bors were shocked, and held up their hands in horror to
think that the son of a minister should so affront the staid and sober
customs of his ancestors. Still others said, "Why, that's what a rich man
should do--spend his money, of course; Hancock is the benefactor of his
kind; just see how many people he employs!"

The town was all agog, and Hancock was easily Boston's first citizen, but
in his time of prosperity he did not forget his old friends. He sent for
them to come and make merry with him; and among the first in his good
offices was John Adams, the rising young lawyer of Braintree.

John Adams had found clients scarce, and those he had, poor pay, but when
he became the trusted legal adviser of John Hancock, things took a turn
and prosperity came that way. The wine and cards and dinners hadn't much
attraction for him, but still there were no conscientious scruples in the
way. He patted John Hancock on the back, assured him that he was the
people, looked after his interests loyally, and extracted goodly fees for
services performed.

At the home of Adams at Braintree, Hancock had met a quiet, taciturn
individual by the name of Samuel Adams. This man he had long known in a
casual way, but had never been able really to make his acquaintance. He
was fifteen years older than Hancock, and by his quiet dignity and
self-possession made quite an impression on the young man.

So, now that prosperity had smiled, Hancock invited him to his house, but
the quiet man was an ascetic and neither played cards, drank wine nor
danced, and so declined with thanks.

But not long after, he requested a small loan from the merchant-prince,
and asked it as though it were his right, and so he got it. His manner was
in such opposition to the flatterers and those who crawled, and whined,
and begged, that Hancock was pleased with the man. Samuel Adams had
declined Hancock's social favors, and yet, in asking for a loan, showed
his friendliness.

Samuel Adams was a politician, and had long taken an active part in the
town meetings. In fact, to get a measure through, it was well to have
Samuel Adams at your side. He was clear-headed, astute, and knew the human
heart. Yet he talked but little, and the convivial ways of the small
politician were far from him; but in the fine art that can manage men and
never let them know they are managed he was a past-master. Tucked in his
sleeve, no doubt, was a degree of pride in his power, but the stoic
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