Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1901-10-31
] PLAYING WITH FIRE ;
BY d. A. Chauncey.
"III ELL. it's all OF; we win

Gnu OF the par turned from their
glasses and regarded the newcomer
with questioning glances-all but
one. The latter, tall, lanky man
with strong features. keen and shifty
eyes and smooth side face with long
chin whiskers from the heavy mus
tache down, gave swift look about
the bar room and then turned 10 the
/ speaker with something sf disgust in
his face.
Haven't you learned yet, Joe, not
TO talk in a public room? Forget it,"
But"
But nothing. Take drink; the
: changes not made yet; IL will steady
your nerve"
/ The black-haired young fellow who
had joined the party. in. a state Of ex.
element became a clam and silently
threw down the drink handed him by
the bar tender.
"Come TO my room al nine" said the
long man with the chin whiskers in a
low voice Then louder: well, good
night, boys, I've got to 60 over that
reapportionment bin tonight"
An hour later the same party were
gathered in Maj Franklin's room.
They had dropped in one at time in
quiet way and one major had rung
for an ample supply Of liquor and
cigars.
~Now. Joe. what is ftp" asked the
major.
"It's an of. The Consolidated Elee-
trio people have sent 70 Washington
for Harold Treat, and that means the
bin will 60 through SO | guess we
don't lose ont on this session"
"3in't that sign Of weakness?"
suggested the heayy-faced man with
the gray eyes. Looks 10 me ike
the drowning man grasping at a
straw"
"Not on your tintype," replied Joe.
"Treat never yet lost measure when
be tried 20 put u through. Heavens
knows what they had 70 pay him, but
its o sure thing that the bin goes
through"
In due time Harold Treat, famed
throughout the country as lobbyist
of boundiess resource and marvellous
tact. arrived at the state capital He
was accompanied by his wife. wom-
an Of great charm Of manner and a
personality 80 strong as 20 win from
the start those with whom she came
in contact. Treat went TO work
quietly 70 round up enough members
70 pass the Consolidated Electric bill.
He first went over the ground care
fully and learned what had been done.
The newspapers were fun OF the mat
ter and everywhere. throughout the
state. the bin was denounced as an
outrage upon the public. The legis-
lators were frightened at the wide
spread opposition and many who. or
dinarily. could have been reached in 4
one way or another. were afraid 70
brave the storm.
Treat remained cool and confident +
and within two weeks Il was given out /
quietly that four members had been /
added TO those formerly pledged 90
support the measure. There was still /
one vote lacking. and II seemed that
& was impossible 70 get II. Treat
miled imperturbably and said he
would. How he expected 70 do il the
oldest politicians at the capital could
rot guess.
Meantime Mrs. Treat had remained
wholly oblivious 10 the great contest.
Her brilliant attachments, her modest
lemeanor. her charming and ingen-
ious manner and her pervading per-
,onality won her friends everywhere
n the society OF the capital. She
lressed with the most exquisite taste
nd at once upon her appearance in
he functions OF "the official set" at
racted the attention and admiration
u all men. Among those was Henry
RAYMOND. one OF the most brilliant ,,
nd conspicuous members OF the leg
stature: a man Of unusual gifts. who
ad won pronounced success in his
Profession and who came from a dis
iuguished family. Raymond was
lassed among the few members who
ERE acknowledged on all sides as be- ,
~ absolutely incorruptihle. Pos J
essed Of an ample income from his G
rofession, he had accepted the nom l
nation to the legislature al consider !
BILE personal cost, solely from a con- e
ction that Il was his duty to the =
tate. Back 81 this there may have 7
zen an ambition reaching far ont and 0
pwards into the future. but II 50 his n
sarest confidants did not know it. Q
, any event. his public career had a
cen dominated by the highest ideals, "
IA he was the boast and pride Of the a
.tfer element among the citizens OF v
+ district. n
II happened about the time that the y
nnsoidated Electric bills needed y
llv one vote to insure their passage. o
veritable battle ensued between this
roug. powerful man, and this keen, h
lroit and resourceful woman. She n
as the trump card in the hand Of 81
r clever and INSCRIPTIONS husband. nj
-. "a4