Page:American Boy's Life of William McKinley.djvu/206

172 upon every side, and his opponents tried to prove that the congressman had done his best to ruin the country and make the cost of living high.

"Elect him again, and you'll all go to the poor-house," said some who were very ignorant.

"But he hasn't done so bad for us," said others.

So the talk ran on, and so it is very apt to run on in all campaigns. Each party wishes to win, and each is apt to make matters look as black as possible for the opposition.

Undaunted by all that was said and done against him, McKinley went on his way, delivering his addresses and promising that he would do the best he could if again elected. The uphill work was very telling, and some of his intimate friends were afraid he would break down under the enormous strain of the campaign. But he smiled over this when they spoke to him of it.

"Don't worry," he said. "I can stand a good deal more than this, if it becomes necessary to do so."

At last came the day of the election.