The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1904-04-23
The Hand of
the Master "
Ry HENRY HILLS
oooooooooooooooooooooOo-
downright, 1901, by Daily Story Pub. Coz

Copyright, 1901, by Daily Story Pub. Coz
TIE HAD not realized how deeply he
desired to win until now that he
saw the prize slipping away from him.
In fact. he was not yet quite ready for a
political career; he needed a few years
more of professional labor in order to
put himself in financial position which
would warrant his entrusting himself
amid the pitfalls of official life.
But she had set her heart upon his
going to the egislature-wanted to
spend the honeymoon at the state capt.
tai, she said, with recognized position.
And so he had thrown discretion to the
winds and entered the campaign.
The moment was propitious, as she
had urged, The incumbent Of the Office
| had moved up higher and it was Center
county's turn to have the office. And
no one in Center county stood higher
nor was in closer touch with the party
leaders than Arthur Woolcott AT first
it had looked like walk-away. But
later opposition had mysteriously de-
veloped and had grown SO strong that
all Woolcott's powers as a fighter had
been called into play and he had gloried
in the fray. He had won, too-at least
he had thought so until now. OF the 81
delegates to the county convention he
had 40 instructed for him and he was
! morally sure of eight out Of the II UNI
instructed delegates. Once endorsed by
the county convention the fight was
over, as the other counties conceded that
Center should have the nominee
But now while the convention was as
sembling Woolcott sat in a room down
stairs and saw defeat staring him in the
face. He had been called there to meet
some friends" and Immediately upon
his entrance smelled mischief There
was present one Mr.. Whitley, a local
corporation attorney, Maj. Sam Robey,
whom Woolcott recognized as one Of the
| coolest aud cleyerest lobbyists in the
state, and two other men with whom he
was not acquainted,
With the most diplomatic indirection,
stood, they had unfoded their desires.
The opposition had been instigated it
developed, entirely by certain inllu-
ences" which desired friendly Indians"
in the legislature, They now held the
key to the situation.
you see, it's just this way Woolcott,"
said Maj. Robey, smiling blandly.
We've got at least ten out of the u
unlnstructed delegates-and | think
we've got every blamed one. But more
than that we've got six Of your fellows
who have figured out good excuse to
break away from instructions"
1t appeared, however, that the Ger
tain influences" were not violently OPP
posed to Woolcott If assured that he
would be friendly Indian" and upon
such assurance properly given, would
withdraw their support Of the other can
didato and make the election Of Wool
colt certain. The certain influences" It
was delicately conveyed, We're persons
interested in the G, T, & B, company
about whose franchises considerable
| legislation was pending.
Woolcott was fighting mad and had
Maj. Robey not been so long about COM
Ing 10 the end Of his harangue would
have tossed the proposition back into
his teeth, perhaps with physical ac-
compartments, But while the majors
soothing voice was bringing the proposI-
ton to close he glanced through the
half closed shutters and saw Helen Klr-
ton tripping along TO the convention
with number Of friends The sight
drove the blood back upon his heart.
Helen, his aflianced, going to the scene
Of his triumph only to witness his defeat
and share In his humiliation, Heshrank
from the disappointment he saw coming
into her dancing eyes, lie shrank, too,
from admitting 10 her that he had failed
she whose faith In his ability was
| perfect, And then the humiliation of
meeting the rest Of the world a defeated
man CALLED him II was his first try for
political Office and to be defeated In
hia own county seemed very hitter Nv