The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-03-10
Left-Handed Tibbatts.

Some years ago, in Kentucky, two
lawyers, friends and relatives, but of op-
posite politics, offered themselves for
Congress In the same district
The Wing candidate was w. W.
Southgate, the Democratic, T. W. lib
bats. Both had talent, wit and the
ability to please the people. In the
more intelligent parts of the district
they battled honorably and as accom-
plished debaters. But in those regions
where the people were ignorant, they
fired jokes at each other, and made the
people laugh. ....
It happened that in one of these
"dark" regions both had made such a
favorable impression that public senti-
ment was about equally divided. One
party cried, ''Hurrah for Southgate !"
and the other, ''Hurrah for Tibbatts |"
The people remained, after the departure
of the candidates, to enjoy dance.
When the two politicians had ridden
about mile, Tibbatts suddenly discov-
cred that he had left something behind,
and, asking Southgate to wait for him,
rode back. Southgate, distrusting his
willy opponent, waited while and then
also returned. BE found Tibbatts play
ing the fiddle and the people dancing.
The sentiment seemed to be all in favor
Of the fiddler, who played with his left
hand,
Southgate, who also played the violin,
but with his right hand, told the dan
GERS that he would assist his friend lib
batts Soon his bow had divided the
people, and when, throwing it down, he
joined in the dance, all the hurrahs were
for him. M
The next day Southgate was taken
sick and for two weeks Tibbatts had the
field to himself. Southgate, on recover
ing, followed his opponents canvass, but
found that his rivals stories and violin
playing had stolen the hearts of the vot-
ers.
In one place they refused to hear
Southgate, crying, t'Tibbatts is our
man Hurrah for Tbbatts |" Some even
went SO far as to advise Southgate to
give up the canvass and 20 home. as
Tibbatts would receive every vote in that
region. J..
"Fellow-citizens,' said Southgate.
putting on his most honest air, "Tib-
bats is dear friend of mine, and a
noble fellow-there is no better man in
the district
s'Let's hear southgate!" shouted
some of the crowd, che seems like q
good fellow" And hear him they did.
Fellow-citizens," said the politician,
eff can't go to Congress without abus-
ing my friend Tbbatts, will stay at
home. He is the most talented man in
Kentucky, and for accomplishments he
hasn't his equal in the world
eve know all about that" shouted
the crowd. 'sWe heard him play"
But, fellow-citizens, there is one
thing I cannot approve in my friend.
he plays better left-hand than most mu-
sicians with their right But if you
should hear him play right handed He
would bend the trees with his sweet
tones. What blame him for is this :
When he is among the aristocrats, and
your stuck-up educated people, he plays
right-handed. But when he is among
us common people, the uneducated, for
whom he has no regard, and calls jack
asses, he says anything is good enough
for them, and he plays for them left.
handed.
"What! Why, he played left-handed
here exclaimed tho crowd, now thor
oughly angry. "Does he think we are
iackasses? Down with Tibbatts! Up
with Southgate! He's our mani"
When the election returns came in.
poor left-handed Tibbatts found that he
had but sixteen votes in that precinct.