The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1900-12-28
e"s>'">-'-~-' N''~H -~s-~."~"~..Se~S
|THE WO'AN'S VOTE
How Rupert Ashley Won
Girl and the Election
at the Same Time. !

NJ mas Deeh nred, MT. Ashley, said Doris
Thorold gently rs She gazed with lust a
suspicion of Kindness in her eyes at the
very smart and youthful candidate whom
the Conservatives had seen fit to send
down to contest the triangular battle at
Blackton-le Moor.
THAT crowd of Gcordies who occupy
Walkers Rents and the lot at No Mans
Land, the other end of the town. will
turn the balance against me. [ am
afraid, Miss Thorod," he continued
that I'm a bit toe much of boy for
this job. When | go about canvassing,
the women ask the men whether I've
called for the vote for my father. and
they won't believe me when | tell them
that am the candidate And I've had to
lick two pit lads already. They objected
in a practical manner to a boy of my
age wearing black coat"
Il am afraid our people are a little
r. rough" said Miss Thorold doubtfully.
Anyhow, Miss Thorold," continued
Rupert, lifting his eyes from the ground
and blushing becomingly, whether |
get in or not, | shall always thank the
Conservatives for sending me down to
Blackton-le-Moor to gain two such
friends as your father and Yourself"
we are very glad too. Mr.. Ashley"
Doris ThorOld replied hurricdly, "and-
and how did you get that hruisc on your
faceY' she added, evidently DESTROYS of
changing the trend of the conversation.
oh. that's nothing" he replied light
ly Some one heaved Il stone through
n the carriage window last night rs | was
4 driving home. Political feeling runs Il
lNlittle bit higher up here than it does in
the home counties you know"
But why should they try to hurt
= your asked Doris, her gray eyes open
ing wide in wonder.
II am not very much liked in this part
Of the world My father was very bad
man, and | remember that as a boy
received thrashins for giving assistance
to the wife of one of the strikers"
"Rut | am sure you're not hard or I'M
kind. Why should thry try to hurt you?"
The sins of the fathers you know"
quoted Rupert as he shook hands. Good
by, Miss Thorold. Won't you wish me
luck for tomorrow"
IONS ~ 'D4''p' N'' NS"'Sy' '''''S'
Then, with luck, shall come in just
0It 100 votes behind Ben Johnstonc
about 100 behind John Strong. Good
a fine sweep of his tall hat he
and left Doris with the idea that
eTNand had been held in his about two
seconds longer than was absolutely nee
essary to a formal leave taking. As she
AnSpade her way homeward toward the
ectory tie rattle of cloggcd feet fol-
WED close behind her. With a woman's
itck ear she caught the voices of the
q mill girls who followed in her steps.
kha-aVs the pa-ason's gel"' explain
NJrce. "a rare good lass she is
too!8.n t ovid mother was sick wi
6Ee 3 fever in the time o the ppy-
snihe COON to ours, an she riddcd
ID Dom an coddled the old 'ooman
IN eef teas an jelies till she was
taywell ag'in!"
'Jn she's soft on that young
ma ley. She was talkin WI him."
spe d the first speakers companion.
"d-oin to pit hisself oop for par
~ they do say"
Wont be no member O. parley-
nIinaid the first speaker. "The Jol-
8rs' Benefit club are all goin to
tasop his meetin tonight, an daddy
vsay're all goin to vote agin him to-
oT, an there's three hoondred on
Der think they'll hurt him?" asked
companion anXiously. Hes
aaddy la-ad."
ne sound of voices died away up a
street, and Doris hurried on, trem-
ng.
Grim tales Doris had heard of the
italities of past elections fitted
pugh her brain.
he was still trembling when she was
ught to a standstill by shril femi-
call from the door of a small, grmy
tage.
Ere, Miss Doris, wants yerr
here was no installing the cocknoy
ent of Mrs. Acroyd, the stalwart
tress of the cottage.
be was a lady of southern birth and
rded by most of the inhabitants of
rkton-le Moor as a "furriner" New
ieless her social influence in the town
immense, for was she not the spouse
considerably the better half" of
y Acroyd, the champion heavyweight
he whole district and footballer
ted by all the surrounding counties?
Come in, an let me dust a chair for
Miss Doris" said Mrs Acruyd
Bill, e amt come home from work
or ed be that proud to see yer as yer
uldn't believew
loris took the proffered seat.
ell. Mrs. Acroyd, what can do for
she asked.
not about me that ! wanted to
". Miss Doris. It's about yer.
eplied Mrs Acroyd as she folded
i've pair of arms with an air of
e | offended any of the mothers
SPwing clrcle?" asked Doris. look
tile disturbed
no. my lamb" replied Mrs
reassuringly "Iust as If yer
sfend them JUS want a straight
o a straight question" Here the
paused doubtfuIy
Eliss Doris there's no uff'n>c
IN Paint yer Il bit gone on that
Nth Vtoff from Lunnon yer
D Af1servaive joint"
af1plhservatiye joint gasped
n 'im-the young r." With y
name in his hi an haw, haw,'
II O talkin, as though lis talk
a Rneck!
goin to tell yer" continued
nd volubly, "'e called ere this
knornin, madam says e, tax
4hiny topper as polite as if e
- to duchess.
day, young man. says l.
. Acroyd at 'omeY says e.
Dung man. says l. ''E's down
ines diggin Goals for the bene-
ungrateful country which kicks