arston. He's
already got it in his head that Marston is his rival."

"Pshaw!" I said--for it was too ridiculous.

"All right," said the Hon. Sam placidly.

"Then why doesn't he want to see her?" "How do you know he ain't
watchin' her now, for all we know? Mark me," he added, "you won't see
him at the speakin', but I'll bet fruit cake agin gingerbread he'll be
somewhere around."

So we went on, the two girls leading the way and the Hon. Sam now
telling his political troubles to me. Half a mile down the road, a
solitary horseman stood waiting, and Mr. Budd gave a low whistle.

"One o' my rivals," he said, from the corner of his mouth.

"Mornin'," said the horseman; "lemme see you a minute."

He made a movement to draw aside, but the Hon. Samuel made a
counter-gesture of dissent.

"This gentleman is a friend of mine," he said firmly, but with great
courtesy, "and he can hear what you have to say to me."

The mountaineer rubbed one huge hand over his stubbly chin, threw one of
his long legs over the pommel of his saddle, and dangled a heavy cowhide
shoe to and fro.

"Would you mind tellin' me whut pay a member of the House of Legislatur'
gits a day?"

The Hon. Sam looked surprised.

"I think about two dollars and a half."

"An' his meals?"

"No!" laughed Mr. Budd.

"Well, look-ee here, stranger. I'm a pore man an' I've got a mortgage
on my farm. That money don't mean nothin' to you--but if you'll draw out
now an' I win, I'll tell ye whut I'll do." He paused as though to make
sure that the sacrifice was possible. "I'll just give ye half of that
two dollars and a half a day, as shore as you're a-settin' on that hoss,
and you won't hav' to hit a durn lick to earn it."

I had not the heart to smile--nor did the Hon. Samuel--so artless and
simple was the man and so pathetic his appeal.

"You see--you'll divide my vote, an' ef we both run, ole Josh Barton'll
git it shore. Ef you git out o' the way, I can lick him easy."

Mr. Budd's answer was kind, instructive, and uplifted.

"My friend," said he, "I'm sorry, but I cannot possibly accede to your
request for the following reasons: First, it would not be fair to my
constituents; secondly, it would hardly be seeming to barter the noble
gift of the people to which we both aspire; thirdly, you might lose with
me out of the way; and fourthly, I'm going to win whether you are in the
way or not."

The horseman slowly collapsed while the Hon. Samuel was talking,