The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-03

short-grass country; when the older mar
counseied. advised. and protected him; oil
the devotion and respect he felt for the
friend who had struggled through drough,
| and hot wind and sickness. A mortgage
| was on the little house in the suburbs, he
felt sure. And then came the face of the
women in a prairie cabin many years De-
fore and her later image glorified by his
recollections. Blair bowed his head and
lost himself in 1t all.
Some time. far in the night-or was II
just at daybreak "a knock begged admis-
sion. He paid no attention. Repeated and
repeated, it broke through his determine
ton and he opened the door.
John Lander entered. took a seat on the
window ledge, and threw on the cheap ash
dresser a large envelope, we'll worn and
stuffed with papers.
That's my application for the postot-
| fice'' he began.
why, John, it's too soon for
"Wait-you don't understand. I'm out oil
| it. You have got all you can carry with
| out my loading myself on your shoulders
| even If could. l wan: to turn over the
whole thing TO you and let you destroy the
| evidence. l won't say anything about ii
and you can say that there is no applica-
ton from me on file. We were good friends
| once, Tom. and want to keep so. Be as
| good TO yourself as you can, my boy, and
| win"
Jean knows nothing about this, and dc
not tell her-not now. She may know some
| time
Blair did not know what to say-ard
stood meditating. Before he realized what
was happening Lander had slipped into the
hall and was gone. Blair called after him
but he did not return.
The Congressman took the package OF
papers from the dresser and stood for a
long, long time in front Of the soft coal
fire that sputtered in the sheet-ron stove.
w.
At 10 o'clock sharp there was an imper-
alive summons at No. Z. No answer. The
sheriff ard Martin, who were without, mad,
bold 10 enter.
The room was empty.
''Mr. Blair went out early this morning
fer walk, an amt got back yet," ex-
planned the porter from the hall.
On the shabby ash .dresaDr was a note
addressed to the "Axford Bulletin" The
sheriff recognized Blair's handwriting, and
opened it. 1t read:
Congressman Blair left for home on the
early train this morning. Before leaving he
sent to the Department at Washington a
recommendation for the appointment of
John Lander as postmaster at this pace.
The appointment will be made In about
three weeks"
The Sheriff and Martin sat on the edge
Of the bed. The former was gazing blankly
at the note and rereading it.
1.-The chump has shuffied of for good, -
he broke out at last.
Martin laughed weakly. We'll. he fooled
me, I'm willing to admit. He's altogether
toe goody for politics in this district any
how"
"Of course Blair Will lose our county
delegation
Sure thing"
"And be beaten in the convention?"
Exactly"
well, let's keep this letter to ourselves
as long as We can. He's left town, and
about it. or won't give it out. Maybe We
can pick the next Congressman in advance
and get in on the ground floor"
AS Blair was packing the belongings Of
his desk at the end of the term. one of his
ellowCongressmen from his own State
stepped up.
well. good-by. Blair. Sorry you can't be
with US next session. By the way. a con-
sti:uent of yours-the Sheriff of Mateel
county. think 1t was-told me last fall
that you committed political suicide. How
about it?'
"All mistake" replied Blair, with a
smile. II never felt SO much alive as do
today. did not commit suicide-I simply
issued an emancipation proclamation
New York Evening Post.