Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-04
CHAPTER XII.
copy 1ICaI 1905
~ 81 EDWARD MAR S..AsA

CHAPTER XXI.
After Cooper's nomination the political
atmosphere of Toms River remained clear
for almost a week. The convention of the
opposition had not yet been held but II
was understood that its deliberations coulo
have but one result. William Gibbons.
very respectable man. of English birth, but
strong local feeling, was the logical can
didate
Before long it was, however, noticed that
Gibbons was much in Musser's company.
1t was not very much later when Musser
told an evening gathering at Dennison's,
and such as he could get to listen to him
during the day, that he had considered the
political problems of the time with a care
which threw new light upon them, and
had begun TO wonder if possibly he might
not have been mistaken when he had es-
poused the principles of the party which
had failed to nominate him.
This was a leader for later announce
ment that he might. If urged. accept the
nomination of the other side. AT about
this time Musser had as a caller a dapper
young man from Philadelphia who repre-
sented certain railroad interests, and as
sured Musser that Cooper was not at all
the sort of man whom his company
wished to have the voters send to Wash
lngton. After his departure Musser had
long and confidential talk with William
q
bill, which had begun to worry Dennison.
When the convention finally occurred Glib
bons gracefully declined the honor of the
nomination, and it was given to the regen-
crate MuSSer. Thus he and Cooper be-
came al last opponents in the race for the
erection, even as they had been earlier RI
Fais IN the struggle for the nomina ton.
cooper labored at the work of the cam
paign with that same hearty earnestness
ana thoroughness which had made his farm
notable success. So long as he had been
nominated for Congress he meant to be
elected, or be beaten because he could not
help 1t. Musser, he saw, was working along
the same lines with the voters that he had
trled upon the delegates in his first quest
Tor the nomination. The man continually
limited that those who voted for him would
not lose by 1t, and. in one way or another
saw to II that it was noised about that he
was to have, when the time came. a consid-
aple amount of money to distribute in pay
ment for work upon the grades of the new
raiiway-if the road was built. That this
might not happen if Cooper was elected
he sorrowfully admitted whenever he had
a chance to talk about 1t. Cooper said very
little about the railway matter, not feel
ing at all certain that he ought, at that
stage of the proceedings. to express pref
erence for either of the rival companies.
Musser made capital of this, by announcing
that Cooper's tactics were evidently hostile
10 all proSreSsionS which might bring
money to the town. With considerable diff
hculty and through an expenditure of
money which made him vince he succeed
ed in getting the editor of a newspaper in
Tuckerton to support him, and to print
during the campaign an especial edition of
the paper for Toms River, for which he
himself agreed to prepare the editorials.
One week of this, however satisfied him
that 1t was a task for which nature
had not fitted him, and he gave it up, al
lowing the editor himself to do what he
was willing to do. The man was busy with
the affairs of his own town, and did little.
So. finally, it occurred to Musser that the
W n M lxn nj py1ip
for the voters of the district.
He chose as the scene of the revels a pine
grove, known far and near Gaskells.
1t was 10 be a basket picnic. and was to
begin early in the morning as the folk
cared to gather The announcement was
made on Monday night at Dennison's.
Cooper heard of it before the night was
over although he rarely joined the parties
which gathered nightly at this center of
gossip and discussion. 1t was Betsey Bob
bin who took the news to him. She had
heard it on the street.
We'll, what would you do about it,
Betsey?" he inquired.
I'D give a bigger one, an give it last"
she said; with a promptness which
plans of cOunteracting Musser before she
revealed his scheme to Cooper.
Cooper laughed.
You ought to been a politician, Betsey."
he said, with admiration. I'm goin' to
leave that picnic business all to you
1t only day or two after this that
Cooper was for the f1rSt time approached
by corruptionist. He was agent from
Philadelphia of railroad which wished
some especial legislation, and during the
talk which the old man was shrewd
enough to encourage he practically boast
ed that he had already reached agree
ment with Musser. The plan of his princi-
pals was to see to it that both candidates
were fixed" Then, if either showed signs
OF weakening the influence and money of
the road would be devoted to defeating him.
This much had been unfolded when Cooper
rose in his wrath and ordered the emissary
of the evil ones TO hurry out. He did so.
Cooper woke up. Musser was corrupt.
Cooper did not propose to let him get to
Congress. One of the early details settled
upon of the hot campaign which began
from that moment was the picnic. Cooper
stood b. his word, that its management
should be in Betsey Bobbin's hands, and
she hilariously averred that it should be a
most unusual campaign picnic. 1t should,
she said. include new fearlres-one a baby
show should be under her personal super
vision. Cooper laughed ard agreed to this.
On rare occasions Cooper appeared in