om drawers in a great iron safe
in one corner and laid them on the mahogany desk. It was the railroad
president's hobby, and could he find an appreciative guest, he was
happy. It need scarcely be said that he found William Wetherell
appreciative, and possessed of knowledge of Shaksperiana and other
matters that astonished his host as well as pleased him. For Wetherell
had found his tongue at last.

After a while Mr. Duncan drew out his watch and gave a start.

"By George!" he exclaimed, "it's after eight o'clock. I'll have to ask
you to excuse me to-night, Mr. Wetherell. I'd like to show you the rest
of them--can't you come around to-morrow afternoon?"

Mr. Wetherell, who had forgotten his own engagement and "Uncle Tom's
Cabin," said he would be happy to come. And they went out together and
began to walk toward the State House.

"It isn't often I find a man who knows anything at all about these
things," continued Mr. Duncan, whose heart was quite won. "Why do you
bury yourself in Coniston?"

"I went there from Briton for my health," said the storekeeper.

"Jethro Bass lives there, doesn't he" said Mr. Duncan, with a laugh. "But
I suppose you don't know anything about politics."

"I know nothing at all," said Mr. Wetherell, which was quite true. He
had been in dreamland, but now the fact struck him again, with something
of a shock, that this mild-mannered gentleman was one of those who had
been paying certain legislators to remain in their seats. Wetherell
thought of speaking to Mr. Duncan of his friendship with Jethro Bass,
but the occasion passed.

"I wish to heaven I didn't have to know anything about politics," Mr.
Duncan was saying; "they disgust me. There's a little matter on now,
about an extension of the Truro Railroad to Harwich, which wouldn't
interest you, but you can't conceive what a nuisance it has been to
watch that House day and night, as I've had to. It's no joke to have
that townsman of yours; Jethro Bass, opposed to you. I won't say
anything against him, for he many be a friend of yours, and I have to
use him sometimes myself." Mr. Duncan sighed. "It's all very sordid and
annoying. Now this evening, for instance, when we might have enjoyed
ourselves with those books, I've' got to go to the House, just because
some backwoods farmers want to talk about woodchucks. I suppose it's
foolish," said Mr. Duncan; "but Bass has tricked us so often that I've
got into the habit of being watchful. I should