You know who his opponent is, I suppose?"
"Ira C. Calvin," said Y and Z together.
"Calvin refused last night," said the president, "and they have put
Jobbins in his place. Here is the telegram. It is code three," he
remarked, handing it to Z.
Z read it, and his face expressed the greatest surprise.
"But Jobbins belongs to us," he cried. "He will not move hand or foot
unless we advise him!"
"Of course," said the president. "But Mr. Ballymolloy does not know that,
nor any other member of the Legislature. Harrington himself does not know
it. Verdict, please."
"Verdict against buying," said Y.
"Naturally," said Z. "What a set of fools they are! How about withdrawing
Harrington?"
"I object," said the president. "Proceed."
"I think it will injure his chance at the vacancy to have him defeated
now, as I said before. That is all," said Z.
"I think it would be dangerous to withdraw him before so weak a man as
Jobbins. It would hurt his reputation. Besides, our second man is in
Washington arguing a case; and, after all, there is a bare chance that
J.
Pages:
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245