The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1909-03-04
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SOWING TO THE WIND.
A True Story from Life Of a Man Who
Failed.

story IN the Home Herald and declares
that II Is strictly true. lie says: Mr.
George Smith was the leading mer
chant OF the city of M. Ills big
department store was well managed
and largely patronized. II was com
mon saying among his friends that
Smiths store was gold mine which
was making him rich" lie asplred
to be the wealthiest man in his city
n municipality OF little more than
1000 population. An increasing de-
sire 20 be the clty's next mayor was
also a burning ambition OF his life.
He ranked high IN religious circles
and was president OF the official board
OF the church 20 which ne belonged.
Mr.. Smith had a model family. Mrs.
Smith was a brilliant and accom-
plished woman. admired by her large
circle Of friends She was also very
active and efficient in both church and
temperance work. Their two chill
dren. John, n fine young man OF 10.
and Mary. II and beautiful. had just
graduated with honors from the nigh
school
Ten saloons. whose revenue flowed
into the municipal treasury. and whose
stream OF destruction swept into the
homes and lives Of a large number
OF its inhabitants, were thoroughly
intrenched I'm NJ. 4 local option
election was 20 occur Tuesday.
At the breakfast table IN the Smith
home Tuesday morning. Mrs. Smith
suggested to her husband tho proprie-
~ OF advising his CORPS Of clerks who
possessed the right Of suffrage 10 go
"a the polls and vote IN the interest
OF temperance.
Il certainly shall do as you sug-
gest." said the husband.
Reaching his Office IN the great
store building Smith sat down In the
chair at his desk and threw himself
back In a restful position.
Just then the office door opened and
Tom Jones' the leader OF tho political
party with which he was tenaciously
affiliated. stood by his side.
smith" said Jones, sympathct!cal-
". Il have tried TO place myself In
your position. and study this question
from your viewpoint. and the invaria-
Bile conclusion at which ] arrive Is.
that II this town goes local option
to-day. your loss financially Will be
immense. and politically you are
ruined. You have reached the golden
opportunity of your life. n you will
only improve II your political and
financial ideals can be realized. You
are. so you told me the other day.
trying TO buy stock OF goods from
merchant In the town Of s., ten
miles from here. Take Foster and
Black. two OF your clerks. with YOU
10 help inspect the stock. They viii
both vote dry n they stay. Leave on
the nine O'Clock train. with the under
standing that you are to return on the
train that arrives here at three this
afternoon. Accidentally miss that
train. Your next train will arrive
here az eight The polls close NJ six.
The 'drys win lose three votes and
the vets will win the day" And Tom
Jones. the party boss. left the office.
The polls closed NJ -four. and by
seven o'clock the votes were all
counted. and Il was discovered that
the saloons had won the victory by
only one vote'
Mrs Smith. with tho W. c. T. u.
only returned 10 her beautiful subur-
ban home at the closing OF the polls,
When the telephone brought her the
message as to the result OF the eleS-
ton. she sat down in a large rocking
chair and wept rs n her heart would
break.
At this time John came into his
mothers room
Mother" he said. Il want TO take
sister driving this evening The eight
o'clock train is reported half an hour
late, so We win have plenty OF time
TO 20 for a good drive before We go TO
the station 10 drive father home With
your consent will take tho black
team and the carriage
Certainly" replied his mother;
"the drive win do you both good"
The saloons and their supporters
were mad with excitement, crazed with
rum.
John. am afraid the horses will
run away; they are getting scared.
Can you hold them2"
Il think So" he answered, as he
wrapped the lines around his hands
and gave them a harder pull. Just
then a drunken man drew a revolver
from his pocket and fired II In the air
This so frightened the horses that
they became unmanageable.
John. entangled in his lines, was
dragged and beaten into a shapeless
pulp against the brick pavement Mary
was instantly killed by the collision,
The minister was at the train to
meet the belated train and break the
awful news to the stricken father.
"Oh, my God! Is It true?" he ex.
claimed
lie went home a roken.hearted
man. and when months later the nomi.
nation for mayor was offered him he
exclaimed:
Mayor! would not accept the
Office under any consideration. | am
I a.