The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-11-23
Her Political influence.

"A battle is never lost till the last
shot has been fired. Mr.. Ashley" said
Doris Thorold gently, as she gazed, win
just suspicion OF kindness in her eyes,
at the very smart and youthful candi-
date whom the conservatives bad seen
fit to send down to contest the triangl-
lar battle at Blackton-lelAoor.
THAT crowd of Geordies who occupy
Walkers Rents, and the lot at Eo-Man's-
Land. the other end Of the town, will
turn the balance against me. am afraid
Miss Thorold.' he continued, that I'm a
bit too much Of boy for this job
When I 90 about canvassing the women
ask men whether Eve called for the vote
for my father and they won't believe
me when tell them that I am the can
didate. And I've had to lick two pitlads
already. They objected in a practical
manner to a boy Of my age wearing a
black coat
It am afraid our people are q. little bit
rough" said Miss Thorold, doubtfully.
Anyhow. Miss Thorold." continued
Rupert lifting his eyes from the ground
and blushiHg becomingiy, whether I set
in or not, I shall always thank the con-
servatives for sending me down to
Blackton-Ie-Moor TO gain two such
friends as your father and yourself"
Goodbye, Miss Thorold. Won't you
wish me luck for tomorrow"
Il do. in deed, Mr. Ashley" replied
Doris.
Then, with luck. I shall come IN Just
about a hundred votes behind Ben John
stone and about a hundred and fifty be-
hind John Stron. Goodbye"
AS she made her way homeward to-
ward the rectory the rattle Of clogged
! feet followed close behind her. With
wonan's quick ear. she caught the voices
Of the two mill girls who followed in her
steps.
"Tha-ats the parsons geIi" explained
one voice "a rare good lass she is,
too! When Z ovid mother was sick vi
| the scarlet fever in the time O. tn ippy-
demmic, she COON to urs, an she rfdded
! CONAN ooD WI beef teas an 1ellieS TIL
/ she was brave an well again.
Happen she's soft on that young chap
/ Ashley; she was talkin' WI him." spec
ulated the first speakers companion
| He's go-oin' to pit hisself COP for par
! leymint, they do say"
He won't be no member Of parley-
| mint" said the first speaker. "The Jolly
/ Miners Benefit Club are all goin' to
slash oop his meetin' tonight; an daddy
saws they're all goin TO vote agin him
tomorrow. An there's three hoondred
| on 'ern"
"D'ye think they'll hurt him?" asked
! her. companion anxiously. Hes q. grade
/ ~ la'ad"
The sound Of voices died away Up a
side street. and Doris hurried on, trcm-
bling.
She was still trembling when she was
/ brought to a standstin by a shrill femi-
/ nine call from the door of small, grimy
! cottage.
| There was no mistaking the cockney
1 - Ia sf 2 lvvoT a.
| tress OF the cottage.
She was a lady Of southern birth, and
| regarded by most Of the inhabitants Of
! Blackton-Ie-Moor as g "furriner." New
| ertheless her social influence in the town
was immense, for was she not the SPOUSE
/ and considerably the better half" or
| Bully Acrovd, the champion heavyweight
of the whole district?
Come in. an let me dust a chair for
yer. Miss Doris said Mrs. Acroyd. my
! BIZ. e amt come home from work yet.
or ed be that proud to see yer as yer
wouldn't beHevet"
Doris took the proffered seat.
! "Have 7 offended any of the mothers in
| the sewing circle?' asked Doris, looking
I little disturbed.
"No. no. my lamb replied Mrs.
/ Acroyd, assurfngly. Just as If you
! would offend them! Just want a
| straight answer to a straight question 3"
| Here the speaker paused doubtfully.
! "AeE the question. then. Mrs. Acroyd .
! said Doris rather nervousiv
Now. Miss Doris. there's no offense
intended. but amt you bit gone on
! that ladi-da young toff from Lunnon-
Won know, the conservative joint"
1.-THE conservative joint2" gasped Doris.
! ST was going to tell yer" continued
| Mrs Acroyd volubly. r called ere
! this morn
| &" No young man. says I. Es down
/ in the mines diggfn' Goals for the benefit
| Of an ungrateful country which kicks
/ at PAWN thirty bob a ton, for the ben
eft Of the likes Of your
a. I'm sorry 7 haven't time to discuss
the coal question, Mrs. Croyd,' says ne,
| but T shall be very glad r. YOU viii give
me a cup Of your very excellent tea
! They tell me that you make the very
best cup of tea in the whoie town saws
q And would you believe Il, Miss
Doris. in five minutes ne an me were
'obnobbin' over our afternoon tea, Just
| the same as If I was swell lady an
it was my al ONE day
Now. Miss Doris, saw 1s little game
] at once. when e started arstin' all sorts
of questions about you, an gettin' me
on 70 tell I'm all about you.
when I'd told him all about what
you did in the scarlet fever time, an the
strike time. an the typhoid time. 7 SAYS
| 10 i'm, Now, Young man. what do you
think Of young woman like that?'
" T think she's a noble girl. says =,
an e struck is eyeglarst In IS eye. an
pulled down 'is cuffs as though he meant
what he said
Now. young man. SAYS 7. you've
come ere TO arst my old man for Is
vote which 'e's chairman Of the Jolly
Miners Benefit Club know very vel
that he an is mates are goin' 70 vote
agin' yer and that they're goin' 20 smash
oop your meetin' tonight
9" I'm sorry to ear that says e
a. Now. Young man says T. might
arst what are YOUR intentions toward our
Miss D0ris2 She's more 10 US WON n
ere than half dozen bloouin' members
o. parliament SAYS !.
"Then ne dropped The winder pane from
SIS eve an the 'haw. haw' from IS voice
and p answered quite gentle.
Whether I'm returned member Of
parliament or not for this constituency
Mrs. Acroyd' says he, intend to ars'
Miss Doris Thorold 20 do me the honor
Of marvin ne
.Rirht o. my Iadr says 7 An whe7
you've married 'er, do you mean 70 treat
'er weil4''
"T do says e
10 stoppin' out 'sts e. night. nd
'armonic clubs an always 70 bring yei
money one straight % 'er O. pay day9
ssrs 7
Yes says p
.sThen 7 ED out nv and n in. which
+ e gr{rpad very ard
leave If to me. then, young man
Thank vou. Mrs kcrov8' SAYS be
sBut suposin' 3fiss Tnorol3 won't ave
mee'
You leave that 20 re. young nan.