Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1901-05-22


sides eanyassing during the day. |
should have preferred not to But
had an agent. He said he was my
agent. otherwise | should have thought
our positions were reversed.
Among other things he made me 80
to church on Sundays. 1t was neces-
sary, he said to conciliate the church
chapel to conclliate the dlssenters. The
result was we annoyed both.
At the church | recognized lady
with Alice's black hair. She also had
Alices profile. In fact, 1t 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 defect
was want of lady eanvassers. lie
proffered his wife | accepted her, but
said would call on Col. Western and
see II couldn't pick up few more
But Col. Western Is opposed to us. y
"He Is most good-natured," replied
~ am sure he will lend us few"
My agent sighed. He was consclen-
tious person and had scruples as to
whether l was fit person for the
House of Commons "If he were only
as sensible as some of his speeches, y
he said to my mother once.
Nevertheless sent my mother over
to Col. Westerns, and she returned In
triumph with Alice, who, as 1t hap
pens, was Conservative Of the most
unbending principles.
We used to canvass together. The
agents wife came, too. Alice thought
this best. The agent expostulated al
the absurdity and waste of time In
volved in three people doing the work
Of one. We pointed out how mucf
more thoroughly the work was done
When we had all had turn Mt the for
tunate elector he was not In condition
to refuse his vote. But the agent woult
not be silenced till Alice got his wife t.
stop him with a glance.
The polling day came. Alice and m,
mother, the agent and | drove from
polling booth to polling booth. Toward
8 o'clock the agent came to me dole
fully and said he feared my return wal
improbable. was very sorry for tn,
poor man, he had worked so hard
When told my mother she burst int,
tears. She must also have been sorr,
for him. Alice comforted her, like tn
dear, kind girl she Is.
"It is his own fault" said my mother
''he is so flippant."
assured her he was most serious
minded.
"Whor
"The agent"
She became sorrowful. Again Alic
had to comfort her. TO do so she sal,
kind things about me, but my mothe
would not agree with her.
HE has disappointed me. He vii
not obey me. I have begged and beg
ged him to pay attention to Miss West
ern, of the castle. We should the
have had their influence" She wep
again. Alice comforted her.
My mother went on: HE will no
be serious. If he would only MARI
some solid, strongminded girl! Blu
no, he insists on going his own way
Yet I'm his mother"
Alice turned a reproachful gaze O
me.
"T think 1t is very unkind Of yo
not to marry when your mother tell
you to-"
"But the ladies' won't have me-"
II don't believe you ever ask them.
ITO do SO would be preposterous."
I "Why would 1t be preposterous 2"
"Take your case, for instance"
{ "My easel" She blushed violently.
My mother was startled. Gerald,
forbid you to talk any more nonsense,
she said, rising hastily and leaving th
! room.
We were left alone. There was
silence, broken by Alice.
"Did your mother really and trul
ask you to propose to meT'
Really and truly"
She Redeemed charmingly.
"Why didn't you"
II do! dor responded eagerl
rising and going towards her.
"Your mother is so sorry about you
she said. "She Is so unfortunate In h
son. l should like to make h
happy"
She was silent, pondering.
eff you are not returned to Parli
ment 1t will break her heart" 81
= frightened up. 1--WE will compromi
= the matter. If you are not returned
- accept you"
: She ran and told my mother, who e
. tered the room between tears al
=, smiles.
"It seems ridiculous arrangemer
y but Gerald is always absurd. l dor
= know what want. feel as If l we
standing on my head"
Later on we went to the declarati'
Of the poll. I was returned by a III
. jority of 20. My mother immediate
" began to weep bitterly.
looked at Alice. They were sho,
ing for me to address the crowd.
"I am an unfortunate man, / sal
She was looking on the ground.