The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1900-10-04
CHAPTER Iv.-(Continued.o

CHAPTER IV.-(Continued.o
Certainly; l want good times, but If
we got them I'd never thank a Repub.
lican administration for it."
Suppose Bryan had been elected and
times improved, would you thank him
for it?". f..
Indeed, I would"
Then you are partial, Simon. Why
not think if such were the case that
it was q Populist scheme to deceive the
peopleT
Because Bryan's an honest man."
How do you knowY"
"How do I know anything? My paper
says he's honest.'
But how do you know it's the
truthY
"see here. How do you know he's
dishonest"
II don't. Neither do I know he is
honest. l am not personally acquaint-
ed with the man, but 1 do know that
he has charged outrageous high pay for
making speeches over the country. 1t
seems to me that q man who hates the
rich, and SO dearly loves the poor,
would not care to accumulate wealth so
fast. taking the dollars out Of the labor
er's pockets. I tell you, Simon, if
times get better, you ought to change
your politics."
"Just wait till they get better. You'll
have to wait till doomsday for times
to improve under Republican rule"
Political Simon then walked into the
store and placed his basket of eggs on
~the7counter. 1si
What are eggs worth to-day?" he
inquired Of the clerk.
1.-TWO cents more than they were be-
fore election" the clerk quickly re-
sponded.
"Well," said Simon, who knew the
clerk was Republican, "you needn't be
SO id glad to tell it. 1 see that Re-
publicans like yourself are dreadful
naughty because prices are a little bet
ter, but you'll grin the other way when
this little Mckinley wave breaks"
"Mr. Grey, whenever this wave, as
you call it, breaks, it will turn into
foam Of prosperity. Just notice"
How easy" said Simon, 'some peo-
pie are deluded. 1 see some fellows out
there on the street a-shakin' gold coin.
I expect they inherited the pieces as
an heirloom in the family, and they
have been keepin' them all these years
to get a chance to show 'em now, to
prove that all u gold isn't in England
or the Government vaults"
why Mr.. Grey, everybody can have
gold now. Confidence is restored, and
gold will nee more circulate. Just take
a check to the bank, and see if the
banker won't cash it in gold"
Political Simon doubted very much
what the clerk said, and resolved with
in his own mind to go back home and
bring two or three hogs to town, If they
weren't very fat, just to prove in his
W mind that the clerk was mistaken.
Sooner than Cynthia expected, Simon
came home. During the campaign it
had been his custom to stay so long in
town that she was surprised to see him
return in an hour.
Cynthia" he said, as he entered the
house, II have decided to sell two or
three hogs while this Mckinley wave
lasts, for no tellin' what they'll be
worth after n while"
what did you get for the eggs?'
"Two cents more than before. You
make the hens hurry and lay before
they go down."
maybe times amt goin' to be as bad
as predicted" said Cynthia.
"Now, Cynthia, womena as n rule have
weak minds, and are easily influenced,
and I want you to be on your guard.
Better prices for a few days is the bait
these goldbugs set to catch people on
their hook, but I trust none Of my fam
lily will bite"
II suppose you are right, Simon, but
time will prove all things. Accordin'
to your brother Ezra, success of the
Populist ticket would not bring any
| benefits"
Cynthia, don't you ever mention
Ezra's idea of things. 1t has made me
enough trouble without abiding to it.
In an indirect way, Ezra's Republican
ism is the cause of my sore head. If he
knew how l have suffered for him, for
the honor of the Grey family, 1 have an
idea that he'd turn Populist."
Maybe we had better write and tell
him then"
"Great heavens, no! If I'd have licked
the daylight out of Harrington, as l
first intended to-, it might do, but as
he's able to be up and around it would
be better not to refer it. Just let hard
times prove his mistake to him. He'll
be a Populist-mind, body and soul
fore many years roll by"
Simon and his wife continued to talk
for some time, and then Simon went
back to Boonsville with his hogs, re-
turning in the evening with a $40 gold
piece.
Wed better keep it for a curiosity
said Simon.
"And hogs are a better price, too, are
they, father?" inquired Winnie.
Yes, everything is improving to de-
lude people,"
1t seemed to Winnie a very pleasant
delusion, and four months later It
seemed to her to be lasting a long
while; that the Mckinley wave must
be a large one, for times continued to