Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-12-10
"A Cyclone
= Of Ambition.

ciation.l
II any one had told Thompson Thorn
- ak months before the general cleo
ton OF 80 that he would be q candi.
date for office he would have laughed
him to scorn. Thomas was the most
onassuming man In the world Small,
bald. nearsighted, with a soft voice
and extreme gentleness Of manner. he
was especially unified for participa~
don In an exciting campaign.
One day a widow, impecunious and
ambitious. hearing of Mr.. Thompson
and his income, made up her mind 10
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 a married man.
The wedding occurred ave months
and two weeks before the election. At
the end OF a weeks honeymoon Mr.
Thomas took up his paper one morn
ing and read:
There is a movement on foot 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-
nttion. not a drone.
Mr.. Thomas was astounded. Calling
his wife. he showed her the item
We'll" she said, Il know I've married
a drone, but l don't intend that my
husband shall remain a drone. have
some ambition. l and you are one
We will work together. | am arrang-
Ing for your candidacy myself"
But. my dear
Il 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
Five thousand dollarsv'
(Which will be well spent You
have never taken any stand In the
town whatever. but the mayoralty
will"-
Mr.. Thomas groaned. Then he
showed bit of fght-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 a 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 organization" 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 1t 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?"
II consider them unholy alliances to
grind the faces of the poor"
And howsdo you stand on the labor
question:"
II look upon the laborer as a man and
a brother. IL elected / shall do all in my
power to advance his interests at the ex-
pense OF his employers
MIR. Thomas was indignant. what
pothouse politician put that in my
MOUTH he said to his wife. IL 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 2"
mo pothouse politician wrote IL. my
dear. l 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. and he |
gave another check and another and |
another till most Of his capital was In |
vested In his candidacy for an Office he |
iidn'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 a man just now prominent be- /
Tore the public who. II is rumored II he |
had his just deserts would be behind bars 4
rather than soliciting the votes Of his
;ountrymen. Could the opposition sink |
oWer than nominate one who has sought
by every means In his power 10 throw /
lust about his past? Only jury OF those
'ountrymen could throw a searchIight /
ipon that record ne seeks to hide
As soon as Thomas could pull himself |
-ogether he went to the newspaper Of
ice and demanded to see the man who
wrote the article. You mustn't mind
little thing like that. Mr.. Thomas"
laid the scrlbbler. smiling. "They say
'lls fair IN love and war. They forgot
o put In politics. T" But I'll have the
aw of you" "Oh, we haven't men.
Toned you. Good day. Mr. Thomas.
Hope you'll meet with success"
The morning Of the 18th Of November
anne at last. A president was elected
With an eclat that diverted attention
rom the minor offices. Mr.. Thomas.
ooking In his morning paper for his
ecord. saw In one corner:
Thompson Thomas was defeated for
mayor or - Certain presidential votes
we're needed. and some 1900 that would
ave elected Thomas were traded for the
residential candidate.
Mr.. Thomas married life was of short
uration- His wife. who had swooped L
own upon him at the proper time 10
dominate him for Office. the morning
fter his defeat left him to enter other ,
elds OF ambition. She had come like ,
Kansas cyclone. ragged fiercely. then