The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1912-02-08
con hour, and Presson had suggested

A party Of men had taken possession
Of the generals suit. They rose when
he entered. They paid no attention TO
Harlan. but surveyed Chairman Pres
son with disfavor.
General Weymouth knew them. He
addressed one or two by name and
was gracious in his greeting Of the
others. Several were clergymen.
I'VE wait on you," began their
spokesman, one Of the ministers. "as
a committee from the United Temper.
ance societies"
"My time is not my own just now,
gentlemen explained General Way
mouth. Il have a luncheon engage
ment with Mr. and Mrs. Presson. I
will see you at some other time"
The faces of all of them grew satur
nine at that announcement, for Chair
man Presson was not recognized al
the especial friend of prohibition.
The clergyman, following his line OF
duty. was not in mood to accept del
icate hints regarding social engage
ments. He stood his ground.
"Our business will occupy but .
short time, and I suggest that 1t will
be for your personal interest to listen
now, SIR
1t was an unfortunate bit Of obsti-
macy.
II regulate my own hours for en-
gagements, Mr.. Prouty. You have
come on your own business. and it
must await my convenience"
ITS your business l come on, Cen
eral Weymouth, and l advise you to
listen. And will add that 1t will not
help you with the temperance people
of this state If they are told that with
in two hours after your nomination
you are consorting with the arch enc
my of temperance reform in our
midst.
With two strides the general was
back at his door. He opened 1t.
BE SO kind as to leave the room.
gentlemen" he invited icily. "I'll not
detain you even to have you apologize
for your intrusion on my privacy or
ask pardon of guest whom you've in
sultedw
They obeyed him sullenly. Even
their effrontery could not withstand
| tudt ouI luSy AAulISlc0 auIOuS
themselves.
"There 20 some Of the reformers you
were asking your grandfather about 4
few weeks ago. Harlan" sneered the
indignant chairman. 'Those are the
men who are holding themselves up
as examples for all the rest Of men to
follow"
The chairman took a crafty survey
of Harlan as the general left the room
Between you and me. my boy" he
said, getting back upon his old time
footing with Thornton's grandson. 1.-THE
general has got both Of my eyes put
out. SO far's his politics 60. Did you
hear him Just rip into those ramrod-
ders? And yet he's been sitter and
suaighter than the worst Of 'em since
he struck this city. I'd like to know
who in thunder he is playing with.
anyway! He's got to pick his gait and
take a position somewherel"
''That's something I know nothing
about, SIR"
The chairman grew testy. he felt
that he was being played with.
Seeing that you're In close to the
Amalgamated Order Of Angels, you'd
better drop him a hint that running
political campaign isn't like stamped
ing n convention The state commit
tee stands ready to help, and before
he gets much further along he'll find
he needs the help. You'd better make
that plain to him"
With old fashioned gallantry General
| Weymouth made his compliments to
the ladies whom Mrs. Presson had as
sembled to grace the occasion. Her
little crust Of social earth had been
tossed alarmingly by the political
earthquake, but she felt that now she
was finding safe footing once more.
Thelismer Thornton was there: SO
were Senator Pownal and the secre-
tary Of the state committee and
few other favored ones whom the host
ess had sought as being close to the
new order Of things. She led forward
Linton.
"And now, general, we're all won
dering just how nice a compliment
you'll pay to the orator whose elo-
quence makes you the next governor
of our state" chattered the good lady.
| poorly ln1OIWtU aS 10 real
but anxious to force q situation for
her favorite.
"If 1t comes about that I'm the next
governor Of this state" returned the
general, cit will be due entirely to this
young man." He patted Harlan's
shoulder afrectonately. Just how he
has accomplished it Il . very deep
political secret between us two. I pre-
sent my grand vizier, ladies and gen
tlemen!" They understood that ser1-
BUSINESS lay behind his Whimsical nun
ner Of speech.
Two very round eyes testified to Mrs.
Presson's amazement. But once more
she found her social feet after this
echo Of the main quake. She took
Harlan's hand and placed It on the