was interested in the outcome of the election. There were
no bonfires, no marching of boys through the street with tin pans and
horns.

Some reckless fellows tried it out of devilment, but were promptly put
down by the strong hand of the city marshal, whose sympathies were with
the broken "ring." It had been evident at an early hour of the day that
the town of Rock River itself was divided. Amos Ridings and Robie had
carried a strong following over into the camp of the farmers. A general
feeling had developed which demanded a change.

Milton was wild with excitement. He realized more of the significance
of the victory than Bradley. He had been in politics longer. For the
first time in the history of the county, the farmers had asserted
themselves. For the first time in the history of the farmers of Iowa,
had they felt the power of their own mass.

For the first time in the history of the American farmer there had come
a feeling of solidarity. They perceived, for a moment at least, their
community of interests and their power to preserve themselves against
the combined forces of the political pensioners of the small towns.
They made the mistake of supposing the interests of the merchant,
artisan, and mechanic were also inimicable.

They saw the smaller circle first. They had not yet risen to the
perception of the solidarity of all productive interests. That was sure
to follow.

XI.

STUDYING WITH THE JUDGE.

After this campaign Bradley went back to his studies at the seminary
and to his work in Brown's office. Milton did not go back. Deering made
him his assistant in the treasurer's office, and he confided to Bradley
his approaching marriage with Eileen.

In talking about Milton's affairs to Bradley, Mr. Jennings said sadly:
"Well, that leaves me alone. He'll never come back to the farm. When he
was at school I didn't miss him so much, because he was always coming
back on a Saturday, but now--well, it's no use making a fuss over it, I
s'pose, but it's going to be lonesome work for us out there."

"Mebbe he'll come back after his term of office is up."

Mr. Jennings shook his head. "No, town life and office'll spoil
'im--and then he'll get married. You'll never go back on the farm.
Nobody ever does that gets away from it and learns how to get a livin'
anywhere else."

This melancholy sat strangely upon Mr. Jennings, who usually took
things as they came with smiling resignation. It affected Bradley