Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1895-01-24

brighten up. Another would contra
dict it and add that the caucus had
enough men pledged to fight Burton
TO beat him. The gloom thickened.
Occasionally man cracked a joke
but he was set upon for his undue
levity..
Supper was eaten in silence. Every
time the door opened news Of the
anti caucus was asked for. At last it
came. 1t had agreed on Baker. The
leaders said it was all right, it could
not deliver the votes and the boys
chirked up. Burton went down to
the floor Of the lobby, pulling his
moustache nervously and looking for
various men. Some he found. Others
had disappeared.
The full caucus was to meet at
eight. In the meantime there was
hurrying to and fro, the crowd was
gathering, tobacco smoke made the
upstairs hall hazy and evcrybodywore
a long face. Charlie Estes who had
essayed the role of a prophet and tel
egraphed home that Burton would be
nominated on first ballot wished he
had not. The Burton men had q hur-
ricd caucus and mustered 46 with 9
more accounted for, as they said.
Then the Legislators left for the cap
itol to meet again and cast the die.
Burton drew a long breath, took off
his coat, washed his face and hands
and laughed with the boys while his
plucky but weary-faccd wife lunched
on some crackers and cheese of the
mantlepiece. There was nothing
now to do but wait.
After awhile the babel in the lobby,
filled to the last inch Of standing
room, ceased. George Stcrl came
bounding upstairs with the vote.
Burton had 40, Baker 81. The oppo-
sition had claimed it on first ballot, !
so had Burton--but no one had the
necessary 81. "Iold you So" said
Dave Nail, "our man is as good as /
nominated" "Burton's gaining,
he'll make it, remarked d. r. Cor
den. Geo. Rogers lit a fresh cigar
and everybody walked around and
nodded to everybody else wisely as II
he knew what was coming, though !
really not one had an inkling of an
idea. Next vote and Burton was 81
to Bakers 80. That was good news.
Sam Cooper lit two cigars at once
and Jacob schopp attempted mild
cheer. Milt Speer wore his heavy
cape overcoat although the tempcra-
ture was over 100 and didn't notice
it. Jake Lands treated everyone to
ice water. Squire Davidson hunted
for fan.
Then came drop-50, 4S, 46-in
three more ballots. The Abilene joy !
was,hushed. Faces heightened. DR..
Felty inquired meekly when the first
train left. A. W. Rice pulled his hat
over his eyes and pretended to be
asleep. Mrs. Burton looked more
weary than before. The man around
whom il all centered sat over by
window, silent, waiting, seemingly
trying to pierce the darkness against
which rose the blacker form Of the
statchouse dome. The rebound came,
As, As, 50. Were all right said
D. l.. Pisle with ghostly smile.
Charlie Pattison got hold Of rumor
that Hood had thrown his strength 10
Burton. More cigars we're lighted.
Another drop to As; then the news
that Burton's men had moved an ad-
but the motion lost. Now
II was dark sure. Joe White wanted
10 90 over and carry the other fellows
put and asked Sheriff Smith to do it.
+, +. Dewey proposed hypnotism.
D. W. Howard mentioned prayer. c.
A. Hodge suggested hickory club.
Dr.. Hodge turned the cigar he was
end for end, hit the floor
With bis cane and CALCULATED, Were
lone for, boys" The strain was
intense. All tried to talk on
commonplace subjects but it was a
allure. Tom Kirby and j. NJ. Gleiss-
ler thought they had right to be
,appy because Baker bad supported