of this physical service, he continued his visits to give me the benefit of his spiritual strength. And once, when he came into my room, like a dark repr

ness and invited me to his church to hear him preach upon the

ster of snails; and away over yonder was a blush on the landscape-a jungle of roses. There were flowers everywhere, and far from the mansions of the lordly was many a log hut, beautiful in a tangle of vines. We drove down the river, toward a densely timbered flat, but did not penetrate its malarious shade, the Senator choosing to turn to the left to drive me to a distant hill whereon stood the school for girls, the one of which he might have taken charge, h

he notorious

ng hair looked like hay, and his eye

for your hea

w my friend, Mr. Belford,

n't dead had put off somewhere. Never was blowed up, that is, by a boat, but I've went through mighty nigh everything else. Almost hugged to death by a bear down

I an

I was permitted to speak for myself. "I've had a good many things to happen to me, first

looked at Mr. Peters for an expla

f you'll step over there on that rise, you can look down in the bottoms and see my house, and I'll bet you it's a-tremblin' like a leaf right now. Them seven fellers keep it a-shakin' all the time. Yes, Sir. Now, when Mag took a man, I says, says I, 'Mag, I have always looked on you as the smartest one of the family, and I want you to do me a favor; I want you to see if you can't ta

enator, laughing, "why don't

ut? I reckon not, Senator. I've learned to let well enough alone, and jest ordinary everyday c

ted to go yesterday, but the

e us before you go. I can show you about the finest and shakinest set of son-in-laws you ever saw. Did think somethin' of showin' 'em at

in a distressful tone of voice implored him to wait a moment. "I want to ask a favor," he said. "Wouldn't do it if it wan't for the fact

happen to find it,"

as blowed up a bad opinion of me. I've got the good opinion of everybody else

r thirty-day notes do

e declared in

wenty at least,"

is news to me, and mighty sad news at that. Huh,

made the mistake,"

icket in. Oh, I don't deny that I might owe you a note or so-may be the addition of another son-in-law kept me from payin' it-but all my gals are married now, and I don't look for any big increase in the family till my

want with the

bushels of wheat. That

ut a notebook, "I'll give you an order o

drap a tear in the palm of your hand. Yes, Sir, you can

to whine his gratitude and loudly to swear that at the next election he

t such fellows to

his hand, he continued: "It's luck, Belford, nothing but luck. I've never had any management. I have a set of books, but half the time I don't know where I stand. My plantation pays, not because it's well managed, but because the land's rich. I bought it, together with the house I live in, with money that was left me, and the fact that I am not compelled to scuffle for a living is no particular credit to me. It's simply luck

nd black,"

e you, Uncle Gabe?" he cal

Bugg-and by Washin

d, though ignoring politics, he controls a large negro vote. Look out over there, you boys, that mule might kick you. Aunt Sally, glad to s

ladies, and the Senator waved his hat at a vision of white and pink on the portico. "My daughter Florence was graduated here," said he. "And, by the way, you haven't met Estell. He was to have come ho

fair work in a gym

the Senator's house. It was a military road, my companion sai

are very deep indeed, and I have

right. Boat blew up at the door of our city, a

want to give you some s

ht, Sir. There'

all go to

or two. Have you an

ok for one. I have deci

wise. It must be an uncertain sort of

ng to wri

ur people around it. And look here, Belford, there are characters enough about here to make one of the best pla

I mus

hat way. Of course, if you are tired

n the face of the earth. The days melt one into anot

laughing. "There's always a strong enthusiasm behind that sort of talk. By

k so-I know

A man from New Orleans built it, went broke in a bigger speculation, leased it to a Dutchma

ute, Senator, but the

e mellow words of an an

ellow took it into his head that I was a little too conspicuous-I had called him a liar, or something of the sort, don't remember exactly what-and gave it out that he was going to horsewhip me. And I sent him word to buy his whip from Alf Murray, first-class harness dealer, and a friend of m

his mind?" I inquired, with

say you've got no money. Now, let me tell you what I'll do. I'll advance the money and go in as a partner. The money I am compelled to spend during each campaign is begi

avagances, Senator. I could say that y

t be businesslike

p at your p

o down to-morrow a

to have your name

give them the best, it will make me still more useful and popular