Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1904-06-23


Copyright, 1901, by Daily Story Pub. Coz
TIE HAD not realized how deeply he
II desired to win until now that he
saw the prize slipping away from him.
In fact, he was not yet quite ready for
political career; he needed 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 legislature-wanted to
spend the honeymoon at the state CAPT.
tai, she said, with a 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 1t 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 L 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 "a
delegates to the county convention he
had 40 instructed for him and he was
morally sure of eight out of the IL I'M
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 and clevereSt lobbyists in the
state, and two other men with whom he
was not acquainted.
With the most diplomatic indirection,
but so plainly as not to be misunder-
stood, they had unfolded their desires.
The opposition had been instigated 1t
developed, entirely by certain infu-
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 II
uninstructed delegates-and l think
we've got every blamed one. But more
than that we've got six Of your fellows
who have figured out a 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 a friendly Indian" and upon
such assurance properly given, would
withdraw their support Of the other can
| didate and make the election OF Wool
colt certain. The certain influences" il
was delicately conveyed, were persons
interested in the G. T. & B. company
about whose franchises considerable
legislation was pending.
Woolcott was fighting mad and hat
Mai Robey not been so long about COM
ing to the end of his harangue, would
have tossed the proposition back into
his teeth, perhaps with physical ac-
COMMITMENTS. But while the majors
soothing voice was bringing the PROPOSE
ton to a close he glanced through the
half closed shutters and saw Helen Kir.
ton tripping along to the convention
with a number of friends. The sight
drove the blood back upon his heart
Helen, his affianced, going to the scene
of his triumph only to witness his defeat
and share in his humiliation. He shranI
from the disappointment he saw coming
into her dancing eyes, He shrank, too
from admitting to her that he had failed
she whose faith in his ability wa
perfect. And then the humiliation O.
meeting the rest of the world defeated
man CALLED him. 1t was his first try TO
a political Office, and to be defeated il
his own county seemed very bitter. B!
the time the majors suave tones wer,
stilled he was debating with himself
The G. T. & B. franchises did not affec
his district, anyway. but the entire mat
ter was reputed to be rotten and corrupt
He replied abruptly:
81 will think it over and let you know
in ten minutes"
"All right" responded the major
I But remember there isn't much time
The convention will be called to orde
, in 80 minutes"
Woolcott went straight upstairs to tn
gallery Of the convention hall an
straight to where Helen sat. She greete
him with a gay smile.
! ''You are not to come for your laurel
sir, until you have won the day." 81
s cried merrily.
He asked her to step into the hall wit
him and said:
Helen, am sorely in need OF hel
4 and advice / am beaten and yet hay
victory in my grasp. have just ha
a conference with the G. T. & B. Poop
Ind have found that they are the on'
4 behind Judge Manning. They hay