Maguire, and called it "shameful treason," and the like. Two called it
"unprincipled and contradictory conduct." One alone said that "Mr.
Stirling seemed to be acting conscientiously, if erratically." Just what
effect it had had on the candidates none of the papers agreed in. One
said it had killed Porter. Another, that "it was a purely personal
matter without influence on the main question." The other papers shaded
between these, though two called it "a laughable incident." The
opposition press naturally saw in it an entire discrediting of both
factions of the Democratic party, and absolute proof that the nominee
finally selected was unfit for office.

Unable to sift out the truth, the ladies again appealed to the voters of
the family.

"Oh," said one, "Stirling did something tricky and was caught in it."

"I don't believe that," said Miss De Voe.

"Nor I," said Dorothy.

"Well, if you want to make your political heeler an angel, I have no
objection," laughed the enfranchised being.

"I don't think a man who made that speech about the children can be a
scoundrel," said Dorothy.

"I don't either," said Minna.

"That's the way you women reason," responded he of the masculine
intellect. "Because a man looks out for some sick kittens, ergo, he is a