The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1877-11-29
Now That the Smoke.

out the capitals and the italics ana the
exclamation-po peculiar to campaign
time. There will be no more solemn
appeals therein, and naither will the
orator wax eloquent and excessively
earnest in the gas-light, pausing at in
tervals in behalf of applause and bursts
of music from the band. The street.
corners will not have the usual idlers,
with hands in their pockets, earnestly
discussing the various claims of Smith
ard Ferguson, and occasionally adj
journing to the neighboring establish
ment for the fortifying beverage.
Some men may even go to
work; and the good housewife
as she trims her lamp at evening
may look across the room to see her
husband discussing the merits of some
book which does not treat of the issues
of the hour, the peril of the country,
and the imperative necessity OF working
for some particular candidate, whatever
that sort of labor may happen to be.
But there is a view which is somewhat
discouraging. We ran against the most
disconsolate man last night that per-
haps the human eye ever dwelt upon.
Some time during the canvass he had
managed to secure a particularly glossy
hat, and it was in very melancholy con-
trast with the seedy garments he wore,
not to mention his dilapidated boots. 1t
was the one bright spot in horrible
abyss of woe. He leaned against
lamp-post and looked as if he had lost
his last friend, and likewise his last
dime-if he ever had one.
can it's all over, is it?' he said ad-
ly. ssKnew it couldn't last always, of
course; but feel lonesome. Banquet
hall deserted. Lights all out-not SO
much IS tallow-candle. Dry-not a
cent left. No more patriotism. Loyalty
gone up. jug broken an no whisky
behind the bar. No nothin'."
DO you refer to the Russian WARP"
we said, kindly.
"'Lection!" he remarked. "That's
What's er matter. Y mus be crazy.
, Talk about Russian war in lection time!
| WHARF, ye thinkin' Of? Bully news
from er bloody Fifth, want it? But s
all over. No more 'citement. Dull
| times an nobody to 'em."
you seem to feel badly. about it,
we said. Perhaps you were candi-
date and didn't get elected
"Can 'date!" he replied, with look
of intense surprise. "Thank you.
Hain't had such com 'liment in twenty
year. Never ran for office but once.
Got 'lected. Made couple o. hundred
year over an above. Been in politics
ever since. Helpin' out the boys. Like
it, sir-like it. Lots o. fun. But it's all
over till next time"
"Your party was defeated?" we said
inquiringly. "No wonder you are
heart-sick. 1t is discouraging. But
cheer up It may be all right next time"
"Party!n he returned, with another
look of surprise. Hain't got no par
ty. WHARF, you thinkin' of? Parties s
all mixed up any how. What's use. No,
sir! Work for the boys-jest for the
boys; nothin' else. Boys want office.
Ought to have it. Help 'em out. Los
whisky. Good time. 'Rah for Hayes!
'Rah for Tilden! 'Rah for any body.
Tenth Ward clean sweep for Thompson,
want it?''
"See here!" we remarked with great
earnestness. "This is very strange.
You haven't been a candidate, and you
belong to no party. Yet you give up
work and every thing for the boys, and
you are grieved nearly to death because
some of the boys are beaten. You must
be very unselfish man.
"W'y!" he said with look of pro-
found disgust. "W'y, you mus be
- furriner. Amt it every man s duty
to vote, say? Show me a man who
dom vote an I'll show you "a person
who amt fit to be 'merican citizen.
You hear me? Gin the best of ma life
up to politics and don't regret it either.
I'm patriot, ann
"But," we urged, chow do you get
your pay for all this arduous labor?
When the boys are successful do they
give you minor positionp Is there
t provision in behalf of this noble self
sacrifice? Have you a family? Are you
/ rich?n
/" Hang family!" he remarked i'm
patiently. :" Wha's work to duty, say !?
Work when country demands services?
Work when the boys need 'emp Poor
man who can't give one day to e coun-
try. One week or month or two.
/ Wy, see're! where's you brought upP
Anu tneH IhefeS Soou Time. Bully
time. Caucuses. Out with 'er boys.
l say! didn't they wax 'em in NJ York?
Wat? 'Rah for John Morrissey! The
'ternal principles o. justice mus an
shall prevail! Got news from Fairport
yet?" = - -
"And you do this every year?" we
inquired.
"Yissir. Certainly. Twice a year.
Every time. All the boys do. Speeches,
torch-lights, blowout, eaucusses, ''scus-
sions on street-corners, carriages some
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