davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-06-19

and elbows on knees, he pondered
without moving until Ethel returned.
Then. confidently, he outlined his plan
of campaign:
"A quarter of mile south of us is
the crossroads" he began. ITO the
west of that is Oliver, ten miles; Bun
ker is six miles east Well, your
father. when he comes in an hour
no, fifty minutes-will find you gone.
Therell be two bicycle tracks leading
south towards the crossroads. One
wheel will have a punctured tire. I'm
going to tie this handkerchief on my
rear wheel just TO show him that, and
TO make the track easy to follow. But
he'll lose us at the crossroads.
Before we get there Wen swing
up on to the path, where the ground
is hard and no marks show. I'll take
off the handkerchief. Wen turn around
and go back north, riding on the path
for half a mile beyond your place.
Brtdgetown is twenty miles straight
north. We Can make it in three hours
without hurrying.
Now, this is what l think your
father will do. He'll ride back to the
crossroads in that benzine buggy of
his and spend fifteen minutes looking
for the trail of the bandaged tire.
Then he'll squander half an hour in
town calling on the ministers. Next
he'll try Bunker, as that's the nearest
town. He'll have arrived at the con-
clusion long before of course. that
we've eloped, and he'll do Bunker and
return, besides visiting the preacher
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-06-19

ed beside him, was more practical
She looked anxiously back along their
path, expecting every minute to hear
the ominous "chug-a-chug" and to see
her fathers motor car topping the
distant ridge Quite Unexpectedly she
gasped, and Carruthers, galvanized by
the sound, sat up.
Are they coming?" he queried anx-
iously following her gaze.
mo, but Dick-we've forgotten the
license!"
"Oh, no we haven't" was the tri-
umphant response, for I got the Ii
cense and the ring yesterday"
The girl turned with an amused
smile that somehow reminded him OF
her father.
Richard, you are thoughtful
young man." she said, with mock APP
proval. But wasn't that little risky?
Of course, you could count on fathers
saying no. But how did you know I'd
elope with your"
None but the brave deserve the
fair" replied Dick undauntedly, I'VE
have to take some chances, even in
elopements. Now a little kiss and
we're off again. I can just see your
father whzzing over the road back
there"
The next hour was uneventful. They
reeled off the miles steadily and easily,
stopping once for cool, re-
farm house.
Bridgetown and matrimony We're
only five miles away, with hill of
three miles to cover. This hill was
comparatively easy for bicyclists until
within 500 yards of the top. Then the
grade became steep At this point
Dick and Ethel dismounted to lead
their wheels. Just as the crest was
won, a sound reached their ears faint
and distant, but unmistakable 1t
was the "honk-honk" of a motor
car.
The car, as they turned to look,
had already begun the conquest of the
long hill The machine lurched and
bounded wildly as it spurned pebbles
from beneath the air-shod wheels:
The whilegoose warning sounded con-
stantly and commanded entire respect.
Several vehicles and a lone pedes-
one team of staid, round-bodied pillow
horses tried to climb tree. The car
never slackened speed; with trolley
of "honks' it flew upward The last
shred of doubt vanished. for its ocu-
pants were a begoggled, leather
capped chauffeur and a taller figure,
dust covered, but topped with a silk
hat.
Carruthers answered the unspoken
question in his sweetheart's anxious,
lovely eyes, mo use,' he said briefly,
1--WE must stand our ground now"
The car was approaching the
stretch that would decide the race,
that last steep quarter mile. If
IT," breathed Richard. He could
get no farther. But it WON'T" ans
wered Ethel. THE horrid old thing is
working beautifully There! Papa's
seen us!"
And then the god of chance Joined
hands with the god of love. The pur-
suers' speed slackened as the car
struck the rise. The vehicle of ven
geance faltered, recovered, faltered
again-stopped The "chugs" came
thick and fast now, like the rattle of
a machine gun. A cloud of vapor
rose. The chauffeur and the banker
dismounted, the former, tools in hand,
kneeling before the machine like a
Chinaman before his joss. The Hon
orable David waved two fists in the
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-06-19

there, in forty minutes. When he
reaches the crossroads again it Will
be half-past twelve.
IF he goes to Oliver, his blood
will be up, and I think they'll reel off
that twenty miles in fast time, say
forty-fiye minutes. Then we can ex-
pect him at Reverend Gilchrist's very
shortly after you're Mrs. Curru-
Tiers"
But supposing he doesn't go to
Oliver?" queried Ethel anxiously.
Wouldn't he overtake us?'
In that case, sweetheart, I'm put
ting my trust in a certain hill, two
miles long, just this side of Bridge
town. It's a bit stiff. even for ten
horse power car. If he crowds the
machine. and 1 devoutly hope he will,
they'll not reach the top. A cog or
something will give"
For the joy of hearing her conf
so convincingly aside, Ethel tried to
think of other objections, but there
were none.
They rode bravely out the wide
gateway and turned to the south. The
house was silent in the flooding sun
shine; no one was stirring about the
stables far in the rear. Carruthers
smiled with satisfaction as he looked
back along the road. The handker-
chief, wound tightly about the rear
tire of his wheel left the desired i'm
preston in the dust-a clue TO
delight Sherlock Holmes HIM
self.
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-06-19
SAVANNAH MORNING NEWS: SUNDAY. JUNE 49, 1904.

Parallel with the road ran the path,
hard beaten, in places barely discerni-
BILE beneath encroaohing grass. They
swung into it and stopped within a
rod of where it ended at the cross
roads. Carruthers removed the hand
kerchief, and then turned their wheels
toward the north. Noiselessly they
spend back. Only an Indian could
have traced their course on the
beaten earth. Ethel sighed tremu-
ously as they whzzed by the house
again. Briggs, Dick noted with re-
lied, was not visible about the barns.
By a manful effort he repressed a
desire to shout in sheer exulta-
ton.
Neither will ever forget that ride.
The wheels, instinct with life, seemed
almost to propel themselves. Up hill
and down the lovers sped, their hearts
aleap with love and youth and the ex-
hilaration of swift, arrowy motion. A
chpmunk raced them for yards, his
striped coat twinkling like a shaft of
mellow light as he scurried along the
rail fence by the roadside. Late May
flowers nodded encouragement to the
runaways; the woods, stretching cool
and green and billowy away to the
right and left. seemed to whisper to
happiness.
At shaded roadside nook five miles
from Circleville they made their first
stop. Dick, fiat on his back on the
fragrant earth, gazed at the fleecy
clouds overhead and dreamed dreams
of cottage for two; but Ethel, seat
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-06-19

air and jumped UP and down. The
| clipping couple mounted hastily and
rode to Mr. Gilchrists.
The kindly old minister was lust
sitting down to an excellent dinnar
when they rode up breathlessly. He
heard their story in two minutes, ana
/ won by Ethels tears, in two more de.
cided to marry them. Placid, white
| haired Mrs. Gilchrist, still wearing
ton who lived next door, acted as
witnesses. Two more chairs were
placed at the table after the ceremony
and four people instead of two sat
down to dinner. If Ethel kept a pretty.
ear alert for a certain familiar ''chug-
a-chug" and Dick sent an occasional
watchful glance over his shoulder AT
the door standing Hospitality open
the Reverend and Mrs. Gilchrist made
no comment.
But their vigilance was unnecessary.
When Mr.. and Mrs. Carruthers rode
down the hill they found the car
pointed towards home. Evidently II
had been repaired. for the chauffeur
straight backed and rigid. sat in his
place. Mr.. Barclay was some distance
away under a tree.
"Papa!" Ethel dropped her wheel
by the roadside and ran towards him.
He stopped her with appraised hand.
Just a moment, Ethel" he said
trife grinly, you're married, 1 sup
pose?"
Yves
stand there until I hear about it
What have you to say, sir?" The
frigid dignity of the Honorable David's
attitude was somewhat marred
by a streak of grease across his
nose.
Dick told the story. while Ethel.
like a guilty but very charming school
girl drew diagrams in the dust with
her boot.
There was silence a moment when
Carruthers had finished. Mr.. Barclay
looked off across the fields. Loved
one another for two years, have YOU"
he said slowly. II might have known!
I might have known! Planned this
out; figured on the hill and ALL Well!
in days gone by, but the ris-
ing generation-new methods, I sup
pose"
He turned to the pair who, hand
in hand, awaited his verdict. The chill
dignity was gone, and Ethel noticed
with sudden pang that her father
was an old man and weary. His smile
made the stern face human and low
able.
EInel, GEAR, KISS your poor, out
witted, old father" he said. Richard,
my boy, give us your hand. You're
worthy of her. or she wouldn't have
married you. Ethels a Barclay and
knows good stuff from shoddy."
Ethel cried a little, softly. and Dick,
returning the firm pressure of the old
er mans hand, felt that he knew the
banker for the first time.
Mr.. Barclay was first to speak
Come, Wen go back. It's past din
ner time now. I'll have Albert strap
your wheels on behind. You can get
in with us; there's plenty of room in
the car"
But the romance of their Lochinvar
ride was over the young people. They
looked at one another with question
ing eyes. Each found wish mirrored
therein.
Thank you" rejoined Dick, "but
if it's all the same to you, We'll begin
our honeymoon on our bicycles.
They served nobly during the court
ship!"
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-06-19
BY OSBORN SPENCER.

were keeping tally for themselves, and
as group after group swung into line
the Lincoln contingent welcomed them
with resounding cheers. Just after the
last name was called there was com
parative quiet, which became dead ST.
lence when the secretary prepared to
announce the result.
The giving out of the figures, Sew
ard, 1S41s Lincoln, ISL; scattering
y91R, was followed by a tremendous
burst of Lincoln enthusiasm, while the
Seward men looked on silently. many
of them with faces blanched to the
lips. By that time the handwriting on
the wall was clear to all save those
who would not see.
The Final Ballot.
The third ballot was begun amid
breathless suspense. All over the wig
wan delegates and spectators alike
were keeping their own tally sheets.
Again votes gravitated to Lincoln
from all the other candidates-4k from
Seward, 2 from Cameron, IS from
Chase, and so on. throughout the
whole of that ballot the vast crowd
was strangely quiet, excepting when
there were changes to Lincoln. These
changes were followed by outbursts of
applause, staceato, almost historical
in quality. Long before the official
tellers had footed their sheets the audi
ence knew that Lincoln was in the
I lead; 465 votes had ben cast, of which
Lincoln had 2311a. and Seward 1871: 233
were necessary TO choice, and Lincoln
lacked only vote and half.
A Crucial Moment.
Then came the crucial moment. mo
announcements had been made by the
chair, changes were in order. and n
was only question of seconds who
should speak first" The silence was
painful. The telegraph's click and the
pencils scratch were plainly audible.
Garter of Ohio sprang upon a chair.
and announced a change of four Chase
votes from the Ohio delegation to the
Lincoln column.
Lincoln" shouted a teller, waving
! his tally sheet and at that signal a
cannon on the roof doomed the news
to the waiting throng outside. Wild
enthusiasm and blank disappointment
commingled in the indescribable scene
which followed, while delegation after
delegation swung into line. The Lin
coin vote was finally announced as be-
ing 1854, and then Evarts, the Seward
champion, though almost overcome
with emotion, moved that the nominal
ton be made unanimous.
The blaine Convention.
Three times there have been con-
vention crises when the late James
q Blaine was the bone OF conven-
ton. Ia Two Of these instances Il may
De said that the crisis was wrought
out and the die cast when the conven-
lion was not IN session.
The first Of the Blaine crises came
I 90 1876 ne the Cincinnati convention
Blaine was - young man for Presi-
! dent h0DorH, being only forty-Eix
{ tie Waa a. nYOwed candidate, and he
had conducted the preliminary can-
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-06-19
Conventions

paign with vigor and skill. Though
undoubtedly the idol of the majority
of his party, he had many bitter enc
mics within it's lines, but his followers
were fairly intoxicated with enthusi-
asm for him, and his lieutenants in
cluded many of the ablest Republicans
then alive.
There was no lack of other strong
and noteworthy candidates. There
was Oliver P. Morton, than United
states Senator from Indiana, who had
been Governor of that state Morton
was possessed of great native power
mentally, though not a man of great
culture. Roscoe Conkling, then per-
haps at the climax of his career, bril-
liant, tempestuous and anxious, was a
candidate, representing what was oft
en- termed the Grant wing of the
party. Benjamin H. Bristow, who
had been Secretary of the Treasury
under Grant, and ex-Gov. Hartranft of
Pennsylvania, head of the "Reforrn"
element in the Republican party of
that state, were candidates. There
was also candidate named Ruther-
ford b. Hayes. from Ohio, who, like
Hartranft, had been Governor of his
state.
A Gathering of Brilliant Men.
Such was the situation when the con-
vention was called to order on June
IA The delegates included many able
and brilliant men. James Russell Low
ell and George William Curtis, real ''lit-
erary fellers." were among Them
Henry M. Teller, years after to be a
champion of free silver; Thomas G.
Platt, whose political fame since then
has been unique; Senator John p.
Jones. who, like Teller, was later 10
be a free silver man; George F. Hoar,
still active to-day in his green old age.
and many others who have either
passed off the political stage forever
or soon must do so, We're also members
of that bocy Another. who was ia
make an almost worldwide reputation
before the gathering adjourned, was a
big, handsome, jolly-faced young law
yer from Illinois. He was Robert G.
Ingersoll.
After the preliminaries of organiza-
tion and the adoption of the platform
had been gone through with. nomina
tions were I'm order. Bristow, ConklinR
and Hayes were named, without rous-
ing a scintilla OF enthusiasm
Then the state of Maine was called,
and Ingersoll. the young lawyer from
Illinois, went TO the platform. No one
outside of his own delegation knew
him, though all were aware that he
was to put Blaines name before the
NoHFNuAAullst IN hholutnt ne had the
undivided attention OF the convention,
and presently he was swaylnR the men
before him as the wind sways a field
OF grain. The applause. frequent
throughout the speech became a
mighty roar AZ its close, and the nomi-
nation Of Blaine seemed as certain as
anything human could be-
BIaiRe's Explanation.
Mr.. Blaine himself explained the
failure ~ his nomination later in these
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-06-19
Crucial Moments in National
The Crises Sampedes Conventions Since co
nation In l6o0-Some of Them Carefully
Movements of WrepulIers.

Though Lincoln's first nomination for
the Presidency in 1860 was made unan-
imous on the motion of William NJ.
Evarts. who had led the opposition on
behalf of New York's candidate, Will
liam H. Seward. the rail splitter had
majority of only two and a half votes
on the third ballot, which determined
the choice of the convention.
There was no lack of candidates. Sc
ward led everyone long way on the
first ballot. as the favorite of the adj
vanced anti-slaverx element of the
party. Vermont had a candidate
named Collamer; New Jersey had one
named Dayton; Missouri one named
Bates. All of these men have long
been forgotten by everybody save close
students of political history, and SO
has Mclean. who divided the votes
OF Ohio with Salmon p. Chase. ST.
mon Cameron, Pennsylvania favorite
son at that convention, is better re-
membered, yet many readers of to-day
will have to think bit before they can
place him.
The Seward-LincoIn Crises.
IN spite of Stewards long lead. how
ever-he had 1917 notes.-the 1O2 votes
cast for Lincoln on the first ballot
presaged his ultimate victory to many.
The result was announced in that mo-
ment of dead silence which always fol-
lows an important convention vote. but
Immediately after the announcement
the walls of the frail wooden "wigwam"
in which the gathering was held were
filled with a deep-toned hum that sug-
gested the buzzing of an enormous
swarm of bees.
vote upon the instant but Seward S
friends began at once to realize that
their favorite might be defeated by the
tail. ungainly candidate from the Suck
er State. Down to the announcement,
the Seward men had had bat the
slightest doubt Of the result. On the
morning OF the third day, when the
balloting was done. they had spent so
much time parading the streets behind
a brass band, that when they arrived
at the wigwam every seat was occu-
pied. and there was some trouble in
finding places for them.
Wavered 10 Lincoln.
There was some little delay before
the calling 81 the roll for the second
ballot was begun. due TO Wranglng
over technical matters. 10 which the
excited delegates listened with the Ut
most impotence, finally cutting n
snort With peremptory, almost furi-
Gus, cries ~ CAL the roll Call the
RON" ~ the second ballot progressed
even the most devoted Seward men bee
ran 70 perceive dlmly The handwriting
on the wall. FOR the deisKnteH who had
fahi complimentary votes for Cola
insr ana Mclean ana Cameron and
Bates began 10 graYitate into the Linz
ooin column.
noen tfg handwriting became palmer.
~ le1st bali ~ those ip fhe HiRWam
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-06-19

In 1892, when Harrison was nomin-
ated at Minneapolis, Mckinley was
chairman of the convention. Seventy
four votes were cast for him as NOM
inee before Ohio was reached on the
roll call. Ohio cast all but one of its
votes for Mckinley, and he insisted
on an individual roll call. The result
was unchanged, and there were shouts
for Mckinley! Mckinley" all over
the hall. But McKinley's action in
ordering a roll call stopped the move
ment.
Bryan's Nomination in 90.
In the Democratic Convention in
1896, when Bryan was nominated, the
result was unforeseen, excepting by
the Western section of the party,
which had placed Mr.. Bryan upon as
high a pedestal as ever Blaine was
placed by the Republicans. But the
crisis which really determined the out
come of the gatherings deliberations
came before the candidates were
named.
The convention began July :, and
Bryan was made the nominee on July
10. On July 3, Bryan came to the
front, when he delivered the speech In
which he used the famous words,
You shall not crcify mankind upon
a cross of gold" Never has a conven-
ton been more deeply stirred; never
was political address delivered which
had more far-reaching effects. For
a full half hour the convention was
in frenzy; the cheering was terrific
and the air was filled with flying hats,
banners, badges-anything and every
thing that the excited delegates could
express their enthusiasm with.
. The next day, with the almost un-
precedented number of fourteen candi-
dates before the convention. and the
wholly unprecedented condition of us
delegates absent and not voting, Bryan
was made the nominee.
Copyright, 1904, by T. C. McClure)
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-06-19
Sponsors onered First place.

Twice in the conventions when
Blaine was a figure, it will be OBJ
served the sponsor for a leading can
didate was offered the chance of TAX
ing the candidates place before the
convention.
ConlIling declined with Indignation
to supersede Grant in 1880, but Gar
field took the opposite course in the
same convention, displacing Blaine.
Grants strongest opponent, and win
ming the prize.
Twice before Mckinley was nomin-
ated he had the opportunity to do as
Garfield had done, and twice he re-
fused, choosing rather to follow the
example of Conking. The first ~
these rejected opportunities was In
lsSS. when he was a member OF the
Ohio delegation which was pledged
solidly for John Sherman. on the
sixth ballot there was a break Tor Nj.
klnley, which became more pro.
nounced on the seventh. MeKiniev
saw that Il was necessary for MIN
20 do something az once and. mount.
ing q chair, he demanded "that "a
delegate who would not cast reflection
upon me should cast q ballot FOR me-"
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-06-19

The third convention crisis in which
Blaine figured came in 1883, when
Benjamin Harrison was nominated for
the first time. This convention was
held in Chicago and there We're many
candidates. but the name of Blaine.
casting peculiar spell over the gath
ering, was In the way of them all.
despite the fact that he had written
a letter from Florence, Italy. where he
had been ~, declining to be a candl-
date. o.
Those who proposed making him the
standard bearer went about their work
with care. They planned 20 give an
the other candidates a chance. and
when it was seen that no one OF them
could win, 20 spring Blaine's name
and stampede the gathering with
roar. AZ first the plan seemed sure
% win. For lve long, weary days the
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-06-19

gate to stand by the nominee. and
eXpelling those who would not acqui-
esce. This was carried. 1t was in the
course of the fight over the unit rule
that Conkling sent Garfield a pen
ciled note: IT congratulate you on be-
ing the dark horse" and it was on
that day Conkling told his friends
that Garfield was not fighting for
Blaine, but for Garfield.
ConISling's COupIet.
The nominations were not placed be-
fore the convention till Saturday, and
there had to be a recess over Sunday.
1t was in his speech naming Grant
that Conkling uttered the famous
lines:
ttWhen asked what state he halls from,
Our sole reply shall be-
He comes from Appomattox
And its famous apple tree"
The balloting began on Monday.
Grant had 304 votes on the first ballot.
and they stuck to him to the last,
gaining two more before the end, thus
making up the famous $685. The
other candidates stood as follows
Blaine, 2S4; Sherman, SO; Edmunds!
"a; Elihu Washburne, 30; Window, TO-;
Garfield, 1. Not one of these famous
Republican war horses is now living
There was practically no change for
twenty-seven ballots, when it was in
timated to Conkling that if he would
withdraw Grants name a compromise
might be arranged by which he
Conkling-might be nominated. This
proposition made Conkling furious,
and the voting continued monotonous-
ly enough till the thrty-fourth ballot.
Then Conkling's note to Garfield, ac-
cusing him of being the dark horse .
was justified. Garfield had received
one vote, that of Galusha A Grow of
Pennsylvania, on every ballot, but on
the thirty-fourth Wisconsin cast its
sixteen votes for him. The end was
plainly visible now, and on the next
ballot Indiana, followed by other
states, fell into the Gargeld line.
TumuIet Followed the Vote.
All this time Garfield was himself
the most interesting study in the hall.
His face was pale, he sat perfectly
Inotionless, and his eyes were down.
cast. Outwardly he was entirely I'M
moved. Even when delegates seized
banners and waved them over his
head, cheering unanimously, he
neither moved nor spoke, and as soon
as possible after the announcement of
the final ballot-Garfield, 309 Grant,
3C6; BLAME, AZ; Sherman, She quiet
ly got out of the hail. Conkling main
tanned a superb self-maStery as VIII
liam M. Evarts had sixteen years be-
fore, and moved to make Garfield
nomination unanimous.