The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-03-10
Richmond, Va, March 10, 1907.

unbelieving.
"H'm!" remarked Ansel, breaking the
silence of surprise, II guess the cam
paign's on in earnest, all right. Shall
you see him?'
Yes. Show him In, please, Gard
ner."
Tie says. sir. he wants to speak
with you alone" added the clerk.
TELL him the Leagues committee
are in session. and that he must say
whatever he has to say to me In their
presence"
The clerk retired and rcappeared a
few moments later, ushering in--Gerald
Conover.
A grunt Of disappointment from An
sci was the first sound tina. greeted
the long youth as he paused irreso-
lue just inside the committee-room
door.
Good morning, Gerald" said stan-
dish, rising to greet the unexpected
visitor; I'VE .nought :. was your
father who"
mo. And he didn't send me here,
either" blurtod out Gerald HIS pasty
face was still twitching. and his usual
" Immaculate collar awry from the
recent paternal interview.
II came here on my own account"
he !, ent on, with me peevish wrath OF
child. II came here to tell you
swing over q hundred votes Maybe
hundred more. My father says 30
himself. And I've come to join your
= League"
A gasp OF amazement ran around
the table Then, with crow OF de-
light, Ansel sprang up.
"Greatv he 81 -uted. Ills son! It's
good for moro votes than you know,
Standish Why, man, it's a bonanza!
When even a mans own son can 49,"
Standish cut him short
"Are you drunk, Gerald?' he asked
mo, I'm mott" vociferated the lad
"l'm dead cold sober. and I'm doing
this with my eyes open. want to
Join your League, and I'll work like a
dog for your election.
.'But why? You and ] have never
been especially good friends. You've
never shown any interest in politics
or ref"
"Well, / will now. you bet! r.. make
the old man wish he'd packed me OF
to New York by the first train. He'll
sweat for the way he treated me before
he's done. suppose I've got to Work
secretly for YOU, so ne won't suspect.
But I'll do none the less work for
that; and can keep you posted on
the other sides moves, too. II I'm to
be tied to this damned one horse town
by Fathers orders till amer election,
Til make him sorry he ever
Good for you!" cried Ansel. you've
got the spirit OF man, after all.
Here's a bunch OF our membership
blanks. Fill this one out. and give
the rest to your club friends We
why, Standish!" he broke OF. furious
and dumbfounded; for Give had
calmly stepped between the two. taken
the membership blank from Gerald's
shaky hand and torn 1t across.
1--WE don't care for members OF your
sort, Gerald" he said, with cold con-
tempt that was worse than KICK.
."rhis League was formed to help ou'
City and State, not TO gratIy priyh.e
grudges; for white men, not Tor ours
who want to betray their own flesl
and blood Get out OF here!''
"standish" protested the Mortified
Ansel, you're crazy! You're throwing
away our best chance. You are"
.If this apology for human being
is our best chance I'll throw him
out bodily, unless he goes at once
retorted Give, advancing on the cow
ering and utterly astonishcd boy.
"Why!" sputtered Gerald, as he back
ed doorward, before the menacing ap'
proach OF the Lacquer, Il Thought
you'd want mel oh. I'll go. then
il you've no more sense than that
But I'll find way OF downing the o DC
be glad enough to get my help wheI
the time CONTEST II
His heels hit against the threshold II
his retrograde march. Still declaim
ing. he stepped over the sill into tn
outer office, and Give Standish slam
med the door Jpn him. breaking or
his threats In the middle OF the1
fretful outpourlng. ~,
"There." said Give, returning to tn
gaping. frowning committeeman
that's off our hands. Now lets sc
down to business"
"Mr. standish" remarked Ansel. atte
moments battle with words no foun
hard to check, you're the most Qulx
otto, impractical idealist that ever 90
hold OF the folish idea he had ghos
OF chance for success In politics
And" he added, after a pause, ~
blest il / don't think I'd rather los
with a leader like you than win VIZ
any other man in ae Mountain state
.a - al GlnE q