Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1890-07-11


and horses, OK carts, wagons, and all the
curious kinds Of vehicles Of the neighbo.
] hood. The voters stop to talk and to CON
suit. No hurry disturbs them They
stand around some whip in hand, some
holding tickets, some smoking bad cigars,
/ aud all personally interested in the con
test. The fences are the reserved seats of
| the occasion. Up the road in quiet corners
are the practical workers with the sinews
OF war. Behind trees are jugs and bottles
ot dangerous inspiration. meTcenary
voter is never i'll haste to vote He can
vases the situation, finds out the resources
of botn sides, gets frequent exhilaration
| from the jugs and bottles, and finally casts
| his ballot with the largest pecuniary bene-
fit to himself The efforts of the workers
to monopolize this individual are earnest,
prolonged, and untiring
/ 1t was this way in Sussex District.
! Abner Green's friends made a Gordon
around the polls. The candidate for sheriff
was not present at his polling place, except
/ for a short time to cast his vote, but he
was ably represented. The opponents,
| however were just as strong. and were all
the more dangerous because they remained
in the quiet corners up the road, where
they could barter without discovery.
In Abner's store matters were quiet, as
the chief interest centered at the polls.
John was ostensibly in charge Abner
kept watcnfully and quietly in the back
ground. He was waiting for develop
ments. About half past seven o'clock he
saw figure coming from the voting place,
and his heart beat more excitedly with an
ticipation. The man was surly fellow
| named Timson, an unconscionable bribe-
taker, who had the reputation, to use the
phrase of Major, ''of being able to raise
more fuss over over two-cent stamp than
Shylock could over whole carcass"
Timson came into the store, which was
the only one near the polls, and bought
some tobacco. In payment he proffered a
new two-dollar note
''No, you don't" said John.
Don't what"
1--WE amt taking no bad money here"
What do you meant" said the fellow,
with mixture OF indignation and alarm.
This is what mean," said John, and
taking down the board, he read the article
about counterfeits.
Timson was dumfounded. Then he re-
covered his powers cf speech. and deluged
the place with his surcharged feelings. IN
the midst of it, Abner made his appear
ance.
Good morning, Mr.. Timson. It's a
pleasant day for the election. Have you
yoted2"
Without replying, Timson called him
Abner how he had been imposed upon by
some unnamed scoundrel.
This is very serious" said Abner. "0f
course you thought the money was good,
and l don't believe you would want to run
the danger of getting arrested by trying to
pay a counterfeit. But if l were you I'd
make the fellow who gave it to you pay
for it with interest
Timson, with unmistakable emphasis,
declared that he would, and left the store
in hot haste. lie had just disappeared
: around the bend of the road when Major
Powderdry drove up and dismounted. He
rushed to the store, and led Abner into the
back shed.
'Its all right" he said ''our men have
got the articles at every polling place, and
they're going to raise the devil just as soon
as a two-dol!ar note appears. How are
things hereg"
"Timson's just been in with a two-dollar
note, which We refused to accept
"Good"
and he's gone back to the polls to see
about it. He's hotter than q tin roof in
August"
That's simply magnificent. I'm going
down there to help him. You stay here"
The major was lost in cloud of dust.
He urged his horse on until he came near
the voting place, and then slowed up and
approached with an easy dignity which
seemed to indicate that he had only pass
ing interest in the momentous events of
the day.
But he did not remain passive. All
around him the people were talking ex-
ritedly Timson's voice was loud in anger.
His charges were taken up by the other
rascals who, like himself, had sold their
suffrages for two dollars each. The man
ayers of the opposition tried entreaty and
pacifcation, and it looked as if they were
making some Roadway until Major Powder
dry Jumped into the breach. His face
flushed, his fists beat the air, his voice
rang ont in fury. The people crowded
around him.
'.It is the most atrocious outrage / ever
heard Of" he exclaimed. ''These men try
to pollutc the fame and corrupt the citizen
ship Of this district; they insult every
honest voter; and not only that, but they
impose ON their victims by giving them
worthless money. Gentlemen, | repeat
that it is the most damnable affront that
was ever offered to the decent sentiment
of the sovereign people. Where is the
man who will swear out warrants against
these personsp
In the face of the indignation the oppo-
nents beat a retreat to an obscure corner of
the road where they could consult. Major
Powderdry took charge Of the work. Every
arrival was deluged with stories of the
worthless money, were told how the oppo-
nents of Abner Green were trying to defeat
him by debauching and bribing voters, and
was led to the polls through a line of
Abner Green's friends. The other side did
not recover from the set back; it could not
cope with the tireless energy and exhaust
less adectives of Major Powaerdry.
And so the work went bravely on until
until
Major Powderdry, dust-covered and
husky, rushed into the house of Abner
Green. 1t was past sunset, and the voting
was over. Abner jumped forward to hear
the result.
''Not yet-not yet" exclaimed the
major, with majestic wave of his orator
ical arm. Bring out your demijohn-
your large demijohn. l have got four
of dust and five summer fogs in my throat,
and I'm doomed to certain death unless
get drink within the next five minutes"
Abner supplied the demand with well
come alaerity.
Consider yourself decorated with life
saving medal" said the major.
Now tell me how il all went"