The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1890-06-10
" Am I all right2" he asked in a whis-

"Come along; you're not going to be
bridesmaid at a queens wedding"
"But l am going into the presence of
the United States Senate, and"
I opened the door and Mr.. Mast was
dumb. He faltered at the threshold and
looked as if he would like to run. Then
his eye rested for a moment on the scene
before him and with reverential step he
entered into that august presence, and in
his bewilderment sat down upon the hat
of a Western correspondent. For many
minutes he was silent. His eyes did not
seem to see what was before them. When
he had sGmewhatrecovered his composure
he said:
"This is the proudest moment of my
lfe,' and speaking musingly, more to
himself than to me, continued IF only
the boys could see their father now, sit
ting here in the very presence of the
great Senate Of the whole United States!"
docs it meet your expectation, Mr..
NasG?'
alt is not exactly what [ had pictured
it in my mind" he answered; Il had
seen the old Roman Senate represented
on the stage and I had studied Jerome's
famous picture. Ihad an idea the United
States Senate would look somewhat like
this he added, as he made a few strokes
with his pencil and produced a picture.
"You draw pretty well, Mr.. Mast" l
said, encouragingly; very fairly, in
deed" and it seemed to please him.
"Then you are disappointed in the
Senate ?" l continued.
Disappointed No, sir; I am de-
lighted-delighted to be here, to sit face
to face with this great body of states
men. When does the session begin ?"
"They are in session now"
Il mean when do they begin making
laws ?"
"They are making them now"
"You don't tell me? Why, do they
let anybody that wants to come in and
make speeches? l supposed nobody but
Senators could make speeches here. Who
is that man talking now, and what right
has he to be on the foor!'
THAT is Senator Plumb, Mr.. Mast"
Go on! Is that a Senator ?"
Honor bright. Did you think it was
a livery stable keeper"
"N-n-no," answered Mr.. Mast, with
an effort to fool the reverence that he
deemed due a United States Senator
N-n-no l thought by his gestures it was
somebody who wanted a patent or a
churn and was explaining how it worked.
Who is that splendid-looking Senator
standing over there by the door ?"
(Which one ?"
"That one with the patriarchal beard
and noble bow. One can see at a glance
that he is a great law-giver. He makes
me think of Scion and Lycurgus and the
great leaders of old"
"That is Captain Bassett, the assistant
doorkeeper."
''Oh," said Mr.. Mast.
Just then a journalist sitting near us
cracked a very undignifed joke about
Senator ' est, who sat on his back with
his head hunched down between his
shoulders till he. looked as if he had six
inches less than no neck at all, whereat
all the rest OF the journalists laughed I'm
blushingly. Mr.. Mast was amazed.
is this really the Senate? p he asked,
obviously.
Certainly"
"And is it actually in session ?"
Yes"
"And these men laugh right out in its
face! How can they do such a thing? l
shouldn't think the law would allow it.
l should think"
Mr.. Mast did not conclude his remark.
Another journalist uttered a witticism,
and it struck my companion dumb. He
looked around as if he expected to see
the heavy hand of the Federal law swoop
down upon the press gallery for its IN
seemly levity in the presence Of this
august assembly.
a think III be going now" he said,
with a timid tremble in his tone.
He promised, however, to come to the
Senate with me again. [ anticipate some
real pleasure in showing the sights Of
Washington to Mr.. Mast, and in getting
from him some pictures of scenes as they
appear to one whose interest is whetted
by his own sweet simplicity and child
like innocence.
WILLIS B. HAWKINS.