The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-09-18

working against pa If our parents are
running for the same office, you and i
need not take Sides That is what |
meant, and You know it. Why. Sam.
/ do not see how you can want to take
part against any one lScarc for!
You are just like the rest of women.
after ALL groaned Sam. Cant you
see that politics is outside Of what q
fellow cares for, and all that? It Is a
question Of principles of government and
and citizenship. At least. that's the
theory rvrte affairs are not In It.
They have nothing to- do with the case
AS n citizen and n voter I have a duty
lyon have a duty to me, and that
should come first!5
M So they went on--Sam arguing from
one point of view Dolly arguing from
another--until finally the young man
slammed the front door anErlly and went
off with a little pearl ring weighing like
lead in his vest pocket and a heart much
heavier in his bosom
Dolly, bright-e.yed and whtilte-lipped,
swept tempestously into the kitchen
where Old, Man Barton was talking ways
and means with John Penny.
Uncle John. we must beat zthose Hll-4
ers. ! wllacry my eyes out If we. don't!'
she exclaimed. "A
"Flrc and tow! the child looks half
minded TO cry her eyes out right now"
commented tho Old Man,
II During the two weeks preceding the
caucus feeling between Hill and Valley
ran high Every man, woman and child
in the township not to mention kinsfolks
outside, took sides III the supervision-
ship fight Parson Minter; postponed his
''protracted meeting In the wise conyic-.
!ton that after the township election the
people would have more time and in
clination to think OF their souls
Caucuscs are usually held In the VII
lagc Of Sweet Valley in the 'wareroom''
of Eben Barton's store, which also serves
as a polling place on election days.
When Deepwnterites OF tho majority
the hopeless minority seldom puts for
ward any candidates-met to decide
whether John Penny Barton or Samuel
McNab, Sr.. should be the candidate for
supervisor, also incidentally to renomi-
nate constable. squire ana school di-
rector, IGben's store and the porch and
the road IN front We're like n crowded
corner in the vicinity of the prize pigs
al the county fair. Ea
Voters and pillars OF the government
stamped around, slnpping each other
on the back and exchanging plug to-
bacco, while they discussed the drains
through the Barton place and argued
and prophesicd of their respective cam
ddates.
At the outset the Valleyites scored
a point, though their opponents did not
realize It at the time.
AS standing chairman Of all public
meetings. OLD Man John Barton stood at
the top Of the store steps and announced
the hour for beginning business. ~
| "And now, gentlemen he went on in
| his pleasantly oratorlcal style, ''since for
some years 1t has been customary for
our obliging merchant Eben. to serve
as clerk aud watcher at our caucuses.
| doubtless you will all be willing to trust
| TO his probity and fairness again How
somever. since Eben happens to be akin
to one whose name Is on the blackboard
| for our considerat lion. It WILL J. believe,
| be more fitting and--ah! ---parllamentary
to give him an associate, II the action
meets approval. ] will appoint Samuel
McNab, Jr,. ms that nssoclntc.
The Killers received the appointment
| with acclaim, and though the young man
objected strenuously. be was pushed into
| the wareroom and seated beside Eben
at the table. where lGben's new derby
| hat served to receive the slips of paper
containing the vote OF each faithful and
jealous worker for the party.
Then Bob Barton took Dan Edgar by
the arm, and they went behind the store.
! where they could permit their faces to
! expand and wreath with silent mirth,
4 THAT ticks em!" gurgled Bob With a
few fancy steps of triumph '''There is
/ their best worker corraled-shut up for
i the afternoon as harmless as blind
kitten, Old Samuel ana the rest do the
talking, but Young sam knows how TO
! ge, In the votes; he was dangerous
] Tel you. the Old Man is slck.''
/, That was an afternoon Of excitement.
4 Probably the liveliest and the most mo-
4 mentous incident was the clicking OF
big Thad Prentiss. by JOHNNIE Barton
Smith,
Dcepwater does not claim Thad Prem
tss. he Is a bully from a neghboring
township and on account OF his size and