The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1909-02-26
CHAPTER VII.
LANGDoN LEARAo or THINGS UNPLEAs'
ANT

A Il We'll, my boy, what can
do for you?" asked the new senator,
turning, with pleasant smile.
MY name is Laines Senator Ste
vens was to speak to you about me.
I'm the first of the newspaper CORE
spondents come to interview you
Langdon's familiar smile broadened.
"Well. you don't look us though you'd
bite Reckon | can stand for it. Is it
very painfulY
Il hope il won't be. senator" Haines
said, feeling ustinctively that he was
going to like this big, hearty citizen
"All right, Mr. Haines, just as soon
as I've said goodby to my old friend
Colonel Stoneman. I'll be with you"
And to his continued Amusement
HaineS saw the senator walk away
with the old Union colonel, slap him
on the back. cheer him up and finally
bid him goodby after extending a cor
dial invitation to come around to din
ner meet his daughters and talk over
old times.
The antiquated Federal soldier march
ed away more erect, more brisk, than
in years. completely restored to favor
in the eyes of the hotel people. Lang
don turned to the reporter.
"All right, Mr.. Haines; my hands are
up. Do your worst Senator Stevens
spoke to me about you; said you were
the smartest young newspaper man in
Washington. You must come from the
south"
Bud shook his head.
mo, Just New York" he said.
well, that's a promising town."
drawled the southerner They tell me
that's the Vicksburg of the north"
81 suppose you haven't been to New
York of late. senatorY suggested the
newspaper man.
We'll | started up there with Gen
eral Lee once" responded Langdon
reminiscently, but we changed our
minds and came back. You may have
heard about that trip"
Haines admitted that be had
"Since that time" went on Lang
don, I've confined my travels to New
Orleans and Vicksburg Ever been in
New Orleans about Mardi Gras time
Mr.. Haines|
Sorry, but | don't believe | have"
confessed the reporter reluctantly.
The senator seemed surprised
well. sir. you have something to
live for I'll make 1t my special bust |
ness to personally conduct you through |
one Mardi Gras. with a special under |
standing, Of course, that you don't
print anything IN the paper I'm
vestryman In my church. but since
misfortune has come upon our state |
have to be careful"
Haines searched his brain He knew
Of no grave calamity that had hap
pened recently I'm Mississippi.
Misfortune he questioned.
Senator Langdon nodded.
"Yes. cir. the great old state of Mis-
sissippi went prohibition at the last
election. | don't know how 1t hap
pened We haven't found anybody in
the state that says he voted for ii, but
the fact is fact assure you. Mr..
Haines. that prohibition stops at my
front door. in Mississippi So I've been
ton"
This new life will be great change
for you. them" suggested the reporter.
Change! It's revolutionary, sir!
when you've expected to spend your
old days peacefully in the country,
Mr. Haines. suddenly to find that your
state has called ON you
favor Of sarcasm came into
Haines reply.
The Office seeking the man" He
could not help the slight sheer Was
a man never TO admit that he had
sought the officer Haines knew only
too well Of the arduous work neces- /
sary to secure nominations for high Of /
fee In conventions and to win an cleo
ton to the senate from a state legis- /
lature. In almost every case. be knew, :
the candidate must make a dozen diff
ferent deals to secure votes. might
promise the same Office to two or three
different leaders. force others into line
by threats. send a trusted agent to an Z
other with a roll OF bank bills-the re
cipient Of which would Immediately
conclude that this candidate was the .
only man in the state who could save
the nation from destruction. Had not
Haines seen men who had sold their
unsuspecting delegates for cash to the
highest bidder rise In the convention
hall and In impassioned. dramatic
voice exclaim In praise Of the buyer.
Gentlemen. Il would be a crying
shame. a crime against civilization. II
the chosen representatives Of our
grand old state OF - did not 20 on
record IN favor Of such a man. such q
true citizen. such an inspired patriot.
as he whose name I am about 10 men
tionw SO the reporter may be forgiv-
en- for the ironical tlnge In bis hasty
interruption Of the new senator's re
marks
Langdon could not suppress a chuc-
kle az the doubling note In Haines at
titude.
4 think the man would be pretty
small potatoes who wouldn't seek the
Office o. United States senator. Mr..
Haines.- he said. If be could get o.
When I was a young man. sir. politics
IN the south was career for a gentle
man. and I still can't see how be could
b. better engaged than IN the service
Of bis state or bis country
That's right agreed the reporter.
further impressed by the frank sinceri-
~ 81 the Mississinpian-
The only condiflon in my mind. Mr
Haines. il that the man should ask
himself searchlngly whether or not
hes competent 20 give the service
But ] seen 70 be talking a god deal