Thatcher was to be reckoned with, but he
was no worse than Bassett: with such cogitations they comforted
themselves amid the noise and confusion. The old Bassett superstition
held, however, with many: this was only another of the Boss's deep-laid
schemes, and he would show his hand in due season and prove himself, as
usual, master of the situation. Others imagined that Bassett was
sulking, and these were not anxious to be the target of his wrath when
he chose to emerge from his tent in full armor.
A young woman reporter, traversing the galleries to note the names and
gowns of the ladies present, sought Mrs. Bassett for information as to
her husband's whereabouts. When Mrs. Bassett hesitated discreetly,
Marian rose promptly to the occasion:--
"Papa's gone fishing," she replied suavely.
This was not slow to reach the floor. "Papa's gone fishing" gained wide
currency as the answer to the most interesting question of the day.
The Honorable Isaac Pettit, seated majestically with the Fraser County
delegation, tested the acoustics of the hall at the first opportunity.
While the chairman of the state central committee was endeavoring to
present as the temporary chairman of the convention a patriot known as
the "War Eagle of the Wabash," the gentleman from Fraser insisted upon
recognition.
"Who is that preposterous fat man?" demanded Mrs.
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