repute as a staunch Friend of the
Agriculturist, the Steam Fitter, the Old Soldier, the Department Store
Employee, and others accustomed to voting in Shoals. In order to
mature himself and be seasoned for onerous Responsibilities, he waited
until he was 22 years of age before attempting to gain a frontage at
the Trough.

It was highly important that he should serve the Suvrin People in some
Capacity involving Compensation. It was fairly important to him and it
was vitally important to a certain Woman of gambling Disposition, who
operated a Boarding-House.

Sylvester was the type of Lawyer intensely admired but seldom
employed, save by Criminals entirely bereft of Means.

In addition to his Board, the young Barrister actually required a
pouch of Fine Cut and a clean White Tie every week, so he was impelled
by stern Necessity to endeavor to hook up with a Salary.

Because Sylvester had administered personal Massage to every Voter
within five Miles of his office, he thought he could leap into the
Arena and claim an immediate Laurel Wreath by the mere charm and vigor
of his Personality.

He ignored the Whispering Ikes who met in the dim Back Room, with
Cotton plugged in the Key Hole.

The Convention met, and when it came time to nominate a Candidate for
State's Attorney, all of Sylvester's tried and true Friends among the
Masses were at home working in the Garden or spread out in the
Hammock.

The Traction Engine pulled the Juggernaut over the Popular Idol.

They lit on him spraddled out. They gave him the Doo-Doo.

When the Battle had ended, he was a mile from the cheerful Bivouac,
lying stark in the Moonlight.

He was supposed to be eliminated. The only further recognition
accorded him would be at the Autopsy.

Next day he was back in his usual Haunts, with an immaculate Bow Tie
and a prop Smile, shaking hands with all who had so recently harpooned
him. As a Come-Back he was certainly the resilient Kid.

Those who had marveled at his sole-leather Organ of Speech, now had to
admire his sheet metal Sensibilities, nor could they deny that he
possessed all the attributes of a sound and durable Candidate.

He had learned his Primer lesson in Politics. As soon as he saw that
he could not throw the Combination, he joined it.

He came into the Corral and lay down in the Dust and allowed them to
brand him as a Regular.

Sylvester became the White Slave of the Central Committee, knowing
that eventually true Patr