The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-01-03
Stories of an Inland State.


paign. Mark wayne, the Boss. had tbs
camfsiSn won. He had locked the door
of his room: he did not answer the occa-
sional raps on the door; no one else
was present, except his stenographer
who had written all his letters and was
gazing out the window distracted and in.
fsens;ble to all surroundings.
The Boss unlocked a drawer in his desk
took out a great pile of flimsy sheets clos
ly typewriter and went over them al
slowly. occasionally figuring on q tab In
front OF him and looking the while con-
tentment itself.
These flimsy sheets constituted the poll
of the state, by precincts; the state COM
mittee had furnished him the figures the
day before.
They have found he said to himself.
thirty thousand majority for us. We have
won. / will cut that in two. We will win
by ten thousand. If the poll had shown
ten thousand majority we would be beaten.
But we've got 'em whipped
There was a loud knock on the door. He
opened it and let in Harrison. the reporter
for the Morning Herald.
What's your final guess on the election
IN the state?" asked the reporter.
II haven't any guess said the Boss, II
know"
.'Um." replied the reporter. walking over
and greeting the stenographer. What do
you know?''
I'VE will carry the state by fifty thous-
and-the poll shows it,
'Those are your f1gures?"
"Yep"
'.I'll print EN-
The reporter sailed out A dignified
gentleman, Higgins. the banker, walked in.
Hello, Higgins" cried the Boss with
exuberat;on.
Higgins took seat folded his arms and
said: 81 wouldn't be a politician for all
the money On the globe and you know
love money. All the deceit and falsity in
the world has gathered in politics as the
impurities in mans body gather In a
boil. Here you are affecting cheerfuiness,
telling a reporter that you will carry the
state by fifty thousand. deceiving yourself
with your own faisehood-for you are
beaten body, soul and breeches. Oh. poll
tics"
But. Higgins, we are not beaten
Eyes we are-gone-gone where the wood
bine twineth. Busted wide open. Don't
try to deceive me along with yourself"
What do you know" the Boss asked.
Il know that I am looking for some one
to cover ten thousand dollars from me that
you lose
You mean that you are going to bet ten
thousand dollars that we will loser
'Surew
Great Godv'
So exclaiming the Boss arose and glared
at the banker with eyes afire
who put this into your head?"
The Boss rarely became excited. He was
excited now. The report that Higgins, the
banker. had placed ten thousand dollars on
the opposition might beat him-might turn
the whole state-discourage his side, en-
the opposition and throw the whole
floating vote against the Boss. All this
went through his mind instinctively. The
banker must not bet, no, IL he had to be
to prevent it.
what have you heard?"
The banker smiled, put down his hat and
spoke:
Il have been to see Brown, chairman Of
the opposition, your esteemed contempor-
airy Boss. He has shown me his polls
There is no doubt of it. They have the
state by thirty thousand. Brown is
friend of mine; he banks with me; has for
years; is entertained at my house; wives
chum; wouldn't deceive me for the world;
md ne has given me the tip. I would like
- see you win, Wayne, but it isn't in the
lir this year. You're beat"
And you will bet ten thousand?'
Business is business. Why not?"
The Boss turned to the window and stood |
here his mind far away. One minute
passed with him standing thus. Two, three, |
our, five minutes slipped by. Then he
urned to the banker and said:
You have been deceived. Come to me |
omorIov at noon. Promise me that, I'M
il that time you will make no bets. Will |
-ou promise2'' |
Higgins hesitatei. I
Promise, pleaded the Boss. Promise |
ne just the once
IAN righ,.'' said the banker. ''But only |
i'll tomorrow room. / can get even money |
low. They may ask odds by tomorrow"
The banker LEFT.
The Boss jerked out telegraph blanks. /
lie wrote a message to Smith at Round |
lily. Com. on first train. Life and
cath"
He placed his frank stamp on this and
aid.
Miss Bolng: take this to the telegraph
flee. Quickr
The Boss wrote message and rang for
messenger boy. This message was to a
Jerk in Hisgins' bank. a political ally of
he Boss. This message read: Come to
ny room at S o'clock this evening without
aii.'
At O'Clock the bank clerk was on hand. |
he Boss took out the himsy sheets again
nd showed them TO the clerk
Il would have shown them to Higgins"
he Boss said. But he would not have be-
eyed me-"
The two talked at length. The Boss in
sted on something. The clerk hesitated.
You can save him his money" insisted
ne Eoss.
Along about midnight the clerk left.
Smith Of Round City came IN. The Boss
ad 10 trouble with him. Smith. WELL
tessed, well-groomed. understood perfect
:. J. Y. Smith was a gambler, without
olitics. but always in them.
The Boss did not sleep that night.
AT o'clock the next morning Higgins,
le banker. was again In the room with the
oss
I've found even money" cried the bank
:. Il ran across Smith of Round City and
I'll take the whole lump even. Where do |
lese gamblers get their money!"
The Boss opened the door and the bank
ERIK walked in. The banker raised his |
fe-brows in surprise Il
Mr.. Higgins" said the Boss, what now
anspires you must never tell--not even |
your wife. You have been deceived
~ have almost been buncoed. Your en-
oye here has saved you ten thousand ,
,iiars- Browns side has lost. Brown
lows IT, A losing man can win. It's an ,
d game in politics. Smith of Round City
gambler. He hasn't cent in the world
his own, nor politics. nor honor. He
opposes to bet you ten thousand dollars
our side; has he that much money?
es. Where did he get It? Mr.. Higgins.
T. Brown does business In your bank. His G
ecks so through your bank; when they
e paid they are cancelled and placed {