me."

Off came the stubborn boot. The Senator puffed, and tugged at the other
boot.

"No, ma'am. You're talking to me. There! Now go ahead and I'll listen."

"Why didn't you discourage Mr. Bartley's idea of making such a journey?'

"I did, Nelly. I told him he was a dam' fool."

Mrs. Senator Brown, who knew her husband's capabilities in dodging
issues when he was cornered,--both at home and abroad,--peered at him
over her glasses. "What else did you tell him?"

"Well, your honor," chuckled the Senator, "I also told him he was the
kind of dam' fool I liked to shake hands with."

"I knew it! And what else?"

"I challenge the right of the attorney for the plaintiff to introduce
any evidence that may--"

"The attorney for the defense may proceed," said Mrs. Brown, smiling.

"Why, shucks, Nelly! When you smile like that--why, I told Bartley he
could have anything on this ranch that would help him get a rope on
Sears."

"I knew it!"