Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-10-07

appearances I'll bet one thing, an
that is at he won't deceive us. Accord
In to him we need i'm every hour. as
the Sunday school song puts it. Yes,
he's a-goin' to hep US powerful an
right Off. An, fellow citizens, I'm heer
to propose vote o. thanks. He's from
away up In Boston, whar, they tell me,
u niger sets an eats ut the same table
with the whites When his sort come
this away durin' the war, with all Their
up to date implements of slaughter,
they laid waste. to everything they
struck. shot US like rabbits in holes an
then went back an said they'd had a
good hunt. But they We been livin' high
up thar sence the war. an Their tim
Der is a-playin' out, an they want some
more now, an they want 1t bad So
they send Their representatives out to
find 1t an lay hold of 1t. How does he
happen to come heer? AS well as kin
make out, old ALI Bishop. good man
an southern soldier--a man that l
Ihatn't got nothin' agin. except maybe
'he holds his head too high-made up his
mind awhile back that lumber would
be In demand some day. an no set to
work buyin' all the timber Land he
could lay his hands on. Then, when he
had more'n he could tote an was about
to go under, he give this gentleman a.
option on 1t. Well, so fur SO good: but,
gentlemen, what have we got to do
with this trader Nothin, us kin see.
But we are expected to yell an holler
an deed 'em free right of way
through our property SO they kin ship
the timber straight through to the
north an turn it into cold Yankee coin.
We don't count in this shuttle, gentle
men. We git our pay fer our land in
bein' glad an heerin car bells an
steam whistles in the middle o the
night when we want to sleep. The en-
gynes will kill our hogs, cattle an
bosses an now an then break the
neck O. some chap that wasn't hit in
the war, but we mustn't forget to be
glad am bend the knee O. gratitude OF
course we all know the law kin compel
us to give the right of way, but it pro
vides fer just and sufficient payment
fer the property used; an, gentlemen,
Pm agin donations. I'm agin 'em tooth
an toe nail"
There was thunderous and ominous
applause when Bartell sat down. Will
son sat flushed and embarrassed,
twirling his gloves in his hands. He
had expected anything but this per-
sonal fusillade. He stared at Miller in
surprise over that gentleman's easy,
half amused smile as he stood up.
Gentlemen" he began, land ladies'"
he added. with bow to the right and
left. As many of you know, pre-
tend to practice law a little, and want
to say now that I'm glad Mr.. Bartell
amt in the profession. A lawyer with
his keen wit and eloquence could CON
vict an innocent mother before a jury
of her own children. lLaughter.l And
that's the point, gentlemen. We are
innocent Of the charges against US.
am speaking now of my clients, the
Bishops. They are deeply interested
in the development of this section. The
elder Bishop does hold his head high,
enough to smell coming prosperity in
the air. He believed 1t would come,
and that is why, he bought timber lands
extensively. AS for the accused gen.
teman from the Hub Of the universe,
l must say that have known him for
several years and have never heard q
word against his character. He is not
farmer, but a business man, and 1t
would be unfair to Judge him by any
other standard. He is not only bust
ness man, but a big one. He handles
big things. This railroad is going to
be big thing for you and your chill
dren. Yes, Wilson is all right. He
| didn't fight in the late unpleasantness.
he tells the women he was too young
Wilson is here to build railroad for.
your good and prosperity. and he can't
build one where there is nothing to
haul out If he buys up timber for his
company, it Is the only way to get
them to back him in tho enterprise.
Now, gentlemen of the opposition, If
there are any here today, don't let the
thought of Wilson'S possible profit rob
you of this golden opportunity. I live
at barley, but as many of you know,
this is my fathers native county, and
I want to see it bloom In progress and
blossom like the rose Of prosperity.
want to see the vast mineral wealth
buried in these mountains dug out for
the benefit of mankind wherever Gods
sunlight falls"
Miller sat down amid much applause
faint part Of which came even from
the ranks of Bartell,s faction. After
this n pause ensued in which no one
seemed willing to speak. Colonel Bar
clay rose and came to Miller.
"That was good talk he whis-
pered. "You understand how to touch
'em up. You set them to laughing;
that's the thing. wonder If 1t would
do any good for me to try my hand"
DO they know you have any timber
land over here?" asked Miller.
"Oh, yes; guess they do replied
the colonel
'Then don't believe I'd chip In" ad-
vised Miller. "Bartell would throw 1t
up to YOU"
n reckon you are right" said Bar
clay. "but for the Lords sake do eome-
thing. It never will DO to let this
thing fall through"
'T've done all I cam said Miller de-
Jectedly. "Bartell's got the whole
gang hoodooed, the blasted blockhead!
Wouldn't he make fine representative
In the legislature7"
The colonel went back to his seat
and Wilson came to Miller just as
Alan approached.
tits going to fall flatter than PAN
cake" said Wilson. my company
simply cannot afford to buy the right
Of way. Can't you choke that illiterate
fellow over there or-or buy him Off"
HE ain't that sort" said Miller dis
c0nsolately.
| Alan glanced at his father and moth
er. On their wrinkled faces lay ample
evidences Of detection. The old man
seemed scarcely to breathe. Up to
Bartelrs speech he had seemed buoy
antly hopeful, but his horizon had