The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1860-01-05
A GO Cd YARN.
The E4eGG-BHaEaded Fiddler 4:
OR, HEADING OFF THE MUSIC.

"Insure me brass-band, and III in
sure your election" was the musical reply
| Of 'wire-worker' to question from am
aspiring political candidate as to the prop
er means to secure his election. And so
widely, during all elections, is music called
into oratory, that this answer serves as a
good endorsement to the poets note, that
''Music hath charms to soothe the savage"
and attractions to--"go to the polls and
vote early"
The forty-horse power of music on cleo
tions being thus settled by common con-
sent, it leads US to believe that 'too much
credit cannot be awarded" (style Of express
sion sanctioned by usage) to the Kentuck-
ian who faced his political opponents
music as follows
| Both were candidates for the Office Of
Governor Of Kentucky, and 'stumped' the
State together quite harmoniously until
they reached one Of the counties in the
chill country" Here it was necessary
to make decided demonstration, and ac-
cordingly the two candidates fairly spread
themselves to catch all the votes possible
soaring up the American eagle, and cal
lng down the shade of Washington =
pitching out profuse promises; and pitch
ing into each others party politics, in
manner decidedly refreshing to the hear
ers. On the first days canvass, victory
hung suspended by the tail-feathers over
the rival forces, but the second day fell
slap into the lap Of the shortest and stout
est candidate, leaving his long and lean
opponent ''no kind Of a show" In vain
the long man pumped up the waters OF
eloquence, and poured out a full stream
there was nobody to drink But round
the short man elbowed and crowded u mass
| Of thirsty voters, drinking ia his tones
with delight Why this attraction? Had
he barrel Of old Bourbon? No he had
a fiddle Getting the start Of the long
man, he had addressed the voters in a
short speech, and then, for the first time,
bringing out fiddle, retired a short dis
tance from the speakers stand, i'll order
to let his opponent reply-playing, how
ever, such lively airs that he soon drew
the entire assemblage away, and left the
other side Of the question unattended to,
unheard.
For three days in succession, short man
and the fiddle carried the day, in three
successive mass meetings, in as many
towns in the chill country" and long man 5
chances for single vote in those parts
grew remarkably slim. In vain long
consultation was held by the latter with
his political friends.
sect the start of him at the next meet
ing, and speak first" advised one.
'.Raisea fiddle, and play them choones,"
asid another.
"Yell him down." shouted third.
The long man followed the advice of
his first counsellor, and got the start in
voice, but the noise of the fiddle run him
neck and neck he would have listened to
his second monitor and raised fiddle,
only he knew he couldn't scrapc Il note
and as for his third adviser, he told him
that yelling down the short man was
Simply ridiculous
Affairs grew desperate with long man,
when, on the third meeting, he saw, as
usual, the entire crowd OF voters sweeping
oft after short man and his fiddle, leaving
only one hearer, and he a lame one, who
was just about to hobble off after the
others.
''Can it be possible that freemen, citi-
zens of this great and glorious country,
neglecting the vital interests Of their land,
will run like wildmen after cat-gut strings?
Can it be possible, | say ?"
And the lame man, to whom long man
was eloquently discoursing, answered, as
he too cleared out:
"Well, it can, old hoss ~
Despair encamped in the long mans
face, as he watched the short man at a
distance, playing away for dear life and
the gubernatorial chair ON that blasted
old fiddle but suddenly ray of hope
beamed over his rueful yisage, then anoth-
er ray, till it shone like the sun at midday.
"Got him now, sure.' fairly shouted
the long man, as he threw up his arms,
| jumped from the stand, and started for the
/ tavern, where he at once called meeting
Of his political friends, consisting of the
| landlord and one other, then and there
unfolding plan which was to drive his
rival no where in no time
The fourth meeting was held. Short
man addressed the crowd with warmth,
eloquence and breyity, vacating the stand
FOR his adversary, and striking up lively
air on the violin, in order to quash his
proceedings; but though, as usual, he
carried the audience away, he noticed that
they were as critical as numerous. One
J big six-footor, in homespun, walnut-dyed