Bradley had been made clerk. His capital handwriting and knowledge of book-keeping made him a valuable man for that work. He sat behind his desk with the books before him, and impassively performed his duties, but it was his first public appointment, and he was really deeply gratified. He felt paid for all his year's hard study.
About two o'clock, when the voters were thickest at the polls, a man galloped up with an excited air, and reining in his foaming horse, yelled:
"Deering has withdrawn in favor of Russell!" The crowd swarmed out.
"What's the matter?"
"Who spoke?"
"Deering has withdrawn in favor of Russell. Cast your votes for Russell," repeated the man, and plunged off up the road.
The farmers looked at each other. "What the hell's all this?" said Smith.
"Who was it?"
"I don't know."
"He's a liar, whoever he is," said Councill. "Where've I seen him before?"