The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-03-08
CHAPTER XXI.
The Price

son what they had said in mass the
evening before. No one doubted that
he would receive an enormous major
ity. 1t was not until the middle of the
afternoon that Haig found him alone.
We'll. Cato be grinned. they tell
me they're a little exercised down Car
thage way
John smiled family. Not much.
suspect. I've been thinking of Cato.
I'm not even relative. Poor Jerry
Brent"
Great guns. You can think of him!
Guess you haven't read his interview"
Yes. | have"
They alluded to Brent's comment on
the convention, in which he made nu-
merous sarcastic references TO the
lofty souled uplifter who had sold out
to the gang for an office"
Its the cry of bitterly disappoint
ed man. Brent's chance of lifetime is
gone. He knows he can't beat you, and
he's sore. l wouldn't mind it"
II don't I'm sorry for him. He could
have beaten Sherrod. ! really believe
Look here. old man! think I I'M
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 Matchmaking a man
you dislike
81 don't dislike MurcheIl-person
ally"
SAT least you don't approve of him
politically Down at the bottom of your
heart you're little peevish because a
bit of trickery 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
to be a duty to the general scheme of
things you have been weak. Well.
you're right You have been weak
And I'm glad of it. 1t will help you to
understand that 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 weakness has
come nothing but good The bank
will eventually become a sound insti-
tuition, and you'll suppose you'll adj
I1II JudI you II Nuke d DeIIGF governor
| than Sherrod or Brent?'
II hope so. But that has come about
| only through an accident over which
| have had no control"
Remember another thing" Haig
| continued. Three weeks ago this
| county cast you aside. Now 1t Is yell
ing Its fool head off for you. The
/ 1nTfa &h1
| god Success. Keep successful. You've
been promoted from a lofty souled
| uplifter to a practical politician for the
| glory of God. Accept the promotion"
! He was relieved to note that John
| could laugh. And here" he grinned.
'endeth the reading Of my last lesson.
| It's one thing to share my vast store
| of wisdom with John Dunmeade, the
| 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, 81 sup
pose I'm an obstinate prig. But, hon.
estly, I'd give all l hope to possess to
be able to answer you. If only they'd
renominated me as district attorney!
I'd earned that. Or If I could believe
that the present hullabaloo were not
artifcially manufactured
Even while he spoke footsteps sound
ed In the outer Office. and there was
knock. John opened the door to admit
-Murchell.
Good afternoon was the latters
unsmiling greeting
Won't you come in and sit DOWN.
Murchell accepted the invitation.
There was moment of uncertainty.
Then Haig reached for his hat
You needn't go on my account.
Murchell answered the move In
fact, I'd like you to stay"
Haig resumed his seat He and John
kept the silence of surprise.
But the senator recognized no occa-
sion for constraint
Il see,'' he said. CHANGING around.
you keep the old office just the same.
I remember when your grandfather
built it. He was man who accom-
plISutu lU1uSS-
And / am not Is that your point?
Have you the right to be bitter:
Murchell asked quietly. When man
still young has in six years so i'm
pressed himself and his ideals on 4
100000 people that they demand him
for governor. and demand with an en-
thusiasm l have rarely seen
'NapTfacfu hv youf''
Stimulated" Murchell corrected
briefly and continued. And through
him are beginning to realize, even
vaguely, their political responsibility.
he has something to his credit, | think.
A good many men who think well OF
themselves reach old age without &C.
complishing so much. There are two
ways of serving a reform. One is as
the preacher. the dreamer. He is use
fuf because he points out the way we
shall 20. The other is as the construc-
tive leader. the man who takes the
forces he finds ready to hand and uses
their power 10 change conditions as
the people are prepared for change.
You" be turned TO John. have got |
10 decide now which you will be. You |
are going TO hold a great office. Pub |
lic Office think you've found this out |
already isn't as simple as it seems to |
those who haven't held it, The man |
who would Gil it with unfailing wis |
dom AMI iuSfife. with exact honesty