State who could save the nation from destruction.  Had not Haines seen men who had sold their unsuspecting delegates for cash to the highest bidder rise in the convention hall and in impassioned, dramatic voice exclaim in praise of the buyer, “Gentlemen, it would be a crying shame, a crime against civilization, if the chosen representatives of our grand old State of ——­ did not go on record in favor of such a man, such a true citizen, such an inspired patriot, as he whose name I am about to mention”?  So the reporter may be forgiven for the ironical tinge in his hasty interruption of the new Senator’s remarks.

Langdon could not suppress a chuckle at the doubting note in Haines’ attitude.

“I think the man would be pretty small potatoes who wouldn’t seek the office of United States Senator, Mr. Haines,” he said, “if he could get it.  When I was a young man, sir, politics in the South was a career for a gentleman, and I still can’t see how he could be better engaged than in the service of his State or his country.”

“That’s right,” agreed the reporter, further impressed by the frank sincerity of the Mississippian.

“The only condition in my mind, Mr. Haines, is that the man should ask himself searchingly whether or not he’s competent to give the service.  But I seem to be talking a good deal.  Suppose we get to the interview.  Expect your time is short.  We’d better begin.”

“I thought we were in the interview?” smiled the correspondent.

“In it!” exclaimed Langdon.  “Well, if this is it, it isn’t so bad.  I see you use a painless method.  When I was down in Vicksburg a reporter backed me up in a corner, slipped his hand in his hip pocket and pulled out a list of questions just three feet four inches long.

“He wanted to know what I thought concerning the tariff on aluminium hydrates, and how I stood about the opening of the Tento Pu Reservation of the Comanche Indians, and what were my ideas about the differential rate of hauls from the Missouri River.

“He was a wonder, that fellow!  Kinder out of place on a Mississippi paper.  I started to offer him a job, but he was so proud I was afraid he wouldn’t accept it.  However, it gives you my idea of a reporter.”

“If you’ve been against that, I ought to thank you for talking to me,” laughed Haines.

“Then you don’t want to know anything about that sort of stuff?” said Langdon, with a huge sigh of relief.

“No, Senator,” was the amused reply.  “I think generally if I know what sort of a man a man is I can tell a great deal about what he will think on various questions.”

Langdon started interestedly.

“You mean, Mr. Haines, if you know whether I’m honest or not you can fit me up with a set of views.  Is that the idea?  Seems to me you’re the sort of man I’m looking for.”

The other smilingly shook his head.

“I wouldn’t dare fix up a United States Senator with a set of views,” he said.  “I only mean that I think what a man is is important.  I’ve been doing Washington for a number of years.  I’ve had an exceptional opportunity to see how politics work.  I don’t believe in party politics.  I don’t believe in parties, but I do believe in men.”