The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-11-11
How Candidate Feels on Election
Nighs-AR EuhaDDy wretch.

There are good many gentlemen who
manifest more interest In the result of to-
days election than they have ever hitherto
manifested in the salvation Of their souls.
OF all situations which affect lls sojourners
on this shoal and bank Of Time," there
is none that moves Us so deeply, none that
spurs US to such effort, or that will make us
put our hands into our pockets with such
recklessness, as running for office.
Candidates undergo ut this awful crisis q
sort of limited decentralization, no matter
what their chances may be. They can't
help 1t. 1t amt in human nature for q
man to pass his neighbor's window on the
morning of an election and feel that the
family gathered about the breakfast table
are canvassiDg his merits or dement's
pretty much as they would discuss the
quality of the mullins or the beefsteak or
the coffee. 81 wonder whether Traddles
really means to vote for me or not, Is re-
Election as natural as it is often alarming.
Then, too, when be passes the booth where
his tickets are sold, or the poll where his
fate is being woven into history, and hears
the hooling of the enemy or the cheers
of friends, he is TO be pardoned if
u spasm suddenly seizes him and makes
too loose for him. a candidate never
realizes until about this time what weak
mortal he is, and how little depend.
ence he can place upon his usual resources.
Mental perpleXity and doubt affect even
his physical functions, and no matter how
many temperance pledges he has signed, he
feels it no sacrilege to take cocktail before
breakfast. AS the day progresses and the
liquor on his sideboard vanishes before the
consuming taste of numerous partisans and
well-wishers who 'sdrop in " upon him, he
grows more and more nervous, and even
harshly rebukes his wife, who Is perSuading
him to "lie down and take little rest"
He says "No" quite snappishly, and men
tions that lie will take little whiskey in
stead. Night comes, and with it brings an
uncomfortable feeling in his head. 1t is 9
O'Clock ,and returns from few districts show
that his adversary is stronger than he
thought him. Ten O'Clock presents mat
ters in still graver aspect. The vote is
half counted and the enemy il ahead. He
attempts TO kick the servant girl down
stairs who comes to fill the decanters.
Eleven O'Clock finds his drawing-r0om filled
with friends, whose faces are as long a. 4
Presbyterian prayer. They try to laugh,
but it is not a laughing matter. Some one
whispers, "I think our goose is cook
ed"-at first very low, then louder,
louder, until midnight strikes and a
| messenger rushes in out Of breath
with the grave intelligence that ITS all
up!" A sickly smile eXudes from the
| corners of the candidates mouth. They
attempt to cheer him. Talk of trickery,
fraud, repeating, sc. He replies, gloomil.y,,
My friends, it won't wash If you'll
excuse, III retire The enlightened elec.
tors yacate the dwelling, the lights are put
| out, and the miserable man staggers to bed
beneath load of whiskey and despair that
makes him wholly indifferent to the folly Of
getting between the sheets with his boots
| On.-Netc York Commercial.