Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1913-09-06

fS the governor The throng
was larger than usual, for the
state convention was to be held
on the morrow. Every county in
the state was represented in the
crowd that trampled the red carpet.
crushed the leather chairs and blew
the smoke Of campaign cigars into
the solemn faces OF former governors
standing III their massive gilt frames
with theirahands on ponderous law
books. In one corner a woman hud-
died. pinching a handkerchief to her
eyes. Now and then she sobbed aloud.
When Leonard Gilman, the private
secretary. saw her he knew II at once
for a pardon case, and paid no further
attention to her. Big countrymen in
Sunday clothes, who wore the red
badges Of delegates, slapped him on
the back, city ward-heelers Of check
cred lives and garments called him
Len"
There was an odor Of perspiration
in the room, distinguishable even In
the heavy fumes Of tobacco. The real
leaders, OF course, William Handy and
the others, were over at the executive
mansion, with the governor, complet-
ing the final arrangements for his re-
nomination. The governor held the
convention in the hollow Of his hand.
The woman huddled in her corner
until eleven o'clock. and then Gilman.
happening into her quarter Of the
room, asked her what she wanted, lis
tening with official respect for her re-
ply. II was an old story to him. When
she told him he smiled strange smile
and turned away. At noon the COVER
nor ran the gauntlet Of the waiting
crowd and gained the sanctuary of his
private office. Once there, breathing a
sigh OF relief, he stood for moment
in one Of the tall windows looking out
upon the smooth lawns stretching laz-
fly in the sun, and rolling away to the
elms surrounding the state house. He
was a tall man and strong II he had
a physical fault. 1t was that he carried
his head too low. denoting him a think
er, but II his gaze was fixed upon the
earth, his thoughts were in the stars.
Presently he shook his splendid head
vigorously. wrapped his long coat de-
terminedly about him, and settled him
self at his desk.
Gilman entered, bearing a pile of
papers demanding the governors per-
sonal attention, but the morning con-
ference was very brief on this day.
AS Gilman turned to go, the governor
said:
81 desire to be alone today. I have
that speech of acceptance to write If
Handy comes, send him in, but no one
else"
Gilman laid his hand upon the door
knob and the governor asked:
mo one of importance out there, is
there?"
NO" said Gilman. There's wom-
an-what do you think she wants?"
"a pardon, of course"
"Yes, but Cor whom? You'd never
guess in thousand years" Gilman
vas smiling.
Then tell me-"
TON Whalen," Gilman laughed
at the humor of 1t.
The governors features relaxed with
smile, but quickly his brow con-
tracted again, and he said:
"Well-poor things-I pity them. I
could wash my hands in women's
tears every week"
We'll" said Gilman, opening the
door. Il told her she could see you.
I'll slide her out"
The governor bent to his desk, but
Just as the door was closing he called:
"Oh, Gilman"
Gilman stopped.
Don't do that-tell her I'll see her
after while"
Gilman, as he returned to his desk,
smiled and shook his head at the gov
ernor's weakness.
Thomas Whalen was a life convict
In the penitentiary. The crime was
committed on the night of the election
at which John Chatham had been cho-
sen chief executive Of his state. Wha-
len was a boss in the nineteenth ward
and Chatham man. The campaign
had developed such bitterness that
Whalen found 1t necessary to name
himself a Judge of election in the
fourth precinct of his ward. Many
times during the day blue patrol
wagons had rolled into the precinct.
The polling place Of the fourth pre-
cinct was a small barber shop in Fiji
teenth street During the evening, as
the ballots were being counted, 1t had
become apparent that an alteration
was In progress behind the yellow
blinds. II was abruptly terminated
by a shot. The lights In the shop were
extinguished at the same moment. A
man burst from the door and fed.
When the police arrived, they found
dead election Judge face downward
on the table. His name had been
Brokosh. The bullet had passed en-
urely through his body, and Redeemed
with his blood the ballots that gushed
from the overturned box. The win
DOW at his back had been completely
shattered by the ball as It few out in
TO the alley This was a large bullet
q thirty-eight caliber. The police
FOUND revolver cleaning in the light
OF the dark lanterns they flashed down
the alley. 1t was a thirty Weight caliber
with 0na