To be sure the landlord gave us the parlor, and most of
the men came in, now and then, to speak to us; but they managed the
principal matters all by themselves, in the bar-room, which was
such a mess of smoke and stale liquor smells, that it turned my
stomach when I ventured in for two minutes.
I don't think we should have accomplished much, but for a 'cute
idea of Mrs. Wilbur, the tinman's wife. She went to the leaders,
and threatened them that the women's vote should be cast in a body
for the Democratic candidates, unless we were considered in making
up the ticket. THAT helped: the delegates were properly
instructed, and the County Convention afterward nominated two men
and one woman as candidates for the Assembly. That woman was--as
I need hardly say, for the world knows it--myself. I had not
solicited the honor, and therefore could not refuse,
especially as my daughter Melissa was then old enough to keep house
in my absence. No woman had applied for the nomination for
Sheriff, but there were seventeen schoolmistresses anxious for the
office of County Treasurer.
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