The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1921-02-25

~ OMISSION was small village
A upon shelf on a mountain
side, commanding one of the
gorgeous views characteristic of lit
tie commonwealth which has many
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 new impulse to democracy and
portended little good to any ruling
class, whatever its virtues. All that
was needed was leader and one was
found in young man named Jethro
Bass, who was the son of well-to-do
tanner. Jethro Inherited from his ia
Their 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-
tion and personal interest. 1t became
clear that the ruling party was to be
challenged at the coming town meet
ing and so presumptuous thing
stirred society to- its depths.
The spiritual leader of the Church
party was the clergyman. His lovely
daughter, Cynthia, filled a large place
in the eyes of Jethro and she was
drawn to him by the unmistakabIe
signs of power apparent under his
awkward exterior. They used some
times to meet by chance, and, unlike
as they were in point of cultivation,
they were really very much in love
with each other, circumstance that
had rather to be inferred because Jeth-
70 was little likely to exercise the
initiative and say anything about it.
Once when in Boston he bought a
beautiful locket and had engraved
upon it Cynthia from Jethro," but he
never mustered up the courage to pre-
sent 1t. When the political tempest
strongly with her fathers party, de-
cided to go to Jethro and plead with
him to stop the fight. Before he
knew her purpose he broke his silence
and declared his love. Perhaps If he
had been given chance for reflection
and had not been so upset by his own
confession he would have granted her
request, but that did not seem posi-
BILE at the moment. Cynthia took his
refusal as a decree of separation; and
she left him never to 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
Jethro was chosen first selectman. the |
only Office he ever held and in which |
he continued for SO years. Cynthia |
went to Boston, where she became |
teacher in high school, and In the |
course of time married William Weth-
erill. the clerk who had sold Jethro
the locket. She first learned about |
the locket from her husband and con-
fessed to him her love for Jethro.
After a few years she died, leaving a |
little girl who bore her name. Weth-
erill moved to CoHiston, taking young
Cynthia with him, and went to keep
ing the village store.
In the years that had gone by Jethro
had found Coniston 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 select most of the men who held the
important offices and to control their
actions afterwards. In brief, he be-
came the BOSS" of the state and peo-
pie who desired legislation or offices
found 1t necessary to visit him. Ava
rice did not seem to be the motive