Inconversationhealwaysappearedtodescendonlyhalfwaydownalongmoralandintellectualstaircase，andalwaysdeliveredhisconclusionsoverthebalusters。
Ihadbeenspeakingofmyfriend，theTramp。\"Thereisbutonewayoftreatingthatclassofimpostors；itissimplytorecognizethefactthatthelawcallshima’vagrant，’andmakeshistradeamisdemeanor。Anysentimentontheothersiderendersyouparticepscriminis。Idon’tknowbutanactionwouldlieagainstyouforencouragingtramps。Now，Ihaveanefficaciouswayofdealingwiththesegentry。\"Heroseandtookadouble-barreledfowling-piecefromthechimney。\"Whenatrampappearsonmyproperty，Iwarnhimoff。Ifhepersists，Ifireonhim——asIwouldonanycriminaltrespasser。\"
\"Fireonhim？\"Iechoedinalarm。
\"Yes——BUTWITHPOWDERONLY！OfcourseHEdoesn’tknowthat。Buthedoesn’tcomeback。\"
Itstruckmeforthefirsttimethatpossiblymanyotherofmyfriend’sargumentsmightbeonlyblankcartridges，andusedtofrightenoffothertrespassingintellects。
\"Ofcourse，ifthetrampstillpersisted，Iwouldbejustifiedinusingshot。LasteveningIhadavisitfromone。Hewascomingoverthewall。Myshotgunwasefficacious；youshouldhaveseenhimrun！\"
Itwasuselesstoarguewithsopositiveamind，andIdroppedthesubject。AfterbreakfastIstrolledoverthedowns，myfriendpromisingtojoinmeassoonashearrangedsomehouseholdbusiness。
Itwasalovely，peacefulmorning，notunlikethedaywhenIfirstmetmyfriend，theTramp。Thehushofagreatbenedictionlayonlandandsea。Afewwhitesailstwinkledafar，butsleepily；oneortwolargeshipswerecreepinginlazily，likemyfriend，theTramp。Avoicebehindmestartledme。
Myhosthadrejoinedme。Hisface，however，lookedalittletroubled。
\"Ijustnowlearnedsomethingofimportance，\"hebegan。\"ItappearsthatwithallmyprecautionsthatTramphasvisitedmykitchen，andtheservantshaveentertainedhim。Yesterdaymorning，itappears，whileIwasabsent，hehadtheaudacitytoborrowmyguntogoduck-shooting。Attheendoftwoorthreehourshereturnedwithtwoducksand——thegun。\"
\"Thatwas，atleast，honest。\"
\"Yes——but！Thatfoolofagirlsaysthat，ashehandedbackthegun，hetoldheritwasallright，andthathehadloadeditupagaintosavethemastertrouble。\"
IthinkIshowedmyconcerninmyface，forheadded，hastily：\"Itwasonlyduck-shot；afewwouldn’thurthim！\"
Nevertheless，webothwalkedoninsilenceforamoment。\"I
thoughtthegunkickedalittle，\"hesaidatlast，musingly；\"buttheideaof——Hallo！what’sthis？\"
HestoppedbeforethehollowwhereIhadfirstseenmyTramp。Itwasdeserted，butonthemossestherewerespotsofbloodandfragmentsofanoldgown，blood-stained，asifusedforbandages。
Ilookedatitclosely：itwasthegownintendedfortheconsumptivewifeofmyfriend，theTramp。
Butmyhostwasalreadynervouslytrackingthebloodstainsthatonrock，moss，andboulderweresteadilyleadingtowardthesea。WhenIovertookhimatlastontheshore，hewasstandingbeforeaflatrock，onwhichlayabundleIrecognized，tiedupinahandkerchief，andacrookedgrape-vinestick。
\"Hemayhavecomeheretowashhiswounds——saltisastyptic，\"saidmyhost，whohadrecoveredhiscorrectprecisionofstatement。
Isaidnothing，butlookedtowardthesea。Whateversecretlayhidinitsbreast，itkeptitfast。Whateveritscalmeyeshadseenthatsummernight，itgavenoreflectionnow。Itlaytherepassive，imperturbable，andreticent。Butmyfriend，theTramp，wasgone！
THEMANFROMSOLANO
Hecametowardmeoutofanoperalobby，betweentheacts，——afigureasremarkableasanythingintheperformance。Hisclothes，notwoarticlesofwhichwereofthesamecolor，hadtheappearanceofhavingbeenpurchasedandputononlyanhourortwobefore，——afactmoredirectlyestablishedbytheclothes-dealer’sticketwhichstilladheredtohiscoat-collar，givingthenumber，size，andgeneraldimensionsofthatgarmentsomewhatobtrusivelytoanuninterestedpublic。Histrousershadastraightlinedowneachleg，asifhehadbeenbornflatbuthadsincedeveloped；andtherewasanothercreasedownhisback，likethosefigureschildrencutoutoffoldedpaper。Imayaddthattherewasnoconsciousnessofthisinhisface，whichwasgood-natured，and，butforacertainsquarenessintheangleofhislowerjaw，utterlyuninterestingandcommonplace。
\"Youdisrememberme，\"hesaid，briefly，asheextendedhishand，\"butI’mfromSolano，inCaliforny。Imetyouthereinthespringof’57。Iwastendin’sheep，andyouwasburnin’charcoal。\"
Therewasnottheslightesttraceofanyintentionalrudenessinthereminder。Itwassimplyastatementoffact，andassuchtobeaccepted。
\"WhatIhailedyeforwasonlythis，\"hesaid，afterIhadshakenhandswithhim。\"Isawyouaminnitagostandin’overinyonbox——
chirpin’withalady——ayounglady，peartandpretty。Mightyoubetellingmehername？\"
Igavehimthenameofacertainnotedbelleofaneighboringcity，whohadlatelystirredtheheartsofthemetropolis，andwhowasespeciallyadmiredbythebrilliantandfascinatingyoungDashboard，whostoodbesideme。
TheManfromSolanomusedforamoment，andthensaid，\"Thet’sso！
thet’sthename！It’sthesamegal！\"
\"Youhavemether，then？\"Iasked，insurprise。
\"Ye-es，\"heresponded，slowly：\"Imetheraboutfowermonthsago。
She’dbinmakin’atourofCalifornywithsomefriends，andIfirstsawheraboardthecarsthissideofReno。Shelostherbaggage-
checks，andIfoundthemonthefloorandgave’embacktoher，andshethankedme。Ireckonnowitwouldbeaboutthesquarethingtogoovertharandsorterrecognizeher。\"Hestoppedamoment，andlookedatusinquiringly。
\"Mydearsir，\"struckinthebrilliantandfascinatingDashboard，\"ifyourhesitationproceedsfromanydoubtastotheproprietyofyourattire，Ibegyoutodismissitfromyourmindatonce。Thetyrannyofcustom，itistrue，compelsyourfriendandmyselftodresspeculiarly，butIassureyounothingcouldbefinerthanthewaythattheolivegreenofyourcoatmeltsinthedelicateyellowofyourcravat，orthepearlgrayofyourtrousersblendswiththebrightblueofyourwaistcoat，andlendsadditionalbrilliancytothatmassiveoroidewatch-chainwhichyouwear。\"
Tomysurprise，theManfromSolanodidnotstrikehim。HelookedattheironicalDashboardwithgraveearnestness，andthensaidquietly：——
\"ThenIreckonyouwouldn’tmindshowin’meinthar？\"
Dashboardwas，Iadmit，alittlestaggeredatthis。Butherecoveredhimself，and，bowingironically，ledthewaytothebox。
IfollowedhimandtheManfromSolano。
Now，thebelleinquestionhappenedtobeagentlewoman——descendedfromgentlewomen——andafterDashboard’sironicalintroduction，inwhichtheManfromSolanowasnotspared，shecomprehendedthesituationinstantly。ToDashboard’ssurpriseshedrewachairtoherside，madetheManfromSolanositdown，quietlyturnedherbackonDashboard，andinfullviewofthebrilliantaudienceandthefocusofahundredlorgnettes，enteredintoconversationwithhim。
Here，forthesakeofromance，Ishouldliketosayhebecameanimated，andexhibitedsometraitofexcellence，——somerarewitorsolidsense。Butthefactishewasdullandstupidtothelastdegree。Hepersistedinkeepingtheconversationuponthesubjectofthelostbaggage-checks，andeverybrightattemptoftheladytodiverthimfailedsignally。Atlast，toeverybody’srelief，herose，andleaningoverherchair，said：——
\"Icalklatetostopoverheresometime，miss，andyouandmebein’
sorterstrangershere，maybewhenthere’sanyshowlikethisgoin’
onyou’llletme——\"
MissX。saidsomewhathastilythatthemultiplicityofherengagementsandthebrieflimitofherstayinNewYorkshefearedwould，etc。，etc。Thetwootherladieshadtheirhandkerchiefsovertheirmouths，andwerestaringintentlyonthestage，whentheManfromSolanocontinued：——
\"Then，maybe，miss，wheneverthereisashowgoin’onthatyou’llattend，you’lljustdropmewordtoEarle’sHotel，tothisyeraddress，\"andhepulledfromhispocketadozenwell-wornletters，andtakingthebuffenvelopefromone，handedittoherwithsomethinglikeabow。
\"Certainly，\"brokeinthefacetiousDashboard，\"MissX。goestotheCharityBallto-morrownight。TheticketsarebutatrifletoanopulentCalifornian，andamanofyourevidentmeans，andtheobjectaworthyone。Youwill，nodoubt，easilysecureaninvitation。\"
MissX。raisedherhandsomeeyesforamomenttoDashboard。\"Byallmeans，\"shesaid，turningtotheManfromSolano；\"andasMr。
Dashboardisoneofthemanagersandyouareastranger，hewill，ofcourse，sendyouacomplimentaryticket。IhaveknownMr。
Dashboardlongenoughtoknowthatheisinvariablycourteoustostrangersandagentleman。\"Shesettledherselfinherchairagainandfixedhereyesuponthestage。
TheManfromSolanothankedtheManofNewYork，andthen，aftershakinghandswitheverybodyinthebox，turnedtogo。WhenhehadreachedthedoorhelookedbacktoMissX。，andsaid，——
\"ItWASoneofthequeerestthingsintheworld，miss，thatmyfindin’themchecks——\"
Butthecurtainhadjustthenrisenonthegardenscenein\"Faust，\"
andMissX。wasabsorbed。TheManfromSolanocarefullyshuttheboxdoorandretired。Ifollowedhim。
Hewassilentuntilhereachedthelobby，andthenhesaid，asifrenewingapreviousconversation，\"SheISamightypeartgal——
that’sso。She’sjustmykind，andwillmakeastavin’goodwife。\"
IthoughtIsawdangeraheadfortheManfromSolano，soIhastenedtotellhimthatshewasbesetbyattentions，thatshecouldhaveherpickandchoiceofthebestofsociety，andfinally，thatshewas，mostprobably，engagedtoDashboard。
\"That’sso，\"hesaidquietly，withouttheslightesttraceoffeeling。\"Itwouldbemightyqueerifshewasn’t。ButIreckonI’llsteerdowntotheho-tel。Idon’tcaremuchforthisyellin’。\"（Hewasalludingtoacadenzaofthatfamouscantatrice，SignoraBattiBatti。）\"What’sthetime？\"
Hepulledouthiswatch。Itwassuchaglaringchain，soobviouslybogus，thatmyeyeswerefascinatedbyit。\"You’relookingatthatwatch，\"hesaid；\"it’spurtytolookat，butshedon’tgoworthacent。Andyetherpricewas$125，gold。IgobbledherupinChathamStreetdaybeforeyesterday，wheretheywereselling’emverycheapatauction。\"
\"Youhavebeenoutrageouslyswindled，\"Isaid，indignantly。\"Watchandchainarenotworthtwentydollars。\"
\"Aretheyworthfifteen？\"heasked，gravely。
\"Possibly。\"
\"ThenIreckonit’safairtrade。Yesee，Itold’emIwasaCalifornianfromSolano，andhadn’tanythingaboutmeofgreenbacks。Ihadthreeslugswithme。Yerememberthemslugs？\"
（Idid；the\"slug\"wasa\"token\"issuedintheearlydays——ahexagonalpieceofgoldalittleovertwicethesizeofatwenty-
dollargoldpiece——worthandacceptedforfiftydollars。）
\"Well，Ihandedthemthat，andtheyhandedmethewatch。YouseethemslugsIhadmademyselfouterbrassfilingsandironpyrites，andusedtoslap’emdownontheboysforabluffinagameofdrawpoker。Yousee，notbeingreg’largov-mentmoney，itwasn’tcounterfeiting。Ireckontheycostme，countingtimeandanxiety，aboutfifteendollars。So，ifthisyerwatchisworththat，it’saboutasquaregame，ain’tit？\"
IbegantounderstandtheManfromSolano，andsaiditwas。Hereturnedhiswatchtohispocket，toyedplayfullywiththechain，andremarked，\"Kindermakesamanlookfash’nableandwealthy，don’tit？\"
Iagreedwithhim。\"Butwhatdoyouintendtodohere？\"Iasked。
\"Well，I’vegotacashcapitalofnighonsevenhundreddollars。I
guessuntilIgetintoreg’larbusinessI’llskirmishroundWallStreet，andsorterlaylow。\"Iwasabouttogivehimafewwordsofwarning，butIrememberedhiswatch，anddesisted。Weshookhandsandparted。
AfewdaysafterImethimonBroadway。Hewasattiredinanothernewsuit，butIthinkIsawaslightimprovementinhisgeneralappearance。Onlyfivedistinctcolorswerevisibleinhisattire。
Butthis，Ihadreasontobelieveafterwards，wasaccidental。
Iaskedhimifhehadbeentotheball。Hesaidhehad。\"Thatgal，andamightypeartgalshewastoo，wasthere，butshesorterfoughtshyofme。Igotthisnewsuittogoin，butthosewaiterssorterrunmeintoaprivatebox，andIdidn’tgetmuchchancetocontinnerourtalkaboutthemchecks。Butthatyoungfeller，Dashboard，wasmightyperlite。Hebroughtlotsoffellersandyoungwomenroundtotheboxtoseeme，andhemadeupapartythatnighttotakemeroundWallStreetandinthemStockBoards。Andthenextdayhecalledformeandtookme，andIinvestedaboutfivehundreddollarsinthemstocks——maybemore。Yousee，wesorterswoppedstocks。YouknowIhadtensharesinthePeacockCopperMine，thatyouwasoncesecretaryof。\"
\"Butthosesharesarenotworthacent。Thewholethingexplodedtenyearsago。\"
\"That’sso，maybe；YOUsayso。ButthenIdidn’tknowanythingmoreaboutCommunipawCentral，ortheNaphthaGaslightCompany，andsoIthoughtitwasasquaregame。OnlyIrealizedonthestocksI
bought，andIkemupouterWallStreetaboutfourhundreddollarsbetter。Youseeitwasasorterrisk，afterall，forthemPeacockstocksMIGHTcomeup！\"
Ilookedintohisface：itwasimmeasurablysereneandcommonplace。
Ibegantobealittleafraidoftheman，or，rather，ofmywantofjudgmentoftheman；andafterafewwordsweshookhandsandparted。
ItwassomemonthsbeforeIagainsawtheManfromSolano。WhenI
did，IfoundthathehadactuallybecomeamemberoftheStockBoard，andhadalittleofficeonBroadStreet，wherehetransactedafairbusiness。MyremembrancegoingbacktothefirstnightI
methim，IinquiredifhehadrenewedhisacquaintancewithMissX。
\"IheerdthatshewasinNewportthissummer，andIrandowntherefuraweek。\"
\"Andyoutalkedwithheraboutthebaggage-checks？\"
\"No，\"hesaid，seriously；\"shegavemeacommissiontobuysomestocksforher。Yousee，Iguessthemfash’nablefellerssortergottorunnin’heraboutme，andsosheputouracquaintanceonasquarebusinessfooting。Itellyou，she’sarightpeartgal。Didyehearoftheaccidentthathappenedtoher？\"
Ihadnot。
\"Well，yousee，shewasoutyachting，andImanagedthroughoneofthosefellerstogetaninvite，too。Thewholethingwasgotupbyamanthattheysayisgoingtomarryher。Well，oneafternoontheboomswingsroundinalittlesquallandknocksheroverboard。
Therewasanawfulexcitement，——you’veheardaboutit，maybe？\"
\"No！\"ButIsawitallwitharomancer’sinstinctinaflashofpoetry！Thispoorfellow，debarredthroughuncouthnessfromexpressinghisaffectionforher，hadatlastfoundhisfittingopportunity。Hehad——
\"Tharwasanawfulrow，\"hewenton。\"Iranoutonthetaffrail，andthereadozenyardsawaywasthatpurtycreature，thatpeartgal，and——I——\"
\"Youjumpedforher，\"Isaid，hastily。
\"No！\"hesaidgravely。\"Ilettheothermandothejumping。I
sorterlookedon。\"
Istaredathiminastonishment。
\"No，\"hewenton，seriously。\"Hewasthemanwhojumped——thatwasjustthenhis’put’——hislineofbusiness。Yousee，ifIhadwaltzedoverthesideofthatship，andcavoortedin，andflummuxedroundandfinallyfloppedtothebottom，thatothermanwouldhavejumpednateral-likeandsavedher；andezhewasgoingtomarryheranyway，Idon’texactlyseewhereI’Dhevbeenrepresentedinthetransaction。Butdon’tyousee，ef，afterhe’djumpedandhadn’tgother，he’dgonedownhimself，I’dhevhadthenextbestchance，andtheadvantageofhevinghimoutertheway。Yousee，youdon’tunderstandme——Idon’tthinkyoudidinCaliforny。\"
\"Thenhedidsaveher？\"
\"Ofcourse。Don’tyouseeshewasallright。Ifhe’dmissedher，I’dhavechippedin。Tharwarn’tnosenseinmydoinghisdutyonlesshefailed。\"
Somehowthestorygotout。TheManfromSolanoasabuttbecamemorepopularthanever，andofcoursereceivedinvitationstoburlesquereceptions，andnaturallymetagreatmanypeoplewhomotherwisehewouldnothaveseen。Itwasobservedalsothathissevenhundreddollarsweresteadilygrowing，andthatheseemedtobegettingoninhisbusiness。CertainCaliforniastockswhichI
hadseenquietlyinterredintheolddaysinthetombsoftheirfathersweremagicallyrevived；andIremember，asonewhohasseenaghost，tohavebeenshockedasIlookedoverthequotationsonemorningtohaveseentheghostlyfaceofthe\"DeadBeatBeachMiningCo。，\"rougedandplastered，lookingoutfromthecolumnsofthemorningpaper。Atlastafewpeoplebegantorespect，orsuspect，theManfromSolano。Atlast，suspicionculminatedwiththisincident：——
Hehadlongexpressedawishtobelongtoacertain\"fash’n’ble\"
club，andwithaviewofburlesquehewasinvitedtovisittheclub，whereaseriesofridiculousentertainmentsweregivenhim，windingupwithacardparty。AsIpassedthestepsoftheclub-
houseearlynextmorning，Ioverheardtwoorthreememberstalkingexcitedly，——
\"Hecleanedeverybodyout。\"\"Why，hemusthaverakedinnighon$40，000。\"
\"Who？\"Iasked。
\"TheManfromSolano。\"
AsIturnedaway，oneofthegentlemen，avictim，notedforhissportingpropensities，followedme，andlayinghishandonmyshoulders，asked：——
\"Tellmefairlynow。WhatbusinessdidyourfriendfollowinCalifornia？\"
\"Hewasashepherd。\"
\"Awhat？\"
\"Ashepherd。Tendedhisflocksonthehoney-scentedhillsofSolano。\"
\"Well，allIcansayis，d——nyourCaliforniapastorals！\"
THEOFFICESEEKER
HeaskedmeifIhadeverseenthe\"RemusSentinel。\"
IrepliedthatIhadnot，andwouldhaveaddedthatIdidnotevenknowwhereRemuswas，whenhecontinuedbysayingitwasstrangethehotelproprietordidnotkeepthe\"Sentinel\"onhisfiles，andthathe，himself，shouldwritetotheeditoraboutit。Hewouldnothavespokenaboutit，buthe，himself，hadbeenanhumblememberoftheprofessiontowhichIbelonged，andhadoftenwrittenforitscolumns。Somefriendsofhis——partial，nodoubt——hadsaidthathisstylesomewhatresembledJunius’s；butofcourse，youknow——well，whathecouldsaywasthatinthelastcampaignhisarticleswerewidelysoughtfor。Hedidnotknowbuthehadacopyofone。Herehishanddivedintothebreast-pocketofhiscoat，withacertaindeftnessthatindicatedlonghabit，and，afterdepositingonhislapabundleofwell-worndocuments，everyoneofwhichwasglaringlysuggestiveofcertificatesandsignatures，heconcludedhehadleftitinhistrunk。
Ibreathedmorefreely。WeweresittingintherotundaofafamousWashingtonhotel，andonlyafewmomentsbeforehadthespeaker，anutterstrangertome，movedhischairbesidemineandopenedaconversation。Inoticedthathehadthattimid，lonely，helplessairwhichinveststhebucolictravelerwho，forthefirsttime，findshimselfamongstrangers，andhisidentitylost，inaworldsomuchlarger，somuchcolder，somuchmoreindifferenttohimthanheeverimagined。Indeed，Ithinkthatwhatweoftenattributetotheimpertinentfamiliarityofcountry-menandrustictravelersonrailwaysorincitiesislargelyduetotheirawfullonelinessandnostalgia。Iremembertohaveoncemetinasmoking-caronaKansasrailwayoneoftheselonelyones，who，afterplyingmewithathousanduselessquestions，finallyelicitedthefactthatIknewslightlyamanwhohadoncedweltinhisnativetowninIllinois。
Duringtherestofourjourneytheconversationturnedchieflyuponhisfellow-townsman，whomitafterwardsappearedthatmyIllinoisfriendknewnobetterthanIdid。Buthehadestablishedalinkbetweenhimselfandhisfar-offhomethroughme，andwashappy。
WhilethiswaspassingthroughmymindItookafairlookathim。
Hewasaspareyoungfellow，notmorethanthirty，withsandyhairandeyebrows，andeyelashessowhiteastobealmostimperceptible。
Hewasdressedinblack，somewhattothe\"rearwardo’thefashion，\"
andIhadanoddideathatithadbeenhisweddingsuit，anditafterwardsappearedIwasright。Hismannerhadtheprecisionandmuchofthedogmatismofthecountryschoolmaster，accustomedtowrestlewiththefeeblestintellects。Fromhishistory，whichhepresentlygaveme，itappearedIwasrightherealso。
HewasbornandbredinaWesternState，and，asschoolmasterofRemusandClerkofSupervisors，hadmarriedoneofhisscholars，thedaughterofaclergyman，andamanofsomelittleproperty。Hehadattractedsomeattentionbyhispowersofdeclamation，andwasoneoftheprincipalmembersoftheRemusDebatingSociety。ThevariousquestionsthenagitatingRemus，——\"Isthedoctrineofimmortalityconsistentwithanagriculturallife？\"and，\"Arerounddancesmorallywrong？\"——affordedhimanopportunityofbringinghimselfprominentlybeforethecountrypeople。PerhapsImighthaveseenanextractcopiedfromthe\"RemusSentinel\"inthe\"ChristianRecorder\"ofMay7，1875？No？Hewouldgetitforme。
Hehadtakenanactivepartinthelastcampaign。Hedidnotliketosayit，butithadbeenuniversallyacknowledgedthathehadelectedGashwiler。
Who？
Gen。PrattC。Gashwiler，memberofCongressfromourdeestrict。
Oh！
Apowerfulman，sir——averypowerfulman；amanwhoseinfluencewillpresentlybefelthere，sir——HERE！Well，hehadcomeonwithGashwiler，and——well，hedidnotknowwhy——Gashwilerdidnotknowwhyheshouldnot，youknow（afeeble，half-apologeticlaughhere），receivethatreward，youknow，fortheseserviceswhich，etc。，etc。
Iaskedhimifhehadanyparticularordefiniteofficeinview。
Well，no。HehadleftthattoGashwiler。Gashwilerhadsaid——herememberedhisverywords：\"Leaveitalltome；I’lllookthroughthedifferentdepartments，andseewhatcanbedoneforamanofyourtalents。\"
And——
He’slooking。I’mexpectinghimbackhereeveryminute。He’sgoneovertotheDepartmentofTape，toseewhatcanbedonethere。Ah！
herehecomes。
Alargemanapproachedus。Hewasveryheavy，veryunwieldy，veryunctuousandoppressive。Heaffectedthe\"honestfarmer，\"butsobadlythatthepooresthusbandmanwouldhaveresentedit。Therewasasuggestionofacheaplawyerabouthimthatwouldhavejustifiedanyself-respectingjudgeinthrowinghimoverthebaratonce。Therewasamilitarysuspicionabouthimthatwouldhaveentitledhimtoacourt-martialonthespot。Therewasanintroduction，fromwhichIlearnedthatmyoffice-seekingfriend’snamewasExpectantDobbs。AndthenGashwileraddressedme：——
\"Ouryoungfriendhereiswaiting，waiting。Waiting，Imaysay，ontheaffairsofState。Youth，\"continuedtheHon。Mr。Gashwiler，addressinganimaginaryconstituency，\"isnothingbutaseasonofwaiting——ofpreparation——ha，ha！\"
Ashelaidhishandinafatherlymanner——afatherlymannerthatwasasmuchofashamasanythingelseabouthim——Idon’tknowwhetherIwasmoreincensedathimorhisvictim，whoreceiveditwithevidentprideandsatisfaction。Neverthelessheventuredtofalterout：——
\"Hasanythingbeendoneyet？\"
\"Well，no；Ican’tsaythatanything——thatis，thatanythinghasbeenCOMPLETED；butImaysayweareinexcellentpositionforanadvance——ha，ha！Butwemustwait，myyoungfriend，wait。WhatisittheLatinphilosophersays？’Letusbyallmeanshastenslowly’——ha，ha！\"andheturnedtomeasifsayingconfidentially，\"Observetheimpatienceoftheseboys！\"\"Imet，amomentago，myoldfriendandboyhood’scompanion，JimMcGlasher，chiefoftheBureaufortheDisseminationofUselessInformation，and，\"loweringhisvoicetoamysteriousbutaudiblewhisper，\"Ishallseehimagainto-morrow。\"
The\"Allaboard！\"oftherailwayomnibusatthismomenttoremefromthepresenceofthisgiftedlegislatorandhisprotege；butaswedroveawayIsawthroughtheopenwindowthepowerfulmindofGashwileroperating，sotospeak，uponthesusceptibilitiesofMr。
Dobbs。
Ididnotmeethimagainforaweek。ThemorningofmyreturnI
sawthetwoconversingtogetherinthehall，butwiththepalpabledistinctionbetweenthisandtheirformerinterviews，thatthegiftedGashwilerseemedtobeanxioustogetawayfromhisfriend。
Iheardhimsaysomethingabout\"committees\"and\"to-morrow，\"andwhenDobbsturnedhisfreckledfacetowardmeIsawthathehadgotatlastsomeexpressionintoit——disappointment。
Iaskedhimpleasantlyhowhewasgettingon。
Hehadnotlosthisprideyet。Hewasdoingwell，althoughsuchwasthevaluesetuponhisfriendGashwiler’sabilitiesbyhisbrothermembersthathewasalmostalwaysoccupiedwithcommitteebusiness。Inoticedthathisclotheswerenotinasgoodcaseasbefore，andhetoldmethathehadleftthehotel，andtakenlodgingsinaby-street，whereitwaslessexpensive。Temporarilyofcourse。
AfewdaysafterthisIhadbusinessinoneofthegreatdepartments。FromthevarioussignsoverthedoorsofitsvariousofficesandbureausitalwaysoddlyremindedmeofStewart’sorArnoldandConstable’s。Youcouldgetpensions，patents，andplants。Youcouldgetlandandtheseedstoputinit，andtheIndianstoprowlroundit，andwhatnot。Therewasaperpetualclangingofofficedeskbells，andarunninghitherandthitherofmessengersstronglysuggestiveof\"Cash47。\"
AsmybusinesswaswiththemanagerofthisGreatNationalFancyShop，Imanagedtopushbythesad-eyed，eager-facedcrowdofmenandwomenintheanteroom，andenteredthesecretary’sroom，consciousofhavingleftbehindmeagreatdealofenvyanduncharitablenessofspirit。AsIopenedthedoorIheardamonotonousflowofWesternspeechwhichIthoughtIrecognized。
Therewasnomistakingit。ItwasthevoiceoftheGashwiler。
\"Theappointmentofthisman，Mr。Secretary，wouldbemostacceptabletothepeopleinmydeestrict。Hisfamilyarewealthyandinfluential，andit’sjustaswellinthefallelectionstohavethesupervisorsandcountyjudgepledgedtosupporttheadministration。OurdelegatestotheStateCentralCommitteearetoaman\"——buthere，perceivingfromthewanderingeyeofMr。
Secretarythattherewasanothermanintheroom，hewhisperedtherestwithafamiliaritythatmusthaverequiredallthepoliticianintheofficial’sbreasttokeepfromresenting。
\"Youhavesomepapers，Isuppose？\"askedthesecretary，wearily。
Gashwilerwasprovidedwithapocketful，andproducedthem。Thesecretarythrewthemonthetableamongtheotherpapers，wheretheyseemedinstantlytolosetheiridentity，andlookedasiftheywerereadytorecommendanybodybutthepersontheybelongedto。
Indeed，inonecornertheentireMassachusettsdelegation，withtheSupremeBenchattheirhead，appearedtobeearnestlyadvocatingthemanuringofIowawastelands；andtotheinexperiencedeye，anotedfemalereformerhadapparentlyappendedhersignaturetoarequestforapensionforwoundsreceivedinbattle。
\"Bytheway，\"saidthesecretary，\"IthinkIhavealetterherefromsomebodyinyourdistrictaskinganappointment，andreferringtoyou？Doyouwithdrawit？\"
\"Ifanybodyhasbeenpresumingtospeculateuponmypatronage，\"
saidtheHon。Mr。Gashwiler，withrisingrage。
\"I’vegotthelettersomewherehere，\"saidthesecretary，lookingdazedlyathistable。Hemadeafeeblemovementamongthepapers，andthensankbackhopelesslyinhischair，andgazedoutofthewindowasifhethoughtandratherhopeditmighthaveflownaway。
\"ItwasfromaMr。Globbs，orGobbs，orDobbs，ofRemus，\"hesaidfinally，afterasuperhumaneffortofmemory。
\"Oh，that’snothing——afoolishfellowwhohasbeenboringmeforthelastmonth。\"
\"ThenIamtounderstandthatthisapplicationiswithdrawn？\"
\"Asfarasmypatronageisconcerned，certainly。Infact，suchanappointmentwouldnotexpressthesentiments——indeed，Imaysay，wouldbecalculatedtoraiseactiveoppositioninthedeestrict。\"
Thesecretaryutteredasighofrelief，andthegiftedGashwilerpassedout。Itriedtogetagoodlookatthehonorablescamp’seye，butheevidentlydidnotrecognizeme。
ItwasaquestioninmymindwhetherIoughtnottoexposethetreacheryofDobbs’sfriend，butthenexttimeImetDobbshewasinsuchgoodspiritsthatIforebore。ItappearedthathiswifehadwrittentohimthatshehaddiscoveredasecondcousininthepersonoftheAssistantSuperintendentoftheEnvelopeFlapMoisteningBureauoftheDepartmentofTape，andhadaskedhisassistance；andDobbshadseenhim，andhehadpromisedit。\"Yousee，\"saidDobbs，\"intheperformanceofhisdutiesheisoftenverynearthepersonofthesecretary，frequentlyinthenextroom，andheisapowerfulman，sir——apowerfulmantoknow，sir——aVERY
powerfulman。\"
HowlongthiscontinuedIdonotremember。Longenough，however，forDobbstobecomequiteseedy，forthegivingupofwristcuffs，fortheneglectofshoesandbeard，andforgreathollowstoformroundhiseyes，andaslightflushonhischeek-bones。Iremembermeetinghiminallthedepartments，writinglettersorwaitingpatientlyinanteroomsfrommorningtillnight。Hehadlostallhisolddogmatism，butnothispride。\"Imightaswellbehereasanywhere，whileI’mwaiting，\"hesaid，\"andthenI’mgettingsomeknowledgeofthedetailsofofficiallife。\"
InthefaceofthismysteryIwassurprisedatfindinganotefromhimoneday，invitingmetodinewithhimatacertainfamousrestaurant。Ihadscarcegotovermyamazement，whenthewriterhimselfovertookmeatmyhotel。ForamomentIscarcelyrecognizedhim。Anewsuitoffashionably-cutclotheshadchangedhim，without，however，entirelyconcealinghisrusticangularityoffigureandoutline。Heevenaffectedafashionabledilettanteair，butsomildlyandsoinnocentlythatitwasnotoffensive。
\"Yousee，\"hebegan，explanatory-wise，\"I’vejustfoundoutthewaytodoit。Noneofthesebigfellows，thesecabinetofficers，knowmeexceptasanapplicant。Now，thewaytodothisthingistomeet’emfustsociably；wine’emanddine’em。Why，sir，\"——hedroppedintotheschoolmasteragainhere，——\"Ihadtwocabinetministers，twojudges，andageneralatmytablelastnight。\"
\"OnYOURinvitation？\"
\"Dear，no！allIdidwastopayforit。TomSouffletgavethedinnerandinvitedthepeople。EverybodyknowsTom。Yousee，afriendofmineputmeuptoit，andsaidthatSoufflethadfixedupnoendofappointmentsandjobsinthatway。Yousee，whenthesegentlemengetsociableovertheirwine，hesayscarelessly，’Bytheway，there’sSo-and-so——agoodfellow——wantssomething；giveittohim。’Andthefirstthingyouknow，ortheyknow，hegetsapromisefromthem。Theygetadinner——andagoodone——andhegetsanappointment。\"
\"Butwheredidyougetthemoney？\"
\"Oh，\"——hehesitated，——\"Iwrotehome，andFanny’sfatherraisedfifteenhundreddollarssomeway，andsentittome。Iputitdowntopoliticalexpenses。\"Helaughedaweak，foolishlaughhere，andadded，\"Astheoldmandon’tdrinknorsmoke，he’dlifthiseyebrowstoknowhowthemoneygoes。ButI’llmakeitallrightwhentheofficecomes——andshe’scoming，surepop。\"
Hisslangfittedaspoorlyonhimashisclothes，andhisfamiliaritywasworsethanhisformerawkwardshyness。ButIcouldnothelpaskinghimwhathadbeentheresultofthisexpenditure。
\"Nothingjustyet。ButtheSecretaryofTapeandthemanattheheadoftheInferiorDepartment，bothspoketome，andoneofthemsaidhethoughthe’dheardmynamebefore。Hemight，\"headded，withaforcedlaugh，\"forI’vewrittenhimfifteenletters。\"
Threemonthspassed。Aheavysnow-stormstayedmychariotwheelsonaWesternrailroad，tenmilesfromanervouslecturecommitteeandawaitingaudience；therewasnothingtodobuttomaketheattempttoreachtheminasleigh。Butthewaywaslongandthedriftsdeep，andwhenatlastfourmilesoutwereachedalittlevillage，thedriverdeclaredhiscattlecouldholdoutnolonger，andwemuststopthere。Bribesandthreatswereequallyofnoavail。Ihadtoacceptthefact。
\"Whatplaceisthis？\"
\"Remus。\"
\"Remus，Remus，\"wherehadIheardthatnamebefore？ButwhileI
wasreflectinghedroveupbeforethedoorofthetavern。Itwasadismal，sleep-forbiddingplace，andonlynineo’clock，andherewasthelongwinter’snightbeforeme。Failingtogetthelandlordtogivemeateamtogofurther，Iresignedmyselftomyfateandacigar，behindthered-hotstove。Inafewmomentsoneoftheloungersapproachedme，callingmebyname，andinaroughbutheartyfashioncondoledwithmeformymishap，advisedmetostayatRemusallnight，andadded：\"Thequartersain’tthebestintheworldyeratthishotel。Butthar’sanoldmanyer——thepreacherthatwas——thatfortwentyyearsheztakeninsuchfellersasyouandlodged’emfreegratisfornothing，andhezbeenproudtodoit。Theoldmanusedtoberich；heain’tsonow；soldhisbighouseonthecrossroads，andlivesinalittlecottagewithhisdarterrightoveryan。Butyecouldn’tdohimabetterturnthantogoovertharandstay，andifhethoughtI’dletyegoouto’
Remuswithoutaxingye，he’dgivemeh-ll。Stop，I’llgowithye。\"
Imightatleastcallontheoldman，andIaccompaniedmyguidethroughthestillfallingsnowuntilwereachedalittlecottage。
Thedooropenedtomyguide’sknock，andwiththebriefanddiscomposingintroduction，\"Yer，oleman，I’vebroughtyouoneo’
themsnow-boundlecturers，\"heleftmeonthethreshold，asmyhost，akindly-faced，white-hairedmanofseventy，cameforwardtogreetme。
Hisfranknessandsimplecourtesyovercametheembarrassmentleftbymyguide’sintroduction，andIfollowedhimpassivelyasheenteredtheneat，butplainly-furnishedsitting-room。Atthesamemomentapretty，butfadedyoungwomanarosefromthesofaandwasintroducedtomeashisdaughter。\"FannyandIliveherequitealone，andifyouknewhowgooditwastoseesomebodyfromthegreatoutsideworldnowandthen，youwouldnotapologizeforwhatyoucallyourintrusion。\"
DuringthisspeechIwasvaguelytryingtorecallwhereandwhenandunderwhatcircumstancesIhadeverbeforeseenthevillage，thehouse，theoldmanorhisdaughter。Wasitinadream，orinoneofthosedimreveriesofsomepreviousexistencetowhichthespiritofmankindissubject？Ilookedatthemagain。Inthecarewornlinesaroundtheonceprettygirlishmouthoftheyoungwoman，inthefurrowedseamsovertheforeheadoftheoldman，inthetickingoftheold-fashionedclockontheshelf，inthefaintwhisperofthefallingsnowoutside，Ireadthelegend，\"Patience，patience；WaitandHope。\"
Theoldmanfilledapipe，andofferingmeone，continued，\"AlthoughIseldomdrinkmyself，itwasmycustomtoalwayskeepsomenourishingliquorinmyhouseforpassingguests，butto-nightIfindmyselfwithoutany。\"Ihastenedtoofferhimmyflask，which，afteramoment’scoyness，heaccepted，andpresentlyunderitsbenigninfluenceatleasttenyearsdroppedfromhisshoulders，andhesatupinhischairerectandloquacious。
\"AndhowareaffairsattheNationalCapital，sir？\"hebegan。
Now，iftherewasanysubjectofwhichIwasprofoundlyignorant，itwasthis。Buttheoldmanwasevidentlybentonhavingagoodpoliticaltalk。SoIsaidvaguely，yetwithacertainsenseofsecurity，thatIguessedtherewasn’tmuchbeingdone。
\"Isee，\"saidtheoldman，\"inthemattersofresumption；ofthesovereignrightsofStatesandfederalinterference，youwouldimplythatacertainconservativetentativepolicyistobepromulgateduntilaftertheelectoralcommitteehavegiventheirverdict。\"Ilookedforhelptowardsthelady，andobservedfeeblythathehadveryclearlyexpressedmyviews。
Theoldman，observingmylook，said：\"Althoughmydaughter’shusbandholdsafederalpositioninWashington，thepressureofhisbusinessissogreatthathehaslittletimetogiveusmeregossip——Ibegyourpardon，didyouspeak？\"
Ihadunconsciouslyutteredanexclamation。This，then，wasRemus——
thehomeofExpectantDobbs——andthesehiswifeandfather；andtheWashingtonbanquet-table，ahme！hadsparkledwiththeyearningheart’sbloodofthispoorwife，andhadbeenupheldbythistotteringCaryatidofafather。
\"Doyouknowwhatpositionhehas？\"
Theoldmandidnotknowpositively，butthoughtitwassomegeneralsupervisingposition。HehadbeenassuredbyMr。Gashwilerthatitwasafirst-classclerkship；yes，aFIRSTclass。
Ididnottellhimthatinthis，asinmanyotherofficialregulationsinWashington，theyreckonedbackward，butsaid：——
\"IsupposethatyourM。C。，Mr。——Mr。Gashwiler——\"
\"Don’tmentionhisname，\"saidthelittlewoman，risingtoherfeethastily；\"heneverbroughtExpectantanythingbutdisappointmentandsorrow。Ihate，Idespisetheman。\"
\"DearFanny，\"expostulatedtheoldman，gently，\"thisisunchristianandunjust。Mr。Gashwilerisapowerful，averypowerfulman！Hisworkisagreatone；histimeispreoccupiedwithweightiermatters。\"
\"HistimewasnotsopreoccupiedbuthecouldmakeuseofpoorExpectant，\"saidthiswoundeddove，alittlespitefully。
NeverthelessitwassomesatisfactiontoknowthatDobbshadatlastgotaplace，nomatterhowunimportant，orwhohadgivenittohim；andwhenIwenttobedthatnightintheroomthathadbeenevidentlypreparedfortheirconjugalchamber，IfeltthatDobbs’sworsttrialswereover。Thewallswerehungwithsouvenirsoftheirante-nuptialdays。TherewasaportraitofDobbs，aetat。25；
therewasafadedbouquetinaglasscase，presentedbyDobbstoFannyonexamination-day；therewasaframedresolutionofthankstoDobbsfromtheRemusDebatingSociety；therewasacertificateofDobbs’selectionasPresidentoftheRemusPhilomatheanSociety；
therewashiscommissionasCaptainintheRemusIndependentContingentofHomeGuards；therewasaFreemason’schart，inwhichDobbswasaddressedinepithetsmorefulsomeandextravagantthananylivingmonarch。Andyetallthesecheapgloriesofanarrowlifeandnarrowerbrainwereupheldandmadesacredbytheloveofthedevotedpriestesswhoworshipedatthislonelyshrine，andkeptthelightburningthroughgloomanddoubtanddespair。Thestormtoreroundthehouse，andshookitswhitefistsinthewindows。A
driedwreathoflaurelthatFannyhadplacedonDobbs’sheadafterhiscelebratedcentennialaddressattheschool-house，July4，1876，swayedinthegusts，andsentafewofitsdeadleavesdownonthefloor，andIlayinDobbs’sbedandwonderedwhatafirst-
classclerkshipwas。
Ifoundoutearlythenextsummer。Iwasstrollingthroughthelongcorridorsofacertaingreatdepartment，whenIcameuponamanaccuratelyyokedacrosstheshoulders，andsupportingtwohugepailsoficeoneitherside，fromwhichhewasreplenishingthepitchersinthevariousoffices。AsIpassedIturnedtolookathimagain。ItwasDobbs！
Hedidnotsetdownhisburden；itwasagainsttherules，hesaid。
Buthegossipedcheerily，saidhewasbeginningatthefootoftheladder，butexpectedsoontoclimbup。ThatitwasCivilServiceReform，andofcoursehewouldbepromotedsoon。
\"HadGashwilerprocuredtheappointment？\"
No。HebelieveditwasME。IhadtoldhisstorytoAssistant-
secretaryBlank，whohad，inturnrelatedittoBureau-directorDash——bothgoodfellows——butthiswasalltheycoulddo。Yes，itwasafoothold。Buthemustgonow。
Nevertheless，Ifollowedhimupanddown，and，cheeredupwitharose-coloredpictureofhiswifeandfamily，andmyvisitthere，andpromisingtocomeandseehimthenexttimeIcametoWashington，Ilefthimwithhisself-imposedyoke。
Withanewadministration，CivilServiceReformcamein，crudeandill-digested，asallsuddenandsweepingreformsmustbe；crueltotheindividual，asallcrudereformswilleverbe；andamongthelistofhelplessmenandwomen，incapacitatedforotherworkbylongserviceinthedullroutineoffederaloffice，whoweredecapitated，theweak，foolish，emaciatedheadofExpectantDobbswenttotheblock。ItafterwardappearedthatthegiftedGashwilerwasresponsiblefortheappointmentoftwentyclerks，andthattheletterofpoorDobbs，inwhichhedaredtorefertothenowpowerlessGashwiler，hadsealedhisfate。ThecountrymadeanexampleofGashwilerand——Dobbs。
Fromthatmomenthedisappeared。Ilookedforhiminvaininanterooms，lobbies，andhotelcorridors，andfinallycametotheconclusionthathehadgonehome。
HowbeautifulwasthatJulySabbath，whenthemorningtrainfromBaltimorerolledintotheWashingtondepot。HowtenderlyandchastelythemorningsunlightlayontheeastfrontoftheCapitoluntilthewholebuildingwashushedinagrandandawfulrepose。