Part 7 (2/2)
”Great heavens!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed the newspaper man. ”A Senator, a United States Senator, hugging a broken-down old 'has-been!' What is the world coming to?” Haines suddenly paused. ”I wonder if it can be a pose;--merely for effect. It's getting harder every day to tell what's genuine and what isn't in this town.”
CHAPTER VII
LANGDON LEARNS OF THINGS UNPLEASANT
Haines quickly walked over and touched the Southerner on the arm.
”Well, my boy, what can I do for you?” asked the new Senator, turning with a pleasant smile.
”My name is Haines. Senator Stevens was to speak to you about me. I'm the first of the newspaper correspondents come to interview you.”
Langdon's familiar smile broadened.
”Well, you don't look as though you'd bite. Reckon I can stand for it.
Is it very painful?”
”I hope it won't be, Senator,” Haines said, feeling instinctively that he was going to like this big, hearty citizen.
”All right, Mr. Haines, just as soon as I've said good-by to my old friend, Colonel Stoneman, I'll be with you.”
And to his continued amazement Haines saw the Senator walk away with the old Union Colonel, slap him on the back, cheer him up and finally bid him good-by after extending a cordial invitation to come around to dinner, meet his daughters and talk over old times.
The antiquated Federal soldier marched away more erect, more brisk, than in years, completely restored to favor in the eyes of the hotel people. Langdon turned to the reporter.
”All right, Mr. Haines; my hands are up. Do your worst. Senator Stevens spoke to me about you; said you were the smartest young newspaper man in Was.h.i.+ngton. You must come from the South.”
Bud shook his head.
”No, just New York,” he said.
”Well, that's a promising town,” drawled the Southerner. ”They tell me that's the Vicksburg of the North.”
”I suppose you haven't been to New York of late, Senator?” suggested the newspaper man.
”Well, I started up there with General Lee once,” responded Langdon reminiscently, ”but we changed our minds and came back. You may have heard about that trip.”
Haines admitted that he had.
”Since that time,” went on Langdon, ”I've confined my travels to New Orleans and Vicksburg. Ever been in New Orleans about Mardi Gras time, Mr. Haines?”
”Sorry, but I don't believe I have,” confessed the reporter reluctantly.
The Senator seemed surprised.
”Well, sir, you have something to live for. I'll make it my special business to personally conduct you through one Mardi Gras, with a special understanding, of course, that you don't print anything in the paper. I'm a vestryman in my church, but since misfortune has come upon our State I have to be careful.”
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