“I guess you’re right about that,” laughed the woman. “’Rast don’t let much get away from him.”

“You’re very clever, Mrs. Simmons.  You have discovered the fact without being told.”

“Oh, I know ‘Rast Hopkins, an’ so does Dan.”

“Then I can depend on you to help us?” asked the girl, patting the tousled head of a little girl who stood by staring at “the pretty lady.”

“I’ll talk to him, but I dunno what good it’ll do,” said Mrs. Simmons, thoughtfully.

“I know.  He won’t refuse to do what you ask him, for a man always listens to his wife when he knows she’s right.  You’ll win, Mrs. Simmons, and I want to thank you for saving the election for us.  If we get Mr. Simmons on our side I believe we’ll be sure to defeat Hopkins.”

“Oh, I’ll do what I kin,” was the ready promise, and after a few more remarks about the children and the neatness of the house, Louise took her leave.

“Will she win him over?” asked the girl of Mr. Watson, when they were jogging on to the next homestead.

“I really can’t say, my dear,” replied the old lawyer, thoughtfully; “but I imagine she’ll try to, and if Dan doesn’t give in Mrs. Simmons will probably make his life miserable for a time.  You flattered them both outrageously; but that will do no harm.”

And so it went on throughout the day.  Sometimes the farmer himself was around the house, and then they held a sort of conference; Louise asked his advice about the best way to win votes, and said she depended a great deal upon his judgment.  She never asked a man which side he favored, but took it for granted that he was anxious to support Mr. Forbes; and this subtle flattery was so acceptable that not one declared outright that he was for Hopkins, whatever his private views might have been.

When evening came and they had arrived at Elmhurst again, Louise was enthusiastic over her work of the day, and had many amusing tales to tell of her experiences.

“How many votes did you win?” asked Uncle John, smiling at her.

“I can’t say,” she replied; “but I didn’t lose any.  If one sows plenty of seed, some of it is bound to sprout.”

“We can tell better after election,” said Mr. Watson.  “But I’m satisfied that this is the right sort of work, Mr. Merrick, to get results.”

“So am I,” returned Uncle John heartily.  “Are you willing to keep it up, Louise?”

“Of course!” she exclaimed.  “We start again bright and early tomorrow morning.”

CHAPTER VIII

THE HONORABLE ERASTUS IS ASTONISHED

The Honorable Erastus Hopkins had been absent at the state capital for several days, looking after various matters of business; for he was a thrifty man, and watched his investments carefully.

Whenever his acquaintances asked about his chances for re-election, the Honorable Erastus Hopkins winked, laughed and declared, “it’s a regular walk-over.”