A.B. had made a respectable fortune in a well-known and useful business, and retired to a comfortable home in Parkshire.  His practical good sense and knowledge of affairs had made him a useful member of the county council, and he was a regular supporter of all benevolent movements in the district.  A vacancy was expected in the parliamentary representation of the neighbouring borough of Slowcombe, and A.B., feeling the call to a larger sphere of usefulness—­prompted also by Mrs. A.B., for whose charming social qualities the society of Slowcombe was unable, and the antiquated exclusiveness of Parkshire families was unwilling, to afford sufficient scope—­desired to fill the vacancy.  The party managers were approached, and were delighted to find so suitable a candidate, provided that A.B. would agree to spend at least L——­ a year “in nursing the constituency,” which was unable to move without such nursing.  It is better not to name the amount asked lest it should lead to a painful identification of the real name of the place, and also because it was so large that it would be discredited by all except the unfortunate candidates for similar places.  A.B. was compelled to answer, “It is more than I can possibly afford,” and added in his own mind, “Would it be right if I could?” He has had to console himself with growing roses and breeding pigs, and attending the county bench; no doubt in every way a valuable member of society, but the larger sphere of usefulness is closed to him.

Dyeborough is a town where business methods are better understood.  The late member having resigned, the chairman and agent for one party, greatly exercised as to the means of providing for the expenses of attending to the register and maintaining local interest in the principles of the party, and in the “great cause” which it supports, wisely communicated with “headquarters.”  As to what passes there, religious silence should be observed.  There is no evidence available, and to pry into such mysteries were profane, but shortly afterwards it is announced that Mr. X., with the highest recommendations, will address the association.  The local managers are quietly informed that he is willing to pay all expenses of the local organisation, to subscribe to the party clubs, and to spend money freely in the constituency.  X. appears from Weissnichtwo with a bevy of carpet bags and some heavy cheque books.  He is a man of business, has “made money”—­meaning usually acquired money of other people by any means not forbidden by law.  The oratorical arts which served to influence prospective shareholders are sufficient to fill the prepared caucus with at least an appearance of enthusiasm, and the open-minded candidate has sufficient democratic sentiment to adopt every plank in the party programme, or “any other damned nonsense” that he thinks will be agreeable.  The virtuous Dyeborough yields to the golden shower, and embraces the charming stranger.  It takes his subscriptions