Aunt Jane's Nieces at Work
"I'll bet the bad man is scattering money in every
direction. It will cost something on our side to run this campaign in a
way to win."
The young man frowned.
"I don't mind spending money, Patsy," he said, "but I don't approve of
buying votes, and I won't allow it, either!"
"Tut-tut! Who said anything about buying votes? But we're going to work
on a broad and liberal basis, I assure you, and we need money."
"Spend all you like, then, so long as you don't try to corrupt the
voters."
"Very good. Now, then, how much land do you own at Elmhurst?"
Kenneth looked inquiringly at the lawyer.
"About twelve hundred acres," said Mr. Watson. "It is divided into small
farms which are let out on shares."
"How many votes do you control among your servants and tenants?"
proceeded Patsy, in a business-like tone.
"Perhaps thirty or forty."
"And what is the total vote of the district?"
"Thirty-five hundred."
Patsy gasped.
"So many?"
"Fully that many," said Mr. Watson, smiling.
"Then we've got to have over seventeen hundred and fifty votes to elect
Kenneth?"
"Exactly."
The girl drew a long breath and looked at Beth and Louise. Then they all
laughed.
"Suppose you resign as campaign managers," said Kenneth, beginning to be
amused.
"Oh, no! It's--it's easier than we expected. Isn't it, girls?"
"It's child's play," observed Louise, languidly.
The boy was astonished.
"Very well," said he. "Try it and see."
"Of course," said Patsy, cheerfully. "Tomorrow morning we begin work."
CHAPTER VI
A GOOD START
At an early breakfast next morning Patsy announced the program for the
day.
"Uncle John and I will drive over to the village," she said, "and
perhaps we'll be gone all day. Don't worry if we're not back for
luncheon. Louise and Mr. Watson are going in the phaeton to visit some
of the near-by farmers. Take one road, dear, and follow it straight
along, as far as it keeps within our legislative district, and visit
every farm-house on the way."
"The farmers will all be busy in the fields," said Kenneth.
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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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