atory.

Senator Gruff thought the question premature. The convention was months
away; sentiment had been known to shift in a day like the bed of a river
and seek new channels with its currents. Senator Gruff distrusted the
wisdom of binding anybody at that time to a hard and fast declaration
whether for silver or gold or both. He was sure that on soberer thought
his friend Senator Coot would see the impropriety of his question.

Senator Coot declined to see the impropriety to which Senator Gruff had
adverted. To commit himself to any gentleman's canvass was to commit
himself to that gentleman's opinions. Those opinions might not be
consistent with ones held by his, Senator Coot's, constituents, to whom
he must in all things adhere. He, Senator Coot, was no one to buy pigs
in pokes--if Senator Hanway would forgive a homely expression which was
not intended as personal to himself. Senator Coot must insist upon his
question.

Senator Gruff still came forward in defense. He said he had heard that
Senator Coot's native State of Indiana was originally settled by people
who had started for the West but lost their nerve. In view of the
timidity and weak irresolution of his Senate brother, he, Senator Gruff,
was inclined to credit the tradition. He must protest against
question-asking at this time. Senator Gruff must even warn his friend
Senator Coot that to ask a question now might result in later disaster
to himself.

On that point of question-putting, might he, Senator Gruff, impart a
word of counsel? A question was often a trap to catch the questioner.
One should step warily with a question. A man who puts a question should
never fail to know the answer in advance. When he pulls the trigger of a
question, as when he pulls the trigger of a gun, he must look out for
the kick. Many a perfect situation had been destroyed by the wrong
question asked in the dark. Senator Gruff begged permission to tell a
story.

"Once a good and optimistic dominie," said Senator Gruff, "was being
shown through Sing Sing Prison. In his company went a pessimist who took
darkling views of humanity in the lump, and particularly what fractions
of the lump had gotten themselves locked up. The pessimist could see no
good in them.

"'But you are wrong,' argued the dominie. 'There's good in the worst
among them all. Stay; I'll prove it.' Then, turning to the guard: 'Sir,
please bring us to the very worst character who is prisoner here.' On
their wa