upon the chances of a Congressional career."

As he drew to the end of this hypothetical harangue General Belch looked
sideways at his companion to see if he probably understood him.

The Honorable Mr. Ele shook his head in turn, looked solemnly into the
empty grate, and said, slowly and with gravity:

"The supposition might be entertained for the sake of the argument."

The General was apparently satisfied with this reply, for he continued:

"Let us, then, suppose that a sum of eight or nine thousand dollars
having been raised--and Mr. Bodley having resigned--that a new candidate
is to be selected who shall--who shall, in fact, serve his country from
our point of view, who ought the man to be?"

"Precisely; who ought the man to be?" replied Mr. Ele.

The two gentlemen looked gravely into the grate. General Belch squirted
reflectively. The Honorable Mr. Ele raised his hand and shaded his eyes,
and gazed steadfastly, as if he expected to see the candidate emerge from
the chimney. While they still sat thoughtfully a knock was heard at the
door. The General started and brought down his chair with a crash. Mr.
Ele turned sharply round, as if the candidate had taken him by surprise
in coming in by the door.

A boy handed General Belch a note:

"MY DEAR BELCH,--B. Newt, Son, & Co. have stopped. We do not hear of an
assignment, so desire you to take steps at once to secure judgment upon
the inclosed account.

"Yours, PERIWING & BUDDBY."

"Hallo!" said General Belch, as the messenger retired, "old Newt's
smashed! However, it's a great while since he has done any thing for
the party.--By Jove!"

The last exclamation was sudden, as if he had been struck by a happy
thought. He took a fresh quid in his mouth, and, putting his hands upon
his knees, sat silently for five minutes, and then said,

"I have the man!"

"You have the man?" said Ele, looking at him with interest.

"Certainly. Look here!"

Mr. Ele did look, as earnestly as if he expected the General to take the
man out of his pocket.

"You know we want to get the grant, at any rate. If we only have men who
see from our point of view, we are sure of it. I think I know a man who
can be persuaded to look at the matter from that point--a man who may be
of very great service to the party, if we can persuade him to see from
our point of view."

"Who is that?" asked Mr. Ele.

"Abel Newt," replied General Belch.

Mr. Ele seemed somewhat surprised.

"Oh--ye