Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-02-14
NN By Adrian
!. STRING L. Potter
PROMISES
Copyright, 1901, by A. L. Potter.

house. good to receive the smiling
greetings of the ebony servitors in the
balls and the cloakroom, good to hear
the clink of glasses and the shouts of
laughter from Il distant cardroom.
So thought Dick Dean as he paused
in the reading room and gaZed with
satisfaction at the rich furnishings i'll
the mellow lamplght. His trip abroad
had done him a world of good. He was
ready to take up the old life with new
vigor. Suddenly the light died out Of
bis face. Who was that speaking?
Whiteleaf? Yes, that was Whiteleaf,
the banker.
Jonas Ncrden will be the next may
or of this city, gentlemen. He was
promised it last fall, and today the di
rectors of The Daily Times voted to
support him as the candidate in the
coming caucus"
Dean stood motionless, his eyes fixed
Oil the curtained doorway leading into
a small committee room. an ominous
light flashing from his deepset eyes.
Whiteleaf was the acknowledged party
boss.
THAT will be merry music for Dean
to hear when he lands" remarked a
second speaker. "He told me just be-
fore he sailed that you had promised
him your support during the coming
campaign"
"Well," drawled Whiteleaf, "things
have changed The welfare of the par
ty and-er-that North Benson fran
chise call for different chap than
Dean for our candidate for mayor.
But, mark my words, Dean will take
his medicine like a little man. He'd
never desert the gang. Besides, l did
not promise; just limited that he was in
line for the lightning to strike-a sort
of pink string promise. He'll land an
office some day. He's young"
Yes, but suppose the buzzing bee de-
mands honeyT'
The curtains parted, and Dean stood
before the astonished politicians.
'He does demand it, gentlemen. I
am here to exact of Mr.. Whiteleaf the
fultilment of that promise-pink
strings or no pink strings!'
Whiteleaf was the first of the quar-
tet to recover his composure. He was
mentally calculating just how much of
the conversation Dean had heard.
"Glad to see you, Dick. Didn't look
for you before the middle of the
month. What will you have"
Nothing" replied Dean. ignoring the
outstretched hand, until you have ex-
planned the meaning of the speech |
unfortunately overheard"
"Come, come, my boy, don't be hot
headed. You have had enough expert
ence in wirepulling to know that all is
fair in love, war and politics."
"a promise given and received in
good faith should stand in love, war or
politics. When | withdrew from the
nomination in favor of jenkins two
years ago. you gave me promise. Do
you intend to redeem it?'
Whiteleaf quailed before the angry
young man and glanced uneasily at his
colleagues.
"Think of the welfare of your par
ty''-
"Will you redeem that promise?' in
terposed Dean inexorably.
Whiteleaf lost his temper.
"I'll do as | darn pleaSew
"Thats all l want to know" replied
Dean, with calmness that should
have warned the red faced banker of
impending catastrophe. Then he walk
ed back to the cloakroom, donned his
raglan and went forth into the black,
drizzlng night.
A moment later he met young polit
ical worker in his party. They had
been schoolmates. Now one was rich
manufacturer, the other a wage earn
ing mechanic. Daniel Porter was lead
er of certain faction of the party, so
the manufacturer halted the mechanic,
and as their hands met the rich man
said;
Dan, I'm out for the nomination this
fall. Are you with me?"
every minute, on conditions"
"Can you swing the boys into line?"
"Yes, if you'll do business"
"What do you mean?"
Square yourself on certain points"
"Name them"
"The city laborers want fifteen cent
day raise in pay, the boys want Colo
mel Handyside for city marshal, and
they want NJ. ]. King appointed on the
board of license commissioners, and, of
course, you'll be expected to remember
your friends when 1t comes to other ap-
pointive officers. That is about all my
end of the combine wants"
"And that is about all there is to be
had, isn't it?" asked Dean, with a
smile.
"Oh, there's few more things we
may think of later. How do the ones
mentioned hit you?"
81 am favorable to the city granting
its laborers more pay. Colonel Handy
side would make an admirable mar
shal. There can be no doubt as to Mr..
Kings qualifications for a seat on the
license board, and l should most GER
tainly, Il elected, favor my friends us
far as possible"
"Say, Dick. you're just like all the
rest of the silk stocking politicians"
II.