Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-06-11

mimic armament OF Its dome and the
memorable paintings that gloTify the
walls. Even the jaded clerk, to whom
the vision was familiar, felt its beauty,
and Windward, as he stopped at the
threshold, could for tho moment only
look up and about him with CANCELLATIONS
Of wonder and awe.
"Peter," he said at length, with SIM
plicity that made his words the more
touching, 'this is ours. We own this
YOU and and our fellow citizens. No
body came over to rule Us; nobody has
q divine right to boss Us. This is our
dome; our country. Peter, do you know
feel half ashamed, standing here, that
was too young in the war to fight for
it, and so have all this, as it were, Tor
uothingT
But the scene was too stirring for
reverie. The wide spaces Of the floor
were crowded with bustling knots OF
visitors, and in the midst flowed the
swift, full channel of the stream of which
these clusters were the reaches and
eddies. Into this midcurrent the two
young men were soon drawn, and then
swept south by it, the jam and tumult
increasing as they proceeded till the tor
rent broke in a spray of cards and quss-
lions against two busy doorKeepers, and
was there and by them DETECTED east
and west in confusion.
1.-The house is right inside there" said
Stevens, stopping and pointing In past
the door keepers.
''Wish to see anybody" asked one Of
these hard worked officers in polite but
short, sharp tones, as they fingered in
front of the door. "Stand aside, then,
please. Who wished to see Gen. B?
You sir? He is not in his seat. Judge
k said he would be out directly, sir,
No, sir, haven't card: that man yOnder
will write you one. Wish Mr.. F.?
Go to the west door. l haven't pencil,
maam; that man over there will accom-
modate you. Keep a path, gentlemen.
No, sir, haven't card; you'll find one
over yonder. Who wanted Judge k?
There he is, sir. Don't know what
they're doing-debating the rules, l be-
leve. I'll take your card in directly
The young men had been standing one
side in silence, amused at the scene, and
now turned to leave, when Stevens ex-
claimed:
'Why not see your member, Wind
ward, about the claims? You might as
well begin now as any time"
ooh, don't know" said Bassett, rath-
er alarmed at the suggestion. Would
it be proper?'
"Why, of course" Stevens replied.
Everybody you see here is after some
thing, like yourself. Just send il your
card and We'll find out how the case
stands"
Every well, if you say So" said Wind
ward quite timidly. 'Here, y0I give
the man the card"
+ Stevens did so at once, and the door
keeper promptly disappeared to como
again presently with the infor- ion
that the member would be out directly;
and sure enough that august parsonage
was at his heels-a stout, smart, prosper
GUS looking man, with a professional
smile and sly eyes.
''Mr. Bassott, believed" he said, adj
dressing WindwarI cordially. "Tm
very glad to meet you, sir; always glad
to meet my constituents. Your friend,
Mr.. Stevens? An! happy to meet you,
too, sir. On a visit to Washington, gen
tlemen? Charming city, this. Fine Win
ter climate"
Il called to ask you about the French
spoliation claims" said Windward, a
little abruptly and awkwardlY.
ooh! yes, yes" replied the member
rather uneasily, but smiling his best and
broadest. The french claims. Yes.
We'll, we hope to do something on that
this winter. I've introduced the bill,
and 1 shall push it; yes, shall push it,
1t has been read first and second time
and referred to committee"
''Ah! indeed" said Windward, quite
in the dark as to what all that meant,
but conscious that he was called upon
to feel and show gratitude.
"Of course" the representative went
on, ''these things go slow, but 1 mean to
push it.
$50 Mr.. Blamms said you told him, y
observed Windward.
''Oh, you know Blamms, them said
the congressman, with his blandest,
wisest, kindest smile. ga most estima-
BILE man. 1 had a letter from him only
the other day. Yes, Blamms is a fine
man, and what a charming wife he has!
You don't know her? All, you miss it.
Mrs Blamms is a grand, good woman,
and notably handsome, too, and such
sweet children. Pray give them my
best regards when you return. You
said you were to be here only for fly
ing visit?'
'Imay remain some time," explained
Windward.
"Ah, yes" replied the member, smil-
ing resolutely in his pain, like an Indian
brave under torture, or a Spartan youth
at his lessons in fortitude, or an early
Christian on the frying pan. Eyes;
happy, then, to see you at any time. We
can't DO much about the claims, you
know, for a month or two, as everything
is put off till the last moment. You find
Washington very attractive, no doubt.
Have you been to the patent Office? MOI
A most interesting place. All, have you
been in the house yet? No? Well, let
me write you card for the members
gallery. That way, up the stairs and
turn to the right. There's the card. Oh,
don't mention it. Always glad to be of
any service. Good day, gentlemen, good
dayI" And he rushed back, vanishing,
like the cat in "Alice in Wonderland, "
in q smile.
''Now, that's kind of him" said Wind