h of you shall be elected. Either of you would give a great
deal to have a majority of the intelligent women of the District on your
side: it would already be equivalent to success. Now, to show that we
understand the political business from which you have excluded us--to
prove that we are capable of imitating the noble example of MEN--we
offer to sell our influence, as they their votes, to the highest
bidder!"

There was great shouting and cheering among the people at this, but the
two candidates, somehow or other, didn't seem much amused.

"I stand here," she continued, "in the interest of my struggling
sisters, and with authority to act for them. Which of you will bid
the most--not in offices or material advantages, as is the way of your
parties, but in the way of help to the Woman's Cause? Which of you
will here publicly pledge himself to say a word for us, from now until
election-day, whenever he appears upon the stump?"

There was repeated cheering, and cries of "Got 'em there!" (Men are so
vulgar).

"I pause for a reply. Shall they not answer me?" she continued, turning
to the audience.

Then there were tremendous cries of "Yes! yes! Wrangle! Tumbrill!"

Mr. Wrangle looked at Mr. Tumbrill, and made a motion with his head,
signifying that he should speak. Then Mr. Tumbrill looked at Mr.
Wrangle, and made a motion that HE should speak. The people saw all
this, and laughed and shouted as if they would never finish.

Mr. Wrangle, on second thoughts (this is my private surmise), saw that
boldness would just then be popular; so he stepped forward.

"Do I understand," he said, "that my fair and eloquent friend demands
perfect political and civil equality for her sex?"

"I do!" exclaimed Selina Whiston, in her firmest manner.

"Let me be more explicit," he continued. "You mean precisely the
same rights, the same duties, the same obligations, the same
responsibilities?"

She repeated the phrases over after him, affirmatively, with an emphasis
which I never heard surpassed.

"Pardon me once more," said Mr. Wrangle; "the right to vote, to hold
office, to practise law, theology, medicine, to take part in all
municipal affairs, to sit on juries, to be called upon to aid in the
execution of the law, to aid in suppressing disturbances, enforcing
public order, and performing military duty?"

Here there were loud cheers from the audience; and a good many voices
cried out: "Got her there!" (Men are so very vulgar.)