San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-04-07

men were shouting and shaking their
| fists; there was more pounding, more
shouting, one man louder than others; a
great, rude, general laugh burst out at
something he said; some one shrilly
chartered back; there was another laugh;
then the members struggled back to
their seats and the buzz began again.
"What was all that?" inquired Wind
ward, much excited.
Il couldn't get at it," laughed the
neighbor. Il suppose some member
called another horse thief or some such
pleasantly. It's all over now, anyhow.
Now You see why we call it the Bear
Garden" said Stevens.
BEARS. That's itr' exclaimed Wind
ward. Il was trying to think that this
reminded me of-the Stock exchange, to
be sure. And 1 shouldn't wonder if a
good deal OF work was done here, as there,
when it looks to an outsider like luna
tic asylum on spree"
1t was certainly very novel and fas-
cinating and the two young fellows tar
ried in the gallery perhaps half an hour
| longer; then Stevens complained of the
| bad air.
| Suppose, then, we go over to the SEN
ate" suggested Windward.
Every WELL Stevens replied. "And
| you said you met Senator Bills at Nc
Ardls's2 Strike him on the claimr'
'+Oh, would your exclaimed Wind
| ward, startled at the proposition. mo,
| l think I've done enough for one day."
But then, seeing that Stevens was laugh
ing at his timidity, he added, well, IN
see him if you say So"
Certainly" Stevens insisted.
So the two friends left the gallery, and
descending into the lobby were swept
out with the reAuent tide into the TO
tunda, past the Sleepy Hollow where
sits the supreme court, and landed on
| the quiet shoals of the senate anteroom.
This is more respectable" remarked
Windward as he surveyed the frescoed
ceiling and walls, the figured marble
floor, the sumptuous furniture and the
well dressed people sitting or standing
about. ...u.
Take your hat off, please" said an
attendant, coming up behind him.
Excuse me-" said Windward, IN.
covering with blush at his forget III.
ness.
| "We have manners on the senate side, "
observed Stevens, smiling.
Windward now gave his card to one
of two serious and rather distinguished
looking doorkeepers, who took it in, and
| in a moment Senator Bills appeared,
standing in the doorway and looking
| out on the visitors with a perplexed air.
| "Ah, Mr.. Senator" said Windward,
stepping up. Il am Mr.. Bassett."
Good day, sir" replied the statesman,
\ civilly but with dignity. He was a
portiy man, with ruddy cheeks, man
of girth and weight, and he had to a
marked degree the senatorial habit of
looking over his callers head into the
Twentieth century What can l do
for you, sirY he asked in deep, pom
derous, oracular voice.
"As possibly you remember" said
Windward, II had the pleasure of meet
ing you at Col McArdle's-"
"Oh, certainly" he replied, evidently
| failing to recall any such circumstance
Certainly; very glad to meet you again.
Come inside" AID saying this, he led
the young man past the doorkeepers
into marble reception room, where
they found luxurious chairs.
II took the liberty of asking your at
tention for moment to the French
Spoliation Claims" said Windward,
when they wereseated. "You doubtless
know of them
yes" replied the senator, with a
| jaded air. II do. These claims, as you
doubtless know. have been before con-
gress for some time"
| Windward indicated his knowledge of
that fact.
| ''Mr. Sumner made very able report
on them some years ago." continued the
senator. ''Ha was an able man, a very
able man. We differed frequently, but
he was a very able man, and his report
on the French claims was very able; a
very able report"
at strikes me So" ventured Wind
ward.
Eyes, sir, q very able report" con-
tinued the senator, gazing well into the
Twentieth century, and speaking slow
ly, gravely and distinctly, so that pos
terity might hear. "That report settled
the case; VonIy remains now''-he
paused as if to formulate an historic
utterance-''all that now remains is to
enact the necessary legislation.
Eyes, sir" consented Windward
meelily.
But here" continued the senator,
with his eyes fixed on 1850, lis where
| the difficulty lies. | think l can say,