The Forrest City times., 1893-01-27

was nappy In knowing that youth,
like old age, had on this day its honor
and its toll. Though / could not vote
myself. I could bring Indifferent or dis
abIed citizens to the polls with my own
pet colt and buggy.
The first ballot put into the box at
Town Hall was thrown by old Jenny
Grant, the lame cobbler, whom / had
dragged out of his stall at seven
O'Clock in the morning, that he might
do his whole duty as free American
and to keep Fred Crandall from get
ting at him first. Fred was active for
the hostile camp. and IL his slow-paced
family horse could not make as many
trips as my Knox three-year-old, yet he
brought three times as much freight
when he did come, being provided with
two-seated beach wagon, while my
buggy had room for but one passenger.
Fred was boy of the most irritat-
ing audacity and enterprise, and he
possessed, moreover, the advantage of
knowing nearly every voter by sight and
each mans political opinions by heart.
Consequently he lost no time in asking
for information where to go or whom
to bring, while l required a great deal
of direction and advice.
We were alike in one respect: We
display ed much more alacritY in get
ting people to Town Hal than soici-
tude about getting them home again.
All day long the contest went on,
until, late in the afternoon, there was
scarcely a man in the whole town of
New Nicopolis who had not voted; but
as ballots became fewer the anxiety in
creased. for the check books showed
almost an equality between the parties
Even my father began to grow
! nervous. and the politicians rushed
about like lunatics. One of them sud
denly ran up to me.
Here, Charley" exclaimed he.
Drive out on the north road as fast as
you can go. and bring in Vanderson-
at the red house next beyond the
bridge
! / whirled my horse around without
! waiting for more. The rest OF what
ever the politician had to say was lost
/ in the rafting of the wheels as dashed
down the road at twelve miles an hour:
but the colt had gone too far and too
fast that day to keep up such a gait,
AMI soon reluctantly allowed him to
take an easy jog trot.
Fred Crandall suddenly dashed by
with a fresh steed, which | recognized
as DR.. Parller's new roadster. Things
must be at a desperate pass indeed if
the doctor was willing to commit his
! best horse to such a hard-driving Jehu
as Fred.
Fretting was of no use. though, and
! watched him disappear over the next
hil with more or less resignation.
1t was a long road to Nanderson' S,
and had still half mile to go when
Fred appeared as suddenly as before
around turn just ahead. He had no
one with him, and his countenance in
dicated the greatest disappointment
He pulled mp as we met, and called
| out:
Where are you going, Charley"
simply smiled. having no intention
of betraying my plans.
well, don't tell if you don't want
to-" continued he, but | know. You're
going to Nanderson's."
What them" inquired.
Nothing, only your man isn't at
home. You might as we'll save your
self the trouble of going any farther. "
| Now this struck me as suspicious. |
did not precisely think Fred was tell
ing falsehood, but my brief expert
ence of politics had inclined me to dis
trust everything an opponent might
saw. So resolved to find ont for my
self, and told Fred as much.
"All right for you, Charley" replied
he. driving on offended. $50 ahead
and see what you'll make of it.
| resumed my way, trying to feel
proud of my sharpness and dctermina-
tion, but not succeeding especially
well, for / knew / had done Il mean
thing in doubling Fred's word. To sus-
pect uniustiy once is worse than being
cheated twice.
| reached Nanderson' comforta BILE
looking farmhouse almost certain of
proving Fred right and myself wrong
by finding no one there. To my eX-
treme surprise / saw an elderly man
near the stable, hard at work oiling a
wagonwheel.
Mr. Vanderson?" / inquired.
The same" he replied, hardly look
ing up.
caught my breath. Fred had told
me a lie, after ali. | am glad TO be
able to say that | wish L had believed
| him.
| Il want you to come to town with
me. if you please" | continued, after a
minute. He looked at me, quizzicaily.
Want me to vote, eh?"
Yes, that's it. How did YOU know"
oh. there was another young man