Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-09-05
CHAPTER XIX
The Way of His Caste.

tinct shock. The Tnsurgent" governor
had triumphed again, but that was ex-
pected. But what at once was the sem
sation. attracting even national atten-
tion. was the defeat Of James s. Hail.
chairman of the most powerful COM
mittee in congress, confdant OF tne
president-beaten In his home consult
uency. the sober cautious counties Oh
the Iowa Reserve, by an obscure coan-
try editor! ais c-s
The press buzzed with explanations
II marked the temper of the rural west
it meant the downfall of traditional
control; 1t was revolutionary, dema-
eosic. Curran was a socialist, anar-
chist. freethinker, what not! Nobody
knew exactly: Down in his home coun-
nv folk said: well, we always did sort
of like Wiley Curran out our way" In
the other precincts Of the district tney
said: THAT editor put up slashine
fight-he come over here and give US
facts!" .... .r...
Anyhow. Curran was the regular
party nominee In Rome the best peo-
ple could not have been more indignant
n one of the billiard-hall idlers had
gone into the First National bank and
deliberately kicked Cal Rice on the
shin. 1t was rumored that Thaddeus
Tanner. county chairman, who mad
complacently promised his bailiwick
against the governors league, was en-
ragged beyond reason. He swore ne
would not support Curran; the old-line
men would vote for the democratic
candidate, whoever that spindiing
county organization put up, eevn II
1t was yellow dog.
The county talked so much Of Cur
rams spectacular victory that 1t forgot
the local ticket. But all the old-line
county officers were nominated
Tanner slate clean. Young Mr.. Van
Hart. nominated without opposition,
was the only new face to be In the
Rome court house. Every one approx
ed of young Mr. Van Hart, quiet, re-
served, altogether likable chap-he
would have no opponent from the other
party camp. -ESFr'
The Honorable Thaddeus Tanner
met young Mr.. Van Hart the day al
ter the primary.
well, young man. what the devil DID
YOU mean by allowing this crazy anar-
chist to beat your fathers old friend
for congress?"
81 had nothing to do with Mr.. Halls
fight, Mr.. Tanner" ..
The county boss barred his yellow
teeth and snorted. That's what they
all say. It's these young fellers did II
-fellers like them cow-college stu
dents whom Jake Vance and Purcell
sent into every district to work for
curran. And these damned labor peo-
ple over in Earlville-but / notice they
all voted for you, Harlan; this Nc
Bride, hey?-and his cattle!"
conditions are changing"
The boss eyed his nominee with
shrewd doubt Young man, did your
father ever talk much to your"
Father has no use for politics. He'd
hardly presume to influence me-"
Thad snorted again. These Van Harts
always did irritate him with their
ideas of the proper thing. Still they
were useful, because their ideas OF the
proper thing did not allow them to OPP
pose him either.
well, Harlan, I hope you understand
you didn't even have to make fight.
People knew your dad-and they could
Just figure on you. It's good thing
you're our man."
Mr.. Van Hart smiled impersonally.
Il am not your man."
The county boss stared at him. Then
he bit the end of cigar. Then ne
spat on the sidewalk against the ordi-
nances made and provided. well, I'm
q son-of-a-gun!" he murmured. "Curi-
Gus / never stopped to talk with you
before!" Then he rubbed his gold
headed cane against Harian's sleeve
Young man, you're mighty young
you'll get over this"
But the Honorable Thaddeus Tannel
sidled into Judge Van Harris cham
hers. after court that day, and had
talk of a number of things, but mostly
of Harlan and what a brilliant career
he had opened for Harlan. And TIT
next day the Earlville Mercury -Journa
controlled through the stock which
Cal Rice's wife owned in it-came ou
with a fulsome forecast of young Mr.
Van Hart's career.
Harlan met Arne Vance reading tina
column to his sister when he left tn
office that night The farmer-studen
fixed his black eyes on the nominee
Trying to rope and brand you, en-
See here-Mike Mcbride and suppos
ed we had something to do with you
big vote
Harlan smiled II think so, Arne
You surely put Wiley overt"
Arne grimaced, nodding his head to
ward Janet. II know" continued Har
Ian. Every one says she did it," H
put out his hand to Janet in the bug
gy. She appeared tired and distrai
1T has been a strain, hasn't 1t? Bu
Wiley-itn be the making Of him, ia
net"
She smiled a rare gratefulness. H
can't fail of election now. Only"-sh
paused and Harlan lifted his seriou
eyes to hers, II have sort Of feelin
Harlan, he-hell do some Of the er
ratio audacious things that have al
ways wrecked him!"
Like taking up the cause OF tines
Pocket squatters whom the county
going to evict for the new creek dam
Lindstrom-" muttered Arne. did yo
see the News? He's already pleadin
some right of theirs"
Janet looked away. We'll, I hope
trust-but it's like Wiley!" Then 81
smiled upon them. "Well. 1 am tire
out. I'm going away"
"Away?" Harlan's tone lifted. 81
rest?"
ITO work. / feel as if-well, m