Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1924-11-21
THE CHARGE
AGAINST
CULBERTON
By BEATRICE Y. HoUGHToN
20, Doubleday, Page & Coz

putting at his cigar. 1--WE been
boss of his district for twenty
years, and | never saw anything like
1t. OF course the women voting make
difference-but the women always
liked Culberton-and so did the men.
Now you mention his name and any
body starts to stink away"
1T may be the wimmen. You nivver
can tell ABBOTT Them" said Flaherty,
splitting neatly into a huge cuspldor
which decorated the center of the
committee room. There's Mrs. Dooley.
She wasn't goin' TO vote until my
wolfe axes her to moind the childer
while she does 1t. Whereupon she
goes and votes just to kill my VOTES
vote. Can you bate it?"
Did she now? Well, 1t wad be loike
her" unused Riley "Mebbe it's her
as Is responsible for the propygandy
against Culberton-"
How do you know there is any
propaganda against CulbertOn2" put
in Sam Hills, mlld-mannered elderly
man with q reputation for talking
sense when he deigned to talk at all.
Now, Sam, where are your wits?"
asked Battison. 81 just been telling
you that there doesn't seem chance
of electing Culberton to the house
this year. For why2 l dunno. He's
always been popular. And Wallace
in opposition to him-nobody can
stand Wallace, yet they're going to
hin, M hn 80,
When | ask the reason, nobody will
answer. l call 1t nothing less than
dlnged queer"
81 dunno what more we kin do"
said Riley after a pause. I've
shouted myself hoarse at the meetin's.
So have the rest av We. Sam Hills
is the only one that amt opened his
mouth"
Everybody in the long room looked
at Sam. Sam smoked.
How about 1t, Sam?" asked BATH
son. Amt 1t time you suggested
something7 You don't want Wallace
any more than we do"
Sam removed his cigar "Have
any of you talked politely to the wom-
emf" he asked.
81 tried 1t wild Mary" said Riley. 81
says to her, Dye think Culberton will
git elected, darlintY Says she, Are
you votin' for him. Moike2' 'Yls,' says
7. Thin you and me are strangers
from hinceforth,' says she. Some min
have eyes and nivvir use them says
she, and that's the last word l cud
git out av her. And now" ended
Riley mournfuly, "she trates me loike
Il thafe in the house."
IT'S the same wild Molly" confessed
Elaherty. "On'y | nivver axed heH
what the trouble was. l didn't dast."
The other men corroborated this
testimony. Finally Sam, again re-
moving his cigar, said: "But 1t amt
altogether the women"
"Ain't it," asked Riley
NO" said Sam. 'rhey are hear
ing something which is turning them
against CulbertOn, which comes
straight from headquarters of the OPP
position. Let's send for them and
ind out what They'll talk all at
once where they won't talk single"
Good advice, Sam" said Battlson,
and in less than an hour Mrs. Fla
herty Mrs Battson, Mrs. Riley, Mrs.
ILLS and dozen others we're mar
shaled INTO the room.
Battison gave them seats and then
addressed them. I'VE men are up
against It," he told them. THE sit
uation Is beyond us. SO we are go
,ng to ask you a plain question and
wrong with Culbertonf"
The women looked at one another.
Then Mrs. Flaherty tossed her head
and rose. 1--WE feel no call to tell
you that" said she tartly. "Ol'm
lady, and there are things | do not
sphake about in public"
But, Molly" pleaded Mr. Flaherty,
we're goln' to lose out wldout
knowin' what has bate US. Wallace
Is goin to git Culbertson's safe"
~ nivver heard that the safe be
ionged to Culberton," snapped Mrs
Flaherty. IF 1t does, let him take
Il and git out We want none av the
i0lkes av him in the house Of ripre-
sintatiyes"
won't one Of you ladies' answer
meY asked Battlson wildly. mot
when 1t means the winning out of the
party to which you pledged your sup
pOrtT'
Il tell you vance and fer all, Mr..
Battison," said Mrs. Elaherty "There
are some subjlcks ladies' do not dis.
cnss."
Maybe they would write IT," sug
gested Sam Hills.
would you write down what IL
wrongT asked Battlson eagerly
I'VE wad not" declared Mrs. Fla
herty. The others nodded.
"Did anybody liver see slch obsti-
nate ould hinsT cried glaherty i've
good notion to bate II out y.ye,
Molly"
"Thry It," answered Mrs. Flaherty
garing at her husband.
If one Of them won't write 1t all
maybe each will write piece Of IT,"
suggested Sam Hills cunningly.
II wud write the first two letters.
ind that's ALL" declared Mrs. Fla
herty.
81 would write the last two" said
Mrs. Battison prlmly.
~ suppose could write the fourth