Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-06-18
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Suppose you take hold?"
81 rather like the idea," said Stevens,
Though should not care to figure open
ly in the campaign, as it might hurt me
in the Office"
81 see," said Windward. every well;
you be silent partner, the Co. in our
lobby firm"
"I'n consider it." laughed Stevens.
"And you propose, then, to stay here
right through the session."
eff it looks at all promising" replied
Windward.
Stevens was thoughtful and silent a
moment, then he said, eff you are really
going to be here all winter why not
bring your family down here and be
comfortable"
''Pve a great mind to-" said Wind
ward. "They could see the patent Office
and the Smithsonian" Here he burst
out laughing and told McArdle's story
about Gen. Grant.
81 am sure should like to meet your
mother and Miss Florence again, said
Stevens, "and it is just as well for a
man to have his family about him IN
Washington; though, as to that, no city
has been so slandered. Ny experience
of Washington is of a prosy, steady,
moral, big village. 1t got bad name
in the war, when it was overrun with
camp followers, and the reproach has
stuck to it"
al believe l will write to them to-
night" said Windward, and there the
subject dropped, for Stevens did not
care to press it, but he found himself
feeling very glad that the suggestion
needed no pressure.
"Now, tomorrow" continued Wind
ward, 1--WE shall begin operations. Uncle
Tom told me of a lawyer here who rep
resents many of the claimants. He will
know the situation, and l must look him
up. Then I mean to make some bust
ness arrangement with Col. McArdle.
And l suppose there are members of
congress to see, and letters to write, and
/ don't know what else. Yes, tomorrow
we raise the battle stained ensign Of the
Bassett claim. Good night"
Tomorrow came punctually, and with
it the jolly group of boarders to the
breakfast table. There were the mem
Der, prompt, silent and efficient; the pri-
vate secretary, quiet, stolid, and, as be-
come railroad man, of great executive
ability. Mrs. Elk liked these two gent
lemen personally, but sometimes they
made her nervous. She would tell them,
however, with a smile. that it was some
satisfaction to set table for people who
enjoyed their meals; and they assured
her they did. c'I should say so!'' she
would remark to Sophia afterwards.)
There. too, was Lieut.. Quire, bright
faced, anecdotal, polite-especially to
Miss Sophia, who nestled beside him.
There was broad beamed Mrs. Elk, talk
ing fashionable gossip as she poured the
coffee. There was the small boy, crow
ing with chanticleer; there were the two
third story young men; and, and, why
certainly, there was Mr.. Elk too, to be
sure-altogether quite happy family,
and very select.
There was half an hour of chatter and
then the group broke up. Mr. Elk but
tered a roll, folded it in a napkin, put an
apple in his pocketaud went to the office.
Stevens doubled the roll ration, but other
wise followed Mr.. Ex's example. Sophia
had got into the way of putting up Lieut..
Quire's lunch, and the consequence was
that the jovial officer would generally
find at noon, beside the rolls and apple,
some tidbit from the closet. The mem
Der and the private secretary bought
their lunches at the capitol-an alleviat-
ing circumstance from the standpoint of |
Mrs. Elk. Windward was a rover, lunch |
ing at large. Finally, the small boy |
lunched more or less, off and on. all the /
time
After breakfast, when the clerks had |
gone to their desks and the member was
talking with an early constituent in the |
parlor, Windward caught busy Mrs. Elk
in the hall and asked her if she could |
two moro ladies, his |
mother and sister, whom lie thought Of |
inviting to Washington for the season.
The matron pursed her lips, was silent,
and almost shook her head. The house
was full, and besides she never took la
dies if she could help it; still, money
was money to Mrs. Elk. 1t would cost
no more to lay table for ten than for
eight. If, now, it were only the fashion
10 sleep on shelves, as in a palace carl
I'm contriving, Mr.. Bassett, she said
1T length, explanatory of her silence;
and it was well for the happiness of Mr..
Elk and Miss Sophia that they were not
conscious of her mental operations at
hat moment. I'm contriving, and pos
IDLY can take them" Mrs. Elk was q
are one at contriving, and as result
lad contrived to earn living for herself
md hers.
YES" she said finally, 81 can fix it."
Admirable woman, she had made her
combinations as promptly, bravely and
hIlfully as q great general forced by
he turn of fortune to recast his whole
,lan of action ON the instant and in the
ace of the enemy.
Every good" exclaimed Windward,
or like every one else he liked Mrs.
* and her housekeeping and her table.
And he readily acquiesced in the little
she suggested for the bet
er accommodation Of the ladies, and in
ne top notch prices which she, knowing
Ter advantage, had the nerve to set.
Very good, he exclaimed, therefore, 81
viii let you know our plans as soon as
and he went to his room at
nee to write an earnest letter of invita-
ion.
And, that done, he was now free to