Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1918-08-23
A Good Samaritan
By VICTOR REDCLIFFE

They're right, GRATED Eben HGz-
gard. As the river district goes, so
goes the county, We're going 10 know
just what we vote for. this time. Myr-
tie"
"And you are going to Columbus
tomorrow, fatherf"
"For a fact. I'm appointed a COM
mittee of one 10 find out which candi-
date is the right one. Last year they
hornswoggled US into supporting q fell
low who paid no more attention 70
our rights than If we were in another
state"
And you'll bring me something
back from the city. won't you?"
Surely, child. I'm going TO do
little shopping and l won't forget
you"
But Eben Hazard never got as far
as the intended shopping. There We're
two candidates-Jasper Potts and
Renfrew Averill. The river district
knew neither. Eben reached Column
bus and in a quiet, transformations
way set about investigating the two
aspirants for office.
He visited the Potts headquarters
first. From what he had learned,
Potts was the favorite of the baser
element, but that did not prevent him
from doing the man justice. He asked
TO have an interview with Mr.. Potts,
was jOstled about, told that the can
didate was busy with some big poll
teal guns, and was turned over TO
the campaign manager.
Eben was disguised. He mingled
with the throng of boosters and root
ers in the room outside and kept
his ears wide open. They discussed
practical politics with q candor that
shocked the honest old man. Rotten
to the core!" he commented. Jasper
Potts won't suit our crowds" decided
Eben, and left the place to discover
that his pocket had been picked and
that he was stranded in big city.
Fortunately he had paid his hotel bill
for the day. He secured his satchel
and formed a ready decision.
1t had been his purpose after his
business in the city was concluded to
visit a married sister living at Fair
field, twenty miles out of Columbus.
1t suddenly required TO Eben that he
had heard that the other candidate.
Renfrew Averill, lived somewhere
near the same town. 1t would worry
Myrtle to have him telegraph for
funds explaining his mishap. His Sis
ter would readily care for his money
wants. so Eben started on his jaunt.
Soft country roads were one thing
a macadamized highway quite the re-
verse. Ten miles accomplished, his
feet sore and tender and his shoes
full of gritty dust, Eben placed his
grip and shoes and stockings at the
roadside and descended to the bank
of a little stream. There he laved
the fevered members in the cool, re-
invigorating water, assembled to where
he had left his belongings, and to his
dismay, found them gone. He had
passed a good many tramps on his
route and IL was easy to surmise
where those belongings had gone.
It's a good five miles to Fairfield"
he grumbled, "but I've got to make
it by shutdown. I'm in fine predica-
ment, amt 1? One thing; I'll never
NEEDLE in politics again.
Eben stepped aside as an automo-
bile appeared. 1t halted, and its
driver, a young man with a bright,
intelligent eye and clear cut features,
glanced in mingled wonder and sym
pathy at the perspiring, limping, bare
footed old man.
whats the trouble?" he questioned
in honest solicitude.
Robbed, that's ALL" replied Eben.
"Satchel and shoes and stockings. I'm
headed for a relative at Fairfield
"That sol" spoke the other. Then
can give you a lift. Get right in.
''Ill drive you first to my home, this
side of the town, and get those feet
of yours fixed up"
An hour later Eben Hazard sat in
a comfortable arm chair in a cozy
house, provided with stockings and
slippers.
A buggy with two men drove up
and his host led them into an adjoin-
ing room. AS one of the visitors adj
dressed the host as mr. Averill, .
Eben gave a jump. "Whyw he ex-
claimed, hes the other candidate"
The three were discussing the COM
ing election. In the conference Rem
frew AveriIl expressed his principles
In a way that warmed the heart of
his startled guest. I'm ready to drive
you over to Fairfield" he announced,
when his visitors were gone.
wait minute" directed Eben,
good deal excited. Let me tell you
who l am, and why came to Column
bus" and he did. And now, Mr.
Averill," he supplemented. Il want
you TO come down to my home town
and tell the community what you just
told your friends here and you're
elected"
When Renfrew Averill arrived at
Eben's home week later, an enthu-
siastic welcome awaited him. He
found. too. in Myrtle Hazard a loyal
champion. His election was a land
slide, and he felt so deeply in love
with Myrtle that six months later
Eben prepared. TO visit Columbus TO
make preparation for the wedding.
Don't forget to bring me some
thing this time. as you did the last
time" playfuIly directed Myrtle.
1.-The last timer" echoed Eben. For
got to bring you-why. You migrate