The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-01-07
Stories of an Inland State.

L - 40 iCNcf eAfC SdtifC 6oif6- -1cii 4oil Gin
| are dropped, men talk too much. and ar
dropped; men get petulant and captiou
and are dropped, and occasionally in Ions
intervals men become tired of the whois
thing and quit voluntarily. But the gang
while its composition is always changing
remains always the same, the pulley on tn,
main-shaft where the belt from the engine
first comes in contact with the machinery
of the whole state.
Yet Sword of Belts had been dropped
for none of these. He had aspired to bt
boss; was detected and banished from the
sacred precincts of the gang which wa.
dominated by the Boss against whom ne
had conspired
Seward had held important places IN his
day Of political prosperity and had feather.
ed his nest. He was still rich, but he still
longed 20 get back into state politics. He
knew perfectly well that he was unpopular
that an elective Office was impossible with
him. The people were tired of him. He
knew that. He knew the nominating con-
ventions knew that But an appointment:
Why not that? The Boss whom he had
tried TO supercede barred him from that.
When Seward called Oh the Boss, he car
Red into the room with him the determine
ten to play the game of humility. He was
a rich man and the Boss was poor. Stin
the Boss was boss and he wanted an ap-
pointment and if he once secured it, he
would find some recompense for cr;nginS
COW.
But when he once got into the room and
faced the Boss his heart failed him. Not
because he hated to cringe before the Boss
so much, but he did not want a witness to
his debasement and he said with jerk OF
lis thumb in the direction of the young
IL l. 30 !, 20
face who fingered the typewriter:
Il would ike to talk quietly. Can't you
hatch up an errand for her or something"
''Sne will not interfere" said the Boss in
differently What is it?''
He didn't press the request, but dropped
his voice to a murmur and went on:
II have come to ask you to play quits.
We have been enemies long-I mean you
have fought me long enough. l may have
had faults, / know. Any man VIII have
ambitions. I have gotten over that old
desire well, you know. / want to shake
hands over this thing and be your friend"
The cold eyes of the Boss were on the
extended hand. He kept his own together
and said languidly:
Seward, what do you want?"
ITO make up-to quit this-to be friends"
Rats, man. / asked what you want.
What is it?''
81 have told you"
Good enough" said the Boss. Shake.
Now, Seward. as a friend, have a request
to make of you"
Speak it. old man, II it's in my power
PH-"
81 want your Endorsement for Towne for
" WARDEN
The man from Belts county flushed at
the words. He arose and said plainly:
Il can't give it,
"Um. So 1 thought"
''No. 1 cannot"
want it yourself, Soward2H
Eyes
"Well, you won't get it,
Possibly. But give me your hand again,
anyhow
Take the hand. It's all you'll get.''
An hour later Seward had apprised the
of his desires. Two hours
later he was in Highvile in consultation
With his friend Trigg, the banker. Would
he go on the state treasurer's bond? 1t
was large unexpectedly safe. 1t would
be appreciated. By the treasurer? No. BY
Seward himself. The next day he was in
Canton in the county adjoining his own.
He talked to Virgins, the local banker.
He explained his scheme. Virgins agreed.
The following day he was in Chancellor.
He had a long talk with McInturff, the
ocal banker. McInturff heard the scheme
and laughed and agreed.
Then Seward took the train for home
and as he looked out the window of the
ar he said to himself:
Il Inundated myself to him. I got down
IN my knees-I, who could buy his whole
worldly possessions with one days hank
deposit and he scorned me and spat upon
ne-the skunk. I'll show him who is Boss
and who is warden
A few days later Seward again called on
he governor and pressed his claims for
he wardenship. The governor told him |
frankly he had no chance and that the |
Boss was against him.
But he will dictate Brown for railroad |
suggested Seward.
yes" assented the governor. But be |
easonable, you
The governors talk was unfavorable and |
seward cut it off politely and left. He drop |
ed into the hotel on the way over to the |
epot and chatted moment with the treas
rer-elect.
'How's the bond?' he asked.
Coming slowly" said the treasurer-elect |
Hc lHdl uAcu the amount OF |
hat bond ought to be hunted up and |
rowned. Why, its like pulling teeth to
ct that amount-think of it-a million dol
ought to cinch my honesty"
We'll, old man." suggested Seward. "if
on need me, call on me-
But the treasurer-elect had a hard time
citing his bond filled out. II was a ire
lendous sum and the state was poor. The
ankers did not like 10 take the risk. lie
ad to ask scores who had refused him.
his rather reflected on mis- reputation for
onesty he thought. Some had been kind
} him. There was Trigg of Highville for |
istance who had voluntarily gone on the
ond for 500. 600. That was the right sort
public spirit.
But when the hour OF Inauguration had
ome. the treasurer-elect was nervous and
istraught. The bond lacked fifty thous-
nd dollars and he had MIXED everything.
The Boss rushed into the capitol build
g and dashed through the governors
cor.
Here" he said roughly. What does that
ian mean? That bond lacks fifty thousand
ollars. Your administration will start with
scandal. He must qualify now. Can't
'mething be done?"
Before the governor could reply the treas
rer-elect, pale and disheveied, came in and
led: Well, I'm done. l lacked fifty
lousand I now lack two hundred and
fly thousand"
Two hundred and fifty thousandr'
My GOD. yes Trigg, Virgins and Nc
turf have telegraphed me-they've with
-awn." The poor man held the yellow,
-umpled kilograms in his hands.
Seward came in softly and looked at the
lree men. II think 1 can fix this he
Iic- Il can telegraph the three bankers
stay on and they will. 1 can go the other |
fly thousand myself"
"Goodr' cried the treasurer-elect
But ! must have the wardsnship."
The Boss drew back under the smile with