Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1891-07-16

stance he SAID that 1t was utterly imros'
sibe for him 20 enter politics Just tnen,
as his bartender had left the day before
on short notice. and he now had 10 do all
the work himself. As Mr.. GessIer's can
trade at that time was something enor-
nous the committee realized the hopeless
ness OF its mission, and sadly withdrew,
after promising 10 call again. The next
morning the UrI Daily Pdnfdgrdph print
ed card from Mr.. Gessler In which ne
stated that he had been approached out
that he was devoted TO his Family ana
his business. and would under no CIR
eumstances allow his name to be used as
candidate for any office within the
municipal government
That settled ID until the next morning,
when the Pdnt1grdph announced ed
itorially that the Hon. III. Cess er had
re.uctant'y Welded to the clamorings Of
an admiring populace. and was now IN
the hands OF his friends. He had at last
consented TO endure the honor thrust
upon him.
Gessler was elected by large majori-
ty. but his political course was sharply
| crit clscd from the start by the OPPOSE
ton. He wanted to pave the streets OF
| Uri with asphalt, while the opposition
was in favor of cedar blocks pee cd.
This led to bitter fight, with the Cess
| Ter faction on one side and the chamois
| pronounced shammy) chasers on the
other. Among this latter crowd was
| William Tell the bold archer OF Burg
| len, who could shoot nickel oil the end
OF notched stick at forty pacess BIZ
was a s.ngularly handsome young man
with lurid glow of rcd, silken Jo-Jo's
that hal never vet felt a razor's edge.
and pair OF sturdy legs slightly dished
J from hunting shammies on the hlllsides.
| On count of his personal appearance
and skill as bow and arrow shooter,
| Bill soon became the chosen leader OF
the opposition Decisive acton was de-
cided upon, SO ON the night OF November
| IL, thirteen days after the election, Bill
called meeting for the furtherance OF
their cedar block scheme.
Three young men OF Ruth, Messrs.
Stauffacher, Furst, and Melchthal, re-
sponded. and together with Bill they
held an indignation meeting In the un-
derbrush on the banks of Lake Lucerne
near Unterwalden.
All night long they sat in the brush,
says the historian, with their hands liIt-
ed to heaven. 1t was probably so dark
that they couldn't see each others
hands, so they raised them to the limit.
When morning dawned they had fully
made up their minds TO oppose the ad'
ministration and Gessler's asphalt scheu
on the gro md that he stood In with the
contractor OF course Gessler heard oil
this He said he would show the Tel
gang what was what. So he placed his
hat OH pole in the market place at Alt
dorf, and said that whoSoever refused tC
bow down to IL would have TO shoot al
apple off his little boys head. Then h'
waited
won u De n cold day when any road com
-rrrI-esoaar rung in his little bluff on him
so. taking William Henry Tell, o years
old, going on 10, by the hand, he wen
down toward the poll. Gessler was al
ready there, and when he saw Tell com
ing he made up his mind to toy with hi
victim.
"Ah, there, Bill, good morning." HI
said, smiling fro en- smile that he haC
learned in the political arena.
"Hello, Cess, old man." replied Bill
short and curt-like and without ono,
looking at tho pole.
He knew his business
"Your little boy?" observed the asphal
advocate, as he gently chucked the XIX
under the chin.
IIcre, Dub, have ar app.e, no sutu
producing the fruit.
AS the guileless infant reached for TIN
apple Bill realized that the suprem
moment OF his life was upon him. III
glanced about the crowded market-place
Friend and foe looked on In passive
silence, and then Bill knew that OF al
that vast assembage he alone was In II
Clearing his throat and jerking hi
thumb toward the pole the indomita oil
Bill spoke up in ear. cold tones
Excuse me, Mr.. Gess.er, but wher
did you get that hat?"
Naturally Gesser got hot, and who
could blame him? He Instantly ordered
the target and the shooting came off, tn
details of which are too well known u