The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1913-09-25
The Banner
Benton, Louisiana
Observation-Disclosures

prOaching convention win Jonh Duu-
meade. The Murchell men in the or
ranization whooped with delight,
The day before the convention the
delegates began to gather at the cap
ital. In parlor A of tho State hotel sat
Murchell and in parlor r OF the l.ocn'
invar sat Sherrod. playing against each
other for votes. Between them nut
tered the delegates and those who had
delegates to sell. like hungry summer
flies. But they found-the little fellows
at least-no honey pot at Murchelrs
end: no scandal must mar the nomina-
ton of Dunmeade. CAS- for the cap
tains OF tens and captains of hundreds.
that is another matter. into which we
may not intrude.)
In crowded streets and sweltertng.
smoke clouded lobbies excitement ran
high. The Dunmeade rallying ground.
the only quiet spot in the capital. con-
trasted significantly with the nervous
atmosphere of the Sherrod headQuar-
ters. Such contentment with the sltua-
ticn could not be feigned! 1t was in
fectious: it spread out among the dele
gates who had pledged themselves to
vote for Dunmeade and nullified the
frantic efforts of Parrot (nominally
managing Sherrods campaign to start
stampede: it kept the neutrais waver-
ing.
And over the scene of conflict how
cred Il formless one. unseen. unheard.
unfelt. as spirits always are. waiting
but for the crucial moment to swoop
down and decide the issue
Came lull in the battle. an hour to-
ward morning. when the delegates had
retired to allotted cots or halves OF
beds or. more often. to WOO fortune
over some table of chance. when the
reeking iobbies were depopulated and
the headquarters of the generals were
deserted by all but their respective
stats and the yawning reporters.
There was knock on Murchells
door and Greene. leader in Plumville.
admitted a messenger, him who once
before had llred Murchcll from his re-
treat on an errand, il not Of mercy, at
least Of salvation. Paine went to him
and whispered his message Murchell
shook his head.
Tell him." he said aloud. If he
wants to see me he'll have to come
here"
Paine whispered protest.
TELL him." Murhcll cnt him short.
"John Heath will meet him here"
The messenger started, looked hastily
around Mt the others and grinned In
sickly fashion. But he departed i'm
metliately, leaving the men in the room
to wonder what charm lay in the nnfa-
miliar name Of John Heath.
In less than five minutes, rIImor out
running the fact. the hotel WIS alive.
Sherrod had asked for conferences
with Murchell.
Murchell men smiled tIiumpbantly
when they saw PARROT and Sherrod.
wearing m mir Of confidence not Who'll
, " convincing, emerge from the eleva-
tor and make their way along the cor
rldor TO parlor A.
, Sherrod and Parrot entered. care
, fully closing the door behind them tn
the Intense disappointment OF tue dele
gates outside. Parrott went jauntily
up to Murchell and shook hands.
"Well,' he grinned. we've been hav
! ing fine little shindy. eh?" This fol
the reporters. -
q Glad" grunted Murchell, you're
I enjoying It." There was laugh. il
which Parrot did not join.
The senator waved his hand, and al
hut Greene left the room. reluctant
but obedient.
!. "See here" said Sherrod. Cant W
get together? You've got to admit tha
, we've got you beaten"
:. If you think the delegates youv
:. been buying will stick you're mistaken
- Continued on Page -Four.