The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1893-01-26
Natural as Life.

n number Of interesting anecdotes and
ren,inescenccs, and among them was one
that clearly went to show how natural it is
for Ms to look upon the man who helps us
to fight our battle, and stands ny US III
the thick Of the fight,as the best and clcy-
ore-t fellow in the world, and at the same
time te.resard him who happens TO see
things differently from the way we look at
them and who opposes us rs the meanesf,
most contemplate cur in the world. The
General said: an my first experience as
q candidate for public office, there were
two other candidates in the field tor the
same position. We had all put III hot
work in canvassing the different counties,
but, as was rather late in going into the
field. Ihad not, up to The dav set Tor mold
ing The convention, had al opportunity OF
doing any work in the county IN whicn
the convention was to be held. was
almost an entire stranger in thar county,
and naturally felt little bit uneasy
nc RI the result Of the convention.
"On The morning Of the day OF the con-
ycnton large crowd gathered INTO town.
and nv two opponents and myself engaged
in heated speeches during the morning.
Among my friends present was a great
long six-and -a-half footer, fuli-hedsed
hockwoodsman,witl, heart III him as ois
nc wosh-tub. He wore brOad-brmmeo
SLOUGH hat, pants stuffed into his Doo's'
and wore an overcoat that almost toucheo
the cround. which made him look about
onc-third taller than he really was. In
thc crowd was little bit Of drawn up TEL
low. who took II very open and active part
against me; il fact, he was working as
hard against me all day as my tall frieha
was for me. After the speaking, it was
arranged to hold a kind of threc-cor-
ncred couvention-that. is, the CROWD
should repair to courthouse square, and
each candidates friends should bunch
themselves together, then count Noses
and thc hindmost man was to drop ont. /,
of course, did not remain i'll the crowd
but went to my room in the hotel, just
across the street from The courthouse
ward. From my window | commanded
view of The proceedings of the convention,
and. of course, took in everything that
went on. The little fellow who so bitterly
opposcd me did valiant work tor his
friend. but when noses we're counted his
man was the short horse, and therefore
was declared out of the race. Then came
the rub. The crowd seemed about equally
divided between myself and my remaining
onnoncnt, and NATURALLY, my friends were
wrought up to fever heat while l looked
OH. Up to this moment in my life had
ALWAYS felt that did not have single
selfish bone in my body; that could take
up any mattcr-whethcr was concerned
in it or not-and consider it with per-
feet degree of fairness; that could make
all due allowances for those who opposed
me in any way, in fact often admired the
zeal of my opponents; but, during the
nrocress of this convention, rather be-
came convinced that | was made up OF
about the same composition in this respect
AS most of mankind. My big, tall friend
was doing some equally tall hustlinS for
me. while the little fellow. after his candi-
late was declared off, went over to the
side of my other opponent, and headed
The line Of the column against me, every
now and then making some bitter remark
against me, while my tall friend headed
my column. | noticed he was watching
every movement of the little fellow. AS
T looked on | saw the little fellow counted
at the head Of tue column, and then drop
hack and down the line, where lie crowded
in and was counted the second time. The
feeling of contempt that passed through
me toward him for so low and contemptI-
lilo niece of dastardlv meanncss is be-
yond nv power to express. felt as II
could choke the very life out OF him II
only could get hold Of him. In the mean
time had seen my tall friend counted mt
fine head of my column, but for the mo-
mont my whole attention was on the low
down little skunk who was taking such
unfair means to defeat me. When
looked back again my tall friend was
about the fifteenth man down my line ana
was being counted the second time, which
movement he again repeated. getting him.
self counted three times to the little TEL
lows twice. Why, my whole heart Just
went right out to that fellow, and l felt
there was nothing too good for me to do
for him: and there, while watching the
manuyers of those two enthusiastic work
ers, | became more fully convinced than
ever before that human nature was human
nature the world over.
Stockholders Meeting.
The regular annual meeting of the
Stockholders of The Virginia Coal md
Iron Company will he held ut the Brad
dock House, in the city OF Alexandria,
Va, on Wednesday, February ID, 1919 nj