Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-03-28
NUMBER l3.

BUY him? Indeed. they couldn't
But there are some things you get
without buyin'-the measles, for In.
stance. And the one that's catchin'
'em don't know he's In danger till the
speckles break out. Fellers. this COM
mittee voted In Phoebe Dawes by just
two votes to one, and one Of the two
was Lem Myrick. Darius was against
her. Now. with Tad and his Prov
idence putin in Lonzo Snow and
Heman Atkins settin' behind the
screen workin' his normal school
music box SOS they can hear the tune
well, Phoebe may stay this term out.
but how about the neXtf"
"Hey? Why. don't know"
"From what ! hear. this Phoebe
Dawes. for all her pesky down east
stubbornness. Is teachln' pretty well.
and. anyhow. she's one little woman
against Tad Simpson and Heman At
kins and-and Tad's special brand Of
Providence. She deserves a fair
shake. and. by the big dipper, she's
goin' to have 1t! Look here. you two
how would look on the school com.
mittee?"
"You?" repeated the pair in concert.
.You"
Eyes, me. l ain't Solomon for
wisdom. but carlate I'd be as near
the top Of the barrel as Darius Ellis
and only one or two layers under
Eben Salters or Lonzo Snow. I'm
candidate. see"
"But-but. Whit" gasped the town
clerk, "are You popular enough? Could
you get elected?
II don't know. but can find out
You and Bailey II vote for me. won't
fou"
Course we will. but
"All right. There's two votes. A
hundred and odd morell put me In.
Here goes for politics and popularity.
may be president yet: you can't tell.
And. say, this town meetin' won't be
dull. whichever way the cat jumps"
This last was safe prophecy. All
dullness disappeared from Bayport the
moment 1t became known that Cap
hin Cyrus Whitaker was out for
The school committee. The captain
began his elect!oneering at once. That
very afternoon he called upon three
people-Eben Salters. Josiah Dimick
and Lemuel Myrick.
Captain Salters was chairman OF Sc
lectmen as well as chairman Of the
committee. He was hard headed old
salt, who had made money in the
Australian packet service. He had
common sense. independence and con-
siderable influence In the town. Next
TO Congressman Atkins he was per-
haps our leading citizen. And, more
than all. he was not afraid. when he
thought It necessary. to oppose the
great Heman.
"Well," he said refectively after
listening to Captain Cy's brief state
ment Of his candidacy. 81 cal'late I'll
stand in with you, Cy. amt got any
thing against Lonzo, but-but-well.
consarn 1t. maybe that's the trouble:
maybe he's so darned good 1t makes
me jealous. Anyhow, I'll do what I
can for YOU"
Joe Dimick laughed aloud. He was
an iconoclast. seldom went to church
and was entirely lacking in reverence;
also he really liked the captain
"Ho, ho!" he crowed. whit. DO
you realize that you're underminin'
this towns constitution? Oh, sartn,
I'm with you, If it's only to see the
fur fly. I do love scrap"
With Lem Myrick Captain Cy's pol.
Icy was different he gently reminded
that gentleman of the painting con-
tract, intimated that other fayors might
be forthcoming and then as clincher
spoke of Tad Simpsons comment
when Mr.. Myrlck voted for Phoebe
Dawes.
"Of course" he added. III you think
Tad's got right to boss all hands
and the cook. why, I amt complainin',
only II I was a painter doin' good,
high class trade and one boss bnrber
tried to dictate to me shouldn't bow
down and tell him to kick easy as heE
could. Seems to me I'd kick first
But I'm no boss; l mustn't influence
YOU"
Lemuel was indignant
mo barber runs me-" he declared.
"You stand up for me when that town
hall paintin's to be done. and I'll work
hard for you now. Capn Whitaker.
Lonzo Shows an elder and all that.
but can't help 1t. Anyway. his place
was all fixed up year ago, and l
didn't get the job. 4 feller has to look
after himself these days"
With these division commanders to
lead their forces into the enemy's
country and with Asaph and Bailey
doing what they could to help. Captain
Cy's campaign soon became worthy or
respectful consideration. For awhile
Tad Simpson scoffed ut the opposition;
then he began to work openly for Nit.
Snow. Later he marshaled his trusted
officers around the pool table In the
back room Of the barber shop and con-
fided to them that 1t was anybody's
fight and that he was worried.
Its past 3ein' a Joke" he said.
"It's mighty serious. We've got to
hustle. we have. Heman trusted me
in this Job. and If I fall down It'll be
bad for me and for you fellers too. l
wish he was home to run things HIM
self. but he's got business down south
there-some property he owns or some
thin'-and says he can't leave. But
mind how-iust get 'em. that's all."
Captain Cy was thoroughly enjoying
himself. The struggle suited him to
perfection He did not. however, for
get Bos'n. He took the child into his
confidence and told her Of the daily
gain or loss In votes as If she were his
own age. She understood a little of
all this and tried hard to understand
the rest, preaching between times to
Georgianna how "the bad men are
trying to beat Uncle Cyrus cause he
is gooder than they. but they can't,
cause everybody loves him So" Geor-