The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-12-11
Tried in the Dalance.
By D. A. CHAUNcEY.

7 settled down. But the news, we'll, the
news is this: The Tenth ward club has
voted to endorse me for state senator,
and the leaders in the Eighth and Eff
teenth have sent word that their clubs
will do the same. That means the no1nl-
nation for certainty, and nomination
in this district is equivalent to an cleo
ton. Think of it, Katie, darling, the
Honorable Wilbur Gray, senator. And
! it will give me all kinds of prestige and
help me build up my practice. What's
I the matter, sweetheart, don't You like
the nsws?"
For the gladness had faded from the
girls face and an expression almos. CT
terror had succeeded 1t.
ooh, Will, don't do it; don't do it:
| she cried, passionately. Don't get
caught in that terrible cesspool Politics
are rotten to the core There is NO
man who can touch them and come
out with clean hands. Don't ruin your
future-our future-and destroy your
prospects by defling yourself. Don't
don't. 1t is the dream of my life to get
away from all contact with politics. and
she buried her face in her hands and
sobbed in agony Of apprehension.
"But l must go on now" replied the
young man, II have told the boys to go
ahead and / have no good reason to turn
back Besides, Katie, after what you
have said, 1 can do no less than go on
and show you that am an honest man
and neither atmosphere nor surroundings
can affect true honesty, you know 1T
is a pretty poor sort Of honesty that can
not stand temptation"
Much more was said but he grew more
determined and the result was that
few months later Wilbur Gray took mis-
seat In the senate. The session was yet
young when the Republicans in the legis-
lature. began to agitate for legislative
investigation of municipal corruption IN
the great metropolis of the state which
was in the hands of the Democrats. Gray
was a Democrat, and the Republican
leaders in debate tainted the Democrats
with the charges against their manage
ment of the city's affairs made by all or
the Republican newspapers and most or
those of Independent proclivities, and at
the opposition of the minority to an In
vestigation. Then one day up rose SEN
ator Gray from his seat in the senate.
and made a speech that was the sensation
OF the session. In a burst of eloquence
that thrilled all hearers, he denied that
the Democrats, as party, were opposing
the investigation and pledged his vote
and energy in aiding in the work of run
ming down dishonesty in the public service
anywhere, irrespective Of the party affili-
ations Both sides considered 1t a master
stroke, although Republicans sneered at
the good faith of the statement. The In
vestigation was ordered. and Gray was
| made the second member of the COM
mittee.
| "Oh. I see,' smiled Kelly, who had been
uneasy. HE will be where / can keep
| things from going too far.
The investigation began and Gray threw
| himself into it with an ardor that made
! him the central figure. He had prepared
| himself thoroughly and outshone all the
| other members of the committeeman
the Republican chairman.
/ One day Tom Kelly came home in a
/ fearful rage.
/ Gray is a fool and an migrate" ne
| shrieked HE has dragged the whole
series of contracts, old and new, into
! that id investigation. If he doesn't
let up we are ruined. Katie, because they
will sue on the bonds .
eDoes he know asked Kate, in a low
voice.
eyes, / sent word to him this morning.