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。