got through their speeches than they retired to
what was called an 'open house,' where all good radicals could drink
_ad libitum_ and make merry. Smooth was honored with an invitation to
join in a few joyous glasses, but he rather doubted the policy of
drinking so much election liquor. It might under certain circumstances
serve the ends of politicians, but never the greater interests of a
nation. A drinking man is sure to fool himself in the end, nor can a
man serve the interests of the State who neglects his own. But, be it
here understood Uncle Sam, there is a philosophical way of applying
the practical to make things profitable, which may be carried out with
more facility by making oneself cheerful and courteous with those
among whom we may be cast. This Smooth always aimed to do.

After a while Smooth calculated how he'd got politics enough; an'
knowin' how Splitwater was 'commodatin' the mackerel outside the line,
he steps down to Deacon Sam Moody's prayer meetin', what they holds at
night after the 'lection meetin. Here it was all right; Smooth was
just as much of a Christian as anybody could honestly be, and a longer
face nobody could desire. Smooth, at the Deacon's, was-well known for
his pious principles; but the good folk about there had never seen
Smooth in an anxious way. Well, the deacon congratulated Smooth on his
appearance, his spiritual welfare, his happy prospects of something
beyond this. It would have done you good to see the brothers and
sisters crowd round him, lookin' so excited 'bout the care of
somethin' anybody can take care of without neglectin' business. (We
here give Smooth's language in its crude state). It was amazin' to see
what an amount of pious a fellow could get into his face, and then get
his face into a right focus; but when brother Smalwood invited him to
pray! that was shavin' the thing a little too close--more nor a man
what was thinking about Splitwater and the mackerel could shoulder.
Had not a mite of an objection to 'commodatin' the good folks with
'most anything, or puttin' on the longest and seriousest face out
doors--a face that would beat the Deacon's; but couldn't go t'other
thing. Smooth could rather beat the Deacon on a serious face; but the
old hoss was a regular steamboat when it come to exhortations and such
things. Wouldn't 'a done to have a brush with the Deacon, without
being sure of beating him, for he was mighty egotistical about his
prayers. Well, there was no