The Monte Vista journal., 1906-06-02
THE DECIDING
VOTE
tcopyrish., by Joseph .. sovlss,j
By D. J. LAYTON

pearance OF activity. The bar at the
ancient hotel near the state house was
rapidly reducing the mortgage on the
property.
1t was the last dry Of the legislative
session. For four years the state had
been unrepresented In the United States
senate. The factional quarrel In the
y" f'ican party. unimportnnt at first.
ONE a national question. The
country was divided into Allison
H. anti-Allison adhcrents.
Allison had begun the present session
with solid array OF 25 votes. He
crev!ed slowly UP to 20. and there he
stepped. Arguments. threats. persua-
sioi awaited nothing. Every scheme
known to political science had been
tried. Dickcrs and deals had been met
with counter deals. The Democrats and
the anti-Allison men could not combine
md Allison could not land another SIN
Gle supporter. Another deadlock
seemed imminent.
Each day for over week the clerk
had announced: Fer John Allison.
80; for Randolph Keener. &c; for
Henry Thomas. I. Necessary to
choice. So" and the speaker. bitter
ANTI" had drawled out. with his
nasal twang and with an increasing
satisfaction as the prospect for an cleo
ton lessenei, "and no one having ma
3ority OF the votes Of those present aud
voting. declare no election"
1t was II o'clock: tho final ballot
would be taken at noon.
Allison was sitting in the governors
private room. talking with the governo.
ind the secretary OF state.
Allison was a tall. heavy man, who
dressed well. but quietly. In his lapel
he wore a plain Grand Army button.
His was q strong. kindly face. though
careworn.
Il. thought that crowd were sin
eel. In their principles" said he. ~
thc:: methods were cleaner than mine.
would respect them at least. and would
have stepped aside long ago. but It's no,
icform they're after. They want to lick
me. Thomas ran up against me In n
financial deal come years ago. and he's
been after ne evci since.
-Four ncn oppose our 90 Speaker
Henry. owned body and soul by
Thomas: Snyder and Hall. two unmi,i-
gated rsseals II there ever were any.
md old Wood. the only member they
have from the country. and the only
honest one they have. Why. he really
thinks Thomas never spent dollar In
this tight. had some hopes that he
might he With us. but he's a. stubborn
as mule. had talk with him last
night
We're stronger now that We ever
were. but II seems that Thomas holds
the winning card. He has powerful
friends and powerful interests, and
some way he has the preas Of the country
back Of him. He seems certain to de-
feat me now. but there's q reckoning"
The auditors oislce was the headquar.
tiers Of the "Antis." II was unoccupiei
save for two men. They we're talking
together In log tones.
Ons vas tall and thin, with peculiar
east In his eye. His ewes never met you
souareiy: they we're over you. bssids you,
bsyond you. but nsvsr 1t you. He vas
Snyder. . member Of The house and q
leader Of the Tho1aA Suecss. He va
nsrvously chsving The end. Of q eis,r.
Jerking his ssotsnoos out rapidly. II
tell you. Hail." - eaid 70 bis compan.
ION. dark. heavy MAJ viii cold, i'm.
passive countsnancs. II tell you, II hal
70 b doas. saw Aliisoe have him 10
TOW yesterday. and yoa know what that
means. knew somsthing vas up.
thought Of thoss mortsaess the arss
thiss Woods all right. but be-,
cranky. and he's . shark for mosey.
Hes got coapls Of mornings on that
place Of Ais. asd he'd turn q corner
quick a. grsassd lishtnias to save that
precious farm. You bst Allison had
somsthlss TO say about them. tell you
II was what saved u this time. We've
eot EN- sure nov. and with Allison
safe At home and not mussin' up things
down st Washington. we'll sss who GETS
uhs o0eso."
.snydsr." said Hall. rousins him.
eslf: "yeu'vs made Q nlstake approach.
Ing Wood about thess uortsas,s. I
know Wood. used to court one Of nj,
daughtsfs. and he's - straisht - a
string. Hes ono nan ths41i ssspl
without hitehins. He'd kick ~ traces
pretty quick II be knew some Of ~
tricks we've been working. He usy
have CHANGED. though" b vent on.
musinsiy: people %. did. There
was time whom woaid have ksocked
. naa down u b ~ tried y ssas.
sses ny vote. and now thsss lobbyist,
eDAA IA As TIA 1sse on> e., t>.ta..A