andidate. "You came
too soon," observed a man seated next a vacant chair, which Galt took.
"You should have escaped this infliction."

"My dear fellow, I never escaped an infliction in my life," responded
Galt serenely. "I cut my teeth on them--but here's another," and he
turned an indifferent gaze on the orator, who had risen upon the
platform. "Good Lord, it's Gary!" he groaned. "Now we're in for it."

"Mr. Chairman and gentlemen of the convention," Gary was beginning, "it
is my pleasant duty to second the nomination of the Honourable
Cumberland Crutchfield of the gallant little county of Botetourt. Before
this august body, before this incomparable assemblage of the intellect
and learning of the State, my tongue would be securely tied ("I'd like
that little job," grunted the man next to Galt) did not the majesty of
my subject loosen it to eloquence. Would that the immortal Cicero ("Now
we're in for it," breathed Galt) in his deathless orations had been
inspired by the illustrious figure of our fellow-countryman. Gentlemen,
in the Honourable Cumberland Crutchfield you behold one whose public
service is an inspiration, whose private life is a benediction--one who
has borne without abuse the grand old title of the Caesar of Democracy,
and I dare to stand before you and assert that, had Caesar been a
Cumberland Crutchfield, there would have been no Brutus. Gentlemen, I
present to you in the Honourable Cumberland Crutchfield the Vested
Virgin of Virginia!"

The chairman's gavel fell with a thud. In the uproar which ensued hats,
fans, sticks filled the air. The tenth delegation rose to a man and
surged forward, but it was howled down. "Go it, old man!" sang the
boxes, where the fringe of feet was wildly swaying, and "He's all
right!" screeched the galleries. To a man who may be made fun of a
Virginia convention can be kind, but in the confusion Gary had sauntered
out for a drink.

After his exit the seconding motion flowed on smoothly through several
tedious speeches; and when the virtues of Mr. Crutchfield had been
sufficiently exploited Major Baylor requested the nomination of Dudley
Webb. He spoke warmly along the old heroic lines.

"The gentleman whom I ask you to nominate as your candidate for governor
stands before his people as one of the foremost statesmen of his day.
The father fell while defending Virginia; the son has pledged his
splendid ability and his untiring youth to the same service. From a
child he h