The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1907-05-23
respect unsullied. but also untemptea

heretofore.
Ho scowlcd. do you, or don't
your"
Yes" said IL was thinking OF
the debts and mother and Betty.
Eyes, indeed; I'd esteem II great
honor. and I'd be grateful 10 you"
II ! had thrust myself overhead into
a sewer | SHOULD have felt less vile
than did as my fears and longings
uttered those degrading words.
lie grunted. We'll. well see. Tell
the boys at the other table to cobe
back" He nodded dismissal and
gave me that moist, strong grip
again.
AS ] went toward the other table
each man there had hand round
his glass In readiness for the message
OF recall. / mentally called the roll
wealth. responsibility. honor. all on
their knees before Domlnick, each
with his eye upon the branch OF the
plum tree that bore the kind OF fruit
he fancied. And I wondered how
they felt inslde-for I was then ig-
norant OF the great foundation truth
OF practical ethics. that n mans con-
science is not the producer but the
product OF his career.
Fessenden accompanied me 10 tho
door. The old man is In a hell OF
humor tonight" said he. His wifes
caught on to a little game he's been
up TO, and she's the only human be-
Ing he's afraid OF. She came in
here. one night and led him out by
the ear. What a fool man is to
marry when there's a chance OF run.
ming into a mess like that But
you made a hit with him. Besides.
he needs you. Your family" Buck
checked himself. feeling that drink
was making him voluble.
Hes a strong man. isn't he?" said
l; "A born leader"
"Middle-weight champion IN his
day. replied Fessenden. HE can stili
knock out anybody In the organize
ton In one round"
Good night. and thank YOU" said
So / went my way. not elated.
but utterly depressed-more than de-
pressed when won the FIRST case IN
which knew my clients opponent
was In the right and had lost only be-
cause outgeneraled his stupid law
yer. was. like most OF the sons and
daughters OF the vigorous families of
the earnest. deeply religious early
west. an idealist by Inheritance and
by training; but suppose any young
man, however practical. must feel a
shock when he begins those compro-
misses between theoretical and prao-
IDEAL right which are part OF the daily
routine OF active life. and without
which active life 10 impossible.
] had said nothing TO my mother.
because did not wish TO raise her
hopes-or her objections. now de-
cided 10 be silent until the matter
should be settled. The NEXT day but
one fesssnden came. bad news In his
face The old man like you he
began. but"
had not then learned 10 control nv
expression. could not help show
Ing what ruins OF lofty castles that
ominous but" dropped upon my head.
You'll soon be used 10 getting n
In the neck n you stay IN politics.
said Fessenden. There's not much
else. But you Amt 90 bad OF AZ you
think The old man decided that
no can AFFORD 70 run one OF his reii-
able hacks for the place. He's sud
denly found a way OF sinking his
hooks into the head devil OF the re-
formers and Ben Cass chief hacker.
singer-you know him-the lawyer
Singer was one OF the leaders of
the state bar and superintendent OF
our sunday school.
"Dominick has made De Forest
give Singer the law business OF tho
Gas and Street Railway company. 30
Singer IL coming over TO US" Buck
grinned. He has found that local
Interests must be subordinated 20 the
broader Interests Of the party In state
and nation"
] had been reading IN our party's
morning paper what a wise and paf.
riouc move Singer had made In al.
vislng the putting on OF a reform
had believed In tho
sincerity OF his motivei
Nessenden echoed my sheer. and
went on: Hes rotten hypocrts:
but then. we can always pun the
oung out OF thdse reform movements
that. way
You said Il isn't a. bad foe me A.
i scems." ! interrupted.
oh. yea You're To be on the tieh.
Y The old mans going TO send you
10 the legislaturc--lower house. OF
coupe."
did not checr up. An assembly,
nan got only . thousand Q year.
1. 'Ehe pay Aint much.- confessed
Buck. but thsre Amt nothing TO DO
'zespt vote according 10 order. Then
here's q great deal 70 be picked M
N the side-ths cd man understands
hat others have got TO live besides
him. Salaries In politics don't cut
10 figure nowadays. anyhow. It's the
'hanee The place sives for pick,
Al Arr safix rssu.~6 49,, No..