The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1905-06-09
CHAPTER xxx coNrINUED.

maue the opening speech. ne anu us
capital were going to dispel darkness
where it had reigned since the dawn OF
civilization. All that was needed. he
finished. was the consent of the proper
ty owners appealed TO, who. lie felt
confident, would not stand in their own
light
He had hardly taken his seat when
Joe Bartell stood up. Alan and Miller
exchanged ominous glanccs. They had
at once recognized the inappropriate
ness of Wilson's speech and did not
like the white, twitching sneer on Bar
tells smooth shaven face. 1t was as
If Bartell had been for a long time
seeking just such an opportunity to
make himself felt in the community.
and there was no doubt that Wilson's
almost dctatorial speech had made
nne opening for him.
"Fellow citizens an ladies an gen.
tlemen," he began. 1--WE are glad to
welcome amongst us a sort of a second
savior in our Sodom an Gomory of
crackerdom. What the gentleman with
the plug hat an spike toe shoes amt
a-goin' to do fer us the Lord couldn't.
He looks nice an talks nice, an, to use
his words. | don't believe he deceives
appearances I'll bet one thing, an
that is at he won't deceive us. Accord
In 10 him we need i'm every hour. as
the Sunday school song puts it. Yes,
he's a-goin' to hep US powerful an
right off. An fellow citizens, I'm heer
to propose vote O. thanks. He's from
away up in Boston. whar. they tell me.
q niger sets an eats at the same table
with the whites. When his sort come
this away durin' the war. with all Their
up to date implements of slaughter,
they laid waste to everything they
struck. shot us like rabbits in holes an
then went back an said they'd had
food hunt. But they've been livin' high
To thar sence the war, an Their tim
ter is a-playin' out, an they want some
more now. an they want it bad. So
they send Their representatives out to
find it an lay hold of it. How does he
happen to come heer? AS well as | kin
make out. old ALT Bishop, good man
an a southern soldier-a man that
haln't got nothin' agin. except maybe
he holds his head too high-made up his
mind awhile back that lumber would
be in demand some day, an he set to
work buyin' all the timber land he
could fay his hands on. Then. Wnen lie
had more'n be could tote an was about
to go under he give this gentleman a
option on it. Well, so fur so good but,
gentlemen what have we got to dn
with this trade? Nothin as | kin see
But we are expected to yell an holler
an deed 'em a free right OF way
through our property so they kin ship
the timber straight through to the
north an turn it into cold Yankee coin.
We don't count in this shuttle, gentle
men. We git our pay fer our land in
bein' glad an heerin' car bells an
steam whistles in the middle o the
night when we want to sleep. The en-.
gynes will kill our hogs, cattle an
bosses an now an then break the
neck o. some chap that wasn't hit in
the war, but we mustn't forget to be
glad an bend the knee o. gratitude. OF
course we all know theslaw kin compel
us to give the right of way, but it pro
vides fer just and sufficient payment
fer the property used; an, gentlemen,
I'm agin donations. I'm agin 'em tooth
an toe nail"
There was thunderous and ominous
applause when Bartell sat down. Will
son sat flushed and embarrassed,
twirling his gloves in his hands He
had expected anything but this per-
Honal fusillade. He stared at Miller in
surprise over that gentleman's easy,
half amused smile as he stood up.
Gentlemen" he began, land ladies'"
he added with a bow to the right and
left. AS many of you know, l pre-
tend to practice law. a little, and want
to say now that I'm glad Mr.. Bartell
amt in the profession. A lawyer with
his keen wit and eloquence could con
Wet an innocent mother before jury
Of her own children. Laughter And
that's the point. gentlemen. We are
innocent of the charges against us. /
am speaking now of my clients, the
Bishops. They are deeply interested
in the development of this section. The
elder Bishop does hold his head high.
and In this case he has held it high
enough to smell coming prosperity in
the air. He believed 1t would come.
and that is why he bought timber lands
AS for the accused gen
tleman from the Hub of the universe,
I must say that have known him for
several years and have never heard
word against his character. He is not
q farmer, but business man. and 1t
would be unfair to judge him by any
other standard. He is not only bust
ness man, but big one He handles
big things This railroad Is going TO
be big thing for you and your chill
dren. Yes. Wilson is all right. He
didn't fight I'm the late unpleasantness
He tells the women he was too young.
Wilson is here to build railroad for |
your good and prosperity, and he can't !
build one where there is nothing to
haul out. IF he buys mp timber for his
it is the only way te get
them to back him in the enterprise.
Now, gentlemen of the opposition. If