statements to the press, holding those men up to the people of their
State as traders and tricksters. Voters had always understood that
trades and tricks were in progress in the legislature, and had never
bothered their heads much about the matter. But this incisive showing up
of individuals was new and startling and effective. It afforded no
opportunity for the specious reasoning along mere political lines which
had excused dishonesty in the past.

Protests poured in on the would-be rebels. Their experience warned the
others. The State was in a mood to try reform. The reform was promised
on the usual broad lines. Individuals did not stop to reflect what
effect the suggested legislation would have on their own interests.
Every man was after "the other fellow."

"I'll keep you here until you pass these laws," stated the grim old man
in the executive chamber, "even if you stay here till snow flies again."

Legislators are paid by the session, not by the week. The prospect of
spending the summer fighting an obstinate old man, with the people
behind him, was not alluring when personal expenses were considered.
Even lobbyists and corporations and political considerations fail to
hold sway under such conditions.

The Governor's bills went through.

"They've abolished fees," drawled Thelismer Thornton, one day in the
lobby, "to get square with Constable Emerson Pike up my way. Em went
down to replevin some hens, and after he'd chased each hen a dozen times
around the barn he sat down and charged up mileage to the county. The
rest of this legislation is on the same basis. Here's a legislature
that's like Dave Darrington's hogs. After old Dave lost his voice and
couldn't holler to the hogs, he used to rap on the trough with his cane
at feeding-time. Then a woodpecker made his home in the pig-pen and the
hogs went crazy. Vard Waymouth is all bill! I'd reckoned I'd go home.
But I guess I'll stay and see just how far dam foolishness can go!"

So he patrolled the lobby, puffing everlastingly at his cigar, watching
the activity of Harlan with a disgust that he did not try to conceal and
occasionally flinging a sour remark at that devoted young man.

"A calf leaving the cow to chase a steer," he growled. "He'll know
better when it comes supper-time!"

One day a man halted him. "You may be interested in what's going on in
the House, just now, Mr. Thornton. Your grandson is making a speech."

"Then he _has_ lost his mind!" sna