Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1917-01-11

the FIRST season Robert "broke even"
and was content.
Only q few times did Wardell and
his wife visit their old-time friends.
They were so utterly out Of their
circle that they practically dropped
the acquaintanceship. (,
The following summer Robert rent
ed q vacant hall. fitted 1t up as a
neighborhood clubroom, put In a IL
brary and 1t became the social meet
ing place of the district. In all this
work, aided by his wife, he did a
great deal Of helpful good to the striv-
ing poor. The next season the busl-
ness paid a liberal return. BY the
fourth year general trade had extend
ed and the yard brought in a hand
some revenue.
Those were blessed happy years for
man and wife. Many a struggling
man out Of work they lifted out of a
hard place in his experience. Many q
poor girl they assisted to respectable
ity. There was one worthless drunk
en- idler, David Warield, whom they
reformed and who became O steady
worker. They were duly gratifed
when the man, who was naturally
smart and ambitious, became foreman
of a factory In Milton township, a re-
mote part Of the county, and wrote to
them blessing them for the new start
in life they had given him.
The name of Robert Russell had be-
come a household word in the dis
trict-indeed, through the. whole city.
Within five years he had made a rec
ord for practical philanthropy that
had become widespread.
'sThey wish me to become a candi-
| date for county commissioner" Rob
ert told his wife one day.
"You will accept?" inquired Alice.
II have done SO already" replied
Robert. q" am not particularly at
tracted to political preferment, but the
position places the incumbent in close
touch with the charitable organiza-
lions Of the city"
Lois was very proud Of what she con-
sidered a deserved distinction for her
husband. There was no doubt Of his
popularity. When election day came
on, however, the returns from the
polls showed that the ticket he was
on was badly defeated. Robert, how
ever, had run far ahead Of the others.
and at midnight all the returns except
one remote country precinct left him
only twenty-five votes behind the low.
est candidate on the opposite ticket.
Robert was about to leave head
quarters, c~onceding defeat liz his
philosophical, good-natured way, when
the tally clerk, who had just opened q
belated telegram, waved his hand to
him excitedly.
"Hold on, Mr.. RUSSELL" he sang
out, "here's something that will inter
est you-the final returns Of Milton
township"
Does it change the results?" asked
Robert.
"Only this much-it elects you'll"
"You mean it,"
"Read-you have u four to one
against any other candidate in Milton
township, giving you the lead by over
six hundred votes" .
Milton township" repeated Alice
when Robert recited the browning in
cident Of the election. "Why, Robert
isn't that where David Warfeld
went?'
They knew that it was very soon
for the next day Warfeld, the man
they had set on his feet, appeared In
person to tell how his recital to the
men working under him Of the good
ness Of Robert Russell had wor
them over almost unanimously.
So, the bread cast upon the waters
came back tenfold to the worthy man
who had chosen the path ever IL
lumined by the kindly light Of love
for hiS fellnw man.