[Illustration: Three of the most bashful arise and come to be kissed.]
"Little Davy is with Jesus," says the shepherdess. "Now all you who want to be with Jesus, raise your hands."
Every right hand is up. Their faith is implicit, but many a left hand is pulling a neighboring curl. Busy is that long shepherd crook, to defeat those wicked left hands.
A head obtrudes in the door. "Excuse me," says the political boss. "Mr. Lockwin, can you spare a moment? Hello, Jessie! no, papa will not be home to-night. Tell mamma, will you?"
A curly head is saddened. Lockwin thanks the shepherdess, and follows his boss.
"The train goes East at 4:45. Don't lose a moment. Lucky I found you."
The newspaper press is in possession of a sensation. On Monday morning we quote: "A plot has been revealed which might have resulted in the loss of the First district, and possibly of Congress, just at the moment the re-apportionment bill was to be passed. Notice of contest has been served on Congressman Lockwin as a blind for subsequent operations, and yesterday the newly elected member left hurriedly for Washington to consult with the attorney general. It is evident that the federal authorities will inquire into the high-handed outrages which swelled the votes of Corkey and the other unsuccessful candidates on election day.
"The time is coming," concludes the article, "when lynch law will be dealt out to the repeaters who haunt the tough precincts at each election day."
The prominent citizens say among themselves: "We ought to do something pretty soon, or these ward politicians will be governing the nation!"