The Monticellonian., 1918-03-01
=CHRISTINE'S RUSE
By J. JOHNSON.
yright, lgls. Western Newspaper Union.) )

"Yes, suh," said Judge Blueblood to me this morning, after enough returns were in to show that his Son-in-law, John F. Blackenham, was elected to congress. q am little proud of his great victory, although he is the man that took from me my daughter and political life at one fell swoop."
 The grand old Kentucky aristocratn toyed with a spoon moment with theV mint in an empty glass, humorous bit of political reminiscence showing in his eyes.
 "When John F. Blackenham," con- tinued the judge, first came in from his cabin home on Salt Lake to study law with me, he would have been good attraction in a dime museuml But saw that the fellow was not all blue jeans, and knee joints. Big as he was, he was principally head.
 "When my daughter Christine came home from Lexington, where she had graduated, she one day called in at the law office, and, with secret amusement, I introduced the uncouth, plebeian youth to the beautiful, high-born aris- tocrat.
 q should have known better, howev- CT, than to have exposed my aristo- cratic daughter to this big, brilliant plebeian. l didn't stop to think that it is brains and not money or birth that make certain kinds of men the mas- ters of this world-including women.
 "At first, through sympathy with the poor fellow, 1 encouraged Christine to treat him kindly, but it soon became apparent that she needed no encour- agement. One morning she came to me as I was about leaving for the of- flee, and, putting two soft arms about my neck, told me Mr BIackenham had proposed marriage to her. Thinking she had regarded it as a deadly insult, I said, as soon as I could get my breath: Never mind, darling, I'll look after the gentleman
 "She snuggled closer to my bosom, patted my cheeks with her rosy fin- gers and said: I'm so glad to hear you say you will look after him. He's so poor. and needs your assistance; and as I'm the only child you have, know, being rich, you will not let us starve until he gets started in the law practice. You will look after him!'
 q was moment speechless with. fury; then I said: Can I believe all this? She looked ur and said, with af- feeted innocence: Papa. if you can't believe me, I'll go to the office with you and prove it by him!'
 My mind worked under high pres- sure. What could I do? I couldn't scold and chide this child-the exact image of her dead mother, suh. So | said: I'll agree to this illogical union the plebeian with the aristocrat-ifF you'll agree to wait until he himself iS able, in this town, to support you in the condition in which you were born.' She agreed. knew it would take him many years to gain foothold in this old Kentucky town.
 "The time for making nominations for county offices was rapidly ap- preaching, and I soon noticed that my would-be son-in-law was shaking hands
 
 ly rate. I got the nomination for coun- ty judge, by the asking, as usual, and my party had at least 300 majority.
 My law student got the nomination. against me from his party, and he was my opponent-what political impu- dence
 T thought he wanted the nomination. from his party as an advertisement for young lawyer. We'll, suh, can still feel hitch at my heart when think of the horrors of that moment when the returns of the election came in and I found myself, Judge Blueblood, suh, defeated by majority of just 5OO.. Fraud-infamous fraud-had been committed. I would contest the elec-l ton, of course.
 Christine told me that if her lover had really been guilty of countenanc-I ing ballot-box stuffing against her dear old father, she would cancel the en- gagement, so sent for the leading poll iticians in each precinct to meet on the coming day at my office, report the enormous frauds known to each, and help devise plan of contest.
 "On the day appointed my office was crowded with old-time friends, but. their peculiar countenances were not Indicative of much good, as they sev- orally appeared. After all were in and the door locked, turned to Ham Jar-- ris. the leader in Concord precinct andi bade him report the frauds in his pre- cinct.
 "'Wal,' he drawled, with an ear-to- ear grin, I know of two I think. Two fellers voted for you that want of age.'
 "A thunder of laughter, at which T frowned, went up from each throat.
 "All, finally, acknowledged they had voted against me!
 "'And here is our authority for vio-l latin party principles said one, hand- ing me circular that each man in the back precincts had received the night, before election. It ran as follows:
 "'Vanceburg, Ky, Nov.
 "Dear Sir-Will you have the klnd-i ness to vote against my father and for his penniless, self-made opponent. to. whom I'm engaged? An, do! My fa-4 ther Is rich man, has received the higher honors. and doesn't need the. office. It would not only be a great service to me, but would encourage