The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1912-02-17

rebel ohcerS. lie was soldier enough
to understand the peril. He had more
faith in the inherent, unorganized hon
esty of "the people" than Thelismer
Thornton had. But, with just as
shrewd political knowledge as the
duke, he held with him that the "the
people" amount to mighty little as a
force in politics unless well and Loyalty
Differed.
A/campaign will not run itself. Left
to run itself, the issues are not brought
out to stir up the voting spirit. THE
people" have to be poked into the fight
ing mood, their ears have to be scruf-
ed, they need speakers, literature, mar
shals, meters, hurrah of partisanship.
1t was the off year for the national
campaign. No money came into the
state from the big fellows.
The state committee was looked to
by the county and town committees to
start the ball rolling and guarantee
the purse to push 1t. 1.-THE people"
were, as usual, too busy getting daily
bread to be spontaneous in political
movements.
General Weymouth sat in the old
brick house in Burnside village and did
the best he could during the long hot
days Of July and the sultry first fort
night Of August Harlan Thornton
worked with him. The library re-
sounded with the click Of typewriters,
and men came and went. But there
was no up and moving spirit to the
campaign.
An old man writing letters, even
such an old man as General Warden
Weymouth was in the estimation Of
his state, Is small voice in the will
derness Of politics.
The Democrats had vociferous ora
tors. Those orators had for text state
extravaganza, unjust taxation and all
the other charges 'the unders" may
bring against the reigning rulers.
They were not answered on the stump.
Even the Republican newspapers were
listless and half hearted.
| AT last came Thelismer Thornton.
1t was one afternoon in middle Au-
gust, barely three weeks before the
day Of the state election in September.
| 1t was his first visit to the brick house
in Burnside. He had been sojourning
| at the state capital.
The duke sauntered up the walk,
| whipping of his hat and swinging 1t
| in his hand as soon as he arrived I'M
der the trees Of the old garden. He
came into the house without knocking.
| "Tm making myself ut home as
usual, Vard," he said, walking to the
| general and stroking his shoulder as
| the veteran leaned over his table
above his figures. 1--WE been waiting
| for an invitation to come up here.
But l didn't dare to wait any longer.
It's getting too near election"
| General Weymouth looked up at his
| old friend, studying his face. He
found only the bland cordiality of the
ancient days.
'Tve been waiting myself, Thelis-
mer," he returned. "And I'll add that
1 don't intend to wait much longer.
I'm not referring to you, now. i refer
to Presson and his gang. presume
you are still close to them. Will you
inform them that I don't intend to
wait much longer?"
Thornton die not lose his smile. He
sat down. He nodded across the room
to Harlan with as much nonchalance
as though he had been seeing him
every day.
IL would have run In before this,
Warden, but somehow I got the i'm
preston from you and the boy that
you were fully capable Of operating
things yourself. But with election
only three weeks of I'm getting ready
to change my mind. We've got body.
snatchers for state committee.
They'd rather see Democrat the
next governor than you. That's how
mad they are. They can get rid OF
their Democrat after two years. Your
reform may hang on a good while,
once get the laws chained. Now what
are you going to dor"
II know exactly what I'm going to
do"
Eyes; but, srinning Jehosaphat, how
much time have you got to do 1t I'M
Three weeks to election nowr'
1 sgrt<a. IN In 4.