the others.

"We wait on you," began their spokesman, one of the ministers, "as a
committee from the United Temperance Societies."

"My time is not my own just now, gentlemen," explained General Waymouth.
"I have a luncheon engagement with Mr. and Mrs. Presson. I will see you
at some other time."

The faces of all of them grew saturnine at that announcement. For
Chairman Presson was not recognized as the especial friend of
prohibition by the fanatics of the State.

The clergyman, following his line of duty, was not in a mood to accept
delicate hints regarding social engagements. He stood his ground.

"Our business will occupy but a short time, and I suggest that it will
be for your personal interest to listen now, sir."

It was an unfortunate bit of obstinacy.

"I regulate my own hours for engagements, Mr. Prouty. You have come on
your own business, and it must await my convenience."

"It's _your_ business I come on, General Waymouth, and I advise you to
listen! And I will add that it will not help you with the temperance
people of this State if they are told that within two hours after your
nomination you are consorting with the arch-enemy of temperance reform
in our midst!"

With two strides the General was back at his door. He opened it.

"Be so kind as to leave the room, gentlemen," he invited, icily. "I'll
not detain you even to have you apologize for your intrusion on my
privacy or ask pardon of a guest whom you've insulted!"

They obeyed him, sullenly. Even their effrontery could not withstand
that dignity. But they muttered among themselves, and one man called
back over his shoulder: "It isn't the first time, General, that a man
brave enough to lead battle charges hasn't shown that he's got the
spirit to declare for the right against the wrong, when politics stands
by with open ears!"

"There go some of the reformers you were asking your grandfather about a
few weeks ago, Harlan," sneered the indignant chairman. "Those are the
men who are holding themselves up as examples for all the rest of men to
follow. Every one else is a rummy and a hellion, according to their
ranking."

"As bad an element as the rumsellers themselves," declared the
General--"men of that type! I'm speaking now of the interests of true
reform--reform that gets to the individual and is something else than
this everlasting wrangle and racket between factions. I like fighting,
but I like to have a natural fighter admit he's in i