life with a mania for running for Congress.
The district had long been Republican, but with singular obstinacy
Waterman insisted on being a Democrat. His party being hopelessly in the
minority he was graciously permitted to have such nominations as he
liked, with the result that he had been defeated for nearly every office
within the gift of a proud people. He was a fair jury lawyer, and an
orator of considerable repute among those susceptible to the
blandishments of the florid school.

Amzi's resentment of Josephine's choice was said to be due to a grilling
the banker had received at Waterman's hands on the witness stand. Once
while standing on the steps of his bank for a survey of the visible
universe, Amzi was rewarded with an excellent view of the liveliest
runaway that had thrilled Main Street in years. Several persons were
hurt, and one of the victims had sued the grocer whose wagon had done
the mischief.

Waterman was the plaintiff's attorney, and Amzi Montgomery was, of
course, an important though reluctant witness. The banker loathed
litigation in all its forms and in his own affairs studiously avoided
it. It enraged him to find one of his idiosyncrasies advertised by the
fact that he had observed the violent collision of a grocer's wagon with
a fellow-citizen. His anger was augmented by the patronizing manner in
which Waterman compelled him to contribute to the record of the case
admissions touching his habits of life, which, though perfectly lawful
and decorous, became ridiculous when uttered on oath in a law court.
Every one knew that Mr. Montgomery stood on the bank steps at intervals
to take the air, but no one had ever dreamed that he would be obliged to
discuss or explain the habit.

The "Evening Star" printed all of his testimony that it dared; but as
the cross-examination had been conducted before a crowded courtroom the
neat give and take between lawyer and witness had not lacked thorough
reporting. For several weeks thereafter Amzi did not appear on the bank
steps; nor did he revert to his old habit until satisfied that groups of
idlers were not lying in wait. After Josephine introduced Waterman to
the family circle Amzi seemed generously to overlook the offense. He was
as cordial toward him as toward either of the other brothers-in-law,
with the exception of Kirkwood, though of course Kirkwood, strictly
speaking, no longer continued in that relationship.

These details aside, it is possible to r