There's some secret in it; for Tom Butler was elected without a contest." "Jack, I'll tell you how it happened.

I was on my way up from Cork, having finished my own business, and just carried the day, not without a push for it.

When we reached,--Lady Mary was with me,--when we reached Kilkenny, the night before the election, I was not ten minutes in town till Butler heard of it, and sent off express to see me; I was at my dinner when the messenger came, and promised to go over when I'd done.

But faith, Tom didn't wait, but came rushing up-stairs himself, and dashed into the room in the greatest hurry.
"'Harry,' says he, 'I'm done for; the corporation of free smiths, that were always above bribery, having voted for myself and my father before, for four pounds ten a man, won't come forward under six guineas and whiskey.
Calvert has the money; they know it.

The devil a farthing we have; and we've been paying all our fellows that can't read in Hennesy's notes, and you know the bank's broke this three weeks.' "On he went, giving me a most disastrous picture of his cause, and concluded by asking if I could suggest anything under the circumstances.
"'You couldn't get a decent mob and clear the poll ?' "'I am afraid not,' said he, despondingly.
"'Then I don't see what's to be done, if you can't pick a fight with himself.