CHAPTER V.
"_A man so various that he seemed to be Not one, but all mankind's epitome._" Thompson sat in his room alone, meditating on Mitchell, statesman and Political Economist.

On the table lay his letter of introduction and his bad "Souvenir" dollar.
"The meeting will please come to order!" he said, rapping the table smartly.

"The Gentleman from Montana has the floor." "I move you, Mr.Chairman," said the Gentleman from Montana, "that the letter of introduction be laid upon the table, and that this House do now go into Committee of putting the other fellows in the Hole." No objection being heard, this was done.

Steve stared at the tabled letter with a puzzled frown.
"Gentlemen, the Chair awaits your pleasure," he announced, at last.
"Have you any suggestions to make ?" The Gentleman from Montana again obtained recognition.
"Mr.Speaker, I see here present an ex-member, my _alter ego_, Mr.
Reuben Rubber-Neck, who once parted with six months' wages on another man's game.

Mr.Rubber-Neck is a graduate of the celebrated and expensive school of Experience, of which it is written that a large and influential class will learn of no other.