Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-09-17

the side of the party to which Mr..
Crofutt nominally belonged.
Not to extend the matter, Mr..
Crofutt was nominated, but only after
the most bitter opposition, and talk
of "bolting" that surprised the popu-
lar man, who had even been fattering
himself that the other party would
make no nomination.
At this time, and for many years
before, there was a young man in
Judge Livingston's office of about Mr..
Crofutt's age. His name was John
Wilson, and outside of his profession.
| where he was successful and honored,
he was but little known.
He was a tall, student-like man; a
member OF no society, and the only
support of widowed mother. Mr..
| Wilson was dgnifed and reserved in
his manners; but those who knew him
we'll said he was the soul of generosity
and honor, and those who did not
know him we'll, had an idea that he
was very learned, as all reserved pro-
fessioual men are generally supposed
to be.
Though John Wilson was a brother
lawyer, Mr.. Van Buren, Crofutt did
not like him. John was the one man
about whom Mr.. Crofutt did not hesi-
tate to give a positive opinion, and al
ways an unfavorab!e one; and this
dislike grew very much stronger
when the rumor that the discontents
agreed to support Mr.. Wilson, and
the opposition would make no NOM
ination, ripened into certainty.
Mr.. Crofutt was annoyed and
alarmed; for, following the above in
formation, came an invitation from
Mr.. Wilson to meet him before the
people and discuss their respective
claims to the position of Representa-
tive.
Mr.. Crofutt was popular speaker,
but not an orator; Mr.. Wilson was an
orator, but his popularity was not
tried. Mr.. Crofutt had great faith in
people: Mr.. Wilson had great faith in
himself
The canvass went on with increas-
ing heat, and the popular man found
himself assailed by the press, and, to
his amazement, all his motives, and
many motives he never had, were held
up to the gaze and ridicule of the peo-
pie.
The election came off and the re-
turns came in. Mr.. Van Buren, Gro
futt was-beaten! It was an awful
blow-a blow that changed as if by
magic the whole nature of the popu-
lar man. He sought the society of
the jolly Larks, and was seen, one
day, in court, under the influence of
liquor. He openly denounced broth
ers and members who had voted
against him, till, at last, brothers and
members began to wonder how they
could ever have endured him.
A defeated man needs great deal
of self-respect and great deal of self
reliance. Mr.. Crofutt knew himself,
and had neither.
The admiration he had entertained
for Miss Livingston before his candi-
dacy increased into most demonstra-
tive love after his defeat; and when
he learned that Wilson was before him
even in the affections of the proud
young beauty, his pronounced dislike
was supplanted by the most vindic'
tive hate. which he did not disguise.
About month before Mr.. Wilson
was to go to Washington, the day OF
his departure being the one selected
for his marriage, he was found, one
morning, in piece of woods, between
the town and his mothers house, with
bullet in his breast.
The news spread far and wide, with
the proverbial quickness of bad news,
that Mr.. Wilson was murdered, and
the people focked into the town, even
those who had voted against him ex.
pressing their sorrow at his death and
respect for his character.
"Who could have done the deed|
everybody asked, in open-mouthed
wonder, and nobody attempted tc
solve the mystery.
But young Wilson was not dead,
though all the doctors vowed he ought
to die, according to medical regula.
tons. He was nursed back to life,
and recovered, though the wedding
and the time of taking his seat in Con.
gress were necessarily postponed.
When Mr.. Wilson got we'll enough
to explain the assault, he only added
to the mystery. A man stepped from
behind tree as he was going home
from Judge Livingston's late that
night, and fired. He fell, and that was
all he knew about it till he recovered
consciousness next day.
A diligent search was made for the
wouldbe assassin, but without clue
and it must be said Mr.. Van Burer
Crofutt aided in the search; but from
that day OH he was Stunned man.
He had still members standing in
the societies, but the brothers avoided
him. His clients, never many, dwin
died away. Men whose hands he had
clasped in mystic fraternity, crossed
the streets to avoid him, and he walked
solitary man in the streets, where
the children had shouted his name
and where his journeys had been otter
delayed for hours by the extemporized
ovations of his acquaintances and
friends. He was wise enough to leave
the town; but whittier he went, no one
knows even to this day.
1t is to be hoped, however, no mat
ter where he is, that he has learned
how uncertain is the pedestal on which
very popular men stand, and how grea'
is the difference between respect ant
familiarity. Saturday Night.
Lake of Black Dye in California.
In the vicinity of the Colorado Rivel
in Southern California there is one O.
the most remarkable bodies of watel
in the world. The strange blach
fluids bears no resemblance whatever
to water; it is thick, viscid and foul
smelling. Experiments have proved
it is not poisonous, but makes an ex
cellent dye. 1t has been analyzed
but its qualities are not yet made
NJ III