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Updated: May 22, 2025
He had made many trips with him through the State in years past, but never before when men understood, some dimly, some fearfully, that a political crisis was on. Thelismer Thornton's seat in the train, his room at the hotel, was besieged by those who respectfully solicited his opinions.
"So, if I weren't Thelismer Thornton's grandson you wouldn't take any interest in me at all?" he inquired, sourly. "A very impudent and unnecessary question, Mr. Harlan Thornton. I'm afraid your grandfather is right you have stayed in the woods too long." Longer silence. He was more humble when he spoke again. "I don't want you to think I'm what I may seem to be, Miss Presson.
Like a beacon marking shoals, Thelismer Thornton stood at the head of the broad granite steps that led up to the convention hall. An unlighted cigar was set hard between his teeth. Men flocked past him with obsequious greetings, but he merely grunted replies. He was watching for some one. He swore under his breath when he saw his man. General Waymouth and Harlan came up the steps together.
And establishing a system of low license and sheriff-made local option under a prohibitory law is unprincipled, and you know it!" Thelismer Thornton, god of that particular machine that was then grinding so ominously and rattling so badly, felt that he needed a few moments in which to mend belts and adjust cogs. He wanted an opportunity to think a little while.
They were about to interfere. At that moment Thelismer Thornton appeared in the corridor. "Let the boy alone," he commanded, thrusting himself among them. The diversion gave Harlan his opportunity. Clutching Spinney with one hand, he threw open the door and pushed him in, followed him, and closed the door. He locked it, and stood with his back against it.
If he had, Thelismer Thornton would have been vastly interested. He might have been amused. Probably he would have been more amused than interested, for hot youth and glowing ideals have humorous phases for the man who has lived among men for more than eighty years.
Thelismer Thornton tried to get near Spinney, understanding it all even better than the State chairman, but the plain and stolid men flanked their captive with determination. "I have here five affidavits from eye-witnesses, swearing that Arba Spinney was bribed to sell out his faction at the last moment to-day, leaving only David Everett in the field.
But that he had unloosed a bottle imp in his own family would not have occurred to the old man, even after he had listened, for he still had the cynical belief that circumstances must control, interest convert, and personal profit kill the most glowing ardor in reform. Lacking the gift of divination, Thelismer Thornton watched the rapid development of this bottle imp with much complacency.
"You tell them I have pay, M'sieu' Thornton! You' told me if I have pay twice in ye'r I have de privilege de privilege!" The sheriff turned and grinned over his shoulder into the convulsed face of the Honorable Thelismer. "There's a lot of bargains in politics, marm," he stated, dryly, "that takes more'n two to put 'em through when the pinch comes."
"Did you ever know a man to get anywhere in politics if he didn't play the game honesty or no honesty?" "Yes, a few they got there, but they didn't stay there long," replied the Duke, a flicker of humor in his wistfulness. "You bet they didn't," agreed the chairman. "Thelismer, I'm just as honest as the world will let me be and succeed!
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