Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-05-09

J. $3.50
| indeed"
"Haven't We had lovely timees'
said Lefty, when the carnival was
over, and they somewhat doefully pre-
pared to return home.
THAT we have" assented Nelly,
heartily. but. Lefty, even tobog-
gaming was not as exciting as-you
know-our secret
Judge Laurance was due at the
Town Hall at ten o'clock one morning.
a select committee had been awaiting
him there for some time; but still he
mitteemen were varied expressions of
embarrassment, chagrin. indignation,
and even amusement. The Judge had
been nominated as the Temperance
candidate by the Prohibition party in
the coming election. A grateful coun-
ty had at last recognized his sterling
worth, and Parliament, it was conf
IDENTIFY affirmed, would shortly fling
wide her portals to welcome an able
statesman. There was a solid vote for
Laurance right through his county.
Why, then. this absence of warmth,
these alien glances. as the judge at last
strobe IMP Surely not for that trifiing
delay of five minutes, for which he 90
amply apologized.
Hang it. gentlemen. cried the
judge. who was easily put out, whats
the matter with you all?''
Its q very painful duty we have to
perform" began thin old man, with
sad countenance.
.'Well, be quick about it. then" said
the judge, very sensibly.
There was dead silence.
Its lynching case. perhaps?" said
the judge, with sarcasm.
''Look here. Laurance," said anoth-
er. suddenly, a great personal friend of
the judges, 1--WE want you to retire.
After all that's happened. we can't
send you up as a Temperance repre-
sentative"
To this speech, hurriedly uttered,
came a strong chorus of support-''No,
indeed. we can't nosO, you know"
In cases of real emergency the judge
often Kept his temper. He now looked
round upon the group with undisguised
amazement-
''You must be good enough to ex-
plain yourselves, gentlemen. he said.
Another dead silence. At last a men,
Der blurted out:
Judge. we don't want to hurt your
feelings, but we can't have man who's
given to drink to represent u.s."
Il don't know what you mean to in
sinuate, said the judge. coldly, "but
think every one present knows I
haven't tasted a drop of liquor for the
last twenty years; though from prin-
ciple only, not having been given to
drinking previously"
''Come now, judge, draw it mild"
pleaded the sad-faced man.
''Sir!' Numbered Laurance.
Judge! judger' repeated the last
speaker, sorrowfully, you've a-for-
feited our confidence and respect al
ready, you're a-forfeiting it agen.''
81 demand an instant explanation,
said Laurance, hastily, looking round
the circle.
"Well, them" said another member,
stepping forward. ''you shall have it,
plain and unvarnished. You were taken
to your lodgings in Montreal, during
the late carnival, in disgraceful state
of intoxication.
'1t's lie!" shouted the judge, and
looking up suddenly, saw his niece
standing at the open door of the COM
mittee-rOom.
He waved her back, and she vanished
Immediately.
''Now them" cried the judge, look
ing very warlike. swhere's the author
of this scandal?'
Then he turned suddenly pale, as
Harry Hill stepped forward. Hill!
almost his pretty Nelly's affianced hus-
band.
''Sir." said the young man, with Wis
ible emotion, Il solemnly declare 1
never meant to betray YOU"
The judge looked thunderstruck, and
this was taken as overwhelming proof
of his guilt
II was 80 sorry about it, faltered
the young man, ''that [ took Bonar
into my confidence. / thought we were
entirely alone; l never dreamed our
conversation would be overheard"
Its ie," repeated the judge. ''It
was some one else you saw. What
made you think of me?''
mo one could mistake your fur
coat" cried several voices.
s'Pshaw!''- said the Judge, shortly.
''You must bring better evidence, or
Ill sue every one of you for libel"
"No one could mistake the Misses
Laurance," said the judges friend, in
low tone.
What the deuce do you mean?''
shouted the judge.
''Why, they were seen supporting
you on each side!" cried some one, with
brutal candor. II think that's con-
elusive"
To depict the judges expression of
mingled incredulity and fury were well
worthy of master painter; but ere he
could reply, 10! there again stood Nelly
in the doorway. grasping by the arm
man who had the impudence to be wear
ing his own pet overcoat, whilst Lefty
stood on the other side.
Here is the real culprit!' cried
Nellv's clear voice