Page:Poet Lore, volume 35, 1924.pdf/355

 Servant.—A deputation of County Representatives is here.

Dr. Svoboda.—That is how it goes, (Aside to with a laugh.) They have come most likely, to ask me to be their County Magistrate. But I will accept no more of their honors. (Aloud to the .) Let the gentlemen come in.

(Enter the burgomaster,, with the farmers and . The  leaves.)

Prouza (A sincere and serious man).—Respected Doctor, now our Honorable Magistrate!

Dr. Svoboda (With a laugh).—What does this mean, gentlemen? The whole speech at once, please!

Valtera (A voluble talker, easily excited).—It cannot be otherwise with us, Honorable Doctor! What would become of us in these legislative times? We, the people, had to keep our opinions behind our teeth for several hundred years,—so now we must say frankly what we think and feel, and talk things over.

Prouza.—Tomorrow the election of the County Magistrate is to take place, so we have come with one accord, Honorable Doctor, to ask you to take upon yourself the burden of this office.

Dr. Svoboda.—Gentlemen, I assure you that I am pleased with the confidence you repose in me. But grave and serious reasons make it imperative that I should, for the present at Icast, give up all offices.

Valtera.—But that is not possible!

Dr. Svoboda.—I cannot accept the office.

Prouza.—Honorable Doctor, without you, (Taking his hand) the entire county would be an orphan. You are not only a magistrate, but a father to the people, you take better care of public interests than you do of your own estate!

Dr. Svoboda (Buried in thought).—That is probably true.

Prouza.—And so just now, when we are just beginning to profit through your services, when you have attended to all the funds that had to be raised, the loans made necessary by last year’s floods, when our success at this moment depends entirely upon you,—no, doctor, today you cannot refuse us.

Dr. Svoboda.—In spite of all that, gentlemen, you must manage to get along without my services.

Prouza.—We realize that our arguments are weak, Respected