Aunt Jane's Nieces at Work

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"That's bad," said Hopkins, shifting uneasily, "for I haven't much to

spend, myself. But most money is fooled away in politics. When I spend a

cent it counts, I can tell you."

"You'll have to spend some, 'Rast, to keep your end up. I'm glad you're

back, for we Democrats have been getting demoralized. Some of the boys

are out for Forbes already."

Hopkins nodded, busy with his thoughts.

"I've talked with Latham. But he didn't count. And they've bought up

Thompson. What else they've done I can't tell yet. But one thing's

certain, Doc; we'll win out in a canter. I'm too old a rat to be caught

in a trap like this. I've got resources they don't suspect."

"I believe you, 'Rast. They've caught on to the outside fakes to win

votes; but they don't know the inside deals yet."

"You're right. But I must make a bluff to offset their daylight

campaign, so as not to lose ground with the farmers. They're the ones

that count, after all; not the town people. See here, Doc, I had an idea

something might happen, and so I arranged with my breakfast food company

to let me paint a hundred signs in this neighborhood. A hundred, mind

you! and that means a big laugh on Forbes, and the good will of the

farmers who sell their spaces, and not a cent out of my pocket. How's

that for a checkmate?"

"That's fine," replied Dr. Squiers. "There's been considerable talk

about this sign business, and I'm told that at the meeting last night

one of the girls made a speech about it, and said the farmers were being

converted, and were now standing out for clean fences and barns."

"That's all humbug!"

"I think so, myself. These people are like a flock of sheep. Get them

started a certain way and you can't head them off," observed the

dentist.

"Then we must start them our way," declared Hopkins. "I've got the order

for these signs in my pocket, and I'll have 'em painted all over the

district in a week. Keep your eyes open, Doc. If we've got to fight we

won't shirk it; but I don't look for much trouble from a parcel of

girls.

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