. This impression I should
be loath to give. Colonel McCorkle, whom we know by hearsay only,
seems to be so good a citizen that his belated attempt to be "broad"
and "liberal" excites laughter in some quarters. As for Mr.
Brassfield, there are at least nine chances in ten that he is the man
who would have received the support of the gentle reader had it been
his own city's campaign.

In fact, Mr. Brassfield is psychologically incapable of deviating much
from the course marked out by the average ethics of his surroundings.
This subconscious mind which--as Professor Blatherwick so clearly
explained to us--normally operates below the plane of consciousness,
happens, in his case, to be abnormally acting consciously; but it is
still controlled by suggestion. The money-making mania being in all
minds, he becomes a money-maker. The usual attitude of society toward
all things--including, let us say, women, poetry, politics and public
duty--is the one into which the Brassfield mind inevitably fell. The
men on whom any age bestows the accolade of greatness, are those who
embody the qualities--virtues and vices--of that age. Your popular
statesman and hero is merely the incarnate Now. Every president is to
his supporters "fit to rank with Washington and Lincoln." Future ages
may accord to him only respectable mediocrity; but the generation which
sees itself reflected in him, sees beauty and greatness in the
reflection. Bellevale was psychically reflected in Brassfield.
Therefore Bellevale raised him on the shield of popularity. One may
see this reflected in the conversation of Major Pumphrey, one of
Bellevale's solid citizens, with Mr. Smith, who owned the department
store, on the morning after the caucuses.

"Rather lively times, I hear," said Major Pumphrey, catching step with
Mr. Smith on their walk down town. "Rather lively times at the
caucuses last evening."

"Really," answered Mr. Smith, "I don't know. I never attend caucuses.
Every one has his friends, you know, and by not taking sides one saves
many enmities."

"I don't agree with you," said the major. "Every one should attend his
party primaries, as a matter of duty."

"You were out last night?" said the merchant interrogatively.

"Why, no," said the major, "not last night. The fact is, Colonel
McCorkle and I served in the same regiment, and belong to the post
here, and he expected me to support him. At the same time, the
nomination of Mr. Brassfi