Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1908-11-14
Holding
Trun1ps
By w. r. BRYAN.
copyrighted 1893. by Associated
Literary Press.
By w. F. BRYAN.

Butter iFcek ChTeu llttle TOT the pres
idential race. II was too remote from
the center Of things to care viii, h Of
the two Williams occupied the White
House II was the tail of the ticket
that Interested Bitter Creek. aud inter.
ested II nightly.
The camp had reached II stage In its
development where local sheriff was
of greater Importance than a national
ruler. The fight was Ia be made strict
~ Oh party lines, but the parties were
the Colcor,litcs aud the Myllustcs.
II was agreed that either man would
admirably perform the onerous duties
of the office. but Ben Colcord and Tom
Myths both wanted the place. and the
contest would he none the less cxeit.
ing because the two men were close
friends.
This sure IS going TO he fight "
announced Colcord when he met his
chum after the nomination. NO hard
feeling II ! beat you. Toni"
III you can confirmed Myths, with
a laugh Il think see myself wear
ing that badge already. Ben"
Not If can help IT," denied Col
cord I've few ideas MS to how to
run campaign myself. and I'm going
TO try them
Anything short of shooting as
scented Myllus. II hold the trump card.
though. You wait aud see"
Bitter Creek did not have long to
wait Colcord led from the first and
took the first trick by fitting up the
old Bella Union as n picture show
In between reels he made speech 10
the audience. and the audience includ-
ed most Of the townspeoplc in the
course Of the evening.
The pictures We're changed every
evening, and even the barkcepers at
the new Bella Union and the Yalta
We're permitted 10 take time off 10 see
the new reel run through
Business at the faro tables suffered.
and Colcord would have become I'M
popular had II not been that nj the con
clusion Of each performance he led
the audience across the street for a
drink. patronlzing first the Bella Union
and then the Yalta.
II was the general opinion that Col
cord had set pace too swift for his
rival TO follow. but Myths only
smiled
This smile grew broader the follow
ing week when Mylius played and
took The second trick Bitter Creek
IIxs h.. ~
Save for Mrs. Mulligan. who ran the
Golden West hotel. the census of Bit
ter Greek was entered in the male
column OF the records
The arrival of Edna Myths created
nothing loss than II sensation. and
that evening the picture show was
deserted. while the voters OF Bitter
Creek slowly filed past the Golden
West in the hope OF obtaining sight
of the new arrival.
Edna Myths was well worth the
trouble. She was n slip of girl with
a coronet OF silky hair the color OF
virgin gold She dressed with an art
full simplicity far more fetching than
the latest fashion. and her smile was
simply irresistible. She was just ont
of college. I'm love with the west and
delighted to be one of the factors in
an election contest.
Tom fitted up n store near the pic
ture show. aud wafiles, with real hon.
cy, We'd with the pictures as an nj
traction Wailcs were Edna's special
ty. and with sleeves rolled above her
dinlpled elbows with dainty apron
and coque,ish cooking zap her face
flushed from the heat OF the fire she
was n picture aud moving one-far
more effective than the product OF Ian
tern and illm across the street Bitter
Greek decided that OF the two Tom
Myths was better fitted TO be sheriff
Golcord racked his brains for some
thing To counteract the effect Of the
waillcs aad brought down 10 the Creek
half a dozen minor pugilists. who bat
tied for the benefit of mere handful
of spectators. while the rest of the
camp watched Edna make fudge.
Colcord left the fight and went over
10 see what success the fudge maker
was having The room was packed
with men solemnly masticating the
toothsome compound while Myths
made speech
They listened. as in duty bound but
all eyes were upon the trim little fig
ure lowering over the stove at the end
Of the hall. She had impressed Mrs.
Mnllignn as assistant. and the ponder
Gus figure Of the elder woman made
an excellent foil for the girl.
Edna looked up. with smile. as Col.
cord entered and made his way to the
stove. IL was by no means his first
visit. and she had come to like the
frank. breezy man who at once was
her brothers friend and rival.
Pm perfectly happy" she whispered
as she offered Colcord a plate of the
sweets. When we made fudge In n
chatting dish ! used 10 say that | hoped
some day To be able to make all
wanted TO. I've got my wish sooner