The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1904-04-23

stilled he was debating with himself.
The G. T. G. B. franchises did not affect
his district, anyway, but the entire mat
ter was reputed to be rotten and corrupt.
He replied abruptly:
Il will think 1t over and let you know
in ten minutes"
"All right" responded the major.
But remember there isn't much time.
The convention will be called to order
in 80 minutes"
Woolcott went straight upstairs to the
gallery of the convention hall and
straight to where Helen sat. She greeted
him with a gay smile
"You are not to come for your laurels,
sir, until you have won the day" she
cried merrily.
He asked her to step into the hall with
him and said:
Helen, | am sorely in need Of help
and advice | am beaten and yet have
victory in my grasp. | have just had
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 il
| 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 checks.
mot exactly" he stammered. Il
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 10 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
i was weak, where | should have been
strong. | 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. | 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 filing 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 spark from those of the girl
had struck them.
BY heavens, will" he said, "and I'll
give them a body blow" He turned
abruptly and went down the stairs two
steps at 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-
don.
Judge Manning spoke first and made
ringing address which brought great APP
Dlause.
Then Arthur Woolcott was announced.
He was greeted with applause because
he was popular man and orator. AS
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 dflident.
II stand here to tell you, my fellow
citizens" he said in clear, impressive
tones, that | am undoubtedly defeated
for the position to which | aspired. |
regret 1t only as the forces which have
defeated me menace the safety of the
state and the cause of popular govern
ment. Within the hour have been
offered a guaranty Of the nomination IL
would pay the price. | cannot do 1t
and retain my manhood, so ! have de-
cided to remain layman among you.
have enough delegates instructed for me
to nominate me together with three
uninstructed delegates who will vote for
me-John Martin, OF Crater, Andrew
Holmin, Of Pigeon Crossing, and William
Peters, Of the Third ward. But the rep
resentatives Of the G.. T. q b have shown
me almost indubitable proof that six
delegates instructed for me have been
reached by influences which they con-
troll and will find pretext to vote for
my opponent | confess my deep disap-
pointment at my impending defeat but,
my fellow citizens, ] cannot go to the
capital as the representative Of private
corporation, and since cannot go as the
representative OF the people prefer to
remain at home make these state
ments, not at all In prejudice Of Judge
Manning, whose integrity do not doubt.
but only that the delegates who intend
TO betray their Instructions may DO
placed on record for what they are-the
creatures OF the G, r, a. II"
Woolcott seated himself amid the most
profound silence ever seen In political
convention, The delegates scarcely
breathed for the next few minutes
Away back near window Maj, Robey
dropped heartfelt damn"
When the roll was called on the nomi-
nation for state senator not one of WOOL
colts instructed delegates had the face
to stay bought" and he received tho
nomination by majority OF two,
When the roll was finished and before
II was announced pale faced girl In tho
gallery arose and flung a bouquet Of roses
full upon the stage at Woolcott's feet.
and went toward the door nearly on Q