The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1901-10-23

telle has been persuaded 10 enter the
competition and l am afraid her grand
fathers absence in New Orleans has
not improved her chances Of winning.
She is too modest and tinid to canvass
for herself, and, while ought not to
be a partisan of any in the race, yet l
grieYe to think that Estelle should suf-
fer for the want Of q champion"
as it too late fer champion to be
of service to her" asked Oakfell.
"By no means"
"What is the mode of election?
each vote must be accompanied by
81. The candidate in whose name the
greatest lumber Of dollars are con-
tributed Is elected godmother to the
bell" the priest explained.
"The candidates are, Of course. all
young girls?" queried Oakfell.
"Oh. certainly" replied the priest.
"No matrons are admitted"
"How many candidates are therc?"
"Six. The lists were closed last Sun
day"
"Then," said Oakfell, though have
not had the pleasure of meeting Nile.
Latiolais since her return from the con-
vent, l suppose she is now regarded
quite a young lady. will be her ac-
tive champion from this on to the close
of the polls, but. Of course. inccgnito to
her."
"Good.' exclaimed Yalsin. II will
give you FIVE votes for Estelle to begin
with"
STEADY, my good friend" said the
priest. NO voter can cast more than
one ballot
"Well, I will give my own VOTE" per-
sisted Valsin, "and get four others. l
will be good for Eve anyhow. polled
five votes for Mr.. Horace to so to the
legislature, and I can poll that number
for his candidate for the bell christen-
ing"
Thank you, Yalsin," said Oakfell.
"Our present candidate is more deserv-
ing than the other and less likely to
disappoint YOU
"How so:" asked yalsin. When
have you disappointed me?'
"When voted against the antieman-
cipation bill. am afraid" replied Oak-
fell.
"Not by jugful!" declared Valsin
'But you would have done so if you
had voted for that bill. What! l paid
my own money for Old AlonZo and old
Jeanne and l cannot set them free if
want? could have thrown my money
into the bayou. Then why cannot
free my negroes, for whom paid my
money? No, sir. You voted right, like
a real man, and honor you for it"
"Anl so do l, my young friend" said
the priest, and l advise every man
who wishes to see and do the right tc
read your speech and engrave it on his
memory. You spoke for that broad hui
manity which was the especial care OF
the Lord Jesus and in which alone lies
the ultimate safety Of this nation"
Should all others disapprove these
expressions from you. two would suffice
to sustain me, for in your sincerity and
judgment I have abiding faith Oak
fell spoke warmly and sincerely.
When tie meal was concluded. the
rain had ceased and the late moor
risen above the tree tops Of the sur
rounding forests. The priest announc
ed his determination to push on tc
Mansura, and. his horse and buggy be-
ing led out by AlonZo. he thanked Val
sin for his entertainment. gave bis
blessing and good night and drove on
to be ferried across the water by the
boy.
Oakfell's sleep was that Of the young
man fatigued. At sunrise Of the fol
lowing morning he was speeding IN the
ferryman's buggy through the glisten
ing, odorous magnolia woods to bis
plantation at Pointe Midi.