The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-08-05
BUFFUM'S "REMINISCENCES
Before the Dinner.

he nd my Senator drew away into a corner
nd whispered.
Then Mrs. Adsit recognized my presence
for the first.
-You might mention to your master,
Mr.. Duffer," she remarked between languid
waves OF her fan, "that II he Is looking for
Tobula ~Assemblymen / will tell him how
best to get them when we meet at the Gov
ernor's dinner table. Otherwise, I might
have to give tie information to Mr.. Merri-
field; they say he IL a good Ceal Of a gentle
man. Bliss. dear, won't you come here for
a moment?"
And the i~neipicnt conference in the COR
Ger adjourned sine die,
There Is a fable. I think, about n gnat
driving a lion mad. 1t was plain to me
wl.ea I told Mrs. Adsit's ultimatum TO my
Senator that the thought Of this trumpery
bit Of social Jealousy complicating and
even ~endangering 30 important a matter as
his political future was having like effect
upon him. He swore vigorously, In marked
contrast with his habit Of letting the other
fellow do the swearing.
Come" he said briefly, and up to the
Capitol re hurried to demand instant and
private audience with the Governor.
Gov. Schrigley was one Of the men who
strive to counteract the blandness of their
lips by a heavy beard; but only succeed ! n
drawing the line Of emphasis under their
helplessress. he sighed when my Sena-
tor finished explaining the situation and
enouncing Its remedy.
Il sometimes fear l have been overin-
dulGent with Geraldine" he said. 1T is
possible to give a child her own way until
you have none Of your own left"
at Is my way we are talking about now
corrected Mr.. Savage, pitilessly.
"Of course" the Governor went on, with
one mental eye turned home and the other
abroad, inc ill pleased with either pros
poet, of course, you are right in saying
that the annua Inner to the Regents OF the
State University is about due. They have
their cow ocation next month and we are
just about to issue the cards. But it Is the
most exclusive function Of the year, the one
in which Geraldine takes the most pride
and care. 1t is IigEt. now, isn't it, Savage,
that the vecy choicest fruit and flower of
our civilization should be gathered together
in honor of these learned mem"
Whatever is is right in politics. re-
torted the Senator significantly, while
virtue is it's own-only-reward."
"Oh, If you are going to put it that way.
| suppose l mus sIomit--"
1T isn't Submission to oolige a friend who
will DC anxious to o )lige you in turn. Come.
Go, @ nor, don't let US make a mountain out
of a mole hill. end an invitation as / sug-
gest to the Adsits without saying anything
about it to your daughter. I guarantee
that before the e~ventful evening comes she
herself will be regretting mat this has not
been done. Then you will nave a pleasant
surprise for her"
And for myself, grumbled the Governor,
If you come within a Thousand leagues OF
the truth"
l was concerned to see my Senator so
elated over this victory. He chuokled c stem
tatiously. as il to keep his courage up.
though formerly it was Lis Won to reserve
his laughter for guarded use in his sleeve.
Perhaps he was realizing how worthless is a
verbal guaranty.
When we got back to the rooms, how
ever, he wrote a pretty little note to Mrs.
Adsit, in which he ventured to express the
hope that the high privilege he had secured
Of being her escort at the Regents dinner
might prove q pleasure to her. Then he
seHJ LOT III Coiicd Bue, MI. SdDdutfei ana
told him all he had done.
This conversation was not a part of my
liberal education, though from specimens
that penetrated the partition on the sharp
notes Of anger l judged it was a stormy
one. So far asI could make out, Mr.. Savage
kept insisting that Cabaniss should press
his suit at once to a successful issue, and
thus be able to sway Miss Geraldine's preju-
dices, while the latter bitterly resented so
sordid q use Of his sentiments.
In the end they agreed upon the following
co~mpromise-that Mr.. Cabaniss should offer
himself when the auspices seemed favora-
BILE, and hat in the event Of his success
Mr.. Savage should at the last moment, as
his next friend, explain to the girl how es-
sential it was that she receive Mrs. Adsit
cordially. As a preliminary, the two called
at the Governors house, and my Senator
became acquainted with Geraldine Schrig-
ley.