The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-02-25

| ed t~houghtfully out of the window. The
oner was q tremendous temptation. A
group OF old foeie6 had dominated the
democratic party for ten years, and THAI
Kept the younger men down with their
war cries and old soldier candidates,
until h. had been more than once disgust
ed. He felt IS sure OF McLeod's success
as II he already saw it,. It vas precisely
the movement he had warned the old
p~uddine-head set against in the preced-
ing campaign In which they had delio-
erately a~1ienated the Farmers Alliance
They had pooh poohed MS warning and
biundered ID 10 their ruin
II was the dream OF his lie 10 have
money enough to buy back his mothers
old home, beauty it and live there in
comfort with q great library OF books be
would gather. The possibility OF q
career at the state Capitol and then at
Washington FOR so young a. man was one
OF dazzling splendor 10 his youthful
mind. For the moment 1t seemed almost
impossible TO say no.
! Mcleod saw his hesitation and already
smiled with the certainty OF triumph. A
cloud overspread his face when CASTOR
at length said:
III give you my answer tomorrow"
IAN right, you're g gentleman. ] can
trust you. Our conversation is OF course
only between you and me-"
certainly, l understand that"
All that day and night he was alone
fighting out the battle in his soul. 1t
was al easy solution Of life that opened
before him. The attainment OF his proud
est ambitions lay within his grasp almost
/ without q struggle.
He walked down past his old home.
stopped ana leoned on the gate, and look-
cd at it long and lovingly. What q nood
OF tender and ~sorrowful memories swept
| his soul lie lived over again the days
OF despair when his mother was an in
valid. He recalled their awful poverty,
and then the last terrible day with that
mob of negroes trampling over the lawn
ana o%verrunning the house. He saw the
white face Of his mother whose memory
! be loved as he loveed life. And now he
recalled a sentence from her dying lips.
He haG all but lost its meaning.
You Will grow to be 4 brave strong
man. You Will fight this battle out. and
win back our home. and bring your own
sweet bride here in the far away days
Of sunshine and success | see for yoL."
You will tight this tie out"-he had
alnost lost that sentence il his hunger
for that which followed. It came to his
soul now ringing like q rumpet call to
honor end duty.
He turned on his heel and walked
! rapidly home. He looked at his watch.
1t was two o'clock in the morning.
W will fight it out on the old lines
he said TO Mcleod next day.
You will find me q pretty good
fighter"
Unto death let it be-" answered Gas
ton firmly setting his lips.
Il admire your pluck. but I'm sorry
for your judgment. You know you're
beaten before you begin"
Defeat that's seen has lost its bitter
ness before 1t comes"
Then get ready the flowers for the
funeral. ! hoped you would have better
sense. You are one Of the men now I'll
have to crush first, thoroughly, and for
all time. I'm not afraid OF the old fools.
III be fair enough TO tell you this said
Mcleod.
Not since Legree's day has the Re
publican party had 50 dangerous a man
at its head said CASTOR thoughtfulIy
TO himself as Mcleod strobe away across
the square. 'He has ten times the brains
OF his older master. and none Of his
superstitions. He wiz give me a hard
fight