Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1890-01-31
.bort bad WAS oa private business

drogen with the aombinsd expanding qual
ities of all the Known gases Somebody
had mentiuned AJuer Green's name fur III.
shfievally It met with favor. IL wa.
time the district was getting the office
Abner was a good party man, reliable
Conservative citizen, and a neighbor VII,
was popular The people talked quietly
at first bat after it V as known that Abnel
and Colonel Short had had long talk. tL,
discussion took wider range. 4 it be
came more public it aroused a iactiona
opposition, led by the voluble aud orator
ical Major Powderdry. a talkatiye upholdei
Of party principles and an inveterate seeker
for a place on the ticket Abner Green
said nothing. and attended to business.
The next day after their little talk Jane
lett Abner at the store, and made a tew
visits The matter OF the office came up
for discussion everywhere she went She
was not slow in making prompt and de
cidedly emphatic comments.
Yes said she, II have heard that they
u
a lot of breath wasted. He's been a-Nyork-
ing going on ten years building mp his
store, and he amt such a goose as TO throw
away his business for an office. That talh
he had with Colonel Short was about a
private matter. There amt much money
in politics; and as for our part, we'd rather
have what We got than go To trying a
change Abner don't vote the ticket e2-
peeting to be paid for IT. he's not that kind
As far as I'm concerned, I'm glad Of it, for
its not everywhere that you can get good
neighbors What's more, Abners looked
upon as a good man now. while if he was
TO go into politics. goodness only knows
what they'd say against him. And Abner
amt one that take such things easy. lie
told me no later than last night that he
was in favor of Major Powderdry If our
district is to have it, said he, why give it
to Major Powderdry.
The good wives that good wife Jane
talked to in the afternoon told 1t to their
good husbands at supper and before bed
tise it was generally known that Abner
Green was for Major Powderdry.
The major heard it with incredibilty at
first, and then with joy. lie knew that
Abner Green's endorsement would have
great weight with the people. II have al
ways liked Abner," he aid. He is a man
of business, a man of honor, and great
credit to this neighborhood. have watch
ed him since he was a boy, and each year
has increased my good opinion of him
When the people talked about his name
opposed H. because | knew that it would
only bother him
The major talked in this strain So as Ia
case his conscience and convince himself
of what he never believed That was q
peculiarly of his oratory as well as Of his
conversations He could talk himself into
any Gciief while the cold aud llstless
crowd stood by and doubted
The next day, arrayed in dignity, he
dropped in at the cross roads store. He
found Mr Green in an unemployed inter
val and took possession Of the opportunity
with yoluble bat diplomatic promptness.
He oomplimented the weather, the store,
and Abner, aud asked, with solicitious
earnestnestness, for the health of Mrs
Green, and then he plunged boldly into
the purpose OF his call
II hear" said he, lowering his voice,
that you have stated that you will en-
dorse me for sheriff
Abner took it in matter-of-iact way,
although he secretly enjoyed the majors
polite circumlocution.
"Yes, major" he said, with business
bluntness; "Tm for you. Iou ought 10
have it. This district ought to have it
And the way for Us to get it is to get it.
This aroused the majors oratory. Veil
said, Mf Green-nnbly said. Ia the dis
irritation of Legitimate yards of the par
ty, the just and equitable deserts of noble
old Sussex have not been recognized IL
will be prond privilege for me to lead in
the demand for this recognition, and ask
you sir, that you will allow your name Ia
be used on the delegation to the conven-
tomas the head of that delegation, sirf
The major said this with great personal
applause, and Abner seemed very much
impressed by it The merchant was doubt
full He rubbed his chin in meditative
way, and took some time to respond.
"Now, major, | want to keep out of pol
tics"
.'Do not say that, Mr.. Green. Retract
it in thought and purpose II is upon
such men as you--upon the yeomanry oi
the party, if may say so--that the selec-
tion Of good standard bearers and the per
petuity Of free institutions must depend.
You owe it to your district, sir, 10 be a
member of that convention"
Abner paused again; he paused so long
that the major walked back and forth in
great uneasiness.
''Well, since you pat in that way, oi
course guess III have to think about it,
said the dry goods Sphynx at last. ''But
arrange it a. quietly as yon can. D."
a light of JOY burst upon the soul and IT,
Illuminated the face Of Major Powderdry
| lie grasped Mr. Green's hand and thanked
him not once, but countless times. Pres
| emily the emotional equilibrium was re
stored, and Abner told the major that tho
next day he was going to start through tn,
county on business trip. He had th,
agency for II new machine, and he had
been directed to place its sale in different
stores of that territory. IN see how
things look in polilics.' he said. "dnd pn
in rs many good words for you as | can
The majors generosity sprinkled itself
out again, but the interview was bcouFh
to an end by the entrance ot a family par
ty in search of shoes and molassea. Maio
Fowderdry went home with happy heart
He was already beginning To enjoy the ol
fee and its perquisite5-the perquisite
mainly.
Mr. Green's business tip occupied thre'
daya. He enjoyed IT, Being well know
aud well esteemed it was agreeable l.
meet people and talk with them. More
ever, he sold more ma&ioes than he eN
pected BY the time he arrived home til
delegation had been agreed upon, and h
had been placed at tho head OF it by th
unanimous desire Of his colleagues
lie reached the store just before twilight
and he had scarcely finished his supper be
fore Major Hamilton powderdry called
The major was more than anyious to hea
the results Of the journey