Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1912-04-16
A
POLITICAL
PLOT

'e?" echoed Mr.. Button, pulling OF
his boots preparatory to enjoying
his tea. Which party was 'e?"
Il don't really know, George" e1-
planned Mrs. Button, as she hustled
about the little ROOM &c talked so
much there was no understandin' i'm,
but it peared as if is man got in,
every one was goin' to ave a much
better time Of it,
"They all say that at lection
times" was Mr.. Buttons cynical
comment as he drew his chair up to
the table.
'"rhey say as 'ow there's sufferin-
cites in. the town. continued Mrs.
Button; "but amt seen any Of 'em
out ere. Glad am, too, for the
photo once see showed three 'po-
licemen takin' one of 'em to prison,
which is worse nor thieves want.
They'll ave to call out the so'jers
to keep EN- in order at Merstone,
I'm thinking"
"They won't come to Littledale,"
he declared we amt got none of
them camera chaps for the papers
ere I don't old with"
Mrs. Button who had heard her
husbands political views until size
knew every word by heart, hastily
interrupted.
They're goin' TO hold meetin'
ERE on Thursday night" she said.
"Where?' asked the jobbing gar
dener, with his mouth full.
I'm the all"
"Oh." said Mr. Button carelessly,
and went on with his meal in silence.
- -
The rector strolled down the gar
den in the course of the morning to
see how Mr.. Button was getting
along with the new fower-bed under
the elms. He was somewhat sur
prised when the gardener, touching
his cap, asked if he might have a
few words with him.
Certainly, Button, certainly" he
said: what is your trouble?'
1T amt exactly trouble" explain
ed Mr.. Button uneasily; it's about
firing the ALL
The rector laughed.
"You don't mean to tell me you
wish to hire the hall?' he cried.
But do, sir" persisted Mr.. But
ton; 'leastways not for myself, but
for a Mr.. Smith in London; e's I
phil-phil-''
"Philanthropist?, suggested the
rector.
That's it. sir: gentleman woI
took lot of interest in me Wen
was in London and e wants to give
a free lecture ere, with beautiful
pictures of the 'Oly Land, pyramids
mummies, an'-an' ALL" concluded
Mr.. Button hastily, finding that his
Imagination was failing.
The rector looked rather puzzled
1T appears to be peculiar ar
rangement, Button" he said: ".but
Of course, under the circumstances as
the hall is not booked until it is re.
CURED for the temperance concert
on Saturday evening, l will let Mr.
Smith have it for the three nights al
half the usual charge
'That'll make three pounds, won't
it?" queried the gardener, producing
the two half-sovereigns from his
waistcoat pocket.
The rector nodded and took the
money.
= = :. :.
It was about z o'clock that even
ing that a visitor entered Mr.. But
tons cottage. The gardener at once
recognized him as Mr. Wilson, the
Liberal agent at Merstone, the neigh
boring town in which the great bat
tie was being waged.
The rector has sent me-" he said
He tells me that you have booked
up the village hall on behalf of q
gentleman in London, who is not
certain which day he will require it.
Mr.. Button nodded.
Look here" said Mr.. Wilson, eve
want the hall for meeting tomor
row night; couldn't this gentleman
be persuaded to postpone his-er-
ASSeuAS uAAsh thO Ai6AN AOlIOWlu6
IT'S like this" said the gardener
slowly; III you was to pay me ter
pounds, might be able to fix it up;
ed use II on charity"
Nonsense. man! II you can ar
range it for five pounds. and promise
that you will not allow the rival par
ty to use 1t on Thursday, might con
slider it."
Mr.. Button rose to his feet with
dignity.
Il wouldn't bemean myself by of
ferin' i'm five pounds" he said in
dignantly. why, e spends as much
as that on is"
But the Liberal agent, with q cur,
nod. had departed.
Mrs. Button broke in on his rumi
nations by announcing that another
gentleman wished to see him.
Mr.. Moore, the local Conservative
agent, was breezy, red-faced little
man. and he came to the point al
once.
u hear you've booked up the hall,
he said. Il want 1t for either to