The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-03-18
THE ADVERTISERS
 DAILY SHORT STORY

their faces were still clo dded with intense anxiety. This was the condition on the entire majority side of the house. On the other side. each member seemed to be struggling with an almost uncomfortable excitement
 The roli-call began. The first name on the list was Anderson. sfalwart minor
 .'Flaherty!' he shouted.
 "Axteli." called the clerk. and all eyes were turned on the veteran majority Sen ator. Axtell was not a leader in any member of the party. and his advice was | always listened to with the greatest re. spect He was a safe counselor. .'I wish to explain my vote." announced the sray-hairsd ray iawmsker as he rose as he began to speak. He first referred | in touching terms to the strong attach. ments that had sprung up between the members during their service in the ses- sion, and then expressed his sorrow that the bitter struggle on the election of a Senator had brought about such hard feelings. He then took up the issue of the campaign and related how the majority to the Federal Senate who was in sym plthy with their political ideas. At this the recalcitrant members of the majority began to. sauirm in their seats, and be- fore he had gone far they were looking You say that if we select Democrat who IS suitable to you. you will help elect him.. he cried: turning to them s"whe Is this nan. I demand? Do you mean this statement or Is it but a miserable subterfuge, by which you expect to walt until the last moment and then betray our party This Is your scheme, 50 1t you have not had the courage to deny 1t. Do you think, men. that you are nervy enough to go back to your Demo- cratic constituents. after having helped al Inrt EIaI, kN kh~ r>Aa
 You say that If We select a man who Is suitable to you he will be elected You know that the man you are supporting can never be elected. and I do not be- been casting my ballot can at this late hour be successful. Now Is your oppor- tunity to prove whether you are men or are cattle: to be bought by /the highest prove your assertions. Who Is heT'
 Everybody listened as if expecting an answer. but none came, the members to whom these burning remarks had been sdars.ssd sen.nSs to ,onH garry their ha
 ''Who Is he?' repeated the speaker.
 The silence became painful. but still no reply was forthcoming. Just as the awful quiet seemed to reach the point where 1t was unbsarable. a shriil. sharp
 why don't you elect Hines?'
 This seemed to strike the popular chord. ana great nurrAh Tor the Cld-time CiOv- ernor went up from the majority side. The members who were supposed to have been purchased looked upon that cry as their salvation. and they. too. took 1t up.
 When the din had subsided. Axtell rats- ed his voice to its highest pitch and yelled to the clerk:
 Record my vote for Hines.''
 The excitement quieted a bit and the vote proceeded. Every man who had been elected with the majority cast his vote for the big-hearted ex-Governor. At it's conclusion. amid deafening roar. the clerk announced the result Hines, 4S: Flahertv, 55.
 With a shout the president announced the election of Hines, and then gave two sharp raps with his mahogany gavel The hour Of midnight having arrived. I now declare this session adjourned sine die." he said. An hour later the house was practically deserted. All had gone except two or three members, who were still packing their belongings. newsboy entered with the morning Enterprise. telling all about the election of the Senator. Each member remaining bought a copy. and the boy fingered minute as he watched them tie up a number of large bundles of paper:
 "Aint it funny that YOU fellers never thought about electing Hines until hoi- lered it out from the back corner of the lobby" he said
 The lawmakers looked at the ragged boy. but said nothing.