The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1913-07-24

audience. He frankly said as much.
I'VE don't govern this state" said
Brent. ''One man. Murchell. picks out
onr officers and tells 'em what to do
while in office. You people don't gov
ern Rnnton county One man. Jim
Sl,eehan. Mnrchell's tool. chooses your
commissioners. your treasurers. your
sheriffS your district attorneys" John
WINGED. And it's wrong. my God. IFS
wrong," the orator cried passionatcly.
''Tt would he wrong. even if these
men We're honest. And blame yon
for it. You haven't the right to shove
yo'lr responsibility on other mems
shoulders. and they haven't the right
to take the power
The mans hot. rough eloonence
found lodgment where least expected
in Johns heart. already sensitiZed by
his own discoveries and questionings
,Terry Brent was right.
The oldest inhabitant could not re-
member when the old party had been
so vigorously attacked. To stem the
tide of revolt-.John felt it strongly in
his canvass-:,n old time rally was to
he held in the square. Sheehan in
structed John as to the part which the
Iatter was to play
You're to speak. Hit 'er up hard
Tell 'em all about us bein' the friend of
| the farmer. It's your chance Parrott
and Sherrod'l be there. Parrott's no
cin <,f, Int
him. Farmers like a good speech"
u don't know that care to make
the speech
| Don't you want to be elccted?"
Sieehan demanded
Il guess so. Yes with sudden vigor
and a short laugh that Sheehan did
not understand Il do"
well. then. play up your inde-
rendence. Tell 'em there's no strings
tied to YOU"
Il can tel! them that-with truth
| Sheehan looked long and hard ut
him. Then he chuckled. ''Of course.
And don't forget the state ticket when
you're talkin'."
When he was alone John fairly
writhed in his self contempt and hat.
red of the boss.
He prepared fine speech. and then
came the night of the rally-the pomp
and panorly Of war.
We stand with John under the big
elm at the northwest corner Of the
square. where Main and North streets
meet Before us is the rough board
speakers stand. hastily knocked to-
eether and literally bedecked with
f7ags and Autographs of Lincoln and Of
Beck. the candidate for treasurer. In
front are many rows Of pine benches.
over all falls the white splendor of tue
full October moon. to be dimmed when
the four Kerosene torches guarding the
speakers stand are set haring and
smoking, and by many other lights.
Debonchiny into Main street from
other roads comes steady stream OF
steeds. gaunt and strong and slow
moving as the human freight they
draw. shying awkwardly ut the lights
flushed in their eyes by reckless. mis-
chievnus boys. The steetls are safel,
hitched iu various churchyarls. hne
the drivers gather in the square il
shifting. serious groups. Gradually the
square fills A hoarse bum Of voice:
rises The air becomes charged will
an unnatural excitement-the sense O
an occasion-bred Of the strange light:
aud buStle and the presence of man,
raeu. John between handshak kes ha!
time to feel it. His tagging sonl. jadet
by much questioning. leaps forth sud
denly responsive. These men are-th'
people The power Of 1.-THE powe
and the glory! He thrills under I
sense of oDencss with them Murchel
. and his machine. Sheehan and his con
trol. seem far away. unreal, impossible
I The candidates. properly acclaimed
l aud their party of distinguished citi
t zeus are on the platform. The benche
I are filled. Around them stands firing
2 Of men. mostly farmers. who In tn
| rnsh for seats have been too slow
John. sandwiched In between Sheehal
, and Congressman Jenkins, looks Of,
t over the audience, a strange question
g in his eyes He is seeking a reason,
as though it were to be found writte
e on the faces Of the men before him.
o The speaking begins. After shor
+ preliminary speech the chairman intro
~ duces Beck. candidate for treasurer, a
inconsiderabIe now as he will be whe
:. in office Then comes Parrott, IL
| loN xyhn
y lures somehow suggest that he is We
~ named He is adept in the use of thos
:, phrases which elicit enthusiasm, but d
:, not convince After him Mark SherrOt
state senator. a tall. suave man with
= magnetic something about him On
:, Of his eyes has slight cast and give
!, his face sinister expression which nc
all his undoubted attraction can n
y move He is coming man. Alread
= =, power in the big eastern city, 1t
whispered that he Is planning to SUI
: ceed Beck in the treasurersbip. An
= after him the Hon. &. Washington .|eI
kins. congressman from the distric
= Lincolnian in figure. shrill and nasal {
;: voice, but with the old campaigner
fund of stories and rough and read
eioquence that catches the crowd
- spite Of his time worn arguments
:. The front seats roar their approva
. From the fringe Of farmers. Jim She
: han observes, comes only grim silenc
- - There is an uneasy sense that Jerl
'e Brent's suspicious have not been a
- wered
!, Through it all John sat, hardly mo
:. ing But within him was tumult q
~ uas cont raStino the randiluuueut. Vi