Kingdoms and thrones were being gambled for and the players were in earnest.
In the height of the uproar over the rickety little man, two more of the flock of Hawke arose, and with faltering lip stated that, by the demands of constituents whom they were there to represent and whose wishes they dared not disregard, they would also change their votes to Mr.Frost.
The cheers of the Frosts and the curses of the Hawkes were redoubled; but the Frosts drowned the Hawkes, since it is one of the admirable arrangements of Providence that men can cheer louder than they can curse.
And now a bevy of full one hundred of the Hanway messages came through the door.

The stampede which started with the rickety, goat-bearded little man, to include the duo chronicled, upon a seventh roll call swept five more Hawkes from their perches and gave them over to Mr.
Frost.

More messages, more changes; and all to finish in a pandemonium in which Messrs.

Patch and Swinger were withdrawn, and Mr.Frost was landed Speaker by the meager fringe of three.

Speaker Frost it was; and everyone conceded that a staggering blow had been dealt the Presidential hopes of Governor Obstinate.