The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1894-08-30
peated Bob with emphasis.

peated Bob with emphasis.
Not a doubt Of it, | lows as how
he's the most remal kable mule ever
seed, said long, cadaverous moon
sinner as he squirted about yard of
tobacco juice on the mules legs by
way Of impressing his decision.
"W,lt now, my friend, what do you
know about muIes?" said Bob, good
naturedIy. "Why do you think this
noble courser of mine is remarkable
mule?"
"Wall, see the buzzards have had
him, and he's managed to get away
from 'em and bring yer in safe"
Of course that put EN- 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-Petti-
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 to the
fact that Bob's candidacy was not the
egregious joke they had taken it for.
They Cidu't laugh nearly so 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 he
hopelessly beaten. So they began to
dicker with Bob for a joint discussion,
Bob said all right-that II joint discus.
sion was what he had been hankering
for all his life: but he modestly in
formed them that his bank account
was running low, and that if he should
meet Pettibone at widely distant
points it would be necessary that q
fund be provided to pay expenses. He
was assured that would be all right,
for the willy Republicans thought a
campaign fund could not be more
ju1iciOusly expended than in making
q spectacle Of Bob on the stump with
such man as Pettibone. And it is
probable that this is the only instance
in the entire history Of American pol
itics where the campaign expenses
of 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 a mastery speech
If an hour When Bob arose and
made his way to the stand with that
old familiar fiddle under his arm, the
reel OF the house was almost lifted
with cheers. There was no mistakine
the sentiment OF that crowd For 9
full hour he kept the audience in a
constant roar Of laughter and applause
He hur'esqued and ridiculed Pettibone
until that V teran stumper was asham-
, ed Of himself All Of his inexhaustl
bic resources Of wit. mimicry, satire
and sarcasm we're brought into plsy
and good Judges have declared il wa,
woth going hundred mics NJ hear
AT The conclusion he took up his O.
fiddle and Get himself loose On his mos
inspiring breakdown" CPussum il
the Gum Stump,) calling tn meas
ures oi the dance as he fddled away
/ 1t was no time until the whole hnns,
was paltiug and dancing at furiou
rate Petlihone picked up his hat an,
hurriedly left il disgust, while thy
crowd gathered Bob up on their shoul
ders and paraded the streets with hin
amid deaiening shouts Of triumph.
They only met at two or three olhe
points, Pettibone declaring he wa
e not AFRAID to meet any man in tn
G state in a manly discussion, but b
couldn't speak against Bob Tayl3r'
id old fiddle.7
The result Of The election was for,
seen long in advance. Bob Taylc
was carried into the office ON tr
!. mendous tidal wave Of victory, and !