"Two Politicians" is a short story by Ambrose Bierce, first published in 1879. The story follows two politicians, John and William, who are running for the same seat in Congress. Despite their similarities, they have vastly different views on how to govern the country, with John advocating for progressive reforms and William pushing for a more conservative approach. As the election approaches, the two men engage in a heated campaign, each trying to outmaneuver the other and win over the voters. However, as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that neither man is truly committed to their cause, and they are more interested in winning than in serving the people. In the end, John and William are elected, but their victory is hollow, as they have lost sight of their original goals and are now more concerned with maintaining their power than with doing what is right for the country.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1879 · Genre: Political Fiction, Satire, Historical Fiction