The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1912-01-11

for him. l shan't make any speeches,
of course, but l shall drive around ask
ing everybody to vote for him.
shall begin with you right now"
And I pledge you my vote. There
must be some one running against him
on the Republican ticket. Do you
know him?"
NO, but Aunt Jane does. That is
she has seen him, and she writes me
that If villain was ever printed on a
mans face, it is on his. She says he
must be guilty of many crimes, and
that he ought to be showed under, ten
feet deep. l shall help to snow him
under"
Mr.. Burden laughed heartily and
good naturally and asked:
so you are going to find out how
many murders he has committed and
bring him to justice? That's right
Let no guilty man escape. It's rather
curious that he should have received
the nomination.
"Oh, he was nominated by the ma
chine. Papa says the machine can dc
anything. If the machine elects him
he will be expected to divvy, but he
won't be elected. Fred says he won'i
raise a hand, but wait till Aunt Jane
and I get to work"
"Well, if he is unworthy, hope you
will defeat him. At any rate. my vote
is pledged to you"
A week later Mr.. Burden met Miss
Winwood on the highway as she was
electioneering in her auto and halted
her to say:
Il presume you are out after votes
today?"
Yes, 1 am seeing the farmers one
by one," was the reply.
Then you are getting lots Of votes
for cousin Fred?"
We'll, l think so: but can't tell
When l tell people what a scoundre
Mr.. Burden is and that the machine
behind him intends to loot the county
treasury lots of them smile and DOM
say anything. That Is. some of then
have just the same as said they
couldn't believe it. If Fred would only
hunt up the mans record and make
some speeches and denounce him; bu
he won't do it,
And have you met the villain your
self YETI"
mo. 1 think he has heard that an
on his trail and he is keeping dark
Aunt Jane heard last night that II he
was elected he would try to raise hel
taxes so per cent. more, and she's
got an awful headache today. Goodby
l have won over three different mel
this afternoon. Please help me all yol
can"
The nominations had been made {
full month in advance. The county
papers were agreed that both tickets
carried excellent men. Carrying on
the policy of aunt Jane, Miss Bessie
sat down and wrote communication
to the Democratic organ praising vi
Fred and giving his opponent fits. bu
it was not published. Fred was pitchet
1 into dozen times day for his luke
warmness, but he refused to hustle
! He wouldn't even call the OtheT chal
horse thief and barn burner.
Three days before election, ant
while Miss Bessie was making wha
her father called whirlwind tour o
that part Of the country, she ran across
i Mr.. Burden again. He was Mr.. Badel
to her still. She was looking so elate'
that he felt compelled to ask:
We'll, is the machine-made villail
to be showed under?"
Hurled into obscurity for all tim
to GOMEZ" was her proud answer.
You don't mean it,"
But l do. We have what pap
calls cinch. His grave is alread,
| dug"
And you are one of the diggers?"
1--we dug most of it. Fred hasn'
stirred. and Aunt Jane won't kiss tn
farmers young 'uns. Oh, when pap,
hears how l have electioneered and al
about 1t, he'll say I'm fine"
! There was to be one more meetin,
and then long interval. 1t took plac
on the highway in the early evening
Miss Bessie had been carrying voter
to the polls in her auto all day, an
was now on her way home rejoicing
She waved her hand as she met MI
Burden, and was about to tell hin
the good news when a man came alon
in buggy and called cut:
Hello, Burden! They have finishe,
the count, and you are elected by owe
500 majority"
Burden-Burden!" gasped the cir
as she stared at the man.
Yes, Burden; butt kept my pledg
and voted for Fred"
1t took Mr.. Charles Burden jus
three months to get an interview witt
Miss Bessie Winwood, three month
more to get her forgiveness, and ST:
months in addition before he dare,
say:
That little word has made me tn
| happiest man in the whole world, an,
now to set the wedding day!"
E. T WHITEHEAD CO., GUARAN
TEE HYOMEI.