The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1908-12-31

Thomp Thomas a gum shoe politician of
the Seventh ward, in nomination for may
or. We hope it will not succeed. We
need practical business man for the po-
Sition, not drone.
Mr.. Thomas was aStounded. Calling
his wife, he showed her the item.
WELL" she said, 81 know I've married
drone, but l don't intend that my
husband shall remain a drone. l have
some ambition. | and you are one
We will work together. l am arrang.
ing for your candidacy myself"
But, my dear
II 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 will be well spent You
have never taken any stand in the
town whatever, but the mayoralty
will''-
Mr.. Thomas groaned. Then lie
showed bit Of fight-the only fight
he had ever shown in his life-but
Mrs. Thomas so out-Heroded Herod
in 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 depositing the lions share
to the credit Of the 6, ganization" be.
gan paying out the rest to the heelers.
Thompson Thomas received the nom.
nation. Judson Tadleben was put up
by the opposition boss, and the people
became greatly interested in what they
considered their franchise as American
citizens. The morning after the nom.
nation Mr.. Thomas was surprised to
read in journal-the mouthpiece of
the party he perpendicular interview
with himself. He was not aware of
having been interviewed and spoke of
his establishment to his wife. She in
formed him that it was faxed" in.
terview for political purposes. Among
other things that had been put into his
mouth, was this:
'Mr. Thomas, what are your views con-
corning the trusts?"
Il consider them unholy alliances to
grind the faces OF the poor
And how do you stand on the labor
question:"
Il look upon the laborer as man and
brother. If elected, 1 shall do all in my
power to advance his interests at the ex-
pense Of his employers"
Mr.. Thomas was indignant. "What
pothouse politician put that in my
mouth:" he said to his wife. II would
be an idiot to advance the laborer's
interest at the expense of his employ
err Where would the laborer be if
his employer were degraded?'
mo pothouse politician wrote it, nv
dear. l was informed that your views
would be required, and l 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, and he
gave another check and another and
smother till most Of his capital was in
vested in his candidacy for an office he
didn't want But the browning agony
was the abuse heaped upon him by the
opposition. When he read the follow
Ing he tainted dead away:
There is man just now prominent be-
lore the public who it is rumored, il he
had his Just deserts would be behind bars
rather than soliciting tho votes OF his
countrymen. Could the opposition sink
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 searchlisht
upon that record he seeks to hide.
As soon as Thomas could pull himself
together he went to the newspaper Of
flee and demanded to see the man who
wrote the article. you mustn't mind
little thing like that, Mr. Thomas"
said the scribbler, smiling. "They say
alrs fair in love and war. They forgot
to put in politics. But III have the
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 November
came at last. A president was elected
with an eclat that diverted attention
from the minor Offices. Mr.. Thomas.
looking in his morning paper for his
record, saw in one corner:
Thompson Thomas was defeated for
mayor Of -. Certain presidential votes
were needed, and some 5000 that would
have elected Thomas were traded for the
presidential candidate.
Mr.. Thomas married life was of short
duration. His wife, who had swooped
down upon him at the proper time to
nominate him for Office. the morning
after his defeat left him to enter other
fields Of ambition. She had come like
Kansas cyclone, ragged fiercely. then
passed on, leaving a wreck behind her
Mr.. Thomas gathered up the fragments
and found there was just enough left
to pay the expenses of divorce. This
he obtained, then went to work as
Preofreaier in publishing house.