The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1892-04-09

pedrdHce, HIS liet anu JONl'u hdhuSA' "n0
his dashing style of speaking made him
favorite at every public meeting he attend
ed 1t was to be expected, then, that little |
time would elapse before some constituency
should ask him to become a candidate. 1t
so happened that several asked him, and
the one he chose was in the metropolis,
and in a district where DIR. Blair had won
more than his ordinary influence.
While canvassing the constituency in
the expectation of the early retirement OF
the sitting member-who had been prom
ised the next commissionership in lunacy
by the acknowledgement Freelance one
night made his way into meeting where
DIR. Blair was expounding his views on
some question or other to a large audience.
The captain had heard of DIR. Blair's IN
fuence, and was eager to win 1t for himself.
So the moment the doctor had finished his
address, Captain Freelance, pushing his
way to him, held out his hand in his genial
nanner, and congratulated his old friend on
his able speech. DIR. Blair only then saw
the captain. Drawing himself back, he
slared at him with tigers look, and then,
without uttering word, turned his back
upon him and his proffered hand. With
flush of anger and disappointment on his
face, Captain Freelance withdrew from the
hall. He saw that, if the doctors sorrow
for his sons death had abated, his hatred
of the man through whom he believed it
came about had not He felt he must
count on finding in the clergyman his bit
terest and most able opponent.
But Captain Freelance was not the man
to give up a doubtful battle. lie knew
that DIR. Blair possessed enormous influence
in the constituency, but he resolved to defy
it. With an admirable courage and resolve
he set about the task of winning the peo-
ple's confidence. Meeting after meeting he
addressed, house after house he visited, un-
til he was known to all, and he himself
knew nearly all the electors in the place.
Dr. Blair worked bitterly and persistently
AGAINST him, and he spared no effort to in
lure him; and yet, in spite of all his exer-
tions. he was enraged to find the candidate
gain in popular favor every day. The cler-
gyman's evaporation and chagrin were ex-
treme. but he resolved in his determined,
relentless way, that before long, in some
wav or other, he would have an ample re-
venge.
Among other things, Dr. Blair was
member of the school board. lie took
deep interest in education, and was stern
and inAexible in his enforcement OF the
education law. In this direction his sever
ity often brought him into conflict with
popular feeling, and no greater proof OF his
ability and energy could be given than that
in spite of this, his influence remained un-
shaken and unimpaired.
1t was soon after the passing Of the new
inouisitorial rules as to the examination of
parents unable to pay school fees that DR.
Blair was presiding at a meeting OF school
managers to examine parents Two or
three wretched persons had appeared and
stated the reasons why they could not pay.
They had been all severely cross-examined
by Dr. Blair.
The next to appear was a miserable,
poorly clad, yet still ladylike looking wom-
an. The moment DR.. Blair's eyes fell up
ON her, he started with surprise, and it was
a little time before he could compose him
self sufficiently to begin to question her
She seemed amazed and terribly unnerved
by the sight of him.
"Well, Mrs. Leaf" he began, ''you want
exemption for your boy George, aged 8
years?"
eyes, sir" she gasped out with shud-
der.
"Whcre's the father p
"AIrs. Leaf flushed crimson for a mo-
ment Then, hesitatingly, she muttered
-"Deadr"
"Do not try to deceive me- cried DIR.
Blair in his severest tone. "Your boys
father is not dead. | know you, and [
know him. He can be compelled to sup
port his child, and as long as you refuse to
take measures to compel him to do so, we
must and will refuse to permit the boy to
be schooled at the expense of decent peo-
pie"
Mrs. Leaf, who had been pale and dis
concerted from the moment she saw Dr.
Blair, grew paler while she was being ques-
toned. She listened to DIR. Blair severe
speech in a dazed way, with down cast
| face. When he had finished she took a
step to leave the room. But the shock had
been to great for her. Before she could
reach the door she sank down on the floor
fainting
All along the other gentlemen present
had been discontented with DIR. Blair's Sc
verify. Some of them had muttered their
dissent from his decision in previous cases;
but they were afraid to state boldly what
they thought; the clergyman was such ter
rible antagonist when he was crossed. His
conduct, however, towards Mrs. Leaf drove
them to desperation and made them rcck-
less. They revolted against him in a body
aThis is too bad cried one.
sI should say it is p said another 81
think it little short of downright cruel
ty."
'PI stand it no morcI" exclaimed a
third. arm-l'm blessed if | will L
don't care who it is T.
DIR. Blair felt himself that he had gone
| little bit too far, but he was too astute to
admit this. Without uttering word he
glanced around at the managers. They
I became silent beneath the look of his fierce
black eyes; then he deigned to speak
'Gentlemen, before you judge me" he
said, you might, perhaps, hear what haye
to say. | know that woman. She used
to be Mrs. Freelance's governess.
The managers glanced at one another,
little surprised. One of them, however,
Mr.. Farther, who was one of Captain
Freelancc's committee, feeling that some
thing derogatory to his candidate was in
tended, asked:
"Well, and what of that?'
"What of that" exclaimed DIR. Blair,
forgetting discretion in his exultation.
"Why this-that woman is his victim
Listen, gentlemen. Just ten years ago
Captain Freelance came from India to his
uncle, Squire Fairfax's. This woman was
! fban ooyarnasS there tO the snuire 4