Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-05-07

EXPLANATIONS from Harkless, who wish
ed Meredith to meet every one In Car
low. But he came to pause In the
middle Of a word. DO you hear mu-
sic" he asked abruptly. ''or is it only
the rhythm OF the tiesT
1T seems to me there's music in the
air." answered his companion. "Tve
been fancying l heard it for a minute
or so. There! No-yes. It's a band,
isn't it,"
mo. What would a band-yes, 1t
isv'
The train slowed up and stopped al a
water tank 200 yards east Of the sta
ton, and their uncertainty was at an
end. From somewhere down the track
came the decorating boom Of a cannon.
There was clash Of brass, and the
travellers became sure Of band play
ing Marching Through Georgia. :"
Meredith laid his hand on his COM
panion's shoulder. John" he said,
john
The cannon fred again, and there
came a cheer from 5000 throats, the
shouters all unseen. The engine cough
ed and painted, the train rolled on, and
in another moment it had stopped
alongside the station in the midst of a
rfotous jam of happy people who were
waving flags and banners and handker-
chiefs and tossing their hats high in
the air and shouting themselves hoarse.
The band played in dumb show. 1t
could not hear itself play. The people
came at the smoker like a long wave,
and Warren Smith, Briscoe, Heating
and Mr.. Bence of Gaines were swept
ahead Of 1t. Before the train stopped
they had rushed eagerly up the steps
and entered the car. Harkless was on
bis feet and started to meet them. He
stopped
What does it mean?" he said and be-
gan to grow pale. SIS Halloway-did
McCune-have you
Warren Smith seized one of his
hands and Briscoe the other. what
does 1t meanr' cried Warren. at
means that you were nominated for
congress at five minutes after 1 O'Clock
this afternoon
ION the second ballot" shouted the
Judge, "just as young Fisbee planned
1t weeks ago"
1t was one OF the great crowds of
Carlow's history. Since noon an al
most unintermittent procession of pc
destrians and vehicles had been making
Its way to the station, and every wag-
on, blackboard, buggy and "cut UNDER
had its flags or bunting or streamer of
ribbons tied to the whip. The excite
ment increased as the time grew short
er. Everybody was struggling for a
better position. The people in wagons
and carriages stood upon the seats, and
the pedestrians besieged them, climbing
on the wheels or balancing recklessly
with feet on the hubs of opposite wag-
ons. Everybody was bound to see him.
When the whistle announced the COM
ing of the train the band began to play,
the cannon fred, horns blew and the
cheering echoed and re-echoed till heav-
ems vault resounded with the noise
the people of Carlow We're making.
There was one heart that almost
stopped beating. Helen was standing
on the front seat of the Briscoe buck
board, with Minnie beside her, and at
the commotion the horses pranced and
backed so that Lige Willetts ran TO hold
them. But Helen did not notice the
frightened roans. nor did she know
that Minnie clutched her round the
waist to keep her from falling. Her
eyes were fixed intently on the smoke
of the faraway engine, and her hand,
lifted to her face in an uncertain,
tremulous fashion, as it was one day
In a circus tent, was laid against the
deepest blush that ever mantled q girls
cheek. When the train reached the
platform she saw Briscoe and the 9TH
ers rush into the bunting covered car,
and there ensued what was to her an
almost intolerable pause of expecta-
ton while the crowd assaulted the win
dows OF the smoker, leaping I'D and
climbing on each others shoulders to
catch the first glimpse of him. Briscoe
and red faced young man "a stranger
to Plattvile) came down the steps,
laughing like boys, and then Heating
and Bence, and then Warren Smith
AS the lawyer reached the pla torn he
turned toward the door OF the car and
waved his hand as in welcome. Here
he is, boys" he shouted.
At that Il was as if all TIE noise that
had gone before had been mere leak
age OF pent up enthusiasm A thousand
horns blared deafeningly; the whistle
OF the locomotive and that OF Hib-
bard's mill were added to the din; the
courthouse bell was pealins out well
come, and the church bells were ring
ing; the cannon Numbered and then
cheer on cheer shook the air as John
HAIRLESS came out under the flags and
passed down the steps of the car
When Helen saw him over the heads
OF the people and through heaving tu-
mutt of flags and hats and handker-
chiefs she suddenly gave a frightened
glance about her and jumped down
from her high perch and sank into the
back seat of the blackboard, with her
burning face turned from the station
and her eyes fixed on the ground She
wanted to run away, as she had run