Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1909-03-04

there yourself this afternoon and clear
out before morning. Stop at the bank
on your way to the deepo and get this
check eashed In nice, temptin' lookin'
bills. Don't bring any OF II back here,
out u Kingston goes for Spencer you'll
hunt new job quick. Git outl''
The Squire and his party made up their
ticket that evening and before they I'm
ished Whittier dropped in on them,
called the Squire into the back room,
held an earnest conversation with him
and when the Squire left that night he
was careful, very careful, 10 lock GER
tain drawer in his desk.
Jed Alden had "ben 'tendin' his knit
tin" as he expressed it, for fortnight
catching up his neglected farm work.
With Niles steady help, the early hoeing
had been nearly finished. Mrs. Alden
really hogan TO entertain hopes that she
would see the old Jed once more, as he
used to be. But there was method in
Jed's course. Abating nothing in his
ambition, he found il the part OF wisdom
to seelude himself until this present local
storm over the governorship had spent it,
self. Though counted as OF the Granger
party, Jed had little interest in the affair,
regarding 1t as quite secondary to the one
so near his heart. He found il impossi-
bic to electioneer in his own behalf now.
The question inevitably brought up the
more immediate one. II frequently EN-
barnsed him, too, and once or twice
when be had ventured to express q rather
weak opinion the other parties had re-
torted sharply and he had not thought
best to follow with plea for himself. In
short, Jed was hedging, for the time be-
ing.
He was surprised, on reaching the Cen
ter Saturday afternoon, to find his name
on the list OF delegates for Granger. Had
II been possible then be would have had
1t stricken of. But it was too late. Hun
dreds OF the printed tickets we're scattered
about for the voters to examine. Squire
Edwards headed the ticket, and the
others were well known men in town
committed to the Granger side, who
could be depended upon in any emer-
gency.
The Spencer people had a ticket, also,
which Wilkie Reynolds and his aides
were industriously peddliug. Walter,
the merchant, headed it, but Wilkie him
self did not appear thereon. The voters
commonly took one ballot OF each kind as
they entered the caucus hall and looked
them over.
A "slate'' had been prepared by the
town committee acceptable to both sides
so there was no contest over the officers
Deacon Greene, a nice old gentleman
served as chairman and Arthur Williams
clerk in ELEPHANTS store, as secretary
II was voted that the six delegates tC
be chosen should be elected by ballot
and that the box should be open unit
four clock. Balloting then began, tn,
voters crowding up and joking eaef
other. All did not take the matter Al
seriously as did Squire Edwards, Wilki'
4 Reynolds and their near lieutenants.
"Ah, Jones, glad to see you" TIT
Squire addressed a weakened old man Al
ne approached. know you'll vot,
right the Squire whispered as Jone
ambled past.
"Yew bet WILL" responded Jones
unfolding a Spencer ticket to the dis
I turbed gaze Of the Squire.
"Said he wus glad tew see me" re
marked Jones to a companion Of the sam
sort as they iourneyed up to the box
"Why, say, the Squire hain't ben abl
I tew see me a'tall since last lection. Gla'
u tew see me. haw, hawr
4 The Granger ticket, either by acciden
or design, was printed on tinted paper
and the Squire had no great difficulty il
detecting the fact soon that the result
would be very close. He withdrew frou
his observation point moment, scrih
bled q note and handed ii to his son
John, a lad OF sixteen, who left the hall
The note read
slt must be done"
soon after the polls opened, a stead
stream of conveyances began to roll up /
the hall door, bringing aged, iufirm an
crippled voters, as well as many husk
man who enjoyed the ride to town an
the cigars he so ofheiously pulled. SoEi
OF the cripples were well-nigh bedridden
others so feeble they could not wal
without the kindly supporting arm OF
stalwart companion, no made sure tbs
mis- charge deposited q ballot OF the RICH
kind as be was tenderly conducted to tn
box. Real touching it was to witness tn
respect paid age and infirmity on this o.
casion.
|. The squire's party were the more activ
in bringing in this class of voters an
Wnkie Reynolds began to be nettled.
"Whar do all these lame, halt an blin
come from, Wilkie 2" asked Lieutenant
Didn't know we he'd so many liz
corpses in teown."
"why, hain't ye heard7" aske
wilkie, in a loud voice. esquire ser
Peters over to Slab City graveyard tn
! mornin' an he's ben diggin' 'em al
, Got row laid clear long south fene'
Rest'll be brought over soon's they dry.
/ Big teams, carryalls and buggies tie
} everywh here, at the Squire's command
J conveying tardy or negligent vote
! whose absence his quick eye had note'
Things began to look better, but by y
means assuring.
, WiIkie Reynolds pinned much faith O
! his friends at the Slab City lumber mil
! and 0obbin shop. q large squad OF who
had promised to see him through tn
time. as they had so many times betor
J These had not yet arrived at the hall, b
were expected by teams shortly. WIKI
knew that IL they did not fail him
) would probably win out, though by
! narrow margin. Had he suspected Il
: danger OF the moment he would ha'
I been waiting outside for them, instead