Aunt Jane's Nieces at Work

Hopkins was thoroughly

cally he was big and stout, with a florid face and small eyes that blinked

imposing; he had a big diamond shirt-stud, and upon his puffy fingers several rings. He conveyed, nevertheless, the impression

as naturally unscrupulous in smaller things of a business nature. But since he had risen from a stable-boy to his present affluent position he had never been unw

usurped the position of Democratic leader in his community and the others were afraid to antagonize him openly. When he was nominated for Representative he managed to dictate, by shrewd methods, the nomination of Thompson, the store-keeper, on the Republican ticke

lt that "all was over but the shouting" and that he would "win in a walk." Had it been an issue between the personality of the two men, Hopkins would have had little chance of success; but young Forbes had alr

saying that the young man demanded that the signs be taken off the Zodiac, and

"The Signs of the Times vs. Aristocratic Snobbery. Vote for t

s's expense. All this was soon realized at Elmhurst, and had the effect of plunging the youthful aspirant fo

gon to the noon train. It was signed by John Merrick, and the boy was overjoyed at the prospect of seeing his jolly old

Kenneth, cheerfully, to Mr. Watson. "The sight

because the boy had become discouraged so early in the game. Kenneth felt keenly the hum

fford relief to the situation and brighten the dullness of life at the big house. So bo

girls, alighting eagerly from the coaches, with Uncle John handing out the grips and packa

at his eager delight. "Are you glad to see us, boy?

n you see the pile of baggage. You'd think these minxes were prepared

at way. His sensitive face had not be

merrily they drove the five miles to Elmhurst,

d dahlias visited and admired, and after all this they returned to their rooms with old Martha, the housekeeper, and proceeded to unpack their trunks and get settled. Kenneth had been their guide and companion in these various explorations, but when the gi

dinner that evening, and the boy forgot his troubles and

mselves around the fireplace, a sudden change took place in the demeanor of the

the camp

gn?" he stammer

business. Tell us ab

d the boy, red and distressed. "I

asked Lou

sn't interest m

e of election?"

know," he declared, scowling at t

dly enough to give up?"

at, Patsy Doyle?" he as

e man doesn't know when he's

d at her

s jeers, and-and it hurts me. I don't like to be beaten. I'd fight to the last gasp, if I had any show to win. But these conditions, which I foolishly but honestly brought about

often. For we girls have come down here to electione

neer?"-a slight sm

here to brace up

," added Be

Legislature where you b

rned to Mr

m, Uncle Joh

vinced me that they mean business. It's all up with you,

eyes f

And-and I appreciate it all-very much. But Mr. Watson will tel

" inquired Uncle John,

d drew his chair into the circle. "To begin with, Kenneth visited the glen one day

erous!" excl

h managed to buy up the spaces and then he scrubbed away the signs. By that time he had come to detest the unsig

aid Patsy, noddi

adway because the sympathies o

Kenneth sat inwardly groaning at th

in the same way. In some places a sign-board has been built in their yards or fields, advertising medicines or groceries or tobacco. In other words, our country roads and country homes have become mere advertising mediums to proclaim

a stone wall," added the you

id Patsy, decidedly. "Such thi

ink differentl

eople to a different way of

hree

f we get to work. Isn't

ut Mr. Hopkins, his opponent, has used this very thing to arouse public sentiment against him. Farmers around here are

odded g

erious than we expected, and more difficult. But we came here to

sy," replied her uncle. "Bu

lishness," de

. I know our country people, and they are more intelligent than you suppose. Once

Ken, we become your campaign managers. Don't worry any more about the matter. Go on with your painting

ermit this, Uncle J

y with the girls, Ken,

h they will subject themselves! I've

this district!" exclaimed Patsy. "Don't you worry ab

e counties-Monroe, Washing

ounty i

nro

cit

istrict. Fairview, just across the border in

u an aut

. I've always loved horses a

y are you prep

s that?" he ask

sy, wisely. "I'll bet the bad man is scattering money in every direction.

ng man

he said, "but I don't approve of buyin

s? But we're going to work on a broad and lib

, so long as you don't tr

n, how much land do

d inquiringly

r. Watson. "It is divided into small

g your servants and tenants?" proce

thirty

e total vote of

-five h

y ga

ma

ny," said Mr.

r seventeen hundred and fif

act

and looked at Beth and Lou

paign managers," said Kenn

asier than we expect

ay," observed Lo

was as

said he. "Try

, cheerfully. "Tomorrow