The Saint Paul globe., 1900-05-06
Bis Stewardship, *
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CornbIn Magazine
When the London papers announced
that Raymond Fox, NJ. P. for Alid-Clare,
had applied for the stewardship Of the
Chiltern Hundreds other men in Parlia-
ment were not much surprised. His en-
gagement had been very apparent, as his
pretty fiancee, far from trying to allure
him from his political duties to society
frivolities, had herself developed an alb
s0rblng interest in politics, and was fre-
Quenuy to be seen dining in the house
and having tea on the terrace, and even
sitting through the dull debates behind
the grille Of the ladies' gallery, with an
aunt who would have Infinitely preferred
the opera. And this she did on the chance
of hearing Raymond open his eloquent
lips for five or ten minutes.
But, you may ask, If the woman was
so sympathetic, why did his engagement
entail his retirement from parliament?
Wei, this was the way Of it. Her fa-
ther, though an Irlshman and a supporter
of the same political party, was yet emf
nently practical, and, having made his
way in the world, desired to have as SON
in-law a man who could do the same.
He had made 1t the sole condition Of his
consent to the engagement that Ray
mond should leave parliament till he had
put himself in a position of independ-
ence by exercise Of his profession.
Raymond had been called to the Irish
bar but had never practiced. He felt
confident, however, that all would be
plain sailing. He had attained a reputa-
ton as an orator and all-rOund clever
fellow was also a popular hero in way,
owing to a prominent part he had taken
IN an eviction affray in which the police
came off second best. SO there was, first
of all, private conference with the wom-
an and then a confidential talk with his
party leader and the whip, and 1t was
unanimously decided that the retirement
was to be sanctioned.
when you are 6, rich man, said the
whip, and have money to waste on an
election contest, never doubt but Wen
find a seat you can fight for US. I sup
pose Md Clare is safe for our party?'
RAYMOND assured them that Mid-Clare
was safe. and promised to go down and
back their candidate. I'm be of some use
to him with the hillside men, he added
with a meaning smile
j L
I'm that quarter" So they shook hands
with him in congratulation, and he went
off elated TO consult with Molly and Mol
- Tvs father as to the prospects OF a speedy
wedding.
Thus was it that the paragraph about
the Chitern Hundreds came into the pa
pers. It created no great stir in London,
and, in fact, appeared in a very back
ward corner of the papers, but, copied
into more prominent position In the
Dublin and Irish provincial press, it pro-
duced, as you shall hear, a ruction such
as the party never dreamed of on the day
when the leader and the whip decided
that Fox might safely. go, and that the
seat was safe for Moriarty.
Now, be it known to you that Raymond
Fox owed that seat solely and simply to
the favor of the hillside men,"
This section of the constituency. though
disaVoWing all parliamentary agitation
in favor of stronger measures, found
themselves in a position OF delightful su-
premacy.
BY holding aloof and talking haughtily,
as if the ballot box were beneath notice,
and saying they disdained to vote at all,
they found themselves courted on all sides
and talked at in eloquent style by the RI
val candidates and their hackers. There
was some pretty tall talk at the Mid
Glare election, can tell you, and a good
deal Of it was never reported in the pa
pers; but Raymond Fox won easily Phil
FOy, a veteran, who had come through
the IS and 81 troubles, announces 1t as
his conviction that the young man would
go to the scaffold for his country. That
clinched the matter
There were two or three objectors, but
old Phil carried all objection down. The
word was given in the right quarter, and