The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1900-11-01
A STORY OF COUNTRY LIFE.

last year the Democrats and Populists
goaded William Mckinley, jeered at
him, because he hesitated to declare
war against Spain. Dewey's victory at
Manila originated expansion. All
through the hot summer of 1898 there
were no Democrats, no Republicans,
nor Populists-only Americans, rejoic-
ing in the achievement of Admiral
Dewey. Then President Mckinley
was rumored to have said, Only the
city of Manila will be retained. 1t will
be the American Hong Kong and don't
you remember. Simon, what a cry of
indignation went up? What" cried the
Democrats and Populists of last year;
give up the spoils of victory? What!
Haul down the flag? What! Give up
the finest thing in the whole business?
'Wha-at"!
Now, Simon, any reasoning man
knows that if Mckinley had not in
structed the Peace Commissioners sent
to Paris to demand the whole Philip
pine archipelago; if he Lad turned and
given up the island, as was first pro-
posed, l say, you know, Simon, what
the Democrats would be doing to-day.
1t wouldn't be natural for them to
| agree with Mckinley. Why, the Dem
ocrats and Populist parties would be
crazy for expansion"
well Ezra, you can't deny the fact
favor of anti-imperialism, and that is,
| William Jennings Bryan, the greatest
man now living"
You're right, Simon; that wonderful
Bryan is against the governments ex-
pansion policy, the same as he is
against every other policy of this adj
ministration, but one somewhat re-
markable fact is that while Mr.. Bryan
so viciously attacks the policy of this
administration in its conduct of Philip
pine affairs, he has not yet Informed
even his party of what ought to be
done in those islands. Would he have
the United States troops withdrawn?
Would he haul down the flag and give
up the islands at this juncture"
WELL" said Simon, carelessly, you
have wasted a great deal of precious
breath on me since you came last night,
haven't you"
"Wasted?' said Cynthia. Eyes, that's
right, Ezra. Every time you try to con-
vince Simon that he's mistaken about
anything you're just wastin' your
breath. He's one of these kind of fell
lers that's perfect. He never makes
mistakes" said Cynthia, sarcasticaliy.
Now, 1 believe" she added, that
when a person sees their mistakes they
ought to rectify 'em. Now, l made a
mistake when l argued against the Re-
publicans and predicted that they
would make hard times. Time has
proven that, and 1 am ready to rectify
1t. l don't wan to be agin everything,
as Mr.. Murphy said, especially when
everything's all right"
"Say, pa" said Jimmie, mas turned
Republican, and Anna jest told Mary,
out in the yard, that she's agoin' to see
Vipnie, and Mary said she guessed
she'd go to, in spite of what you say.
trouble"
IF he's got trouble, he has no one to
blame but himself" said Cynthia.
Then Jimmie ran out of the door,
shouting:.
"Hurrah for Mckinley! and Johnny
took, up the cry, till anybody would
have supposed the whole family to be
thoroughly Republican.
This riled Political Simon up to such
a height that he soon forgot his resolu-
ton, and jumping up, said he guessed
he'd have to make a few corrections in
his family; and by the sound of the
yelps given by Johnny and Jimmie it
! was evident that they We're the first
corrected: then he proceeded to tell
Anna and Mary how they would have
to do If they remained at home; and
then in his rage swore that Ezra was
, the cause Of the whole rumpus.
No more was said that day, and ST.
mon Grey was left with his medita-
lions.
The next morning, as soon as he met
his family, he said to Cynthia:
"Send for Winnie, mother, and we will
have a family reunion"
You a guess, my readers, what an
effect that remark produced. Why,
Cynthia, Anna. Mary and the boys all
tried to embrace him at once, and they
all cried for joy.
Winnie was sent for post haste, and
the following morning as Cynthia was
preparing a big" dinner for the prodi-
gal child, the sound Of carriage wheels
were heard.
ITS Winnie and Glen" they all whis-
pered, and everybody scrambled to m
brace her first. Simon was on hand.
and with tears in his eyes helped her
alight, and asked her to forgive him.
W. will leave our hero here, mid
pleasant family surroundings, and my
readers can imagine for themselves
how Simon Grey cast his ballot in No
vember, 1900.
~ Nh F-l N .s.