Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-29


campaign. II necessary. Our hero then
had bath and a shave and put on fresh
rafment. All heroes do Bath. shave and
fresh suit make heroes of US all. None
the less, that is what happened. and the
facts should be set down, because the
Bingley in the changed garb. with his
face rested by the shave and his body re-
freshed from the bath. was a different
man. STILL he was as determined as ever
that the leaden heel Of delinquency should
not trample his mech. He lighted cigar
and sat by window where he got
view Of the public square. In the center
of the square stood the city hall From
his observation point he could see who
ever went into or out OF the main en-
trance. He unused upon the specimens
of humanity that ambled up and down
or loafed upon the steps. until he saw
the girl from the treasurer's office come
out. Then he sat up and began to take
notice. The tight-ftting Jacket and
jaunty hat she wore made her even pref
tier than she had looked in the Office.
Halfway to the street she met a middle
aged man. who stopped and spoke to her.
The man turned and looked over at the
Pudford House.
THAT must be Lilton." Bingley told
himself.
The girl went on. He watched her
until she was obscured by the corner Of
Conway's Mammoth Department store.
The man with whom she had been speak
ing went into the city hall, and Ave
minutes later emerged. accompanied by
three others. They made straight for the
hotel. Bingley rang for a boy and sent
word to the desk that If Mr.. Lilton call
ed to see him ne was to be shown right
up. Very shortly Lilton and his three
companions appeared.
This is Mr. Bingley, the bond MANI"
asked Lilton.
Why should they tack on that descrip-
tive phrase every time? Bingley held his
temper, and merely nodded.
Mr.. Bingley. this Is Mayor Thompson.
Mr., Jordan. city clerk and Council.
man Frimm. chairman of the finance
committee: am Mr.. Lilton. the city
treasurer"
Bngley shook hands all around. indi-
Gates the box of cigars and told his call
ers to make themselves at home. A bell
boy who listened in the hallway has
since narrated with great effect
snatches OF conversation that whizzed
from beneath the door Of Bngley's apart
ment The argument was long and Wig
orous. Bingley dashed the officials. the
city and himself unsparinsly. They had
knew they never could redeem them.
The officials meekly pointed out that they
were not the guilty ones. having been
chosen for office subsequent to that I'M
happy time when Bingley became the
good angel OF Hosterton. Finally the
interview ended.
What are you folks going to do for
me?" Bingley asked.
What can we dor asked the four
There is no money in the treasury
Bingley's reply Is better suppressed
But" Lilton soothingly ventured. 1.-THE
city will be good for the amount Of its
Good. is it?" the bond man exclain1-
ed. Good? You bet it's good! I'll Just
take possession OF it until my debt is
paid. This town is bankrupt. and I'm
the creditor who is going to administer
1t until he gets his cash.
The four officials did not understand
him. They babe him good-day and filed
out. wondering at the cheerfulness which
had come upon him. Binsley lighted a
fresh cigar then observed grimly:
I'm going to be the current events Of
this place within twenty-four hours"
Then he got out his bonds, took them
downstairs and saw them securely lock-
ed in an inner compartment of the hotel
safe.
When the mayor arrived at his Office
the next morning he found Bingley scat
ed at his desk.
Good morning. Mr.. BingIey.''
Good morning. I've come to take
possession"
Take possession"
Certainly. Tacitly, I've got lien on
mayor. but 1 am it. Until l get my
money I'm going to own this town"
why, what can You mean"
You get Liton and Jordan nd Frimm
and any of the rest Of the administration
here. and I'll go into detail. I'm a man
OF Few words and many actions, and I'm
out lot business tnlS m not going
to be monkeyed with any longer"
The mayor looked anxiously toward
the door. and turned as II to go out, but
Bingley stopped him.
Don't be frightened. I'm not crazy
I'm in full possession of my senses. and
want full possession OF my money. II my
capital has made Hosterton what it is.
I've got an equity in It. and I'm here to
declare myself. Now, get the other men
here apd let's come to an understand
ing"
Thompson sat at his phone and called
the others up. asking them to come to his
office Immediately. Jerrold. the city at
torney was the first to arrive. Before
the others came Bingley had outlined his
plan, and the attorney was gasping with
surprise:
i've heard of a town hall in Maine
being seized in that manner" he said.
''but never heard of such wholesale work
you propose. Don't you know we can
take this matter into the courts?"
''And at the end HostertOn will only
be deeper In debt. Bingley replied. ~
want my money. that's all: I haven't
security-and I'm going to have that"
When the others came in they were
given an understanding of the situation
and of Bingley's audacious plan.
You can't do it, Hemphill argued.
Hemphill was one OF the councilmen.
Watch me- Bingley retorted. would
YOU like me to go into court and shake
things up with an investigation? Your
name is on those bonds. Mr.. Hemphill.
Sos yours, Mr.. McGorrity. Do you
want history to begin repeating itself out
loud? I'm not insinuating anything. but
ii seems to me there must have been an
African gentleman in the woodpile when
these bonds were fioated.'
But you propose to upheave our city
government" protested the mayor.
Not an upheave. Not CULVER. No.
sir. You fellows can go ahead as if
nothing had happened. but I'm going to
be the power behind the throne. and I'm
going to set things on business basis"
1t requires trouble to bring out the
best qualities of a man. and the thought
of that hundred thousand Oozing into
nothingness had developed subliminal
capacity to control men and things which
Bingley never before dreamed he pos
sessed. Man will fight for love-if the
lady Is looking on: but he will fight for
his money whether he has an audience
or not. They talked nearly all the MORN
ing and at the end of the conference the
chief Of police was called in.
MIR. Gillian" said the mayor. this is
Mr.. Bingley. He is the bond man
and"