Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1893-07-20
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.
Cas-know you how much the people may be
moved,
BY that which he will u:tere
Julius Cesar.
Sanas.-If chance to talk little wild, forgive
king Henry VIII
The city clocks We're Ginning the
hour of four the next day whnH North
returned from Evansburg wcacied by
the trip and only half satisfied with its
results. He had won Il partial success,
and he had every reason to anticipate
speedy and complete victory; still in his
present mood of eager impatience the
slightest element of uncertainty. the
briefest interval of delay annoyed him
beyond the measure ofquiet endurance.
AS he went up the steps of the Glenn
cnt house he was loudly greeted by
group of gentlemen, foremost among
whom was Warner.
AT last, ct last! Here he is" arose
the chorus; and one voice added:
''Where have you kept yourself for
the last twenty-four hours, North?
Here is Warner in the depths of despair,
and Clipper has been tearing around all
day calling on his classical heroes and
deities for vengeance if you didn't put
in an appearance before night"
'.Why, what is the cause Of this ex-
citement?" inquired North, glancing
calmly around the group. Warner, l
call upon you to explain it,
''Shall go to your room with you,
North? I'd like to say word to you
privately" said Warner; and North as
senting, they entered the hotel to-
gether.
Now" said Warner when they were
closeted in Norths room, 1--WE come to
see if YOU can be ready with speech
this EVENING"
"A speech?" echoed North, as he
threw himself back in an easy-csair
with gesture OF despair. In his pres
cnt state of mental and physical col
lapse he felt utterly appalled, at the
mere suggestion.
Yes, at our mass meeting, you
know. We're going to have a grand
demonstration at the opera house to-
night-biggest thing we've ever had in
X he added, enthusiastically.
but this is the first intimation of
the affair that l have received" pro-
tested North, land am utterly unpre-
pared for speaking. Make some one
else do the talking this time, Warner.
1t will be better for all concerned"
"Oh, as to that, you're always ready"
returned Warner, coolly, land the meet
ing was gotten up this morning on the
spur of the moment. We've advertised
it all over town. Clippers had boys
out with hand bills, distributing them
all day, besides getting out an extra
-s<1, Il lnl of
the meeting, and you are down in black
and white as the orator of
the evening So you see, North,
there's no help for it; we can't
ct you off. You know, you
haven't made any address since the
primaries, and the public are clamoring
Cor you. We've heard it on all sides
lately-'Where's North? Why doesn't
he materialize, and let US hear what he
has to say for himself?' So we've posi-
lively pledged your appearance this
evening. and it will never do to disap-
point them. I'm sorry, North, that
you've had such short notice, but was
up here this morning at nine o'clock to
tell you about it, and you were gone.
Clipper sent around several times dur
ing the day, both here and to the office,
and you hadn't got back, and nobody
seemed to know what had become of
you. though Wee did venture the sug-
gestion that you had at last gone to the
lunatic asylum to give yourself up! 1t
was rough on Clipper, can tell you.
think I'd better go around now and tell
him that you've got back and it's all
right. For, of course. North, you'll
never think of failing us?" and Warmers
face wore an expression of lively
anxiety for an instant.
''Oh, by no means!" returned North,
perceiving that escape from this unex-
pectcd and unwelcome predicament was
at least highly impracticable. Il will
do my best for you, Warner, but you
must not blame me if it is a sorry fail
urc. 1 shall be poorly prepared for any
oratorical f1ourishes this evening. I'm
afraid 1 shall disgust the honorable
voters of X by my lack of enthusi-
aSm.'
Nonsense, North, you'll do nothing
Of the Sort" said Warner, with encour-
aging decision. You're evidently tired
and blue and inclined to take a pes