The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-07-20
LAME and POLITICS !
BY ELSIE sEE.

her life she had registered at o hotel.
She saw groups of men and over.
heard enough of their conversation
to learn that many of them were
oficeseekers, like herself. She began
to wish she had not let Amy Mason
persuade her to run for senate fling
clerk In order to make some easy
money.
Jane noticed that these men looked
over the register and buttonholed all
the legislators who entered the lobby
Next morning the lobby Of the hotel
long the headquarters for legislators,
lobbyists and oficeseekers, was
crowded with many kinds Of men.
Across the lobby In the center Of Q
group Of deferentiai men, Jane saw
dainty pink-and-white girl chaperoned
by q handsome matron. Later, CHE
found that the girl was Miss Mayo,
her opponent, who was running for
reelection. When Jane saw how well
the senators seemed to know her fair
opponent and how well the opponent
seemed to know the ropes" she felt
that her chances were like those OF
poor, unknown gray dove against
brilliant bird of paradise.
She regretted having allowed Amy
to persuade her to get Judge Morton's
support for the position. She now felt
more frightened than when she bad
walked timidly into his ONCE. But
his cordial assurance Of support had
put her at ease there. He had told
her that In order to be elected filing
clerk she would have to secure the
vote of a majority Of the Republican
senators, Of whom there were TWEEN
ty-two. As she was acquainted with
only one senator, Abmy's uncle, the
prospect did not look bright, but Judge
Morton spoke encouragingly and told
her many preliminary steps to take
by securing Inducements from promi-
nent men who had been her fathers
friends.
Through It all Jane kept thinking
that Judge Morton seemed so much
younger than she had thought him, for
when he had helped administer her IA
theirs estate she was fifteen, and as
man of thirty he had seemed an old
bachelor to her. But twenty-five and
forty did not seem 30 far apart.
All the experience Of that visit TO
Judge Morton's ONCE, passed through
James troubled mind as she looked at
the swarming group OF men In that
smoky lobby and realized that she
must appeal to twenty-five Of them to
vote for her. Just as she was begin
ming to plan some way to escape the
whole dreadful situation, q senator
approached her.
Miss Gray" he began I'm not yet
in a position Ito pledge my support Ell
Their to you or to your opponent, but !
do want to tell you that you're using
the right methods. Don't nag the SEN
ators-that's what your opponents do
ing" !;
Jane had notirealized that she Dos
sessed any methods, but It encouraged
her to hear that shis did. When Judge
Morton arrived ons Tuesday the tight
had waved warm, aud every senator
had string Of candidates and their
supporters after HIM. Hardly a sena;
tor would commit himAelf to prom
Use for fear of losdng a\yots for one
Of his own wards. WhenN Wednesday
afternoon came Jane had three DEFINITE
promises, three favorable prospects
and the rest in awful uncertainty.
She must have, twelve voteSN TO win.
The thought oftit sickened herr
You'll be expected to 60 to the
statehouse TO hear the result Of the
VOTE" said judge Mbrton. And don't
run away II YOU'D lose, for wen take
care Of you with something else"
As they walked together toward the
statehouse she found It awkward to
talk to him. She fearedA he was dis
gusted with ali THIS vote begging; and
she felt angry with therself for getting
him into such, middle. She was
tired and discouraged and)poisoned by
the smoky aiYof the hotel hobby. The
warm dampHess outside did not re-
fresh her. She did pot dream that
Judge Morton was Noticing her until
be abruptly asked her. what was the
matter. $1,000
Try as she would.Nshs could not
speak ayword in reply. Her throat
seemed closed tight4 Then two big
tears rolled down her Cheeks. But
came to the rsscue, for big
drops Of rain began to fael. Thicker
and thicker they came \and while
Judge Morton said inc moreA the way
be almost lifted Jane alongt the walk
and up the broad steps gave {her such
/ treasured feeling that shNe didn't
care whether she won the old position
,r not. IN I -MM
people we're about and her opponent
vas smiling. on everybody. hut her
smiles did not keep her from stealing
many an anxious glance toward the
ioor Of the caucus chamber where the \
vote was being taken. James over.
wrought nerves were near collapse
when the sena kor from har district