Mansfield mirror., 1913-05-15
k|TTY'S CANDIDATE
Politics, Sentiment and Love in a
Mix-Up, and the Latter
Won Out.
BY JOHN PHILIP ORTIZ.

candidate for the Legislature on tne
reform ticket.
People said that he was in love with
Kitty st. Clair.
People said that If he married her
her father, who was a political boss
and run things for years with a high
hand, would dominate him.
Mr.. Carl Agnew and Miss Kitty st.
Clair were not engaged. That had not
come yet. but it seemed to be on the
way. Viewed from social standpoint,
1t would be a good match. Miss Kitty
was twenty years old, and had never
taken the slightest interest in poll
tics.
Why should she? She heard talk of
grafters and talk of reformers, but
talk of hats and dresses interested her
far more. 1t was not until she learned
that young Mr.. Agnew was to be put
forward as a candidate that she be-
gan to pay attention.
There was spasm Of reform just
then. Reforms come at intervals, the
same as mumps and measles. Boss
st. Clair's candidates were to be voted
out and the peoples candidates voted
in. Then honesty and integrity would
reign in the land once more and the
lion lie down with the lamb.
Young Mr.. Agnew hadn't stolen the
roof off the court house nor the as
phalt from the streets, and portion
of the population were so tickled over
it that he was made a legislative can
didate. If elected he would do this
and that and the other, and when his
campaign opened children were crying
for him. 1t was predicted that Boss St.
Clair would put up his strongest man
against him and resort to every sub
terfuge to down him. but to the amaze
ment Of hundreds the boss put up his
weakest man, and then didn't even
shout for him. There comes time
when the astute politician bends to
the wave of reform and let's go for
the moment to get better hold,
Miss Kitty st. Clair heard lots Of
political talk, and she listened and
tried to grasp it. Her father knew
that Mr.. Agnew was a caller at the
house, if not q suitor for her hand, but
he had never said word regarding it.
The girl expected something would be
said after the nomination of the re-
form candidate, but it didn't come. 1t
was only after the campaign was un-
der way that people began to point
out the inconsistency of the situation.
Here was young man who was re-
puted as an admirer, at least, of the
daughter of the boss of the opposi-
tion party. Wasn't that mixing poll
tics and sentiment-perhaps politics
and love? Wouldn't the girls father
have an influence over him? Boss St.
Clair was not man to spare canGi-
date on the opposition ticket. He had
once brought about the defeat of his
brother. Miss Kitty heard so much
guessing and wondering that she went
to her father and said
you are puzzling lots of people by
your attitude towards Mr.. Agnew."
Isn't that In the game?' he replied.
They say you could beat him If you
wanted to-"
Shouldn't wonder II could"
But that you don't seem to want
to-"
Il haven't made up my mind that l
want to. was waiting to have talk
with you about It,"
With me? Why, what can say?"
I've heard 1t hinted that you and
the young man were engaged"
ITS not so," answered the girl with
q blush.
But may be expected any day, eh!"
ut may never be expected. Why
do you talk in this silly way?"
Look here, daughter, Mr.. Agnew is
in love with you. AS soon as the
campaign is over he will ask for your
hand. He will get it. Your reformer
will become my son.in-law."
"Well?" was asked without looking
at him.
Let the reformers go ahead and
elect him, and Boss st. Clair will con-
troll him. See?"
You mean because he's your son.
in-law you can mould him.
Believe me!"
And folks say you are CRATER"
They always say that about q boss"
And you'll make a CRATER of Mr..
Agnew?"
I'll put him on the right road to
political power"
Father, listen to me-" said the girl
with her head held high. you can
make no cats paw of me. If Mr.. Ag-
new asks for my hand I'll refuse him
point blank"
"Nonsense!"
I'm sorry to see him enter politics.
but the people demand 1t because they
believe him honest. If he is corrupt.
ed, it won't be by you through me-"
mo lawyer is honest--no politician
is honest" muttered the father. "This
young feller wants to get ahead. He'll
do as the rest Of US do There is no
such thing as reform In politics. It's
simply getting one CRATER out to put
another in"
But Mr.. Agnew is pledging himself
to the people In his speeches"
We all do that. It's part OF the
game"