“In that way, yes; of course,” said Mr. Latham, puzzled to find himself changing front so suddenly.

“Mr. Hopkins has taken a lot of money out of this town,” remarked Patsy, examining a new kind of tooth wash.  “But I can’t find that he’s ever given much of it back.”

“That’s true.  He buys his cigars of Thompson, the general store man, and I keep the finest line ever brought to this town.”

“Oh, that reminds me!” exclaimed Patsy.  “Mr. Forbes wanted me to purchase a box of your choicest brand, and have you just hand them out to your customers with his compliments.  He thinks he ought to show a little cordiality to the men who vote for him, and he said you would know just the people to give them to.”

Latham gasped, but he assumed an air of much importance.

“I know every man that comes to this town, miss, as well as any you’ll find,” he said.

“The best brand, mind you, Mr. Latham,” said the girl.  “How much will they be?”

“Why, the very best—­these imported perfectos, you know—­are worth six dollars a box of fifty.  Perhaps for election purposes something a little cheaper—­”

“Oh, no; the best is none too good for the friends of Mr. Forbes, you know.  And fifty—­why fifty will scarcely go around.  I’ll pay for a hundred, Mr. Latham, and you’ll see they go to the right persons.”

“Of course; of course, miss.  And much obliged.  You see, young Forbes is well liked, and he’s quite a decent fellow.  I wouldn’t be surprised if he gave Hopkins a hard fight.”

“I’ll tell you a secret,” said Patsy, sweetly.  “Mr. Forbes is bound to be elected.  Why, it’s all arranged in advance, Mr. Latham, and the better element, like yourself, is sure to support him.  By the way, you won’t forget to tell people about those signs, I hope?  That the fight is not against advertising, but for beautiful rural homes and scenes.”

“Oh, I’ll fix that, Miss—­”

“Doyle.  I’m Miss Doyle, Mr. Forbes’s cousin.”

“I’ll see that the people understand this campaign, Miss Doyle.  You can depend on me.”

“And if the cigars give out, don’t hesitate to open more boxes.  I’ll call in, now and then, and settle for them.”

I really think this young lady might have been ashamed of herself; but she wasn’t.  She smiled sweetly upon the druggist when he bowed her out, and Mr. Latham from that moment began to seek for friends of Mr. Forbes to give cigars to.  If they were not friends, he argued with them until they were, for he was an honest little man, in his way, and tried to act in good faith.

So the girl went from one shop to another, making liberal purchases and seeking for every opening that would enable her to make a convert.  And her shrewd Irish wit made her quick to take advantage of any weakness she discovered in the characters of the people she interviewed.

When noon came Uncle John hunted her up, which was not difficult, in Elmwood, and together they went to the village “hotel” to get something to eat.  The mid-day dinner was not very inviting, but Patsy praised the cooking to the landlord’s wife, who waited upon the table, and Uncle John bought one of the landlord’s cigars after the meal and talked politics with him while he smoked it.