Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1890-01-31
THE NOMINATION.


were sitting in their easv-ch8irs, resting
after the DAYS work He mad closed his
store at nine O'Clock. II was little cool
for September, aud the Windows were
down. The light was turned low. because
Abner aud Jane were economical, even in
the matter of co6l-oil They seemed salts
fed with life They had the .ontentment
| that waits ola good aPpetites aud we'll
employed energy. Indeed, they had got
ten along unexpectedly well since the
quiet marriage ceremony Of eight years be
fore. Both being practical souls, no such
useless expense Of time and money as a
wedding tour had entered their thoughts.
After the parsnn said his prayer they
marched ont Of the church and went direct
to the small store that Abner had started
two years before. They gradually extend
et that store, saving the pennies and in
vestng the dollars, and putting over their
heads large financial umbrella for rainy
days
Abner was born success. People
always said he would get along On days
when other boys were off cunning aud
playing he was contriying and working
and saving His Saturday holidays were
turned to strict account. BY the time he
was seventeen he had the business weight
of a man in the neighborhood. His wisdom
ran ahead of his years.
When he was eighteen he determined to
inaugurate an enterprise. Sussex District
COR rather the Second District of Choptauk
County, was probably the only territory Of
its size that did not have good country
store The people did their dealing in the
town, eight miles away. At the point near
the saw mill where three roads met, all old
residence stood. 1t was vacant. Abner
rented it, and surprised the neighbors by
turning it into a store. He got stock of
goods and began business. Al first the re-
turns were slow, but Abner was content
with small profits, and the customers grad
ually saw that it was FULLY as cheap to
patronize him as it was To drive to town
over Indifferent roads and a great deal
more convenient Moreover Abner quick
II gained a good reputation He was look
ed upon as shrewd but just-the strongest
kind of fame in a raral community. So he
went along, saying little, offending no one,
and attending strictly To trade. Two
years showed him what he could do. and
told him that he needed IA wife. Like a
good business man, he did not postpone a
necessity. He looked around, and found a
girl of strong practical sense and fine phys
icial health, not much for bcauty or bril-
liancy. but great hand in the house and a
general fayorite with the people. Inside
of month they were married, and every-
body said it was good match. They had
worked and prospcfcd.
Abncr, as he sat III the big rocker, was
man with good quiet face and rugged
frame. lie had quick eyes, which looked
at things cautiously bat shrewdly, some
what didactic tongue that was used for
business and operated by discretion. His
best condolences seemed To be his second
thoughts.
"Abner," said Jane, what is this talk
about You and the sherif7s ofhee3'
He looked up quickly and shifted his
position before replying. Where did you
hear that nonsense he asked.
"All the folks are talking about it.
heard some men discussing 1t while you
were out Of the store to-day, and saying
that Colonel Short had been to see you
about it. The people seem to think You'll
make mighty good man for the place.
Abner smiled in sober kind of way, aud
nnrsad his knees with his two hands.
Presently he looked up, aud said: Jane, a
man Of convictions should take an interest
in politics for the good OF the party which
represents his principles, and not for any
ambition which merely represents his own
pride. have voted the ticket and done
some work for it, not with the hope of any
office, but because my conscience and my
Judgment dictated that course. IT people
misc0nstrue my motives, it is very wrong
But, Abner, if they should give you
the Office
Yes, if they should give me an office,
what them Four years OF laziness, and
aitcrward a return home to find our bust
ness all gone, OF taken up hy some one
else No, Jane; you and have had too
hard time building up this trade to have
il ruined by politics. Let MS keep Oh IN
our course, for we know not what change
might bring forth"
Jane was silent for while. The men
ton Of the possible honor had aroused a
quiet but unexpressed ambition for town
life, had suggested the possibility of some
Of that change which every woman from
Eve down has always secretly lonhed for.
But Abners practical words had brought
out her common sense, aud showed the
ambition back into the closet of her heart.
She closed the door upon it and sighed
Il guess you're right. You most always
are. But who do you think they'll take in
your place"
Il am for Major Powdcrdry," said Ab
ncr, with considerable emphasis.
Mrs Green was greatly astonished
Major Powderdryl' she exclaimed
why, goodness gracious, Abner! h'
hasn't done Il thing il his life except t'
run for office and run into debt"
That's just it, Jane. The good Lord ha'
laid out for us certain duties in this world
A man may sometimes get away from hi
path, and wander over the field; but h'
always has a Kind Of an idea what he is liv
ing for, and he is pretty apt to hit the roa'
while lac is tramping around. Now Mao
Powderdry's business is running for office
1t don't pay much, but he sticks 10 it
Mine is running a store I've got aloni
all right in the store, because the people
have encouraged me- Now what the majo
wants is more encouragement. So let lin
have it, ] say, and let US all elect him
Then, too-but of course you needn't men
tion It'll he gets through, he may pay u
that little bill he owes us.
''Wcll, Abner, you certainly look a
things with both eyes" said Jane, with
decision that had III it IA small undertone {
admiration.
AOf course | do Jane; and when the
fail to see what's what. / know two othe
eyes that are mighty pert about findin
the right side
Jane smiled, and felt quite happy. !
wasn't often they paid each other sue
compliments.
"Jaue said Abuer, after "A pause 60