The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-07-18
CHAPTER XII.

"R~1HIS is goln' to be q memor1a- ble town meettn'Y' declared Sylvanus Cahoon with unc-
 ton, rising from a settee to gaze about him over the heads of the voters in the town hall. '1 bet you every ab1ebodied man in Bayport II be here this afternoon. Yes, sir, that's what call ii, a nae-no-riabIe mee&n'!' MT. Tidditt was conducted to the platform. After humping the desk with his fist he announced that the gathering would "come to order right off, as there is consider'ble business ahead" He then proceeded to read the call for the meeting. This cere- mony was no sooner over than Abed- nego Small, Uncle Bedny," was on his feet loudly demanding to be in formed why the town hasn't done nothin'" toward fixing up the Bas- gettss Hollow road. Uncle Bedny's speech had proceeded no further than "fellow citizens, in the name of an OuGageous-I should say outraged portion of our community I's-when he was choked off by self appointed committee who knew Mr. Small of old and had seated themselves near him to be ready for just such emer- gencies. The next step, judged by meetings of other years, should have been to unanimously elect Eben Sal ters moderator, but as Captain Eben refused to serve owing to his interest in the Whitaker campaign Alvin Knowles was, by a small majority, chosen for that office. Mir. Knowles was devout adm1rer Of the great At kins, and his election would have been considered preliminary victory for the opposition had 1t not been that many of Captain Cy's adherents voted for Alvin from love of mischief, knowing from experience his ignorance of parliamentary law and his easy go- ing rule. ''Now there'n be funr' de- clared one delighted individual. "Any- things in order when AIv1n's chair man.'
 "No sign of Cy or Heman yet,'' ob- served MT. Cahoon, crantng his neck in the direction of the door. FIt's the queerest thing ever see.''
 "Queer enough about Cy, that's a fact" concurred Captain Dimick. ''I afn't so surprised about Heman's not comin'. Looks as if Whit was right he always said Atkins lodged a row where folks could watch it. Does most of his 1ghtin' from round the corner. Hello, there's Tad! Now you'll see the crown of glory set on Lonzo Shows head Hope the crowns pad ded nice and soft Anything with sharp edges would sink fn.''
 But Captain Cy soon.h had entered the hall. He was standing in the aisle, and with him was Bailey Bangs. The captain looked very tired, almost worn out, but he nodded cool1y to MT. Simp- son.
 'Here am, Tad." continued the captain Say your piece"
 But Tad, it appeared, was not anx- 1ous to "say his piece" He was whis- pering earnestly with a group of his followers. Finally, however, he took the platform and made sneering re- marks that plainly referred to the cap tain. Captain Oy held up his hand
 s'MF. Moderator" he asked, 'can have the floor minute? All want to say is that caPlate Pm the felIer the last speaker had reference to. I have said that I didn't see why that appropriation was so hard to get. say it again. Other appropriations are got, and why not ours? did say if was 8 congressman I'd get it Yes, and I'll say more," he added, raising his voice-''I'u say that if I was sent to Washin'ton by this town, congress man or not, I'd move heaven and earth and all creation from the presi- dent down till I did get it; that's all. So would any live man, should think.''
 He sat down. There was some ap- plause- Before it had subsided Abel Leonard, one of the quickest witted of MT. Simpsons workers. was on his feet gesticulating for attention.
 Mir. Moderator" ," he shouted, 'T want to make motion. We've all heard the big talk that's been made. All right, then! move you, sir, that Captain Cyrus Whitaker be appointed a com mfttee of one to go to washin'ton, if he wants to, or anywhere else, and see that we get the appropriation. And if we don't get 1t the blame's his! There, nowP'
 There was roar of laughter This was exactly the sort of ''ttt for tat'' humor that appeals to a Yankee crowd The motion was seconded half a dozen times. Moderator Knowles gr1nned and shook his head
 "A jokes a Joke,'' he said. ''and we