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'98； were were〃coughed the captain； dropping into conversation again
〃were the biggest thing out。 You have only to signify the day； sir； that you
will address us； and I can promise you the largest audience in San
Francisco。〃
〃I'm instructed by the proprietor of the 'Union Press；'〃 said Mr。 Slate；
feeling for his notebook and pencil； 〃to offer you its columns for any
explanations you may desire to make in the form of a personal letter or an
editorial in reply to the 'Advertiser's' strictures on your speech； or to take
any information you may have for the benefit of our readers and the
party。〃
〃If you are ever down my way； Mr。 Hathaway；〃 said Mr。 Hoskins；
placing a large business card in Hathaway's hand； 〃and will drop in as a
friend； I can show you about the largest business in the way of canned
provisions and domestic groceries in the State； and give you a look around
Battery Street generally。 Or if you'll name your day； I've got a pair of 2。35
Blue Grass horses that'll spin you out to the Cliff House to dinner and back。
I've had Governor Fiske； and Senator Doolan； and that big English
capitalist who was here last year； and theywell； sir；they were
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A WARD OF THE GOLDEN GATE
PLEASED！ Or if you'd like to see the townif this is your first visitI'm a
hand to show you。
Nothing could exceed Mr。 Hathaway's sympathetic acceptance of their
courtesies； nor was there the least affectation in it。 Thoroughly enjoying
his fellowmen； even in their foibles； they found him irresistibly attractive。
〃I lived here seven years ago；〃 he said； smiling； to the last speaker。
〃When the water came up to Montgomery Street；〃 interposed Mr。
Shear； in a hoarse but admiring aside。
〃When Mr。 Hammersley was mayor；〃 continued Hathaway。
〃Had an official positionprivate secretaryafore he was twenty；〃
explained Shear； in perfectly audible confidence。
〃Since then the city has made great strides； leaping full…grown； sir； in a
single night；〃 said Captain Stidger； hastily ascending the rostrum again
with a mixed metaphor； to the apparent concern of a party of handsomely
dressed young ladies who had recently entered the parlor。 〃Stretching from
South Park to Black Point； and running back to the Mission Dolores and
the Presidio； we are building up a metropolis； sir； worthy to be placed
beside the Golden Gate that opens to the broad Pacific and the shores of
far Cathay！ When the Pacific Railroad is built we shall be the natural
terminus of the Pathway of Nations！〃
Mr。 Hathaway's face betrayed no consciousness that he had heard
something like this eight years before； and that much of it had come true；
as he again sympathetically responded。 Neither was his attention attracted
by a singular similarity which the attitude of the group of ladies on the
other side of the parlor bore to that of his own party。 They were clustered
around one of their own number a striking…looking girlwho was
apparently receiving their mingled flatteries and caresses with a youthful
yet critical sympathy； which； singularly enough； was not unlike his own。 It
was evident also that an odd sort of rivalry seemed to spring up between
the two parties； and that； in proportion as Hathaway's admirers became
more marked and ostentatious in their attentions； the supporters of the
young girl were equally effusive and enthusiastic in their devotion。 As
usual in such cases； the real contest was between the partisans themselves；
each successive demonstration on either side was provocative or
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A WARD OF THE GOLDEN GATE
retaliatory； and when they were apparently rendering homage to their idols
they were really distracted by and listening to each other。 At last；
Hathaway's party being reinforced by fresh visitors； a tall brunette of the
opposition remarked in a professedly confidential but perfectly audible
tone：
〃Well； my dear； as I don't suppose you want to take part in a political
caucus； perhaps we'd better return to the Ladies' Boudoir； unless there's a
committee sitting there too。〃
〃I know how valuable your time must be； as you are all business men；〃
said Hathaway； turning to his party； in an equally audible tone； 〃but before
you go； gentlemen； you must let me offer you a little refreshment in a
private room；〃 and he moved naturally towards the door。 The rival fair；
who had already risen at their commander's suggestion； here paused
awkwardly over an embarrassing victory。 Should they go or stay？ The
object of their devotion； however； turned curiously towards Hathaway。 For
an instant their eyes met。 The young girl turned carelessly to her
companions and said； 〃No； stay hereit's the public parlor；〃 and her
followers； evidently accustomed to her authority； sat down again。
〃A galaxy of young ladies from the Convent of Santa Clara； Mr。
Hathaway；〃 explained Captain Stidger； naively oblivious of any
discourtesy on their part； as he followed Hathaway's glance and took his
arm as they moved away。 〃Not the least of our treasures； sir。 Most of them
daughters of pioneersand all Californian bred and educated。
Connoisseurs have awarded them the palm； and declare that for Grace；
Intelligence； and Woman's Highest Charms the East cannot furnish their
equal！〃 Having delivered this Parthian compliment in an oratorical
passage through the doorway； the captain descended； outside； into familiar
speech。 〃But I suppose you will find that out for yourself if you stay here
long。 San Francisco might furnish a fitting bride to California's youngest
senator。〃
〃I am afraid that my stay here must be brief； and limited to business；〃
said Hathaway； who had merely noticed that the principal girl was
handsome and original…looking。 〃In fact； I am here partly to see an old
acquaintanceColonel Pendleton。〃
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