The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1911-04-14
Her Fathers Daughter
" ANNIE HINRICHSEN
copyrighted. $780, by Associated Literary Press

ISOLATED Literary Press
The Honorable William s. Morton.
member Of Congress-, had been side
tracked out of his own county organ
ization. When Brooke county select
ed its delegates to the state conven-
ton Mr.. Morton's name was not on
the list. In his own county his down
fall had been designed. 1t had been
accomplished quietly-a word here
and there. suggestion at the right
moment to a disaffected one-and
under it all a purpose. subtle and de-
liberate.
The absence Of the well-known
politician from the personnel OF the
state convention was an incident OF
tremendous political significance. It
was the first break in his power. A
politicians county is the cornerstone
of his success, and without it he can
have only an uncertain structure that
will soon 90 to pieces. From end to
end of the state the press commented
on the incident and politicians dis
cussed it.
Congressman Morton's career was
ended. He had lost his grip. At the
first sign of weakness hundred men
were ready to spring upon him and
tear from him his power. Another
faction was waiting to rule the coun'
ty and the opportunity had come.
Without the support Of his county ne
could not be renominated for Con-
gress. He would drop out of the
political life, and although he would
always stand high In public opinion
he would be that most unhappy man
"a politician shorn of his power.
The convention was called to order.
The routine preliminaries were gone
through. The delivery of oratorical
masterpieces began. The chairman
announced the name of Justice James
Clarkson of the state supreme court.
Justice Clarkson rose.
"Mr Chairman" he began, ladies
and gentlemen-"
There was a faint hiss. The judge
stopped.
1T is my pleasure" he went on.
The hiss came again. This time it
was louder and seemed to come from
several parts of the room.
The judges face darkened with
anger. Again he began to speak, but
from one side of the room came
catcall. It was answered from the
other side. Several voices took it up.
The chairman pounded on his desk
for order.
The catcalls grew louder. From all
parts of the room came a steady hiss
ing. A man in the rear began to yell.
In a moment the convention was
wild uproar of inarticulate. derisive
hootings.
The Judge CHASTITY, furious, stood
In his place. A man caught the tails
Of his coat and jerked him to his
seat. A dozen of his friends sur
rounded him. pushed him upon
chair and shouted to the chairman to
preserve order.
AS the judge appeared above the
crowd the hooting changed to a reg
ular information, accompanied by a
steady stamping Of feet.
Traitor. Traitor. Where is Nor
TONI"
The Judge dropped from his chair
and buried his face In his arms and
around him the storm Of execration
ragged
From the gallery Cecilia Morton
watched the turmoil with passionate,
wondering Joy. Some one had
planned this demonstration. Some
one had filled the hall with trained
rooters and organized the younger
delegates into a jeering chorus; some
one who knew that Judge Clarkson's
public humiliation would restore the
prestige of the friend he had be-
trayed.
Harry Seldom, the all but accepted
lover, the politician of dreams and
theories which had seemed so beau
tiful to her, was running about the
hall frantically imploring men to be
quiet, to cease their dishonor of a
judge Of the supreme court. An un-
utterable contempt for him swept
over her. Didn't the man know this
was for her fathers honor?
She looked at Merle Adams He
was standing little apart from the
crowd. On his strong. young face
was an expression of quiet satisfac-
ton. She saw him raise his hand in
an almost imperceptible gesture. In
stantly the regular. rhythmic clacking,
the base OF sound on which the up-
roar was built. ceased. The lighter,
miscellaneous hootings continued fos
moment and time died away
Merle Adams raised his eyes to the
gallery. Cecilia was leaning far -er
the railing. He read the look on her
face and the message of her suddenly
outstretched hands. Across the mob
of excited, gesticulating politicians
he sent the answer to her message.
pushed his way through the crowd
and ran up the gallery stairs.