repeated.

Below this, under the rubric, "Union County Needs a New Sheriff,"
appeared an article that created a sensation. This dwelt upon the
necessity of the county having a sheriff who would not permit his office
to be prostituted by any man or influence. The _Kicker_ named a man
who would not be bribed or cowed and declared that his name would appear
on the ballot at the next election--to be held on the first Monday in
November. At the end of the article he printed the man's name--Ben
Allen!

He had made this announcement without authority, and therefore he was
not surprised, soon after the appearance of the issue containing the
article, to see Allen's tall figure darken the door of the _Kicker_
office while he sat at his desk.

"Durn your hide!" cried the latter as he stood in the doorway; "you're
the biggest disturber in seven states!"

"Perhaps," smiled Hollis, motioning Allen to a chair. "Still, you don't
need to thank me. You see, I have decided to clean up this county and I
need some help. I supposed you were interested. Of course you may refuse
if you like."

"Refuse!" Allen's eyes flashed as he took Hollis's hand and wrung it
heartily. "My boy," he declared earnestly, "you couldn't have done
anything to suit me better. I'm just yearning to take a big hand in this
game!"

"Interesting, isn't it?" smiled Hollis.

"Some," returned Allen. He grasped Hollis's hand and wrung it heartily.
"You're a winner and I'm mighty glad to be able to work with you." He
spoke seriously. "Do you think there's a chance for us to beat
Dunlavey?"

Hollis laughed. "I flatter myself that a certain editor in this town
stands rather well with the people of this county since a certain thing
happened."

"You sure do!" grinned Allen. "Lordy! how this county has needed a man
like you!"

Hollis smiled. "Then you won't object to being the _Kicker's_
candidate?" he inquired.

"Object!" returned Allen with mock seriousness. "Say, young man, if you
don't keep my name at the head of your editorial column from now till
the first Monday in November I'll come down here and manhandle you!"

And so it was arranged. Dry Bottom gasped in public but rejoiced in
secret. Many of the town's merchants personally congratulated Hollis.

But for two days following the appearance of the issue of the
_Kicker_ containing these sensations, Hollis stayed away from Dry
Bottom. Now that he had launched Allen's campaign and placed the other
matter