six o'clock
I feel so proud of ye , that I wish I had a hundred votes to cast for ye all . '' It was hardly necessary to say that the memorial tribute of Squire Adams was increased tenfold by the judges , inspectors , and clerks , and that the old man tottered back to Mammy , considerably heavier than he came . As both of the rival candidates were equally sure of his vote , and each had called upon him and offered a conveyance , it is but fair to presume they were equally beneficent . But Daddy insisted upon walking to the polls , -- a distance of two miles , -- as a moral example , and a text for the California paragraphers , who hastened to record that such was the influence of the foot-hill climate , that `` a citizen of Rough-and-Ready , aged eighty-four , rose at six o'clock , and , after milking two cows , walked a distance of twelve miles to the polls , and returned in time to chop a cord of wood before dinner . '' Slightly exaggerated as this statement may have been , the fact that Daddy was always found by the visitor to be engaged at his wood-pile , which seemed neither to increase nor diminish under his axe , a fact , doubtless , owing to the activity of Mammy , who was always at the same time making pies , seemed to give some credence to the story . Indeed , the wood-pile of Daddy Downey was a standing reproof to the indolent and sluggish miner . `` Ole Daddy must use up a pow ` ful sight of wood ; every time I 've passed by his shanty he 's been makin ' the chips fly .