“Major Potter!” exclaimed the stranger, extending his hand, and shaking that of the major so earnestly as to make him verily believe he stood before one who had long been familiar with his history.  “I would indeed be confessing myself stupid to say I was not acquainted with a name so famous in the political world.  Truly, sir, if one so humble as myself may be permitted, I will here say, that nothing could have afforded me so much pleasure as this meeting, for there is nothing I so much reverence as the man who has deserved well of his country.”  The stranger, who was something of a wag, was not long in discovering the major’s weakness, though he addressed him with great deference.  But as the major held politeness as something which chivalry demanded of all military men that they never let themselves be outdone in, and for any little neglect of which they were held to a severe account, he, after making a becoming number of bows, replied in this wise:  “And since you know me so well, and the etiquette of the profession commands that we speak not of ourselves, will you honor me with your name and the profession you follow?”

“Without the slightest hesitation, sir.  I was educated to the law; but since the bar of our city is come to be not what it should be, I have thought it as well to live on my money, and save my character.  As to my name, they call me Frank Story.”

“Combining all that is great, glorious, and honorable!” exclaimed the major.  “In the village where I was born, your name is as familiar as that of the landlord of the tavern.  Having done much for your country, I make no doubt you have sustained the honors left you by the great dead!”

“I see, sir,” returned he of the tall figure, “that you take me for a descendant of the good and much lamented Story.”

“Truly so,” interrupted the major.

“Which I am not,” rejoined the speaker.

“It makes no difference; for I hold it just as well that a man inherit the characteristics of a great man from a similarity of name and profession as by having the same blood in his veins.  I hold to this philosophy, which I find squares with that accepted by most of our great politicians at this day.  On my reputation as a military man, sir, I came to respect these principles from first hearing them advanced by General Cheves McDuffy Quattlebum, while in the Mexican War, which I had the honor to fight in.  Yes, sir; I had the honor of fighting in that war, and have seen many a man killed!” Here the major gave his head a significant toss, and placing his hat under his arm, thrust his hand into the inevitable pockets of his trowsers.  “And as it was said of this Quattlebum that he was the greatest living politician known in his state, which, if my memory serves me, and it’s not bad, was South Carolina, I make no doubt you will give great weight to the opinion.  In truth, sir, you must know that this General Quattlebum was so well thought of in his state, that she would make no exception to his greatness, not even for so great a general as Pringle, Allston Commander, who rose from an honest man and a blacksmith, to be a great military politician, embodying in himself all the necessary elements for dissolving the Union, so desirable an object with the people of Carolina.”