Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1921-03-15

Ii not easily stopped, and 1t was de-
stfned thatsT should not be so readily
oaft OF my political troubles, ana that
should tie forced TO occupy yet
more conspicuous place in the public
eye, and suffer yet further humilia I
tfon at the hands OF my sometime
friends and neighbors.
Ii was weilknown to the whole com
nsunity that the nearest had ever
come TO making public speech in my
fife was on the night I had talked to the
mob so many years before, to give the
sheriff and his prisoner time 10 make
their escape 1t was equally wen
known that I was utterly devoid OF all
faculty for public speaking; and.
while might talk and argue reason
ably well in the presence OF a few.
crowd always found me tongue
tied and silent. II was probably this
knowledge that suggested to a GER
tain element about the town the brill
liant idea of forcing me into an open
debate with Judge Fowler. Mr.. Henry
MuIhali- the district attorney and
several other accomplished speakers
and dobators, with the intention of
making me both ridiculous and more
unpopular.
1t was an ingenious idea for which
Judge Foweir, Mr.. Mulhall and the
other leaders we're not responsible;
and while / hope 1t failed or effect
as far as the ridicuIe was concerned,
ii was eminently successful in in
creasing my already large stock of
appropriately.
One beautiful evening, about the
middle OF September, Dorothy. Evelyn
and I we're sitting together on the
front steps ait home. enjoying the
teauty of the evening, and the re-
freshing breeze that was just begin
ming TO come after a hot day. The
youngsters. a boy and d girl were
rolling over each other in the hall.
amidst shouts of laughter, while two
more were riding TO Banbury Cross
on my foot. and small chit of a
giff-a miniature reproduction OF her
mother-was perched on my shoulder.
making queer heaps of my hair.
had just been telling my wife and
sister that I was fully satisfied with
The situation, and Intended henceforth
Is drop out Of politics altogether
again, except the voting; and Evelyn
had Just answered, Perhaps politics
viii NOT drop ron so easily when
negro rode up to the gate and dis
mounted. AS he came up the walk
towards the house, saw 1t was a
man named Lige, who cleaned up
Judge Fewler's Office. and that he had
a letter Id his hand.
well. Lige. what is it,? asked.
Hits dis here letter, Sab. an Use
ter fotch back an anser? Sab"
read the note, and gave low
whistle
what is it about. dearse asked
Dorothy.
Listen and you will hear. You
were true phophetess, Evelyn. Hear
this" And / read the following note
aloud.
TO Francis Hamilton. Esq.
Oak HILL
Sir:
There is to be meeting OF the
voters Of the county at Walnut
Grove on the night of Saturday,
Sept goth, to attend an open de-
bate on the money question and
other political issues of the day,
Judge Fowler, Mr. Mulhall and
others will speak on the Demo-
cratic side, and you having taken
an active part on the other side,
are invited to address the meeting
in support. Of your views. Any
other Republicans you may sug-
gest viii be cordially invited to
assist you.
BY direction OF the
DEMOCRATIC COUNTY COM.
.sWhy surely, you are NOT going to
attempt the absurd thing!" erred
Dorothy and Evelyn, in breath.
..That is just what am going to
DO. replied quietly. They already
cali me d 'traitor,>a renegade and
several other choice names: but ] viii
be blowed. il they shall call me a
coward, moral OF otherwise"
Evelyn laughed. There Is no use
fiji arguing with him when his jaw Is
set ike that. Dorothy, and we may as
weif let him alone to go hfs own gait, :
she said
eyes, know that only too vel" "
my wife answered with q sigh. But
I do wish Francis. dear, yDu We're not
50 obstinate, and thai the people here,
when have learned to love so much,
were more liberal and reasonable in
their ideas, and allowed some little
liberty Of thought and freedom Of ac-
fion without all this bitterness and
passion. do not think I have heard
anything but quarreIs when we have
met anyone the whole summer long;
and there has scarcely beer q soul il
he house except ourselves for two
| r1onths.
! sThat is only Zoo true, darling. Bus
I Z think you will find them all coming
hack when the passions of the Cam