The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1904-04-22
BATHS has been thrown down. "vic-
tory will perch upon our. banner" and

BATHS has been thrown down." ."vic-
tory will perch upon our banner and
SO on, and so on. =
How to reach the Clarks! That
was the problem confronting the poll
ticians of Long Valley. The power
to change the face of the politics Of
that region lay in the hands of this
new factor. If Kelsey could only get
those votes his election was assured.
His faithful servants reasoned with the
Clarks. They pointed cut how Collier
had held the Office for years and years;
that change in the administration of
justice was needed
Hes had the Office till he thinks
he's got a mortgage on it," was the
way one put 1t.
"He ought to get out and give some
body else chance" said another.
But despite the pleadings and cajol-
ings, the Clarks would give no intima-
ton of their position.
The members of the Collier faction
also called on the new voters. They
showed how Collier had always dome
the right thing" If they couldn't vote
for him, they ought not to vote, be-
cause perhaps they had not lived in
the vicinity long enough to learn the
true condition of affairs. But the
Clarks maintained the same discreet
silence with the representatives of this
faction, as in the other case.
eve haven't made up our minds yet.
We are seeking for light. We hope to
vote right on election day." was all
they would vouchsafe.
The week before the election came.
The canvass had been unusually warm.
Aspersions on the character of the OPP
posing candidate had been made by
each faction, and excitement ran high.
The seven tried and true friends of
Collier had never been more steadfast
in their allegiance. The six "stal-
warts" of Kelsey had never been so
active.
Collier was to close his campaign the
night before election eve, and Kelsey
was to wind his up on that eve. I'M
agine the surprise of Collier and his
men, when the Clarks came in and
seated themselves just as his meeting
began. Surely it was a good omen. If
he could win their votes he was out of
danger. His hopes rose high. The
father and sons listened attentively to
the speeches, but did not manifest their
feelings by applause. After the meet
ing was over, there was an impromptu
reception to them as the guests of hon.
or. They said on leaving that they
had enjoyed the evening, and had
listened to the speeches with interest.
The next evening Kelsey wound up
his effort. His loyal six were as loyal
as ever. They cheered as Justify as if
the Clarks hadn't attended Golfers
meeting of the night before. The
chairman had called the meeting to
order, and LATE Thomas had begun to
speak, when the sound Of approaching
footsteps was heard. In marched the
three Clarks. The applause that greet
ed their appearance was long and
hearty.
While apparently listening to the
grandiloquent appeal of Thomas in be-
half OF Kelsey, John Clark was in
reality otherwise occupied. His mind
was busy with his own thoughts. He
was something of politician himself.
although he would have scornfully de-
MED such an accusation. He would
have "allowed" that he was "some"
on human nature, but politics-never!
While sitting and apparently listening
to Thomas, Clark was mentally can
wasting the political situation. He
noted the steadfast loyalty of each
faction to it's candidate. He figured
on the number of notes.-the combina-
lions possible to make with such ele-
ments.
1t was at John Clark, especially.
that the oratory Of Thomas was aimed.
II he could convert him to the Kelsey
side of the fight, undoubtedly the
father would convert his two sons to
his way of thinking. John Clark sat
wrapt in deliberation. Before he was
aware OF it he slapped his boot and
chuckled to himself, half aloud: 1--WE
a scheme that ought to work."
What is it, father?" asked Frank
Clark, in whisper.
'1'll tell you LATER" vouchsafed the
father, CURLY.
LATE Thomas did not notice the
whispered conversation. He was too
busy portraying the merits of his tried
and true standard bearer. After he
had finished, Kelsey spoke. The
Clarks listened just as attentively to
TIE speeches of Kelsey and his stall
warts as they had to the speeches of
Collier and his followers The same
scene ensued at the end of this meet
ing as at the other. There was a re-
ception, the same fulsome flattery be-
slowed, the same hope expressed that
they could see their way clear to vote
for Kelsey as for Collier. The meet
ing closed with three rousing cheers.
Each side went to bed confident of VIC
tory.
Election morning dawned. By nine
o'clock the Is votes had been cast, but
II Ia