The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1906-08-30


I'm not sure just how well you
know Mrs. Hepzibah Brentwood" he
demurred: but il viii be quito like
her to balk. Don't you think you'd
better go along? You are the cGm-
pany's attorney, and yOp- opinion
ought to carry some weight"
David Kent thought not; but eau
tious diplomatist, having got the idea
well back into the back part Of his
head. was not to be denied.
"Of course, you1l come. You are
Just the man III need to back me up.
I sha'n't shirk; I'll take the mother
/ into the library and break the ice,
while you are squaring things with
| the young women. Penelope won't
care the snap of her finger either way;
but Elinor has some notions that you
are filter to cope with than am.
After. II you can give me a lift with
Mrs. Hepzibah. I'll call you in. Come
on: it's getting pretty late to so visit
ing"
Kent yielded reluctantly. and they
took a car for the sake of speed Il
was Penelope who opened the door
for them at 124 TETON avenue; and
Ormsby made 1t easy for his coadjutor.
as he had promised.
Il want to see your mother in the
library for a few minutes" he began.
"Will you arrange Il, and take care of
Mr. Kent until | come for him."
Penelope arranged" it, not without
another added pang OF curiosity.
whereupon David Kent found himself
the rather embarrassed third of ST
lent trio gathered about the enbers
of the sitting-room fire.
rs Il to be a Quaker meeting?"
asked Penelope. sweetly. when the ST
lence had grown awe-inspiring.
Kent laughed for pure Joy at the
breaking OF the spell.
zone would think We had come to
drag you all of TO Jail, Ormshy and /,
he said: and then he went on to ex-
plain. It's about your Western Pa
cifc stock. you know. To-day's quota
tions put Il a point and a half above
your purchase price, and we've come
TO persuade you TO unload. pronto. as
the member from the Rio BlancO would
say"
rs that all?" said Penelope. sitting
a yawn. Then I'm not in IL: I'm an
infant" And she rose and went to
the piano.
you haven't told us all OF Il: what
has happened?" queried Elinor. speak
ing for the FIRST time since her greeting
OF Kent.
He briefed the story Of House Bill
Twenty-nine for her. pointing out the
probabilities.
"Of course, no one can tell what the
precise effect will be-" ne qualified.
But in my opinion II Is very likely to
be destructive of dividends. Skipping
the dry details, the new law. which is
equitable enough on its own face, can
be made an engine OF extortion in
the hands OF those who administer
it. In fact. happen to know
that II was designed and carried
through for that very purpose"
She smiled.
Il have understood you were in the
opposition. Are you speaking politi-
cally?"
Il am stating the plain fact" said
Kent nettled a little by her GOODNESS.
'Decadent Rome never lifted a baser
set Of demagogues into Office than we
have here in this state at the pres
eat moment"
lie spoke warmly. and she liked him
best when he put her on the footing
Of an equal antagonist.
Il can't agree with your inference"
she objected. "As a people we are
neither obsequlous nor stupid"
Perhaps not. But It is one OF the
failures OF a popular government that
an honest majority may be controlled
and directed by a small minority Of
shrevd rascals. That is exactly what
has happened in the passage Of this
bill. l venture TO say that not one
man in the ten who voted for It had
the faintest suspicion that It was a
graft"
IF that be true, what chances there
are for men with the gift of true lead.
ership and a love of pure justice in !
their hearts," she said half-absently; |
and he started forward and said: Il
beg pardon?
She let the blue-gray eyes meet his |
and there was a passing shadow of |
disappointment in them.
Il ought TO beg yours. I'm afraid |
was thinking aloud. But II is one
OF my dreams. II were a man
should go into politics"
ITO purify them?"
ITO do my part in trying The
great heart Of the people Is honest
and well-meaning: I think we all ad- |
NIT that. And there is intelligence,
too. But human nature is the same as
It used to be when they set up a man
who could and called him king. Gen.
tie or simple. It must be led"
There is no lack of leadership, such |
as II Is" he hazarded.
mo; but there seems to be a pltlful |
lacl; Of the right kind: men who will |
put self-seeking and unworthy ambi- |
ton aside and lift the standard of JUS
IL a.