The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1900-09-20
A STORY OF COUNTRY LIFE.
III.

/ Vii a.H ..a.Hra. ,Hg.5A.Et
CHAPTER III.
Simon's Fight for His Honor.
Election day arrived. Boonsville was
early filed with voters, passing up and
down the streets, 'lectioneering fol
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 or
his face. 1t seemed to him that he had
q great deal to be thankful for. Ezra
had visited at his place for over a
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 III.
mored to be doubtful" Simon Grey
would corner, and address as follows,
In O familiar way: "My good fellow,
l hope you are on the right side.
trust that you will cast your ballot in
such a way that you may claim a share
of the honor of Bryan's victory. Here
Is a cigar, my good fellow. Smoke it in
remembrance of my daughter Winnie,
who is running for County Superinten.
dent. You know her educational quail.
tiles; not Dragging at all, but really
she is as smart a gal as there is in
Marble County. Glen Harrington,
though Professor of the High School
here in Boonsville, 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 agin 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
for such hypocritical men, 1 have great
contempt"
Then somebody remarked: "You'd
better be careful, Simon, how you rid
icule your future son-in-law."
"~Son-in-law" Simon drawled out.
Hell never be a son-in-law of mine
till he leaves that d. party and joins
the Farmers Alliance. I have this
much to say, though, in Glen Harring-
toms favor. He's young yet, and he
may reform. But one thing is sure; 1
shall new allow a daughter of mine
to marry a Republican"
One of the men, to whom Simon was
giving advice, asked him what his
brothers politics were.
20, Ezra's gone home" replied ST.
mon, rather %uneasily. II told him to
60 home, where he could vote, for we
didn't want to miss a single Free Sill
yer vote"
Hes a Populist, then, is he"
Simon hesitated. Should he tell a lie
to protect the honor Of the Grey fam
lily? Certainly, if it were necessary.
well, | guess So" he said, earnestly.
I'D be ashamed if there was a Grey
outside of the Populist party"
Your brother isn't as much of a poll
tician as you are, is he? No one seems
to have heard him talk politics."
mo, he Is not. I wanted him to give
a series Of lectures in favor of Free
Silver while he was in Boonsville, but
he wouldn't exert himself that much"
wonder, Simon," the fellow said,
~chuckling, "why he had a Mckinley
button on the lapel Of his coat the
morning he went away"
Great heavens, mani" exclaimed
Simon, with a Mortified expression on
his face. "He wouldn't be caught dead
with a Mckinley button on! Are you
crazy?"
mo, sir, Pm not crazy. 1t is an ac-
tual fact, for I saw it myself when he
was standing in the depot awaiting
the train. What's more, 1 wasn't the
only one that noticed it. Uncle Joe
Harrington and Bill White remarked
to me concerning it."
Hold your tongue, young felloww
interrupted Simon. ut can't be posi-
BILE. I shall never allow such an out
landish lie to circulate! I 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 craniumv 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.
1--WE 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
button, I'll down 'em. No doubt but
what it's true. though it is strange I
failed to notice it, but supposin' 1t 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 Boonsyille hear it, but they
Notwithstanding he slowly NUT
tered.
II will keep my eyes open and see
that no report as that c%irculates. I 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