What about 'Mexico'?"

"'Mexico'!" exclaimed the editor, breaking out into profanity. "There's
the weakest spot in the whole combination, just where it used to be
strongest. The doctor's got him, body and soul. Why, 'Mexico' 'd be
after him with a gun if he stayed anywhere else when he visits town. The
best in 'Mexico's' saloon isn't quite good enough for the doctor. No,
sir! He's got a line on 'Mexico,' all right."

"Can't you shake him loose? There are the usual ways, you know, of
loosening up people."

"But, my dear sir, I'm just telling you that the usual ways won't work
here. This combination is something quite unusual. I believe there's
some religion in it."

McKenty laughed loud. It was a good joke.

"I tell you I mean it," said the editor, testily. "The doctor's got it
hard. Talk about conversion! You weren't at that meeting last spring--I
was--when he got up and preached us a sermon that would make your hair
curl." And the editor proceeded to give a graphic account of the meeting
in question.

"Well," said McKenty, "I guess we can't touch the doctor. But 'Mexico,'
pshaw! we can keep 'Mexico' solid. We've got to. He knows too much.
You've simply got to get after him."

This the editor of The Pioneer proceeded to do without delay, for,
looking out through the dusty windows of The Pioneer office, he
perceived "Mexico" sauntering down the other side of the street.

"There he is now," he cried, going toward the door. "Hi! 'Mexico'!" he
called, and "Mexico" came slouching across. "Ugly looking beggar, ain't
he?" said the editor. "Jaw like a bulldog. Morning, 'Mexico'!"

"Mornin'," grunted "Mexico," nodding first to the editor and then to
McKenty.

"How is things, 'Mexico'?" said the editor, in his most ingratiating
manner.

"How?"

"How are the boys? Vote solid? Election's coming on, you know."

"Comin' on soon?"

"Well, it looks that way, but really one can't say. We ought to be
ready, though."

"Can't be too soon," said "Mexico."

"How is that?"

"Time's agin ye. Leather pants goin' out of fashion," with a glance at
the schapps which the editor delighted to wear. "People beginnin' to go
to meetin' in this country."

"I hear you're going yourself a little, 'Mexico,'" said McKenty,
facetiously.

"Mexico" turned his eyes slowly upon the Member.

"Anything to say agin it?"

"Not at all, 'Mexico,' not at all. Good thing; but they say the doctor's
got the boys rather away from you, that you'