The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1893-03-31
VANDERSON'S VOTE.
A Boys Experience as Country
Politician

1t had been n hot political campaign.
All over the state brass bands were
playing, cannon were firing, illumina-
tions were gIaring and four hundred
and twenty-seven stump speakers were
delivering every night four hundred
and twen.y-seven addresses The har-
angues were at once ringing, electrl-
fyiur masterpieces of eloquence, to
quote the reporters who agreed with
their sentiment-and Tissues of driv-
cling mcndacity,"- to quote the re-
portcrs who did not agree. The four
hundred and twenty seven mass meet
ings were each "a grand outpouring of
an aroused people," or "a small, spir-
itless gathering of disheartened dema-
gogues''-quoting as before
In almost every town rival compa-
nies of Jones Guards" 'Smith Ran
gers" and Thompson Contincntals. y
arraved in uniforms that did not fit,
and carrying torches that dripped with
oil, scufilcd through dust, splaShcd
through mud, and bespattered them
selves with kerosene.
They raised flags, serenaded candi-
dates and escorted all sorts of distin-
guished statesmen from nowhere in
particular to everywhere in general,
and back again.
Then the newspapers! How they
mailed lies" exposed conspiracies,
tore off masks" and held up to pub
lie execration," proving ''irrefutably"
that their own side had, and would
have. all the virtue and victory, and
the other all the vice and vanquisb
mcnt,
l..
every requisite for a lively canvass
two halls, two newspapers, two bands
and two aspirants for every Office.
Moreover the town was SO evenly di-
vidcd politically that no candidate
could reasonably expect n majority of
more than three or four votes
As the struggle drew near its end.
men became So excited and enthusias-
tic that business was almost at n
stundstill. No one thought or dreamed
of anything but politics. The men
spent more time at the taverns than
in their shops, and hammered harder
on grocery counters than they did on
their anvils. The women were divided
into two classes-thosc who quarreIcd
every time they met, and those who
wouldu't speak TO eacn other at all.
of course we boys initiated our cid
ers. We attended every meeting,
marched in every procession, and got
up meetings and professions of our
own in our patriotic ardor. We en-
gagged in ccaSclesS discussions which
were none the less hot and intoleraut,
because, as a general thing, neither of
the disputants had the slightest idea of
what he was talking about
Going out on the streets alone was
like taking a little promenade on
llounSlow Heath in the old DAYS of
highwaymen; and on the evenings of
opposition mass meetings my return
from the post Office was often in imita-
ton of the British retreat from Con-
cord.
Now election day was here. We were
assured that victory was in the air,
and about To perch upon our banner.
Victory seemed to be regarded rs n
bird of some kind, but whether it
would turn out AN eagle or crow
eagle for the winners, crow for the
Iosers-no one could tell
If my participation in the campaign
had hitherto been merely sympathetic,
was happy in knowing that youth,
like old age, had on this day its honor
and its toll. Though | could not vote
myself, 1 could bring Indifferent or dis
abled citizens to the poll with my own
pet colt and buggy.
The first ballot put into the box at
Town Hall was thrown by old Jenny
Grant, the lame cobblcr, whom l had
dragged out of his stall at seven
o'clock in the morning, that he might
do his whole duty rs a free American
and To keep Fred Crandall from get
ting at him first. Fred was active for
the hostile camp, and if his slow-paced
family horse could not make a. many
trips as my Knox three-year-old, yet he
brought three times much freight
when he did come, being provided with
a two-scated beach wagon, while my
buggy had room for but one passenger.
Free d was a boy of the most irritat-
ing audacity and enterprise, and he
possessed, moreover, the advantage of
knowing nearly every voter by sight and
each mans political opinions by heart.
Consequently he lost no time in asking
for Information where To- go or whom
to bring, while ! required Il great deal
of direction and advice.
All day long the contest went on,
until, late in the afternoon, there was
scarcely man in the whole town of
New Nicopolis who had not voted; but
as ballots became fewer the anxiety in
creased. for the check books showed
almost an equality between the part les.
Even my father began to grow
nervous, and the politicians rushed
about like lunatics. One of them sud
denly ran up To me.
Here, Charleyr' exclaimed he.
Drive out on the north road as fast as
you can go, and bring In Vanderson-
at the red house next beyond the
bridge"
| whirled my horse around without
waiting for more. The rest of what
ever the politician had 10 say was lost
in the rattling of the wheels as | dashed
down the road at twelve miles an hour;
but the colt had gone too far and too
fast that day To keep up such a gait,
AMI soon reluctantly allowed him to
take an easy jog trot-
Fred Crandall suddenly dashed by
with fresh steed, which | recognized
as DIR. Parller's new roadster. Things
must be at n desperate pass indeed if
the doctor was willing to commit his
best horse TO such u hard-driving Jehu
as Fred.
Fretting was of no use, though, and
! watched him disappear over the next
hill with more or less resignation.
II was n long road To Vanderson's.
and had still half mile to go when
Fred appeared as suddenly as before
around turn just ahead. He had no
one with him, and his countenance in
dicated the greatest disappointment
lie pulled up as we met, and called
out:
where are you going, Charley?"
simply smiled, having no intention
OF betraying my plans.
Well don't tell if you don't want
to-" continued he, "but know. You're
going To Vanderson's-"
What then?" inquired.
Nothing, only your man isn't at