The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-11
CHAPTER XIV.

THE BREAKING w VI LIE ANH'
William P. Griggs was somewhat per-
plexed when he received the message orally
from the messenger boy, and was inclined
10 investigate a little before leaving the
work he had I'm hand. The boy insisted
that all he knew about II was that lady
ne never saw before stopped him In the
street and told him to say TO Mr. Grigss'
the correspondent in Newspaper row, that
he could get some good stuff by calling
that evening upon Mrs Senator Shacklett.
He was not sure that she said Mrs. Sen
ator," but he was certain that the rest or
the message was delivered verbatim, and
IL was the wife Of the senator who was
meant, dead sure"
The relations OF the Times, Of Senator
Shackiett's State, with the senator himself
were so delicately poised since that post
Office matter had come up that William p.
Griggs, who hoped to get an appointment
in the diplomatic service soon, felt that his
calling at the house in Fourteenth street
might in itself have consequences unsus-
pected by less diplomatic but well-meanins
people, who expected TO do him favor by
sending him after a society item some
thing of the sort.
But William p. Griggs felt the weight of
his responsibility as the Washington rep
resentative of the Times, and it would not
do to allow anything to escape which might
have an important bearing on his papers
attitude toward the senator. The more he
thought about it the more he was per-
picked. Why was the message anonymous!
Was 1t a part of the plan of some meddiing.
self-appointed peacemaker, who imagined
that she was earning the reward mentioned
I'm the fifth chapter of Matthew, or was 1t
the trap of some of the other wing OF the
party, who hoped to make mess or the
whole thing and hurt both the paper ana
Shacklett? But the only thing to do. he
finally said to himself. was to go up to see
what il all meant and trust to his diplo-
matte ability to get safely through the five
minutes or half an hour into which ne
would plunge blindfolded.
He went a little early TO have it over as
soon as possible. and Mrs. Shacklett came
down so soon after his card went UP that
Griggs felt treasured as to her desire to
appear friendly. But was the friendliness
toward himself personally, or toward the
paper? AND was 1t real. or was 1t the Dip
Iomatic play of a woman acknowledged to
be one of the shrewdest in Washington?
He finally decided that Ii was deep diplo-
macy. because he always saw deep diploma
cy in the acts of every one, including him.
self. Your true diplomat is never aught but
a diplomat, even at a Bohemian party or
in dealing with the janitor OF his fiat. All
these thoughts passed through the mind of
Griggs while Mrs. Shacklett was passing
the portieres. They gave place to others
when she did not display any great cor
diality in her tone as she said:
Mr.. Griggs, this is an unexpected pleas
ure, but L glad you have come to see
me again, and can give you a couple OF
columns tonight. Make yourself perfectly
comfortable in that other chair, and I'll
talk to you first about home affairs. for
know how hurried "a correspondents al
ways pretend TO be at this time in the
evening Afterward we can chat as long
as you have time to stay, for 1 am not go
ing out tonight
Griggs decided that the proper diplomatic
tone was one of genuine interest without
too much appreciation. and after he had
made the remarks he chose as appropriate
to the occasion Mrs. Shacklett went on:
'I was just thinking of the eminent do
main bill before your card was brought tC
me. 1t will pass tomorrow. and the Pres
ident has promised Senator Shacklett tC
sign II. Nobody knows that but you among
the newspaper men You can write 10
about the immense benefit 1t will be to tn,
people of our State who depend upon irri
cation. and you can truthfully say that il
becomes a law solely because Senator
Shacklett pushed 1t with great energy ant
+ac1. You know it was fought rather bit
terly when II was in the House, and Sena
tor Shacklett had to do some rather fine
work to get the opposing interests wor
over He made personal sacrifices, too, fol
there were at least six appointments which
would have done him more good in Other
directions that were given up to help OF
the passageway OF the bill. You know al
about the fight he made for 1t in the Sen
ate. and / tell you that the President only
signs |, upon the personal guarantee Of
Senator Shacklett that it is all right. Il
you want to mention the influence of oul
State in national legislation you have
good chance. SO far as the success OF the
measure Is concerned 1t will be beat fol
you. for I'm sure that the other peopl,
know nothing about 1t. You like exclusiv,
news. 1 think
For once Griggs began to think that h,
was hardly ready for that appointment
from the foreign Office" Here he was, or
paper WHlCn ndu De6n CONeTily HBnllIle
Shacklett fer weeks by failing to mention
his name ice in all that time. and here
was Shackletts wife coolly asking him t
write two columns of praise of her hus
band. She knew. too. that the fight wa.
because her husband had shamefully treat
ed the Times by getting ready to install it.
worst enemy, politically. in the most infu
entail Office in the State. He was beyond
his depth. but he finally came to the sur
face long enough to say:
II am a thousand times obliged to you
Mrs. Shacklett, and will write somethin,
tomorrow and send it. and see what Mr.
Swart will do with it,
81 wish you would telegraph II tonight,
was the next remark the senator's wife de
Hvered. very coolly and without apparen
regard for its absolutely paralyzing effec
upon Griggs.
81 ought to do that, i know" he STAN
mered. but, you see, tonight i have L
send that debate on silver, and 1t will b
about all can get of. II you will be kim
enough TO keep II from the rest Of the me-
for a few days-and L know you wilI-wh
won't 1t do as well by mail?"
But. you see" she replied. 1--WE mus
always look for the diplomatic effect O