The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-05-27

II almost wish John Gordon may no,
live, for your sake as well as his" she
said. Luella shuddered, and Mrs. Pen
rose after pause went out Of the
room.
The crisis az John Gordon came on
the night of tSszA election day. To Ford
and the others who watched by him
that night it seemed as if the struggle
being fought out in the city was typl-
fed by the struggle going OF in John
Gordon's room. Rumors Of the political
battle drifted into Hope House all day.
Both sides were confident. Both sides
claimed victory. 1t was righteousness
against all forms of evil that had
grown secure and insolent, but was
now alarmed and fighting for future
existence Tommy Randall typided the
entire city administration. He had
used enormous sums Of money. The
tenement district almost solidly voted
for him against the friends who, like
Miss Andrews, lived to better their
condition. The whole thing illustrated
magnificently the regular social degra-
dation of American civic life.
AS night deepened and returns began
20 come in slowly there seemed to be
no decisive indications for either side.
Ford, who had been with Gordon from
the beginning, refused to leave, al
though he was thoroughly exhausted.
Gordon sank lower and lower. Twice
they thought he had passed on. Each
time be rallied. At o'clock he was
nearer death than be had ever been.
From that time on the struggle Of life
for the spirit grew stronger. When
dawn came, the doctor lifted his hand
and a grim smile expressed his salts
\ faction. The crisis was passed, and
John Gordon, by the grace Of God, was
to live and struggle on for few years
more before his spirit should go to God,
who gave it.
Out in Bowen street and around
Hope House the boys were crying out
special election editions. Miss An
drews and Ford could hear the words
"Victory for Reform ticket!" Triumph
for law and order" Chambers elect
ed city attorney Ford stole down
stairs and got q paper. The little fam
lily of residents gathered in the library.
The first questions asked were about
John Gordon.
.The doctor says he'll live. Hurrah!"
Ford cried feebly. He waved the pa
per as if that was the special news
that covered its first page with heavy
type and exclamation points. Some
one discovered Miss Andrews over by
the window with tears on her face.
Miss Hammond came up and put an
arm about her.
"Grand, isn't it," Miss Hammond
said
eyes. It did not seem possible in
the night that he could i've
:. "Who? Tommy Randall?" Miss
Hammond asked demurely.
Miss Andrews laughed.
"I'm rather unstrung by all this" she
said.
at is a good deal, isn't it? Tommy's
death and Mr.. Gordon's life at the
same time. But Joy never kills, does
it,"
at has~never killed Miss Andrews
yet" said Ford. But don't know
how she will stand all this. I'm afraid
1t will go hard with her"
81 will try to accustom myself to it, -
the head Of the house answered, smll-
Ing on them all. At the breakfast ta-
bic no one ever remembered to have
. seen her more interesting or fascinat-
ing.
John Gordon rapidly grew stronger.
When once life had claimed him, 1t
seemed as if all the forces Of good
came to his assistance.
One day when he had become strong
enough he listened with the greatest
delight to Fords account of the cleo
ton.
chambers is going to make history
for the double decker fellows. There
are over a hundred cases filed already.
The atmosphere around the end Of
Bowen street is Of a dark blue. Tom
my Randall has skipped out for his
health and carried with him the Doodle
he was careful not to use for campaign
purposes. The property out here, in
cluding his unfinished building, has all
passed into other hands, and the city
is likely to take measures toward con-
demnation and purchase. Of course
that means lots Of legislation and laws
delays, and so forth, but the gang is
tout Of the city halls, and Chambers and
his gold bowed spectacles will move
things as rapidly as the law permits,
which to my mind is not fast enough
to set anything afre. At the next cleo.
ton the city ought to make Chambers
king and give him absolute authority
to DO as he pleases for the good Of the
city. But / tell you, Gordon, you
missed q mighty good fight by being
here the week before the election
$50 did you, my dear fellow, from
what hear Of you," said Gordon af-
fectionately.
"Oh, 1 had a good fight over you"
said Ford "There were also others.
Miss Marsh came down or sent word
every day. We were all determined not
to let you die. But twas good fight.
I'm about used up. turn you over to
Miss Marsh
I'm sorry to miss you, Ford" Cor
don laughed lightly. 'I've no fault to
find"
Il understand. You simply want a
better looking nurse around Don't
blame you" said Ford, who was un-
commonly homely and not at all sensi-
tive over it.
81 did not say So" replied Gordon,
laughing again. He was light hearted.
The world seemed good to him. The
victory of the righteous forces in the
city, the defeat Of Tommy Randall, the
prospect for the future and. above all,
the thought Of Iuella filed him with