Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1903-03-05
CHAPTER TX.

The ensuing three days passed I'M
eventually. Saturday, the date of the
Republican grand rally, dawned MUIR
ky and dismal. A pitiless, fitful drizzle
followed the tickle wind In its provok-
ing seesaw from one point of the COM
pass to another; and but few persons
ventured abroad. Republicans were
glum Democrats were jubilant. The
latter winked at one another and smil-
ed broadly-wickedly
BY noon, however, the rain had
ceased; the skies had partially clear
ed Catching occasional glimpses of the
sun through the rifted clouds, the Re-
publican leaders took heart and COM
menced in earnest to decorate their
houses and places of business, in honor
of the occasion. Columns and fronts
were soon swathed in yards of bunting;
and windows and dOorways were decor
ated with flags-hags by the score and
sizes A speakers stand was erected in
front of the postoffice; and, as a crown
ing glory to the whole. an immense
arch of eyergreens and bunting span
ned the street. near the hotel.
BY mid-afternoon the country people
began to drift in; and the town took
on holiday appearance. The great
pyramid of boxes and barrels, at the
intersection of the streets near McDev-
tits store, awaited the torch and the
old brass cannon had been removed
from its hiding place in the coopershop
near the river, and transferred to a
vacant lot back Of the livery stable.
There, securely chained to a pile Of
heavy timbers, 1t rested--carefully
guarded and ready to do the bidding Of
its temporary possessors.
A short time after the removal of the
old smooth bore 10 the spot mentioned,
Hugh McDevitt and a number Of other
young Democrats called upon Marlowe,
at the drugstore.
"Look here. MIrlowe," the leader Of
the party said. IT'S reported that you
are a Democrat. How about it?"
Guilty" Ralph answered smilingly.
"Then we want you to help us"
ITO help you|-In feigned surprise.
He knew we'll what was coming.
Eyes, to help us--to be our captain,
in fact. It's like this: There's an old
brass cannon in town that has been a
bone of contention between Republic
cans and Democrats for years. For the
last decade or two-by tacit consent of
both parties-it has lain unused, in the
old coopershop by the river. But today
the Republicans have dragged II out,
and mean to use It tonight, to herald
the arrival Of the boat bringing their
speaker and the Malconta Guards. The
gun really belongs to our party; Cap
tain O'Neil-as he was called--brought
It from the south and gave It to us. To
cut long story short, we intend to
keep the Republicans from using 1t on
this occasion, either by spiking 1t or
dragging It to the river and sinking It.
And we've come to solicit your advice
and help. What do you say?"
81 would say" Marlowe answered
mildly but firmly that so far as your
proposed enterprise is concerned, am
ready to give you advice--but not
help"
you are not in favor of the scheme,
then?"
81 am not"
"May | ask why?'-Rather coldly.
my reason for opposing 1t is simply
this: 1t would get us into trouble,
bring us and our party into disrepute,
and accomplish no good. The day for
such escapades is gone by. We should
come out of the fray with broken heads
perhaps: and with battered reputa-
lions. People do not look upon such
things as once they did. The Democrats
of Babylon would be accused of politl-
cal intolerance; and the accusation
would live to torment us in future cam
paigns."
"You may be right" McDevitt NUT
tered, medtatively shaking his head.
1--WE counted upon your help; but II
you feel that way about the matter,
perhaps IL would be we'll to let 1t drop
What do you say, boys?"-Turning to
his associates.
A few expressed their willingness to
abandon the project; but the Others OPP
emily dissented and went out grumbling
81 don't know yet what well do,