The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-04-16
(To BE Continued).


train. did not pause at Fredonia
but went on to the capital The next
morning had the legislature and the
attorney general at work demolishing
Granby's business In my state-for |
had selected him to make an example
of, incidentally because he had insult
ed me, but chiefly because he was the
most notorious Of my ten, was about
the greediest and cruelest "robber
baron" in the west. My legislature
vas to revoke his charter; my attor.
ney general was to enforce upon him
the laws l had put on the statute
books against just such emergencies.
And it had never entered their swol
len heads that l might have taken
these precautions that are in the prim-
er of political management
My three mutineers pursued me to
the capital, missed me, were standing
.breathless at the door of my house
near Fredonia on the morning of the
third day. l refused to be seen until
the afternoon of the fourth day, and
then l forbade CRANKY But when
descended to the reception-room he
rushed at me, tried to take my hand,
pouring out a stream of sickening
apologies. l rang the bell. When a
servant appeared, 1 said Show this
man the door
CRANKY turned white and, after a
long look at my face, said in a broken
voice to Roebuck. For Gods sake,
don't go back on me, Mr.. Roebuck.
Do what you can for me-"
AS the curtain dropped behind him,
looked expectantly at Roebuck,
sweating with fright for his imperiled
millions. Probably his mental state
can be fully appreciated only by a
man who has also felt the dread of
losing his wealth upon which he is
wholly dependant for courage, respect
and self-respect
Don't misunderstood me, Harvey"
he. began to plead. forgetting that
there was anybody else to save be-
sides himself. Il didn't mean
What did you mean?" l interrupt
ed, my tone ominously quiet.
We didn't intend" began Part
ridge.
What did you intend?" l interrupt
ed, as quietly as before.
They looked nervously each at the
other, then at me. IF you think Bur
banks the man." Roebuck began
again, why. you may go ahead"
There burst in me such a storm of
anger that | dared not speak until /
could control and aim the explosion:
Partridge saw how, and how serious
iy, Roebuck had blundered. He
thrust him aside and faced me.
What's the use of beating around the
bush?" he said, bluntly. We've made
damn fools of ourselves. senator. We
thought we had the whip. We SEQ
we haven't. We're mighty sorry we
didn't do a little thinking before Roe
buck sent that telegram. We hope
you'll let us off as easy as you can.
and we promise not to NEEDLE in your
business again-and you can bet your
life Well keep our promise"
I think you WILL said I.
4 am man of my word" said he.
'And so is Roebuck."
"Oh, don't mean that" was nv an
swer. Il mean, when the CRANKY OBJ
Ject-lesson in the stupidity OF prema-
ture ingratitude is complete. YOU
shan't be able to forget it."
They drifted gloomily in the current
OF their unpleasant thoughts; then
each took a turn at wringing my hand.
| invited them up to my sitting-room
where we smoked and talked AMIGA
bly, for a couple of hours. 1t would
have amused the thousands of en-
phoyes and dependents over whom
these two lorded it arrogantly to have
heard with what care they weighed
their timid words how nervous thew
were lest they should give me fresh
proVocation. AS they were leaving.
Roebuck said earnestly: Isn't there
anything | can do for you. Harvey?"
Why, yes" said L Give out a
statement next Sunday in Chicago
for the Monday morning papers-in-
dorsing Cromwells candidacy. Saw
you and all your associates are en-
thusiastic for it because his election
would give the large enterprises that
have been the object Of demagogic at
tack a sense Of security for at least
four years more"
He thought I was joking him. being
unable to believe me so lacking in
Judgment as to fail to realize what a
profound impression in Cromwelrs ia. !
yor such a statement from the great [
Ro9buck would produce. l wrote and
mailed him an interview with himself
the following day; he gave it out as
had requested. It got me Burbank
delegations in Illinois. South Dakota
and Oregon the same week.
CHApTEP xVI