The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1921-02-25

~ OMISSION was small village
. upon a shelf on a mountain
~ side, commanding one OF the
gorgeous views characteristic of a lit
tle 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
q century ago held sway over many
OF the towns of New England. But
the career of sold Hickory" was CIV
ing a 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 a young man named Jethro
Bass. who was the son of well-to-do
tanner. Jethro inherited from his ia
Their a snug little fortune, but his edu-
cation had been almost wholly neg
iected. 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 and SO presumptuous q thing
stirred society to It's depths.
The spiritual leader of the Church
party was the clergyman. His lovely
daughter, Cynthia, filled large place
in the eyes Of Jethr0 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
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 1t.
Once when In Boston he bought a
beautiful locket and had engraved
upon 1t "Cynthia from Jethro," but he
never mustered up the courage to pre-
sent II. When the political tempest
was rising Cynthia, who sympathized
strongly with her fathers party. de-
cided to 20 to Jethro and plead with
him to stop the fight. Before he
knew her purpose he broke his silence
and declared his love. Perhaps II 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
che 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 once he ever held and in which
he continued for 80 years. Cynthia
went to Boston, where she became
teacher In a high school, and In the
course of time married William Weth
eriIl, the clerk who had sold Jethrt
the Iocket. She first learned about
the locket from her husband and con
feeSed TO him her love for Jethro
After a few years she died. leaving {
little girl who bore her name. weth
erin moved to Coniston. taking yount
Cynthia with him, and went TO keep
ing the village store.
In the years that had gone by Jethr'
had found Coniston too small and wal
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 abl'
TO select most Of the men who held tn
important Offices and to control thei
aetiGns afterwards. In brief. he be
came the Boss Of the state and peo
ple who desired legislation or ONCE
found IL necessary to visit him. Ava
rsce did not seem to be the motiy'