There was excitement enough that night when the meeting was called in
one of the classrooms to elect a member to fill the place made vacant on
the athletic committee by the resignation.
Not all the students at the academy took an active interest in
athletics, but the crowd that pressed into the room filled it to an
uncomfortable degree.
The friends of Chester Arlington had been hard at work that day, and
they were confident that Chester would win. He had resorted to the
methods of a politician, many of which are questionable. He had money,
and he knew how to spend it to make an effect.
His most formidable rival was George Hardy, and Hardy had never been a
popular man at Fardale. Still, it was said that Hardy would carry the
day in case Dick Merriwell came out openly and took sides with him. This
Dick had been urged by his friends to do.
"No," he said, shaking his head. "Already they say I run the team as I
choose, that I have worked all my friends on to it, and that it is not
fair. I am going to keep out of this affair and let the boys settle it
as they like."
Brad Buckhart pulled hard for Hardy, but he found it difficult to unite
Dick's friends on that candidate. It was only by convincing them that
Chester would surely win if they did not unite that he succeeded.
There was a third candidate who entered the field late in the day. It
was Joe Savage.
Now, Savage was known to be friendly in his talk toward Dick Merriwell,
and many of Dick's friends regretted that he had not decided sooner to
take a hand in the struggle. As it was, the most of them had been
pledged to Hardy by the energetic and wily Buckhart.
Brad had grown confident as the time for the meeting drew near.
"If all the fellows who have talked favorable stand by Hardy, we've got
that Arlington crowd buried," he said.
But Buckhart had to learn that pledges and fair talk may not always be
relied on, a fact that many a defeated politician has discovered to his
sorrow.
The Arlington workers continued their efforts right up to the time the
meeting was called to order.
Elmer Dow, who had managed the basket-ball team once, was chosen
chairman and mounted the platform. Having called the meeting to order,
he suggested that a committee of three be chosen to count the votes, for
it was already settled that the candidate should be elected by written
ballot.
Instantly Buckhart was on his feet, proposing the name of Dick
Merriwell. Somebody hissed. That hiss was enough to start an uproar. In
a twinkling it was demonstrated that Dick had plenty of friends--in
fact, that the great majority of those present were his friends.
When silence was restored, Dick rose and was recognized by the chairman.
"Gentlemen," he said quietly, "I think it will be far better to select
on that committee those who are not too closely connected with the
eleven. For that reason I must beg you to excuse me from serving."
"No, no, no!" roared the cadets.
"Merriwell! Merriwell!" they stormed.
The Arlington crowd seemed silent. Chester had not failed to note that
Dick had not openly entered into the contest against him, although he
had expected something of the sort. However, he did not wish to see Dick
on that platform.
The outcries showed that the meeting insisted on having Dick serve as
chairman of the committee to count the votes.
"Mr. Merriwell," said Dow, "I think you had better reconsider. You can
plainly see that you are wanted on this committee, and you will do a
favor to the meeting by serving."
"Merriwell, Merriwell!" came from every side of the room.
"All right," smiled Dick. "If I am chosen, I will serve, Mr. Chairman."
Dow put the vote at once.
"All those in favor of Mr. Merriwell manifest it by a show of hands."
"Up, up!" was the cry. "Up hands!"
"It is a vote," said Dow, looking over the demonstration of uplifted
hands.
No one doubted it, and Dick was called to the platform. Ned Stanton's
name was next proposed, and there was no opposition. Then Brad Buckhart
was nominated. This raised another uproar, for Brad had plenty of
enemies. A strong opposition was shown at once.
Brad said not a word, but mentally he observed:
"Well, if I'm elected you bet your boots I'm going to serve! I am, I
know!"
The vote was taken by a show of hands. Brad's friends came out strong at
this, but the vote was immediately doubted. Then there was a showing of
hands, while the chairman surveyed the gathering.
When he called for the contrary-minded it was seen that Brad had won,
and he was called to the platform. He was given a round of applause as
he took his seat with Merriwell and Stanton.
Then Dow got up and made a brief speech, in which he suggested the
advisability of getting as good a man as possible for the position. A
few moments later, amid the greatest excitement, the balloting began.
"Here are your Arlington votes!" cried a fellow climbing on the seats
near one aisle. "Right this way for your Arlington votes."
"Arlington, Arlington!" shouted another fellow, standing on the seats
near another aisle. "The entering class must have a man on that
committee. It's no more than fair. Vote for Arlington. Here you go!"
In fact, it seemed that fellows with Arlington votes were everywhere,
and these votes they urged on every one. Those who favored Hardy were
not as well prepared with votes, and Buckhart grew uneasy as he sat and
watched the workers for Chester Arlington getting rid of their ballots.
"If that galoot is elected, Dick can blame himself," thought the Texan.
"He might have crushed Chester Arlington with a word, but he would not
say that word."
Dow watched the voters closely as they filed past the ballot-box. He had
a sharp pair of eyes, and he was looking for "stuffing" and for
"repeaters."
"Hold on!" he suddenly exclaimed, closing the box with a snap. "You have
voted before, Macomber! That kind of work will not go here, and I want
everybody to understand it!"
Macomber tried to pass it off as a joke.
"I believe in voting early and often," he said.
"You may vote as early as you like, but once on a ballot is the limit,"
said Dow.
Macomber passed on, and the ballot-box was reopened.
"How is it going, do you think?" asked Stanton, of Buckhart.
"Blowed if I know!" confessed Brad, in a low tone. "But I'm afraid
Arlington will carry it."
"Too bad!" said Stanton, and the Texan knew for the first time just how
the third man on the committee stood.
The entire counting-committee was unfavorable to the plebe who sought a
position on the athletic board.
Arlington's friends knew this, and some of them commented on it.
"What kind of a show has Chet got with those fellows to count the
votes!" said one.
"He wouldn't have a show if Merriwell was not on the committee," said
another. "Merriwell is square, and you can bet your life Chet will get
the position if he's elected."
The voting took some time. When it seemed all over Dow rapped on the
table beside him and asked if the votes were all in.
"Hold on!" was the cry from the rear.
Into the room a fellow was dragged by three Arlington workers and rushed
down the aisle. He was red in the face, but cast his vote, laughing as
he did so.
"Here comes another!" shouted a voice.
Another fellow was marched down the aisle by an Arlington worker.
"Bad!" growled Buckhart. "And no one working against the fellow like
that! Bad, bad!"
At last there seemed no more to vote, and the polls were declared
closed. A few moments later, amid breathless silence, the counting
began. Would Arlington win?
Ted Smart, Billy Bradley, Chip Jolliby, Bob Singleton, and Hugh Douglas
were in a group at the rear of the room.
"Dear me!" said Ted. "How slow this is! Why, there's nothing interesting
about it!"
Singleton was watching Buckhart's face.
"I'm afraid Arlington has won," he said.
"What mum-mum-makes you think so?" chattered Jolliby.
"Buckhart looks worried."
"Hi 'ave an idea it is very close, don't y' 'now," said Bradley.
The votes had been sorted into three piles, and the committee went over
them again. The gathering was pretty quiet now, as it was a time of
great anxiety. Chester Arlington seemed confident. He was smiling and
serene.
Buckhart was seen making some figures, but Dick Merriwell, who watched
him, shook his head and seemed pointing out a mistake. Brad nodded, and
then the slip of paper with the figures on it was passed to Dow by
Merriwell. Dow rapped for order.
"Gentlemen," he said, "you will listen to your vote. Whole number of
votes cast, 238. Necessary for choice, 119. George Hardy has 102;
Chester Arlington, 97; Joseph Savage, 39. Therefore, there is no choice,
and another ballot----"
The rest of his speech was drowned in the roar that rose. Chester
Arlington had not won. Hardy led him by five votes.
"Fraud, fraud!" cried somebody.
Instantly there was a surging mob round the fellow who uttered the
accusing cry. Arlington's friends were disappointed. They had
anticipated throwing at least a hundred and fifty votes.
"Shut up that fool who is crying fraud!" commanded Chester. "If you
don't, we'll get it in the neck sure."
So the one who made the cry was choked off immediately.
Another vote would have to be taken, and now the disappointed Arlington
crowd set to work with redoubled earnestness. Chester went among them,
assuring them that he believed the count had been fair.
"Then how can you account for our failure to poll the number we
expected?" he was asked.
"Simply by the fact, as it seems, that a number of those who took votes
and promised to support me failed to do so."
A large number of cadets had remained away from the meeting, but now the
workers rushed away to various rooms, determined to bring out every one
who could be induced to come. Many a fellow who declined to come, or
tried to beg off, was brought along by main force and rammed into the
crowded classroom.
"It's going to be a heavier vote this time," said Dick.
"You bet," nodded Brad, who still looked worried. "I opine Arlington
will carry it on the next ballot."
"What makes you think so?"
"I'll bet he has twenty fellows pulling 'em in. If he doesn't make it, I
shall be relieved."
"If he doesn't make it this time," said Dick, "his chance will grow
slimmer."
"What makes you think so?"
"His friends have secured this vote for him by their hard work, and
they'll have trouble to hold the fellows they have dragged in here.
Arlington is not really popular."
But Brad grew more and more nervous as the voting continued. The
Arlington crowd made lots of noise, and it seemed that the majority of
those present must favor him.
As before, Elmer Dow was keenly on the alert to prevent fraud, and
"repeating" was not attempted. One "call down" had been given, and that
was enough to make the tricky fellows wary.
After a while the voting decreased. Three times Dow asked if all the
votes were in, and each time from the rear of the room came a shout for
him to hold on. He waited as one last voter was hurried down the aisle
by the Arlington workers, and then he declared the balloting closed.
"Arlington has carried it," said Singleton regretfully.
"Hi don't believe hit!" exclaimed Billy Bradley.
"I'm gosh-darn afuf-fuf-fraid of it!" admitted Chip Jolliby.
The gathering watched the counting of the votes, seeing them singled out
into three piles. Then there was some figuring on paper, and Dick
Merriwell was heard to say: "That's right."
The chairman rapped, but the meeting was silent and anxious already.
"Gentlemen," said Dow, "listen to the vote. Whole number cast, 253."
"Fifteen more than before," said Smart, to his companions.
"Necessary for choice," announced Dow, "127. Chester Arlington has 111;
George Hardy, 101; Joseph Savage, 41. Therefore----"
"No vote!" was the shout that went up.
Arlington had taken the lead on this ballot, but had not received a
majority over both his opponents. Hardy had lost one vote, Savage had
gained two, and Chester Arlington fourteen.
"Arlington!" was the cry.
"If Savage would withdraw in favor of Hardy," said Ned Stanton to his
companions on the committee, "it would settle things in short order and
knock Arlington out."
Dick Merriwell said nothing, but he had seen a fellow he knew as an
Arlington worker approach Joe Savage and say something to him. He had
seen Savage shake his head, and then the fellow said something more,
upon which Savage looked startled and seemed to remonstrate. At this,
the fellow snapped his fingers and walked away.
"Something doing there!" thought Dick.
He was right.
"Gentlemen," said Elmer Dow, "the polls are again declared open. Bring
in your votes."
Dick was still watching Savage. He saw Joe falter and look round; then,
of a sudden, the fellow stepped up on a bench and cried:
"Mr. Chairman and gentlemen of the meeting, as there seems to be a
deadlock, and as it is plain I have very little chance of being elected,
I rise to withdraw from the field. At the same time, I wish to suggest
that those who have cast their votes for me now throw them for Chester
Arlington, as I believe it fair and right for the entering class to have
a representative on the committee."
Then he stepped down, but he had exploded a bombshell, and there was
consternation in the meeting.
Brad Buckhart had shot to his feet as he heard Savage speak Arlington's
name, and now he dropped back, gasping:
"I'll--be--shot!"
"Arlington, Arlington!" was the mad cry that went up.
Brad turned to Dick.
"Partner, am I dreaming?" he asked. "Did I hear straight? Did that onery
galoot say Arlington?"
"That's what he said," nodded Dick.
"And he pretends to be your friend! Well, he ought to be lynched like a
horse-thief!"
Dick had been astonished, but he was master of himself, and he did not
show his surprise.
"It was worked somehow," he said. "I don't believe Savage really wanted
to withdraw in favor of Arlington, but he was driven into it."
"Driven? Driven how?"
"I can't say."
"He's just an onery, two-faced----"
Dick's hand fell on Brad's arm.
"Careful!" he said. "Don't raise your voice, old man."
"Give me a gun," growled the Texan, "and I'll sure go out yon and shoot
him up some!"
The balloting had begun, and Arlington's friends were working harder
than ever.
"We've got them now!" they sang joyously.
The voting was rushed along at a lively rate, and there was no delay to
drag in any one. In a short time the chairman declared the balloting
over, and then the counting of the votes began. As the members of the
committee separated the votes into two piles it soon became apparent
that the vote was nearly a tie.
Not all of those who had voted for Savage had swung to Arlington on the
recommendation of Savage. Finally the votes were sorted, and a recount
was made.
Brad Buckhart was pale.
"He's got it, pard!" he whispered. "Got it by one vote! No, by thunder!
He shall not have it!"
Then Dick saw Brad, in running over Arlington's votes, cleverly slip two
of them into his palm.
Ned Stanton, however, did not detect the trick.
"What do you make it, Stanton?" asked Dick.
"One hundred and twenty-three for Arlington."
"That's right," said Buckhart huskily. "And Hardy has one hundred and
twenty-four."
"Then Hardy wins!" said Stanton, with satisfaction.
"Wait," said Dick. "Let's be sure of this. Let's count them over again."
"What for?" asked Brad.
"Because I want to make sure."
Dick carried his point.
"Brad," he whispered in Buckhart's ear, without looking toward his
roommate, "I want you to put back those two votes. Put them back, or I
shall have to expose you!"
The Texan turned like chalk. His hands shook a little, and the counting
went on.
"By George, we were wrong!" said Stanton, as they finished. "Arlington
has one hundred and twenty-five! He wins by one vote."
"Correct," said Merriwell, and he gave the figures to the chairman,
whose announcement of the result was followed by a mighty cheer for the
victor.