St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1908-02-29


Although Lady Henrietta smiled she
! had grave suspicious of the genuine
ness of Harris promise. The worst
of it was that he could influence a
good many votes in the village, and
therefore had seriously to be reckoned
with.
Lady Henrietta had heavy days
work, and her canvass was not alto
gether satisfactory Sir Johns own
efforts had likewise been unencourag-
ing.
IT'S touch and CO." he told her as
they sat down to late dinner. Half
dozen votes will make all the differ
ence between success and failure. If
we can only rely on the village think
l am safe, but if they rat" He
broke off in rather a despairing tone.
I'm going in the Pullman myself
to fetch Harris and some of the 9TH
ers tomorrow, said Henrietta. Il
| won't trust to strangers"
That's right, my DEAR" nodded Sir
John. I'm bit frightened of Harris.
If he doesn't go against me, believe
| shall just scrape in
Its as close as that, is it?" muir
INJURED Lady Henrietta, thoughtfully.
Before five on the following after
noon, a small group of free and indie
pendent electors stood expectantly
outside Josh Harris cottage. They
wore an expression of suppressed glee.
You be sartin sure her ladyship's
a-comin', Josh?" one Of them was ask
ing. 1T be Tower mile to the polIin'
station, and we dusn't get there late"
No fear O. that" derided Harris
She's comm in that there moo big
motor car o. hern what goes as fast as
steanl-injun. Well be there in no
time. All we've got to do is to let
her think we're victim for Sir John,
and never let on different or other
wise, and when we gets to the poll put
a cross agin Mr.. Dimes Walkers
name. 'erstand?"
There was a chorus of affirmation
accompanied by quiet laughter which
was hushed as the car came round a
bend in the lane. Its two big acety.
line lamps were lit, and Lady Henri
eta sat in the driving seat. AS she
pulled up she greeted the group with
her sweetest smile
Eight" she observed to herself,
counting them. A nice covey, if
can only bag them!" Aloud she said:
You're all solid for Sir John, hope?"
They were "all for Sir John. The
reply was unanimous; there was
forced enthusiasm about it, too, that
struck her ladyship as curious. Prac-
tice in electioneering had made her
keenly observant, and the furtive
glances that passed between the free
and independent ones did not escape
her
With the assistance of the chauffeur,
the eight coaspirators were safely
packed in the brocaded interior of the
Pullman, and Lady Henrietta let in
the clutch. She started without hurry:
she wanted to think.
How much petrol is there in the
tank, Betts?" she asked her chauf.
feur.
About six gallons, your ladyship.
The tanks half full"
Lady Henrietta laughed to herself
a little nervously. I'm not quite sure
whether it's legal, but I'm going to do
it," she meditated
With that, her foot pressed the ac-
celerator and the car shot forward.
Twenty--25-30 said the speed indi-
Gator as the hand rose on the dial.
Two minutes at this pace took them
past the turning that led to the polling
station. Lady Henrietta kept straight
on. The chauffeur looked up at her
with question in his eyes.
It's all right. Belts" said she.
I'm rather in a hurry"
Belts dutifully touched his cap and
opened a feed valve on the dash.
Inside the car Harris and his
friends were making merry. The sit
uation appealed to them as a joke
which they could not enjoy too huge
ly. To be driven. by her ladyship her
self, in this splendid vehicle, at this
glorious pace to the hastings to regis
ter their votes in favor of Sir Johns
opponent was, indeed. something to
crow abcut-a SELF of the first
water!
AN to think as she'll never know
it! 1t do seem rare waste of good
ioke!" chuckled one of them
You be satisfied wi gettin' tother
chap in, an keep your tongue STILL
enjoined Harris.
"Ay, it won't do to talk" agreed an
other; and the sentiment was echoed
by the rest.
I'VE be goin a terrible pace" OBJ
served the first speaker anxiously 8
little later on.
There were glances through the win
dows: but what. with the speed of /
the car and the gathering gloom of the
autumn day, nobody inside seemed /
certain of their whereabouts
You leave it to her ladyship,' said |
Harris. Like as not. shes takin' us
for tso Of spin as q reward for our
support
The sally was received with outlaws
and. for little while further. crit.
cism OF the route was snrerded. Bet