Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-11

less l showed him some especial attention
here today, and so, in order that TINS
shouldn't happen, I've jest made up my
mind to ask him to be jedge'
There a general roar. None failed
to see the joke, and MusSer rose, sputter-
ing protest, to his feet. But instantly two
organized although apparently quite casual
and spontaneous groups of picnickers sur
rounded him and bore him to the baby
tent, like live mutton to the slaughter.
AS Musser was ushered into the pavilion
there came greeting very different from
that which political candidate learns to
expect on the occasion of his ordinary pub
lie appearances. There was no applause,
as he had known applause, but for the mo-
ment he was led to think that he enjoyed
a hitherto unsupported popularity among
the mothers of the district In all his life
he had never been the center of such
demonstration of female enthusiasm.
Once at least he made his way about
the tent, glancing smlingly at the exhibits
as they were pointed out to him. To each
proud but anxious mother he made admir-
ing comment. For each such comment se
was rewarded by brilliant smile, and be
felt that Cooper, If he had planned this Cor
his downfall, had shot too high and wholly
missed his mark. A group of women, head
ed by Miss Bobbin, and consisting of the
six most prominent ladies of the Cooper
party, approached him. gently but firmly
took him In tow, and led him to the pla--
form.
Amt 1t Jest the sweetest sight" said
Betsey Bobbn, with enthusiasm, in his ear
as he assembled
Madame said Musser still more puffed
and very loudly so that every mother there
( could hear him above the buzz of adult and
the wild confusion of the infant voices, L
nave never had the good fortune to beno,d
d more inspiring sight than this He
| waved fat hand toward the rows of w.
caIlZlnS EXHIBITS. Such a collection of
future voters
Don't forgit the girl babies, Mr. Mus
m In ind
Betsey.
Musser glanced at her with understand
ing gratitude. At that moment he felt
amazed to think that he had never appre-
clated before what fine woman Betsey
BoDbln really was. He wondered If she
had ever considered marriage or If she
ever would. Betsey was the freshest look
ing woman In the crowd despite the ardu-
Gus nature of her night before and of her
morning, and the thought that she would
make a fine appearance as the wife of a
cCngresSman-of Congressman Musser from
New Jersey-found seconds Judgment in
his brain.
And of the future sisters, sweethearts,
wives, and" Che glanced about him for
inspiration and saw woman in deep
mourning) land widows of those voters y
he said, meeting the situation with light
nng-Ike rapdity, - it has never been my
great good fortune to gaze upon before"
There was loud applause. Betsey Bob
bins shapely hands were among the most
vigorous in all the tent, and she smiled
kindly and encouragingly upon him He
again reflected that as a congressman S
wife-as Congressman Jacob Mussers wife
She would scintillate at Washington.
And of the mothers of thiS-this galaxy
of-of happy infants" there was a wall
| from one of the happy infants which ac-
say too much" He struggled for quota
| ton, but 1t REQUIRED to him only dmly
| ''The-the hand he said. and hestitated.
| But there were many faces turned expect
\ an a~I II, |,
| the remainder of the gem of thought and
| he went desperately on: The hand that
rocks the cradle rules the--rules the
| rooSt.'
| rlsive laughter from some young women
) who had been away to school.
| Betsey was at the head of the commit
| tee which guided him about the tent.
There's "a class for ev'ry year of age
| she said hurriedly, even with a sort OF
| forced coquettishness. but apparently with
| out guile, land all you've got to do is to
select the best ones in each class I'll
| point the classes out to you. Jest choose
| the prettiest, the healthiest. the strongest
| the best dressed and the brightest lookin'
| for blondes. and then do the same for bru-
| nettes Girls first, boys next. You'll find
| 1t jest as easyi'
How many prizes are there for each
| class?" he asked.
| Just one for boys and one for girls" she
| said.
| mat Won ne 81 Hdi u, IechoH, Ie
| commented: sit was real good of Mr..
| Cooper to make me judge. This is what
1 ought to be in politics-not hatred, but real
| goodfellowship in rivalry"
She led him to the one-year-olds The
| ribbons which graced the heaviest and the
4 lghtest the tallest and the shortest. and
| all those other superiorities which could be
! arbitrarily decided on, had already been
| affixed Nothing remained for settlement
! except those points wherein the Judgment
of an expert was demanded, such as beauty,
| intelligence, etc.
| You'll have to be right quick she said,
| Its gittin late"
Perfidous Betsey!
| That's so.' he said, and looked the
babies calculatingly, while anxious
/ mothers watched him and waited for his
| words with bated breath.
rs he boy or girl?' ne asked, pointing