“Yes, sir,” says the General to Wizard Lewis; “I'll take a second term! And then, Major, we will make Matt President after me.”
“We'll do more,” returns Wizard Lewis. “When we elect you President the second time, we'll shove aside the plotting Calhoun, and make Van Buren Vice-President.”
“Right!” exults the General. “Then, should I die, Matt will at once step into my shoes.”
Neither the General nor Wizard Lewis is at pains to conceal their design. The sallow cheek of Statesman Calhoun grows sallower; for the news is like an icicle through his heart. It in no wise abates his war upon the pretty Peg, however; which—as Wizard Lewis guesses—is only meant to break down the General with good people.
Vindicated; in all quarters she rises in triumph over Mrs. Calhoun, Mrs. Ingham, Mrs. Branch, Mrs. Berrien, and what other “society Red Sticks”—as he terms them—seek her destruction. The next thing is to shear away the cabinet strength of Statesman Calhoun. Wizard Lewis recommends a dissolution of the Cabinet. He lays his thought before the General, who sits listening in the smoke of his long pipe. Cabineteer Van Buren will resign. Cabi-neteers Eaton and Barry will emulate his example and turn over their portfolios. With half his Cabinet gone, should the Calhoun three prove backward, the General shall demand their portfolios.
“And then?” asks the General, his iron-gray head in a cloud of tobacco smoke.
CHAPTER XXI—WIZARD LEWIS URGES A CHANGE IN FRONT
WIZARD LEWIS, bending his brows to the situation, now counsels an extreme step.