The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1900-10-26

had an agent. He said he was my
agent, otherwise l should have
thought our positions were reversed.
Among other things he made me go
to church on Sundays. 1t was nee
essary, he said, to conciliate the
church people. We also went to the
Methodist chapel to conciliate the
dissenters. The result was we an
noyed both.
At the church / recognized lady
with Alice's back hair. She also had
Alice's profile In fact, it turned out
to be Alice herself. She was visiting
her uncle, Col. Western, with whom
she had lived in her younger days.
told my agent that our great de-
feet was want of lazy canvassers,
He proffered his wife. l accepted her,
but said would call on Col. Western
and see if l couldn't pick out few
more.
But Col. Western is opposed to
u.s."
"He is most good natured," | re-
piled. Il am sure he will lend us
few
My agent sighed. He was a consci-
entious man, and had scurples as to
whether l was a fit person for the
house of commons "If he were only
as sensible as some of his speeches."
he said to my mother once.
Nevertheless, / sent my mother over
to Col. Westerns. and she returned in
triumph with Alice, who, as it hap
pens. was a radical of the most un-
bending principles.
We used to canvass together. The
agents wife came too. Alice thought
this best. The agent eNpostulated at
the absurdity and waste of time in
volved in three people doing the
work of one. We pointed out how
much more thoroughly the work was
done. When we had all had turn
at the fortunate elector he was not
in condition to refuse his vote. But
the agent would not be silenced till
Alice got his wife to stop him with
a glance.
The polling day came. Alice and my
mother, the agent and / drove from
polling booth to polling booth. To-
ward eight o'clock the agent came
to me dolefully, and said he feared
my return was improbable was
very sorry for the poor man. He
had worked SO hard. When | told
my mother she burst into tears. She
must also have been sorry for him.
Alice comforted her like the dear,
kind girl she is.
at is ifs own fault" said my moth
err. when she was comforted; "he is
so fippant."
| assured her he was most serious
minded.
"Who?"
"The agent"
She became sorrowful. Again Alice
had to comfort her To do so she said
kind things about me, but my mother
would not agree with her.
"He has disappointed me. He will
not obey me- have begged and begged
| him to pay attention to Miss Western.
| of the castle. We should have had
| their influence" She wept again. Alice
comforted her.
My mother went on: HE will not be
serious. If he would only marry some
solid. strong-minded girl! But, no, he
insists on going his own way. Yet I'm
his mother"
Alice turned her reproachful gaze
on me.
81 think it is very unkind of you not
| to marry when your mother tells you
| to-"
But the ladies won't have me-"
81 don't believe you ever asked them"
"To do so would be preposterous."
"Why would it be preposterous?"
Take your case, for instance"
"My case?" She blushed violently.
NV mother was startled. Gerald, I
| forbid you to talk any more nonsense"
she said, rising hastily and leaving the
room.
We were left alone. There was a ST.
lence, broken by Alice.
did your mother really and truly
ask you to propose to me?"
Really and truly" .,
She Redeemed cha rmingly..
"Why didn't you?"
81 do! I dol" l responded, eagerly,
rising and going toward her.
"Your mother is so sorry about
YOU" she said. "She IL SO unfortu-
nate in her son. should Ike to make
her happy"
She was silent, ponde,ing.
"If you are not returned to parlia-
ment it will break her heart" She
frightened up. I'VE will compromise
the matter. If you are not returned,