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Aunt Jane's Nieces at Work
The boy looked at him eagerly.
"Are you sure?" he asked.
"I am positive," was the answer. "It is merely a question of privilege."
"And you think we might hire Hopkins to pass such a law?"
"No; we couldn't trust him."
"Then what do you propose?"
"I'll think it over, my lad, and let you know."
Then he walked away, leaving Kenneth much pleased with the idea he had
advanced. Indeed, he was so much interested in the suggestion that he
himself referred to the subject at the first opportunity.
"I don't like to be beaten, sir, once I've undertaken to do a thing," he
said. "So if such a law can be passed I'll do all I can to elect the man
who will pass it."
"I thought as much," the old lawyer replied, smiling. "But there's only
one man who could go to the legislature with enough influence to win the
votes to carry such a unique measure through."
"And who is that, sir?"
"Kenneth Forbes, the owner of Elmhurst, and the largest taxpayer in the
county."
"Me, sir?"
"You're the man."
"A State Representative?"
"It's an honorable office. It's an important office, properly filled.
You might not only beautify your district by having those objectionable
signs prohibited, but do many other things to better the condition of
the farmers. And that isn't all."
"What's the rest, Mr. Watson?"
"You owe something to yourself, lad. All your young life you've been too
self-contained and exclusive in your habits. 'The noblest study of
mankind is man.' It would broaden you to go into politics for a time,
and do much to develop your character and relieve the monotony of your
existence."
Kenneth frowned.
"It won't be easy, you know. It'll be a fight, and a hard one, for
Hopkins won't give up his job if he can help it."
The boy brightened again.
"I like a good fight," he said, wistfully. "If I thought--if I believed
I could fill the position with credit--I might undertake it."
"I'll answer for that," retorted the old man, highly pleased with his
easy victory. "You win the fight, Ken, and I'll guarantee you'll
outclass the majority of your fellow Representatives.
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There was once an honest journeyman tailor, by name Labakan, who learned his trade with an excellent master in Alexandria. It could not be said that Labakan was unhandy with the needle; on the contrary, he could make excellent work: moreover, one would have done him injustice to have called him lazy. Nevertheless, his companions knew not what to make of him, for he would often sew for hours together so rapidly that the needle would glow in his hand, and the thread smoke, and that none could equal him.
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