The Auction Block

The Auction Block

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Title: The Auction Block
Author: Rex Beach
Release Date: February, 2004 [EBook #5143] [Yes, we are more than
one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on May 13,
2002]
Edition: 10

Language: English
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THE AUCTION BLOCK
By REX BEACH
Author of "THE SILVER HORDE" "THE SPOILERS" "THE IRON
TRAIL" Etc.
Illustrated

THE AUCTION BLOCK

CHAPTER I
Peter Knight flung himself into the decrepit arm-chair beside the
center-table and growled:
"Isn't that just my luck? And me a Democrat for twenty years. There's
nothing in politics, Jimmy."
His son James smiled crookedly, with a languid tolerance bespeaking
amusement and contempt. James prided himself upon his forbearance,
and it was rarely indeed that he betrayed more than a hint of the
superiority which he felt toward his parent.
"Politics is all right, provided you're a good picker," he said, with all
the assurance of twenty-two, "but you fell off the wrong side of the
fence, and you're sore."
"Of course I am. Wouldn't anybody be sore?"

"These country towns always go in for the reform stuff, every so often.
If you'd listen to me and--"
His father interrupted harshly: "Now, cut that out. I don't want to go to
New York, and I won't." Peter Knight tried to look forceful, but the
expression did not fit his weak, complacent features. He was a plump
man with red cheeks rounded by habitual good humor; his chin was
short, and beneath it were other chins, distended and sagging as if from
the weight of chuckles within. When he had succeeded in fixing a look
of determination upon his countenance the result was an artificial scowl
and a palpably false pout. Wearing such a front, he continued: "When I
say 'no' I mean it, and the subject is closed. I like Vale, I know
everybody here, and everybody knows me."
"That's why it's time to move," said Jim, with another unpleasant curl
of his lip. "As long as they didn't know you you got past. But you'll
never hold another office."
"Indeed! My record's open to inspection. I made the best sheriff in--"
"Two years. Don't kid yourself, pa. Your foot slipped when the trolley
line went through."
"What do you know about the trolley line?" angrily demanded Mr.
Knight.
"Well, I know as much as the county knows. And I know something
about the big dam, too. You got into the mud, pa, but you didn't go
deep enough to find the frogs. Fogarty got his, didn't he?"
Mr. Knight breathed deep with indignation.
"Senator Fogarty is my good friend. I won't let you question his honor,
although you do presume to question mine."
"Of course he's your friend; that's why he's fixed you for this New York
job. He's not like these Reubs; he remembers a good turn and blows
back with another. He's a real politician."

"'Department of Water Supply, Gas, and Electricity,'" sneered Peter. "It
sounds good, but the salary is fifteen hundred a year. A clerk--at my
age!"
"Say, d'you suppose Tammany men live on their salaries?" Jimmy
inquired. "Wake up! This is your chance to horn into the real herd. In
New York politics is a vocation; up here it's a vacation- -everybody
tries it once, like music lessons. If you'd been hooked up with
Tammany instead of the state machine you'd have been taken care of."
"I tell you I don't like cities. It's no place to raise kids."
At this James betrayed some irritation. "I'm of age, and Lorelei's a
grown woman. If we don't get out of Vale I'll still be a brakeman on a
soda-fountain when I'm your age."
"If you'd