Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-04-14
Joshua Bakers Downfall
JOSHUA BAKER,s dowpfall beva

JOSHUA BAKERS downfall =. began
u with the election of women to tho
school board. In the little Massachu-
sets hill town where he Lived he had
ruled, withza roo. of iron, since the UNI
lucky day,when he was sezt to repre-
sent his, district ip the legislature.
That was his introduction into public
life, AID it created within Linn an in
satisble appetite for Office.
he had been fsst selecfpaan and
chairman of the school board for more
yearsfthan we younger peopiacould re-
member, and in both capacities rode
roughshod over his companioRs in of
nee. uherevwas a q, magnetic, power
about the man, or he,would not have
been reelectedayear after year. He was
an efficient and faithful public servant.
but associat ionrwith him in the admin
istration of town affairs was an UNI
pleasant, task, which few craved
The novelty of placing women.on the
school board strongly appealed TO the
people OF 'ahe town-we will call it,
Rdgevtlle. The first year the plan was
adopted, Mrs Abel ,Ayres and Miss
Samantha Dock became Joshua Bak-
er's partnersin Office. The former pos
sessed fine <education and great ,cul-
ture, but was totally lacking In fight
{ ing ability. This deficiency was moro
than made up, however. by Miss 5Sa-
mantha. who had, a very determined
mind OF her, own, and enjoyed nothing
better than a tilt with her.aeighbors-
When the result of she election was
I'm,
was inevitable, and it's beginning was
awaited with keen expectancy. 1t
came even sooner than was appre-
hended.
Joshua Baker frewnea and Acmmed
/. and hawed when he read. one morning
a week later, o note he had juss taken
+ from the post office.
'tDear Sir" il hogan. EVE, the nnder-
ssigned, e beg leave to inform you that
there will be meeting OF, the schoo!
board tomorrow evening, in the Sc
-1ectmen's room, for organjEa ton and
the transaction Of routine business"
And it was signed by Mrs. Abel Ayres
and Miss Samantha Dock ItSvas writ
ten in Miss Samantha's nervous hand,
and every letter breathed defiance.
The post office was filed with idIcss.
Joshua's face betrayed his vexation,
and in response to query as to the
cause of it. he read the note aloud in
a clear, deliberate voice which, never
theless. attempted no conceaiment. of
9his disgust. That was his frat mis-
take.
wal, IN be tblowed!" calculated
Silas Virgins, the village blacksmith.
Pretty 'headstroHg, amt they? TAX
An the reins right into their own
hands,
Indeed they are. Mr.. Virgins" re-
piled Joshua. Indeed they are, sir.
But they wiki find they can gain no adj
vantage over me by such a course.
shall not attend the meeting"
"Yed best not stay away" ventured
Mr.. Virgins, after short pause.
They'd be electing one of themselves
chairman, and nobody knows what
other nonsense. Pears to me ye'd
ought to be there, for the safety of the
public, if for no other reason"
This was a new thought to Joshua.
He hemmed and frowned more violent
ly than before.
II believe you are right, Mr.. Wig
gins" he said, at last. eyes, you are
certainly right. My obligations to the
public cannot be laid aside 1 will at
tend the meeting end," raising his
voice, my good friends, I invite you all
to be present"
That was Joshua's second blunder.
1t was customary in those days for the
meetings of the school board TO be open
to the public. but the privilege was sell ;
dom taken advantage of. On this occa-
sion, however, the selectmen's room
was crowded. Mrs. Abel and Miss Sa-
mantha were at first surprised, then /,
vexed, when they understood that
Joshua had especially invited the {
crowd to witness their defeat. Saman-
tha's bfack eyes snapped dangerously.
I'VE may as well begin at once" she
said, as Joshua, the last of the three.
entered the room. wen ballot for
chairman first"
The committeewomen and the lone
committeeman seated themselves at
the long table and prepared their bal
lots. Samantha counted them, calmly
taking this responsibility upon herself.
There was enc vote for each of the
three members. Joshua's face was a
study. He had never seriously doubted
that he would be elecIed at once, as he
had been for so many years. The two
%omep exchanged significant glapces.