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

CHAPTER II.
saw nothing Of Nanerton for three days and
concluded he was fully occupied. In the mean
time Rumor, after flying about in a wildly sem
sational manner. had her wings clipped The
fact was established. There would be an appeal
to the country, and the struggle would be upon us
in less than month
On the morning of the day fraught with the
Official announcement Of dissolution, caught the
sound Of a football my office stairs. At all
times glad to hear these premonitions of arrival.
| have given up hoping that they foretell pos
sbe client. Besides, this particular clatter was
familiar enough. Nafferon had useful feet, but
they made noise of their own.
He burst into the room with his face more
horid than ever his little blue eyes full of what
might be dawning fervor. and his attire not quite
scrupulousy correct and tidy as habit should
have dictated. l reflected that this last IA
sign of outward degeneracy on bis part, and in
deed it struck me that 1t came early in his polit-
zeal career. But II might have been my fancy. or
one of those innocent little artihces-a disordered
neckte or rude shock Of hair.with which the
orator ceverly captures the multitude.
He sat down anyhow, as If his mind were too
absorbed to choose Il chair.
ANY luck?" ! inquired. IN suspense lest my
suggestion should have failed.
Moderate" he answered. I've seen two or
three sets Of party organizers. One side won't
have anything to do with me, but the other Is
willing to take me on. left my conscience with
them, and obtained supply OF leaflets. Here
they are
He pulled out Of his breast pocket number Of
little documents tied round with red tape.
Here are my principles. he continued,
proudly. Eighteen pence hundred"
Those all very well and helpful said
"but what has really been done? Have they pro-
vided you with a safe constituency where there
need be no contest? And what is the political
complexion OF the party to which you have now
the honor to belong?"
Naferton's answer was not positively en-
couraging to me. He seemed content enough.
The seats filed up he remarked
with regret. land the solid chances are all be-
spoke The reserve price has been reached In
each case. OF course could not compete My
ready cash is low. and my future fortune, as one
organizer said. somewhat problematlcal.' But
they have done the best they can for me. As
TO which party it g. am little in doubt You
see there so many parties just now. My
brain has got shaken up 1t wants day or
two TO settle
80 that truth may precipitate," replied. But
don't depreciate yourself unnecessarily. There is
really no need. The veterans themselves get con-
fused at times, let alone the recruits What
zone in the North. The Ploughden Division"
"ACricultural?'
rs the present member retiring? Do You OBJ
date?'" ~
81 oppose man who represented Plouehden
for dozen years. 1t is the Pcughden Division
now. But he sticks just the same.
| whistled one OF those whistles blown by
who is the man." | inquired feeb!y.
rs not the fact that he is 'sticker enough
to go on with he answered ENORMOUSLY. i
don't know his name"
There was a pause, and then he looked sharply
a: me- ,.,,
a pitiable calmness. Had we better give 1t up!
| pulled myself together.
Il will stick by you. We will go through
with it.: Let us travel down to PlouGhden to-
day We must open fire at once
We reached PlOughden in the early evening
and took up quarters at the most material hote
which happened to be THE Slaughtered Lamb
l wanted TO go elsewhere | did not fancy the
name.
But NaTerton never cared a fig for sentiment,
and remarked that he was not going to sacrifice
the only possible" dinners In the place for ar
old womans scruple. We put up at The
Slaughtered Lamb"
After dinner we strolled around the town. We
thought Ploughden delightfully."- old-fashiOned as
walked its crOtchety streets the frst even
ing. It's toy Town Hall. with dome like the
top Of a pepper-box; its public clock five min
utes behind time: its terrible streetccbbles. CIV
ing one a common SORROW with Bunyans sore
tried Pilgrim-these and many other country
corceits amused us nightly
Every house projected or receded from its
neighbOr You wondered at this, until 1t struck
you with a swift force that it but portrayed.
in lines Of embrowned brick or crumbl!ng stone.
the variance of human life. the contradiction
Of human character. Buildings a-tilt, angular.
ne'ghborly. squat, commonplace, few beautiful
of such was the borough of Ploughden. DO
we not live our lives like the houses?
When got 10 the hotel, after our prelimi-
nary excursion. the landlord acquainted US with
test. He reminded us that Sir John Weldon
lived within easy driving distance Of Pioughden.
and that he was power out Of his own
county | purposely say the landlord reminded
us. because had tact enough to simulate per-
feet familiarity with the habits and habitatiOns
of Sir John. in truth. We knew him to the
tent OF being aware that he had won seats IN
his time for both parties.
His friends classed him. and rightly. as one
Of the very best of men to lead the fOrlorn hope
In an enemy's stronghold. Ploughden would
have none Of him because it knew him too well.
A political not quite so hapess other prOph-
cts, may yet be without honor in his own county.
had once met Sir John-merely chance in
PRODUCTION at the club of frend-but. the
strength of this and the urgency of our case,
l determined that we would drive over to Drew
ton Grange next day in order to extract "A few
strategical points from the valian; exponent
OF SO many principles, and the promoter Of
many party factions and fractions. There was
political forces Sir John was now medtating the
formation of new party.
The host Of The Slaughtered Lamb" barred
another fact that, at first sight hardly struck
US as helpful agreeable. But ii not his
fault. and. even at the moment We felt We mus.
absolve him from blame He but answered a
question as he bound to do though. no
doubt he charged for it. being. matters turned
out singularly up-to-date landlord.
Naferton. speaking TO the landlord, who stood
alert in his shrtsleeves, asked this pertinent
question:
ooh, BY the way. landlord what is the name
Of the member for this Division?'
Brown sir" answered the fellow.
THE devil" shouted Nafferton, with what to
outsider, must have seemed ridiculous dis
play of feeling.
NO sir the colonel,' corrected host
'Identicalr' Jack retorted ] could not help
but be plea sed with his growing power OF repartee
Politics were sharpening him Up.
| thought IL my duty 10 stay his alarms. 1t
an odd coincidence. OF course. but nothing more
There were enough Browns in any single large
town to supply candidates for hall the con-
stituenc!es in England.
The landlord left us ! think he was a trlne
hurt.
Landlord" Naferton remarked 10 the retreat
Ing figure. II think will have brandy without
soda. | feel that to be a short cut TO my common
sense"
But the landlord had dignity behind his shirt