148 WHISPERS FROM FAIRYLAND. [Ir

 

liquor, oratory, and money, the object which he had
proposed to Simon might be attained.

This answer had the effect of making the old
milkman still more confused, and he applied to his
guest for further and fuller information upon the
subject under discussion. A conversation thereupon
ensued, the particulars of which it would be difficult
to give. Suffice it to say that the advantages of
becoming a member of Parliament were so clearly
pointed out by the publican that all three of the
family party became convinced that nothing could be
better or more desirable for Simon under his altered
circumstances. It is possible that the fact of a general
election being about to take place had suggested the
idea to the excellent Joe Muggins; but, be this as it
may, the existence of this particular crisis seemed to
offer a tempting opportunity for the successful ac-
complishment of the design. It was therefore deter-
mined that the matter should be brought before the
frequenters of the ‘Royal George’ the very next
night ; that, without mentioning how or from whence
it came, it should be stated that Simon Ricketts had
come into a good bit of money, and that his readiness
to represent his fellow-citizens in Parliament on the
strength thereof should be duly set before them.

Accordingly, the host of the ‘Royal George’ took
measures to secure as large a party as possible for the
following evening, hinting in a mysterious manner
that something of uncommon importance was in the
wind. His room was well filled, and at the proper
moment Joe Muggins introduced the subject of the
election, hinted at the desirability of their being