Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1909-11-11

.u EldOn You KNOW, squire. we We
only got to post your nalne, and Jim
Ingalls, might as well go back to bis
crop for all the votes he'll get In this
county. much less the Barraclaw."
The squire Jumped to his feet and
took turn up and down the long gal
lery. His round red face grew seri-
ous MS he reelected that Eldon was
speaking the simple truth. After all,
why not help the hoy: He was too
Young, but he rather liked his "Stand
md deliver" methods. Then he was
Jim Eldon's son old jim. who had
.ept under the same blanket. foraged
for chickens and starved with him
during the uad days of 1853, and they
had been shoulder 70 shoulder IN the
dark years or recunstru' tion until old
Jih went to his rest in the little grave
yard beside the Barraciaw.
"See here. Barnes ElGon. | want to
know what put this dun foolishnesS
into your head a-rUnnin to represent
this heah county and you not six
months over the age limit:'
"Two years. squire cheerfully re-
sponded Eldon.
THAT nin't 10 answer to my queS-
ton" And the Shrewd gray eyes
bored deep into Barnes EluOn'S blue
ones until the red wave went up the
tanned face to lose itself in the roots
Of close cropped dark hair. Make
clean breast of 1t. boy. There's some
woman ut the bottom of this"
Eldon grinned. Il reckon ! will
have to make contidant Of you.
squire. Ever since Jessie Eidridge
and | went up to that Missouri col
lege together we have been sweet
hearts. but you have heard. 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
90 with the old man. Jessie won't
hear to word Of IT. and the old man
has been leading her life OF 1t for
the last year. She says II get elect
ed she will marry me right away. dad
dy or no daddy We want to show old
man Eldridge that Dick Rrantley's
not the only man In this part of the
world that can make a living for bis
daughter. That's why. squire"
Thought so. Well, Jessies mighty
nice little gal. You've got more
sense'n give you credit for. Barnes,
and I'll think 1t over. Hal Eldridge
always was ready to sell out for a
hea's hide and taller. Been a-huntin'
lately!"
Eldop took the hint. Not much
haven't. Ingalls, and Robinson amt
putting in time on deer and bear
He laughed easily, shifting his six
feet OF stalwart body over the gallery
railing, dropping to the ground be-
meath. You'd better think fast.
squire. My minds on politics, and it's
bent on seeing decent man so up
from the Barracluw. You don't seem
TO favor me. SO reckon | might as
well order the handbills struck. John-
son n 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
a busy man, with no time for your
blame foolishness; sides. | want you
TO understand this heah county amt
no boys football. | amt a-goin' one
step. and you might as well drop that
fool talk"
Eldon sprang into the saddle. Then
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 energetically. Then
his eyes began to twinkle, and he
broke into huge laugh. ITS go,
and blamed good way to even up on
Hal Eldridge for sneakin' my labor
while | was up there with some more
FOOLS a-tendin' to other folks busl-
ness"
The crisp fall morning bristled with
the keen winds that swept up the
Barraclaw. centering around Wash
Evans store. where the primary was
held. All the antagonism OF the elec-
tion was concentrated in the race for
the county judgeship. 1t had Its be-
ginning In an old feud between the
two candidates that had more than
once occasioned bloodshed. Neither
of them was there. but there were
plenty OF their supporters on the
ground. and wave OF excitement
went through the men as rumor
spread and gained ground that the
Judge of the election had been threat
ened by the opposition-that he would
be shot II he attempted to serve.
The Rarraclaw 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 bench hmen were lined up long
before the polls opened. prepared TO
give both ingalls, and Eldon stin
fight. Mcpherson. the threatened judge,
rode In on the stroke Of the clock and
dismountpd amid general hush. All
eyes followed him as he strode through
the doorway and took his seat. a Win
chester across his lap.
BY II O'Clock the crowd had increas-
ed until nearly every voter In the
township had collected around the
polls. The squire sidled In and out
among them. with whisper and a
sly chuckle to each. Barnes Eldon
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. as the
squire paid little attention to Eldon.
There was general hesitation max
ing itself felt. and only Il light vote
- . ,,,, a., ,o,, trho crowd