Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-05-27

was sick. When he did drive out again,
they noticed how much changed he was
by his illness. Indeed, it was almost
startling. His face had lost its color, and
there were a little quaver in his voice
and an uncertainty in his step which
had never been there before. His
clothes were Lot so carefully tended,
and there began to be suspicion Of
dinginess on his immaculate shirt front.
People began to see that he was an
old man. you must take care Of your
self, governor" his friends said.
In the meantime the boom for Miles
Holcomb still hurried along. The eau
cuses went solidly for him all over the
state. A young lawyer from the north
was to be made lieutenant governor.
All records for harmony We're sur
passed. The question now arose as to
who would present the name OF our
candidate before the state convention.
Holcomb, who had warmed up to the
game by this time, was very much in
terested in this. He made up his mind
he must have Governor Culberson, and
with characteristic directness he went
to him and asked him for his services.
"My dear sir" replied the old gentle
| man, with dignity, while appreciate
the distinguished honor you offer me,
fear I shall be obliged to decline. I
could not do you justice, SIR"
ooh, thunder!' said Holcomb. "If I
had only half your gift of CAB, I'd be
happy man. AS it is, l lie awake
nights thinking of how many different
kinds of fool Pm going to be when I'm
governor"
Culberson pleaded hard. "Ir. Hol-
comb" he said, II am not what have
been. am an old man. sir 1 will tell
you confidentially, sir, that my sleep is
very broken, and my appetite has been
leaving Inc lately am not very strong,
1 fear, SIR"
But Holcomb insisted, and finally the
old man yielded to him.
81 could not refuse with honor" he
said to his friends.
1.-THE choice of ex-Lieutenant Gov
ernor Culberson to present the name Of
our candidate ut the state convention"
said the Herald, sis a happy one. There
is now no other figure in our section Of
the state or indeed in the common
wealth that commands greater respect
than our honored and esteemed fellow
citizen"
AT last the day before the convention
came, and we sent up n special train
with our candidate. In the prospective
governors car, back toward the rear,
sat old Governor Culberson, strange,
erect, tmpassive figure amid the clouds
OF tobacco smoke. That evening he
went for n short time with the rest
through the corridors of the hotel, where
the committee headquarters were, and
watched, as he had many times before,
the spirit of Americanism worshiped
with the incense of cigars and mixed
drinks. He did not know many people
there now, however, and, he went to
bed carly for his effort of the morrow.
The convention of that year was q
quiet and harmonious one, without any
marked features land 1t is perhaps for
that reason that I, with many others,
had indelibly fixed in my mind the fine
Old figure Of Ex-Governor Culberson as
he made his little speech Of nomination.
There were some little things to regret
about the affair, those little things in
great occurrences which are SO puinful.
and the old man WINGED when the
chairman referred to his former distin-
guished service as governor of the state.
But he had himself well In hand for
the occasion and was more governor
in appearance than any man on the
platform. His broadcloth was perfect.
his linen immaculate and his carriage
dfgnffied and proud. lie went up to the
crisis of his life like Culberson and
man.
There was some surprise at the start /
OH the part of the northern delegates,
but 1t changed into admiration as the
Did politician made his simple speech.
lie confined himself to plain, sincere
'ulogy Of the party ana the ability Of
he. candidate to serve 1t.
II am an old man, Mr. Chairman"
10 said. II have feelipgTipgeed I |
aaz.say an:assllrance shall