"I'm awfully glad you've won the fight," said the boy.
The statesman beamed on the youngster.
"You mean well, Barry," he exclaimed, "but I'm afraid you're a little previous."
"But you beat them."
Mr. Carlton nodded.
"Yes, we defeated their bill, but we haven't passed our own!"
"But you will."
"I hope so, but I know we're going to have a terrific battle. Hudson and the others are bitter over their defeat, and they'll move Heaven and Earth to beat the man from Cleverly."
The session was now drawing near its close, and Mr. Carlton knew that if he was to get his bill through, he would have to get action by the Committee. Accordingly he had a day fixed when the members agreed to hear the citizens of Cleverly. That accomplished, he wired Mr. Smithers to be sure and have his committee in Washington at the time appointed. The caution was heeded, for when the great day arrived, Mr. Carlton received word that the delegation had reached the Capitol city. Barry tried to locate them but failed. He did not know at what time they reached Washington, or where they were domiciled. The only thing he could do was to possess his soul in patience. The public hearing was scheduled for two o'clock in the afternoon in the Committee room, and Barry felt that they would be likely to appear there before the hour indicated.
He was not mistaken. Ten minutes before the time the delegation filed into the office of Congressman Carlton. Postmaster Ford headed the party, and directly behind him were Mr. Smithers, Hiram Blake, and several other prominent citizens of Cleverly. Mr. Carlton received them cordially, and then Barry went around to them, one by one, shaking hands with a fervency that could not be mistaken. The sight of the familiar faces stirred him until every drop of blood in his body seemed to tingle with delight. The sense of elation was greater than words could properly describe. The sight of their dear old faces was like a whiff of ozone from the ocean to a person parched with the heat of summer.