Page:Despotism and democracy; a study in Washington society and politics (IA despotismdemocra00seawiala).pdf/210

 *tle. Rochefoucauld has said there is something not unpleasant to us in the misfortunes of our best friends—and it was certainly true of Mrs. Hill-Smith—for while she was eyeing Eleanor Baldwin with an expression of the tenderest sympathy, she was inwardly rejoicing that there was no blot of butter or molasses upon the escutcheon of the Slaters. But a relentless fate seemed to direct Senator Mulligan's tongue, and turning to her the Senator said, cheerfully, and without the least encouragement:

"And I'm tould ye are the granddaughter of Cap'n Josh Slater, that I knew like me ould hat, when I was but la'ad, and he was Cap'n of the River Queen, one o' the floatin' palaces of the day on the Ohio River."

Mrs. Hill-Smith trembled a little, but answered, coldly:

"I think you must have been misinformed."

"Well, hardly," responded Senator Mulligan, blithely, "since it was your own father as tould me, not half an hour ago. I knew th' ould man well—an' he was an honest ould cuss, but for tobacco-chewin' an' bad whiskey ye'll not find his match be