Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-03-24

him or at least to get 1t for him.
But the Culbersons are not the stun
that suppliants are made Of. The gov
ernor was a petitioner at the power Of
the press, but he had no intention OF
losing his dignity. After some political
gossip between them he made hii
whole proposition.
II have come, sir" he said, ito <e
mind you of what you are aware
doubtless already-that our section Of
the state has the prior claim on the
nomination for governor this year. II
is my desire to ask you to agitate the
subject, sir, in the columns Of youl
newspaper. 1t would be valued IA
vor to yor section, sir, to make oul
claim on the office apparent at this
time before those people in the north
ern section of the state claim it again
on some preteXt or other"
Sam Wilson assented readily to the
proposition. He had been planning tc
do this for some little time, he said
and he was very glad that the govern
or had come in to remind him Of 1t
Nothing further on the governorshiI
was said. Both men carefully avoid
ed it. Yet Governor CulbersOn was
much pleased with his interview
| When he arose to go, Sam Wilson
compXmented him OH his health.
You are looking extremely well,
governor" he said.
The governor acknowledged the com
pliment.
"By the way, governor" said vii
son, "are you older or younger than
| am?"
"You are
"Sixty-seven."
"Ah, then, sir. I am a year your sen
ior." said the governor. 81 am sixty
eight"
The stately old figure, with its gold
headed cane, tramped heavily away
AS he heard its footsteps on the stairs
Sam Wilson sank back again into his
old office chair and shook his head.
Wilson had followed the world close
ly through his gold bowed spectacles
and he lived in different generation
from Governor Culberson. In the old
| school of politics man had become
| Just ripe for governor at siXty-eight
Now a man in his greatest strength
was none too strong. Sam Wilson re-
membered with q half smile the days
when fine figure and manners and
an uneXceptional family were chief
among the qualifications for the gov
ernorship. The governor must be q
fighting man now. with the physique
of an athlete, the intellect Of Grim,
inal lawyer and nerves like telegraph
wires. Arrayed against him was the
cleverest band of sharpers that the
country afforded. hired by princely pay
| for what Aey could steal by outwit'
ting the representatives of the people
and especially this one man. The got'
ernor's work was not for benevolent
old gentleman. 1t may be different in
some other states, but we are killing
governors at forty-five.
Nevertheless Sam Wilson wanted the
governorship for our section and be,
gan to call for it most heartily. AT
| the northern end Of the state there was
some tendency to demur ut first, but
| the general drift of events seemed
favorable to us. There would be no diff,
| ficulty in finding the proper candidate,
the Herald asserted.
1t was at this time that Governor
Culberson began to enjoy foretaste
of the joys of victory. The old fash
ioned country politicians who formed
his council of advisers considered the
choice already made. WAS there any
| such candidate in our part Of the
state? they asked convincingly. He
also received many calls and many
letters from homeless politicians who
wished to put themselves on record.
In a short time the governor consid'
cred 1t his duty to visit the Herald or
| flee again.
81 have come, SIR" he said to Wilson,
Ito congratulate you on your apparent
success in upholding the rights OF this
section. sir."
The tough old newspaper man WINGED
at the task there was before him, but
he went at it with customary vigor.
"Yes," he said: "we're going to get It,
| believe. Now, we have got to pick the
man. I'm glad you dropped In today
governor, for l have been thinking
over that matter pretty hard, and I'd
like to talk it over with you. Ill tell
you how | see it. You know Low we
are fixed. The times are hard, devilish
hard. and there's gang of rascals uT
| there at the statehouse who would rot
| a communion box. It'll be hard fight
| but we want to knock them out, and
| we want man from this end OF the
state to do 1t. a young man and busi
| ness man. I've given the matter good
deal of time. and think | have hi1
upon the right man for the place. Its
| ex-Lieutenant Governor Miles Holcomt
| of Johnsonville" He stopped n mo-
ment to give emphasis to his words
"Well, governor" he continued, what
do you think? How would Holcomt
do for the place"
The old man had been gradually
stiffening up for the blow during VII
sons explosive conversation. His fact
was nearly purple when it fell. Hs
arose to his feet.
"NIr. Holcomb is an admirable man
sir" he said. "No doubt he would
make a good governor. sir. Good day
SIR"
Sam Wilson, mopped his face as the
old man stamped down the stairs
"That's work." he said.
But Sam Wilson had something more
to occupy his mind that day than sen
timent. He must bring out in the morn
Ing the Herald's candidate. He bent al
the best energies Of veteran politica
pleader into his appeal for Miles Hol
comb, and to close -, nh Il 'cnnes q
retreat he quc,ed Governor Culbersoi
ON the nomination. "That veteran lead
er of the. party" the article ran, "ex
Lieutenant Governor Culberson, whel
consulted OH the subject, expressed hi
warm opinion Of the choice"
This announcer. ut Of a candidat
made more than usual row. Old Gov
ernor Culberson had many friends II
town. Besides, we have natural fee