The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-11-13


 evening before. No one doubted tha he would receive an enormous major ity. It was not until the middle of the afternoon that Haig found him alone.
 Well, Cato.'' he grinned,- "they. tel me they're little exercised down Car thage way"
 John smiled faintly Mot much, ] suspect. I've been thinking of Cato I'm not even a relative. Poor Jerry Brentr'
 'fGreat guns. You can think of him Guess you haven't read his interview 5
 Yes, I have.''
 They alluded to Brent's comment on the conventions in which he made nu- merous sarcastic references to the lofty souled up1ifter who had sold out to the gang for an office. ''g
 'eIt's the cry. of a bitterly disappoint- ed man. Brent's chance of lifetime is gone He knows he can't beat you, and he's sore. I wouldn't mind it."
 s'I don't. I'm sorry for him. He could have beaten Sherrod, I really believe" !"
 Look here. old mani I think un- derstand how you're feeling over this. You're not very happy because you think it isn't your victory-that you have it only by blackmailing man you dislike'-
 ..T don't, dislike Murche1l-person- ally"
 s'sAt least you. don't approve of; him politically Down at the bottom of your heart you're a little peevish because a bit of trfckery has got what your the Dry of fighting wouldn't win. And you feel that in sacrificing, for merely per sonal considerations. what you conceive frA Ina d1r+r fo -<,F things you have been weak. We'll, you're right. You have been weak. And Pm glad of it. It will help you to understand &hat no cold, abstract ideal of duty that ignores the primitive self ish instincts in men can attract. much less impel, them- The truly good in spires no sympathy The point of this matter is. out of your weakn has come nothing but good The bank will eventually become sound insti- fution,a and you-I suppose you'll ad- init that you'll make better governor than Sherrod or Brent?'
 E.I hope so. But that has come about only through an accident over which I have had no con tro1''
 <RemembeF another thing, Haig continued. asNThree weeks ago this county cast you aside Now it is yell ing it's fool head off for you. The American people worship the great god Success. Keep successful. You've been promoted from lofty souIed uplifter to practical politician for the glory of God. Accept the promotion He was relieved to note that John could laugh. ssAnd here,'s he grinned "endeth the reading fezny last lesson, It's one thing to share my vast store. of wisdom with John Dunmeade, tkf. visionary reformer, and quite another to lecture the next governor. Funny thing what a difference a prospective office makes in ones attitude toward. a man.
 John smiled absently. He was think ing.
 ''Haig," he said abruptly, .'I sup pose Pm an obstinate prig. But, hon. estly. I'd give all I hope to possess to be able to answer you. If only they'd I'd earned that. Or if I could believe that the present hullabalo were not artifcially manufa ctured"- Even while he spoke footsteps sound ed in the outer office and there was knock. John opened the door to admit -MurchelI.
 Good afternoonr' was the latter's
 
 unsmiling greeting Won't you come in and sit down?" Murchen accepted the invitation. l There was a moment of uncertainty. Then Haig reached for his hat. 'eYou needn't go on my account Murchel1 answered the move. .s1n fact, I'd like you to stay-'' Hafg resumed his seat. He and John Kept the silence of surprise. But the senator recognized no occa- ] sion for constraint q see,'' he said, glancing around, l you keep the old office just the same. remember when your grandfather built it. He was man who accom- plished things
 And I am not. Is that your point" Have you the right to be bitter ?' asked quietly. When a man | still young has in six years so im- pressed himself and his ideals on 7,-.E 100000 people that they demand him | for governor, and demand with an en-s have rarely seen''--@ | Manufactured by you.'
 Stimulated" MurcheI corrected ! briefly and continued And through ! him are beginning to realize, even vaguely, their political responsibility, I le has something to his credit, l. thinE- good many men who think well Of themselves reach old age without ac- so much. There are two ways of serving reform. One is as he preachers the dreamer. He is use sul because he points out the way we. shall go. The other is as the construc- i've leader, the man who takes the .orces he finds ready to hand and uses heir power to change conditions as he people are prepared for change tYou,'' he turned to John, sshaye got Q decide now which you will be. You are going to hold a great office. Pub ic office-I think you've found this out as simple as it seems to hose who haven't held it. The man zhn Xal1ld fill it with unfailing wis