Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-05-28

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You are Mr.. Bassett?" he asked.
That is my name. Take a seat, sir,
replied Windward
"Then you know something about the
French spoliation claims, l guess?' said
the man.
Windward smiled knowingly, and nod
ded his head, and wondered what was
coming next.
Il knew old Tom Bassett-he was your
grandfather"
my great uncle" explained Wind
ward.
well, why he never got those claims
through is a mystery. Hewas mighty
smart man-as smart, sir, as they make
'em-and he worked hard at it all his
life"
Curious" said Windward.
Very; it beat air. exclaimed the
countryman. However. he continued,
"Tm in hopes they really will go through
this winter Our member of congress
promised me personally that he would
introduce the bin and push it'-those
were his words. Said he, Mr.. Blamms,
will push it.
81 hope he will" said Windward. "Pd
like to get my 100000.
"Well, I've only four thousand and
odd dollars, but they would come handy,
all the same" said Mr.. Blamms, "espe-
cially as I've got a mortgage to raise
next spring. Now, Mr.. Bassett, you are
interested in this thing. You see, here
it is. Our member will push the bill,
but there ought to be somebody to push
him. Now, then, couldn't you go down
to Washington and see how it looks?
We can't pay much; but there are a
number of us where belong who are in
terested, and 1 guess we could make up
a fee of $500 in case the bill went through
unless you're as squeamish as old Tom
Bassett was"
"How so?" asked Windward.
why, he used to say he wouldn't talk
money. IF succeed, he said, I'll have
money enough, and l wouldn't charge
anybody for falling He was a great
man, Tom Bassett was; yes, sir, a big
man"
"WeIl, l will think about it," said
Windward; and after some further con-
versation on the subject Mr.. Blamms de-
parted, much encouraged by the young
lawyers interest.
Hes chip of the old block" thought
Mr.. Blamms as he thumped on down the
long stairways to the street.
| Windward did think about it that day,
and very seriously, and something in
this vein: Here are claims aggregating
$12, 900, 900. l have small fortune at
stake myself. The claims are just. Con-
gress has so confessed time and again.
They must be paid, and some time will
be paid. | am familiar with the case.
It offers splendid chances for good work.
1 can make reputation at least. l am
doing nothing here. Why is not this my
"opening?' believe I'll run down to
Washington, if only for few days, and
take look around.
Feeling thus, he wrote two letters
one to his mother, in which he antici-
pated and did his best to remove her OBJ
jections, and one to his old college chum,
Peter Stevens.
The replies were such as he had ex
pected. Mrs. Bassett opposed the visit,
but gave a grudging consent, and
Stevens overfowed with cordiality and
pressed him by all means to come. 90
advise you to wait, however, till Jan
uary," he wrote, Gas congress does little
before the holidays. From January OF
everything jumps. This is the politica
session, however. We are all president
making, and can't promise that French
claims will get much attention. still
hang on to my Office, as find the same
scarcity of clients of which you com
plain, I only know McArdle, Of whom
you wrote, by his reputation, which il
that Of man who says less and doe
more than any lobby lawyer in town
They tell many strange stories abou
him; he used to spree dreadfully, but
understand is SOLDERING down. He live
in good style, and has very handsome
niece"