The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1905-07-28

| lie down, and you don't apprecis 9
the value Of a fair start. Sometimes
think the worst mistake | ever made
was to save you term in the pen1-
Tertiary. A few years behind the bars
might have taught you something"
McMannls shot an angry glance Il
his host, and tlcsed fsrccly at his
stubby mustaehe Tor some moments
before he answered sullenly:
But | haven't lost my job and l
tell you I've quit drinhing."
But you're working to get yourself
j Kicked out with your union commit
tees and such folly"
Glow do you lnow it's folly?"
"Oh, never minG-go on. I'm not
going to argue with YOU
"All right I'm on the local COM
mittee, as I told you. and delegate
to the general convention which opens
tomorrow in Philadelphia. If l could
get some decent clothes, shed these
greasy, shiny rags, and go there with
come money in my pocket to make
friends and show little independence
believe I'd be elected to an Office
worth having"
And promptly get yourself Kicked
out of the tool company"
They wouldn't dare Flick me out
But I'd resign quick enough, promise
you"
And come to me for another $50
to support your position in proper
style? Thank you"
mo, I'd return your $50 I'd have
a good salary and could make some
thing more on the side. I'd have work
that suited me. some independence
and authority, and"
Eyes. l fancy you in authority!
You've had good practice in trying to
command yourself"
And I've done it," retorted Nc
Mannis, sharply, Haven't | stopped
drinking?"
But who is going to pay you this
salary. and what are you supposed t.
do for it,"
THE general union pays it. The Of
ficers are the master workman and his
assistants, of whom I'd be one. The
duties include travelling about the
country, looking into the conditions
of workmen, hearing their grievances,
laying them before the employers, de-
handing reforms, ordering stri' es on
and off, and in general. keeping the
forces together for united action Of
every kind"
In other words, you're to levy petty
blackmail on workmen and grand
blackmail on their employers for the
benefit of the officers of the league"
You may put it in that way if you
choose" answered the visitor, bit
terly. I'm not in a position to dis
pute you tonight. I'm asking for a
loan"
"A loan!"
Mr.. Harlan fairly snorted the word
Which III pay back if I'm elected"
added McMannis, persistently.
"And what chance have you of being
elected?"
Every chance. I'm better educated
than most of the men. My two years
Of college didn't teach me much. but
they put me ahead of my present asso-
ciates-and some of my past ones
I've knocked about the world a good
deal. I've seen something of this
eity,s politics, thanks to you. I'm a
member of Tammany Hall"
There's an education for you!" OBJ.
served Mr.. Harlan.
"DOn't underestimate itc vaIua - ra-
torted McMannis, meaningly. I'm
popular with my fellow-workmen, he
continued. II can make the sort of
speech they like to hear. I've every
chance, | think"
MIR. Harlan put his hand in his
pocket, pulled forth rel of bills, and
counted out $50.
I'm going TO give you this money,
Pete" he said slowly. "Of course |
new had to do that when ! let you
into the house. But mind, this is my
Unit. II you don't get elected, don't
come to me again, for I promise You
it's your last draft on my pocket. And
mind this. too Whether you're elected
n not, don't want you to come to this
7ouse again, If you ever get fit to
pay the money bacl1-which don't ex.
1eet-you can come to the office of the
Milling Companies. Do you under
stand?"
"of course. l dent want to annoy
You"
'All rieht, then. Here, take some
lore cigars Goodnight"
CHAPTER VI
The hcrsa show bored Mrs. Parsons, |
nd she had the courage to admit it. |
ut when scne one asked why she con-
,nued to go there year after year, she
erlied briskly, Because it's such q
Becoming habit, my dear" The ques-
ioncr smiled feebly at the answer |
vitao.,t fully comprehending it.
1t vas unnecessary to ask Miss Car |
aoll Parsons Why she attended the
1orse show. You could see it in her !
yes as she watched the sluggish hui
nan river flowing beneath the boxes; |
ioa could hear it in her laugh as she |
allied over her shoulder; you could |