They were acquaintances, if not intimate friends.

Evidently this particular club no more enlisted its members from this or that political party than did either of the leading parties call upon any certain section for their membership.
"I am fortunate to find you here in Washington, my dear Sir," began the gentleman from Kentucky.

"It is something of a surprise." The wrinkles about the other's eyes deepened in an affable smile.
"True," said he, "in the last twelve years I have three times sought to get back into Washington! Perhaps it would have been more seemly for me to remain in the decreed dignified retirement." They joined in a laugh at this, as they both drew up chairs at the table side.
"You see," resumed the last speaker, "I am not indeed intruding here in national affairs, but only choose Washington for to-night.
I have been thinking of a pleasure journey into the West, down the Ohio River--" "Will you have snuff ?" began his companion.

"This is no import, I assure you, but is made by one of my old darkeys, on my plantation in Kentucky.

He declares he puts nothing into it but straight leaf." "My soul!" exclaimed the other, sneezing violently.