ween two
cast-iron walls, Mr. Gwynne, because when they do get a concerted move
on, they fly like hell. Join either of the parties, and you will find
not only that it is not half as bad as it is painted, but that it
accomplishes far more good than harm, many real reforms, that are
systematically ignored by the press."

"I thought you said that reforms were impossible in this country."

"Oh, bless my soul, no. That would mean that we were going straight to
the dogs. Reforms are going on every minute. The country is more
tolerable and civilized every decade. What I mean is that no reform can
be accomplished until the time is ripe for it. That is the reason why
our spasms amount to nothing. They are always premature. But if you
really want to do this country a service throw in your lot with the
regulars. You would always be an influence for good, and when you saw
the first opening for the correction of some crying abuse, you would
have powerful machinery at hand to work with. What you want to do, Mr.
Gwynne, is to become a powerful factor in the machine, not waste your
time on windmills."

"Which machine?" asked Gwynne, ingenuously. "I don't fancy I could ever
make up my mind. They seem precisely alike to me."

"Well," said the judge, slowly, although he brushed the tip of his nose
aside with more violence than usual. "I don't like advising,
particularly a young man of your distinguished abilities and
achievements. But I really think I am better able to advise you than
Leslie, and certainly every man of us should feel a sense of
responsibility to the old Otis--and Adams!--blood. I will say frankly
that in your place I should join the party that owns this State--and
shows no signs of letting go; in other words, the Republican. I can well
understand, that having been a Liberal--and to the extent of renouncing
your titles!--the Democratic would appeal to you. But don't waste your
time, Mr. Gwynne. You are thirty-two. You don't want to throw away the
next ten years on a losing game, and then, tired out, arrive nowhere.
You would fight so hard that all your energies would be second-rate by
that time. You want to begin right now and swim with the tide. Nurse
your great energies for the exactions of the victorious career. You'll
need them. And need them fresh."

"That sounds like good advice, but the whole political game appals me
when I consider that it will be six years before I can even run for the
House of Representativ