had warts all over her--you ask father if she didn't. She had an uncle

once that was bald-headed and used to have fits; he wasn't our uncle,

I don't know what he was to us--some kin or another I reckon--father's

seen him a thousand times--hain't you, father! We used to have a calf

that et apples and just chawed up dishrags like nothing, and if you stay

here you'll see lots of funerals--won't he, Sis! Did you ever see a

house afire? I have! Once me and Jim Terry----"

But Sellers began to speak now, and the storm ceased. He began to tell

about an enormous speculation he was thinking of embarking some capital

in--a speculation which some London bankers had been over to consult with

him about--and soon he was building glittering pyramids of coin, and

Washington was presently growing opulent under the magic of his

eloquence. But at the same time Washington was not able to ignore the

cold entirely. He was nearly as close to the stove as he could get,

and yet he could not persuade himself, that he felt the slightest heat,

notwithstanding the isinglass' door was still gently and serenely

glowing. He tried to get a trifle closer to the stove, and the

consequence was, he tripped the supporting poker and the stove-door

tumbled to the floor. And then there was a revelation--there was nothing

in the stove but a lighted tallow-candle! The poor youth blushed and

felt as if he must die with shame. But the Colonel was only

disconcerted for a moment--he straightway found his voice again:

"A little idea of my own, Washington--one of the greatest things in the

world! You must write and tell your father about it--don't forget that,

The Gilded Age