"I guess it was all right," he admitted, "but, John, don't you remember when we were boys, they used to say I was the best pinch hitter on our base-ball team?"
CHAPTER XIII A LITTLE PILGRIMAGE
That night Congressman Carlton entertained the Cleverly delegation at dinner. It was a merry party, for they all felt very happy over their preliminary victory in the matter of the new Federal station. Barry was included among the dinner guests, and he conducted himself with due modesty, and yet with all of the confidence of a veteran statesman. The episode of the afternoon naturally came in for a large share of conversation. The various members of the party viewed it according to their respective methods of viewing life.
"I think we might as well go ahead and advertise for proposals," said Postmaster Ford, who had the reputation of being the most optimistic man in Cleverly. "The bill's as good as passed. It's a sure thing!"
Congressman Carlton laughed.
"I wish you would loan me your rose-colored glasses, Ford," was his comment; "you certainly look on the sunny side of things."
"It's the only way to succeed," was the jovial response. "I think pessimists should be suppressed by law."