The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1908-11-26

of Horrigan's glare, closing the office
door after him.
That fellow was listening to every
word we saidr' shouted the boss as
the door shut behind Thompson.
How foolish you are protested
Wainwright. He was bringing me
this message. I've tried and tempted
and tested Thompson il hundred
ways. and he's always runS true. l
trust him utterly
We'll. | don't trust man living,
retorted Horrigan. reluctantly convinc
ed. Il don't sign receipts or keep ac-
counts or wri.e letters or have Wit
neSScs when talk. | always make 1t
| a question Of veracity between me and
the other man if there's an investiga-
ton. My words as good as any ones.
and they can't prove anything against
me in case of showdown. l. advise
you to try the same plan. It's good
one. And in the meantime if l were
you I'd keep an eye on that secretary,
He'll bear watching"
Never mind abGut Thompson. He's
all right. Let's get back to the elec-
ton. Who have you in mind for
mayor
Well" considered Horrigan, hes
got to be some one who isn't mixed up
in politics or corporations. Some one
the public isn't on TO. 4 man with no
queer past
Il advise you to consult the calen-
dar of saints and pick out your candi-
date there" Sncered Wainwright, who
could not clearly follow his guests rea-
soning.
"No. | think / can fnG him on
earth" laughed Horrigan. Hes got
to be young, clever, educated, with
good name, good family and social
standing and plenty Of cash. The cash
is important. so the public will under
stand he isn't graft hunter. They've
got to be made to think he's in the
game for purity of politics and high
principles and love Of civic duty and
all that sort of thing. At the same
time he's got to be some one we can
handle to suit ourselves. That's the
man who'll catch 'em coming and 60
ing. We've got to find him. Any sug-
gestions?"
well, how about Gibbs?"
Wont do. Broker and money jug
gler. The public wouldn't stand for
him."
ssvonn1 Co uvor,,-.
Sawyer was born foolish, and he's
been getting steadily sillier every
since, and his face shows it."
"Ten Brock. then"
"Ten Brock is too fond Of turn.
cigarette into the connecting link
tween fire and fool. And, besides, l.
wears a monocle. What'd happen If b,
was to fash that monocle in a.Fourth
ward meeting? There'd be a massa-
Gre"
"Well, who, then? Have you any
one in mind?"
YES" assented Horrigan, II have.
Do you happen to know young fel-
low who spends his summers near here
"a chap named Bennett-Alwyn Ben
nettP'
Certainly; know him well. But
"Well, how does he strike you"
"Td never have thought Of him in
such connection"
"Why wouldn't you? He pretty near
fulfills all our qualifications. Besides,
his father used to be a big man in the
organization. Got some fat contracts
from it in his time too"
"But young Bennett has never
Hes we'll off, well educated, clever,
and all that. l ran across him last fail
when he came over to help Lorimer in
his fight in the Fourteenth. He made
some rafting good speeches. and the
boys all took a liking to him. A swell.
but not snob; good mixer, good fell
low, popular, clear headed, no past
YES, he's our man. More think it over
the surer l am"
81 shouldn't wonder If you're right.
How would you like to talk 1t over
with him now?"
"Now"
"Yes. He's still around the place
somewhere. / think"
Wainwright rang bell, and the but
Ter appeared.
Find Mr.. Bennett" said the flnan-
cier "and ask him If he will step here
FOR moment"
"Yes," went on Horrigan refectively.
rubbing his huge plump hands togeth-
er, "he's the man for us-that is," he
added, with less assurance, ff we can
handle him"
"I think we can" answered Vain
wright, fragment Of his conversation
with Gibbs flashing across his men,
ory. You see, 1 have fairly good rea-
sons for believing he's in love with my
niece. Miss Dallas Wainwright"
80? That's
"And, as I control her fortune and
her brothers until Perry is twenty
five
"Oh, it's a cinchp' chuckled Horri.
gan. He
"Mr. Bennett is playing tennis" re-