, and he took a deep
interest in young men of the stamp of Milton and Bradley.

After he reached home that night, Bradley extended his ambitions. He
dared to hope that he might be a lawyer, and an orator, which meant
also a successful politician to him. Politics to him, as to most
western men, was the greatest concern of life, and the city of
Washington the Mecca whose shining dome lured from afar. To go to
Washington was equivalent to being born again. "A man can do anything
if he thinks so and tries hard," he thought, following Radbourn's
words.

He bustled about cheerily, cooking his fried potatoes and scraps of
meat, and boiling his tea. The dim light made his large face softer and
more thoughtful than it had appeared before, and his cheerfulness over
his lonely meal typed forth the sublime audacity, profound ignorance,
and pathetic faith with which such a man faces the world's millions and
dares to hope for success.

VI.

BRADLEY ATTENDS A CONVENTION.

On a dreamful September day of the following year, Bradley was helping
Milton Jennings to dig potatoes. It was nearly time for his return to
school and to Judge Brown's office, and the two young men were full of
plans. Milton was intending to go back for another year, and Bradley
intended to keep up with his studies if possible, and retain his place
with Brown also.

"Say," broke out Milton suddenly, "we ought to attend this convention."

"What convention?"

"Why, the nominating convention at Rock. Father's going this afternoon.
I never've been. Let's go with him."

"That won't dig taters," smiled Bradley in his slow way.

"Darn the taters. If we're goin' into politics we want 'o know all
about things."

"That's so. I would like to go if your father'll let us off on the
taters."

Mr. Jennings made no objection. "It'll be a farce, though, the whole
thing."

"Why so?"

"I'll tell you on the way down. Git the team ready and we'll take
neighbor Councill in."

Bradley listened to Mr. Jennings' explanation with an interest born of
his expanding ambition. His marvellously retentive mind absorbed every
detail and the situation cleared in his mind.

For sixteen years the affairs of the country had been managed by a
group of persuasive, well-dressed citizens of Rock River, who played
into each other's hands and juggled with the county's money with such
adroitness and address that their reign seemed hopelessly permanent to
the discontented and su