The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-10-20
brooklyn Eagle.l
The Convert.

He was not happy looking man. His cloth
ing was ripped where it wasn't torn and torn
where it wasn't ripped, and his visage was
muddy and scanned with care
II am looking for the city editor" he OBJ
served cautiously, 'and want to see him pri-
vately."
tuary.
81 have been life long Republican" said
the stranger. II was brought up a Republi-
can, and at my mothers knee l lisped early
prayers and late for the success of that party.
Do you follow me?''
II do, 1 do" responded the city editor SYM
pathetically.
81 voted the Republican ticket for years and
labored assiduously for the party Do you see
that scar on my cheek? That was caused by
the explosion of a torch in a Republican pro-
cession. Do you notice the absence of teeth
from my countenance? laid them upon the
altar of Republican principles in CORY row
with Democl attic organization. If you will
scrutinize this good right hand you will per-
ceive that it is without thumb That thumb
went out in darkness at the mouth of cannon
roaring gladly over Republican success My
carnage has been drunk by the ground. Twas
a worker, a painstaking and studious patriot"
What can do for you?" asked the city ed.
itor in gentle tones.
II am at my country's beck. / feel that the
Republican party has no longer claims upon
me. Henceforth am Democrat and now
shall work for the ticket which bears the hon.
ored names of Hancock and English
Il am glad to know that you are firm in
your convictions, whatever they are,' replied
the city editor.
from off the precipice of error. My intention
is to form Hancock and English campaign
club, and / have come to consult you Only a
profound statesman like yourself can win my
confidence" and he htched his chair q little
closer. "Io establish such club needs mon
ey.n
"Indeed!" said the city editor.
"Yes, money. am willing to sacrifice my
small property to the good of the cause, but
must have assistance. ] want you to put me
in one hundred dollars
"I'd rather not, for a day or two, at least"
replied the city editor
II am willing to let part of it stand over,
said the stranger. Half to-day, and your
note, with good endorser, for the balance"
~ don't believe care to go in at ALL"
'How does twenty-five strike you as the
first instalment? Mind, do not ask your per-
sonal exertions. do not demand your teeth.
your thumb, your carnage. twenty-five vul-
gar dollars will let you out for the present."
"You'd better go somewhere else" suggested
the city editor, handing the stranger his hat
"Never I go only to patriots. You must
do something for this club or will take back
to the Republican ranks these few remaining
teeth, this lonely thumb, and tell"
Suppose you hop sright out of here" re-
marked the city editor
at is only to show your interest. Five dol
lars-two and half. Say, rather than leave
you to the remorse that waits upon your con-
science, Til make it a dollar. Shall the glori-
GUS banner of the Democracy be trailed in the
dust for want of few beggarly cents? Never!
Put it at half dollar rather than lose this op-
portunity to save your country from the dan
gers that assail, or you will drive me back to
the party loathe and !my blood be on your
head"
The foreman threw him down stairs Gath
ering himself IN, he approached the cashier.
You see my teeth are gone, and 1 do not
happen to have my right thumb about me-
"What have you, done with them?" asked
the cashier, reaching under his desk for a
hatchet.
81 locked them up in my safe and I've lost
the combination. Will you lend me yours?"
And then the ragged man went forth and
the gloom of the twilight wreathed him in
shadows.