The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1901-03-28

the table testified that the confer
e11ce was of the most important ma
ture and that the situation was far
from satisfactory. The tall, raw-boned
man, with the eyes which seemed to
turn inwards, jammed himself still
deeper into the easy chair in which
he sat, bit off mouthful of plug to-
baceo and, turning to the slender man
10 his right with the piercing black
eyes and the prematurely gray head,
asked:
Brooks, are you sure these are all
the votes we can get?'
"Dead sure" was the reply. "There
isn't single other fellow who is even
wavering."
The tall man turned to the hand
some, dapper, well-groomed, middle
aged man on his left.
"Are you sure we can depend alb
/ solutely on all of these, Murray?" he
asked.
Every one," replied Murray. "At
least for to-morrow's ballot"
"We're only one shy" remarked
the tall man, turning his eyes inwards
again and speaking with great delib-
about shutting off the graft for the
boys-although it would make it a
dry session; but l am afraid that it
will give the other fellows control of
the organization. That's what Hat
field is figuring on. He wants to be
governor"
There was murmur of surprise.
brooks whistled and said, softly:
"lt's more important than I
thought. Why, Hatfield is impossi-
ble II he were to be elected we might
as well get of the earth. Are you
sure, Joe?''
Dead sure" was the reply. "And
this is his opportunity. If they beat
US Tomorrow, it will be heralded all
over the state as victory over the
poodle gang and Hatfield will get
the credit for it. Then look out for
the band wagon fellows. They will
Jump to get next to the other crowd,
and we will be unable to figure on
anybody-hey, Murray?"
Exactly replied Murray, gravely.
Its very devil of situation. Can't
wepostpone the vote, and take the lead
IN passing the confounded bill. Bet
Ter let the graft go than to lose the
organization.'
"No," replied the tall man, setting
ms heavy jaw and knitting his bushy
orows. THE trick would be too cheap
ana transparent. / wish to Heaven
we mad never started to fight the in
iefnai thing, but we can't back out
now"
ihere was silence of some min.
utes, when suddenly the leader arose
WIN resolution written all over his
iahKy frame. He strobe across the
room and pushed button.
Find Billy O'Connor, and tell him
: want to see him." he said to the
bell hoy.
now much money can be used?'
ne asked the short, stocky man with
'ne gray side whiskers.
We've spent lot, you know" re
piieo Lester. Still. we must not lost
som.foi. =. How much must we have?'
.., len thousand; maybe fifteen"
!. "hew!" whistled Lester, archins
ms eyebrows.
The situation is desperate, sait
'ne leader. 1--WE must resort to des
perate action"
,, ~ get the money" replied Lester
sl'er moments pause. whats tn,
game doe? There's positively not an
money" n0 VIII
ihe leaders eyes became dull an,
pressionless as he remarked:
! have an idea that Hatfield ma,
@ M pe present to vote tomorrow"
natheld!" exclaimed the three i,
UNISON. "You wouldn't offer hir
.ertainly not" replied the leade,
~ ! nave presentiment that b
oe Ill Tomorrow"
,ht sust then the door opened, and
'hiek-set man, with a heay