Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1901-09-13
MT ELL, it's all off; we win."
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w The party at the extreme
end OF the bar 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 to the
speaker with something Of disgust in
his face.
Haven't you learned yet, Joe, not
to talk in public room? Forget it,"
"But-"
But nothing. Take drink; the
changes not made yet; it will steady
your nerve"
The black-haired young fellow who
had Joined the party. in. a state of ex-
citement became clam and silently
threw down the drink handed him by
the bar tender.
"Come to my room at nine," said the
long man with the chin whiskers in
low voice. Then louder: swell, good
night, boys, I've got to go over that
reapportionment bill tonight"
An hour later the same party were
gathered in Maj. Franklin's room.
They had dropped in one at time in
a quiet way and the major had rung
for an ample supply of liquor and
cigars.
"Now, Joe, what is it?" asked the
major.
''It's all off. The Consolidated Elec-
trio people have sent to Washington
for Harold Treat, and that means the
bill will go through. So I guess we
don't lose out on this session."
"Ain't that sign of weakness?"
suggested the heavy-faced man with
the gray eyes. "Looks to me like
the drowning man grasping at a
straw"
''Not on your tintype," replied Joe.
"Treat never yet lost measure when
he tried to put 1t through. Heavens
knows what they had to pay him, but
it's a sure thing that the bill goes
through"
In due time Harold Treat, famed
throughout the country as lobbyist
of boundless resource and marvellous
tact, arrived at the state capital. He
was accompanied by his wife, wom-
an of great charm of manner and
personality so strong as to win from
the start those with whom she came
in contact. Treat went to work
quietly to round up enough members
to pass the Consolidated Electric bill.
He first went over the ground care
fully and learned what had been done.
The newspapers were full of the mat
ter and everywhere, throughout the
state, the bill 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
one way or another, were afraid to
brave the storm.
Treat remained cool and confident
and within two weeks it was given out
quietly that four members had been
added to those formerly pledged to
support the measure. There was still
one vote lacking, and 1t seemed that
It was impossible to get it. Treat
smiled imperturbably and said he
would. How he expected to do it the
Oldest politicians at the capital could
not guess.
Meantime Mrs. Treat had remained
wholly oblivious to the great contest.
Her brilliant attainments, her modest
demeanor, her charming and ingen-
nous manner and her pervading per-
sonality won her friends everywhere
in the society of the capital. She
dressed with the most exquisite taste
and at once upon her appearance in
the functions of "the official set" at
tracted the attention and admiration
of all men. Among those was Henry
RAYMOND, one of the most brilliant
and conspicuous members of the leg
islature: a man Of unusual gifts, who
had won pronounced success in his
profession and who came from dis
tinguished family. Raymond was
classed among the few members who
were acknowledged on all sides as be-
inc absolutely incorruptible. Pos
sessed of an ample income from his
profession, he had accepted the nom-
ination to the legislature at consider
able personal cost, solely from con-
viction that It was his duty to the
state. Back Of this there may have
been an ambition reaching far out and
unwards into the future, but II so his
nearest confidants did not know It,.
Tn any event, his public career had
been dominated by the highest ideals,
and he was the boast and pride of the
hetter element among the citizens OF
his district.
It happened about the time that the
Consolidated Electric bills needed
only one vote to insure their passage,
veritable battle ensued between this
strong, powerful man, and this keen,
adroit and resourceful woman. She
was the trump card in the hand of
her clever anu uhsSi uPuiou9 "', '
When he had accomplished all that
money and an appeal to ambition and
n resort to his almost hypnotic power
could do, he and she sized up the pos
sibilities and the tremendous poten-
tiality of sexual power was called into
play upon some man selected with
scientific analysis by these two adopts
in the study Of human nature.
In this case, with the audacity ofgen-
ius they selected Henry Raymond as
tbe victim. 1t was bold stroke, be-
cause. II successful, it would not only
rive them the result they sought, but
would in measure disarni criticism
and lend to their bad cause the great
weight and influence Of man who
was regarded everywhere as the per-
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