Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1900-01-18

| J BY permission from McClure's Magazine.
| l@@~N~~~@~~
| 1t was autumn in North Dakota. The
sun shone bright and warm. and the
sky was its own bluest blue, tint
which many Il traveller in foreign lands
has said is the deepest and most vivid
OH which man gazes. There We're sudden
and chill whiffs of wind, now from the
north and now from the south, to warn
all that winter was not far away. Hud-
son, the county seat, was chat day alive
with all the hustle and stir OF the one
busy season of the year. Yonder, where
the dust clouds rose, you could be sure
was train OF teams and wagons, haul
ing great loads OF wheat to market.
Long lines OF cars stood on the railway
side-lracks, and the hoosh OF the giant
scoops, as they threw the grain from
| wagon into car, was heard all day and
| far into the night. In fields within sight
OF the town you could see thresher
crews, and the buzz OF the separat or
and the shrill foot of the engines told OF
the magical transformation OF the
masses OF broken weeds into the greatest
commodity in the world.
But Hudson was unusually agitated
that day. There was something plainly
out of the ordinary in progress That
something was the Republican county
convention. which had assembled in
Plains Hail. Plains Hall was no, at
this time exactly fitted up for conyen-
ton purposes. It. formed the second
story of the Senator's machinery ware
house. and would not be finished for
about one mouth. 1t was to be the first
real "opera-house" in the county, and
promised to be more than fine enough
for Hudson; but at present the entire
south end open; no window-sashes were
in place; no platform had been built:
shavings " ere strewn along the north
side OF the room, and a carpenters bench
served for seats for some Of the spec
tators. while the delegates to the con-
vention sat in chairs borrowed from the
hotel and the Methodist church. Jim
McDowall "from Bruce County, was
in the chair and his stentorain
tones and the resembling whacks of his
cane on the table quite drowned the
ring OF the hammer which was mailing
on the siding just behind him.
A republican county convention in
that county was n serious, if not Il
solemn, affair. There was no applause
or levity, and matters went en in a
hating, painful fashion, as ii the conven-
ton were ashamed OF itself. 1t was in
deed ludicrous that the Republicans OF
that county always took 40 much time
to deliberate on their choice ofstandard-
bearers, for ever since the county had
been organized they had not been able
to elect even one OF their nominees.
This year. however, the convention
seemed to have somewhat of excite
ment attending it's deliberations-as
much excitement. at least. as those
prosaic folks ever permitted themselves
to indulge. One after another of the
nominations was made with the utmost
serenity and decorons acquisecence; but
when Chairman McDowall, with his best
Scotch tones, the burr OF which had not
been eliminated after thirty years in
Ontario and fifteen in Dakota, annonn-
ces in his own impressive way, "Yur
nomonations for thu office OF shuriff are
now in ORDER" still deeper silence fell
upon the gathering, q sure sign in that
cline OF intense public interest. Then
Walter McDougall, red-faced gray-haired,
and huge of frame, arose, and after
slearing his throat, said, in an apollo
getic. tone, "Weel Meester Chairman,
U'll nominate Mr.. Cushman, Ned Cush-
man, fur shuriff.''
At once Mike McGauvran leaped to his
feet, and said, "l'll second the nominal
tie, Mr.. Chairman and the delegates
sat agast. Had Walter and Mike made
it up? Was the millennium in sight? For
the past ten years these two worthier,
the one Scotch and the other Irish, had
fought one another, and had carried
their battles into almost every public
and many private activities OF the
whole county.
DO i hear ony more nomonations?
Eel note. II duclare thu nomonations
closed. All in favor OF Ned Cooshman
Ter shurlff will say, Aye; them opposed
Nay. S uh vote. and Mr.. Cooshman is
yor nomonee fer shuriff."
Was that a cheer? 1t really sounded
like 1T. At any rate there was hand !
clapplnS and feet-stanrping and scatter |
ed cries OF g Speech which surprised no
one as much as the delegates themselves.
This great crisis brought the chairman
to his ieet, and, gazing steadily toward |
the back OF the hall, with the utmost |
gravity and solemnity. and with dicta-
torlal emphasis, he declared. .Uh speech |
is called fer. Mr.. Cooshman.''
In the direction OF his gaze sat q young
man whom few would pass in Fifth Ave.
nue. and Copley Square without second
glance. His tall, athletic torn showed
strength i'll it's every line. and the keen.
bright eye was full Of life and fire. The
face wasnow OF a swarthy hue, thanks to !
the work of the North Dakota sun on u
skin whose delicate texture. previous to |
the past five years, had not known a
greater exposure than thar found in the
White Mountains or at Nahant, He was
lust now biting his lips with vexation;
but after moments pause, he rose
quickly, and stepping to the side OF the
chairman, spoke in quiet clear tones:
Gentlemen OF the convention, l have
20 thank you for the heartness and
and sincerity OF this nomination. There
Ire many reasons why l should not
accept it: but as | have urged others in
The past years to accept when there
we're few chances Tor victory, feel that
cannot with decency refuse.
II am very glad to see such harmony
prevailing to-day, and | hope it will
continue throughout the entire cam
'aign. l feel that any one who engenders
trife in this party is it's worst enemy.
[,he conditions within. orr Marty in this