San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-03-10

Mr. Jackson picked up a half sheet of note
paper and handed it to his friend.
When Mr.. Abner K. Gardiner, chair
man of the Democratic county commit
tee, prosperous so far as his real estate
business was concerned, portly of per-
son, shrewd of eye and merry withal,
came down the stairs that Monday
morning, two weeks and half before
the election, he was probably as content
ed a man as could be found in the old
Bay state. And why should he not have
been? Mr.. Gardiner was one of the
keenest politicians in the land, loving
the game for the power it gave and the
delight of matching himself against the
long headed policy of his opponents, but
caring nothing whatever for Office.
A story told of him will illustrate his
character better than columns of descrip-
ton. When Mr.. Charles 7. Kerr, the
chairman of the Republican county COM
mittee, found himself embarrassed in his
lumber business after the great flood in
81 the first man to come to his assist
ance was Mr.. Gardiner. The reason this
gentleman gave was characteristic.
politics in this county would lose all
their snap if Charlie Kerr went up" he
said, and drew the check. Now be it
observed that this same Charlie Kerr
had just elected his ticket, and Mr.. Gar
diner saw no really good reason why he
should not repeat his success the next
time, but then Mr.. Gardiner loved a
'foeman worthy of his steel" with an
enduring love.
Honestly anxious as many politicians
really are that good men and true
should be elected to Office to serve and
rule the people, Mr.. Gardiner prided him
self more on the nomination for county
judge of William Truesdale jackson on
the Democratic ticket than on all the
other men before the people. 1t had
literally cost him Years of work and
thought to persuade Mr.. Jackson to allow
his name to be used, and when he at
last succeeded he felt that he had added
a tower of strength to his side. For of
all men in that section none stood high
er than 1.-THE squire" as they called him
in kindly country fashion. A sound
lawyer, just and conscientious man, a
good Citizeh. y wise counselor, he was
one whom all respected and not a few
loved.
A somewhat stern and grave man, his
massive face crowned with q forehead
like a dome, he looked the ideal judge.
Possessed of ponderous kind of elo-
quence, with an extraordinary power of
making the most intricate case clear to
the minds of judge and jury, his practice
was naturally large and lucrative. In
fact the salary of the position which he
sought was far less than that which he
earned by his work. 1t was the tribute
he had honestly earned by his life that
no man, even among his opponents, sug-
gested that the squire wished the pO-
sition for personal advantage. If you
will picture to yourself a somewhat tall
man dressed in black, smoothly shaven
face, hair rather thin and grizzled with
deep thought, keen yet kindly eyes,
which seemed to look through you, a
slight stoop of the shoulders, deep, me-
lodious voice, you will see the squire
before you.
AS Mr.. Gardiner entered the pleasant
dining room of his home, and greeted the
noisy girls and boys who sprang forward
to kiss him good morning. his eye
caught sight of note lying on his plate.
Recognizing the handwriting of the
squire he opened it, and as he read an
expression of extreme perplexity spread
over his face. Dropping the note he
eagerly seized the morning paper, and
hurriedly looked through it until he
found an item which, when he had read,
he walked slowly toward the bow wiz
dow of the room, whisfling softly to him
self the first few bars of an old hymn
tune. Men used to say that you could
always tell that Abner Gardiner was
puzzled when you heard that air. Pick
ing up the note once more he read it,
and whistled again.
What is it, Abner?" asked Mrs. Gar
diner.
Nothing much; the squire wants to
see me-" answered her husband absent
ly, and Mrs. Gardiner knew him too
well to ask any more questions
In order that you may see what it was
that puzzled Mr.. Gardiner so much,
will reprint the note: