g this pow-wow, finally said, "My
board will have to be provided for in a few days, but I have an idea,
struck it to-day, and if she works, we'll pull through to grass like
four time winners."

"What is it?" asked the other two, in a chorus.

"There's a little German on a back street here, who owns a bar-room
with a hotel attached. He has a mania to run for office; in fact,
there's several candidates announced already. Now, the convention
don't meet until May, which is in our favor. If my game succeeds, we
will be back at work before that time. That will let us out easy."

As their finances were on a parity with Baugh's, the others were
willing to undertake anything that looked likely to tide them over the
winter. "Leave things to me," said Baugh. "I'll send a friend around
to sound our German, and see what office he thinks he'd like to have."

The information sought developed the fact that it was the office of
sheriff that he wanted. When the name was furnished, the leader of
this scheme wrote it on a card--Seigerman, Louie Seigerman,--not
trusting to memory. Baugh now reduced their finances further for a
shave, while he meditated how he would launch his scheme. An hour
afterwards, he walked up to the bar, and asked, "Is Mr. Seigerman in?"

"Dot ish my name, sir," said the man behind the bar.

"Could I see you privately for a few minutes?" asked Baugh, who
himself could speak German, though his tongue did not indicate it.

"In von moment," said Seigerman, as he laid off his white apron and
called an assistant to take his place. He then led the way to a back
room, used for a storehouse. "Now, mine frendt, vat ish id?" inquired
Louie, when they were alone.

"My name is Baughman," said he, as he shook Louie's hand with a hearty
grip. "I work for the Continental Cattle Company, who own a range
in the strip adjoining the county line below here. My people have
suffered in silence from several bands of cattle thieves who have
headquarters in this county. Heretofore we have never taken any
interest in the local politics of this community. But this year we
propose to assert ourselves, and try to elect a sheriff who will
do his sworn duty, and run out of this county these rustling cattle
thieves. Mr. Seigerman, it would surprise you did I give you the
figures in round numbers of the cattle that my company have lost by
these brand-burning rascals who infest this section.

"Now to business, as you are a business man. I h