The Washington herald., 1907-01-27

Nothing? Maybe so, but it won't re-
main nothing long. You just wait and
see"
Sylvia, to whom these men were. Of
course, polite, summed them up very ac-
curately In a remark that she made TO
Harley.
1T is impossible to teach them any
thing," she said. because they know
everything already"
An hour later the candidate spoke at a
small station TO a large audience COM
posed Of people typical Of the region
miners, farmers and cowboys, variously
attired, but all quiet and peaceful There
was not sign Of disorder there was
nothing even remotely resembling the
toughs Of the great Eastern cities. This
seemed to be surprise TO the members
Of the committee, who sat in a formida-
bic semi-circle on the stage behind the
candidate. But as the surprise wore
away a touch Of disdain appeared IN their
manner; they seemed to doubt whether
the region and its people were Of any
Importance.
To Harley the speech of the morning
was OF particular interest, and he watch
ed Jimmy Grayson with the closest at
tenuon. He wanted 10 see whether he
would venture upon the treacherOus ocean
of the tariff and he had been unable TO
draw from his manner any idea Of his
intention. But Jimmy GraysOn did not
launch his bark upon those stormy wa
ters. He handled many issues, and never
did he allow any one IN the audience TO
doubt his meaning; it was a plain yea
or nay and he drew applause from the
audience or a disappearing silence, ac-
cording to its feelings.
But the committee was satisfied, the faces
of the members shOne with pleasure. and
Harley. reading their minds, saw how
they told themselves Of the quick effect
their presence had upon Jimmy GraysOn.
It was well for men OF weight to sur
round q Presidential candidate; despite
himself, with strong, grave faces beside
him. he would put "a prddent restraint
upon his words The long trip from the
East and the temporary sacrifice OF i'm
portant interests was proving to be worth
the price. When the speech was over.
they congratulated him upon Hls caution
and wisdom.
But that afternoon they were caught
under Il deluge of Eastern newspapers.
and In them all the tarih discussion
doomed formidably There was every in
dication, too. that this big storm-clCud
was moving westward, already IL was
lowering over the Missouri River valley,
because the newspapers of Kansas City
and Omaha, like those Of Chicago and
New York, fairly darkened with it,.
And the kilograms, too continued 10
fan on Jimmy Grdyson thick and fast
They came IN yellow showers, all the
correspondents received orders TO get long
interviews with him upon the subject If
possible. and the leaders IN every part OF
the country were telegTaphiug % do this
and to do that. or not 20 do either. Il
was evident that great population
wanted 20 know just how Jimmy Gray
son stood Ou the tariff.
The members Of the committee took
alarm; Harley saw them bustling in un-
easily to Jimmy Grays0n, and whispering
90 him much and often.
ITS begun, It's begun The war is
on" said Hobart. gleefully. i hear the
dropping bullets Of the skirm.shcrs.'
Hobart. you'd exult over an earth
quake" exclaimed Harley, wrathfully-
But he knew HObart's words 20 be true,
and presently be drifted back TO Jimmy
Grays0n-
Mr. Harley is my intimate personal
friend" said the candidate 10 some Of the
members Of the committee, who looked
askauce 1T the correspondent, and what
.
him. He knows what TO print, and what
not 10 print
1T is this" said Mr. Goodnight. and
Alr. Cruyon nodded violently In atiirma-
tl1n. all the news shows that this tariff
agitation is growing fast But il is only
a trick of the enemy 10 force an express
sion from US. They are united in favor
of the tariff. and We are not. There IS a
division within our ranks Many of us.
and I may say IL is the more solid and
conservative wing of the party. the men
who really understand the world know
that lt is not wise 10 NEEDLE with the
question Leave well enough alone We
are interested in this ourselves. and. as
YOU know. we furnish the sinews of war.
He stopped and coughed significantly,
and Mr. CIayon also cOughed significant
~ The remaining members Of the COM
mittee did likewise. Jimmy Grayson
looked thoughtful
Gentlemen" he said, Il confess to
you that my mind has been upon this
subject for several days past"
But YOU viii listen to advice" said Mr..
Goodnight. hastily.
Certainly, Certainly" said Jimmy
Grayson. But you see the time is COM
ing when I must decide upon some course
In regard 70 it. ] appreciate the self
/ sacrifice of you gentlemen in leaving your
/ business interests 20 come So far and I
shall be glad If we can cooperate we
reach PhilipsburE tonight. ] make a
speech there. but il VIII be over early
/ Suppose we have our talk Immediately
afterward."
The committee at once accepted the Of
fer and expressed satisfaction Fir. Gray
son showed every sign of tractibiity. and
they began to feel again that their valu-
able time had not been expended I'm vain.
Harley told Sylvia that the affair was
now bound 10 come 20 a head very soon,
but she repeated her confidence in her
uncle.
Hobart however was gloomy. his JOY
of the morning seemed 10 have passed
quickly.
Il doa't like it, he remarked TO Har-
/ ley Jimmy Grayson seems to have fol-
lowed the lead of these men without once
/ saying: I am the nominee and il is for
me 90 say
And why not? Every dictate Of pru-
denCe requires that he should. What is
the use of taking up such troublesome
question al this late day Of the cam
paign?"
'.But there viii be no fight" This was
said very plaintively.
Harley smiled
I sincerely hope we will escape one, -
he said.
Nj Grayson. after the brief talk. re-
tired to his stateroom. and for long
time did not see anybody. Harley knew
that he was thinking deeply, and when
the time came for the next speech at an
other way-statiOn, he followed close be
hind and was keenly watchful.
Again the members of the committee
/ arranged themselves on the stage in a
formidable semi-circle behind the speaker
and surveyed the audience with an air
that bore q tinge of weary disda,n They