The diamond drill., 1921-01-08

~ oNISTON was small village
upon shelf on a mountain
-" side, commanding one of the
gorgeous views characteristic OF lit
tie commonwealth which has many a
larger sister state, but none worthier.
The politics of the place was under
the control of the Church party, which
something more than three-quarters of
century ago held sway over many
OF the towns OF New England. But
the career of "Old Hickory" was CIV
ing new impulse 10 democracy and
class, whatever It's virtues. All that
was needed was a leader and one was
found I'm young man named Jethro
Bass. who was the son OF well-to-do
tanner Jethro inherited from his fa-
ther a snug little fortune, but his edu-
lected. He skIllfully made use of the
rising discomfort by appeals TO ambi-
tion and personal interest. IL became
clear that the ruling party was to be
challenged at the coming town meet
ing and so presumptuous a thing
stirred society to its depths.
The spiritual leader OF the Church
party was the clergyman. His lovely
daughter. Cynthia. filled a large place
I'm the eyes OF Jethro and she was
drawn 10 him by the unmIstakable
signs OF power apparent under his
awkward exterior They used some
times 10 meet by chance. and, unlike
as they were In point OF cultivation,
they were really very much In love
with each other, n circumstance that
had rather 10 be inferred because Jeth-
ro was little likely 10 exercise the
initiative and say anything about IL.
Once when In Boston he bought a
beautiful lOcket and had engraved
upon it "Cynthia from Jethro," but he
never mustered up the courage 20 pre-
sent II. When the political tempest
was rising Cynthia, who sympathized
strongly with her fathers party. de-
cided 10 20 10 Jethro and plead with
him 90 stop the fight Before he
knew her purpose he broke his silence
and declared his love. Perhaps II he
had been given n chance for reflection
and had not been so upset by his own
confession he would have granted her
request. hut that did not seem possi-
BILE at the moment. Cynthia took his
refusal as decree Of separation; and
she left him never 20 see him again
and he set out upon the career which
ended In his becoming the uncrowned
king OF the state.
The town meeting fight went on and
.Iethro was chosen first selectman. the
only Office he ever held and In which
he continued for 80 years. Cynthin
went 10 Boston. where she became
teacher In n high school. and In the
course of time married william wefh-
erill, the clerk who had sold Jethro
the locket. She first learned about
the locket from her husband and con-
fessed 10 him her love for Jethro.
After n few years she died. leaving n
little girl who bore her name. Weth-
Grill moved TO Coniston. taking young
Cynthia with him. and went TO keep
ing the village store.
In the years that had gone by Jethro
had found Contston too small and was
engaged In carrying on the govern
ment Of the state. He had his lIeuten-
ants in every county and possessed
such an organization that he was able
to sesct most of the men who held the
important Offices and 10 control their
actsens afterwards. In brief. he he
came the "Boss" Of the state and peo-
pie who desired legislation or Offices
found II necessary 10 visit him. Ava
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