The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1903-07-30
BENTON, LOUISIANA, THURSDAY JULY 80 1903

"Why, Duncan" she replied with
surprise and pity in her face and
voice, "wnat are you saying? You
know it is impossible. You already
have more of load than you can
carry"
"But I need help to carry it," he re-
Piled He went on in passionate ap-
peal, plying her for an answer
to the question as to her love until
she broke down under his ardor and
admitted that she loved him-but as
to the matter Of an engagement she
was adamant.
mo, Duncan" she said, II will not
tie you but I will wall for you. I
love you too much to be drag on
you. When you have solved your
problem and achieved career wor-
thy your ambitions if you want me I
will come to you, but not now,' and
he could not shake her.
In the meantime the politicians had
been discussing Duncan's appearance
in politics with more gravity than he
dreamed it warranted.
Hes got to be headed off or he'll
bust the combination" assented Maj
Buck, with profane emphasis.
"Wen, you can't frighten him off, I"
replied DR.. Jackson.
''Nor beat him, apparently added
| Tom Lurch.
No." said Judge Belknap, the real
''boss'' of the county. "We've got to
take care of him. Being business
man gives him a standing that is
hard to knock. I've been thinking
that it would be good scheme to
have Dustin appoint him commission
er Of public works.
Heavens" exclaimed the major;
"that's too good job. It's worth
$500 a year in salar..- and five times
that in graft in ordinary years, and
this year 20 times as much with the
new water works to be built"
"That's just it," replied the other
quietly. "I've studied the man. He
won't take cheap Office. We've got
to sacrifice something to get him
and I'm convinced he can't be depend
ed on after we get him. He's too am
bilious. He'll take the commission
! ership. He needs the money. Ther
we'll see to it that he is offered
enough on the water works job te
tempt him and then we'll raise row
have an investigation and pose, al
purists and reformers and he'll b
eliminated from politics forever ever
if he escapes the pen."
"John, you're genius" exclaimed
the major enviously.
"But it is blanked shame to let g
that water works graft after all th'
work we have done to get it framed
. up"
So the plot was laid and Maj. Dus
tin offered Duncan Taylor the newl.
created commissionership. 1t was
! very different line of public servic
than he had looked forward to, blu
he was fattered by the recognition
! and recognized the opportunity TO
service to the community. Then, too
the salary was a great. temptation
ne Hdu HIS UuSiHcsS oISdHiACu so
would run along with what directio
he would be able to give it and tn
salary for a couple of years woul
about clean up matters and pu
: things on an easy basis. He consult
ed Alice. but she would not advis'
"You must figure out your own CT
reer, Duncan" she said gently.
He accepted the appointment an
plunged into the added work wit
enthusiasm.
Then came the great temptation
2 When the bids for the new waite
works came up he was delicatel
: shown where he could clean up $50
900 by favoring certain contractin
concern in a way that apparently n
hint of crooked work could leak ou
Moreover, there would be anoth'
$4,000 IN sight in allowing of extra
: permitting the use of matters
y equally as good" but not technical
the same as specified and in oth'
ways where he was assured the cit
: would get the best possible resul
and would not have to pay any mo-
q than if a rival concern got the co
tract.