Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-11

made a high-wa mark that year almost
equal to the surprising one of 81
The wind blew the chill rain so Hereby
across the decks of the Louisville and Hen
derson packet that only one OF her pas
sengers had the courage to venture OUTSIDE
the cabin. IyndaH Vaughn of Button ap-
peared on deck Immediately after the boat
whistled for Cannelburg. This town is, IN
normal weather one of the prettiest on the
Ohio but on this day it was a smoky wash
of gray mist darkened here and there by
roof or spire and showing miserable fore
ground OF Hooded streets and partially SUD-
merged houses.
A skiff was poled down the main street
to the floating wharf and a boy delivered
q telegram to Mr.. Vaughn.
He found 1t provokingly laconic:
Nominated for mayor last night"
II never knew Barnaby Gibbs to say too
little before" he complained as he paced
the deck trying to answer for himself the
questions which crowded upon him. The
news had brought no pleasure. yet TWO
weeks ago it would have meant everything
which he desired. All me! this is a world
where II is no rare thing to attain ones am
bitions-after they are worthless.
He was in no mood to swap stories and
jokes with the passengers round the req
hot cannon stove in the cabin. The bleak
gray miSts outside, the yellow, wind-iashed
river, the drift-spoil of fields and woods
and farmsteads-and the ravished shores
of Indiana and Kentucky were more in har-
mony with the mood Of disappointed
love.
The Bennington was hurrying down
stream, for the river was fast becoming
dangerous for boats of her size, yet half
hour after leaving Cannelburg she seemed
to be straining slowly toward the Ken
lucky shore, at point, too, where there
was not even pile of freight to justify her
in stopping.
Vaughn leaned over the guards in half
hearted curiosity. The lower deck was de-
serted, but from some unseen point the
voice of the mate called out:
Step along there, will you? Lively. and
a negro shambled weakly across the stage
to the top of the muddy bank He was
wrapped in a gray blanket and carried
laden basket. The wind and the rain
bounced furiously upon him, and he moved
forward uncertainty like one in trouble or
pain. Vaughn was puzzled and asked an
explanation Of the captain.
well Mr. Vaughn, I'll tell you, but
you will see that it mustn't go further.
That nigger's got the smallpox
But what will become of him.
There's a niger settlement not more
than quarter of a mile away. We gave
him food for week, some money and a
blanket. 1 reckon they'll take him in. or
If he crawls into somebody's barn they'll
report him to the county. You see, I've got
a boatlOad of people and enough freight to
inoculate every town on the river. One
poor Niger don't amount to much in COM
parison. though it looks hard. now. don't
ftp" And both men stood watching the
lonely figure on the desolate shore.
Toward evening the wind was so high
that the Bennington tied up for the
night. When morning came the rain abat
ed somewhat. and there were feeting mo-
ments when the sun glorifed the wreck
strewn waters and desolated shores. but
~hA AEN6 I'D 70 rfa o,1 hn Do,
nington to strain every nerve in her eager
ness to reach the safe harbor of Green
river.
At Eldora. mail landing at which she
was compelled to touch. another message
was delivered to Vaughn.
News received of landing of man with
smallpox. Boat not permitted to land here.
VIII meet you at Eldora with team. B. H.
Gibbs"
1t was a miserable day for a ten-mile
drive, but Barnaby had provided every
comfort. and was excellent company. AS
they pulled through the sticky clay of the
uplands or the mire of bottom roads he
told in his vivid way all the news of the
campaign for the nomination, and describ-
ed the situation fully.
Billings is holding off-they say he
swears he won't let Canter fool him again,
yet he's shy of you. We've got the cinch
on Draytons, and a line out for the Cot
tons these were the large brewers of
Blufftonl. The whole Thompson outfit is
doing noble; they visions of Lafe on
the police board. and every mothers cousin
OF them on the force
But LATE can't have It, He"
"Oh. don't interrupt 1 can't lay the sit
uation before you in sections, besides
silence is golden. Laubenslager wants
the waterworks board says he's entitled 10
q vindication."
I'D need one if appointed him"
Don't be SO loquacious; you might COM
NIT yourself! l reckon no less than twen-
ty-seven fellows are swearing at this in
slant that you're going in absolutely with
out having made promise to anybody. I
told Jenkins that just l starting.
He wants to be city Attorney" Here Gibbs
paused on the rising infection.
II thought you wanted that" the candi-
date observed, dryly.
Gibbs laughed uneasily. well. I've
never got promise out of you. but I'M
Outstanding would be worth just as much"
You've put me in box, Barnaby; what
can l say?'
IAN right said Gibbs, don't bother.
How about Billings? Just at present he's
coy. II not dead against you, and all the
thugs and buns with i'm"
That should unite the moral people"
'Oh. rot! You bet your sweet life they'll
talk against the vicious element. but they'll
vote with It. We've got to go through the
same old farce. Pure Politics League is
nearly organized now. Judge Brown at the
head. Heard Of him BOOKING round with
the boys last night. bowling Save the cityi
Save the city,! and hardly able to stand up
long enough to say 1t. You can count on
your moral reformer always Ands consci-
entious reasons for breaking his. Whatll
you do for Billings?"
"Tl enforce the law
Mr.. Gibbs whistled bar OF Just One
Girl" In order to get his emotions well in
hand.
"You might talk sense out Of Difference
to the company he suggested as mildly as
possible.
IT shall treat gamblers exactly as shall
treat any other class of citizens; where
the law restraints them, they shall be re-
strained: where the law protects them.
they shall be protected"
You talk like a preacher, Lyn-or like
woman. A little, gentle. winsome maid who
never heard Of politics, Now let's go into
the thing sensibly."
AS they talked the rain became heavier
and when Button should have lain before
them like picture. there was only a
darker shadow upon the earth. Out of 1t
came toward them livery hack which
disgorged sanitary officer and an UNI
brella.
Hello. Barnaby! How do you do. Mr..
Vaughn? We've place inside the ca rria ge
for you II Mr.. Gibbs will let me ride with
him. DR.. Brisk Is in there for-weiI. the
truth is. he said. looking Vaughn brayeIy
In the face. 1--WE have been sent after Won
The board OF health think you ought to be
quarantined-