Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1895-03-02

"fIEysN HU lHe Oupllul
more than six months before those
who had known him at home and car
here on business scarcely recognized
him as the same man. A great change
had come over Algeron Smith Brown
lee, NJ. 9. AT home he had never
amounted to much, socially. Mr..
Brownlee's pedigree, however, began
with Mr.. Brownlee, and what he
lack ed in aristocracy OF blood he made
up by his prodigious hustling abili-
ties.
With his keen energy and upward
tendency of mind, he had the good
fortune to combine an affable DISPOSE
ton, an accommodating manner, II
pleasant smile and certain good ad.
dress. When ne entered tie race for
Congress none imagined for minute
that he had the slightest prospect OF
access, but the average political
weather prophet has dangerous ten.
aency to pin his faith to the infalli-
bility of his own opinions and standing
pat upon them; and that is why it
happens so often that youLg men like
Mr.. Brownlee beat out an old race
horse and go to Congress on tidal
wave. Unlike the ravens!who croaked
mis- doom, Brownlee did some char
acteristic hustling, snatched the nom
nation from tired old campaiGncr
and was elected,
When he reached Washington he
wore the conventional soft black felt
hat and long black skirt coat, but be-
fore he had been there six months he
looked like copy of the latest edition
Of Broadway swell, with silk hat,
black cutaway coat and gray trousers.
And that's why his constituents scarce
" recognized him.
It's strange how these things hap
pen in Washington. The rich ana
thoroughbred Miss Daisy Vernon, who
had smiled with icy scorn upo4- the
suits of dozen society men casting
themselves at her feet, together with
their fortunes and pedigrees, felt her
heart dissolve before the insidious at.
tention of Mr.. Brownlee, NJ. G. There
may have been something in that NJ.
g., mistaken idea, perchance, that a
mau who is sent to Congress must be
the cock of the walk in the district =
an idea that some persons have-and
that, altogether, the suit of n member
of the House who combined as many
attractive qualities as her Brownleo
was preferable to that of any other
mortal.
And 80, to cut things short, after a
lsshing courtship, they were married
at one of the fashionable churches,
with a great display OF pomp, the at
tendance of her distinguished relatives
and his Congressional friends, mem
bers of the press, etc. Then, after a
brilliant reception, they departed on
their bridal trip, but not to Brown
lees home. On the contrary, he pur-
chased tickets over railroad that
took him in q Numerically opposite
direction, just as far from his district
as he could go.
The trip came to an end and then
Brownlee and his wife returned to
Washington, installing themselves at
one of the leading hotels. Brownlee
had seen enough of the world to dis
cover the secret of making an impre s
sion in society. With the aid of his
wife's social standing and his $4,000
income, the way was open to him, and
be made the best of his chances. He
was received everywhere with open
arms, and if one man ever hit it rich
it was that same energetic young NJ. O..
On the whole, Brownee deserved
it. He had no influential friends to
thank for his rise in the world; nc
family influence had stood back OF
him to direct his efforts; no money
had been used to buy him II seat il
Congress. He had just invested what
mother wit nature had endowed him
with, in such opportunities as came tc
hand, and when fortune, in her timiC
way, had knocked at his door, as she
is said to do at every mans door once
in q lifetime, he had said, "Come IN 7
in his loudest tones.
And he was honest and sincere. HI
had not deceived Miss Vernon about
his pedigree. She had taken him fol
better or worse, and the fault wa
hers if she should feel disappointed
Brownlee was good working mem
Der of Congress. He made friend
rapidly with the leaders, and watched
that they never lost sight of him
single day. All this young man want
ed was opportunity. Eewould rise t.
the occasion, for that he vouched.
The session came to an end
The election was near at hand, an
every member fastened home to loo
after his fences. 1t was the hardes
struggle of his life to decide upon
course of action with regard to hi
aristocratic wife. Take her home
Leave her here? He suggested til
latter course.
81 have been thinking good def
about it," remarked Mrs. Brownlec
II think shall accompany you. 70
know, dear, have never seen you
papa and mamma. / have formed IN
own ideal of them, and am real AM
ious to see them. They must be jus
charming people to have a son li'
my Ally"
"Ally" is what she always Gale
him. But there was no music in tn
sound of the sweet diminutive, as Sd
uttered it on this Hateful morning aftC
breakfast. Brownlee had headache
and was not as responsive to his wife
affectionate caresses as usual.
"Well, I'm not ashamed OF 'em an.
how" he replied in desperation.
They packed their things and lie
town the next evening.
II Mrs. Brownlee in her buoyal
trustfulness anticipated scenes
greeting in which mingled the pictu
esque effects of summer resident
on the banks of Lake Como. as d