Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-09-28

He was followed by several othe,
speakers, Of that class so well known
TO lonR-suffering public; orators who
with nothing at all 10 say, talk en- for
ever In the blind belief, perhaps. that
this American republic is 10 be pre-
served and perpetuated through the
same agency that once saved Rome. All
the elements that ordinarily enter into
a heated political demonstration were
present there-the ranting denunciation
OF all opposing parties; the magnetic
enthusiasm" that caused the audience
To howl with patriotic fury; the glow
ing tributes 10 national heroes dead and
gone, whose illustrious careers had
about as much 20 do with the local cleo
tons Of Y as the great men them
selves would have had, II they had been
living the heavy thunder Of the big
guns and the rafting fusillade Of the
lighter artillery which was brought
into use for the first time in the present
campaign. The political situation was
duly set forth in various styles Of ora
tory-thc ornate, the spread-eagle, the
laboriously off-hand, and. rarcst Of all.
the plain, practical common-scnse style;
and, as North listened critically 10
every word that was spoken and noted
the effect upon the audience. he gath
cred many valuable hints for his own
speech, which he was quick to appropri.
ate and apply.
Then as the last speaker, one Of Ollin
North's fellow-candidates. sat down.
flushed with his enthusiasm and the cx.
hilarating effect Of his eloquent yes
lures, the audience settled themselves
with an air Of expectancy for the chief
event OF the evening, their future city
attorneys address.
There was brief interval between
the acts, during which the orchestra
played choice selections from "Pa-
tience' and martha" and other we'll
known light operas interpreted with
popular sentimental and patriotic airs,
the whole forming a pot-pourri adapted
TO the various tastes Of the audience.
A hum of voices filed the house. The
gentlemen in plain view on the stage
convcrsed together dccorously or sat In
grave dignilled silence gazing up at the
glittering lights or down at their res
pectivc and highly polished boots as IT
they fully appreciated their conspicuous
position and wished to set the public
an example OF behavior worthy of imi
tation; while North, leaning baok
languidly in his deep arm chair, quite
hidden from genera view by the portly
figure Of the chairman, convcrsod in a
tantalzing way with his friend Warner,
who had taken advantage Of the tenn
porary lull In the proceedings to urge
upon North with stern vehemcnce the
necessity of dropping all levty and ris-
ing To the occasion. All Of which APP
parently had no effect upon North; and
Warner was In despair
At that interesting crisis slight sem
sation was produced by the arrival Of
Col Clipper. North had already |
noticed and wondered ut his absence. |
lie crossed the stage with stately, com |
handing tread, bowling Informally to |
the gentlemen there assembled, and |
slipping behind the outcrcirclc of chairs |
he made his way TO Norths side.
"Got here at last!' was his triumph
ant though somewhat superiluous an
nouncement, delivered breathcssly as |
II his excrtions to appcarupon the scene |
had been attended with great exhaug-
ton; and he shook hands with North |
vigorously, nodding TO Warner Mt the
same time in n confidential way.
Detained so long at the office" he
added, addressing North, that was
afraid should miss your speech; but |
see I'm just in time. What's the pros
pect-considcrable enthusiasm In the
audience? How is that, Warner?" turn
ing TO that gentleman as if he consid-
cred him the more competent Judge.
"A very good feeling on all Sides"
was Warmers prompt report. Tire.
mendous enthusiasm In reserve, IL it's
only slillfully aroused;" and he glanced
sharply at North as II 10 add: you can
do 1t II you will, but that's a doubtful
question as yet"
The colonel nodded in perfectly sat
istied way, and at that instant, some
person having checked
the mad career of the orchestra, they
put up their instruments with an evil
dent consciousness of having done their
worst, and a slight paroXysm of APP
plause rounded off the performances
As silence gradually settled over the
house the chairman rose, turned to-
ward North with significant glance,
and then, in few highly eulogistic re-
marks, introduced 10 the audience ''our
fcllow-citiacn and caudi-
date for city attorney, Mr.. Ollin North.
who now appears before you as the
orator Of the evening, and who will
address you in his usual eloquent man.
ner, on the interesting thcmc- nhcm.-
The Political Future Of u; y nat II
Might BE, and what They Who Consti
tutc the City Government Should Strive
to Make It"
The worthy chairman delivered this
fine volley Of words with quite an ora
torical flourish, then paused and gazed
around upon the audience, who now be-
gan to cheer rather impatiently, as IL
that i'm working up that
theme for North the jealous committee
had done very neat thing, North
himself, as he stroked his mustache
nervously TO conceal the amused smile
that rose to his lips, thought in mo-
panic:
ITO BE CONTINUED
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