Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1909-04-01


safe majority for Jenkins. You'll see it
will come out as / say"
Jed felt emboldened to joke with the |
mighty "Phi' Annis-P oohbah of Yer
mont politics.
"Yew got il right absout the Burton |
convention. know, but yew sot yeour
hggers ruther high. Didn't git the twen- |
ty-nine yaw said yew would tn night be-
fore.n
"Ah We were after results aud we
got them there. 1t isn't an easy matter
to give exact margins at big conventions,
but here, in this senatorship canvass, all
is plain sailing. / have personally seen
and received assurances from clear ma
iority of the joint assembly. You believe
me, Of course"
"Hain't no reason not tew. Ef you
want to know where / stand"
"Phi' certainly did. He wanted that
one vote very, very badly.
"Why," drawled Jed, letting his eye
rest on the big chart, 81 guess yew got
me draped abeout right there meow"
"But, Alden. you'll have to take sides,
one way or the other. Why not do it
nows Let me be the first to receive your
assurances. II you wish, l will agree to
keep it perfectly sub rosa. You shall
remain doubtful on the chart; known
/ only to me-"
"Mr. Annis," said Jed, with a good
deal of cold dignity. az got elected tew
con up here without any ID el of any
kind. Told 'em I'd do as saw ht when
time come. jest barely got here meow.
Hain't he'd no time ner chance tew decide
on this question, an hain't come tew no
judgment ont. Yew can't find oeut
what Pm goin' tew dew when time
comes, cause / don't know myself
neow."
"Phi'' saw 1t was no use, and fearing
lest be overdo the matter allowed Jed to
depart with the same cordial greeting he
received when he entered. After be had
gone, the astute politician shook his head
4 doubtfully and replaced the Screen over
his big map, leaving Kingston still black.
Next day was an eventful one. Gov
ernor Jenkins read his retiring message
before joint assembly of both Senate
and House in the morning and the new
governor, Hon. Prentiss Granger, re-
ceived the oath of Office and read bis in
augural message at another assembly in
the afternoon. 1t was quite day for the
political machine. Jenkins did his best
to produce a good impression for the ben
! eft it might be to him in the coming SEN
atorship contest. Granger beamed the
satisfaction be felt at securing the long
: coveted and dearly bought Office. The
two addresses, whether written by the re-
puted authors or others, were well re-
: ceived and passed into history as so many
others have.
That night Jed got chance to disport
himself in his new Prince Albert at the
! governors reception. He eased himself
into his trousers gently and by reduc-
ing his chest expansion managed the coat
; pretty we'll. The accessories, such as
I collar, tie and cuffs, bothered him a good
. deal, but by starting in early and work
D ing patiently he finally conquered and
stood ACQUIRED for the occasion. He
, walked gingerly to the capitol and took
I no chances of sudden disaster by making
s unusual movements. His attitude spell
= stiffness, but there were others as bad OF
worse, and Jed had no reason to feel that
! every eye was upon him, though he did
e feel that way the entire evening.
e It was q very gay and festive occasion
n The brilliantly lighted corridors and
Il chambers contained several hundred
d guests who came to pay their respects tc
e the old and the new governors, both o.
d whom, with their wives, received in ths
II executive chamber. A long line passeC
, in for this presentation, being met at thu
It door by the newly caparisoned staff Off
IS cials fairly smothered in gold braid. Jet
q thought the staff officer who asked hin
" his name was the governor himself. beinl
e somewhat bewildered by the new scene
and insisted on shaking hands with him
N The colonel finally got Jed under tow aft
le er being told that be was 'Mr. Kingston
d Of Alden, poor Jed even forgot his owl
is name for the moment-and he was pre-
lie scented to Governor Granger that way
A. But the governor, quite at ease, straight
l. ened it out.
N "You've got that twisted, Colonel - b
said. 81 know Mr.. Alden OF Kingston,
y and slapped him on the back.
ne "Governor's pootty good Teller,
as thought Jed. "Feels goods a stuffe
turkey tonight"
fe In turning from the receiving part '
it Jed, in careless instant, trod on the trai
of richly dressed woman and pinione
sp it to the carpet just as the lady started
lg with the result that there was distres:
in full ripping, q smothered shrek and
very angry woman in another instant.
r. "You boorl You've ruined my dres
it with your big cowhides. Shame o
you'll" she Kissed as she reached beyon
= the severed edges of the garment, gathel
W ed il up and skunk out.
"Gosnl I'm sorry, onereo JED, TOO lat
"Prob'ly I'll hev another big bill tew pa
vi now. Wal, ef she'd histed that dress U
be so't they was more ont on her shoulders
ed less on tn floor likes not wouldn't hs
i'm stepped ont"
1t spoiled what remained of Jed
~. chance to enjoy the evening and he d
parted early, preferring that the expects
arrest should occur at his boarding plai
rather than to have il an incident Of Il
ed governors reception
led On the following morning the Hou
adjourned until the next Monday afte
are noon and Jed, with most of the member
cir left for home, having started the whee
Of legislation. Jed carried that state q
red bill back with him aud really dreaded
meet people and explain that it was n
lily quite law yet.
to