The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1911-03-14

oorstep stood Georgianna.
les, it was true-beside her.
ltending a welcoming hand.
site form of the Hon. Heman
Some one else was there Also.
ne one who hurriedly slipped back
into the crowd as the owner of the Cy
Whitaker place came up the path be-
tween the hedges.
Mr.. Atkins shook the captains hand
and then, stunning toward the people.
held up his own for silence. To all
outward appearance he was still the
great Heman. our district idol, philan
thropist and leader. His silk hat
glistened as Of old; his chest swelled
In the old manner; his whiskers were
just as dignified and awe inspiring.
For an instant, as he met the captains
eye his own faltered and fell, and
there was pleading expression in his
face, the lines of which had deepened
just little, but only for an instant;
then he began to speak.
"Cyrus," he said, "it is my pleasant
duty, on behalf Of your neighbors and
friends here assembled, to welcome
you to !our-er-ancestral home after
your trying illness. / do it heartily.
sincerelr, gladly. And it is the more
pleasing to me to perform this duty
because, as have explained publicly
to my fellow townspeople, all disagree
ment between us is ended. I was
wrong-again l publicly admit it. A
scheming blackleg. posing in the guise
of loving father, imposed upon me.
I am sorry for the trouble I have
caused you. Of you and of the little
girl with you I ask pardon-I entreat
forgiveness"
He paused. Captain Cy, the shadow
of a smile at the corner of his mouth,
nodded and said briefly:
"All right, Heman. / forgive you"
Few heard him. The majority were ap-
plauding the congressman. Sylvanus
Caboon, whispering in the ear of I'm
Gle Bedny, expressed as his opinion
that that was about as magnaminious
a thing as ever / heard said-yes, sir
magma min-ious-that's what call 1t. >
But" continued the great Atkins,
'I have said all this to you before.
What / have to say now-what left
my duties in Washington expressly to
come here and SAYS that Bayport
thanks you, I thank you, for your ire
mendous assistance in obtaining the
appropriation which Is to make our
harbor busy port, where our gallant
fishing feet may ride at anchor and
unload its catch, instead of transfer
ing it in dories, as heretofore. Friends
/ have already told you how this man,
laying a hand on the captains shout
der, "came to the capital and used his
influence among his acquaintance in
high places, with the result that the
$4,000 which / had despaired of get
ting was added to the bill. had the
pleasure of voting for that bill. II
passed. l am proud of that vote"
Tremendous applause. Then some
one called for three cheers for Mr.. At
kins. They were given. But the re
cipient merely bowed.
mo, no. he said deprecatingly-
mo, no, not for me, my friends, much
as / appreciate your gratitude My
days of public service are nearly at an
end. As have intimated to some OF
you already, am seriously consider
ing retiring from political life in the
near future. But that is irrelevant; il
Is not material at present. Today we
meet not to say farewell to the set
ting but to greet the rising sun.
call for three cheers for our commit.
tee Of one-Captain Cyrus Whitaker
When the uproar had at last sub
sided there were demands for speech
from Captain Cy. But the captain
facing them, his arms about the de-
lighted Bos'n, positively declined te
crate
"I-Pm ever so much obliged to you
folks" he stammered. 81 am so. But
you'll have to excuse me from speech
maxim They-they didn't teach II
afore the mast, where went to col
lege. Thank you just the same. And
do come and see me, everybody. Me
and this little GIRL" drawing Emil: !
nearer to him, twill be real glad 10
have you"
After the bandshaking and congratu
lating were over the crowd dispersed
IT was a great occasion; all agreed tc
that. But the majority considered it q
divided triumph. The captain had
done a lot for the town, Of course, but
the Honorable Atkins had made an
other splendid impression by his ad
dress Of welcome. Most people thought
IT as ine as his memorable effort al
town meeting. Unlike that one, how
ever. in this instance It is safe to say