Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1906-01-31

"I'm fully city broke now" he had
recently written to The Girl, smiling
In memory Of his vision of things when
he lived in the country. His vision
regarding The Girl was the same as of
old; this, he was sure, would never
know change.
He started after his interview, filled
with the will to do or die. He haunt
ed the places which held the great
Bowers and logged his footsteps with
out ceasing. He went to his hotel and
sent in his card. No notice was taken
of this, but after waiting for an hour
or more, he was rewarded by seeing
the august parsonage descending in the
elevator with much the same air as
that of god coming to earth in his
chariot from the sun. Tom attended
the great man to his carriage. He
opened the door and stood uncovered
while he entered. He took his courage
in his hands and asked If he might
have a few words with the Hon. D.
J. Bowers. sit is impossible" he was
answered. IF you have anything Of
Importance to communicate, write it."
Tom saw the carriage roll away and
watched it going up the street, bearing
the man whose words, If he had deign-
ed to speak, would have been to Tom
more precious than gems. He knew
where he was going. 1t was to one of
the public halls, where a meeting of
the city fathers and the State politi-
clans was to be held, which was some
thing in the nature Of a social func-
ton. The time that was left to Tom
to fill his assignment was growing
dangerously short. Even now he should
be at work writing his copy.
For one reckless moment he thought
of taking" He had been in close
touch with the famous parsonage; he
knew how he looked and how the tones
Of his voice sounded; why not let i'm
agination do the rest and supply the
material for the things the great man
might have said If he had spoken?
Tom understood the political situation
thoroughly. He was pretty certain of
the trend Of affairs, and yet, Of course,
there might be surprises.
He put away his temptation as an
impossible plan and walked aimlessly
toward the hall where was to be the
assembly of politicians. Tom was
feeling little desperate. His profess
sional reputation was at stake, and be-
CT hot hn
he could see her every day. He want
ed home. AS he expressed it, he was
tired Of the meal ticket way Of living.
While his salary was sufficient for
himself, he feared it was not enough
to support a wife, though he had al
most argued himself into the belief
that two can live as cheaply as one
and lay up money" If he received the
increase in salary, which was fairly
sure to come If he could corral the
lion and get him to speak words Of
wisdom, he should lose no time in
writing to the dearest girl in the
world and ask her to fix the date for
their wedding. All of these things
Tom pondered while walking along the
street with his head lowered and his
brow deeply furrowed
you'll step on your under lip and
trip up, If you're not more careful"
he heard a hooking voice say at his
elbow. An arm was linked into his
and the reported who had given him
cold comfort earlier in the day fell
into stan of hic
That's right" Tom flung back say.
agely. Rub it in because I'm In hard
luck. I'll get him yet, you see If 1
DON'T" he promised.
Take me, too" implored the other.
pretending entreaty.
They went on together until they
reached the hall to which the great
man had been driven.
$50 near and yet so far" sighed
Toms companion.
Suddenly Tom stopped and picked up
strip Of bright ribbon that was lying
on the pavement. He smoothed it out
mechanically without much thought Of
what he was doing. His eyes happen
ed to glance along its bright length
and the gilt letters stamped on its sur
face seemed to leap to his understand
ing.
Reception Committee" the letters
formed, and, as their meaning pene-
trated Toms brain, at the same mo-
ment he grasped their possibility.
Tom whirled to his friend, waving
the ribbon. Have you got a dress
suit" he demanded.
Il might dig up a necktie, but that's
about all. You'll need more than that
if you intend to appear in public" his
friend answered.
Get sense for a minute If you cam"
Tom commanded, impatlently. Look,
read and listen" he went on. Don't
you see? Reception Committee, I'm it.