rumor came to the ears of the real managers of the party. They put
their heads together, and presently the foreboding gentleman was
called to a public position. Again the Easy Chair met him, and he said
that the political prospect was very much more encouraging than he had
ever known it to be. There was a spirit abroad, he thought, which
would certainly lead to great results. Indeed, the clouds were gone,
and the sun shone brightly.

At another time another gentleman shook his head in the same way. He
held a pleasant position, but he found that promotion was very slow,
and he began to despond and to think the times sadly demoralized, and
his party--at least he feared it--fatally mercenary. It was evidently
indifferent to reform, and seemed to care little for the wishes of the
people or the character of the country. He, too, shook his head with
profound distrust of the future; and the Easy Chair fell into deep
depression, and wondered whether, after all, a republican form of
government might not be a failure. Before it was possible to say so
conclusively, however, the Chair heard that his friend had decided to
seek reform and the welfare of the race "under the banner" of the
opposing party. And again, while considering whether all patriots
ought not to follow so eminent an example, it learned that the
desponding soul who had had the courage to face obloquy and change his
party relations had only done so after prolonged and fruitless efforts
to secure official place under his old party. Had he obtained it that
party would still have seemed to him resolute, patriotic, and
discerning, and he would have continued to serve his country in the
association to which he had become accustomed.

There is no South American general who overthrows a government and
enthrones himself as dictator upon the ruins who does not announce