The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-23
BY oPrE READ
A PLUNGE INTO POLITICS

Dave Simpson sat on the rail renee between the big pasture and the wheat held. He was ueep in thought. he glanced over the well-cultivated farm' all green with the first blush or spring and for the first time in his hte ols- content was mixed with hls prloe III the broad acres so well cultivated as to serve for a model in the to"nsnip: His eyes turned to the freshly paihtea farm house, with the green bilnos' the shady lawn and the great barns Tn the rear. All these had David accom- plished with his own hands. only last week he had paid the last dollar on the mortgage. The neishbors said ne had been lucky. They admitted. now ever. that he was pattern or industry and he knew that his success had been won not only by hard industry put Dy using his head to help his hands. lie thought at planting time of the proD- able conditions at harvest time, so while others were selling produce on glutted market he generally gos good prices. Those who farmed without thinking called if luck. David knew better.
 But today, as he moodily whittled on stick. there was stinging thorn mix ed with the roses of his satisfaction. he was asking himself whether 1t was all worth the struggling.
 The bottom of his troubles. as Is us ually the case. was woman. During all the years a rosy alr-castle had lighted the background, and within 1t was a fresh faced girl with deep blue eyes. They had been sweethearts for many years and 1t was tacitly under stood that some day Bessie Holt was to be mistress of the Simpson home. With the last payment on the mort gage David planned to consummate the hope and desire of his heart. So he had painted the house and put 1t in apple-pie order and on the evening previous in a glow of enthusiasm he had told Bessie of the happy condi- ton his affairs were in, and had asked her to name the day
 T am not sure that I would be con- tented" she replied calmly, ito settle down to the humdrum life of farm CTS wife. I know what it is. David. There is nothing to look forward to excepting the procuring of more land | and then the raising of more crops and cattle and the care of more men.
 why. Bessie" David replied as soon as he had recovered from the numb
  thought 1t was all understood. thought that you loved me-"
 T do think a great deal of you. David. But nothing has been under stood definitely, as you know, and as the years have gone on I have been wondering if you would ever be inter- ested in anything excepting crops and cattle. That is not all there Is in life. You have been getting more and more absorbed in your work and l am afraid we would not be interested in the same things and would not understand each other and would thus drag along through life just for the sake of eat ing and drinking
 Then she had burst into tears and exclamed:
 "Oh. if you would only get interest ed in something else--get sent to the legislature like Harry Blake, or do something that would let us get out into the world and see life"
 Deeply hurt David had humbly talk en his hat and staggered home, all his air-castles tumbling about him. All night he had tossed in bed thinking it over and now he sat on the fence try ing to readjust himself to the new con- dltions. He would have fared better tO ilNt NOl aAOIS SdSly anu erately and had a good time with the young folks and then he would have been fit to marry her Harry Blake, indeed: a shiftless fellow who had inherited a good farm from his father and now had it mo: aged to the eaves-who spent most of his time at the store at the corners" with poli- ticians, spending money that he could not afford.
 An idea struck David. If Bessie wanted a man in politics why not go in politics? To be sure he didt know anything about politics, but he could learn-if it were necessary to get Bes- sic.
 That evening he went to the store at the corners" and stayed all even ing listening to gossip. even entering into 1t and asking many questions especially regarding the political sit uation. Such thing had not been heard of in Hudsonville. David Simp- son had barley had time to do neces- sary errands at the store and nobody had ever heard him talk affairs of state.
 He learned considerable about the situation in the country. The fact that | Harry Blake was slated to be the can | didate of the dominant party for rep reseptative was the theme of particu- lar interest to Hudsonville.
 Tt beats all what luck some fellows | have" remarked Si Moore. Now why they should pick out Harry Blake is | beyond me"
 Easy enough" replied Sol Bundy the storekeeper and village oracle Harry Is always down there loafing about with the politicians an they think he is all there is to Hudson township and the northwest part o the country. He allers goes to conven- tions cause none of the rest of yor | fellers will take time; and he aller' votes the way the bosses down there
 Wednesday. MIC NALLYs PETTY