The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-03-23
NH. EAxoN,S EXPERIENCE.
Why He Was No Longer n Candidate
for Office.

| IL was on the eve OF an important
election. For weeks halls had been
packed with enthusiastic crowds listen
ing to popular speakers, while long
| professions paraded the streets with
flaming torches and Haunting banners.
Favorite candidates had been ex tolled
and opposing candidates decried, until
men forgot to be either generous or
just.
Sterling Faxon, candidate for an
Office he had long coveted, was in his
library alone, counting over and over
again his chances of success. That he
would owe his election, if this was
achieved, to widely different classes of
society, no one knew better than him
self, yet every vote cast for him would
be cast for the liquor interest.
The wealthy citizen whose wine
cellar was stocked with the choicest
vintage and the veriest sot who slaked
his thirst in the West dens were alike
sure to give him their votes. Brow
ers and distillers, wholesale and retail
| liquor-dealers Of every grade-all
were pledged to sustain him, while he
in turn was pledged to defend their in
terest against all opposition.
This was to be the price Of his cleo
ton, and he would be held to strict &C.
count. He would be closely watched.
There could be no wavering on his
part. Scruples must be given to the
winds, and he must follow the path
marked out for him. Perhaps in his
eager haste he had not before stopped
to count the whole cost; but now that
he was alone. with ample time for re-
Election, he questioned if he had done
wisely.
A servant interrupted him to say
that boy wished to see him upon i'm
portant business.
"Show him in," was responded, and
presently a coarsely-dressed Irish lad
stood before him. hat in hand.
IL was to bring this to you," said
the visitor, extending piece of brown
paper closely folded. II was told not
to wait for an answer, but it must be
ye'll sind some money to the poor fell
Ter that's lynn on the straw. and niver
bit to ate but what we poor ones
give him It's a garnet he's in, and
no fire. I'm thinking it's the drink
that's brought him there, but there's
many a one in fine houses as bad
as he"
Mr.. Faxon did not unfold the scrap
of paper he had taken, One glance at
the superscription sufficed. 1t had
been written with trembling hand,
but there was no MISLEADING the
writer.
81 have nothing to give. You can
CO." said the gentleman, huskily.
"And nothing to sind the poor Teller
that's lynn on the straw? He said ye
was up for a big Office, but l hope yell
not get vote, ye're that stingy."
"What is it?" asked a young girl
who had entered the room in time to
hear this last remark. "Who calls
my father stingy? You?" she cried,
looking at the boy, who regarded her
with wondering admiration.
Faith, and l did," he answered.
II brought the gintlemen letter from
poor Teller that's nigh dyin', and he
won't sind him what would kape the
breath OF life in him."
docs he ask for money. father?"
81 don't know. | have not read
the letter"
Would there be an angel-sistor to
the poor foller on the straw" now
exclaimed the lad. Sure as my eyes
can see, there's the very same looks"
"Do you mean that 1 look like the
poor follow lying on the straw"
"Sure, miss, l do"
There was a sudden paling Of fair,
sweet face, and then tho bearer of the
strange letter was shown to the hall,
where he was told to wait.
Only one person in the world would
have presumed to address Sterling
Faxon in the peremptory manner
which seemed to leave him no choice
Of action. HIS only daughter was
privileged. and when she read the
message he had yielded to her de-
mand, she turned to him-half in an
ger, half in scorn-exclaiming:
"Listen. From my pallet Of straw
in a fireless room, congratulate you
upon your political prospects Your
son, Harry Think of that, father.
My brother Harry wrote that and l
am going to him. 1 will stay with
him, too. You drove him from home
because he couldn't drink wine as
you do and keep sober. II mother had
lived he wouldn't have been turned
into the street l read in q paper
to-day that you are the candidate all
the liquor mon will vote for. 1t said:
Sterling Faxon believes in liquor.
and, after his experience, he ought to
be able to judge iutelligently OF its
effects Those we're the very words l
read, father, and shall never forget
them. l came in to tell you about
them and ask you to withdraw your
name as a candidate. l am going to
Harry now, father Will you go
with me?"
Yes l will order the carriage
and take the boy with us to show US
the way"
No more was said between the father
IT,.