honor were so extended, that he was obliged
to stay there for several days. Meanwhile the news of his arrival and
of his gallantry in kissing his countrywomen, young and old, spread all
over the land and took hold of the popular imagination. Invitations to
visit various cities on his way across the Continent began to come in,
and everywhere Sam was acclaimed as the hero and idol of the people.

"It's great, it's great, old man!" cried Cleary. "Why, that kissing
business is worth a dozen victories! The people here say that no
general or admiral has had such a send-off in St. Kisco. Look at
to-day's papers! Thirteen places have petitioned to have their
post-offices named after you. There will be Jinksvilles and Jinkstowns
everywhere, and one is called Samjinks. Then they're naming their
babies after you like wildfire. Samuela is becoming a common girl's
name, and one chap has called his girl Samjinksina. All the girls are
practising the Jinks limp, too. I saw one huge picture of you painted
on the dead side of a house. It was an ad. of the 'Captain Jinks 5-cent
Cigar.' That's the limit of a man's ambition, I should say. And now
they're beginning to nominate you for President. I'm going to try to
work that up. I'm sending a despatch to _The Lyre_ this morning. If
they take it up, we can put it through. The Republicrats hold their
convention at St. Lewis next month, and they've been looking around for
a military candidate, and you're just the thing. Every woman in the
country will be for you. They won't dare to put up a candidate against
you. You'll just have a walk-over. That song, 'Captain Jinks,' will do
it alone. Everybody is singing it."

"I thought I was too young," said Sam. "Isn't there an age limit?"

"Not a bit of it. They abolished that when they amended the
Constitution and made the President's term six years, and made him
ineligible for reelection."

"I'd rather have a military position," said Sam. "I'd rather be general
of the army. But I've lost my nerve--I'm not well; and perhaps it's
just as well that I should take a civilian position."

"Civilian position! Nonsense! The President is commander-in-chief of
the army and navy, and the marines, too, for that matter."

"But he hasn't a uniform," said Sam sorrowfully. "And as for all this
kissing, I'm sick of it. It tires me to death, and I don't know what
Marian will think of it. I've written to explain that I can't help