Free Freddy the Politician by Walter R. Brooks Page B

It was John Quincy.
    â€œLadies and gentlemen,” said John Quincy, “what must we look for in the first president of this great new nation? We must look for three things: honesty, brains, and the willingness to do hard work. Now, my experience during my short but happy time in your midst leads me to believe that any of those who may be nominated tonight will possess those three qualities to the full. So far, then, the candidate whom I wish to propose to you has nothing better to offer you. He possesses these qualities, it is true, in the fullest measure. But I am fully aware that there is enough honesty, brains, and willingness to work here in this hall tonight to supply a dozen presidents. A dozen, do I say? Nay, a hundred.”
    There was wild cheering at this point, but when it had died down, old Whibley, the owl, who had kept his eyes closed during the first part of the speech, opened them, blinked twice, and said in a loud voice: “Talk, talk! I didn’t come here to listen to a lot of talk!” But he was shushed down, and John Quincy proceeded.
    â€œBut, ladies and gentlemen,” he said, “there is another quality which is even more important. It is the ability to avoid making mistakes. It is, in a word, experience. I will be brief. I wish to propose to you as a candidate for the presidency one who has had wide experience, not only of men and cities, but of the way in which a great nation is governed. One who has lived for years, not only in Washington, but actually in the White House grounds. One who has been an intimate of presidents and a close observer of their habits. I nominate Grover.”
    â€œWoodpeckers!” said old Whibley disgustedly. “Bug-eaters!” But the cheering drowned his voice. And then Grover was speaking.
    â€œFellow citizens,” he said, “I am a bird of action. I will not bore you with a long speech. My record as president of the First Animal Bank speaks for itself. But there are a few things I should like to tell you. You do not know me well, for I have been with you only a short time. But already I feel one of you. I have cast my lot with you, and I think I can promise that I will do my best for you, whether as a private citizen, as banker, or as president of your—of our, I should say—great country. Now, my friends …”
    His voice went on, and Freddy turned to Jinx. “Did you see that?” he said. “Simon and his gang cheering for Grover.”
    â€œLet ’em,” said Jinx darkly. “Their cheering days are pretty near over. What’s worrying me is the birds. There are more birds than animals here—did you notice that?—and—But let’s wait and see how they take Mrs. Wiggins.”
    â€œThe test of a good president,” Grover was saying, “is: what does he do for the people? And, particularly, what does he do for those who voted for him? Frankly, my friends, this nomination has come as a great surprise to me, and I have not yet had time to consider these matters. But I promise you this: if I am elected—”
    â€œYou will be! Grover forever! ” shouted an enthusiastic blue jay.
    â€œâ€”I will see that those who elected me will have no cause to regret it.”
    The birds went wild at the conclusion of the speech. They cheered and whistled and clapped their wings, and the noise went on and on until Jinx looked hopelessly at Freddy. “This is bad,” he shouted. “They’ve elected him already. We mustn’t let ’em be so sure. Can’t you do anything?”
    Freddy shook his head, but Mrs. Wiggins’s broad face suddenly broke into a smile. “I can,” she said. “Leave it to me.” And suddenly she drew in her breath, and opened her mouth, and let out a tremendous laugh with the full strength of her lungs. And believe me, when a cow laughs as loud as she can, you sit up and listen. Lions aren’t in it.
    The cheering