CHAPTER LXVI. — MENTOR AND TELEMACHUS.

Drawing his chair near to Abel’s, General Belch lighted a cigar, and said:

“You see it’s not so very hard.”

Abel looked inquiringly.

“To go to Congress,” answered Belch.

“Yes, but I’m not elected yet, thank you.”

General Arcularius Belch blew a long, slow cloud, and gazed at his companion with a kind of fond superiority.

“What do you mean by looking so?” asked Abel.

“My dear Newt, I was not aware that you had such a soft spot. No, positively, I did not know that you had so much to learn. It is inconceivable.”