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Taylor, Bayard, 1825-1878

"Beauty and the Beast, and Tales of Home"

" This was exactly what Mrs. Whiston had foretold. We
estimated that--taking the County tickets all over the State--we
had about one-twentieth of the Republican, and one-fiftieth of
the Democratic, nominations. This was far from being our due, but
still it was a good beginning.
My husband insisted that I should go very early to the polls. I
could scarcely restrain a tear of emotion as I gave my first ballot
into the hands of the judges. There were not a dozen persons
present, and the act did not produce the sensation which I
expected. One man cried out: "Three cheers for our
Assemblywoman!" and they gave them; and I thereupon returned home
in the best spirits. I devoted the rest of the day to relieving
poorer women, who could not have spared the time to vote, if I had
not, meanwhile, looked after their children. The last was Nancy
Black, the shoemaker's wife in our street, who kept me waiting upon
her till it was quite dark. When she finally came, the skirt of
her dress was ripped nearly off, her hair was down and her comb
broken; but she was triumphant, for Sam Black was with her, and
SOBER.


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