CHAPTER IV 



The Discovery of the Key of Success Political Strategy The Assistant 

 Secretary The Working of the Spell. 



BEING satisfied that lack of interest was the 

 particular disease from which the Oxford- 

 shire Agricultural Society was suffering, 

 the main point was to settle how this could best 

 be combated, and I will go into particulars as to 

 how it was done, for the information of any show 

 committee who, in the cold shadow of failure, 

 may be wondering how they might retrieve their 

 luck. The holding of the annual show at only 

 two centres was, for reasons already specified, 

 apparently one of the causes of failure. This 

 suggested the adoption in lieu of it of the migratory 

 principle, which would give each town in the 

 county a visit in turn. The idea having been 

 ventilated, an enterprising inhabitant of Thame 

 confided to me his belief that that township, if 

 properly approached, would be willing to receive 

 the Society, and pay something for the privilege. 

 A nod is as good as a wink to a secretary at his 

 wits' end to find the key to success. So I at once 

 resolved to lay siege to Thame, although the only 

 soul I knew in the place was the inhabitant referred 

 to. Having journeyed thereto, I made at once 

 for the chief hotel and ordered lunch chops and 



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