登陆注册
5382100000097

第97章 CHAPTER XXI(6)

Bradshaw had engaged this seaside house. He was glad to get his little girls and their governess out of the way; for a busy time was impending, when he should want his head clear for electioneering purposes, and his house clear for electioneering hospitality. He was the mover of a project for bringing forward a man on the Liberal and Dissenting interest, to contest the election with the old Tory member, who had on several successive occasions walked over the course, as he and his family owned half the town, and votes and rent were paid alike to the landlord. Kings of Eccleston had Mr. Cranworth and his ancestors been this many a long year; their right was so little disputed that they never thought of acknowledging the allegiance so readily paid to them. The old feudal feeling between land-owner and tenant did not quake prophetically at the introduction of manufactures; the Cranworth family ignored the growing power of the manufacturers, more especially as the principal person engaged in the trade was a Dissenter. But notwithstanding this lack of patronage from the one great family in the neighbourhood, the business flourished, increased, and spread wide; and the Dissenting head thereof looked around, about the time of which I speak, and felt himself powerful enough to defy the great Granworth interest even in their hereditary stronghold, and, by so doing, avenge the slights of many years--slights which rankled in Mr. Bradshaw's mind as much as if he did not go to chapel twice every Sunday, and pay the largest pew-rent of any member of Mr. Benson's congregation. Accordingly, Mr. Bradshaw bad applied to one of the Liberal parliamentary agents in London--a man whose only principle was to do wrong on the Liberal side; he would not act, right or wrong, for a Tory, but for a Whig the latitude of his conscience had never yet been discovered. It was possible Mr. Bradshaw was not aware of the character of this agent; at any rate, he knew he was the man for his purpose, which was to hear of some one who would come forward as a candidate for the representation of Eccleston on the Dissenting interest. "There are in round numbers about six hundred voters," said he; "two hundred are decidedly in the Cranworth interest--dare not offend Mr. Cranworth, poor souls! Two hundred more we may calculate upon as pretty certain--factory hands, or people connected with our trade in some way or another--who are indignant at the stubborn way in which Cranworth has contested the right of water; two hundred are doubtful." "Don't much care either way," said the parliamentary agent. "Of course, we must make them care." Mr. Bradshaw rather shrank from the knowing look with which this was said.

He hoped that Mr. Pilson did not mean to allude to bribery; but he did not express this hope, because he thought it would deter the agent from using this means, and it was possible it might prove to be the only way.

And if he (Mr. Bradshaw) once embarked on such an enterprise, there must be no failure. By some expedient or another, success must be certain, or he could have nothing to do with it. The parliamentary agent was well accustomed to deal with all kinds and shades of scruples. He was most at home with men who had none; but still he could allow for human weakness; and he perfectly understood Mr. Bradshaw. "I have a notion I know of a man who will just suit your purpose. Plenty of money--does not know what to do with it, in fact--tired of yachting, travelling; wants something new. I heard, through some of the means of intelligence I employ, that not very long ago he was wishing for a seat in Parliament." "A Liberal?" said Mr. Bradshaw. "Decidedly. Belongs to a family who were in the Long parliament in their day." Mr. Bradshaw rubbed his hands. "Dissenter?" asked he. "No, no! Not so far as that. But very lax Church." "What is his name?" asked Mr. Bradshaw eagerly. "Excuse me. Until I am certain that he would like to come forward for Eccleston, I think I had better not mention his name." The anonymous gentleman did like to come forward, and his name proved to be Donne. He and Mr. Bradshaw had been in correspondence during all the time of Mr. Ralph Cranworth's illness; and when he died, everything was arranged ready for a start, even before the Cranworths had determined who should keep the seat warm till the eldest son came of age, for the father was already member for the county. Mr. Donne was to come down to canvass in person, and was to take up his abode at Mr. Bradshaw's; and therefore it was that the seaside house, within twenty miles' distance of Eccleston, was found to be so convenient as an infirmary and nursery for those members of his family who were likely to be useless, if not positive encumbrances, during the forthcoming election.

同类推荐
  • 白香集

    白香集

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 禅灯世谱

    禅灯世谱

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 金匮玉函要略辑义

    金匮玉函要略辑义

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 有酒十章

    有酒十章

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 阿毗昙心论

    阿毗昙心论

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 红楼恨梦之黛玉问情

    红楼恨梦之黛玉问情

    什么?穿越之后我竟然变成了林黛玉,她是严咏春?咏春拳的创始人竟然称了我的老师?更可怕的是他——陈家洛,红花会的总舵主?那个出现在他旁边的人是不是化为蝴蝶的香妃啊?可为什么我心里那么不舒服?天上掉下个林妹妹。这个林妹妹可真美,想我风度翩翩的贾府二少年难道还迷不倒她么?只是这个林妹妹好像有点带刺,怎么也不如宝姐姐那朵华丽的牡丹花。从第一眼看见她就被她的文采所打动,小小的年纪见识却是如此的不凡。为了她,我守着快要盛开的冰山雪莲,为了她,我尽快的学好武功就是为了亲自把这多雪莲送给她。她的美比她娘还要美,当年的清朝第一大美女为了拉拢住林如海身为皇帝的朕没办法才放手,今天老天爷竟然把这朵娇嫩的小花送到了朕的身边朕怎么能不爱惜她呢,不是说身高不是距离,年龄不是问题么?只是她竟然是我弟弟的意中人......引子一一曲清词一杯茶,深宫何处忆儿家?点点红楼尽滴泪,梦断深宫去天涯。引子二十年恩爱终成梦,苦心教导亦成空。且看风云变幻时,金陵烟雨展神通。引子三家住虚无缥缈中,读书习武两无成。怀揣金银不会用,流落江湖一狂生。************************************************强力推荐好友冰冷女人的玄幻小说异世逆天,(既天道不公,那我就做那逆天的存在.....).强力推荐好友月飞扬的邪恶小娘子(“你干嘛砸我的头!”某男愤恨道!)强力推荐好友流光倾城的扑到美人师父(一道天雷,她换魂,变身绝色。天下苍生皆被她所媚,只他一人,端坐如莲。)
  • 佛罗伦萨不晴天(出版已上市)

    佛罗伦萨不晴天(出版已上市)

    实体出版名:《佛罗伦萨不晴天》七月已上市!网络连载原名:《佛罗伦萨,最后一封情书》卓越、当当、京东搜索《佛罗伦萨不晴天》即可购买。------------------------------有一个女孩叫做白心凉,她傻傻的守着一个人的名字度过了青葱美丽的年少时光。你有没有像她一样,只因为人群中的那一眼,便无法不为他在人世间彷徨。不是每一只丑小鸭都可以变成白天鹅,不是所有的灰姑娘都能够拿到仙女棒。十年,骄傲的王子,若有天你知道有人用去十年的时光去爱你,你会怎么想。*****这一次,我想写一个美丽又温暖的故事。亲爱的,你知道吗,当你真的下决心去爱一个人的时候,整个世界都会帮助你的。
  • 魔剑江湖吟

    魔剑江湖吟

    何为江湖?快意恩仇!刀光剑影,爱恨情仇!是非恩怨,岁月蹉跎!本书初衷只为还原大家心中一个纯粹的武侠梦,描述一个纯净的江湖。讲述一懵懂少年仗剑御驴一步步揭开这江湖的面纱,舒展一副既血雨腥风,又诗情画意的古风写意江湖画卷!
  • 论女皇进化史

    论女皇进化史

    爱冒险的玲珑穿越了,一开始以为是宅斗文,她已经准备好磨刀霍霍向姨娘,斗庶姐了。可是看到皇帝小哥哥暧昧的态度,原来是宫斗文,难道穿越女都注定走上争霸后宫的节奏?后来发现身边美男环绕,玲珑美滋滋的想着,难道是后宫文?(???_??)?这个可以有!可是最后玲珑一脸懵逼,谁能告诉她,争霸天下是什么鬼?(?_?)本文男女主一对一,身心干净,放心入坑。
  • 第一夫人

    第一夫人

    一朝醒来,潇洒决绝的她居然穿越到了一个温柔娴淑,绝色却懦弱的乔府四小姐身上!什么?这个四小姐是因为争风吃醋而被害死的?并且是当着她们争风吃醋的男子的面!再什么?那个动手害死她的贱人还活的好好的?而那个男子居然还在微笑,如此无情!可惜,再次睁开眼,她已不是原来的她…皇帝的一句话,彻底改变了她的人生。而她,又岂是当初那唯命是从、深居简出的单纯女子?在这繁华的乱世,她要的只是一家安定,但若触碰到她的逆鳞,她还会无动于衷吗?新文推荐:《皇女》(穿越、女强)她,身体羸弱,性格怯懦,最后为心爱之人利用死于非命。她,性格张扬、强势,催眠、暗示、杀人,无所不能。爱情于她,只是游戏一场。当这样强势的她穿越到软弱的她身上……片段一:“朕后悔了,当初让你嫁给他,唯有你,才配与朕笑傲天下。月儿,跟朕走,朕许你皇后之位!”昔日连正眼都不愿看她一眼的男子,此时眼中看到的只有那淡雅如尘的女子,放下身段。女子抬眸,嘴角弯起一抹妩媚的弧度,淡然笑道:“你是看上了我哪一点?告诉我如何,我会改过来。”轻蔑不屑的话语,顿时让那龙袍加身的男子全身僵硬。片段二:望着那慵懒的躺在贵妃椅上的女子,他扬眉,一步上前,扣住她的下巴,强势道:“这一生,你永远也别想摆脱我。我生,你生;我死,你死。”美艳女子缓缓抬眸,一笑倾城,道:“可以。前提是……看你有没有那个本事!”《网游--盗情》(蓝飒的番外)网游世界:女人对初次见面的男人说的第一句话会是什么?她问:“兄台,不介意的话我当你和xx之间的小三吧?”世界上就是有这么两个性格扭曲心理变态的人——钟情于数字“三”!变态遇变态,于是,一发不可收拾——网络游戏+现实生活,黑骑士+腹黑公主的完美集合风格:温馨、诙谐搞笑推荐区:桂圆的《凰权》,超级好看的文:好友皇焱儿的大作《哥哥太坏谁之过》亲亲师父落随心大作《枭女》宝宝超级好文《绝色锋芒》《七夜宠姬》(此文已入半价书库)醉舞狂歌《难耐兽性暴君》迷糊蛋《王妃十岁》紫颖枫《绝色妖瞳》翼妖《绝色逃妾》爱心果冻《第一庶女》清甜水果糖《相公你好“野”》鈅玄《狂女食夫》鈅玄《兽妻》寇沐木《御养九妖》【占地三天推荐《独占新宠》】————————————————————————————————————
  • 万物有灵皆可师

    万物有灵皆可师

    百篇经典自然美文,尽写生命和爱的光芒。万物的真实样貌,比起诗人所能描摹的境界,不知要美多少倍。所以,就算你什么都不爱,也要爱自然,爱万物。作者华姿作为“当代散文十家”,最受读者欢迎的女作家之一,她的散文,被称为“经过大自然的朝露夕岚漂洗过”,“有一股浓烈的植物和大地的气息”。读起来,是一种与自然与外物身心结合的享受。
  • 找不回的恋人

    找不回的恋人

    2166年5月17日,科学家乔波在世界第一人工岛国重生岛举行新一代机械人产品发布会。岛民林振羽邀朋友陶陶一同前往,却在发布会上邂逅一名神秘少女,并随即遭到一帮歹徒追杀。林振羽与神秘少女并肩御敌,少女在击毙众歹徒、勇救女童人质后便乘直升机凭空消失,但却因相貌与林振羽五年前无故失踪的女友极其相似而引起林的怀疑。为彻查真相,机缘巧合下的林振羽与陶陶前往乔波博士的“广寒宫”参加博士与神秘少女的订婚仪式,却意外揭开了纯人类等人种与新机械人之间几乎毁灭地球的世界大战序幕……
  • 如吃如醉,总裁的单身妻

    如吃如醉,总裁的单身妻

    她不懂爱情,却做了一名杂志社的编辑,撰写爱情专栏。她不知道什么是婚姻,却因为自家老宅嫁给商界巨擘的他。婚姻如果处于不公平的状态,必定有‘委曲求全’的觉悟。新婚当夜,她的合法丈夫说:“我的婚姻里没有约束,你可以做任何事,包括找男人。”她的第一个反应就是,中国好丈夫。所以,她结婚就跟没结一样,别人问,她答:“我单身。要追我么?”
  • 国师大人的贤惠日常

    国师大人的贤惠日常

    【女主镜如玉,男主司辰,双洁1v1无虐,女强男强,重生女扮男装,欢迎入坑~】上一世身为稀有的异能者却死于组织的实验,因为异能重生与另一个空间。京城传闻镜家小公子是世间宠儿,背景大着,兄长宠着,国师大人护着。打小的无法无天,嚣张跋扈。他,云墨的神秘国师,却帝王见了也要退让几分。遇上小公子之前的国师大人:高冷,俊美,邪肆。遇上小公子之后的国师大人:无赖,不要脸,傲娇……?小公子表示,她现在退货,还来得及么……
  • 最神奇的经济学定律

    最神奇的经济学定律

    无论你是什么样的人,从事着怎样的职业,生活在怎样的人生状态里,总会遇到各种各样的问题,当然,也总有针对各种问题总结出的原理或定律。本书介绍了80个神奇的定律,从生活化的场景出发,从经济学家的视角分类解读,力图为读者呈现浅显易懂的经济学定律。