The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-12-30
The Globes Daily Short story

| slowly up the walk and stood silently
| before him as though reluctant 70
| speak
| did we beat 'em?"
She loked into his face, neryousiy
clasping and unclasping her hands
| Pa she said softly, 1.-The Republican
| ticket was elected
! She expected an outburst of anger but
! the man remained silent and rigid as
| though suddenly turned to stone. Then
his head dropped suddenly, his hand
holding his pipe, shook as though
| he had the palsy. Presently he raised
| his face and she saw the starlight glis-
ten on a tear in his eye.
| He looked at her helplessly, and she
| knelt beside him and put her arms
| around his neck and kissed, him.
I'm SO sorry, papa, DEAR she said.
He glanced ineuiringly into her face.
Are you sorry, Gene he asked: 'sare
you sorry that-that he was elected?'
Yes, you dear old pa" she answered,
"of course I'm sorry, if it gives you
| PAIN
He reached up and rested his thin
hand upon one of hers. And then he
! asked
| WHO was that with you, Gene?"
1T was Wilbur" she stammered.
why did he turn back; why did he
| not come as far as the gate?''
"Because-be she hesitated.
| Because he thought you would be dis
appointed about-about the election, that
-that-you would not want to see him
| just now
Again the man lapsed into silence, and
| the girl arose and walked into the house.
| An hour later she again came to the
| door and glanced out The man was still
sitting upon the porch, gazing down at
his feet
ut is getting late, pa she said.
As one suddenly awakened from q
dream, the man started. then arose UNI
| steadily and leaned against the post.
Gene he said, I'm goin to sell out
and move away from Timber Creek. 1
can't live under no rascally Republican
| officers Gene; l jest can't do it''
The evidence of sleepless night shown
! plainly on the old mans face the fol-
lowing morning, and in his eyes the dull
| light of sorrow slumbered.
/ Bright and early he hitched his team
| to light wagon and drove out into the
road. At the gate he drew rein and
| shouted to the girl, who was standing on
| the porch:
| s'I'm goin' to town, Gene, to see when
! they re goin' to hold the funeral
| He laughed hoarsely at his joke and
| drove on, Gene watching him until he
was out of sight. To the girl it hardly
seemed he had had time to reach the
county seat before he was back again,
| driving slowly into the yard, his head
| bowed his hands lying mottonless in his
| lap, aslook of pain upon his face.
Mechanically he unhitched the team
and put it in the barn, then slowly he
| walked to the house, his hands clasped
behind his back, his eyes fixed upon the
! ground
! 1T was a clean sweep, Gene" he said,
| pathetically Even Timber Creek went
| Republican, Gene; even Timber Creek
went Republican from top to bottom -
| He paused, gazing as one bewildered
! at his daughter.
| Gene he continued, ''they use to say
| that hell would freeze over when Timber
| Creek went Republican. I reckon he
smiled sadly, ''I reckon we'll have a
pretty severe winter, Gene
| He hobbled aimlessly through the house
| and out upon the front porch. Presently
he called to her, and the girl fastened to
| lbs side
"Isn't that Wilbur Jenkins comm down
| the road Gene" he asked.
A young man, driving fine team of
| sorrels hitched to farm wagon, was
| approaching them.
| Yes, pa the woman replied flush
mounting her cheek.
Tell him to come in here. Gene her
| father commanded. 81 want to see him.
| The blood left the girls face and her
| limbs trembled but without a word. she
| walked down to the gate. She spoke q
| few words to the young man. and he
| drew rein and climbed down from the
| wagon. Side by side, the girls pale face,
| the mans defiant, they walked to the
| porch, where the old man stod watching
| them queer look in his eyes.
Wilbur said the elder man, pathetic
| ally, Timber Creek went Republican,
| Wilbur"
Eyes, SIR replied the other, smiling.
.T believe SO, sir.
..Wilbur,' resumed the old man soft
| 1y, his voice trembling, his eyes shin
ing with unshed tears, 9TH give up.
'Tain't no use for me to be obstinate,
| reckon. I'm gettin' old and things are
| changin', and since Jim Billings daugh-
/ ter has fallin' in love with Republicans
of1ice-holder I reckon it amt for me
| to object to her margin him. Timber
Creeks gone Republican, Wilbur Jenkins,
/ an II guess that Gene Billings might as
/ web go Republican, tooi'