Live Oak daily Democrat. (Live Oak, Fla.) 190?-190?, 1906-08-30

stand They found him dense, but real
lied that he wanted to be honest. They
contented themselves by telling him
that it was his duty to vote against the
bill. 1t was clear enough to Abe that
day, but not so clear the next. The
lobby had got after him.
Your congressional or legislative lob
byist is a smart man. He is student
Of character. He Is a diplomat. He Is
sleek and slick In this case when it
became apparent that the vote would
be close the Hon. Abraham Rewson
was given especial attention. Cigars
and champagne met him at every
turn. Men were solicitous about his
health. He came TO know that shawls
and dress patterns and jewelry were
being sent to his mountain home. Tai
lors were ready to measure him for
new suits without cost to himself, and
hints were thrown out that after the
adjournment he would be wanted to
ill an important position down ia ne
lowlands.
All this was very soothing and Sc
ductfve to Abe. He had always been
used to plain speech. A spade was
either a 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 q poll Of the
house showed that the vote on 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 members against the bill they
had soon been reduced to a state OF I'm.
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 I'm
pOrtant bill Of two decades in the bal
ance.
Queerly enough, the lobbyists had not
resorted to direct bribery in Abe's case.
They might argue and cajole and
throw hints Of rewards. but they felt
afraid to go further. Both sides felt
that he was trying to figure things out
for himself and then cast his vote as
conscience dictated.
The day finally came when the bill
was to be put on it's final passage.
That it would be q tie vote every one
was assured Abe Hewson was in his
seat. pale, nervous and hesitating be-
tween two opinions. He was no near
er decision in his own mind than
week before. Some preliminary bust
ness was being transacted when a
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
cabin, and he had walked all night
She had never been in the city before,
never seen Nch crowds, never beheld
such buildings, never looked so many
men In the ACE.
"Gawd, Tilda, but you yere" ex-
claimed Abe as he laid a hand on her
shoulder.
Yes, Abe"
But what fors What dun brung
ye?"
That railroad bill, Abe. I've been
readin' of it right along, and I've dun
been prayin'."
'And-and''-
'Prayin' to Gawd, Abe-prayin' that
be 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. l was Skeered by the darkness,
and I'm skeered by the people They
are laughin' at ME now. I'd never
have come, Abe-rd 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, aud one of the mes
saSes going over the wires to people
interested read:
Railroad bill knocked into a cooked