old man now, and all I've got left is my good
name, and a little something in the savings bank. Don't be hard on me."

"Sammy," continued the Senator, unnoticing, "could have gone to Congress
if he had cared to. The Democrats were after him only year before last.
Their man won out hands down. Sammy declined the nomination. And that's
the only thing I have against Sammy Ridley. He is a Democrat. It's born
in him, just as some folks inherit a taste for liquor, and others come
into the world plumb crazy, and are satisfied to stay that way all their
lives. However, it is not as bad as it seems. They do say out in our
country that the firm of 'Bull and Ridley' is bound to get there,
because when the Republican party is in the saddle, and there's anything
to be had, it's 'Bull and Ridley,' and when the Democrats are on top,
it's 'Ridley and Bull,' and when the Populists come in we are going out
of business. So there may be some truth in it after all. What say you,
Sammy boy?" Mr. Ridley nodded gravely. "In Washington Sammy is invited
everywhere, but society is not his strong point. He won't get in the
swim."

"I'd rather not be 'in the swim' than swim in dirty water," said the
private secretary brusquely. "But speaking of the Senator; _there_,
friends, is certainly an all-around heavy-weight."

"Sammy, Sammy," said the Senator reproachfully. "I see you are getting
back at me. I didn't think it of you. No bouquets, if you please. As a
matter of fact, gentlemen, I feel that I am growing beautifully less
every day; I have noticed it ever since I came to Washington. I haven't
been in the Senate long enough to amount to anything, if I ever do. We
new people are only in demand when there is a vote to be taken. We are
put on minor committees, and are thankful for any crumbs that fall from
the great man's table. I am a very small spar in the ship of state. It
takes all the conceit out of a fellow when he finds how little he
amounts to in Washington. He leaves his own part of the world a giant,
puffed up with pride and importance; but the shrinking process begins as
soon as the train rolls out of the home depot. It comes on like an
attack of the ague--you are first hot, then cold, then colder still. You
shiver and shake----"

"For drinks?" murmured one of the newspaper men absently.

"Well--yes," replied the Senator, smiling. "I hadn't thought of that.
Very neatly put. Quite true. And, as I say, he shivers and shakes--for
drinks