San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-04-09
The BaSSett Claim.
By HENRY I. ELLIOT.

agency W uItCb HIS IDluGAitlib
II am little early" ne said to the in
valid, as the latter rose on his lounge to
receive him.
.'Gladr' burst out the sufferer, I'm
always in!'
At this moment gentleman who was
dustiug some piles Of letters in the back
parI0r came forward and was introduced
as the attorneys assistant. He apollo
gized, as they shook hands, for his be-
grimed state by saying with laugh that
he was removing the dust of ages and
freshening up the claims for new cam
paign.
The Invalid nodded vigorously, and
Windward praised their cOnstancy. and
said he was tn be counted on for what
help he could bring, and only wanted to
be told what to do. Such profTers from
a new recruit, thus Jealous and SO we'll
might be supposed, with an eager well
come, and ii was not long before a
scheme of procedure was sketched out.
The readiness with which the two men
plotted the attack struck Windward. in
deed, as remarkable. and he expressed
his admiration
Used to it, exploded the Invalid.
"O,d stOryr'
Having now his instructions the Young
man entered at once on the practical
business SET before him. That evening
he and Stevens devoted to writing let
-, 80
interchangeable claimants, informing them
that another effort was TO b. made. and
urging them TO bring tn bear on their
representatives in congress whatever in
Thence they controlled. The next day
he spent over . circular i'll the nature
of a legal brief, stating the argument
for the claimants and reviewing the his
tory Of tn" case. This pamphlet was to
do service among congressman. report
ers, and whom else it might concern.
The young lawyer toiled very hard over
the document, and was Inclined to con-
gratulate himself on the result. Stevens
liked it. too, though he suggested few
notifications. and tne gentlemen at the
agency expressed their satisfaction also.
But Col McArdle snuffnd ont the young
advocates pride without mercy.
1T is TOO long" he said. Cut it
down two-thirls, and leave out all the
sarcasm and abuse" Then noticing
Windward's look of chagrin aud ais
"OuI&g eiG mt, hp went on ~ say: Il
know / am giving hard counsel. 1t is
easier 10 BE- Giffuse than concise. Anews-
paper friend once told me, I can write
a column IN an hour, but to write half
column takes ywo.' But Is good short
dispatches are enough better than bad
long ones to pay for the extra time. so Il
short, crisp appeal is preferable TO one
nobody viii read"
Il wish had your breyity!" exclaimed
Windward, not quite SO artlessly. per
baps, as appeared On the surface How
GiI you acquire it, may ask
The colonel was tOEchel on weak
spot Tins" he replied, very gracious
~. takuig IL bunch Of Geographic franks
from his pocket. These franks are
good for twenty words each. Now am
using them Ill the time IN all sorts of
matters, and try to say my say III the
Emit. And l generally can. though
very complicated matter may AXE forty
or even sixty words. Where ! pay for
messages Drevity is even more valuable
So. insensibly, have acquired the tele
graphic style, 50 to speak.
Il see,' said Windwacd. inwardly
amused and yet instructed And l
shall boil it down.
And make it good uatprei," added
the colonel. Don't SIeer when YOU ask
favOrs-even the favor Of justice Yes,
cut it short Make no fourishes Re
member that You II" dealing with facts
and men
BY the way, Mr Bassptt," he OK
claimed, ~ Windward, after thanking
hiw Tor his advice. was about to leave
him 50 rawrite his brief, "ther" Is to
ne reception tonight at one Of The It.
cations. winch viii bring cut many Of
the congressman. It's a stag party; sup
pose you 20 with me. You may make
some useful acquaintance,
Why. Of course, replied Wiudwarl,
delighted. So IN hour was set. AMI
promptly on time he called for the colu-
mel at his residence. Word came down
that he would be ready in MON ut, and
meanwhile Louise set herself to enter
tain him. WinGward noticed. however,
that for suIne reason snr lacked her
aabitual ca2" mi ,'!I posses. ion. she
seemed anxious, anil he thuJgnt that
r,nrp IN, .r-,.fDa . he. ,,-.is ON tnp DOiut of