The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1910-05-11
1DssssSesseesssosssssS0 Observation-Disclosures
The Member and the Mink. |
NDsseeeooe BY EMERlc HULME sEAMAN. eoessooca~

ut was rash statement, l admit"
| conceded the Hon. Algernon, signing.
But how could possibly see the far
| reaching results of such an innocent
expression of opinion? Men are but
shortsighted creatures at best.
Are you quite determined on this
fateful course?"
"oh, quite" said the Mink care
lessly.
Then" observed the candidate,
with a tragic gesture of despair, "our
cause is lost-utterly lost!" He
shook his head reproachfully at the
Mink and sighed again. TITS really
too bad of you," he added, "just as
we are beginning to feel so confident
Of victory"
"It's entirely your own fault" she
explained; land hope it may prove a
lesson to you not to make rude re-
marks about me in future"
Il am sure" replied the Hon.
Algernon penitently, that it will"
The Mink, true to her word, COM
menced her campaign in the interests
of the Liberal cause the following
morning, by calling upon the wife of
prominent local politician belong
ing to that party, whom she knew.
1--WE come to help you canvass"
she announced to the astonished lady,
pressing her hand with q sweet smile.
Help me canvass?" repeated the
other, taken aback. "But / thought
we all imaginative quite under
stood that-that, in fact, you were
eng-I mean, that you were a stanch
supporter of Mr.. Faringford?
"oh, that's all right" replied the
Mink airily. 1--WE changed nay opin-
ions, and want the Liberals to get
| in"
"C-oh!" The slightly drawn out
infection was discreetly significant,
suggesting at the same time a subtle
comprehension Of motives and a
prudent resolve not to probe too far.
I'm that case, of course, we shall be
delighted to have your assistance. l
am visiting one OF the outlying dis
tricts in my motor car presently.
Would you care to come, too?"
The invitation happening to coin
eide with the Minxs other arrange
ments, she accepted it, and found the
experience agreeably stimulating.
Some of these country people are
very stupid" she remarked on the
homeward drive. They don't seem
to grasp facts, do they?"
"They grasp facts well enough"
her companion dissented, "but they
usually grasp the wrong ones"
This statement made the Mink
thoughtful for several minutes, after
which she said trife irrelevantly.
"You mean that You think he'll get
in?"
81 hope so, dear" replied the
matron, alluding to the Liberal candi-
date; "but we shall have very hard
fight for it; the Conservatives are
fearfully strong down here, you
know"
The answer seemed to satisfy the
Mink, for she leaned back with little
smile. During the next few days the
electioneering fever took hold of her,
and she found canvassing much
more exhilarating pastime than rink
ing or bridge. She conscientiously
read the political literature provided
for her by the Liberal ladies, and in
order to preserve an unbiased out
look perused the columns of Con-
servative paper daily. Thus fortified
she felt herself equal to discussing
the most complicated political issues
with the most recalcitrant voters, and
at the end of each day registered the
results of her efforts in little Russia
leather notebook, which she triumph.
antly exhibited to the Hon. Algernor
when he next called.
81 got six dear old laborers tc
promise to vote for Mr.. Clump to-
day." she announced joyously-Mr
Clump being the Liberal candidate foi
the division.
"Hum!" commented Mr.. Faring
ford, stroking his mustache. II was
afraid we should have no chance once
you began to go on the warpath.
What arguments did you EN-
ploy, by the way? Did you point out
to these intelligent sons of toll the un
speakable disadvantages of fiscal re
adjustment, or did you dwell merely
on the blessings of an unlimited sup
ply of beer?"
| Both, of course" replied the Min!
promptly, though they were muci
@essseoos seoe seeesses