The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-07-19

Just LOOK dL InlS, WSIlI OlI VuT Grayburn. 'This is an account o1 last nights meeting, brought out by the editor of the opposition paper. Il seems that he and the reporter got into the ante-room, and the reporter is a clever caricaturist in his way Here you are in various attitudes First, MT. Leicester rising to address the meeting. Second, MT. Leicester endeavoring to proceed. Third, MT Leicester finishing his speech. Fourth MT. Leicester in the ante-room. How could we stand by you in face of pie lures like these?"
 AS Leicester looked at the sheet which MT. Grayburn exhibited, he realized the meaning of the others words. Each picture showed him in a state of drunken helplessness, and under each picture was quotation from what he had said, so spelt as to bear out the fact of his intoxica- ton.
 Did I say this?" he stammered.
 "You did, MT. Leicester; that, and more."
 He was silent for a moment, and then through the open windows of the room he heard shouting in the street.
 "Wha', Rafford Lester drunk. Coodn't be drunk. Sober's judge. Friend O temperance. Hooray for pardy sobriety.'
 A shout of laughter followed, brutal, derisive, laughter, and he. Leicester, was the cause of it. He walked to the window and saw a crowd of people outside the hotel; they were looking towards him. No began to shout and laugh derisively.
 "You wish me to resign he said quietly.
 My committee, which met this morning, asked me to wait on you for that purpose.
 Every well," he said. He seized a pen and wrote with steady hand. ''There," he said presently, twill that do?"
 'Yes, thatll do perfectly. And be- lieve me, MT. Leicester, I as as sorry as any man. And you'll forgive me, but my advice to you is, get out of the town as quickly as you can. But don't leave by the Taviton Station. There'll be a crowd there to watch every train, and that crowd means to mob you.''
 'Tll see about that" said Leices- ter, his eyes flashing.
 Don't go to Taviton Station, MT. Leicester. No doubt you could have the law on them afterwards; but it's no use fighting the rabble. They think you've lost them the election. My advice is, get cab up quietly, and drive to West Ellington, little wayside station five miles away. From there you can get to London without coming through Taviton at all. I am awfully sorry, Mr. Leices- ter, but am sure you understand my position"
 Leicester wanted to shout in his anger-he longed to pour curses up- on his visitor, upon the town, the election, upon every one. But he controlled himself.
 "Good-morning," he said.
 Mr. Grayburn held out his hand, but Leicester would not see it. When he had gone, he closed the door be- hind him, and sat down to think. His breakfast was untouched, number of letters which lay on the table be- fore him were unopened. What should he do? He did not notice the waiter who came to remove the breakfast which he had not eaten; he sat with closed eyes, thinking and breeding.
 Presently he picked up a Brad shaw, and began to study it. Now and again he would lift his eyes and stare into vacancy, then he would turn eagerly to the timetable again, not to study the trains so much as the map of the various railway lines.
 About midday he rang for some sandwiches, and asked the waiter to send the proprietor to him.
 I'm sorry for what has taken place, MT. Leicester" that gentleman said when he came
 ''Very creditable of you, Jenkins" he said; meanwhile you can get me a carriage, and send me my bill"
 ''Yes, sir. Of course MT. Grayburn told you should have to get out of the town on the sly. This I must say, though, since you sent in your resignation they are talking more kindly about you.''
 How considerate of them. But that does not alter my plans. I wish to be driven to West Ellington"
 ''Yes, sir. From there you return to London? ?'' ..-,-
 'I don't know. presume, more over, that where I go is remarkably like my own business"
 Exactly, sir. I was only thinking about your letters.''
 ''You can burn them. I don't care. I want no letters. You send the car riage."
 ''If anybody inquires about you?"