' It would broaden you to go into politics for a time,
and do much to develop your character and relieve the monotony of your
existence."
Kenneth frowned.
"It won't be easy, you know. It'll be a fight, and a hard one, for
Hopkins won't give up his job if he can help it."
The boy brightened again.
"I like a good fight," he said, wistfully. "If I thought--if I believed
I could fill the position with credit--I might undertake it."
"I'll answer for that," retorted the old man, highly pleased with his
easy victory. "You win the fight, Ken, and I'll guarantee you'll
outclass the majority of your fellow Representatives. It's a good state,
too."
So the thing was undertaken, and both the young man and the old threw
themselves into the contest with energy and determination.
Mr. Watson rode in his buggy all over their district during the next
fortnight, and interviewed the farmers and townsmen of the legislative
district. When it became noised about that the young owner of Elmhurst,
now barely twenty-one, had determined to enter politics, and asked for
the nomination of Representative, no other Republican ventured to oppose
him.
It was understood to mean a hard fight, and even the most sturdy
Republican was inclined to fear that the present incumbent of the office
would be elected to succeed himself.
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