After banking hours that evening, Hugh called at the _Patriot_ office. "Come in, Mr. Stanton," cried the major, in most hospitable tones, as he ushered him into his own private "den." Its moquette carpet, easy chairs, Turkish divan, beautiful pictures, and shelves well filled with books--all combined to make this little editorial "den" one of surprising elegance. The major had laid aside his Prince Albert coat for a smoking jacket.
"These are Congressional Records and works on political economy," said he, waving his hand toward the book shelves, as he noticed Hugh looking at them. He lounged negligently on the divan, and threw one arm back carelessly over his head.
"You have quite an extensive library, Major," observed Hugh, as he seated himself.
"My library is at my home," replied the major, "these are but a few statistical volumes which I find necessary in writing editorials for the Patriot. There is hardly a recent work of a political nature published that is not represented on these shelves. By the way, Stanton, there are some pretty fair cigars in that box--help yourself."
"Thank you," said Hugh, as he lighted one.
Presendy the major arose from the divan, and, after lighting a cigar, observed, "By the way, Mr. Stanton, are you fond of books?"
"I certainly am," replied Hugh, "they have been my best friends. Many hours of solitude have been beguiled by their pleasant and profitable companionship."
"Of course you read novels?" said the major, inquiringly.
"I presume you regard it as a weakness," replied Hugh, "but I must admit that a good novel has a great charm for me."
"On the contrary," replied the major, "I regard a good novel as healthful reading. The works of Scott, Thackeray, Dickens, Lytton, Victor Hugo, Hawthorne, J. Fenimore Cooper, and of many other novelists, may be read with profit. Some of our greatest historians have been novel readers, and some of our greatest novelists have clothed history with romance and made it immortal, thus diffusing historical facts far more widely than could have been done in any other manner."
"I agree with you," replied Hugh, "though I must admit that fiction has a general tendency to cultivate a dislike for more solid reading."