The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1903-06-12

III lllull any lllUll vi lDt
platform. His broadcloth was perfect,
his linen immaculate and his carriage
dignified and proud. He went up To the
crisis OF his life like Culberson and Il
man.
There was some surprise at the start
on the part of the northern delegates,
but II changed into admiration as the
old politician made his simple speech.
He confined himself to plain, sincere
eulogy Of the party and the ability OF
the candidate to serve 1t.
II am an old man. Mr.. Chairman"
he said. II have a feeling-indeed. I
may say an assurance. sir-that shall
not be present at another gubernatorial
convention. AS an individual, sir,
have not been eminent In our party,
but l stand. sir. today as the repre-
sentative Of generation OF men now
nearly passed away whose service has
been honorab BILE and distinguished, and
In behalf of them | wish to hand over
the welfare Of our great party to your
hands. 1t Is party with a great past
i need not rehearse to you how great.
May its future be as notable and as
strong.
1T Is perhaps fitting for me as a
man who is about to leave the stage
forever to introduce TO you the man
who is about to occupy its center.
am about to bring before you gentle
men, a man of great vigor and ability
and conscience, the man who is the
unanimous choice of our section Of the
state, as your candidate. | need not
say more. He is, | venture to predict,
your favorite as well as ours, and he
does not need my introduction. The
time has now come, Mr.. Chairman, and
gentlemen Of the convention, for me to
bring to close my little speech, the
last shall make at a political gather
ing. 1t is said that it is the great fault
of old men that they do not know how
TO get through, but old men learn their
lessons as well as young. And in clos
ing | wish to propose to you, gentle
men, an old fashioned sentiment from
the bottom Of my heart: The dear old
party, God bless it, and Miles Hol-
comb, who will be its candidate and
the next governor Of the state"
The fine old figure stood erect for a
few seconds, while the cheering arose
and died away, then sank back into
chair.
That" said gray haired delegate
next to me, "is the stuff we used to
make governors Of"
The exercises were pushed forward
at speed which is only obtained when
everything is cut and dried. 1t was
but a short time before the nominating
was over and Miles Holcomb made his
speech Of acceptance 1t was short
speech, evidently ready made and de-
livered with the schoolboy gestures of
man unaccustomed to talking. Yet
the resolute face and bearing of the
candidate for governor showed to the
discerning eye, even under these dsad-
vantages, that he was Il man capable
of filling the position with credit
Then the minor business Of the con-
vention was rushed off. the band play
ed frantically, and the big body broke
into the confusion of leaving The
platform was crowded with prominent
men exchanging greetings or charging
toward the candidate in the center OF
the stage.
Men do not do these things right, as
women do. Old Governor Culberson
stood up slowly from his chair at the
edge of the platform. No one paid the
slightest attention to him. They were
headed toward the group at the center
Of the stage. The old man looked I'M
certainly at the crowd, then turned
slowly away and started down the
platform steps. \ little district tele-
graph boy who was at the press tables
below helped him OH with his coat and
watched him with awe as he plodded
slowly 10 the door. He went straight
to the station and took the first train
back To his empty home.
| saw him on the train. He was
crouched down in the corner of the
seat. His hat was drawn down over
his eyes, his stock was somewhat awry,
and his shirt front was disarranged
and rumpled. He was staring steadily
at the back of the seat before him.
That night he died