The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-30
CHAPTER NJ.
THE MISSIONARY SPIRIT.

1f1E SSAONA D Ill
Long before Shacklett reached home he
felt that he must accomplish something
what did not matter much. for the thing
was 10 demonstrate that he was capable Of
accomplishing things for himself. He had
discovered that he could get the things
done that others wanted done. but he saw
many men who could work for others with
excellent results and do nothing for them
selves. He did not analyze it all to the last
Specifications. but he felt that he must
do something for himself.
He found 1t ready at hand when he got
back TO the farm. That county clerkship
seemed TO have been held for him, as If he
had a mortgage upon it. Other men with
aspirations in that direction had been told
that they were too late. for Shacklett had
it all fixed. and it had been fixed for him
beyond question. Even Uncle Tommy Ru-
therfOrd delivered his ownship at the con-
y%ention. and Shacklett saw the footprints
OF Fletcher all over the county long before
the convention met. He was nominated by
reclamation. and then the campaign
against the nominee Of the other party be-
gan. The county was so close that it was
rare that anybody received a majority in
three figures, and which candidate won de-
pended entirely upon his own vote-getting
powers as compared with those of his OPP
pOnent. Neither nomination carried with
IL any foregone conclusion OF election, as
I'm the case Of party majorities too large TO
break down except under extraordinary cir
cumstances.
Shacklett by this time had hired a hand
TO do all the work on the farm, and his
farm work was only TO look over the place
on the mornings when he had time before
starting out TO see the voters. He was
working hard in his campaign, and things
seemed TO be going smoothly his way. he
told his mother. She was used TO the Incl
dents Of county campaigns. having been
the conidante OF her husband. and il was
pleasant 70 her TO have Noel sit down in
the long evenings and tell her the situation
in the townships. as his father used to do.
II was after one OF these long talks, when
both were sound asleep. after sitting up
late, that there came the alarm in the night
which has its relative in almost every po-
ntical campaign. Just when victory is
about TO be plucked like a bird In a bush
a hawk descends with a flash and carries
IL away before one can get his breath-un-
less a quick eye and a splendid nerve brings
down the hawk In time.
"Helloi'
The hail used in southern Illinois thirty
years ago was as effective as it was pene-
trating. The first syllable was not loud.
but f%orceful, like a dynamite discharge, and
the last syllable came out with a short.
sharp, air-splitting explosion that would
wake the dead. 1t was shortened in time
without shortening the vowel sound, and
reverberated through the trees. across the
fields and the front yard. and through the
house to the buildings in the rear. AS a
means of giving notice that there was a
visitor at the gate it was in universal use.
This time the hail was repeated twice, for
Shacklett was sleeping as soundly as most
people were at 10 o'clock in that country
at the bottom of the first plunge off the
cIin OF Consciousness. His mother heard
II first. and called Noel with energy while
she spoke with the lassitude Of a difficult
awakening:
Il wonder who that is this time o. night"
Don't know, but 1 reckon it's some one
that wants to see me about something"
Shacklett replied as he slowly made his
way 10 the window. Before he found the
stick that held up the sash the hail came
again. and this time IL echoed from the
backwoods pasture. Shacklett raised the
window and put out his head.
Hello yourselfr' he replied in the con-
ventional form. and his voice, by uncon-
scious imitation. was almost as loud as that
of the visitor who had been trying to
waken him.
"Shackiett. come down; L want to see you
a minute, the voice al the gate said in
tones that just reached as far as the win
dow and did not penetrate TO the other
room. where his mother was lying with her
head supported by her elbow and her best
ear toward the cross-hatched, lighted open
ing
"Who is ii. and what does he want?" she
asked.
It's Stevenson. and he wants to see me.
] can't guess what for. but l reckon it's
something about the campaign. What in
the world brings him here don't know
Shacklett slipped into a part of his clothes
and went out to the front fence. 1t was
a part Of the whole-souled hospitality Of
that region and time that the visitor was
met at the gate by the host. however little
the latter had TO do with the visit. 1t was
not good form. on the other hand. for the
self-invited guest. especially IL his visit
was a business one. to enter the premises
until invited.
Stevenson was in a buggy. with the horse
huEncu GUT lOWdIu the road, leaving an
opening between the wheels on the side
next the gate.
Come out here. Shacklett; l want to talk
to you." he said. as soon as Noel appeared
In the yard.
Shacklett went out and stood by the bug
gy. and Stevenson leaned far out and spoke
I'm confidential tones:
You're having a hot campaign against
Scott. OF course" he began, and the other
side have got up a scheme to elect him.
I've been working at il all day, and we kin
beat 'em yet. for I've finally got our people
over; but you've got to move pretty lively
and carefully or well slip up yet. knew
you'd hear about it tomorrow. and I come
out 10 tell you it's all right. II you'll Join
US we'd ruther have you than Scott" and
Stevenson laughed a little.
Stevenson had an influence in politics
which was the Outgrowth of his high
standing in his own church. 1t was not
considered anything against the church
that It's members were closely amalgamated
into one body for various purposes. Indeed.
plenty OF scriptural authority was found
for the brotherhood Of the entire member
ship. and IL brotherhood means anything
IL meant TO this particular church helping
one another like brothers are supposed to