"Know them all, from infancy, sir. It was me, sir, that induced Silas

Hawkins, Judge Hawkins, to come to Missouri, and make his fortune.

It was by my advice and in company with me, sir, that he went into the

operation of--"

Yes, yes. Mr. Sellers, did you know a Major Lackland?"

Knew him, well, sir, knew him and honored him, sir. He was one of the

most remarkable men of our country, sir. A member of congress. He was

often at my mansion sir, for weeks. He used to say to me, 'Col. Sellers,

if you would go into politics, if I had you for a colleague, we should

show Calhoun and Webster that the brain of the country didn't lie east of

the Alleganies. But I said--"

"Yes, yes. I believe Major Lackland is not living, Colonel?"

There was an almost imperceptible sense of pleasure betrayed in the

Colonel's face at this prompt acknowledgment of his title.

Bless you, no. Died years ago, a miserable death, sir, a ruined man,

a poor sot. He was suspected of selling his vote in Congress, and

probably he did; the disgrace killed' him, he was an outcast, sir,

loathed by himself and by his constituents. And I think; sir"----

The Judge. "You will confine yourself, Col. Sellers to the questions of

597

The Gilded Age