The Ocala evening star., 1922-12-23

",ne Head and Front land Backbone,
Too), of the Opposition to BeasIey
Was cIose-Fisted, Hard-knuckIed,
Risen-F Sort Of Man,
One Named Simeon Peck.
considerable influence, heard; was q
hard worker, and vigorously seconded
by an energetic lieutenant, a young
man named Grist. These, and others
they had been able to draw to their
faction, we're bitterly and eagerly op-
posed to Beasley's nomination, and
worked without casing to prevent it.
1 quote the invaldable Mr.. Dowden
again: "Grist's against US because he
had a quarrel with a clerk in Beasley's
office. and wanted Beasley to dis
charge him, and Beasley wouldn't;
Sim 'Peck's against US out of just plain
wrongheadedness, and because he nev-
er was for anything nor fer anybody
In his life. l had talk with the old
mutton-head the other day; he said our
candidate ought to be farmer, man
Of the common people, and when /
asked him where he'd find anybody
more a man of the common people
than Beasley, he said Beasley was too
much Of a society man to suit him
The idea of Dave as a society man.
was too much for me, and 1 laughed
In Sim Peck's face, but that didn't
stop Sim Peck! Jest look at the style
he lives in he yelped. Amt he fairly
tapped in luxury? Look at that big
house he lives in! Look at the way
he goes around in that big car of his
and a niger to drive him, half the
timer / had to holler again, and, of
course, that made Sam twice as mad
as he started out to be; and he went
off swearing he'd show me, before the
campaign was over. The only trouble
he and GriSt and that crowd could give
us would be by finding out something
against Dave, and they can't do that
because there isn't anything to find
out"
ter score, but was somewhat less san
guine on some others. There were only
two newspapers Of any political in
fluence in Wainwright, the Despatch
and the Journal, both operated In
the interest of Beasley's party, and
neither had "come out" for him. The
gossip heard about our office led me
to think that each was waiting to see
what he&dway Sim Peck and his FAC
ton would make; the Journal espe-
eially, ] knew, had some inclination to
coqustte with Peck. Grist, and Com
pany. Altogether, their faction was
not entirely to be despised.
Thus, my thoughts were great deal
more occupied with Beasley's chances
than with the holiday spirit that now,
with furs and bells and wreathing
mists Of snow, breathed good cheer
over the town. So little, indeed, had
this spirit touched me, that, one eve
ming when one Of my colleagues,
standing before the grate-fire in the
reporters room, yawned and said he'd
be glad when tomorrow was over, /
asked him what was the particular
trouble with tomorrow.
"Christmas," he explained, lam
guidly. always % tedious. Like
Sunday"
1T makes me homssick," said an
ether. q melancholy little man wis
was forever Dragging Of his native
Duluth
"Oz1stma." rspsatsd-"tsmse.
rswr
n was Christmas eve, and had nse
known Ill I leaned back In my sAAlr
In O sudden Loneliness. what pictures
coming before me Of l0ng-ags Christ
mas oyez at hayua -old ChPfrfnnz
ewes when there was q Tree.
Ny name was called; the night eity
editor had an assignment for me. Go
up to Sim Peck's, on Madison street."
he said. HE thinks he's got some
thing On David Beasley, but won't
say any more over the telephone See
what there is in II"
I picked up my hat and coat. and
left the Office at q speed which mAA