t have
understood: it was a foolish, quotation about the Greeks when they come
bearing gifts.

"But my dear fellow, we differ on fundamentals. You are for Federal
authority. I am for the Federal authority everlastingly minding its
own business most _severely_, and the States managing their own
business! I am for States Rights. The Federal Government is an
expensive luxury, Wayland. It wastes two dollars for every dollar it
gives back to the country. There's an army of petty grafters and party
heelers to be paid off at every turn! All the States want is to be let
alone.

"For three years, Wayland, you have been fighting over those
two-thousand acres of coal land where the Smelter stands. You say it
was taken illegally. I know that; but they didn't take it! It was
jugged through by an English promoter--"

"Just as foreign immigrants are jugging through timber steals to-day,"
thought Wayland; but he answered; "I acknowledge all that, Senator; but
when goods are stolen, the owner has the right to take them back where
found; and that land was stolen from the U. S. Reserves--ninety-million
dollars worth of it."

"I know! I know! But what have _you_ gained? _That_ is what I ask!
Federal Government has blocked every move you have made to take action
for these lands, hasn't it? Very soon, the Statute of Limitations will
block _you_ altogether."

The Senator shifted a knee. Wayland waited.

"You have gained nothing--less than nothing: you have laid up a lot of
ill will for yourself that will block your promotion. Been four years
here, haven't you, at seventy-five dollars a month? I pay my cow men
more; and _they_ haven't spent five years at Yale. Now take the timber
cases. You hold the Smelter shouldn't take free timber from the
Forests?"

"No more than the poorest thief who steals a stick of wood from a
yard--"

"Pah! Poor man! Dismiss that piffle from your brain! What does the
poor man do for the Valley? Why does any man stay poor in this land?
Because he is no good! We've brought in thousands of workmen. We've
built up a city. We have developed this State."

"All for your own profit--"

"Exactly! What else does the poor man work for? But I'm not going to
argue that kindergarten twaddle of the college highbrows, Wayland. I'm
out for all I can make; so is the Smelter; so are you; but the point is
you've fought this timber thing; you have filed and filed and filed
your recommendations f