The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1907-06-20

il harm comes to him on account of
It one Tom Driscoll. and a lot Of 9th
ers win be railroaded to the penlgsn
tiary In mighty short order"
The sneer on the face Of the Boss
changed TO a softened expression after
his visitors had left him. He walked
over to 8 little cabinet unlocked it
and took out an old-fashioned ambro
type. It was the picture Of a kindly
faced old lady, and he looked at 1t
long anC .ntently, raising it reverent-
" to his lips and kissing it several
times
Mother. dear. I'm not the kind Of
man you wanted your boy to be-
God knows thatlp he murmured 4
wish had been different, but it's too
late now. viii 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
shall go down with the others, and
then"
It never occurred to John Shafton,
in dealing with the various matters of
his department, that he might possi-
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 we're 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 time he did not speak His
answer was In a voice that seemed
strained and broken.
Young man. you have hold of a
string Of evidence that you think will
discover something. Let me tell you
that when you pull that string you
will tumble over an edifce of rascal
| ity such as you never dreamed Of.
You ask me what you shall do? Do
as your Christian mother would have
you do. DO your duty, Shafton!"
The advice was followed. The at
torney went earnestly to work. and a
mass of bribery and corruption was
uncovered that startled the city. The
/ grand jury was kept busy in making
indictments, and many we're the
boodlers who left the city to avoid ar
rest One morning the district attor-
ney was seen to leave the grand jury
room In state OF great excitement
Entering a carriage he was taken hur
riedly to his home.
"Oh, mother! mother!" he ex
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
in trembling voice. This is so unex
pected. and 1t is terrible. No matte
what he has done. Mr.. Daniels has /
kind heart, and he has been your bes
friend, John. You had better go ans
see him.
A sad. weary face greeted the younI
attorney as, an hour later, he anterel
the Office of the Boss.
4 knew you would come, John" b
said with faint smile. The gran,
jury has indicted me, and you hav
come to tell me about it, and HOY
. much 1t has worried you. But neve
mind, my boy. You did your duty
: although you never dreamed Of huri
! ing me- ] expected this, however"
mo, God helping me, neve
!. thought of injuring you--you, my bes
? friendl' said John with tremblin
] lips.
We'll. don't worry about 1t now,
t continued Mr. Daniels, kindly, 'bu
listen to me. In this envelope, whic
e wish you to take, is my win. / hay
y neither wife nor children, nor is ther
4 anyone in this wide world who care
for me. have given everything /
d your mother and you. In CO an,
a thing happens to me you will kno
d what to do. Now. good-by my bo
and may God help you always to 4
e your duty"
g A few hours later, as the Office
n entered the Office Of the Boss to a
rest him, they found him seated
d, his chair, smile on his face, az
seemingly looking at an old-fashions
d, ambrotype on the table before hil
sr They did not arrest him. He hs
N gone home to his mother.