“‘Bailey,’ says he, ’you’re a Conservative, ain’t you?  You’re for Dan through thick and thin?’

“‘Why!’ says I, ’I understand Dan and Gaius are both out of it now, and it’s settled on Holway.  Dan’s promised to vote for him.’

“‘He has,’ says Tompkins, with a wink, ’but the rest of us ain’t.  We pledged our votes to Dan Bassett, and we ain’t the kind to go back on our word.  Dan himself’ll vote for Gabe; so’ll Gaius and his reg’lar tribe.  That’ll make twelve, countin’ Holway’s own.’

“‘Make seventeen, you mean,’ says I.  ’Gaius and his crowd’s fifteen and Dan’s sixteen and Gabe’s seven—­’

“He winked again, and interrupted me.  ‘You’re countin’ wrong, my boy,’ says he.  ’Five of Gaius’s folks come from the old billiard-room gang.  Just suppose somethin’ happened to make that five vote, on the quiet, for Bassett.  Then—­’

“A customer come in then, and Tompkins had to leave; but afore he went he got me to one side and whispers: 

“’Keep mum, old man, and vote straight for Dan.  We’ll show old Holway that we can’t be led around by the nose.’

“‘Tompkins,’ says I, ’I know your head well enough to be sartin that it didn’t work this out by itself.  And why are you so sure of the billiard roomers?  Who put you up to this?’

“He rapped the side of his nose.  ’The smartest politician in this town,’ says he, ’and the oldest—­J.  W. Gale, Esq.!  S-s-sh-h!  Don’t say nothin’.’

“I didn’t say nothin’.  I was past talk.  And that evenin’ as I went past the billiard room on my way home, who should come out of it but Gaius Ellis, and he looked as happy as Tompkins had.

“Friday night that clubroom was filled.  Every member was there, and most of ’em had fetched their wives and families along to see the fun.  There was whisperin’ and secrecy everywheres.  Honorable Gabe took the chair and makes announcements that the shebang is open for business.

“Up gets Dave Bassett and all but sheds tears.  He says that he made up his mind to vote, not for himself, but for the founder and patron of the club, the Honorable Atkinson Holway.  He spread it over Gabe thick as sugar on a youngster’s cake.  And when he set down all hands applauded like fury.  But I noticed that he hadn’t spoke for nary Conservative but himself.

“Then Gaius Ellis rises and sobs similar.  He’s stopped votin’ for himself, too.  His ballot is for that grand and good man, Gabriel Atkinson Holway, Esq.  More applause and hurrahs.

“And then who should get up but Jotham Gale.  He talks humble, like a has-been that knows he’s a back number, but he says it’s his privilege to cast his fust vote in that club for Mr. Holway, South Orham’s pride.  Nobody was expectin’ him to say anything, and the cheers pretty nigh broke the winders.

“Gabe was turrible affected by the soft soap, you could see that.  He fairly sobbed as he sprinkled gratitude and acceptances.  When the agony was over, he says the votin’ can begin.