The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1907-05-24
Continued
CHAPTER ~.
~. o.k1.I "a IL -. "a A..

A day or so after | lost the only
case OF consequence had had in
more than a year. Buck Fessenden
came into my Office. and after dosing
me literally with those friendly pro-
testations and assurances which
please even when they do not con-
vince, said: II know you won't give
me away. Sayler. and | can't stand
II any longer 10 watch you going on
this way Don't you see the old mans
after you hammer and tongs? He'll
never let up. You won't get no cli-
ents. and, II you do. you won't win no
cases"
These last Ave words. spoken in
Bucks. most significant manner. re-
vealed what my modesty-or, II you
prefer Il. my stupidity-had. hidden
from me. had known all along that
Dominick was keeping away and driv-
ing away my clients; but ! had not
suspected his creatures on the bench.
To this day. after all these years OF
use. only with the greatest reluctance
and with a moral uneaslness which
would doubtless amuse most political
managers. do send suggestions" or
'intimatlons' TO my men In judicial
ofhce-and | always do Il. and always
have done Il. indirectly. And feel
relieved and grateful when my judges.
eager to serve the party" anticipate
me by sending me rcassuring
hint.
did not let Buck see into my
mind. Nonsense" poohpoohed:
I've no cause TO complain OF lack Of
business: but even n ] had. I'd not
blame Dominick or any one else but
myself" Then I gave him a straight
but good.humored look. Drop H..
Buck" said |. What did the old
man send you 10 me for? What does
he want.
lie was too crafty 20 defend an
fndefensibe position. 'I'il admit he
did send me-" said he. with a grin.
but came on my own account. too.
DO you want 20 make Il up with him.
You can get back under the plum
tree II you'll say the word"
could see my mother. as had
seen her two hours before AZ our poor
midday moal-an old. old woman. 40
broken. so worn, And all through
the misery this Dominick had brought
upon US Before I could control my.
self 10 speak. Buck burst out. look
of alarm In his face: Don't say Il.
Mr.. Saylcr-i know-f know. I told
him IT'D Be no use. Honest. he
amt a. bad as you think-he don't
know no better. and its because he
liked and still likes you that he
wants you back" lie leaned across
the desk toward me. In his earnest
ness-and could not doubt his sin
cerity. "sayler." he went on. take
my advice. got out Of the state You
amt the sort that gives In. and no
more 10 he. You've got moro nerve
than any other man know. bar none
but don't waste Il on a fool hight
You know enough about politics 10
know what you're up against"
Thank you" said I. but I'll stay
on"
He gave over trying 20 persuade me
Il hope" said he. you've got q card
up your sleeve that the old man don't
know about"
I made some vague reply. and be
soon went away. felt that I had con.
nrmed his belief In my fcsrlessness.
Yet. N he could have looked Into my
mind. how he would have laughed at
his crsduiity. Probably he would
have pitied me. too. for Il IL one OF
the curious facts % human nature
that men are amared and even dis
Gustsd Whenever they see-tn cshers
the weaknesses that are universal
I doubt not. many who read thsss
memoirs viii be quito honestly Phari
saicai. thanking heaven that they are
not touched with any a my inarni
ties.
II may have been ooincident. though
think not. that . fc~ days after res
scndsn's call. q reform movemens
assinst Dominica appeared upon the
surface OF Jackson county politics.
thought At the time that Il was thu
frst streak Of the dawn had bees
watching for-ths Awakening OF ths
sluggish moral sentiment OF the ranh
and nle OF the voters. know noe
that II was merely the result Of q
quarrel among the corporations that
employed Dominick. Ito had been
giving the largest OF them. Roe
bucks Universal Gas and Electric
company. called the Power trust
more than its proportional share Of
the privileges and spells. The otherr
had protested in vain. and a. n last
resort had ordered their lawyers e
organize q movement 20 purity
jackson county. Dominick's strong
hold.
did not then know n. but go'
the nomination for county prosecutor
chiefly because none OF the other law
yers. not even those secretly directing
the reform campaign. was BRAY,
enough publicly. TO provoke the Pow
or trust. made house 20 house
farm 10 farm. man 20 man. canvass
We had the secret ballot, and I wal