Thornton's comment on the political situation in the Republican party on
the morning after the election. The chairman heard it with the gloom of
a mourner. He could see nothing bright in the jest or the prospects.

There was a frigid truce during the four months that elapsed between
the election and the assembling of the legislature.

General Waymouth retired to the brick house in Burnside, and gave ear to
those who promptly made his home the Mecca of the State. There were
office-holders who wanted to hold to their jobs, office-seekers who
suspected that there would be a break in the plans of party patronage;
there were officious gentlemen suggesting new legislation for the next
administration to consider; there were crafty gentlemen trying to
discover what the administration would recommend. The day was full of
cares, duties, annoyances, and the nagging pleadings of persistent
petitioners.

Harlan Thornton, now representative-elect from the Fort Canibas
district, became still more indispensable in General Waymouth's daily
life. Duties at a desk had worn upon him. This everlasting mingling with
men was more to his taste. He had natural adaptability. He was a good
judge of human nature. He had serene good nature. Physique and manner
made him master of many situations at the old brick house that otherwise
would have sadly tried the General's strength and temper. Therefore, his
chief placed greater dependence upon his lieutenant with every day that
passed, solicited his opinions as his knowledge of men increased and his
judgment became worth more, relied upon his instinctive estimates of
character, and shifted many burdens to the broad shoulders that seemed
so well fitted to carry them.

Harlan Thornton was slow to realize what a tremendous power, as
chamberlain, he really exercised in the State.

He awoke to that fact more slowly than did the men who came to solicit.
He did not try to use his power for his own ends. He promptly noted the
deference that men paid him; as promptly he penetrated certain plans
men made to corrupt him, if they could. These attempts were made slyly,
and did not proceed very far. Something in his demeanor prevented the
plotters from openly broaching their desires and their willingness to
make their interests worth his while. They knew that one of the
Thorntons could not be won by money, but they were rather surprised to
find out that he could not be beguiled by other inducements. He was so