The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-05-20

oInFinr. cannon we're nrln9s uiumtuar
tom we're elarina and four hundred
and twenfy-seven stump speakers were
dslirerIng every night four hundred
and twenty seven addresses The bar
nnrnes were nt once ringing, elcctri-
flying masterpieces Of eloquencs. 80
quote the reporters who agreed with
their sentiment and Tissues Of driv-
cling mcndncity, 10 quote the re-
porfers who did not agree The four
hundred and twenty-sevcn mass meet
lngs were each - grand outpouring Of
"a aroused peopie," OF - small, spir-
itless gathering o. disheartened dama-
gogues"-qnoting as before
In almost every town rival compar
mics Of Jones Guards" ..smith Ran
Refs- and Thompson Conttnentaln.
arTnyed 10 uniforms that did not ~,
and carrying torches that dripped with
oil, seuhled through dust, splashed
through mud. and bespattercd them
selves with kerosene
They raised Aags, serenadcd csudi-
dates and escorted all sorts Of dIstin-
Ruished statesmen from nowhere IN
particular 70 everywhere IN general,
and back again
Then the newspapers How they
mailed lea" Exposed conspiracies,
.tore on masks and held up 70 pub
lie execration," proving "irTefutably"
that their own side had. and would
have, all the virtue and victory, and
the other all the vice and yanquisb.
ment
Our village Of New Eicopolia had
every requisite for . lively canvass
two halls, two newspapers, two bands
and two aspirants for every Office.
Moreover the town was so evenly d.
vide6 politically that no candidate
could reasonably expect 4 majority Of
more than three or four yoteA
As the struggle drew near its end.
men became 50 excited and enthusiast
tic that business was almost at .
standstill 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 anvfla. The women were divided
into two classesthose who quarrelcd
every time they met, and those who
wouldn't speak TO each other u all.
OF course we boys initiated our cid
era We attended every meeting.
marched In every procession, and got
mp meetings and professions Of our
own In our patriotic ardor. We en-
gagged In ceaseieas discussions which
were none tho less hot and intolcrant,
because, Is general thing, neither Of
the disputantA had the slightest idea Of
what he was talking about
Going out on the streets alone was
like taking little promenade on
Hounslow Heath In the old days Of
highwAymcn: and on the evenings ct
opposition mass meetings my return
from the post Office was often In imita-
tion ofthe 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 70 DO regarded IS q
bird 81 some kind, but whether IT
would turn out an eagle or crow
eagle for the winners, crow for tho
losers ono could tell
n my participation Ia the campaign
had hithorto been merely sympathetIc.
Twas happy In knowing that youth,
like old age, had on this day It's honor
myself. could bring indifferent or dis
abled citizens 70 the polls with my own
pet colt and buggy.
Tho frst ballot put into the box at
Town Hall was thrown by old Jenny
Grant. the lame cobbler, whom / had
dragged out Of his stall Ut seven
o'clock In the morning, that he might
do his whole duty Us free American
and 70 keep Fred Crandall from get
ting At him first Fred was active for
the hostile camp, and II his slow-paced
family horse could not make a. many
trips - my Knox three-year-old, yet he
brought three times as much freight
when be did come. being provided with
two-seated beach wagon, while my
buggy had room for but one passenger.
Fred was . 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 heat
Consequently he lost no time In asking
tor information where TO GO or whom
70 bring. while required great deal
Of direction and advice.
AL day long the contest went on,
until. late In the afternoon, there was
scarcely q man In the whole town Of
New Nicopolis who had not voted; but
- ballots became fewer tho anxiety in
creased, for the check books showed
almost an equality between the parties,
Even my father began TO grow
nervous. and the politicians rushed
about like lnnatics. One Of them sud
denly ran mp to nae.
Here, CharleyP exclaimed he.
Drive out on the north road as fast as
y ron can 60. and bring in vanderson
It the red house next beyond the
bridge.
/ whirled my horse around without
waiting for more. The rest Of what
Eyer the politician had 70 say was lost
IN the rafting Of the wheels Is dashed
i down the road at twelve miles an hour,
but the colt had gone too far and too
fast that day to keep up such gait.
and soon reluctantly allowed him TO
lake an easy Jog trot-
Fred Crandall suddenly dashed by
with fresh steed, which recognized
Is DR. Parlker's now roadster. Things
must be at desperate pass indeed II
the doctor was willing to commit his
best horse 70 such hard-driving Jehu
Asl Fredl
fretting was Of no use, though, and
watched him disappear over the next
hill with more or less resignation.
y was q long road TO Vanderson'A