quiet woman, and knows her place. She isn't
quite at home in such splendors as yours, you know, and she naturally
recognizes my relations to you."

"Oh, nonsense, nonsense, Toll! She mustn't feel that way. I like her.
She is a devilish handsome woman."

"I shall tell her that you say so," said the obsequious Mr. Talbot.

"Toll, my boy, I've got an idea."

"Cherish it, General; you may never have another."

"Good for you. I owe you one."

"Not at all, General. I'm only paying off old debts."

"Toll, how are you doing now? Getting a living?"

"Thanks to you, General, I am thriving in a modest way. I don't aspire
to any such profits as you seem to win so easily, so I have no fault to
find."

"The General has been a godsend to you, hasn't he, eh? Happy day when
you made his acquaintance, eh? Well, go ahead; it's all right. Pile it
up while you can."

"But you haven't told me about your idea," Mr. Talbot suggested.

"Well, Toll, I'm pining for a railroad. I'm crying nights for a
railroad. A fellow must have amusements you know. Health must be taken
care of, eh? All the fellows have railroads. It's well enough to keep
horses and go to the theater. A steamship line isn't bad, but the
trouble is, a man can't be captain of his own vessels. No, Toll; I need
a railroad. I'm yearning for engines, and double tracks, and running
over my own line."

"You might buy up a European kingdom or two, at a pinch, General."

"Yes; but, Toll, you don't know what terminal facilities I've got for a
railroad."

"Your pocket will answer for one end," said Talbot, laughing.

"Right, the first time," responded the General, "and glory will answer
for the other. Toll, do you know what I see at the other end?"

"No."

"I see a man of about the size of Robert Belcher in the chair of an
Alderman. I see him seated on a horse, riding down Broadway at the head
of a regiment. I see him Mayor of the City of New York. I see him
Governor of the State. I see him President of the United States. I see
no reason why he cannot hold any one, or all these offices. All doors
yield to a golden key. Toll, I haven't got to go as far as I have come,
to reach the top. Do you know it? Big thing! Yes, Toll, I must have a
railroad."

"Have you selected the toy you propose to purchase?" inquired Talbot.

"Well, I've looked about some; but the trouble is, that all the best of
'em are in hands that can hold them. I must buy a poor one and build it
up, or m