat and a rich softovercoat with a fur collar; and he smiled at Jurgis withbenignant sympathy. "I'm hard up, too, my goo' fren'," he said."I've got cruel parents, or I'd set you up. Whuzzamatterwhizyer?""I've been in the hospital.""Hospital!" exclaimed the young fellow, still smiling sweetly,"thass too bad! Same's my Aunt Polly--hic--my Aunt Polly's inthe hospital, too--ole auntie's been havin' twins! Whuzzamatterwhiz you?""I've got a broken arm--" Jurgis began."So," said the other, sympathetically. "That ain't so bad--youget over that. I wish somebody'd break my arm, ole chappie--damfidon't! Then they'd treat me better--hic--hole me up, olesport! Whuzzit you wammme do?""I'm hungry, sir," said Jurgis."Hungry! Why don't you hassome supper?""I've got no money, sir.""No money! Ho, ho--less be chums, ole boy--jess like me! Nomoney, either--a'most busted! Why don't you go home, then,same's me?""I haven't any home," said Jurgis."No home! Stranger in the city, hey? Goo' God, thass bad!Better come home wiz me--yes, by Harry, thass the trick, you'llcome home an' hassome supper--hic--wiz me! Awfullonesome--nobody home! Guv'ner gone abroad--Bubby on'shoneymoon--Polly havin' twins--every damn soul gone away!Nuff--hic--nuff to drive a feller to drink, I say! Only ole Hamstandin' by, passin' plates--damfican eat like that, no sir! Theclub for me every time, my boy, I say. But then they won't lemmesleep there--guv'ner's orders, by Harry--home every night, sir!Ever hear anythin' like that? 'Every mornin' do?' I asked him.'No, sir, every night, or no allowance at all, sir.' Thass myguv'ner--'nice as nails, by Harry! Tole ole Ham to watch me,too--servants spyin' on me--whuzyer think that, my fren'? Anice, quiet--hic--goodhearted young feller like me, an' his daddycan't go to Europe--hup!--an' leave him in peace! Ain't that ashame, sir? An' I gotter go home every evenin' an' miss all thefun, by Harry! Thass whuzzamatter now--thass why I'm here!Hadda come away an' leave Kitty--hic--left her cryin',too--whujja think of that, ole sport? 'Lemme go, Kittens,'says I--'come early an' often--I go where duty--hic--calls me.Farewell, farewell, my own true love--farewell, farewehell,my--own true--love!'"This last was a song, and the young gentleman's voice rosemournful and wailing, while he swung upon Jurgis's neck. Thelatter was glancing about nervously, lest some one shouldapproach. They were still alone, however."But I came all right, all right," continued the youngster,aggressively, "I can--hic--I can have my own way when I want it,by Harry--Freddie Jones is a hard man to handle when he getsgoin'! 'No, sir,' says I, 'by thunder, and I don't need anybodygoin' home with me, either--whujja take me for, hey? Think I'mdrunk, dontcha, hey?--I know you! But I'm no more drunk than youare, Kittens,' says I to her. And then says she, 'Thass true,Freddie dear' (she's a smart one, is Kitty), 'but I'm stayin' inthe flat, an' you're goin' out into the cold, cold night!' 'Putit in a pome, lovely Kitty,' says I. 'No jokin', Freddie, myboy,' says she. 'Lemme call a cab now, like a good dear'--but Ican call my own cabs, dontcha fool yourself--and I know what I'ma-doin', you bet! Say, my fren', whatcha say--willye come homean' see me, an' hassome supper? Come 'long like a goodfeller--don't be haughty! You're up against it, same as me, an'you can unerstan' a feller; your heart's in the right place, byHarry--come 'long, ole chappie, an' we'll light up the house, an'have some fizz, an' we'll raise hell, we will--whoop-la!S'long's I'm inside the house I can do as I please--the guv'ner'sown very orders, b'God! Hip! hip!"They had started down the street, arm in arm, the young manpushing Jurgis along, half dazed. Jurgis was trying to thinkwhat to do--he knew he could not pass any crowded place with hisnew acquaintance without attracting attention and being stopped.It was only because of the falling snow that people who passedhere did not notice anything wrong.Suddenly, therefore, Jurgis stopped. "Is it very far?" heinquired."Not very," said the other, "Tired, are you, though? Well, we'llride--whatcha say? Good! Call a cab!"And then, gripping Jurgis tight with one hand, the young fellowbegan searching his pockets with the other. "You call, olesport, an' I'll pay," he suggested. "How's that, hey?"And he pulled out from somewhere a big roll of bills. It wasmore money than Jurgis had ever seen in his life before, and hestared at it with startled eyes."Looks like a lot, hey?" said Master Freddie, fumbling with it."Fool you, though, ole chappie--they're all little ones! I'll bebusted in one week more, sure thing--word of honor. An' not acent more till the first--hic--guv'ner's orders--hic--not a cent,by Harry! Nuff to set a feller crazy, it is. I sent him acable, this af'noon--thass one reason more why I'm goin' home.'Hangin' on the verge of starvation,' I says--'for the honor ofthe family--hic--sen' me some bread. Hunger will compel me tojoin you--Freddie.' Thass what I wired him, by Harry, an' I meanit--I'll run away from school, b'God, if he don't sen' me some."After this fashion the young gentleman continued to prattleon--and meantime Jurgis was trembling with excitement. He mightgrab that wad of bills and be out of sight in the darkness beforethe other could collect his wits. Should he do it? What betterhad he to hope for, if he waited longer? But Jurgis had nevercommitted a crime in his life, and now he hesitated half a secondtoo long. "Freddie" got one bill loose, and then stuffed therest back into his trousers' pocket."Here, ole man," he said, "you take it." He held it outfluttering. They were in front of a saloon; and by the light ofthe window Jurgis saw that it was a hundred-dollar bill! "Youtake it," the other repeated. "Pay the cabbie an' keep thechange--I've got--hic--no head for business! Guv'ner says sohisself, an' the guv'ner knows--the guv'ner's got a head forbusiness, you bet! 'All right, guv'ner,' I told him, 'you runthe show, and I'll take the tickets!' An' so he set Aunt Pollyto watch me--hic--an' now Polly's off in the hospital havin'twins, an' me out raisin' Cain! Hello, there! Hey! Call him!"A cab was driving by; and Jurgis sprang and called, and it swunground to the curb. Master Freddie clambered in with somedifficulty, and Jurgis had started to follow, when the drivershouted: "Hi, there! Get out--you!"Jurgis hesitated, and was half obeying; but his companion brokeout: "Whuzzat? Whuzzamatter wiz you, hey?"And the cabbie subsided, and Jurgis climbed in. Then Freddiegave a number on the Lake Shore Drive, and the carriage startedaway. The youngster leaned back and snuggled up to Jurgis,murmuring contentedly; in half a minute he was sound asleep,Jurgis sat shivering, speculating as to whether he might notstill be able to get hold of the roll of bills. He was afraid totry to go through his companion's pockets, however; and besidesthe cabbie might be on the watch. He had the hundred safe, andhe would have to be content with that.At the end of half an hour or so the cab stopped. They were outon the waterfront, and from the east a freezing gale was blowingoff the ice-bound lake. "Here we are," called the cabbie, andJurgis awakened his companion.Master Freddie sat up with a start."Hello!" he said. "Where are we? Whuzzis? Who are you, hey?Oh, yes, sure nuff! Mos' forgot you--hic--ole chappie! Home,are we? Lessee! Br-r-r--it's cold! Yes--come 'long--we'rehome--it ever so--hic--humble!"Before them there loomed an enormous granite pile, set far backfrom the street, and occupying a whole block. By the light ofthe driveway lamps Jurgis could see that it had towers and hugegables, like a medieval castle. He thought that the young fellowmust have made a mistake--it was inconceivable to him that anyperson could have a home like a hotel or the city hall. But hefollowed in silence, and they went up the long flight of steps,arm in arm."There's a button here, ole sport," said Master Freddie. "Holemy arm while I find her! Steady, now--oh, yes, here she is!Saved!"A bell rang, and in a few seconds the door was opened. A man inblue livery stood holding it, and gazing before him, silent as astatue.They stood for a moment blinking in the light. Then Jurgis felthis companion pulling, and he stepped in, and the blue automatonclosed the door. Jurgis's heart was beating wildly; it was abold thing for him to do--into what strange unearthly place hewas venturing he had no idea. Aladdin entering his cave couldnot have been more excited.The place where he stood was dimly lighted; but he could see avast hall, with pillars fading into the darkness above, and agreat staircase opening at the far end of it. The floor was oftesselated marble, smooth as glass, and from the walls strangeshapes loomed out, woven into huge portieres in rich, harmoniouscolors, or gleaming from paintings, wonderful andmysterious-looking in the half-light, purple and red and golden,like sunset glimmers in a shadowy forest.The man in livery had moved silently toward them; Master Freddietook off his hat and handed it to him, and then, letting go ofJurgis' arm, tried to get out of his overcoat. After two orthree attempts he accomplished this, with the lackey's help,and meantime a second man had approached, a tall and portlypersonage, solemn as an executioner. He bore straight down uponJurgis, who shrank away nervously; he seized him by the armwithout a word, and started toward the door with him. Thensuddenly came Master Freddie's voice, "Hamilton! My fren' willremain wiz me."The man paused and half released Jurgis. "Come 'long olechappie," said the other, and Jurgis started toward him."Master Frederick!" exclaimed the man."See that the cabbie--hic--is paid," was the other's response;and he linked his arm in Jurgis'. Jurgis was about to say,"I have the money for him," but he restrained himself. The stoutman in uniform signaled to the other, who went out to the cab,while he followed Jurgis and his young master.They went down the great hall, and then turned. Before them weretwo huge doors."Hamilton," said Master Freddie."Well, sir?" said the other."Whuzzamatter wizze dinin'-room doors?""Nothing is the matter, sir.""Then why dontcha openum?"The man rolled them back; another vista lost itself in thedarkness. "Lights," commanded Master Freddie; and the butlerpressed a button, and a flood of brilliant incandescence streamedfrom above, half-blinding Jurgis. He stared; and little bylittle he made out the great apartment, with a domed ceiling fromwhich the light poured, and walls that were one enormouspainting--nymphs and dryads dancing in a flower-strewnglade--Diana with her hounds and horses, dashing headlong througha mountain streamlet--a group of maidens bathing in a forestpool--all life-size, and so real that Jurgis thought that it wassome work of enchantment, that he was in a dream palace. Thenhis eye passed to the long table in the center of the hall,a table black as ebony, and gleaming with wrought silver and gold.In the center of it was a huge carven bowl, with the glisteninggleam of ferns and the red and purple of rare orchids, glowingfrom a light hidden somewhere in their midst."This's the dinin' room," observed Master Freddie. "How you likeit, hey, ole sport?"He always insisted on having an answer to his remarks, leaningover Jurgis and smiling into his face. Jurgis liked it."Rummy ole place to feed in all 'lone, though," was Freddie'scomment--"rummy's hell! Whuzya think, hey?" Then another ideaoccurred to him and he went on, without waiting: "Maybe you neversaw anythin--hic--like this 'fore? Hey, ole chappie?""No," said Jurgis."Come from country, maybe--hey?""Yes," said Jurgis."Aha! I thosso! Lossa folks from country never saw such aplace. Guv'ner brings 'em--free show--hic--reg'lar circus!Go home tell folks about it. Ole man lones's place--lones thepacker--beef-trust man. Made it all out of hogs, too, damn olescoundrel. Now we see where our pennies go--rebates, an' privatecar lines--hic--by Harry! Bully place, though--worth seein' !Ever hear of lones the packer, hey, ole chappie?"Jurgis had started involuntarily; the other, whose sharp eyesmissed nothing, demanded: "Whuzzamatter, hey? Heard of him?"And Jurgis managed to stammer out: "I have worked for him in theyards.""What!" cried Master Freddie, with a yell. "You! In the yards?Ho, ho! Why, say, thass good! Shake hands on it, ole man--byHarry! Guv'ner ought to be here--glad to see you. Great fren'swith the men, guv'ner--labor an' capital, commun'ty 'f int'rests,an' all that--hic! Funny things happen in this world, don'tthey, ole man? Hamilton, lemme interduce you--fren' thefamily--ole fren' the guv'ner's--works in the yards. Come tospend the night wiz me, Hamilton--have a hot time. Me fren',Mr.--whuzya name, ole chappie? Tell us your name.""Rudkus--Jurgis Rudkus.""My fren', Mr. Rednose, Hamilton--shake han's."The stately butler bowed his head, but made not a sound; andsuddenly Master Freddie pointed an eager finger at him. "I knowwhuzzamatter wiz you, Hamilton--lay you a dollar I know! Youthink--hic--you think I'm drunk! Hey, now?"And the butler again bowed his head. "Yes, sir," he said, atwhich Master Freddie hung tightly upon Jurgis's neck and wentinto a fit of laughter. "Hamilton, you damn ole scoundrel," heroared, "I'll 'scharge you for impudence, you see 'f I don't!Ho, ho, ho! I'm drunk! Ho, ho!"The two waited until his fit had spent itself, to see what newwhim would seize him. "Whatcha wanta do?" he queried suddenly."Wanta see the place, ole chappie? Wamme play the guv'ner--showyou roun'? State parlors--Looee Cans--Looee Sez--chairs costthree thousand apiece. Tea room Maryanntnet--picture ofshepherds dancing--Ruysdael--twenty-three thousan'!Ballroom--balc'ny pillars--hic--imported--specialship--sixty-eight thousan'! Ceilin' painted in Rome--whuzzatfeller's name, Hamilton--Mattatoni? Macaroni? Then thisplace--silver bowl--Benvenuto Cellini--rummy ole Dago! An' theorgan--thirty thousan' dollars, sir--starter up, Hamilton, letMr. Rednose hear it. No--never mind--clean forgot--says he'shungry, Hamilton--less have some supper. Only--hic--don't lesshave it here--come up to my place, ole sport--nice an' cosy.This way--steady now, don't slip on the floor. Hamilton, we'llhave a cole spread, an' some fizz--don't leave out the fizz, byHarry. We'll have some of the eighteen-thirty Madeira. Hear me,sir?""Yes, sir," said the butler, "but, Master Frederick, your fatherleft orders--"And Master Frederick drew himself up to a stately height. "Myfather's orders were left to me--hic--an' not to you," he said.Then, clasping Jurgis tightly by the neck, he staggered out ofthe room; on the way another idea occurred to him, and he asked:"Any--hic--cable message for me, Hamilton?""No, sir," said the butler."Guv'ner must be travelin'. An' how's the twins, Hamilton?""They are doing well, sir.""Good!" said Master Freddie; and added fervently: "God bless 'em,the little lambs!"They went up the great staircase, one step at a time; at the topof it there gleamed at them out of the shadows the figure of anymph crouching by a fountain, a figure ravishingly beautiful,the flesh warm and glowing with the hues of life. Above was ahuge court, with domed roof, the various apartments opening intoit. The butler had paused below but a few minutes to giveorders, and then followed them; now he pressed a button, and thehall blazed with light. He opened a door before them, and thenpressed another button, as they staggered into the apartment.It was fitted up as a study. In the center was a mahogany table,covered with books, and smokers' implements; the walls weredecorated with college trophies and colors--flags, posters,photographs and knickknacks--tennis rackets, canoe paddles, golfclubs, and polo sticks. An enormous moose head, with horns sixfeet across, faced a buffalo head on the opposite wall, whilebear and tiger skins covered the polished floor. There werelounging chairs and sofas, window seats covered with softcushions of fantastic designs; there was one corner fitted inPersian fashion, with a huge canopy and a jeweled lamp beneath.Beyond, a door opened upon a bedroom, and beyond that was aswimming pool of the purest marble, that had cost about fortythousand dollars.Master Freddie stood for a moment or two, gazing about him; thenout of the next room a dog emerged, a monstrous bulldog, the mosthideous object that Jurgis had ever laid eyes upon. He yawned,opening a mouth like a dragon's; and he came toward the youngman, wagging his tail. "Hello, Dewey!" cried his master. "Beenhavin' a snooze, ole boy? Well, well--hello there,whuzzamatter?" (The dog was snarling at Jurgis.) "Why,Dewey--this' my fren', Mr. Rednose--ole fren' the guv'ner's!Mr. Rednose, Admiral Dewey; shake han's--hic. Ain't he a daisy,though--blue ribbon at the New York show--eighty-five hundred ata clip! How's that, hey?"The speaker sank into one of the big armchairs, and Admiral Deweycrouched beneath it; he did not snarl again, but he never tookhis eyes off Jurgis. He was perfectly sober, was the Admiral.The butler had closed the door, and he stood by it, watchingJurgis every second. Now there came footsteps outside, and,as he opened the door a man in livery entered, carrying a foldingtable, and behind him two men with covered trays. They stoodlike statues while the first spread the table and set out thecontents of the trays upon it. There were cold pates, and thinslices of meat, tiny bread and butter sandwiches with the crustcut off, a bowl of sliced peaches and cream (in January), littlefancy cakes, pink and green and yellow and white, and half adozen ice-cold bottles of wine."Thass the stuff for you!" cried Master Freddie, exultantly,as he spied them. "Come 'long, ole chappie, move up."And he seated himself at the table; the waiter pulled a cork,and he took the bottle and poured three glasses of its contents insuccession down his throat. Then he gave a long-drawn sigh, andcried again to Jurgis to seat himself.The butler held the chair at the opposite side of the table,and Jurgis thought it was to keep him out of it; but finally heunderstand that it was the other's intention to put it under him,and so he sat down, cautiously and mistrustingly. Master Freddieperceived that the attendants embarrassed him, and he remarkedwith a nod to them, "You may go."They went, all save the butler."You may go too, Hamilton," he said."Master Frederick--" the man began."Go!" cried the youngster, angrily. "Damn you, don't you hear me?"The man went out and closed the door; Jurgis, who was as sharp ashe, observed that he took the key out of the lock, in order thathe might peer through the keyhole.Master Frederick turned to the table again. "Now," he said, "gofor it."Jurgis gazed at him doubtingly. "Eat!" cried the other. "Pilein, ole chappie!""Don't you want anything?" Jurgis asked."Ain't hungry," was the reply--"only thirsty. Kitty and me hadsome candy--you go on."So Jurgis began, without further parley. He ate as with twoshovels, his fork in one hand and his knife in the other; when heonce got started his wolf-hunger got the better of him, and hedid not stop for breath until he had cleared every plate."Gee whiz!" said the other, who had been watching him in wonder.Then he held Jurgis the bottle. "Lessee you drink now," he said;and Jurgis took the bottle and turned it up to his mouth, and awonderfully unearthly liquid ecstasy poured down his throat,tickling every nerve of him, thrilling him with joy. He drankthe very last drop of it, and then he gave vent to a long-drawn"Ah!""Good stuff, hey?" said Freddie, sympathetically; he had leanedback in the big chair, putting his arm behind his head and gazingat Jurgis.And Jurgis gazed back at him. He was clad in spotless eveningdress, was Freddie, and looked very handsome--he was a beautifulboy, with light golden hair and the head of an Antinous. Hesmiled at Jurgis confidingly, and then started talking again,with his blissful insouciance. This time he talked for tenminutes at a stretch, and in the course of the speech he toldJurgis all of his family history. His big brother Charlie was inlove with the guileless maiden who played the part of "LittleBright-Eyes" in "The Kaliph of Kamskatka." He had been on theverge of marrying her once, only "the guv'ner" had sworn todisinherit him, and had presented him with a sum that wouldstagger the imagination, and that had staggered the virtue of"Little Bright-Eyes." Now Charlie had got leave from college,and had gone away in his automobile on the next best thing to ahoneymoon. "The guv'ner" had made threats to disinherit anotherof his children also, sister Gwendolen, who had married anItalian marquis with a string of titles and a dueling record.They lived in his chateau, or rather had, until he had taken tofiring the breakfast dishes at her; then she had cabled for help,and the old gentleman had gone over to find out what were hisGrace's terms. So they had left Freddie all alone, and he withless than two thousand dollars in his pocket. Freddie was up inarms and meant serious business, as they would find in theend--if there was no other way of bringing them to terms he wouldhave his "Kittens" wire that she was about to marry him, and seewhat happened then.So the cheerful youngster rattled on, until he was tired out.He smiled his sweetest smile at Jurgis, and then he closed his eyes,sleepily. Then he opened them again, and smiled once more, andfinally closed them and forgot to open them.For several minutes Jurgis sat perfectly motionless, watchinghim, and reveling in the strange sensation of the champagne.Once he stirred, and the dog growled; after that he sat almostholding his breath--until after a while the door of the roomopened softly, and the butler came in.He walked toward Jurgis upon tiptoe, scowling at him; and Jurgisrose up, and retreated, scowling back. So until he was againstthe wall, and then the butler came close, and pointed toward thedoor. "Get out of here!" he whispered.Jurgis hesitated, giving a glance at Freddie, who was snoringsoftly. "If you do, you son of a--" hissed the butler, "I'llmash in your face for you before you get out of here!"And Jurgis wavered but an instant more. He saw "Admiral Dewey"coming up behind the man and growling softly, to back up histhreats. Then he surrendered and started toward the door.They went out without a sound, and down the great echoingstaircase, and through the dark hall. At the front door hepaused, and the butler strode close to him."Hold up your hands," he snarled. Jurgis took a step back,clinching his one well fist."What for?" he cried; and then understanding that the fellowproposed to search him, he answered, "I'll see you in hellfirst.""Do you want to go to jail?" demanded the butler, menacingly."I'll have the police--""Have 'em!" roared Jurgis, with fierce passion. "But you won'tput your hands on me till you do! I haven't touched anything inyour damned house, and I'll not have you touch me!"So the butler, who was terrified lest his young master shouldwaken, stepped suddenly to the door, and opened it. "Get out ofhere!" he said; and then as Jurgis passed through the opening, hegave him a ferocious kick that sent him down the great stonesteps at a run, and landed him sprawling in the snow at thebottom.