"Judge Lynn, will you please be quiet?" said the major..
"Course I will; gimme a cigar. Maybe I don't know brains when I hear 'em workin'."
"Our organization," continued the major, "embodying these great principles, is known as the Barley Hullers. Its principles and the intricacy of its beneficent workings partake somewhat of the accumulated wisdom of the centuries. In the secret haunts of earth, far removed from the busy marts of commerce, lives are being dedicated to the work of solving the mighty problems of humanity. The leaching out of selfishness, through the sieve of much suffering and self-denial, is having its effect. The world is to become better through the practical advocates of these mighty principles. Mr. Stanton, you are needed in the vineyard. We want our deliberations enriched by your words of wisdom. You certainly owe some of your time to this great work of human advancement."
"I do not see," replied Hugh, hesitatingly, "how I could benefit your organization. Besides, I am a banker, and most of the members of the Barley Hullers, I take it, are directly engaged in agricultural pursuits."
Judge Lynn here interrupted, shutting one eye in a knowing way. "Great Scott! man, that's where you, as a member of the Barley Hullers, would have a special lead-pipe cinch on these other bankers. Yes, sirree! Jine the Barley Hullers, and you'll scuttle your contemporaries in the seethin' sea of desperation. Gee, that's easy."
"Yes, there would doubtless be a personal gain," said Hugh. "In a business way I can readily see the advantages, but, if there were no other reasons, that in itself is sufficient to decide me against permitting my name to be offered as a candidate for membership."
"Judge Lynn," said the major, sternly, "will you confine yourself to your cigar and let me discuss this subject with Mr. Stanton!"
"Well, why not?" said the judge, as he blinked and looked with an intoxicated blankness at the major. "Bet yer life; course I will; I'm not hankerin' after any man's job. Not a Barley Huller no way. But I can tell, on short acquaintance, a good article of barley juice when I taste it, bet yer life I kin."
Major Hampton's face wore a look of irritation, but, as he turned from the judge to Hugh, the latter noticed that an expression of kindly sympathy had gained the mastery.