Page:California Inter Pocula.djvu/623

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dispersed apparently well satisfied with their young alcalde.

The following story was told of W. T. Barbour once judge of the district court at Marysville. Afterward he was candidate for the legislature, and on election day was about the polls watching his interests. An unlettered mud-plastered voter, who knew neither his alphabet nor the candidates for legislative honors, approached Judge Barbour with a Douglas ticket and requested him to read it.

"With pleasure," said the judge, and he began to read, "for president, Stephen A. Douglas, for vice-president, Herschel V. Johnson."

"All right," said his unlearned friend, "go on."

So he read over the names of the electors. Again, "all right, go on."

"For senator, C. E. De Long."

"Yes, go on."

"For assembly, W. T. Barbour."

"Hold on, there; strike him off."

Barbour turned toward the man an eye of suspicion to see if he was being played upon, but nothing significant of sarcasm was apparent in the voter's features.

"Why, friend," said the judge, "what have you against him?"

"I don't like him."

"Do you know him?" inquired the judge.

"No, but I have heard of him, and that's enough. Strike him off; I don't think he ought to be elected to that place."

The judge touched the point of his pencil to his tongue, then slowly drew it over his own name.

"Whose will you have in Barbour's place?" now inquired the judge.

"Let me see; you may put in Magruder."

"Well, I'm sure," said the judge, "Barbour is as good a man as Magruder, but have your own way; you are entitled to vote for whom you please. But,