第7章

Gallagherthenext，andPeteGloversoldhardwareononesideofthestoreandAlfMcNicholsoldpaintontheother。YousoonrealizedtoothatoneofthenewspaperswasConservativeandtheotherwasLiberal，andthattherewasaLiberaldrugstoreandaConservativedrugstore，andsoon。

Similarlyroundelectiontime，theMariposaHousewastheLiberalHotel，andtheContinentalConservative，thoughMr。Smith’splace，wheretheyalwaysputonacoupleofextrabartenders，waswhatyoumightcallIndependent—Liberal—Conservative，withadashofImperialismthrownin。Mr。Gingham，theundertaker，was，asanaturaleffectofhiscalling，anadvancedLiberal，butatelectiontimehealwaysengagedaspecialassistantforembalmingConservativecustomers。

Sonow，Ithink，youunderstandsomethingofthegeneralpoliticalsurroundingsofthegreatelectioninMissinabaCounty。

JohnHenryBagshawwasthesittingmember，theLiberalmember，forMissinabaCounty。

TheLiberalscalledhimtheoldwarhorse，andtheoldbattle—axe，andtheoldchargerandtheoldchampionandallsortsofthingsofthatkind。TheConservativescalledhimtheoldjackassandtheoldarmymuleandtheoldboozefighterandtheoldgrafterandtheoldscoundrel。

JohnHenryBagshawwas，Isuppose，oneofthegreatestpoliticalforcesintheworld。Hehadflowingwhitehaircrownedwithafedorahat，andasmoothstatesmanlikefacewhichitcostthecountrytwenty—fivecentsadaytoshave。

AltogethertheDominionofCanadahadspentovertwothousanddollarsinshavingthatfaceduringthetwentyyearsthatBagshawhadrepresentedMissinabaCounty。Buttheresulthadbeenwellworthit。

Bagshawworealongpoliticalovercoatthatitcostthecountrytwentycentsadaytobrush，andbootsthatcosttheDominionfifteencentseverymorningtoshine。

Butitwasmoneywellspent。

BagshawofMariposawasoneofthemostrepresentativemenoftheage，andit’snowonderthathehadbeenreturnedforthecountyforfiveelectionsrunning，leavingtheConservativesnowhere。Justthinkhowrepresentativehewas。HeownedtwohundredacresoutontheThirdConcessionandkepttwomenworkingonitallthetimetoprovethathewasapracticalfarmer。

TheysentinfathogstotheMissinabaCountyAgriculturalExpositionandtheWorld’sFaireveryautumn，andBagshawhimselfstoodbesidethepigpenswiththejudges，andworeapairofcorduroybreechesandchewedastrawallafternoon。AfterthatifanyfarmerthoughtthathewasnotproperlyrepresentedinParliament，itshowedthathewasanass。

Bagshawownedahalfshareintheharnessbusinessandaquartershareinthetanneryandthatmadehimabusinessman。HepaidforapewinthePresbyterianChurchandthatrepresentedreligioninParliament。Heattendedcollegefortwosessionsthirtyyearsago，andthatrepresentededucationandkepthimabreastwithmodernscience，ifnotaheadofit。Hekeptalittleaccountinonebankandabigaccountintheother，sothathewasarichmanorapoormanatthesametime。

AddtothatthatJohnHenryBagshawwasperhapsthefinestoratorinMariposa。That，ofcourse，issayingagreatdeal。Therearespeakersthere，lotsofthemthatcantalktwoorthreehoursatastretch，buttheoldwarhorsecouldbeatthemall。TheysaythatwhenJohnHenryBagshawgotwellstarted，sayafteracoupleofhoursoftalk，hecouldspeakasPericlesorDemosthenesorCiceronevercouldhavespoken。

YoucouldtellBagshawahundredyardsoffasamemberoftheHouseofCommons。Heworeapepper—and—saltsuittoshowthathecamefromaruralconstituency，andheworeabroadgoldwatch—chainwithdanglingsealstoshowthathealsorepresentsatown。YoucouldseefromhisquietlowcollarandwhitetiethathiselectoratewereaGodfearing，religiouspeople，whilethehorseshoepinthatheworeshowedthathiselectoratewerenotwithoutsportinginstinctsandknewahorsefromajackass。

Mostofthetime，JohnHenryBagshawhadtobeatOttawa（thoughhepreferredthequietofhisfarmandalwaysleftit，ashesaid，withasigh）。IfhewasnotinOttawa，hewasinWashington，andofcourseatanytimetheymightneedhiminLondon，sothatitwasnowonderthathecouldonlybeinMariposaabouttwomonthsoftheyear。

Thatiswhyeverybodyknew，whenBagshawgotofftheafternoontrainonedayearlyinthespring，thattheremustbesomethingveryimportantcomingandthattherumoursaboutanewelectionmustbeperfectlytrue。

Everythingthathedidshowedthis。Hegavethebaggagemantwenty—fivecentstotakethecheckoffhistrunk，the’busdriverfiftycentstodrivehimuptotheMainStreet，andhewentintoCallahan’stobaccostoreandboughttwoten—centcigarsandtookthemacrossthestreetandgavethemtoMalloryTompkinsoftheTimes—HeraldasapresentfromthePrimeMinister。

Allthatafternoon，BagshawwentupanddowntheMainStreetofMariposa，andyoucouldsee，ifyouknewthesignsofit，thattherewaspoliticsintheair。Heboughtnailsandputtyandglassinthehardwarestore，andharnessintheharnessshop，anddrugsinthedrugstoreandtoysinthetoyshop，andallthethingslikethatthatareneededforabigcampaign。

ThenwhenhehaddoneallthishewentoverwithMcGinnistheLiberalorganizerandMalloryTompkins，theTimes—Heraldman，andGingham（thegreatIndependent—Liberalundertaker）tothebackparlourintheMariposaHouse。

YoucouldtellfromthewayJohnHenryBagshawclosedthedoorbeforehesatdownthathewasinaprettyseriousframeofmind。

"Gentlemen，"hesaid，"theelectionisacertainty。We’regoingtohaveabigfightonourhandsandwe’vegottogetreadyforit。"

"Isitgoingtobeonthetariff？"askedTompkins。"Yes，gentlemen，I’mafraiditis。Thewholethingisgoingtoturnonthetariffquestion。Iwishitwereotherwise。Ithinkitmadness，butthey’rebentonit，andwegottofightitonthatline。Whytheycan’tfightitmerelyonthequestionofgraft，"continuedtheoldwarhorse，risingfromhisseatandwalkingupanddown，"Heavenonlyknows。I

warnedthem。Iappealedtothem。Isaid，fightthethingongraftandwecanwineasy。Takethisconstituency，——whynothavefoughtthethingoutonwhetherIspenttoomuchmoneyonthetownwharforthepost—office？Whatbetterissuescouldamanwant？LetthemclaimthatIamcrookedandletmeclaimthatI’mnot。Surelythatwasgoodenoughwithoutdragginginthetariff。Butnow，gentlemen，tellmeaboutthingsintheconstituency。Isthereanytalkyetofwhoistorun？"

MalloryTompkinslightedupthesecondofhisPrimeMinister’scigarsandthenansweredforthegroup："EverybodysaysthatEdwardDroneisgoingtorun。""Ah！"saidtheoldwarhorse，andtherewasjoyuponhisface，"ishe？Atlast！That’sgood，that’sgood——nowwhatplatformwillherunon？"

"Independent。""Excellent，"saidMr。Bagshaw。"Independent，that’sfine。Onaprogrammeofwhat？"

"Justsimplehonestyandpublicmorality。"

"Comenow，"saidthemember，"that’ssplendid：thatwillhelpenormously。Honestyandpublicmorality！Theverything！IfDronerunsandmakesagoodshowing，wewinforacertainty。Tompkins，youmustlosenotimeoverthis。Can’tyoumanagetogetsomearticlesintheotherpapershintingthatatthelastelectionwebribedallthevotersinthecounty，andthatwegaveoutenoughcontractstosimplypervertthewholeconstituency。Implythatwepouredthepublicmoneyintothiscountyinbucketsfulandthatweareboundtodoitagain。

LetDronehaveplentyofmaterialofthissortandhe’lldrawoffeveryhonestunbiassedvoteintheConservativeparty。

"Myonlyfearis，"continuedtheoldwarhorse，losingsomeofhisanimation，"thatDronewon’trunafterall。He’ssaiditsooftenbeforeandneverhas。Hehasn’tgotthemoney。Butwemustseetothat。Gingham，youknowhisbrotherwell;youmustworkitsothatwepayDrone’sdepositandhiscampaignexpenses。ButhowlikeDroneitistocomeoutatthistime！"

ItwasindeedverylikeEdwardDronetoattemptsomisguidedathingastocomeoutanIndependentcandidateinMissinabaCountyonaplatformofpublichonesty。ItwasjustthesortofthingthatanyoneinMariposawouldexpectfromhim。

EdwardDronewastheRuralDean’syoungerbrother，——youngMr。Drone，theyusedtocallhim，yearsago，todistinguishhimfromtherector。

Hewasasomewhatweakercopyofhiselderbrother，withasimple，inefficientfaceandkindblueeyes。EdwardDronewas，andalwayshadbeen，afailure。Intraininghehadbeen，onceuponatime，anengineerandbuiltdamsthatbrokeandbridgesthatfelldownandwharvesthatftoatedawayinthespringfloods。Hehadbeenamanufacturerandfailed，hadbeenacontractorandfailed，andnowlivedameagrelifeasasortofsurveyororlandexpertongoodnessknowswhat。

InhispoliticalideasEdwardDronewasand，aseverybodyinMariposaknew，alwayshadbeencrazy。HeusedtocomeuptotheautumnexercisesatthehighschoolandmakespeechesabouttheancientRomansandTitusManliusandQuintusCurtiusatthesametimewhenJohnHenryBagshawusedtomakeaspeechabouttheMapleLeafandaskforanextrahalfholiday。Droneusedtotelltheboysaboutthelessonstobelearnedfromthelivesofthetrulygreat，andBagshawusedtotalktothemaboutthelessonslearnedfromthelivesoftheextremelyrich。DroneusedtosaythathisheartfilledwheneverhethoughtofthesplendidpatriotismoftheancientRomans，andBagshawsaidthatwheneverhelookedoutoverthiswideDominionhisheartoverflowed。

EventheyoungestboyintheschoolcouldtellthatDronewasfoolish。Noteventheschoolteacherswouldhavevotedforhim。

"WhatabouttheConservatives？"askedBagshawpresently;"isthereanytalkyetastowhothey’llbringout？"GinghamandMalloryTompkinslookedatoneanother。Theywerealmostafraidtospeak。

"Hadn’tyouheard？"saidGingham;"they’vegottheirmanalready。"

"Whoisit？"saidBagshawquickly。"They’regoingtoputupJoshSmith。"

"GreatHeaven！"saidBagshaw，jumpingtohisfeet;"Smith！thehotelkeeper。"

"Yes，sir，"saidMr。Gingham，"that’stheman。"

Doyouremember，inhistory，howNapoleonturnedpalewhenheheardthattheDukeofWellingtonwastoleadthealliesinBelgium？DoyourememberhowwhenThemistoclesheardthatAristogitonwastoleadtheSpartans，hejumpedintothesea？Possiblyyoudon’t，butitmayhelpyoutoformsomeideaofwhatJohnHenryBagshawfeltwhenheheardthattheConservativeshadselectedJoshSmith，proprietorofSmith’sHotel。

YourememberSmith。You’veseenhimthereonthestepsofhishotel，——twohundredandeightypoundsinhisstockingedfeet。You’veseenhimsellingliquorafterhoursthroughsheerpublicspirit，andyourecallhowhesavedthelivesofhundredsofpeopleonthedaywhenthesteamersank，andhowhesavedthetownfrombeingdestroyedthenightwhentheChurchofEnglandChurchburntdown。Youknowthathotelofhis，too，halfwaydownthestreet，Smith’sNorthernHealthResort，thoughalreadytheywerebeginningtocallitSmith’sBritishArms。

SoyoucanimaginethatBagshawcameasneartoturningpaleasamaninfederalpoliticscan。

"IneverknewSmithwasaConservative，"hesaidfaintly;"healwayssubscribedtoourfund。"

"Heisnow，"saidMr。Ginghamominously;"hesaystheideaofthisreciprocitybusinesscutshimtotheheart。"

"Theinfernalliar！"saidMr。Bagshaw。

Therewassilenceforafewmoments。ThenBagshawspokeagain。

"WillSmithhaveanythingelseinhisplatformbesidesthetradequestion？"

"Yes，"saidMr。Ginghamgloomily，"hewill。"

"Whatisit？"

"Temperanceandtotalprohibition！"

JohnHenryBagshawsankbackinhischairasifstruckwithaclub。

Thereletmeleavehimforachapter。

ELEVEN

TheCandidacyofMr。Smith"Boys，"saidMr。Smithtothetwohostlers，steppingoutontothesidewalkinfrontofthehotel，——"hoistthatthereBritishJackovertheplaceandhoistherupgood。"

Thenhestoodandwatchedtheflagflutteringinthewind。"Billy，"

hesaidtothedeskclerk，"getacouplemoreandputthemupontheroofofthecaffbehindthehotel。Wiredowntothecityandgetaquotationonahundredofthem。Takethemsigns’AmericanDrinks’outofthebar。Putupnoooneswith’BritishBeeratallHours’;clearouttheryewhiskeyandorderinScotchandIrish，andthengouptotheprintingofficeandgetmethemplacards。"

ThenanotherthoughtstruckMr。Smith。

"Say，Billy，"hesaid，"wiretothecityforfiftypicturesofKingGeorge。Get’emgood，andget’emcoloured。Itdon’tmatterwhattheycost。"

"Allright，sir，"saidBilly。

"AndBilly，"calledMr。Smith，asstillanotherthoughtstruckhim（indeed，themomentMr。Smithwentintopoliticsyoucouldseethesethoughtsstrikehimlikewaves），"getfiftypicturesofhisfather，oldKingAlbert。"

"Allright，sir。"

"Andsay，Itellyou，whileyou’reatit，getsomeoftheoldqueen，Victorina，ifyoucan。Get’eminmourning，withaharpandoneofthemlionsandathree—pointedprong。"

ItwasonthemorningaftertheConservativeConvention。JoshSmithhadbeenchosenthecandidate。Andnowthewholetownwascoveredwithflagsandplacardsandtherewerebandsinthestreetseveryevening，andnoiseandmusicandexcitementthatwentonfrommorningtillnight。

Electiontimesareexcitingenougheveninthecity。Buttheretheexcitementdiesdowninbusinesshours。InMariposatherearen’tanybusinesshoursandtheexcitementgoesonallthetime。

Mr。SmithhadcarriedtheConventionbeforehim。TherehadbeenafeebleattempttoputupNivens。Buteverybodyknewthathewasalawyerandacollegemanandwouldn’thaveachancebyamanwithabroaderoutlooklikeJoshSmith。

SotheresultwasthatSmithwasthecandidateandtherewereplacardsoutalloverthetownwithSMITHANDBRITISHALLEGIANCEinbigletters，andpeoplewerewearingbadgeswithMr。Smith’sfaceononesideandKingGeorge’sontheother，andthefruitstorenexttothehotelhadbeencleanedoutandturnedintocommitteeroomswithagangofworkerssmokingcigarsinitalldayandhalfthenight。

Therewereotherplacards，too，withBAGSHAWANDLIBERTY，BAGSHAWAND

PROSPERITY，VOTEFORTHEOLDMISSINABASTANDARDBEARER，anduptownbesidetheMariposaHousethereweretheBagshawcommitteeroomswithahugewhitestreameracrossthestreet，andwithagangofBagshawworkerssmokingtheirheadsoff。

ButMr。SmithhadanestimatemadewhichshowedthatnearlytwocigarstooneweresmokedinhiscommitteeroomsascomparedwiththeLiberals。ItwasthefirsttimeinfiveelectionsthattheConservativehadbeenabletomakesuchashowingasthat。

Onemightmention，too，thattherewereDroneplacardsout，——fiveorsixofthem，——littlethingsaboutthesizeofapockethandkerchief，withastatementthat"Mr。EdwardDronesolicitsthevotesoftheelectorsofMissinabaCounty。"Butyouwouldnevernoticethem。AndwhenDronetriedtoputupastreameracrosstheMainStreetwithDRONEANDHONESTYthewindcarrieditawayintothelake。

ThefightwasreallybetweenSmithandBagshaw，andeverybodyknewitfromthestart。

IwishthatIwereabletonarrateallthephasesandtheturnsofthegreatcontestfromtheopeningofthecampaigntillthefinalpollingday。Butitwouldtakevolumes。

Firstofall，ofcourse，thetradequestionwashotlydiscussedinthetwonewspapersofMariposa，andtheNewspacketandtheTimes—Heraldliterallybristledwithstatistics。Thencameinterviewswiththecandidatesandtheexpressionoftheirconvictionsinregardtotariffquestions。

"Mr。Smith，"saidthereporteroftheMariposaNewspacket，"we’dliketogetyourviewsoftheeffectoftheproposedreductionofthedifferentialduties。"

"Bygosh，Pete，"saidMr。Smith，"youcansearchme。Haveacigar。"

"Whatdoyouthink，Mr。Smith，wouldbetheresultofloweringtheadvaloremBritishpreferenceandadmittingAmericangoodsatareciprocalrate？"

"It’sacorker，ain’tit？"answeredMr。Smith。"What’llyoutake，lagerordomestic？"

AndinthatshortdialogueMr。Smithshowedthathehadinstantaneouslygraspedthewholemethodofdealingwiththepress。

TheinterviewinthepapernextdaysaidthatMr。Smith，whileunwillingtostatepositivelythattheprincipleoftariffdiscriminationwasatvariancewithsoundfiscalscience，wasfirmlyofopinionthatanyreciprocalinterchangeoftariffpreferenceswiththeUnitedStatesmustinevitablyleadtoaseriouspercapitareductionofthenationalindustry。

"Mr。Smith，"saidthechairmanofadelegationofthemanufacturersofMariposa，"whatdoyouproposetodoinregardtothetariffifyou’reelected？"

"Boys，"answeredMr。Smith，"I’llputherupsodarnedhightheywon’tnevergetherdownagain。"

"Mr。Smith，"saidthechairmanofanotherdelegation，"I’manoldfreetrader——"

"Putitthere，"saidMr。Smith，"so’mI。Thereain’tnothinglikeit。"

"Whatdoyouthinkaboutimperialdefence？"askedanotherquestioner。

"Which？"saidMr。Smith。

"Imperialdefence。"

"Ofwhat？"

"Ofeverything。"

"Whosaysit？"saidMr。Smith。

"Everybodyistalkingofit。"

"WhatdotheConservativeboysatOttawaythinkaboutit？"answeredMr。Smith。

"They’reallforit。"

"Well，I’mferittoo，"saidMr。Smith。

Theselittleconversationsrepresentedonlythefirststage，theargumentativestageofthegreatcontest。Itwasduringthisperiod，forexample，thattheMariposaNewspacketabsolutelyprovedthatthepriceofhogsinMariposawasdecimalsixhigherthanthepriceoforangesinSouthernCaliforniaandthattheaveragedecennialimportofeggsintoMissinabaCountyhadincreasedfourdecimalsixeighttwointhelastfifteenyearsmorethantheimportoflemonsinNewOrleans。

Figuresofthiskindmadethepeoplethink。Mostcertainly。

Afterallthiscametheorganizingstageandafterthatthebigpublicmeetingsandtherallies。Perhapsyouhaveneverseenacountybeing"organized。"Itisawonderfulsight。

FirstofalltheBagshawmendrovethroughcrosswiseintopbuggiesandthendrovethroughitagainlengthwise。Whenevertheymetafarmertheywentinandateamealwithhim，andafterthemealtheytookhimouttothebuggyandgavehimadrink。Afterthattheman’svotewasabsolutelysoliduntilitwastamperedwithbyfeedingaConservative。

Infact，theonlywaytoshowafarmerthatyouareinearnestistogoinandeatamealwithhim。Ifyouwon’teatit，hewon’tvoteforyou。Thatistherecognizedpoliticaltest。

But，ofcourse，justassoonastheBagshawmenhadbeguntogetthefarmingvotesolidified，theSmithbuggiescamedrivingthroughintheotherdirection，eatingmealsanddistributingcigarsandturningallthefarmersbackintoConservatives。

HereandthereyoumightseeEdwardDrone，theIndependentcandidate，wanderingroundfromfarmtofarminthedustofthepoliticalbuggies。Toeachofthefarmersheexplainedthathepledgedhimselftogivenobribes，tospendnomoneyandtooffernojobs，andeachoneofthemgrippedhimwarmlybythehandandshowedhimthewaytothenextfarm。

Aftertheorganizationofthecountytherecametheperiodofthepublicmeetingsandtheralliesandthejointdebatesbetweenthecandidatesandtheirsupporters。

IsupposetherewasnoplaceinthewholeDominionwherethetradequestion——theReciprocityquestion——wasthreshedoutquitesothoroughlyandinquitesuchanationalpatrioticspiritasinMariposa。Foramonth，atleast，peopletalkedofnothingelse。AmanwouldstopanotherinthestreetandtellhimthathehadreadlastnightthattheaveragepriceofanegginNewYorkwasdecimaloughtonemorethanthepriceofanegginMariposa，andtheothermanwouldstopthefirstonelaterinthedayandtellhimthattheaveragepriceofahoginIdahowaspointsixofacentperpoundless（ormore，——hecouldn’trememberwhichforthemoment）thantheaveragepriceofbeefinMariposa。

Peoplelivedonfiguresofthissort，andthemanwhocouldremembermostofthemstoodoutasabornleader。

Butofcourseitwasatthepublicmeetingsthatthesethingsweremostfullydiscussed。ItwouldtakevolumestodofulljusticetoallthemeetingsthattheyheldinMissinabaCounty。Buthereandtheresinglespeechesstoodoutasmasterpiecesofconvincingoratory。

Take，forexample，thespeechofJohnHenryBagshawattheTecumsehCornersSchoolHouse。TheMariposaTimes—Heraldsaidnextdaythatthatspeechwouldgodowninhistory，andsoitwill，——eversofardown。

AnyonewhohasheardBagshawknowswhatanimpressivespeakerheis，andonthisnightwhenhespokewiththequietdignityofamanoldinyearsandanxiousonlytoservehiscountry，healmostsurpassedhimself。Neartheendofhisspeechsomebodydroppedapin，andthenoiseitmadeinfallingfairlyrattledthewindows。

"Iamanoldmannow，gentlemen，"Bagshawsaid，"andthetimemustsooncomewhenImustnotonlyleavepolitics，butmusttakemywaytowardsthatgoalfromwhichnotravellerreturns。"

TherewasadeephushwhenBagshawsaidthis。ItwasunderstoodtoimplythathethoughtofgoingtotheUnitedStates。

"Yes，gentlemen，Iamanoldman，andIwish，whenmytimecomestogo，todepartleavingaslittleanimositybehindmeaspossible。ButbeforeIdogo，IwantitprettyclearlyunderstoodthattherearemoredarnscoundrelsintheConservativepartythanoughttobetoleratedinanydecentcommunity。Ibear，"hecontinued，"malicetowardsnoneandIwishtospeakwithgentlenesstoall，butwhatI

willsayisthathowanysetofrationalresponsiblemencouldnominatesuchaskunkastheConservativecandidatepassestheboundsofmycomprehension。Gentlemen，inthepresentcampaignthereisnoroomforvindictiveabuse。Letusrisetoahigherlevelthanthat。

Theytellmethatmyopponent，Smith，isacommonsaloonkeeper。Letitpass。Theytellmethathehasstoodconvictedofhorsestealing，thatheisanotableperjurer，thatheisknownastheblackest—heartedliarinMissinabaCounty。Letusnotspeakofit。

Letnowhisperofitpassourlips。

"No，gentlemen，"continuedBagshaw，pausingtotakeadrinkofwater，"letusratherconsiderthisquestiononthehighplaneofnationalwelfare。Letusnotthinkofourownparticularinterestsbutletusconsiderthegoodofthecountryatlarge。Andtodothis，letmepresenttoyousomefactsinregardtothepriceofbarleyinTecumsehTownship。"

Then，amidadeepstillness，Bagshawreadoffthelistofpricesofsixteenkindsofgraininsixteendifferentplacesduringsixteenyears。

"Butletmeturn，"Bagshawwentontoanotherphaseofthenationalsubject，"andviewforamomentthepriceofmarshhayinMissinabaCounty——"

WhenBagshawsatdownthatnightitwasfeltthataLiberalvoteinTecumsehTownshipwasaforegoneconclusion。

Butheretheyhadn’treckonedonthepoliticalgeniusofMr。Smith。

Whenheheardnextdayofthemeeting，hesummonedsomeofhisleadingspeakerstohimandhesaid：

"Boys，they’rebeatingusonthemstatissicks。Ournain’tgoodenough。"

ThenheturnedtoNivensandhesaid：

"Whatwasthemfiguresyouhadheretheothernight？"

Nivenstookoutapaperandbeganreading。

"Stop，"saidMr。Smith，"whatwasthatfigureforbacon？"

"Fourteenmilliondollars，"saidNivens。

"Notenough，"saidMr。Smith，"makeittwenty。They’llstandforit，themfarmers。"

Nivenschangedit。

"Andwhatwasthatforhay？"

"Twodollarsaton。"

"Shoveituptofour，"saidMr。Smith："AndItellyou，"headded，"ifanyofthemfarmerssaysthefiguresain’tcorrect，tellthemtogotoWashingtonandseeforthemselves;saythatifanymanwantstheproofofyourfigureslethimgoovertoEnglandandask，——tellhimtogostraighttoLondonandseeitallforhimselfinthebooks。"

Afterthis，therewasnomoretroubleoverstatistics。Imustsaythoughthatitisawonderfullyconvincingthingtoheartradefiguresofthiskindproperlyhandled。PerhapsthebestmanonthissortofthinginthecampaignwasMullins，thebanker。Amanofhisprofessionsimplyhastohavefiguresoftradeandpopulationandmoneyathisfingers’endsandtheeffectofitinpublicspeakingiswonderful。

Nodoubtyouhavelistenedtospeakersofthiskind，butIquestionwhetheryouhaveeverheardanythingmoretypicalofthesortofeffectthatIalludetothanMullins’sspeechatthebigrallyattheFourthConcession。

Mullinshimself，ofcourse，knowsthefiguressowellthatheneverbotherstowritethemintonotesandtheeffectisverystriking。

"Now，gentlemen，"hesaidveryearnestly，"howmanyofyouknowjusttowhatextenttheexportsofthiscountryhaveincreasedinthelasttenyears？Howmanycouldtellwhatpercent。ofincreasetherehasbeeninonedecadeofournationalimportation？"——thenMullinspausedandlookedround。Notamanknewit。

"Idon’trecall，"hesaid，"exactlythepreciseamountmyself，——notatthismoment，——butitmustbesimplytremendous。Ortakethequestionofpopulation，"Mullinswenton，warmingupagainasabornstatisticianalwaysdoesattheproximityoffigures，"howmanyofyouknow，howmanyofyoucanstate，whathasbeenthedecennialpercentageincreaseinourleadingcities——？"

Therehepaused，andwouldyoubelieveit，notamancouldstateit。

"Idon’trecalltheexactfigures，"saidMullins，"butIhavethemathomeandtheyarepositivelycolossal。"

Butjustinonephaseofthepublicspeaking，thecandidacyofMr。

Smithreceivedaseriousset—back。

IthadbeenarrangedthatMr。Smithshouldrunonaplatformoftotalprohibition。Buttheysoonfoundthatitwasamistake。Theyhadimportedaspecialspeakerfromthecity，agravemanwithawhitetie，whoputhiswholeheartintotheworkandwouldtakenothingforitexcepthisexpensesandasumofmoneyforeachspeech。Butbeyondthemoney，Isay，hewouldtakenothing。

HespokeonenightattheTecumsehCornerssocialhallatthesametimewhentheLiberalmeetingwasgoingonattheTecumsehCornersschoolhouse。

"Gentlemen，"hesaid，ashepausedhalfwayinhisspeech，——"whilewearegatheredhereinearnestdiscussion，doyouknowwhatishappeningoveratthemeetingplaceofouropponents？Doyouknowthatseventeenbottlesofryewhiskeyweresentoutfromthetownthisafternoontothatinnocentandunsuspectingschoolhouse？

Seventeenbottlesofwhiskeyhiddeninbetweentheblackboardandthewall，andeverysinglemanthatattendsthatmeeting，——markmywords，everysingleman，——willdrinkhisfilloftheabominablestuffattheexpenseoftheLiberalcandidate！"

Justassoonasthespeakersaidthis，youcouldseetheSmithmenatthemeetinglookatoneanotherininjuredsurprise，andbeforethespeechwashalfoverthehallwaspracticallyemptied。

Afterthatthetotalprohibitionplankwaschangedandthecommitteesubstitutedadeclarationinfavourofsuchaformofrestrictivelicenseasshouldpromotetemperancewhileencouragingthemanufactureofspirituousliquors，andbyasevereregulationoftheliquortrafficshouldplaceintoxicantsonlyinthehandsofthosefittedtousethem。

Finallytherecamethegreatdayitself，theElectionDaythatbrought，aseverybodyknows，thecrowningtriumphofMr。Smith’scareer。Thereisnoneedtospeakofitatanylength，becauseithasbecomeamatterofhistory。

Inanycase，everybodywhohaseverseenMariposaknowsjustwhatelectiondayislike。Theshops，ofcourse，are，asamatterofcustom，allclosed，andthebarroomsareallclosedbylawsothatyouhavetogoinbythebackway。AllthepeopleareintheirbestclothesandatfirsttheywalkupanddownthestreetinasolemnwayjustastheydoonthetwelfthofJulyandonSt。Patrick’sDay，beforethefunbegins。Everybodykeepslookinginatthedifferentpollingplacestoseeifanybodyelsehasvotedyet，because，ofcourse，nobodycarestovotefirstforfearofbeingfooledafterallandvotingonthewrongside。

MostofalldidthesupportersofMr。Smith，actingunderhisinstructions，hangbackfromthepollintheearlyhours。ToMr。

Smith’smind，votingwastobeconductedonthesameplanasbear—shooting。

"Holdbackyourvotes，boys，"hesaid，"anddon’tbetooeager。Waittillshebeginstowarmupandthenlet’emhaveitgoodandhard。"

IneachofthepollingplacesinMariposathereisareturningofficerandwithhimaretwoscrutineers，andtheelectors，Isay，peepinandoutlikemicelookingintoatrap。Butifoncethescrutineersgetamanwellintothepollingbooth，theypushhiminbehindalittlecurtainandmakehimvote。Thevoting，ofcourse，isbysecretballot，sothatnooneexceptthescrutineersandthereturningofficerandthetwoorthreepeoplewhomayberoundthepollcanpossiblytellhowamanhasvoted。

That’showitcomesaboutthatthefirstresultsareoftensocontradictoryandconflicting。SometimesthepollisbadlyarrangedandthescrutineersareunabletoseeproperlyjusthowtheballotsarebeingmarkedandtheycountuptheLiberalsandConservativesindifferentways。Often，too，avotermakeshismarksohurriedlyandcarelesslythattheyhavetopickitoutoftheballotboxandlookatittoseewhatitis。

IsupposethatmayhavebeenwhyitwasthatinMariposatheresultscameoutatfirstinsuchaconflictingway。PerhapsthatwashowitwasthatthefirstreportsshowedthatEdwardDronetheIndependentcandidatewascertaintowin。Youshouldhaveseenhowtheexcitementgrewuponthestreetswhenthenewswascirculated。InthebigralliesandmeetingsoftheLiberalsandConservatives，everybodyhadprettywellforgottenallaboutDrone，andwhenthenewsgotroundataboutfouro’clockthattheDronevotewascarryingthepoll，thepeopleweresimplyastounded。Notthattheywerenotpleased。Onthecontrary。

Theyweredelighted。EverybodycameuptoDroneandshookhandsandcongratulatedhimandtoldhimthattheyhadknownallalongthatwhatthecountrywantedwasastraight，honest，non—partisanrepresentation。TheConservativessaidopenlythattheyweresickofparty，utterlydonewithit，andtheLiberalssaidthattheyhatedit。AlreadythreeorfourofthemhadtakenDroneasideandexplainedthatwhatwasneededinthetownwasastraight，clean，nonpartisanpost—office，builtonapieceofgroundofastrictlynon—partisancharacter，andconstructedundercontractsthatwerenottaintedandsmirchedwithpartyaffiliation。TwoorthreemenwerewillingtoshowtoDronejustwhereapieceofgroundofthischaractercouldbebought。TheytoldhimtoothatinthematterofthepostmastershipitselftheyhadnothingagainstTrelawney，thepresentpostmaster，inanypersonalsense，andwouldsaynothingagainsthimexceptmerelythathewasutterlyandhopelesslyunfitforhisjobandthatifDronebelieved，ashehadsaidhedid，inapurifiedcivilservice，heoughttobeginbypurifyingTrelawney。

AlreadyEdwardDronewasbeginningtofeelsomethingofwhatitmeanttoholdofficeandtherewascreepingintohismannerthequietself—importancewhichisthefirstsignofconsciouspower。

Infact，inthatbriefhalf—hourofoffice，Dronehadachancetoseesomethingofwhatitmeant。HenryMcGinniscametohimandaskedstraightoutforajobasfederalcensus—takeronthegroundthathewashardupandhadbeencrippledwithrheumatismallwinter。NelsonWilliamsonaskedforthepostofwharfmasteronthepleathathehadbeenlaidupwithsciaticaallwinterandwasabsolutelyfitfornothing。ErasmusArcheraskedhimifhecouldgethisboyPeteintooneofthedepartmentsatOttawa，andmadeastrongcaseofitbyexplainingthathehadtriedhiscussedesttogetPeteajobanywhereelseanditwassimplyimpossible。NotthatPetewasn’tawillingboy，buthewasslow，——evenhisfatheradmittedit，——slowasthedevil，blasthim，andwithnoheadforfiguresandunfortunatelyhe’dneverhadtheschoolingtobringhimon。ButifDronecouldgethiminatOttawa，hisfathertrulybelieveditwouldbetheveryplaceforhim。SurelyintheIndianDepartmentorintheAstronomicalBranchorintheNewCanadianNavytheremustbeanyamountofopeningforaboylikethis？AndtoalloftheserequestsDronefoundhimselfexplainingthathewouldtakethematterunderhisveryearnestconsiderationandthattheymustrememberthathehadtoconsulthiscolleaguesandnotmerelyfollowthedictatesofhisownwishes。Infact，ifhehadeverinhislifehadanyenvyofCabinetMinisters，helostitinthishour。

ButDrone’shourwasshort。EvenbeforethepollhadclosedinMariposa，thenewscamesweepingin，trueorfalse，thatBagshawwascarryingthecounty。ThesecondconcessionhadgoneforBagshawinaregularlandslide，sixvotestoonlytwoforSmith，——andalldownthetownshiplineroad（wherethehayfarmsare）Bagshawwassaidtobecarryingallbeforehim。

Justassoonasthatnewswentroundthetown，theylaunchedtheMariposabandoftheKnightsofPythias（everymaninitisaLiberal）downtheMainStreetwithbigredbannersinfrontofitwiththemottoBAGSHAWFOREVERinlettersafoothigh。Suchrejoicingandenthusiasmbegantosetinasyouneversaw。EverybodycrowdedroundBagshawonthestepsoftheMariposaHouseandshookhishandandsaidtheywereproudtoseethedayandthattheLiberalpartywasthegloryoftheDominionandthatasforthisideaofnon—partisanpoliticstheverythoughtofitmadethemsick。RightawayinthecommitteeroomstheybegantoorganizethedemonstrationfortheeveningwithlanternslidesandspeechesandtheyarrangedforahugebouquettobepresentedtoBagshawontheplatformbyfourlittlegirls（allLiberals）alldressedinwhite。

Anditwasjustatthisjuncture，withonehourofvotingleft，thatMr。Smithemergedfromhiscommitteeroomsandturnedhisvotersonthetown，muchastheDukeofWellingtonsentthewholelinetothechargeatWaterloo。Fromeverycommitteeroomandsub—committeeroomtheypouredoutinflockswithbluebadgesflutteringontheircoats。

"Getatit，boys，"saidMr。Smith，"voteandkeeponvotingtilltheymakeyouquit。"

Thenheturnedtohiscampaignassistant。"Billy，"hesaid，"wiredowntothecitythatI’melectedbyanoverwhelmingmajorityandtellthemtowireitrightback。SendwordbytelephonetoallthepollingplacesinthecountythatthehulltownhasgonesolidConservativeandtellthemtosendthesamenewsbackhere。Getcarpentersandtellthemtorunupaplatforminfrontofthehotel;

tellthemtotakethebardoorcleanoffitshingesandbeallreadytheminutethepollquits。"

Itwasthatlasthourthatdidit。JustassoonasthebigposterswentupinthewindowsoftheMariposaNewspacketwiththetelegraphicdespatchthatJoshSmithwasreportedinthecitytobeelected，andwasfollowedbythemessagesfromalloverthecounty，thevotershesitatednolonger。Theyhadwaited，mostofthem，allthroughtheday，notwantingtomakeanyerrorintheirvote，butwhentheysawtheSmithmencrowdingintothepollsandheardthenewsfromtheoutside，theywentsolidinonegreatstampede，andbythetimethepollwasdeclaredclosedatfiveo’clocktherewasnoshadowofdoubtthatthecountywassavedandthatJoshSmithwaselectedforMissinaba。

IwishyoucouldhavewitnessedthesceneinMariposathatevening。

Itwouldhavedoneyourheartgood;——suchjoy，suchpublicrejoicingasyouneversaw。Itturnedoutthattherewasn’treallyaLiberalinthewholetownandthatthereneverhadbeen。TheywereallConservativesandhadbeenforyearsandyears。Menwhohadvoted，withpainandsorrowintheirhearts，fortheLiberalpartyfortwentyyears，cameoutthateveningandownedupstraightthattheywereConservatives。Theysaidtheycouldstandthestrainnolongerandsimplyhadtoconfess。Whateverthesacrificemightmean，theywerepreparedtomakeit。

EvenMr。GolgothaGingham，theundertaker，cameoutandadmittedthatinworkingforJohnHenryBagshawhe’dbeengoingstraightagainsthisconscience。Hesaidthatrightfromthefirsthehadhadhismisgivings。Hesaidithadhauntedhim。Oftenatnightwhenhewouldbeworkingawayquietly，oneofthesesuddenmisgivingswouldovercomehimsothathecouldhardlygoonwithhisembalming。Why，itappearedthatontheveryfirstdaywhenreciprocitywasproposed，hehadcomehomeandsaidtoMrs。Ginghamthathethoughtitsimplymeantsellingoutthecountry。Andthestrangethingwasthateversomanyothershadjustthesamemisgivings。TrelawneyadmittedthathehadsaidtoMrs。Trelawneythatitwasmadness，andJeffThorpe，thebarber，had，headmitted，gonehometohisdinner，thefirstdayreciprocitywastalkedof，andsaidtoMrs。Thorpethatitwouldsimplykillbusinessinthecountryandintroduceacheap，shoddy，Americanformofhaircutthatwouldrendertrueloyaltyimpossible。

TothinkthatMrs。GinghamandMrs。TrelawneyandMrs。Thorpehadknownallthisforsixmonthsandkeptquietaboutit！YetIthinktherewereagoodmanyMrs。Ginghamsinthecountry。Itismerelyanotherproofthatnowomanisfitforpolitics。

ThedemonstrationthatnightinMariposawillneverbeforgotten。Theexcitementinthestreets，thetorchlights，themusicofthebandoftheKnightsofPythias（anorganizationwhichisconservativeinallbutname），andaboveallthespeechesandthepatriotism。

Theyhadputupabigplatforminfrontofthehotel，andonitwereMr。Smithandhischiefworkers，andbehindthemwasaperfectforestofflags。TheypresentedahugebouquetofflowerstoMr。Smith，handedtohimbyfourlittlegirlsinwhite，——thesamefourthatI

spokeofabove，foritturnedoutthattheywereallConservatives。

Thentherewerethespeeches。JudgePepperleighspokeandsaidthattherewasnoneedtodwellonthevictorythattheyhadachieved，becauseitwashistory;therewasnooccasiontospeakofwhatparthehimselfhadplayed，withinthelimitsofhisofficialposition，becausewhathehaddonewashenceforthamatterofhistory;andNivens，thelawyer，saidthathewouldonlysayjustafewwords，becauseanythingthathemighthavedonewasnowhistory;latergenerations，hesaid，mightreaditbutitwasnotforhimtospeakofit，becauseitbelongednowtothehistoryofthecountry。And，afterthem，othersspokeinthesamestrainandallrefusedabsolutelytodwellonthesubject（formorethanhalfanhour）onthegroundthatanythingthattheymighthavedonewasbetterleftforfuturegenerationstoinvestigate。Andnodoubtthiswasverytrue，astosomethings，anyway。

Mr。Smith，ofcourse，saidnothing。Hedidn’thaveto，——notforfouryears，——andheknewit。

TWELVE

L’Envoi。TheTraintoMariposaItleavesthecityeverydayaboutfiveo’clockintheevening，thetrainforMariposa。

Strangethatyoudidnotknowofit，thoughyoucomefromthelittletown——ordid，longyearsago。

Oddthatyouneverknew，inalltheseyears，thatthetrainwasthereeveryafternoon，puffingupsteaminthecitystation，andthatyoumighthaveboardeditanydayandgonehome。No，not"home，"——ofcourseyoucouldn’tcallit"home"now;"home"meansthatbigredsandstonehouseofyoursinthecostlierpartofthecity。"Home"

means，inaway，thisMausoleumClubwhereyousometimestalkwithmeofthetimesthatyouhadasaboyinMariposa。

Butofcourse"home"wouldhardlybethewordyouwouldapplytothelittletown，unlessperhaps，lateatnight，whenyou’dbeensittingreadinginaquietcornersomewheresuchabookasthepresentone。

Naturallyyoudon’tknowoftheMariposatrainnow。Yearsago，whenyoufirstcametothecityasaboywithyourwaytomake，youknewofitwellenough，onlytoowell。Thepriceofaticketcountedinthosedays，andthoughyouknewofthetrainyoucouldn’ttakeit，butsometimesfromsheerhomesicknessyouusedtowanderdowntothestationonaFridayafternoonafteryourwork，andwatchtheMariposapeoplegettingonthetrainandwishthatyoucouldgo。

Why，youknewthattrainatonetimebetter，Isuppose，thananyothersinglethinginthecity，andlovedittooforthelittletowninthesunshinethatitranto。

Doyourememberhowwhenyoufirstbegantomakemoneyyouusedtoplanthatjustassoonasyouwererich，reallyrich，you’dgobackhomeagaintothelittletownandbuildagreatbighousewithafineverandah，——nostintaboutit，thebestthatmoneycouldbuy，planedlumber，everysquarefootofit，andafinepicketfenceinfrontofit。

Itwastobeoneofthegrandestandfinesthousesthatthoughtcouldconceive;muchfiner，intruereality，thanthatvastpalaceofsandstonewiththeportecochereandthesweepingconservatoriesthatyouafterwardsbuiltinthecostlierpartofthecity。

ButifyouhavehalfforgottenMariposa，andlongsincelostthewaytoit，youareonlylikethegreaterpartofthemenhereinthisMausoleumClubinthecity。WouldyoubelieveitthatpracticallyeveryoneofthemcamefromMariposaonceuponatime，andthatthereisn’toneofthemthatdoesn’tsometimesdreaminthedullquietofthelongeveninghereintheclub，thatsomedayhewillgobackandseetheplace。

Theyalldo。Onlythey’rehalfashamedtoownit。

Askyourneighbourthereatthenexttablewhetherthepartridgethattheysometimesservetoyouherecanbecomparedforamomenttothebirdsthatheandyou，orheandsomeoneelse，usedtoshootasboysinthesprucethicketsalongthelake。AskhimifheevertastedduckthatcouldforamomentbecomparedtotheblackducksinthericemarshalongtheOssawippi。Andasforfish，andfishing，——no，don’taskhimaboutthat，forifheeverstartstellingyouofthechubtheyusedtocatchbelowthemilldamandthegreenbassthatusedtolieinthewater—shadowoftherocksbesidetheIndian’sIsland，noteventhelongdulleveninginthisclubwouldbelongenoughforthetellingofit。

Butnowondertheydon’tknowaboutthefiveo’clocktrainforMariposa。Veryfewpeopleknowaboutit。Hundredsofthemknowthatthereisatrainthatgoesoutatfiveo’clock，buttheymistakeit。

Eversomanyofthemthinkit’sjustasuburbantrain。Lotsofpeoplethattakeiteverydaythinkit’sonlythetraintothegolfgrounds，butthejokeisthatafteritpassesoutofthecityandthesuburbsandthegolfgrounds，itturnsitselflittlebylittleintotheMariposatrain，thunderingandpoundingtowardsthenorthwithhemlocksparkspouringoutintothedarknessfromthefunnelofit。

Ofcourseyoucan’ttellitjustatfirst。Allthosepeoplethatarecrowdingintoitwithgolfclubs，andwearingknickerbockersandflatcaps，woulddeceiveanybody。Thatcrowdofsuburbanpeoplegoinghomeoncommutationticketsandsometimesstandingthickintheaisles，thoseare，ofcourse，notMariposapeople。Butlookroundalittlebitandyou’llfindthemeasilyenough。Hereandthereinthecrowdthosepeoplewiththeclothesthatareperfectlyallrightandyetlookoddinsomeway，thewomenwiththepeculiarhatsandthe——whatdoyousay？——lastyear’sfashions？Ahyes，ofcourse，thatmustbeit。

Anyway，thosearetheMariposapeopleallrightenough。Thatmanwiththetwo—dollarpanamaandtheglaringspectaclesisoneofthegreatestjudgesthateveradornedthebenchofMissinabaCounty。Thatclericalgentlemanwiththewideblackhat，whoisexplainingtothemanwithhimthemarvellousmechanismofthenewairbrake（oneofthemostconspicuousillustrationsofthedivinestructureofthephysicaluniverse），surelyyouhaveseenhimbefore。Mariposapeople！

Ohyes，thereareanynumberofthemonthetraineveryday。

Butofcourseyouhardlyrecognizethemwhilethetrainisstillpassingthroughthesuburbsandthegolfdistrictandtheoutlyingpartsofthecityarea。Butwaitalittle，andyouwillseethatwhenthecityiswellbehindyou，bitbybitthetrainchangesitscharacter。Theelectriclocomotivethattookyouthroughthecitytunnelsisoffnowandtheoldwoodengineishitchedoninitsplace。Isuppose，veryprobably，youhaven’tseenoneofthesewoodenginessinceyouwereaboyfortyyearsago，——theoldenginewithawidetoplikeahatonitsfunnel，andwithsparksenoughtolightupasuitfordamagesonceineverymile。

Doyousee，too，thatthetrimlittlecarsthatcameoutofthecityontheelectricsuburbanexpressarebeingdiscardednowatthewaystations，onebyone，andintheirplaceistheoldfamiliarcarwiththestuffcushionsinredplush（howgorgeousitonceseemed！）andwithaboxstovesetupinoneendofit？Thestoveisburningfuriouslyatitssticksthisautumnevening，fortheairsetsinchillasyougetclearawayfromthecityandarerisinguptothehighergroundofthecountryofthepinesandthelakes。

Lookfromthewindowasyougo。Thecityisfarbehindnowandrightandleftofyoutherearetrimfarmswithelmsandmaplesnearthemandwithtallwindmillsbesidethebarnsthatyoucanstillseeinthegatheringdusk。Thereisadullredlightfromthewindowsofthefarmstead。Itmustbecomfortablethereaftertheroarandclatterofthecity，andonlythinkofthestillquietofit。

Asyousitbackhalfdreaminginthecar，youkeepwonderingwhyitisthatyounevercameupbeforeinalltheseyears。Eversomanytimesyouplannedthatjustassoonastherushandstrainofbusinesseasedupalittle，youwouldtakethetrainandgobacktothelittletowntoseewhatitwaslikenow，andifthingshadchangedmuchsinceyourday。Buteachtimewhenyourholidayscame，somehowyouchangedyourmindandwentdowntoNaragansettorNagahuckettorNagasomething，andleftoverthevisittoMariposaforanothertime。

Itisalmostnightnow。Youcanstillseethetreesandthefencesandthefarmsteads，buttheyarefadingfastinthetwilight。Theyhavelengthenedoutthetrainbythistimewithastringofflatcarsandfreightcarsbetweenwherewearesittingandtheengine。Butateverycrosswaywecanhearthelongmuffledroarofthewhistle，dyingtoamelancholywailthatechoesintothewoods;thewoods，I

say，forthefarmsarethinningoutandthetrackplungeshereandthereintogreatstretchesofbush，——talltamerackandredscrubwillowandwithatangledundergrowthofbushthathasdefiedfortwogenerationsallattemptstoclearitintotheformoffields。

Why，look，thatgreatspacethatseemstoopenoutinthehalf—darkofthefallingevening，——why，surelyyes，——LakeOssawippi，thebiglake，astheyusedtocallit，fromwhichtheriverrunsdowntothesmallerlake，——LakeWissanotti，——wherethetownofMariposahaslainwaitingforyouthereforthirtyyears。

ThisisLakeOssawippisurelyenough。Youwouldknowitanywherebythebroad，still，blackwaterwithhardlyaripple，andwiththegripofthecomingfrostalreadyonit。Suchagreatsheetofblacknessitlooksasthetrainthundersalongtheside，swingingthecurveoftheembankmentatabreakneckspeedasitroundsthecornerofthelake。

Howfastthetraingoesthisautumnnight！Youhavetravelled，Iknowyouhave;intheEmpireStateExpress，andtheNewLimitedandtheMaritimeExpressthatholdstherecordofsixhundredwhirlingmilesfromParistoMarseilles。Butwhataretheytothis，thismadcareer，thisbreakneckspeed，thisthunderingroaroftheMariposalocaldrivinghardtoitshome！Don’ttellmethatthespeedisonlytwenty—fivemilesanhour。Idon’tcarewhatitis。Itellyou，andyoucanproveitforyourselfifyouwill，thatthattrainofmingledflatcarsandcoachesthatgoestearingintothenight，itsenginewhistleshriekingoutitswarningintothesilentwoodsandechoingoverthedullstilllake，isthefastesttraininthewholeworld。

Yes，andthebesttoo，——themostcomfortable，themostreliable，themostluxuriousandthespeediesttrainthateverturnedawheel。

Andthemostgenial，themostsociabletoo。Seehowthepassengersallturnandtalktooneanothernowastheygetnearerandnearertothelittletown。Thatdullreservethatseemedtoholdthepassengersintheelectricsuburbanhascleanvanishedandgone。Theyaretalking，——listen，——oftheharvest，andthelateelection，andofhowthelocalmemberismentionedforthecabinetandalltheoldfamiliartopicsofthesort。AlreadytheconductorhaschangedhisglazedhatforanordinaryroundChristieandyoucanhearthepassengerscallinghimandthebrakesman"Bill"and"Sam"asiftheywereallonefamily。

Whatisitnow——ninethirty？Ah，thenwemustbenearingthetown，——thisbigbushthatwearepassingthrough，yourememberitsurelyasthegreatswampjustthissideofthebridgeovertheOssawippi？Thereisthebridgeitself，andthelongroarofthetrainasitrushessoundingoverthetrestleworkthatrisesabovethemarsh。Heartheclatteraswepassthesemaphoresandswitchlights！

Wemustbecloseinnow！

What？itfeelsnervousandstrangetobecominghereagainafteralltheseyears？Itmustindeed。No，don’tbothertolookatthereflectionofyourfaceinthewindow—paneshadowedbythenightoutside。Nobodycouldtellyounowafteralltheseyears。Yourfacehaschangedintheselongyearsofmoney—gettinginthecity。Perhapsifyouhadcomebacknowandagain，justatoddtimes，itwouldn’thavebeenso。

There，——youhearit？——thelongwhistleofthelocomotive，one，two，three！YoufeelthesharpslackeningofthetrainasitswingsroundthecurveofthelastembankmentthatbringsittotheMariposastation。See，too，asweroundthecurve，therowoftheflashinglights，thebrightwindowsofthedepot。

Howvividandplainitallis。Justasitusedtobethirtyyearsago。Thereisthestringofthehotel’buses，drawnupallreadyforthetrain，andasthetrainroundsinandstopshissingandpantingattheplatform，youcanhearaboveallothersoundsthecryofthebrakesmenandtheporters：

"MARIPOSA！MARIPOSA！"

Andaswelisten，thecrygrowsfainterandfainterinourearsandwearesittinghereagainintheleatherchairsoftheMausoleumClub，talkingofthelittleTownintheSunshinethatonceweknew。