Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-08-06


Horrigan's private room.
Good evening. alderman" said Hor.
rigan civilly.
Good evening. SIR" answered Rob
erts pnlpably III at ease.
II understand there's full meeting
today. Even Ellis came back from
the south to be here. You're the only
man missing"
II couldn't get here sooner. T.
81 see. That's all. Williams. You
needn't whit. Roberts and want a
little talk before he goes in. Now.
then" went on the boss. with COM
plete change Of manner as williams
left the room, what's the matter with
you?"
IL can't
Cant what? Speak out man!
Don't stand there and humble ut me-"
II can't. vote for the Borough fran
chise bill"
Cant, hey?" ronred HorrIgan.
"Why not?"
"Becnuse-because"- faltered Rob-
erts: then, with n rush Of hysterical
emotion that blottcd out his fear, he
cried:
"Have you heard what that man Ben
nett has done? Hc organized voters
committee in my ward and sent them
| to ask me at my own house what WINS
going to do about that bill. They had
been stirred up by Bennett till they
looked on me as a crook and on the bill
as a personal robbery. They told me
!: I voted for 1t they'd know l was a
dirty thief and CRATER and that they'd
kick me out Of the ward"
well, WE'LL" rumbled HorrIgan
soothingly. as though trying TO calm a
fractions drunkard. what do you
care? When they've forgotten all
about the bill you'll still have the
dough, won't you? Folks won't ask
How'd he get It? All they'll care to
know is Has he got itT'
THAT isn't all"' Roberts Numbered
on. scarcely needing the interruption.
"Bennett's next step was to organize
committee Of voters wives. and they
came to see my wife this morning
when ] wag out and told her they'd
heard I was going to sell myself aud
vote for dishonest bill. My wife
my wife thinks I'm the squarest,
nOblest man on earth, Oh. you needn't
sncer. Her trust means everything to
me. She told the women l wouldn't
stoop to any deed that wasn't honest
and they answered.: Our husbands be.
licve Mr.. Roberts is n crook. II he Is
really honest he'll vote against that
bill, as he did before Then on my
way home this moor met my little
hoy. He was crying asked him
what the matter was He said that
some boys had told him WAS a graft.
e.. tell you" his voice tising almost
TO scream. Benefits made my life
hell. I'm no crook. I'm honest
and"-
Sure you're honest" Horrignn ex-
claimed, as though to cross child
Honest as the day. That's why
you're voting for our bill. Because the
crooked clauses have been cut ont of
1t, and In its present form it's a beneft
TO the city"
THAT isn't why promised to vote
for It," contrndicted Roberts, with a
despniring dash OF courage. 1T was
because I-because''-
"Never mind why. then, but just 60
ahead and do IT,"
II won't! l dare not
You'll do 1t. I say" stormed Horri-
gan. "You can't WEIGH on me ut this
stage OF the game. Those sturtevnnt
Trust company notes Of yours were
sent to you and
"AnG won't take them!" declared
Roberts, slamming two slips Of paper
down upon the table. There! Take
them back"
what do I want Of them?" argued
Horrigan craftily. "Thcy belong to
you"
"They don't. won't keep them"
you'll have to. keep you to your
promise"
what promise" asked . voice be-
hind them.
Bennett, hastily summoned by Pho.
Ian, had entered the room uuobserved
by either OF the excited men.
what promise7" he asked again. "A
promise to-
what are you doing hcre7" below
ed Horrigan In fury. "You called me
down once for coming into your pri.
vate once without knocking. What
dyou mean by coming into miner"
"yours9" queried Alwyn. II had an
idea II was the city's. The time is
past when the words 'Horrigan' and
city meant the same thing. Well
Roberts, how are you going to vote
want to believe ysu honest, and
Why. what's all this?" his eyes falling
on the forgotten notes on the table.
Nothing Of yeursr' shouted Horri
gan, making a futile, furious grab FOL
the documents which Alwyn was pick
: ing up. Drop thcm! Drop Them
say. or you'll
"Why should II" asked Bennett calm
", his quick eye taking In the nature
OF the slips of paper even as his aler
brain grasped In full the meaning o.
. tho transac elton in which they figured
DO they belong to your
"They don't belong to you anyway.
. rstortsd Horrigan, "and II you dar
{ read them
1--WE already read them. Roberts.
J. be added In q kinder voice. turning 4
tho shaking alderman, these wero t
hv.s been your bribe. weren't they, to