The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-04-26
straight to wher. Helen sat She greeted

straight to where Helen sat. She greeted
him with gay smile.
You are not to come for your Aurels,
sir, until you have won the day." she
cried merrily.
He asked her to step into the hall with
him and said:
Helen, l am sorely in need OF help
and advice. / am beaten and yet have
victory in my grasp. l have just had
a conference with the G. T. & B. people
and have found that they are the ones
behind Judge Manning. They have
bought under some of my delegates and
can defeat me, but say they will not II
I will agree to be friendly" which
means. of course. to vote as they desire
on their franchises"
And you spat upon them, of course"
cried the girl. clinching her hands.
Woolcott's eyes dropped and the color
mounted his cheeks.
Not exactly" he stammered. It
knew your heart was set upon it-and-
and the idea of defeat is SO hard-that-
that-to tell the truth. temporized
took ten minutes to consider and came
straight to you"
| I'VE want no honor. bought from
those who charge the usury OF self-re-
spect." returned the girl. her eyes blaz-
ing.
Forgive me, Helen" said the man.
Strengthening. my mind was befuddled
IL was weak. where I should have been
strong. I will give them the answer"
The girl stepped closer and placed her
hand on Woolcott's arm.
Don't give up. Arthur" she said.
Fight them-Fight, fight, fight. I love
you. whether you win or lose"
Woolcott's eyes wandered DULY over
the scene before him. He saw the
crowded galleries and the floor below
slowly filling with delegates. He saw
the flag draped about the desk on the
stage. He saw the decorations and po-
litical notices hung about the hall.
All these things he saw as in a dream.
Then the fire flashed into his eyes as
though a spark from those of the girl
had struck them
by heavens. will" he said. "and III
tgive them body blow" He turned
abruptly and went down the stairs two
steps at a time. The girl smiled family
and returned to her seat.
The convention was called to order and
the preliminaries were hurried through.
While the credential committee was
verifying the list of delegates, the chair
man asked the two candidates for the
nomination for the state senate, the only
contested place, to address the conven-
ton.
Judge Manning spoke first and made q
ringing address which brought great ap-
plause.
Then Arthur woolcott was announced
He was greeted with applause becaus,
he was a popular man and orator. Al
he mounted the stage a murmur of sur.
prise ran through the hall. Always dash.
ing, bouyant and brilliant, the young
lawyer came forward. pale. solemn-al
most diffident.
Il stand here to tell you. my fellow
tones, that am undoubtedly defeated
for the position to which aspired.
regret II only as the forces which have
defeated me menace the safety of th'
state and the cause Of popular govern
ment. Within the hour I have beel
offered a guaranty Of the nomination
would pay the price. I cannot do 1
and retain my manhood, SO / have de
; cided to remain layman among you.
have enough delegates instructed for m
to nominate me together with thre
uninstructed delegates who will vote 70
me-John Martin. Of Crater; Andre,
> Holmin, OF Pigeon Crossing, and William
Peters, Of the Third ward. But the rep
|. resentatives Of the G. T. & B have show
me almost indubitable proof that ST.
delegates instructed for me have bee
reached by influences which they con
e troll and will find a pretext to vote TO
my opponent. I confess my deep disap
pointment at my impending defeat buI
:. my fellow citizens, I cannot 60 to tn
2 capital as the representative Of privat
corporation. and since cannot go as tn
e representative Of the people prefer
8 remain at home. l make these state
D lments, not at all In prejudice Of Judg
Manning. whose integrity do not doub
: but only that the delegates who inten
; to betray their instructions may b
e placed on record for what they are-th
n creatures of the @. T. & B."
Woolcott seated himself amid the mos
: profound silence ever seen in politics
: convention The delegates scarcei
It breathed for the next few minutes
s Away back near a window Mai. Robe
y dropped a heartfelt damn"
e When the roll was called on the nom
nation for state senator not one Of Woo
d colts instructed delegates had the fac
+ to "stay bought" and he received th
d nomination by q majority OF two.
o When the roll was finished and befol
= II was announced pale faced girl In ii
s gallery arose and flung a bouquet Of rost
l. full upon the stage at Woolcott's fee
Ie md went toward the door nearly on
= run, laughing Historically.