Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1907-03-21

Ou6 VI JuIS KIM WAS dllUllSu Luo CtOo-
ing speech. He was a tall, loose
jointed individual whose hair might
be charitably described as sandy, but
whose whiskers were ~undeniably red.
The arms which he waved seemed bor-
rowed for the occasion-so little their
gestures savored Of familiar use. He
raised his voice to a patriotic shrek
at the p%eroration: my friends, l have
said all this to prove that there yet
live patriots about us. Because we
have journeyed far, let us not forget
that we have a country; let us not for
get, either, that our country has enc
mics. Indeed, we have had recent
news Of the activity Of n such. His
Vaccinations are even now being dis
cussed in a court of law at Richmond
where, let us hope, Justice and truth
will be indicated, and by its orders
may Aaron Burr suffer the doom of
traitor to his flag"
He waved his arms again. and with
a jerky bow took his seat. The ap-
plause that followed was intended less
in praise of the oratory than gratitude
! for the relief of tired muscles.
When it had died away, Winslow,
pale, but with eyes glowing, came to
the center of the platform. There was
an expectant hush, and he began:
ut is not my purpose to speak in
Justification of the distinguished pris-
oner at the bar to which our friend has
just alluded, but my personal acquaint-
ance with Aaron Burr makes 1t hard
to keep silent. Even so great a soul
as he may reach depths where the
faith of the humblest is priced. You
will forgive me, therefore, If / add a
moiety of favor in the balance which
threatens to weigh against him. My
own connection with his expedition /
am prepared to explain fully to all in
whose minds there may Turk a doubt
of my honesty Tin the half-defiant
pause which followed nobody spoke
nor moved), but for Aaron Burr's
cause l I'm not here to ask for your
sympathy; the verdict of the court
must decide for us. | have only to
suggest that in the meantime all
criticism be withheld. The country
at large is the jury which will later
sit in deliberation upon the result.
Indeed, it is more than likely that the
whole truth will not be known until
the Judgment. On that day let us see
that we bring to that Greater Bar un-
prejudiced minds and hearts all free
from bias that we may escape peremp-
tory dismissal at the hands of the
Great Challenger"
There was a pause, while his hearers
were undecided whether to applaud or
not. Winslow settled the point for
them by a sudden change Of tone and
manner. Coming forward and insensi-
bly, edging closer to where-a little to
the right-sat Lavender, he began
anew lightly:
II have an announcement to make
which may come as a surprise to
many here"
The audience craned their necks, and
those at the windows stood a-tiptoe to
hear. 81 am going back east as soon
as" involuntarily his head swerved
to the right-"as soon as possible.
There are urgent reasons calling me
away now. l fear that all of you who
remain here to work In the vineyard
will liken me to the spies of Canaan
who only carry home punches of
grapes to show the fairness Of the land.
But, indeed, I go with grateful regrets
which must ever follow such kindness
as I have met h~ere-here, in this gar
den spot of the new land of our new
country"
And he bowed amid loud cheers.
Then: But in order that the work
here be not lost, but carried on better
than my feeble powers would admit,
the committee and I have decided to
present the nam Of another for the
place of teacher in this school. The
gentleman whom we have the honor
to name Is Mr.. Gerald Creighton"
At this arose an audible murmur of
excitement; non expressed open dis
pleasure but all felt more or less dis
appointment. Winslow was not only
a personal favorite-he was regarded
by all as one having authority, and
competent to lead the school to sue
cess. That his mantle would sit we'll
upon the restless shoulders Of the easy
going Gerald all felt much doubt. But
to the pioneer mind 1t was of small
consequence, and there was no dis
sent. Since the new Elisha was To-
where to be found, his acceptance was
taken for granted.
AS Winslow took his seat there was
a commotion in the crowd that filled
the aisle, and Tobias Judson lurched
forward, Stepping to the platform
with a tread that threatened parti-
ton of the oaken flooring, he began to
speak.
II there were q member Of the
community whose word carried more
weight than another's, it was Uncle
Tobias--as he was Familiarity known.
Hiswas an ambition to be known as one
having authority and, though self-ap-
pointed to the office, the country folk
were glad to recognize him as arbiter
in common affairs. Hence his great
hand raised was as a scepter, his
first word vas followed by instant ST.
lence.
"Feller citizens, ! want ter say a
word about this schoolhouse. I'm
-.-.I q ~. AZ - At go ..... IL
jest bet yer life 1t amt a-goin' to be
the last. And I want ter say-speakin'
fer the committee and the hull of yer,
that we're all obleeged to the school
MASTER"