I groaned. But he kep' on complacently, “I am goin' to help the ones that elect me, sink or swim; and I calculate to make money out of the project,--money and honor. And I shall do a big work there,--there hain't no doubt of it. “Now, there is political economy. I shall go in strong for that. I shall say right to Congress, the first speech I make to it, I shall say, that there is too much money spent now to hire votes with; and I shall prove it right out, that we can get votes cheaper if we senators all join in together, and put our feet right down that we won't pay only jest so much for a vote. But as long as one man is willin' to pay high, why, everybody else has got to foller suit. And there hain't no economy in it, not a mite. “Then, there is the canal question. I'll make a thorough end of that. There is one reform that will be pushed right through.” “How will you do it?” says I. “I will have the hull canal cleaned out from one end to the other.” “I was readin' only yesterday,” says I, “about the corruption of the canal question. But I didn't s'pose it meant that.” “That is because you hain't a man. You hain't got the mind to grasp these big questions. The corruption of the canal means that the bottom of the canal is all covered with dead cats and things; and it ort to be seen to, by men that is capable of seein' to such things. It ort to be cleaned out. And I am the man that has got the mind for it,” says he proudly. “Then, there is the Star Route. Nothin' but foolishness from beginnin' to end. They might have known they couldn't make any road through the stars. Why, the very Bible is agin it. The ground is good enough for me, and for any other solid man. It is some visionary chap that begun it in the first place. Nothin' but dumb foolishness; and so uncle Nate Gowdey said it was. We got to talkin' about it yesterday, and he said it was a pity wimmin couldn't vote on it. He said that would be jest about what they would be likely to vote for. “He is a smart old feller, uncle Nate is, for a man of his age. He talked awful smart about wimmin's votin'. He said any man was a fool to think that a woman would ever have the requisit grasp of intellect, and the knowledge of public affairs, that would render her a competent voter. [Illustration: JOSIAH's STAR ROUTE.] “I tell you, you have got to _understand_ things in order to tackle politicks. Politicks takes deep study. “Now, there is the tariff question, and the revenue. I shall most probable favor 'em, and push 'em right through.” “How?” says I. “Oh, wall! a woman most probable couldn't understand it. But I shall push 'em forward all I can, and lift 'em up.” “Where to?” says I.