Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1909-02-11

tend to and might be late homo to din
ner.
selectman Alden, on his arrival ct the
Center, soon despatched the urgent town
business that had called him forth, and
which, in fact, took but q few minutss'
time in looking over certain records at
the town clerks Office. Then be sailed
forth on quite another errand. He felt q
peculiar rising in. his throat as he made
bis way toward Squire Edwards law
Office and realized that for the FIRST time
in bis life he was an active seeker for
Office something he had always repro
bated in others, but which be now saw
was absolutely necessary II be was to-
win the prize.
Jed pushed open the lawyers door
quite timidly. "HulIo, Alden" called
the Squire from his inner room, spying
the visitor over his desk and smelling q
client. "Come right in. Fine day
only for the rain-and we need that
Squire Edwards was q portly man, OF
non-committal visage and q repute for
shrewdness that had somew hat outrun
less, as the only lawyer in regular prac-
tice at Kingston, Mr.. Edwards had q GER
tain standing in the community and
was particularly recognized "a q force in
local politics. His activity in his pro-
.fession and his questionable doings in
business matters quite forbade any ambi-
tious hopes on his own part, but in vari-
GUS ways he manipulated things for 9TH
ers so that his support was commonly
sought early BY candidates for Office.
And Jed was here to seek it now.
"Yes. Squire, we do need rain, that's
fact" assented Jed, sinking into
chair proffered by the lawyer. "Dunno's
ever see tn Pool so low this time o.
year. an grass is fearful backward"
eyes, but this rain'll start 1t, all
right" said the Squire. Anything
new ?"
Here was Jed's opening, but his pluck
failed him for the instant.
"No, / dunno's they is. Less see.
Heow is that Tompl1iDs business comm
on2"
Tompkins was a pauper, over whose
care the towns Of Kingston and Warwick
were in litigation. Lawyer Edwards rep
resented Kingston in the matter, and
there had been negotiations looking
toward q settlement. Selectman Alden
was quite within his official province in
making the inquiry, but be did it simply
to lead up to the special subject in mind,
also to impress the lawyer with some
sense of obligation owed to him as the re-
tainer Of the Squire's services in this
matter Of importance.
"Nothin' new. Guess we'll have to
beat 'em out in court before we can
bring 'em to terms" replied the Squire,
rubbing his hands in anticipation OF hos
tilities. "No doubt about the final out
come, and they know it. Jest want to
blur Us out II they can"
"Less see" ventured Jed, as though
the idea had Just struck him, "hev yew
ever ben paid anything on account yit
for yewr work In this casef
"No," and Squire Edwards opened his
eyes. = It was unusual for town officials to
suggest pay to him. Nor was il his Gus
tom to SOLICIT until the service was fully
completed.
"Well, got the teown order book
here, and jest's soon give yew an order
fur twenty-five er 80, Is not, said Jed.
81 believe in payin' my bills as 60, and
seems to me the teown should do the
same. Here's yer dough- and he tors
from the book and handed the lawyer an
order for twenty-five dollars carefully
made out in advance, receiving receipt
IS voucher and the thanks Of Mr.. Ed
. wards.
! This paved the way-at least that wal
it's purpose-and Jed felt emboldeued Il
, ask,
"How's nolitics7"
| "Eh7'' The Squire pricked mp his ear
"Oh, not mnch doin' yet. Pretty early
seems to me. S'pose there'll be devil o
| wrastle later for the gov'norship, bu
that won't be a circumstances tc the row
that'll be on in the fall over the senator
ship" and the Squire's eyes fairl,
shone. s'But 30 far it's almighty dull
sort o. calm before the storm. guess"
Heard any talk yit about-about WHIT
is goin' toto represent Kingston p
: Jed's voice faltered little here.
"Why. no--er that Is, not lately.
J s'pose they'se two or three that's willin
! and some OF 'em = been waitin' q Ionl
: timsN, You heard anything about itf''
Jed Alden didn't reply until he has
] summoned all his courage. Then be said
. rather timidly, after all,
"Wel1. Pm told some Of my friends !
, anxious FIR me to run" Jed wasn't al
E old eampaigner, but this mild preyarica
; tion came easy. "S' posin' should con
clude to, what'd you dot II you feel lik
' it'd like your support, for I know
! 'twould help me q whole lot. guess
teown worse'n 'Biu' Pike done las
} time"
I Squire Edwards looked amused. not b
/. say pleased and gratifed, especially at tn
. reference to "Bill" Pike, for Edward
; had fought Pike unsuccessfully. and hal
: reioiced accordingly when Pike had tax
+ en- q stand Numerically opposed to tn
/ interests Of Kingston, and had been re
q buked by petition circulated BY Ed
r wards, and largely signed.
/ "Why, I do know, Alden" he said
t "You're likely young teller that's com
e in on all right, but whether you woul
: be in the runnin' fer this job this year
Q can't say. Tell you what-Pn lool
e round 9 little for you, il you want, an
size up the situation and let you knoV
b next tine you're down-in fortnight o
t so, anyway. Meantime you be thinkin
9 who you're for FIR gov'nor and who
your choice for senator, and let me kno'
q then"
d Jed's face probably reflected the disaT