But I wanted to ask if you had seen the Breeze ?" "Um--hum," was the listless answer.

"I presume likely you mean the news about the appropriation, and the editorial dig at yours truly?
Yes, I've seen it.

They don't bother me much.

I've got more important things on my mind just now." Congressman Atkins's pledge in his farewell speech, concerning the mighty effort he was to make toward securing the appropriation for Bayport harbor, was in process of fulfillment--so he had written to the local paper.

But, alas! the mighty effort was likely to prove unavailing.