“Guess a lot of us boys feel like doin’ favors for you, Scattergood.”  Which was not short of the truth, for Scattergood had been studying the science of politics as it was practiced in his state and putting to practical use his education.  Indeed, he added to the science not a few contrivances characteristic of himself, which made the old-timers scratch their heads and admit that a new man had arisen who must be reckoned with.  Not yet did Scattergood hold the state in the hollow of his hand, naming governors, senators, directing legislation, as he did when his years were heavier on his shoulders.  Probably, however, there was no single individual in the commonwealth who could exert as much influence as he.  If there was a single man to compare with him it was Lafe Siggins, from the northern part of the state.  All men admitted that a partnership between Scattergood and Lafe would be unbeatable.

“Got a bill I want introduced, Amri,” said Scattergood.

“Let’s see her, Scattergood.”

Amri read the bill; then he turned around in his chair and looked out of the window.  Then he walked to the door and opened it suddenly, and peered up and down the hall.

“The dum thing’s loaded with dynamite,” he said, when he came back.

“Calc’lated on some explosion,” said Scattergood.  “But I calc’late the folks’ll be for it.  Shouldn’t be s’prised if the feller who introduced it and made a fight for it would stand mighty well, back home.  Might git to be Senator, Amri.  No tellin’.”

“Can’t no sich bill be passed.  The boys likes their passes, and I guess there’s some that gits more than passes out of the railroads.”

“If this bill’s introduced, Amri,” said Scattergood, solemnly, “there’ll be a chance for some of the boys to fat up their savings’ account—­pervidin’ there’s a good chance of its passin’.  The railroads’ll git scairt and send quite a bank roll up this way.”

“You bet,” said Amri, with watering mouth.

“Lafe in town?”

“Come in last week.”

“Lafe, I understand, hain’t in politics for fun.”

“Lafe’s in right where he kin git the most the quickest.”

“Run out and git him to step up here,” said Scattergood.

In half an hour Lafe Siggins, tall, bony, long, and solemn of face, stepped into the room, and closed the door after him cautiously.

“Howdy, Scattergood!” he said.

“Howdy, Lafe!...  Want your backin’ for a pop’lar measure.  I’ve up and invented a new way of taxin’ a railroad.”

Lafe started for the door.  “Afternoon,” he said, with a tone of finality.

“But,” said Scattergood, “I figger you to do the fightin’ for the railroads—­reapin’ whatever benefits you can figger out of it for yourself.”

Lafe paused, considered, and returned.  “What’s the idee?” he asked.

“I jest don’t want this bill to pass too easy,” said Scattergood, soberly, but with a twinkle in his eye.