The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1903-11-21

maAgpa vFahu9
HH conference was over and the
major had demonstrated his power
SIS IS never had before It wa the
culmination 81 his loAgssears Inpatient
planning ana execution Never before
had he permitted any visible manifesto
ti0n of his influence always had he
worked quietly, un~obtrusively, without
cstentation, but always effectively.
This time however, he had not hesi-
tateG 70 show the iron hand beneath the
velvet glove. This time he had sur
prised friend and Zoe BY making an open
and spectacular demonstration Of his
dominance. and apparently without rea-
con except for the keen enjoyment Of
the situation.
1t came as a shock to the assembled
politicians, but they accepted bis mas
terry without a murmur.
eae had 1t coming, Il he wanted II, /"
wa the gist OF the comment.
But followed Immediately In every
one Of the trained minds the thought:
There's the Achilles heel 10 his armor
there's his weak spot" and the
thought was duly pigeon-holed for fu-
ture use.
Horace Campbell shall not be the
nominee for congress-" he had an
nounced with determination. He has
fought me for five years with every
weapon HIS ingenuity could suggest.
Now I propose to turn him down in the
ambition OF his life"
The great majority Of those present
were for Campbell for one reason or
another-principally because he was
popular with the people and stood high
in every way, and would make a popu-
lar candidate, and one easy to win with;
a candidate who would reflect credit
o. the Organization, I" and the "organi-
zation" was sadly in need Of credit and
approval with the people.
But the major was firm, and It was
decided finally to throw the nomination
70 Rufus Bascom. That settled 1t, as
the ~ men present controlled a great
majority Of the delegates. The word
went out that BascOm was the man, and
the majors DON in the hotel was be-
sieged by friends Of Campbell, who
coaxed, cajoled, plead and threatened.
The major met all their arguments and
pleading with the placid immortality
for which he was noted.
It had been determined by a confer
ence Of the leaders, he replied, that Mr..
Bascom was the most available candi-
date. OF course, the convention would
HmmNah Nn.vamwmnW anE NEA a-T--.K
would register the will Of the people.
But the party leaders would advise the
nomination Of Bascom. OF course, the
Campbell men understood that the CON
ference settled IL and fhat
8
i~uGiinaa0ns. toRRminate BasapW
G d the hotel
narehected upon the events Of IN
day. His time had come. He felt nv
solid rock beneath his feet. the reins -
power tight in his grasp. Now IL
would show his traducers that thew bad
barked up the wrong tree. He had baaD
patient, and had eliminated everv atom
Of personality from his work ana big
campaigns, keeping only IN sigbt h
star Of success. And now he had won
Now let the men whose abuse he bs5
taken SO silently, beware. Not q sem
tence Of their condemnation but vas
burned into his memory. not a blow
they had given ever forgotten.
And, nrst Of all, this Campbeil Womb
feel the strength Of his retaliation For
years he had writhed inwardIv. undsr
the caustic eloquence Of this youne IsSr
yer, who deemed himself better thar
the machine" and who had attemnts5
to block every step In the building ~
the splendid organization which nov
controlled the party, and Of which "
was the head and master. He knew well
CampbelFs oyerpowering ambition IL
knew It was the dream of the LAWYERS
life to SIT in the halls OF congress Nv
a combination Of circumstance sH
things had conspired this year to make
his nomination possible. II was dus
the county, and he was the most 3
Gpicuous figure.
Yes. indeed, this was the majors on
portunity for revenge, and he sat grim
and eomplacsnt, when a card was handed
him which forced an expression Of sur.
prise to his usually immovable face. II
read:
Mrs. Horace Campbell"
There was no trace Of the perplezity