The Elk Mountain pilot., 1923-05-10
Caliph of East
Wamport
By H. IRVING KING

20 by Mcclure Newspaper syndicats.)
II there are caliphs in Bagdad
there are also caliphs in the rural
districts-no relation to O.. Henry or
Haroun-al-Raschid, eitherl In the
rural districts they are called political
bosses. Such a one was John J.
Phettyplace, caliph Of East Wamport.
! will take back, partially, that about
there being no connection between ].
Jas they called him-and Haroun-
the-Just; there were one or two points
Of resemblance. In the first place,
J. j., like the other caliph, was the
commander of the faithful-that is.
the workers" and strict party men.
secondly, like Haroun and all cal
iphs who are on their Jobs, he kept
his ear to the ground and knew what
was going on among his people.
But enough of the caliph for a
few minutes. Allow me to intro
duce you to the caliph's daughter,
the Princess Annie. Bagdads roofs
,N iretted gold never sheltered
more delightful vision. Henry For
sythe was in love with Annie. and
had 1t from her own dear lips that
his affections were reciprocated. Henry
was most eligible young man, held
an important position in East Wam-
ports principal mandatory, was
slated for promotion and bound to go
to the top. He was sturdy, athletic
youth and good looking. He was Just
the man for Annie. though there was
enc subject In which they had moth
ing in common. Henry hated politics
while Annie took a deep Interest In
them. She had inherited a good share
Of her fathers native shrewdness and
loved TO sit and hear him discourse
on political matters. making now and
then pertinent suggestion out Of
her own wise little head. But what
has politics to do with love or love to
do with politics? We shall see.
One evening Henry took his
courage in both fists, as the saying is,
and went in to ask ]. J. for his daugh-
ter's hand. Now the fact is that ]. j.
had dreamed dreams about Annie and
built air castles for her. He saw that
she had brains; why should not her
married life be on the heights? He
loved to picture her as congress
mans lady, the governors lady, or
even senator's lady.
He never thought Of her as mar
ried to a great author, great scien-
tist, or even a millionaire. You see
J. J.'s world was world of politics,
and Its heights of fancy were peopled
only by successful politicians. 1t
therefore came to him with a shock
when rising young business man
stood before him and boldly proposed
to make Annie his wife. He had seen
the youth about, of course, but other
youths had been about Annie also,
and for the only time in his life
the Caliph Of East Wamport had al
lowed his fancies to blind him to
realities. When ]. ]. had recovered
from his surprise he turned the young
suitor down-turned him down hard
and brutally, so that Henry came out
of the house In state of rage and
despair. Annie was waiting for him
on the piazza-the moon-flooded piaz-
"a. the vine-draped piazza, where the
air was heavy with the scent Of the
honeysuckle. He begged her to fly
with him; he poured out protesta-
tions of undying love. mingled with
abuse Of the caliph.
At first Annie turned a little pale
and, just for an instant, threatened to
become fearful. Then she got firm
grip upon herself, calmly assured
Henry Of the constancy Of her affec-
tions, advised him to wait hopefully
for better times, and dismissed him in
manner which he thought, under the
circumstances. cold and unfeellng.
Some little time after this ]. Y.
heard that a project for . "citixens'
movement" was showing signs Of life