The Worthington advance., 1894-12-13
THE woRTHINGToN ADVANCE.

Clipper sent around several times dur-
ing the day, both here and to the office,
and you hadn't got back, and nobody
seemed to know what had become of
you,s though Wee did venture the sug-
gestion that you had at last gone to the
lunatic asylum to give yourself up! 1t
was rough on Clipper, can tell you. I
think I'd better go around now and tell
him that you've got back and it's all
right. For, Of course, North, you'll
never think Of falling us?' and Warmers
face wore an expression of lively
anxiety for an instant
.sOA, by no means!' returned North,
perceiving that escape from this unex-
pccted and unwelccme predicamentwas
as least highly imprac able. 4 will
do my best for you, Warner. but you
must not blame me if it is q sorry fail
ure. shall be poorly prepared for any
oratorical fourishes this evening. I'm
afraid shall disgust the honorable
voters Of X- by my lack Of enthusi-.
asm."
'sNonsense, North, you'll do nothing
of the Sort" said Warner, with encour-
aging decision. you're evidently tired
and blue and inclined to take q pes
sin1istic view of things. just rest until
dinner time, and you'll be surprised to
see how enthusiastic you'll be then.
Hang it, man, think of next Tuesday!
Think Of all that's at stake for our
party; and if that fails to inspire you
I'll send a brass band around with fire.
works and torpedoes to stir you up.
Something religious has gotto be done
slave you any serious suggestions to
offer?" nGuired North, negligently. IL
presume l am to speak in general
way 'on the political situation,' what
ever that may be. Or has the committee
announced any more definite subject
for me?" with an air of calm resigna-
ton.
'sDon't think so; but in any case you'll
be perfectly safe in saying just what
you please. Any suggestions pshav!
You know as well as I do just what
YOU ought to say. Only get your enthu-
siasm up to the proper pitch and you'll
take the roof off with your eloquence!
But it's time for me to take myself
off, he added, with a nimble spring to
his feet. Committee meets again in
half an hour, with power to send
for persons and papers, and I'm likely
to be the first person they send for, If
I'm not promptly on hand.
eff we candidates only work half SO
hard after we get into Office as our
friends have worked to put us there"
observed North, with a languid smile,
as he arose to accompany Warner to
the door, mo one will be put to. the
necessity of hunting up mischief for
our idle hands to perform. By the
way,' he added, with sudden air Of
interest, s'I wonder where can get a
file of the Times? There are various
matters connected with the campaign
that should like to look up.
:'Why, the colonel's got a fle."
':Who, Clipper?'
II mean Dayton. Down in the read
ing-room. Better see. I'm sure you'll
find it, and Warner shot out OF the
room and rushed off to meet his com
mittee. al
Going Immediately in search Of Col.
Dayton, whom he fortunately found
without delay, North received not only
the information that there was a file Of
the Times in the res,ding-room, but also
the colonels permission to have the
aforesaid file removed at once to his:
room.
'sNow,'' soliloquized North, as, with the.
newspaper spread out before him on the
table in his room, he sat down with
calm desperation in his manner, 81
shall have to cram local politics most
assidrously for the next two hours, or
woe betide this unluclly undertaking
of mine! I'm in particularly difficult
position, and it will require all the
nerve and mother wit that possess to
eztricate me creditably. Clippers
Times is Just what I need in this emer-
gency. shall find here my proper po-
itical views all ready for immediate
use, and / shall simply need to commit
them to memory and air them tonight
as my own. candid and original senti-
ments. Injustice to Noll, I must do
my best! If I succeed in sufficiently
imbuing my mind with the spirit of
The Times, catch the salient points Of
the canvass and watch the drift of
public sentiment this evening, I may
possibly come off with flying colors!"
Once in the spirit of it, North grew
quite enthusiastic over his novel UNDER
taking, and the results of his two hours
close application were equally astonish-
ing and gratifying to him. BY the time
the dinner gong sounded he had quite a
copious collection of notes ready to re-
fer to during his address; and he was
certainly as familiar with the principal
points of municipal interest involved in
the Forthcoming election as careful
''cramming" Of the political notes and
leaders in the Times from the begin
ming of the canvass down to the present
time could make him.
Upon goi ng down to dinner he found
that the mass meeting was the allah
sorbing topic of conversation among
the gentlemen, and his own speech was
the central point Of comment and inter
est. He was soon drawn into a spirited
discussion of the political situation. in
which, thanks to his newly-acquired
data, he was able to take part with dis
cratiOn