The Minneapolis journal., 1902-07-24
By BOOTH TRRKINGToN
Copyright by Doubleday & Mcclure Co., 1899

vent and reported the incident in his next
issue, using the rubric why HAS the Her
aid Returned to Life?'' as text for a rous-
ing editorial on honesty in politics." a sub
ject of which he already knew something.
The political district to which Carlow be-
longed was governed by limited number
Of gentlemen whose wealth was ever on the
increase; and honesty In politics was
startling conception to the minds Of the pas
sive and resigned voters, who discussed the
editorial on the street corners and In the
stores. The next week there was another
editorial, personal and local in its applica-
tion; and thereby 1t became evident, that the
new proprietor of the Herald was a theorist
who believed, in general, that politicians
honor should not be merely that middling
healthy species known as honor amongst
politicians; and, in particular, that Rodney
McCune should not receive the nomination OF
his party for congress. Now, Mr.. McCune
the undoubted dictator of the district,
and his followers laughed at the strangers
fantastic onset o "-..#:l -s<r
But the editor was not content with the
word Of print; he hired horse and rode
about the country and Ito his. own surprise)
he proved to be an adaptable young man who
enjoyed exercise with a pitchfork to the
farmers profit while the farmer talked. He
talked little himself, but after listening an
hour so, he would drop word from the
saddle as he left; and then, by some sur
prising wizardry, the farmer, thinking over
the interview, decided there was some sense
in what that young fellow said, and grew
curious to what the young fellow had
further to say in the Herald --'. -
Politics Is the one subject that goes to the
vitals of every rural American; and a Hoosier
will talk politics after he is dead. .--~.
Everybody read the campaign editorials,
and found them interesting, although there
was no one who did not perceive the utter
absurdity of young strangers dropping into
Carlow and involving himself in a party fight
against the boss of the district 1t
tirely party fight; for, by grace of the last
gerrymander, the nomination carried with It
the certainty Of election. A week before the
convention there came provincial earth
quake; the news passed from man to man IN
awe-struck whispers-McCune had withdrawn
his name, making the hollowest Of excuses
to his cohorts. Nothing was known OF the
real reason for his disordered retreat, be-
yord the fact that he had been in Pattville
on the morning before the withdrawal and
had issued from visit to the Herald office
in a state OF palsy. Mr.. Parker, the Rouen
printer, had been present at the close of the
interview; but he held his peace at the COM
mand Of his employer. He had been called
into the sanctum, and had found McCune,
white and shaking, leaning on the deck.
Parker" said the editor, exhibiting q
bundle Of papers he held in his hand, Il
want you to witness a verbal contract be-
tween Mr.. McCune and myself. These papers
are an affidavit and copies Of some records
of a street car company which obtained q
charter while Mr.. McCune was In the state
charter. They were sent to me by a man
do not know, an anonymous friend OF Mr..
McCune's; in fact, friend he seems to have
lost. On consideration Of our not printing
these papers, Mr. McCune agrees to retire
| from politics for good. You understand II he
| ever lifts his head again. politically, we pub
| lsh them, and the courts will do the rest.
| Now, in case anything should happen to
me-"
Something will happen to you, all right, -
broke out McCune '''You can bank on that,
| you black
Come, the editor interrupted, not un-
pleasantly. "Why should there be anything
personal in all this? don't recognize you as
my private enemy-not at all; and /. think
you are getting off rather easily; aren't you
You stay out Of politics, and everything will
be comfortable You ought never to have
| been in it, you It's mistake not tc
keep square, because in the long run some
body Is sure to give you away-like the fellow
who sent me- these. You promise to holt
| to a strictly private life?"
You're a traitor to the party. groanet
the other, but you only walt
The editor smiled sadly. 'Wait nothing
Don't threaten, man. Go home to your wife
I'll give you three to one she'll be glad yol
are out of it,
'I'll give you three to one," said McCune
that the white caps will get you If yo'
stay in Carlow. You want to look out TO-
yourself. I tell you, my smart boy!'
Good day, Mr.. MoCune," was the answer
LET me have your note Of withdrawal befor'
you leave town this afternoon The youn,
man paused a moment, then extended hi
hand, as he said: 'Shake hands, won't you
IL haven't meant to be too hard on you.
hope things will seem easier and gayer to yo'
before long; and if-R anything should turl
up that l can do for you in a private way
I'll be very glad. you know. Goodby."
| The sound Of the Herald's victory went owe
the state. The paper came out regularly
The townsfolk bought it and the farmer
drove in for 1T. Old subscribers came back
Old advertisers renewed. The Herald bega
| to sell in Amo, and Gaines county peopl
subscribed. Carlow folk held up their head
> when Journalism was mentioned, Presently tn
Herald announced news connection wit
Rouen and with that, and the aid OF 'paten
insides," began an era of three issues a week
appearing on Tuesdays, Thursdays and SatuT
days The Plattville brass band serenade
the editor. = s.-
During the second month Of the new regim
of the Herald, the working force of the pape
received an addition. One night; the edito
!, found some barroom loafers tormenting
patriarchal old man who had magnihcen
; head and a. grand white beard. He had bee
thrown out Of a saloon, and he was drum
, with the drunkenness OF three weeks stead
pouring He propped- himself against a wa
and reproved his tornentors In Latin. III
walking your way, Mr.. Fisbee, I" remarked th
journalist, hooking his arm into the ol