Among his fellow-workers he is called a politician--if loud speaking and boasting can make one.

Yet if these doings give him stimulant instead of drink, who shall complain ?" Soolsby's head was down.

He was looking out over the far hills, while the strips of cane were idle in his hands.

"Ay, 'tis true--'tis true," he nodded.

"Give a man an idee which keeps him cogitating, makes him think he's greater than he is, and sets his pulses beating, why, that's the cure to drink.