Read on line
Listen on line
Main > Fairy tale > All authors > Frank Baum > Fairy tale "Aunt Jane's Nieces at Work"

Aunt Jane's Nieces at Work

"

The committee adjourned a little before two o'clock with rather grave

faces, and prepared to attend the debate at the Opera House. Mr.

Cunningham feared this debate would prove a mistake, as it would give

Hopkins a chance to ridicule and brow-beat his opponent in public, and

his greatest talent as a speaker lay in that direction.

As Kenneth and his supporters approached the Opera House they heard loud

cheering, and from a band-wagon covered with bunting and banners, in

which he had driven to the meeting, descended the Honorable Erastus. He

met Kenneth face to face, and the latter said pleasantly:

"Good afternoon, Mr. Hopkins."

"Ah, it's Forbes, isn't it?" replied Hopkins, slightingly. "I've met you

before, somewheres, haven't I?"

"You have, sir."

"Glad you're here, Forbes; glad you're here," continued the

Representative, airily, as he made his way through the crowd that

blocked the entrance. "These meetings are educational to young men.

Girls all well, I hope?"

There was a boisterous laugh at this sally, and Mr. Hopkins smiled and

entered the Opera House, while Kenneth followed with the feeling that he

would take great delight in punching the Honorable Erastus's nose at the

first opportunity.

The house was packed full of eager spectators who had come to see "the

fun." Although the girls had taken charge of all the arrangements they

had devoted the left side of the ample stage to the use of the Hopkins

party, where a speaker's table and chairs for important guests had been

placed. The right side was similarly arranged for the Forbes party, and

between the two the entire center of the stage was occupied by a group

of fifty young girls. Above this group a great banner was suspended,

reading: "The Signs of the Times," a catchword Mr. Hopkins had employed

throughout the campaign. But the most astonishing thing was the

appearance of the group of girls. They all wore plain white slips, upon

which a variety of signs had been painted in prominent letters. Some

costumes advertised baking-powders, others patent medicines, others

soaps, chewing tobacco, breakfast foods, etc.

Also read
Read
Iktomi's blanket
Category: Native American folktales
Read times: 22
Read
Read