Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1870-11-24

evident that those beliefs were identical
with certain broad principles laid down by
the founders of the American Constitu-
ton. as expounded by the statesmanlike A:
or were the fatal quicksands, on which the
Ship of State might be wrecked, warn
ingly pointed out by the eloquent B. The
practical result of all which was the nomi-
nation of York and Sect! to represent the
opposite factions Of Sandy Bar in legisla-
tive councils
For some weeks past, the voters OF
Sandy Bar and the adjacent camps had
been called upon, in large type, to "RAL-
LYf" In vain the great pines at the cross
roads-whose trunks were compelled to
bear this and other legends-moaned and
protested from their windy watch-towers.
But one day, with fife and drum. and
naming transparency, procession filed
into the triangular grove at the head OF
the gulch The meeting was called to or
der by Colonel Starbottle, who, having
once enjoyed legislative functions, and be,
ing vaguely known as war horse" was
considered to be valuable partisan OF
York. He concluded an appeal for his
friend, with an enunciation of principle,
interspcrsed with one or two anecdotes,
might have been moved TO pelt him with
their cast-off cones, as he stood there.
But he created laugh, on which his can
didate rode into popular notice; and when
York rose to speak, he was greeted with
cheers. But to the general establishment,
the new speaker at once launched into Bit
Ter denunciation of his rival. He not only
dwelt upon SCOTS deeds and example, as
known to Sandy Bar, but spoke Of facts
connected with his previous career, hither-
to unknown to his auditors. To great
precision of epithet and directness of state
ment, the speaker added the fascination of
revelation and exposure The crowd
cheered, yelled, and were delighted; but
when this astounding philippe was con-
cluded, there was unanimous call for
"Scott" Colonel Starbottle would have
resisted this manifest improperly, but in
vain Partly from crude sense of justice,
partly from a meaner craving for excite
ment the assemblage was inf1exible; and
Scott was dragged, pushed, and pulled upon
the platform.
As his frowsy and unkempt beard APP
peared above the railing, il was evident
that he was drunk. But it was also evil
dent. before he opened his lips, that the
could touch their vagabond sympathies
(perhaps because he was not above appeal
ing to them)-stood before them. A con
seriousness of this power lent certain dig
nity to his figure, and am not sure but
that his very physical condition impressed
them as kind of regal unbending and
large condescension. Howbcit. when this
unexpected Hector arose from the ditch,
Yorks myrmidons trembled.
There's nought, gentlemen" said Scott,
leaning forward on the railing" there 5
nought as that man hez said rs isn't true.
was run outer Cairo; did belong To the
Regulators did desert from the army; i
did leave wife in Kansas. But thar's one
thing he didn't charge me with, and may
be, he's forgotten. For three years, gen
tlemen, / was that mans pardner!-
Whether he intended to say more, / can.
not tell burst of applause artistically
rounded and enforced the climax, and vir-
tually elected the speaker. That fall he
went To Sacramento; York went abroad,
and for the first time in many years, dis
lance and new atmosphere isolated the
old antagonists.
With little of change in the green wood,
grvy rock, and yellow river. but with much
faces in its habitations, three years passed
over Sandy Bar The two men, once so
identified with its character, seemed TO
have been quite forgotten. You will
never return to Sandy Ban" said Miss Fol
insbee, the Lilly of Poverty Flat" ON
meeting York in Paris" for Sandy Bar is
no more. They call il Riverside now and
the new town is built higher up on the
river bank By-the-by, Jo' says that
Scott has won his suit about the 'Amity
Claim and that he lives in the old cabin,
and Is drunk half his time. O, beg your
pardon" added the lively lady, as flush
crossed York's sallow check; but, bless
me, / really thought that old grudge was
made up I'm sure it ought to be.
1t was three months after this conversa-
ton, and pleasant summer evening, that
the Poverty Flat coach drew up before the
veranda of the Union Hotel at Sandy Bar.
Among its passengers was one, apparently
a stranger, i'm the local distinction of we'll
fitting clothes and closely-shavcn face, who
demanded private room, and retired early
to rest But before sunrise next morning
he arose, and, drawing some clothes from
his carpet bag, proceeded to array himself
in pair of white duck trowsers, white
toilet was complete, he tied red bandanna
handkerchief in n loop and threw it loose
ly over his shoulders. The transformation
was complete; as he crept softly down the
stairs and stepped into the road, no one
would have detected in him the elegant
stranger Of the previous night, and but
few have recognized the face and figure Of
Henry York, of Sandy Bar.
In the uncertain light of that early hour,
and in the change that had come over the
settlement. he had to pause for q moment
to recall where he stood. The Sandy Bar
of his recollection lay below him, nearer
the river: the buildings around him were
of later date and newer fashion. As, he
strobe toward the river. lac noticed here a
school house and there church. A little
further on "The Sunny South came in
into restaurant--i.s
gliding faded and its paint rubbed off He
now knew where he was and running
briskly down q declivity, crossed ditch,
and stood upon the lower boundary Of the
Amity Claim.
The gray mist was rising slowly from
the river, clinging To the tree-tops and
A 49,, tho tai eide until n uau