The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1906-06-16
how ELIAS wYNNE WENT TO CONGRESS
BY zELIA NJ. WALTERS.

A lowering sky darkened the VIII
dows of the farmhouse early and a
dash of cold autumn rain sent the two
children, who were watching on the
steps, indoors. Within the older
people were as restless as the two
youngsters. A tall boy of sixteen
was trying to prepare lesson, but
he closed his book, saying, Its no
use; / can't Go it now. Every line
reads the same, Is father elected ?
Is father elected?' / haven't seen a
thing about Caesar since I began to
read"
The mother looked up from her
mending basket with smile at his
mock despair, but there was tremu-
lous note in her voice as she spoke.
"He'll surely be here soon, and
then we can hear the great news and
settle down again. But don't build
your hopes too high, children. Re-
member, if he doesn't win, that we
will be Just as we'll off as we were be-
FORE"
''Oh, mother, surely you don't
think he WON'T cried the eldest
daughter, coming out from behind
the curtain.
''Here he comes" shouted the Sec
ond son, who was also posted at a
window.
The two boys rushed out to help
unhitch, and the mother and daugh-
ter waited with what patience they
could.
He wouldn't tell us" said Tom,
as the three came in. ''He said no
one should hear it before mother"
No one could have read an answer
in his face. He did not look cast
down nor elated. He looked around
at his eager family. Even the moth
er was unconsciously drawing quick
breaths.
"Well, Ellen" he said slowly, II
don't know whether deserve it or
not, but think I'm on the right
side, and the people think so, too"
He finished smiling upon them.
Even the most self-contained person
likes to receive the homage of little
circle of dear ones. Mrs. Wynne
carefully folded stocking and placed
it in the mending basket, saying, only,
"I'm very glad, Elias. II think
you deserve it.
One of the little lads breathed in
awed tones, "Our Fathers elected. :"
This made them laugh and remov-
ed some of the strain of excited tri-
umph. They could now talk over
the stupendous fact that father was
going to Congress. Elias Wynne's
first thought was for the district he
was to represent. He took the mat
ter seriously, looking upon his election
as God-given trust. But his next
care was for the little farm he had
wrested from the wilderness. He
had had no thought of public service
before his neighbors had selected him
because of his trustworthiness and
strength, for this great Office. So he
discu ssed the care of the farm with
his wife and children. James squar
ed his shoulders with an important
air, feeling that he was now the man
of the family.
For seveal days they went on lay
ing their plans, their pleasant feeling
of victory reasoning all they did.
"Ellen," said Mr.. Wynne, quietly.
one evening, ''have you ever thought
how I'm to get to Washington in
December?"
1.-The stage will carry you, to be
sure" she said, glancing at him
quickly.
''Not without money. Our good
neighbors did not stop to think that
they were electing man too poor to
get to the capital"
'But your salary, Elias. You will
have much more money than you can
use."
eyes, 1 would have enough to come
back, but l have none of it now.'
"But surely you could get some, "
she faltered. "You are certain that
you could pay it back whenever you
promise it."
He shook his head with decision.
mo, could not begin that now.
And we must remember that nothing
in life is quite certain. I might die
on the journey, and then how would
the debt ever be paid?'
''You must go on horseback,
then"
''I would if there were a way tc
send the horse back. But you know
it cannot be spared from the farm,
1 have been considering it since the
day knew I was elected, but have
not yet found way. I haven't the
money to pay stage hire for so long
a journey, and I cannot take the
horse. Now, we must all set oul
wits to work and plan what to do. {"
Mrs. Wynne gazed at him in dis
may, and the children's faces were
troubled.
/ "I will sell my necklace" said Mrs
Wynne. 1t was an heirloom and hel
one treasured possession.
I "That must not be, (" he said simply