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Read Ebook: Barry Wynn; Or The Adventures of a Page Boy in the United States Congress by Barton George Huybers John Alfred Illustrator
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Ebook has 1875 lines and 57808 words, and 38 pages
But at last something happened that reminded him. Once again it was a dream, but this time the dreamer was Pharaoh, the great king. He had sent for all the cleverest men in the land to explain his dreams to him, but no one could find a meaning for them.
Then the cup-bearer suddenly remembered Joseph, and came and told the king all that had happened to him when he was in prison. Surely it would be worth while to try this man. So Pharaoh sent and brought Joseph out of prison, and asked him if it was true that he could tell the meaning of dreams.
There was no pride nor boastfulness in Joseph's answer. Of himself, he said, he could do nothing; but with God's help he would tell the king all that he cou the morning. In the meantime, Joe will post you on your duties. You will find him a very nice boy."
"Yes," said Barry, gazing at Joe somewhat skeptically, "I suppose I will find him to be a very nice boy."
THE NAVAL REPAIR STATION
Mr. Carlton had only gone a few yards when Barry suddenly remembered the bulky manilla envelope that had been entrusted to his care as the train was leaving Cleverly. He ran after the Congressman and handed him the package. Mr. Carlton opened it in the boy's presence and his eyes lighted with pleasure.
"It's just what I've been waiting for, Conway," he said to his newspaper friend.
"Good; then you can present the whole business to the Secretary today."
"Precisely; that's what I intend to do."
"Suppose you take Barry along with you," suggested the correspondent.
"A good idea. I might want to send for some papers."
"Would he know where to go?" asked Conway, laughingly. "You know he's a stranger in a strange land."
"That's easily fixed," smiled the Congressman.
"How?"
"We'll take Joe along as a guide for Barry."
The two men and boys boarded a Pennsylvania Avenue trolley and were soon proceeding to the other end of the thoroughfare.
"My boy," said Mr. Carlton to Barry, "I think we might as well take you into our confidence."
"Yes, sir."
"Years ago, when your father and I were young men we conceived the idea that the Government should build a great naval supply station at Cleverly. He even went so far as to draw up rough plans. But the time was not ripe for it and the notion was abandoned. Since your good father's death there have been spasmodic attempts to revive the plan, but they never amounted to anything. Now, however, the conditions are all favorable, and I believe that with a little strategy and a great deal of industry, I can win the fight and make Cleverly a household name in the United States instead of a mere speck on the map."
"That would be splendid," cried Barry, his eyes glowing with pleasure.
"The big secret," continued the Congressman, "is the fact that the Government is now ready to act."
"Do you mean that they're going to build a station at Cleverly?" asked Barry, excitedly.
Mr. Carlton laughed.
"No; hardly that. I mean that the officials of the Government who have charge of our Navy have decided that we need a new Naval Repair Station. It remains for Congress to say where the station shall be located and to appropriate the money to pay for it. Now, I think, and Mr. Conway thinks, too, that the City of Cleverly can furnish the ideal site for this station."
"I don't suppose," chimed in the journalist, "that Barry can have much interest in the subject."
"Yes, I have," exclaimed the boy; "I think it's real exciting."
Both men laughed at the boy's enthusiasm.
"The excitement," observed the journalist, "will come when it becomes known that the Government intends to build the new station."
"When will it become known?"
"Very soon, I think. Mr. Carlton is going to have an interview with the Secretary of the Navy this afternoon. A great deal depends on the result of that talk."
Little Joe Hart had been listening to the conversation with great intentness. He looked up now with a comical twist of the mouth.
"Mr. Conway," he exclaimed, with mock seriousness, "you can depend on my support."
They all laughed heartily at this sally. Mr. Carlton turned to the newspaper man:
"You see," he said, "we have two young gentlemen with us already."
"Yes," was the retort, "but, unfortunately, they have no votes."
"They will have some day," commented the Congressman soberly, "and I hope they will exercise that power for the good of the country."
"What do you think of it?" asked Mr. Conway.
Barry hesitated.
"Come out with it," insisted the journalist.
"Well," said the boy reluctantly, "it doesn't look much."
Mr. Conway laughed.
"That's the opinion of most strangers. But as you grow older you will realize that it typifies the strength and simplicity of the people. We have wealth enough to give the President a palace that would rival the homes of the sovereigns of Europe, but, thank goodness, we haven't the desire."
The large stone building, which is the headquarters of the State, War and Navy Departments, was now in sight. As they walked up the high steps of the main entrance, Barry and the journalist found themselves temporarily separated from Mr. Carlton and Joe Hart. It gave Mr. Conway an opportunity of speaking of the Congressman.
"He's one of nature's noblemen," he said, fervently. "I've been here many years," he added, "and I've seen public men come and go, but I never met a cleaner, abler man than John Carlton. Only his modesty has prevented him from being the leader of Congress. He's as clean as a hound's tooth, but he would no more boast of his integrity, than he would brag of saying his prayers. He takes it as a matter of course. He despises grafters, but he also detests self-sufficient reformers who are forever flaunting their virtues in the face of the public. But," with a laugh, "I'm afraid I'm talking over your head, Barry."
"Not at all," retorted the boy. "I know just what you mean; and, besides, I love to hear anyone talk about Mr. Carlton. He was my father's best friend. That's why he had me appointed a page boy. He says it will give me a chance to see life and mix with big people and that it may lead to something better."
"That's true, and I think that even in your modest position you may be very useful to him."
"I hope so. He seems very much interested in the Naval Repair Station."
"It's the biggest thing he has ever attempted. If he succeeds the people of Cleverly will never forget him. It will mean that he will not have to fight for re-election at the end of every two years. In short it will be a monument to him."
At the head of the steps the two were joined by Mr. Carlton and Joe Hart. They proceeded along the corridor and then up another flight of stairs and presently were ushered into the office of the Secretary of the Navy. The two boys seated themselves on a leather covered sofa near the door, while the Congressman and Mr. Conway walked up to a desk where a young man was writing. He greeted them pleasantly, took their cards and disappeared into a smaller apartment in the rear of the large room. He returned in a few moments followed by an older man. The newcomer hurried over to where the Congressman was standing.
"Hello, Carlton," he cried, cheerily, "I'm glad to see you."
"The pleasure is mutual, Mr. Secretary," smiled the statesman.
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