runk more red liquor than was
seen to go down Lockwin's throat. In more ways than one, Harpwood
shows the timber out of which popular idols are made.

The doctor is alarmed. He makes a personal canvass of all his
patients. They do not know when the primaries will be held. They do
not know who ought to go to Washington. All they know is that the
congressman is dead and there must be a special election, which is
going to cost them some extra money. If the boss of the machine will
see to it, that will do!

But Lockwin is the man. This the boss has been at pains to determine.
The marriage has made things clear.

One should study the boss. Why is he king? If we have a democracy how
is it that everybody in office or in hope of office obeys the pontiff?
It is the genius of the people for government. The boss is at a summer
resort near the city.

To him comes Harpwood, and finds the great contractor, the promoter of
the outer docks, the park commissioners, and a half-dozen other great
men already on the ground.

"Harpwood," says the boss, "I am out of politics, particularly in your
district. Yet, if you can carry the primaries, I could help you
considerably. Carry the primaries, me boy, and I'll talk with you
further. See you again. Good-bye."

The next day comes Lockwin.

There are no "me-boys" now. Here is the candidate. He must be put in
irons.

"Lockwin, what makes you want to go to Congress?"

"I don't believe I do want to go, but I was told you wished to see me
up here, privately."

"Well, you ought to know whether or not you want to go. Nobody wants
you there if it isn't yourself. Harpwood will go if you don't."

"Yes, I suppose so."

"Well, if you want our support, we must have a pledge from you. I
guess you want to go, and we are willing to put you there for the
unexpired term and the next one. Then are you ready to climb down?
Say the word. The mayor and the senator are out there waiting for me."

"All right. It is a bargain."

"And you won't feel bad when we knock you out, in three years?"

"No. I will probably be glad to come home."

"Very well; we will carry the primaries. But that district needs
watching. Spend lots of money."

CHAPTER III

OF SNEEZES

There is no chapter on sneezes in "Tristam Shandy." The faithful
Boswell has recorded no sneeze of Dr. Johnson. Spinoza does not reckon
it among the things the citizen may do without offense to a free state.