The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-01-04

to 8 quarrel which had not chosen, and in which I had no concern
 Under the pressure of an emergency one usually thinks fast, and while all were looking at me I made up my
 mind. I would take a leaf from liar rison's book. I rose slowly and with an air of great indifference. I spoke of the gentleman who had just attack ed me and purposely I miscalled the county from which he came I~said that I was glad to know him and to hear his voice. intimating thereby that I had not been previously aware of his existence.
 I knew in moment that I had taken the right line with Bucks, as I saw a smile pass over the faces of the mem
 bers near me, and I heard low laugh from the Hobbies behind mel never looked at Bucks. Then defended my self from the charge of being an aris-
 tocrat. an enemy to the real people. I said l was a farmer. and I challenged the gentleman who had attacked me to enter into competition with me, whether in reading weather signs, ploughing or telling the age of a horse or a mule at a single glance. All this, I will admit, was very light and trivial, but I knew no better way
 and the House fortunately fell into the mood that I wished. was able to ex- cite frequent bursts of laughter, and when Bucks fercely tried to interrupt, l the Speaker ruled him down. I spoke for about half an hour in the same vein and when I took my seat I felt sure that I had suffered no loss of prestige.
 Bucks sought to speak again, but
 Jimmy Warfeld would not let him. The gentleman had already made the debate personal one said Jimmy, and the rules of the House could not per- init it to be carried farther. Bucks, black with anger. was forced to sub side, and l turned my attention again to my letters, wishing to forget such ali unpleasant incident. But when I looked up minute or two later, Bucks was glowering at me from his seat, and when my eyes passed on to the gallery I saw Grey sitting there, his red face also turned toward me. He, too, seemed to be angry, and he gave me look which certainly was not that of good will
 A sudden thought came to mel was blind not to have seen it all before. Bucks was set upon me by some one, whose interest it was to have me SUD- pressed, either Grey, or an agent act ing in his interest. I was to be married by man with whom I could not en- gage in contest without lowering n.y. oClAs oiAd Sd w C. CGA IdlIl CIcVGIIGSS III the scheme. But I resolved to defeat it. I would not be forced into strife with Bucks. I would speak to him as one man to another, like friend, and show to him that he had no cause to attack me.
 I stayed at my desk throughout the session. and even through the luncheon hour. as I had a mass of documents that must be read and of correspond ence that had to be written. I did not know until afterward that I was at- tentively watched by many in the lob- bies and on the floor. that I was dis cllssed in new connection. and that one man would express one opinion and one another.
 The session lasted late, and the short winter day was already yielding to the early twilight when it adjourned and the House and the Hobbies were slowly emptied. Nor did I know until after ward that was the cause of this slow departure, many lingering to look at me and again to express divergent opinions.
 I glanced up from my last letter and from my mental absorption. I was surprised to see that the windows were dusky with the twilight and that more than half-dozen men were left on the walked down the aisle and passed out of the House into the ante-room. Jim my Warfield and Peden were there just outside the door k@s1f:,
 "Going our way. Harry?' said Jim- my. .'We1l go, along with you.'
 ''No," I replied. tI'm not for the hotel now. I want to run over to the in hurry about them. s'
 'All right" said Jimmy. "Peden and were thinking of going to the post office. too, and the three of us can go together. Come along.'' } Tn reality did not wish any com- pany just then and their change okI mind seemed rather sudden, but they were such good fellows and such friends of mine that I could not turn them off.
 Come on then,'' said, and the three of us, one on either side of me, passed out of the Capitol, down the steps and upon the wintry lawn. I remember stopping a moment and looking at the l brown grass and the bare trees. She1- ley's beautiful line. "If winter come can spring be far behind ?'' recurred to me. and it may have been because l was in 8 hopeful mood. I am naturally | cheerful and optimistic. and God is very good to a man when He gives him such temperament.
 Unthinking then as I was. I did not 1 notice that Warfield and Peden still | kept very close to me, one on either hand. so close that they almost touch ed my shoulder.
 "It's nearly night I said abstract l edly.
 "Yes," said Jimmy, and he said noth- ing more.
 The darkness in fact had come down 1 rapidly. The roofs of the town before | us were a blur in the dusk, and below | them the electric lights had begun to i twinkle.
 T did not know how late it was," I | said. TT think I'll go to the hotel and | mail my letters there''
 "All right" said Jimmy we can mail ours there, too. So come along" |
 (To be Continued.)