ung man; who asked you to be any one's
slave? Now, look here--if somebody guarantees every farthing of expense
to fight the seat, and 1200 pounds a year and outgoings if you should
be successful, and a bonus of 5000 pounds in the event of your being
subsequently defeated or electing to give up parliamentary life, will
you take on the job?"

"On those terms, yes, I think so, provided I was sure of the guarantor,
and that he was a man from whom I could take the money."

"Well, you can soon judge of that, doctor, for it is I, Samuel Strong,
and I'll deposit 10,000 pounds in the hands of a trustee before you
write your letter of acceptance. No, don't thank me. I do it for two
reasons--first, because, having no chick or kin of my own, I happen to
have taken a fancy to you and wish to push you on. The world has treated
you badly, and I want to see you one of its masters, with all these
smart people who look down on you licking your boots, as they will
sure enough if you grow rich and powerful. That's my private reason. My
public one is that you are the only man in Dunchester who can win us the
seat, and I'd think 10,000 pounds well spent if it put those Tories at
the bottom of the poll. I want to show them who is "boss," and that we
won't be lorded over by bankers and brewers just because they are rich
men who have bought themselves titles."

"But you are a rich man yourself," I interrupted.

"Yes, doctor, and I spend my money in helping those who will help the
people. Now, before you give me any answer, I've got to ask you a thing
or two," and he drew a paper from his pocket. "Are you prepared to
support the abolition of 'tied' houses?"

"Certainly. They are the worst monopoly in England."

"Graduated income-tax?"

"Yes; the individual should pay in proportion to the property
protected."

"An Old Age Pension scheme?"

"Yes, but only by means of compulsory insurance applicable to all
classes without exception."

"Disestablishment and Disendowment of the Church?"

"Yes, provided its funds are pooled and reapplied to Church purposes."

"Payment of members and placing the cost of elections on the rates?"

"Yes, the door of Parliament should not be shut in the face of all
except the very rich. Election expenditure is at present only a veiled
form of corruption. If it were put upon the rates it could be reduced by
at least a half, and elections would be fewer."

"Home Rule--no, I needn't ask you that, for it is a