riend of mine. 'Member the day I had the fight with Ned
Merrill. Captain Chunn was the man who stood up for me."

"And you've known him ever since?"

"I've always corresponded with him."

"Well, I'll be hanged. Talk about luck." James looked his cousin over
with increased respect. He always took off his hat to success, but he
had been so long accustomed to thinking of Jeff as a failure that he
could not adjust his mind to the situation. "Why, you can't run a paper.
Can you?"

Jeff smiled. "I told Captain Chunn he was taking a big chance."

"If he's as rich as they say he is he can afford to lose some money."

James took the news of his cousin's good fortune a little peevishly. He
did not grudge Jeff's advancement, but he resented that it had befallen
him to-day of all days. The promotion of the reporter took the edge off
his own achievements.

Part 2

As James understood his own genius, it was as a statesman that he was
fitted preeminently to shine. He had the urbanity, the large impassive
manner, and the magnetic eloquence of the old-style congressman. All he
needed was the chance.

With the passing months he grew more restless at the delay. There were
moments in the night when he trembled lest some stroke of evil fate
might fall upon him before he had carved his name in the niche of fame.
To sit in an empty law office and wait for clients took more patience
than he could summon. He wanted an opportunity to make speeches in the
campaign that was soon to open. That he finally went to Big Tim himself
about it instead of to his ward committeeman was characteristic of James
K.

After he sent his card in the young lawyer was kept waiting for
thirty-five minutes in an outer office along with a Jew peddler, a
pugilist ward heeler, an Irish saloonkeeper, and a brick contractor.
Naturally he was exceedingly annoyed. O'Brien ought to know that James
K. Farnum did not rank with this riff-raff.

When at last James got into the holy of holies he found Big Tim lolling
back in his swivel chair with a fat cigar in his mouth. The boss did not
take the trouble to rise as he waved his visitor to a chair.

Farnum explained that he was interested in the political situation and
that he was prepared to take an active part in the campaign about to
open. The big man listened, watching him out of half shut attentive
eyes. He had never yet seen a kid glove politician that was worth the
powder to blow him up. Moreover, he had s