The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-07-21
story Of ~BIIIy- Bryan's Father.

story Of chilly" Brynu's Palmer
Judge suas Bryan. father u William
Jennings Bryan. democratic candidate for
President. presided over a judicial cir
cut in Illinois Tor a dozen years. says the
Washington Post. Ii was composed OF
Marion. Clinton. Washington. jefferson.
Wayne. Clay and Fayette counties. The
Judge lived a. Salem. the county seat OF
Marion Though a deeply RELIGIOUS man,
a jealous Methodist. IN fact the story
that he opened court with prayer IS scout
ed by an old friend. who is responsible
for the STORY which follows That the
Judge was an eccentric man all accounts
agree, the lawyers saying he used 10
adjourn court on Fridays 10 go home 10
his pigeons. The judge had deep and
abiding ambition 10 20 10 congress, and
was a candidate more than once, but in
spite Of the fact that the district was
usually democrats, he never could make
the rifle. one time when he was run
ming for congress Tom Merritt was
candidate for state senator and Jake
Chance for county clerk. Word came 70
the judge that there was something wrong
with the democrats down In RaccoOn
township Of Marion county, the same be
ing a democratic stronghold. The Judge
was worried and sent Merritt there 10
find out what was the matter and ar
range II.
Merritt went. found everything solid as
a rock for the straight ticket, but beng
something OF a was, thought he would
have some FUN with the Judge by rep
resenting that there was great dissatis-
faction Merritt was a sufferer, as well
as humorist. He went TO see the Judge
as soon as ne got back 10 town. The
judge anxiously inquired how matters
We're in Raccoon township.
'B-b-bad: a-a-awful ba-ad," suffered
Tom.
but they are for you, are they not?'
inquired the judge.
.'N-n-not on your life" said Tom.
They're d-d-dead sore on mm-m-me."
why, what have they against you,
Tom?''
''They s-s-say swear and d-d-d-rink
whisky"
ways told you. Tom. that you ought to
abandon the abominabl and immoral ha-
bit of swearing; but If you didn't it would
be sure TO lead you into trouble, and now
see what it has done; too bad. But how
about Jake Chance2 They are for him, are
they not %
Not on your l-l-l-life, they amt: they're
dead s-s-sOre on h-h-him."
"Wel. what have they got against him2"
asked the judge, who was becoming more
and more anxious as Tom poured out his
budget Of bad news.
There it is again." commented the
judge, austerely. i've warned Jake as
well as YOU, Tom. against the wretched
and wicked habit of swearing. and the in
jury it was bound to do you. but neither
of you would heed my heartfelt warnings.
What cannot be helped must be endured,
! suppose" said the judge. resignedly.
"Of course those folks will all support me,
Tom?"
Not on y-y-y-your life. they w-won't /;
they're dead sore on y-y-y-yOu."
why, Tom, ! am amazed at what you
tell me. What can they possibly have
against me2"
oh" said Tom, ''they say you're a
h-h-h-howling old religious h-h-hypocrite. d"
WHAT roared the judge. do these
RaccoOn Township people say that of me ?
The damned worthless scOundrels; they
don't do anything but loaf and eat and
SANDER their neighbOrs."
Il s-s-saw." said Tom afterward. in tell
ing about it. that m-m-my scheme had
worked to a ch-ch-ch-charm."