The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1919-05-29

drove up to our home. He reached
our door at eight In the morning with
his hound and rifle. He had aged rap
IDLY since I had seen him last. His
hair was almost white. There were
many new lines In his face. He
seemed more grave and dignlfed. lie
did not lapse into the dialect OF his
fathers when he spoke Of the ancient
pestimes Of hunting and fishing as he
had been wont to do.
Bart" he said when the greetings
were over. lets you and me go and
spend n day In the woods. III leave
my man here to help your uncle while
you're gone"
We went by driving south a few
miles and tramplng in to the foot OF
the saltwater on our rivera trail
long familiar TO me. The dog left us
soon after we took II and began to
rInge over thick wooded hills. We sat
down among small. splrelike spruces
at the rivers edge with a long stretch
OF water In sight while the music of
the hounds voice came family to our
ears from the distant forest.
ooh, I've been dreaming OF this for
a long time" said the senator as he
leaned back against a tree and filled
his lungs and looked out upon the wa
ter, green with lily pads along the
edge and fiecked with the last OF the
white blossoms. 81 believe you want
to leave this lovely country"
II am waiting for the call to Co."
I said.
swell. I'm inclined to think you are
the kind OF man who ought to co." he
answered almost sadly. "You are
needed. have been waiting until we
should meet to congratulate you on
your behavior at Cobleskill. think
you have the right spirit-that Is the
all-important matter. You will en-
counter strange company In the game
OF politics. Let me tell you a story"
He told me many stories OF his life
In Washington. interrupted by a sound
like that OF approaching footsteps. We
ceased talking and presently flock
OF pnrtridges came near us. pacing
along over the mat Of leaves In lei
surely fashion. We sat perfectly still.
A young cock bird with his beautiful
run standing out, like the hair on the
back of frightened dog. strobe
toward us with comic threat In his
manner. II seemed as II he were OF
half a mind TO knock us into the river.
But we sat as stlll as stumps and he
spared us and went ON with the others.
The baying Of the hound was nearer
now. Suddenly we saw a big buck
come down to the shore of the cove
near us and on our side OF the stream.
He looked 20 right and left. Then he
made long leap into the water and
waded slowly until II covered him. He
raised his nose and laid his antlers
back over his shoulders and swan
quietly downstream, his nose Just
showing above the water. His antlers
were like bit OF driftwood. II we
had not seen him take the water his
antlers might easily have passed for
a bunch Of dead sticks. Soon the buck
slowly lifted his head and turned his
neck and looked at both shores. Then
very deliberately he resumed his place
under water and went on. We watched
him as he took the farther shore be-
low us and made of In the woods
again.
81 couldn't shoot at him, It was such
n beautiful BIT OF politics." said the
senator.
Soon the hound reached the cove's
edge and swan the river and ranged
up and down the bank for half an
hour before he found the bucks trail
again.
1--WE seen many a rascal. driven to
water by the hounds. go swimming
away as slyly as that buck. with their
horns In the air. looking as innocent
as a bit OF driftwood. They come In
from both shores-the Whig and the
Democrntlc-and they are always shot
at from one bank or the other"
remember II surprised me a little
to hear him say that they came In
from both shores.
Just what do you want TO dor he
asked presently.
II should like to go down TO Wash
ington with you and help you In any
way that can"
"All right. partner-we1l try IT," he
answered gravely. II hope that don't
forget and work you as hard as work
myself. II wouldn't be decent. l have
great many letters to write. I'll try
thinking out loud while you take them
down In sound-hand. Then you can
draft them neatly and Ill sign them.
You have tact and good manners and
can do many OF my errands for me and
save me from those who have no good
reason for taking up my time"
"You will meet the best people and
the worst. There's just a chance that
II may come to something worth while
who knowsf You are young yet. II
will be good training and you will vt
ness the making Of some history now
and then"