-children in for chorus singing, secured an able
orator, and the best essayist in town. With all this, he was formidable.

Mr. Bingo knew that he had the fight of his life on his hands, and he
entered with fear as well as zest. He, too, found an orator, but he was
not sure that he was as good as Morton's. There was no doubt but that
his essayist was not. He secured a band, but still he felt unsatisfied.
He had hardly done enough, and for the school-master to beat him now
meant his political destruction.

It was in this state of mind that he was surprised to receive a visit
from Mr. Asbury.

"I reckon you're surprised to see me here," said Asbury, smiling.

"I am pleased, I know." Bingo was astute.

"Well, I just dropped in on business."

"To be sure, to be sure, Asbury. What can I do for you?"

"It's more what I can do for you that I came to talk about," was the
reply.

"I don't believe I understand you."

"Well, it's plain enough. They say that the school-teacher is giving you
a pretty hard fight."

"Oh, not so hard."

"No man can be too sure of winning, though. Mr. Morton once did me a
mean turn when he started the faction against me."

Bingo's heart gave a great leap, and then stopped for the fraction of a
second.

"You were in it, of course," pursued Asbury, "but I can look over your
part in it in order to get even with the man who started it."

It was true, then, thought Bingo gladly. He did not know. He wanted
revenge for his wrongs and upon the wrong man. How well the schemer had
covered his tracks! Asbury should have his revenge and Morton would be
the sufferer.

"Of course, Asbury, you know what I did I did innocently."

"Oh, yes, in politics we are all lambs and the wolves are only to be
found in the other party. We'll pass that, though. What I want to say is
that I can help you to make your celebration an overwhelming success. I
still have some influence down in my district."

"Certainly, and very justly, too. Why, I should be delighted with your
aid. I could give you a prominent place in the procession."

"I don't want it; I don't want to appear in this at all. All I want is
revenge. You can have all the credit, but let me down my enemy."

Bingo was perfectly willing, and, with their heads close together, they
had a long and close consultation. When Asbury was gone, Mr. Bingo lay
back in his chair and laughed. "I'm a slick duck," he said.

From that hour Mr. Bingo's cause began to ta