The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1900-03-20
WHEN THE
SERPENT ENTERED.
How Mr. Brown Got into and out
of Politics.
N~%~~%~%~%~~%%%~%%~>

my DEAR" said Mrs. Thomas Brown,
'tthis is the twelfth anniversary Of our
wedding day. 1 believe you had for
gotten it."
"Wen, 1 haven't" replied the Hon.
Thomas Brown, with fine show Of in
dignahon. ssI'm not likely to forget
the day when got you. I remember
every detail with perfect clearness."
"What kind of dresses did the brides
maids wear?"
"And," continued Mr.. Brown, artful-
" evading the question, ''I'm sure that
we have plenty Of cause to be thankful
and happy. Certainly no man ever had
a better wife,"
Thank you, my dear, and come
home early tonight, so that we may
have little celebration"
After this pleasing episode the Hon.
Thomas Brown started down town to
his office. On his way to the train he
made up his mind that he would send
home basket Of fruit and some roses
and later in the day he would stop at
the jewelers. to look at the bracelet his
wife had admired.
1t was strange, he reflected, how lit
tie happiness some people get out OF
life. Here was he, still on the sunny
side of 40, with sufficient income,
devoted wife, two beautiful children
and not worry in the world. His
place In his profession was assured.
His neighbors respected him. He could
see no cloud on the horizon Of his
hopes. He was as near complete con-
tentment as men get.
In the reception room of his office
half dozen men were waiting. He
recognized one as a well known poll
tician and greeted him with some
what chilly nod as he closed the door
of his private room. A clerk, however,
followed him and ushered in the dele
CATION.
We've come" said the spokesman.
ito ask you to be our candidate for
the state senate"
The Hon. Thomas Brown thanked
them and said he had neither the time
nor money to spare.
''But it will take hardly any time
and less money" was the answer.
"You can be elected without bit of
trouble. You know the situation. Now
think it over and let us know tomor-
row."
As result of the succeeding excite
ment, which Mr.. Brown could not con-
ceal, at least from himself, he forgot
the fruit, the roses and the diamonds.
Senator Thomas Brown" did have an
ear filing sound, as he repeated it I'M
der his breath.
At s o'clock he started to go home.
Four professional friends met him at
the door, They called him Senator
and escorted him out to drink his
health. 1t was o'clock before he got
out to the South Side.
His wife met him at the door. Her
usual placidity was somewhat shaken.
"Why, Tom, what's the matter?' she
said 81 asked you to get home early,
and here it is after o'clock and din
ner half spoiled"
'I've been asked to run for the SEN
ate, my DEAR" said the Hon. Thomas
Brown impressively.
"And what did you say"
'sTold them I'd give them an answer
after l had consulted my wife" said
Mr.. Brown, who had already begun to
use the wiles of politician.
81 hate to think of your going into
politics, Tom, and
'But the senate isn't exactly politics.
/ am assured that l can be elected |
without an effort on my part. If 1t
was going to make any change in our
home life, 1 wouldn't think of it. And, |
besides, it's my duty, you know. It's
my duty to the state. That will prob |
ably decide me-"
81 thought you were going to consult
your wifeY'
.3Thats what I'm doing now. If
you
"Lets go in and see if any of the
dinner Is fit to eat. We can talk 1t
over afterward."
The soup was served, when there
came a ring at the bell. The maid an
nounced party of gentlemen to see
Mr.. Brown.
"Tell them Mr.. Brown is at dinner"
said his wife, land ask them to sit |
down"
Don't you think had better go out |
for second and see who it is?' inter
rupted the prospective senator. at |
might be somebody from the Office on
important business, you know" So
quickly had the virus of political am
bftion begun to do it's deadly work.
An hour later the Hon. Thomas
Brown found the dining room deserted. |
His indignant wife was up stairs In |
her sitting room.
We'll, If this is the way you are 60
ing to the senate, you will never go
with my consent" she broke out. Il
heard you telling those men you were
always glad and proud to welcome
them to your humble home, and then l
looked out the window and saw that |
old Pitzmacher, the saloon keeper, was
at the head of them. If that's politics, |
I'd rather have the mumps."
"But, you see, Pitzmacher is the |
member of the city central committee |
from this ward, and the others are the |
officers Of the ward club. They came
over to congratulate me on my eandi-
dacy for the senate. l couldn't do less I
than thank them, could /? They've |
a mass meeting for this even
ing to indorse me, and l suppose I'll
have to go over and make them little |
speech"
81 thought you wouldn't have to turn
over your hand?"
"Well, you know a candidate is bound
to get the Endorsement of his home
ward. Once l get that fixed up, you'll
see that there'll be no more trouble"
An hour later Pitzmacher drove up |
in an old hack, and the Hon. Thomas
Brown descended to welcome him. His I
wife gave him fair warning.
IF you go riding around on the |
streets with that man, Tom Brown" !
she called after him down the stairs, I
"I'll never be seen on the street with /
you again. What do you suppose the 7
neighbors will say?"
In the gray hours of the early morn
ing the hack again drew up before the
house, and Mr.. Brown entered his once
quiet and happy dwelling. As the door
closed crowd Of men and boys, who
had followed the hack from the meet,
ing place, cheered loudly.
1t was o'clock before Mr. Brown
for breakfast His wife re-
ceived him with plying smile, in
which tears and anger were equally
She laid before him a copy
of The Morning Echo and pointed in !
silence TO the headlines over an article