s--ah--indeed. I did not know he was in political life," said he.

"He isn't," returned General Belch.

Mr. Ele looked for further instructions.

"Every body must begin," said Belch. "Look here. If we don't get this
grant from Congress, what on earth is the use of having worked so long
in this devilish old harness of politics? Haven't we been to primary
meetings, and conventions, and elections, and all the other tomfoolery,
speechifying and plotting and setting things right, and being bled, by
Jupiter!--bled to the tune of more hundreds than I mean to lose; and now,
just as we are where a bold push will save every thing, and make it worth
while to have worked in the nasty mill so long, we must have our wits
about us. Do you know Abel Newt?"

"No."

"I do. He is a gentleman without the slightest squeamishness. He is
perfectly able to see things from particular points of view. He has great
knowledge of the world, and he is a friend of the people, Sir. His
politics are of the right kind," said General Belch, in a tone which
seemed to be setting the tune for any future remarks Mr. Ele might have
to make about Mr. Newt--at public meetings, for instance, or elsewhere.

"I am glad to hear he is a friend of the people," returned Mr. Ele.

"Yes, Sir, he is the consistent enemy of a purse-proud aristocracy, Sir."

"Exactly; purse-proud aristocracy," repeated Mr. Ele, as if conning a
lesson by rote.

"Dandled in the lap of luxury, he does not hesitate to descend from it to
espouse the immortal cause of popular rights."

"Popular rights," returned the Honorable Mr. Ele, studying his lesson.

"Animated by a glowing patriotism, he stands upon the people, and waves
above his head the glorious flag of our country."

"Glorious flag of our country," responded the other.

"The undaunted enemy of monopoly, he is equally the foe of class
legislation and the friend of State rights."

"Friend of State rights."

"Ahem!" said General Belch, looking blankly at Mr. Ele, "where was I?"

"Friend of State rights," parroted Mr. Ele.

"Exactly; oh yes! And if ever the glorious fabric of our country's--our
country's--our country's--d---- it! our country's what, Mr. Ele?"

That honorable gentleman was engaged with his own thoughts while he
followed with his tongue the words of his friend, so that, perhaps a
little maliciously, perhaps a little unconsciously, he went on in the
same wooden tone of repetition.

"D---- it! Our country'