The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-12-26
AT ELECTION TIME.
BY EDGAR MELTON COOLEY.

BY EDGAh WELIoN CCOLE1'
 Copyright 1901. by Daily Story Pub. Col s $ & & & d: % s < < ,s |, later he saw Gene coming through the | darkness alone.
 sne turned III at the gate and came ] slowly up the walk ana stood silently l before him as though reluctant 10 speah. Well, Gene" he saia nnally, now bad did we beat em.'
 i She looked into his face, nervously clasping anu unciasping her hands. "fa," she said, SoItly, "rne Republican | ticket was elected" Sne expected an outburst of anger, but | the man remained silent and rigid, as l though suddenly turned to stone- Then | his head dropped Suouenly and his hanu, holding hls pIpe, shook as though he had the palsy. Presently he raised ms lace and sne saw the starlight Slisten on tear in his eye. He looked al her helplessly, and she knelt beside him and put ner arms around has neck and kissed him. I'm so sorry, papa, dear" she said.
 He glanced InquilIngly lnto her race. Are you sorry, Gene" ne asked; are you sorry that-that-he was elected?' Yes. you dear old pa, sne answered,
 of course I'm sorry, if It gives you pain"
 lie reached up and rested his thin hand upon one or hers. And then he asked:
 "who was that with you, Gene?'' Ut was Wilbur" she stammered.- Why did he turn back; why did he not come as far as the gate?' ''BecauSe-because-" she heSltated. Because he thought you would be dis appointed about-aDout the election, that -lnat-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 eli ha down his feet
 It Is getting late, pa," she said. As one suddenly awakened from a dream, the man started, then arose un- steadily and leaned against the post.
 Gene" he said, I'm goin' to sell out and move away from Timber Creek. l can't live under no rascally Republican officers, Gene; 1 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 road. At the gate he drew rein and
 shouted to the girl, who was standing on the porch:
 I'm goin' to town, Gene. to see when they're Coin' 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 1t hardly seemed he had had time to reach the
  driving slowly into the yard, his head bowed, his hands lying motionless in his lap. a look of pain upon his face. Mechanically he unhitched the team ana put it in the barn, then slowly he walk ed to the house, his hands elapsed be- hind his back, his eyes fixed upon the ground
 Tt 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. '. say that hell would freeze over when Timber Creek went Republican. l reck- on." he smiled sadly, II reckon. we'll have pretty severe winter, Gene"
 He ho6bled aimlessly through the house and out upon the front porch. Present ly he called to her, and the girl hastened to his side.
 Isn't that Wilbur Jenkins comin' down the road Gene" he asked.
 A young man, driving a fine team of sorrels hitched to farm wagon. was approaching them. 'Yes. pa" the woman replied, a flush mounting to her cheek Tell him to come in here, Gene" her
 father commanded. II want to see him"
 The blood left the girls face and her limbs trembled. but without word. she walked down to the gate. She spoke few words to the young man, and he drew rein and climbed down from his wagon. Side by side, the girls pale face, | the mans defiant, they walked to the porch. where the old man stood watch ing them, queer look in his eyes. "Wibur," said the elder man. patheti- callv, Timber Creek went Republican. Wilbur"
 Yes. sir" replied the other, smiling. "I believe so. sir.
 Wilbur" resumed the old man softly, his voice trembling. his eyes shining with unshed tears, "I'll give up. Faint no use for me to be obstinate, I reckon. Pm gettin old and things are chargin'. and since Jim Billings's daughter has fallin in love with a Republican Oftice-holder, I reckon 1t ain't for me to object to her marvin him. Timber Creeks gone Re- publican. Wilbur Jenkins, an I-G guess that Gene Billings might as well go Re publican, too
 EE." by D. H. Tamadse.