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


game, couldn't see Why Mr.. EdHa ards
needed to stall him OF in this way. II
Edwards had asked him whom be was
for. be was sure be would have been able
to tell on the spot, and be would have
told. What difference did 1t make what
his chances were, as bearing on the
Squirrels own opinion Of his fitness, or
whether the lawyer would support him7
He wouldn't care q rap what others
thought about such things; II it were
someone else, be would have replied on
the spot, 'sTm for you" or ssIm not - or
at most he would merely have sought for
time enough to consider the question on
its real merits. What others might
think, or what q possible candidates
chances OF success might be, would not
influence him q particle. Jed didn't
know that the active politician moves
cautiously always, and never wastes
time or effort in seeking to fasten his
chariot to the stars. He ties to q winner,
II possible to fix upon him.
But while Jed revolved these queries in
his mind, be said nothing of them.
When, in following the Squire's deft dis
course, be arrived at the lawyers remark
concerning his preference for governor
and senator, he thought II fitting to in
quire:-
whats the situation in this state biz
Miss? Who's mp fur guv'nor3''
"Well, you see, replied the Squire, visi-
bly, pleased by Mr.. Alden's interest,
''they's two in the field already. Pm f'r
Prentiss Granger. He's q railroad man
used to be president Of the Overstate, but
got out when the road changed bands q
couple years sgo. He's q darned good
fellow and free with his money. He's
got lots o. dough and he's bound to win
the gov'norship. He stands ready to
she'll out handsome to those that work
we'll FIR him. They're putin up sharp
light against him, but he's sure to win, for
he's got the machine back OF him, or
most Of it, and has organized in about
every town. His man, Whittier, was here
t'other day to see me and got some OF
our fellers together and we laid pipes
that'll make Kingston Granger town all
right"
The Squire was voluble-too voluble
for successful politician. He had
spoiled many welI-laid plan by giving
It away IN advance, under the impulse of
confident enthusiasm.
"Who's t'other cannidate-you said
they was two7" inquired Jed.
III NC = lIaD noAAtr4 null ODEuIEIt
a young law sprig that lives down in
Westmont. Nobody ever heard Of him
before. much of any. He's capitalizin'
the feelin' there is against the railroad man
in politics, but it won't work. Besides,
he lacks the wherewithal to put up q win
ming fight, for it takes money to get up
in politics. But, between us, I'm glad
he's up, for he's got the Granger folks
some worried and before they're through
they'll knock in the head OF q big bar.
reI.n
Whereupon the Squire rubbed his
hands and smiled. Then be went on -
snow IL you are goin' to run FIR town
representative you,I have to declare your.
self on the gov'norship. It's goin' to be
hot, and our crowd will dght all along
the line. Nobody will get place as jus
tice OF the peace, even. who isn't with
us--if we win-and t'other crowd " ia dc
same. SOFT whoever is elected representa-
tive will be either q Granger man or {
Spencer man. / advise you to train with
Us fellows IL you want TO win"
Jed unused q moment. SHOW aboul
the senatorship3" be pursued.
tOh, that'll come up too. It's abou
the same lineup, with different leaders
Gov'nor Jenkins, that Is, wants to go 4
the Senate. in place Of the present incum
bent, Judge Emery. who was pointed 4
al a vacancy. Jenkins and Granger'l
pull together sure enough, and / 'spos
the Emery and Spencer folks'n pool is
sues, too. It's bound to be hot from nov
out. You know, course, the senator i
/ elected by the legislature, and ever,
man'H have to take bis stand on tina
question, too. ! reckon Jenkins vii
beat Emery, but it's too early to sa,
yet, and good deal III depend on how
t'other fight comes out. 4"
"pm 'bleeged Z ye fur givin' me thes
p'inters," said Alden, politely. 81 dunn
much bout politics and s'posed all q mai
bed to do to get 'lscted vas to suit hi
/ own teown folks, without mixin' ~
) eoutside. But / low you know NOR
bout these things N do. I'll thank v
II yen keep track o. the game fur me an
let me know il ys hear anything. fee
sure, he added, discreetly, 81 shin meet
yewr help 4 c'nclude to g'win."
"Well, I'll watch out for you and advis
! you to the best of my ability" agreed tn
: lawyer, visibly pleased by the deferenc
shown him. Personally. I'd like might,
} welt to see go you-and il may be al
right-it may be. mind you-fur you Z try
AllHo II t11A. ~ , E4tncH cAItI lcAs
, They parted here, Jed in an uncertain
frame OF mind from the Squire's rattle
non-committaI attitude. But despite hi
} newness to the political game he right.
} concluded that Lawyer Edwards, 0
) Boss Edwards, as his local political op
] ponents styled him, had interests in th
: approaching election that quite out
E weighed the mere turn Of events in tn
: local aifuafion He had clearly bee
commissioned by the Granger-Jenkin
combination to swing Kingston's vote 70
, them in the coming great contest, and al
: else was secondary. The lawyers deci
] sion as to Jed's candidacy would hing
/ altogether on whether be. Jed, joine'
( that faction, and in case he did, whethe
! be would be the best vote getter when tn
' test came.
CHAPTER III.
8 No town is so small but that it sur
: ports two active political factions when
ever there is a possibility Of q contest