The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-05-03


you, but il you'd been workin' an
livin' an sleepin' an starvin' for
twelve months in stuffy, dark, smelly
back tenement room, toilin' like slave
to keep food an clothes betwixt the
kids an starvation, an was barely
able to keep body an soul together
well, maybe then you'd understand
what them outings an turkey tests an
loads of coal means to the poor. And
they won't turn down Jimmy Phelan
at Horrigan's orders"
'T do understand" cried Dallas, her
big eyes bright with tears. Il under
stand, and, in behalf of all women and
children, I thank you with my whole
hearth
You're all right, miss" muttered the
delighted, embarrassed Phelan, at once
at loss for words. "You're-you're all
right! I'll leave it to his honor if''-
Indeed she isr' broke in a suave
voice at whose sound the little spell Of
sentiment was broken. and which caus-
ed Phelan and Bennett to turn in an
noyance toward the door.
Scott Gibbs, bland, well groomed,
quite ignoring the other mems lack Of
welcome. stood bowling on the thresh-
old.
"Oh, forgot to tell you, Alwyn,"
whispered Mrs. Bennett in hurried
aside to her son as the latter summon
ed up sufficient civility to greet the
newcomer. 81 forgot 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-Mr. Phelan, too, isn't
it? Alderman, I'm glad to see you
again. You remember me? Scott
Gibbs? l net
YES" said Phelan, II remember you,
all right. You was up to Wainwright's
last summer-that day me an Horri-
gan sent the dove of peace screechin'
up tree. | didn't know you visited
the city hall too"
II don't. as a rule" answered Gibbs.
~ came here with Mrs. Bennett and
Miss Wainwright. l wanted glimpse
of the man who can make one pen
stroke thai will 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 market"
'That and more" Gibbs assured her.
"Why, the mere rumor 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 man" ex-
claimed the girl, turning to Bennett in
surprise. "And are you going to veto
itY
"Ofice secrets" reproved Alwyn jest
ingIy. "Hands off,
'Veto itY echoed Gibbs, with a
laugh. "Of course he isn't. It would
be too hard upon his friends-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 fery men who gave him
that power. Now, would itY"
by the men who are backing the
bill' whom do you mean? asked Ben
nett.
ooh just spoke in generalities. AS
a matter OF fact. the break in the price
today was lucky for those who wanted
to buy"
"An' your FIRMS doin' most of the
buyin', I'm told" interpolated Phelan.
1--WE have great deal Of the stock
admit" said Gibbs; 80 you see, Ben
nett, you can make me or break me.
place myself In your hands"
II see you are taking most unfair
advantage of me, Mr. Gibbs" retorted
Alwyn, with some heat. "You have no
right to thrust this information on me
and to appeal