s side of the Atlantic, for a subject worthy of his pen is at hand,-nothing less than that conv

staff, as the Crewe Convention? How charge after charge was made during the long, hot day and into the night; how the delegates were carried out limp and

prominent figures as the Honourables Brush Bascom and Jacob Botcher, and surrounded by enthusiastic supporters who wear buttons with the image of their leader-goatee and a

uld be inscribed on his buttons if he had any-but he has none. They seem to be, unuttered, on the tongues of the gentlemen who escort the Honourable Giles, United States

ivision Superintendent Manning of the Northeastern Railroads, who has stepped in from Number Seven to give a little private tug of a persuasive nature to the Honourable Adam's coat-tails. A red Leviathan comes screaming down Main Stre

d endeared to many, and so suited to command:-"Get that baggage off, and don't waste any time! Jump out, Watling-that handle turns the other way. Well, Tooting, are the headquarters re

amazing reception begins. Mr. Hamilton Tooting, looking the very soul of hospitality, stands by the doorway with an open box of cigars in his left hand, pressing them upon the visitors with his right. Reform, contrary to the preconceived opinion of many, is not made of icicles, nor answers with a stone a request for bread. As the hours run on, the visitors grow more and more numerous, and after sup

n, and at least two thousand men have already passed through the room-and those who don't smoke have f

Crewe, about nine o'clock-our candidate having a piercing eye of his

es," says M

gate?" Mr. Cr

he must be," s

ter is not

an, a little later, with a bland, smooth shaven face and strong teeth to

looks at h

ng man from New York, who tried to

are you

you?" says the bland-faced man; "but I guess y

. Crewe, "Watling

om his pocket to the floor. It is marked 'Catalogue of the Raines Farm Implement

tcher are bidding high down-stairs, and the quotation on delegates has gone up ten points in te

aciously receiving others

ld you when I was down your way. Of course, mine cost a little money, but that's one of my hobbies. Com

ther, and when the members of the press come to him for his estimate of th

ming into these headquarters? Have you seen 'em pouring into any other headquarters? All the State and fe

rote i

hey said; "that's the kin

r. Crewe, "to mention this

s Mr. Tooting's to recognize them as such-for they wear no uniforms. They are, in truth, minor captains of the feudal system, and their present duties consist (as Mr. Tooting sees clearly) in preventing the innocent and inquisitive from unprofitable speech with the Honourable Jacob Botcher, who sits in the inner angle conversing cordially with those who are singled out for this honour. Still other scouts conduct some of the gentlemen who have talked with Mr. Botch

Tooting. He's stringin' Adam Hunt all right. They say he's got Adam to cough up six thousand extra since five o'clock, but the ques

imagination. Translated, they meant that the Honourable Adam B. Hunt has no chance for the nomination, but that the crafty Messrs. Botch

ng himself in his zeal for reform and Mr. Crewe. But Mr. Tooting, in s

ooting," he replied severely. "This cigar bill alone i

ut, leaving Mr. Tooting aghast, but still resourceful. Ten minutes later that gentleman

ast," said Mr. Tooting; "it lo

sped these mysterious wo

t the nomination c

rst of it," cr

Tim. "He's always talking about thorough, le

eated Mr. Tooti

Mr. Watling. "Have you ord

appreciated this j

you don't get that commissi

tling, "that you won't go nake

lary Vane, and yet failed to recognize him. It was an extraordinary occasion indeed which would cause Mr. McAvoy to lose his aplomb; to neglect to seize the pen and dip it, with a flourish, into the ink, and extend its handle tow

said, in a voice that sounded strange to him,

died the register with a lone reporter. "This Crewe must have got in

rpets in headquarters upstairs, and before even the advance guard of the armies had begun t

Hilary V

said Mr. McAvoy, who w

card, and I'

action to the word, leaving Mr. McAvoy to make active but futile

aid the clerk, irritably, "but he looks as if he ou

hesitated just a moment before knocking at the door of Number Se

he room were Mr. Ridout, the capital lawyer, and Mr. Manning, the division superintendent. There was an instant of

d the visitor, "I should like to ta

r words seemed to fail him, and he left the room somewhat awkwardly, followed by Mr

risking your life. If I could take you back to Ripton I would, but I know that I cannot. I see your point of view, and if I were in your place I should do the same thing. I only wanted to tell you this-" Austen's voice caught a little, "if-anything should happen, I shall be at Mrs. Peasley'

ce at the motionless figure in the chair, and went out. He did

gether in low tones at the head of the sta

elf, Austen. Don't seem well. You ought to hol

usten, deliberately, "that he'll perform what

ith his eyes until he was hidden by a

ould. All I know is that if Hilary Vane pulls us throu

Adam Hunt with both feet in the trough, and no more chance of the nomination than I have, and Bascom and Botcher teasi

man, pointed with his thumb in

re; "they tell me that Tom Gaylord's done some pretty slick

ssive form of United States Senator Whitredge, followed by a hall boy carrying the senatorial

y?" were his

r. Manning glanc

; you'd better take a

room where he was to repose that night, produced an amber ci

ould, and that's the truth. In fact," he added, significantly tapping his pocket, "I'

s much," sai

authority, that under certain circumstances, which I must confess seem not unlikely at present, he may be

n to see Hilary,"

id the senator, pausing

ssion that they were n

"I wonder how old Hilary would feel about it. We couldn't do

r pondered

t. Hunt must be got out of the way. When Bascom and Botcher come

ed slowly towards Number Seven, knocked, and entered. Be it known that Mr. Flint, with characte

in his most affable

ng over some papers, shot at him a g

d out-didn't you, Wh

, taken aback; and for o

stood straighter than usual, an

ed-unfit for duty -unable to cope with the situ

uncomfortable would be to put his case mildly.

e years are coming over

uite time for the youn

king his eye from the senator's, "and it won't be

th the uneasy feeling that, in some miraculous way, the Honourable Hilary

fact. And now I want 'YOU' to tell Ridout that I wish to see him ag

all right, Vane," he added; "I'd heard that you were a little under the weather-a bilious attack on account of the h

tantly, and looking with some

with marked impatience, "he

ne held conference in

hat the Honourable Adam

nd the fact leaked out

d

cy the mission had been confided. "He said he would teach Flint a lesson. He'd show him

. That's what he said,

y rep

declared Mr. Jane, and

een struck b

r. Manning and Mr. Jane and State Senator Billings and Mr. Ridout attended. Query: the Honourable Hilary had quarrelled with Mr. Flint, that was an open secret; did not Mr. Vane think himself justified, from his own point of view, in taking a singular revenge in not over-exerting himself to pull the Honourable Adam out

the attempt, an

es were at last seeking rest, the hall boys in the corridors were turning down the lights, and the Honourable Adam, in a complacent and even jubilant frame of mind, had put on his carpet slippers and taken off his coat, when there came a knock at his door. He was not a little amazed a

he exclaimed heartil

e chandelier, and gazed at

ry," he said, push

opposite, and waited for his visitor to

ength, "we've known each ot

s so," Mr. Hunt eagerly a

d. I told you, when we met up there by the mill this summer, that if Mr. Flint had consulted

le Adam's fa

hat you s

ain words what it is. I guess you know-I guess everybody knows who's thought about it. I deceived myself for a long time by believing that I earned my living as the attorney for the

s capable only of a st

e in his r

ted to make this clear to you first of all. Not that you didn't know it, but I wished you to know that I know it. When Mr. Flint said that you were

ried the Hon

nominated, Mr. Flint sent me to try to get you to withdraw, and he decreed that

you so at the time. But I guess I'll soon be in a positio

"it is because I deserv

t that I

he Honourable Adam, and sparkled there. The Honourable Giles Henderson was prepared to withdraw, and Hilary had come,

ted me like a d

of a governor was anything but a business transaction. His regard for you is probably unch

nd I hear he hasn't treated you j

flashed for

omplain of from Mr. Flint. I will tell you why I came here to-night. I haven't felt right about you sin

t, and I've got two hundred and fifty more pledged to me as second choice. If you've come up here at this time of night to try

l down the Honourable Adam's spine, for faith in Mr. Vane's judgment had become almost

undred, Adam, at any ti

ve what I said, and if

without telling yo

demanded Mr. Hu

mination. If you'll let me know what your campaign expenses have been up to date,-all of '

ded Mr. Hunt, with more curio

int does not use the road'

ders

can't see what diffe

an eminently human side,

ane's

I wouldn't take it even if I thought you'd sized up the situation right. But-I don't agree with you this time. I know I've

Vane

said; my offer holds

to-mo

le Hilary. "I don't feel

night,

a new phase of the matter st

aid Mr. Vane,

did,-why, there wouldn't, according to your wa

mean?" dema

're standing by him. I wouldn't do it. I just wanted to say," Mr. Hunt added slowly, "that I respect you all the more for trying to get me out. If-always acc

oor, opened it and went out

is mouth, and is pointed out by the sophisticated to new arrivals as the man who spent seven thousand dollars over night, much of which is said to have stuck in the pockets of two feudal chiefs who could be named. Is it possible that there is a split in the feudal system at last? that the two feudal chiefs (who could be named) are rebels against highest authority? A smile from the sophisticated one

e feudal system at all, they have stopped laughing at. It is

is stationed; and presently they are seen by cheering crowds marching to martial music towards the convention hall, where they collect in a body, with signs and streamers in praise of the People's Champion well to the front and centre. This is generally regarded as a piece of consummate general ship on the part of their leader. They are applauded from the ga

ut it

r not, since their credentials may be bought or sold or conferred. Some political giants, who have not negotiated their credentials, are recognized as they walk down the aisle: the statesmanlike figure of Senator Whitredge (a cheer); that of Senator Green (not so statesmanlike, but a cheer); Congressman Fairplay (cheers); and-Hilary Vane! His a figure that does not inspire cheers,-least of all to-day,-the man upon whose shoulders re

ed of conventions. He sits down wearily at the basswood table, and scarcely hears the familiar sounds without, which indicate that the conventi

by State Senator Billings; closed eyes would best suit this proceeding, too. As a parallel to that platform, one can think only of the Ten Commandments. The Republican Party (chosen children of Israel) must be kept free from the domination of corporations. (Cheers and banner waving for a full minute.) Some better method of choos

ho can subscribe and say amen to every plank in that platform. He believes it, he has proclaimed it in public, and he embodies it. Mr. Burrows indulges in slight but effective sarcasm of sham reformers and so-called business men who perform the arduous task of cutting coupons and l

rds that come, burning, out of the Honourable Timothy's loyal heart. Here, gentlemen, is a man at last, not a mere puppet who signs his name when a citizen of New York pulls the string; one who is prepared to make any sacrifice,-to spend his life, if need be, in their service. (A barely audible voice, before the cheering commences, "I guess that's so.") Humphrey Crewe needs no defence-the Honourable Timothy avers-at his hands, or any one's. Not merely an idealist, but a practical man who has studied the needs of the State; unselfish to the core; longing, like Washington, the Father of his Count

an of presence, measurable by scales with weights enough, our general has no more ponderosity now than a leaf in a mountain storm at Hale-and no more control over the hurricane. Behold him now, pounding with his gavel on

husiasm, is the Honourable Hamilton Tooting, coatless and collarless, leading the cheers that shake the building, that must h

the senator is a close friend of the Honourable Giles-buys his coal from him, wholesale. Both surmises are true. The senator's figure is not impressive, his voice less so, and he reads from manuscript, to

o man and to no corporation, and will go into o

um-let us to the

men-especially when neither General Doby nor any one else knows who they are! The only way is to march up on the stage by counties and file past the ballot-box. Putnam, with their glitter-eyed duke, Mr. Bascom, at their head -presumably solid for Adam B. Hunt; Ba

ery wave incessantly, and excited conversation buzzes in every quarter. And now, see! there is whispering on the

les Henderson of

mphrey Crewe of L

am B. Hunt of Edm

eing required, t

ed biography: the great man is discovered sitting quietly by the window, poring over a book on the modern science of road-building, some notes from which he is making for his first message. And instead of the reek of tobacco smoke, the room is filled with the scent of the floral tri

hey were buyin' 'em righ

sm of indignation, "and

e hundred and si

said Mr. Crewe, "that it was y

is juncture, concerning the congruity of reform delegates who can b

that eye reproaches failed him. "But there's a whole lot of 'em can be seen, rig

eader-if such proof were necessary, "go back to the convention. I have no doubt of

his flag up," he whispered into the Honourable Timothy Watling'

credentials. Mr. Jane, too, is going about the hall, and Postmaster Burrows, and Postmaster Bill Fleeting of Brampton, and the Honourable Nat Billings, and Messrs. Bascom and Botcher, and Mr. Manning, division superintendent, and the Honourable Orrin Young, railroad

es Henderson of Ki

phrey Crewe of Lei

m B. Hunt of Edmun

e votes besides im

, attempts by twenty men to get the eye of the president (which is too watery to see any of them), and rushes for the platform to suggest remedies or ask what is going to be done about such palpable fraud. What can be done? Call the roll! How in blazes can you call the roll when you don't know who's here? Messrs. Jane, Botcher, Bascom, and Fleming are not disturbed, and improve their time. Watling and Tooting rush to the bridal suite, and rush back again to demand justi

pering again, an

es Henderson of Ki

mphrey Crewe of L

am B. Hunt of Edm

o choice on th

. If so, he's gone out again-gone out to consult the dark horse, who is in town, somewhere. Another ominous sign: Mr. Redbrook, Mr. Widgeon of Hull, and the other rural delegates who have been voting for the People's Champion, and who have not been observed in friendly conversation w

ile the tempest itself shakes from the organ a new and terrible music? Nearly, six hours he has sat at the basswood table, while senators, congressmen, feudal chiefs, and even Chairman Doby himself flit in and out, whisper in his ear, set papers before him, and figures and problems, and telegrams f

most astute and reprehensible of politicians) is said to be at the Widow Peasley's, quietly awaiting the call. The name of Austen Vane-another messenger says-is running like wildfire through the hall, from row to row. Mr. Crewe has no chance-so rumour goes. A reformer (to pervert the saying of a celebrated contemporary humorist) must fight Marquis of Queensberry to wi

uch as the gentleman said to be at the Widow Peasley's) be presented to the convention, and they would nominate him. Were Messrs. Bascom and Botcher going to act the part

h ballot was announced,

nderson of Kingston has

has . . . . 337 The Ho

on has

blood could stand the atmosphere no longer, were known to have left the hall! Aha! the secret is out, if anybody could hear it. At the end of every ballot several individuals emerg

t to come in and see th

: "I am F

e ballot, and all you'll have to do is to drop it in th

earance of th

d his result is sixty-one. Fifteen are absent, getting food or-something else. Fifteen vote over again. But, as the human brain is prone to error, and there ar

latform and shakes his fist in General Doby's face, and Gene

on by desperation and thoughts of a 'dolce far nient

A little of it is all right-the boys understand that; but have you thought what it means t

r which we have seen w

remark of the arch-rebel. "Do you think

t way to me,"

th a glance of contempt at the general; "he's lost about fift

. Jane c

ice, "and don't have a fit here. All the brains in this hall are in Hilary's room. When he's re

ceived Senator Whitredge, returned from the Pelican. But the advice -if any-the president of the Northeastern has given the senator is not forthcoming in practice. Mr. Flint, any more than Ulysses himself, cannot

watching at the back of the hall and in the street, for the first glimpse of the dreaded figure of Mr. Thomas Gaylord. "Let 'em yell;" cou

s, Marconi-like, penetrates the storm, and is already on the floor. Mr. Widgeon and Mr. Redbrook are pushing their way towards the door. The conference, emboldened by terror, marches in a body into the little room, and surrounds the calml

urable Adam, but were not two gentlemen who should be nameless carrying the joke a little too far? Mr. Vane unquestionabl

moved, "I have not seen Mr. Bascom or Mr. Botcher sinc

ation,-and a painful silence. The thing must be said

te-a dark horse. The moment was favourable, the convention demoralized, and at least one h

ed the door to shut out the noise, and tu

dark horse?"

ach other, and there was a silence. For some inexplicabl

lary pointed at t

understand you have bee

orders to sit

d the Senator, "yo

s to sit down there

enator, "Mr. Flint's

ster Bill Fleeting of Brampton, his genial face aflame with excitement and streaming with perspirati

ain't likely to be. Jim Scudder, the station-master at Wye, is here on credential

ce stared at the Honourable Hilary, who seemed to have forgotten their presence; for he had moved h

e for the bar of light that streamed in from the

y!" he

wood table. Mr. Vane still sat by the window. The senator turned and closed the door, and read from a paper in his han

rable Giles Henderson of

Hunt of Edmundton has .

we of Leith

derson is nom

said Mr

elieve in you-but we didn't have all the threads in our hands, and-for reasons w

omentous news, and solicitous over the result of his explanation, that

r God's sake, what's th

aid Mr. Vane, slowl

and incomprehensible words should have puzzl

art!" he

heart," s

ed for the ice-wa

a glass, "it's only the heat-i

victory he had ever won. Offices were secure once more, the feudal system intact, and rebels justly punished

t trembled and spilled it. And it was the senator, after all, who first recovered his presence of mind. He set down the water, pushed his way through the group into the hall, where the tumult and the shouting die. Mr. G

once more, where they are gathered speechless about Hilary Vane. And

aid, "and I have been here all day, at the r

ste

ilary wh

the doctor. "And now, gent

im in the wild rumours that fly from mouth to mouth as the hall empties. Rushing in against the tide outpouring, tall, stern, vigorous, is a young man whom many recognize, whose name is on many lips a

" said M

, Ju

m here. Take me h

nced at Dr

e doctor; "we will ta