The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1893-08-16

1
enthusiasm" that caused the audience
to howl with patriotic fury; the glow
ing tributes to national heroes dead and
gone, whose illustrious careers had
about as much to do with the local cleo
tions of K as the great men them
selves would have had, if they had been
living; the heavy thunder Of the big
guns and the rattling 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-the ornate, the spread-eagle, the
laboriously ofshand, and. rarest Of all,
the plain, practical common-sense style;
and, as North listened critically to
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 ex-
hilarating effect of his eloquent ges-
lures, the audience settled themselves
with an air Of expectancy for the chief
event of the evening, their future city
attorneys address.
There was a brief interval between
the acts, during which the orchestra
played choice selections from "Pa-
tience" and Martha" and other we'll
known light operas, interspersed with
popular seDtimentaband patriotic airs,
the whole forming pot-pourri adapted
to the various tastes of the audience.
A hum of voices filed the house. Tho
gentlemen in plain view on the stage
conversed together decorously or sat in
grave dignified silence gazing up at the
glittering lights or down at their res
pective and highly polished boots as II
they fully appreciated their conspicuous
position and wished to set the public
an example OF behavior worthy Of imi-
tation; while North, leaning back
languidly In his deep arm chair, quite
hidden from general view by the portly
figure of the chairman, conversed In q
tantalizing way with his friend Warner,
who had taken advantage Of the tenn
porary lull in the proceedings TO urge
upon North with stern vehemence the
necessity Of dropping all levity and ris-
ing to the occasion. All OF which ap-
parently had no effect upon North; and
Warner was in despair.
At that interesting crisis a slight SEN
sation was produced by the arrival Of
Col. Clipper. North had already
noticed and wondered at his absence.
He crossed the stage with stately, COM
manding tread, bowling informally to
the gentlemen there assembled, and
slipping behind the outer circle of chairs
he made his way to North's side.
"Got here at lastI' was his triumph
ant though somewhat superauous an
nouncement, delivered breathlessly as
II his exertions to appear upon the scene
had been attended with great exhaus-
ton; and he shook hands with North
vigorously, nodding to Warner at the
same time in confidential way.
Detained 80 long at the office" he
added, addressing North, shat | was
afraid should miss your speech; but /
see I'm Just In time. What's the pros
pect-A considerable enthusiasm in the
audienceq How is that, Warner" turn
ing to that gentleman as II he consid-
cred him the more competent judge.
"a very good feeling on all sides" :"
was Warmers prompt report. Tire
mendous enthusiasm in reserve, II it's
only sldllfully aroused;" and he glanced
sharply at North as If to add: "You can
do tiff you will, but that's doubtful
question as yet"
The colonel nodded in perfectly sat
isfied way, and at that instant, some
public-spirited person having checked
the mad career of the orchestra, they
put up their instruments with an evi-
dent consciousness of having done their
worst, and a slight paroxysm of ap-
plause rounded off the performance.
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
distinguished fellow-citizen and candi-
date for city attorney, Mr.. 0llin 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 tfeme-aheml-
The Political Future of X; What It
Might Be, and What They Who Consti-
tute the City Government Should Strive
10 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 II
conscious that in working up that
] theme for North the jealous committee
had done q very neat thing. North
himself, as he stroked his mustache
nervously TO conceal the amused smile
that rose to his lips. thought in a mo-
mentary panic:
'.The future Of Il And I've been
studying up the political past and pres
ent, letting the future take care Of IT.
self However, the theme allows me
considerable latitude, and may find It
easier to deal with shadowy futurities
than with past and fulhlled realities" I"
With this hopeful reflection be
stepped forward, bowed TO the chair
man, and amid the ringing applause
that greeted him he made his graceful
salute TO the audience. while his eye
swept the galleries with perfect self
possession as II, in thus facing his
large constituency, he felt no lack Of
confidence either in his own strength