[Illustration: THE SENATOR AND "BUD" HAINES.] A GENTLEMAN FROM MISSISSIPPI A NOVEL Founded on the popular play of the same title PRODUCED UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF WM.A. BRADY AND JOS.R. GRISMER LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS THE SENATOR AND BUD HAINES "FROM NEW YORK, EH? THE VICKSBURG OF THE NORTH" "STRANGE, HOW THE LANGDON'S TREAT HIM AS A FRIEND" THE SENATOR ACCEPTS AN INVITATION TO TEA THE LANGDON FAMILY "YOU'LL HAVE TO TAKE YOUR MEDICINE LIKE A MAN" "TO-MORROW, AT 12.30" "AFTER I HAVE FINISHED, I DARE ONE OF YOU TO DENY A WORD" _INTRODUCTION_ _Here is a story of an epoch-making battle of right against wrong, of honesty against corruption, of simplicity and sincerity against deceit, bribery and intrigue. It is the story of to-day in this country. It vitally concerns every man, woman and child in the United States, so far-reaching is its influence. The warfare is now going on--the warfare of honest men against corrupt political machines. The story tells the "inside" of the political maneuvers in Washington and of the workings of bosses there and elsewhere--how they shape men and women to their ends, how their cunning intrigues extend into the very social life of the nation's capital. You will find inspiration in the career of the honest old Southern planter elected to the United States Senate and the young newspaper reporter who becomes his private secretary and political pilot. Your heart will beat in sympathy with the love of the secretary and the Senator's youngest daughter. You will read of the lobbyists and find that not all of them are men. You will see how avarice causes a daughter to conspire against her father. You will hear the note of a gripping national tragedy in the words of Peabody, the "boss of the Senate." But cause for laughter as well will not be found lacking in this truly many-sided narrative._ A Gentleman from Mississippi * * * * * CHAPTER I PRACTICAL POLITICS That bids him flout the law he makes; That bids him make the law he flouts. _--Kipling_. In buoyant spirit the Hon. Charles Norton rode up the bridle path leading through the Langdon plantation to the old antebellum homestead which, on a shaded knoll, overlooked the winding waters of the Pearl River. No finer prospect was to be had in all Mississippi than greeted the eye from the wide southwest porch, where on warm evenings the Langdons and their frequent guests gathered to dine or to watch the golden splendor of the dying sun.