Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1916-06-16
CHAPTER viii.
Mr.. Stubs and Doctor Silly.

III Iue cary SprlnB OF every year tle
city of Sheffield elected a new mayor
and council. Under the law OF the
state, too. the cities decided for the en-
suing year the question OF license"
or mo license For many years Shelf
field, an Industrial town. had voted to
permit liquor selling under a system
of high license. But of late the no.
license element had gained ground
Now 1t appeared that, after years OF
struggle. public opinion had so far
swung to the coldwater side that the
Observation-Disclosures faction would
have difficulty In holding its majority
of votes.
From the ranks OF the no-licens
forces leader had arisen, a yn'
man with an incisige way OF
ing. a lawyer. whose eioquence.
considerable, was matched ~
judgment and practical shreu'lh,.
4 He was astute, resourceful. abr
Some of his own followers were IL
clined to squirm at his exceedingly
practical methods. but they had to al
NIT that he got results.
Early in January clerk brought to
John Willett's desk the card of Amos
X. Stubs. Willett smiled. directed
the clerk to admit the caller, and also
to bring him his personal checkb book
Hello. Amos said he. "How goes
the battle?"
Great" said Stubs.
Glad to hear it. Have a cigar?"
mo, thanks, Mr. Willett SmC;S-
ing. makes me so nervous I've cut Ii
out"
80 have l." said Willett, "but for a
different reason. My boys growing
up, and l don't want him to say the
old man sets him the example,"
The young politician viewed John
Willett with an admiring eye "You
certainly are fine man, Mr.. Willett, "
he said. 81 wish we had twenty men
In Sheffield like you"
Stubs spoke from the heart. He
was capable of using fiattery where II
would do the most good, but his ap-
probation of Willett's qualities was so
genuine that his praise came forth un-
hidden. Recognizing the young mans
sincerity. Willett felt pleasant glow
of glorification. He smiled his thanks,
trifie embarrassed by the outspoken
compliment
We've got Fem on the rum" went
on Stubs. They're scared to death
of US. Our wagons just at the top
of the hill; good. strong push. and
she's nicely over. That's what ca me
to see you about"
Wlllett reached for his checkbook
How much this time. Amos?"
Stubs held up hand. That's all
very NICE" he said. We'll come to
that later. But it's your personality
we need to win this fight"
But, Stubs. you know I never
have meddled in politics in my life
besides"
Merely the knowledge that you
have voted for no-license all these
years has been of great value to u.s.
said Stubs eagerly. "How much
more valuable it will be If you will
take an active"
Listen, my dear Amos" interrupt
ed Willett. "Even IL were willing to
go into this thing personally, couldn't
think of it. Mrs. Willett and I sal
for Europe next week"
"Oh," said Stubs, abashed. THAT'S
too bad" He got up and began pac
ing the floor restlessly. Couldn't you
reconsider? Couldn't you postpone
your trip? It's most important, mos;
important"
"rm afraid not, Amos. My plane
have all been made. Besides. I'd be OF
no use to you. anyhow. | should dis
tinctly refuse to do any personal work
I'm not that sort of a man. CAM
see that would be Of any value tC
you; I'm no speech max"
"You don't understand" said Stubs
Politics isn't game of oratory any
more Politicians make speeches. OF
course; that's for effect for publicity
The real work is done by more telling
and practical methods. If you would
stay home until after election"
Now, Amos, stop right there. What's
the use of your wasting breath? Let
me-"
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