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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 57137 ***
+
+
+
+Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this
+      file which includes the original illustrations.
+      See 57137-h.htm or 57137-h.zip:
+      (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/57137/57137-h/57137-h.htm)
+      or
+      (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/57137/57137-h.zip)
+
+
+      Images of the original pages are available through
+      Internet Archive. See
+      https://archive.org/details/barrywynnoradven00bart
+
+
+
+
+
+BARRY WYNN
+
+Or
+The Adventures of a Page Boy in the United States Congress
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+[Illustration: Barry stood for a moment undecided which way to turn
+
+_See page 6_]
+
+
+
+
+BARRY WYNN
+
+Or
+The Adventures of a Page Boy in the United States Congress
+
+by
+
+GEORGE BARTON
+
+Author of "The Mystery of Cleverly," "Adventures
+of the World's Greatest Detectives," etc.
+
+Illustrated by John Huybers
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: Logo]
+
+Boston
+Small, Maynard and Company
+Publishers
+
+Copyright, 1912
+by Small, Maynard and Company
+(Incorporated)
+
+Entered at Stationers' Hall
+
+The University Press, Cambridge, U. S. A.
+
+
+
+TO
+HERBERT AND GEORGE
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+CHAPTER                             PAGE
+    I UNDER THE BIG DOME               1
+
+   II THE NAVAL REPAIR STATION        13
+
+  III THE NEW PAGE                    28
+
+   IV VISIONS OF GREATNESS            45
+
+    V A WINK AND A NOD                56
+
+   VI HUDSON STRIKES A SNAG           70
+
+  VII BARRY STUMBLES                  87
+
+ VIII AN UNEXPECTED MOVE             100
+
+   IX ON THE TRAIL OF JOE HART       112
+
+    X SUSPENSE                       128
+
+   XI DISCORD AND DEFEAT             138
+
+  XII SMITHERS TO THE RESCUE         153
+
+ XIII A LITTLE PILGRIMAGE            168
+
+  XIV BARRY FALLS A SECOND TIME      183
+
+   XV BARRY REDEEMS HIMSELF          199
+
+  XVI A CALL OF THE HOUSE            213
+
+ XVII THE MISSING BILL               231
+
+XVIII RUMORS OF WAR                  243
+
+  XIX SORELY TEMPTED                 252
+
+   XX HUDSON PLAYS POLITICS          267
+
+  XXI CONWAY MAKES A HIT             279
+
+ XXII PROOF CONCLUSIVE               287
+
+XXIII WHAT BARRY OVERHEARD           296
+
+ XXIV THE LAST STAND                 309
+
+  XXV A RACE AGAINST TIME            323
+
+ XXVI THE HOME COMING                340
+
+
+
+
+ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+
+Barry stood for a moment undecided which way to
+turn _See page 6_                            _Frontispiece_
+
+"I want you to make a solemn promise to me"      _Page_ 126
+
+His eyes were never removed from the boy's face
+for a moment                                       "    264
+
+The young page boy was enjoying it to the fullest  "    332
+_See page 331_
+
+
+BARRY WYNN
+OR
+THE ADVENTURES OF A PAGE BOY IN THE
+UNITED STATES CONGRESS
+
+
+
+
+BARRY WYNN
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+UNDER THE BIG DOME
+
+
+Barry Wynn grabbed the rail of the day coach of the Washington Express
+and swung himself on to the platform of the car with the ease and
+enthusiasm of a healthy boy of fifteen. The world had suddenly expanded
+for him and he was aglow with life and vitality. He had been appointed a
+page in the National House of Representatives, and now, in response to a
+telegram from Congressman Carlton, he was about to go to the Capitol to
+take the oath of office and assume the duties of his position.
+
+His heart was swelling with the thought of the big things in the future.
+He had studied the history of his country in the Cleverly schools and he
+had also an intelligent idea of the great organization which we call the
+United States Government. He had not neglected to read the debates of
+Congress in the daily newspapers and now he was to be in the midst of
+great events, to be a part of our great central law-making machine at
+Washington. He was dwelling on this thought when his attention was
+attracted by a voice from the crowd on the platform.
+
+"Barry! Barry!" it shouted above the puffing of the locomotive, "Wait a
+minute."
+
+The call came from Mr. Smithers who had been his school teacher and who
+now was also the President of the local Board of Trade. Barry leaned
+over the platform and Mr. Smithers, making his way through the throng,
+handed the boy a bulky manilla envelope fastened with rubber bands.
+
+"Give this to Congressman Carlton as soon as you arrive in Washington,"
+he said.
+
+"All right," replied Barry.
+
+"Be careful with it," continued the man; "it contains a matter of vital
+importance to the people of Cleverly."
+
+"You can depend on me," was the confident response.
+
+The conductor gave the final warning, the bell began to clang, and the
+train steamed out of the station with Barry standing on the platform
+waving good-bye to his faithful friends. His eyes were so dimmed with
+tears that could not be suppressed that he scarcely recognized the
+upturned faces that were shedding their good will upon him in such
+generous measure. One exception to this was his mother. She seemed to
+stand out from the crowd, fluttering a little lace handkerchief until
+the station at Cleverly became a mere speck in the distance.
+
+The journey in itself was uneventful, although it furnished constant
+interest and amusement for the boy who was about to get his first large
+view of the world. Thoughtful ones at home had provided him with a
+dainty box of lunch, and before long he was attacked with the pangs of
+hunger and devoured every last scrap of the cake and fruit and
+sandwiches.
+
+Finally, after a ride of nine or ten hours the city of Washington began
+to come in view. The outlying section was not very inviting, but as the
+train came near to its destination the view improved. A sudden turning
+of the train brought the magnificent dome of the Capitol into the range
+of his vision. Barry gasped with wonder and delight. It was as though
+some magician had waved his wand over vacant space and suddenly brought
+the wonderful creation into being. In all of the time he was in
+Washington Barry never lost his sense of delight at each recurring sight
+of that noble specimen of architecture. To him the solidity and beauty
+of the Capitol seemed symbolic of the strength and splendor of the
+Republic.
+
+As the train came nearer and nearer to the new Union Station the boy was
+enabled to get a closer view of the great structure which stood outlined
+on the horizon in all of its majestic proportions. He had an instinctive
+sense of the beautiful and the symmetrical pile of marble filled him
+with an unexplainable joy. The main building, with its two finely
+designed wings, more than realized Barry's anticipations. But it was
+the dome rather than the Capitol itself, which kept him under its magic
+spell. He felt for the first time the full force of the poet's words,
+that "a thing of beauty is a joy forever." The vaulted roof of the
+rotunda, with its gradual swelling sprang into the air so gracefully
+that one could hardly look upon it as a thing of iron and steel and
+marble. And overtopping it all was the colossal statue of Freedom,
+typifying everything for which the Republic was founded and maintained.
+
+The cry of "All out for Washington" brought to an end Barry's
+meditations, and also announced the fact that he had finally reached his
+destination. He picked up his suitcase and hastened out of the train and
+into the great Union Station which burst upon his astonished vision like
+another scene from the Arabian Nights. It was so great and so impressive
+that it fairly took his breath away. In a few minutes he was seated in a
+trolley car and on his way toward the Capitol. He was so eager to see
+everything that was to be seen on the way that he almost twisted his
+neck out of shape. In a very short time the car reached the foot of the
+hill where the great edifice is located. When Barry alighted he stood
+for a moment undecided which way to turn. There seemed to be all sorts
+of entrances to the building. He chose the nearest one, which led him to
+the basement of the great structure. Looking about, he saw an elevator
+standing with the door invitingly open. Without further ado, he hustled
+into the door. The attendant turned to him with a smile:
+
+"Have you got your credentials?" he asked, tauntingly.
+
+"My credentials," retorted Barry; "what do you mean?"
+
+"I simply want to know whether you are a member of the Supreme Court."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Because this elevator is for the exclusive use of members of the
+Supreme Court."
+
+And so it proved to be. Barry turned aside a little bit confused at his
+first lesson in American democracy. Finally he found an elevator that
+was used by the public. He boarded it and in a few minutes found himself
+standing in the centre of the rotunda of the Capitol. It is, as most
+boys are aware, the great hall which stands in the centre of the Capitol
+between the House of Representatives and the United States Senate.
+
+Barry set his suitcase on the floor and gazed up at the interior of the
+vast dome, spellbound with wonder and delight. The light, coming through
+the windows of the great ceiling, revealed a wilderness of art. In the
+very centre he beheld the marvelous allegorical fresco called the
+"Apotheosis of Washington." Beneath this were designs in panels and
+medallions showing Raleigh, Columbus, Cabot, La Salle, and the other
+great characters that Barry had studied about in school, and below these
+he gazed on a series of brilliant pictures showing scenes in the
+Revolutionary war.
+
+How long he remained there in this attitude of wrapt admiration he
+could not tell, but when he glanced down at the floor to look for his
+suitcase, he found that it was gone. He rushed over to a gray-coated
+guide:
+
+"Did you see anything of my suitcase?" he cried in alarm.
+
+"Your suitcase," smiled the man; "I didn't know you had one."
+
+"I had a minute ago," said Barry; "I set it on the floor here and now it
+is gone."
+
+"Where could it go to if you had it by your side?"
+
+"Why, I was looking at the pictures in the ceiling," said the agitated
+boy, "and someone must have crept along and stolen it."
+
+"Well, I didn't see anything of it," was the calm response.
+
+In despair, Barry ran from one person to another until the marble space
+below the dome was a scene of unusual excitement. In the midst of the
+agitation a bright-looking, well-dressed young man came striding across
+the hallway leading from the House of Representatives. He noticed the
+stir, and something about Barry's manner attracted him. He went up to
+the boy and said in kindly tones:
+
+"What's the trouble, my son?"
+
+Barry explained as best he could.
+
+"Do you expect to meet someone here?" asked the stranger.
+
+"I do. I was to report to Congressman Carlton."
+
+"Why, I know him well," was the comment of the young man. "He is one of
+my best friends. We will have to see if we can't recover your suitcase
+for you."
+
+At that moment the alert young man happened to see a red-headed
+youngster peeping from behind one of the pillars that supported the
+dome. Instantly he understood the situation.
+
+"Joe," he called, in authoritative tones, "come here at once."
+
+Joe, thus called, responded obediently. The stranger took Barry by the
+arm, and pointing to the other, said:
+
+"This is Mr. Joseph Hart, one of the pages of the House of
+Representatives. Joseph, I want you to meet Mr. Barry Wynn, who is to
+become your associate."
+
+"Hello," said Joe.
+
+"How are you?" greeted Barry, taking the outstretched hand.
+
+"Joe," continued the gentleman, "get the young man his property."
+
+Very sheepishly Joe went behind the pillar and, bringing out the
+suitcase, handed it to Barry.
+
+"Now, I will introduce myself," said the stranger, with an engaging
+smile. "My name is Felix Conway. I am the correspondent of a New York
+newspaper, and if you ever need any assistance while you are in
+Washington, don't fail to call on me."
+
+"Thank you," was the grateful reply, "I am not likely to forget you."
+
+"Now, Joe," said the correspondent, turning to the second boy again,
+"why did you take Mr. Wynn's suitcase?"
+
+Joe gazed at the floor in an embarrassed manner for a moment and then,
+raising his head, said defiantly:
+
+"I couldn't help it. He looked so green that I simply couldn't resist
+hiding his bag."
+
+"Well," said Mr. Conway, "if you hope to be respected in this world,
+you'll have to resist a good many temptations."
+
+At this point in the conversation, Congressman Carlton, of all persons
+in the world, came along. He recognized Barry at once, and going over,
+shook his hand warmly. He also talked pleasantly with Mr. Conway
+concerning matters in which they were both interested.
+
+"Barry," he said, finally, "I'm awfully busy this afternoon, but I'm
+going to put you in care of Joe Hart here. He'll take you to a pleasant
+boarding-house and see that you are properly installed. Report to me
+here in the Capitol at ten o'clock in the morning. In the meantime, Joe
+will post you on your duties. You will find him a very nice boy."
+
+"Yes," said Barry, gazing at Joe somewhat skeptically, "I suppose I will
+find him to be a very nice boy."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+THE NAVAL REPAIR STATION
+
+
+Mr. Carlton had only gone a few yards when Barry suddenly remembered the
+bulky manilla envelope that had been entrusted to his care as the train
+was leaving Cleverly. He ran after the Congressman and handed him the
+package. Mr. Carlton opened it in the boy's presence and his eyes
+lighted with pleasure.
+
+"It's just what I've been waiting for, Conway," he said to his newspaper
+friend.
+
+"Good; then you can present the whole business to the Secretary today."
+
+"Precisely; that's what I intend to do."
+
+"Suppose you take Barry along with you," suggested the correspondent.
+
+"A good idea. I might want to send for some papers."
+
+"Would he know where to go?" asked Conway, laughingly. "You know he's a
+stranger in a strange land."
+
+"That's easily fixed," smiled the Congressman.
+
+"How?"
+
+"We'll take Joe along as a guide for Barry."
+
+The two men and boys boarded a Pennsylvania Avenue trolley and were soon
+proceeding to the other end of the thoroughfare.
+
+"My boy," said Mr. Carlton to Barry, "I think we might as well take you
+into our confidence."
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Years ago, when your father and I were young men we conceived the idea
+that the Government should build a great naval supply station at
+Cleverly. He even went so far as to draw up rough plans. But the time
+was not ripe for it and the notion was abandoned. Since your good
+father's death there have been spasmodic attempts to revive the plan,
+but they never amounted to anything. Now, however, the conditions are
+all favorable, and I believe that with a little strategy and a great
+deal of industry, I can win the fight and make Cleverly a household name
+in the United States instead of a mere speck on the map."
+
+"That would be splendid," cried Barry, his eyes glowing with pleasure.
+
+"The big secret," continued the Congressman, "is the fact that the
+Government is now ready to act."
+
+"Do you mean that they're going to build a station at Cleverly?" asked
+Barry, excitedly.
+
+Mr. Carlton laughed.
+
+"No; hardly that. I mean that the officials of the Government who have
+charge of our Navy have decided that we need a new Naval Repair Station.
+It remains for Congress to say where the station shall be located and to
+appropriate the money to pay for it. Now, I think, and Mr. Conway
+thinks, too, that the City of Cleverly can furnish the ideal site for
+this station."
+
+"I don't suppose," chimed in the journalist, "that Barry can have much
+interest in the subject."
+
+"Yes, I have," exclaimed the boy; "I think it's real exciting."
+
+Both men laughed at the boy's enthusiasm.
+
+"The excitement," observed the journalist, "will come when it becomes
+known that the Government intends to build the new station."
+
+"When will it become known?"
+
+"Very soon, I think. Mr. Carlton is going to have an interview with the
+Secretary of the Navy this afternoon. A great deal depends on the result
+of that talk."
+
+Little Joe Hart had been listening to the conversation with great
+intentness. He looked up now with a comical twist of the mouth.
+
+"Mr. Conway," he exclaimed, with mock seriousness, "you can depend on my
+support."
+
+They all laughed heartily at this sally. Mr. Carlton turned to the
+newspaper man:
+
+"You see," he said, "we have two young gentlemen with us already."
+
+"Yes," was the retort, "but, unfortunately, they have no votes."
+
+"They will have some day," commented the Congressman soberly, "and I
+hope they will exercise that power for the good of the country."
+
+By this time the car had reached the Treasury Department and was going
+around the massive pile of granite which houses the officials and the
+employees who look after the finances of the nation. Mr. Carlton and his
+friends alighted at the next corner and walked the remainder of the
+distance to their destination. They passed the White House, the modest
+looking dwelling which is the home of the President of the United
+States. Barry looked at it curiously.
+
+"What do you think of it?" asked Mr. Conway.
+
+Barry hesitated.
+
+"Come out with it," insisted the journalist.
+
+"Well," said the boy reluctantly, "it doesn't look much."
+
+Mr. Conway laughed.
+
+"That's the opinion of most strangers. But as you grow older you will
+realize that it typifies the strength and simplicity of the people. We
+have wealth enough to give the President a palace that would rival the
+homes of the sovereigns of Europe, but, thank goodness, we haven't the
+desire."
+
+The large stone building, which is the headquarters of the State, War
+and Navy Departments, was now in sight. As they walked up the high steps
+of the main entrance, Barry and the journalist found themselves
+temporarily separated from Mr. Carlton and Joe Hart. It gave Mr. Conway
+an opportunity of speaking of the Congressman.
+
+"He's one of nature's noblemen," he said, fervently. "I've been here
+many years," he added, "and I've seen public men come and go, but I
+never met a cleaner, abler man than John Carlton. Only his modesty has
+prevented him from being the leader of Congress. He's as clean as a
+hound's tooth, but he would no more boast of his integrity, than he
+would brag of saying his prayers. He takes it as a matter of course. He
+despises grafters, but he also detests self-sufficient reformers who are
+forever flaunting their virtues in the face of the public. But," with a
+laugh, "I'm afraid I'm talking over your head, Barry."
+
+"Not at all," retorted the boy. "I know just what you mean; and,
+besides, I love to hear anyone talk about Mr. Carlton. He was my
+father's best friend. That's why he had me appointed a page boy. He says
+it will give me a chance to see life and mix with big people and that it
+may lead to something better."
+
+"That's true, and I think that even in your modest position you may be
+very useful to him."
+
+"I hope so. He seems very much interested in the Naval Repair Station."
+
+"It's the biggest thing he has ever attempted. If he succeeds the people
+of Cleverly will never forget him. It will mean that he will not have
+to fight for re-election at the end of every two years. In short it will
+be a monument to him."
+
+At the head of the steps the two were joined by Mr. Carlton and Joe
+Hart. They proceeded along the corridor and then up another flight of
+stairs and presently were ushered into the office of the Secretary of
+the Navy. The two boys seated themselves on a leather covered sofa near
+the door, while the Congressman and Mr. Conway walked up to a desk where
+a young man was writing. He greeted them pleasantly, took their cards
+and disappeared into a smaller apartment in the rear of the large room.
+He returned in a few moments followed by an older man. The newcomer
+hurried over to where the Congressman was standing.
+
+"Hello, Carlton," he cried, cheerily, "I'm glad to see you."
+
+"The pleasure is mutual, Mr. Secretary," smiled the statesman.
+
+"And you too, Conway," exclaimed the cabinet officer, extending his
+hand to the newspaper man.
+
+The three of them took chairs. The Secretary looked at his visitors
+inquiringly.
+
+"What's in the wind?" he asked, in his affable way. "It must be
+important when a Congressman and a journalist call together."
+
+"It is," said Mr. Carlton, soberly. "It's about the proposed new Naval
+Repair Station."
+
+"So that's got out, has it?" he remarked, musingly.
+
+"Well, it's not exactly public property, but we've learned enough to
+know that Congress will take up the matter at this session."
+
+"Really, it's no secret," admitted the Secretary, "and I'm frank enough
+to say that we need it very badly at this time. What's the use of
+spending millions of dollars in creating a first-class Navy unless we
+keep the battleships in first-class condition. We have a number of good
+navy yards, but we could use an additional Naval Repair Station to great
+advantage."
+
+"I know that, and I'm going to offer a bill in Congress at an early
+day."
+
+"You are?"
+
+"I am, and I would naturally like to have the support of the
+Department."
+
+"Of course," said the Secretary, hesitatingly, "it would be impossible
+to pledge myself in advance."
+
+"I understand that perfectly," was the prompt reply. "I have been on the
+Naval Committee of the House long enough to know that these things must
+come up in an orderly manner and go through the regular channels."
+
+"Certainly, certainly," echoed the cabinet officer, relieved to know
+that he was not going to be asked to depart from the usual method of
+procedure.
+
+"I came today," continued the Congressman, "to show you a set of plans
+that have been prepared for a Naval Repair Station at Cleverly. I don't
+want to go at this matter blindly. I want you to look at our papers. Of
+course, later on they will be submitted to any Board of Experts that you
+may see fit to appoint."
+
+"I'm sure that I would be delighted to look them over," was the quick
+response.
+
+Thereupon Mr. Carlton drew forth the bulky envelope that had been
+entrusted to Barry on his departure from Cleverly. The Secretary became
+interested at once. In order to get a better view of the papers the
+three men walked over to a large flat-top table in the centre of the
+room. Here the blue prints were spread out and held down with
+paperweights in order that they might be intelligently studied. The
+Congressman, who knew his subject by heart, explained the advantages to
+be gained by locating the station at Cleverly. The Secretary asked many
+questions, which were answered promptly, satisfactorily and with
+confidence.
+
+"How much of an appropriation did you think of asking for?"
+
+"A million dollars," replied the Congressman.
+
+"That would not pay the entire cost of the station," said the
+Secretary.
+
+"No; but it would answer all present needs. Additions could be made from
+time to time."
+
+Presently the Secretary pressed a button and a messenger appeared.
+
+"Tell the Admiral I would like to see him at his convenience," he said.
+
+In a few minutes an old gentleman, with snow white hair and moustache
+and ruddy cheeks, entered. He was faultlessly, almost nattily, dressed
+and he had an alertness about him which suggested that he might have
+discovered the fountain of eternal youth, whose source had been so
+vainly sought by the gallant Ponce de Leon.
+
+"That's the Admiral," whispered Joe to Barry from his secluded corner of
+the leather sofa.
+
+"What? The real Admiral?"
+
+"Sure."
+
+"Where's his cocked hat and his sword and his uniform?"
+
+"Oh, say," cried Joe, disgusted at such evident lack of knowledge, "he
+doesn't wear them in his office."
+
+"Where does he wear them?"
+
+"When he's fighting--on the quarter deck of his flagship."
+
+"He doesn't look like a fighter."
+
+This was too much for Mr. Joseph Hart. He stuffed his handkerchief in
+his mouth to keep from screaming. He butted his head against the
+cushioned back of the sofa, and he performed various other silent, but
+none the less effective, gymnastic exercises. After he had exhausted his
+merriment, he turned to the Cleverly boy and said, reproachfully:
+
+"Can he fight? Why that man sunk the entire navy of a great European
+nation in about twenty minutes."
+
+"Twenty minutes?" gasped Barry, awe stricken.
+
+"It was less than that," cried Joe, following up his advantage, "it
+happened this way. The Admiral was taking breakfast in the cabin of his
+vessel with some friends. He took a sip of his coffee and then said,
+'please excuse me.' He went up on deck, and in a few minutes he returned
+to finish his coffee, saying, 'ha, I'm glad that's done.'"
+
+"What had he done?" asked Barry.
+
+"Sunk the Spanish navy."
+
+"He doesn't act like a ferocious man."
+
+"Real fighters never do," said Joe.
+
+In the meantime the newcomer had joined the Secretary of the Navy and
+had been presented to the Congressman and the journalist. He was asked
+to examine the plans. He did so, at first in a perfunctory manner. But
+presently he became interested, and went over the blue prints with
+greater care. Finally he began to ask questions.
+
+"Where would you put the dry dock?" he queried.
+
+"Right there," replied the Congressman, indicating the spot with the tip
+of his little finger.
+
+"This looks as if it might be a fresh water basin," suggested the
+Admiral.
+
+"It is."
+
+"And yet you are near the ocean."
+
+"Within two miles of it."
+
+Presently the Admiral finished his inspection of the plans. He leaned
+back in his chair, with his eyes half closed. The other three men looked
+at him intently. His expert opinion was of the highest value.
+
+"Well," said the Secretary, finally, "what do you think of it?"
+
+"Splendid," was the reply. "It looks as if it had been carved by nature
+for our present needs."
+
+Five minutes later the Congressman was on his way back to the Capitol.
+He was bubbling over with good humor. He put his hand on Barry Wynn's
+shoulder:
+
+"We've got a bully start, Barry," he said. "I do believe you're going to
+be my mascot."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+THE NEW PAGE
+
+
+After a few minutes at the Capitol with Congressman Carlton, Barry found
+himself walking along the streets of Washington with Master Joe Hart,
+who had graciously volunteered to pilot him to his boarding house, which
+was located on a street radiating from one of the avenues surrounding
+the Treasury Department. It was some distance from the hall of the House
+of Representatives, but as Barry desired to see as much of the city as
+possible, they walked instead of taking a trolley car.
+
+The two boys made the trip by way of Pennsylvania Avenue, and at every
+turn in that noble thoroughfare, Barry found himself gasping with
+undisguised admiration. Joe Hart, who had lived in Washington for a
+number of years, and who was old in the ways of the world, seemed
+greatly amused at the frank astonishment of his companion; in fact,
+Master Joe indulged in a good deal of sarcasm. He told Barry that if he
+did not stop looking up at the buildings, he would get a kink in the
+neck and that would disbar him from the position as page in Congress. He
+wanted to know how crops were coming on "down home"; whether they were
+having much rain in Cleverly, and finally asked him if this year's corn
+would be equal to the kind that was grown last year. Barry took all of
+this with perfect good nature. He realized that Joe was worldly-wise,
+and that his manners were not as good as they might be, but something
+about the Washington boy attracted him mightily.
+
+Finally they reached the boarding house. It was a three-story brick
+house with an air of genteel decay about it. Joe, who had a latch key,
+walked in without knocking. As they passed the parlor an elderly lady,
+who stood at the window, approached them.
+
+"Mrs. Johnson," said Hart, "this is Barry Wynn, who is to live here for
+a little while."
+
+The lady approached Barry with a smile and shook hands with him
+cordially.
+
+"Mr. Carlton has been telling me about you," she said graciously, "and I
+think I can give you a third story back room that will suit your
+purposes."
+
+"Thank you," said Barry.
+
+"If you will come this way I will show you the room."
+
+The boarding house mistress and the two boys walked to the third story
+and looked at the room that had been assigned to Barry. It was plainly
+but neatly furnished. The outlook was very pleasant, because for a
+distance of many blocks there were no buildings to obstruct the view,
+and most of the surrounding plots were tastefully laid out in grass and
+flowers. Barry learned later that the cause of this unusually luxurious
+outlook was a public park which was almost on the edge of Mrs. Johnson's
+dwelling.
+
+"I can give you this room, with board," said Mrs. Johnson, interrupting
+the boy's musings, "for six dollars a week."
+
+It seemed like a large sum to Barry, but he said bravely, and with a
+show of cheerfulness: "All right, Mrs. Johnson; I'll take it."
+
+Supper at the Johnson boarding house was a very modest meal, and after
+it was over Barry and Joe went out, in order that the new boy might have
+some idea of the national capital in the evening. Barry found that the
+city was well paved and well lighted. It was all very interesting, but
+he had traveled a great distance that day and the excitement of the
+occasion served to add to the fatigue, so that when he heard a
+neighboring clock strike ten, he intimated a desire to go to bed. Joe
+was quite willing, and in a little while the two boys had retired for
+the night. Barry slept soundly, but his dreams were a strange mixture of
+trains, and boarding houses, and domes, and page boys, and Joe Harts.
+
+He arose early in the morning very much refreshed. He learned that the
+House of Representatives would not meet until noon, but at the
+suggestion of his friend and mentor, he decided to go to the Capitol
+early in the day, in order to take the oath of office and to get
+acquainted with the duties of a page boy.
+
+At nine o'clock he found himself in the office of the Clerk of the House
+of Representatives. The clerk was an elderly gentleman with a beard, and
+he treated Barry very kindly.
+
+"I've heard of you, Wynn," he said. "John Carlton says that he wants us
+to take good care of you, and you can wager all you're worth we are only
+too glad to do anything that Carlton desires."
+
+Barry bowed and blushed. He did not know exactly what to say to this
+tribute to his friend.
+
+"I suppose," resumed the clerk, "that you are ready to be sworn in?"
+
+"Yes, sir; I am."
+
+"By the way, how old are you?" asked the clerk.
+
+Barry looked at him in a startled way.
+
+Was he to run up against a snag? His lips trembled in spite of himself.
+
+"Is there an age limit for page boys?" he asked.
+
+"Yes," was the response; "under the law, they must be over twelve years
+old."
+
+Barry heaved a sigh of relief.
+
+"I have just celebrated my fifteenth birthday!"
+
+"Good," was the reply. "Now, if you will hold up your right hand I will
+administer the oath of office."
+
+Barry held up his right hand impressively.
+
+"Now," said the clerk, "repeat what I say."
+
+"All right, sir."
+
+Then the clerk recited, and Barry repeated the following form:
+
+
+     "I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the
+     Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and
+     domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same;
+     that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation
+     or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully
+     discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter."
+
+
+"It sounds very solemn, doesn't it?" commented Joe Hart.
+
+"It sounds solemn and it is solemn," said the clerk. "It is the oath
+that everybody takes on entering the service of the United States
+Government. To break that oath, or to fail to fulfil its obligations
+would be little less than treason."
+
+As they were turning away, Barry suddenly remembered something.
+
+"Might I inquire how much pay I am to receive?"
+
+"Certainly," said the clerk, "you will receive $2.50 a day while
+Congress is in session."
+
+Barry could scarcely believe his ears. He had never dreamt that he would
+receive so much money. He mentally calculated what this would amount to
+in the course of a month, and then figured out how much money he would
+be able to send his mother after he had paid his board and refunded the
+money which Congressman Carlton had advanced for his railroad fare to
+Washington. The result must have been gratifying, because his face
+beamed like a new moon.
+
+After this Joe took Barry through the Capitol in order that he might
+become familiar with the place. They passed through the corridors of the
+Senate Chamber and then down stairs where Joe pointed out the House and
+Senate restaurant.
+
+"If you are sent to find a member and don't know where to go, always try
+the restaurant first," said the humorous one.
+
+"Very well," replied Barry, seriously, "I will remember what you say."
+
+"Now," said Joe, with an air of dignity, "I will take you up and
+introduce you to the Speaker of the House."
+
+And so he did with all of the assurance in the world. The Speaker
+greeted Barry very kindly. He was a benevolent looking gentleman,
+without any pretense at greatness. He shook hands with the boy very
+cordially.
+
+"I am glad to meet you," he said. "I am always glad to meet boys. You
+know," with a smile, "I was once a boy myself. If you want to be a
+success here, be attentive. Make up your mind that a member will not
+have to call you twice. Do that and you will be popular. Be economical,
+too. To save is good for all boys, and you should try to save most of
+your salary. I am an old man now and I am rich, but I can't help being
+economical, because it has become a habit with me. I might go to the
+finest hotel in the city and eat a heavy dinner, but I don't do it. I go
+over to a lunch place near the Capitol and have a sandwich and a glass
+of milk, and maybe a piece of pie, and I am perfectly satisfied. If you
+are economical when you are young, you will acquire all the money you
+need to keep you later on in life, and you can acquire it honestly, too,
+and that will make you feel very comfortable."
+
+"I think I will make good," ventured Barry, shyly.
+
+"My boy," said the Speaker, pointing a stubby forefinger at him, "if you
+are frugal and industrious, you are bound to succeed. These are two
+homely virtues that ought to be cultivated by every boy in the land, but
+unfortunately they are not. You will find as you go on in years that
+contentment does not consist of great wealth, but rather of few wants.
+Make up your mind that you will have regular habits; that you will take
+daily exercise; that you will be clean, and that you will be moderate in
+all things, and there is nobody in the world that can prevent you from
+being a success."
+
+"I'm sure I'll do the best I can," said Barry.
+
+"Of course you will," cried the Speaker, "but make up your mind that
+idleness is one of the seven deadly sins, and then you will be sure to
+be prosperous and happy."
+
+He pulled out his watch and started away.
+
+"I'm afraid that I'll have to be going, or I won't be able to get
+through with my work. If I can ever do anything for you, let me know."
+
+After leaving the Speaker, Barry was presented to the head doorkeeper,
+who was to be his official superior. He did not waste many words with
+the boys.
+
+"I suppose you're ready to go to work?"
+
+"Yes," Barry said, "I am."
+
+"Well, start in," he remarked, "and fill and clean the ink wells on the
+desks of the members."
+
+Barry did not have any false pride, but this took him somewhat by
+surprise. Joe's talk had given him the impression that he was to be a
+statesman almost at once, but now he had come down to earth and was to
+fill ink wells. For the moment his hope of glory went glimmering, but he
+had the right stuff in him, and he was soon at work carrying out the
+orders of his chief. He did it well, too. He polished the ink wells
+until they were spotless, and he made sure not to drop any of the ink on
+the desks of the members. He was reassured also by the fact that one or
+two other boys were doing the same work. One of them, he noticed, was
+doing it very carelessly.
+
+By this time the members began to assemble for the daily session. They
+strolled in the various doorways, singly and in groups. Some of them
+went to their desks and began writing; others stood in groups chatting
+and discussing subjects in which they were interested. The doorkeeper
+permitted no one to enter except members or specially privileged
+persons. The clock pointed to a few minutes of twelve. The Speaker
+ascended to the rostrum and took his seat back of the white marble desk,
+which was on a platform about four feet above the floor. To the right of
+his desk was the pedestal which bore the famous mace, the symbol of
+authority. It was a bundle of black rods bound with bands of silver and
+surmounted by a silver eagle. Barry was informed by his young friend
+that the Sergeant-at-Arms, in executing the orders of the Speaker, was
+required to bear this mace aloft before him.
+
+Glancing up, the new page noticed a number of men coming into a gallery
+directly over the Speaker's desk. One of them he recognized as Felix
+Conway, the journalist who had spoken to him so kindly on his first
+arrival at the Capitol. He guessed directly that this was the press
+gallery for the reporters who were there to take down the proceedings of
+the House, and send them out broadcast to the millions of readers of the
+newspapers all over the United States.
+
+While he was standing there staring at the gallery, he was brought to
+himself by a sound from the Speaker's marble desk. That official was
+tapping his gavel and calling the House to order. The proceedings began
+with a prayer by the Chaplain and then the clerk called the roll of
+members. He had scarcely finished when there were a flood of bills and
+petitions. For the next half hour Barry was kept busy running from one
+member to another, and receiving papers which he handed to the chief
+clerk, who stood at his desk directly beneath the platform of the
+speaker.
+
+The members called the pages by clapping their hands, and if they did
+not get an immediate response, they clapped their hands two or three
+times in succession. The new page did the best he could under the
+circumstances, and he did it very well indeed. After this, bills which
+had been received before and ordered to be printed, were taken up in
+their order on the calendar and debated. In the midst of the talk one of
+the members in the rear of the House jumped to his feet and cried:
+
+"Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn."
+
+Instantly the members were thrown into disorder. Loud voices came from
+all parts of the room. Men talked and gesticulated wildly. A member
+arose and protested against the motion. The Speaker looked at him
+calmly, tapped his gavel on the marble desk, and said:
+
+"The motion to adjourn is not debatable."
+
+In the midst of much excitement the clerk began calling the roll.
+
+"Where's Warrington?" shouted one of the members to another, in a stage
+whisper.
+
+"For goodness' sake, get Warrington before the clerk reaches the W's."
+
+Barry heard this whisper and he acted on it at once. He shot out of the
+hall down the corridor until he came to the stairway which led to the
+House restaurant. A gentleman sat at a table eating a sandwich and
+drinking a glass of milk. He had been pointed out to Barry earlier in
+the day as Congressman Warrington. Barry rushed to him excitedly:
+
+"Mr. Warrington," he cried, "they want you in the House at once."
+
+This message delivered, he hastened back, followed by the member holding
+a half-eaten sandwich in his right hand. The boy turned into the hall of
+the House, the member at his very heels. The monotonous drone of the
+clerk's voice calling the roll could be heard.
+
+"Mr. Warrington," he drawled.
+
+Two members grabbed the bewildered Congressman as he entered the House.
+
+"Vote 'no,'" they cried in chorus.
+
+"I vote 'no,'" called the Congressman in a loud, clear tone.
+
+A burst of applause followed the response. Almost immediately the voice
+of the Speaker could be heard.
+
+"The motion to adjourn is lost," he said, "and the House will continue
+consideration of the General Land Bill."
+
+An hour later the House adjourned and Barry was surrounded by a number
+of men who patted him on the head and bestowed all sorts of compliments
+on him. Presently the Speaker came along and said in an amused tone:
+
+"Is this the boy that found Warrington?"
+
+"The very same," was the response.
+
+The Speaker patted him on the shoulder.
+
+"You're the new boy I met this morning. You've started in right. You
+will be a great statesman some day."
+
+"What was it all about?" said Barry to Joe Hart, as they journeyed
+homeward that evening.
+
+"All about?" ejaculated the wise one, "why you're a hero, and you don't
+know it. If that motion to adjourn had carried, it would have defeated
+one of the most important bills that has ever been presented in
+Congress."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+VISIONS OF GREATNESS
+
+
+When Barry Wynn and Joe Hart reached their Washington home they found
+Mrs. Johnson, the landlady, waiting for them. It did not take Barry long
+to discover that Mrs. Johnson was a very motherly person indeed, and one
+well calculated to take the place of his mother during the time that he
+was compelled to be away from home.
+
+Mrs. Johnson, who was small of stature and very neat in appearance, was
+the widow of a clerk in the Treasury Department. She had been left with
+a large family and small means, but, being a capable woman, had been
+able to survive a crisis which would have shipwrecked the life of a
+weaker woman. Indeed, she had been able to educate her children through
+the profits of her enterprise. She had made a success of a boarding
+house, and in Washington this is saying a great deal.
+
+Dinner was served at half-past six in a large, airy, and well-lighted
+dining-room. The atmosphere of the place was very pleasant and homelike.
+A big glass dish, filled with apple butter, stood in the centre of the
+table, and the mere sight of it filled Barry's mind with memories of
+home. The table was covered with clean linen and held a vase of freshly
+cut flowers. The dinner itself was good. The food was plain but
+wholesome, and the guests were all very friendly with Barry. There were
+nine or ten in all; three of the ladies were school teachers in the
+District of Columbia; two of the men were clerks in the Treasury
+Department, and another one held a position in the Patent Office. He was
+a very lively talker, and he managed to keep the guests at the table in
+a roar of laughter with the funny incidents which came to his attention
+in the course of the day's work.
+
+After dinner most of the guests assembled in the large parlor and
+talked and chatted with all of the freedom that one usually finds in an
+affectionate family circle. One of the school teachers played the piano,
+while the Patent Office clerk, who had a good voice, treated his fellow
+guests to several selections from the popular songs of the day. It was
+all very chummy and very homelike, and Barry, who had feared that he
+might feel like a stranger in a strange land was, on the contrary, quite
+comfortable in his new home.
+
+During the course of the evening Mrs. Johnson had a long conversation
+with him and asked him all sorts of questions concerning his home and
+his mother. She was very much interested in his replies and promised
+that when he returned home Mrs. Wynn would never have any cause to
+regret his selection of a boarding house in Washington. Barry's
+reference to his mother's widowhood brought tears to Mrs. Johnson's
+eyes.
+
+"I had splendid prospects myself once," she said, "but the sudden and
+unexpected death of my husband dashed them to the ground and put me to
+the necessity of earning a living for myself and children. I thank a
+kind Providence that I have been successful, but the struggle has been a
+severe one and I know that it has aged me very much."
+
+"I noticed a picture of President Garfield in the hallway," said Barry.
+"Did you know him?"
+
+"He was one of our best friends," said the widow. "My husband was a
+classmate of President Garfield at Hiram College, and was one of his
+friends and supporters in nearly all of his political campaigns. After
+the General became President, one of his first acts was to appoint my
+husband a clerk in the Treasury Department. That was intended as a
+beginning. We both knew that he was to be promoted to a more important
+position as soon as possible, but Death intervened and that ended it
+all. However, the friendship of the President was deeply appreciated by
+John and myself. He called on us one day soon after he was inaugurated,
+and he was the same big-hearted, unaffected friend that we had known in
+Ohio. I could not help but think of him tonight at dinner. On the
+occasion of his call there was a big bowl of apple butter on the table.
+He called for a helping of home-made bread and then, in his big, boyish
+way, started in and ate the bread and the apple butter. He said that it
+reminded him of the days when he worked on the farm."
+
+At about ten o'clock, during a lull in the conversation, Barry managed
+to leave the parlor unobserved and hurried up to his modest little
+bedroom. He had two reasons for doing this: the first was his desire to
+write a letter to his mother, and the second was the need which he felt
+for a good night's rest. He lit the gas, and was pleased to find a desk
+in the room with pen, ink and paper. On the first night he had only got
+a glimpse of his new quarters, and he now looked around and was
+delighted with the cozy appearance of his apartment. It was perfectly
+clean; the paint seemed fresh, and the paper was new. Two or three
+tastefully framed pictures adorned the walls, and an iron bedstead in
+the corner of the room was covered with a counterpane that was as white
+as snow.
+
+Barry seated himself at the desk and started the letter to his mother.
+He had so much to tell that he scarcely knew where to begin, but
+presently his pen began to scratch the paper and he was fairly started.
+At intervals he paused and bit the end of the penholder, or scratched
+his head, or gazed up at the ceiling, in his efforts to think of the
+proper word that he should use in his correspondence. It proved to be
+quite a lengthy letter. He told his mother all that happened from the
+time he reached Washington until the moment he had begun his epistle. He
+told her about Congressman Carlton, Felix Conway, the journalist, Mrs.
+Johnson, his kind landlady, and last, but not least, he related all that
+he was able to tell about Joe Hart, his fellow page.
+
+After he had concluded he sealed and stamped the letter and carried it
+out and dropped it in a letter box at the corner of the street. He was
+about to prepare to go to bed on his return, when his attention was
+attracted by a modest-looking shelf in one corner of the room. His love
+for reading caused him to make a closer examination. He found that one
+shelf contained a copy of the Bible, a set of Shakespeare in one big
+volume, a history of the United States, a Congressional directory, a
+condensed history of the nations, and a life of James A. Garfield, the
+martyred President of the United States. It seemed to Barry, young as he
+was, that these six volumes might be said to contain a liberal education
+in themselves.
+
+Every one of them was worth careful perusal, but boy-like, he turned to
+the life of Garfield and began to skim it over. Before he realized it he
+was thoroughly absorbed in the volume. He read of the boy who was born
+in poverty, and who, through his own efforts, had risen to the highest
+position in the gift of the American people. The story was a reality to
+Barry Wynn. He could see young Garfield when he was scarcely twelve
+years of age, driving in the cattle, carrying wood, hoeing potatoes,
+building fires, and doing whatever else there was for willing hands to
+do. He could see the future President lying flat on the floor of the
+barn, reading the life of Napoleon, and he could see that same boy
+exclaiming to his mother with youthful enthusiasm: "Mother, when I get
+to be a man, I'm going to be a soldier," and then later on in the book,
+he read about the boy, after he reached manhood, who became one of the
+bravest soldiers in the Civil War.
+
+But the most interesting part of the magic volume, so far as Barry was
+concerned, were the pages that told of the future President of the
+United States working as a mule driver on the narrow banks of the canal.
+Young Garfield once thought that he would like to become a pirate, but
+as his reasoning powers became stronger, he discarded this romantic idea
+and settled down to the unpoetic work of everyday life, and although he
+did not become a pirate, he managed to secure employment on a canal boat
+in his own State, and during his first night's work became involved in a
+quarrel with a bully of a deck hand, and thrashed the fellow within an
+inch of his life. After that, James A. Garfield went to school for a
+while, and finally became a student in Hiram College, Ohio. Later he was
+promoted to the proud position of a teacher in the institution in which
+he had started as a pupil. Barry read on and on, following his hero from
+one position to another, until he reached the Presidency, only to become
+the victim of an assassin's bullet.
+
+Finally Barry reached the last page of this wonderful book, and he laid
+it down with a sigh of relief and yet of regret. He happened to glance
+at the small clock which was ticking on the mantle. It pointed to
+fifteen minutes of two in the morning. It startled the boy. He had no
+idea that the time had passed so rapidly. He undressed quickly and put
+out the light, and was just about to jump into bed when he heard the
+sound of footsteps in the hallway. He opened his door cautiously and as
+he did so he saw Joe Hart going into his room on the other side of the
+corridor. Barry was too sleepy to feel very inquisitive, but in a vague
+sort of way, he thought that Joe Hart was certainly keeping very bad
+hours.
+
+After that he threw himself into bed. He lay thinking for some time. The
+thought of the book he had just read kept running through his mind. One
+sentence in it came to him as clearly as if it had been committed to
+memory. It was an extract from an address which Garfield had delivered
+to the students at Hiram College. The President, on that occasion, had
+said:
+
+
+     "Poverty is uncomfortable, as I can testify, but nine times out of
+     ten the best thing that can happen to a young man is to be tossed
+     overboard and compelled to sink or swim for himself. In all my
+     acquaintance I never knew a man to be drowned who was worth
+     saving."
+
+
+Barry felt, in an incoherent, drowsy way, that he had been tossed
+overboard. He wondered whether he could sink or swim, but before the
+answer came he was sound asleep.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+A WINK AND A NOD
+
+
+At breakfast the next morning Mrs. Johnson informed Barry that
+Congressman Carlton had sent a message to the house requesting that he
+call at his office as early as possible that day. The boy hurried
+through his meal and in a few minutes was swinging down Pennsylvania
+Avenue on his way to the Capitol. Despite his hurry, his eye lingered on
+the various edifices which were springing up on either side indicating
+the beautiful city in store for future generations. Indeed, the charm of
+Washington always remained fresh in Barry's mind.
+
+He learned that Mr. Carlton had his headquarters in the new office
+building of the House of Representatives, which was but a stone's throw
+from the Capitol. In a few minutes the boy was tapping timidly at the
+door opening from one of the marble corridors of the substantial
+building. There was no response and he turned the knob and walked in. He
+found that he was in a suite of rooms, and through the door he could see
+the Congressman seated at his desk in another room.
+
+He paused a moment before announcing himself. John Carlton, absorbed in
+the work before him, presented an interesting study. His smooth-shaven
+face was most attractive, and even in the privacy of his room he did not
+lose that appearance of authority which is carried so well by men who
+mix in the practical affairs of life. A half smile hovered about his
+lips, but at that very moment a kind of sadness showed itself in his
+eyes. He was a combination of the man of imagination and the man of the
+practical world. As he laid down the letter which he had been reading,
+he raised his eyes and saw the boy standing in the doorway.
+
+"Come in, Barry," he exclaimed. "Come in and let me get a good look at
+you."
+
+The new page walked in and stood before the desk very modestly.
+
+"I suppose," said the Congressman, "that you are feeling very big this
+morning?"
+
+Barry looked at him in surprise.
+
+"Why, no," he said, "I don't quite understand you, Mr. Carlton."
+
+The legislator lay back in his chair and laughed with undisguised
+enjoyment.
+
+"I am glad of it. I am heartily glad of it," he said. "It proves that
+there is one person in Washington who is not likely to be afflicted with
+the awful disease which goes down here under the name of 'swelled
+head.'"
+
+The boy's eyes were globular with wonder.
+
+"I don't suppose you know what I am talking about, Barry, do you?"
+
+"No," was the simple response, "I do not."
+
+"Well, I'll tell you," said the Congressman, speaking very slowly. "You
+came mighty near making yourself famous in the House yesterday. Your
+alacrity in bringing Warrington to us was the means of saving a very
+important bill. If he had not come at the time he did, the measure would
+have been delayed and probably beaten. As it was, you helped us to win
+the day. The measure, that is now sure of success, gives the President
+of the United States the right to withdraw certain public lands for the
+benefit of future generations. It is a part of what is popularly known
+as the Conservation Movement."
+
+"I am glad that I was useful," said Barry.
+
+"You are not half so glad as I am," said the Congressman, "and I am
+delighted to know that you take it so sensibly. You simply did your
+duty, and if you continue to do your duty in this modest sort of way I
+know that you will be a success."
+
+The telephone bell rang and Mr. Carlton answered it. As he hung up the
+receiver the boy said:
+
+"I was told that you wanted to see me this morning."
+
+"Yes," said Mr. Carlton, drumming on his desk with his finger tips.
+"Barry, can you work the typewriter?"
+
+"Yes, sir; and I have a good knowledge of stenography, too."
+
+"Well," was the response, "I suppose it may sound a little sentimental,
+but I have written the bill to make an appropriation for the new Naval
+Repair Station at Cleverly, and I want you to run it off on the
+typewriter. You know very well the feeling I had towards your father,
+and I would like to be able to say that you wrote the bill for this big
+improvement in your native town. It's not much, I know, but I thought
+you might like it."
+
+Barry's eyes were glistening. He spoke eagerly:
+
+"I think it's just fine, Mr. Carlton, and I want to assure you that I
+appreciate it very much indeed."
+
+Without further ado, Mr. Carlton gave him the manuscript copy of the
+bill, and Barry, going to a typewriter in a corner of the room, began to
+transcribe the document. While Barry was at work on the machine Mr.
+Carlton began the task of going through his mail. It was no easy job,
+for there were probably a hundred letters on his desk and that merely
+represented one day's crop. He ran an opener through one envelope after
+another and remarked casually as he did so:
+
+"I am waiting for my secretary, Barry. I don't know what keeps him so
+late."
+
+At that moment the door opened and the tall, spare form of Felix Conway,
+the journalist, entered the room. Mr. Carlton pretended to frown:
+
+"You're late, sir."
+
+"Yes, sir," was the reply, with mock humility. "I'm sorry to say, sir,
+that I overslept myself, sir."
+
+At this both men burst into laughter. Barry was so interested and so
+surprised that he forgot to run his typewriter. Mr. Carlton turned and
+noticed the look of amazement on the boy's face.
+
+"It's all right, Barry," he exclaimed. "Mr. Conway is not actually my
+secretary, but he has consented to act the part for the next few weeks.
+My real secretary is ill, and I was in dire need of someone who
+understood legislative and departmental matters when Mr. Conway was good
+enough to step in and help me out in the emergency."
+
+"Yes," laughed the journalist, "and in helping you out, I will only be
+repaying, in a small measure, the many kindnesses you have shown me
+since I came to Washington."
+
+Barry worked slowly on the typewriter, because he was anxious to have
+his first piece of work as accurate as possible, and besides the fact
+that the Congressman and Mr. Conway were engaged in conversation
+distracted him more or less from the task in hand. He could not help but
+overhear the talk that passed between the two men.
+
+For instance, Mr. Carlton pulled a letter from an envelope and after
+reading it, passed it over to the volunteer secretary.
+
+"Here's a man who wants a pass from Boston to Cleverly," he said. "Tell
+him the new Interstate Commerce law forbids the issuance of passes, and
+that if the railroad granted his request, the officers of the
+corporation would be liable to a fine and imprisonment."
+
+The journalist laughed at the sarcasm of the statesman.
+
+"I guess the constituent who wrote that letter must have been asleep for
+the last two years," he commented. "He don't seem to have kept up with
+the procession."
+
+Mr. Carlton nodded in assent and handed another letter to the newspaper
+man.
+
+"Here's a communication from a constituent in the country. He applies
+for seed. Send it to the Agricultural Department with my endorsement."
+
+Mr. Conway noted the instructions on a corner of the envelope, using a
+sort of shorthand that was all his own.
+
+After this came a letter from an inventive genius, who had a flying
+machine which he wished to have adopted by the United States Army. It
+was referred to the Secretary of War. There were twenty or thirty
+letters asking for information of bills that were pending. They were
+laid aside to be answered in their turn. Finally they reached a
+communication from a poor widow who was applying for a pension. Mr.
+Carlton carefully deciphered the uncertain handwriting and then said to
+his assistant:
+
+"Felix, I wish you would take this up in person with the head of the
+Pension Bureau. I think the woman deserves consideration. Her husband
+served his country in its hour of need, and this nation is too great to
+neglect those who have risked their lives in its service."
+
+"Have you anything else?" asked the young man.
+
+"Yes," was the reply, "here is a five-page letter."
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"It is from a man who wants me to get the Army to purchase a new kind of
+saddle that he has constructed."
+
+"What shall I say to him?"
+
+"Tell him that I'm not a salesman."
+
+Felix Conway gathered up the pile of letters and went into an ante-room
+for the purpose of dictating suitable replies to a waiting stenographer.
+The Congressman, in the meantime, looked at Barry with a benevolent
+smile, and said:
+
+"Barry, you have just had a glimpse of a part of the work that falls to
+the lot of an active member of Congress. You will see from this that the
+job of being a statesman is not a sinecure. In fact, it is very hard
+work, and I am sorry to say that some of the voters look upon the
+members of Congress as errand boys, whose sole time should be devoted to
+carrying messages to the various heads of Departments."
+
+"That is not all the work, either?" asked Barry.
+
+"Not by any means; the most exacting work that falls to the lot of a
+member is that of discussing and digesting proposed legislation when it
+comes before the various Committees of the House."
+
+By this time Barry had finished making his copy of the bill providing
+for the new Federal building in Cleverly. He handed it to Mr. Carlton,
+who read it over very carefully. He made one or two minor corrections,
+and then said he was very much pleased with the work.
+
+The Congressman laid the bill down on the desk, and was about to turn to
+some other work when there was a tap on the door and two gentlemen
+entered the room. One of them was a little man, dressed in black, and
+wearing a white linen bow tie. He wore side whiskers and had a peculiar
+expression. Barry looked at him the second time, and then discovered
+that his face was really conventional, and that its unusual expression
+was caused by the queer drooping of the eyelid of the left eye. The man
+who accompanied him was a tall, sallow-faced, loose-jointed person, who
+gazed steadfastly at the floor. Mr. Carlton arose at once and greeted
+both men heartily. The little man gave him a quick grasp of the hand in
+reply, while the sallow-faced person said "Good morning" without
+looking at his host. They talked in whispers for a few minutes and then
+Mr. Carlton called Barry over to him.
+
+"Barry," he said, indicating the little man in black, "I want you to
+meet the Hon. Jesse Hudson. Mr. Hudson is one of my colleagues, a member
+of the House of Representatives."
+
+Then, turning to Hudson, he said:
+
+"This boy comes from my native town. He is the son of one of my oldest
+friends. I have made him a page in the House, and if you ever get an
+opportunity to help him, I wish you would do so."
+
+Congressman Hudson took Barry's hand with that quick, convulsive
+movement which seemed to be one of his characteristics, and said:
+
+"Glad to meet you. If you ever need anything call on me."
+
+After this Barry was presented to the sallow-faced man, who proved to be
+Mr. Joel Phipps, who was the clerk to the Committee on Naval Affairs.
+
+As the general conversation was resumed, Barry withdrew and took his
+seat in the corner of the room. Just as they were about to leave,
+Congressman Carlton said suddenly:
+
+"By the way, Hudson, I am going to introduce a bill in the House in a
+few days to appropriate a million dollars for a Naval Repair Station at
+Cleverly. I know that you are a member of the Committee on Naval
+Affairs, and I wish you would help me to put this measure through. We
+need it and it's a just and proper appropriation."
+
+Mr. Carlton stooped down to pick up a paper, when Congressman Hudson,
+turning to the clerk, said:
+
+"Oh, we will help you with it, won't we, Joel?"
+
+As he said this he deliberately winked at the sallow-faced man, and in
+return he nodded and replied:
+
+"Yes, certainly we will help Mr. Carlton."
+
+And after that they both withdrew. As the door closed Mr. Carlton
+turned to the boy and said:
+
+"Those are good people to know, Barry. Both the Congressman and the
+clerk have considerable influence in legislation and they have the power
+to either help or hurt you."
+
+"I suppose they have," responded Barry.
+
+He longed to tell his friend of the sign that had passed between the two
+men, but he was afraid that if he mentioned it, Mr. Carlton might think
+that he was very presumptuous. Besides that, he thought that possibly he
+might have been mistaken. However, he said finally, with a great deal of
+diffidence:
+
+"I can't say, Mr. Carlton, that I am very much attracted by either of
+those men."
+
+"Well, Barry," said the Congressman, a little coldly, "you must take
+people as you find them in this world, and not as you think they should
+be."
+
+All the same, Barry did not relish the recollections of the wink that
+had passed between the two men.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+HUDSON STRIKES A SNAG
+
+
+Joe Hart went to great pains to show his growing regard for Barry. He
+instructed him in his work as page and pointed out various ways of
+making himself useful to the members of Congress. One of these ways was
+to familiarize himself with the numerous public documents issued by the
+Government. Every member, said Joe, had calls for bills and reports from
+time to time, and if a page boy could tell a member where to put his
+hands on a certain paper at a given time, the value of the page would be
+immensely enhanced in the eyes of the member. Barry took the advice to
+heart and determined to profit thereby.
+
+One morning, when Barry was on his way to the Capitol, it occurred to
+him that it would be a good thing to call upon Congressman Carlton and
+ascertain whether there was anything he could do for him. He found the
+Congressman at his desk in his office immersed in a great heap of
+correspondence that was before him.
+
+"Good morning, Mr. Carlton," said Barry. "I don't want to disturb you. I
+just dropped in to ask whether there was anything I could do for you
+before I went to the House."
+
+The Congressman paused for a moment and looked at Barry, while he tried
+to recall some particular thing that he was very anxious to have done.
+It came to him quickly.
+
+"By George!" he exclaimed; "you're the very boy I want. There's a big
+pile of Committee Reports in the next room that I would like to have
+sorted out and piled up in regular order. I have no doubt that most of
+'em are only fit for the furnace, but I'm afraid to destroy any of 'em
+for fear that I may burn the very documents I need."
+
+Barry's eyes sparkled.
+
+"I'll be delighted to undertake the job, Mr. Carlton," he said. "It's
+something I'm interested in, anyhow."
+
+The Congressman stared at the boy.
+
+"Interested? What do you mean?"
+
+"Oh, nothing; except that Joe Hart tells me that I should become
+familiar with public documents of all kinds in order to increase my
+usefulness to members of Congress."
+
+The Congressman clapped his hands on his flat top desk with quiet
+delight.
+
+"Bully for you! If you continue in this way there's no telling where you
+may land. You know every boy in this country has a right to aspire even
+to the Presidency."
+
+Barry reddened with embarrassment.
+
+"Oh, Mr. Carlton, I never dreamed of anything like that."
+
+"Of course, you haven't. No healthy boy ever really expects to reach
+such a great honor as that, but you can aspire to other big things. One
+of the oldest members of the Senate served in the position that you hold
+now, while a half dozen members of the House were pages at your age."
+
+"Well," said Barry, with boyish confidence, "I am certainly going to try
+to amount to something."
+
+"Very good," said the Congressman, and he dismissed the boy with a wave
+of the hand. "Now, you go into the other room and see what you can do
+with that old junk."
+
+Barry went to work with a will. He found that he had a pretty big job
+ahead of him, but he went at it systematically and resolutely. He took
+the reports according to dates and piled them up in little heaps in the
+order of the months and the years in which they had been printed.
+Occasionally he was attracted by the heading of some of the documents,
+and in one or two instances he was so interested that he read the
+reports from beginning to end. In this way several hours passed, and
+looking up at the clock, he discovered that it was twenty minutes of
+twelve. He realized that he had just about enough time to get over to
+the House and to report for duty. He was about to go in and speak to
+Mr. Carlton when he heard the door open and someone came into the
+Congressman's room. The gentleman spoke to Mr. Carlton. Barry recognized
+the voice at once. It was that of the Hon. Jesse Hudson.
+
+"Hello, Carlton," said Hudson, "when are you going to introduce that
+bill for a Naval Repair Station in your town?"
+
+"I'm going to do it soon," said Carlton. "It's pretty nearly in shape
+for presentation."
+
+"Good," was the response. "You can count on my help in getting it
+through the Committee. If you meet with any obstacles, just come to me
+and I will be glad to give you a lift. Are you going over to the House?"
+
+"Not for a few minutes," was the response. "I've a couple of telegrams
+that I want to send out before I leave here."
+
+"All right; I'll go over alone then. By the way," he continued, as he
+paused at the door, "I've got a measure coming up today, and I'd like
+you to help me get it through."
+
+"What is it?" asked Carlton.
+
+"It is known as the Garner claim. A family in my district had their
+property destroyed during the Civil War. It seems that the Federal
+troops occupied their house and barn and when they got through with them
+they were practically ruined."
+
+"What is the bill for?" asked Carlton.
+
+"It is to reimburse the heirs for their loss. It calls for an
+appropriation of $96,000. It should have been paid long ago!"
+
+"Who are the heirs? The children of the claimant?"
+
+"No, not the children, but some of their relatives."
+
+"Is it all right, Hudson?"
+
+"Sure, it's all right."
+
+"Well," was the slow response, "if it's a fair bill, I suppose I will
+have to turn in and vote for it, but I don't like to support these
+claims for damages without knowing all about them."
+
+"Oh, it's all right," was the confident response; "I'll see you later.
+Good-bye."
+
+As he swung out of the room Felix Conway, the journalist, walked in.
+
+"Hello, Felix," exclaimed Carlton. "You're just the man I want to see.
+You know everything, don't you?"
+
+The newspaper correspondent shook his head and said, smilingly:
+
+"No, not everything--nearly everything."
+
+"Well," said Carlton, "I'd like to know what you can tell me about the
+Garner claim. It calls for an appropriation of $96,000 to repay certain
+heirs of the Garner family for property destroyed during the Civil War."
+
+The journalist looked blankly at the Congressman.
+
+"Blest if I know a thing about it. It's the first I've heard of it."
+
+"I'm awfully sorry," said the Congressman, "because I'm anxious to get
+some of the facts in the case."
+
+As Felix Conway left the room Barry Wynn emerged from the little
+apartment where he had been sorting out and piling up the public
+documents.
+
+"Mr. Carlton," he said, timidly, "I couldn't help overhearing your
+conversation with Mr. Hudson and Mr. Conway. You were speaking to them
+about the Garner claim."
+
+"I was, indeed," was the response. "You don't mean to tell me that you
+know anything about it?"
+
+"Yes," was the hesitating reply, "I know a little about it."
+
+"When did you hear of it?" was the surprised question.
+
+"The first I heard of it was when Mr. Hudson came in," replied Barry,
+"but I read about it an hour ago."
+
+"Read about it?"
+
+"Yes; when I was going through those old papers I found a report from
+the House Committee concerning the Garner claim."
+
+Carlton's eyes glistened.
+
+"Where is it? Where is it? Let me have it."
+
+Barry went into the other room and came out again in a few moments with
+a small public document.
+
+Mr. Carlton seized it eagerly and read the heading:
+
+
+     "Report of the House Committee concerning a claim of the heirs of
+     Samuel Garner for damages sustained to their property during the
+     War of the Rebellion."
+
+
+That was enough for him. He sat back in his chair and read the document
+from start to finish. It was an adverse report. The document was ten
+years old, but the Committee that had been entrusted with the
+investigation of the matter reported that the claim was a very doubtful
+one, and that in any event the heirs should be compelled to go into
+court for the purpose of obtaining relief.
+
+Carlton stuffed the report in his inside pocket, and slapping Barry on
+the back, said:
+
+"Barry, you've done me a great favor."
+
+Ten minutes later Carlton was at his desk in the House of
+Representatives, and Barry was standing by the desk of the chief clerk,
+waiting for the proceedings of the day to begin. At the stroke of twelve
+the Speaker brought his gavel down on the top of the marble block before
+him and called the House to order. The Chaplain made a brief prayer, and
+then the members from all parts of the great hall began rising in their
+places and presenting bills. The pages ran up one aisle and down
+another, with bills fluttering in their hands, rushing and laughing and
+tumbling about like so many little imps. Barry kept his eye on Mr.
+Carlton, and when that gentleman rose in his seat, made a mad rush in
+his direction.
+
+"The Gentleman from Maine," called the Speaker, in a loud tone.
+
+Whereupon Mr. Carlton presented a number of minor bills. Barry was at
+his elbow, and taking the papers hurried to the Speaker's platform and
+had the satisfaction of seeing the bills referred to the various
+Committees of the House.
+
+After his measures had been safely disposed of, John Carlton made a
+search for Jesse Hudson. He had determined to inform him that he would
+not support the bill in favor of the Garner heirs. When he reached
+Hudson's seat, he found that gentleman busily engaged in conversation
+with another man, but that did not deter him. He broke in between the
+two and said:
+
+"Hudson, I'd like to speak to you for a moment."
+
+The other frowned and waved his hand, saying:
+
+"You will have to excuse me. I am very busy at present."
+
+Carlton walked back to his own seat very much dissatisfied. Fifteen
+minutes later he noticed that Hudson was disengaged and walked over in
+his direction. The moment Hudson saw him, however, he slipped out of
+his seat and left the House. The inference was obvious. Hudson was
+trying to evade Carlton. The business of the House continued for about
+half an hour and then the clerk, in stentorian tones, announced that the
+next business in order was the consideration of the bill granting relief
+to the heirs of Samuel Garner. Hudson was in his seat. Carlton grasped
+the opportunity and was by his side in an instant.
+
+"Hudson," he said, "I've been trying to reach you all morning to tell
+you that I can't support--"
+
+"Don't talk to me now," cried the other, impatiently. "Don't you see
+that I'm busy?"
+
+"You can't be too busy to talk business," was the angry retort. "I want
+you to know that I can't support your Garner bill. I'm simply telling
+you this, so that you can be under no false impressions in the matter."
+
+"Why, what's the matter?" asked Hudson, simulating a look of surprise.
+
+"Well, I'm sorry to say the matter is that I don't think it's a fit bill
+to vote for."
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+"Just what I say. After you left me this morning, I got a report of the
+House Committee that was made nearly ten years ago, and it seems very
+conclusive to me--so conclusive that I've made up my mind to fight your
+bill."
+
+"Oh, you're splitting hairs," cried Hudson, in a tone of annoyance.
+
+"Well, you can give it any name you like."
+
+"But, see here, Carlton," cried Hudson, eagerly, "I won't ask you to
+vote for it if you don't feel like doing so; but promise me one thing."
+
+"What's that?"
+
+"Don't make a speech against it. Don't oppose it openly. It's backed by
+some of the most important men in my district--men who can make or break
+me."
+
+"I can't make any more promises," said Carlton, and he moved slowly back
+to his own seat.
+
+In the meantime the House was giving close consideration to the Garner
+claim. Near the end of the debate Jesse Hudson arose and made a strong
+speech in favor of the passage of the bill. The sentiment of the House
+seemed strongly for the heirs. If the members had taken a vote after
+Hudson's speech, the chances are that the bill would have become a law.
+But just at that critical moment John Carlton rose in his place and was
+recognized by the Speaker.
+
+"Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen," he said, with great deliberation, "before
+the House votes on the bill that is now pending, I desire to read a copy
+of the report that was made on this very claim by a Committee of this
+House ten years ago. The members can find the document by referring to
+their files, volume II, page 1072."
+
+There was a lifting of desk lids and a scurrying of page boys, and every
+member in the House seemed seized with a desire to get a copy of the
+document in question. In the meantime John Carlton read the report in
+slow, measured tones. As he concluded he said:
+
+"Mr. Speaker, I have no comment whatever to make upon this report. I
+merely call it to your attention. For my own part, after reading that
+report, I cannot see my way clear to vote for this bill."
+
+It was as though a bomb shell had been thrown into a quiet, peaceable
+gathering. Members stood on their feet, and talked, and gesticulated,
+while the Speaker vainly motioned the members to their seats. Presently,
+the calling of the roll brought order out of chaos. Hudson ran from one
+member to another imploring them to vote for his bill, but it was too
+late. When the vote was announced it was found that the Garner claim had
+been overwhelmingly defeated.
+
+Shortly after that the House adjourned. Hudson, in leaving his seat,
+almost bumped against John Carlton. He looked at him with a malignant
+frown, and said bitterly:
+
+"You're a fine fellow to promise to support a bill!"
+
+"I withdrew my promise before it was too late," said the other one,
+quietly.
+
+"Yes, you withdrew it, but you made me a promise all the same."
+
+"I didn't make any promise."
+
+"I say you did!"
+
+"Well," said Carlton, easily, "there's no use wrangling over it. It's
+all over now."
+
+Hudson doubled up his fist, and shaking it at his adversary, said:
+
+"It's not all over. Not by a long sight! Every dog has his day, and I'll
+have mine sooner than you think!"
+
+Carlton laughed.
+
+"There's no use borrowing trouble," he said, lightly. "The dog-days
+won't be here for some time yet."
+
+As they passed out of the door into the corridor of the Capitol, a third
+member came up to Carlton and said:
+
+"John, were in the world did you dig up that report?"
+
+"Oh," was the response, "it was pulled out of a pile of old junk in my
+office."
+
+"How did you have the patience to go through that stuff?" asked the
+inquirer.
+
+"I didn't," was the reply. "It was discovered for me by a very bright
+boy, named Barry Wynn."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+BARRY STUMBLES
+
+
+As Barry Wynn and Joe Hart were walking down Pennsylvania Avenue the
+following morning, Joe suddenly turned to his friend and exclaimed
+laughingly:
+
+"Barry, this is the happiest day of all the glad new year!"
+
+Barry looked at Joe blankly.
+
+"Why; what's happened? Have you good news?"
+
+"Bully news."
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+"Can't you guess?"
+
+"No, I can't."
+
+"Why, you old hayseed, this is pay-day."
+
+Barry's face beamed. Naturally he looked forward with great pleasure to
+the first money he had ever earned. He voiced his feelings to Joe:
+
+"The work here has been so pleasant that I actually lost count of the
+days. I never dreamt that I'd been in Washington for a month."
+
+"Well," said the practical one, "you'll know all right when you go up to
+the cashier's office this morning."
+
+The experienced boy led the novice to that part of the Capitol building
+where the pages received their checks. Barry had to sign the pay-roll
+and after that swore that he had rendered the service for which he was
+about to be paid. He was handed a nice, bright, crisp check drawn to the
+order of Barry Wynn against the Treasurer of the United States. He
+looked at it with ill-concealed curiosity and then gave a gasp of
+delight. The check was for sixty-eight dollars. He had worked a little
+less than a month, but the sight of the voucher for so much money gave
+him a sense of elation that he had never felt before.
+
+With Joe still acting as mentor, he cashed the check, and on reporting
+for duty to the Sergeant-at-Arms, was gratified to learn that he had
+been given leave of absence for the day. Joe also, by some occult
+influence, managed to be excused. Barry's first move was to call on
+Congressman Carlton and to inform him of the amount of money he had
+received. Mr. Carlton was delighted, but somewhat taken aback when Barry
+handed him a ten-dollar note.
+
+"What's this for?" he asked, somewhat stiffly.
+
+"It's the money you advanced for my railroad fare to Washington."
+
+The good-natured man burst into a hearty laugh. He clapped his big palm
+on Barry's shoulder and said jovially:
+
+"Just put that away. You'll have lots of use for it. The money I sent
+you was a present."
+
+"But, Mr. Carlton," insisted Barry, "mother made me promise that the
+first money I received should be used to pay you back the ten dollars
+you sent me for my ticket."
+
+"Nonsense! I don't want it."
+
+"But, I must give it to you," persisted Barry. "If I don't my mother
+will never forgive me."
+
+Mr. Carlton accepted the note somewhat reluctantly.
+
+"By the way," he said, reaching into his pocket, "here's an old wallet
+that I have no more use for. Now that you have become a man of wealth it
+may be a convenient thing for holding your money."
+
+Barry took the gift and thanked Mr. Carlton.
+
+"Now, Barry," said the statesman, "I don't want to overburden you with
+advice, but if I were in your place my first move would be to pay your
+landlady for the board that is due her, and then give her a week or so
+in advance. After that lay some money aside for your personal use, and
+then skedaddle to the postoffice and make out a money order for the
+balance in favor of your mother. She will appreciate it more than words
+can tell."
+
+"I'll do it," was the fervent response.
+
+"All right. Good-bye, and good luck to you."
+
+As Barry left the Capitol building he came in contact with Joe Hart, who
+had also cashed his warrant. The two boys proceeded to their boarding
+house and both of them paid Mrs. Johnson the money that was due her,
+together with an advance payment towards the coming month.
+
+"Now, what are you going to do?" asked Joe.
+
+"I'm going up stairs and write a letter to my mother," said Barry. "I
+want to enclose a money order to her and get it off in the mail as soon
+as possible."
+
+"All right," said Joe. "I'll wait for you, and then we'll go down town
+together. Or, if you want to," he added, as an after consideration, "you
+can walk right over to the postoffice building and write your letter
+there."
+
+Barry adopted the suggestion and the two boys left the house together.
+As they turned the corner of the Treasury building, the clock in the
+neighborhood struck the hour of twelve.
+
+"Jiminy!" exclaimed Joe, "it's time to eat."
+
+The remark put an idea into Barry's head.
+
+"Joe," he said, "this is pay-day; let's celebrate!"
+
+"Celebrate?" echoed the other.
+
+"Yes. I want you to take dinner with me today."
+
+Joe looked at his friend in silence for a moment, and then something
+suspiciously like moisture glistened in the corner of each eye.
+
+"Barry," he said, "I'll go you--it's the first time in my life that I
+ever remember anybody asking me out to dinner."
+
+Barry was determined to do the honors becomingly, so he sought out a
+first-class restaurant and ordered dinner for two. The linen was white
+and the dining room splendidly furnished. An orchestra, hidden behind a
+cluster of palms, enlivened the occasion with the popular songs of the
+day. The meal was complete; it began with soup and ended with ice
+cream. To say that the two boys enjoyed themselves would be putting it
+very mildly indeed. They felt as though they were in an enchanted
+fairyland. The fact that Joe's legs were too short to touch the floor,
+and that he swung them to and fro on the chair did not detract from his
+dignity in the least, and when the head waiter, who had seated them with
+all the pomp and ceremony which can only be employed effectively by a
+head waiter, and addressed them as "gentlemen," their cup of happiness
+seemed full to overflowing, but the limit had not yet been reached.
+After the meal was finished and the attendant placed a finger bowl in
+front of each of the boys, the giggling and the whispering and the
+mischievous glances that passed between them would have been sufficient
+to have gladdened the heart of the most confirmed pessimist. But the
+crowning act of all came when Barry, after having paid the bill,
+majestically tipped the waiter. From that moment he was a superior being
+in the eyes of Joe Hart.
+
+After leaving the restaurant they resumed their walk down Pennsylvania
+Avenue. The events of the preceding hour had raised them both in their
+own estimation. They strolled along very proudly, indeed, and did not
+feel a bit ashamed when three Justices of the Supreme Court passed them
+on the street. Senators and members of the lower House of Congress they
+looked upon as very ordinary beings indeed; in fact, when the President
+shot by in an automobile on his way to the White House, they regarded
+it--as it was in fact in Washington--as an incident of everyday life. It
+was about two o'clock by this time, and they were half way down the
+avenue when Barry's attention was attracted by a large sign advertising
+a moving picture show.
+
+"Joe," he said, with proper dignity in his voice and manner, "I want to
+do this treat right. Let's take in the picture show."
+
+Joe did not require a second invitation. In a few minutes they had paid
+their dimes and were ushered into the seats of the little temporary
+theatre. In the rush of hurrying in, the two boys had become separated,
+although they managed to obtain places in the same row. A woman with a
+market basket was on one side of Barry, while a burly fellow, with a red
+necktie, was on the other. Presently the place was filled and the lights
+were turned down. The films began to operate upon the canvas. The scene
+represented an explosion in a coal mine. It was very vivid and very
+lifelike. There was a flash of lightning and then a low rumbling sound
+which marked the beginning of the disaster. At the most interesting
+stage of the performance Barry felt himself being crowded by the man who
+sat next to him. The fellow acted so roughly that Barry protested.
+
+"Stop pushing me!" he cried.
+
+"Oh, I beg your pardon," was the polite reply, "I didn't intend to annoy
+you. It was an accident."
+
+The moment that Barry had spoken he was sorry. It was probable, he
+thought, that the man had leaned against him unintentionally and he
+regretted his resentment. He wondered whether he should not apologize.
+The lights went up in a minute or two, but Barry found, to his surprise,
+that his neighbor with the red necktie had already departed.
+
+The two boys wended their way out to the street together and were glad
+to get in a whiff of fresh air. They made their way slowly towards the
+new postoffice building on Pennsylvania Avenue, and after selecting a
+convenient desk, Barry began writing his letter to his mother. The work
+of composition was aided by Joe Hart, who, at intervals, offered many
+unique and unsolicited suggestions. Finally the missive was completed
+and Barry exclaimed:
+
+"Now for the money order. I'll go over to the window and buy it."
+
+He reached into his pocket for the wallet in which he had placed his
+money. His hand slid into vacancy. A look of grief overspread his face.
+
+"What's the matter, Barry," cried Joe; "are you sick?"
+
+"No," said Barry, "I'm not sick. The pocketbook's gone!"
+
+The two boys stood looking at each other speechlessly for many moments.
+Presently Joe spoke:
+
+"Do you think you had it when you went into the moving picture show?"
+
+"I _know_ I had it then."
+
+"Well, the answer's simple--you've been robbed!"
+
+For the time being Barry felt as though the universe had gone to pieces
+and lay in chaos at his feet, but after awhile he came to his senses,
+and at the suggestion of his friend, the two of them started to retrace
+their steps from the postoffice to the moving picture theatre. They had
+gone about two blocks when Joe Hart suddenly exclaimed:
+
+"Look. What's that in the street?"
+
+Barry followed the glance of his friend and saw a red wallet lying on
+the asphalt, in front of a Pennsylvania Avenue store. He ran over and
+picked it up. It was his own. He opened it and looked into one side of
+the wallet. It was empty. He turned to the other and looked in, and to
+his satisfaction, found a solitary ten-dollar bill. He showed it to Joe
+Hart.
+
+"What do you think of it?" he asked.
+
+"I think the man that stole the wallet took the money out of the one
+side and thought that that was all there was in it. Then he threw the
+wallet away to get rid of it."
+
+After that the boys walked back to the postoffice, where Barry bought a
+postal order for ten dollars. He destroyed the letter which he had
+written to his mother originally, and began the composition of a second
+one. It was a slow and painful task.
+
+"I don't know just what to say," he said. "I've told mother that I got
+sixty-eight dollars for my month's pay and I've explained how I used
+part of it in paying Mr. Carlton and another part in settling what I owe
+Mrs. Johnson. I'm sending her the other ten dollars, but she'll wonder
+what I've done with the rest. I haven't got the nerve to tell her that
+I've lost it. What would _you_ do?"
+
+"Don't know," said Joe, aimlessly.
+
+"Maybe it would worry her," said Barry. "I'll just--"
+
+"I say, Barry," interrupted Joe, with his queer expression; "do you know
+the best way?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Just tell her the truth--tell her exactly what happened."
+
+And Barry did.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+AN UNEXPECTED MOVE
+
+
+Mr. Carlton now had his Naval Repair Station measure in good shape and
+he considered the time ripe for its introduction in the House of
+Representatives. One morning, when the Speaker called for new bills, he
+handed in the typewritten document on which all of his ambitions and his
+hopes were pinned.
+
+"The bill presented by the Gentleman from Maine is referred to the
+Committee on Naval Affairs," announced the Speaker.
+
+Barry, who had carried the precious draft from the Congressman's desk to
+the Speaker's platform, could not resist the opportunity of whispering a
+word of exaltation to his patron.
+
+"She's in at last, Mr. Carlton," he said, "and you ought to feel proud
+and happy."
+
+The Congressman sighed.
+
+"She's in, Barry, but that's only the first step in the battle."
+
+"But it's a good bill," insisted the boy, earnestly, "and it has been
+approved by the Navy Department."
+
+"Not yet, but I hope it will be soon," corrected Mr. Carlton.
+
+"Then it will pass, sure."
+
+The statesman smiled at the boy's enthusiasm.
+
+"I'm not so positive of that," he said. "I've known many a good measure
+to go to a Committee and after that never see the light of day again."
+
+Nevertheless John Carlton felt very optimistic over the Naval Repair
+Station bill. But he had been in Congress too long to permit himself to
+become affected with the political disease known as "over-confidence."
+He had prepared the draft of the law with great care. He knew of cases
+where the omission of a word, or the dropping of a comma, had destroyed
+the effect of important legislation.
+
+Also, he had sounded a number of members of the Committee on Naval
+Affairs and found that they were well disposed toward the bill. He
+intended to push the legislation solely on its merits, but he knew that
+in Congress, as elsewhere, the intelligent and industrious
+representative is apt to outstrip the man who does not possess these
+homely but essential qualities.
+
+Felix Conway was in the House when the bill was offered and he
+immediately began the preparation of a dispatch to the two evening
+newspapers that he represented. Both were in the district affected by
+the location of the Naval Repair Station in Cleverly, and both were
+enthusiastically in favor of the proposition. It was at the suggestion
+of Mr. Conway that these newspapers had avoided any premature
+announcement of the project. He feared that such advance publicity might
+produce a host of rival cities, all claiming to have available sites,
+for the proposed station. Now that the bill had actually been offered,
+it was featured in both of Mr. Conway's newspapers with big headlines
+and diagrams of the intended improvement. That night he wired it to the
+big New York newspaper which he also represented at Washington.
+
+This was the beginning. Both the Congressman and his friend realized the
+importance of developing a public sentiment in favor of the bill. They
+knew that the site was an ideal one. It remained for them to impress
+that fact upon the members who would be called on to pass upon the bill.
+The mere introduction of the bill was a big piece of news, and it was
+printed broadcast in all of the newspapers of the country. But the
+greatest interest, of course, was displayed by the Eastern press.
+
+Mr. Carlton made sure to attend the first meeting of the Committee on
+Naval Affairs after the introduction of the measure into Congress. After
+brief debate the bill was referred to the Secretary of the Navy for his
+consideration. He in turn passed it over to a Committee of experts, with
+a request for an early report. In the meantime day after day passed and
+Mr. Carlton watched anxiously to see if the people of any other locality
+would come forth with a site. But time went by and none appeared and he
+felt greatly relieved.
+
+In the meantime events were moving rapidly. The Board of Experts visited
+Cleverly and made a careful inspection of the site of the proposed
+station. Mr. Smithers, the President of the Board of Trade, offered his
+services to the visitors and answered questions with such confidence and
+pointed out the advantages of the place so convincingly that the Board
+of Experts unanimously favored the bill. The Naval men realized that the
+Government had an opportunity that should not be neglected. They
+returned to Washington well pleased with their trip and in a few days
+sent a glowing report to the Secretary of the Navy, who, in his turn,
+forwarded it to the Committee on Naval Affairs.
+
+John Carlton was delighted. Things were progressing better than he had
+expected. Felix Conway wrote a series of letters for his morning
+newspaper, showing that the location of the station at Cleverly would
+not only be good for the Government, but would also give permanent
+employment to five or six hundred men. He was enthusiastic and he
+elaborated on his theme. He even went so far as to declare that it meant
+a new era of prosperity and that not only the city and State, but the
+nation would share in the good times. This brought sharp retorts from
+newspapers out of the Cleverly zone and one or two of them hinted that
+Cleverly was not the hub of the universe in spite of the eloquent
+outbursts of Felix Conway.
+
+Barry was now in the thick of events. Mr. Carlton had made an
+arrangement with him by which the boy was to give all of his time to him
+when he was not engaged in his duties as page. Barry was surprised at
+the number of things he was able to do. First he went through the
+newspapers and clipped out all editorials and news articles bearing upon
+the proposed Naval Repair Station. There were many hundreds of these,
+and the young page arranged them in large envelopes according to the
+views expressed therein. Those that favored Cleverly were placed in one
+package; those that opposed it, in another. He planned to keep the
+indifferent comments by themselves. Strange to say, none of the
+newspapers were indifferent. A few were unfriendly to the suggested
+site, but the great majority of the articles and the editorials agreed
+that Cleverly was the natural and desirable spot for the Naval Repair
+Station.
+
+Resolutions, petitions, memorials, letters and telegrams came pouring in
+on Congressman Carlton commending him for presenting the bill, and
+urging him to carry his work to a successful conclusion. He felt well
+pleased with the situation. The new Naval Repair Station promised to
+make him popular as well as important. One of the members of the House
+congratulated him on his prominence in the public eye:
+
+"It's very nice," he admitted, "but I'm not letting it take me off my
+feet. You know a political leader who receives bouquets today may get
+brick-bats tomorrow."
+
+Finally the House fixed a date after which it was decided that no new
+bills could be introduced. Mr. Carlton put in some anxious hours. He
+wondered if something might not occur at the last moment to upset his
+plans. But the day arrived and passed and no new Naval Repair Station
+bill had been presented. Mr. Carlton was overjoyed. It seemed almost
+certain that his measure was to have smooth sailing.
+
+The following day a meeting of the Committee on Naval Affairs was called
+for the purpose of transacting general business. Among other things the
+Clerk of the Committee read the report made by the Board of Naval
+Experts on the proposed Repair Station at Cleverly. It was clear and it
+was convincing. The words were music to the ears of John Carlton. But,
+as the clerk finished, Mr. Collins, one of the members of the Committee,
+arose and said:
+
+"Mr. Chairman, I now request that the clerk read the bill making an
+appropriation for the construction of the Naval Repair Station."
+
+Congressman Carlton was on his feet instantly.
+
+"What is the purpose of having it read now?"
+
+"I wish to offer a little amendment to the bill," was the reply.
+
+"All right," said the unsuspecting member.
+
+The bill was read, and as the clerk concluded, Mr. Collins rose and
+said:
+
+"I move to strike out the portion of the bill fixing the location of the
+station at Cleverly, and to insert the words, 'Green Island.'"
+
+Half a dozen members were on their feet at the same time, all claiming
+recognition at once. The Chairman nodded to Mr. Carlton and the others
+sat down.
+
+"Mr. Chairman," cried the Congressman, "this is a most astounding
+amendment. It changes the whole purpose of the bill. It is not fair to
+do this at the last moment without giving the members a chance to
+consider what it means."
+
+Mr. Collins flushed.
+
+"The gentleman has no right to say that. It is a reflection on me."
+
+"I have no desire to reflect on the member," said Mr. Carlton, "but I'd
+like to know the meaning of the amendment."
+
+"I'm not prepared to discuss it now," confessed Mr. Collins. "In fact I
+presented the amendment by request."
+
+"Then you're willing to postpone consideration for the present?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"For how long?"
+
+"Well, say two weeks."
+
+And so it was agreed.
+
+After the meeting Mr. Carlton went to his fellow member:
+
+"See here, Collins; who are you representing in this matter?"
+
+"My constituents, of course."
+
+"No; but you said that you presented the amendment by request."
+
+"That's true."
+
+"By request of whom?"
+
+The member smiled. He did not relish the aggressive manner of the
+gentleman from Maine. He answered rather ironically:
+
+"I'm not prepared to give you that information--at least not for the
+present."
+
+John Carlton was greatly chagrined at the turn of affairs. He was
+prepared for open opposition, but how could he fight a foe who remained
+in the dark? Green Island was not in Collins' district. So it was plain
+that the amendment was inspired by someone else. Carlton tried to find
+out who this one was and failed. Felix Conway was called into
+consultation and the two men went to the Congressman's office, where
+they discussed the question for more than an hour. But when they
+finished they were no nearer a solution than in the beginning. Just as
+they arose the door opened and Barry Wynn came into the room. He was
+breathless.
+
+"Mr. Carlton!" he cried. "Mr. Carlton!"
+
+"Well, what is it?"
+
+"I've found out who got Mr. Collins to offer that amendment."
+
+Both men were on their feet. They spoke simultaneously.
+
+"Who was it?"
+
+"It was Congressman Hudson," replied the boy.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+ON THE TRAIL OF JOE HART
+
+
+Barry had obtained the information which he had given his patron, in the
+most commonplace way. After the session of the Committee, he was sitting
+in the corner of the room talking to Joe Hart, when Jesse Hudson and Mr.
+Collins came along talking very earnestly. Hudson said to the other:
+
+"Much obliged for offering that Green Island bill. I'll do as much for
+you some day."
+
+That was enough for Barry. He realized the importance of this disclosure
+and hastened to tell Mr. Carlton. He met with some delay in locating
+him, but finally found him in his own room with Felix Conway, where he
+made his startling announcement.
+
+Ten minutes after exploding this verbal bomb, Barry started home with
+Joe Hart. On the way it occurred to him that he was beginning to have a
+genuine affection for the mischievous page boy. Joe was as full of
+pranks as an egg is full of meat, but Barry was quick to learn that none
+of his tricks were cruel or mean. He was simply overflowing with animal
+spirits. He was capable also, quick to know what was required of him,
+and prompt to act. Joe Hart was not prepossessing to look upon. He had a
+thick thatch of red hair, a freckled face, and stub nose, and a pair of
+blue eyes that gazed upon you with a look of appealing inquiry and the
+innocence of an angel.
+
+"Joe," said Barry one day, "you must have been a terror at school."
+
+"Yes," replied Joe, with a comical twist of the mouth, "whenever any of
+the boys were bad, the teacher lathered me. He said he couldn't go
+wrong."
+
+"The Sergeant-at-Arms of the House is very fond of you," suggested
+Barry.
+
+"He must be," replied Joe, "he scolds me so much."
+
+Barry had been in Washington three weeks, when he came home one evening
+about eleven o'clock and found Mrs. Johnson, his landlady, in tears. He
+was very much exercised at this unexpected sight. It was as though he
+had found his own mother crying.
+
+"Why, what's the matter?" he asked.
+
+"It is all about Joe Hart," she said, lifting a corner of her apron and
+furtively wiping away the tears.
+
+"Why, what about him, Mrs. Johnson?"
+
+"Well, you know he is like yourself: he is like a son to me. His mother
+placed him in my charge, and in a measure I am responsible for his
+conduct. Now, you know it would break her heart if he would go wrong or
+get into bad habits."
+
+"Oh, he's all right, Mrs. Johnson."
+
+"I wish I could feel so sure," she said. "I've been anxious about that
+boy for a long while. He is getting careless. He is spending all of his
+money and he stays out late at night."
+
+"Well, I stay out myself sometimes, Mrs. Johnson."
+
+"Yes," she said, "but I know where you are, and besides, you have never
+been out later than eleven o'clock. Why, one morning it was one o'clock
+when he got home, and you see tonight, it is already past eleven."
+
+"Well, I think you'll find it's all right," said Barry, soothingly.
+
+"But I must know that it's right," she persisted. "Won't you help me?"
+
+"I'd be glad to do anything I could for you."
+
+"Well, you can help if you want to."
+
+"How?"
+
+"By finding out where Joe Hart has been spending his nights."
+
+Barry raised his hand in protest.
+
+"Oh, Mrs. Johnson, I couldn't do anything like that."
+
+"Yes, you could," she replied, with a doggedness that some women can
+employ so effectively.
+
+"But I couldn't," he reiterated. "Joe 'd never forgive me."
+
+The tears left her eyes at this response and a look of anger replaced
+them.
+
+"Well," she said, angrily, "I can pry into his business and I am going
+to, and if you won't help me, I'll get somebody that will!"
+
+Barry went to bed that night feeling very uncomfortable. He had his own
+suspicions concerning Joe Hart, but he did not have the courage to give
+voice to them. Besides it distressed him very much to feel that he had
+incurred the displeasure of his motherly landlady. All the next day the
+incident bothered him, and more than once he found himself looking
+anxiously at Joe and wondering whether it would not be a good thing to
+ask his young friend to explain the cause of his unusual conduct. But he
+did not, and the feeling of his discomfort weighed heavily upon him
+every hour of the day.
+
+That night at dinner Barry noticed that Joe was very much preoccupied
+in his manner. He bolted his food and kept looking at the clock with an
+unnatural anxiety.
+
+"What's the matter, Joe?" asked Barry. "Have to go out?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Where?"
+
+Joe seemed confused for a moment and then said hastily:
+
+"Oh, it don't make any difference."
+
+A few minutes later Joe went to the door and looked out, and then came
+in again and began drumming on the table cloth.
+
+"What's the weather like?" asked Barry, in an attempt to make
+conversation.
+
+"Looks like rain," replied Joe, aimlessly.
+
+Barry could stand this no longer. He walked to his young friend and said
+in a determined voice:
+
+"Look here, Joe Hart, what do you mean? You say it looks like rain, and
+the sky's full of stars. You don't know what you're talking about.
+What's on your mind?"
+
+Joe's freckled face reddened to the ears. He showed more confusion than
+Barry had ever known him to display before.
+
+"I was thinking of something else," he mumbled. "I guess you're right
+about the weather. It doesn't look like rain at all."
+
+Barry walked away very much dissatisfied. It was evident that Joe was
+trying to deceive him, and he did not relish that. Presently the boy
+came over to him very shyly.
+
+"Barry," whispered Joe, in a sort of awe-stricken voice. "Have you got
+four or five dollars to spare?"
+
+Barry hesitated.
+
+"It's only until pay-day," said Joe, eagerly. "I'll get my check in a
+week and I'll be sure to pay you back."
+
+"It's not that, Joe," said Barry, gently. "I'd be willing to give you
+every penny I've got in the world, but I hate to see you waste your
+money."
+
+"Oh, it won't be wasted," he cried.
+
+Without another word Barry put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a
+pocket-book, reached in and lifted out a five-dollar note and handed it
+to the other.
+
+"You're a bully fellow," exclaimed Joe, in his old happy-go-lucky,
+care-free manner. "I knew you wouldn't go back on an old pal."
+
+"Of eight weeks' standing," said Barry, drily.
+
+Joe's eyes danced with delight.
+
+"That's a long while in these days of fierce competition."
+
+Five minutes later the door slammed and Joe had disappeared. At the same
+moment Mrs. Johnson came to Barry.
+
+"I overheard your conversation, and it has distressed me more than I can
+explain. I feel more than ever that it is necessary to find out what
+this boy is doing with his money and where he spends his nights."
+
+Barry looked at her helplessly.
+
+"I don't see how I can help you, Mrs. Johnson."
+
+Her eyes sparkled.
+
+"Yes, you do. I have made up my mind that I will look after him and I
+have also made up my mind that you are going to help me."
+
+Barry laughed, feebly.
+
+"Well, if that's the case," he said, "I guess I might as well take my
+orders."
+
+"Well, I want you to go after him right away. Don't let him see you, but
+find out what he does with that money."
+
+"Oh, Mrs. Johnson," said Barry, "I couldn't do that."
+
+She began to weep and in a moment or two threatened to become
+hysterical.
+
+"I must know," she exclaimed. "I must know, and if you don't go after
+him I'll get my bonnet and go myself!"
+
+After this there was nothing for Barry to do but put on his hat and
+follow Joe Hart. The boy had a start of three or four blocks, but Barry
+could see him passing under an electric light near the end of the
+Treasury Building. They went block after block until they reached the
+poorer section of the city on the outskirts of the railroad tracks.
+Presently Joe stopped at a fruit stand and began examining the stock of
+the Italian who presided over the place. In a few moments he had
+purchased a basketful of peaches, pears, and plums. At this stage of the
+pursuit Barry's better feelings came to the surface again and he
+resolved that he would follow Joe no farther. He turned off into a side
+street. Somehow or other he lost his way. Coming out of the other end of
+the street he almost ran face to face into Joe Hart. But the little page
+was so absorbed that he did not notice his friend. Joe walked up to a
+small, mean-looking house in the middle of the block, facing a large,
+vacant lot. Barry hid behind the trunk of a convenient tree. Joe rapped
+on the door and a poorly-clad, pale-faced woman responded. Her face
+brightened at the sight of Joe.
+
+"Good evening, Mrs. Lewis," cried Joe, in his cheeriest voice, "how are
+the children getting along tonight?"
+
+"They're better, thank God," she cried, fervently. "The doctor says that
+the crisis passed yesterday and they will be on the mend in a few days."
+
+"I'm mighty glad to hear it," said Joe.
+
+"It's very kind of you to come here," continued the woman; "and I'm
+sorry I can't ask you in."
+
+"Don't mention it. I'm a busy man, and haven't much time to spare.
+Here's a basket of fruit. Here's the prescription you wanted last night,
+too."
+
+"May Heaven bless you," cried the woman, the tears coming into her eyes.
+"I don't know how in the world I can ever repay you for your goodness to
+us."
+
+"Don't mention it," cried Joe, brusquely. "Here's a five-dollar bill.
+You may need it."
+
+"Oh," she said, "I can't really take this."
+
+"You must!"
+
+"But I won't be able to give it back to you."
+
+"Well," said Joe, with a laugh, "we'll put that up to Danny. We'll make
+Danny pay me when he gets better."
+
+And the next moment Joe had started off in the darkness. Barry came out
+from his hiding place. The woman saw him.
+
+"Are you looking for Joe?"
+
+"Yes; has he gone?"
+
+"Yes," she said, "he has just gone." And then, looking at him
+inquiringly, "Do you know him?"
+
+"Yes, ma'am; he's my chum."
+
+"Well," she said, "if you know him you know an angel in disguise. My
+Danny says that and Danny ought to know."
+
+"Danny?" said Barry, inquiringly.
+
+"Yes," she replied, "my boy, Danny Lewis. He is head of the local
+messenger boys in the district telegraph office. He was taken sick two
+weeks ago and the doctor said it was typhoid fever. Someone had to take
+his place at the office, and when Joe Hart heard of it he volunteered
+to act as substitute. For more than a week he has been acting as page in
+the House during the day and chief of the telegraph boys at night. He
+did it to keep Danny from losing his position. You know these things are
+mighty uncertain. Now the week for Danny's night shifts is passed and
+everything is safe, but Joe didn't stop at that. He knew we were poor,
+and he has been buying food and fruit almost every night."
+
+The strange lump that came into Barry's throat prevented him from making
+any reply. But his hand was perfectly free, and when he put it into Mrs.
+Lewis' she found that he had left another five-dollar bill in her palm.
+
+Half an hour later, as he turned into the street where Mrs. Johnson's
+boarding house was located, he almost collided with Joe Hart, who was
+coming in another direction. He looked at him very fixedly and said in a
+stern voice:
+
+"Where have you been?"
+
+"I've been out."
+
+"That don't answer my question," said Barry, severely. "I want to know
+where you've been spending your nights."
+
+"Oh, nowhere in particular," said Joe, hastily, and then, in an endeavor
+to turn the subject, he said:
+
+"How do you like your work at the Capitol?"
+
+"It's none of your business how I like my work," laughed Barry, "but it
+is my business to tell you that you've been discovered!"
+
+"Discovered!" echoed Joe.
+
+"Yes. Caught, captured, found out! Don't you know the meaning of the
+English language?"
+
+"Yes, but I don't know what you're talking about."
+
+"I'm talking about the way you've been spending your time the last two
+weeks. I know all about you."
+
+"How do you know?"
+
+"Well, I saw you tonight and know all that you did."
+
+For an instant Joe threatened to become belligerent. He doubled up his
+fists and came towards Barry in a menacing way. Then he reconsidered
+himself and his hands dropped listlessly to his sides. He spoke in a
+reproachful way:
+
+"I think that was mighty mean of you, Barry Wynn."
+
+"I think so, too," confessed Barry. "I'm ashamed of myself all right,
+but Mrs. Johnson was worried, and Joe--Joe, I'm mighty proud of you."
+
+Barry, as he spoke, put his arm around Joe's shoulder, but the boy
+pushed it away. His face was flushed and he looked embarrassed.
+
+"Say, Barry," he said finally, "I want you to make a solemn promise to
+me."
+
+[Illustration: "I want you to make a solemn promise to me"
+
+_See page 126_]
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"Never mind what it is. I want you to say that you will do as I say."
+
+"All right," said Barry, finally; "I'll promise. What is it?"
+
+Joe looked the picture of humiliation. His eyes were on the ground and
+he spoke pleadingly:
+
+"Barry, it's just this. I want you to promise me that you'll never
+mention this business to the other boys at the Capitol."
+
+"Why?" asked Barry.
+
+"Because, I'd never hear the last of it. Those fellows would just guy
+the life out of me."
+
+Barry, his heart swelling with a new and peculiar sensation, made the
+promise.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+SUSPENSE
+
+
+It became evident in the course of a few days that the amendment to the
+Naval Repair Station bill was to be pushed vigorously. In fact a great
+deal of sentiment in its favor developed in the most unexpected places.
+
+Mr. Carlton had been under the impression that a large majority of the
+members of the Committee were for the Cleverly site as against any
+other, but he learned that he was mistaken. Some of the members declared
+themselves openly in favor of the Collins amendment; others said that
+the new proposition was deserving of very careful consideration.
+
+Naturally this worried the Congressman. He spent many anxious hours and
+days in trying to strengthen his own position. Curious to state no one
+now seemed to care anything about Cleverly. On the other hand there was
+wide-spread interest in Green Island. There was a reason. The amendment
+in favor of Green Island had just enough mystery about it to pique the
+curiosity of the law makers.
+
+The fact that Jesse Hudson was behind the bill was also significant. It
+meant that there was at least a chance of its passage. Hudson was not in
+the habit of enlisting in losing fights. He was one of the best known
+members of the House. He had served eight consecutive terms. He was
+resourceful; he was industrious, and he knew the methods of procedure by
+heart. Besides that he had a great many friends. And that made him a
+foeman worthy of any man's steel. Some persons pretend that friendship
+has ceased to exist in the world. It is not true. The poorest man has
+some friends. Others--even though they be unworthy--have many friends.
+Friendship is a great asset to any man. It is invaluable to the man in
+public life. Carlton realized this fact. He knew that Hudson had served
+so many men in his day that some of them would want to serve him now.
+And the member from Maine felt very, very anxious about his favorite
+piece of legislation.
+
+Two of the things against the Green Island project were its apparent
+lack of support from the people of that locality, and the fact that it
+had not been endorsed by the Secretary of the Navy. Under ordinary
+circumstances the lack of these two requisites would have been
+sufficient to defeat any bill. In this case, however, they did not seem
+to count much. One of the reasons was that the land at Green Island was
+offered to the Government for a much lower price than had been fixed for
+the site at Cleverly.
+
+"How can you explain that away?" asked the Secretary of the Navy of Mr.
+Carlton.
+
+"Easily; it's not worth one-fourth as much."
+
+The cabinet officer laughed.
+
+"I like your positiveness."
+
+"I can prove every word I say."
+
+"Maybe you can."
+
+"There's no 'maybe' about it, Mr. Secretary. I know what I'm talking
+about."
+
+"The other fellows say the same thing," suggested the Secretary.
+
+"See here," cried the Congressman, "you don't intend to indorse this
+Green Island scheme, do you?"
+
+The Secretary became serious.
+
+"Certainly not. I have already placed the seal of my approval on the
+Cleverly site. I believe this is the very best location we could get on
+the Atlantic Coast. But, that is merely my say-so."
+
+"It's sufficient," protested Carlton, stubbornly.
+
+"I hope so; but you mustn't underestimate the shrewdness of the fellows
+who are against you."
+
+"You wouldn't let it go through, would you?" cried the Congressman, in
+alarm.
+
+"Not if I could help it, but the thing might get beyond my control."
+
+"How?"
+
+"Well, I suppose you know that we are in urgent need of this Naval
+Repair Station?"
+
+"I'm sure of it."
+
+"You know, in fact, that we must have it at once."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Well, suppose these fellows pass the Green Island bill and then have
+Congress adjourn."
+
+"Well?"
+
+"Picture the position in which I would be placed. If I ask the President
+to veto the bill, I am put in the attitude of killing a project for
+which I have been fighting."
+
+"But not in the same place."
+
+"No; not in the same place. But the difference in the desirability of
+the sites might not be considered sufficient cause for killing the bill
+after it comes from Congress."
+
+"I see."
+
+"Of course, you see. Now, it's up to you to defeat the Green Island
+scheme, and after that to pass the Cleverly bill."
+
+"It's a pretty big contract to give to one man."
+
+The Secretary laughed.
+
+"Your shoulders are broad. Besides, I'm sure you must have some good
+friends."
+
+"No one ever had better ones," was the fervent retort.
+
+"Well, enlist them in your cause. Good-bye, and good luck to you," were
+the final words of the Cabinet officer.
+
+John Carlton left with a smiling face, but down in his heart he had
+grave misgivings. As he entered the hall of the House he met Barry Wynn.
+
+"Well, my boy," he said with outward cheerfulness that never deserted
+him, "what's new?"
+
+"A great deal," replied the young page. "The members have been handing
+in petitions this morning in favor of placing the Naval Repair Station
+at Green Island."
+
+"Many of them?"
+
+"Hundreds and hundreds of them. Why it looked like a snow storm of
+white papers. They came from all parts of the House."
+
+"Did you say they were all on the same kind of paper?"
+
+"No, I didn't," retorted Barry; "but now that you speak of it, they were
+all on one kind of paper."
+
+Mr. Carlton nodded his head knowingly.
+
+"It's just as I thought. This is not a natural outburst from the people.
+It's a scheme--a set-up job."
+
+Barry looked at him helplessly.
+
+"Can I do anything?" he asked, finally.
+
+The Congressman was plunged in thought. Finally he looked up at the boy:
+
+"Yes," he replied, "everybody can do something, Barry," he added, "we've
+got to stir up Cleverly as it has never been stirred up before. We must
+have a delegation of citizens come here and present their claims to the
+members of the Committee on Naval Affairs; we must get in touch with
+everyone that is worth his salt, and we must have telegrams, letters
+and petitions fairly rain down upon the members from now until the
+meeting of the Committee."
+
+The shower came and it was helpful. Also, Mr. Smithers sent a telegram,
+saying that he was organizing a delegation of leading citizens and that
+they would reach Washington in a few days. Barry, acting under the
+direction of Mr. Carlton, sent a number of letters to men who would be
+likely to assist in agitating the superior claims of Cleverly. One day,
+after a number of these petitions had been presented in the House, Mr.
+Carlton happened to meet Jesse Hudson.
+
+"Hello," said the rival, who was still smarting over his defeat in the
+Garner claim, "you seem to be busy."
+
+"This is my busy day," retorted Carlton, with imperturbable good humor.
+
+"What are you trying to do, advertise Cleverly?" persisted Hudson.
+
+"Incidentally," replied Carlton.
+
+"You know that's all you'll ever get out of it," sneered Hudson. "You
+know you'll never get that Naval Repair Station."
+
+"No; I don't know that," said the man from Maine; "but I'm glad to get
+the news from such a distinguished authority. You know you are such a
+reliable prophet. You remember you said the Garner claim was sure to
+pass."
+
+Hudson was too angry to reply to this sally. He stalked down the hall
+with his chin in the air, looking as if he could bite nails. Carlton, on
+his part, hurried to the office of the Secretary of the Navy. He was
+anxious to know whether there was anything new in the proposed naval
+station legislation. The Secretary was not in, but his chief clerk said
+he would be glad to give the Congressman any information he might have.
+
+"What can you tell me about the proposed station?" asked Carlton.
+
+"Nothing, except that a delegation called here yesterday in the interest
+of Green Island."
+
+"They did?"
+
+"Yes, sir; and they presented a set of blue prints showing how much the
+Government would gain by locating the repair station at that point."
+
+"Blue prints don't mean everything," commented the Congressman.
+
+"That's what the Secretary said, and he referred them to the Board of
+Experts that visited Cleverly."
+
+"Did they go to Green Island?"
+
+"No; they have no authority from Congress to examine the site."
+
+"But they scrutinized the plans?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"What was the verdict?"
+
+"That, leaving out geographical considerations, the land at Green Island
+would make as good a location as that at Cleverly."
+
+Mr. Carlton left the office of the Secretary of the Navy in a very
+thoughtful frame of mind. He realized that the opposition was making
+progress, and that his own cause was losing ground.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+DISCORD AND DEFEAT
+
+
+One morning, while Barry was on his way to the Capitol, he passed a
+popular second-class hotel, known as the Olympic. Quite a crowd had
+gathered around the entrance to the house and inside the parlor a band
+was playing the popular airs of the day. Barry hesitated for a moment.
+Then he turned and went in to satisfy his curiosity. Over the entrance
+to the double parlor of the hotel was a sign reading: "Headquarters of
+the Citizen's Committee of Green Island."
+
+He realized that he was in the camp of the enemy. Also, it came to his
+mind that the backers of the Green Island scheme had resolved to stake
+the success of their enterprise upon a spectacular campaign. This method
+of procedure was not new to Barry. He had attended several political
+conventions and he knew more than one candidate who had accomplished by
+brag and bluster what would have been impossible through the use of
+reason. The citizens of Green Island were numerous and noisy. Most of
+them were puffing away at big black cigars. Some of them, in the words
+of a witty Hibernian, "were at the bar of the House, pouring red liquor
+down their English, Irish and French channels." But about it all there
+was an air of aggressive excitement. "I'll tell you," cried one citizen,
+whose high silk hat looked like a misfit, "I tell you the people of
+Green Island do not ask for this Naval Repair Station. They demand it!"
+This outburst was greeted with loud and prolonged cheers.
+
+When Barry reached the House he reported what he had seen to Congressman
+Carlton. That gentleman seemed greatly impressed:
+
+"This means that we must be on guard day and night," he said. "Sometimes
+important legislation is put through with a rush."
+
+For the first time since the project was broached, Mr. Hartman, the
+Congressman whose district included Green Island, now came to the front
+in defense of the bill for a Naval Supply Station. Carlton met him in
+the lobby that day:
+
+"Why, Frank," he said in an injured tone, "I never knew that you were
+going to father a Naval Repair Station bill at this session of
+Congress."
+
+The legislator looked at him in silence for a moment and then burst into
+a laugh.
+
+"To tell the truth, I didn't know it myself, John."
+
+"Well, what does it all mean?"
+
+"Blest if I know."
+
+"But you're backing the bill?"
+
+"Yes, of course, I am. But to be entirely frank with you, I didn't know
+a thing about it until it was introduced as an amendment to your bill in
+the Committee on Naval Affairs! It interested me then because it was in
+my district. It interested me still more because it had been presented
+by a member outside of the district. I was passive. I didn't support or
+oppose the bill. I was like the man from Missouri. I wanted to be shown.
+But yesterday a delegation arrived from home. They included some of my
+constituents. They asked me to support the bill. I protested against the
+manner of its introduction, and they admitted that that was a mistake
+which they regretted. So there you are. On the face of it the
+proposition is all right. It is supported by men who have supported me.
+So I suppose I'll have to work and vote for the bill."
+
+"You don't seem to be working very hard."
+
+"No harder than is necessary," was the languid reply.
+
+Carlton was pleased, but not entirely satisfied. The Green Island
+proposition was really stronger than it had been at any time since its
+presentation. Three Congressmen were openly committed to it, and a large
+and enthusiastic delegation of citizens was "boosting" it from early in
+the morning until late at night. Carlton hoped that the Committee from
+Cleverly would reach Washington soon. He felt the need of a counter
+demonstration.
+
+That afternoon he received notice that a meeting of the Committee on
+Naval Affairs would be held the following day for the purpose of acting
+on the Green Island amendment. This was short notice, but the
+Congressman started to work at once. He made a canvass of the Committee,
+and the result left the matter in doubt. Many of the members said that
+if the Cleverly proposition was the only one before the Committee, they
+would gladly promise to vote for it. The Green Island amendment,
+however, put a different aspect on the question. Most important of all
+the land at that place was offered to the Government for one hundred
+dollars per acre.
+
+"What is the price of your site by the acre?" asked one of the members.
+
+"About one hundred and twenty dollars," replied Carlton.
+
+"You see it's higher than Green Island."
+
+"But it's better," was the retort.
+
+"That's to be proven. At any rate, why don't you reduce the price of
+yours?"
+
+Carlton smiled and shook his head.
+
+"That's impossible."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Because it would be a confession that it had been made too high in the
+beginning. Besides the property owners have fixed the price at the
+assessed value of the land. Many of them could get more for their
+property. But they've been public spirited enough to shade down to the
+lowest point for the sake of having the station located at Cleverly."
+
+"Then your people won't offer any other inducements?"
+
+"I'm pretty sure they will not. We want the station very much, indeed,
+but we want it on its merits."
+
+That night at the boarding house Joe Hart invited Barry to go out with
+him.
+
+"Where?" asked the boy.
+
+"I've promised to go over and see Danny Lewis."
+
+"Sure," said Barry, "I'll be glad to go with you."
+
+He remembered with pleasure Joe Hart's kindness to the Lewis family, and
+he wanted to meet Danny, the messenger boy, concerning whom he had heard
+so much from his fellow page. They found Danny at home, and they spent
+the evening with him in the cosy sitting room of the little house. Danny
+proved to be a bright, intelligent chap, with a sense of humor and Barry
+liked him very much. Presently he recounted some of the odd experiences
+he had undergone in the service of the telegraph company.
+
+"I suppose they keep you very busy," suggested Barry.
+
+"Rather," smiled Danny, "and lately it's getting so that we don't have a
+minute to spare."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Well, for one thing, those Green Island boomers keep us on the jump."
+
+Barry was interested at once.
+
+"I suppose they have a great many telegrams," he said.
+
+"Suppose is no word for it," replied the boy; "it's a stern reality."
+
+"They're hustlers," conceded Barry.
+
+"Yes, and they're fighters, too."
+
+"Fighters?"
+
+"Yes; fist fighters."
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+"Why, when I was delivering a telegram this morning, the chairman of the
+delegation got into a dispute with one of the other men and it ended in
+a rough and tumble fight."
+
+Barry was absorbed.
+
+"What was it about?"
+
+"Oh, this fellow accused the chairman of freezing him out; said his land
+was good as any other, and if they didn't take him in, he'd raise
+trouble--only he used a stronger word than trouble."
+
+Barry was on his feet now and had his hand on Danny's shoulder.
+
+"Did--did you hear the fellow's name?"
+
+"Sure; his name was Gaskill--they called him Billy Gaskill."
+
+"Boys," said Barry; "I hope you'll excuse me. I've got an important
+engagement."
+
+Joe laughed.
+
+"You're getting to be an important man."
+
+Barry smiled back as he reached for his hat.
+
+"If you knew what this meant, you wouldn't make fun of me, Joe," he
+said.
+
+Joe waved his hand magnanimously.
+
+"It's all right, Barry. You can do as you please, and no questions
+asked."
+
+From the house of Danny Lewis the page boy hastened to John Carlton's
+hotel. It was late, and the Congressman was preparing to retire.
+
+"Hello, Barry," he cried, "what in the world do you want at this hour of
+the night?"
+
+The page boy, in a few quick, jerky sentences told him what he had heard
+from Danny Lewis. Moreover, he said he had learned that Billy Gaskill
+was still at the Olympic, and most important of all that he continued in
+a bad humor.
+
+Congressman Carlton went to the telephone and called up the office of
+Felix Conway.
+
+"Can you come here?" he asked.
+
+"If you need me."
+
+"I've got some big news for you."
+
+After that the legislator insisted that Barry should go home.
+
+"You go and get your rest," he said. "There's nothing more that you can
+do for me tonight. See me the first thing in the morning."
+
+The following morning each of the newspapers served by Felix Conway
+contained an article denouncing the Green Island bill for a Naval Repair
+Station as a sordid scheme, backed by a combination of unscrupulous land
+speculators. It did not mince words, and it caused a genuine sensation
+at the Capitol. Mr. Hartman, the Congressman from the Green Island
+district, was amazed. He never had much faith in the bill, but he had
+supposed that it was legitimate at least. He hurried to the Olympic
+Hotel and presented himself to Dwight Whalley, the chairman of the Green
+Island boomers.
+
+"See here, Whalley," cried the disturbed Congressman, "have you read
+these articles about the Green Island site?"
+
+"Have I?" echoed the Chairman, "I should say so. We've all read them."
+
+"Well, what have you got to say?"
+
+"Say? Why that I'm as mad as a hatter; we're all mad as hatters."
+
+Mr. Hartman waved his hand wearily.
+
+"I don't care anything about feelings. I want to know whether the story
+is true."
+
+"True?" he repeated. "Surely you don't intend to pay any attention to a
+sensational newspaper article."
+
+"Don't you?"
+
+"No; certainly not."
+
+"Very well; now, I know what to do."
+
+"Mr. Hartman; Mr. Hartman!" called the Chairman.
+
+But the Congressman was already out of sight. Before noon that day a
+statement appeared, over the signature of Mr. Hartman, in which he
+disclaimed all further interest in the legislation affecting Green
+Island. This added fuel to the fire. Before the Committee met that
+afternoon nearly everyone in and around the Capitol appeared to be
+interested in the fight over the Naval Repair Station.
+
+Carlton was on hand very early. Prior to the meeting he held several
+whispered conversations with Felix Conway. He was here, there and
+everywhere. There was an air of aggressiveness about him that boded no
+good for the opposition.
+
+"He seems ready for the battle," suggested one of the Committeemen to
+another.
+
+"Yes," was the reply. "He's ready to fight at the drop of the hat."
+
+The Committee was called to order, and the clerk read the Green Island
+amendment as offered by Congressman Collins. The moment he finished
+Jesse Hudson got the floor:
+
+"I move that the amendment be adopted," he said.
+
+Carlton was on his feet instantly.
+
+"I think," he said, in purring tones, "that the gentleman has not had
+the opportunity of reading the articles that appeared in this morning's
+newspapers, otherwise I'm sure he would not favor this legislation."
+
+"I've no time to read sensational newspapers," snapped Hudson.
+
+"Then I'll have to enlighten the gentleman," said Carlton, still very
+polite.
+
+"How?"
+
+Instead of answering Hudson, the man from Maine looked about him
+inquiringly:
+
+"Is Mr. William Douglass in the room?" he called.
+
+In response a square-jawed man advanced to the desk of the Chairman.
+
+"Gentlemen," said Carlton, looking about him smilingly, "Mr. Douglass
+lives on Green Island, and with your permission I want to ask him one
+or two questions about the Green Island site."
+
+"This seems irregular," protested Hudson.
+
+"It may seem irregular," was the retort, "but you'll find it will be all
+right."
+
+"What do you hope to demonstrate through Mr. Douglass?" asked the
+Chairman.
+
+"That this whole Green Island proposition is a land speculation scheme,"
+retorted the Congressman sternly.
+
+The members all looked up at this grave statement. Everyone was paying
+the closest attention.
+
+"Now, Mr. Douglass," said Carlton, "you're well acquainted with this
+property, are you not?"
+
+"I know every inch of the ground."
+
+"Do you know the owners of it?"
+
+"I did know the old owners."
+
+"What do you mean by the old owners?"
+
+"I mean that the entire property has changed hands during the last few
+months."
+
+"Since it first became known that the Government intended to build a
+Naval Repair Station?"
+
+"Exactly."
+
+"Now, Mr. Douglass, these new owners are offering this property to the
+Government for one hundred dollars an acre. What did they pay for the
+land?"
+
+"Less than twenty-five dollars an acre."
+
+"That's all," said Carlton, promptly.
+
+There was a hum of excited voices. Hudson protested that the price of
+the land had nothing to do with the case, but his argument was lost in
+the din. A ballot was called for, and the Green Island amendment was
+overwhelmingly beaten, only two votes being recorded in its favor.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+SMITHERS TO THE RESCUE
+
+
+For twenty-four hours after the defeat of the Green Island bill John
+Carlton was kept busy responding to congratulations. Barry Wynn was one
+of those who ventured to express his joy to the Congressman.
+
+"I'm awfully glad you've won the fight," said the boy.
+
+The statesman beamed on the youngster.
+
+"You mean well, Barry," he exclaimed, "but I'm afraid you're a little
+previous."
+
+"But you beat them."
+
+Mr. Carlton nodded.
+
+"Yes, we defeated their bill, but we haven't passed our own!"
+
+"But you will."
+
+"I hope so, but I know we're going to have a terrific battle. Hudson and
+the others are bitter over their defeat, and they'll move Heaven and
+Earth to beat the man from Cleverly."
+
+The session was now drawing near its close, and Mr. Carlton knew that if
+he was to get his bill through, he would have to get action by the
+Committee. Accordingly he had a day fixed when the members agreed to
+hear the citizens of Cleverly. That accomplished, he wired Mr. Smithers
+to be sure and have his committee in Washington at the time appointed.
+The caution was heeded, for when the great day arrived, Mr. Carlton
+received word that the delegation had reached the Capitol city. Barry
+tried to locate them but failed. He did not know at what time they
+reached Washington, or where they were domiciled. The only thing he
+could do was to possess his soul in patience. The public hearing was
+scheduled for two o'clock in the afternoon in the Committee room, and
+Barry felt that they would be likely to appear there before the hour
+indicated.
+
+He was not mistaken. Ten minutes before the time the delegation filed
+into the office of Congressman Carlton. Postmaster Ford headed the
+party, and directly behind him were Mr. Smithers, Hiram Blake, and
+several other prominent citizens of Cleverly. Mr. Carlton received them
+cordially, and then Barry went around to them, one by one, shaking hands
+with a fervency that could not be mistaken. The sight of the familiar
+faces stirred him until every drop of blood in his body seemed to tingle
+with delight. The sense of elation was greater than words could properly
+describe. The sight of their dear old faces was like a whiff of ozone
+from the ocean to a person parched with the heat of summer.
+
+He had so much to say, and they had so much to say, that none of them
+knew where to begin. The consequence was a genuine hubbub of voices and
+a babble of sounds. Hiram Blake, as his relative, naturally claimed his
+attention. These two talked in whispers for quite a while and the things
+that Barry learned from his uncle made him very happy indeed. His mother
+was well and contented, and pleased with the progress that he was
+making in Washington.
+
+After he had finished his talk with his uncle, Barry turned his
+attention to Mr. Smithers. He had to shake hands with him again and
+again in order to convince himself that it was really the old
+schoolmaster himself in the flesh that stood before him. Mr. Daniel
+Smithers, it might be said, parenthetically, was a different person in
+Washington from Mr. Smithers in Cleverly. He was dressed neatly and in
+good taste, and had indulged in the luxury of a shave and a hair cut.
+Mr. Smithers, like most men of his class in the east, was not only
+highly educated, but was a man of great capacity, and from the moment he
+landed in Washington he had been fairly drinking in knowledge. He
+absorbed facts and figures and information generally as a sponge absorbs
+water. While the other members of the party had been indulging in the
+pleasure that comes from viewing monuments and paintings, Mr. Smithers
+had been making the rounds of the departments, and picking up odd bits
+of information concerning the government of the country, that he was to
+retain in his wonderful head the rest of his life. He visited the
+Treasury, Patent Office, and the computing department of the Census
+Bureau.
+
+Barry looked at him in open-eyed wonder. He had the usual amount of
+boyish enthusiasm upon the subject of sight-seeing, but he could not
+understand the motive that would lead a man to visit what he considered
+the dullest departments of the Government.
+
+"What in the world did you visit the Census Bureau for?" he asked.
+
+"To satisfy the curiosity which I inherited from Mother Eve," was the
+dry response.
+
+"But," protested Barry, "it is nothing but figures, and to me figures
+are so dry."
+
+"Well, it is all a question of taste, my boy. To my mind there is
+nothing in the world so romantic and so fascinating as figures. I would
+sooner add up a column of figures any day in the week than read the
+finest poem that was ever written."
+
+Barry shook his head.
+
+"I can't understand that feeling," he said.
+
+"I suppose not, but anyhow, this census business has a special
+attraction for me. I wondered how they computed the figures after they
+gathered them."
+
+"Well, did you find out?"
+
+"I did, indeed. If the boys at the Cleverly school want any information
+on this subject, all they have to do is to call on their 'Uncle
+Daniel.'"
+
+In the midst of their conversation the voice of Mr. Carlton rang out
+warningly:
+
+"Gentlemen, we haven't a minute to spare. The Committee will be called
+to order on the stroke of two, and we should be present. Just come with
+me."
+
+He started away from the room and they followed him in single file. They
+marched through the subway which leads from the office building of the
+House of Representatives into the Capitol. In a few minutes they
+reached the headquarters of the Committee on Naval Affairs. The members
+were already in session. A quick survey of the room showed John Carlton
+that Mr. Jesse Hudson was in his place at the right hand of the Chairman
+of the Committee. Joel Phipps, the clerk of the Committee, for whom Mr.
+Carlton had no great relish, was calling the roll in a sing-song voice.
+Carlton wondered vaguely whether Hudson would openly oppose his bill,
+and if so, on what ground he would base his opposition. Hudson, on his
+part, gave no intimation of his intentions. He nodded curtly to Carlton
+on his entrance, and then buried himself in the perusal of a document
+that he held in his hand.
+
+Presently the business before the Committee was taken up in regular
+order. Several of the members made motions for the purpose of regulating
+the method of considering the various bills that were about to be
+brought to their attention. Hudson was one of these. He reminded the
+Committee that it was their policy not to consider propositions from
+cities or towns having a population of less than thirty thousand. This,
+he said, was necessary because of the labor problem.
+
+Mr. Carlton now arose and said that he desired to have the privilege of
+presenting arguments to prove that the city of Cleverly should have the
+new Naval Repair Station, and that he wished to introduce a number of
+his constituents who had visited Washington for that purpose. The first
+member who was introduced was Postmaster Ford, who was put forward as a
+man who was in a position to understand the Government side of the
+question.
+
+Mr. Ford made an effective little speech, in which he presented
+statistics to show that Cleverly was just the place for the station. He
+said that the increasing importance of the place justified the people in
+making this request. When one of the members suggested that the proposed
+site might be far from the ocean, he said that very thing insured the
+Government a fresh-water basin where the barnacles could be readily
+cleaned from the largest battleships afloat.
+
+Mr. Smithers was then presented to the Committee, and the force and
+originality of his remarks immediately attracted the attention of the
+members. He had the valuable faculty of saying commonplace things in a
+very impressive manner, and he proved to be the best speaker of the
+delegation. He dwelt upon the growth of Cleverly, and said that it was
+the duty of the National Government, not only to keep step with local
+progress, but, if possible, always to be a few paces in advance.
+
+After Mr. Smithers had taken his seat, the President of the local Board
+of Trade told the members that the growing importance of Cleverly as a
+business centre justified the demand which the citizens were making upon
+the Congress of the United States. The members of the Committee were
+beginning to get a little bit bored by this time, and they did not pay
+much attention to the array of facts which the speaker presented in
+support of his contentions.
+
+As he sat down Mr. Carlton arose, and turning to the members, said:
+
+"Gentlemen, have you any questions to ask of my constituents? If so, I
+know that they will be only too glad to answer them."
+
+The members shook their heads, as much as to say that they had heard as
+much as they cared to hear, but this did not satisfy Mr. Carlton. He
+desired, if possible, to spike any opposition that might develop. He
+turned and looked directly at Jesse Hudson.
+
+"Mr. Hudson, have you any questions to ask?"
+
+"No," said Hudson, in a slow-going way, "I've listened to all that has
+been said, and I have no desire to combat any of the arguments which
+have been presented."
+
+Carlton beamed with delight. He had no idea that his proposition would
+have such plain sailing. He turned to the head of the Committee and
+said:
+
+"I suppose, Mr. Chairman, that it would not be premature if I were to
+tell the members of this Committee that the proposition for a new Naval
+Repair Station for Cleverly is likely to be reported to Congress with a
+favorable report?"
+
+"I think that what you say is quite probable," said the Chairman. "For
+my own part I--"
+
+"One moment," interrupted a determined voice.
+
+Every eye was turned in that direction and discovered Jesse Hudson on
+his feet, gazing at Carlton in a menacing manner.
+
+"Mr. Hudson has the floor," said the Chairman, respectfully.
+
+"Now, gentlemen," said Hudson, in his bristling, aggressive way, "before
+we go any further in the business that is before this Committee, I move
+that we throw out the proposition to give this station to Cleverly."
+
+"Why?" demanded Carlton. "I think we have made it a good case."
+
+"You have made it a splendid case," was the sneering response, "but
+unfortunately Cleverly is a city that does not come within the scope of
+the work which has been mapped out by this Committee."
+
+"What do you mean?" demanded Carlton, angrily.
+
+"I mean that we agreed that we should not consider the application of
+cities or towns with a population of less than thirty thousand."
+
+"I know that," assented Carlton, "but--"
+
+"There are no 'buts' to it," cried the other, exultingly. "I have here
+an official copy of the last census," and he held a document in the air,
+"and according to this book, Cleverly has a population of 29,786."
+
+Carlton looked crestfallen. The other members of the Committee yawned.
+One of them said with a snicker:
+
+"We have wasted a lot of valuable time."
+
+"Yes," remarked another, "I move that we take up the next bill before
+the Committee."
+
+"But," protested Carlton, "the figures Mr. Hudson has given are eight
+or nine years old."
+
+"Yes," retorted his adversary, "but they are the only official figures
+we can consider."
+
+"One moment," cried a voice from the rear of the room.
+
+Everybody looked in that direction. Mr. Daniel Smithers was standing up
+and waving a sheet of paper in the air.
+
+"This gentleman is not a member of the Committee," protested Hudson.
+
+"No," shouted the schoolmaster, "but I have some information that the
+Committee might like to receive."
+
+"What is it?" asked the Chairman.
+
+"It is simply this: I was in the office of the Director of the Census
+less than an hour ago. He was good enough to tell me that the computers
+had just finished the count of the new census of the city of Cleverly."
+
+"Yes, yes," cried Carlton, on his feet, "and what were the figures? What
+is the population of Cleverly today?"
+
+Smithers straightened to his full height in order to fire his shot
+straight at the bull's eye. He spoke impressively, even dramatically:
+
+"Cleverly, today," he cried, "has a population of 43,986!"
+
+Two or three members of the Committee and the entire delegation from
+Cleverly broke out in a ripple of applause. Hudson, seated in a corner
+of the room, looked sick and crestfallen. The Chairman of the Committee
+turned to the clerk and said, drily:
+
+"Lay the Cleverly bill aside. It is evidently worthy of further
+consideration."
+
+The Chairman of the delegation thanked the members of the Committee for
+their attention and then filed out of the room, with Carlton at their
+head. As they reached the corridor of the Capitol, the big statesman
+grabbed the schoolteacher by the hand and cried, impulsively:
+
+"By George, Smithers, but you just came in in the very nick of time!"
+
+Smithers smiled in his homely way.
+
+"I guess it was all right," he admitted, "but, John, don't you remember
+when we were boys, they used to say I was the best pinch hitter on our
+base-ball team?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+A LITTLE PILGRIMAGE
+
+
+That night Congressman Carlton entertained the Cleverly delegation at
+dinner. It was a merry party, for they all felt very happy over their
+preliminary victory in the matter of the new Federal station. Barry was
+included among the dinner guests, and he conducted himself with due
+modesty, and yet with all of the confidence of a veteran statesman. The
+episode of the afternoon naturally came in for a large share of
+conversation. The various members of the party viewed it according to
+their respective methods of viewing life.
+
+"I think we might as well go ahead and advertise for proposals," said
+Postmaster Ford, who had the reputation of being the most optimistic man
+in Cleverly. "The bill's as good as passed. It's a sure thing!"
+
+Congressman Carlton laughed.
+
+"I wish you would loan me your rose-colored glasses, Ford," was his
+comment; "you certainly look on the sunny side of things."
+
+"It's the only way to succeed," was the jovial response. "I think
+pessimists should be suppressed by law."
+
+"What do you think of that, Mr. Blake?" asked the legislator, turning to
+Barry's uncle.
+
+Hiram was a cautious man. He paused for some moments before replying. He
+spoke, finally, with great deliberation:
+
+"I think it's a great mistake for any of us, either as individuals or as
+a community, to count our chickens before they are hatched."
+
+Daniel Smithers had remained silent during the interchange of views.
+John Carlton glanced in his direction.
+
+"What has the philosopher of Cleverly to say on the burning subject of
+the hour?"
+
+The schoolmaster modestly disclaimed the title, saying that as far as
+wisdom was concerned, there was safety in numbers.
+
+"But what do you think of the situation?" insisted the Congressman.
+
+"Well," said the other, "I think Ford and Blake are extremists. I see no
+occasion for either joy or sorrow."
+
+"Smithers is hedging," called a voice from the other side of the table.
+
+"Not at all," protested the teacher. "As I view the situation, we have
+every reason to be satisfied. We have won the skirmish, but the big
+battle is still to be fought. Moreover, it does not take a very bright
+observer to see that Mr. Carlton has a very resourceful and determined
+adversary in Jesse Hudson. He was very much chagrined over his setback
+this afternoon, and if I am not very much mistaken in my man he will do
+his best to keep Cleverly from getting the new Naval Repair Station."
+
+Mr. Carlton nodded his head.
+
+"You've sized the situation up to the dot. There's no use blinking our
+eyes to the truth. I'm up against the hardest fight of my life. While
+you're with me, gentlemen, I feel your enthusiasm and strength. But
+when you go away you must not forget that--"
+
+"That you'll be standing all alone against a combination of clever
+politicians," interrupted Hiram Blake.
+
+The Congressman laughed.
+
+"That's not exactly what I intended to say," he remarked, "but we'll let
+it go at that."
+
+"Blake's wrong in one particular," observed Smithers.
+
+"How?"
+
+"You won't be alone in this fight."
+
+"No?"
+
+"No; you'll have Barry Wynn with you."
+
+Barry, sitting at the far end of the table, blushed to the roots of his
+hair.
+
+In the evening the delegation went to one of the theatres in Washington
+as the guests of John Carlton. He purchased an entire box in honor of
+the occasion, and thus his friends were able to see and hear to great
+advantage. The play was one of James M. Barrie's whimsical comedies, and
+to say that they all enjoyed it would be putting it very mildly indeed.
+The company was competent and the play itself was not only humorous but
+wholesome as well. Cleverly, while a thriving town, did not always have
+the privilege of seeing the best plays, and, as a consequence, this
+visit to the theatre in Washington was an opportunity that was
+remembered a long while by each member of the delegation.
+
+After the performance Congressman Carlton escorted his friends to their
+hotel, and as they were about to part for the night, he said:
+
+"Well, gentlemen, I shall be engaged all day tomorrow with my official
+duties, and I am going to place you in the hands of Barry Wynn. He will
+act as my representative. Now, is there anything in particular that you
+would like to do tomorrow?"
+
+One after another said that they had no special object in view. Finally,
+Mr. Carlton turned to the boy and said:
+
+"Barry, what do you say? What suggestion have you to make?"
+
+Barry, thus suddenly appealed to, was at a loss what to say. In a
+moment or two, however, a thought flashed into his mind and he gave it
+voice:
+
+"I think a trip to Mount Vernon would come pretty nearly filling the
+bill."
+
+"Good!" ejaculated the Congressman. "I can think of nothing that would
+be pleasanter or more profitable. A pilgrimage to the tomb of
+Washington! It's the very thing."
+
+Everybody agreed to the proposition and a call was left with the night
+clerk at the hotel so that they would be able to have an early breakfast
+and start out on their trip in good season. They had all breakfasted by
+nine o'clock the following morning and were ready for the day's sight
+seeing. The trip was made by rail, and after reaching the home of the
+Father of his Country, the members separated and spent nearly two hours
+in viewing every part of the historic estate. They were all enchanted
+with the simplicity of Mount Vernon. Standing on the colonial porch,
+they could look out and see the Potomac river shimmering in the
+distance. Mr. Smithers voiced the general opinion when he said that
+Washington could not have secured a more ideal residence in which to
+spend his honorable old age.
+
+Although they were all men, the members of the delegation were greatly
+interested in the quaint dining-room, and they admired the Colonial
+china, the antique furniture, and the picturesque surroundings. They
+stood in the hallway and looked up the open staircase, which Nellie
+Custis had walked down one beautiful morning to become a bride. Indeed,
+they were all intelligent men, and all having read the life of
+Washington and the history of the country to advantage, they associated
+every part of the old mansion with some interesting anecdote.
+
+Mr. Smithers was particularly interested in the boyish recollections of
+the great Washington. He gazed with particular keenness on the little
+bundle of books which the future President of the country had read with
+such profit when a boy. He examined minutely the fragments of school
+exercises which showed the round, fair handwriting which has since
+become so familiar to the civilized world. He noted among the papers
+many copies of legal forms written by the youthful Washington, as well
+as the set of rules regarding behavior. It was evident that these rules,
+while sounding somewhat stilted, had had a remarkable effect in moulding
+the boy's mind and in forming his character.
+
+"Look at this one, Barry," said the old schoolmaster, "it is worth
+remembering."
+
+Barry looked over the shoulder of his old friend and read:
+
+
+     "Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial
+     fire called 'conscience.'"
+
+
+Hiram Blake and Postmaster Ford, who were standing back of the other
+two, nodded their assent and indicated by their manner, if not in words,
+that a boy who would keep that maxim before him at all times could not
+fail to become a useful member of society.
+
+"Here's another one worth hearing," called out Mr. Smithers.
+
+"What is it?" asked Hiram.
+
+
+     "Let your discourse with men of business be short and
+     comprehensive,"
+
+
+read the schoolmaster, slowly.
+
+"Good," cried Postmaster Ford. "That should be printed on a card and
+placed on the desk of every busy man. It might frighten off the bores."
+
+All the members of the party were now straining to see the little book,
+which was kept out of the reach of vandals. Hiram Blake read a maxim as
+follows:
+
+
+     "Speak not evil of the absent, for it is unjust."
+
+
+The Postmaster recited the next one:
+
+
+     "Undertake not what you cannot perform, but be careful to keep your
+     promise."
+
+
+Before they left, the attendant of the estate gave them an outline of
+the history of Mount Vernon. He said that it was the property of the
+Mount Vernon Association, which had incorporated many years before for
+the purpose of purchasing and holding the estate in perpetuity. The
+association, he added, was composed of ladies of the United States and
+was ably managed by a Board of lady Regents. Mount Vernon descended to
+George Washington when he was about twenty-one years of age, from his
+half brother, Lawrence Washington, and from that time until his death,
+on the 14th of December, 1799, it was his home.
+
+The time had passed so quickly and so pleasantly that it was now almost
+noon, and it was decided that if they desired to reach their hotel in
+time for lunch, they would have to move at once. As they were about to
+pass out of the grounds, a large automobile came round one corner of the
+property, prepared to resume its journey to the Capitol. Four gentlemen
+were in this party. They had been inspecting Mount Vernon at the same
+time as the delegation from Cleverly. The gentleman in charge, who
+appeared to be paying a great deal of attention to the other three, was
+rather dignified. But he had a very agreeable manner and frequently
+said things that caused his companions to laugh.
+
+Barry had been watching this gentleman for some time, and now he stood
+gazing at him as though he were fascinated. There was something familiar
+about him. Barry felt that he had met him before and yet, try as he
+could, the memory of such a meeting would not come to his mind.
+
+While Barry was still engaged in this mental debate, a sudden gust of
+wind came along and took the stranger's hat from his head. It fell to
+the ground and being lifted up again by the breeze, started off toward
+the Potomac river, with the certainty and speed of a bird. Barry did not
+hesitate, not even for a fraction of a second. He started after the
+truant hat as fast as his legs would carry him.
+
+It was a wild chase, but the boy won. He picked up the head-piece and
+started back breathless but triumphant. The gentleman came running
+toward him, meeting him half way. The incident had not disturbed his
+temper. He was in the best of good humor.
+
+"You 're a better sprinter than I," he said, jovially, "but when I was
+your age I think I could have beaten you."
+
+The boy and the man stood talking for some moments. The gentleman was
+evidently asking many questions and Barry, very much embarrassed, was
+answering the best he could.
+
+"Looks as if Barry had made a new friend," commented Mr. Smithers.
+
+Before anyone had a chance to reply, Barry was escorting the stranger
+towards the delegation from Cleverly. He presented each of them in their
+turn, but he was so flustered that no one caught the name of the
+newcomer. Mr. Smithers and Postmaster Ford, however, looked at the
+stranger very curiously and there was something very much like reverence
+in their eyes. He chatted very amiably for a few moments and spoke about
+the historic importance of the ground on which they were standing.
+
+"By the by," he said, turning to Barry, "you're a page boy; do you know
+Mr. John Carlton?"
+
+"He's the member that had me appointed," replied Barry, proudly.
+
+"Good," was the cordial response, "I'm glad to hear it. Carlton is an
+able man and," half musingly, "he's a coming man, too; a coming man."
+
+The members of the delegation looked at one another significantly. It
+was a pleasure to them to hear anyone commend their Congressman.
+Presently the stranger prepared to depart.
+
+"I am very glad to have seen you gentlemen here," he said. "I think that
+every man who has the opportunity to pay a pilgrimage to Mount Vernon
+should do so."
+
+They agreed with him, and presently, after some more talk, he turned and
+said:
+
+"Where's that little page boy?"
+
+Barry was pushed to the front, and the stranger shook hands with him
+very cordially.
+
+"It does me good to shake hands with you," he said. "I like all boys,
+but I have a special liking for boys who are bright and ambitious."
+
+The next moment he had stepped into the automobile with his friends, and
+as the machine puffed out of the gateway, he turned in his seat and
+waved his hand, exclaiming:
+
+"Good-bye, and good luck to you all."
+
+It was all done so quickly that the visitors scarcely had time to get
+their bearings. Hiram Blake, who had been looking after the vanishing
+machine like a man in a stupor, was the first to speak:
+
+"Who is that man?" he demanded.
+
+"That," answered Barry, proudly, "is the President of the United
+States!"
+
+"I thought so," commented Mr. Smithers; "he had the air of a man of
+authority."
+
+"Yes," remarked Postmaster Ford, "I was sure it was he, and he looks
+just like his pictures."
+
+An hour later the members were taking their lunch at the hotel in
+Washington, and before dusk that evening, they had started on their
+return trip to Cleverly.
+
+"Good-bye," cried Congressman Carlton, who was on the station platform
+as they boarded the train, "I will promise to do the best I can with
+that bill."
+
+Mr. Smithers, who was the last one to get on the train, thought of the
+incident at Mount Vernon, and replied significantly:
+
+"I am sure you won't fail us--not when you have the assistance of such a
+bright boy as Barry Wynn."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+BARRY FALLS A SECOND TIME
+
+
+For several days after his unexpected interview with the President,
+Barry was filled with a sense of his own importance. He related the
+incident to Congressman Carlton and to Joe Hart, and in the course of
+time, it became very generally known about the Capitol. Mr. Carlton
+seemed very much pleased at the honor that had been shown to his
+protégé, but the page boys received the story in silence. Barry
+attributed their attitude to envy, and that fact caused him to walk
+about with his chin very high in the air. Indeed, he felt like a boy who
+was walking on clouds. To use the words of one of the messengers at the
+Capitol, he "didn't know whether he stood on his head or his heels."
+
+A great deal of praise had been accorded him at the time of the
+Warrington incident, and he was pointed out as the page boy who had
+been instrumental in saving an important piece of legislation in which
+the President was personally interested. The visit of the delegation
+from Cleverly also caused him much self-gratification. The words of Mr.
+Smithers to Congressman Carlton were still ringing in his ears. He could
+hear the old teacher yet as he called out to the Congressman:
+
+"I am sure you won't fail us--not when you have the assistance of such a
+bright boy as Barry Wynn."
+
+All of these things combined had the effect of making him feel that the
+fate of a nation--in a measure--depended upon him. He even became
+somewhat frigid in his relations with Joe Hart.
+
+Barry, without knowing it, was passing through that period which comes
+to nearly every boy,--the period between boyhood and manhood, when
+self-importance is apt to overshadow and conceal real worth. But,
+whatever the cause, there was no doubt of the effect that he produced.
+He succeeded effectively in winning the ill will of the other boys. They
+naturally resented the idea of a new page receiving so much praise from
+the members of Congress.
+
+The Sergeant-at-Arms of the House had provided the boys with a dressing
+room in one of the alcoves in the basement of the Capitol, and they
+frequently assembled here when not otherwise engaged. It was provided
+with basins, towels, clothes-closets, and the other furnishings of a
+room of this character. On cloudy days it was quite dark in this
+apartment. On the third day after the Presidential adventure, Barry
+hurried down to this room to wash his hands and comb his hair before
+beginning his duties at the noonday session of the House. It was a
+gloomy day, but he managed to find his way to the wash-basin. He opened
+the spigot and filled the receptacle with water. At that moment one of
+the boys attracted his attention to something that was going on in
+another part of the room, and in the interval another little fellow
+crept over to the basin and poured something into the water. Barry, all
+unsuspecting of what had gone on in the brief interval, returned to the
+basin and hastily washed his face and hands and then, boy-like, gave his
+hair a quick smooth-down with a brush that lay on the marble wash table.
+
+"Barry! Barry!" cried a voice at the door. "Mr. Carlton wants you right
+away."
+
+"I will come in a minute," was the reply. "I want to see if my hair's
+all right."
+
+"You haven't any time for that," was the retort. "He's calling you, and
+he'll be very angry if you don't come at once."
+
+Without further ado, Barry hurried up the marble stairway and along the
+corridor and into the House. Several persons who passed him on the way,
+looked at him and laughed, but he paid no attention to them. Presently
+he reached the House and hurried over to where Mr. Carlton sat. The
+Congressman looked at him for a moment and then burst into laughter.
+
+"Why, Barry," he exclaimed, "what in the world is the matter with you?"
+
+"Nothing," said the boy, innocently. "I was told that you wanted me in a
+hurry."
+
+"No," was the answer, "I don't want you, but if I were you I'd go and
+wash my face before I began my duties."
+
+"Wash my face?" echoed Barry. "What do you mean?"
+
+"Why, you look as though you had just emerged from darkest Africa."
+
+Wonderingly, Barry left the House and went out into the corridor again.
+He went down stairs and before going back into the dressing room, took a
+look at himself in a big pier mirror. What he saw caused him to gasp
+with horror. His face was all black and smeared. He looked at his hands.
+They were no better. As he turned from the glass a roar of laughter
+greeted him. A crowd of the boys stood behind him, giggling and going
+through all sorts of contortions. Barry turned from the glass
+indignantly. As he started into the dressing room he saw Joe Hart.
+
+"What does this mean," he exclaimed.
+
+"It means that the boys have given you the first degree."
+
+And such proved to be the case. A mischievous page boy had deliberately
+emptied a bottle of ink in the wash basin with a consequence that had
+been fatal to Barry's dignity. He did not take it in good part. Indeed,
+he threatened to thrash the boy who had been guilty of the offense. At
+this exhibition of temper the boys all filed down stairs after him, and
+when they were safely away from public view, surrounded the new page and
+told him to take his place on an elevated platform. He gazed at them
+defiantly, but fight was out of the question. There were at least ten
+boys in the crowd, and he realized that at the first move he made they
+were likely to pounce on him and possibly tear the clothes from his
+back. So he determined to submit with the best grace possible.
+
+"Now," said one tall fellow, who appeared to be the ringleader, "we want
+you to recite your lesson."
+
+"My lesson?"
+
+"Yes," said the other, handing him a large volume, "your lesson, and if
+you don't do it correctly you'll be kept in after school."
+
+Barry took the big book obediently. It was an unabridged dictionary.
+
+"Now," said the moving spirit, "turn to the letter E."
+
+Barry did so.
+
+"Please find the word 'egotism.'"
+
+Barry obeyed.
+
+"Have you got it?"
+
+"Yes," said Barry.
+
+"Well, read the definition of the word as you find it in that book."
+
+Barry did as he was bid, just as a pupil would respond to the commands
+of his teacher.
+
+"Egotism," he read, "is the practice of too frequently using the word
+'I'; hence a speaking or writing overmuch of one's self;
+self-exaltation; self-praise; the act or practice of magnifying one's
+self or parading one's doings."
+
+"Correct," cried the chief of the bad boys. "You're likely to be
+promoted. You may report for duty to the Sergeant-at-Arms."
+
+It is hardly necessary to say that Barry did not relish this ceremony.
+Mr. Carlton, when he learned of the affair a day or so later, laughed.
+He wondered if, after all, Barry did not need the punishment. However,
+whatever the feelings of those most concerned, it had a chastening
+effect on the new page boy. But it did not entirely deprive him of his
+feeling of self-importance, and he continued to keep most of his fellow
+pages at a distance.
+
+It was about this time that Barry began to realize that, even with his
+youth and inexperience, he was likely to be in the midst of great
+happenings. There had been a "lagging" tendency in Congress. The
+President had been urging important legislation from the very beginning
+of the session, but a strong opposition effectively blocked him. The big
+party leaders, it must be confessed, were not entirely in sympathy with
+the chief executive of the nation, and as a consequence, their support
+of his pet measures was lukewarm and lacking in the effectiveness which
+produces successful legislation. Jesse Hudson was counted among the
+President's supporters, although his actions did not give color to the
+assumption; John Carlton, on the other hand, was classed among the
+neutral members of the House, but was outspoken in the advocacy of
+certain bills which the President had at heart.
+
+There was something about the very air of Washington that portended a
+political storm. The House seemed to be "marking time," as far as the
+business of the nation was concerned. The President, in the White House
+at the other end of the long avenue, was plainly dissatisfied with the
+condition of affairs. Few expressed their convictions publicly, but
+every now and then hints were dropped which suggested the possibility
+of a big political contest. Those who loved war for the sake of the
+fighting, begged Carlton to throw down the gage of battle, but he smiled
+that wise smile of his--and said nothing.
+
+During all of this time a sort of armed neutrality existed between John
+Carlton and Jesse Hudson. On the morning after the day that Barry had
+his experience with his fellow pages, Mr. Carlton got into a controversy
+with Congressman Hudson on the floor of the House. It began in a debate
+over a certain clause in the tariff bill. Hudson made an assertion which
+was combated by Carlton. For a few moments there was a running fire of
+assertions and contradictions. Finally Hudson challenged Carlton for
+proof of the statements which he made.
+
+"Mr. Speaker," said the latter, "if the gentleman from Illinois will
+indulge me, I think I can produce the proof of my assertion before the
+conclusion of this debate. It will be necessary, however, for me to
+procure a certain book which is now in the Congressional Library."
+
+Hudson arose with a mocking smile.
+
+"I will give the gentleman all the time he desires, and all the rope he
+wants, because I feel satisfied that if I give him enough he will
+eventually hang himself."
+
+The members of the House laughed at this retort, and then proceeded with
+the consideration of the bills before them. Mr. Carlton clapped his
+hands and Barry rushed to his side.
+
+"Barry," he said, "I want you to hurry over to the Congressional Library
+and get me a copy of a book which contains a report showing the wages
+paid to certain workmen of Birmingham, England."
+
+To make certain that he would obtain exactly what he wanted, the
+Congressman gave Barry a memorandum containing the name of the volume
+desired. Ordinarily, when a member desires to obtain a book from the
+Library of Congress, he utilizes a device for transporting books
+between the library and the Capitol. It is a pneumatic tube running from
+the library to a small receiving room just back of Statuary Hall. Books,
+as a rule, are obtained very expeditiously in this manner, but Mr.
+Carlton was so anxious that there should be no error that he decided to
+send Barry personally to the Librarian of Congress.
+
+The boy hurried on his errand and in a few minutes was in the library.
+He presented the memorandum to the official in charge, and in a few
+minutes had obtained the book that was desired. While he was waiting, he
+gazed about the building with wondering eyes. It was the first visit
+that he had made to this beautiful structure, and he readily believed
+the assertion of one of the attendants that it was the handsomest
+building for public purposes in the world. After he had obtained the
+book for Mr. Carlton, he walked through the labyrinth of beauty, gazing
+with wide-open eyes on the treasures of art and sculpture that met him
+at every turn. Imaginary figures of History, Science, and Art stood out
+at every point in the long corridors and galleries. It was so well
+lighted and ventilated that the boy felt that he was in a bookish
+Paradise.
+
+After going through the galleries he finally went into the library
+proper and gazed at many of the curiosities of literature that abounded
+in that place. He was examining a copy of Eliot's Indian Bible,
+published in Cambridge in 1669, when the striking of a clock aroused him
+to a realization of the business that had brought him to the library. He
+remembered, with a pang of remorse, that Mr. Carlton was probably still
+waiting for the book that he had under his arm.
+
+He hastened back to the House. As he entered through one of the swinging
+doors he noticed that Jesse Hudson was on his feet.
+
+"Now," he was saying, "if the gentleman from Maine is ready to produce
+the proof of the assertion that he made earlier in the day, I would like
+to have it."
+
+Carlton arose from his seat in an apologetic manner.
+
+"I am sorry to say that I have not yet secured the data I wanted."
+
+Hudson, who was still standing, sneered at his adversary:
+
+"Probably," he said, "it is because there is no such data!"
+
+"Gentlemen, you will please refrain from indulging in personalities,"
+warned the Speaker. "The question before the House is on the motion of
+the gentleman from Illinois. All in favor will please say 'Aye.'"
+
+A roar of "Ayes" came from the members of the House.
+
+The echo had scarcely died out when a voice from the corner could be
+heard:
+
+"I move that the House do now adjourn."
+
+"The members have heard the motion," said the Speaker. "All in favor of
+adjournment will please say 'Aye.'"
+
+There was a roar of "Ayes."
+
+"All who are opposed will say 'Nay.'"
+
+A few scattered voices, among them Mr. Carlton's, cried "Nay."
+
+"The 'Ayes' have it," declared the Speaker, "and the House now stands
+adjourned."
+
+At that moment Barry reached Mr. Carlton's side, holding a copy of the
+much needed book in his hand. The Congressman turned around and the
+moment he saw the boy a glint of anger appeared in his eyes. John
+Carlton was a very amiable man, but like most men of that type, he could
+be exceedingly angry at times. The thought of the manner in which he had
+been worsted by his adversary did not help his temper at this particular
+moment. He waved his hand toward Barry with a motion of disgust:
+
+"You may take the book back now," he said; "I have no use for it!"
+
+"I am sorry, Mr. Carlton," began Barry, "but--"
+
+"Your sorrow comes too late," was the angry retort, "I have done my best
+for you, and now you have succeeded in doing your worst for me!"
+
+"But, Mr. Carlton--"
+
+"I don't care for any explanation; I have nothing more to say."
+
+And, turning on his heel, the Congressman walked away, leaving Barry
+standing in the aisle, flushed and embarrassed.
+
+It was a very sore trial for the boy from Cleverly. When Barry sought
+his bed that night all of the vanity that had influenced his words and
+actions during the previous days had vanished. He realized that he had
+been at fault, and he wondered vaguely whether Mr. Carlton would ever
+forgive him for his carelessness. He tried to keep up bravely, but his
+pillow was damp with the tears that persisted in welling up in his eyes.
+He realized that, after all, he was only a boy, with all of the defects
+of boyhood. He thought of the lost money at the moving picture show, and
+then of the manner in which he had failed his benefactor at a very
+critical moment. After all, he was very, very human--and he had fallen a
+second time.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+BARRY REDEEMS HIMSELF
+
+
+For many days after the unfortunate incident of the Congressional
+Library Barry found it very embarrassing to be in the presence of Mr.
+Carlton. He realized more deeply as time went on how greatly he had
+neglected his duty, and that fact did not tend to keep him in a very
+pleasant state of mind. He was morose, irritable, and dissatisfied with
+himself and with the world in general.
+
+He still retained enough false pride to prevent him from making any
+overtures to his friend and benefactor. Besides that, he had come to
+know Mr. Carlton's character well enough to appreciate that soft words
+could not, with him, take the place of a plain performance of duty. Mr.
+Carlton, on his part, made no further reference to the incident. He did
+not treat Barry unkindly, but there was in his manner an absence of
+that cordiality that had existed before Barry's fall from grace.
+
+To put it plainly, the friendly relations that had existed between the
+man and the boy, while not absolutely broken, were strained in a manner
+that made it very painful to Barry. He wondered in a heartsick way
+whether he would ever again be the same to his old friend. He dwelt upon
+the existing conditions all the time, and this only served to make him
+still more uncomfortable.
+
+A few nights after the occurrence he made up his mind to write to his
+mother and make a frank confession of the whole business. He felt that
+it was due her and that it would be wrong for him to keep her in the
+dark. Almost immediately he received an impulsive, motherly reply. She
+said that she was very greatly chagrined to hear of the incident, but
+that she felt certain that it would be a warning to prevent him from
+failing in his duty in the future. She concluded by speaking of the
+great kindness of heart of John Carlton, and offered to write to him in
+behalf of her son. Barry was startled at this unexpected suggestion, and
+he lost no time in dispatching a reply in which he begged her very
+fervently not to think of writing to the Congressman. He said that he
+would have to depend on his own resources, and that under all
+circumstances he was willing to let events take their course.
+
+During this trying period in his Washington career Barry had one good,
+loyal friend who never failed him. It is needless to say that this
+person was little Joe Hart. He was like a faithful dog that never
+deserts even in the days of greatest danger and trouble. He never
+obtruded his friendship on Barry, but he always managed to be by his
+side in his big-hearted way, snuggling up to the other in that
+half-whimsical, half-affectionate way which wholly won the heart of the
+boy from Cleverly. Joe was apologetic, explanatory, and defiant by
+turns.
+
+"You're not the first fellow that ever made a slip," he said. "Why
+don't you go to Mr. Carlton and have it out with him?"
+
+Barry smiled sadly.
+
+"There is nothing to have 'out,' as you put it. Mr. Carlton says
+nothing. He won't even scold me, and for that reason it is impossible
+for me to explain or to talk back."
+
+"Well," said Joe, reflectively, as he wiped his freckled face with the
+back of his hand, "then the only thing to do is to defy him."
+
+"Defy him?" echoed Barry, in amazement.
+
+"Yes, just tell him you're going to chuck up your job."
+
+"Chuck up my job?" gasped Barry. "Why, I couldn't do that. I couldn't
+think of such a thing. I wouldn't dare go back to mother and tell her
+that I failed in Washington!"
+
+"But," persisted the young diplomat, "Congress isn't the only thing in
+Washington. You can get a job as a telegraph boy, or you might become an
+office boy with one of the morning newspapers."
+
+"I don't think I'd like that."
+
+"Why, it's great," said Joe. "Felix Conway is right in with those
+people and he could get you on one of the papers. I know boys that
+started as messengers and afterwards became reporters."
+
+Barry shook his head decidedly.
+
+"I have no intention of resigning my position as page, and I don't think
+that Mr. Carlton desires it either."
+
+"Very well," was the reply, with a resigned air. "If your mind's
+settled, I'm not going to try to change it."
+
+"It's settled," said Barry.
+
+"By the way," said Joe, changing the subject, "did you know that I had a
+typewriter?"
+
+"No, I did not."
+
+"Well, if you'll come up to my room, I'll show it to you. It's a
+second-hand affair. I bought it for fifteen dollars, but it has been
+fixed up so that it is almost as good as new. I have been learning to
+work it, and I think it might come in useful some day."
+
+Barry was interested at once, and after supper that night he went up to
+Joe's room and examined the wonderful purchase of the page boy. Joe had
+not misrepresented the case at all. The machine was in fairly good
+repair. Joe sat down for the edification of his friend and wrote him a
+letter. It was a slow and somewhat painful process. He used one finger
+like a boarding-school miss who had not yet received her first lesson on
+the piano. Sometimes he struck a comma for a period, and occasionally he
+used a dash instead of an interrogation point, and when the letter was
+finished an unbiased observer would have immediately ranked it among the
+curiosities of literature. But it served its purpose, for it awoke a
+half-slumbering desire that Barry had in his mind ever since he came to
+Washington.
+
+"Joe," he said, "I wonder if I couldn't go to one of those night schools
+and increase my speed in typewriting and stenography."
+
+"Sure you could," was the reply; "I know a good place, and I'll take you
+there tonight if you want me to do it."
+
+Barry was willing, and the two boys proceeded to one of the business
+colleges in the lower section of the city and obtained an interview with
+the manager. Barry placed his case very clearly.
+
+"I am anxious to get speed in stenography and typewriting, and learn
+bookkeeping," he said, "and if I thought I could get through in three
+months I'd be glad to undertake it."
+
+The teacher, thus appealed to, reflected a moment before replying, and
+then said:
+
+"It all depends on your own ability. Some boys are quicker than others.
+If you want to join this school we will do the best we can for you
+within the time appointed. We have branches in all of the large cities,
+and if you do not get through here while you are in Washington you could
+readily finish your course elsewhere."
+
+The terms were satisfactory, and Barry made his arrangements then and
+there. Indeed, he was so filled with the idea of perfecting himself that
+he started in to work that very night. Every evening thereafter, as
+soon as he had finished his supper, he went to the business college and
+for two or three hours was busy learning the intricacies of stenography
+and typewriting. Bookkeeping he finally decided to omit, feeling that he
+could make greater progress if he confined himself to the other two
+branches.
+
+Three weeks had gone by and Barry was returning from his school one
+night when something prompted him to go into the office building of the
+members of Congress. He walked through the corridor leading to Mr.
+Carlton's office and noticed that a light was burning there. After a
+minute's hesitancy, he opened the door and walked in. Congressman
+Carlton was at his desk with a pile of papers about him. He greeted
+Barry very kindly:
+
+"Hello!" he said; "glad to see you."
+
+"Is there anything I can do?" asked Barry, as he gradually plucked up
+courage.
+
+Mr. Carlton groaned and then made a grimace.
+
+"I wish you could do something," he replied; "I've got 225 agricultural
+reports that ought to go out the first thing in the morning. Each one of
+them should be accompanied by a typewritten letter signed by myself. I
+have the books here, and a form of letter, but I haven't anybody to do
+the work. I've got to go to a Committee meeting in fifteen minutes and I
+am almost distracted."
+
+"I think I might be able to help you out some," said the boy, timidly.
+
+"Help me out?" said the Congressman, looking up in surprise.
+
+"Yes," said Barry, "you know I work the typewriter, and I could easily
+copy your letters."
+
+Mr. Carlton laughed in the joyous, care-free way that Barry remembered
+so well.
+
+"Barry, you are very kind, but I don't think you could possibly get
+through with the work. I remember well when you wrote the bill for the
+Naval Repair Station. While you did it all right, you were certainly
+slower than the hearse at the colored funeral."
+
+"Well," said Barry, becoming more confident as he talked, "if you will
+just let me go ahead I might finish some of the letters tonight, and you
+know every little helps."
+
+Mr. Carlton meditated for a moment.
+
+"Yes," he agreed, "that's true, but how about the agricultural reports?
+They would have to be addressed too."
+
+"I have a friend who might help me out with that," suggested Barry.
+
+"All right," said the Congressman, finally, "you may go ahead and do the
+best you can. Even if you only finish a few of the letters and we get
+off a part of the books, I will feel somewhat relieved."
+
+Mr. Carlton left the room a few moments afterwards in order to attend
+the Committee meeting. He said that he would not be back that night, but
+would meet Barry early in the morning. Within fifteen minutes the young
+page had communicated with Joe Hart, and in less than a half hour's
+time that mischievous boy was engaged in the task of addressing the
+wrappers on the agricultural reports. Barry, in the meantime, had the
+list of addresses propped up in front of him and was hard at work on the
+typewriter in copying the form of letter which had been left there by
+Mr. Carlton. He was surprised at his own speed and accuracy. He went
+with some deliberation at first, but after that he "struck his gait," as
+they say in horse-race parlance, and before very long he was turning
+letters out at an astonishing rate of speed. For hour after hour the
+click of the typewriter could be heard in the empty office building, and
+finally, when the clock struck midnight every one of the letters had
+been finished and every one of the books had been properly addressed.
+
+Barry and Joe started home, two very tired but very happy boys. Barry
+thought his fellow page deserved some return for his labor. He was at a
+loss as to just how he could repay him for the emergency work he had
+done so well. Presently, in a sly sort of way, he offered him a
+two-dollar note. Joe drew back.
+
+"What's that for?" he asked.
+
+"Simply a small return for what you've done tonight."
+
+The little fellow drew himself up to his full height.
+
+"That's an insult to my dignity," he said, proudly.
+
+"I didn't mean to do that," said Barry, half abashed, "but I'd like you
+to know that I appreciate what you've done."
+
+"You can't do that with money," said the other, with all of the
+assurance of a millionaire.
+
+"How can I do it?"
+
+"By not speaking of it," said the youngster, sharply.
+
+Barry looked at him smilingly.
+
+"You're a funny fellow, Joe," he said, finally.
+
+"Oh," said the page, with a shrug of his shoulders, "I'm like the great
+corporation lawyers. I never do things by halves. It's either a
+whopping big fee or nothing at all."
+
+They reached home in a few minutes. They both went to bed immediately
+and slept the sweet, refreshing sleep that comes to those who labor and
+who go to bed with a clear conscience.
+
+The first thing in the morning Barry stopped in at the office building
+to see if the letters had been dispatched. Mr. Carlton was seated at his
+desk and he clapped his hands with satisfaction as he saw Barry peeping
+in the doorway.
+
+"Come in, my boy," he said, "come in."
+
+"I just wondered whether you had signed your letters," said the boy.
+
+"Yes," replied the Congressman, in his old, jovial way. "They're all
+signed, sealed and delivered. Every blessed one of them has been mailed
+and so are the books, and it is a mighty big relief to me, I can assure
+you."
+
+Barry stood there in an awkward, embarrassed sort of way. He looked at
+Mr. Carlton appealingly, but said nothing. The big Congressman arose
+from his chair, walked around to where the boy stood, and putting his
+arm around his shoulder, said:
+
+"Yes, I know. I know just what you are thinking about, and I'll answer
+your unspoken question. It's all right, Barry, you have redeemed
+yourself."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+A CALL OF THE HOUSE
+
+
+On the morning after Barry's restoration to the favor of his old friend,
+John Carlton received an invitation to call at the White House. It was a
+supreme moment. The big Congressman, with all of his natural modesty,
+was not insensible of the honor that had been done him. It was
+half-expected and yet, paradoxical as it may seem, it was a surprise. He
+felt instinctively that he was to be consulted on the political and
+legislative situation.
+
+Republics differ from monarchies in many ways. The President is not a
+king, and yet a request from him is regarded as a command. It is no mean
+honor to be the confidant and adviser of the chief of a great nation,
+and Carlton, realizing this, lost no time in going to the White House.
+
+The news that the Congressman was closeted with the President spread
+through Washington like a prairie fire after an August drought. It came,
+if the metaphor may be changed, like a crash of thunder after a long,
+sultry day. Already the political atmosphere was clearing. Many members,
+who had been on both sides of great questions, were preparing to scamper
+to cover. Men who had been on the fence, so to speak, were now making
+ready to drop down on either side. They knew that the talk between the
+Congressman and the President would mean a realignment of forces. The
+interview lasted for a long while, and after it was over Carlton came
+out of the White House with a look of determination on his strong face.
+
+A few minutes after he returned, he called a conference of a few of his
+intimate friends and political associates in his private office. Barry
+Wynn, as a trusted page boy, acted as door tender and admitted only
+those who were known to be loyal adherents of the administration.
+
+"Gentlemen," said Mr. Carlton, "I have had a long talk with the
+President and he is sincerely anxious to pass certain measures that have
+been introduced in the House at this session and which are intended to
+be for the benefit of the people. He feels that unless some radical
+steps be taken in this direction at once, he will be accused of
+insincerity, and he has asked me to call a number of his friends
+together and map out a programme for securing this reform legislation.
+The most important bill that is to be pushed forward is the one
+providing for the establishment of a Postal Savings Bank. I have
+explained the situation to you and if you have any comments or
+suggestions to make I shall be glad to hear from you."
+
+This introduction on the part of Mr. Carlton was followed by a general
+discussion which was participated in by all of the dozen gentlemen who
+were present. The concensus of opinion was that none of the important
+measures would get through the House unless provision was made for
+additional sessions. It was resolved, therefore, that a number of night
+sessions should be held and all present pledged themselves to remain at
+their posts until they had accomplished substantial results. Carlton was
+unanimously selected as the leader of the Administration forces, and he,
+in turn, picked out Congressmen Bright, Harrison and Brown as his
+assistants, their duty being to round up all the members within reach
+and try to have every man respond to his name on the call of the roll.
+
+The caucus called by Mr. Carlton had scarcely adjourned when the
+participants discovered that a meeting of the opposing forces was being
+held in another part of the Capitol. It is difficult to keep things of
+this character quiet, and before long it had leaked out that the
+opponents of the Postal bill had resolved to resist all efforts to enact
+the measure into law. It was learned also that Congressman Roland was to
+be the spokesman of the opposition and that he had selected Congressmen
+Wood, Hudson and Collins as his lieutenants. Thus the two armies,
+properly officered and marshaled, were ready for the coming fray.
+
+The first night session was scheduled for the coming evening. All of the
+officers and employees of the House received instructions to be at their
+posts by eight o'clock sharp. Barry and Joe Hart left their boarding
+house nearly an hour before that time in order that they might report
+punctually to the Sergeant-at-Arms. As they walked along Pennsylvania
+Avenue they got the first glimpse of the dome of the Capitol illuminated
+by electricity. It was a brilliant sight. The night was dark and the
+lights seemed to dot the heavens without any support, shining out with
+all the glory of the stars themselves.
+
+Within the Capitol the scene was no less brilliant and much more
+animated. The electric lights from the ceiling and the sides of the
+House made the great hall lighter than it was in midday. The Speaker sat
+in his usual place beneath the sheltering folds of the American flag.
+The galleries were crowded with an expectant audience, and when the
+presiding officer tapped his gavel on the marble desk a large percentage
+of the membership was seated.
+
+After the usual routine preliminaries had been disposed of, John Carlton
+secured recognition and called up for consideration his Postal Savings
+bill, which was then on final consideration. An animated debate
+followed, and in the course of it, one of the opponents of the bill
+suddenly rose in his place and demanded a roll call, asserting that a
+quorum of the House was not present. In a few minutes everything was in
+confusion and the members and the Speaker threatened to be helplessly
+entangled in the intricate maze of parliamentary law. Out of it all, a
+few minutes later, came a call of the House.
+
+Carlton and his lieutenants were on the alert at once. Their first care
+was to see that none of those present managed to escape from the room.
+It was quite late, and the enforced confinement began to have an
+irritating effect on the members. Some of them yawned and gaped as
+though the whole proceeding bored them more than words could express;
+others quarreled with their neighbors and threatened to do all sorts of
+unreasonable things if the doors were not thrown open; others, again,
+tried to reason with their colleagues and explain the necessity of the
+night sessions; a few of a philosophic frame of mind, composed
+themselves to the long siege that was before them. Several of them
+calmly stretched themselves on the sofas against the walls and
+peacefully proceeded to go to sleep. A few others, without much regard
+for the dignity of the House, put their heels on the desks and settled
+their heads on the backs of their chairs and dozed away their feeling of
+fatigue.
+
+Carlton, who was here, there, and everywhere, had a hurried conference
+with his three lieutenants and laid his plans for the first stages of
+the big battle. It was midnight when the call of the House was ordered.
+The doors were closed and 127 members were found to be present. The
+House went into a Committee of the Whole, only to come out of it again,
+and the clerk called the roll again and again until his voice threatened
+to give way. The Speaker by this time had dispatched the
+Sergeant-at-Arms and his assistants to bring in the truant members.
+
+At this stage of the game John Carlton very quietly utilized several of
+the page boys for the purpose of summoning members whom he knew would be
+only too glad to comply with his wishes. Barry Wynn was one of these and
+Joe Hart was another. Barry's list comprised four members whom Carlton
+knew would vote for the bill in which he was so deeply interested.
+
+The first name on his list was Congressman Henry. Barry knew that this
+gentleman was living at the Cosmopolis Hotel and he proceeded there on a
+bicycle which he had borrowed for the occasion from a fellow page. The
+big hotel was deserted and the night clerk, seated in a chair behind the
+desk, was dreaming of pleasanter things than night sessions and unruly
+members. Barry awoke him instantly by demanding that he send his card to
+Congressman Henry.
+
+The clerk wiped his eyes, gazed at the boy who stood before him, and
+then shook his head lazily.
+
+"Nothing doing, young man," he said. "Mr. Henry is probably sound asleep
+and I don't propose to wake him up at this hour of the night."
+
+"But, it's very urgent," insisted Barry. "There is a night session of
+Congress and there has been a call of the House."
+
+"I don't care," was the reckless reply; "I would not call him for the
+President of the United States!"
+
+"Where is his room?" asked Barry, with sudden inspiration flashing
+through his mind.
+
+"His room is number 40 on the second floor."
+
+"All right," said the boy, turning away and walking down the corridor.
+
+Instead of going out of the hotel, however, he turned up the marble
+hallway and made his way to the second floor. The corridor was dimly
+lighted but he proceeded on his way until he came opposite room number
+40. He looked twice to assure himself of the number and then pounded
+lustily on the door. A mumbling voice came from the bed-clothes:
+
+"What do you want, anyhow?"
+
+For reply Barry pounded harder than ever. There was a grumbling sound
+and presently the key was turned in the door, and a big man in pajamas
+came out. He glared at Barry fiercely.
+
+"What do you want, to wake a man up at this hour of the night?"
+
+"Why, Mr. Henry," said Barry, "I came to say--"
+
+"Henry?" roared the other, with the voice of a mad bull. "My name isn't
+Henry!"
+
+Barry's heart sank. He looked at the big person timidly and said:
+
+"Why, aren't you Congressman Henry?"
+
+"No," thundered the other, "I'm not Congressman Henry!"
+
+"But, but--" stammered the boy, "I was told that Mr. Henry was in room
+40."
+
+Once again the man's voice roared through the length of the corridor:
+
+"Room 40! You little blackguard, this is not room 40. This is room 4.
+Forty is at the other end of the corridor."
+
+"I beg your pardon," stuttered the boy. "I didn't mean--"
+
+"I don't care what you mean, or what you didn't mean," grumbled the man,
+"but I'd like to know what right you have to wake up people who are
+sound asleep. I'll complain to the clerk and find out what kind of a
+house this is, anyhow!"
+
+Before he had finished the sentence, Barry was halfway down the corridor
+and finally reached the room he was looking for. He knocked on this door
+a little less defiantly than he had on the first one. In a little while
+it was opened, and the real Congressman stood there wanting to know why
+he had been aroused. Barry hastily explained his mission. Mr. Henry took
+it quite good-naturedly and said:
+
+"All right, my boy, I will dress and get down to the Capitol in a few
+minutes."
+
+From the Cosmopolis Barry went to another hotel a few blocks below,
+where he knew that Congressman Yale lived. To his delight he found this
+gentleman in the barber's chair indulging in the luxury of a shave. He
+knew Mr. Yale, and when that gentleman saw him he wanted to know his
+business. He told him in a few words and said that he would like to know
+if he was willing to hurry to the House.
+
+"Willing," echoed the other; "I'm not very, but I'll go."
+
+He did not wait for the barber to finish his shave, but told him that he
+need not go any further, and jumping out of the chair, he took a towel
+and wiped the lather from his face. Putting on his hat and coat, he
+hurried out of the hotel on to the avenue and thence towards the
+Capitol.
+
+Jones, the third man on Barry's list, lived a few blocks away in a
+private house. The attendant who answered the door said that the
+Congressman had been to the theatre with his wife, but that he expected
+him almost any minute. While they were talking at the door Jones and his
+wife came up the steps, and when the law-maker found out the condition
+of affairs, he excused himself to his wife and promised Barry that he
+would report to John Carlton within the next fifteen minutes.
+
+The last person that Barry was called upon to summon was Congressman
+Hutchinson. This gentleman was found in the library of his home, with
+his right foot wrapped in bandages, and propped up in a chair. He was
+not in a very good humor, and when Barry was ushered into his den he
+turned to him angrily and said:
+
+"What in the world do you want with me?"
+
+"Mr. Carlton wants you," said Barry, timidly. "There has been a call of
+the House and he wants you to come up as soon as you can and vote on the
+Postal Savings bill."
+
+Mr. Hutchinson did not reply in words at once. He brought his fist with
+a bang on the table that stood next to the chair, and then he emphasized
+his disgust by picking up a book that lay on the table and throwing it
+at a cat that was sleeping in a corner of the room. After this strange
+and unexpected proceeding, a smile gradually crept over his stern
+countenance and he said:
+
+"I feel a little better now, and I'll try to accommodate John."
+
+"I know that he'll be glad," ventured Barry.
+
+"Yes, I suppose he will," was the retort, "and I will be glad, too, if I
+can go over. I doubt if I can ever succeed in getting a shoe on this
+game foot of mine."
+
+He summoned his servant and for the next fifteen minutes he was engaged
+in trying to put a shoe on his gouty foot. It was a painful proceeding,
+interspersed with remarks that would not look well in print, but
+presently the task was completed and in a little while afterwards
+Congressman Hutchinson was fully dressed and ready for his journey to
+the House.
+
+A servant, in the meantime, had summoned a taxicab and the legislator
+took Barry in the machine with him. The dash to the Capitol was made in
+record-breaking time, and the clock was striking one as Barry entered
+the House with Mr. Hutchinson leaning on his arm. Their entrance was a
+signal for loud applause from both sides of the House.
+
+In the meantime, during Barry's absence the Sergeant-at-Arms and his
+assistants had been doing their duties and one by one the captured
+absentees had stood up before the Speaker and tried to present some
+plausible reason for their failure to appear. Barry's willing captive
+was the last to come into the House.
+
+"Mr. Hutchinson," said the Speaker, sternly, "you have absented yourself
+from the House during its sitting contrary to law and without the leave
+of the House. What excuse have you to offer?"
+
+"The best excuse in the world," said the accused one, lifting his leg up
+very painfully. "My excuse is rheumatic gout."
+
+A roar of laughter greeted this sally, and helped to restore the peevish
+members to a condition approaching good humor.
+
+After a final call of the roll, for the purpose of establishing a
+quorum, the debate was renewed and was carried on with much spirit for
+nearly an hour. At the end of that time Mr. Carlton demanded a roll call
+on the final passage of his Postal Savings bill. The leaders of the
+Opposition interposed various dilatory motions, but John Carlton swept
+them aside one by one. The strength and the power of his mind was never
+more firmly proven than on this historic occasion. He seemed to thrive
+on opposition. His strong brain seemed to grow keener and quicker as
+obstacles were placed in his way, but greatest of all, his iron will,
+no less than his great physical endurance, stood as a most effective
+barrier against repeated onslaughts of the minority.
+
+The demand for the roll call was finally complied with, and each member
+answered to his name amid intense silence. The vote was pretty evenly
+divided, but when the last name had been called and it was shown that
+the bill had the number of votes required by law, a storm of applause
+broke out that lasted for several minutes.
+
+It was almost daylight when the wearied members streamed out of the
+doors of the Capitol. John Carlton came along with a group of his
+admiring friends. He noticed Barry and Joe Hart and several other page
+boys standing near the doorway and called to them gaily:
+
+"Boys, you all did well."
+
+Barry and Joe walked home together that morning, and discussed the
+events of the night. Joe, looking at his friend in a furtive sort of
+way, said:
+
+"Barry, do you remember that Mr. Carlton said we all did well?"
+
+"Yes," said Barry, "I heard him say it and I was glad of it. I worked
+hard, but I didn't do a bit more than any of the other boys. I'm older
+now and more experienced than when I first came to Washington. I've got
+sense enough to realize that I'm only a little cog in a great big
+machine, and the work that I did was simply my duty and nothing more."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+THE MISSING BILL
+
+
+The all-night session of the House of Representatives and the dramatic
+passage of the Postal Savings bill had a stimulating effect upon all the
+members of Congress. There was no longer a disposition to lag, and the
+policy of marking time was abandoned in favor of the new programme of
+progress. As a consequence, committee meetings were being held in all
+parts of the Capitol and bills that had been slumbering for many months
+were taken from pigeon holes and given the consideration to which they
+were entitled.
+
+On the third morning after the night session a notice went out that a
+meeting of the Committee on Naval Affairs would be held at four o'clock
+that afternoon, for the purpose of taking up the final consideration of
+the bills that were pending before the Committee.
+
+The notice was like a call to arms to John Carlton. He sent out notices
+at once to the members of the Committee whom he knew to be friendly,
+asking them to make it a point to be present for the purpose of helping
+his bill. Barry happened to come in just about that time, and he
+utilized the boy in a number of ways.
+
+"I know that you want to be on the field when this battle takes place,"
+he said, laughingly. "I look on you as my mascot, and if we win you will
+get all the glory."
+
+Barry protested, but Mr. Carlton humorously insisted that he must have
+his own way in matters of this kind.
+
+There was no doubt about the interest in the Naval Repair Station bill.
+Copies of the measure had been printed some time before, but the demand
+for them was so great that the supply had already been exhausted.
+Several members called during the course of the morning and asked for
+duplicates of the bill, but Mr. Carlton was unable to accommodate them.
+
+Just about noon time Mr. Benedict, one of his close friends, entered the
+office and said in a mysterious way:
+
+"John, I hear that your bill is coming up for consideration today?"
+
+"That's correct," was the response, "and I hope you'll be on hand."
+
+"Sure," was the response, "but see here, I heard last night that some
+change had been made in the phraseology of the Act. If that is so, it
+will have to go over to be printed and that will cause a delay of at
+least two weeks in your bill."
+
+"I think you must be mistaken," was the reply. "The bill was in perfect
+shape at the last meeting of the Committee, and I am positive that no
+amendments of any kind were offered."
+
+"That may be," was the response, "but if I were in your place I'd make
+sure of it."
+
+Carlton thought that this was good advice, and he summoned Barry to his
+side.
+
+"My boy," he said, "I want you to go over to the headquarters of the
+Committee on Naval Affairs. You'll find Mr. Joel Phipps, the Committee
+clerk, in charge. Tell him I want to see the Committee's copy of the
+Naval Station bill."
+
+Barry hurried off at once. He found the room without any difficulty.
+Joel Phipps was there very busily engaged with several Congressmen.
+Barry had to wait his turn and finally when the clerk was at leisure,
+explained his mission. Phipps did not take his visit kindly; in fact, he
+was distinctly disagreeable.
+
+"I am too busy to bother with matters of this kind today," he said.
+
+"Shall I give that message to Mr. Carlton," cried Barry, in a
+challenging tone.
+
+"No," was the grumbling reply. "Just sit down there and I'll find the
+bill for you."
+
+He dug down amongst the papers and finally fished out the desired
+document. He handed it to the boy with very bad grace, and then turned
+to attend to the wants of several other visitors who had arrived in the
+meantime. Barry felt very angry at Joel Phipps, but he was forced to
+admit that the clerk was an extremely busy man, and that probably there
+was some justification for his irritation. A man that has to attend to a
+dozen things within as many minutes can scarcely be blamed if he is not
+blessed with an angelic temperament.
+
+Carlton read the bill over very carefully and found that it was
+flawless. He handed it back to Barry.
+
+"Leave it with the clerk of the Committee when you go to your lunch," he
+said. "It's all a false alarm. The bill is all right."
+
+For the next two or three hours Mr. Carlton found his time fully
+occupied. He had a large mail to answer, and after that he attended a
+Committee meeting. As soon as he had finished he hastened to attend the
+regular session of the House. At half-past three he looked at his watch
+and realized that he would have to leave his seat if he expected to get
+a bite of lunch before the meeting of the Committee on Naval Affairs. On
+the way out he was stopped by one or two friends who wanted him to do
+favors for them.
+
+The clock was striking four when the Congressman entered the room
+occupied by the Committee; the Chairman had just summoned the members to
+order, and the clerk was engaged in calling the roll. While these
+preliminaries were going on John Carlton made a hasty count of noses. He
+found that there were seventeen members present, and by a careful
+calculation he felt sure that at least ten of these would vote in favor
+of the Cleverly bill. To make sure of it, he quietly slipped around from
+one to the other and confirmed his first estimate. The clerk had
+finished the roll call, and the Congressman arose in his seat with a
+great deal of confidence.
+
+"Mr. Chairman," he said, "I move that the Committee now take up for
+consideration the bill making an appropriation for a Naval Repair
+Station at Cleverly."
+
+"The members have heard the motion," said the presiding officer, "all in
+favor will please say aye."
+
+There was a chorus of ayes, and the Chairman declared the motion
+carried. "The clerk of the Committee," he said, "will now read the
+bill."
+
+Joel Phipps turned to the pile of papers in front of him and began
+turning them over one by one. He reached the bottom of the heap without
+discovering the Cleverly bill. Then he turned them over and went through
+the pile again, very carefully and very painstakingly. A look of
+perplexity gathered on his face. The members were becoming impatient.
+The Chairman seemed to voice the opinion of his colleagues.
+
+"The clerk will read the bill," he said, curtly.
+
+"In a moment, sir," said Phipps, in an agitated voice.
+
+He continued to fumble among the documents on his desk. He looked very
+much embarrassed. He moistened his lips with his tongue and then looked
+about the room helplessly.
+
+"Well," demanded John Carlton, "why don't you read the bill?"
+
+"I am sorry to say that I can't find it."
+
+"How is that?"
+
+"I don't know, sir; but I can't put my hand on it."
+
+"Well," said Carlton, addressing the Chairman, "I have a typewritten
+copy of the measure in my pocket, and if the Chairman is agreeable, I
+will have that read in place of the original bill."
+
+Jesse Hudson was on his feet in an instant.
+
+"I object," he shouted. "I object to this method of doing business. We
+have very important matters to consider before this Committee and we
+cannot afford to transact them in an irregular and possibly an illegal
+manner. The only bills that this Committee has a right to consider are
+the bills that are in its custody. If you permit the members to
+substitute other bills at their pleasure, no one can tell where it will
+lead nor what the consequence may be."
+
+"But," persisted Carlton, "the bill that I am going to hand you is
+identical with the one that was in the possession of the Committee."
+
+"That may be," was Hudson's smooth retort, "but it is not the identical
+bill that was before the Committee. I object to its consideration."
+
+His remarks appeared to have made some impression upon the members of
+the Committee. Indeed, one of the Congressmen, who was known to be
+friendly to Carlton, arose in his place and said:
+
+"I think there is some merit in what Mr. Hudson says. At any rate it
+will do no harm to postpone this matter until the public printer can
+supply the Committee with another copy of the bill."
+
+"Am I to regard that as a motion?" queried the Chairman.
+
+"Yes, sir," was the response.
+
+"The members have heard the motion," said the Chairman, "all in favor
+of postponing the consideration of the Cleverly bill for the present
+will say aye."
+
+There was a loud chorus of ayes.
+
+"All those who oppose it, say no."
+
+A few scattered voices called out "no."
+
+"The ayes have it," said the Chairman, "and the motion to postpone is
+carried."
+
+Carlton was plainly nettled at the turn of affairs. He turned to the
+clerk angrily and said:
+
+"I think it's the business of the clerk to take care of the papers of
+the Committee, and I think it is a great mistake to make a member of
+Congress and his constituents suffer from the negligence of an employé."
+
+Joel Phipps became white in the face. At this unexpected thrust,
+however, he had the courage to rise behind his desk, and said:
+
+"I am very sorry the bill was lost, but it's not my fault. The members
+of the Committee unfortunately have gotten into the habit of taking away
+papers without obtaining the permission of the Chairman or without
+giving a receipt for the same. Several of them have done this during the
+past few days, and Mr. Carlton, I regret to say, is one of the chief
+offenders."
+
+Mr. Carlton gave a half laugh.
+
+"I guess you're right, Joel," he said, "and I will have to plead
+guilty."
+
+Nevertheless he left the room in a very dissatisfied frame of mind. The
+measure in which he was so deeply interested had been thrown back for at
+least two weeks. That was not the worst feature of the case, either. He
+had enough votes now to pass the bill. He might not have them when the
+bill came up for consideration again. The thought rankled in his mind
+and gave him a disagreeable feeling towards his fellow creatures. As he
+reached the door of the Committee Room a reporter from one of the
+Cleverly newspapers, who had heard of the disappearance of the bill,
+stopped the Congressman and asked him what comments he had to make.
+
+"It's a mighty queer piece of business," was Carlton's reply. "That's
+all I have got to say."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+RUMORS OF WAR
+
+
+Washington is a city of rumors, and for some hours after the mysterious
+disappearance of the Cleverly bill the air was filled with stories of an
+approaching political war. Some of John Carlton's bitter partisans made
+the emphatic assertion that Joel Phipps was at the bottom of the whole
+business and that he had deliberately destroyed the bill in order to
+prevent its passage by the Committee. The Congressman was the first one
+to repudiate this charge.
+
+"There is no proof whatever," he said, "that Joel Phipps is in any way
+responsible for the loss of the bill. I am a believer in fair play, and
+I want it distinctly understood that I have not in any way impugned the
+good faith of my colleagues or of any employé of the Committee."
+
+"But you put the blame on the clerk at the meeting of the Committee."
+
+"Yes," he admitted reluctantly, "I did, but it was a case of hasty
+judgment on my part."
+
+"Then you acquit Phipps?"
+
+"I have neither acquitted or convicted anyone."
+
+"But what do you suppose became of the bill?"
+
+"I'm sure I don't know," was the despairing reply.
+
+In spite of John Carlton's peaceful talk, the friends and enemies of the
+bill seemed determined to stir strife. Some of them went so far as to
+say that the disappearance of the bill was a bit of trickery which had
+been engineered by opponents of the Administration, who took this method
+of punishing the Congressman for his loyalty to the President. Carlton
+pooh-poohed this, but in spite of his protests, the story was flashing
+along newspaper row. The whole thing illustrated the astonishing
+rapidity with which a mere rumor can grow into an accepted fact. It was
+like a snowball rolling down a hill. It gathered weight and momentum as
+it proceeded. By nightfall some of the sensational journalists were
+building up a story of a political war that was to involve the entire
+United States.
+
+Barry missed all of this. He had been sent to Georgetown to obtain some
+law books for a member of Congress, and he was entirely unaware of the
+fate that had befallen his beloved bill. Mr. Carlton, in a half amused
+way, wondered how the boy would feel when he learned the news. He was at
+dinner in the hotel when one of the newspaper correspondents called on
+him to inquire whether he would make a statement concerning the great
+political war.
+
+"Certainly," he said.
+
+The young man pulled out his pencil and note book.
+
+"It will be short," warned the Congressman.
+
+"Very well," was the smiling rejoinder, "anything you may say will be of
+interest."
+
+"Rubbish!" said the statesman.
+
+The newspaper man looked at him curiously.
+
+"Well, I am still waiting," he said.
+
+"But I have given you the statement you desired," said Carlton.
+
+"What was it?"
+
+"Rubbish--that's all."
+
+"Do you really mean to put that out as your answer to the charges and
+innuendos that are floating about Washington?"
+
+"That is precisely what I mean. I desire to say neither more nor less.
+Simply state that Congressman Carlton, when questioned on this matter,
+said 'Rubbish.'"
+
+While Carlton was doing his best to pour oil on the troubled waters,
+Hudson was, on the other hand, going about sedulously stirring up the
+angry passions of the legislators. Without making any direct charges, he
+insinuated that the proposed bill had a significance which it really did
+not possess. He still felt very sore over the effective manner in which
+Carlton had blocked the claim which he presented in the House earlier
+in the session. A big, broad-minded man would have accepted this defeat
+gracefully, but Hudson was not that type of statesman. He had a
+grievance and he nursed it, hoping that in the end he would succeed in
+revenging himself upon the even-tempered Carlton.
+
+Carlton was still at the table, placidly eating his dinner, when Felix
+Conway burst into the room, his face red and his eyes staring.
+
+"Sit down, Felix," said Carlton, "and have some dinner with me."
+
+"I don't want any dinner. I've had all the dinner I care for."
+
+The Congressman smiled.
+
+"Then have a plate of ice cream. It may cool you off."
+
+"No; nothing will cool me off, and after you hear what I have got to
+say, you may be a little warm yourself!"
+
+"Well, go ahead and tell me what is on your mind."
+
+"It's just this," cried Conway, explosively. "These fellows are going
+around the town trying to injure you. They're putting all sorts of false
+constructions on your failure to get your bill through today."
+
+"Well, that's no more than I expected;--it's a penalty a man has to pay
+for being in public life."
+
+"But you don't know what they're saying."
+
+"No," agreed the other, placidly, "and I am not very anxious to hear."
+
+"But," said the journalist, "you've got to listen to me."
+
+"I am listening."
+
+Conway fumbled in his pockets and finally pulled out copies of the
+evening papers. He opened one of them hurriedly and turning to an inside
+page, began reading some of the gossip that had been printed concerning
+Carlton and his bill. The writer said that the whole business had been,
+as he phrased it, "a grandstand play." He said that it was the belief of
+men who were on the inside of the Committee that the bill had been
+purposely sidetracked. He added that Carlton was credited with knowing
+all about it and that in all probability the bill would never be heard
+of again. As he finished reading, Conway exclaimed:
+
+"What do you think of _that_?"
+
+"Not much," was the even reply.
+
+Felix Conway looked at his friend in hopeless amazement. He wondered if
+anything would arouse him. Then he opened the second paper and began to
+read from that. The insinuations of the second writer were worse than
+the first. He practically charged Carlton with having destroyed the bill
+himself, because he knew that it would be impossible to pass it at the
+pending session of Congress. He said that it was apparently better to
+lose the bill than to go home and admit to the people of Cleverly that
+he had been unable to pass it.
+
+Conway threw both papers on the table with a gesture of anger.
+
+"Now," he exclaimed, dramatically, "What do you think of _that_?"
+
+Carlton smiled as the young man indignantly asked the question. He spoke
+very quietly.
+
+"I think even less of that than I did of the first comment."
+
+Conway seemed dazed.
+
+"Why, you're the queerest man I ever met. Of course, you must strike
+back at these fellows. You don't propose to let these insinuations
+stand, do you?"
+
+The Congressman leaned over and put his hand on the correspondent's
+shoulder, and, speaking in a tone that a father might use to his son,
+said:
+
+"My boy, I don't propose to do a thing."
+
+"Don't propose to do a thing?" echoed the other.
+
+"No, I do not. If a lifetime of honesty and faithful service is not a
+sufficient answer to these false and malicious reports, then nothing I
+can say at this time would have any effect with the people of Cleverly."
+
+Conway looked at him with genuine admiration.
+
+"You've got splendid courage, anyhow," he admitted, "and if you won't
+answer these reports, I suppose there's nothing for me to do but go back
+and get out my nightly grind."
+
+"No, Felix," said the other, with an air of finality, "there is nothing
+else that you can do."
+
+"But," insisted Conway, "if you won't talk for publication, I suppose
+you will act for your own satisfaction. You will go after these fellows,
+won't you?"
+
+"No," was the response, "I won't!"
+
+"Well, what in the world are you going to do?"
+
+"Do," smiled the other, "I am going to do nothing. I am going to let
+events take their natural course!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+SORELY TEMPTED
+
+
+It was late when Barry Wynn returned from his errand to Georgetown. The
+mission he had undertaken for the Sergeant-at-Arms took much longer than
+he anticipated. When he reached his boarding house that evening, Joe
+Hart and most of the other boarders had finished dinner. Barry was
+greatly disappointed, for he counted upon news from Joe Hart concerning
+the action of the Committee on Naval Affairs.
+
+Barry, it will be remembered, had not read the evening papers or he
+would not have been in ignorance of the rapid-fire course of events
+during his absence. Indeed, it must be confessed that the matter of the
+Cleverly bill, of itself, did not cut much figure in the affairs of the
+national Capitol. It was really only in its relation to other and
+greater issues, that it had attracted the attention of the bright young
+men who supply the metropolitan newspapers with information concerning
+the latest moves on the national checker board.
+
+After dinner Barry found a letter from home awaiting him. He went to his
+room so that he could read it in uninterrupted silence. It was a long,
+gossipy communication, and his mother had evidently been at great pains
+to give him all the news about the people of Cleverly. She was well and
+happy, and Hiram Blake was proving himself a most devoted brother. In
+fact, he had gone down into his own pocketbook on more than one occasion
+in order to supply her not only with the necessities but the comforts of
+life.
+
+Mrs. Wynn dwelt with much satisfaction on the letters she had received
+from Barry. She said she had heard about him in many indirect ways. She
+alluded to the visit of the Cleverly delegation to Washington, and said
+that the men were all warmly enthusiastic about the young page boy.
+
+Daniel Smithers had called upon her and assured her with the utmost
+sincerity that her son would eventually become the President of the
+United States. When she raised her eyebrows, he had modified his
+prediction by saying that the boy would at least become Governor of his
+native state. Then, still seeing some signs of skepticism in her eyes,
+he had feebly expressed the hope that Barry would at least become the
+Mayor of Cleverly.
+
+And so the letter went on in an impulsive, good-natured way. It sounded
+like a chat by the fireside; it was all so familiar and so natural.
+Finally, the fond mother assured Barry that he was the biggest kind of a
+success, and that the few little faults, which had insisted upon popping
+out at inopportune moments, should be utilized by him as the means of
+arriving at perfection. Barry was sensible enough to realize that his
+mother was a partial judge, but all the same her letter gave him immense
+satisfaction. He felt a curious glow of contentment in his heart and he
+thought, as he stood before the glass combing his hair, that he was a
+pretty good sort of a fellow after all.
+
+At that moment, of all others, his glance happened to fall upon an
+evening newspaper that had been thrown across the bed. He began to read
+the headlines in a perfunctory sort of way. The Cleverly bill had been
+postponed and possibly beaten. He ceased combing his hair and sat down
+on the side of the bed like a person who had been suddenly stricken with
+some physical ailment. Presently, he recovered his breath and read the
+article through. The statements they contained brought the hot blush of
+indignation to his cheeks. He felt in a vague sort of way that Joel
+Phipps must be at the bottom of all this trickery.
+
+Mechanically he finished his toilet, thinking in a numbed way of the
+misfortune that had befallen Mr. Carlton. One thing he regretted, and
+that was the fact that he had not been there. He was not foolish enough
+to think it would have made any difference, but he felt somehow or
+other that it might have softened the blow to his benefactor.
+
+He was preparing to go to the business school where he had made such
+progress in stenography and typewriting that he was almost ready to
+graduate. He was a tidy boy, and tonight, as on other occasions, he
+changed his suit so that he would make a good appearance before his
+fellow students. He reached for his coat, in the closet, and put it on.
+As he did so his attention was attracted by some crinkly substance in
+the inside pocket; it was bulky, too. He put his hand in and drew out
+the paper. The sight that met his eyes drew forth a groan of despair.
+
+It was the missing bill--the Cleverly Naval Repair Station bill!
+
+The whole miserable business came to him with a certainty and directness
+that left no room for doubt. He remembered receiving the bill from Mr.
+Carlton and he recalled, only too vividly, the message of the
+Congressman. He was to return the bill to Joel Phipps on his way to
+luncheon. And he had failed to do so. That was the great, big irritating
+fact that stuck out like a sore finger.
+
+He thought of the consequences of his carelessness, and he actually
+moaned. To have failed in his duty would have been bad enough under any
+circumstances, but to involve the fortunes and the reputations of others
+was almost too dreadful to think about. He picked up the newspaper and
+read it through again. Every sentence was like a knife to the sensitive
+boy.
+
+He remembered with a pang of remorse that Joel Phipps had been
+accused--at least by innuendo--of trickery. He had thought so himself.
+What an injustice to a man who was probably better in every way than
+himself! He looked on the very darkest side of the picture. Suppose, as
+seemed probable, that the people of Cleverly should lose the coveted
+Naval Station. They could charge their loss to an insignificant page
+boy. But that, bad as it sounded, was only one phase of the case. The
+incident might be the means of ending the public career of John Carlton.
+The thought brought tears to his eyes.
+
+The newspapers had hinted that the disappearance of the bill would prove
+to be the beginning of a bitter factional warfare. He tried to dismiss
+the notion as absurd. And yet, greater events have proceeded from
+smaller causes. He remembered reading how a stupid cow, by kicking over
+an oil lamp in a stable, had caused the burning of the great city of
+Chicago.
+
+At this point in his reflections a new and alarming question presented
+itself to his mind. Now that he had found the missing bill, what should
+he do with it? The thought made his heart beat violently. To confess
+that he was responsible for all the trouble seemed too humiliating to
+contemplate. The story had become public property. He would be drawn
+into the limelight. What would Mr. Carlton think? What would he say? How
+would the announcement of the truth be received by his opponents? They
+would gloat over it beyond a doubt. Already he could see the jeering
+face of Joel Phipps.
+
+Suddenly an idea flashed in his mind--an idea so unexpected and yet so
+plausible that it made him throw himself on the bed. It was simple, and
+yet, at first, it was awful. It entered his mind in the shape of a
+question. Why should he say anything about finding the bill? Why not
+destroy it, or if not that, why not slip it back with the other bills
+without the knowledge of Joel Phipps or the members of the Committee. It
+would require a little ingenuity, but it could be accomplished.
+
+He lay there on his back on the bed gazing at the ceiling, and revolving
+the question in his mind. There hardly seemed to be any room for debate.
+He had just about convinced himself that he should remain silent
+concerning his discovery when a clear, small voice cried out:
+
+"Would it be square? Would it be honest? Could you look yourself in the
+face afterward?"
+
+He roused himself and sat up straight in bed. He looked about him. No
+one was in the room. The voice that he heard was evidently the voice of
+his inner consciousness.
+
+Immediately another voice, lower and more persuasive, attracted his
+attention. It was argumentative. What good would it do anyone, said this
+voice, to humiliate yourself? The harm has been done. It cannot be
+repaired. You only injure yourself without benefiting Mr. Carlton. Just
+forget that you found the bill and that will be the end of the whole,
+ugly business.
+
+"But could you ever forget it?" warned the small, clear voice. "Wouldn't
+the remembrance of it hang over you like a heavy cloud? Beside that,
+wouldn't you put yourself in the position of deliberately deceiving the
+best friend you ever had?"
+
+Barry jumped from the bed with a physical determination which meant that
+he had arrived at his decision. In his excitement and eagerness, he
+spoke aloud:
+
+"I'll go to Mr. Carlton and tell him the whole story."
+
+It had been a hard battle. It showed in his face. But the small, clear
+voice of conscience had won a decisive victory over the low, persuasive
+one of temptation. Barry was surprised at the great relief he
+experienced the moment he arrived at his decision. He still felt very
+sorry, of course, at his sin of omission, and he was wondering how he
+should phrase his confession. But outside of these details, his mind was
+no longer troubled. He had a feeling of mental tranquillity that it
+would be difficult to put into words.
+
+It was hardly nine o'clock, but he resolved to find Mr. Carlton if he
+had to tramp the entire city of Washington to do so. He hastily finished
+his dressing and left the house. Mrs. Johnson was standing at the door.
+She noticed that his face was pale and his manner determined.
+
+"Is there anything I can do for you, Barry?" she asked.
+
+"No, Mrs. Johnson," he replied, lightly.
+
+But down in his heart of hearts there was an unutterable desire to throw
+himself upon her bosom and tell her his troubles. How he longed at that
+moment for five minutes with his mother. But it was decreed that he
+should bear his burden alone.
+
+He went first to John Carlton's hotel, where he was told that the
+Congressman had gone out an hour before, leaving word that he would not
+return until late that night. Barry proceeded on his way to the office
+building of the members of the House of Representatives. He noticed a
+light in Mr. Carlton's room. He was shaking now with a nervousness that
+he could not understand. But his purpose to make a clean breast of the
+mystery was unaltered and unalterable.
+
+He paused for a moment and then knocked on the door. There was no
+response. The boy, waiting there like a culprit, began to hope that
+after all his friend might not be in his office. But he screwed up his
+courage to the sticking point and knocked again. A familiar voice called
+out:
+
+"Come in."
+
+The page boy opened the door and walked in the room. Mr. Carlton merely
+raised his eyes and said pleasantly:
+
+"Hello, Barry; how are you?"
+
+The boy was silent. The Congressman was so absorbed in his work that he
+did not notice the long pause in the conversation. When he looked up the
+second time he was startled at the sight that met his gaze. Barry's face
+was the color of chalk. He appeared to have shrivelled so much that his
+clothes hung from his body.
+
+"Are you ill?" asked the statesman, with real concern in his voice.
+
+"No," said Barry, huskily; "I've found the bill!"
+
+"Well," laughing and surprised in the same breath, "I'm glad to hear
+that, but you needn't be so solemn about it."
+
+The boy was tongue-tied. He stood on one foot and then on the other.
+
+"Where was it found?" finally asked the Congressman.
+
+"Where it was not lost," blurted out Barry. "I found it in my coat
+pocket!"
+
+Carlton's face clouded.
+
+"You come here to tell me this?" he said, sternly.
+
+"Yes," nodded Barry, his eyes on the floor. "It's been an awful
+struggle, but I had to tell you."
+
+John Carlton was silent for a long, long while. His eyes were never
+removed from the boy's face for a moment. His own jaws were set in an
+ugly fashion. But presently it dawned upon him that Barry was very worn
+and haggard. At once he relented. He spoke mildly:
+
+[Illustration: His eyes were never removed from the boy's face for a
+moment.
+
+_See page 264_]
+
+"You know all the trouble you have caused?"
+
+"Only too well," exclaimed the boy. "It was utter carelessness on my
+part. I would not have had it happen for the world! I--"
+
+"You never returned the bill," interrupted Carlton.
+
+"No; I forgot it. I changed my coat. The bill was in the inside pocket.
+I found it there tonight. I'm ready to pay the penalty. I'll resign my
+position if--"
+
+"Barry--" began the Congressman.
+
+"Yes, sir; yes, sir," cried the young page in his agitation, breaking
+into the other's remarks.
+
+"Barry," resumed Carlton, in a voice that was singularly gentle, "you've
+already paid the penalty."
+
+"Already paid it?"
+
+"Yes--you've suffered, and you've done the manly thing by coming right
+to me and telling the truth."
+
+Barry looked at him with gratitude beaming from his eyes.
+
+"You think so?"
+
+"I know it. We all have to pay for our sins of omission and our sins of
+commission. You've done the only thing that mortal can do. You're sorry;
+you've confessed--and, I'm sure it will be the lesson of a lifetime."
+
+"I'm positive of that," was the fervent response.
+
+"Well," said Carlton, rising and putting his arm about the boy's
+shoulder, "you can go home now and go to sleep with a good conscience."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+HUDSON PLAYS POLITICS
+
+
+At ten o'clock the next morning Barry Wynn walked into the rooms of the
+Committee on Public Buildings, and coolly handed Joel Phipps the missing
+bill.
+
+"Here is a document that belongs to the Committee," he said.
+
+Phipps looked at the bill and gasped.
+
+"What? The Cleverly bill?"
+
+"Yes; Mr. Carlton gave it to me to return to you before the meeting of
+the Committee. I forgot all about it. I found it in my coat pocket last
+night and went and told him. He instructed me to hand it to you this
+morning. I'm sorry it happened."
+
+The clerk seemed too stunned to speak. When he recovered his breath he
+broke out into a string of adjectives.
+
+"Well, of all the cheeky kids, you're about the worst I ever met," was
+the peroration.
+
+"I said I was sorry," said Barry, half resentfully.
+
+Joel sneered.
+
+"You don't suppose you can get anyone to believe that, do you?"
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+"I mean that it looks like a bit of tricky business on the part of Mr.
+Carlton and yourself."
+
+Barry's eyes blazed.
+
+"Don't you dare to reflect on Mr. Carlton," he cried. "He didn't know a
+thing about it. Besides, he defended you before the Committee. Have you
+forgotten that?"
+
+Joel was mollified.
+
+"That's so. I take back what I said about him. But it looks bad for
+you."
+
+The return of the bill caused a mild sensation in Congressional circles.
+Most of Mr. Carlton's associates accepted the explanation by the young
+page. But a number of others, who desired to make political capital out
+of the incident, magnified its importance and tried to make it appear
+that the Congressman had been guilty of the folly of stealing his own
+bill.
+
+When Barry heard this he was very much perturbed. He hurried to the
+office of his benefactor.
+
+"I can't tell you how badly I feel, Mr. Carlton," he said; "isn't there
+anything I can do to make reparation for my folly?"
+
+"No," was the mild reply, "you can do nothing more than you have done.
+It will be a nine days' wonder and after that it will be forgotten."
+
+"I'll not forget it very soon," said the boy, soberly.
+
+"No," admitted the Congressman, "and Barry, that's the worst of our
+faults. They leave marks that are sometimes never entirely eliminated by
+time. My father tried to illustrate the fact for me when I was a boy. He
+had a fine piece of walnut that he intended to utilize in making a
+piece of furniture. It was smoothly planed and polished. One rainy day,
+with the destructiveness of youth, I hammered it full of nails. I was
+not a vicious boy, but I knew that I was doing wrong."
+
+"What did he say?" asked Barry eagerly.
+
+"He was very much grieved, but instead of thrashing me, as I expected,
+he made me pull the nails out one by one. After that he gave me a plane
+and bade me smooth the board off as best I could. Finally I was told to
+putty up the holes. After that he asked me if I thought the board was as
+good as it had been before I disfigured it."
+
+"Of course, it wasn't," commented Barry.
+
+"No, it was not. The marks of the nails were still there. And he used
+the fact to convey a moral lesson. He told me the same thing happened
+every time a boy was guilty of a fault or a sin,--he damaged his
+character to that extent. The inference is plain. While we must do our
+best to repair the wrongs we do, we cannot forget that the scars still
+remain."
+
+If Mr. Carlton and Barry imagined that the incident of the missing bill
+was closed, they were doomed to disappointment. While they were still
+talking, the door opened and Felix Conway came in, his forehead wrinkled
+with indignation. The Congressman, who was a self-contained man, could
+not help smiling.
+
+"What's the matter now?"
+
+"Matter enough," retorted the correspondent, "Hudson's playing peanut
+politics."
+
+"It's the only kind he knows," was the placid retort.
+
+"But you wouldn't think he'd fight a boy."
+
+"What is it?" asked Carlton, with a trace of impatience. "What's he
+doing now?"
+
+"He's written a letter to the Sergeant-at-Arms, demanding the dismissal
+of Barry Wynn on the charge of conduct unbecoming an employé of the
+Government. In a word, he's after the official scalp of our young
+friend."
+
+John Carlton sprang from his chair, his honest face red with anger. He
+brought his big fist down on the desk in front of him with such force
+that the ink bottles danced in sympathy with his passion.
+
+"Well, he won't get it--and you can tell him that for me."
+
+Conway laughed in spite of himself.
+
+"You're not taking this thing seriously too, are you?"
+
+"So much so that I'll stake my reputation on beating Hudson."
+
+But the journalist held up a restraining hand.
+
+"One moment, please," he said, "this is my business, and I'd like you to
+keep out of it--for the present, at least."
+
+"I'd like to know why."
+
+"Because I have my own notion of the way in which it should be handled."
+
+"All right, go ahead; but I don't propose to sit still and see him hurt
+the boy."
+
+Barry intervened at this stage of the conversation.
+
+"Mr. Carlton," he said, very earnestly, "I'm very grateful for your
+good will and your friendship, but I hope you will not permit me to
+stand in your way politically. I'm not blind. I know that I've brought
+this thing on myself, and I'm willing to take the consequences. It's not
+fair to ask you to bear the brunt of my faults, and I don't expect it."
+
+"My dear Barry," said the Congressman, soothingly, "Jesse Hudson's not
+after you; he's after me. Now, I must either fight him or turn tail and
+run. Surely you wouldn't ask me--"
+
+"No, no," said the boy, eagerly, "I never thought of that side of it."
+
+"By the way, Conway," remarked Carlton, turning to the correspondent,
+"did Hudson write privately to the Sergeant-at-Arms?"
+
+The journalist laughed.
+
+"Not much. He gave his letter to all the newspapers. That's what made me
+hot. He's courting publicity, and I'll bet he gets all he wants before
+he is through."
+
+"Well," said the Congressman, "what is your desire with me? I know you
+didn't come here just for the pleasure of denouncing Hudson."
+
+"I want a short, snappy interview with you defending Barry from the
+charge of intentional wrong. Then I want a few sharp comments on what
+you think of a Congressman who will strike at a boy in order to revenge
+himself on a political opponent."
+
+"You know how I feel."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Well, make me say anything you want. Go as far as you like."
+
+Felix Conway was not the man to do things by halves. He took John
+Carlton at his word and evolved an interview that was a mixture of
+brimstone and vitriol. It made the oldest members of the House sit up
+and gasp with wonder. The resourceful journalist did not stop at this.
+He had interviews with half a dozen Congressmen, all denouncing Hudson
+for his cowardice. Finally, there was a cartoon on the front page of his
+paper. It depicted Hudson as a giant lifting a big club marked
+"Revenge" against a very small page boy.
+
+Conway made it his business to see that a copy of his paper was placed
+on the desk of every member. When Carlton entered the House he was
+surrounded by a group of members who shook hands with him, heartily
+congratulating him on the forceful interview they had read in the
+morning paper.
+
+"It was right to the point," said one enthusiastic Westerner, "it was
+what we call 'hot stuff.'"
+
+Carlton smiled at the recollection of his talk with Conway.
+
+"I only deserve part of the praise," he said; "most of it belongs to our
+friend Felix. He's the brightest reporter in Washington."
+
+Hudson, on his entrance, found that he was looked upon with coldness. He
+realized before long that his latest move against Carlton had been a
+mistake. He was furious over the counter attack which had been made
+against him by Felix Conway, but he was helpless to resist it.
+Moreover, such members as did not openly condemn his own charge against
+Barry Wynn, slyly ridiculed him. He could not stand that. Few public men
+can stand up against ridicule. So, at the first opportunity, Hudson
+slipped out of the House and disappeared from view.
+
+During a lull in the proceedings Mr. Carlton left his desk and started
+for the office of the Sergeant-at-Arms. He met Conway in the corridor.
+
+"Hello, where are you bound for?" asked the journalist.
+
+"To thrash out this threat of Hudson's," was the response. "I'm going to
+get a copy of the charges, and then it will be a fight to the finish."
+
+"I reckon you won't have much trouble," said Conway, with the Southern
+drawl that he used occasionally.
+
+"Won't you go along to see fair play?" laughed the Congressman.
+
+"No," was the reply, with a curious laugh. "I've got all sorts of
+confidence in your ability to take care of yourself, and I have no
+sympathy with the other fellow."
+
+Five minutes later Carlton was facing the Sergeant-at-Arms of the House.
+That official, who knew him well, greeted him most hospitably.
+
+"McDonald," said the Congressman, "I understand that charges were filed
+with you against Barry Wynn. Is that correct?"
+
+"Yes, sir; it is."
+
+"Well, sir, I'm here to answer in his behalf. I'd like to have a copy of
+the charges. I'm ready to answer them."
+
+"Very sorry," said the other, with a strange smile, "but I can't oblige
+you."
+
+"Why not," asked Carlton, bristling up at once.
+
+"Because there are no charges now."
+
+"No charges now? What do you mean?"
+
+The Sergeant-at-Arms did an amazing thing. He winked at the
+Congressman. After that he spoke with a significant emphasis.
+
+"Hudson beat you by about ten minutes; he's withdrawn the charges, and
+says I'm to consider them as never having been made."
+
+Carlton looked at him blankly.
+
+"Well, that beats the old Harry," he said, finally; "how do you account
+for it."
+
+"I should say," said the other, slowly, "that Hudson's action was
+prompted by the force of public opinion."
+
+"The force of public opinion?" echoed the Congressman.
+
+"Yes," repeated McDonald, slyly, "the force of public opinion as
+represented by Mr. Felix Conway."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+CONWAY MAKES A HIT
+
+
+In less than a week the incident of the missing bill was relegated to
+the lumber room of forgotten events. As Mr. Carlton had predicted, other
+and more important things arose to occupy the minds of the national
+legislators.
+
+But Barry Wynn did not forget the disastrous affair quite so readily. It
+remained in his mind as a warning for the future. It was a red light
+waving him away from the edge of many a dangerous precipice. But
+blessings often come in disguise, and eventually this lapse proved to be
+a good thing for the young page boy. He became more careful, accurate
+and painstaking. He never again postponed until "after a while" the task
+that could be done at once.
+
+But in the meantime, the incident itself, while forgotten by
+Congressmen, led to unexpected complications. What had been a
+single-handed battle between Hudson and Carlton now broadened out until
+it became a spirited contest between those who favored the reform bills
+of the Administration and those who opposed them. Like most contentions
+of this kind, what had been a trivial matter grew to great proportions.
+The incident of the missing bill might have been likened to a pebble
+thrown into a placid stream, creating circle after circle until all of
+the waters were in commotion.
+
+For the next few weeks there was a ferment of factional politics. Even
+those who tried to keep out of the unpleasant muss were drawn into it as
+the peaceful waters are sometimes sucked into a fierce eddy. Meetings,
+large and small, were being held every day. There were conferences,
+caucuses, and secret gatherings of all kinds. One morning Felix Conway
+sent for Barry Wynn in a great hurry.
+
+"Barry," he said, when the boy appeared, "there is to be a very
+important meeting this afternoon, composed of the men who are fighting
+the reform measures of the Administration. I want to get a good report
+of that gathering, but I am afraid that if I go to the meeting the
+members who know me will shut up like clams and I will have my labor for
+my pains."
+
+"Well," questioned Barry, "how can I help you?"
+
+"Very easily," was the quick reply. "Your shorthand is good, isn't it?"
+
+"Yes, it is. I think I have accuracy and speed."
+
+"Well, you're just the boy I want. First of all, I want a list of those
+who are present, and after that I would like very much to get a verbatim
+report of the remarks of some of the principal speakers. Will you help
+me?"
+
+Barry thought for a moment before replying.
+
+"Well," he said, finally, "if you think that I am competent to do the
+work, I am willing to undertake it."
+
+Conway laughed.
+
+"There is no question at all about your competency. The only point to
+consider now is your courage."
+
+"My courage?" echoed Barry.
+
+"Yes, your courage. Some pretty hot-headed men expect to attend that
+meeting. If they thought that you were there to report it, they would
+not hesitate to take you up by the scruff of the neck and the seat of
+the trousers and toss you out of a convenient window."
+
+Barry laughed at this description, and then was silent for a moment.
+
+"Well, my boy," cried the journalist, "if you're not game I won't press
+the proposition."
+
+"I am game enough," retorted Barry, "but I wouldn't want to do anything
+that wasn't decent."
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+"I mean that I would not like the notion of any underhand work. I don't
+take much stock in this business of peeping through keyholes and things
+of that kind."
+
+Conway's face flushed.
+
+"You don't suppose I would ask you to do anything that I wouldn't do
+myself, do you?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Well, then there is no more to be said. This is a meeting of public men
+to consider public business, and the public has a right to know all
+about it."
+
+"But you don't care to go there yourself?" suggested Barry.
+
+"No. For the reason that I have already told you. The sight of me would
+frighten those fellows, and the public would thereby be deprived of
+information which it has a right to."
+
+"I'll go," cried Barry, ending the parley, "and I will promise to do the
+best I can for you."
+
+The meeting was held in a secluded Committee room on the ground floor of
+the Capitol. There were thirty or forty men present, and when Barry
+reached the door of the room it was pretty well filled. Joel Phipps
+stood at the entrance scanning the members as they came in. Just as
+Barry arrived someone called Phipps to the other end of the room, and
+in the interval while the door was unguarded, the boy slipped in and
+made his way through the crowd to the last row of chairs. A tall,
+good-natured member, seeing him, cried out:
+
+"What district do you represent, my boy?"
+
+Before Barry had time to respond, another member, glancing at him,
+replied carelessly:
+
+"Oh, that's one of the page boys."
+
+When the meeting was called to order a few minutes later, Barry found
+himself almost hidden in a corner of the room. The men around him were
+so large and he was so small and so quiet that he was completely
+unnoticed. Joel Phipps called the roll and Barry was able to take the
+names down. After the members had responded to their names there was a
+general discussion of the various bills that were pending in the House
+of Representatives. Mention was made of the fact that the Administration
+was beginning to bring pressure to bear upon certain members in order to
+enact various reform measures into law.
+
+The sensation of the meeting came when Jesse Hudson arose and made a
+spirited attack upon the Administration. He did not mince words. He said
+just what he thought, and some of his thoughts were not very pleasant.
+He concluded by saying that he was firmly opposed to certain reform
+measures that were being backed by the Administration, and that he would
+vote against them and hoped that other members would do the same.
+
+One or two Congressmen followed Hudson, and spoke in a similar vein.
+Finally, resolutions were adopted pledging all those present to work
+together. The meeting adjourned after the appointment of three members
+for the purpose of gaining recruits among those who had not attended the
+meeting.
+
+Barry, who had been taking down the proceedings in shorthand, managed to
+slip out of the room unobserved. He took a trolley car and went to his
+own room in order that he might be able to transcribe his notes without
+interruption. In two hours his report was in the hands of Felix Conway.
+They proved to be the groundwork for one of the biggest political
+articles that had been written for many a long day.
+
+The following morning Conway's newspaper appeared with a great, big,
+exclusive story which took the Capitol by storm. It told in detail, not
+only the story of the meeting, but also the plans that had been
+formulated for the balance of the session of Congress. The rival
+newspaper men were furious because they realized that Conway had secured
+what everybody in journalistic circles call "the scoop of the session."
+The Congressmen who participated in the meeting were angry at this
+unexpected exposure, but the President and his supporters, who were
+backing the reform bills, were delighted beyond measure, and before
+nightfall Conway was complimented by a letter in the handwriting of the
+Chief Executive of the nation, inviting him to call at the White House.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+PROOF CONCLUSIVE
+
+
+There was no doubt about the effect of the publication of the story
+concerning the meeting of the Congressmen. It was a genuine sensation.
+It was like an unexpected explosion of a bombshell. There was a run to
+cover. Nearly all of those who had attended the meeting went out of
+their way to disavow personal responsibility for having called it
+together. Others, while admitting their presence at the meeting, and
+conceding their opposition to certain legislation, said they wanted it
+understood that they did not endorse all of the rash statements made by
+the speakers at the meeting.
+
+Jesse Hudson found himself the centre of a raging storm. One after
+another of the men who had attended the meeting came to Hudson and
+protested against the publicity they had received.
+
+"What do you mean by involving me in an affair of this kind?" said one
+big fellow from California. "I'd like to know why you selected me to
+pull your chestnuts out of the fire."
+
+"You didn't object last night," retorted Hudson, hotly.
+
+"No," was the answer, "but at that time I had no idea that the story of
+this meeting was to be spread broadcast."
+
+"Nor did I," said Hudson, drily.
+
+Before the day was over the protests became so numerous and so insistent
+that Hudson was driven in a corner, so to speak. He realized that he
+would have to do something to save himself from the sea of unpopularity
+in which he threatened to be engulfed. Finally he began, in a mild sort
+of way, to deny the truthfulness of the report in the newspaper. He
+thought, vaguely, that at best, it would be simply Conway's word against
+his own, and in such a contest, he thought he might stand a chance to
+come out even.
+
+But Felix Conway was not the man to submit to an injustice of any kind.
+He promptly sought the Congressman and said:
+
+"Mr. Hudson, I understand that you have questioned the accuracy of my
+report. I challenge you to refute any portion of it!"
+
+Hudson was manifestly annoyed.
+
+"I have no time to bother with you," he said. "I think you have done
+enough mischief, and I am too busy to be disturbed just now."
+
+Conway laughed joyously.
+
+"Well, I'd like it to be understood," he said, "that I am always ready
+for a disturbance."
+
+"I'll give you all you want some other time," was the snappy rejoinder.
+
+Later in the day Conway learned that while Hudson admitted that there
+had been a meeting, he denied the accuracy of the reported speech in
+which he had been placed on record as declaring himself against the
+President's policies. This was put out in such a plausible manner that
+it made an impression on more than one member; hence, before the day
+was over, there was a general feeling among a large number of the
+members that Conway, while correct in the main, had taken unwarranted
+liberties in reporting Hudson's speech. Conway first learned of this
+impression when he met the venerable statesman who was the Chairman of
+the Committee that had charge of the press galleries of Congress.
+
+Senator Graves was a statesman of the old school. He wore a high silk
+hat and a long frock coat, and was smoothly shaven and spoke in well
+modulated sentences. His whole manner and appearance was against the
+prevailing spirit of speed.
+
+"Conway," he said, solemnly, "I understand that you have been printing
+some sensational stuff. In other words, to put it plainly, I understand
+that you have been sending out misleading reports concerning members of
+Congress."
+
+"Does anyone make the charge?" asked Conway, quickly.
+
+"No," said the Congressman, "but the report is being circulated so
+persistently that it gives me great annoyance."
+
+"I can't meet rumor," said Conway, "but if you can produce anyone who
+makes such a charge specifically, I shall be glad to face him."
+
+"My dear boy," was the reply, "I don't want you to think for a moment
+that I have any fault to find with you. My experience is that you have
+never abused the privileges, or broken any of the rules which govern the
+press galleries of the House or Senate. You know as well as I do how
+carefully we have tried to guard these privileges, and the measures that
+have been taken to keep unworthy persons from obtaining access to the
+floors or galleries of Congress."
+
+"I understand it very well, Senator," was the reply, "and for that
+reason, I am most anxious to clear myself of even a suggestion of having
+done anything improper."
+
+"Well, there is nothing more to say," was the response, "as there are no
+charges, there can be no investigation."
+
+"But," persisted the journalist, "I want an investigation."
+
+"What for?"
+
+"For my own satisfaction and for your satisfaction. I will regard it as
+a great favor if you will go into this matter personally."
+
+"Well, really," began the other, "I--"
+
+"Senator," pleaded Conway, "I want you to do this as a personal favor."
+
+"Very well," said the statesman, relenting, "if you put it that way I
+don't see how I can refuse you."
+
+"Thank you, very much, and now if you will fix an hour that will suit
+your convenience tonight, I shall be glad to bring you the evidence that
+will convince you that I have acted in good faith."
+
+"All right," was the response, "you may meet me at my hotel at eight
+o'clock."
+
+The statesman had started away when Conway called to him:
+
+"Oh, Senator, one other word."
+
+"What is it," asked Mr. Graves, pausing.
+
+"I'd like you to have an expert stenographer at your room."
+
+"Why, I didn't think you wanted an official investigation."
+
+"I don't."
+
+"Well, then, what do you want a man to take notes for?"
+
+"I don't. I simply want a stenographer who can read the notes of another
+person."
+
+Mr. Graves looked puzzled.
+
+"Well, have it your own way. I'll be there, and have a stenographer in
+attendance also."
+
+Promptly at eight o'clock that night Felix Conway reported at the rooms
+of Senator Graves. Barry Wynn was with him, and carried in his pocket
+the book he had used in making his shorthand notes of the afternoon
+meeting.
+
+The Senator waved them all to a seat and then introduced Mr. Conway and
+Barry to a young man who was present and who proved to be one of the
+official stenographers of the House of Representatives.
+
+"Senator," said Conway, in the voice of an attorney addressing a jury,
+"my evidence will be brief and to the point. I have to present Mr. Barry
+Wynn, who is responsible for the report of the speeches made at the
+meeting in question."
+
+Barry, thus introduced, stepped forward and handed his note book to the
+Senator.
+
+"This contains the remarks that I reported at the meeting," he said. "I
+have enclosed an affidavit which declares that they are the identical
+shorthand notes taken by me at the meeting."
+
+"What now?" asked the Senator, looking at Mr. Conway.
+
+"I'd like your stenographer to read these notes."
+
+The young man, thus called upon, read from the book in a clear and
+distinct voice. The transcript that he made from the notes was identical
+with the report of the speeches that Felix Conway had made in his
+newspaper.
+
+"That is sufficient," said Senator Graves, and rising, and putting one
+hand on Conway's shoulder and the other on Barry's, he said:
+
+"There is nothing further to be said in the matter. You boys know your
+business. You have the proof conclusive that you were in the right. No
+one can successfully attack Mr. Conway's report."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+WHAT BARRY OVERHEARD
+
+
+John Carlton was very much concerned with the current political
+developments and felt a particular interest in the storm which had been
+aroused by Jesse Hudson's ill advised meeting. He was discussing the
+situation with a fellow member of the House when he was joined by Felix
+Conway, his Celtic face aglow with enthusiasm.
+
+"We've got 'em going, Mr. Carlton!" he exclaimed.
+
+The Congressman nodded soberly.
+
+"Yes, you've got 'em going, all right," he assented.
+
+The journalist was quick to catch the note of doubt in his friend's
+voice.
+
+"I hope you're not afraid of a battle," he said, somewhat nettled.
+
+Carlton looked at him a moment before replying. Then he spoke rather
+deliberately.
+
+"No, Felix; I am not afraid of a battle. I am not afraid of war either.
+I went through one war, as you know, and I've got some scars on me to
+show for it. But there is one thing you must not forget. There is hardly
+ever a battle or a war without a list of killed and wounded."
+
+Conway was disposed to be argumentative.
+
+"That's true," he admitted, "but you will have to admit that it's a
+glorious thing to die in a good cause."
+
+"It's a glorious thing for the survivors," assented the Congressman,
+"but I don't know how the killed and wounded feel about it."
+
+"Your bill comes up tomorrow, I believe," he said.
+
+"Yes," responded Mr. Carlton, "and that's what I have been thinking
+about all the time."
+
+"Don't you feel sure about it?"
+
+"I wish I could. It was all right a few weeks ago, but since this
+factional fight has sprung up, I hardly know where we stand. You know
+these contests create enmities that are hard to heal. It's another case
+of the killed and wounded. You fellows may win your fight against Hudson
+and his crowd, but my poor bill for the erection of a Naval Repair
+Station in Cleverly may be numbered among the killed."
+
+"I never thought of that part of it," said Felix, "and I am mighty sorry
+to know that your interests have been put in jeopardy. If I had to do it
+over again I'd probably change my tactics."
+
+Carlton took Felix by both hands. He spoke fervently:
+
+"My dear boy," he said, "I wouldn't have you do any such thing for the
+world. I haven't a single regret for anything that has been done. I have
+been simply trying to look the situation in the face. I know I'm up
+against a hard fight and I don't want to deceive myself,--that's all. I
+am not repining in the least, and you will discover that I am not afraid
+of the fight."
+
+Conway's face brightened again.
+
+"Now, you make me feel better," he said, "but, seriously, don't you
+think you will get away with the trick?"
+
+"Yes, I do. It's going to be mighty close, but I think I'll win."
+
+"When is the meeting?"
+
+"It has been called for three o'clock tomorrow afternoon."
+
+"By George! That's short notice."
+
+"Yes, it is, and that's why I have been giving some serious thought to
+the proposition. I have counted noses a dozen times today, and I am
+willing to take my oath that I have got a sure majority of two votes."
+
+"That's good, but it's close."
+
+"Yes, but in a hot race a nose is as good as a mile."
+
+Conway seemed lost in thought for a while. Presently he spoke in a tone
+of half admiration and half wonder:
+
+"You know, Mr. Carlton," he said, "the more I think of it the more I am
+surprised at what you have told me."
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+"I simply mean that in the face of this bitter factional fight it is
+almost a miracle that an overwhelming majority of the Committee has not
+declared against your bill."
+
+"Oh, I don't know about that," was the calm rejoinder. "Men can't afford
+to lose their heads altogether. Besides, there are other members that
+have bills that they want passed."
+
+"What do you mean by that?" was the quick interrogation.
+
+"I mean that successful legislation is largely a matter of compromise."
+
+Barry, who had been listening, now spoke firmly but with due deference.
+
+"I don't like to hear you talk like that," he said, "it doesn't sound
+right."
+
+The Congressman laughed.
+
+"I am surprised to hear you talking in such a strain, Barry. I thought
+that a boy of your experience would know that life is a game of give and
+take. The men that come to Washington to represent their constituents
+simply carry out this universal law in a concrete way."
+
+The page boy shook his head laughingly.
+
+"Now, you 're getting too deep for me," he said. "If you go much farther
+I won't be able to follow you at all."
+
+"Why, it's as plain as the nose on your face," retorted the other.
+"Nearly all important legislation takes the form of log-rolling.
+Theorists who have never gotten down to the rough-and-tumble of real
+life, look at log-rolling as if, it were a political crime. It is
+nothing of the sort. It is giving up something you don't want for
+something that you need very badly, and as long as there is no
+dishonesty in the transaction I can see no harm being done. You have got
+to reconcile conflicting interests, and if you do so with a good motive
+I think you are serving your country."
+
+"That sounds very well, Mr. Carlton," said the insistent Barry, "but I
+don't believe it's the way the founders of the Republic would have
+talked. I don't think you can make real patriots believe in that sort of
+thing."
+
+Mr. Carlton did a remarkable thing. He burst out laughing. Barry looked
+annoyed. His feelings were ruffled.
+
+"My dear Barry," said the Congressman, "your assertion does not really
+need an answer. You have furnished it yourself."
+
+"In what way?"
+
+"By your reference to the founders of the Republic. You believe, don't
+you, that Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson were high-minded men
+and loved their country?"
+
+"I certainly do."
+
+"Well, then, let me tell you that the vote in Congress by which the city
+of Washington was decided upon as the capital of the nation was the
+result of a compromise between these two men."
+
+"I think I've heard something about that, but I never thought there was
+anything in it."
+
+"There's everything in it," was the prompt retort. "The people of today
+have no idea of the bitterness that was engendered during the fight to
+locate the capital of the Republic. Every city in the middle states
+desired it, and immense sums of money were offered for the privilege of
+securing the capital city. The Eastern states had openly threatened
+secession, and their Northern and Southern members were so bitter that
+they would not meet together for the transaction of public business.
+Hamilton and Jefferson happened to meet one day and between them they
+arranged a compromise by which the present city of Washington, in the
+District of Columbia, was selected as the capital. The compromise was
+effected by the Northern states agreeing to the capital being placed on
+the Potomac river on condition that the Southern states should consent
+that the debt of the creditor states should be assumed by the national
+Government. The whole affair was patched up at a dinner given by Thomas
+Jefferson."
+
+Conway interposed with a gesture of mock despair.
+
+"Barry surrenders. Anyhow, he didn't know that he was laying himself
+open for a lecture on the early history of the Government."
+
+The two men separated laughingly, and Conway promised to be on hand if
+it were possible for him to render any assistance in the final
+consideration of the Cleverly bill.
+
+Before Barry Wynn left the Capitol that day, Mr. Carlton suggested that
+it would be a good idea for him to be on hand at the meeting of the
+Committee on Naval Affairs the following afternoon.
+
+"It is impossible to foretell just what may happen," he said, "and I
+would like you to be near by in case it is necessary for me to send out
+any messages."
+
+Barry promised and went home that night with his mind very much absorbed
+in the question of the bill which was to come up for final consideration
+on the following day. He met Joe Hart at his boarding house that night,
+and after dinner the little fellow told him that he had been given a
+message to deliver to Senator Graves at the Cosmopolis Hotel that
+evening.
+
+"I'll go with you," said Barry. "I'm through with the shorthand school,
+and I feel too restless to stay in the house tonight."
+
+So the two boys walked down Pennsylvania Avenue together to the hotel.
+Joe went to the desk and informed the clerk that he had a message to
+deliver to Senator Graves.
+
+"I am sorry," said the clerk, "but the Senator is not in now. We expect
+him back in about half an hour, if you care to wait that long."
+
+Joe realized that there was nothing to do under the circumstances but to
+wait. He walked around the corridor of the hotel for a while with Barry,
+but finally the boys became tired and sat down together on a cushioned
+seat that had been built around one of the great columns in the lobby of
+the hotel. It was very comfortable and they enjoyed it very much indeed.
+The Cosmopolis was one of the leading hotels of the capital, and
+important men were walking in and out all the time. It was quite
+comfortable in the lobby and after a while the boys ceased talking.
+Presently Joe, boy-like, went to sleep. Barry was in a half doze himself
+when he was suddenly aroused by the sound of a familiar voice:
+
+"Carlton's bill is going to be taken up by the Committee at three
+o'clock tomorrow afternoon."
+
+Barry's eyes opened wide. He was thoroughly awake, but he did not move
+nor speak. He sat perfectly still. Presently the voice sounded again:
+
+"He thinks he is going to get it through, but we will have to give him a
+surprise party."
+
+Someone answered this sally, but in such a low voice that the reply
+could not be understood by the listening page.
+
+There was silence for some time after this and Barry, moving very slowly
+and cautiously, peered round the corner of the big pillar, and was
+rewarded by a sight of the men on the other side of the column. One was
+Jesse Hudson, the other was Joel Phipps, and the third was a man he did
+not know. Barry quickly dodged back to his former position and listened
+very quietly in the hope of hearing more of the conversation. It was
+unsatisfactory. He only got fragments of the talk. Occasionally Hudson
+raised his voice, but the stranger invariably answered in a whisper. The
+boy snuggled up closer in the hope of getting some telltale phrase. In a
+moment he was rewarded to some extent:
+
+"It hinges on Warrington," said Hudson.
+
+"But he's for the bill," whispered the unknown man.
+
+"Yes," muttered Hudson, "but he must stay away."
+
+"I don't think you can get him to do that."
+
+"I think we can."
+
+"I doubt it very much."
+
+"I don't," was the confident rejoinder. "You know that Warrington loves
+a good dinner?"
+
+In a few moments the three men walked away, leaving the boys alone on
+the cushioned seat. By this time Senator Graves had arrived at the
+hotel and Joe Hart was enabled to deliver his message. Barry did not
+confide the conversation he had overheard to Joe Hart. He wondered what
+it all meant. He wondered whether he should tell Mr. Carlton about it.
+After considerable thought he concluded that it was not very important
+after all and that, in any event, the Congressman was able to take care
+of himself. But at intervals during the night he kept hearing a familiar
+voice saying:
+
+"You know that Warrington loves a good dinner!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+THE LAST STAND
+
+
+Barry Wynn awoke the following morning with a confused recollection of
+what he had heard behind the big column in the Cosmopolis Hotel. But in
+the clear light of day it did not take him long to determine what he
+should do. He resolved to tell the story to Mr. Carlton for just what it
+was worth.
+
+Immediately after breakfast he hastened to the Capitol, but was
+disappointed to learn that the Congressman would not be in his office
+until noon. Barry waited until that hour only to find that it would not
+be possible for Mr. Carlton to see anyone until later in the day. The
+boy was in a fever of impatience by this time. He hardly knew what to
+do. He knew that the Committee on Naval Affairs was to meet at three
+o'clock and he resolved to stand at the door of the Committee room and
+intercept Mr. Carlton as he went into the meeting. It was a minute
+after the appointed time when the familiar form of the Congressman came
+swinging down the corridor in double-quick time.
+
+"Mr. Carlton! Mr. Carlton!" cried the boy.
+
+"Hello, Barry," responded the statesman, but without stopping.
+
+The young page ran after him and caught him by the sleeve.
+
+"There is something I want to tell you--something important," he panted.
+
+The Congressman slackened his pace without stopping.
+
+"Well, what is it? You must speak quickly. I'm in a mighty big hurry."
+
+"I heard--I heard," gasped Barry, trying to talk and keep pace with his
+friends at the same time, "I heard that Mr. Hudson was going to try and
+defeat your bill today."
+
+John Carlton laughed.
+
+"I've heard that myself a dozen times. I can't say it's news."
+
+"But they talked it over last night," persisted the boy. "I heard
+them--while I was at the hotel."
+
+"I don't doubt it," retorted the other, wearily, "and if I stay here
+talking to you any longer they'll cook my goose sure enough."
+
+"But I have more I must tell you. I'm sure--"
+
+"Not now," interrupted Carlton.
+
+With that he hurried into the room where nearly all of the members of
+the Committee had assembled. Barry was in despair. He tried to tell his
+news and failed. In the meantime Joel Phipps, the clerk, was calling the
+roll to ascertain whether a quorum of the Committee was in attendance.
+Barry, at his post in the doorway, could see Mr. Carlton flitting about
+from one member to another.
+
+While he stood there Felix Conway came along and greeted him cordially.
+The sight of that beaming countenance was to the boy like a grateful
+rain upon a parched desert. What he had tried to tell the Congressman he
+could impart to Conway's receptive ears. Felix listened in silence. At
+the conclusion of the narrative he gave a prolonged whistle.
+
+"Did you tell this to John Carlton?" he demanded.
+
+"I tried to, but I couldn't get him to listen."
+
+"Oh. I suppose he was so busy that he didn't know what you were talking
+about."
+
+"That's right. I don't think he knew what I meant."
+
+"I wonder how we can reach him?" asked Felix; then almost immediately
+answering his own question, he said:
+
+"Thank goodness, he's coming out now."
+
+Carlton was slowly making his way to the door. It was evident from his
+looks and his manner that something was wrong. His forehead was drawn
+and his eyebrows contracted with a frown. There was a grayish look about
+the corners of his mouth. It was rare indeed for this self-contained man
+to show such emotion.
+
+"Well," exclaimed Conway, anticipating him, "how are things going? Have
+you got your majority of three?"
+
+The Congressman shook his head with a gesture of disgust.
+
+"No--they've got Curwood. I was sure he was with me last night, but he
+tells me now that he is going to vote against the bill."
+
+"But that still leaves you a majority of one."
+
+Carlton wagged his head again.
+
+"It would if all my supporters were here--but one's away."
+
+"Who is he?"
+
+"Warrington."
+
+Conway slapped Barry on the back.
+
+"That proves your story, my boy."
+
+"What story?" asked Carlton, quickly.
+
+"The story Wynn was trying to tell you when you went into the meeting."
+
+He smiled in a melancholy way.
+
+"I was so distracted that I didn't really know what Barry was trying to
+say."
+
+Prompted by the journalist, the page boy himself repeated what he had
+heard in the hotel lobby the night before. As he concluded, Conway
+exclaimed:
+
+"What do you think of that?"
+
+"I'm fighting a resourceful crowd," admitted Carlton, sorrowfully.
+
+Before he had finished the sentence, Conway had rushed over to a
+telephone booth and had the receiver at his ear. He was back in a
+minute, his face flushed.
+
+"I've had Warrington's apartments. His housekeeper tells me that he went
+to Wynnwood this morning. He told her he would take dinner there and
+return in time for the meeting of your Committee this afternoon. Barry,"
+he concluded, "get me a suburban timetable."
+
+Quickly the page boy returned with a railroad schedule. Conway looked it
+over feverishly. He gave a groan.
+
+"What's the matter?" asked Carlton.
+
+"There's only one train out of that one-horse town this afternoon."
+
+"I guess one train is sufficient to carry Warrington," retorted Carlton,
+with forced gaiety.
+
+"Yes," said the other, dropping the timetable with a gesture of
+disgust, "but it won't leave Wynnwood until half-past four. That means
+that he can't get here until after five o'clock."
+
+"What does that mean?" asked the Congressman, anxiously.
+
+"It means that your bill is beaten unless you can have it amended
+tomorrow."
+
+"That's out of the question," admitted the other, "tomorrow is the last
+day of the session, and it will be a physical impossibility to have the
+general bill reopened for changes of any kind."
+
+"Do you believe in Warrington?" asked the journalist.
+
+"As I believe in myself. He's careless, but he's as true as steel. He's
+gone away in the full belief that he would get back in time. I'd stake
+my life on his loyalty."
+
+"When will the Committee reach your bill?"
+
+"By four o'clock at the latest. There are only two bills ahead of it."
+
+"How long will it take to dispose of it?"
+
+"I should say it will either be passed or killed by half-past four."
+
+Conway shook his fist at an imaginary foe.
+
+"The rascals! They've timed it perfectly."
+
+"How?"
+
+"Warrington will only be taking the train for Washington at that time."
+
+Conway paced the width of the corridor two or three times. Suddenly he
+paused, a look of resolution in his eyes.
+
+"Is debate restricted to the Committee?" he asked, unexpectedly.
+
+"No."
+
+"Then, by Jove, I think I have it. It's only a chance in a thousand, but
+it's worth trying."
+
+During the next few minutes the journalist showed the latent
+possibilities that reposed beneath his placid exterior. He hustled Barry
+to his rooms for certain papers. Joe Hart, who happened along, was
+hurried off on another errand. All the while Conway was talking in
+quick, jerky, excited whispers to John Carlton. Barry and Joe returned
+about the same time, loaded down with reports and pamphlets. These were
+placed in the arms of the astonished Congressman.
+
+"Now, Carlton," was the farewell greeting of the correspondent, "I'm
+going to take Barry with me. I may need him. Joe Hart will stay here in
+case you need his services. In the meantime, good-bye and good luck."
+
+He was off like a flash. John Carlton returned to the Committee room and
+silently took his seat. His quiet demeanor surprised Hudson. He looked
+for an outbreak of some sort. But, instead the man from Maine sat there
+as mute as though he had been deprived of the power of speech.
+
+"Takes defeat better than I expected," whispered Hudson to his neighbor.
+
+"Oh," was the confident rejoinder, "he sees he's up against it and knows
+there's no use in making a fight."
+
+The Committee proceeded with its work mechanically. The two bills that
+were ahead of the Cleverly measure were taken up in their order. The
+sponsor of the first one was about to make some remarks in its favor
+when the Chairman said that as there did not appear to be any opposition
+to the bill, there was scarcely any need for debate. Carlton was on his
+feet at once.
+
+"I think the gentleman should have the privilege of saying what he
+pleases."
+
+No one objected, and the legislator proceeded to orate for the space of
+fifteen minutes. It was that much time killed. The Committee voted
+unanimously to incorporate his measure in the naval programme, which
+would afterwards have to go in the general appropriation bill. The
+second bill was favorably reported without debate.
+
+The hands of the clock pointed to four when the Committee took up the
+Cleverly measure. Carlton made a masterly speech in its favor. But the
+speech consumed a half hour, which many of the Committee considered an
+insufferably long time. After that Hudson and two of his friends made
+short, snappy three-minute speeches against the bill. As the last man
+sat down Hudson called for a vote on the proposition.
+
+But Carlton was on his feet, holding aloft a protesting arm.
+
+"One minute, Mr. Chairman," he cried, "I can't permit the remarks of
+these gentlemen to go unanswered. It would not be fair to my
+constituents to do so. I am told that you propose to defeat this bill.
+Very well. But, before you do so, I demand the right to place myself on
+record."
+
+Cries of "Hear! hear! Go on" and "Give the man a chance," greeted this
+opening.
+
+The Chairman nodded a reluctant consent, and John Carlton began his
+speech against time. His desk was piled high with papers, pamphlets, and
+books. Thus fortified, he gave the members an exhibition of
+old-fashioned, backwoods oratory. Whenever he was at a loss for a new
+idea he would reach over, pick up a book and begin to read extracts from
+some ancient report. He sketched the art of building navies from its
+beginning down to the present era. He read portions of messages from the
+great architects of the past and present. Finally, he discussed the
+character of naval stations which should be erected by the United States
+Government.
+
+The opposition members were becoming restless. Already three quarters of
+an hour had been consumed, and they wanted to bring the matter to a
+conclusion. They knew that they had the votes and they wanted to defeat
+the bill and have done with it.
+
+"I call time," shouted one of them, "the gentleman is talking in the
+most trivial manner."
+
+Carlton simulated intense indignation.
+
+"The member is insulting," he shouted.
+
+"I call for a vote," retorted the other.
+
+"That's gag law," declared the member from Cleverly in his most dramatic
+style, "and I hope that it will never be said that such law was ever
+invoked by this Committee."
+
+The result of this tirade was an extension of time. He talked until his
+voice became husky, all the while watching the hands of the clock. They
+seemed to crawl around at a snail's pace. But time moves on in spite of
+men and mice. Soon the timepiece pointed to ten minutes of five. Carlton
+talked on. The hands reached five minutes of five. The statesman
+continued his rambling discourse. The clock struck five. At that Hudson
+arose in a rage. He could risk no more delay.
+
+"I insist upon an immediate vote," he shouted.
+
+"And I demand a roll call on the request," retorted Carlton.
+
+Everybody knew that this was a dilatory motion. But the purpose was
+accomplished. Three or four more minutes were wasted. Then the
+inevitable came. The final call of the roll on whether Cleverly was to
+have its Naval Repair Station was ordered.
+
+Carlton sank in his seat exhausted. He had come to the end of his
+resources. He knew only too well that he was short one vote. Joel
+Phipps with his sing-song voice did his work expeditiously. Four-fifths
+of the names had been called and Conway had not come with his promised
+relief. Carlton gave one last anxious look at the door. No one was in
+sight. He gave a sigh--the sigh of a defeated man, and waited in a
+perfunctory way for the conclusion of the roll call.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+A RACE AGAINST TIME
+
+
+After their talk with John Carlton, Barry and Felix left the meeting
+room together, and, hurrying down the corridor, emerged on the plaza
+fronting the Southern side of the Capitol. The boy was all a-quiver with
+excitement.
+
+"What did you mean by dumping all of those reports on John Carlton?" he
+asked.
+
+Conway laughed joyously.
+
+"That's food for thought. He must feed it out to the Committee by
+degrees."
+
+"What good will it do?" asked Barry, skeptically.
+
+"It will postpone the vote on the Cleverly bill."
+
+"But the postponement won't do any good unless Warrington gets here."
+
+"You've hit the nail on the head."
+
+Barry had confidence in the resourcefulness of the journalist. He felt
+sure that he had conceived some brilliant plan by which Warrington could
+be instantly and miraculously--if you will--delivered to Carlton. He
+wondered why Conway did not tell him all about it. His hints had not
+given him much satisfaction. So he spoke bluntly:
+
+"What are you trying to do?"
+
+The honest blue eyes of Felix twinkled. Perplexity was drowned in
+merriment. He threw up both hands in a gesture of abandonment.
+
+"Blest if I know!"
+
+Barry was so amazed at this unexpected reply that he stood stock still
+at the foot of the Capitol steps.
+
+"You don't know!" he interrogated in a reproachful tone.
+
+"No," replied the other, putting his hands in his pockets, and raising
+himself up and down on his heels, "I don't know."
+
+"And you left Mr. Carlton believing that you would be back with
+Warrington at your heels."
+
+"It was the only thing to do. You must never say die, my boy. Fight to
+the last ditch, but never surrender. There is always the possibility
+that something may turn up. The first and most important factor in this
+fight was delay. We've secured that. How long Carlton will hold that
+crowd is more than I can predict. After that we need an additional vote.
+The vote is at Wynnwood."
+
+"Yes, I know all about that--but I don't see how this talk is going to
+help," cried Barry, irritably.
+
+"Nor do I," responded the imperturbable Irishman, "but do you know that
+sometimes in the mere act of stating a difficulty you discover a way out
+of it."
+
+The boy laughed in spite of himself.
+
+"There's no way of getting to Wynnwood--no trains, I mean," he said.
+
+"Quite right, and Wynnwood, being obstinate, won't come to us."
+
+"If we could locate a wireless operator, we might flash a message to
+Warrington," said Barry, banteringly.
+
+"Yes," assented the other, "or if we could pick up a flying machine
+that wasn't otherwise engaged, it might help some."
+
+The boy gave a gesture of dismay.
+
+"While we're out here fooling, Mr. Carlton is probably talking himself
+hoarse."
+
+Conway suddenly broke away from Barry and started across the asphalted
+street.
+
+"I've got it!" he shouted. "I've got it! The very thing!"
+
+"What is it?" cried the boy, running after him.
+
+"Look across the street," responded the correspondent, breathlessly, "do
+you see that big automobile, and do you see that red-haired youth in the
+front seat?"
+
+"Yes, but I don't see the connection--yet."
+
+"You will in a second. That's Danny Burns. He was in my class at
+Georgetown. He's the only son of one of the rubber kings. He has all
+kinds of wealth; money to burn, and oceans of time to consume it."
+
+Before Barry could reply, Conway was hailing the young man in the
+automobile:
+
+"Danny! Danny!"
+
+The red-haired one turned around indolently.
+
+"Why, hello, you rascal, what's the matter? Running a foot race, or is
+the world on fire?"
+
+"Neither, you time-killer. I want you to give me a ride in your
+machine."
+
+"Well, of all the cheek you--"
+
+"You've invited me fifty times," interrupted Felix.
+
+"Yes, and you've declined forty-nine."
+
+"Hurry up, or I may change my mind."
+
+"Jump in," shouted the young millionaire.
+
+In a thrice Conway and Barry were in the machine. After the newspaper
+man had presented the boy, the amateur chauffeur turned to Felix:
+
+"Where to?"
+
+"Straight South, and I'll tell you all about it as we go."
+
+As the big touring car whizzed along, the newspaper man told his college
+chum the story of the Cleverly bill. He explained the plight of John
+Carlton and told of the mysterious disappearance of Congressman
+Warrington. The question was whether it would be possible to reach
+Wynnwood and return to Washington before the meeting of the Committee
+was concluded.
+
+The love of adventure was strong in Danny Burns' veins, and he listened
+with eager interest. When Felix finished his story, Danny turned the
+steering wheel over to Conway while he consulted road maps and made
+calculations regarding the possibility of landing Warrington in
+Washington at the time appointed.
+
+"Say, Danny," cried Felix, as he reluctantly took hold of the wheel, "I
+don't know a blessed thing about this machine. I wish you'd run it
+yourself."
+
+"Oh, it's only for a few minutes. If a chicken or a rabbit gets in your
+way, run over it. If it's a cow, turn aside. We don't want to help the
+trusts by sending beef any higher; besides it might scratch the varnish
+on the car."
+
+For a man that knew nothing whatever of motoring, Felix did fairly well.
+Once the machine threatened to run into a barbed wire fence, and again
+it skidded on a slippery stretch of road, but otherwise he managed it
+very creditably. He was glad enough when the owner of the car relieved
+him.
+
+"I figure it out that Wynnwood is nearly twenty miles from Washington.
+Now if we can keep up our speed both ways and do not meet with any
+mishaps, there is a bare possibility that we may win out--just a bare
+possibility."
+
+Felix groaned.
+
+"That means we're beaten," he said. "When a confirmed optimist becomes
+cautious, it makes me believe the jig's up."
+
+"What time must you be back?" asked Burns, ignoring the reference to
+himself.
+
+"Well, the bill should come up at four o'clock."
+
+"Well, that's what I based my calculation upon. You see, it's after
+three o'clock now."
+
+Barry, who had been listening to the conversation, now spoke:
+
+"I think, Mr. Burns," he said, "that Mr. Carlton will keep the votes
+back until some time after four o'clock."
+
+"Good," cried the young man, "every minute saved in that way is a minute
+gained."
+
+"Sure," responded Conway, recovering his hopeful manner at once, "and if
+Danny could gain a few minutes more with this old tin can of a motor
+car, we'd come mighty near winning the race."
+
+Danny's answer was characteristic of that spoiled darling of fortune. He
+pulled the lever back one or two notches and the machine shot ahead as
+though it were possessed of a thousand furies, each one urging the other
+on to greater excesses. The shock threw Conway against the cushions and
+made him shake his fist at his friend in pretended anger. As for Barry,
+the sudden rush of the machine fairly took his breath away.
+
+They were out in the open country now on a great waste of level land
+where speed laws could be ignored with impunity. They soon went so
+swiftly that intelligible conversation was out of the question. The
+young page boy was enjoying it to the fullest. There was something
+exhilarating about it that made him close his eyes and breathe a
+long-drawn sigh of utter contentment. He was perfectly satisfied to
+remain quiet and drink in the joys of this wonderful ride.
+
+[Illustration: The young page boy was enjoying it to the fullest
+
+_See page 331_]
+
+But even the whizzing of the wind was not sufficient to keep the
+youthful owner of the car from talking. From time to time he shouted in
+Conway's ear, taunting him with being an old fogy and offering to bet
+anything from a red apple to a hundred-dollar bill that he could drive
+the next mile faster than he had driven the last one. Felix, who was in
+momentary fear that the machine would be wrecked and that they would
+all lose their lives, permitted the jibe of his friend to go unanswered.
+
+But the longest journeys have their end, and presently the village of
+Wynnwood hove in sight. Danny Burns said he knew it, because once, while
+suffering from temporary aberration of the mind, he had gone fishing
+there. He said the only house in the place was the old fisherman's
+cottage where unfortunate visitors were regaled with country dinners at
+New York prices.
+
+So, being well acquainted with the locality, Danny kept his machine in
+motion until it reached the front door of the Ancient Mariner of the
+village. It had scarcely stopped before there was a scampering of feet
+within and Warrington ran out on the porch, very red in the face and too
+angry almost for coherent speech. The recognition of Conway caused him
+to emit a shriek of delight.
+
+"Felix," he cried, "you're an angel in disguise!"
+
+"Why?" asked the wise one, with pretended innocence.
+
+"I've got to get back to Washington at once. I promised Carlton I'd vote
+for his bill. When I accepted an invitation to eat a dinner here today I
+had no idea that there were no trains back until four o'clock. I've been
+telephoning everywhere for a conveyance, but all in vain."
+
+"It's all right," said Conway, quietly, "we came here to take you back
+to Washington--that is, if you want to go."
+
+"Want to go," he retorted, angrily, "don't you dare to insinuate--"
+
+"I insinuate nothing," was the quiet rejoinder, "but Barry Wynn heard
+some things last night that convinced me that you would be unable to
+reach the meeting today unless we came here with a motor car."
+
+Something about Conway's manner rather than his words, caught the
+Congressman.
+
+"It was a scheme on the part of Hudson's crowd then, wasn't it? I've
+tried hard not to think so. Conway, I thank you and the boy and your
+friend. Please put on steam. I want to save that bill if I can. If I
+fail, I give you my word that I'll make all Washington howl!"
+
+In ten minutes they had started on their return journey. Burns drove his
+car at a rate that was simply scandalous. The machine ate up the road.
+It consumed mile after mile like a glutton whose appetite grows with
+what it feeds upon. Astonished farmers stood at their gate posts and
+gazed after the queer quartette and wondered if they were escaped
+lunatics. And Danny Burns, whose recklessness had passed into a proverb,
+sat there cherubic with delight. Conway looked at his watch. He smiled
+his satisfaction. He leaned over to his friend and shouted in his ear:
+
+"Keep it up! You're doing fine! You made the last mile in less than a
+minute."
+
+At that moment there was a loud report, like the shot of a rifle. There
+was an unaccountable slowing down of speed and the machine began to limp
+along like a runner whose breath is exhausted.
+
+"What's the matter?" inquired Barry.
+
+"Nothing," was the philosophical retort, "except that we've burst a
+tire."
+
+In a few minutes Danny had all of them at work. Warrington, perspiring
+like a stoker in a fire-room, was jacking up the axle of the machine,
+while Barry was pulling away on the extra tire which the discreet Burns
+always carried on the back of his car.
+
+Presently everything was as good as new, but as they started off Felix
+happened to glance at his watch, and what he discovered made him thump
+his breastbone in unavailing anger. It was half-past four o'clock, and
+according to schedule the Committee should be through with the Cleverly
+bill. He said nothing, because the time for talk had passed.
+
+Presently they came near to the city limits and instead of slowing down,
+the reckless driver increased his speed. On and on they whizzed until
+Barry's head ached from the new sensation. They bounced up and down on
+their seats as though they were rubber balls. A clock in the steeple
+struck five.
+
+Every one in the car felt that the Cleverly bill was dead and buried by
+this time. But they kept on with a grim taciturnity that would have been
+worthy of bigger men in a greater cause. Just as they came within view
+of the Capitol a young lady, followed by a fluffy little dog, crossed
+the track of the car. With a trial for homicide staring him in the face,
+Danny Burns acted with great promptness. He twisted the machine out of
+its course and undoubtedly saved the life of the girl, not to speak of
+the dog.
+
+The car skidded up the side of the little park, the centre of which was
+ornamented with a miniature pond for the cultivation of lilies. The
+sudden twist of the steering gear gave the machine a terrific jolt. It
+did more than that. It threw Felix Conway and Congressman Warrington
+over the dasher and into the midst of the pond lilies. Barry, with the
+ingenuity of boyhood, clung desperately to his seat in the car.
+
+By very good fortune, neither of the men were injured and they were
+able to continue their journey. But their personal appearance was a
+sight to excite the jeers of the frivolous--sopping wet and
+fantastically decorated with the clinging leaves of the water lilies.
+
+A few minutes later the doors of the Committee room were thrown open and
+Barry Wynn and Danny Burns hurried into the meeting, closely followed by
+Felix Conway and Congressman Warrington. The big statesman was coatless.
+His hair was in disorder, and one end of his collar had been torn from
+the button. Add to this the fact that the water was dripping from his
+clothes and that he was fighting mad, and the rest of the scene may be
+imagined. The clerk, apparently, had just ceased calling the roll.
+
+"Mr. Chairman," shouted Warrington, "I desire to record my vote on the
+Cleverly Naval Station bill."
+
+There was a tense silence, and then, after a moment's deliberation, the
+presiding officer said in a hard, cold tone:
+
+"I'm very sorry, but the gentleman is too late. The vote has just been
+taken and the bill is defeated."
+
+Barry felt as if he would crumple up and fall on the floor in a heap.
+Danny Burns made his contribution to the general grief in one sentence.
+He said:
+
+"It's a beastly shame!"
+
+But John Carlton evidently had an inspiration. He was on his feet in an
+instant.
+
+"I move that the vote by which the Cleverly bill was defeated be
+reconsidered."
+
+The Chairman looked at him reproachfully.
+
+"The gentleman surely knows that a motion to reconsider can only be made
+by a person who has voted in the negative."
+
+"Who voted against your bill, John?" cried Warrington, in fine disregard
+of parliamentary law.
+
+"Curwood, for one."
+
+Warrington lurched over to Curwood. He faced him in a menacing
+attitude.
+
+"Move to reconsider," he shouted, hoarsely.
+
+Before Curwood realized what he was doing, he had made the motion. The
+vote to reconsider carried and then the bill was once more placed before
+the members of the Committee. When Warrington's name was called, his
+loud "aye" reverberated through the capital. The clerk handed the tally
+to the Chairman. He put on his glasses and read it to the members:
+
+"The new Naval Repair Station for Cleverly carries by a vote of 10 to
+9."
+
+Amid the applause that followed; John Carlton threw his arms around the
+lily-bespattered form of Warrington and actually hugged him. Barry, on
+his part, shook hands hysterically with Conway and then with Danny
+Burns, and all three seemed to enjoy the performance very much.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+THE HOME COMING
+
+
+It was the last day of the session, and everyone at the Capitol was
+laboring under a great strain. The national legislators, with
+characteristic unwisdom, were trying to crowd the work of three or four
+weeks into three or four hours.
+
+Several important bills remained to be acted upon. One of these was the
+General Appropriation bill, which included among its numerous items, a
+provision to pay for the erection of the Naval Repair Station at
+Cleverly.
+
+As John Carlton was going into the Capitol with Barry Wynn by his side,
+Felix Conway greeted the man and the boy:
+
+"How are you feeling after the battle?" he cried.
+
+"Fine," was the genial response of the Congressman.
+
+"Do you think your bill will go through all right this morning?"
+
+"Sure! It becomes a part of what we call the omnibus bill, and as that
+measure provides for a dozen different objects, I think there will be a
+general disposition to let it go through without any further change."
+
+Conway shook his head.
+
+"That sounds all right, but if I were you I'd keep my eye on Hudson."
+
+"Oh, Hudson's all right," declared Carlton, "he assured me a little
+while ago that he would vote for the bill."
+
+Conway looked puzzled.
+
+"Well, that's funny," he said, finally.
+
+"Nothing funny about it. Why, at the session only last night I voted for
+a bill that he was interested in."
+
+The journalist seemed petrified with astonishment. When he was able to
+voice his feeling he emitted two startled words:
+
+"You did!"
+
+"Certainly, I did. It was a proper bill and one that should have been
+passed. I harbor no resentment against Hudson. He is human, that's all;
+only he was a little more human than most people. He thought I had done
+him a wrong and he tried to get even with me. I must admit that I do not
+particularly admire his methods, but I can assure you that I cherish no
+resentment whatever against him."
+
+Conway whistled--his favorite way of expressing unusual emotion.
+
+"What did Hudson say when you voted with him?"
+
+Carlton laughed.
+
+"He came over and thanked me. He did more than that. He said he was
+sorry that he had struck below the belt and promised me he would never
+do it again."
+
+Conway looked at his friend with undisguised admiration.
+
+"Well," he said, "it's no wonder that you are successful. A man who is
+as charitable as you are doesn't deserve to have any enemies."
+
+The trio laughingly separated, and Carlton hurried into the House,
+followed by his young friend. He busied himself at his desk for a few
+minutes and then said:
+
+"Barry, that omnibus bill will go through in a few minutes and after it
+has been signed by the Speaker of the House and the President of the
+Senate, I want you to take it in to a gentleman sitting at a desk in
+that room yonder."
+
+He pointed to a little doorway leading to an apartment finished in
+marble. Barry was about to ask who the gentleman was when his attention
+was distracted by a Congressman calling to him.
+
+The greatest commotion prevailed in the House. Everyone seemed to be
+doing a different thing at the same time. The Speaker pounded his desk;
+the clerk called the roll; members indulged in short, snappy debates,
+while the page boys rushed in every direction, tripping over each
+other's heels and otherwise adding to the general din and confusion. But
+in spite of the appearance of chaos, the members had settled down to
+business and were engaged in steadily passing upon bills that yet
+remained to be considered. Minor legislation, of course, was out of the
+question. Only three or four of the big bills, like the General
+Appropriation bill, the Naval programme, the Public Buildings bill, and
+the Rivers and Harbors bill, were given a place on the calendar.
+
+The House had been in session about an hour when the Speaker summoned
+Barry Wynn to his side. He had a document before him and had just
+finished appending his signature to it.
+
+"Barry," he said, in a kindly tone, "take this bill over to the
+presiding officer of the Senate and have him place his autograph
+directly below my own."
+
+The page boy did as he was told and returned in a few minutes. The Clerk
+of the House, who seemed to have eyes in the back of his head, beckoned
+to him as soon as he reached the desk.
+
+"Go right into that room," he said, "and get the final signature to this
+piece of legislation."
+
+Barry wonderingly followed instructions. He opened the door leading
+into the marble room and was greeted by a clerk, who motioned him toward
+a pleasant looking gentleman, who sat at a big table, signing bills as
+fast as they were handed to him. He told Barry to take a seat and
+glanced over the bill hastily. After that he accepted a pen which was
+handed to him by one of the bystanders and placed his autograph at the
+bottom of the bill. It only needed a glance to tell Barry that he was
+once again in the presence of the President of the United States. He
+beckoned to Barry. The boy went to his side, and the Chief Magistrate
+handed him the pen with which he had signed the bill.
+
+"My son," he said, "take this home with you as a souvenir. I understand
+that you have been very much interested in this legislation, and I think
+you deserve this little token as a reminder of the success of John
+Carlton and yourself."
+
+Barry, beaming with delight, hurried to his patron and friend and told
+him what had taken place. The Congressman smiled indulgently.
+
+"He told me he would do it," he said, in a musing tone, "and I never yet
+knew him to forget a promise."
+
+Congress sat in session until very late that night, but at the
+suggestion of Congressman Carlton, Barry made arrangements to return
+home on the first train the following day. Mrs. Johnson helped him to
+pack his trunk and he left her home-like boarding house with a feeling
+of genuine regret. But when he went to the train he did not go alone. He
+took with him his good friend and confidant, Joe Hart, who, after much
+urging, had consented to spend a fortnight at the Wynn home in Cleverly.
+To the delight of the two boys, John Carlton was on the same train and
+with him was his enthusiastic admirer, Felix Conway.
+
+All four were destined to be treated to a surprise when they reached the
+little railroad station at Cleverly. The train had scarcely slowed up
+when the blare of a brass band was heard, and looking out, the
+embarrassed Congressman discovered that almost the entire population of
+the city had come to the station to welcome him home and to celebrate
+his success in winning the new Naval Repair Station for his native
+place.
+
+Barry's mother was on the platform, in the forefront of the crowd, and
+he leaped from the train and was soon locked in her arms. In the
+meantime the procession was forming; an open barouche, drawn by two
+black horses, had been provided for John Carlton, and Felix Conway,
+because of his loyalty and devotion to Carlton, was given a seat beside
+the Congressman. Daniel Smithers, school teacher and philosopher, was
+chief marshal of the procession, an honor that he carried blushingly and
+with all due modesty. His assistants were Postmaster Ford and Hiram
+Blake.
+
+Chief Marshal Smithers, as if by inspiration, insisted that Barry Wynn
+and Joe Hart, should Occupy the other seat in the carriage with
+Congressman Carlton and Felix Conway. They climbed in amidst the
+applause of the crowd, and in a few minutes the procession had started
+on its way, while the band played in quick succession, "Hail to the
+Chief," "The Star Spangled Banner," and "There'll be a Hot Time in the
+Old Town Tonight."
+
+Up one street and down another it proceeded, the enthusiasm growing more
+intense with each passing minute. Presently they passed the home of
+Barry Wynn, and at that point the crowd, as if in sympathy with the
+significance of the occasion, redoubled its cheers and applause. As the
+barouche, containing the four chief persons in the parade, passed on its
+way, Barry instinctively turned his head, and the last thing he saw with
+his tear-dimmed eyes, was the figure of his dear mother standing on the
+edge of the porch, frantically waving a tiny lace handkerchief.
+
+
+
+
+ADVERTISEMENTS
+
+
+First Volume of the "Camp and Trail" Series
+
+THE YOUNG TIMBER-CRUISERS;
+or Fighting the Spruce Pirates
+
+By HUGH PENDEXTER
+Author of "Tiberius Smith"
+
+Illustrated by Charles Copeland
+
+$1.20 net; by mail, $1.32
+
+The Camp and Trail Series deals with the adventures of two boys, Stanley
+Malcolm and Bub Thomas, in the lumber camps and among the forests of
+Northern Maine. Stanley is a city boy and when the reader first meets
+him, he is just "learning the ropes," so to speak, among the lumbermen.
+He and Bub go off on a timber-cruising expedition with Abner Whitten,
+the ablest timber-cruiser of the Maine woods, and Noisy Charlie, a most
+interesting Indian, in an endeavor to thwart the efforts of a rival
+operator who is seeking to steal a vast tract of timber land. Stanley's
+experiences in learning woodcraft and the adventures of the whole party
+with Big Nick, a half-breed, in the employ of the rival operator, as
+well as with other scalawags, make an exciting story, teeming with
+interest for the red-blooded boy, and throughout giving him a vast store
+of actual knowledge of woodcraft. No book could be more fascinating
+reading than "The Young Timber-Cruisers."
+
+SMALL, MAYNARD & COMPANY
+
+Publishers, Boston
+
+
+MORE ADVENTURES OF STANLEY AND BUB
+
+THE YOUNG GEM-HUNTERS;
+or The Mystery of the Haunted Camp
+
+By HUGH PENDEXTER
+Author of "The Young Timber-Cruisers," etc.
+
+Illustrated by Charles Copeland
+
+$1.20 net; by mail, $1.32
+
+In this, the second volume of the Camp and Trail Series, we pursue the
+adventures of Stanley and Bub. Few people realize the immense variety of
+precious stones to be found in the State of Maine. The story takes the
+boys through a series of very exciting adventures in search of beryl,
+tourmaline, garnet, fresh water pearls, and other immensely valuable
+jewels which have long been found in Maine, but about which the general
+public is only lately coming to be informed.
+
+Only brief mention can be made of the remaining volumes of the "Camp and
+Trail" Series, now in preparation:
+
+
+THE YOUNG WOODSMEN;
+
+or Running Down the Squawtooth Gang
+
+Here we see the boys at work with the lumbermen preparing the winter
+camp and having a series of stirring adventures with various strange
+marauders.
+
+
+THE YOUNG TRAPPERS;
+
+or The Quest of the Giant Moose
+
+In this volume the boys are shown with the lumbermen engaged in the work
+of cutting down the trees. The book bristles with manly adventure.
+
+
+THE YOUNG LOGGERS;
+
+or The Gray Axeman of Mt. Crow
+
+Here we see the boys engaged in the great work of getting the logs out
+of the woods to be ready for the spring drive, and here again we find
+them involved in a series of fascinating happenings.
+
+
+THE YOUNG RIVER-DRIVERS;
+
+or Against Heavy Odds
+
+In this, the sixth and last volume of the Camp and Trail Series, we have
+all the exciting adventures connected with the spring drive when after
+the ice has gone out of the rivers the logs are launched in the water
+and floated down for miles and miles to the mills.
+
+Each of the foregoing volumes will be illustrated. Price, per volume,
+$1.20 net; by mail, $1.32.
+
+SMALL, MAYNARD & COMPANY
+
+Publishers, Boston
+
+
+A STRIKING STORY FOR BOYS
+
+THE SULTAN'S RIVAL
+
+By BRADLEY GILMAN
+Author of "A Son of the Desert," etc., etc.
+
+Illustrated by John Cassel
+
+$1.20 net; by mail, $1.32
+
+Here the author of "A Son of the Desert" and other popular books for
+boys, gives his readers an exciting story of adventure in the wild
+country of Morocco, a book of adventure without brutality, a book which
+maintains high standards of morality, a book which can and will be read
+with enjoyment by all the members of the family.
+
+A boy's character is greatly determined by the company he keeps; Mr.
+Gilman's story gives the reader the companionship of two manly young
+fellows in their daring adventures in a wild land among savage races.
+For this reason as well as because the story combines a continuous
+succession of perils and escapes with fascinating information about a
+lawless people and a romantic land, the parent who gives anxious thought
+to his children's reading will find the purchase of a copy of "The
+Sultan's Rival" a ready solution for his problem.
+
+SMALL, MAYNARD & COMPANY
+
+Publishers, Boston
+
+
+"I hope this admirable book may have what it deserves: the widest
+circulation among the young people of America."
+
+--_Gifford Pinchot._
+
+THE LAND WE LIVE IN
+The Boys' Book of Conservation
+
+By OVERTON W. PRICE
+Vice-President National Conservation Association
+
+With a Foreword by Gifford Pinchot, President National
+Conservation Association
+
+Illustrated by reproductions of 136 photographs
+Octavo. $1.50 net; by mail, $1.80
+
+Here is a book that will hold the interest and attention of every really
+manly boy--and womanly girl, too--who is anxious to know more about the
+natural wealth of "the land we live in" and who as a future voter and
+taxpayer has a right to know what is being done today and should be done
+tomorrow to take care of what is left.
+
+Says Mr. Pinchot in his foreword, "No people are prouder of their
+country than we Americans, but very few of us have any real knowledge
+about the three million square miles which we call the United States,
+yet there are very few stories so interesting and so well worth hearing
+as the story of what there is in the land we live in.... I have never
+seen so good a statement of the great conservation problem as this. It
+tells but half the story to say that this is an admirable book for boys
+and girls. If I may judge from my own experience, it is about as good
+for grown-ups also.... This country of ours belongs far more truly to
+the boys and girls than it does to us older people. They will live in it
+and enjoy it longer than we shall, and everything that happens in it,
+every bit of waste and every saving of waste, will affect their lives
+more than it does ours. We are only the trustees, taking care of the
+country for them until they are ready to take care of it themselves....
+It is peculiarly appropriate that Mr. Price should have written this
+book. His experience has been exactly what he needed to fit him for the
+task. Mr. Price is a forester, and was for many years my right hand in
+the Forest Service. Indeed, if credit could be allotted justly for work
+done, I believe it would be found that he had more to do with the
+success of the Service than I had. In addition to his intimate knowledge
+of the whole country acquired in the Forest Service, Mr. Price has been
+associated with the Conservation movement from its very beginning. It
+was with him that I discussed it first, after the idea had occurred to
+me, and from that time to this little has happened in Conservation which
+has not profited by his wide knowledge, remarkable powers of
+organization and unusual executive ability.... His scientific accuracy
+is the guarantee for the accuracy of this book.... I hope this admirable
+book may have what it
+
+SMALL, MAYNARD & COMPANY Publishers, Boston
+
+
+A book of nation-wide interest and importance.
+
+THE LAND WE LIVE IN--(Continued)
+
+deserves,--the widest circulation among the young people of America. All
+the boys and girls who read it while they are young will be more useful
+to the Nation because of it when they grow up; and unless I am mistaken,
+they will thoroughly enjoy reading it besides."
+
+The book is fascinating reading, as the following table of contents and
+topics discussed readily suggests: Foreword; Preface; Chapter
+One.--America Three Hundred Years Ago: This Country Then; What We Owe
+the Settlers; The Indians Then and the Indians Now; A Picture to
+Remember; The Journey; Home Again; Chapter Two.--America Today; Another
+Journey; The Open Country; We Must Live Within Our Means; Not Only the
+Settlers Were Blind; Chapter Three.--How the Forest Is Used, Abroad and
+at Home; In Germany; Elsewhere in Europe; In the Southern Pine Belt;
+Among the Douglas Fir; Logging in the North Woods; The Same Nearly
+Everywhere; We Must Grow Timber or Go Without; Chapter Four.--In a
+National Forest; A Busy Job; The Cowboy; The Timber Sale; How the Fires
+Start; Fighting the Fire; Brave Ranger Pulaski; Fire not the Only Enemy;
+The Forester; Private Forests; Teaching the People; Two Great Tasks;
+Chapter Five.--The Farmers' Farms and the Nation's Farm; Cotton and
+Corn; Boys the Best Farmers; North and West; We Must Grow What Food We
+Need; The Public Domain; The Sheep Herders and the Cowboys; Stock
+Followed Buffalo; The Range is Being Wasted; The Work of the Reclamation
+Service; Three Great Problems; Chapter Six.--The Treasures Underground;
+In a Coal Mine; Waste of Life and of Coal; The Bureau of Mines; Chapter
+Seven.--Wild Life: The Roe Deer and the Ranger; A Royal Hunt; The Young
+Germans in New York; How the Game Has Dwindled; Predatory Animals Cost
+Us Dearly; We Can All Help to Save the Game; Chapter Eight.--The Rivers:
+One More Journey; The First Sign of Use; Who Will Control the Water
+Powers?; Other Great Uses; Rivers Are Roads; Chapter Nine.--What This
+Means to Us; The Merchant's Son; The Farmer's Son; Why Taxes are Higher;
+The Nation and the Government; Chapter Ten.--How We Can Help; Knowing
+the Game; Learning the Game; Organization Counts; The Railroad; The
+Police Squad; We Can All Help; Chapter Eleven.--This is Conservation;
+The Ship of State; A Good Fight; Chapter Twelve.--An Inventory of
+Natural Resources; Forests; Waters; Lands; Minerals.
+
+The one hundred and thirty-six photographic illustrations are the very
+pick of over fifty thousand photographs at the command of the National
+Conservation Association, not only in their own numerous collection and
+the collections of affiliated societies and individuals, but in the
+immense collections of the Government itself.
+
+SMALL, MAYNARD & COMPANY Publishers, Boston
+
+
+Are you a "fan"? Then this is the book for YOU!
+
+THE BIG LEAGUE
+By CHARLES E. VAN LOAN
+
+With a frontispiece and a decorative wrapper in three colors by
+Arthur Covey
+
+$1.00 net; by mail, $1.10
+
+Never before has baseball had a portrayer at once so vivid, so dramatic
+and so humorous. "A good, honest picture of the game," says Frank
+Chance. "A lot of fun. I've read every one of these stories and so have
+all the boys on the Detroit team," says Wm. E. Donovan, of the Detroits.
+"The best thing of the kind," says Mordecai Brown, of the Chicago
+"Cubs." Here is the list:
+
+I THE CRAB. "It was Charley Brydon who christened Henry Gilman 'The
+Crab'." He was a great catcher but one day his arm went back on him and
+it looked as if he had made his last throw to second. The game of the
+year came and "The Crab" showed that his _legs_ were all right--and
+showed some other things, too.
+
+II THE LOW BROW. "When they were dealing out foreheads they gave Biff
+the lowest one they had in stock. Biff was a low brow, and he never
+denied it; but he was also the greatest catcher that ever buckled on a
+wind pad, and he never denied that either."
+
+III THE FRESH GUY. "The freshest young thing that a big-league currycomb
+ever hauled out of the baseball business"--that was Potts, a pickup from
+nowhere, without reputation or standing in the world of baseball. But
+watch him play ball!
+
+IV THE QUITTER. "The Gamecocks were specialists, welded by a baseball
+genius into the snappiest, scrappiest collection of fence breakers,
+umpire baiters, and 'goat-getters' in professional baseball." Then they
+imported a "quitter"--a curious kind of "quitter," who piled up surprise
+on surprise.
+
+V THE BUSH LEAGUE DEMON. "He's got a yellow streak," said the old third
+baseman. "Wait until some one stings him good and hard!" And this tells
+how the "Demon" was stung!
+
+VI THE CAST-OFF. Walloping pitchers are rare birds. The man who can wrap
+a ball around a batter's neck and also hit a .340 clip from one end of
+the season to the other is of the extraordinary type. That's the
+"Cast-Off." But one thing he lacked--a sense of humor.
+
+VII THE BUSHER. "Old Reuben Glue's only son" came to town and was
+introduced to a Big League training squad as the new man. You would say
+he looked like a farmer, on or off the diamond; but looks don't always
+tell the story.
+
+VIII A JOB FOR A PITCHER. The Clarksville rooters were delirious with
+joy. Every time the stranger whipped a strike over the plate some
+Clarksville man was sure to yell: "What did you say his name was?" And
+the answer would come like a thunderclap: "SMITH!"
+
+IX THE GOLDEN BALL OF THE ARGONAUTS. Old Tom Carson, the proprietor of
+the Golden Eagle Hotel, renews his acquaintance with an old baseball
+antagonist and many things surprise the town of Collinsville.
+
+SMALL, MAYNARD & COMPANY Publishers, Boston
+
+
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 57137 ***