Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-08


/ l was attired in my most becoming gown
when her carriage stopped at the door, for
the wise woman does not appear aHtpng
newspaper people in shabby clothes.
about Terhunes past" she explained as
soon as the carriage door closed. 1t
would make an awful scandal If the Thun-
derer We're to print it. l am told that
Judge Henry himself has been to Perkins,
the editor-in-chief, and begged him not to
publish 1t, and Teddy says the republican
handsome to keep it out of the Thunderer.
But Perkins swears it shall go in" =.
But what can we do" said, where all
these have failed?'
You'll see," she answered, with de-
termined look in her eye. I've known Ed.
Perkins ever since he wore dresses"
Are the stories about Terhune true?"
asked. IF they are not, what harm can
they do?
That's just the point" she admitted
More than likely they are. But here we
ara."
We entered one of the great business
blocks and were transported in a moment
to the topmost floor. Mrs. Parsons card
would admit her anywhere. and we were
ushered at once into the presence OF one OF
the most loved, feared and hated men in
Illinois. The great editor was literally deep
in manuscript, proof and newspapers. but
he rose to greet us with quite courtly air
"A newspaper office Is neither SUNDAY
school nor a drawing room," Minnie Nor
rison had said one day. but no knight OF
the carpet could excel Mr.. Perkins in ele-
gance Of manner as he shook hands with
Mrs. Parsons and acknowledged the intro
duction to me.
Pray be seated, ladies'" he said, clearing
out two chairs piled full of exchanges.
Now. what can do for you?"
Now Ed" Mrs. Parsons began in her
confidential tone, lets not beat about the
bush, nor pretend things. I'll wager any
thing you're guessing inside Just why we
are here; and also that you already scent
the Good Government Club.
He laughed, consciously.
well, what are you after?" he said pleas
antly.
ED, 1 want you to remember the days
when we were young together. 1 want you
to recall what my mother was to yours;
what my father was to you when you were
growing lad-yes, after you came into
mans estate
He looked narrowly at his finger nails.
1.-The best friend 1 ever had he said.
I'm not likely to forget that. Go on"
Now, Ed, you are not going to publish
that screed about Terhune?" she pursued
calmly.
"Oh! am not?" and his face hardened
mo, you are not l have never asked
many favors of you, Ed" and her voice
grew plaintive; Il am going to ask this
What's Terhune to your growled the
editor.
Nothing, personally more than a good
neighbor, worthy citizen and fit candidate
she answered. But stand for the princi-
pie of the thing. He represents the best
element of the city. He is solid financier,
a vestryman in ST. Sebastian's, and a hero
of two wars. He is patriot, Ed-a pa
triot"
HUH was the only response.
by printing this old, forgotten scandal
even II 1t be true-you are pandering to the
lowest tastes of the multitude and running
the reputation of one who proved himself
hero at Bull Run and at San Juan; one
of Chicago's best citizens
incidentally, we are selling half a million
nnyoin of o,,I 1oIv, iv,rr
cratic party" was the firm reply. You must
not forget that business is one thing and
sentiment another that religion Is quite
different from politics.
Quite, indeed" said Mrs Parsons with
cutting sarcasm then changing her tone,
ED. appeal to you as an earnest woman
to a good man. Do not print this scurri-
louS article
The man was like flint. and she argued
and entreated in vain for some moments.
Then he rose the signal for us to go.
"One moment said Mrs. Parsons with
Out rising. Sit down. Then 1 am to I'M
derstand that you absolutely refuse to keep
that article out of your paper?"
1T is in type. madam and will be in the
morning ISSUE" was the firm reply. 1T is
the biggest scoop of the decade. and can
rot understand how you found it out. But
it will have to go. Business is business,
every time. and am not running an elee-
mosynary institution"
Then, Ed Perkins, listen to me-" and
culating as his. You are running your
son for mayor of this city,"
He is candidate-yes. admitted the
man. And a good one"
He is a good fellow" said Mrs. Parsons
land will overcome the fault of being
youthful in time: but he will not be elect
ed"
Mr.. Perkins smiled incredulously 1T be.
leve We do not have female suffrage in
Chicago yet" he said. incsively.
mo" was the prompt reply. But we
have female influence. If you object to tho
word woman We have female taxpay-
ers female mill owners. and. most i'm
portant Of all women who can influence The
workingmen's vote"
what do you mean?" said Mr.. Perkins,
turning sharply to look her square in thu
face.
Just this. Ed Perkins, and she looked
him straight in the eye. II, myself, own
an ice plant which employs over thou
sand men. I am the sole owner of the
Shoshone Steel Company. which keeps six
teen hundred men at work. am known
among them all. look after their fam
lies. 1 know personally many of their
wives. am a sort Of fairy godmother to
hosts of their suualid little children And
1 control every one of these twenty-six
hundred votes"
"And you would condescend to do it?' he
asked doubtingly.
II would condescend to do it," she an.
swered irmly. mot only that. but in this
Good Government Club there are four other
women who are factory owners and whose
influence can be turned against YOU.
The mans face blanched.
well. what do you propcse?" he asked.
"Just this. You give me your word of
honor-no. your written word Of honor"
she added, that you will not now or at
any other time print or otherwise circulate
your story about Terhune, and your boy
shall be our next mayor"
This Is a high-handed proceeding" he
murmured
Eyes; that is why the Good Government
Club was organized" answered Mrs. Par
sons, good-naturedly. Perhaps you will
not deride us. after this. Come" and now
she rose to CO. do l understand that you
consent to my proposition
by heavens!'' he cried. II won't be bull
dozed by lot of women. The Thunderer
will do what 1t pleases."
Very well. Come. Mrs. Henning," and
she moved majestically toward the door.
but you understand the alternative.
Twenty-six hundred votes WIFI count for
something, and the election is bound to be
close"
Come back" said the editor weakly. 81
give you my word. The article shall be
suppressed"
'In writing. please" commanded the
president of the Good Government Club and
the Nota Bene.
He wrote what she asked Of him and
handed 1t to her.
sThank YOU Ed; and now good-by." She