West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-10-28


had been shoulder TO shoulder iu the
dark years or reconstruction until old
Jim went TO his rest In the little grave
yard beside the Barraclaw.
"See here. Barnes Eldon. 4 want to
know what put this dun foollshness
into your head a-runnln' TO represent
this heah county and you not six
months over the age lImltr'
Two years. squire" cheerfuily re-
sponded Eldon.
That amt no answer ~ my ques-
ton." And the shrewd gray eyes
bored deep into Barnes Eldon's blue
ones until the red wave went up the
tanned face TO lose itself in the roots
OF close cropped dark hair. Make a
clean breast of II. boy. There's some
woman at the bottom OF this"
Eldon grinned. II reckon I will
have to make confdnnt Of you.
squire. Ever since Jessie Eldridge
and i went mp to that Missouri col
lege together we have been sweet
hearts. but you have heard. I reckon.
that old man Eldridge is dead set on
making Jessie marry Dick Brantley.
Brantley has the money. and he has
record. but the money makes anything
go with the old man. Jessie won't
hear to a word OF It, and the old man
has been leading her n life OF it for
the last year. She says II I get elect
cd she Will marry me right away. dad
dy or no daddy. We want 70 show old
man Eldridge that Dick Brantley's
not the only man in this part OF the
world that can make a living for his
daughter. That's why. squire"
Thought so. Wen. Jessie's a mighty
nice little gal. You've got more
sense'n i give you credit for, Barnes,
and I'll think IL over. Hal Eldridge
always was ready TO sell out for a
nea's hide and taller. Been a-huntin'
latelyr
Eldon took the hint. "Not much I
haven't. ingalls, and Robinson amt
putting In time on deer and bear"
He laughed easily. shifting his ak
feet Of stalwart body over the gallery
railing. dropping to the ground be-
meath. You'd better think fast.
squire. Ny minds on politics. and It's
bent on seeing a decent man 20 up
from the Barraclaw. You don't seem
to favor me. so 1 reckon 1 might as
well order the handbills struck. John
son II be likely to charge extra on ac-
count Of having to rush them. We
haven't any time to lose"
Now, look heah. Barnes Eldon. I'm
n busy man, with no time for your
blame foolishness; sides, want you
to understand this heah county ain't
no boys football. 1 amt a-goin' one
step. and you might as well drop that
fool talk"
Eldon sprang into the saddle. 'srhen
It'll have to be me. I'm young, but
I've got clean record on cows" And
before the squire could get In pro-
test he had disappeared down the
south road in cloud of dust.
"Well. I'll be- And the squire
mopped his face energeticaily. Then
his eyes began to twinkle. and he
broke into a huge laugh. tits a go,
and blamed good way TO even mp on
Hal Eldridge for sneakin' my labor
while was up there with some more
fools a-tendin' to other folks bust
ness"
The crisp fail morning bristied with
the keen winds that swept mp the
Barraclaw, centering around Wash
Evans store, where the primary was
held. All the antagonism Of the cleo
tion was concentrated in the race fof
the county judgeship. It had its be
ginning in an old feud between the
10 49,
once occasioned bloodshed Neither
OF them was there, but there were
plenty OF their supporters on the
ground, and n wave Of excitement
went through the men as a rumoT
spread and gained ground that ths
Judge OF the election had been threat.
ened by the opposition-that he would
be shot II he attempted to serve.
The Barraclaw being the largest
township in the county and therefore
the most important rallying point,
most OF the other candidates were
present except ingalls,, who had gone
home to the st. Jean. Jack Robinson
and his henchmen were lined mp long
before the polls opened, prepared to
give both Ingalls, and Eldon a stin
fight. Mcpherson. the threatened judge
rode In on the stroke Of the clock and
dismounted amid a general hush. All
eyes followed him as be strode through
the doorway and took bis seat, q Win
chester across his lap.
By IL o'clock the crowd had increas
cd until nearly every voter In the
township had collected around the
polls. The squire sided in and out
among them, with a whisper and q
sly chuckle to each. Barnes Eldou
kept close at his heels when not en-
gagged In rounding up his weak con
stituents. but the Ingalls, and Robin
son factions were not alarmed, az the
squire paid little attention to Eldon
There was q general hesitation max
ing itself felt. and only a light vote
had been cast up TO noon. The crowd
was both hungry and thirsty, and ev
cry man seemed to be waiting for ths
other ts make a move. when the squire
shouldered through them and mounted
barrel. Then they broke into a deep
mouthed roar OF "Ba1terl BaxterF
This amt no time 70 be n-bOtherin'
you men with speechifying. You Eil
know me. Johnson Baxter. what has
served you, man and boy. since this
beah Barraclaw has come 20 be a
white mans country. and you sin't
never know'd me to turn my back on
friend in need, and, boys, when a
mans a-needin' n wife and luck Is
dead agln him in the matter OF her
daddy. that's the time for your sym
pathy II you be ever a-goin' to ladle
It out. and I'll tell you right now.
Barnes Eldon henh is a.needin' your
sympathy terrible bad. which same be
will take I'm votes Now, there's Jim
ingalls,: he's R-wantiD' TO hold up the
hands Of this henh county for the next