"Judge for yourself," adds another, and he hands the candidate a telegram. It is from New Orleans. Trueman reads it aloud:
"CHAIRMAN BAILEY, National Headquarters, Independence
Party, Chicago, Ill.:
From a canvass of the cotton belt the indications are that our party will carry all the Southern States with the possible exception of Louisiana. This doubtful state can be carried if speakers are sent there.
(Signed) EDWARD B. MASON."
"Is there any way of complying with this request?" Trueman asks.
"We may be able to send three speakers down there the latter part of the week," says the Chairman of the Speakers Committee, after consulting his schedule.
"Have you heard from New York to-day?" Trueman is asked by the Treasurer. "You know we have been expecting to hear the result of the forecast there."
"No, I have had no word. It is barely possible that the message has been intercepted."
As Trueman speaks the telegraph operator approaches and hands him a message.
"Here is the message!" cries Trueman. "It is from Faulkner. He says that the city of New York will be about evenly divided; and that in the state we can rely upon the counties along the canal. He ends up by stating that the result in Greater New York may be assured if I can go there and fight in person."