General Belch looked at Abel, and said, “Mr. Ele, whom do you mean?”

“I refer to Mr. Abel Newt,” responded the Honorable Mr. Ele.

The company looked as companies which have been prepared for a surprise always look when the surprise comes.

“Is Mr. Newt sound in the faith?” asked Mr. William Condor, smiling.

“I answer for him,” replied Mr. Ele.

“For instance, Mr. Newt,” said Mr. Enos Slugby, who was interested in General Belch’s little plans, “you have no doubt that Congress ought to pass the grant to purchase the land for Fort Arnold, which has been offered to it by the company of which our friend General Belch is counsel?”

“None at all,” replied Abel.  “I should work for it as hard as I could.”

This was not unnatural, because General Belch had promised him an interest in the sale.

“Really, then,” said Mr. William Condor, who was also a proprietor, “I do not see that a better candidate could possibly be offered to our fellow-citizens.  The General Committee meet to-morrow night.  They will call the primaries, and the Convention will meet next week.  I think we all understand each other.  We know the best men in our districts to go to the Convention.  The thing seems to me to be very plain.”

“Very,” said the others, smoking.

“Shall it be Abel Newt?” said Mr. Condor.

“Ay!” answered the chorus.

“I propose the health of the Honorable Abel Newt, whom I cordially welcome as a colleague,” said Mr. Ele.

Bumpers were drained.  It was past midnight, and the gentlemen rose.  They came to Abel and shook his hand; then they swarmed into the hall and put on their hats and coats.

“Stay, Newt,” whispered Belch, and Abel lingered.

The Honorable B.J.  Ele also lingered, as if he would like to be the last out of the house; for although this distinguished statesman did not care to do otherwise than as General Belch commanded, he was anxious to be the General’s chief butler, while the remark about riding on his companions’ shoulders and the personal impression Abel had made upon him, had seriously alarmed him.

While he was busily looking at the portrait of General Jackson, General Belch stepped up to him and put out his hand.

“Good-night, my dear Ele!  Thank you! thank you!  These things will not be forgotten.  Good-night! good-night!” And he backed the Honorable B. Jawley Ele out of the room into the hall.

“This is your coat, I think,” said he, taking up a garment and helping Mr. Ele to get it on.  “Ah, you luxurious dog! you’re a pretty friend of the people, with such a splendid coat as this.  Good-night! good-night!” he added, helping his guest toward the door.

“Hallo, Condor!” he shouted up the street.  “Here’s Ele—­don’t leave him behind; wait for him!”

He put him put of the door.  “There, my dear fellow, Condor’s waiting for you!  Good-night!  Ten thousand thanks!  A pretty friend of the people, hey?  Oh, you cunning dog!  Good-night!”