The room in which they received him was doubtless some place like Morton Hall, and the men who received him were akin to those who had leadership in Morton Hall; but in Joe's eyes they stood for a higher civilization, for opportunity, for generous recognition of successful effort--in short, for all the things that an eager young man desires.

He was received and patted on the back by a man who was a great man to the world in which he lived.

He was introduced to the audience as a young man whose achievement was such as to promise much for the future, and moreover he was given a place in the post-office--as I have said, this was long before the day of Civil Service Reform.
Now, to the wrong kind of man all this might have meant nothing at all.

But in Joe Murray's case it meant everything.

He was by nature as straight a man, as fearless and as stanchly loyal, as any one whom I have ever met, a man to be trusted in any position demanding courage, integrity, and good faith.