The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1900-04-20

WIS ny 'tn llOl Ndllb w It Nbtill man.
We've been voting each for'the other
right along, and we can keep it up
spell longer, If need be. That shows
that you must have been voting for
yourself"
ayes. madam" exclaimed the now
furious Joshua. 81 have been voting
for myself, and shall continue TO do
so, because believe that am the only
member of the board capable of per-
forming the duties of chairman as
they should I've performed"
That's all right interrupted Sa-
mautha. I'VE don't blame you mite;
and as we don't want she Office we arc
willing to elect you on the ueSt bal
lot, on,y you must agree to some things
first. We know how you have carried
on, now you have refused so put 30 vote
motions you didn't like and bulldozcd
generally the other members Of the
committee. It's time TO calra halt. l.
you will promise faithfully. in the
presence Of these people, that you nave
invited here. TO deal with us fairly, and
to conduct the meetings of this com
mit:ee in Parliamentary manner,
well elect you. If you won't promise,
we can keep up the deadlock forever.
What do you say?"
A litter had begun in the audience.
which grew into II hearty laugh. and
finally broke into open applause as Sa-
mantha ceased speaking. For mo-
ment Joshua looked about him at the
people and at the women before him
like some enraged animal who would
toss them all on his horns. But seeing
that his official companions held the
upper hand, and that the sympathy OF
the people was clearly against him, he
restrained himself with an effort and
forced a srilc to his lips.
81 gladly promise" he said ito do
whatever is right. More than Chat /
would not promise for the highest of
flee in the land. Let us close the dis
cussion and prepare our tenth ballot. q"
Mr.. Baker was unanimously elected
! but the women had won victory. and
Joshua was not only defeated. but
Inundated openly before the people.
Inundated he certainly was, and
sought savagely for an opportunity
to take revenge. The meetings of the
school board that winter were stormy
ones, and it was largely TO the crowds
that gathered TO witness the trays
that Mrs Abel and Miss Samantha
owed their escape from much the
same browbeating to which their
| predecessors had submitted. As the
year rolled on and Joshua was
thwarted at every point. the ridiculc
Mt his discontinue became more open
Ridicule is a powerful factor in poll
tics, and Joshua viewed with alarm
his waning prestige II was not until
spring, however, that he saw his
chance to strike decisive blow and
assert his mastership.
There had been constant difficulty
that year in keeping teacher at the
Center school. One had resigned tC
accept more lucrative position else
where, another had been taken sud
denly i'll, while third had proved in
capable and been dismissed. As eacl
vacancy occurred, Mrs. Abel and Miss
Samantha urged the election of Miss
Clay, of Ridgeville, a young woman
hImirably fitted for the position. but
whose election mac been strenuousl,
opposed by Joshua. The last time h,
had won his point only 10y promising
that Miss Clay should be given trial
should another vacancy occur during
the year.
Now on the opening day of the
! nc -lnG hmm panaiNan
that the young man they had en-
gagged was unable to appeal, As h'
walked Up-street in Il quaniary no"
to avoid keeping his former promise
he saw Mrs. Abel and Samantha rid,
past in the stage. apparently boun'
to the city, A sudden light broke il
upon him. He posted messengers t.
the houses of his absent fellow-com
Initteemen TO call Il special meeting o
the board that noon, TO elect a ney
teacher. Then, feeling syra Their
could be no meeting that day and TIA
he was technically justified in actin!
on his own account he hirnsel
FASTENED TO the city, to secure
young man he had long had in min,
for the position.
But Mrs. Abel and Miss Samantha
had not gone TO the city, They ha,
each received a notice, ike that sen
to Joshua, that the teacher they ha,
engaged had failed them, and having
in mind Joshua's promise, had decid
ed to act on their own Responsible ~
without farther consultation. AC
cOrdinplV they had merely gone dow
the road n mile or two, by stage, I
the home Of Miss Clay, where hey Of
. fered her the position. In short, Mis-
Clay opened school that very morn
ing, less than two hours after TN
regular opening hour.
Finding Joshua S message, on thei
return horne, the two women me
again, shortly aiterward, at the st
. lectmen's room, at She specified bou
| 10.