The Topeka state journal., 1900-05-26

At the front of the long train, watching
it all, was Martin of the Third ward
slender, keen eyed and determined. AS
the train started he swung on the steps
of the smoker and went inside.
When they were well away from the
town and were speeding between high
walls of corn and glistening seas of
wheat, Martin sauntered through the
train, until he came to the chair car.
The pOrtly gray-haired man sat in the
rear seat, looking thoughtfully out of
the window. Martin leaned over.
Come back to the diner with me.
Blair"
The other was startled.
You on board? I thought I left all
of you fellows behind" with a forced
smile.
by myself
The twain made their way to the
rear of the train, and sat at a small
table laden with china and silver.
Get good dinner" urged Martin, as
the waiter approached.
SO there were soups, roasts and des-
serts-but little conversation until the
last course. The train halted again.
Martin noticed that most of the people
on the station platform recognized him.
and he was unc0nsciouSly a little proud
that he was seen at table in the dining
car with the congressman of the dis
| tTict-twO luXurieS of moment to the
prairie population.
'Well," began Martin, as the putting
| engine resumed its flight from mountain
to sea, how do you find things?'
Pretty bad, Martin. The fight is the
| worst one in the district"
And you can't afford fghts,'' with
| just the suspicion of a sneer.
NO, I can't; and that is what wor-
ries me. I've just got to have another
term, Martin"
4 thought so-welI. fix things so that
| McLaren can win and you'll get Mattel
county in the convention
May be; but honestly and frankly,
Martin-I'm talking to you as a friend
| nOw-hoW can I turn down the old
MANI"
That's your lookout We made our
fight on you for the nomination two
years ago and got licked. Your friends
! laughed at us and threw rocks at us.
but that was all right. You know all
that and there's no need of beating
around the bush between us" He
| glanced uneaSily over his shoulder to
make sure that no one was listening.
I'VE have been fixing up our fences
and Mattel county is going against you
sure this time-unless we get together
Our side of the party is going to be
recognized this time. We're only com
mon prairie folks and may be don't look
so nice as some you've been rubbing
up against in Washington, but you've
got to have our county's vote in the
convention to nominate you-what dc
you say?"
Martin had rehearsed this speech tC
himself several times, and delivered il
with a feverish earneStness that was
not lost on his listener.
The congressman was looking out oi
the window. but he did not see ths
fields of grain nor the waving corn. h
saw in the cumulus clouds near the
horizon the swelling dome of the cap
itol at Washington and his seat on this
left side of the representative chamber
He saw a bank book with 20. D." il
red ink at frequent intervals and somt
notes signed by friends and used il
his campaign expenses At last ht
spoke:
I'll think about it, Martin I wan
to do what's the best thing for the party
and for the town, of course. You know
Landor's making a strong fight for thi
place-and suppose he needs it,
$50 do lots of people need it, but thi!
amt a charity proposition. You hav,
got to look out for your own fight ant
the party's. Now, McLaren has beer
committeeman from the First ward 70
Hasn't Landor been a good membe
of the party?'
yes, I suppose so-but you see. h
! is kind of a back number, not one O
; the boys. You know what I mean. H
used to do things, but don't get to tn
front now"
: ''WeI, he certainly has lots of friends
| I used to know him well and he is
very good man, but I'll see about it an
viii remember what you've said"
Blair had been trying for months t
, | decide whom to recommend for ap
pointment for postmaster at Axfore
- | The district was pivotal, and had bee
| carried by the opposition three time
I, in the last decade. His party in tn
: county of Mattel, of which AFFORD wa
the county seat, was divided into fac
. | tlOnS- one was loyal to him, and tn
, other Of which Martin (who was am
bilious for honors later on) was til
leader, had fought his nomination i
both of his former contests. Now tn
: bitterness engendered- threatened to los
a him the delegation from Mateel-an
/ that might mean loss of the nonina
T ton. He had just been to the tow
but accomplished little.