English
Jurgisgotup,wildwithrage,butthedoorwasshutandthegreatcastlewasdarkandimpregnable.Thentheicyteethoftheblastbitintohim,andheturnedandwentawayatarun.
Whenhestoppedagainitwasbecausehewascomingtofrequentedstreetsanddidnotwishtoattractattention.
Inspiteofthatlasthumiliation,hisheartwasthumpingfastwithtriumph.Hehadcomeoutaheadonthatdeal!
Heputhishandintohistrousers’pocketeverynowandthen,tomakesurethattheprecioushundred-dollarbillwasstillthere.
Yethewasinaplight—acuriousandevendreadfulplight,whenhecametorealizeit.Hehadnotasinglecentbutthatonebill!Andhehadtofindsomeshelterthatnighthehadtochangeit!
Jurgisspenthalfanhourwalkinganddebatingtheproblem.
Therewasnoonehecouldgotoforhelp—hehadtomanageitallalone.
Togetitchangedinalodging-housewouldbetotakehislifeinhishands—hewouldalmostcertainlyberobbed,andperhapsmurdered,beforemorning.
Hemightgotosomehotelorrailroaddepotandasktohaveitchanged;butwhatwouldtheythink,seeinga“bum”likehimwithahundreddollars?
Hewouldprobablybearrestedifhetriedit;andwhatstorycouldhetell?
OnthemorrowFreddieJoneswoulddiscoverhisloss,andtherewouldbeahuntforhim,andhewouldlosehismoney.
Theonlyotherplanhecouldthinkofwastotryinasaloon.
Hemightpaythemtochangeit,ifitcouldnotbedoneotherwise.
Hebeganpeeringintoplacesashewalked;hepassedseveralasbeingtoocrowded—thenfinally,chancingupononewherethebartenderwasallalone,hegrippedhishandsinsuddenresolutionandwentin.
“Canyouchangemeahundred-dollarbill?”hedemanded.
Thebartenderwasabig,huskyfellow,withthejawofaprizefighter,andathreeweeks’stubbleofhairuponit.HestaredatJurgis.“What’sthatyousesay?”hedemanded.
“Isaid,couldyouchangemeahundred-dollarbill?”
“Where’dyousegetit?”heinquiredincredulously.
“Nevermind,”saidJurgis;“I’vegotit,andIwantitchanged.I’llpayyouifyou’lldoit.”
Theotherstaredathimhard.“Lemmeseeit,”hesaid.
“Willyouchangeit?”Jurgisdemanded,grippingittightlyinhispocket.
“HowthehellcanIknowifit’sgoodornot?”retortedthebartender.“Whatchertakemefor,hey?”
ThenJurgisslowlyandwarilyapproachedhim;hetookoutthebill,andfumbleditforamoment,whilethemanstaredathimwithhostileeyesacrossthecounter.Thenfinallyhehandeditover.
Theothertookit,andbegantoexamineit;hesmootheditbetweenhisfingers,andheldituptothelight;heturneditover,andupsidedown,andedgeways.
Itwasnewandratherstiff,andthatmadehimdubious.
Jurgiswaswatchinghimlikeacatallthetime.
“Humph,”hesaid,finally,andgazedatthestranger,sizinghimup—aragged,ill-smellingtramp,withnoovercoatandonearminasling—andahundred-dollarbill!“Wanttobuyanything?”hedemanded.
“Yes,”saidJurgis,“I’lltakeaglassofbeer.”
“Allright,”saidtheother,“I’llchangeit.”
Andheputthebillinhispocket,andpouredJurgisoutaglassofbeer,andsetitonthecounter.
Thenheturnedtothecashregister,andpunchedupfivecents,andbegantopullmoneyoutofthedrawer.
Finally,hefacedJurgis,countingitout—twodimes,aquarter,andfiftycents.“There,”hesaid.
ForasecondJurgiswaited,expectingtoseehimturnagain.“Myninety-ninedollars,”hesaid.
“Whatninety-ninedollars?”demandedthebartender.
“Mychange!”hecried—”therestofmyhundred!”
“Goon,”saidthebartender,“you’renutty!”
AndJurgisstaredathimwithwildeyes.
Foraninstanthorrorreignedinhim—black,paralyzing,awfulhorror,clutchinghimattheheart;andthencamerage,insurging,blindingfloods—hescreamedaloud,andseizedtheglassandhurleditattheother’shead.
Themanducked,anditmissedhimbyhalfaninch;heroseagainandfacedJurgis,whowasvaultingoverthebarwithhisonewellarm,anddealthimasmashingblowintheface,hurlinghimbackwarduponthefloor.
Then,asJurgisscrambledtohisfeetagainandstartedroundthecounterafterhim,heshoutedatthetopofhisvoice,“Help!help!”
Jurgisseizedabottleoffthecounterasheran;andasthebartendermadealeaphehurledthemissileathimwithallhisforce.
Itjustgrazedhishead,andshiveredintoathousandpiecesagainstthepostofthedoor.
ThenJurgisstartedback,rushingatthemanagaininthemiddleoftheroom.
Thistime,inhisblindfrenzy,hecamewithoutabottle,andthatwasallthebartenderwanted—hemethimhalfwayandflooredhimwithasledgehammerdrivebetweentheeyes.
Aninstantlaterthescreendoorsflewopen,andtwomenrushedin—justasJurgiswasgettingtohisfeetagain,foamingatthemouthwithrage,andtryingtotearhisbrokenarmoutofitsbandages.
“Lookout!”shoutedthebartender.“He’sgotaknife!”
Then,seeingthatthetwoweredisposedtojointhefray,hemadeanotherrushatJurgis,andknockedasidehisfeebledefenseandsenthimtumblingagain;andthethreeflungthemselvesuponhim,rollingandkickingabouttheplace.
Asecondlaterapolicemandashedin,andthebartenderyelledoncemore—”Lookoutforhisknife!”
Jurgishadfoughthimselfhalftohisknees,whenthepolicemanmadealeapathim,andcrackedhimacrossthefacewithhisclub.
Thoughtheblowstaggeredhim,thewild-beastfrenzystillblazedinhim,andhegottohisfeet,lungingintotheair.
Thenagaintheclubdescended,fulluponhishead,andhedroppedlikealogtothefloor.
Thepolicemancrouchedoverhim,clutchinghisstick,waitingforhimtotrytoriseagain;andmeantimethebarkeepergotup,andputhishandtohishead.“Christ!”
hesaid,“IthoughtIwasdoneforthattime.Didhecutme?”
“Don’tseeanything,Jake,”saidthepoliceman.“What’sthematterwithhim?”
“Justcrazydrunk,”saidtheother.“Alameduck,too—buthe‘mostgotmeunderthebar.Yousehadbettercallthewagon,Billy.”
“No,”saidtheofficer.“He’sgotnomorefightinhim,Iguess—andhe’sonlygotablocktogo.”HetwistedhishandinJurgis’scollarandjerkedathim.“Gituphere,you!”hecommanded.
ButJurgisdidnotmove,andthebartenderwentbehindthebar,andafterstowingthehundred-dollarbillawayinasafehidingplace,cameandpouredaglassofwateroverJurgis.
Then,asthelatterbegantomoanfeebly,thepolicemangothimtohisfeetanddraggedhimoutoftheplace.
Thestationhousewasjustaroundthecorner,andsoinafewminutesJurgiswasinacell.
Hespenthalfthenightlyingunconscious,andthebalancemoaningintorment,withablindingheadacheandarackingthirst.
Nowandthenhecriedaloudforadrinkofwater,buttherewasnoonetohearhim.
Therewereothersinthatsamestationhousewithsplitheadsandafever;therewerehundredsoftheminthegreatcity,andtensofthousandsoftheminthegreatland,andtherewasnoonetohearanyofthem.
InthemorningJurgiswasgivenacupofwaterandapieceofbread,andthenhustledintoapatrolwagonanddriventothenearestpolicecourt.
Hesatinthepenwithascoreofothersuntilhisturncame.
Thebartender—whoprovedtobeawell-knownbruiser—wascalledtothestand,Hetooktheoathandtoldhisstory.
Theprisonerhadcomeintohissaloonaftermidnight,fightingdrunk,andhadorderedaglassofbeerandtenderedadollarbillinpayment.
Hehadbeengivenninety-fivecents’change,andhaddemandedninety-ninedollarsmore,andbeforetheplaintiffcouldevenanswerhadhurledtheglassathimandthenattackedhimwithabottleofbitters,andnearlywreckedtheplace.
Thentheprisonerwassworn—aforlornobject,haggardandunshorn,withanarmdoneupinafilthybandage,acheekandheadcut,andbloody,andoneeyepurplishblackandentirelyclosed.“Whathaveyoutosayforyourself?”queriedthemagistrate.
“YourHonor,”saidJurgis,“Iwentintohisplaceandaskedthemanifhecouldchangemeahundred-dollarbill.
AndhesaidhewouldifIboughtadrink.
Igavehimthebillandthenhewouldn’tgivemethechange.”
Themagistratewasstaringathiminperplexity.“Yougavehimahundred-dollarbill!”heexclaimed.
“Yes,yourHonor,”saidJurgis.
“Wheredidyougetit?”
“Amangaveittome,yourHonor.”
“Aman?Whatman,andwhatfor?”
“AyoungmanImetuponthestreet,yourHonor.Ihadbeenbegging.”
Therewasatitterinthecourtroom;theofficerwhowasholdingJurgisputuphishandtohideasmile,andthemagistratesmiledwithouttryingtohideit.“It’strue,yourHonor!”criedJurgis,passionately.
“Youhadbeendrinkingaswellasbegginglastnight,hadyounot?”inquiredthemagistrate.“No,yourHonor—”protestedJurgis.“I—”
“Youhadnothadanythingtodrink?”
“Why,yes,yourHonor,Ihad—”
“Whatdidyouhave?”
“Ihadabottleofsomething—Idon’tknowwhatitwas—somethingthatburned—”
Therewasagainalaughroundthecourtroom,stoppingsuddenlyasthemagistratelookedupandfrowned.“Haveyoueverbeenarrestedbefore?”heaskedabruptly.
ThequestiontookJurgisaback.“I—I—”hestammered.
“Tellmethetruth,now!”commandedtheother,sternly.
“Yes,yourHonor,”saidJurgis.
“Howoften?”
“Onlyonce,yourHonor.”
“Whatfor?”
“Forknockingdownmyboss,yourHonor.Iwasworkinginthestockyards,andhe—”
“Isee,”saidhisHonor;“Iguessthatwilldo.Yououghttostopdrinkingifyoucan’tcontrolyourself.Tendaysandcosts.Nextcase.”
Jurgisgaveventtoacryofdismay,cutoffsuddenlybythepoliceman,whoseizedhimbythecollar.
Hewasjerkedoutoftheway,intoaroomwiththeconvictedprisoners,wherehesatandweptlikeachildinhisimpotentrage.
Itseemedmonstroustohimthatpolicemenandjudgesshouldesteemhiswordasnothingincomparisonwiththebartender’s—poorJurgiscouldnotknowthattheownerofthesaloonpaidfivedollarseachweektothepolicemanaloneforSundayprivilegesandgeneralfavors—northatthepugilistbartenderwasoneofthemosttrustedhenchmenoftheDemocraticleaderofthedistrict,andhadhelpedonlyafewmonthsbeforetohustleoutarecord-breakingvoteasatestimonialtothemagistrate,whohadbeenmadethetargetofodiouskid-glovedreformers.
JurgiswasdrivenouttotheBridewellforthesecondtime.
Inhistumblingaroundhehadhurthisarmagain,andsocouldnotwork,buthadtobeattendedbythephysician.
Alsohisheadandhiseyehadtobetiedup—andsohewasapretty-lookingobjectwhen,theseconddayafterhisarrival,hewentoutintotheexercisecourtandencountered—JackDuane!
TheyoungfellowwassogladtoseeJurgisthathealmosthuggedhim.“ByGod,ifitisn’t‘theStinker’!”hecried.“Andwhatisit—haveyoubeenthroughasausagemachine?”
“No,”saidJurgis,“butI’vebeeninarailroadwreckandafight.”
Andthen,whilesomeoftheotherprisonersgatheredroundhetoldhiswildstory;mostofthemwereincredulous,butDuaneknewthatJurgiscouldneverhavemadeupsuchayarnasthat.
“Hardluck,oldman,”hesaid,whentheywerealone;“butmaybeit’staughtyoualesson.”
“I’velearnedsomethingssinceIsawyoulast,”saidJurgismournfully.
Thenheexplainedhowhehadspentthelastsummer,“hoboingit,”asthephrasewas.“Andyou?”heaskedfinally.“Haveyoubeenhereeversince?”
“Lord,no!”saidtheother.
“Ionlycameinthedaybeforeyesterday.
It’sthesecondtimethey’vesentmeuponatrumped-upcharge—I’vehadhardluckandcan’tpaythemwhattheywant.
Whydon’tyouquitChicagowithme,Jurgis?”
“I’venoplacetogo,”saidJurgis,sadly.
“NeitherhaveI,”repliedtheother,laughinglightly.“Butwe’llwaittillwegetoutandsee.”
IntheBridewellJurgismetfewwhohadbeentherethelasttime,buthemetscoresofothers,oldandyoung,ofexactlythesamesort.
Itwaslikebreakersuponabeach;therewasnewwater,butthewavelookedjustthesame.
Hestrolledaboutandtalkedwiththem,andthebiggestofthemtoldtalesoftheirprowess,whilethosewhowereweaker,oryoungerandinexperienced,gatheredroundandlistenedinadmiringsilence.
Thelasttimehewasthere,Jurgishadthoughtoflittlebuthisfamily;butnowhewasfreetolistentothesemen,andtorealizethathewasoneofthem—thattheirpointofviewwashispointofview,andthatthewaytheykeptthemselvesaliveintheworldwasthewayhemeanttodoitinthefuture.
Andso,whenhewasturnedoutofprisonagain,withoutapennyinhispocket,hewentstraighttoJackDuane.
Hewentfullofhumilityandgratitude;forDuanewasagentleman,andamanwithaprofession—anditwasremarkablethatheshouldbewillingtothrowinhislotwithahumbleworkingman,onewhohadevenbeenabeggarandatramp.
Jurgiscouldnotseewhathelphecouldbetohim;buthedidnotunderstandthatamanlikehimself—whocouldbetrustedtostandbyanyonewhowaskindtohim—wasasrareamongcriminalsasamonganyotherclassofmen.
TheaddressJurgishadwasagarretroomintheGhettodistrict,thehomeofaprettylittleFrenchgirl,Duane’smistress,whosewedallday,andekedoutherlivingbyprostitution.
Hehadgoneelsewhere,shetoldJurgis—hewasafraidtostaytherenow,onaccountofthepolice.
Thenewaddresswasacellardive,whoseproprietorsaidthathehadneverheardofDuane;butafterhehadputJurgisthroughacatechismheshowedhimabackstairswhichledtoa“fence”intherearofapawnbroker’sshop,andthencetoanumberofassignationrooms,inoneofwhichDuanewashiding.
Duanewasgladtoseehim;hewaswithoutacentofmoney,hesaid,andhadbeenwaitingforJurgistohelphimgetsome.
Heexplainedhisplan—infacthespentthedayinlayingbaretohisfriendthecriminalworldofthecity,andinshowinghimhowhemightearnhimselfalivinginit.
Thatwinterhewouldhaveahardtime,onaccountofhisarm,andbecauseofanunwontedfitofactivityofthepolice;butsolongashewasunknowntothemhewouldbesafeifhewerecareful.
Hereat“Papa”Hanson’s(sotheycalledtheoldmanwhokeptthedive)hemightrestatease,for“Papa”Hansonwas“square”—wouldstandbyhimsolongashepaid,andgavehimanhour’snoticeifthereweretobeapoliceraid.
AlsoRosensteg,thepawnbroker,wouldbuyanythinghehadforathirdofitsvalue,andguaranteetokeepithiddenforayear.
Therewasanoilstoveinthelittlecupboardofaroom,andtheyhadsomesupper;andthenabouteleveno’clockatnighttheysalliedforthtogether,byarearentrancetotheplace,Duanearmedwithaslingshot.
Theycametoaresidencedistrict,andhesprangupalamppostandblewoutthelight,andthenthetwododgedintotheshelterofanareastepandhidinsilence.
Prettysoonamancameby,aworkingman—andtheylethimgo.
Thenafteralongintervalcametheheavytreadofapoliceman,andtheyheldtheirbreathtillhewasgone.
Thoughhalf-frozen,theywaitedafullquarterofanhourafterthat—andthenagaincamefootsteps,walkingbriskly.
DuanenudgedJurgis,andtheinstantthemanhadpassedtheyroseup.
Duanestoleoutassilentlyasashadow,andasecondlaterJurgisheardathudandastifledcry.
Hewasonlyacoupleoffeetbehind,andheleapedtostoptheman’smouth,whileDuaneheldhimfastbythearms,astheyhadagreed.
Butthemanwaslimpandshowedatendencytofall,andsoJurgishadonlytoholdhimbythecollar,whiletheother,withswiftfingers,wentthroughhispockets—rippingopen,firsthisovercoat,andthenhiscoat,andthenhisvest,searchinginsideandoutside,andtransferringthecontentsintohisownpockets.
Atlast,afterfeelingoftheman’sfingersandinhisnecktie,Duanewhispered,“That’sall!”
andtheydraggedhimtotheareaanddroppedhimin.
ThenJurgiswentonewayandhisfriendtheother,walkingbriskly.
Thelatterarrivedfirst,andJurgisfoundhimexaminingthe“swag.”
Therewasagoldwatch,foronething,withachainandlocket;therewasasilverpencil,andamatchbox,andahandfulofsmallchange,andfinallyacardcase.
ThislastDuaneopenedfeverishly—therewerelettersandchecks,andtwotheater-tickets,andatlast,inthebackpart,awadofbills.
Hecountedthem—therewasatwenty,fivetens,fourfives,andthreeones.Duanedrewalongbreath.“Thatletsusout!”hesaid.
Afterfurtherexamination,theyburnedthecardcaseanditscontents,allbutthebills,andlikewisethepictureofalittlegirlinthelocket.
ThenDuanetookthewatchandtrinketsdownstairs,andcamebackwithsixteendollars.
“Theoldscoundrelsaidthecasewasfilled,”hesaid.
“It’salie,butheknowsIwantthemoney.”
Theydividedupthespoils,andJurgisgotashissharefifty-fivedollarsandsomechange.
Heprotestedthatitwastoomuch,buttheotherhadagreedtodivideeven.
Thatwasagoodhaul,hesaid,betterthanaverage.
Whentheygotupinthemorning,Jurgiswassentouttobuyapaper;oneofthepleasuresofcommittingacrimewasthereadingaboutitafterward.
“Ihadapalthatalwaysdidit,”Duaneremarked,laughing—”untilonedayhereadthathehadleftthreethousanddollarsinalowerinsidepocketofhisparty’svest!”
Therewasahalf-columnaccountoftherobbery—itwasevidentthatagangwasoperatingintheneighborhood,saidthepaper,foritwasthethirdwithinaweek,andthepolicewereapparentlypowerless.
Thevictimwasaninsuranceagent,andhehadlostahundredandtendollarsthatdidnotbelongtohim.
Hehadchancedtohavehisnamemarkedonhisshirt,otherwisehewouldnothavebeenidentifiedyet.
Hisassailanthadhithimtoohard,andhewassufferingfromconcussionofthebrain;andalsohehadbeenhalf-frozenwhenfound,andwouldlosethreefingersonhisrighthand.
Theenterprisingnewspaperreporterhadtakenallthisinformationtohisfamily,andtoldhowtheyhadreceivedit.
SinceitwasJurgis’sfirstexperience,thesedetailsnaturallycausedhimsomeworriment;buttheotherlaughedcoolly—itwasthewayofthegame,andtherewasnohelpingit.
BeforelongJurgiswouldthinknomoreofitthantheydidintheyardsofknockingoutabullock.
“It’sacaseofusortheotherfellow,andIsaytheotherfellow,everytime,”heobserved.
“Still,”saidJurgis,reflectively,“heneverdidusanyharm.”
“Hewasdoingittosomebodyashardashecould,youcanbesureofthat,”saidhisfriend.
DuanehadalreadyexplainedtoJurgisthatifamanoftheirtradewereknownhewouldhavetoworkallthetimetosatisfythedemandsofthepolice.
ThereforeitwouldbebetterforJurgistostayinhidingandneverbeseeninpublicwithhispal.
ButJurgissoongotverytiredofstayinginhiding.
Inacoupleofweekshewasfeelingstrongandbeginningtousehisarm,andthenhecouldnotstanditanylonger.
Duane,whohaddoneajobofsomesortbyhimself,andmadeatrucewiththepowers,broughtoverMarie,hislittleFrenchgirl,tosharewithhim;buteventhatdidnotavailforlong,andintheendhehadtogiveuparguing,andtakeJurgisoutandintroducehimtothesaloonsand“sportinghouses”wherethebigcrooksand“holdupmen”hungout.
AndsoJurgisgotaglimpseofthehigh-classcriminalworldofChicago.
Thecity,whichwasownedbyanoligarchyofbusinessmen,beingnominallyruledbythepeople,ahugearmyofgraftwasnecessaryforthepurposeofeffectingthetransferofpower.
Twiceayear,inthespringandfallelections,millionsofdollarswerefurnishedbythebusinessmenandexpendedbythisarmy;meetingswereheldandcleverspeakerswerehired,bandsplayedandrocketssizzled,tonsofdocumentsandreservoirsofdrinksweredistributed,andtensofthousandsofvoteswereboughtforcash.
Andthisarmyofgrafthad,ofcourse,tobemaintainedtheyearround.
Theleadersandorganizersweremaintainedbythebusinessmendirectly—aldermenandlegislatorsbymeansofbribes,partyofficialsoutofthecampaignfunds,lobbyistsandcorporationlawyersintheformofsalaries,contractorsbymeansofjobs,laborunionleadersbysubsidies,andnewspaperproprietorsandeditorsbyadvertisements.
Therankandfile,however,wereeitherfoisteduponthecity,orelselivedoffthepopulationdirectly.
Therewasthepolicedepartment,andthefireandwaterdepartments,andthewholebalanceofthecivillist,fromthemeanestofficeboytotheheadofacitydepartment;andforthehordewhocouldfindnoroominthese,therewastheworldofviceandcrime,therewaslicensetoseduce,toswindleandplunderandprey.
ThelawforbadeSundaydrinking;andthishaddeliveredthesaloon-keepersintothehandsofthepolice,andmadeanalliancebetweenthemnecessary.
Thelawforbadeprostitution;andthishadbroughtthe“madames”intothecombination.
Itwasthesamewiththegambling-housekeeperandthepoolroomman,andthesamewithanyothermanorwomanwhohadameansofgetting“graft,”andwaswillingtopayoverashareofit:thegreen-goodsmanandthehighwayman,thepickpocketandthesneakthief,andthereceiverofstolengoods,thesellerofadulteratedmilk,ofstalefruitanddiseasedmeat,theproprietorofunsanitarytenements,thefakedoctorandtheusurer,thebeggarandthe“pushcartman,”theprizefighterandtheprofessionalslugger,therace-track“tout,”theprocurer,thewhite-slaveagent,andtheexpertseducerofyounggirls.
Alloftheseagenciesofcorruptionwerebandedtogether,andleaguedinbloodbrotherhoodwiththepoliticianandthepolice;moreoftenthannottheywereoneandthesameperson,—thepolicecaptainwouldownthebrothelhepretendedtoraid,thepoliticianwouldopenhisheadquartersinhissaloon.
“Hinkydink”or“BathhouseJohn,”orothersofthatilk,wereproprietorsofthemostnotoriousdivesinChicago,andalsothe“graywolves”ofthecitycouncil,whogaveawaythestreetsofthecitytothebusinessmen;andthosewhopatronizedtheirplaceswerethegamblersandprizefighterswhosetthelawatdefiance,andtheburglarsandholdupmenwhokeptthewholecityinterror.
Onelectiondayallthesepowersofviceandcrimewereonepower;theycouldtellwithinonepercentwhatthevoteoftheirdistrictwouldbe,andtheycouldchangeitatanhour’snotice.
AmonthagoJurgishadallbutperishedofstarvationuponthestreets;andnowsuddenly,asbythegiftofamagickey,hehadenteredintoaworldwheremoneyandallthegoodthingsoflifecamefreely.
HewasintroducedbyhisfriendtoanIrishmannamed“Buck”Halloran,whowasapolitical“worker”andontheinsideofthings.
ThismantalkedwithJurgisforawhile,andthentoldhimthathehadalittleplanbywhichamanwholookedlikeaworkingmanmightmakesomeeasymoney;butitwasaprivateaffair,andhadtobekeptquiet.
Jurgisexpressedhimselfasagreeable,andtheothertookhimthatafternoon(itwasSaturday)toaplacewherecitylaborerswerebeingpaidoff.
Thepaymastersatinalittlebooth,withapileofenvelopesbeforehim,andtwopolicemenstandingby.
Jurgiswent,accordingtodirections,andgavethenameof“MichaelO’Flaherty,”andreceivedanenvelope,whichhetookaroundthecorneranddeliveredtoHalloran,whowaswaitingforhiminasaloon.
Thenhewentagain;andgavethenameof“JohannSchmidt,”andathirdtime,andgivethenameof“SergeReminitsky.”
Halloranhadquitealistofimaginaryworkingmen,andJurgisgotanenvelopeforeachone.
Forthisworkhereceivedfivedollars,andwastoldthathemighthaveiteveryweek,solongashekeptquiet.
AsJurgiswasexcellentatkeepingquiet,hesoonwonthetrustof“Buck”Halloran,andwasintroducedtoothersasamanwhocouldbedependedupon.
Thisacquaintancewasusefultohiminanotherway,alsobeforelongJurgismadehisdiscoveryofthemeaningof“pull,”andjustwhyhisboss,Connor,andalsothepugilistbartender,hadbeenabletosendhimtojail.
Onenighttherewasgivenaball,the“benefit”of“One-eyedLarry,”alamemanwhoplayedtheviolininoneofthebig“high-class”housesofprostitutiononClarkStreet,andwasawagandapopularcharacteronthe“Levee.”
Thisballwasheldinabigdancehall,andwasoneoftheoccasionswhenthecity’spowersofdebaucherygavethemselvesuptomadness.
Jurgisattendedandgothalfinsanewithdrink,andbeganquarrelingoveragirl;hisarmwasprettystrongbythen,andhesettoworktocleanouttheplace,andendedinacellinthepolicestation.
Thepolicestationbeingcrowdedtothedoors,andstinkingwith“bums,”Jurgisdidnotrelishstayingtheretosleepoffhisliquor,andsentforHalloran,whocalledupthedistrictleaderandhadJurgisbailedoutbytelephoneatfouro’clockinthemorning.
Whenhewasarraignedthatsamemorning,thedistrictleaderhadalreadyseentheclerkofthecourtandexplainedthatJurgisRudkuswasadecentfellow,whohadbeenindiscreet;andsoJurgiswasfinedtendollarsandthefinewas“suspended”—whichmeantthathedidnothavetopayforit,andneverwouldhavetopayit,unlesssomebodychosetobringitupagainsthiminthefuture.
AmongthepeopleJurgislivedwithnowmoneywasvaluedaccordingtoanentirelydifferentstandardfromthatofthepeopleofPackingtown;yet,strangeasitmayseem,hedidagreatdeallessdrinkingthanhehadasaworkingman.
Hehadnotthesameprovocationsofexhaustionandhopelessness;hehadnowsomethingtoworkfor,tostrugglefor.
Hesoonfoundthatifhekepthiswitsabouthim,hewouldcomeuponnewopportunities;andbeingnaturallyanactiveman,henotonlykeptsoberhimself,buthelpedtosteadyhisfriend,whowasagooddealfonderofbothwineandwomenthanhe.
Onethingledtoanother.InthesaloonwhereJurgismet“Buck”HalloranhewassittinglateonenightwithDuane,whena“countrycustomer”(abuyerforanout-of-townmerchant)camein,alittlemorethanhalf“piped.”
Therewasnooneelseintheplacebutthebartender,andasthemanwentoutagainJurgisandDuanefollowedhim;hewentroundthecorner,andinadarkplacemadebyacombinationoftheelevatedrailroadandanunrentedbuilding,Jurgisleapedforwardandshovedarevolverunderhisnose,whileDuane,withhishatpulledoverhiseyes,wentthroughtheman’spocketswithlightningfingers.
Theygothiswatchandhis“wad,”andwereroundthecorneragainandintothesaloonbeforehecouldshoutmorethanonce.
Thebartender,towhomtheyhadtippedthewink,hadthecellardooropenforthem,andtheyvanished,makingtheirwaybyasecretentrancetoabrothelnextdoor.
Fromtheroofofthistherewasaccesstothreesimilarplacesbeyond.
Bymeansofthesepassagesthecustomersofanyoneplacecouldbegottenoutoftheway,incaseafallingoutwiththepolicechancedtoleadtoaraid;andalsoitwasnecessarytohaveawayofgettingagirloutofreachincaseofanemergency.
ThousandsofthemcametoChicagoansweringadvertisementsfor“servants”and“factoryhands,”andfoundthemselvestrappedbyfakeemploymentagencies,andlockedupinabawdyhouse.
Itwasgenerallyenoughtotakealltheirclothesawayfromthem;butsometimestheywouldhavetobe“doped”andkeptprisonersforweeks;andmeantimetheirparentsmightbetelegraphingthepolice,andevencomingontoseewhynothingwasdone.
Occasionallytherewasnowayofsatisfyingthembuttoletthemsearchtheplacetowhichthegirlhadbeentraced.
Forhishelpinthislittlejob,thebartenderreceivedtwentyoutofthehundredandthirtyodddollarsthatthepairsecured;andnaturallythisputthemonfriendlytermswithhim,andafewdayslaterheintroducedthemtoalittle“sheeny”namedGoldberger,oneofthe“runners”ofthe“sportinghouse”wheretheyhadbeenhidden.
AfterafewdrinksGoldbergerbegan,withsomehesitation,tonarratehowhehadhadaquarreloverhisbestgirlwithaprofessional“cardsharp,”whohadhithiminthejaw.
ThefellowwasastrangerinChicago,andifhewasfoundsomenightwithhisheadcrackedtherewouldbenoonetocareverymuch.
Jurgis,whobythistimewouldcheerfullyhavecrackedtheheadsofallthegamblersinChicago,inquiredwhatwouldbecomingtohim;atwhichtheJewbecamestillmoreconfidential,andsaidthathehadsometipsontheNewOrleansraces,whichhegotdirectfromthepolicecaptainofthedistrict,whomhehadgotoutofabadscrape,andwho“stoodin”withabigsyndicateofhorseowners.
Duanetookallthisinatonce,butJurgishadtohavethewholerace-tracksituationexplainedtohimbeforeherealizedtheimportanceofsuchanopportunity.
TherewasthegiganticRacingTrust.Itownedthelegislaturesineverystateinwhichitdidbusiness;itevenownedsomeofthebignewspapers,andmadepublicopinion—therewasnopowerinthelandthatcouldopposeitunless,perhaps,itwerethePoolroomTrust.
Itbuiltmagnificentracingparksalloverthecountry,andbymeansofenormouspursesitluredthepeopletocome,andthenitorganizedagiganticshellgame,wherebyitplunderedthemofhundredsofmillionsofdollarseveryyear.
Horseracinghadoncebeenasport,butnowadaysitwasabusiness;ahorsecouldbe“doped”anddoctored,undertrainedorovertrained;itcouldbemadetofallatanymoment—oritsgaitcouldbebrokenbylashingitwiththewhip,whichallthespectatorswouldtaketobeadesperateefforttokeepitinthelead.
Therewerescoresofsuchtricks;andsometimesitwastheownerswhoplayedthemandmadefortunes,sometimesitwasthejockeysandtrainers,sometimesitwasoutsiders,whobribedthem—butmostofthetimeitwasthechiefsofthetrust.
Nowforinstance,theywerehavingwinterracinginNewOrleansandasyndicatewaslayingouteachday’sprograminadvance,anditsagentsinalltheNortherncitieswere“milking”thepoolrooms.
Thewordcamebylong-distancetelephoneinaciphercode,justalittlewhilebeforeeachrace;andanymanwhocouldgetthesecrethadasgoodasafortune.
IfJurgisdidnotbelieveit,hecouldtryit,saidthelittleJew—letthemmeetatacertainhouseonthemorrowandmakeatest.
Jurgiswaswilling,andsowasDuane,andsotheywenttooneofthehigh-classpoolroomswherebrokersandmerchantsgambled(withsocietywomeninaprivateroom),andtheyputuptendollarseachuponahorsecalled“BlackBeldame,”asixtooneshot,andwon.
Forasecretlikethattheywouldhavedoneagoodmanysluggings—butthenextdayGoldbergerinformedthemthattheoffendinggamblerhadgotwindofwhatwascomingtohim,andhadskippedthetown.
Therewereupsanddownsatthebusiness;buttherewasalwaysaliving,insideofajail,ifnotoutofit.
EarlyinAprilthecityelectionsweredue,andthatmeantprosperityforallthepowersofgraft.
Jurgis,hangingroundindivesandgamblinghousesandbrothels,metwiththeheelersofbothparties,andfromtheirconversationhecametounderstandalltheinsandoutsofthegame,andtohearofanumberofwaysinwhichhecouldmakehimselfusefulaboutelectiontime.
“Buck”Halloranwasa“Democrat,”andsoJurgisbecameaDemocratalso;buthewasnotabitterone—theRepublicansweregoodfellows,too,andweretohaveapileofmoneyinthisnextcampaign.
AtthelastelectiontheRepublicanshadpaidfourdollarsavotetotheDemocrats’three;and“Buck”HalloransatonenightplayingcardswithJurgisandanotherman,whotoldhowHalloranhadbeenchargedwiththejobvotinga“bunch”ofthirty-sevennewlylandedItalians,andhowhe,thenarrator,hadmettheRepublicanworkerwhowasaftertheverysamegang,andhowthethreehadeffectedabargain,wherebytheItaliansweretovotehalfandhalf,foraglassofbeerapiece,whilethebalanceofthefundwenttotheconspirators!
Notlongafterthis,Jurgis,wearyingoftherisksandvicissitudesofmiscellaneouscrime,wasmovedtogiveupthecareerforthatofapolitician.
Justatthistimetherewasatremendousuproarbeingraisedconcerningthealliancebetweenthecriminalsandthepolice.
Forthecriminalgraftwasoneinwhichthebusinessmenhadnodirectpart—itwaswhatiscalleda“sideline,”carriedbythepolice.
“Wideopen”gamblinganddebaucherymadethecitypleasingto“trade,”butburglariesandholdupsdidnot.
OnenightitchancedthatwhileJackDuanewasdrillingasafeinaclothingstorehewascaughtred-handedbythenightwatchman,andturnedovertoapoliceman,whochancedtoknowhimwell,andwhotooktheresponsibilityoflettinghimmakehisescape.
SuchahowlfromthenewspapersfollowedthisthatDuanewasslatedforsacrifice,andbarelygotoutoftownintime.
AndjustatthatjunctureithappenedthatJurgiswasintroducedtoamannamedHarperwhomherecognizedasthenightwatchmanatBrown’s,whohadbeeninstrumentalinmakinghimanAmericancitizen,thefirstyearofhisarrivalattheyards.
Theotherwasinterestedinthecoincidence,butdidnotrememberJurgis—hehadhandledtoomany“greenones”inhistime,hesaid.
HesatinadancehallwithJurgisandHalloranuntiloneortwointhemorning,exchangingexperiences.
Hehadalongstorytotellofhisquarrelwiththesuperintendentofhisdepartment,andhowhewasnowaplainworkingman,andagoodunionmanaswell.
ItwasnotuntilsomemonthsafterwardthatJurgisunderstoodthatthequarrelwiththesuperintendenthadbeenprearranged,andthatHarperwasinrealitydrawingasalaryoftwentydollarsaweekfromthepackersforaninsidereportofhisunion’ssecretproceedings.
Theyardswereseethingwithagitationjustthen,saidtheman,speakingasaunionist.
ThepeopleofPackingtownhadborneaboutallthattheywouldbear,anditlookedasifastrikemightbeginanyweek.
AfterthistalkthemanmadeinquiriesconcerningJurgis,andacoupleofdayslaterhecametohimwithaninterestingproposition.
Hewasnotabsolutelycertain,hesaid,buthethoughtthathecouldgethimaregularsalaryifhewouldcometoPackingtownanddoashewastold,andkeephismouthshut.
Harper—”Bush”Harper,hewascalled—wasaright-handmanofMikeScully,theDemocraticbossofthestockyards;andinthecomingelectiontherewasapeculiarsituation.
TherehadcometoScullyapropositiontonominateacertainrichbrewerwholiveduponaswellboulevardthatskirtedthedistrict,andwhocovetedthebigbadgeandthe“honorable”ofanalderman.
ThebrewerwasaJew,andhadnobrains,buthewasharmless,andwouldputupararecampaignfund.
Scullyhadacceptedtheoffer,andthengonetotheRepublicanswithaproposition.
Hewasnotsurethathecouldmanagethe“sheeny,”andhedidnotmeantotakeanychanceswithhisdistrict;lettheRepublicansnominateacertainobscurebutamiablefriendofScully’s,whowasnowsettingtenpinsinthecellarofanAshlandAvenuesaloon,andhe,Scully,wouldelecthimwiththe“sheeny’s”money,andtheRepublicansmighthavetheglory,whichwasmorethantheywouldgetotherwise.
InreturnforthistheRepublicanswouldagreetoputupnocandidatethefollowingyear,whenScullyhimselfcameupforreelectionastheotheraldermanfromtheward.
TothistheRepublicanshadassentedatonce;butthehellofitwas—soHarperexplained—thattheRepublicanswereallofthemfools—amanhadtobeafooltobeaRepublicaninthestockyards,whereScullywasking.
Andtheydidn’tknowhowtowork,andofcourseitwouldnotdofortheDemocraticworkers,thenobleredskinsoftheWarWhoopLeague,tosupporttheRepublicanopenly.
Thedifficultywouldnothavebeensogreatexceptforanotherfact—therehadbeenacuriousdevelopmentinstockyardspoliticsinthelastyearortwo,anewpartyhavingleapedintobeing.
TheyweretheSocialists;anditwasadevilofamess,said“Bush”Harper.
Theoneimagewhichtheword“Socialist”broughttoJurgiswasofpoorlittleTamosziusKuszleika,whohadcalledhimselfone,andwouldgooutwithacoupleofothermenandasoap-box,andshouthimselfhoarseonastreetcornerSaturdaynights.
TamosziushadtriedtoexplaintoJurgiswhatitwasallabout,butJurgis,whowasnotofanimaginativeturn,hadneverquiregotitstraight;atpresenthewascontentwithhiscompanion’sexplanationthattheSocialistsweretheenemiesofAmericaninstitutions—couldnotbebought,andwouldnotcombineormakeanysortofa“dicker.”
MikeScullywasverymuchworriedovertheopportunitywhichhislastdealgavetothem—thestockyardsDemocratswerefuriousattheideaofarichcapitalistfortheircandidate,andwhiletheywerechangingtheymightpossiblyconcludethataSocialistfirebrandwaspreferabletoaRepublicanbum.
AndsorightherewasachanceforJurgistomakehimselfaplaceintheworld,explained“Bush”Harper;hehadbeenaunionman,andhewasknownintheyardsasaworkingman;hemusthavehundredsofacquaintances,andashehadnevertalkedpoliticswiththemhemightcomeoutasaRepublicannowwithoutexcitingtheleastsuspicion.
Therewerebarrelsofmoneyfortheuseofthosewhocoulddeliverthegoods;andJurgismightcountuponMikeScully,whohadneveryetgonebackonafriend.Justwhatcouldhedo?
Jurgisasked,insomeperplexity,andtheotherexplainedindetail.
Tobeginwith,hewouldhavetogototheyardsandwork,andhemightn’trelishthat;buthewouldhavewhatheearned,aswellastherestthatcametohim.
Hewouldgetactiveintheunionagain,andperhapstrytogetanoffice,ashe,Harper,had;hewouldtellallhisfriendsthegoodpointsofDoyle,theRepublicannominee,andthebadonesofthe“sheeny”;andthenScullywouldfurnishameetingplace,andhewouldstartthe“YoungMen’sRepublicanAssociation,”orsomethingofthatsort,andhavetherichbrewer’sbestbeerbythehogshead,andfireworksandspeeches,justliketheWarWhoopLeague.
SurelyJurgismustknowhundredsofmenwhowouldlikethatsortoffun;andtherewouldbetheregularRepublicanleadersandworkerstohelphimout,andtheywoulddeliverabigenoughmajorityonelectionday.
Whenhehadheardallthisexplanationtotheend,Jurgisdemanded:“ButhowcanIgetajobinPackingtown?I’mblacklisted.”
Atwhich“Bush”Harperlaughed.“I’llattendtothatallright,”hesaid.
Andtheotherreplied,“It’sago,then;I’myourman.”
SoJurgiswentouttothestockyardsagain,andwasintroducedtothepoliticallordofthedistrict,thebossofChicago’smayor.
ItwasScullywhoownedthebrickyardsandthedumpandtheicepond—thoughJurgisdidnotknowit.
ItwasScullywhowastoblamefortheunpavedstreetinwhichJurgis’schildhadbeendrowned;itwasScullywhohadputintoofficethemagistratewhohadfirstsentJurgistojail;itwasScullywhowasprincipalstockholderinthecompanywhichhadsoldhimtheramshackletenement,andthenrobbedhimofit.
ButJurgisknewnoneofthesethings—anymorethanheknewthatScullywasbutatoolandpuppetofthepackers.
TohimScullywasamightypower,the“biggest”manhehadevermet.
Hewasalittle,dried-upIrishman,whosehandsshook.
Hehadabrieftalkwithhisvisitor,watchinghimwithhisratlikeeyes,andmakinguphismindabouthim;andthenhegavehimanotetoMr.Harmon,oneoftheheadmanagersofDurham’s—
“Thebearer,JurgisRudkus,isaparticularfriendofmine,andIwouldlikeyoutofindhimagoodplace,forimportantreasons.
Hewasonceindiscreet,butyouwillperhapsbesogoodastooverlookthat.”
Mr.Harmonlookedupinquiringlywhenhereadthis.“Whatdoeshemeanby‘indiscreet’?”heasked.
“Iwasblacklisted,sir,”saidJurgis.
Atwhichtheotherfrowned.“Blacklisted?”hesaid.“Howdoyoumean?”AndJurgisturnedredwithembarrassment.
Hehadforgottenthatablacklistdidnotexist.“I—thatis—Ihaddifficultyingettingaplace,”hestammered.
“Whatwasthematter?”
“Igotintoaquarrelwithaforeman—notmyownboss,sir—andstruckhim.”
“Isee,”saidtheother,andmeditatedforafewmoments.“Whatdoyouwishtodo?”heasked.
“Anything,sir,”saidJurgis—”onlyIhadabrokenarmthiswinter,andsoIhavetobecareful.”
“Howwoulditsuityoutobeanightwatchman?”
“Thatwouldn’tdo,sir.Ihavetobeamongthemenatnight.”
“Isee—politics.Well,woulditsuityoutotrimhogs?”
“Yes,sir,”saidJurgis.
AndMr.Harmoncalledatimekeeperandsaid,“TakethismantoPatMurphyandtellhimtofindroomforhimsomehow.”
AndsoJurgismarchedintothehog-killingroom,aplacewhere,inthedaysgoneby,hehadcomebeggingforajob.
Nowhewalkedjauntily,andsmiledtohimself,seeingthefrownthatcametotheboss’sfaceasthetimekeepersaid,“Mr.Harmonsaystoputthismanon.”
Itwouldovercrowdhisdepartmentandspoiltherecordhewastryingtomake—buthesaidnotawordexcept“Allright.”
AndsoJurgisbecameaworkingmanoncemore;andstraightwayhesoughtouthisoldfriends,andjoinedtheunion,andbeganto“root”for“Scotty”Doyle.
Doylehaddonehimagoodturnonce,heexplained,andwasreallyabullychap;Doylewasaworkingmanhimself,andwouldrepresenttheworkingmen—whydidtheywanttovoteforamillionaire“sheeny,”andwhatthehellhadMikeScullyeverdoneforthemthattheyshouldbackhiscandidatesallthetime?
AndmeantimeScullyhadgivenJurgisanotetotheRepublicanleaderoftheward,andhehadgonethereandmetthecrowdhewastoworkwith.
Alreadytheyhadhiredabighall,withsomeofthebrewer’smoney,andeverynightJurgisbroughtinadozennewmembersofthe“DoyleRepublicanAssociation.”
Prettysoontheyhadagrandopeningnight;andtherewasabrassband,whichmarchedthroughthestreets,andfireworksandbombsandredlightsinfrontofthehall;andtherewasanenormouscrowd,withtwooverflowmeetings—sothatthepaleandtremblingcandidatehadtorecitethreetimesoverthelittlespeechwhichoneofScully’shenchmenhadwritten,andwhichhehadbeenamonthlearningbyheart.
Bestofall,thefamousandeloquentSenatorSpareshanks,presidentialcandidate,rodeoutinanautomobiletodiscussthesacredprivilegesofAmericancitizenship,andprotectionandprosperityfortheAmericanworkingman.
Hisinspiritingaddresswasquotedtotheextentofhalfacolumninallthemorningnewspapers,whichalsosaidthatitcouldbestateduponexcellentauthoritythattheunexpectedpopularitydevelopedbyDoyle,theRepublicancandidateforalderman,wasgivinggreatanxietytoMr.Scully,thechairmanoftheDemocraticCityCommittee.
Thechairmanwasstillmoreworriedwhenthemonstertorchlightprocessioncameoff,withthemembersoftheDoyleRepublicanAssociationallinredcapesandhats,andfreebeerforeveryvoterintheward—thebestbeerevergivenawayinapoliticalcampaign,asthewholeelectoratetestified.
Duringthisparade,andatinnumerablecart-tailmeetingsaswell,Jurgislaboredtirelessly.
Hedidnotmakeanyspeeches—therewerelawyersandotherexpertsforthat—buthehelpedtomanagethings;distributingnoticesandpostingplacardsandbringingoutthecrowds;andwhentheshowwasonheattendedtothefireworksandthebeer.
ThusinthecourseofthecampaignhehandledmanyhundredsofdollarsoftheHebrewbrewer’smoney,administeringitwithnaiveandtouchingfidelity.
Towardtheend,however,helearnedthathewasregardedwithhatredbytherestofthe“boys,”becausehecompelledthemeithertomakeapoorershowingthanheortodowithouttheirshareofthepie.
AfterthatJurgisdidhisbesttopleasethem,andtomakeupforthetimehehadlostbeforehediscoveredtheextrabungholesofthecampaignbarrel.
HepleasedMikeScully,also.Onelectionmorninghewasoutatfouro’clock,“gettingoutthevote”;hehadatwo-horsecarriagetoridein,andhewentfromhousetohouseforhisfriends,andescortedthemintriumphtothepolls.
Hevotedhalfadozentimeshimself,andvotedsomeofhisfriendsasoften;hebroughtbunchafterbunchofthenewestforeigners—Lithuanians,Poles,Bohemians,Slovaks—andwhenhehadputthemthroughthemillheturnedthemovertoanothermantotaketothenextpollingplace.
WhenJurgisfirstsetout,thecaptainoftheprecinctgavehimahundreddollars,andthreetimesinthecourseofthedayhecameforanotherhundred,andnotmorethantwenty-fiveoutofeachlotgotstuckinhisownpocket.
Thebalanceallwentforactualvotes,andonadayofDemocraticlandslidestheyelected“Scotty”Doyle,theex-tenpinsetter,bynearlyathousandplurality—andbeginningatfiveo’clockintheafternoon,andendingatthreethenextmorning,Jurgistreatedhimselftoamostunholyandhorrible“jag.”
NearlyeveryoneelseinPackingtowndidthesame,however,fortherewasuniversalexultationoverthistriumphofpopulargovernment,thiscrushingdefeatofanarrogantplutocratbythepowerofthecommonpeople.
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