Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1903-12-19
Copyright. 1899. BY Herber, S. Stone & Co.

sSiSo suAtS, WIN turr-dOwn collars,
blue and white spotted sailor scarfs.
and black bowler hats OF similar shape.
While l was gaping at this singular
spectacle. one of the seven took the
seat at the head of the table with his
back to me. motioning to the others
to seat themselves, which they did,
three on each side, leaving the space
at the foot of the table unoccupied.
Then the chairman struck the table
sharply with his open hand.
Let the candidate for the seventh
place on the council stand forward"
he said.
For the space OF three of four sec
onds nobody stirred. Then a man.
who was sitting near the entrance to
the cabin. shot to his feet as If taken
by surprise. squared his shoulders, with
his arms lying stiff at his side. and
stood in the attitude which in the
drillyard is known as "at attention"
I could not see the face of the man
at the head OF the table, but | knew
instinctively that the two eyes OF him
were covering the candidate, like twin
guns in a battery screwed up to cover
target Though his back was to me,
] seemed In some way TO feel the pene-
trating intentness of his eyes, and to
share the discomposure which the OBJ
ject of his scrutiny was evidently ex-
perlencing. The military stiffness of
the upstander's bearing seemed to ooze
out of his fngertips His shoulders
contracted. and his head. which at
first was we'll thrown back. came for
ward, and into his eyes stole a sheep
ish, furtive look which but Ill became
him.
All this was not lost upon the man
at the head OF the table. II seemed to
me that his voice took on an added
sharpness as. with tho single word
There" he pointed with his pen to
the foot OF the table where the candi-
date would be facing the company. The
man moved TO the position indicated.
and then the chairman addressed him
In a hard. cold voice
You have come here as a candidate
for the seventh place on the council?
Is that so?'
That as So" replied the other sY.-
lenly.
II need not tell you that yoy have
not been invited here tonight without
due consideration as to your ability for
the post you seek to FILL | may tell
you too that you have been a marked
man for some months past. If /
mistake not, you have suspected the
position OF affairs in regard TO this
council for long time. and we decided
chat one of two things must happen
either that your undoubted ability must
be enlisted on the side or the council.
or else-well-that the council must
be protected from any injury you
have Ii in your power to do us. What
The latter alternative would necessitate
need not now. fortunately, be dweit
upon. You have, believe, been
sounded-carefully, OF course-in re-
gard to your readiness TO undertake
the responsibilities or the post Am
III right in supposing that you do not
( come here altogether ignorant OF what
these responsibilities mean?"
81 do not" said the candidate
You are aware that once having
/ Joined MS there is no going back. and
/ that for the man who plays us false
there is only one penalty?"
The fellow nodded.
Very good. And, on the other hand.
you arc probably not unaware that
| there are certain advantages accruing
! TO a seat on the council which are
| not altogether to be despissd?"
II had surmised as much" said the
candidate, almost insolently. and with
greedy glitter in his small eyes
Very. good" with an inclination OF
the head. lis it your will, brothers.
! that this man be elected TO the council
in place of Councillor Number Seven.
! whose name We have decided TO re-
move?"
He looked inquiringly at his six col
leagues, some of whom responded with
yes" while others merely nodded
assent.
Very we'll You are elected, and
will be known henceforth as Councillor
Number Seven. You may perhaps
think. considering the importance to
yourself, and to us, and 10 others. OF
the post you now occupy, that our
ceremony of election is somewhat in
formal. But we are men, and in ear
nest: not children playing at being con-
spirators. Hence we so through no
melodramatic form of Initiation and
exact from you no narrowing VOW. We.
who constitute the council, are united
by the strongest of all bonds-self-in-
terest- That is a bond which binds
men more closely than any oath. Sit
down, Councillor Number Seven. Now
| that you are one of us. it is right that
you should be taken into our conf
dence to some extent. You are no
doubt aware that most of us here are
more or less officially connected with
certain organizations and societies
some OF which are secret, and some of
which are not?"
Quite aware" was the prompt re-
Spouse.
"All of which are of a political ma
ture?"
That I understand, too"
very we'll Just now there is a
big public that is In favor OF agita-
ton Of every sort-of leagues, asso-
Citations and uniOus-and 90 have