``Would you mind tellin' me whut pay
a member of the House of Legislatur' gits
a day?''

The Hon. Sam looked surprised.

``I think about two dollars and a half.''

``An' his meals?''

``No!'' laughed Mr. Budd.

``Well, look-ee here, stranger. I'm a
pore man an' I've got a mortgage on my
farm. That money don't mean nothin' to
you--but if you'll draw out now an' I
win, I'll tell ye whut I'll do.'' He paused
as though to make sure that the sacrifice
was possible. ``I'll just give ye half of
that two dollars and a half a day, as shore
as you're a-settin' on that hoss, and you
won't hav' to hit a durn lick to earn it.''

I had not the heart to smile--nor did
the Hon. Samuel--so artless and simple
was the man and so pathetic his appeal.

``You see--you'll divide my vote, an'
ef we both run, ole Josh Barton'll git it
shore. Ef you git out o' the way, I can