The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1911-12-02

&&S) no further protest. He star
ed at his grandfather, trying to com
prehend what 1t meant-this bitter
ness. this savage resentment, this ar
bitrary authority that took no heed of
his own wishes. He had always
known a calm, kindly, sometimes caus-
tic. but never impatient Th9ismer
Thornton. This old man. surly. dOmi-
neering and unreasonable, was new to
him. And after little while. worried
and saddened, he turned away. His
presence seemed to stir even more
rancOr as the moments passed.
Therefore the beleaguered lord of
Canibas was left to fight 1t out alone.
He stood ut the end OF the porch and
listened to the menacing sounds of
the village. A man came up the road
ut brisk gait. stamped across the
yard and went direct to the duke. who
waited for him at the far end Of the
porch He did not glance at Presson
or at Harlan Thornton.
did you ever see anything like It:
did you ever hear anything like 1t.
honor'ble" the new arrival demand
ed, with heat. They're goin to make
a caucus out Of TIA caucus! Yes,
sir, by JehOshaphat, caucus"
With the familiarity Of the long time
lieutenant he pccked with thumb and
forefinger at the end of a cigar pro-
truding from his chiefs waistcoat
pocket. He wrenched off the tip be-
tween shaggy teeth.
Chairman Presson's ear had caught
the sound Of politics. He felt that he
was entitled, ex otficio, to be present
at any conference. He hurried to the
end Of the porch.
1--WE amt had caucus in this dis
trict for more'n forty years" stated
the new arrival. accepting the chair
man as friend Of the cause. except
rs the chairman catches the seckertery
somewhere and then hollers for some
one to come In from the street and re-
nominate the Honor'ble Thornton.
But this Is going to be caucus The
word seemed suddenly to have acquir-
ed novel meaning for him. "They
must have been pussyfootin' for a
month. You could have knocked me
down with your cigar butt. squire,
when ! got in here today and found
how she stood. If II hadn't been for
| War Eagle Ivus and his buck sheep
breakin' out they'd have ambuscaded
We. But even as II is-hoot and boiler
now. and tag-gool-I-see-ye. they say
they've got you licked and licked In
the open-that's what they say" The
mans tone was that of one announc-
ing the blotting out of the stars.
"Walt Davis Dragged about It," said
the old man, outwardly calm. but eyes
ablaze. 1T must be pretty sure
thing when he's got the courage to
crawl out from under the wagon and
yap."
Its the ramrodders. They've been
up here, one or two OF the old cock
ones, workin' under cover. But stand
ing here sDittin' froth about 1t amt
convertin' the heathern nor cooperin'
them that imagine vain things. Now
here's what I've done. grabbin' in SOS
to lose no time. r.
"No, Just tell me what the other side
has DONE" C, mmanded the duke.
"First place. they've got names In
black and wLite of enough Republic
ans to down you In caucus. They've
got 'em, theI.. ramrodders have. I've
hairpinned the truth out o the cracks.
Squire. the (, ct that you're gettin' out
yourself and proposin' to put your
grandson In gives em their chance to
say lot Next place, this is goin'
to be caucus. 1t amt any imitation.
They're goin' to use a marked check
list"
"yyhat?" roared the Honorable The
lismer, Jared out of his baleful cam.
Eyes, sir. They've pulled the town
clerk into camp and have had him
mark list. And you can imagine
who they picked out as Republican
voters in this town. And they'll stand
and challenge every one else till their
threats are sore. You and me has
cut up few little innocent tricks in
politics in our time. Squire, but we
never framed anything quite as tidy
as this for steal. II your friend
here Is In politics, he
I'm Presson. chairman of the state
committee" explained that gentleman.
The Duke. Of Fort Canibas was too
much absorbed to make presentations.
THAT so?" ripped out the other,
frankly astonished. well. I'm glad
you're here. You ought to be able to
help us out" f ns 81 ~
Presson was not cheerful or helpful.
They're slashing this whole state
open from one end to the other with
their reform hullabaloo." he said &.
II hear there is quite stir outside. .
agreed the agitntor blandly. HeJ look
e. the chairman up and down with
interest. ig"You may call me Sylvester
Talleyrnnd Sylvester. I've been the
squire's right hand man In the poIiti-
cal game, such ns there's been Of it,.
s'Hsesson.'' saida Thornton, .you've
got jour sown interest inilseeing me
x~~x< thln A1~kra~< L. h.. k~s~~s& - -