creed into city
politics. If Your Honor runs on an independent ticket, the Irish will
vote against you to a man. One would think that far-seeing men,
interested in the city and careful of the future, would hesitate to make
dangerous rivalries of this sort. Is there not enough bigotry now?"

"Not that I know," said the Mayor with a pretence of indifference. "We
are all eager to keep the races in good humor, but at the same time to
prevent the ascendancy of a particular race, except the native. It is
the Irish to-day. It will be the Germans to-morrow. Once checked
thoroughly, there will be no trouble in the future."

The interview ended with these words. By that time Arthur had gone
beyond his political depth, and was glad to make his adieu to the great
man. He retained one honest conclusion from the interview.

"Birmingham can thank this pig-headed gentleman," said he to Everard,
"for making him mayor of New York."

John snorted his contempt of the statement and its abettors. The report
of Arthur disquieted the Chief and his counselors, who assembled to hear
and discuss it.

"It's regrettable," was Sullivan's opinion. "Livingstone makes a fine
figure in a campaign. He has an attractive name. His independence is
popular, and does no harm. He hasn't the interests of the party at heart
though. The question now is, can we persuade the Irish to overlook his
peculiarities about the green and St. Patrick's Day?"

"A more pertinent question," Vandervelt said after a respectful silence,
"would be as to the next available man. I favor Birmingham."

"And I," echoed the Senator.

Arthur listened to the amicable discussion that followed with thoughts
not for the candidate, but for the three men who thus determined the
history of the city for the next two years. The triumvirs! Cloudy scenes
of half-forgotten history rose before him, strange names uttered
themselves. Mark Antony and young Octavius and weak Lepidus! He felt
suddenly the seriousness of life, and wonder at the ways of men; for he
had never stood so near the little gods that harness society to their
policies, never till now had he seen with his own eyes how the world is
steered. The upshot of endless talk and trickery was the nomination of
Birmingham, and the placing of an independent ticket in the field with
the Mayor at its head.

"Now for the fun," said Grahame. "It's going to be a big fight. If you
want to see the working out of principles keep close to me wh