The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-05-08

Campaign"
The democrat rented a little dark
back office over the Saddle Rock res
taurant, and began to entice the
leading citizens, one by one, into his
den for a secret chat. Mayor Jones
from his window began to notice
This move, and smiled sardonically
as he noticed that they went into the
building with Talbot and were all
smiles. But when they came out
they looked nervous. worried, even
scared. Then Jones got worried. He
tried to pump some of the leading
republicans, whom he had seen come
furtively out of Talbot's office, but
they either refused to discuss the
matter, or put him off with: 80, Just
one of Talbot's little jokes" But
the envious Jones, in spite of his al
most certain success, was puzzled
and, hating Talbot with all the ran
cor of defeated lover, began to
court his friendship.
The guileless democrat fell into
the trap. One day he met the young
mayor coming down Main street,
and thus airily accosted him:
Morning, Jonesy! You're nv
friend, aren't you? OF course Well,
now l want you to come up into nv
office for a ten minutes talk. All
l ask of you, and I'm going to put
you on your honor, is that you never
breathe a word to any living crea-
ture about what you see in nv Of
fee. Will you promise? Good! Your
word is as good as your oath. Now
come up"
When they had entered Talbot's
office he pulled down the shade and
lighted candle. Then, from clos
ct, he pulled out continuance that
looked exactly like clothes wringer.
Talbot explained that it was ma
chine for printing money! He picked
up piece of white cloth, clipped it
the size of a regulation treasury bill,
and said:
(Which will I make you, a five or
a temp"
ga ten," whispered Mayor Jones,
his greedy eyes bullying.
Talbot started the blank paper be-
tween the rollers, turned the handle
and chucllled as a brand new SO
note came simultaneously out of the
machine. Jones could hardly believe
his eyes. He took the note and fin
gered it. He had been a bank clerk,
and he knew it was as perfect as a
treasury issue.
What do you want me to do?" he
asked, softly, getting pale, but fasci-
mated.
I'll sell you $1,000 of the money
for $780, whispered Talbot
"Tll-would you take $4OO-it's so
easy, Talbot. Besides, I'm"
NO. no, no, Jonesey; I've only one
price"
Give me till tomorrow" hesitated
the mayor.
"All right, old man. Take the bill
with you, and find out if it isn't all
right. If it is and you're willing to
trade then, I'll ask you to sign an
order for $4,000, or whatever you
want, to be delivered in, say 30 days.
Here's one of the orders. You see
it reads note heads and is merely a
memo"
HAS anybody else - err ordered
any?"
'Now, see here, Jonesey, that's my
secret. And remember you've prom
ised to say nothing. l couldn't squeal
if l wanted to, because well,
don't want to land in the PEN"
And Jones promised secrecy, and
went away torn by conflicting emo
tions of greed, malice and injured
pride. He knew there was a stand
ing reward of $1,000 for counterfeit
ers of SO bills. To give Talbot up
meant revenge, a big profit, and,
above all, Catherine. The next day
Haskell Talbot was in his office when
Mayor Jones and a stranger tip
toed to his door and knocked. He
let them in. Jones dramatically
pointed to his prey. The secret serv-
ice man, pistol in hand, let the shade
fly up, and growled:
where's your OUTFIT"
But when Talbot displayed his
money the officer got red
with rage, and turned upon Mayor
Jones, and roared:
'D'you fetch me all the way down
here count O that chestnut? You
must be jay for sure. Why, that's
one o them magician things. 1t
don't make no counterfeits."
Then Talbot laughed like a boy
and the detective laughed like a
horse, but Mayor Jones stood, grin
ming sickly, till the joker said:
'Never mind, old man, I'll not give
you away.
Jones might have regained his self
esteem if he had been elected but
when he knew that Talbot had de-
feated him he had actually jumped
the town and was well on his way
to Kansas City before he figured out
that even a prominent" republican
would rather vote for a democrat
than be shown up as a dealer in
counterfeit money.
As for Talbot, Mayor Talbot, he
tore up all those orders for mote
heads, even to the last, Judge Grin
StaoH'C Int 1.