Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1900-01-25
The Man for Sheriff.
A Dakota Story.
BY
F. B. TRACY.
permision
BY
F. B. TRACY.
Copyright October 1899.

Copyright October 1899.
"broker," as he called himself, arose.
There was sneer on his face and q ma
lignant CLEAN in his eye when he began:
Gentlemen OF the convention, the mi
nority Of this county has placed in nomi-
nation for the Office of sheriff of this
county dainty young fellow from the
far East-Bosting l think they call it
there; and some OF his party say they re
going to elect this heightened chap to
that Office. They're going to come
around to some OF us here, wantin' our
support for him, for they know he can't
be elected, except by Democratic votes.
And we all know that, if he should hap
pen to get elected, every last one of them
fellows would be howlin' around, how
the Republicans carried thiscounty!''
AT this point there was stir of ap-
plause which vastly encouraged the Or
ator; and he proceeded with increased
energy and enthusiasm, concluding in
this way:
1.-The minority party in this county al
ways talks as if 1t had hogged all the
virtue in the whole county; that's their
style. They are braggin' around here
that this young dandy is so far ahead
and above anybody that we can nomi-
nate that he will surely be elected.
Gentlemen am going to place in nomi-
nation for the position OF sheriff man
whose name and face areknown to- you all
and who needs no praises from me. He
is an honest man, q man of the best
character and reputation, and hard
worker. like the rest OF us, although he
don't claim to have college education
and don't part his hair in the middle.
He will do the evies right and will give
us all square treatment. The man whom
| nominate to thresh the ground with
this young dude from the East, is our
honored and esteemed pioneer OF White
Oak township, William H. Somers.'
The speaker had so played upon the
ence, as we'll as excited their curiosity,
that it was burst of real applause, led
OF course by the claquers, which arose as
he finished. The nomination was at
once seconded, and carried unanimously.
1t was a great surprise. Somers hadnot
been al all prominent in politics and had
never attended any of the county con-
ventions. In spite OF this fact, however,
be was Il bitter partisan and not free
from ambition. He had been approach
ed by some OF the leaders just previous
to Cushman's last visit to his sister, and
although he had given them no definite
answer at the time. his narrow sus-
picious soul and his party bias, being
: cultivated to a high point, had induced
HIM to make the race.
Campaigning for county office in North
Dakota is sui generis. OF speech-making
there is none, OF hand shaking there is
much. National and state issues are OF
little avail. The matter is largely indi-
} vidual. Ned Cushman made q most
careful and painstaking canvass over a
} region larger than the State of Rhode Is
land and very much more difficult to
; traverse. His German and French help
ed him greatly (although his French was
) very unlike the patos OF the :Breeds")
and he humorously wrote to his aunt
} that for the first time i'll his life his col
lege education was Of benefit to him. He
found in few days that campaigning
had it's light and pleasing phases. He
made no false basis OF acquaintance
with the people. Many OF them had
; heard OF his kind and generous actions
as in the case OF the O'Nell family, and
their hearts warmed to this young man
who really seemed to have pure aim
!. and who wished to help those who need
: ed help. The factional strife melted
: away under the pressure of Cushman's
candidacy. He found himself saying
airy nothings with as much grace and
much less strain OH his conscience than
in ball room, and his driver declared
: ON the third day out that Ned was 8
born campaigner. He did not fail to
, meet angry and hostile people, OF course
: but he remained cool, and left them with
3 much less resentment.
On the other hand, Somers elected little
sympathy, and lost votes. In some
places he assumed familiarity which
!, was plainly forced and which Disguised
} the most obtuse. In other places he was
. his true self, cold and naughty, and this
r damaged his cause. Toward the latte,
part OF the campaign, the county chair
man became frightened, and went with
him on all his trips, endeavoring to help
him and turn back the tide which had
plainly set in toward Cushman. Ever
Somers virtues were telling against him
: "By thunder!'' growled the chairman to
the secretary, after a long drive with
, Somers, Il believe Jack DeLano, with al
his drunkenness would have rum better. .
Oue evening OOHeIS was IeCufulu&
home in very ugly frame OF mind. He
, had just paid second visit to strong
Democratic township, and found the
Cushman sentiment stronger than on his
) previous visit. He had also heard some
] stories which some OF Cushman's fool
friends were circulating in regard to
Somers, and they angered him greatly.
, No man becomes so indignant when
criticised or gossiped about as the sus.
picious man. These stories were rush.
ing through Somers mind, and he was
! also experiencing chagrin at the know.
, ledge Of Cushman's growing popularity
when as he neared his house, he saw
? Cunhman's horse tied to the block in
front.
Cushman had seen no reason to dis.
continue his visits to Mary Somerssimply
because her brother was his opponent
for a county Office. He came seldom,
but occasionally portion Of Sunday
was spent in the little house. Shegreel-
ed him with little embarrassment at
first, and at times acted with singular
constraint; but Cushman affected to see
nothing and appeared to assume that
<bru< <,~,,,lI I>.1 80 oh S,oJ.,