Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1902-05-21

Old Jephson was one of those proud,
sensitive, bright old men who didn't
quite understand why he wasn't
abreast of the procession. Young
Jepnson. his only boy. was big
man" In the town, a power in county
politics and what the knowing ones
called "a conner" The old man
couldn't understand It. In spite Of his
overmastering love for Daniel. he was
quite convinced that in his young days
he had been a much smarter person
than was Daniel Junior. But he. over.
looked the fact that he had been born
and bred in New England while his
boy was a native lllinoisan and of the
West western.
When Dan was elected mayor of
Cappville the old man laughed, and to
himself said, Pooh. pooh!' Then, for
the purpose of impressing the boy.
who was 81 years ord. he began TO tell
about how popular HE bad been in the
old days back in New Manchester.
"Of course. | never held office" old
JephsOn would explain, nut that was
my way. | was recognized, loved and
respected by all classes OF people.
lthe population of New Manchester
never got above 10000. and when the
new improvement bill came up for
two bridges and four blocks O. side
walk, why, every taxpayer in town
asked me what thot about it. was
a sort o. power behind the throne.
tell YOU, and bet | could 20 back
TO New Manchester right now and get
any Office within the gift o. the people
they all know old Daniel Jephson
EVERYBODY knows ME in New Man
chester. and I'll tell you. Dan. you may
think it's something big to be mayor
o Cappville, but at this minute you
amt near as big power here as was
down home"
Old Daniel delivered this kind of Q
talk so aften that he came to believe
1t himself. Young Dan would lister
smiling to the old tales and say:
We'll. did, as soon as can get my
business affairs Strengthened out wei
go, you and me. back to New Man
chester for a visit"
Then the old fellow would pun III
and say: Daniel. you'll open YOUR
eyes when you see the way them PEG
pie at New Manchester will open VI
for ME. o. course / wouldn't bet on
II, but | honestly believe they'll get
out the silver Cornet band when me
and you get to town. oh. I'm not ex
laggerating. Every man, woman and
child in New Manchester knows me
Why, for four years | was known ANr
recognized as the best speller in the
| \ H..
school teachers, and ! remember wei
-"
| And then the old feuow would ram
BILE off into a vague, long yarn abou
his victories as a debater at the liter
ary," about his power as an argue
flyer" and about his wide acquaintance
back home" that made young Dan
smile with pride and admiration.
And as for fighting" the old fellow
would say. swelling his chest. "why
there wasn't n bully in town but what
was scared O me. And, mark We,
wasn't a quarrelsome person. Daniel
YOU know how love peace; but just
the same | had to fight my way. and
Jets see-I think had about a hun
dred and seventeen pitched fights be
fore ii was admitted on all sides that
was easy the best young fellow In
town. | don't think had a enemy oil
a rival for eloquence. But IL was the
arguments where | showed up GOOD
Why. when Cal Jinkins. the Boston
lawyer. come down to New Manchester
and had long pieces about himself put
in the Gazette, challenged HIM tC
debate the forty.ninth amendment, and
Everybody said that he never made nc
show at all again ME-. Lord! how
did hate that man Jinkins. guess
he's dead now, but oh, LORD, what
show | made O. him before got
done. Why, Daniel licked him in
debate and licked him in a fight
and before ! got done with HIM they
wasn't a self.respecting citizen in