Gallagherthenext，andPeteGloversoldhardwareononesideofthestoreandAlfMcNicholsoldpaintontheother。YousoonrealizedtoothatoneofthenewspaperswasConservativeandtheotherwasLiberal，andthattherewasaLiberaldrugstoreandaConservativedrugstore，andsoon。
　　Similarlyroundelectiontime，theMariposaHousewastheLiberalHotel，andtheContinentalConservative，thoughMr。Smith’splace，wheretheyalwaysputonacoupleofextrabartenders，waswhatyoumightcallIndependent—Liberal—Conservative，withadashofImperialismthrownin。Mr。Gingham，theundertaker，was，asanaturaleffectofhiscalling，anadvancedLiberal，butatelectiontimehealwaysengagedaspecialassistantforembalmingConservativecustomers。
　　Sonow，Ithink，youunderstandsomethingofthegeneralpoliticalsurroundingsofthegreatelectioninMissinabaCounty。
　　JohnHenryBagshawwasthesittingmember，theLiberalmember，forMissinabaCounty。
　　TheLiberalscalledhimtheoldwarhorse，andtheoldbattle—axe，andtheoldchargerandtheoldchampionandallsortsofthingsofthatkind。TheConservativescalledhimtheoldjackassandtheoldarmymuleandtheoldboozefighterandtheoldgrafterandtheoldscoundrel。
　　JohnHenryBagshawwas，Isuppose，oneofthegreatestpoliticalforcesintheworld。Hehadflowingwhitehaircrownedwithafedorahat，andasmoothstatesmanlikefacewhichitcostthecountrytwenty—fivecentsadaytoshave。
　　AltogethertheDominionofCanadahadspentovertwothousanddollarsinshavingthatfaceduringthetwentyyearsthatBagshawhadrepresentedMissinabaCounty。Buttheresulthadbeenwellworthit。
　　Bagshawworealongpoliticalovercoatthatitcostthecountrytwentycentsadaytobrush，andbootsthatcosttheDominionfifteencentseverymorningtoshine。
　　Butitwasmoneywellspent。
　　BagshawofMariposawasoneofthemostrepresentativemenoftheage，andit’snowonderthathehadbeenreturnedforthecountyforfiveelectionsrunning，leavingtheConservativesnowhere。Justthinkhowrepresentativehewas。HeownedtwohundredacresoutontheThirdConcessionandkepttwomenworkingonitallthetimetoprovethathewasapracticalfarmer。
　　TheysentinfathogstotheMissinabaCountyAgriculturalExpositionandtheWorld’sFaireveryautumn，andBagshawhimselfstoodbesidethepigpenswiththejudges，andworeapairofcorduroybreechesandchewedastrawallafternoon。AfterthatifanyfarmerthoughtthathewasnotproperlyrepresentedinParliament，itshowedthathewasanass。
　　Bagshawownedahalfshareintheharnessbusinessandaquartershareinthetanneryandthatmadehimabusinessman。HepaidforapewinthePresbyterianChurchandthatrepresentedreligioninParliament。Heattendedcollegefortwosessionsthirtyyearsago，andthatrepresentededucationandkepthimabreastwithmodernscience，ifnotaheadofit。Hekeptalittleaccountinonebankandabigaccountintheother，sothathewasarichmanorapoormanatthesametime。
　　AddtothatthatJohnHenryBagshawwasperhapsthefinestoratorinMariposa。That，ofcourse，issayingagreatdeal。Therearespeakersthere，lotsofthemthatcantalktwoorthreehoursatastretch，buttheoldwarhorsecouldbeatthemall。TheysaythatwhenJohnHenryBagshawgotwellstarted，sayafteracoupleofhoursoftalk，hecouldspeakasPericlesorDemosthenesorCiceronevercouldhavespoken。
　　YoucouldtellBagshawahundredyardsoffasamemberoftheHouseofCommons。Heworeapepper—and—saltsuittoshowthathecamefromaruralconstituency，andheworeabroadgoldwatch—chainwithdanglingsealstoshowthathealsorepresentsatown。YoucouldseefromhisquietlowcollarandwhitetiethathiselectoratewereaGodfearing，religiouspeople，whilethehorseshoepinthatheworeshowedthathiselectoratewerenotwithoutsportinginstinctsandknewahorsefromajackass。
　　Mostofthetime，JohnHenryBagshawhadtobeatOttawa（thoughhepreferredthequietofhisfarmandalwaysleftit，ashesaid，withasigh）。IfhewasnotinOttawa，hewasinWashington，andofcourseatanytimetheymightneedhiminLondon，sothatitwasnowonderthathecouldonlybeinMariposaabouttwomonthsoftheyear。
　　Thatiswhyeverybodyknew，whenBagshawgotofftheafternoontrainonedayearlyinthespring，thattheremustbesomethingveryimportantcomingandthattherumoursaboutanewelectionmustbeperfectlytrue。
　　Everythingthathedidshowedthis。Hegavethebaggagemantwenty—fivecentstotakethecheckoffhistrunk，the’busdriverfiftycentstodrivehimuptotheMainStreet，andhewentintoCallahan’stobaccostoreandboughttwoten—centcigarsandtookthemacrossthestreetandgavethemtoMalloryTompkinsoftheTimes—HeraldasapresentfromthePrimeMinister。
　　Allthatafternoon，BagshawwentupanddowntheMainStreetofMariposa，andyoucouldsee，ifyouknewthesignsofit，thattherewaspoliticsintheair。Heboughtnailsandputtyandglassinthehardwarestore，andharnessintheharnessshop，anddrugsinthedrugstoreandtoysinthetoyshop，andallthethingslikethatthatareneededforabigcampaign。
　　ThenwhenhehaddoneallthishewentoverwithMcGinnistheLiberalorganizerandMalloryTompkins，theTimes—Heraldman，andGingham（thegreatIndependent—Liberalundertaker）tothebackparlourintheMariposaHouse。
　　YoucouldtellfromthewayJohnHenryBagshawclosedthedoorbeforehesatdownthathewasinaprettyseriousframeofmind。
　　"Gentlemen，"hesaid，"theelectionisacertainty。We’regoingtohaveabigfightonourhandsandwe’vegottogetreadyforit。"
　　"Isitgoingtobeonthetariff？"askedTompkins。"Yes，gentlemen，I’mafraiditis。Thewholethingisgoingtoturnonthetariffquestion。Iwishitwereotherwise。Ithinkitmadness，butthey’rebentonit，andwegottofightitonthatline。Whytheycan’tfightitmerelyonthequestionofgraft，"continuedtheoldwarhorse，risingfromhisseatandwalkingupanddown，"Heavenonlyknows。I
　　warnedthem。Iappealedtothem。Isaid，fightthethingongraftandwecanwineasy。Takethisconstituency，——whynothavefoughtthethingoutonwhetherIspenttoomuchmoneyonthetownwharforthepost—office？Whatbetterissuescouldamanwant？LetthemclaimthatIamcrookedandletmeclaimthatI’mnot。Surelythatwasgoodenoughwithoutdragginginthetariff。Butnow，gentlemen，tellmeaboutthingsintheconstituency。Isthereanytalkyetofwhoistorun？"
　　MalloryTompkinslightedupthesecondofhisPrimeMinister’scigarsandthenansweredforthegroup："EverybodysaysthatEdwardDroneisgoingtorun。""Ah！"saidtheoldwarhorse，andtherewasjoyuponhisface，"ishe？Atlast！That’sgood，that’sgood——nowwhatplatformwillherunon？"
　　"Independent。""Excellent，"saidMr。Bagshaw。"Independent，that’sfine。Onaprogrammeofwhat？"
　　"Justsimplehonestyandpublicmorality。"
　　"Comenow，"saidthemember，"that’ssplendid：thatwillhelpenormously。Honestyandpublicmorality！Theverything！IfDronerunsandmakesagoodshowing，wewinforacertainty。Tompkins，youmustlosenotimeoverthis。Can’tyoumanagetogetsomearticlesintheotherpapershintingthatatthelastelectionwebribedallthevotersinthecounty，andthatwegaveoutenoughcontractstosimplypervertthewholeconstituency。Implythatwepouredthepublicmoneyintothiscountyinbucketsfulandthatweareboundtodoitagain。
　　LetDronehaveplentyofmaterialofthissortandhe’lldrawoffeveryhonestunbiassedvoteintheConservativeparty。
　　"Myonlyfearis，"continuedtheoldwarhorse，losingsomeofhisanimation，"thatDronewon’trunafterall。He’ssaiditsooftenbeforeandneverhas。Hehasn’tgotthemoney。Butwemustseetothat。Gingham，youknowhisbrotherwell;youmustworkitsothatwepayDrone’sdepositandhiscampaignexpenses。ButhowlikeDroneitistocomeoutatthistime！"
　　ItwasindeedverylikeEdwardDronetoattemptsomisguidedathingastocomeoutanIndependentcandidateinMissinabaCountyonaplatformofpublichonesty。ItwasjustthesortofthingthatanyoneinMariposawouldexpectfromhim。
　　EdwardDronewastheRuralDean’syoungerbrother，——youngMr。Drone，theyusedtocallhim，yearsago，todistinguishhimfromtherector。
　　Hewasasomewhatweakercopyofhiselderbrother，withasimple，inefficientfaceandkindblueeyes。EdwardDronewas，andalwayshadbeen，afailure。Intraininghehadbeen，onceuponatime，anengineerandbuiltdamsthatbrokeandbridgesthatfelldownandwharvesthatftoatedawayinthespringfloods。Hehadbeenamanufacturerandfailed，hadbeenacontractorandfailed，andnowlivedameagrelifeasasortofsurveyororlandexpertongoodnessknowswhat。
　　InhispoliticalideasEdwardDronewasand，aseverybodyinMariposaknew，alwayshadbeencrazy。HeusedtocomeuptotheautumnexercisesatthehighschoolandmakespeechesabouttheancientRomansandTitusManliusandQuintusCurtiusatthesametimewhenJohnHenryBagshawusedtomakeaspeechabouttheMapleLeafandaskforanextrahalfholiday。Droneusedtotelltheboysaboutthelessonstobelearnedfromthelivesofthetrulygreat，andBagshawusedtotalktothemaboutthelessonslearnedfromthelivesoftheextremelyrich。DroneusedtosaythathisheartfilledwheneverhethoughtofthesplendidpatriotismoftheancientRomans，andBagshawsaidthatwheneverhelookedoutoverthiswideDominionhisheartoverflowed。
　　EventheyoungestboyintheschoolcouldtellthatDronewasfoolish。Noteventheschoolteacherswouldhavevotedforhim。
　　"WhatabouttheConservatives？"askedBagshawpresently;"isthereanytalkyetastowhothey’llbringout？"GinghamandMalloryTompkinslookedatoneanother。Theywerealmostafraidtospeak。
　　"Hadn’tyouheard？"saidGingham;"they’vegottheirmanalready。"
　　"Whoisit？"saidBagshawquickly。"They’regoingtoputupJoshSmith。"
　　"GreatHeaven！"saidBagshaw，jumpingtohisfeet;"Smith！thehotelkeeper。"
　　"Yes，sir，"saidMr。Gingham，"that’stheman。"
　　Doyouremember，inhistory，howNapoleonturnedpalewhenheheardthattheDukeofWellingtonwastoleadthealliesinBelgium？DoyourememberhowwhenThemistoclesheardthatAristogitonwastoleadtheSpartans，hejumpedintothesea？Possiblyyoudon’t，butitmayhelpyoutoformsomeideaofwhatJohnHenryBagshawfeltwhenheheardthattheConservativeshadselectedJoshSmith，proprietorofSmith’sHotel。
　　YourememberSmith。You’veseenhimthereonthestepsofhishotel，——twohundredandeightypoundsinhisstockingedfeet。You’veseenhimsellingliquorafterhoursthroughsheerpublicspirit，andyourecallhowhesavedthelivesofhundredsofpeopleonthedaywhenthesteamersank，andhowhesavedthetownfrombeingdestroyedthenightwhentheChurchofEnglandChurchburntdown。Youknowthathotelofhis，too，halfwaydownthestreet，Smith’sNorthernHealthResort，thoughalreadytheywerebeginningtocallitSmith’sBritishArms。
　　SoyoucanimaginethatBagshawcameasneartoturningpaleasamaninfederalpoliticscan。
　　"IneverknewSmithwasaConservative，"hesaidfaintly;"healwayssubscribedtoourfund。"
　　"Heisnow，"saidMr。Ginghamominously;"hesaystheideaofthisreciprocitybusinesscutshimtotheheart。"
　　"Theinfernalliar！"saidMr。Bagshaw。
　　Therewassilenceforafewmoments。ThenBagshawspokeagain。
　　"WillSmithhaveanythingelseinhisplatformbesidesthetradequestion？"
　　"Yes，"saidMr。Ginghamgloomily，"hewill。"
　　"Whatisit？"
　　"Temperanceandtotalprohibition！"
　　JohnHenryBagshawsankbackinhischairasifstruckwithaclub。
　　Thereletmeleavehimforachapter。
　　ELEVEN
　　TheCandidacyofMr。Smith"Boys，"saidMr。Smithtothetwohostlers，steppingoutontothesidewalkinfrontofthehotel，——"hoistthatthereBritishJackovertheplaceandhoistherupgood。"
　　Thenhestoodandwatchedtheflagflutteringinthewind。"Billy，"
　　hesaidtothedeskclerk，"getacouplemoreandputthemupontheroofofthecaffbehindthehotel。Wiredowntothecityandgetaquotationonahundredofthem。Takethemsigns’AmericanDrinks’outofthebar。Putupnoooneswith’BritishBeeratallHours’;clearouttheryewhiskeyandorderinScotchandIrish，andthengouptotheprintingofficeandgetmethemplacards。"
　　ThenanotherthoughtstruckMr。Smith。
　　"Say，Billy，"hesaid，"wiretothecityforfiftypicturesofKingGeorge。Get’emgood，andget’emcoloured。Itdon’tmatterwhattheycost。"
　　"Allright，sir，"saidBilly。
　　"AndBilly，"calledMr。Smith，asstillanotherthoughtstruckhim（indeed，themomentMr。Smithwentintopoliticsyoucouldseethesethoughtsstrikehimlikewaves），"getfiftypicturesofhisfather，oldKingAlbert。"
　　"Allright，sir。"
　　"Andsay，Itellyou，whileyou’reatit，getsomeoftheoldqueen，Victorina，ifyoucan。Get’eminmourning，withaharpandoneofthemlionsandathree—pointedprong。"
　　ItwasonthemorningaftertheConservativeConvention。JoshSmithhadbeenchosenthecandidate。Andnowthewholetownwascoveredwithflagsandplacardsandtherewerebandsinthestreetseveryevening，andnoiseandmusicandexcitementthatwentonfrommorningtillnight。
　　Electiontimesareexcitingenougheveninthecity。Buttheretheexcitementdiesdowninbusinesshours。InMariposatherearen’tanybusinesshoursandtheexcitementgoesonallthetime。
　　Mr。SmithhadcarriedtheConventionbeforehim。TherehadbeenafeebleattempttoputupNivens。Buteverybodyknewthathewasalawyerandacollegemanandwouldn’thaveachancebyamanwithabroaderoutlooklikeJoshSmith。
　　SotheresultwasthatSmithwasthecandidateandtherewereplacardsoutalloverthetownwithSMITHANDBRITISHALLEGIANCEinbigletters，andpeoplewerewearingbadgeswithMr。Smith’sfaceononesideandKingGeorge’sontheother，andthefruitstorenexttothehotelhadbeencleanedoutandturnedintocommitteeroomswithagangofworkerssmokingcigarsinitalldayandhalfthenight。
　　Therewereotherplacards，too，withBAGSHAWANDLIBERTY，BAGSHAWAND
　　PROSPERITY，VOTEFORTHEOLDMISSINABASTANDARDBEARER，anduptownbesidetheMariposaHousethereweretheBagshawcommitteeroomswithahugewhitestreameracrossthestreet，andwithagangofBagshawworkerssmokingtheirheadsoff。
　　ButMr。SmithhadanestimatemadewhichshowedthatnearlytwocigarstooneweresmokedinhiscommitteeroomsascomparedwiththeLiberals。ItwasthefirsttimeinfiveelectionsthattheConservativehadbeenabletomakesuchashowingasthat。
　　Onemightmention，too，thattherewereDroneplacardsout，——fiveorsixofthem，——littlethingsaboutthesizeofapockethandkerchief，withastatementthat"Mr。EdwardDronesolicitsthevotesoftheelectorsofMissinabaCounty。"Butyouwouldnevernoticethem。AndwhenDronetriedtoputupastreameracrosstheMainStreetwithDRONEANDHONESTYthewindcarrieditawayintothelake。
　　ThefightwasreallybetweenSmithandBagshaw，andeverybodyknewitfromthestart。
　　IwishthatIwereabletonarrateallthephasesandtheturnsofthegreatcontestfromtheopeningofthecampaigntillthefinalpollingday。Butitwouldtakevolumes。
　　Firstofall，ofcourse，thetradequestionwashotlydiscussedinthetwonewspapersofMariposa，andtheNewspacketandtheTimes—Heraldliterallybristledwithstatistics。Thencameinterviewswiththecandidatesandtheexpressionoftheirconvictionsinregardtotariffquestions。
　　"Mr。Smith，"saidthereporteroftheMariposaNewspacket，"we’dliketogetyourviewsoftheeffectoftheproposedreductionofthedifferentialduties。"
　　"Bygosh，Pete，"saidMr。Smith，"youcansearchme。Haveacigar。"
　　"Whatdoyouthink，Mr。Smith，wouldbetheresultofloweringtheadvaloremBritishpreferenceandadmittingAmericangoodsatareciprocalrate？"
　　"It’sacorker，ain’tit？"answeredMr。Smith。"What’llyoutake，lagerordomestic？"
　　AndinthatshortdialogueMr。Smithshowedthathehadinstantaneouslygraspedthewholemethodofdealingwiththepress。
　　TheinterviewinthepapernextdaysaidthatMr。Smith，whileunwillingtostatepositivelythattheprincipleoftariffdiscriminationwasatvariancewithsoundfiscalscience，wasfirmlyofopinionthatanyreciprocalinterchangeoftariffpreferenceswiththeUnitedStatesmustinevitablyleadtoaseriouspercapitareductionofthenationalindustry。
　　"Mr。Smith，"saidthechairmanofadelegationofthemanufacturersofMariposa，"whatdoyouproposetodoinregardtothetariffifyou’reelected？"
　　"Boys，"answeredMr。Smith，"I’llputherupsodarnedhightheywon’tnevergetherdownagain。"
　　"Mr。Smith，"saidthechairmanofanotherdelegation，"I’manoldfreetrader——"
　　"Putitthere，"saidMr。Smith，"so’mI。Thereain’tnothinglikeit。"
　　"Whatdoyouthinkaboutimperialdefence？"askedanotherquestioner。
　　"Which？"saidMr。Smith。
　　"Imperialdefence。"
　　"Ofwhat？"
　　"Ofeverything。"
　　"Whosaysit？"saidMr。Smith。
　　"Everybodyistalkingofit。"
　　"WhatdotheConservativeboysatOttawaythinkaboutit？"answeredMr。Smith。
　　"They’reallforit。"
　　"Well，I’mferittoo，"saidMr。Smith。
　　Theselittleconversationsrepresentedonlythefirststage，theargumentativestageofthegreatcontest。Itwasduringthisperiod，forexample，thattheMariposaNewspacketabsolutelyprovedthatthepriceofhogsinMariposawasdecimalsixhigherthanthepriceoforangesinSouthernCaliforniaandthattheaveragedecennialimportofeggsintoMissinabaCountyhadincreasedfourdecimalsixeighttwointhelastfifteenyearsmorethantheimportoflemonsinNewOrleans。
　　Figuresofthiskindmadethepeoplethink。Mostcertainly。
　　Afterallthiscametheorganizingstageandafterthatthebigpublicmeetingsandtherallies。Perhapsyouhaveneverseenacountybeing"organized。"Itisawonderfulsight。
　　FirstofalltheBagshawmendrovethroughcrosswiseintopbuggiesandthendrovethroughitagainlengthwise。Whenevertheymetafarmertheywentinandateamealwithhim，andafterthemealtheytookhimouttothebuggyandgavehimadrink。Afterthattheman’svotewasabsolutelysoliduntilitwastamperedwithbyfeedingaConservative。
　　Infact，theonlywaytoshowafarmerthatyouareinearnestistogoinandeatamealwithhim。Ifyouwon’teatit，hewon’tvoteforyou。Thatistherecognizedpoliticaltest。
　　But，ofcourse，justassoonastheBagshawmenhadbeguntogetthefarmingvotesolidified，theSmithbuggiescamedrivingthroughintheotherdirection，eatingmealsanddistributingcigarsandturningallthefarmersbackintoConservatives。
　　HereandthereyoumightseeEdwardDrone，theIndependentcandidate，wanderingroundfromfarmtofarminthedustofthepoliticalbuggies。Toeachofthefarmersheexplainedthathepledgedhimselftogivenobribes，tospendnomoneyandtooffernojobs，andeachoneofthemgrippedhimwarmlybythehandandshowedhimthewaytothenextfarm。
　　Aftertheorganizationofthecountytherecametheperiodofthepublicmeetingsandtheralliesandthejointdebatesbetweenthecandidatesandtheirsupporters。
　　IsupposetherewasnoplaceinthewholeDominionwherethetradequestion——theReciprocityquestion——wasthreshedoutquitesothoroughlyandinquitesuchanationalpatrioticspiritasinMariposa。Foramonth，atleast，peopletalkedofnothingelse。AmanwouldstopanotherinthestreetandtellhimthathehadreadlastnightthattheaveragepriceofanegginNewYorkwasdecimaloughtonemorethanthepriceofanegginMariposa，andtheothermanwouldstopthefirstonelaterinthedayandtellhimthattheaveragepriceofahoginIdahowaspointsixofacentperpoundless（ormore，——hecouldn’trememberwhichforthemoment）thantheaveragepriceofbeefinMariposa。
　　Peoplelivedonfiguresofthissort，andthemanwhocouldremembermostofthemstoodoutasabornleader。
　　Butofcourseitwasatthepublicmeetingsthatthesethingsweremostfullydiscussed。ItwouldtakevolumestodofulljusticetoallthemeetingsthattheyheldinMissinabaCounty。Buthereandtheresinglespeechesstoodoutasmasterpiecesofconvincingoratory。
　　Take，forexample，thespeechofJohnHenryBagshawattheTecumsehCornersSchoolHouse。TheMariposaTimes—Heraldsaidnextdaythatthatspeechwouldgodowninhistory，andsoitwill，——eversofardown。
　　AnyonewhohasheardBagshawknowswhatanimpressivespeakerheis，andonthisnightwhenhespokewiththequietdignityofamanoldinyearsandanxiousonlytoservehiscountry，healmostsurpassedhimself。Neartheendofhisspeechsomebodydroppedapin，andthenoiseitmadeinfallingfairlyrattledthewindows。
　　"Iamanoldmannow，gentlemen，"Bagshawsaid，"andthetimemustsooncomewhenImustnotonlyleavepolitics，butmusttakemywaytowardsthatgoalfromwhichnotravellerreturns。"
　　TherewasadeephushwhenBagshawsaidthis。ItwasunderstoodtoimplythathethoughtofgoingtotheUnitedStates。
　　"Yes，gentlemen，Iamanoldman，andIwish，whenmytimecomestogo，todepartleavingaslittleanimositybehindmeaspossible。ButbeforeIdogo，IwantitprettyclearlyunderstoodthattherearemoredarnscoundrelsintheConservativepartythanoughttobetoleratedinanydecentcommunity。Ibear，"hecontinued，"malicetowardsnoneandIwishtospeakwithgentlenesstoall，butwhatI
　　willsayisthathowanysetofrationalresponsiblemencouldnominatesuchaskunkastheConservativecandidatepassestheboundsofmycomprehension。Gentlemen，inthepresentcampaignthereisnoroomforvindictiveabuse。Letusrisetoahigherlevelthanthat。
　　Theytellmethatmyopponent，Smith，isacommonsaloonkeeper。Letitpass。Theytellmethathehasstoodconvictedofhorsestealing，thatheisanotableperjurer，thatheisknownastheblackest—heartedliarinMissinabaCounty。Letusnotspeakofit。
　　Letnowhisperofitpassourlips。
　　"No，gentlemen，"continuedBagshaw，pausingtotakeadrinkofwater，"letusratherconsiderthisquestiononthehighplaneofnationalwelfare。Letusnotthinkofourownparticularinterestsbutletusconsiderthegoodofthecountryatlarge。Andtodothis，letmepresenttoyousomefactsinregardtothepriceofbarleyinTecumsehTownship。"
　　Then，amidadeepstillness，Bagshawreadoffthelistofpricesofsixteenkindsofgraininsixteendifferentplacesduringsixteenyears。
　　"Butletmeturn，"Bagshawwentontoanotherphaseofthenationalsubject，"andviewforamomentthepriceofmarshhayinMissinabaCounty——"
　　WhenBagshawsatdownthatnightitwasfeltthataLiberalvoteinTecumsehTownshipwasaforegoneconclusion。
　　Butheretheyhadn’treckonedonthepoliticalgeniusofMr。Smith。
　　Whenheheardnextdayofthemeeting，hesummonedsomeofhisleadingspeakerstohimandhesaid：
　　"Boys，they’rebeatingusonthemstatissicks。Ournain’tgoodenough。"
　　ThenheturnedtoNivensandhesaid：
　　"Whatwasthemfiguresyouhadheretheothernight？"
　　Nivenstookoutapaperandbeganreading。
　　"Stop，"saidMr。Smith，"whatwasthatfigureforbacon？"
　　"Fourteenmilliondollars，"saidNivens。
　　"Notenough，"saidMr。Smith，"makeittwenty。They’llstandforit，themfarmers。"
　　Nivenschangedit。
　　"Andwhatwasthatforhay？"
　　"Twodollarsaton。"
　　"Shoveituptofour，"saidMr。Smith："AndItellyou，"headded，"ifanyofthemfarmerssaysthefiguresain’tcorrect，tellthemtogotoWashingtonandseeforthemselves;saythatifanymanwantstheproofofyourfigureslethimgoovertoEnglandandask，——tellhimtogostraighttoLondonandseeitallforhimselfinthebooks。"
　　Afterthis，therewasnomoretroubleoverstatistics。Imustsaythoughthatitisawonderfullyconvincingthingtoheartradefiguresofthiskindproperlyhandled。PerhapsthebestmanonthissortofthinginthecampaignwasMullins，thebanker。Amanofhisprofessionsimplyhastohavefiguresoftradeandpopulationandmoneyathisfingers’endsandtheeffectofitinpublicspeakingiswonderful。
　　Nodoubtyouhavelistenedtospeakersofthiskind，butIquestionwhetheryouhaveeverheardanythingmoretypicalofthesortofeffectthatIalludetothanMullins’sspeechatthebigrallyattheFourthConcession。
　　Mullinshimself，ofcourse，knowsthefiguressowellthatheneverbotherstowritethemintonotesandtheeffectisverystriking。
　　"Now，gentlemen，"hesaidveryearnestly，"howmanyofyouknowjusttowhatextenttheexportsofthiscountryhaveincreasedinthelasttenyears？Howmanycouldtellwhatpercent。ofincreasetherehasbeeninonedecadeofournationalimportation？"——thenMullinspausedandlookedround。Notamanknewit。
　　"Idon’trecall，"hesaid，"exactlythepreciseamountmyself，——notatthismoment，——butitmustbesimplytremendous。Ortakethequestionofpopulation，"Mullinswenton，warmingupagainasabornstatisticianalwaysdoesattheproximityoffigures，"howmanyofyouknow，howmanyofyoucanstate，whathasbeenthedecennialpercentageincreaseinourleadingcities——？"
　　Therehepaused，andwouldyoubelieveit，notamancouldstateit。
　　"Idon’trecalltheexactfigures，"saidMullins，"butIhavethemathomeandtheyarepositivelycolossal。"
　　Butjustinonephaseofthepublicspeaking，thecandidacyofMr。
　　Smithreceivedaseriousset—back。
　　IthadbeenarrangedthatMr。Smithshouldrunonaplatformoftotalprohibition。Buttheysoonfoundthatitwasamistake。Theyhadimportedaspecialspeakerfromthecity，agravemanwithawhitetie，whoputhiswholeheartintotheworkandwouldtakenothingforitexcepthisexpensesandasumofmoneyforeachspeech。Butbeyondthemoney，Isay，hewouldtakenothing。
　　HespokeonenightattheTecumsehCornerssocialhallatthesametimewhentheLiberalmeetingwasgoingonattheTecumsehCornersschoolhouse。
　　"Gentlemen，"hesaid，ashepausedhalfwayinhisspeech，——"whilewearegatheredhereinearnestdiscussion，doyouknowwhatishappeningoveratthemeetingplaceofouropponents？Doyouknowthatseventeenbottlesofryewhiskeyweresentoutfromthetownthisafternoontothatinnocentandunsuspectingschoolhouse？
　　Seventeenbottlesofwhiskeyhiddeninbetweentheblackboardandthewall，andeverysinglemanthatattendsthatmeeting，——markmywords，everysingleman，——willdrinkhisfilloftheabominablestuffattheexpenseoftheLiberalcandidate！"
　　Justassoonasthespeakersaidthis，youcouldseetheSmithmenatthemeetinglookatoneanotherininjuredsurprise，andbeforethespeechwashalfoverthehallwaspracticallyemptied。
　　Afterthatthetotalprohibitionplankwaschangedandthecommitteesubstitutedadeclarationinfavourofsuchaformofrestrictivelicenseasshouldpromotetemperancewhileencouragingthemanufactureofspirituousliquors，andbyasevereregulationoftheliquortrafficshouldplaceintoxicantsonlyinthehandsofthosefittedtousethem。
　　Finallytherecamethegreatdayitself，theElectionDaythatbrought，aseverybodyknows，thecrowningtriumphofMr。Smith’scareer。Thereisnoneedtospeakofitatanylength，becauseithasbecomeamatterofhistory。
　　Inanycase，everybodywhohaseverseenMariposaknowsjustwhatelectiondayislike。Theshops，ofcourse，are，asamatterofcustom，allclosed，andthebarroomsareallclosedbylawsothatyouhavetogoinbythebackway。AllthepeopleareintheirbestclothesandatfirsttheywalkupanddownthestreetinasolemnwayjustastheydoonthetwelfthofJulyandonSt。Patrick’sDay，beforethefunbegins。Everybodykeepslookinginatthedifferentpollingplacestoseeifanybodyelsehasvotedyet，because，ofcourse，nobodycarestovotefirstforfearofbeingfooledafterallandvotingonthewrongside。
　　MostofalldidthesupportersofMr。Smith，actingunderhisinstructions，hangbackfromthepollintheearlyhours。ToMr。
　　Smith’smind，votingwastobeconductedonthesameplanasbear—shooting。
　　"Holdbackyourvotes，boys，"hesaid，"anddon’tbetooeager。Waittillshebeginstowarmupandthenlet’emhaveitgoodandhard。"
　　IneachofthepollingplacesinMariposathereisareturningofficerandwithhimaretwoscrutineers，andtheelectors，Isay，peepinandoutlikemicelookingintoatrap。Butifoncethescrutineersgetamanwellintothepollingbooth，theypushhiminbehindalittlecurtainandmakehimvote。Thevoting，ofcourse，isbysecretballot，sothatnooneexceptthescrutineersandthereturningofficerandthetwoorthreepeoplewhomayberoundthepollcanpossiblytellhowamanhasvoted。
　　That’showitcomesaboutthatthefirstresultsareoftensocontradictoryandconflicting。SometimesthepollisbadlyarrangedandthescrutineersareunabletoseeproperlyjusthowtheballotsarebeingmarkedandtheycountuptheLiberalsandConservativesindifferentways。Often，too，avotermakeshismarksohurriedlyandcarelesslythattheyhavetopickitoutoftheballotboxandlookatittoseewhatitis。
　　IsupposethatmayhavebeenwhyitwasthatinMariposatheresultscameoutatfirstinsuchaconflictingway。PerhapsthatwashowitwasthatthefirstreportsshowedthatEdwardDronetheIndependentcandidatewascertaintowin。Youshouldhaveseenhowtheexcitementgrewuponthestreetswhenthenewswascirculated。InthebigralliesandmeetingsoftheLiberalsandConservatives，everybodyhadprettywellforgottenallaboutDrone，andwhenthenewsgotroundataboutfouro’clockthattheDronevotewascarryingthepoll，thepeopleweresimplyastounded。Notthattheywerenotpleased。Onthecontrary。
　　Theyweredelighted。EverybodycameuptoDroneandshookhandsandcongratulatedhimandtoldhimthattheyhadknownallalongthatwhatthecountrywantedwasastraight，honest，non—partisanrepresentation。TheConservativessaidopenlythattheyweresickofparty，utterlydonewithit，andtheLiberalssaidthattheyhatedit。AlreadythreeorfourofthemhadtakenDroneasideandexplainedthatwhatwasneededinthetownwasastraight，clean，nonpartisanpost—office，builtonapieceofgroundofastrictlynon—partisancharacter，andconstructedundercontractsthatwerenottaintedandsmirchedwithpartyaffiliation。TwoorthreemenwerewillingtoshowtoDronejustwhereapieceofgroundofthischaractercouldbebought。TheytoldhimtoothatinthematterofthepostmastershipitselftheyhadnothingagainstTrelawney，thepresentpostmaster，inanypersonalsense，andwouldsaynothingagainsthimexceptmerelythathewasutterlyandhopelesslyunfitforhisjobandthatifDronebelieved，ashehadsaidhedid，inapurifiedcivilservice，heoughttobeginbypurifyingTrelawney。
　　AlreadyEdwardDronewasbeginningtofeelsomethingofwhatitmeanttoholdofficeandtherewascreepingintohismannerthequietself—importancewhichisthefirstsignofconsciouspower。
　　Infact，inthatbriefhalf—hourofoffice，Dronehadachancetoseesomethingofwhatitmeant。HenryMcGinniscametohimandaskedstraightoutforajobasfederalcensus—takeronthegroundthathewashardupandhadbeencrippledwithrheumatismallwinter。NelsonWilliamsonaskedforthepostofwharfmasteronthepleathathehadbeenlaidupwithsciaticaallwinterandwasabsolutelyfitfornothing。ErasmusArcheraskedhimifhecouldgethisboyPeteintooneofthedepartmentsatOttawa，andmadeastrongcaseofitbyexplainingthathehadtriedhiscussedesttogetPeteajobanywhereelseanditwassimplyimpossible。NotthatPetewasn’tawillingboy，buthewasslow，——evenhisfatheradmittedit，——slowasthedevil，blasthim，andwithnoheadforfiguresandunfortunatelyhe’dneverhadtheschoolingtobringhimon。ButifDronecouldgethiminatOttawa，hisfathertrulybelieveditwouldbetheveryplaceforhim。SurelyintheIndianDepartmentorintheAstronomicalBranchorintheNewCanadianNavytheremustbeanyamountofopeningforaboylikethis？AndtoalloftheserequestsDronefoundhimselfexplainingthathewouldtakethematterunderhisveryearnestconsiderationandthattheymustrememberthathehadtoconsulthiscolleaguesandnotmerelyfollowthedictatesofhisownwishes。Infact，ifhehadeverinhislifehadanyenvyofCabinetMinisters，helostitinthishour。
　　ButDrone’shourwasshort。EvenbeforethepollhadclosedinMariposa，thenewscamesweepingin，trueorfalse，thatBagshawwascarryingthecounty。ThesecondconcessionhadgoneforBagshawinaregularlandslide，sixvotestoonlytwoforSmith，——andalldownthetownshiplineroad（wherethehayfarmsare）Bagshawwassaidtobecarryingallbeforehim。
　　Justassoonasthatnewswentroundthetown，theylaunchedtheMariposabandoftheKnightsofPythias（everymaninitisaLiberal）downtheMainStreetwithbigredbannersinfrontofitwiththemottoBAGSHAWFOREVERinlettersafoothigh。Suchrejoicingandenthusiasmbegantosetinasyouneversaw。EverybodycrowdedroundBagshawonthestepsoftheMariposaHouseandshookhishandandsaidtheywereproudtoseethedayandthattheLiberalpartywasthegloryoftheDominionandthatasforthisideaofnon—partisanpoliticstheverythoughtofitmadethemsick。RightawayinthecommitteeroomstheybegantoorganizethedemonstrationfortheeveningwithlanternslidesandspeechesandtheyarrangedforahugebouquettobepresentedtoBagshawontheplatformbyfourlittlegirls（allLiberals）alldressedinwhite。
　　Anditwasjustatthisjuncture，withonehourofvotingleft，thatMr。Smithemergedfromhiscommitteeroomsandturnedhisvotersonthetown，muchastheDukeofWellingtonsentthewholelinetothechargeatWaterloo。Fromeverycommitteeroomandsub—committeeroomtheypouredoutinflockswithbluebadgesflutteringontheircoats。
　　"Getatit，boys，"saidMr。Smith，"voteandkeeponvotingtilltheymakeyouquit。"
　　Thenheturnedtohiscampaignassistant。"Billy，"hesaid，"wiredowntothecitythatI’melectedbyanoverwhelmingmajorityandtellthemtowireitrightback。SendwordbytelephonetoallthepollingplacesinthecountythatthehulltownhasgonesolidConservativeandtellthemtosendthesamenewsbackhere。Getcarpentersandtellthemtorunupaplatforminfrontofthehotel;
　　tellthemtotakethebardoorcleanoffitshingesandbeallreadytheminutethepollquits。"
　　Itwasthatlasthourthatdidit。JustassoonasthebigposterswentupinthewindowsoftheMariposaNewspacketwiththetelegraphicdespatchthatJoshSmithwasreportedinthecitytobeelected，andwasfollowedbythemessagesfromalloverthecounty，thevotershesitatednolonger。Theyhadwaited，mostofthem，allthroughtheday，notwantingtomakeanyerrorintheirvote，butwhentheysawtheSmithmencrowdingintothepollsandheardthenewsfromtheoutside，theywentsolidinonegreatstampede，andbythetimethepollwasdeclaredclosedatfiveo’clocktherewasnoshadowofdoubtthatthecountywassavedandthatJoshSmithwaselectedforMissinaba。
　　IwishyoucouldhavewitnessedthesceneinMariposathatevening。
　　Itwouldhavedoneyourheartgood;——suchjoy，suchpublicrejoicingasyouneversaw。Itturnedoutthattherewasn’treallyaLiberalinthewholetownandthatthereneverhadbeen。TheywereallConservativesandhadbeenforyearsandyears。Menwhohadvoted，withpainandsorrowintheirhearts，fortheLiberalpartyfortwentyyears，cameoutthateveningandownedupstraightthattheywereConservatives。Theysaidtheycouldstandthestrainnolongerandsimplyhadtoconfess。Whateverthesacrificemightmean，theywerepreparedtomakeit。
　　EvenMr。GolgothaGingham，theundertaker，cameoutandadmittedthatinworkingforJohnHenryBagshawhe’dbeengoingstraightagainsthisconscience。Hesaidthatrightfromthefirsthehadhadhismisgivings。Hesaidithadhauntedhim。Oftenatnightwhenhewouldbeworkingawayquietly，oneofthesesuddenmisgivingswouldovercomehimsothathecouldhardlygoonwithhisembalming。Why，itappearedthatontheveryfirstdaywhenreciprocitywasproposed，hehadcomehomeandsaidtoMrs。Ginghamthathethoughtitsimplymeantsellingoutthecountry。Andthestrangethingwasthateversomanyothershadjustthesamemisgivings。TrelawneyadmittedthathehadsaidtoMrs。Trelawneythatitwasmadness，andJeffThorpe，thebarber，had，headmitted，gonehometohisdinner，thefirstdayreciprocitywastalkedof，andsaidtoMrs。Thorpethatitwouldsimplykillbusinessinthecountryandintroduceacheap，shoddy，Americanformofhaircutthatwouldrendertrueloyaltyimpossible。
　　TothinkthatMrs。GinghamandMrs。TrelawneyandMrs。Thorpehadknownallthisforsixmonthsandkeptquietaboutit！YetIthinktherewereagoodmanyMrs。Ginghamsinthecountry。Itismerelyanotherproofthatnowomanisfitforpolitics。
　　ThedemonstrationthatnightinMariposawillneverbeforgotten。Theexcitementinthestreets，thetorchlights，themusicofthebandoftheKnightsofPythias（anorganizationwhichisconservativeinallbutname），andaboveallthespeechesandthepatriotism。
　　Theyhadputupabigplatforminfrontofthehotel，andonitwereMr。Smithandhischiefworkers，andbehindthemwasaperfectforestofflags。TheypresentedahugebouquetofflowerstoMr。Smith，handedtohimbyfourlittlegirlsinwhite，——thesamefourthatI
　　spokeofabove，foritturnedoutthattheywereallConservatives。
　　Thentherewerethespeeches。JudgePepperleighspokeandsaidthattherewasnoneedtodwellonthevictorythattheyhadachieved，becauseitwashistory;therewasnooccasiontospeakofwhatparthehimselfhadplayed，withinthelimitsofhisofficialposition，becausewhathehaddonewashenceforthamatterofhistory;andNivens，thelawyer，saidthathewouldonlysayjustafewwords，becauseanythingthathemighthavedonewasnowhistory;latergenerations，hesaid，mightreaditbutitwasnotforhimtospeakofit，becauseitbelongednowtothehistoryofthecountry。And，afterthem，othersspokeinthesamestrainandallrefusedabsolutelytodwellonthesubject（formorethanhalfanhour）onthegroundthatanythingthattheymighthavedonewasbetterleftforfuturegenerationstoinvestigate。Andnodoubtthiswasverytrue，astosomethings，anyway。
　　Mr。Smith，ofcourse，saidnothing。Hedidn’thaveto，——notforfouryears，——andheknewit。
　　TWELVE
　　L’Envoi。TheTraintoMariposaItleavesthecityeverydayaboutfiveo’clockintheevening，thetrainforMariposa。
　　Strangethatyoudidnotknowofit，thoughyoucomefromthelittletown——ordid，longyearsago。
　　Oddthatyouneverknew，inalltheseyears，thatthetrainwasthereeveryafternoon，puffingupsteaminthecitystation，andthatyoumighthaveboardeditanydayandgonehome。No，not"home，"——ofcourseyoucouldn’tcallit"home"now;"home"meansthatbigredsandstonehouseofyoursinthecostlierpartofthecity。"Home"
　　means，inaway，thisMausoleumClubwhereyousometimestalkwithmeofthetimesthatyouhadasaboyinMariposa。
　　Butofcourse"home"wouldhardlybethewordyouwouldapplytothelittletown，unlessperhaps，lateatnight，whenyou’dbeensittingreadinginaquietcornersomewheresuchabookasthepresentone。
　　Naturallyyoudon’tknowoftheMariposatrainnow。Yearsago，whenyoufirstcametothecityasaboywithyourwaytomake，youknewofitwellenough，onlytoowell。Thepriceofaticketcountedinthosedays，andthoughyouknewofthetrainyoucouldn’ttakeit，butsometimesfromsheerhomesicknessyouusedtowanderdowntothestationonaFridayafternoonafteryourwork，andwatchtheMariposapeoplegettingonthetrainandwishthatyoucouldgo。
　　Why，youknewthattrainatonetimebetter，Isuppose，thananyothersinglethinginthecity，andlovedittooforthelittletowninthesunshinethatitranto。
　　Doyourememberhowwhenyoufirstbegantomakemoneyyouusedtoplanthatjustassoonasyouwererich，reallyrich，you’dgobackhomeagaintothelittletownandbuildagreatbighousewithafineverandah，——nostintaboutit，thebestthatmoneycouldbuy，planedlumber，everysquarefootofit，andafinepicketfenceinfrontofit。
　　Itwastobeoneofthegrandestandfinesthousesthatthoughtcouldconceive;muchfiner，intruereality，thanthatvastpalaceofsandstonewiththeportecochereandthesweepingconservatoriesthatyouafterwardsbuiltinthecostlierpartofthecity。
　　ButifyouhavehalfforgottenMariposa，andlongsincelostthewaytoit，youareonlylikethegreaterpartofthemenhereinthisMausoleumClubinthecity。WouldyoubelieveitthatpracticallyeveryoneofthemcamefromMariposaonceuponatime，andthatthereisn’toneofthemthatdoesn’tsometimesdreaminthedullquietofthelongeveninghereintheclub，thatsomedayhewillgobackandseetheplace。
　　Theyalldo。Onlythey’rehalfashamedtoownit。
　　Askyourneighbourthereatthenexttablewhetherthepartridgethattheysometimesservetoyouherecanbecomparedforamomenttothebirdsthatheandyou，orheandsomeoneelse，usedtoshootasboysinthesprucethicketsalongthelake。AskhimifheevertastedduckthatcouldforamomentbecomparedtotheblackducksinthericemarshalongtheOssawippi。Andasforfish，andfishing，——no，don’taskhimaboutthat，forifheeverstartstellingyouofthechubtheyusedtocatchbelowthemilldamandthegreenbassthatusedtolieinthewater—shadowoftherocksbesidetheIndian’sIsland，noteventhelongdulleveninginthisclubwouldbelongenoughforthetellingofit。
　　Butnowondertheydon’tknowaboutthefiveo’clocktrainforMariposa。Veryfewpeopleknowaboutit。Hundredsofthemknowthatthereisatrainthatgoesoutatfiveo’clock，buttheymistakeit。
　　Eversomanyofthemthinkit’sjustasuburbantrain。Lotsofpeoplethattakeiteverydaythinkit’sonlythetraintothegolfgrounds，butthejokeisthatafteritpassesoutofthecityandthesuburbsandthegolfgrounds，itturnsitselflittlebylittleintotheMariposatrain，thunderingandpoundingtowardsthenorthwithhemlocksparkspouringoutintothedarknessfromthefunnelofit。
　　Ofcourseyoucan’ttellitjustatfirst。Allthosepeoplethatarecrowdingintoitwithgolfclubs，andwearingknickerbockersandflatcaps，woulddeceiveanybody。Thatcrowdofsuburbanpeoplegoinghomeoncommutationticketsandsometimesstandingthickintheaisles，thoseare，ofcourse，notMariposapeople。Butlookroundalittlebitandyou’llfindthemeasilyenough。Hereandthereinthecrowdthosepeoplewiththeclothesthatareperfectlyallrightandyetlookoddinsomeway，thewomenwiththepeculiarhatsandthe——whatdoyousay？——lastyear’sfashions？Ahyes，ofcourse，thatmustbeit。
　　Anyway，thosearetheMariposapeopleallrightenough。Thatmanwiththetwo—dollarpanamaandtheglaringspectaclesisoneofthegreatestjudgesthateveradornedthebenchofMissinabaCounty。Thatclericalgentlemanwiththewideblackhat，whoisexplainingtothemanwithhimthemarvellousmechanismofthenewairbrake（oneofthemostconspicuousillustrationsofthedivinestructureofthephysicaluniverse），surelyyouhaveseenhimbefore。Mariposapeople！
　　Ohyes，thereareanynumberofthemonthetraineveryday。
　　Butofcourseyouhardlyrecognizethemwhilethetrainisstillpassingthroughthesuburbsandthegolfdistrictandtheoutlyingpartsofthecityarea。Butwaitalittle，andyouwillseethatwhenthecityiswellbehindyou，bitbybitthetrainchangesitscharacter。Theelectriclocomotivethattookyouthroughthecitytunnelsisoffnowandtheoldwoodengineishitchedoninitsplace。Isuppose，veryprobably，youhaven’tseenoneofthesewoodenginessinceyouwereaboyfortyyearsago，——theoldenginewithawidetoplikeahatonitsfunnel，andwithsparksenoughtolightupasuitfordamagesonceineverymile。
　　Doyousee，too，thatthetrimlittlecarsthatcameoutofthecityontheelectricsuburbanexpressarebeingdiscardednowatthewaystations，onebyone，andintheirplaceistheoldfamiliarcarwiththestuffcushionsinredplush（howgorgeousitonceseemed！）andwithaboxstovesetupinoneendofit？Thestoveisburningfuriouslyatitssticksthisautumnevening，fortheairsetsinchillasyougetclearawayfromthecityandarerisinguptothehighergroundofthecountryofthepinesandthelakes。
　　Lookfromthewindowasyougo。Thecityisfarbehindnowandrightandleftofyoutherearetrimfarmswithelmsandmaplesnearthemandwithtallwindmillsbesidethebarnsthatyoucanstillseeinthegatheringdusk。Thereisadullredlightfromthewindowsofthefarmstead。Itmustbecomfortablethereaftertheroarandclatterofthecity，andonlythinkofthestillquietofit。
　　Asyousitbackhalfdreaminginthecar，youkeepwonderingwhyitisthatyounevercameupbeforeinalltheseyears。Eversomanytimesyouplannedthatjustassoonastherushandstrainofbusinesseasedupalittle，youwouldtakethetrainandgobacktothelittletowntoseewhatitwaslikenow，andifthingshadchangedmuchsinceyourday。Buteachtimewhenyourholidayscame，somehowyouchangedyourmindandwentdowntoNaragansettorNagahuckettorNagasomething，andleftoverthevisittoMariposaforanothertime。
　　Itisalmostnightnow。Youcanstillseethetreesandthefencesandthefarmsteads，buttheyarefadingfastinthetwilight。Theyhavelengthenedoutthetrainbythistimewithastringofflatcarsandfreightcarsbetweenwherewearesittingandtheengine。Butateverycrosswaywecanhearthelongmuffledroarofthewhistle，dyingtoamelancholywailthatechoesintothewoods;thewoods，I
　　say，forthefarmsarethinningoutandthetrackplungeshereandthereintogreatstretchesofbush，——talltamerackandredscrubwillowandwithatangledundergrowthofbushthathasdefiedfortwogenerationsallattemptstoclearitintotheformoffields。
　　Why，look，thatgreatspacethatseemstoopenoutinthehalf—darkofthefallingevening，——why，surelyyes，——LakeOssawippi，thebiglake，astheyusedtocallit，fromwhichtheriverrunsdowntothesmallerlake，——LakeWissanotti，——wherethetownofMariposahaslainwaitingforyouthereforthirtyyears。
　　ThisisLakeOssawippisurelyenough。Youwouldknowitanywherebythebroad，still，blackwaterwithhardlyaripple，andwiththegripofthecomingfrostalreadyonit。Suchagreatsheetofblacknessitlooksasthetrainthundersalongtheside，swingingthecurveoftheembankmentatabreakneckspeedasitroundsthecornerofthelake。
　　Howfastthetraingoesthisautumnnight！Youhavetravelled，Iknowyouhave;intheEmpireStateExpress，andtheNewLimitedandtheMaritimeExpressthatholdstherecordofsixhundredwhirlingmilesfromParistoMarseilles。Butwhataretheytothis，thismadcareer，thisbreakneckspeed，thisthunderingroaroftheMariposalocaldrivinghardtoitshome！Don’ttellmethatthespeedisonlytwenty—fivemilesanhour。Idon’tcarewhatitis。Itellyou，andyoucanproveitforyourselfifyouwill，thatthattrainofmingledflatcarsandcoachesthatgoestearingintothenight，itsenginewhistleshriekingoutitswarningintothesilentwoodsandechoingoverthedullstilllake，isthefastesttraininthewholeworld。
　　Yes，andthebesttoo，——themostcomfortable，themostreliable，themostluxuriousandthespeediesttrainthateverturnedawheel。
　　Andthemostgenial，themostsociabletoo。Seehowthepassengersallturnandtalktooneanothernowastheygetnearerandnearertothelittletown。Thatdullreservethatseemedtoholdthepassengersintheelectricsuburbanhascleanvanishedandgone。Theyaretalking，——listen，——oftheharvest，andthelateelection，andofhowthelocalmemberismentionedforthecabinetandalltheoldfamiliartopicsofthesort。AlreadytheconductorhaschangedhisglazedhatforanordinaryroundChristieandyoucanhearthepassengerscallinghimandthebrakesman"Bill"and"Sam"asiftheywereallonefamily。
　　Whatisitnow——ninethirty？Ah，thenwemustbenearingthetown，——thisbigbushthatwearepassingthrough，yourememberitsurelyasthegreatswampjustthissideofthebridgeovertheOssawippi？Thereisthebridgeitself，andthelongroarofthetrainasitrushessoundingoverthetrestleworkthatrisesabovethemarsh。Heartheclatteraswepassthesemaphoresandswitchlights！
　　Wemustbecloseinnow！
　　What？itfeelsnervousandstrangetobecominghereagainafteralltheseyears？Itmustindeed。No，don’tbothertolookatthereflectionofyourfaceinthewindow—paneshadowedbythenightoutside。Nobodycouldtellyounowafteralltheseyears。Yourfacehaschangedintheselongyearsofmoney—gettinginthecity。Perhapsifyouhadcomebacknowandagain，justatoddtimes，itwouldn’thavebeenso。
　　There，——youhearit？——thelongwhistleofthelocomotive，one，two，three！YoufeelthesharpslackeningofthetrainasitswingsroundthecurveofthelastembankmentthatbringsittotheMariposastation。See，too，asweroundthecurve，therowoftheflashinglights，thebrightwindowsofthedepot。
　　Howvividandplainitallis。Justasitusedtobethirtyyearsago。Thereisthestringofthehotel’buses，drawnupallreadyforthetrain，andasthetrainroundsinandstopshissingandpantingattheplatform，youcanhearaboveallothersoundsthecryofthebrakesmenandtheporters：
　　"MARIPOSA！MARIPOSA！"
　　Andaswelisten，thecrygrowsfainterandfainterinourearsandwearesittinghereagainintheleatherchairsoftheMausoleumClub，talkingofthelittleTownintheSunshinethatonceweknew。