Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1906-09-11

turn. Men were soIicitous about !
health He came to know thar shaw Ii
and dress patterns and jewehy were
being sent to his mountain home. Tai
Tors We're ready to measure him for
new suits without cost to himself. and
hints We're thrown out that after the
adjournment he would be wanted to
Ill an important position down in the
lowlands.
All this was very soothing and Sc
ductive to Abe. He had always been
used to plain speech. A spade was
either spade or not a spade The
sophistry of the lobbyists tangled him
up. He was made to see that under
certain circumstances a long handled
shovel became a short handled spade.
He was a man without grain OF nat
ural vanity, but when gentlemen of
wealth and education asked him to sit
down and drink and smoke with them
and deferred to his opinions it was
only natural that he should feel pulled
up.
The day came when poll of the
house showed that the vote en- the rail-
road bill would be tie Abe Hewson
could not be counted for certain on
either side. Both sides claimed him,
but he had made no direct promise.
The casting vote would be his Some
of his mountain constituents had come
down, but between the lobbyists for
and the me,abers against the bill they
had soon been reduced to state of un-
certainty. For the first time in the
history OF the legislature an ignorant
but honest "coonskin' member held
the balance of power with the most Inn
portant bill OF two decades In the bal.
ance.
Queeriy enough, the lobbyists had not
resorted to direct bribery In Abes case.
They might argue and cajole and
throw hints of rewards. but they felt
afraid to go further. Both sides felt
that be was trying to figure things out
for himself and then cast his vote as
conscience dictated.
The day finally came when the bin
was to be put on its final passage
That 1t would be q tie vote every one
was assured Abe Hewson was la his
seat, pale, nervous and hesitating be.
tween two opinions. He was no near
er a decision in his own mind than d
week before. Some preliminary bust
ness was being transacted when
messenger called him out. Just out
side the doors he found his wife. She
had on her poke bonnet and heavy
shoes and calico dress and had been
the sport of a crowd for the last ten
minutes. 1t was thirty-six miles over
the rough mountain road to the log
She had never been In the city before,
never seen such crowds never beheld
such buildings, never looked so many
men in the face.
"Gawd, Tilda. but you yerew ex.
claimed Abe as he laid a hand on her
shoulder
YES, Abe"
But what for? What dun brung
YEP
THAT railroad bill, Abe. I've been
readin' of 1t right along. and I've dun
been prayin'."
"And-and"-
"Prayin' to Gawd, Abe-prayin' that
he might dun gimme light to see my
way clear and make you see yours.
The light come yesterday Gawd he
dun wants you to vote agin that rail-
road and still be an honest man. I've
walked all night to get here and tell
you. | was skeered by the darkness,
and I'm skcered by the people. They
are laughin' at me now. I'd never
have come. Abe-Id never have come
In this livin' world if Gawd hadn't dun
sent me-"
Half an hour later the bill was put
on its passage, and one OF the mes
sages going over the wires to people
interested read;
Railroad bill knocked into cooked
hat. Abe Hewson's wife did IT,"