THE TWO CANDIDATES The town, established forty years before this April morning, had been named for a Princess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, lately become Queen of England.

During the Revolution it had been the scene of a raid of Tarleton's and a camp of detention for British prisoners.

It was the county seat to which three successive presidents of the United States must travel to cast their votes; and somewhat later than the period of this story it was to rub elbows with a great institution of learning.

No city even in our own time, it was, a hundred years ago, slight enough in size to suit the genius for tempered solitude characteristic of a tobacco-growing State.
A few dwelling-houses of frame and brick rose from an emerald mist of gardens, and there were taverns, much at the service of all who came to town with money in their purse.

The Swan allured the gentlefolk of the county, the coach-and-four people, Jehus of light curricles, and riders of blooded horses.