Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-08-31

were Warmers parting wprus NJ. with
both arms swinging oncrgctically and
his nose high in the air, he started
around the corner at IN alarming pace.
"Wnrner Is my good angel, judge, oh
We gods, how dearly do love him.
Thought North, In grateful paraphrase;
then turning 10 his relentless creditor
he added aloud:
"This matter will be adjusted In a
very few moments, Mr.. Archer"
"wall, wall, now,--ahem-T amt
talsin' on about II, Mr.. North, since
see you're willing to acls fair an
square," said Mr. Archer In modified
tones and with an obvious wish 10
make peace. 81 hope you won't take
no offense at what Two said, sir. Bust.
ness is business, you know, and has got
TO be tended to-"
"And civility is civility," retorted
North In mental aside, but you have
behaved toward me like backwoods-
man and boor"
Nevertheless he smiled with superb.
cial amiability and glanced nervously
up the street and wished dcvoutly that
Warner would really hurry.
ITS fine, ba my day, on the whole"
continued old Mr.. Archer as he gazcd
upon the clear skies and the radiant
sunlight with the condcscendingly APP
proving air Of competent critic giving
his opinion Of fine effort that nature
had intended expressly for his benefit
"'jusincss is business" thought
North, magnihccntly, "und IL forms the
only conceivable connecting link be.
tween yourself and me. You will
please confinc your observations TO that
one subject: II Is the only common
ground upon which we can possibly
mcctw
Nevertheless he bent his stately head
20 the memorable yoke Of policy" and
uttered the most suayc acquiesccnce
"Pollytics seems TO be pretty mus u
the order Of the day, just now" pur
sued Mr.. Archer, probably with the
benevolent intention Of drawing ont
Mr.. North's conversational powers,
which at that moment appeared to be
somewhat limited; Us with the point Of
his stout ivory-hcadcd cane he indus
triously knocked the loose stones and
pebbles off the pavement with rs car
nest application to the task as II IL had
been his regular occupation in life. II
hear that your prospects is mighty
good, Mr.. North"
"Ahi Here's my opportunity TO dis
tinguish myself" thought North, with
sudden inspiration Of reckless non
sense. "I'll make this simple old voter
think that I'm n model of disinterested
patriotismi"
Therefore, assuming an air and atti-
tudc OF stiltcd dignity, North answered
with slight wave of his hand as II he
thus rejected all political ambitions and
honors:
"Oh, | have scarcely considered my
prospects, Mr.. Archer. The truth Is, |
do not desire Office unless ! should be-
come convinced that IL was my duty
thus 10 serve the public interests; and
as 10 the present canvass, may say
that have been the least active Of all
the candidates now In the field. II
am elected, shall accept my election
as the unmistalsablc call of duty, speak
ing through the 'siill small voice OF the
ballot but in the meantime ] shall
probable issue very little thought.
am perfectly content TO he the humble
instrument TO execute the will Of the
people. Duty, sir, duty is the grand
pivotal point on which all my desires
and ambitions turnr
MIR. Archer stared and nodded with
an air of being very much impressed;
and before North had time TO recover
from the severe mental exhaustion con
scquont upon this effort, hand was
placed lightly on his shoulder.
Turning around quickly he saw War
ner convulscd with laughter.
~ say, North, don't put II quite so
stcepl Too much allowance for stage
perspective for an audience Of one"
were hls low-spolSen words as, thrust
ing roll OF crisp banlSnotes into
Norths hand, he hurried off before
another syllable could be spoken.
North looked after him with an
amused air; then turning to Mr.. Archer
he said courtcously;
III you will accompany me TO my
Office now, Mr. Archer, we will con-
clude this business nj once"
Mr.. Wcscott, deliberately disposed in
m easy chair after his own peculiar mo-