The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-21


runnin' the farm for his mother now, an
he gets some new-fangled idears in his
head once and while. Jest row he's
foOlin' with some racket about havin' one
crop fOller another in rotation"
There were three men who wanted the
nomination for sheriff. and neither was
able to get a majority of the convention
in the beginning The secretary at the
desk of the clerk of the court sonorously
called each township in turn, and the chair
men of the delegations replied as loudly as
the importance of their action deserved.
"Flatrock,' called the secretary.
''Fiatrock: Eight for Lawson, nine for
Bergman, two for Gillespie" came from
the little man with a squeaky voice back
in the convention.
And so on down the list alphabetically to
the last:
Sugar Creek"
Sugar Creek: Five for Lawson, five for
Bergman, FIVE for Gillespie" in a voice
with a slight rasp. but clear and distinct
enough to be heard over any cOmmOtion.
Then an interval of ten minutes while
the secretary, assisted by the teacher in
the Frogeye district, laboriously added the
figures twice and announced the result.
with no nomination. II was evident that
Gillespie had the balance of power without
the ability TO realize upon it, and that
Sugar Greek was determined to treat the
candidates impartially until a treasurer
was nominated, at least.
Between the fourth and fifth ballots a
shaggy dog gave yelp and all eyes fol-
lowed his rapid retreat into safety out
side. That dog nominated Bergman, though
nobody ever knew it except Shacklett him
self.
The dog had black spot on it's side, and
that recalled to young Shacklett an Incl
Diet of his earlier days. He had then coon
dog with a spot on its side. and it was
with him the night the big limb caught
him in the river bottoms. With Shacklett's
bloody mitten in its mouth the dog had
gone to Bergman's house, and what Shack
lett remembered now was that Bergman
had drowned his horse on the way home
from town with a doctor
There was CLEAN in the young fellows
eye that nobody but his mother had ever
seen there before.
Down the roll the secretary was travel
ing again like a numbering stagecoach,
with many breakdowns. and nobody was
was little Strengthening in seats when
Goodhope township changed four votes
from Lawson to Bergman, but everybody
knew that the latter needed three more in
addition to succeed, and that Goodhope
was only relieving the monotony in a spirit
of benevolent good nature. But the young
fellow at the head of the Sugar Greek del
egation slipped behind the benches
which it sat, first the front
row and then the next bench
back and whispered quickly and casually
TO each. Some from all parts of the room
looked at him curiously, but the careless
expression his face treasured them, and
the talk went on as il was seen that there
was indication Of change in the poll of
the township delegation.
In the general conversation nobody heard
the secretary call Sugar Creek. and they
could not believe their ears when the keen,
rasping voice replied, somewhat more Ian
guidly than before:
Sugar Greek: Four for Lawson, eight for
Bergman, three for Gillespie"
Bergman's friends started a cheer that
lasted for several minutes
Dickinson, with a red face, forcibly
pushed his way toward his home deIega-
ton, but he met young Shacklett well
down the aisle. The young farmer spoke
first:
Il know II was a dirty trick, but what
could 1 do? The men that changed have it
in for you hard for some reason or other,
and swore that if 1 tried any monkey bust
ness they'd butcher me. They said, too.
that If l ever told who they are they'd lay
for me. I'll tell you that, though later on
the quiet. But l can't do il now. Don't go
back there, or they'll hit you worse yet.
Tell Lawson and Gillespie you've been sold
out, and act as mad as you please before
them. But let crowd alone if you want
to stand any show at ALL"
Dickinson took the advice, and was so
genuinely furious that Lawson and Giles
pie forgave him, and he got mis- own NOM
| ination on the second ballot when treasurer
was reached. Two days later Shacklett
| gave him the names of the alleged dele
| gates in the strictest confidence and only
after he had solemnly promised to let the
whole thing drop
Up within the bar Lawyer Fletcher. who
had asked about Shacklett, at first looked
amazed and then smiled to himself Then
he kept his eyes on young Shacklett for
Dor again, and remarked in the penetrating
low tone which he was accustomed to use
in courtroom consultations:
That Noel Shacklett seems kinder BASH
| full, but when he does run he'll get there
| all right"
After the convention had adjourned and
| the crowd had come down to the square
| Fletcher detained Shacklett a moment and
asked him when he was going home The
| young politician from Sugar Creek had to
wait until his grist was done, he said. and
| Fletcher took him Familiarity by the arm
| and walked up the sidewalk with him
where there were no pedestrians. but in
full view of the many people on the other
| side of the street
You're one of the coming men of this
| county" he said, land l want TO be one of
/ the first 10 take you up. for, I'm honest
| enough 10 say, you'll be useful to your
/ friends later on and before long You
ought 10 run for county clerk next time.
| You can make it all right. I'll promise to
! have my friends for you. and I'll see that
| the church is for you all right. You'll have
! 20 pay a little attention TO some Of the men
| that run things, but you can do that easy
enough. Now, there's old Uncle Tommy
| Rutherford; he throw two or three
townships TO you. and I'm going TO speak
| 10 him about you. Don't lose an opportu-
nifty 10 do him favor, and when | come
| down TO court come in a nd soc me don.