IT WAS just such talk as Big Phil Lee’s that kept the Bragdon forces
lined up and defiant to the point of an open rupture and a total
disregard for the minority, while the Democrats cheered Big Phil Lee’s
remarks with enthusiastic hoorays.
The individual who really held the destiny of the party that year in
the hollow of his hand and within the next few hours proved himself the
Moses to lead all factions from the paths of bickering into the highway
of absolute harmony, was the newspaper man, Earle Clemens. All through
the evening hours the editor of the Herald had been a most eloquent
listener. He was on good terms with everybody, jovial and mixed with
all factions, and yet was scrupulously careful to avoid giving any
expression of advice or stating an opinion. He had, however, been very
outspoken in his editorial advocacy for harmony.
Earle Clemens was not only known and respected all over the state as an
able newspaper man, but he was the possessor of a rich tenor voice that
had delighted many an audience up in the hills, and then, too, he had
composed the melody of the state song, entitled “Wyoming”—all of
which tended to his great popularity and powerful influence.
While it was quite generally known that Clemens was perhaps closer in
his friendship for Bragdon than any other man in the district, dating
from way back when the generous-hearted young lawyer had helped Clemens
at a time and in a way that money could not buy or repay, yet the
editor of the Herald had all along insisted that unless the Bragdon
sympathizers effected a reconciliation with the Carlisle crowd,
it virtually meant, if Bragdon’s nomination were forced upon the
convention, a Democratic victory at the coming November election.
In his last editorial, before the convention was to assemble, he had,
in reply to Democratic newspaper gibes about a high old row which was
likely to obtain at the oncoming Republican convention, branded the
writers one and all as political falsifiers. He boldly announced that
not a single discordant note would be heard when the Republican host
came to nominate its standard bearer, and furthermore that the choice
would be emphasized by a unanimous vote of the delegates. And in the
final event the Republican candidate, he declared, would be elected
by such an overwhelming popular vote that it would make the false
Democratic prophets and bolting Republican malcontents, if there were
any, “hunt the tall timber.”
The Democratic press in reply had said that the editor of the Herald was
whistling to keep up his courage, and of course much amusement had been
caused by the spirited controversy. So when the eventful day arrived
fully as many Democrats journeyed to Rawlins to see the fun as there
were Republican delegates. Of course, as good Democrats, they lost
no opportunity to help embitter the two factions and widen the breach
between the Bragdon and the Carlisle forces.
Editor Earle Clemens, however, had ideas of his own that he told to no
one. The electric light was shining in his room long after midnight and
his small hand typewriter, which he always carried in his grip, was busy
clicking away—presumably writing copy for the columns of his paper.
What really occurred however, was this: He wrote two letters on the
hotel stationery—one addressed to Hon. Ben Bragdon, and the other
addressed to Hon. W. Henry Carlisle, and the envelopes were marked
private.
After the letters were duly typewritten, he placed an electric light
under a pane of glass with which he had provided himself, elevating
the glass by supporting the ends with a couple of books, and then from
letters that he had at some former time received from both aspirants
cleverly traced and signed the signature of W. Henry Carlisle to one
letter and in like manner signed the signature of Ben Bragdon to the
other letter—yes, brazen forgeries.
After inclosing them in their respective envelopes, he stole softly out
into the hallway and slipped one under the door of Carlisle’s room and
the other under the door of Bragdon’s room. Then he went downstairs
and bribed the night clerk to call both Bragdon and Carlisle at sharp
fifteen minutes before six o’clock. This done, Clemens hastened back
to his own apartment for a few hours’ sleep, wondering as he disrobed
if the “end would justify the means.”
“There is no question,” he said to himself as he climbed into the
bed, “but that the Republican ox is in the ditch and heroic measures
are necessary.”
The following morning, when W. Henry Carlisle was awakened by the night
clerk calling out softly the hour of seven o’clock, he hastily arose
and began dressing, but before he had half finished he spied the letter
that had been pushed under his door. Picking it up, he broke the seal
and this is what he read:
“My dear Carlisle:—
“It probably requires more bravery to make an apology and to ask to be
forgiven than it does to settle differences between gentlemen by the now
antiquated ‘code.’
“I here and now tender my apologies for any unkind words I may in the
past have spoken derogatory to you, and as an evidence of my candor
will pledge you the support of myself and friends for both temporary and
permanent chairman at tomorrow’s convention, if you reciprocate this
offer of a reconciliation.
“If you are big enough and broad enough and generous enough to accept
this overture and desire to bury all past differences and from now on
work in harmony together, each helping the other, as did Jonathan and
David of old, why, the opportunity is offered, and we will let bygones
be bygones.
“If you accept this apology, meet me at the hotel bar early tomorrow
morning and merely extend your hand of friendship in greeting. I will
understand; but please do not humiliate me by mentioning the fact, even
to your best friends, that I have written this letter, and above all do
not refer to it at our meeting tomorrow morning or at any future time.
It is quite enough if these old differences are wiped off the slate
between you and myself without commenting, or permitting comments to be
made. I am not unmindful, Carlisle, that you are a great big able man
and I want you to be my friend, and I wish to be yours. You have the
power to make my nomination for state senator unanimous.
“I have the honor of subscribing myself
“Very sincerely yours,
“Ben Bragdon.”
Across the hall Ben Bragdon was also reading a letter, which was almost
a duplicate of the one that Carlisle was perusing, except that the
conditions were reversed. Carlisle, in his letter of apology, offered to
support Bragdon for the nomination, provided the hatchet was buried
and the Bragdon forces would support him for temporary and permanent
chairman.
At the conclusion of the reading of these respective letters, each wore
an exultant look of mastery on his face. For the time being at least all
other differences were forgotten. In the hearts of both was the thought:
“It’s mighty decent of him; he really is a bigger man than I
thought.”
Carlisle was the first man to leave his room and going quickly
downstairs passed hurriedly into the hotel bar, which at that early hour
was deserted except for the immaculate, white-aproned bartender.
“What will it be this morning, Mr. Carlisle?” was the respectful
inquiry of the attendant.
“Nothing just yet,” replied Carlisle, “I am waiting for a
friend.”
A moment later Ben Bragdon came in, whereupon both of these skillful
politicians vied in meeting each other more than half-way and extending
the right hand of good fellowship in kindliest greetings.
“Guess we’re a little early,” stammered Bragdon in a futile
attempt to appear at ease and free from embarrassment. They both laughed
a little, and Carlisle remarked that fortunately the bartender was at
his post even if the delegates were slow about getting started on the
day’s work.
Just then the night clerk appeared and apologized for calling them so
early. “Don’t know how it happened,” he stammered, “but I made
a mistake of an hour. I called you gentlemen at six instead of seven. I
hope you’ll not—”
“Oh, that’s all right,” exclaimed Bragdon and Carlisle in unison,
as they good-naturedly waved him aside with their assurance that they
were glad to be up and about.
“A couple of Martini cocktails,” said Bragdon to the attendant.
The cocktails were soon before them and tossed off in a jiffy, with the
mutual salutation of “Here’s how.”
“Come again, my man; make it half a dozen this time—three apiece,”
said Carlisle, laughing and throwing down a twenty dollar gold piece.
“Might as well have a good appetizer while we’re about it, and then
we’ll relish our breakfast, good or bad.”
They chatted about the weather while the cocktails were being prepared.
Finally the cocktails were pushed along the bar counter, three in front
of each.
“All right,” said Bragdon, as they each lifted a glass. “Here’s
to your good health!”
“Thanks,” said Carlisle, “but since we have three cocktails apiece
before us, suppose we drink to the past, the present, and the future!”
“Good!” replied Bragdon, beaming with approval. “Splendid idea
and happily put” He then ordered some of the highest priced cigars the
house afforded and insisted on Carlisle filling his pockets, while he
stowed away a goodly number himself.
Soon after the fourth cocktail disappeared, they started for the
dining-room arm in arm, chatting away to one another like two old
cronies who had just met after a long separation. They found seats at a
table in a far corner and in their eagerness to say the right thing to
one another took no notice that a few of the delegates were already at
tables in different parts of the room. The delegates laid down their
knives and forks and looked toward Bragdon and Carlisle in astonishment.
Then they whispered among themselves, whereupon four or five left the
room quietly and hastened with all speed to carry word to the other
delegates, most of whom were still in their apartments.
The news spread like wildfire, and a general scramble followed in
hurriedly dressing and rushing downstairs to witness with their own eyes
such an unexpected turn in political affairs between two men who had
been at daggers drawn.
Within a very short time the dining-room was well filled with delegates,
but neither Bragdon nor Carlisle paid any attention; nor were they
seemingly conscious that all eyes were turned upon them. Each was
felicitating himself on the turn of events. Then, too, their amiability,
as well as their appetites, had no doubt been whetted into keenest
activity by the cocktails.
Ben Bragdon, after breakfast, gave orders that the Hon. W. Henry
Carlisle was to be made both temporary and permanent chairman, and
Carlisle likewise announced that the Hon. Ben Bragdon was to be
nominated as senatorial candidate by acclamation; and each issued his
instructions in such a matter-of-fact, yet stubbornly blunt fashion,
that no one offered any objection or asked any questions.
The delegates looked at each other, nudged one another in the ribs
and indulged in many a sly wink of suppressed amusement. But they all
quickly recognized the political advantage insured by a coalition of the
Bragdon and Carlisle forces, and the utter dismay this would cause in
the camp of the Democrats. Therefore they all became “programme” men
and took their orders meekly. So when the convention finally met and
got down to business with Carlisle presiding, it at once proceeded to
nominate Ben Bragdon by a unanimous vote.
Seemingly everybody cheered on the slightest provocation and everybody
was in excellent good nature, and after the convention had completed
its labors and adjourned, it was conceded to have been one of the most
harmonious political gatherings ever held in the state. Thus was the
prediction of Earle Clemens, the newspaper scribe, fulfilled to the very
letter.
The convention over, the delegates drifted back to the Ferris House and
not long after Big Phil Lee called at Clemens’ room. The editor was
picking away at his typewriter, preparing a report for the columns of
his paper. Grant Jones, Roderick Warfield, and two or three others were
in the room, smoking and talking. But Clemens paid no attention, so
intent was he on his work. Big Phil Lee, who without doubt had been
Bragdon’s loudest shouter, said: “Say, Clemens, I compliment you
on your prophetic editorials. I reckon you are writing another one.
You said the convention would be harmonious, and how in the demnition
bow-wows your prophecy happened to come true nobody knows. But it
did.”
“Thanks,” replied Clemens, in his light-hearted jovial way, and then
looking out of the window for a moment, added: “I say, Lee, don’t it
beat hell what a little clever horse sense will accomplish at times in a
political convention?”
“What do you mean by that?” asked Big Phil, quickly. “You seem to
be posted. By gad! I think it’s high time I was taken into the inner
councils myself and had the seemingly inexplainable made clear to me.”
“Search me,” replied Clemens in a subdued voice, as he bit the tip
of another cigar and struck a match. “Neither Bragdon nor Carlisle has
invited me into any of their secret conferences.”
Big Phil Lee looked a bit incredulous, shook his head in a nonplussed
sort of way and said: “Well, so long, boys. I’m goin’ down to the
hotel parlor where Bragdon is holding his reception. They are falling
over one another congratulating Carlisle about as much as they are
Bragdon.”
As the door closed behind him, Clemens looked up from his typewriter and
said to Grant Jones, laughingly: “Say, Grant, remember what the Good
Book says?”
“Says lots of things—what do you refer to?” asked Grant
Clemens replied: “Blessed are the peacemakers.”
Grant Jones came over close to him and said: “Look here, Clemens.”
And he fixed him with his eyes as if searching for an answer to that
which was veiled in mystery. But Clemens stood the ordeal and presently
Jones burst out laughing: “It’s all right, Clemens, the Herald has
sure put one over on the Doublejack this time. I don’t know how it
was done, and maybe I never will know. But take it from me, it was
clever—damned clever!”
Clemens made no reply, but removing his cigar winked at Roderick
Warfield who was sitting near, puffed rings of smoke toward the ceiling
and afterwards whistled softly the air of “Wyoming,” the state
song, even while he smiled the smile of a knowledge that surpasses
understanding.
Delegates and sightseers, Republicans and Democrats, who had journeyed
to see a hotly contested nomination, ostensibly for the state senate but
really for political supremacy, were good-natured and jovial when they
started on the return trip. Big Phil Lee shouted to Earle Gemens who was
on the other stage and said: “We are such a happy family, I presume we
will return on the same road instead of dividing and horse racing.”
Clemens and the other returning passengers on the hurricane deck laughed
good-naturedly and said: “Sure, we will stick together from now on
and fight the Democrats.” Presently the crowd commenced
singing vigorously—if a bunch of discordant voices could be so
described—various popular airs of the day.
That evening a reception was given Ben Bragdon at the hotel Bonhomme in
Encampment, and the affair was presided over by W. Henry Carlisle. It
was interpreted that the breach between these two attorneys had been
effectually healed to the discomfiture of the Democrats. But no one save
and except Earle Clemens knew how it had been brought about.
Roderick Warfield slipped away early from the scene of jubilation, and
carried the glorious news to the Shields’ ranch that Ben Bragdon had
been unanimously nominated. Barbara, with the flush of radiant joy
on her face, could no longer deny the soft impeachment, and he boldly
congratulated her on her coming wedding to the senator-elect for
southern Wyoming.