Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1909-03-18

better'n bein' stripped by a lot o. per-
litical skunks. l guess Edua'n jump
over the ridge pole ef Pm ever oeut o.
this here bizness. Says Pm crosser'n a
nest o. snakes nowadays. Well, a week
from Tuesday'll tell tn story"
The approaching trial of WiIkie Rev
nolds, too, had an influence in shaping
the contest at Freeman's meeting. The
large element that stood with WiIkie.
and wanted to see a light sentence i'm
posed on him. supported Or. Fnlss to
man. They argued that it would favor
ably affect his case to show the sentiment
in Kingston that way. Squire Edwards.
determined to visit stern justice on the
slayer Of his son, had not taken sides
openly as between Alden and Daniels.
but was working hard to compass Fales'
defeat. Neither of these candidates pro-
posed to go on record about the REYNOLDS
case, and found it easy to justify them
selves.
"What's that got teW dew with oeur
town fight, I'D like tew knowP,' de-
msnded Jed. "Let tn court say whether
WiIkie should hang er not. Pootty soon
they'll be tryin' 'tew drag in the
BabeOck test er the surory borealis. NV
platforms same as ever-Jed Alden; take
i'm or leave i'm"
II was pretty certain that Kingston,s
election this year would be "on the
square," The loose methods and open
bribery that characterized the May caucus
would not be repeated. That noisome
affair was still too fresh in mind. The
ballot law, too, prevented sneh things
IN large measure. There was bound to
be the usual electioneering, the cartiug In
OF decrepit voters by interested parties
and the straining Of every nerve to win.
Certain Legitimate" expenses of this
kind. such as paying voters for their
time, settling their travelling expenses.
team hire, etc, had vet to be added to
Jed's already long campaign account. II
made him vince, but his blood was M
now and he drew heavily on his remain
ing bank deposit for the final squirt.
"Means no new barn right orr he
ruetully thought. "Them that dance
must pay tn fiddler"
Jed had carefully mapped out his plans
for election day and almost before dawn
be started teams out to bring in his voters.
AT the polls he had several watchful
friends to see that all went right. He
donned his checked suit, carefully
brushed his hair, polished his shoes and
drove from home early, quite buoyed up
BY the imminence OF the crisis.
&c 'dbye, Edna, heow dew I IookP
Fit tew represent Kingston?n
"few look ell right, Jed, an hope
yeW win. but don't be disappointed ef
yew don't, for yew know they's three
OF ye an only one place tew ELL. Call
me up soon's view know I'll be on
tenderhooks till it's over
Eyes, l will. Be sure Miles starts in
season to vote. Box closes at 5. CD
Bye
Like most Vermont towns, Kingston
was overw helmingly Republican. The
Democrats would not number over fifty.
but as matter Of party principle they
always 'put upn man for town repre-
sentative, who received a complimentary
vote on the first ballot, after which, if
other ballots followed, they scattered.
each going to the Republican candidate
that suited him best. In this wsv.
when the fight was close, the Democrats
counted as much as Republicans, and
their support was eagerly sought. Jed
had strong hopes Of rallving his fuIl
share OF Democrats, il there were no
choice on first ballot The Democrats
had little interest in the senatorial issue
and be stood well with them personally.
With four candidates in the field. and
majority required, few expected a
choice to be made on the first ballot. In
deed, 50 strong were the rival claims. the
leader could not be named ia advance.
There had been no Republican caucus.
and the candidates had all been "hled
i'm by petition.
As the hour OF approached, after a
strenuous day that saw every available
vote in Kingston polled, there was the
keenest interest in the outcome. Voters
packed the town hall, awaiting the
declaration Of the ballot II was $50
before the constable pounded for order
and announced it:-
Whole number OF votes. All