school-house, and
Hopkins intended to force that issue and so defeat Kenneth because of
the ridicule the latter's position had already brought upon him.

He began to circulate humorous stories about Kenneth's antipathy to
sign-boards, saying that the young man demanded that the signs be taken
off the Zodiac, and that he wouldn't buy goods of the village grocer
because the man had a sign out.

Mr. Hopkins also printed thousands of large hand-bills reading "The
Signs of the Times vs. Aristocratic Snobbery. Vote for the Hon. Erastus
Hopkins, the man who believes in advertising."

These things had their effect upon all classes of people. There were
many good-natured laughs at young Forbes's expense. All this was soon
realized at Elmhurst, and had the effect of plunging the youthful
aspirant for political honors into the depths of despair. The campaign
was hot against him, but Kenneth made no defense.

At this juncture, with election but three weeks away, he received a
telegram asking him to send the drag and baggage wagon to the noon
train. It was signed by John Merrick, and the boy was overjoyed at the
prospect of seeing his jolly old friend again. And the girls? Well, some
of them surely must be coming, or Uncle John wouldn't have asked for the
drag.

"Now then, the election can go to blazes," said Kenneth, cheerfully, to
Mr. Watson. "The sight of some friendly faces will be a great relief."

The old lawyer sighed. His attempt to "wake up" Kenneth had resulted in
failure, mainly because the boy had become discouraged so early in the
game. Kenneth felt keenly the humiliating experiences he had passed
through, and had sunk back into his old moody reserve.

But here was a welcome diversion. The visitors, whoever they might prove
to be, would afford relief to the situation and brighten the dullness of
life at the big house. So both Kenneth and Mr. Watson were with the drag
at the station when the noon train drew in.

And there were Patsy Doyle, Beth DeGraf, and Louise Merrick, a bevy of
dainty and sprightly girls, alighting eagerly from the coaches, with
Uncle John handing out the grips and packages and giving the checks for
the baggage, with business-like celerity, to Thomas the groom.

"We've come for a visit, Ken!" cried Palsy, laughing at his eager
delight. "Are you glad to see us, boy? And do you suppose old Martha has
our rooms aired?"

"And it's a long visit, too," added Uncle John, "as you'll believe when