The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1921-07-08

"ONISTON was a small village
upon a shelf on a mountain
side, commanding one of the
gorgeous views characteristic of a 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
a century ago held sway over many
of the towns of New England. But
the career of "Old Hickory was Civ
ing a new impulse to democracy and
portended little good to any ruling
class, whatever its virtues. All that
vas needed was a leader and n was
found in a young man named Jethro
tanner. Jethro inherited from his fa-
Their a snug little fortune, but his edu-
cation had been almost wholly neg
lected. He skillfully made use of the
rising discomfort by appeals to ambi-
ton and personal interest. 1t became
clear that the ruling party was to be
challenged at the coming town meet
Ing anu ~ pitSuiupluOuS u thlIS
stirred society to its depths.
The spiritual leader of the Church
party was the clergyman. His lovely
daughter, Cynthia, filed a large place
in the eyes of Jethro and she was
drawn to him by the unmistakable
signs of power apparent under his
awkward exterior. They used some
times to meet by chance, and, unlike
they were In point of cultivation,
they were really very much in love
with each other. a circumstance that
had rather to be inferred because Jeth-
initiative and say anything about it.
Once when in Boston he bought q
beautiful locket and had engraved
upon 1t "Cynthia from Jethro," but he
never mustered up the courage to pre-
sent it. When the political tempest
rising Cynthia, who sympathiZed
strongly with her fathers party, de-
,ided to go to Jethro and plead with
him to stop the fight. Before he
Knew her purpose he broke his silence
md declared his love. Perhaps if he
lad been given a chance for reflection
md had not been so upset by his own
'onfession he would have granted her
equest. but that did not seem posi-
lie at the moment. Cynthia took his
as a decree of separation and
he left him never to see him again
nd he set out upon the career which
nded In his becoming the u~ncrOwned
ing of the state.
The town meeting fight went on and :
ethro was chosen first selectman. the {
My office he yer held and in which
e continued for SO years. Cynthia
-enf TO Boston, where she became
in a high school, and in the
purse of time married William Weth-
ill, the clerk who had sold Jethro
lie locket. She first learned about
to him her love for Jethro.
fter n few years she died, leaving a
tile girl who bore her name. Weth- r
ill moved to Coniston, taking young a
with him, and went to keep h
g the village store. n
III lnt years bhut hdu SOhc ny JtciiV W
I'd found Coniston too small and was o.
gagged in carrying on the govern G,
.nt of the state. He had his %lieuten- n
IFS in every county and possessed m
Oh an organization that he was able IL
select most Of the men who held the Ct
portant offices and to control their m
afterwards. In brief, he be- n,
me the Boss of the state and peo-
: who desired legislation or offices ,s
md it necessary to visit him. Ava =,
e did not seem to be the motive Of