The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-05-17
The Duty Of John Shafton
BY Erskine II. Hamilton

man Driscoll angrily. Hes too fresh
in prohin' into things that's none Of
his business. and is getting himself
into trouble"
You mean he is getting you into
trouble" said the Boss dryly.
Well. you'd better stop him all the
same. or something will happen him
some dark night replied DriscolI
with increasing warmth.
Il am glad you are SO frank in
your statements, Alderman" was the
contemptnous answer. Now listen.
! pat John Shafton Ia the place he
holds because it pleased me. and be-
cause he is honest and will do his
duty. l want him to do his duty. and
If harm comes to him on account of
it one Tom Driscoll. and a lot of 9th.
ers. will be railroaded to the peniten-
tiary in mighty short order"
The on the face of the Boss
changed TO a softened expression after
his visitors had left him. He walked
owe to a little cabinet, unlocked 1t
and took out an old.fashioned ambro-
type. 1t was the picture of a kindly
faced old lady, and he looked at it
long and intently, raising it reverent-
ly to his lips and kissing it several
times. ~
Mother, dear, I'm not the kind of
a man you wanted your boy to be-
God knows that" he murmured. Il
wish ] had been different, but it's too
late now. ] will let this young attor-
ney do his best in unearthing the rot
tenness in this city. Maybe, in his
findings, he may reach me, and I
shall go down with the others, and
then"
1t never occurred to John Shafton,
In dealing with the various matters of
his department, that he might posi-.
bly, bring trouble to Daniels. He was
grateful to the Boss for his assistance
in securing him his position and often
called to consult with him. A ring OF
boodlers existed, he had proof of that,
but how far the ring extended, and
who were its members, he did not
know. He went to Mr.. Daniels office
and told him what he knew and Of
what he suspected.
Now, under the circumstances,
what would you advise me to do, Mr..
Daniels?" he questioned.
The Boss had listened in silence,
and for a time he did not speak. His
was in a voice that seemed
and broken.
Young man, you have hold of a
of evidence that you think will
discover something. Let me tell you
that when you pull that string you
will tumble over an edifice of rascal
lty such as you never dreamed of.
You ask me what you shall do? Do
your Christian mother would have
you do. Do your duty. Shafton!"
The advice was followed. The at
went earnestly to work, and a
mass of bribery and corruption was
uncovered that startled the city. The
grand jury vas kept busy in making
indictments, and many were the
boodlers who left the city to avoid ar
rest. One morning the district attor-
ley was seen to leave the grand jury
in a state of great excitement.
Entering a carriage he was taken hur-
'iedly to his home.
oh, mother! mother!" he e.
claimed, as he rushed into her pres.
ence. "The grand jury has indicted
Daniels! What shall | do?'
Il hardly know what to say-what
your duty is answered the mother
II trembling voice. This is so unex.
,ected, and it is terrible. No matter
what he has done, Mr.. Daniels has a
lind heart, and he has been your best
John. You had better go and
lee him"
A sad, weary face greeted the young
as, an hour later, he entered
he office of the Boss.
II knew you would come, John" he
aid with a faint smile. THE grand
ury has indicted me, and you have
ONE to tell me about 1t, and hew
much it has worried you. But never
mind, my boy. You did your duty,
Though you never dreamed of hurt.
ng me. ] expected this, however"
mo, God helping me, | never
bought of injuring you-you, my best
riend!" said John with trembling
Ips.
We'll, don't worry about 1t now"
ontinued Mr.. Daniels, kindly, 'but
Isten to me. In this envelope, which
wish you to take, is my will. / have
wife nor children, nor is there
nyone in this wide world who cares
Or me. have given everything to
our mother and you. In case any
hing happens to me you will know
hat to do. Now, good.by, my boy,
nd may God help you always to do
our duty"
A few hours later, as the officers
ntered the Office of the Boss to ar.
est him, they found him seated in
Is chair, a smile on his face. and
seemingly looking at an old.fashioned
mbrotype on the table before him.
hey did not arrest him. He had
bnp,a m bta n,n+bo.