San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-04-11
The Bosgott Claim.
By HENRI ELLIOT.
Press Association-l

DlI, unless .'IGeeCs' A. - ithplheneu JhdJ ne
was not required at the department that
day, and 80 might place himself at the
service of the ladies.
Windward was, Theoretically, the one
man OF elegant leisure in the household,
but his zeal in the claim made him the
busiest and the hardest to eutrap into
sight seeing tramps or winter picnics.
Mrs. BassetU finally felt obliged to ex-
postulate.
why, Windward" she exclaimed one
balmy winter morning, do let that
stupid claim rest for today and take US
all down to Mount Vernon
Il cannot possibly do it today, moth
err" he replied, and then observing her
dissatisfaction and anxiety ne added,
with an affectionate cares: y can tell
now in a few days what chance there is
for action Oh the claim this winter.
want to settle that point first; then |
shall know what to expect and what to
do, and shall have some leisure"
What do you think about the
chancesY asked the mother
We'll" sighed Windward, Its a big
job. just begin to appreciate it. You
see it is one thing to have individual
congressman admit Your claim is good,
and quite another to get the bill passed.
Now see what has 10 be done After
you have written out your bill you get u
member TO present it; he must be pres
ent at just such an hour or he loses his
chance. Then it goes TO committee
with perhaps fifty others, and waits its
turn there. Very likely that is the end
of it, for most bills die a-borning.' But
suppose | can stir the committee up and
they agree to report the bill.
lone member is put in charge of it,
and on u certain day in the month, if he
happens to'be on hand, he is recognized
and the bill is reported and this time put
on the calendar Here it ought to lie
reached i'll its turn, but probably there
are enough bills ahead of it to keep con-
gress busy for years, and you can't get it
advanced except by common consent,
and as this interrupts business and puts
back other bills there is somebody sure
10 object. Meanwhile the house is occu-
pied most of the time with the general
appropriation bills and great political
questions. and the calendar is put off till
leisure day which never comes. Now
and then the motion is made TO take up
the calendar, and there is set time
once or twice month, perhaps-when
that is the regular order of business; but
members get to wrangling and adjourn
in row. SO it goes, and before you
know congress has expired and you must
begin all over again. But suppose it
does finally pass: then comes similar
job in the senate, and if there successful
also maybe the president vetoes it. as
two presidents have done already"
Il don't see how any bills get through"
said Mrs Bassett.
Nor l, replied Windward, and very
few bills do pass. The appropriation
bills must, of course. and there are lot
of trivial little bills that slip through by
luck or good management, and half a
dozen important measures of a political
character; and that's about ALL"
Il wouldn't bother with it." said the
mother "You might let your friend
Stevens keep track OF it: he is here, and
is steady, faithful young man, should
Judge And there is that other gentle
man, Col. McArdle; he is a lawyer and
knows how to manage these things. But
you ought to get settled, Windward."
Il don't know but am settled, moth
er,' said the young man, moving closer
and speaking timidly. Mother, what
do you think of Miss Willis
Why, you are not engaged, are your
exclaimed the mother in open alarm.
No, not yet" replied Windward re-
luctantly.
Il am very glad to hear it, my son,
said the widow, gently but kindly, but
18th more authority in her tone than
=e&Qal, and hope you won t take such
a step without confiding in your mother.
| ask this much for your sake. Wind
ward. not mine"
My dear mother" said the young
man. laying his hands in hers.
You see, Windward," said the moth
er, smiling happily as she stroked her
darhng's hand, Its so early yet; have
only met her once or twice, and you
have known her only few weeks. Of
course she is pretty and bright and
pleasant, but wife is so much to a man;
you want to know her disposition and
health and family, and be sure she loves
you-do you think she does, Windwardy'
How can tell unless / ask herr" ex-
claimed the young man, hanging his
head and twirling his watch charm.
The mother smiled at her sons con-
fusion, and yet rather sadly. Her in
stinct told her that the wooing, as yet,
was rather one sided; and, motherlike,