The Worthington advance., 1894-10-25

: 4 & "a. z
with . slightly italicized negative, but
fearing that such course would only
exasperate Wymer and make matters
worse he conciliated instead. .....,
'''Now, see here, Wymer," he said,
''I'm perfectly willing to use all my in
huence to elect you city attorney, and
doesn't that prove that I'm your friend?'
As he spoke a shout of laughter
arose from every side. He could not
imagine what it was that gave such
point to his remarks, but he saw that it
was at once perceived and appreciated.
Wymer apparently did not heed the
laughter; he noticed only North, to
whom he Immediately addressed the
imperious inquiry: s..- .- re-
'.Why did you run, then, if you're
friend er mine?"
''rm not running!" returned North,
amazed. ......
''You are" said Mr.. Wymer. with the
ready and fearless spirit of contradic-,
ton that heated political campaign
usually develops. What have they got
you on their dude ticket for, if you
amt runnin'? l tell you, North, your
party's played-out set er thieves an
scoundrels an you're mother, an you'll
never be lected city 'torney while
er worl' stands! Dye hear?' And,
starting up energetical]y, Mr.. Wymer
emphasized these statements with some
violent gestures, bringing his clenched
fists into an altogether disagreeable
v,,.Ovimifv RI Norfh'S faca
Even in the midst of his annoyance
North found time to make a mental
note of the new fact that Wymer's
words had elected.
$50 am the opposing candidate for
city attorney he said to himself, ac-
cepting with half.satirical surprise
the honor that was thus thrust upon
him. ''Actually dabbling in local poll
tics; never supposed that 1 could de-
scend to that!''
Mr. Wymer's brief enthusiasm pass
ing of, he relapsed again into state of
harmless and peaceful imbecility; and
North thought that his moment of es-
cape had come.
But in this he was cruelty disappoint-
ed. No sooner had he turned away
than Wymer started up again, exclaim-
ing with all the enthusiasm of new
inspirations:
81 shay. North, hold on; jush lemme
speak t. your
ssSpeak to me, then, and have done
with it," cried North. desperately.
''North-you're drunk!'' asserted Mr..
Wymer, with startling emphasis. as he
steadied himself against the lamp-post
and blinked sternly at North. you're
drunk, sir, drunk. Dye hear? You'll
never do for city 'torney; oh, no! Take
m home, boys" he added, waving his
hand unsteadily toward several gentle
men who had congregated on the cor
ner. "He feels sick, now, North does.
Told i'm er truth. Don't like to have er
truth told i'm. Take him home, 1
shay. His own mother wouldn't know
him now: he's drunk!"
Upon this appeal one of the gentle
men stepped forward quickly and took
North's arm, with the words:
''Ithink you'd better let me take you
home, North. Mr.. Wymer will feel bet
ter satisfied if you do. Come on, old
fellow" he added, drawing North aside
and speaking confidentially, ''it's the
shortest way to get rid of Wymer: He's
just in a condition to be troublesome.
If you can escape from him in this way,
you'd better do it,"
North assented and started slowly
down the street with his arm linked in
that of his friendly companion; but he
was not destined yet to escape. Wymer
gazed after them for moment in a
slightly bewildered way, then suddenly
started to follow them at a credita BILE
pace; creditable only in point of speed,
for he described all sorts of variations
from the straight line Of direction in
his hurried course, while his voice was
still heard above every other sound in
the street.
''Sawful shad" he exclaimed, very
nearly upsetting himself in his vehe-
ment efforts to extract a silk handker-