River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-07-07

WOrh. never WduCSu any LuluS OAC-
tenth as much as want you. will pay
the price" He left her abruptly.
The campaign was short, sharp and
decisive. The vigor with which both
Chamberlain and Morton took hold Of
it soon drove all competitors from the
field. But even the desperate energy
which Chamberlain threw into it his as
pirations and the full exercise of his
splendid powers were overshadowed and
nullified by the tremendous force dis
played by Morton. Morton had dom
inant hold on the party organization
and familiarity with men and methods
and details beside which Chamberlain
proved mere infant. Morton knew the
veal ness, the strength, the associations
and the relationships Of every man in
the legislature. He knew how to reach
the inner motives Of every man OF them
and he left no stone unturned. While
Chamberlain gave much of his time to
the rallying of public sentiment, Morton
went only after legislative votes. 1t was
openly talked in political circles that
Morton was mortgaging his future in
every way in his fight, that every inter-
est in the state that might want any ia
vors from the federal government was
receiving substantial assurances of his
cooperation in case of his election in ex-
change for present help. But what puz-
led the wise ones was the access to money
which Morton seemed suddenly to have
acquired. The sums spent in his be-
half approached those attributed to the
mining kings in the western states when
they decided to buy senatorship. And
the pulling part of it was that Morton
was known to be man of small means.
He had always been eager for political
power and not at all thrifty in money
understanding only money enough
to supply his personal needs and willing
ever to sacrifice pecuniary rewards in
politics and elsewhere in order to attain
greater political power.
At any rate, money by the barrel was
spent in his behalf; every exertion was
made by those in charge of special inter-
ests with weather eye on Washington,
and nearly every efficient politician in
the state was active in his behalf.
The result was foreshadowed. Nor
ton was elected by an overwhelming
vote.
1t was the greatest scandal the senate
ever encountered. Grave and reverend
senators were nearly in tears about it.
Senator Morton was charged in criminal
proceedings with prostituting his high
office for a money price. 1t was charged
that he had represented an illegitimate
concern in an illegitimate transaction
before department of the government
for a money fee.
The trial dragged YEARLY at first, but
became more exciting as it progressed.
Finally 1t was shown that Senator Nor
ton had made it business of represent
ing questionable interests in their eff
forts to slide under departmental regu
lations, before the heads Of government
al Offices and that he had received
money fees therefor He was found
guilty, sentenced to a short term in the
penitentiary, which involved the loss Of
loss of his citizenship.
After the sentence had been pro-
nounced and Morton had returned to his
hotel under bonds, he was visited by a
woman heavily veiled-Helen Winston.
The interview was short.
81 release you from your pledge" he
said to her in the same cold, clear voice
he had ever used. 81 played for high
stakes and lost. Only one thing have
to ask of you-believe that through it
all / have loved you honestly and un-
selfishly. What did would have done
for no other reason than my love for
you. It was made the price for your hand
that I become senator. I became sena-
tor and paid the price-but the load
assumed was too heavy, and in paying
it have lost not only you but all else
l do not regret it. If I had it to do over
again l would do the same-but you are
not interested in this; good-by."
That night Chamberlain called upon
her and made a last plea. "You were
dazzled with the glamour of apparent
success" said he. "Now you see the fu-
tility of success won at the price of
honor. love you, Helen. Forget all
We will travel the safe and the happy
road-and it will not be without success
and honor"
She turned away her head and said:
"No, not now. Wait for few months. %
On the day Morton was released from
his imprisonment three months later
he found a carriage waiting. Inside the
carriage was woman-Helen Winston.
He started in surprise.
what, your" he gasped.
Eyes, DEAR" she said, simply, "and
this is our wedding day. Ipalliate moth
ing of your dishonesty-but you did it
for love of me. Greater love hath no
man. will go to the end of the world
with you"
He looked at her keenly out of his keen,
gray eyes. Then the tears welled up-for
perhaps the first time in his life.
"The world we'll lost" he said, as he
gathered her in his arms.
The following day Morton and his wife
departed for South America