"I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. Mr. Trueman is at his home in
Wilkes-Barre."
"Well, I shall telegraph him my congratulations. I want to be the first man in the United States to send him an authoritative message confirming his election. If you can arrange to let me have the news first, when it comes in, and will send my message, I shall be glad to pay you for the service."
"I have the wire that will send him the news," the operator states as he pats a transmitter on the desk before him. "What do you call a fair payment for the message?"
"Twenty-five dollars."
"I'll send your message."
Nevins gives the required sum, and sits at the elbow of the man who is to flash the news of victory to Trueman.
In Wilkes-Barre the day has dawned auspiciously. Trueman is among the first to perform his duty as a citizen. After voting he returns to his home.
With his wife at his side he reads the dispatches that come in by a private wire from headquarters.
"I am happier to-day than I ever was in my life before," Ethel tells him. "And I know that you will be elected."
"I hope your words come true. But whether I am President or not my campaign has not been in vain. I have won the fairest bride in the world, and she and I are doing a real good with a fortune that might have been a curse."