The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1894-12-20
n A LITTLE
''1onnedy Of Errors,
BY S. s. Morton.

BY S. s. Morton.
There was a brief interval between
the acts, during which the orchestra
played choice selections from ''Pa.
thence" and MARTHA" and other well.
known light operas, interspersed with
popular sentimental and patriotic airs,
the whole forming a pot-pourri adapted
to the various tastes of the audience.
A hum of voices filled the house. The
gentlemen in plain view on the stage
eonversed together decorously or sat in
grave dignified silence gazing up at the
gittering lights or down at their res
pective and highly polished boots as If
they fully appreciated their conspicuous
position and wished to set the public
an example of behavior worthy OF lml-
tation: while North, leaning beck
languidly in his deep arm chair, quite
hidden from general view by the portly
figure Of the chairman, conversed'ln
tantalizing 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 levity and rls-
ing to the occasion. All of which ap-
parently had no effect upon North; and
Warner was in despair.
At that interesting crisis 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 last!' was his triumph
ant though somewhat supertiuous an
nouncement delivered breathlessly as
if his exertions to appear upon the scene
had been attended with great eShaus-
vigorously. nodding to Warner at the
same time in a 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-considera bic enthusiasm i'll the
audience? How is that. Warner:' turn
ing to that gentleman as if he consid-
cred him the more competent judge.
IA very good feeling on all sides,
was Warmers prompt report. Tire
mendous enthusiasm in reserve. if it's
only skillfully aroused:' and he glanced
sharply at North as if to add: You can
do it if 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 evil
dent consciousness of having done their
worst, and a slight paroXysm Of APP
plause rounded Off the performance.
AS silence gradually settled over the
house the chairman rose. turned to-
ward North with u significant glance.
and then, in few highly eulogistic re-
marks, introduced to the audience Our
distinguished fellow-citizen and candi-
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 theme-ahem!-
The Political Future Of y: What 1t
Might Be. and What They Who Consti-
tute the City Government Should Strive
to Make It."
The worthy chairman delivered this
fine vollcy of words with quite an ora
torical flourish. then paused and gazed
around upon the audience. who now be-
gan to cheer rather imputicntly. as if
conscious that in 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 a mo-
mentary panic:
''The future of N. 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 fulfilled realities.
With this hopeful reflection he
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 if. in thus facing his
large constituency. he felt no lack of