Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-06-03
BY
ALBERT
[ S15llAYsoN
9D'zERHUNE
Gzs7TrRazarT, 1907 BY
GEs.;,ga,E H.2R0AnN ORST

a &,arF~a SLSSkE1 y s42t/f x91
a 6xs,NGg R.9RoAnHDRT B
CHAPTER XIV.
Y WILLIAMS entered with Rob
erts in tow. The latter wore
WV haggard. troubled look, and
his natural nervousness had
yisibly deepened. so much SO that he
had not even noted Phelan's appear
ance in the corridor us he passed into
Horrigan's private room.
Good evening, alderman" said Hor-
rigan civilly
Good evening, sir" answered Rob-
erts palpably i'll at ease.
81 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. r.
II see. That's all, Williams. You
needn't wait. Roberts and l want a
little talk before he goes in. Now,
then" went OIL the boss, with COM
plete change az manner as Williams
left the rSoE, what's the matter with
you?"
IL can't
Cant what? Speak out man!
Don't stand there and humble at me!'
IL can't vote for the Borough fran
chise BILL
Cant, heyy' roared Horrlgan.
"Why not?'
ause-because"- faltered Rob-
erts; then, with rush Of hysterical
emotion that blottcd out his fear, he
cried:
"Have you heard what that man Ben
nett has done? He organized voters
committee In my ward and sent them
to ask me at my own house what was
going to do about that bill. They had
been stirred up by Bennett till they
looked on me as crook and on the Dill
as personal robbery. They told me
if voted for 1T they'd know was a
dirty thief and CRATER and that they'd
kick me out of the ward"
"Well, well!' 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 it?'"
'"That isn't all" Roberts blundered
on scarcely needing the interruption.
Benefits next step was to organize
committee of voters wives, and they
came to see my wife this morning
when l was out and told her they'd
heard 1 was going to sell myself and
vote for a dishonest bill. My wife
my wife thinks I'm the squarest,
noblest man on earth. Oh, you needn't
sneer! 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-
lieve Mr.. Roberts is crook. If he is
really honest he'll vote against that
bill, as he did before Then on my
way home this noon met my little
boy. He was crying. l asked him
what the matter was. He said that
some boys had told him was a graft
er. I tell you,' his voice rising almost
to scream, BENEFITS made my life
hell. I'm no crook I'm honest
and"-
"Sure you're honestv' Horrigan 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 out of
1t, and in its present form it's benefit
to the city"
"That isn't why l promised to vote
for it." contradicted Roberts, with a
despairing dash Of courage. ut was
because I-because"-
"Never mind why, then, but just sc
ahead and do it."
81 won't! I dare not
"You'n do it, l say!" stormed Horri-
gan. you can't WEIGH on me at this
stage of the game. Those Sturtevant
Trust company notes Of yours were
sent to you and
And 1 won't take them!" declared
Roberts, slamming two slips Of paper
down upon the table. There! Take
them back"
"What do 1 want Of them" argued
Horrigan craftily. ''They belong te
you"
"They don't. I won't keep them"
you'll have to. l keep you to your
promise"
"What promise?" asked voice be
hind them.
Bennett, hastily summoned by Phe
Ian, had entered the room unobserved
by either of the excited men.
What promise?" he asked again. "a
promise to-
What are you doing hereY' below
ed Horrigan in fury. You called me
down once for coming into your pri
vate Office without knocking. What
d'you mean by coming into mine?"
Yours" queried Alwyn. II had ar
idea It. was the city's. The time is
past when the words 'Horrignn' ant
city meant the same. thing. Well
Roberts, how are you going to vote
want to believe yeu honest. and
Why, what's all this ?.:niss eyes faains