l as his fortune. He could have sulked and
excused himself, but there was no excuse for inaction after demand had
been made upon him in this fashion.

There was silence in the room.

"Fellow up our way used to be a mighty good mule teamster," said
Thelismer Thornton, tipping his great head back into clasped hands, and
gazing meditatively at the ceiling. "Had a gad for the wheel mules, whip
for the swing team, and a pocketful of rocks for the leaders. One day
the rocks gave out just as the wagon sunk into a honey-pot on a March
road. But being a good teamster, he yanked out his pipe and threw it at
the nigh leader just at the critical second. Sparks skated from crupper
to mane along the mule's back, and he gave a snort and a heave, and away
they went."

Chairman Presson, deep in his trouble, was disgusted by this levity, and
growled under his breath.

"If a fellow had been off ahead of the team with a bag of oats perhaps
the pipe wouldn't have been needed," pursued the Duke, meditatively.
"Anyway, gentlemen, I'll tell you what I'll do. I've been waiting to be
called on for my contribution for the fund, but for some reason business
hasn't been started in this campaign as soon as I hoped. Harlan was a
little excited just now. I think, seeing that the State Committee is now
going to take hold of the campaign, he'll be able to get out of it a
little cheaper. A lot of the other boys will chip when they're asked.
For the Thornton family I lead off subscriptions with a pledge of five
thousand dollars. I'm that much interested in seeing my--my original
choice for Governor elected by a good majority."

Presson got up, and stamped down his trousers legs.

"I know when I'm licked," he admitted. "And I've been licked in the
whole seventeen rounds of this campaign. Look here, General Waymouth,
I'm done fighting. I simply throw myself on your mercy. I know how you
feel toward me. But I've got just this to say: it's a poor tool of a man
that won't fight for his own interests and his friends. I've done it.
And I'm no more of a renegade than the usual run of the men who have to
play politics for results. I don't believe you are going to get results,
General. But that's neither here nor there. There's no more squirm left
in me. I'll take hold of this campaign and elect you. If there's any
crumbs coming to me after that, all right! I'm at your mercy."

"I tell you again I've no time or inclination for petty revenge. That is
not my