“Chick!” he called, “you’re just the man I’m looking for. I want you to take a letter to Mayor Toplady for me. It’s got to be delivered before ten o’clock.” Chick paused long enough to reply. “Can’t do it,” he said. “Ain’t got time.” “There’s a dollar in it for you. You can take the next car that comes along. You’ll get there in twenty minutes.” Chick opened his eyes wide. There were not many days in the year in which he earned a whole dollar. But to-night the offer did not tempt him. “I’d like to ’commodate you,” he said; “but it’s jest as I told you; I ain’t got time. I’m in too much of a hurry.” “I’ll give you two dollars, Chick. It isn’t every man that comes along that I can trust. And this is important.” But the boy was still obdurate. “I tell you I can’t do it!” he exclaimed. “If they was fifty dollars in it for me I couldn’t do it. I’ve got an important errant myself.” And, for the purpose of shutting off further argument and entreaty, he hurried on. At the next corner he could take a street-car that would carry him to within three blocks of McCormack’s home. He thrust his hand into his pocket for the necessary nickel and found, to his dismay, that he was penniless. So there was nothing for him to do but to walk the mile up the hill, unless he could quickly find some one who would lend him the required car fare. At that moment, as good luck would have it, he discovered Corporal Manning, of Company E, just entering Wolf’s drug store. He knew that Manning would lend him the money, for Manning was a friend of his and had already done him more than one favor. Moreover, he believed that the corporal was friendly to McCormack and would favor his candidacy. As Chick entered the drug store Manning was just seating himself on one of the revolving stools at the soda-fountain counter. He saw the boy and called to him. “Just in time, Chick!” he exclaimed. “Come and have a soda on me.” Now the love of soda-water was Chick’s besetting sin. He himself acknowledged that far too many of his hard-earned nickels went to appease his desire for his favorite drink. But to-night, even though a sudden thirst overwhelmed him, he put the temptation resolutely aside. “No,” he said, “I’m jest as much obleeged to you, but I ain’t got time. I’ve got use for the nickel, though,” he added, shuffling up to the counter, “if you’d lend me one till to-morrow.” “Sure!” replied Manning, cheerfully. “Make it a dime.” He produced the coin and handed it to the boy. “But what’s the great hurry?” Chick looked cautiously over the near-by patrons of the place before answering. No one was within hearing. Perhaps he might get a valuable suggestion. “Well,” he whispered, “I’m goin’ up to see Sergeant ’Cormack. Somethin’s got to be done right off.” “Why? What’s the matter?” “I jest heard Sergeant Barry say he’s goin’ to beat my candidate by seven votes. He told the bunch up to the armory. I can’t stan’ that. We’ve got to do somethin’ quick.”