all his wisdom teeth
yet. It's worth a try. I'll tackle him."

The morning after this conversation, as David walked down to the
Judge's office he felt very lonely--a part of no plan. It was a mood
that made him ripe for the purpose of the congressman whom he found
awaiting him.

"I've been wanting to meet you for a long time, Mr. Dunne," said the
congressman obsequiously, after the Judge had introduced him. "We've
heard a great deal about you down in Washington since your defeat of
the Griggs Bill, and we are looking for great things from you. Of
course, we have to keep our eye on what is going on back here."

The Judge looked his surprise at this speech, and was still more
mystified at receiving a knowing wink from David.

After some preliminary talk the congressman finally made known his
errand, and tendered David the offer of a consulship in South
America.

At this juncture the Judge was summoned to the telephone in another
room. When he returned the congressman had taken his departure.

"Behold," grinned David, "the future consul of--I really can't
pronounce it. I am going to look it up now in your atlas."

"Where is Gilbert?" asked the Judge.

"Gone to wire Hilliard before I can change my mind. You see, it's a
scheme to get me out of the road and I--well I happen to be willing to
get out of the road just now. I am not in a fighting mood."

"Consular service," remarked the Judge oracularly, "is generally
considered a sort of clearing house for undesirable politicians. The
consuls to those little ports are, as a rule, very poor."

"Then a good consul like your junior partner will loom up among so
many poor ones."

Barnabas was inwardly disturbed by this move from David, but he
philosophically argued that "the boy was young and 't wouldn't harm
him to salt down awhile."

"Dave," he counseled in farewell, "I hope you'll come to love some
good gal. Every man orter hev a hearth of his own. This stretchin'
yer feet afore other folks' firesides is unnateral and lonesome.
Thar's no place so snug and safe fer a man as his own home, with a
good wife to keep it. But I want you tew make me a promise, Dave. When
I see the time's ripe fer pickin' in politics, will you come back?"

"I will, Uncle Barnabas," promised David solemnly.

The heartiest approval came from Joe.

"That's right, Dave, see all you can of the world instead of settling
down in a pasture lot at Lafferton."

CHAPTER II

Gilbert, co