“Oh, yes. See the new courthouse? It’s a beauty,––all solid stone,––cost fifty thousand dollars. The Mercury had a great deal to do with bringing it about,––working up enthusiasm and the like,––but there is a great deal of depression just now, and taxes running up. People think government is taking a good deal out of them for such public buildings, but, Lord help us! the government is needing money just now as much as the people. It’s hard to be public spirited when taxes are being raised. You have people here?”
“Not now––no. Who’s mayor here now?”
“Harding––Harding of the iron works. He makes a good one, too. There’s the new courthouse. The jail is underneath at the back. See the barred windows? No breaking out of there. Three prisoners did break out of the old one during the year this building was under construction,––each in a different way, too,––shows how badly they needed a new one. Quite an ornament to the square, don’t you think so?”
“The jail?”
“No, no,––The building as a whole. Better go over it while you’re here.”
“I may––do so––yes.”
“Staying some time, I believe you said.”
“Did I? I may have said so.”
“Staying at the hotel, I believe?”