Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-09-27
CHAPTER III.
Simon's Fight for His Honor.


down the streets, 'lectioneering for
their favorite candidates, the center of
attraction being the place where they
were to vote.
Political Simon seemed everywhere
at once. with a smile of satisfaction on
his face. 1t seemed to him that he had
a great deal to be thankful for. Ezra
had visited at his place for over
month, and yet no one in Brownsville
had ever learned his politics, which
Simon considered a blessing to the
Grey family. Now the time of danger
| had passed, for Ezra had gone back
to his home In Pennsylvania
| Simon fitted from person to person,
| informing everybody of the way they
| should vote, Everyone that was ru-
mored to be doubtful" Simon Grey
would corner, and address as follows,
in a familiar way: "My good fellow,
1 hope you are on the right side. l
trust that you will cast your ballot in
such way that you may claim a share
of the honot of Bryan's victory, Here
Is cigar, my good fellow. Smoke 1t In
remembrance of my daughter Winnie,
who is running for County Supernten-
dent You know her educational quail
tiles; not Dragging at all. but really
she is as smart gal as there is In
Marble County. Glen Harrington,
though Professor of the High School
here In Brownsville, hasn't near the tai
ent Winnie has for school teaching or
the managing of the schools IN the
county. Then he's Republican and
| that's agtn his character. He's a soft
head or he'd know better than that. If
he does know better, and still votes that
internal ticket, he's a scoundrel, and
foc such hypocritical men, have great
contempt"
Then somebody remarked You d
better be careful, Simon, how you rid
icule your future sOn-in-law."
"Son-in-lawr' Simon drawled out
Hell never be q son-in-law of mine
till he leaves that d party and joins
the Farmers Alliance. | have this
much to say, though, In Glen Harring-
toms favor. He's young yet, and he
may reform. But one thing is sure; |
shall never allow daughter of mine
to marry a Republican"
One of the men, to whom Simon was
giving advice, asked him what his
brothers politics were.
80, Ezras gone home" replied ST.
mon, rather uneasily. 81 told him to
go home where he could vote, for we
didn't want to miss single Free Sill
yer vote"
He's a Populist then, Is hep
Simon hesitated. Should he tell a lie
to protect the honor of the Grey fam
lily? Certainly, If 1t were necessary.
"Wen, | guess So" he said, earnestly.
I'D be ashamed If there was Il Grey
outside Of the Populfst party"
Your brother isn't as much of a poll
tlcian as you are, is he? No one seems
r. sra head him talk politics"
~. ohCE4r, $50 -otn6 ! to give
S chuckling, why he had .Mc--sel,,e--;l. :;
, button on the lapel Of his coat the
} morning he went away"
| Great heavens, man. exclaimed
/ Simon, with Mortified expression on
/ his face. "He wouldn't be caught dead
! with a Mckinley button on! Are you
| crazy?"
, mo, sir, I'm not crazy. 1t IS an ac-
tual fact, for l saw it myself when he
was standing in the depot awaiting
! the train. What's more. I wasn't the
only one that noticed It. Uncle Joe
Harrington and Bill White remarked
to me concerning it,"
"HOld yOrr tongue, young fellOWp'
interrupted Simon. at can't be posi-
BILE. I shall never allow such an out
landish lie to circulate! | am here to
protect my rights, and I swear to pro-
tect the honor Of the Grey family as
long as there is breath in my body and
mind in my craniumr' And Simon
Grey, of political fame, Strengthened
up to his full six feet, and threw his
shoulders back. He looked powerful
indeed, compared with the small man
he was addressing. AS the small man
walked away, smiling to himself at
irascible Simon, our hero clenched his
teeth In rage.
give got you spotted" he muttered
to himself IF that fellow, or Joe Har-
rington, or Bill White tells In Boons-
Vile to-day that Ezra wore a Mckinley
| l. IL
what it's true, though 1t is strange |
failed to notice it, but supposin' it Is
the truth?' Simon argued to himself.
Its none Of their business If he wore
a dozen Mckinley buttons. Darn Ezra!
If he did do such a thing as that, after
promising me that he wouldn't tell my
neighbors that he was Republican, he
has disgraced my family; that is, if the
people of Boonsville hear il, but they
hall-not-know-it" he slowly NUT
| tered.
Il will keep my eyes open and see
that no report as that circulates. | hate
to fight, but my honor must be de-
| Tended"
While Simon was entertaining such
thoughts as these, Cynthia. alone at
| home, wondered as the hours wore
away what would be the result of cleo
| ton. 1t was a dreary day for her. She
| tried to knit, read or sew, 10 pass the
| hours away, but it seemed as though
she could not get interested In her work.
Noon-hour arrived and Simon had not
come home, as he had promised. Gym
]