The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1912-12-26

IN llttle perhaps wi.n uunuer,eu in"
desty he contemplated the prospect
to him might be committed service Of
wider scope.
The conceded fact that his nonlina
ton came solely by grace Of MurcheFs
and Sheehnns decree caused him
vague misgivings Jeremy Applegate's
plaint startled him. Hampden's offer
did not tempt-it revolted him. What
troubled him most was that these
things were done in the light Of day
and that no One7-,]eremy did not
count. the victim would naturally pro-
test seemed to care.
After careful consideration of his un
imposing bank account John invested
q part Of it in a horse despite the teas
ing Of Aunt Roberta, who accused him
Of Joining the cavalry"-tO wit War
rem Blake and the troop OF undergradn.
ates that clattered over the roads at
Crusaders heels. He was not thor
sader. but just plain horse that, with
buggy attached. could trOt mile in
something less than Eve minutes or If
you weren't particular as to gait would
bear you in the saddle all day with
equal willingness. He was big. raw
boned beast with a Roman nose and
eyes continually showing white. which
quite belied his placid temper. and
John called him Lightning. So John
and Lightning. two industrious cam
paigners. between whom a perfect I'M
derstanding existed. went about their
business Of getting votes--and learn
ing
Lightnings duties generally consisted
In standing under the shade of some
tree. while John. volunteer who at
least earned his dinner, worked with
the farmers in the fields. And over the
was done John chatted With the farm
ers. The labor was good for his mus
eles and digestion, and the chat was
good for his soul.
Often he found that Jeremy Apple
gate or one Of Jeremy's fellow scouts
times be found skeptics who asked per-
hnent questions. 49,,
"Why should I vote for ye?" asked
Dan Criswell. a citizen Of Baldwin
township. one evening.
John began to patter the stock party
arguments. which carried conviction
neither to the skeptical Criswell nor
Of a sudden--to himself. He broke OF
abruptly in the middle Of a sentence.
LAS you SAY" he laughed uncomfort-
ably. why should you vote for me?''
Does sound kind O foolish. don't it?
Reckon ye won't have nothin' to do
with the tariff or the single gold stand
ard ner prosperity neither. The hull
party won't make ye git after the law
breakers if we're cheek by jowl with
Jim Sheehan an he don't want it..
What want to know is are We honest
-Or will We take orders?">
"That sounds logical" John assented
"It's commou sense. Only most can.
didates think y. ere too simple to think
ont. An | s:,n't know as they're far
wrong" he :.dLed thoughtfully.
When John left. however. Criswell
shook hands with him cordially. Il
guess I'll vote for ye-this time I
can't swallcr the hull ticket though
stomach wouldn't stand 1t. Ye look
like ye'd be yer own man. Leastways.
I'll chance it."
And John replied. troubled. II won't
regard that as promise. I'm not
sure that you ought to vote for me-"
Another day he met one Sykes. a hill
farmer. little. wizened fellow who
looked as though he had worn himself
out in the struggle to wiring living
out Of the steep slopes.
n amt voting" he said.
"Well." John laughed cheerfully. "if
I can't get Il vote I'll be content with
Information Will you tell me why
you won't vote?'
"Well, If We will have 1t, Jim Sheehan
nominated We. II ye'd been the right
kind o man he wouldn't a had nothin
to do with We. Anybody he's fer. I'm
against. rec'lect when he come to
Plumvi]le. nothin' but a drinkin' bum
An now he's got rich buildin' bad
streets an roads an taxin me heavy
to pay fer it while 1t keeps me scratch
In to get the intrust on my mortgage
How do know he's crooked? I don't
know-l fee! it. An I know that no
one gets the nomination less'n he says
%. Or Murchell-an' they're tarred
With the same stick"
Johns face was grave. "Then you
ought to vote the opposition ticket. I'd
rather you'd do that than not vote at
all."
The momentary flicker of passion
died down, whats the use"' was the
reply. duly given. "However vote
some Teller like Sheehan gifts on top"
John sought counsel from his father.
But to the Judge Caesars wife-that is
10 say. his party and all things thereto
appertaining-w was above suspicion: not
% the motives Of him who raised a
question. So he took his trouble to
Ri Cranshawe. the Office visitor to
whom Johns difference had attracted