America’s Last Emperor: Duel
Chapter Eighteen
November 20th, 1858
Norton held his anniversary dinner at Macao and Woosung again for the ninth anniversary of his arrival in San Francisco. He had gotten a temporary job as an agent for some goods that arrived in October and managed to sell them all, but his casual talk of monarchy turned his employer off and he did not get another chance at business with him. He had money to pay for dinner, but Eastland would not hear of it.
He had a motley crew of guests this year. Abe Warner showed up with a tiny squirrel monkey in his pocket that he hid from Norman. Lillie Hitchcock dragged her family to the celebration despite her father’s protestations. Tom Sawyer was there as well, smelling of whiskey and sweat. Most impressively, David Broderick showed up at the behest of Eastland. He had an entourage, but he glad handed around and made time for every person in the room like a good politician. Mr. Hitchcock had to admit that Lillie was right to have pushed them to come.
“Broderick,” said Norton. “Eastland and I were just talking about the election. Your side came out the weaker.”
“It’s just the tides of politics,” said Broderick. “My own party is split on the issue of slavery. You’ve known me a while Norton and know exactly how I feel. Others in my party are upset about my…
