Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1894-08-22

him, and he had all the soft and sweet
things, which the girls like so well
right on the end of his tongue. And il
| WASH t afraid his wife might see this
l would say he hasn't changed much
in that respect to this day.
l have it from Bob's own lips tha
the only time he was ever completely
sold out" in that campaign was aftel
this fashion:
Some charitably disposed old noun
taineer had loaned him a mule to ride
According to Bob's description it was al
weather beaten and dilapidated quad
ruped as ever cheated the bone yard
out of its dues; and Bob solemnly
AYERS that as he slowly progressed ovel
the rough and precipitous highway, O
couple of buzzards with corresponding
speed overhead accompanied him
with their eyes ever askant upon the
melancholy prospect beneath. BY and
by he rode into mountain village
aud observing number of men lazily
laughing in front of store, whiting
sticks and expectorating tobacco juice
after the true mountain fashion, he
approached the group and at once con,
cluded to put himself on easy terms
with them.
"How are you, gentlemen? Fine
day we're having"
There was an Indifferent nod and q
low, gutteral Hi yer" on the part of
the crowd. Bob thought he would
proceed to break the ice.
Gentlemen, this is the finest mule
in Tennessee.
Nobody said word.
II say, gentlemen, this is the most
remarkable mule in Tennessee" re.
peated Bob, with emphasis.
mot doubt of it, | lows as how
he's the most remarkable mule ever
seed, said a long, cadaverous moon
sinner, as he squirtel about yard of
tobacco juice on the mule 3 legs by
way of impressing his decision.
"Well, now, my friend what do you
know about mulesy" said Bob, good
naturedly. why do you think this
noble courser of mine is a remarka BILE
mule?"
"Wall, l see the buzzards have had
him, and he's managed to get away
from EN- and bring yer in SAFE"
OF course that put 'em on Bob, and
he at once proceeded to discharge the
obligation in way that made him
forever solid in those parts.
Thus the canvass proceeded Petit
bone making great speeches on the
issues of the day and Bob Taylor fid-
ding and dancing and having big
time generally-until the Republicans
OF the district began to wake up the
fact that Bob's candidacy was not the
egregious joke they had taken it for.
They didn t laugh nearly 80 loud nor
long at the bare mention of it as they
did at the outset. The sentiment of
the masses was all setting Bob's way,
and the Republican leaders realized
that they must stop that fiddle or be
hopelessly beaten. So they began to
dicker with Bob for joint discussion.
Bob said all right-that a joint discus.
sion was what he had been hankering
for all his life; but he inodestly in
formed them that his bank account
was running lc W, and that if he should
meet Pettibone at widely distant points
it would be necessary that fund be
provided to pay expenses. He was as
sured that would be all right, for the
willy Republicans thought campaign
fund could not be more judicially ex-
pended than in making spectacle of
Bob on the stump with such man as
Pettibone. And it is probable that this
is the only instance in the entire his
tory of American politics where the
campaign expenses by the candidate
were betrayed by the opposite party.
Finally, the two met at an appointed
place, and vast crowd was present.
Pettibone led off in q mastery speech
of an hour. When Bob arose and
made his way to the stand with that
old familiar fiddle under his arm; the
roof of the house was almost lifted
with cheers. There was no mistaking
the sentiment of that crowd. For a
full hour he kept the audience in con-
slant roar of Laughter and applause
He burlesqued and ridiculed Pettibone
until that veteran stumper was ashamed
of himself. All Of his inexhaustible
resources of wit, minicry, satire and
sarcasm were brought into play, and
good judges have declared it was worth
going hundred miles to hear. At the
conclusion he took up his old fiddle
and let himself loose on his most in
spring breakdown" ("Possum in the
Gum Stump,") calling the measures of
the dance as he fiddled away. 1t was
no time until the whole house was pat
ting and dancing at furious rate.
Pettibone picked up his hat and hur.
riedly left in disgust, while the crowd
gathered Bob up on their shoulders
and paraded the streets with him amid
deafening shouts of triumph.
They only met at two or three other
points, Pettibone declaring he was not
afraid TO meet any maR,in the State in
a manly discussion, b6t he "couldn t
speak against Bob Taylor's id old
fiddle"
The result of the election was fore
seen long in advance. Bob Taylor was