steady-going Hawkeye friends' notions and mine differ about some things

-they respect me, now, and I respect them--better leave it so--I will go

alone; I am not afraid to travel by myself." And so communing with

herself, she left the house for an afternoon walk.

Almost at the door she met Col. Sellers. She told him about her

invitation to Washington.

"Bless me!" said the Colonel. "I have about made up my mind to go there

myself. You see we've got to get another appropriation through, and the

Company want me to come east and put it through Congress. Harry's there,

and he'll do what he can, of course; and Harry's a good fellow and always

does the very best he knows how, but then he's young--rather young for

some parts of such work, you know--and besides he talks too much, talks a

good deal too much; and sometimes he appears to be a little bit

visionary, too, I think the worst thing in the world for a business man.

A man like that always exposes his cards, sooner or later. This sort of

thing wants an old, quiet, steady hand--wants an old cool head, you know,

that knows men, through and through, and is used to large operations.

I'm expecting my salary, and also some dividends from the company, and if

they get along in time, I'll go along with you Laura--take you under my

wing--you mustn't travel alone. Lord I wish I had the money right now.

--But there'll be plenty soon--plenty."

Laura reasoned with herself that if the kindly, simple-hearted Colonel

was going anyhow, what could she gain by traveling alone and throwing

315

The Gilded Age