Mr. Crewe's Career, Book I.

literally, the doctors said, from laughing too much. I know that this statement will be received incredulously, and disputed by those who claim that laughter is a good thing; the honoura

e quotation at the beginning of this chapter: "For bills may come, and bills may go, but I go on forever." Th

forward and said to him, "Friend, go up higher." He sat, doubled up, in number, and the gods gave him compensation in laughter; he disturbed the Solons around him, who were interest

ittle to do as guinea-pigs. There were certain wise and cynical atheists who did not attend the sessions at all except when they received mysterious hints to do so. These were chiefly from Newcastle. And there were others who played poker in the state-house cellar waiting for the Word to come to them, when they

prospect of reaching the ocean, but presently flows into a hole in the ground to fill the forgotten caverns of the earth, and is lost to the knowledge and sight of man. The caverns he labelle

the Improvement of the Practice of Agriculture.' 'An act relating to the State Indebtedness.' 'An act to increase the State Forest Area.' 'An act to incorporate the State Economic League.' 'An act to incorporate the State Children's Charities Association.' 'An act in relation to Abandoned Farms.'" These were some

s could not interfere in legislative or political matters. Mr. Crewe was naturally pained by the lack of confidence of his friend; it seems useless to reiterate that he was far from being a fool, and no man could be in the capital a day during the session without being told of the existence of Number Seven, no matter how little the informant might know of what might be going on there

conceive a strong affection for him. The Honourable Brush, though not given to expressing his feelings, betrayed some surprise at the volumes Mr. Crewe had contributed to the stream of bills; and Mr. Botcher, in a Delphic whisper, invite

e. Almost before your knuckles hit the panel you heard Mr. Botcher's hearty voice shouting "Come in," in spite of the closed transom. The Ho

d a large padded arm-chair in number forty-eight before the sessions, knowing that the Honourable Jake's constituency would be uniformly kind to him. There Mr. Botcher was wont to sit (

ous member the word "railroad" was cut in two by an agate glance from the Honourable Brush, and Mr. Crewe noted with some surprise that the Democratic leader of the House, Mr. Painter, was seated on Mr. Botcher's mattress, with an expression that was in singular contrast to the look of bold defiance which he had swept o

e said hospitably; "we'

our quarrels outside the

ourse. Do you know these

xpect you

the acquaintance of their fellow-member from Leith, and

Bascom protested. "Let

e humorous, indeed, than the story itself. And when it was finished

bashful," said Mr. Bo

ot?" demanded Mr. Bascom, from the steam

"but I have thought since of two or three other c

g to suggest that you distribute 'em round among the boys. That's

at?" demanded Mr. Crewe.

em through," honest Mr. Botcher put in, in stentorian tones. "It

xperience. On the other hand, Mr. Crewe had a dignity and a position to uphold. He was a personality. People who went too far with

irited man should be open to suc

but I may have put it too strong. Brush and I-I may as well be plain about it, Mr. Crewe-have taken a liking to you. Couldn't help it, sir,

ut it," sai

ate the sterling philanthropy which lay beneath the ex

bout in the same practical way. For instance, we know as practical men that the railroad pays a large tax in this State, and that property must take a hand-a very considerable hand-in legislation. You g

which threatened to break his arm-chair, probably owing to the fact that he had swallowed something which

ad subsided. "I had no idea you were so-ahem-well equipped for a political career. But what we wanted to speak to yo

ble heat, "the Speaker doesn't seem to k

good fellow. Personally, I happen to know that the general feels very badly that h

red, the general felt bad-feels bad, I should say.

the Honourable Brush, "that he coul

. "The competition amongst those-er-who have served the party is very keen for the positions you desired. I personally happen to know that th

vents I will give Mr. Crewe one chairmanship by which he can make a name for himself suited to his talents,' and he insisted on giving you, in spite of some remonstrances from your

me surprise; and being a rational man, had to

come before that com

-national honours. It has not always happened in the past, because the men have not proved worthy. But the opportunity

ce, as we know. He was a man of ideas, and the opening

" suggested Mr. Botcher, smiling that such

ldn't do any better,

I'm willing to hear what

After a knock or two here, the door opened a crack, disclosing, instead of General Doby's cherubic countenance, a sallow face with an excee

n number nine-Manning sent fo

osed the door on the gentleman's sharp n

ee Doby in the morning,-he's b

h seeing him now?" Mr.

division superin

Mr. Bascom exc

com, "yes, he is. He's a

eir wives are

s, sir," said th

ewe, "we won't both

number nine, which was not quite closed; and it was Mr. Crewe who made the important discovery that the lugubrious division superintendent had a sense of humour. Mr. Manning was seated

th his hands in his pockets, heard the noise behind him and

the direction of the salmon-coloured tickets; "I h

re you, Mr. Crewe, how are you? It's

aven't been a director in railroads for nothing.

answered the division superintendent, smiling a little as he

ss which the Northeastern gives me as a legislator, and I'm thinking seriously of getti

rmer, Mr. Crewe," the Honou

"a railroad man, a business mark and a

composure, I'm glad you said that, Mr. Crewe. As these gentlemen will tell you,

portant committee, Ge

le Jacob

ountenance to see how this statement fared. "But the fact is, the boys are al

might be some little feeling

oes not do for a new member, whatever his prominence in the financial world, to be pushed forward too quickly. And unless I am mighty

idle, General," answered Mr.

to some of those men, 'Keep your eye on the ge

n the shelf there, Mr. Crewe took his departure in a most equable frame of mind. And when the door was closed and locked behind him, Mr. Manning d

s. Speaker and all the

and r