JIM.  I went in it to win—­my friends kind a put it that way—­an’ it seems I ought to do my best for them—­but—­I wish you luck, old man,—­I wouldn’t take the nomination now—­I didn’t think Kate cared.

CURTAIN.

ACT II.

SCENE.  VERNON’S blacksmith shop, adjoining his living-room.  Forge.  Door to living-room above forge.  Bellows down stage below forge.  Bench with vise at left.  Big double doors.  Trusses.  Tub of water back of anvil.

DISCOVERED. JOE and CAL beating weld of tire; ESROM, a half-witted negro, absently playing jew’s-harp on trusses.

JOE. [Wearing boots and leather apron.] Hand me the traveller. [HELPER hands it, and drops tire horizontally on anvil, while JOE runs traveller around it inside.] Jes’ the same size—­give it another heat an’ we’ll beat her out a quarter inch. [Crosses to left centre. HELPER puts tire into fire and works bellows.] Esrom!

ESROM.  Yes, sah.

JOE.  I’m purty busy now, an’ that tune—­can’t you let up till I’m through?

ESROM.  Yes, sah.

JOE.  An’ while you’re resting you might bring another bucket o’ water an’ dump it in this tub.

ESROM. [Going.] Yes, sah—­don’t you really want to buy any mo’ coke?

JOE.  Not this morning, Esrom. [Exit ESROM with jew’s-harp, playing.] Ready? [Takes tire from fire and hammers weld out—­when pounding is done, traveller runs over it as before.  Enter MRS. VERNON.

MRS. VERNON.  Joe, can’t you leave that now?

JOE.  Course I can’t, ma—­it’s Louisiana time now.

MRS. VERNON.  Well, the breakfast’s spilin’. [Exit.

JOE. [Calling.] Well, it’s Dave an’ his durned alarm-clock—­if I’d let Kate set it—­I guess she’s all right now, Cal. [HELPER puts tire in fire—­last heating. JOE goes to trusses and lays wheel square.  Enter SARBER.  SARBER wears linen duster and boots, and carries a whip.] Hello, Bill.

SARBER. [Down] Hello, Joe—­mighty nigh time. [Looking at watch.

JOE.  Won’t be a minute longer—­soon as we stretch her a little and drop her over this bunch of bones—­

SARBER. [Examining wheel.] Hello, Cal? [HELPER nods.] Fellers ain’t hurt?

JOE.  Nothin’ ain’t hurt. [Enter ESROM with water.] This wheel’s got as purty a dish as I ever see.

SARBER.  Don’t know why the durned weld broke.

JOE.  Them steel tires are hard to make fast sometimes—­

ESROM.  Right heah, Joe.

JOE.  Let her go.

ESROM pours water into tub.

ESROM. [Coaxingly.] No coke dis mawnin’?

JOE.  No. [ESROM exits. To SARBER, pointing to dog under bench.]
Ever see that chap before?