Didactic fiction; Political fiction; Social problems -- Fiction
“Read 'em,” said Mr. Crewe, “and I'll call in on you at the state-house
day after to-morrow at five o'clock promptly. We'll discuss 'em,
Governor, and if, by the light of your legislative experience, you have
any suggestions to make, I shall be glad to hear 'em. Before putting the
bills in their final shape I've taken the trouble to go over them with
my friend, Mr. Flint--our mutual friend, let us say.”
“I've had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Flint,” said Mr. Gray.
“I--ahem--can't say that I know him intimately.”
Mr. Crewe looked at Mr. Gray in a manner which plainly indicated that he
was not an infant.
“My relations with Mr. Flint and the Northeastern have been very
pleasant,” said Mr. Crewe. “I may say that I am somewhat of a practical
railroad and business man myself.”
“We need such men,” said Mr. Gray. “Why, how do you do, Cary? How are
the boys up in Wheeler?”
“Well, good-by, Governor. See you day after to-morrow at five
precisely,” said Mr. Crewe.
The next official call of Mr. Crewe was on the Speaker-to-be, Mr. Doby
of Hale (for such matters are cut and dried), but any amount of pounding
on Mr. Doby's door (number seventy-five) brought no response. Other
rural members besides Mr. Crewe came and pounded on that door, and went
away again; but Mr. Job Braden suddenly appeared from another part of
the corridor, smiling benignly, and apparently not resenting the refusal
of his previous offers of help.
“W--want the Speaker?” he inquired.
Mr. Crewe acknowledged that he did.
“Ed only sleeps there,” said Mr. Braden. “Guess you'll find him in the
Railroad-Room.”
“Railroad Room?”
“Hilary Vane's, Number Seven.” Mr. Braden took hold of the lapel of
his fellow-townsman's coat. “Callated you didn't know it all,” he said;
“that's the reason I come down--so's to help you some.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account