West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1900-05-24
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BOWSER IN TROUBLE.
He is a Candidate for Alderman
and Gets Taste Of "Praeti.
cal Politics"
The Gang Draws ON Him for Campaign
Contributions and Gets 1.-THE
Throw Down."

why she didn't begin, but she held her
peace. Whatever had happened, he
couldn't keep it long to himself. lie grew
more self important as dinner progressed,
but IL was not until their return to the sitting
room that he lighted a cigar, ,hrus, his
thumbs into his vest holes and with grea,
eondescension said
"Mrs. Bowser, ] am ready TO be con.
graduated"
"Upon what ?" she asked.
Upon being alderman of the -Four.
teenth ward"
"when did that happen : hadn't heard
of any city election being held"
''No election has been held, but you are
looking at an alderman. just the same. A
surprise isn't IL thought il would be.
How will il sound to hear yourself addressed
as Mrs. Alderman Bowser p
$50 you've gone into politics p'' she
queried, as she watched him walk up and
down with what he thought was Roman
empire Pait.
81 have. couldn't help it. You know
that have fought for the last 20 years
10 keep out of politics, but have had to
succumb a, last. Yes, Mrs. Bowser, may
be mentioned as having entered the arena
of public life"
at is very sudden, isn't il 1''
''Well, perhaps, though have been ex-
pecting it for some time. l have seen that
our party in this ward lacked cohesion and
leader. l have realized that there was
but one who could lead it to victory"
"And you are the man ?"
81 am the man, Mrs. Bowser," he replied,
as he drew himself up, swelled out his chest
and looked to weigh ton. The family
cat came out from under the piano aud
rubbed against his leg and arched her back
and tried to look as big as barrel
'Well, you'll make donkey of youself, 4"
said Mrs. Bowser, as she turned away.
al expected you would say so, of course,
and il will not alter my determination. II
is alderman this year-mayor next--goyer-
nor next. may not stop there. You may
some day tread the floors of the White
| House.
Mrs. Bowser sighed wearily, while the
cat uttered yeowl and made a dive under
the lounge. Mr.. Bowser walked up and
down and blew out great clouds of smoke
and looked as near like Richard Croker and
George Washington as he knew how.
Finding the argument was at an end, he
said
al am going out for a couple of hours.
/ have to meet the ward committee and
arrange matters. If l am not home by
9 o'clock, you can go to bed"
She made no reply, and he clapped on
his hat and passed out. He had arranged
to meet the committee at certain saloon,
but he had not yet opened his own gate
when tough looking man who was ap-
parently waiting for him stepped forward
aud said
"Say, old man, have you got quarter in
your clothes p
"What 7'' exclaimed Mr. Bowser. ''who
are you sir 20
'I hangs out in Plum street, and I con
trolls 80 votes. Got to come and see
me, old man, il you want to be alder.
man. wants quarter now, and well
arrange about de Doodle later on"
"Sir, there will be no quarter and no
Doodle see now that yon are a ward
heeler, but don't think you can bleed me.
Not penny, sir -
''Den you'll git de Zip flop and come
down like house." growled the fellow
as he slouched off.
On the corner a second one was waiting.
lie put himself in Mr. Bowser's road, and
when he had halted him he said
''Dis hoIerin' fur man is dry work,
boss, and de boys want half dollar to wet
deir whistles"
"Another heeler, eh ? Well, you tell
your crowd to drink water. How dare you
block my way ?"
"Den we's got a kicker. has we - sneefed
the man as he moved aside. Gan right,
old man. It's de gang what runs dis ward.
and de gang will rrow you down wild a
bang 2"
AZ the door Of the saloon was a group Of
three. Each one made a grab for a button
hole as Mr.. Bowser came mp, and after a
feeble cheer the leader asked for 81 to "wet
up" the boys who we're waiting few doors
away.
'Iook here - exclaimed Mr. Bowser as
he elbowed them off. "Iet me say to you
right now and here that this is no lager beer
campaign. There will be no drinking at my
expense"
"Deu dere won't be no voGn' fur you r'
"All right DO as you like"
Mr.. Bowser entered the saloon to find the
committee waiting. There we're also a
dozen outsiders. No one had spent any
moncy for beer. Zach one had held on to
his thirs, ill the candidate could show up.
Every man rose 20 bis feet as Mr.. Bowscr
entered and the number who lined up to the
bar was a..
els il beer fur the crowd ?" asked the
/ ssloonist, with a bland smile.
81 did no, come here TO buy beer for a
crowd, i" replied Nc Bowser.
There was moment Of awful silence.
and men turned pale. Then a murmur
arose, and half dozen men began cursine
in loud tones. Some ono might have laid
hands on Mr.. Bowser had not the chairman
Of the committee lifted up his hand and his
voice and said