The American Claimant

d likewise his "work-shop." Sometimes he called it by one of these names, sometimes by another, according to occasion and circumstance. He was constructing what seemed to be some kind of a

, though the furniture was of a humble sort and not over abundant, and the knickknacks and things that go to adorn a living-room not plenty and not costly. But there were natura

daring hand, they were all doing duty here as "Earls of Rossmore." The newest one had left the works as Andrew Jackson, but was doing its best now, as "Simon Lathers Lord Rossmore, Present Earl." On one wall was a cheap old railroad map of Warwickshire. This had been newly labeled "The Rossmore Estates." On the opposite wall was another map, and this was the most imposing decoration of the establishment and the first to catch a stranger's attention, because of its great size. It had once borne

and had once been somebody's country place. It had a neglected yard around it, with paling fence that needed straightening up, in places, and a gate that would stay shut. By the door-post were several modest tin signs. "Col. Mulber

damaged white cotton gloves appeared in the pr

hington Ha

how him in, Dan

joyfully wringing the hands of a stoutish, discouraged-looking man whose general

it down, and make yourself at home. There, now-why, you look perfectly natural; agi

looked if he'd lived. Dear, dear, where have you

all of fifteen ye

s get away with us. Yes,

ing reverently for her to get command of herself and go on; but after a little

children, poor thing-dear, dear,

e; or any joy to unconfine-you'll be the healthier for it every time,-every time, Washington-it's my experience, and I've seen a

ou would ever guess, C

la

as you

it. Actually l

ong term for 'dobies and jackass rabbits, boiled beans and slap-

e out

d the ch

there

t afford to bri

inst the government. Make yourself pe

claim against

r? That's all right. Leav

stmaster-you're

me what it is? What, do you want to be so reserved and distrustful

ut it-you merely don't

't I? You know that. Principal citizen of Hawkeye, looked up to by everybody, kind of an autocrat, actually a kind of an autocrat, Washington. Well, nothing would do but I must go Minister to St. James, the Governor and everybody insisting, you know, and so at last I consented-no getting out of it, had to do it, so here I came. A day too late, Washington. Think of that-what little things change the world's history-yes, sir, the place had been filled. Well, there I was, you see. I offered to compromise and go to Paris. The President was very sorry and all that, but that place, you see, didn't belong to the West, so there I was

t-Pic

ey do it yet; for although the flint-arm has gone out and the forts have tumbled down, the decree hasn't been repealed-been overlooked and forgot

id musingly a

inister to England at twenty thousan

an epitome of human ambition, and struggle, and the outc

ence. Then Washington said, with

o satisfy your sense of patriotic duty and appease a se

othing, Washington? I ask you this: to be a perpetual Member and the only Perpetual Member

iration expressed in his face were more eloquent than any words could have been. The Colonel's wounded

t of St. James all the way down to Consul to a guano rock in the Strait of Sunda-salary payable in guano-which disappeared by volcanic convulsion the day before they got down to my name in the list of applicants. Certainly something august enough to be answerable to the size of this unique and memorable experience was my due, and I got it. By the common voice of this community

l, Colonel, sim

official position i

k so-and the m

I frown, and there is war; I smile, and

The responsibi

s no burden to me; I am used to

k! Do you have to att

e conclaves of the governors of the provinces

t a moment, then a d

e promotion now! Colonel, the reason I came to Washingt

s feet and broke out wit

eart. My prophecies stand confirmed. I always said it was in you. I always said y

d by this most unex

led, oblong streak of grass and gravel, lost in the remote wastes of the v

a staving preferment, and jus

nel, I haven'

ng; you can m

e population's o

right, that'

ven a territory, there's no Organic Act, the govern

hat. I'll rush the thing through,

your old sterling self, the same old ever-faithful frien

ood as done. Shake hands. We'll hitch teams t