New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-15
CHAPTER III,

This we did the following day. Without harbor-
ing the hope that the chairman or any local
leader would be found there. we fancled there
might exist somewher, amid the litter. an cleo
ton agent.
Eafferton and | set out uron this mission d.
rectly the morning became aired. We regretted
that the little den of political foregaherngs had
not also been relieved Of its mists and vapors.
|, was a dingy hole down side street. SO
hemmed in was 1t that could not truthfully de-
scribe it as having an aspect. The wedge of sky
to be seen through the compleXoned windows
was northern.
The room stood at the top Of stairs that lent an
air of distinction They were wide stairs, as If
built on political principles. as II enabling the
many to come into the fold. They were very
steep This to convince the voter how hard
is the hill-path to salvation. and the length OF the
stairs made him breathless. with painting WON
der 10 the need Of much toiling for 80 earthly
an end | used to think the ascent was long
enough 20 permit Of a man changing his convic-
ton, or 1t may be 1t was designed the more ef-
fectually 10 kick a renegade downstairs.
Arrived al the top. piping voice invited us TO
enter. We stepped in. small boy sat on h!gh
stool with a pen, big enough to overwhelm him.
behind his ear lie was brskly making prints Of
the chairinan's latest mandate from one Of the
gelatine copiers that had vogue lie haH turned
on his stool and quickly snatched the pen from
his ear as If its position were derogatory to MS
dignity
We made inquiries. ana learned that the
chairman was riding at local steeplechase. that
the two more prominent leaders We're yachting on
the Mediterranean. and that the agent was also
absent, being at the Rose ana crown. we
were not disposed to follow the latter thther.
We thanked the smartly Informed boy for his
ready answers and Withdrew.
pleasant drive took u 10 Drewton Grange.
II was an Elzabe:han mansion. standing. with an
austere beauty amid ancient. stili vigorous trees.
We were glad to find that Sir John Weldon. at
least. was at home | sent in my card with little
note explaining the reason for our visit and
delicate recalling II our chance meeting.
Sir John Weldon during Il long parliamentary
career had been one Of the most interesting figures
in the Commons An intrepid manner ard
iaunty independence co,pled with a dashing
stvle of speech and mucF rhetoric made him a
member the House delighted to hear His hair
was as the thin drift OF snow now. and the fine
burrows of his face had deepened, but his spirit
was undaunted as ever.
ventured to inform Sir John ;hat my friend
contemplated c0ntesting the Ploushden Division
at the ensuing election. and we should be deep
~ indebted to him if. out Of his experience. he
would give us a few hints. His political strate-
gy was widely acknowledged. said, ana no one
knew half 50 well how to woo somewhat ire
snonsiye voters He looked at Naferton with a
lively humor in his eye and an unconscious toss
Of head as If preparing for the fray
Mr. NaffertOn" ne said, let me congratulate
YOU ! have not tn advantage Of knowing to
which party you belong. but that Is trivial
matter | presume. however, 1t Is one or other
Of the English parties. and VIII present you'
THANK you very much replied Nafferton. in
an uninspired sort Of way. Il don't quite know
what to do with it. but no doubt it VIII prove
useful. | am in the Yeomanry and it might be
placed upon my coffin when ! am dead. Then
he suddenly Frightened under the influence OF an
idea How would it make Up as tennis
Jacket he asked.
Sir John laughed loud al this. 1t did not strike
him that Nalferton serious, that he could
plead mot guilty" to charge Of conscious hui
mOur.
u am glad to find you was said Sir
John: the world is terribly short of them OF
course. as YOU know, ! was speaking in meta
phOr. You must wave the nag.
ooh, Yes l understand" Naiferton replied
ard further" continued the old hand II make
over to you, as going concern an empFe-on-
which the un- neVer-sets.
"Now that would be really useful at this june
ture" murmured Jack, only. II ! owned that
empire. I don't think should go on with this
horrid election"
You are nervous" Sir John answered. with
sympathetic readiness. but you Will grow out 81
that All candidates are 50 in their political
youth | was myself but that Is very long
ago" lie laughed pleasantly and WIN chucKIe
at the memory.
But there are other things you must do" he
said You must wear patent feathers. Mare
chal Mel, and a silk hat on the back ~ your
head askew enough To make people say you
are devilish gooG-tempered. II you could lower
the gas-jet. or blow out the nearest candle upon
a village patfOrm-sOmething a little theatrical
IL might be worth twenty votes night But
above all, remember that You and your party
have always been and will ever be the voter
only friend Voters are supposed to be very
hard UP for friends"
Would 1t be too much to ask for your sup
port to my candldature, Sir john?
The old soldier looked at the timorous recruit
and smiled 1t was mystifying smile. IL In
gered on his fine old face, AND FADED gradually
into thought. -,
"Do YOU want TO win Ploughden very much?"
he asked tentatively
II do, indeed replied Nafferton.
Il am getting an old man." ne said, quite
cheerfuy. "and have had a good long innings.
had indeed INDUCED desire to have one last
fight. No. no, DO not think had designs upon
PIoughden. This il the only constituency In the
country would admit as Impossible: Ny friends
here'-he waved mis- hand toward the open win
dow and the cOuntry-"haVe taken dislike TO
me- They regard me as a remnant Of the feu-
DIAL system-a sort of last of the barons
He paused while. then he continued
Il like you. Mr.. Nafferton, and to help you.
will sacrifice a personal thirst for battle else
where. | will do all can to help you
THANK you, so much" Jack said as he rose,
Il will help YOU" Sir John iterated. i snail
therefore be obliged to oppose you"
The color fed from Jacks face. and believe
his knees trembled a little
as ii that you wish to save me from myself!
oh no. was the reply 81 will oppose you.
In other words. / will support your opponent.
That will be fatal II his prospects in the Plough
den Division For the present .Good-day'
We drove back to the old town. and. having
ha nded over The dOg-Cart, strOlled the streets.
When IN the markct-place | noticed smart
little pony -phacton standing opposite the door
OF Drenchan the chemist. A slender girl held
the reins smartly and every now and then flicked
the ponys head with natty little whip. 1T was
but a love touch. and the pony knew 1t. for he
whnned e. oh time
Nanerton was engaged at the stationers in
buying photographs OF the neighborhood. He
had said we must familiarize ourselves with the
OUTLYING portions Of the cOnstituency-a senti-
ment nobody could find fault with.
SO | stepped on to a closer view or something
more interesting and, as the vision revealed.
more beautiful than photographs. She was quite
young girl Of possibly eighteen or nineteen years
not more-and she looked entirely happy with
the reinS i'm her hands, and the lovelight for her
pony in her eyes She sat gracefully. and with
out thought Of Impotence what time the
lloH .nln ind. 10