Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-18
XIV.
Mutiny.

MulLuy.
1t was all / could do not to show my as
>tonishment and sudden fury Il don't I'M
derstand.' said l, in a tone which 1 some
how managed to keep down to tranquil
inquiry.
But did understand. 1t instantly came
to me that the three had been brought into
line for Cromwell by their powerful bust
ness associates in Wall street. probably by
the great bankers who loaned them money
Swift upon the surge OF anger / had sup
pressed before 1t famed at the surface
came surge Of triumph-which 1 also sup
pressed. l had often wished perhaps as
matter OF personal pride, just this oppor-
tunity; and here 1t was!
Cromwell must be nominated said
CRANKY In his insolent tone He had but
two tones-the insolent and the cringing
He's safe and sound. Burbank isn't
trusted in the east. And We didn't like
MS conduct last year. He caters to the
demagogues."
Roebuck. through his liking for me.
Imagine rather than through refined in
st1nct, now began to speak, thinly disguis-
ing his orders requests. l waited until
ne mad talked himself out. l waited with
the same air of calm attention until Part
ridge had given me his jerky variation. l
waited, still apparently calm, until the 81
lence must have been extremely uncom-
Portable TO them l waited until CRANKY
said sharply, Then it is settled?''
Yes, said l. keeping all emotion out Of
my race and voice. 1t is settled. EX-Gov
ernor Burbank is to be nominated. | am
at loss to account for this outbreak. How
ever, shall at once take measures to pre-
vent its occurring again. Good day
And L was gOne-Straight to the train. /
did not pause at Fredonia. but went on to
the capital. The next morning l had the
legislature and the attorney general al work
demolishing Granbys business in my state
for had selected him to make an example
OF, incidentally because he had insulted me,
but chiefly because he was the most
notorious of my ten. was about the greed
lest and crueleSt 'robber baron in the
west. My legislature was to revoke his
charter; my attorney general was to en-
force upon him the laws l had put on the
statute books against just such emergen-
cleS And 1t had never entered their swollen
heads that L might have taken these pre-
cautions that are in the primer of political
management.
My three mutineers pursued me to the
capital missed me- were standing breath
less at the door of my house near Fredonia
on the morning of the third day l re-
FUSED to be seen until the afternoon of the
fourth day. and then L forbade CRANKY.
But when l descended to the reception
room he rushed at me. tried to take my
hand, pouring out a stream of sckenng
apologies L rang the bell When a SER
want appeared, L said, Show this man the
DOOR"
CRANKY turned white and, after a long
look into my face. said in broken voice to
Roebuck: For Gods sake don't go back
on me. Mr.. Roebuck. Do what you can for
me-"
AS the curtain dropped behind him. l
looked eXpectanty at Roebuck, sweating
with fright for his mperied millions Prob
ably his mental state can be fully appre-
Grated only by man who has also felt the
dread of losing the wealth upon which he
Is wholly dependent for courage, respect
and self-respect
Don't misunderstood me- Harvey, he
began to plead. forgetting that there was
anybody else to save besides himself Il
didn't mean"
What did you mean?' 1 interrupted. my
tone ominously quiet
we didn't intend?" began Partridge
what did you intend?' L interrupted as
quietly before
They looked nervously each at the other
then at me. If you think Burbank's the
man. Roebuck began again, why YOU
may go ahead
There burst in me such a storm of anger
that l dared not speak until I could control
and aim the explosion. Partridge saw how
and how seriously, Roebuck had Numbered
He thrust him aside and faced me- What's
the use of beating around the bush?" he
ourselves senator. We thought we had
the whip. We see that we haven't We're
mighty sorry we didn't do a little thinking
before Roebuck sent that telegram We
nope you'll let off as easy as Won can
and we promise not to NEEDLE in your bust
ness again-and you can bet your life Wen
keep our promise"
Il think you will" said l.
i am man of my word" said he And
SO is Roebuck."
'Oh, don't mean that" was my answer
Il mean, when the CRANKY object lesson in
the stupidity of premature ingratitude is
complete, you shan't be able to forget it,
They drifted gloomily in the current of
their unpleasant thoughts: then each took
a turn at wringing my hand. 1 invited
them up to my sitting ROOM where we
smoked and talked amicably for a couple
of hours 1t would have amused the thou
sands of employees and dependents over
whom these two lorded it arrogantly to
have heard with what care they weighed
their timid words. how nervous they were
lest they should give me fresh provoc ton
AS they were leaving, Roebuck said earn
estly: isn't there anything l can do for
you. Harvey?"
why. yes" said I. Give out state
ment next Sunday in Chicago-for the Mon
day morning papers-indorsing Cromwell's
candidacy. Say you and all your associates
are enthusiastic for 1t because his election
have been the object of dema gogic attack
sense of security for at least four years
more"
He thought l was joking him. being
able to believe lacking in judgment
as to fail to realize what a profound i'm
preston in Cromwelrs favor such a state
ment from the great Roebuck would pro-
duce. / wrote and mailed him an inter-
view with himself the following day; he
gave it out as l had requested II got me
Burbank delegations in Illinois, South
Dakota and Oregon the same week.