“Ile tell you, Betsy. Ive made up my mind to try them Populists hereafter. I see they have some purty smart men in the United States Senate. But for the life of you, Betsy, dont say anything to any one about my changin.”
I jist stepped back a step or two and looked at Bill Bowers for a whole minit. He looked at me. Then says I:
“Bill Bowers, I am surprised! I am surprised that you, a full-blooded American citizen, a grown-up man, a man who has made up his mind to do what he believes to be right, and then hasent the manhood to let the world know that you are independent, but are afraid that some officeseeker or polertician who lives off of you will turn up his nose at you! Bill Bowers, I thought you had more firmness in you than that. If the party you have been votin for has betrayed you, if the officeseekers you have helped to elect have used you as a tool, haint it your dooty as a man and a citizen to let it be known that you are a goin to quit the gang? Instid of bein afraid of them, you should make them afraid of you. Thats your dooty, Bill.”
“Well, Betsy,” says he, “I dont know but what youre right, but Ide ruther you wouldent say anything about it.”
Then, changin the subject, says he:
“Betsy, where do you think of goin to?”
“Where do I think of goin to?” says I. “The Lord only knows. I dont.”
At that Jobe hollered for me, and, biddin Bill “good day,” I come in.
Yourn, nearin the close.