Ah, here it is, here's Uncle Ezra's house! If it were up to you, you'd just leave the package on his front stoop and leave without seeing anybody...you've never been very fond of your Uncle Ezra. With his loud voice, forceful behavior, and dark demeanor, he's always reminded you of a somewhat upright breeding hog. Unfortunately, you can hear the sound of piano music from the front parlor window, so it looks as if you won't escape unnoticed.

You climb up to the front door and prepare to knock when all of a sudden, the door is flung upon and a figure dressed in evening clothes comes barreling out, knocking you over. As your clear the confusion from your head and the figure stands squinting at you, you recognize Uncle Ezra.

"Nat! Why, there you are, at last! Your Pa wired ahead and said you'd be coming--what ther' devil took you so long?! I've been waiting DAYS for that package!" You manage to untangle your limbs from the porch swing and stand to face the man.

"I'm sorry, Uncle Ezra, but there was a problem with the train, and..."

He cuts you off with a wave of his hand. "Never mind that, never mind. Just glad you've brought it, finally. Where is it?" You hand over the parcel and a wave of calm passes over you. Uncle Ezra looks as if he's headed off somewhere! You won't have to put up with his company! A thrill of joy passes through you as he deposits the package on a hall table, closes the door, and starts to head down the front steps. Despair grips you again as he seems to change his mind, and stops to turn to speak to you.

"Er, Nat..." he begins, then cuts himself off with a phlegmy cough. "Don't suppose you'd mind coming along with me? I'm headed off to a support dinner for President Cleveland! The great man himself'll be there, talking about how he's going to whip Harrison come November!" He looks down at your grimy traveling clothes. "You could wear Hiram's evenin' clothes." Hiram is your cousin, a sallow youth about your age who looks as if he'll turn out like his father. "He was supposed to come with, but he got the ague a few days ago and won't be up for it. What do you say?" His final remarks are delivered with a leer, as he cocks his head at you, apparently trying to appear genial.

Now, this poses something of a problem. Uncle Ezra has always been what your father commonly calls a "damn-fool Democrat," often when speaking directly of Ezra himself. In fact, hardly anyone back in Clark's Hill thinks very much of Democrat politics, which they see as liberal and ruinous. For them, the staunch tradition of the Republican party is their meat and potatoes. If word got out that you attended a Democrat support dinner, you might get shifty glances and unkind words around town for months, maybe even years! Besides, your father did say to return home as soon as possible after delivering that parcel. And an evening on the town with Uncle Ezra hardly sounds like your idea of a good time. Still, on the other hand, it would be a great honor to hear the president speak, and you are rather interested to hear what he has to say. This year WILL be your first election, and you do want to get a good grounding in all the events and perspectives being debated. Thinking quickly, you decide to...

 

Politely decline, and make your way home

Accompany Uncle Ezra to the dinner