Love Our Lockwood
by Janet Kagan
---for Lee Burwasser and Val Ontell,
Librarians Extraordinaires
You have heard too many lies about the second of November.
Now you shall hear the truth. I was there from the beginning
and I shall tell you what I saw.
The morning was grey and chill, as it so often is in Washington.
My stump ached with the cold, as my daughter Essie hastened to
build a fire. As fortune had it, the storefront chosen for this
year's polling was rich enought to possess a Franklin stove.
The fire at last made, Essie moved our table and lockbox close.
Mr. Harry Worthington chose the left side, huddling as close
to the stove as he dared. I believe his arm stub ached as badly
as my leg. The warmth soothed us equally. We had an amiable argument
over the time, for Mr. Worthington had set his watched to railroad
time and I had set mine to District of Columbia time. In the
end, we agreed; he would accept ballots cast to railroad time
and I to suntime.
As we had both arrived early, we had little to do but wait.
We spent our time in reminiscence: we spoke of friends lost in
the War of Secession. We could have spoken for a month and not
named them all. The day seemed greyer, as if dawn would never
arrive.
Essie kept watch at the window through which ballots would
be passed, for she did not want to draw it open to the chill
until such time as this was necessary. As this was the first
time she had assisted us, she was naturally in a state of high
excitement. When she exclaimed from the window, "Oh, father!
It's a parade!" even Mr. Worthington laughed.
We had seen electioneering before, he and I. The average man
will do the most peculiar of things to call attention to his
chosen candidate. I have often joked that Mr. Barnum learned
his trade from the politicals. I now repeated the joke to Mr.
Worthington, who found it quite amusing.
Essie turned from the window. "No, father, you don't
understand. It is a parade. They are all coming down the
street together, coming here!"
She flung open the window and a gust of cold air struck us.
I pulled my lap robe more tightly about my stump. Mr. Worthington
snugged into his shawl. Essie, risking her health still more,
leaned out the window for a long look.
When she drew back in, she had a smile such as to warm even
a veteran's heart. "Mrs. Lockwood has come to vote, and
all of her friends have accompanied her."
At that, I knew why Essie had volunteered to assist us this
morning. Essie is reading law. Some years ago, when Mrs. Lockwood
began her practice, it was she who adjudicated my pension. From
that day forward, I heard little from Essie but words that she
had learned from Mrs. Lockwood. However much I might worry that
the legal profession might damage my daughter's prospects, I
was forced to agree to permit it when she argued that Mrs. Lockwood
alone could not try all the pension cases.
Mr. Worthington was astonished. "Mrs. Lockwood is a woman,"
he said.
"She is the President," said Essie. She turned back
to the window. "Oh, father! You must see! Come, I'll help
you!"
As I am hard put to deny the child anything, I allowed her
to help me to the window. What I saw was indeed a parade, one
of which even Mr. Barnum would have been proud.
First came the Mother Hubbard Clubs. They would do for the
clown had not their purpose been so good-hearted and serious.
The men, young and old, had pulled huge shapeless Mother Hubbard
dresses over their street garb and each had replaced his hat
with a beaked cap. They carried brooms and the words of their
song drifted through the early morning air.
"My soul is tired of politics," they sang, "Its
vicious ways, its knavish tricks. I will not vote for any man,
But whoop it up for Belva Ann!" With that, they gave a collective
whoop and brandished their brooms high. "Clean sweep!"
they chanted, "Clean sweep!"
"Ducks," said Mr. Worthington, who had left the
fire to stand beside me. "They waddle like so many giant
ducks." I could not deny it, for the beaked caps made them
seem so. But their striped and flowered dresses brightened the
street.
Mr. Worthington sent our young soldier to halt them the proper
distance from the polling booth. This was proper, even though
Essie thought it was a shame.
"We will do the same for Mr. Harrison's supporters, my
dear. You will be glad of it later. When two parties strike up
chants in opposition, you would think the world was coming to
an end. We keep them back that we might hear each other speak."
Now came, to the amazement of both Mr. Worthington and myself,
an entire regiment of veterans, all known to us. Two of those
who had survived the War without injury carried Mr. Thomas, who
had lost both his legs to a cannonball. Mr. Worthington and I
readied ourselves to receive ballots but, to our further amazement,
the regiment, on Captain Haricut's order, wheeled and formed
an honor guard along the street. The guard lead directly to our
window.
Next came a contingent of Red Indians, led by Sitting Bull.
They, too, did not come to the window to cast their ballots.
Like the veterans, they lined the street on either side. Then
a contingent of Negroes did the very same.
Essie smiled and pointed to their leader, a tall distinguished
gentleman. "That is Samuel Lowry," she said. "He
is an ex-slave. It was Mrs. Lockwood who introduced him to legal
practice before the Supreme Court."
The crowd broke into a sudden wild cheer. The veterans all
raised their swords in salute. And through the lines of this
most peculiar of honor guards came the strangest sight my eyes
have ever seen.
At the head of the line was Mrs. Lockwood in her tricycle.
I had seen her often enough, pedaling about the town. Unlike
many, I do not find it scandalous, for she took great care to
prepare a dashboard that her skirts do not fly up and shame her.
It strikes some odd that a president should not use a carriage
but I admire her economy. Since the tax, I prefer a president
of some economy.
Today, however, she did not pedal at her usual brisk pace.
She moved no faster than a man might walk and she smiled and
waved now and then to those who lined her way. Then we saw why
she had set such a pace. For, behind her, all in Sunday best,
walked hundreds of women. Their arms were linked, they were all
smiling, their ribbons and laces a-flutter. They were of all
ages and, strange to say, they were of all races as well: White,
Negro, Red Indian, even a few Chinee. Odd to say, I did not find
the sight either shocking or scandalous. It seemed as if fitting---as
no two women wore the same dress, no two wore the same skin.
The sun chose that moment to appear, however wanly, and all of
the colors blazed.
Even Mr. Harrison's supporters, who had now arrived in some
number, paused and stood respectfully back, as the President
braked to a stop a few yards from where we stood.
Mr. Love, her vice president, offered his arm and assisted
her from her vehicle. Captain Haricut led his men in a second
salute. Yet another cheer came from the crowd. Even a number
of the men in support of Mr. Harrison joined in, giving their
duly-elected President proper respect.
Mr. Love escorted Mrs. Lockwood across the street. They walked
briskly toward us. Mrs. Lockwood looked no different than she
had when she tried my case before the Court. She is a grandmother.
Her hair is gray but her high forehead lends her a handsomeness
that many young women lack. Perhaps it is her force of character
that so ornaments her bearing.
I could not help but glance at Essie. She seemed to be holding
her breath, but her eyes were bright and sparkling. She smiled
at Mrs. Lockwood, who smiled in return. Essie too had that handsomeness
of character.
A hand came throught the window to proffer me a ballot. I
reached to take it and was shaken when Mr. Worthington grasped
me sharply by the wrist. "She is a woman," Mr.
Worthington said. "I will take your ballot, Mr. Love."
Mr. Love is a very quiet man. He made no fuss, nor did he
raise his voice. He merely took two steps back and indicated
the women. "Ladies first," said he.
Mr. Worthington snorted. He drew himself up and stared at
Mrs. Lockwood, as if by force of glance he might will Mrs. Lockwood
away. He should have known better. She met his eyes easily and
once again offered her ballot.
"You are a woman," said Mr. Worthington, yet again.
"To that I plead guilty," said Mrs. Lockwood.
Rubbing his stub for the pain, Mr. Worthington leaned through
the window and addressed the crowd. "Any man who wishes
to cast his ballot may do so now," he said. "Captain
Haricut? Will you vote, sir?"
"Ladies first," said Captain Haricut---and all along
the street took up the cry. "Ladies first," they shouted.
"Ladies first!"
The Harrison supporters pressed forward in an attempt to reach
the window, but the women massed together and would not be moved.
There was a brief skirmish toward the edge of the crowd, and
I feared riot.
I feared not for myself but for Essie and for the brightly
dressed women. Captain Haricut gave an abrupt order, however,
and the men formed protectively. It was only then that I realized
that many of the women in the crowd were wives or widows of veterans.
Even old Mrs. Terrint was among them. Her sons had been in our
regiment. All five had died.
Mrs. Lockwood had turned away from me, toward Captain Haricut.
"Captain," she called, and hers was the voice of command,
"there will be no fighting. We are here peaceably. We shall
vote peaceably." The captain acknowledged with a flash of
his sword.
Mr.s Lockwood returned her gaze, this time to me. "We
shall vote peaceably," she repeated. "But we shall
vote."
"Father," said Essie, "She is the President.
Will you not accept a ballot from the President?"
I turned to Mr. Worthington. "Will you call out the army
to disperse these women?" I asked him. "She is their
Commander-in-Chief."
The notion embarrassed Mr. Worthington. So I pursued it: "If
the notion embarrasses you, will it not embarrass the entire
country?"
He thought it over for a long time, time enough for me to
hear my words whispered back to the very furthest reaches of
the waiting crowd. "The President," he said,
at last, "should be permitted to vote." He held out
his hand.
Women craned to watch. Two of the soldiers on horseback leaned
forward just as eagerly.
Mrs. Lockwood laid her ballot in Mr. Worthington's hand. Mr.
Worthington put the ballot in the lockbox. One of the soldiers
on horseback cried out, "Mrs. Lockwood has cast her ballot!"
and a great cheer went up.
Mr. Worthington held out his hand for Mr. Love's ballot. I
believe Mr. Worthington thought that to be the end of it. But
Mrs. Lockwood had moved only to the side of the window, not away
from it. I did not need to see her eyes to know her determination;
I saw that very determination reflected in the eyes of my Essie.
Mr. Love once more crooked his arm. This time he received
for escort the Honorable Mrs. Lavinia Dundore, Justice of the
Supreme Court. Like Mrs. Lockwood before her, she held out her
folded bit of paper. I took it from her hand.
Mr. Worthington hissed at me, but I did not hesitate to place
the ballot into the lockbox. The same soldier on horseback cried
out, "Mrs. Dundore has cast her ballot!"
As before, a cheer rose from the crowd. "Would you embarrass
our country by denying the vote to a Supreme Court Justice?"
I said to Mr. Worthington.
"That is enough, then," said Mr. Worthington. "There
are no more women who are presidents nor are there more women
who are Supreme Court Justices. Now the men will vote."
But still the men could not approach the window, for their
way was obstructed by that multitude of women in their brightly
colored garb.
Over their heads, I could see that Captain Haricut was now
engaged in conversation with a member of the local police force.
The import of this was not lost on Mrs. Lockwood. One of the
Cleveland supporters had called for enforcement. Mrs. Lockwood
made a gesture and the ladies parted politely to permit the gentleman
through.
I believe he was much surprised to discover both Mrs. Lockwood
and Mrs. Dundore the leaders of this insurrection. He saluted
sharply, but his face was full of bewilderment. "I have
been asked to uphold the law," he began.
"Just so," said Mrs. Lockwood. "As Mrs Dundore
and I have sworn to uphold the Constitution."
"The ladies must leave off obstructing the polling place
and return to their homes."
"The ladies must vote. I have sworn to uphold the Constitution
and I shall do so."
"Mrs. Lockwood...."
"The Constitution permits all citizens to vote."
Mr. Worthington could not contain himself. "A citizen
in the Constitution is referred to as 'he.'"
Mrs. Lockwood was pleased. "That is my contention, Mr.
Worthington. Now---what does the Constitution say of the President
of the United States?"
Essie gave a cry of delight. Clapping her hands together,
she said, "The President is likewise referred to as 'he!'"
"Yet I am the President, Mr. Worthington. Therefore,
'he' may refer to a woman. Or do you contend some wizardry has
made me male?" Mrs. Lockwood smiled again.
The young policeman had been listening carefully to this exchange,
although his eyes were clearly fixed on Essie. Seldom have I
seen a young man so taken so quickly. When he spoke, it was not
to Mrs. Lockwood, but rather to Essie. "Miss?" he said.
"What is your name?"
"Miss Essie Twineham."
"Would you be a citizen?"
The young will ask the young in matters of opinion.
Essie did not inquire of me nor did she inquire of Mrs. Lockwood.
It was, I believe, her own soul she consulted.
Having consulted, she drew herself up more proudly than I
had ever seen her stand before. She gave the young man a radiant
smile and said, "I am a citizen, sir. The Constitution
grants me the right to vote."
I could not deny her pride, nor could I detract from it in
any fashion. To the policeman, I said, "Young man, my leg
pains me greatly. I would be most obliged if you would step aside,
thus permitting the ladies and gentlemen to vote and be on their
separate ways." I stretched out my hand to a young black
woman in gingham. "Your ballot, please, miss or mistress."
I had seen the turning on of an electric light, yet I had
never seen a light the equal of that which lit the young woman's
face as she placed her ballot in my palm. When she had seen me
place the ballot in the lockbox, she gave a great shout of joy
and threw her arms about Mrs. Lockwood.
With a great sigh, Mr. Worthington accepted the next ballot,
that of an old Chinee lady. As if a flood-gate had opened, the
ballots crackled through the window. The Mother Hubbard Brigade
once again struck up their song, as the Cleveland supporters
strove to out-sing and out-chant them.
The young policeman stood by, stiffly erect, but every now
and then he gave a shy glance in Essie's direction. "I shall
stay," he told her, "to keep order."
Essie nodded, smiling. "And to uphold the law,"
she said.
More wonders were yet to come, for the word had run through
the streets of Washington as fast as electricity through a wire.
The next time I stretched out my hand to receive a ballot,
I saw yet another face I recognized. "Mrs. Cleveland,"
I said politely, "and a good day to you."
Mr. Worthington was utterly aghast. I believe he expected
Mrs. Lockwood to protest Mrs. Cleveland's ballot. I could see
Essie and her young man almost did. But Mrs. Lockwood seemed,
if anything, all the prouder with her accomplishment.
Perhaps even Mrs. Cleveland expected some objection from Mrs.
Lockwood, for she turned to her and said, "I did not vote
for you, Mrs. Lockwood."
"You voted," said Mrs. Lockwood. "I count myself
triumphant in that."
Some strengthening understanding passed between the two in
that moment. Then Mrs. Cleveland embraced Mrs. Lockwood. Together
the two of them watched as yet more women came to cast their
ballots.
"I had hoped," Mrs. Lockwood began, "to see
Mrs. Harrison as well."
Mrs. Cleveland shook her head. "I did not expect so much.
She is as frightened a woman as her husband is a man. You could
not convince them of the safety of the electric lights in their
own home."
"I had hoped...."
"Mrs. Lockwood," said Mrs. Cleveland with a smile,
"you had hoped that all women had your courage and your
strength of purpose. They do not, nor do all men." She was
silent for a moment. "You have given me strength, though,
and for that I thank you."
At last all had voted. The last two ballots into the lockbox
were none other than the young policeman's and Essie's. Essie
stirred up the fire as Mr. Worthington and I eased our limbs
at last.
When the men came for the lockbox, I had a thought that disturbed
me. "Go home, Essie, and take your rest. I shall accompany
the gentlemen to watch the counting of the votes."
"But, father, your leg...."
I kissed her on the cheek. "I will not mind my leg,"
I told her. "Mr. Worthington will see you home."
I gathered my crutches and followed the men with the lockbox.
Mr. Worthington would see Essie home safely: I would see
her vote home safely. I intended that each and every ballot we
had collected the day long was duly and properly counted.
Mr. Cleveland was duly elected president that day. But I believe
that Mrs. Lockwood won, and so did my Essie.
*end*
copyright © 1992 by Janet Kagan
This story originally appeared in the anthology,
ALTERNATE PRESIDENTS,
edited by Mike Resnick (A Tor Book, 1992)
It is reprinted here by permission of the author. |