The Clio messenger., 1912-01-26

ney! The words will stick in your
throats, but show a bold front 10 the
other side. Gather in your stragglers.
\. They filed out, plain and stolid indi-
viduals from the rural sections.
Harlan was left alone with the gen
eral.
There 60 the kind that the dema-
gogues always catch. Mr.. Thornton.
The demagogues understand human
nature. They prey on the radicals who
will follow the man who promises
sets class against class and eternally
promises; promises the jealous ascot
les to deprive other men OF the indul-
gences they seem to enjoy; promises
to correct things for the great majority
which dimly understands that things
are out Of joint in their little affairs
and as dimly hope that laws and rulers
can correct those things and make the
income cover the grocery bills. Spin,
ney had them by the ears, that he did!
But the knave was shrewd enough to
understand that the machine would
probably whip him in convention.
They used my name to scare him into
selling out-threatened to stampede
the convention for me. That's why
I'm so angry"
Let me ask you something, general.
1t was Spinney, was it, Spinney and
the kind I've seen training with him
in this thing, that stirred up the oppo-
sition in this state-the kind Of opposi-
ton we found at our Fort Canibas eau
cus?"
From all reports, yes. know some
of the agents that have been working
In the state. The men behind have hid
den themselves pretty well, and I'm
not exactly certain where their money
rs coming from. But / suppose the
liquor interests are putting in consid-
erable, as usual"
"The liquor interests! Backing re-
formers?"
The general smiled.
I'm case of doubt you'll find the
liquor interests on both sides, for the
saloons are to be tolerated and pro-
tected or they are to be prosecuted
the program depends on the men who
get control. So the big rumsellers ca
ter to both Sides"
Isn't there any decency anywhere,
in any man, General Weymouth, when
he gets mixed into such things?"
Don't lose your faith that way, my
boy. You see, I'm even playing few
father is more than half right. We
have to play the game. But I'm try
ing last experiment with human ma
ture before l die. Young man. this
state is in a condition Of civil war
over this internal liquor question.
There's no common ground for a de-
cent and honest man to stand on be-
tween-that is, he's too much disgust
ed with both sides to join either. l
want to see whether there's good
sense enough in this state to take the
, thing out Of the hands of the fanatics
ISNhat we can get results that decent
men can subscribe to-results instead
Of the ruin and rottenness we're in
now"
He stopped suddenly with word Of
apology.
You mustn't think I'm inficting a
rehearsal of my Inauguration speech
on you, Mr.. Thornton. talked more
than / intended. But my feelings
have been deeply stirred this morning.
Well be going along to the hall, now,
you and I. It's near the hour. / want
to be the next governor of this state"
he smiled wistfully-"so you and l
will go out and hunt for enough hon
est men to make me governor"
The hotel was pretty well deserted
as they walked down the stairs and
through the lobby.
"Ours doesn't seem to be the largest
parade Of the day, Mr.. Thornton" said
the veteran mildly when they were on
the street, "but We'll see-we'll see!"