The Irish standard., 1904-08-06

face to Mr.. Blaine l knew they We're
expecting him to set things right, to
correct the political blunder that
every listener had felt, including ere
this, probably, DR.. Burchard himself
Blaine was too sharp to let it Slip
he'd fix it all right; trust him for that
Already the Plumed Knight was
speaking. Every face was keenly in,
tent. doubt and anticipation workin.
in and out of each. Political foes had
dropped in to see what might happen,
and they We're now not less alert than
| the preachers. though for other real
sons.
The speaker at length had rounded
his climax and was sliding gracefully
down to the closing. Every one felt
that SHORTLY he would have ceased. and
rs vet he had not even approached the
zone of DIR. Burchards ALTERATION.
Could it be that he would ignore it:
He could not possibly have missed it.
The anxious shadow was coming
again into DIR. MacArthur's face and
:: he WIS making his way toward the
staircase. as though in some way to
save the day. Others were crowding
forward, as though to warn their cam
didatc of his peril. His foes were
standing pat" their hopes, like fer
vid prayers. criss-crossing the major
ity that We're going up.
SQuatting down beside Lewsley.
::hose pencil was flying along abreast
the speakers rapid diction. narrowly
watched Mr.. Blaine to note the in
slant of his conclusion. Presently he
ceased to speak, and an instant later
LewSley's pencil stopped. He had got
the last word. and showed him down
the steps with violent admonitions to
haste. saw his curly head dropping
down the stairway to the office door.
three steps at every drop, and l start
ed for my hat and materials in Il
neighboring parlor.
Mr.. Blaine had descended to the
lowest step to receive his friends, but
as l passed l heard excited voices
pouring forth to his ear. He had op-
posed no rebuke to the three RS. had
made no reference even thereto and
they We're cNcitcdly telling him about
it all. Twas hastily leaving the par
lcr after gathering up the manifolding
material with which my introduction
had been prepared when reporter
colleague hunted against me. He
seized my sleeve.
"Say, hold on-Blaine wants to see
YOU
'For what-wlere is hep
eat the foot of the stairs-probably
wants to edit out that break of Bur-
chard's or edit in reply to it. Rank,
chg"
Mr.. Blaine was shaking hands with
the preachers as 1 approached. Be
hind the smile on his face was shad-
ow of annoyance. He recognized me
us came along. The smile fled swift
ly and saw anxiety in his eyes.
ooh. yes" lie spoke, hastily. "you
are the Associated Press mani want
to see Your copy before it goes out
But the story has already gone
down to the office. Mr.. Blaine" En-
ASPIRATION now leaped to join the
anxiety and annoyance in his face and
eyes.
"Why, l sent for you instantly-I-
instantly the speaking was DONE"
"And instantly each speech was
ended the reporters who took tbom
were hurried to the office to get them
out quickly \ possibility had sug-
gestcd itself to the mind of Mr.. Blaine.
1t lighted in his eyes a CLINT which
saw and understood.
Shorthand rcporters:' he quizzed.
sharply. 1t might not be too late to
overtakc a long-land reporter.
Yes. stenoglmphcrs-b I an
swered, and saw the CLINT die out in
his eyes. And good ones. too"
added. You may rely upon each adj
dress being accurately reported" The
annoyance. the evaporation sank out
of his features, and look of abandon
ment followed.
ooh, we'll it is too late then" he
half mlttcred. as though speaking to
himself, and turned again to greet the
preachers.
Henceforth DIR. Burchard's allitem-
tive words were printed with capitals,
and were referred to everywhere as
'"rhe Three RS" The political foes
of Mr.. Blaine We're no dalliers. They
had dropped in on the chance of some
thing happening, and We're not slow to
appreciate the fact that something
had happened. a rich campaign asset
had been tossed into their lap. 1t has
been said that even as the ministers
left the hotel they We're met outside
by posters affirming that Blaine had
declared the Democratic party to be
the champion of rum, Romanism and
rebellion. The statement is untrue.
though not by wide margin, for the
fleet couriers of prejudice We're afoot
and with uplifted arms We're soon
screaming through the land.
1t was Wednesday. The following
Tuesday would be election day. AM
,,In %;,nr ~, 1x-l,i<l, RI ,.,;nll tb;., tu;lnnt