The Meeker herald., 1893-04-22
A POLITICAL DEAL.

L l. Ii
Reginald Thompson's face was
clouded as he lounged on the window
seat, aud even the smoke wreaths
from his pipe foated away with an
air of dreariness. Reginald was only
a sophomore, yet he was taking n
farewell look at his books, the pictures
and the nicknacks in his room. In II
short time he was to be expelled from
college.
few evenings before Il freshman
had been suddenly seized while stroll
ing about the campus and had been
blindfolded before he could catch
more than glimpse of his assailant.
He had been led away and hazcd. In
the midst of the fun his tormentors
were interrupted by the approach of
n Waterman. They fed around IL
corner. only to encounter another
man But he was hurrying to catch
a train and had no time to trouble
himself about the disturbance. So
the fugitives passed him without in
terfcrence and there was no one to
tell who they were unless the victim
himself had some idea. And, in fact,
the latter had stated most positively
that one of his tormentors had been
Reginald Thompson; that he had not
only recognized Thompson's voice
but had even caught a glimpse of
him. The accused denied the charge
in vain; only his most intimate friends
would believe him, for he had not
been in his room on that evening: and
no one could say where he had been.
The laws of the college provided that
hazing be punished with expulsion;
but first the student must come be-
fore the college senate, and without
the sanction of this body no action
could be taken. A meeting of the
senate had, therefore, been called by
the president, but had been post
poncd, because one of the sophomore
members lad not yet been elected.
Thompson's chum and roommate.
William McMaster, was the president
of the sophomore class, and was us
ing his influence to the utmost to
help his friend. Reginald knew this.
and his face frightened considerably
when Manchester burst in on his medi-
tations on the window seat.
Hello, Reggie!" he cried. stop
your scowling now, old man, and
cheer up. have some good news. s.
"Well, Bill, what is it?" asked
Reginald, with smile that was al
most gloomy.
THE election will be tomorrow,
and Townsend is going to run for sem
IL h. l..
down and showed both his hands into
his pockets. "All of our crowd will
of course vote for him, and | made II
deal with the Theta Epsilons, so that
they will be in for him too
at is awfully kind of you, Bill, to
take so much trouble for me-
Come, now, you had better keep
your thanks until you are well out of
this scrapc. ! have seen all the sem
ators, and they seem to be equally
divided for and against you. so that
TsWnscnd's election is absolutely
necessary"
"Who else will run for senator?"
asked Reggie.
"Oh. / nearly forgot to tell you
that The other side will vote for
Borden.
That's bad news. 1 always hated
that man and | guess he was not over
fond of me. He is low, mean sort
of fellow"
Yes, | know" answered MacMas-
ter, land he has strong pull with
tho ouden's. But he won't stand
ghost of Il show. Now | must go and
canvass some more votes. So I'll see
you later" and with this assurance
\ acAlaster left his friend to rclight
his pipe.
The next day came and with it the
sophomore election.
As Bill MacMastcr entered the room
arm in arm with Townsend he was
greeted with cheer. But he took
little notice of the greeting and sat
down apparently in anxious thought.
A little later, short, thick-set man
entered the room amidst applause al
most as loud as that which had
greeted MacMaster and Townsend.
In acknowledgement of the applause
he bowed his large head with its
matted covering of black, curly hair,
and smiled with look of superiority.
1t was Alvan Borden, the other can
didate. His coarse features were
full of character, and his small, dark
eyes twinklcd from shaft-like depths.
One could see at first sight the power
ara ability of the man; yet it seemed
ability more for the bad than for the
good.
Since he had thought it would be
awkwark If not indicate Thompson
did not come to the meeting.
When the room was well filed,
MacMaster arose and called the meet
ing to order, and they proceeded to
the election of the senator. Besides
Townsend and Borden there was one
other nominee. The informal ballot
was collected, and showed AZ votes
for Townsend, for Borden 81, and
few for the third man. This result
made MacMaster feel assured. as he
called gaily for the second ballot.
that Townsend would be elected. But
then the votes were again collected.
and the secretary read, Townsend
has forty-scven votes and Borden
fifty. Mr.. Borden is elected"
This time MacMaster looked around
helplessly. He felt that his chum's
last chance was gone. He had not
expected defeat. and it was some
time hef, 20 his feelinus allowed