The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-03-03
Caleb Conover, Railroader, was about
to make speech
CHAPTER II.
CALEB coNovER MAKES A SPEECH.

Conover had broken, that night, two
rules, that had for years formed In
violate tenets of his life creed. In
the first place le--whose battles had for
the most part been won by the cold
eye that told nothing, and by tho
colder brain that dictated the words
of his everyday speech as calculating
ly as diplomat dictates n letter OF
state--hes had forced himself to throw
away his guard and to chatter and
make himself agreeable like any barr
gain-counter clerk. The effort haR
been irksome.
In the second, he had departed FRONT
his fixed habit of total abstinence. Th.}
love OF strong drink ran high in hiss
blood. Early in life he had decldeY
that such Indulgence would militatt
against success. SO he had avoldetl
even the midest rotations from thence!
forward. Tonight (his usually stolil
nerves tense with the excitement on
the grand cast he was making for
social recognition'D he had felt, as
never before in campaign or in busi+
ness climax, the need for stimulant To
enable him to play his awkward roles
Moreovsp-he had his son, Gerald'st
high authority for the statement-tota
abstinence was no longer in vogue
among the elect.
AS soon, therefore. as he had takeIi
his seat in the supper-room he hadt
5braced himself by glass OF cham;
payne. The unwonted beverage senr
delicious glow through him.. Hly
puzzled brain cleared, his last doubts?
OF the entertainments success pegalA
to fade.
An obsequious waiter at his elbow,
FASTENED to refill the glass, and Con-
over, his eyes darting hither ana
thither among the guests 10 single ouf'
and dwell on the various faces he had
so long and so rainly yearned 10 seq
in his house, absent-mindedly emptleH
1t and another after 1t. he was talk
ing assiduousy to Mrs. Van Aistynet
whom at first he had fonnd so1ewilaG
rigid and difficult; but who, he now
discovered to his surprise, twas grow
ing momentarily easier to entertain.
-ue had no idea of his own commanI
of language.
sumner was still in it's early stages
when q fourth glass of heady vintage
champagne followed the other tnree.
From doorways and walls his pollticat
followers looked on With amaze. 10
them the sight of the Boss drinking
was the eighth wonder OF the world
they nudged each other and muttcreu
awed comments out of che corners OIL
their mouths. -.
,nr i,icI, he had suffered such secret
s,,,ol,ns and to secure the desired sueats a
fnr which he had strained every aeo,'t
nf his vast political and business ~
frence. was proving marHei ., ~
cess. At last he was IN socie.s. 49,
he had thought the pali'., IN So
Iaodv so impossible! he was ~, ~
a; otv Al last. And talking with ae.
,;,,ntfnl=shrillian fuency with one u
its acknowledged leaders. he haa cor
quered. Ito class for the
ffth time. After all, champasho naI'
an effect whiskey could never ,,',t
The fifth draught for ne a.,o". aa,,ed
80 swallow to the gobleD set,'i ..a
one s..'fI,t,,, faven more than had It's
pr Than Twas that fifty generations lii n,
I.;shmen who, under the spell .,
,;ouor, acouiredla now6of Language ~. ns
thai. own. .ciamored for voice III w.
their latest and greatest desse .,,,,;a =
Now that he was in so foreleh, ~ 30 90
a mood, what more apt ,l,an . - thos.
-. fa,1ow-townsmen who had, houne :,
.h;ther 70 do him honor? me ie oa
80 sublime Conoyer rose 70 ms MS, iee
vi ~ med for silence. He Woulo spec =,
a a,,h;,e the gift of eloquence was s''
strong upon him. - K heoo
nT.ndies and gentlemen, p5 =
caleb clearing his voice anu %,
the great ~ OOhA
aomrsc of wondering, amused, o. - -
nectant faces that gently swa y r ,m
f faint haze. before mis- eyes. -, - su W
,am all know, without my tell,ns ~
how glad I am to see you nere
nuI and l.want you should e san
Every minute. Of your evening rn ao.
~ YOU are old friends OF nine ~ !.
,nore,n few here tonight .na MT
MEMBERS me when was nare - :,
rale Conoyer. without dollar 20
name nor any very hectic prospects
..1ant there's a. lot more OF you ne
mat hadn't the honor OF kn ,ost !,
then tle norafor that matter Of n me ,nn.
~ al, tn tonight. It's to these, mo ,o
~. that Tn talking now, "a Tho
,sm to Know me better and nke ~
,ntter Maybe If they hear more aoS ),
me they will. That's why IN ~
feet now. .,,orv 10 ma
sncech anys-more at parties s.. :
You'll have to forgive me. IN 90.
much INC onto the latest frllls ana "a aa'
I IONS But give me chance anu -
learn as easy as a Chinamah' WI
- me all Of a sudden 20 say , W. ~
I've ~ got to say, right here anu ~, -