The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1905-11-30

lAot DuNlu uEltuCS was =
ISS| shrewd politician, with clean
vs. record, and he deserved to go
to congress. The women pronounced
him hard taskmaster and husband, q
skinflint, unworthy Of the wife who
had helped to make him what he was,
the political autocrat Of Niobrara coun-
ty. But Grimes cared little enough for
the latter opinion. Women could not
vote. The greed for votes. for political
advancement and power was upon him,
and the morrow would mark the first
great crisis of his life.
From justice Of the peace to congress-
man in eight years! His first election
had been walkover. The office Of
sheriff had fairly fallen into his lap,
and he had gone to the state legislature
backed by the solid vote Of his party.
But the office Of congressman was the
gift not only Of his own county, but Of
Rock Creek also, and then there was
young jameson Of Cha1-on to be con-
sidered. Well, tomorrO conference
would settle the question. Smythe. man.
ager OF the great land syndicate and
irrigation company which controlled
mile after mile Of redeemable property
and hundreds Of votes, was coming
from Omaha to attend the county cele-
bration at Chadron on Independence
day, to inspect the company's broad
farms and to take hand In the polit-
ical game.
And David Grimes was to be orator
Of the day! Flags would dutter; bands
would play; cheers would follow his
great speech. A strange thrill passed
over this usually cold, calculating and
self contained man. Then his momen-
tary enthusiasm died. A light touch
rested on his arm.
David, If you don't mind, I'd like
to 60 over to the celebration with you
tomorrow. l amt been to Chadron in
three years, and l amt never heard
you speak in public. u
Grimes glanced superciliously at the
slender figure beside him, then down
the alkali sprinkled street to Morgan's
store, where row Of ranch teams an
nounced the presence Of voters.
"Chadron won't be any place for
women folks tomorrow There'll be
more politics than skyrOckets in the
air, and III be too busy to bother
with you. I've promised Brooks, SUI
perintendent Of the North farm, the
extra place in my buggy. Besides, one
woman from the family will be
enough, I'm thinking, and I've written
Efiie to stay over for the celebration,
being as her teaching there this win
ter has given her something Of stand
ing with the board. l need all the
help l can get just now, and Fife II
make better appearance than you
would. You amt much on style, Man
dy, nor on making up to folks" He
said this with the brutal frankness Of
the self centered, absorbed individual,
and, without waiting for her reply he
strobe OF toward Morgan's store.
But there would have been no reply.
Patient, docile Mandy had long since
learned the futility Of arguing against
fate in the form of her masterful hus-
band Her first lesson had come TWEEN
ty years before, when, after brief
wedding journey to see 'David's
folks" they had stopped OF at Chad
ron to buy the simple furnishings for
their new home Mandy, stepped in
the fairyland of new furniture, had
been brought back suddenly to reali-
ties by the brlsque tones Of her hus-
band:
THAT red plush sofa amt going in
to my parlor. You might as well I'M
derstand now and for good that 80
long as pay the bills expect to run
my own house."
Even In the midst Of her pain and
disappointment Mandy had noted with
a sense Of relief that the clerk was
out Of hearing. Later there had come
brief mutinies when wOmans faithful
weapon, tears, had missed the mark;
then days Of depression and nights of
wide eyed staring into inky blackness
or silvery moonlight and at Last
broken pride, hopeless yielding to
the inevitable. The idea that her
bonds might be loosed had never en-
tered Mandy's head, nor had she con-
sidered 1t within her province to lay
the burden Of her disappointment and
grief at the feet Of her gentle mother
or her impetuous, generous old father
And 80 In time the man Of decided
opinions had developed into the do
nestle tyrant, and the pretty girl he
had wooed and won down in knep-
per county" became silent shadow In
her own household. mere bearer Of
hOmely, unremitting burdens.
MANDY closed the door and dropped
de1ectelly iAlQ the neayes. ciaIr. she