The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1908-08-20

wv in wonder, as the anterOom
door slammed behind the
boss. "And what utterly abominable
manners! Who is he, Alwyn?
"Horr1gan."
Orchard Horrigan, the
''The boss. Yes. He has a pleasing
way of stamping into this Office un-
asked, as If he owned it and as if
were his clerk. But today's behavior
was the worst yet. It's got to stopw
"But don't do or say anything reck-
less, Alwyn. Promise me. Remember
how strong he is!'
'"There's no danger Of his letting me
forget his power" said Bennett, with
a bitter smile. "He"-
'But you'll be careful, won't you?
Please do, for my sake. And you
mustn't keep him waiting. If there's
way out through Cynthia's Office
We'll 60 by that. Goodby. I'll explain
to your mother. No; you must let us
60 now. Office business must come
first. Won't you call this evening? I'll
be home and alone"
Despite Benefits remonstrances she
was firm, and it was in no pleasant
frame Of mind that the mayor threw
himself into seat when he was left
alone in the room. That the talk with
Dallas, which had promised so much
for him, should be thus rudely inter-
rupted. That Horrigan flung open
the door and stamped in. The boss
anger had by no means subsidized in
hint
rather, grown until it vibrated in his
every word and gesture. He wasted
no time in formalities, but came to
the point with all the tender grace and
tact of pile driver
look here, Bennett" he rumbled,
menace underlying tone and look, 'Im
told Phelan's been here this afternoon.
What did he want?'
ITO see me-" answered Bennett calm
~, the effort at self control visible
only in the whitening of the knuckles
that gripped the desk edge.
what did he want to see you abouty'
"A business natter
what business matter?"
Mine
4OuIS, I'll! SueeTeQ dOrTlgdn.
''Well, young man, I want you to un-
derstand here and now that no one
can be chummy with Jim Phelan and
be my man at the same time Got that
through your head?"
Eyes," assented Bennett: II think l
have. And while we're speaking plain
~ want you to understand here and
now that no one can bully me, either
here or elsewhere, and that I'm no
mans man. Have you got that through
your head?"
Horrigan stared in savage amaze
ment. He doubted if his ears had not
played him false. Bennett had always
treated the boss with uniform cour-
tesy, and Horrigan belonged to the
too numerous class who do not under
stand until too late the difference be-
tween gentle breeding and weak cow
ardice. That man should speak to
him courteously and not interlard his
talk with oaths, obscenity or rough
ness seemed to Horrigan, as it does to
many another boor, an evidence of IT,
nudity and lack of virility. A Damas-
Gus blade is a far more harmless look
Ing weapon than a bludgeon, yet it is
capable when the necessity arises Of
far deadlieS work
It is only the man whose gentleness
has not granite strength as it's founda-
ton who deserves the newly popular
term of ':mollycoddle."
Had Horrigan's large experience
with men been extended to embrace
this fact he would probably never have
picked out A1wyn Bennett in the first
place as candidate for mayor nor
deemed the younger man fit tool for
the organizations crooked work. The
French mobiles of the old regime, whose
polish of manner was the envy of the
world, fought like devils on occasion
and went to death on the scaffold with
smile and jest on their lips, while
many a brutal demagogue in the same
circumstances broke down and scream
ed for mercy. However, Horrigan
CHANGED to be more familiar with the
history Of the organization than with
that of France; hence deeming Ben
nett's reply mere sporadic fash of
oSouNc AAOu q pIOpei1y COWeQ Sp1rlC,
he resolved to crush the rebellion at
blow.
Don't give me any insolencew be
roared. II won't stand for it, and"-
Moreover" quietly continued Ben
nett, as though the boss had not
spoken, II shall be very much obliged
If in future you will knock at my door
instead Of bursting in on me. This is
my private Office, not yours"
do you mean to-
1--WE explained as clearly as I can
just what mean. If you don't under.
stand me can't supply you with in
telligence."
Bennett" said the boss, his burn
ing rage steadied down to a white
heat, far more dangerous, but less in
coherent, you and me are talking too
much and saying too little. We've got
to come to showdown. You're clev-
er boy and you made rafting good