David Lockwin rents head-quarters in the district, and shakes hands with all the touching committees.  Twelve members of the Sons of Labor can carry their union over to him.  It will require $100, as the union is mostly democratic.

They are told they must see Mr. Lockwin’s central committee.  But Mr. Lockwin must be prepared to deliver an address on the need of reform in the government, looking to the civil service, to retrenchment and to the complete allegiance of the officeholder to his employers, the voters.

Mr. Lockwin must listen with attention to a plan by which the central committee of the Sodalified Assembly can be packed with republicans at the annual election, to take place the next Sunday.  This will enable Lockwin to carry the district in case he should get the nomination.  To show a deep interest in the party and none in himself must arouse popular idolatry.

This popular idolatry must be kept awake, because Harpwood has opened head-quarters and is visited by the same touching committees.  He has been up and down State street, and has drunk more red liquor than was seen to go down Lockwin’s throat.  In more ways than one, Harpwood shows the timber out of which popular idols are made.

The doctor is alarmed.  He makes a personal canvass of all his patients.  They do not know when the primaries will be held.  They do not know who ought to go to Washington.  All they know is that the congressman is dead and there must be a special election, which is going to cost them some extra money.  If the boss of the machine will see to it, that will do!

But Lockwin is the man.  This the boss has been at pains to determine.  The marriage has made things clear.

One should study the boss.  Why is he king?  If we have a democracy how is it that everybody in office or in hope of office obeys the pontiff?  It is the genius of the people for government.  The boss is at a summer resort near the city.

To him comes Harpwood, and finds the great contractor, the promoter of the outer docks, the park commissioners, and a half-dozen other great men already on the ground.

“Harpwood,” says the boss, “I am out of politics, particularly in your district.  Yet, if you can carry the primaries, I could help you considerably.  Carry the primaries, me boy, and I’ll talk with you further.  See you again.  Good-bye.”

The next day comes Lockwin.

There are no “me-boys” now.  Here is the candidate.  He must be put in irons.

“Lockwin, what makes you want to go to Congress?”

“I don’t believe I do want to go, but I was told you wished to see me up here, privately.”

“Well, you ought to know whether or not you want to go.  Nobody wants you there if it isn’t yourself.  Harpwood will go if you don’t.”

“Yes, I suppose so.”

“Well, if you want our support, we must have a pledge from you.  I guess you want to go, and we are willing to put you there for the unexpired term and the next one.  Then are you ready to climb down?  Say the word.  The mayor and the senator are out there waiting for me.”