The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1851-02-06
HOW To GAIN A VOTE.

La nelphOorlnD c'alc tnerc Is coDn-
~ which has always been divided between
family parties, and elections are nowhere
more holly contested. In former years these
two PARTIES wcrc sevcrally headed by Ma.
jor D, and old Squire John A., and
every returning election for members Of
the Legislature witnessed conflict be-
tween them, in which each found the other
"worlhy Of his steel" Year after year
the contes, was kept up, and neither gained
any material advantage. the majority
for either never exceeded ten rotes.
About the year 1874, the excitement was
at the highest, and it was expected that the
race would be even closer than USUAL
b, as the canvass progressed, the Major
exhibited an elation Of spirits, and old John
a corresponding depression, which equally,
though difieren!! !!ly, affected the friends of
both.
One day, about week before the cleo
ton, the Squire and one Of his warrnes,
friends whom we will call Jones, were nj the
house Of the former, examining the calcnla.
tons he had understanding to which the
Major would be elected BY one cote. There
was, however, one man counted among the
alsiar's friends who was considered a little
doubtful. To secure his vote would be 70
change the election, and while they were
cndeavoring 10 devise somo scheme BY
Which this could be effected, old John hap.
pened 10 look out, and saw the man him
self. whom we will call Long, rot far off,,
approaching the house. bright though,
seemed suddenly 10 strike him.
"l've got it, Jones, but havn't tre 10
explain; pick quarrel with Long, and
don't take offence At ANYTHING ! do"
Jones believed implicitly in old John,
and nodded, wondering what was TO be
due.
BY this time Long came up, and was cor
daily welcomed. Pretty coon old John
had occasion TO leave for some purpose,
and returning in about ten minutes, found
bis visitors engaged in hot dispute about
tho election. Long, made some attempt to
change the subject, but Jones would no,
pcrmi, il, and began 10 use rough langnage.
Here Jim in;crfered, and expressed sur
prise a, the condlct Of Jones. A tempora-
rs cessation followed, and the dispute was
rene we'd with greater violence on the part
oi' Jones. Jones had taken his che
Arain old John interposed, and threatened
to drive Jones out Of the house il he persist
ed. The calm was this time Of still short
CT duration. and the dispute WIS again re-
newed Old John rose from his scat, and
mlrched up to Jones, seized him by the col
lar. Jones made sham resistance. but
suffered himsslf to be led to the door, and
snmmarly elected. Halting when be
rcached the gate, he turned his wrath upon
Old John. swearing that he had always sup
ported him, but lha, he had now been i'm.
posed on. for man that had always been
against him, and she'd nercr get his rote
again !"
AS soon as Jones left, old John turned to
Long. and seemed mnch affected.
81 have lost one Of my best friends, Mr..
Long, but"
Long eagerly interrupted him:
''Nn, Squire. il you've lost one, you've
gained another SIN going TO cote for
you!"
4 glass Of good old Nash soon followed,
and that year old John ,rcs elected BY one
cofct
Jones and old John kept dark till The
election was over, but after that they bad
many hearty hugh over the scene We
bavo described aboye.-N. !. Spirit Of The
Tines.