iscuss its soundness; this was not the time nor
yet the place. He would say, however, that it was unique and
interesting.

Referring to what Mr. Bayard had called our "crazy-patch" system of
currency, he, Senator Gruff, was willing to make this statement. The
greenbacks, as all knew, were exempt from taxation. To discover how far
greenbacks and their exemption had been made to affect the whole taxes
of the several States, he, Senator Gruff, the year before had addressed
a letter to every county tax-gatherer in the country. He had asked each
to state the amount of greenbacks returned that year for his particular
county as exempt.

"I received a reply," said Senator Gruff, "from every county auditor
between Eastport and San Diego, Vancouver's and the Florida Keys. The
aggregate of greenbacks returned exempt for that one year was over
thirteen billions of dollars, while, as we know, the entire amount of
greenbacks extant in the country is but a shadow above two hundred and
forty millions. I shall make no comment on the miracle, and cite it only
as an incidental expression of one element of our money system."

Senator Gruff, continuing, recurred to the pushing forward of Senator
Hanway as a Presidential candidate. It was, while unexpected by him, a
movement so full of righteous politics that he confessed heartfelt
gratification thereat. Senator Gruff would suggest that one and only one
gentleman among those present be selected to furnish the story to the
press.

"In that way," explained Senator Gruff, "we will escape the confusion
sure to be the consequence should a half-dozen of us answer inquiries."

Senator Gruff, by common acclaim, was pitched upon as the one to deal
with the papers.

"Why, then," returned Senator Gruff, with a quizzical eye, "I foresaw
this honorable occasion and prepared for it. I shall give what we have
done to the _Daily Tory_, whose intelligent representative is with us as
a guest." And thereupon Senator Gruff, while a smile went round at this
evidence of fullest preparation for the unexpected, a smile which he met
with a merry face, drew from his pocket a document and passed it over to
Richard. In another moment a messenger was called; the story went on the
wire, and the candidacy of Senator Hanway was formally declared.

Senator Hanway, as the dinner neared its close, proposed the health of
Mr. Gwynn. In response, that remarkable man filled a goblet to the brim,
arose, and bowed with grav