The Newtown bee., 1897-11-19

handkerchief, swaying back and forth in
the little rocker which creaked beneath
her weight. Miss Burns was in fidget
lest her favorite rocker should collapse
Her views of the duties of hostess would
not, however, permit her to suggest that
the visitor take another chair. Conceal
ing her uneasiness as much as possible
she knitted industriously.
For week the two women held con-
ferences daily. For week poor Samuel
endured the agonies of suspense. Then,
one evening, Janet informed her husband
that they had decided to vote.
1--WE must see about getting you regis
tered right away, them" said he with
animation. Next Saturday is the last
day for original registration"
1t was one of the proudest days of his
life; day to be ranked with that on
which he oficiated as one of the judges
of election in his precinct, or that other
day, when he had received three votes
for delegate to the county convention,
when Samuel Armitage escorted Miss
Burns and Janet to the Office of the county
clerk, where the ladies were duly and
properly registered. From that time
until election day he was diligent in bis
self-assumed task OF initiating the two
women into the political mysteries.
Tho they did not show as lively an inter-
est in these things as he thought voters
who wished to act intelligently should,
they listened patiently, never question
ing his statements of facts or dissenting
! from his conclusions. To be sure, Janet
had in the past persistently declined to
discuss political matters with him; but
that was when she had no vote. 1t was
not like her to refrain from speaking her
mind on a subject which concerned her.
It was not like Miss Burns not to con-
tradict him. Their attitude puzzled him.
After day and night of serious refec-
ton he arrived at a conclusion altogether
satisfactory to himself. The theories of
government were beyond their compre-
hension, and they were incapable of dis
corning the relation Of the facts he so
carefully set before them to the princi-
pies involved. The assent Of silence was
but the natural and reasonable Difference
Of the feminine to the masculine intellect
in matters beyond the capacity of the
former.
On the morning of election day he was
q little nervous-not more than was to be
expected in man on whom SO much
depended. Snow you are sure, janet 81
he asked, ''that you know how to mark
your ballot? See," spreading before her
newspaper containing the notice of
nominations. "I'll show you here, on
this paper. If yeu want to vote straight
ticket--and of course that's what you are
going to do-you make an x in this space
at the top. If you wanted to vote for
| some men on one ticket and some on an
other you would have to put an x oppo-
site the name of each man you voted for.
Unless people are very careful doing that
they make mistakes and their ballots are
thrown out. It's always best to vote a
straight ticket, and this time there's no
excuse for scratching. You're sure you
understand, Janet"
aYes.''
"You put your x right here. Now
you won't forget?'
81 guess I'll be able to remember where
want to put that x, Sammy. I'm not
quite fool, even If / am going to vote
Tor the first time."
San right. I'd better go over TO Miss
Burns's now and explain 1t to her.
II had been lis intention to vote the
two women early. janet positively re-
fused to allow 40 trivial thing as the
casting Of ballot to interfere with the
routine OF the day. Said she: sThe men
OF this State have given the ballot to the
women. The next thing for them to do
| Is to change the election day to suit US.
RI they don't well probably do it our