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 you can not defeat it, for the hundred and two will stand firm in the end. One of them, however—it is Berry, I don't mind telling you—is trying, at the last minute, to force us into raising his price. You can take his place, you can have his price of the easy money with his raise added, if you will go out there and vote for the bill.'

"He stood looking at the floor, ruminating.

"'I know, Henderson,' I continued, 'that you are a poor man, that you have a large family, that you have to work hard for a living. You are going home to-morrow, maybe not to come back here any more, and you can go if you wish, with three thousand dollars clean, cold cash in your pocket. What do you say?'

"The old man turned his face away and began to fumble with his horny fingers at his chin. His hand trembled as with a palsy. We could hear the roll-call going on outside:

"'Donavin!'

"'Aye!'

"'Donnelly!'

"'Aye!'

"'Evans!'