The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1908-12-08
"A Cyclone
OF Ambition.

tion Of 10 that he ould he a candi-
date for Office he would have laughed
him to scorn. Thomas was the most
unassumlng man in the world. Small.
bald, nearsighted, with soft voice
and extreme gentleness of manner. he
was especially untitled for partlcipa-
don in an exciting campaign.
One day n widow, impecunious and
ambitious. hearing of Mr.. Thompson
and his Income. made up her mind to
marry him. There are various ways
Of appropriating a man. The widow
chose that Of carrying him by storm.
When the storm was over Mr.. Thomas
was married mar.
The wedding occurred FIVE months
and two weeks before the election. At
the end Of weeks honeymoon MIR
Thomas took up bis paper one morn
ing and read:
There is movement on foos to place
Thomp Thomas, a gum shoe politician OF
the Seventh ward, In nomination for may
or. We hope II will not succeed We
need practical business man for the po-
sitlon, not drone.
Mr.. Thomas was astounded. Calling
his wife, he showed her the item
'Well," she said, II know I've married
a drone, but don't intend that my
husband shall remain drone. have
some ambition. and you are one
We VIII work together. | am arrang-
ing for your candidacy myself"
But, my dear
81 have the promise of the boss that
you shall have the nomination. All
that is required is your check for So
600 for election expenses
give thousand dollars!
(which viii be well spent. You
have never staken any stand In the
town whatever. but the mayoralty
wilr'-
Mr.. Thomas groaned. Then he
showed a bit of fight-the only fight
he had ever shown in his life-but
Mrs. Thomas 50 out. Heroded Herod
in a war OF words that her husband
was cowed. He did not consent to the
movement his wife had inaugurated
any more than man consents TO be
drowned: he was simply submerged.
The $1,000 was handed In to the boss
who after depositng the lions share
TO the credit Of the organization" be
gan paying out the rest to the heelcrs
Thompson Thomas received the nom
ination. Judson Tadleben was put MP
by the opposition boss. and the people
became greatly interested In what they
considered their franchise as American
citizens The morning after the nom
ination Mr.. Thomas was surprised TO
read In a iournal--the mouthpece OF
the party he represented-an interview
with himself He was not aware Of
having been interviewed and spoke OF
his astonlshment to his wife. She in
formed him that 1t vas faxed" in
terview for political purposes Among
other things that had been put into his
mouth was this:
"Mr. Thomes. what ars your Views con
cerninS the trusts2"
Il consider them unhoiy alliances to
grind the faces OF the poor"
And how do you stand ON the labor
question:"
II look upon the laborer as a man and
brother. II elected l shall do all in my
power to advance his interests at the ey-
pense of his employers"
Mr.. Thomas was indignant. what
pothouse politician put that IN my
mouth?" he said to his wife. Il would
be an idiot to advance the laborers
interest at the expense of his employ
er. Where would the laborer be II
his employer were degradedi"
'No pothouse politician wrote st. my
dear. ! was Informed that your views
would be required, and | put that In
myself. You must stand well with
the laborer or you will be defeated"
Then came demands for more funds.
Mr.. Thomas refused. but one days bat.
tie with his wife was sufficient. aud no
gave another check and another and
another till most OF his capital was In.
vested in his candidacy for an Office he
didn't want But the crowning agony
was the abuse heaped upon him by the
opposition. When he read the follow.
ing he tainted dead away:
There is a man just now prominent be.
fore the public who. II is rumored. II he
had his Just deserts would be behind bars
rather than soliciting the votes OF his
countrymen. Could the opposition sina
lower than nominate one who has sought
by every means IN his power to throw
dust about his past? Only q jury OF those
countrymen could throw searchlighl
upon that record he seeks to hide.
AS soon as Thomas could pull himself
together he went TO the newspaper Of
fee and demanded to see the man whr
wrote the article. "You mustn't min,
little thing like that, Mr.. Thomas,
said the scribbler. smiling. They sa.
all's fair In love and war. They forgo
TO put in politics. But III have III,
law Of you" oh we haven't men
toned you. Good day. Mr. Thomas
Hope you'll meet With success"
The morning OF the 4th Of Novembe
came at last. a president was elected
with an eclat that diverted attention
from the minor offices Mr. Thomas
looking In IFS morning paper for hi
record. saw IN one corner:
Thompson Thomas was defeated 70
mayor OF -. Certain presidential vote
were needed and some 1900 that wout
have elected Thomas were traded Tor an
presidential candidate.
SIR Thomas married life was OF shor
durafion His wife who had sWnaaa,