Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1900-01-25
BY permission from Mcclure's Magazine.

W "
and chat with Mary Somers. She had
expected to BE- graduated the next year
from Springville Academy, and was now
bent on completing her course with her
class. He had offered. at first patronlz-
ingly, to help her in her Latin transla-
ton. and soon became very much
interested and eager in the work. The
really keen insight into meanings. and
the uuvarying search for all Information
possible to thoroughly illumine the text
first attracted Cushman Later, her
bright comments and thehappy awaken
ing which comes to the budding brain
were to him most fascinating, aud he
would often find himself smiling at some
recollection Of a bright phrase or sally
while he was following the threshers or
drilling in the wheat. One picture,
especially, became part OF his memory.
1t was the day her eyes were opened to
the avarice of men thirsty for money by
| whatever means. a sight OF social misery
so common and yet so revolving. He
could never forget the look OF anguish
which she wore that evening when he
met her. She scarcely asked him to be
seated, in her intense interest in this new
phenomenon, but exclaimed, ''Did you
hear about John O'Neill and his family
turned out to starve?"
| YES" he replied quietly, Il knew it
was coming. Two years ago l warned
Jack to beware OF Webster. But he was
land-insane; he had been seized with the
earth-hunger which takes hold OF 40
many newcomers in this country, and he
kept on buying, here Il quarter and there
an eighty, until he was carrying fear
iul load. The dry spring cut down the
yield. aud the hail cleaned him OUT
"But," she cried, almost as il she were
in pain. "do Won Justify Webster, and
can't we do anything to help O'Nell?"
"No," he answered, as quietly as
before, 81 do not justify Webster: but he
has right to his pound OF flesh. and
our laws have no interpreter like Portla
to Nrest it from him. His acts are
strictly legal, according to The terms OF
the miserable mortgage which ONelll
was fool to sign. So lar as doing any
thing for him is concerned, l have told
Grey & Co. to let him have what he
wants for the present. and he and his
family will stay in my old shack, which
I don't need just now, until he can get a
better place. Some day, hope, such
men as Webster will not be tolerated in
this community. BY the way. 1 don't
mind telling you that haven't spoken
to that man since the st. Clair fore
closure, which took place about year
ago. very similar to the O'Neill case,
except that Mrs. st. Clair is widow
with three children.
"Oh thank your she cried, while hel
eyes shone with an almost fond light
81 am SO glad to know that you treat
Webster as he deserves. And it was SO
kind of YOU to let the O'Neills use your
old house. Few would have been sc
considerable and generous"
These words kept ringingin Cushman'
ears as he walked through the fields
and there were other light and delicate
utterances. nothing in phraseology
perhaps, but made vivid and intense
with the impulse OF the heart and sou!
OF the true woman whose lips framed
them. His experience with women had
been limited. although, like many an
have laughed at the suggestion. He
had known many girls and women, but
they were grouped into two classes
those whom he met at the symphony
drawing-room, and sea-shore, either
vain, frivolous. and vacuous, or severely
intellectual and conventional. Since he
had come to Dakota the Manufactured
and practical matron OF the prairie had
constituted the third class. Mary
Somers, indeed, was new type to him
and, consequently, dangerous. He learn
ed OF his peril by degrees, but would not
believe that it was really imminent. To
surely ward it off he was now entering
upon this political experience, with its
excitement and new trend OF thought
which, as he bravely told himself, woulC
certainly cure him of the ''foolishness."
When next he visited the Somers home
, he told Mary gaily that he had goneinte
politics, hiding, quite eharacteristically
all humane and righteous motives fol
his action.
Eyes, so William said," she observed
in quiet way. "You know he is a
Democrat
AS thoroughly accustomed as Cush
man was to her blunt and unconven
tional remarks, he could not help think
ing this q very odd method OF con
graduation, to say the least. But he
no sign, simply observing: "Oh. yes
SO he is; but we shall have no quarre
on that account. You know, I must
conciliate good many Democrats to be
elected
$50 William says" was again hel
reply. in the same tone. This was quite
annoying, and Cushman soon felt that
his call was failure. Mary was evident.
ly abstractcd, and he left the cottage in
very wondering and uncomfortable
spirit.
| CONSERVATION came upon the Demo
Gratis as the result OF Cushman's nomina
tion Their convention was called for 8
week after the republican convention
and when the leaders came together fol
conference, it was plain that they were
worried and almost desperate. Severa
of the members OF the gang had aspira
tons for the nomination for sheriff, but
they were brutally waved aside by the
chairman OF the county committee with
a sneer. ''None OF you fellers can make
it again Ned Cushman, specially after
the raw deal Barnes has given thu
people," The special danger was that
the voters would disregard party and
vote for the honest man, when it came
to sheriff, ah office which, with it's high
lees and rich "plums," the party could
not afford to lose. So the managers
determined on the step always under
taken by rogiIes in such cases. They
decided Tn MT nm fhA most np0rlV fAllt.