Alma record., 1913-09-04

First Second Fifth
Ward Ward Ward Total
Conway .............s ~ % o.
Underwood .......... II Sz
Simmons ......... g s
The Simmons men were holding out,
waiting to throw their strength to the
winner. When the sixty-seventh bal
lot had been taken. Muldoon, squint-
ing in the miserable light at the Sec
retary's figures, hit the table with the
chair leg and said:
"On this ballot Conway receives 81,
Underwood 80, Simmons s. There be-
ing no choice, you will prepare your
ballots for another vote"
Just then one of the Conway men
from the Second ward left his place,
and touched one Of Nolan's fellows In
the First ward delegation-Donahue-
on the shoulder Donanue started. The
man whispered in his ear, and return
ed to his delegation, xeeping his eye
on Donahue Underwood looked on
breathlessly Nolan, revolving slowly,
held his hat for every vote-last OF
all for Donahue's. The man dropped
his folded ballot into the hat and hung
his head Nolan calmly picked the
ballot out of the hat and gave 1t back
to Donahue, who looked up In affected
surprise
What's the trouble, MalachiT' he
said as innocently as he could. He
waa MT much of an actor
This won't do" Nolan said. giving
the ballot back to the man.
It's all right, Malachi. honest TO
God It Isl" protested Donahue.
Thin I'll just put this wan in for
ye, hehr' said Nolan. drawing an
other ballot from the pocket Of his
huge waistcoat and poising It above
the hat
The crowd had pressed around the
First ward delegation. The conven-
ton had risen to it's feet, craning red
necks, and out of the mass Grogan
cried:
"Aw, here, Malachi Nolan. none O.
that now!"
Nolan turned his rugged face to-
ward him and said simply:
who's runnin' this obligation, you
or me?"
"Well-none o. your bulldozing-we
won't stand it," replied Grogan angri.
ly, his blue eyes blazing
You get to hell out o. this" And
30 saying, Nolan dropped the ballot
into the hat and turned to face the
chair
Have you all votedY inquired
Muldoon.
First wardi" the secretary called.
Nolan squared his shoulders, not
having looked in his hat or counted
the ballots there, and said slowly and
impressively:
"On behalf av the solid obligation
av the First ward, cast twinty-wan
votes for John w Underwood"
"Misther Chairman Misther Chair.
mani" cried Grogan. waving his hand
in the air, "I challenge that vote!
challenge that vote!"
"The gentleman from the Fifth ward
challenges the vote"
"Misther Chairman" said Nolan
standing with one heavy foot on his
chair and leveling forefnger at Null
doom. "a point Of order! The gintle
man from the Fifth ward has no right
to challenge the vote av the First
ward-hes not a member of the dilly
gation!"
Let the First ward be polled,
calmly ruled Muldoon. Nolan took his
foot from his chair and stepped tc
Donahue's side. Every man In the
First ward delegation, as his. name
was called from the credentials, cried
Underwood" As the secretary near
ed the name Of Donahue Nolan laid
his hand heavily on the fellows shoul
der
"Donahue!" called the secretary.
The fellow squirmed under Nolan't
hand.
"Donahue!"
Don't let him blum you!" cried
some one from the Fifth ward
Vote as you damn please, Jimmie!
T'row the boots into I'm, Donnie!
SOAK him one!"
Take your hands on him. Bull No
] lani"
So they bawled and Donahue wrig
gled. But the hand Of Nolan, like tn,
hand Of Douglas, was his own, and
gripped fast Grogan. his face red
his eyes on fire, leaped from his plac,
In his delegation, and started acrosi
the chairs for Nolan. The big saloon
keeper gave him q look out Of his III
tie sye. His left shoulder dipped, hil
LEFT nst frightened. 0rogan halted.
Vote, Jimmie. mo lad" said Nolan
In Q soft voice. .