Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-22
Defvinp the Boss.

From The Plum Tee. by David Graham Phillips
tThe Bobbs-Merrill Company.
Next day, just before the voting began.
Dominick seated himself at the front of
the governors gallery-the only person in
it, | see him now as he looked that day
black and heavy-jawed and scowling. lean
ing forward, with both forearms on the
railing, and his big, fiat chin resting on his
upturned stubby hands. He was there to
see that each of us, his creatures, depend
ing absolutely upon him for our political
lives, should vote as he had sold us in block.
There was no chance to shirk, or even to
squirm. AS the roll call proceeded, one
after another, seven of US, obeyed that will
frowning from the gallery-jumped through
the hoop of fire under the Quivering lash. 1
was the eighth on the roll.
''Saylerr How my name echoed through
that horrible silence!
1 could not answer. Gradually every face
turned toward mel could see them. feel
Il en-, and, to make bad enough worse,
yielded to an imperious fascination, the
fascination of that incarnation of brute
horsepower of muscle and power of will.
| turned my eyes upon the amazed, furious
eyes of my master. 1t seemed to me that
his lips must give passage to the oaths and
filth swelling beneath his chest and seeth-
ing behind his eyes.
''Sayler! repeated the clerk, in voice
that exploded within me.
Mo- | shouted-not in answer to the
clerk, but in denial of that insolent master
lO-OOS cOflIldUu from the BEAST III the Ral-
lery.
The look in his eyes changed to relief and
cOntemptuouS approval There was muir
muir of derision from my fellow-members.
Then, remembering that negative was at
that stage of the bill vote for it, 1 had
done just the reverse of what | intended.
The roll call went on and l sat debating
with myself Prudence inclination, the nat
ural timidity of youth, the utter futility of
opposition fear-aboye all else, fear-theSe
joined in bidding me let my vote stand as
cast. On the other side stood my notion of
self-respect. l felt that l must then and
there and forever decide whether l was a
thing a man. Yet, again and again l
had voted for measures just as corrupt
had voted for them with no protest be-
yond a cynical shrug and wry look.
Every man, even the laxest, if he is to
continue to count as one" must have a
point where he draws the line beyond which
he will not go. The liar must have things
he will not lie about, the thief things he
will not steal. the compromiser things he
will not compromise, the practical man in,
the pulpit In politics, in business, in the
professors chair or editorial tribune things
he will not sacrifice, whatever the cost
That is practical honor" l had reached
my line of practical honor my line be-
tween possible compromise and certain de-
liberalization. And l realized it,
When the roll call ended l rose, and in a
voice that l knew was firm and clear.
said: Mr.. Speaker, l voted in the negative
by mistake. 1 wish my vote recorded in
Amid fearful silence / took my seat
With suddenness that made me leap a
wild and crazy assemblyman, noted as the
crank of that session, emitted a fantastic
yell of enthusiastic approval. Again there
was that silence; then the tension of the
assembly, floor and crowded galleries, burst
into a storm of hysterical laughter.
His First Motor Ride.
From 1.-The Princess Passes,'' by g. N and-A NJ
Williamson Henry Holt & co...
AS 1 mentally finished my last will and
testament, Gotteland gave short twist to
the dragons tail, which happened to be in
front. Instantly heart began to throb,
throb. The chauffeur sprang to his toad
stool. Molly moved a lever which said
''R-r-r-tch." pressed one Of her small but
determined American feet on something,
and the car gave kind of smooth, gliding
leap forward. as If sent spinning from an
unseen giants hand.
Though II was but Just after g. the early
omnibus had gathered Its tribute OF toiliug
or shopping worms. and was too prevalent
In Rnet Tor my annan AZ n03fl7l Ifrl,nos