The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1908-07-09

Il
back tenement room, toilin' like slave
to keep food an clothes betwixt the
kids an starvation. aT was barely
able to keep body anYeoul together
well. maybe then you'd understand
what them outings an furkey tests an
loads of coal means tg the poor. And
they won't turn down Jimmy Phelan
at Horrigan's orders.
81 do understand" cried Dallas. her
big eyes bright with ttars. Il under |
stand. and, in behalf Of oil women and
children, thank you with my whole
heartr'
You're all right, miss." muttered the
delighted. EMBARRASSED :Phelan. at once
at loss for words '.Yfre-yourc all
right! InI leave 1t toshiy honor IT,
Indeed she is!'' broke in suavc
voice at whose sound TIE little spell Of
sentiment was broken aald which caus-
ed PheIan and Bennett. to turn in an
noyance toward the door.
Scott Gibbs. bland, iwell groomed.
quite ignoring the otheH mems lack of
welcome. stood bowling on the thresh
old -
"Oh, | forgot to tell you. Alwyn."
whispered Mrs. Bennett in a hurried
aside to her son as the Rltter summon
ed up sufficient ciyilitM to greet the
newcomer 'I forget to tell you. Mr..
Gibbs was calling -on Dallas when
stopped for her, and he asked leave to
come along. I'm sorry. but,
How are you. Bennett" Gibbs was
saying "And-AIr.s Phelan. too. isn't
it? Alderman. I'm glad to see you
again. You remember me: Scott
Gibbs? I met
Yes" said Phelan, II remember you.
all right. You was up to-. yainwright's
last summer-that day Inc an Horri-
gan sent the dove of peace screechin'
up tree didn't know you visited
the city hall too" n
II don't, as rule" answered Gibbs
II came here with Mrs. Bennett and
Miss Wainwright. wanted glimpse
Ofethe man who can make one pen
stroke that viii send Borough Street
railway stock up to 100 or down to TO-"
"Do you mean." broke in Dallas.
that Mr. Bennett can really have such
an effect on the stock masket?"
"frhat and more" Gibbs assured her.
.'Why, the mere runor that he meant
to veto the Borough's franchise bill has
sent the stock tumbling. eight points
since the market opened today."
what power for one mani" ex-
claimed the girl, turning TO Bennett in
surprise. sAnd are you going to veto
It ~,
once secrets. repross nvyn jest,
E2iEgiy Finds offs @-
"Veto it," echoed Gibbs, with
laugh. "Of course he isn't 1t would
be too hard upon his frIcnds-unfair
and unkind, to say the least"
"But why?" queried Dallas. forestall-
ing Alwyn. who was about to speak.
because" cut in Gibbs before Ben
nett could interfere, ''the men who are
backing the Borough bill are the men
who made him mayor. 1t wouldn't be
square for him to turn his new power
| against the very men who gave him
! that power. Now, would it,"
"By the men who are backing the
bill whom do you mean"' asked Ben
| nett.
''Oh, just spoke in generalties. AS
matter OF fact. the break in the price
today was lucky for those who wanted
10 buy"
an your firms doin' most Of the
tuyin' I'm told" interpoated Phe!an
We have great deal af the stock.
| u
nett, YOU can make me or Break me. l
place myself in your hands,
81 see you are taking Il most unfair
advantage of me. Mr. Gibbs" retOrt.; i
| Alwyn, with some heat "You have no
| right to thrust this information on me
and to appeal
"But was only
"You were trying to influence my ac-
ton toward the Borough bill. Yoa can
not do it.
"Why. didn't think you'd lie :lIlg:'
Pm not Let's drop the subject
please"
81 only answered Miss Wainwriyht's
questions. r.
"Nell leave Miss Wainwfi@ht's name
out of the matter. please" replied Ben
nett.
Certainly. II you like assente,
Gibbs, with shrug of his broad shou
Gers. II am afraid my time is up
Good day, Bennett. I'm sorry you mis-
construed"-
Il didn't Good day"
"I'll be on my way, too" announce:
Phelan, breaking the awkward pa.'s;
that followed Gibbs exit Ladies
I'm proud to have met you If either
of you knows a poor woman needin' {
turkey or a family wantn. an outing
just drop me line. an I'll see the,
get it. An they needn't come from M!
ward neither"
"Thats bad politics. alderman!
laughed Bennett.
Its good humanity, though There
two things love to do-first to dow
the man who's me enemy. an second
to give good times to folks who's stran
gers to fun Goodby. your honor II
be in as'in now I've found my way
/ ladies'"
"Alwyn," said Mrs. Bennett as tn
alderman bowed himself out witt
many fiourshes, Il want to see Gym
thia. Can | go into her office now.
is she too busy? I'll be back in a fes
minutes. Dallas, and bring her Wit
me know how anxious she is to sc
you again"
81 wonder what Phelan would thin
of that for raw work." thought A
wyn as the old lady hustled into th
inner room. leaving Dallas and himsel
alone. Perhaps Dallas. too uDde