joke. Senator Arnold was past seventy. Slowly he extended his right
arm and tested his muscle. "Not very much," he said, "but enough to
drive a tack or two." That brought applause and they drew closer
together, and the atmosphere warmed perceptibly. "I've fought for
the State in more ways than one,"--Senator Arnold was a
distinguished veteran of the Civil War--"and if I can serve her now
by tacking down carpets, then it's tacking down carpets I'm ready to
go at. Just count on me for what little I'm worth."

Someone started the cry for the Governor. "Prince Ludwig is being
entertained all over the country in the most lavish manner," he
began, with his characteristic directness in stating a situation.
"By his own request he is to visit our Capitol this afternoon. I
must say that I, for one, want to be in shape for him. I don't like
to tell him that we had a labour complication and couldn't get the
carpets down. Speaking for myself, it is a great pleasure to inform
you that the carpet in the Governor's office will be in proper shape
by four o'clock this afternoon."

That settled it. Finally Harry Weston made himself heard
sufficiently to suggest that when the House and Senate met at nine
o'clock motions to adjourn be entertained. "And as to the rest of
you fellows," he cried, "I don't see what's to hinder your getting
busy right now!"

There were Republicans and there were Democrats; there were friends
and there were enemies; there were good, bad and--no, there were no
indifferent. An unprecedented harmony of thought, a millennium-like
unity of action was born out of that sturdy cry--Every man his own
carpet-tacker! The Secretary of State always claimed that he drove