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Texas Thompson's "Election."
129

twenty-one of us has voted, an' it stands nine for Randall an' twelve for Old Monroe; when up lopes this yere Mexican an' allows he's locoed to vote.

"‘"Who do you-all think you're goin' to vote for?" asks Ormsby.

"‘"Señor Monroe," says the Mexican, p'intin' at Old Monroe.

"‘"Stop this deal," yells Bronco Charlie, "'I challenges that vote. Mexicans is barred."

"‘"Which Mexicans is not barred," replies Ormsby. "An' the vote of this yere enlightened maverick from south of the Rio Grande goes. Thirteen for Old Monroe."

"‘"Twelve for Old Monroe," remonstrates Bronco Charlie, feelin' for his gun.

"‘"Thirteen for Old Monroe," retorts Ormsby, as his Colt's comes into action an' he busts Bronco's arm at the elbow.

"‘"As his obstinacy has destroyed the further efficiency of my colleague," goes on Ormsby, as he shakes down the ballots in the nose-bag, "I'll now conduct these yere polls alone. Gents who haven't voted will please come a-runnin'. As I states a moment ago, she stands thirteen for Old Monroe."

"‘"An' I says she's twelve for Old Monroe," shouts Red River Tom, crowdin' for'ard. "You-all can't ring in Mexicans an' snake no play on us. This yere 'lection's goin' to be on the squar', or it's goin' to come off in the smoke."