The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1913-02-14
CHAPTER v.
In Proper Person.

John Rawn stood looking at the un-
ceasing throng that surged confusedly
through the corridors Of the gilded
hotel. Warmth, music, a Babel of
voices, were all about. There ap-
preached a little group Of laughing
men coming from the carriage en-
trance, bound, no doubt, to banquet
hall somewhere under the capacious
roof. One voice rose above the others
as the group advanced. There ap-
peared, rapidly talking and gesticulat-
ing as he came, a ruddy-faced, stocky
figure, with head close-cropped, jaw
undershot, small eyes, fighting terrier
makeup.
"T tell you, gentlemen, I'll compro-
mise not in the least on this matter!
It makes no difference what they do
with the ticket or with me. There's
only one way about these matters,
and that's the right way. care moth
ing whether this man be rich man
or poor man. The only question is,
whether he is right. If he is not
right, he will never-I say to you,
gentlemen" this with close-shut jaw
and fist hard smitten into palm-"l
say to you, it makes no difference who
ne is or what he is, he'll never win
through; and in the event you suffer
from US"
He passed on, gesticulating, talking.
Men commented audihly, for there was
no mistaking man idealized by
some, dreaded by others, scorned by
aone, mathematical by not few. He
was to address that night a meeting
IF independent politicians, so called,
Aere in the very house Of individu-
alistic power, and many old-line mem
oers of his party had their doubts, the
tear of a new party being ever pres
ant in the politicians mind-the same
'ear professional politicians, Whig,
Democrat, What-not had of the new
party formed before the Civil War at
The command of people then claim
ing self-government as their ancient
right-as now they begin again to do,
facing our third War Of Indepen-
dence.
Going strong, isn't he?" comment
I'd one sardonically, within Rawns
hearing.
That's all right, my friend" was
the smiling answer of yet another.
Strong enough to make lot Of you
hunt your holes yet. There's quite
few people in this little old country
outside this island-and he'll"
Nonsense! No chance. rot tn
,a2st chance in the world"
You underestimate this new move
ment," began the other
New movement!-you're progress
sive' eh? Got that bee? A lot OF
good it'll do you. 1t will be simply
a new lineup following our Old and
time-tried political methodist all
comes to that, take my word. The
people aren't in politics A lot of pro-
fessionals do ou1 governing for US"
"I\ll the same, there goes the
peoples candidate!'
Take him and welcome" was the
answer Take your candidate Well
eat him up-if he runs"
They also passed on down the hall,
gesticulating, their voices swallowed
up with others, arising confusedly.
This and that couple or group passed
by, also talking, among them many
persons obviously of notoriety, tmpor-
tance or distinction, though unknown
to their observer Rawn stood and
watched them all. The scene was to
ais liking. The stir, TIE confusion, ap-
pealed to him. The Towering Of the
great city's night life was here, such
as that is 1t was the focus Of our
country's civilization, such as that
ts Men worth millions passed, shoul-
der to shoulder, wondrous process
sion, such as that is.
And here and there, always moving
and mingling with those men whose
reception or whose raiment announced
them as persons Of Importance, moved
women, beautiful women, floating by,
brightly, radiantly, ustlingly-women
blazing with jewels, women with
bright eyes, women whose apparel be-
spoke them as accepted integers Of
The city's vast human sum.
Rawn stood studying the procession