The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-26
CHAPTER v.
MANIFEST DESTINY

in next time. didn't you? Well. swallered
the hook and line. but before I got the pole
down Noel Shacklett pulled them out
again He told me all about II in the jury
room; he said he heard you promise the
Bheriff's Office TO Lawson just two days
before court opened. You came near max
ing a damn fool Of me- but you didn't.
That Noel Shacklett is the whitest man
In the county, and I'd advise you to rub up
against him some He's white clear
through"
THE devil you say" rejoined Fletcher
But when Fletcher came to talk it over
10 himself he came TO the conclusion that
Noel Shacklett was about as white man
as could be found in practical politics;
that is, that he could not be bought away
from his allegiance by higher bid which
ne believed to be about all that can be
reasonably asked in that arena. Fletcher
had ambitions Of his own. and he was fur
thering them by several years of disinter-
ested philanthropy toward the men who
We're trying 20 break into the courthouse
Offices. Each Of the men elected 70 a coun-
II Office for the last six years believed he
owed his nomination largely TO Fletcher.
and under such circumstances IT matters
not an iota whether Fletcher helped them
much. since belief is the sinking fund of
politics.
When Fletcher uncovered his own plan
for his election TO the state senate ne did
1t by seeing most Of the recent Office hold
ers OF the county in one day and telling
each the news in confidence, with the ex-
pressed hope that he could count upon the
aid Of the Office holder addressed. in view
OF the past. The next morning the COM
munity knew that Fletcher was to go 10
Springfield as senator that fall, and the
other man who had designs upon the same
seat found it impossible to have himself
taken seriously as a candidate for the
place Fletcher drove out to the Shacklett
place one summer night about 10 o'clock.
He knew that Noel and his mother were
asleep long before, but that was exactly
what he planned; it was a working prin-
ciple Of his that there is nothing makes a
man work for you like hattering him by
calling him out Of bed in the middle Of the
night on account OF the Importance of your
message and the extent Of his influence.
81 tell you. Noel" he said, over the front
wheel OF his livery-stable buggy, i've been
told you're agin me. but I think 1 know
better. l said some pretty sharp things
about you after that Rutherford trial. but
I reckon you don't hold EN- up agin me.
was hot. and 1 thought you oughter We
stood by Uncle Tommy in that; but the
fact is. I've thought a good deal more of
you since. 1 come out tonight to see jest
how you stand. and to git you to do piece
O work for me if you will"
Fletcher made just enough OF a pause to
give Noel chance TO break I'm IL he chose,
and to allow himself to keep on if neces-
sary.
III be glad TO do anything I kin for
you. Mr.. Fletcher" replied Noel. THAT
Rutherford business got too hot for me,
and ducked but I've felt ever since that
ought TO even up with you an Uncle
Tommy whenever I got the chance. and I'm
glad it's come so soon"
Which was exactly what the astute
Fletcher knew before he hired a horse and
buggy 10 drive out there
I'm glad you feel that way" he said
and / want you to go to Hansonville to
the convention on the Davis county dele
cation When we get there 1 want you to
do some work for me, depending on what
turns up. I've got this county and my own,
but I'm not sure about getting enough del
egates in the other one TO nominate me.
I'll have TO get some after We meet at Han
sonvile, before the convention ballots
There's where I want you to do some fine
work-in fact kinder take charge o. things
for me. You'll go. won't you. and not fail
to be at the depot by train timer"
Much older dogs than Noel Shacklett
have been induced 70 keep the treadmil
going and the machinery running smoothly
To- grind another mans corn by this same
stimulating idea The chairman Of Fletch-
er's Davis county delegation TO the sena-
torial district convention was Noel Shack
lett. and Fletcher rose in his own estima-
ton when he saw his new lieutenant work
from the time they arrived at the conven-
ton town until the final ballot was taken.
The nomination was equivalent to cleo
ton. and Fletcher went TO Springfield that
winter so early that he caught the chair
manship OF the judiciary committee, and
by that lucky stroke became at once prom
inent in the Senate-not because Of the i'm
portance OF his position, but because It
was the first time in forty years that a
new member had received that plum. The
place carried with it responsibilities that
Fletcher almost feared; much important
legislation was controlled by the contents
of his inside coat pocket. and il really re-
quired more experienced man than he to
get the last dollar possible out OF the Chi
cago crowd in every case.
I'm all right so far as making the uuid
equal the quo." he unused to himself. "for
III work that on the same principle as
fixing a lawyers fee in proportion TO the
tightness OF the place the clients in and
the extent of his pile; but this things diff
ferent from recording mortgages in the
county clerks Office. If go at it awk-
wardlike, these Chicago fellows IL think
I'm easy. and If there's any exposures
un-um-um-um"
The slow hummiug at the end was the
beginning OF cogitatiOn which lasted a
week. Then Fletcher wrote for Noel
Shacklett TO come to Springfield. inclosing
a railroad pass in the letter. Shacklett
went on the next train. fun Of wonder and
unable TO make out what Fletcher wanted
with him now. on the way 10 Springfield
he cana TO the conclusion that Fletcher
was pretty good man 10 tie 10: he seemed
10 stick to his friends was rather generous
politics goes. and. most OF all. had the
faculty of getting results-and results in
politics always affect more than the cen
tral politician.
When Shacklett got out OF the omnibus
at the Palace Fletcher happened 10 be talk
ing in the Office with the speaker of the
HouSo To whom he introduced NcaI q