The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-04-26

SSH[o@
-'r1sSsSsssSS-
1iT. Jackson picked up O. half sheet of note
paper and handed 1t to his friend.
When Mr.. AbneF 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 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 T. Kerr, the
chairman of the Republican county COM
mlttee, found himself embarrassed in his
lumber business after the .feat food 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 MIR. Gar
diner saw no really goed 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, a just and conscientious man, a
good citizen, wise counselor, he was
one whom all respected and not few
loved
A somewhat stern and grave man, his
massiYS face crowned with forehead
like dome, he looked the ideal Judge.
Possessed of a 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 shaver
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 boyswho 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
o,-,,rae.io,, of av+pa,,,a -,,,.o,
over his face. Dropping the note he
eagerly seized the morning paper, and
hurTiedly looked through it until he
found an item which, when he had read,
he walked slowly toward the bow win.
dow of the room, whistling 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 tc
gee me-" answered her husband absent
ly. and Mrs Gardiner knew him toe
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:
SPRINGFIELD. Mass. Oct "a
Homer K Gardiner, Esq:
DEAR SIR-An item in Tho Republican of thi.
morning has attracted my attention You vii
End it in the fourth column of the first page
under the headline, Can This Be Truef'
IT, Yours faithfully, WILLIAM T. JACKSON.
The item in question was short and
read as follows:
CAN THIS BE TRUE!
A CORRESPONDENT has cent the following note tc
Us, and IL seems TO call for a reply from Mr.
jackson at once. Without any information on
the subject we cannot answer the query, but we
hone for the sake OF a man who is generally re-
spected It is not true.
To the Editor of The Republican:
SR-Caa you tell me whether the William
Tr7Jesdale Jackson who has been nominated by
the Democrats for the responsible position o.
coy-utF judge Is the same William True-ssl'
jackson who deserted from the Second Massa
chusetts infantry the night before the battle O
Gettysburg and was condemned by a court nfai
tial to suffer the penalty Of desertion in the fac
of the enemy? If he is there are old soldier
enough hereabout TO snow him under on electio
day. Yours, a REPUBLICAN.
Mr.. Gardiner finished his breakfas
with a light heart and made his wa,
down to Mr.. Jackson's house. He neve
doubted for a second the squire had pre-
pared positive denial of the story, an,
he found himself wondering with
vague curiosity who the deserter coult
be. Entering Mr.. Jackson's house h
IN, bic