La Junta tribune., 1908-07-25

his natural NERVOUSNESS nau
visibiy deepened so much so that he
had not even noted Phelans appear.
ance in the corridor as he passed into
: Horrisans private room.
Good evening alderman said Hor-
rigan civilly.
Good evening. sir" answered Rob
erts paipably III at ease.
Il understand there's fun meeting
today. Even Ei.,s came back from
the south to- lie 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 | want =
little talk before he goes In Now
then" went on the boss. with com
plete change Of manner as Williams
left the room. whats the matter with
youf"
IL can't
Cant what: Spesk ont. man!
Don't stand there and ilumbic at me-
II cant vote for the Borough fran
chise bill"
Cant. hey:'' roared HorriGan
-'why not!''
BECAUSE -because"- faltered Rob
crts; 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 II 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 rs Il crook and on the bill
as personal robbery. They told me
n voted for II they'd know ] was a
dirty thief and CRATER and that they'd
kick me out OF the ward"
well. well"' rumbied IIorrigan
soothingiy. as though trying to calm
fractious drunkard. What do you
care: When they've forgotten all
habout the bill you'll still have the
iough. won't you? Folks won't ask
How'd he get lt:' All they'll care to
know Is Has he got it?''
'.That isn't all-f Roberts biundere,i
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 was out and told her they'd
heard was going to sell myself and
vote for dishonest bill. My wife
my wife thinks I'm the sGuarest.
noblest man on earth. oh. you needn't
sncer! Her trust means everything to
me She told the women wouldn't
stoop to any deed that wasn't honest.
and they answered.: Our husbands lie.
lieve Mr. Roberts Is q crook. II he In
renIly 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. asked him
what tue matter was. He said thai
some boys had told him was graft
er tell you" his voice rising almost
TO . scream. ."Benneft's made my life
. hell. I'm no crook. I'm honest
and
Sure you're honest- HorriRan ex-
claimed. as though to q cross child
Honest N the day! That's why
you're voting for our bill. Because the
crooked clauses have been cut out Of
II. and In its present form lis a benefit
to the city"
That isn't why promised to vote
for IT," contradicted Roberts, with a
despairing dash Of courage. 1T was
,Ibecause I-because''-
-Never mind why. then. but just g.
{aad and do It."
I'm won't! dare not
.You1i do 1t. 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 won't take them declared
Roberts. sIammins two slips OF paper
down upon the table. There! Take
them back"
.what do want OF them?.' argued
Horrignn craftily. They belong to
you"
.They don't I won't keep them"
'.You'll have to. keep you to your
promise"
.what promisey asked voice BE-
hind them.
Bennett. hastily summoned by Phe-
Ian. had entered the room unobserved
BY either OF the excited men.
what promise 2" be asked again. "a
promise to-
"what are you doing here?'' below
ed Horrigan in fury. You called me
down once for coming into your pri-
yats once without knocking. What
d'you mean by coming Into miner
.Yodn1" queried Aiwyn. II had an
idea It was the city's. The time II
past when the words .Horrigan' and
city meant the same thing. Well.
Roberts. how are you going to vcte1
want to believe you honest, and
why. what's all this I" his eyes failing
on the forgotten notes on the table.
Nothing Of yoursr' shouted Horrf.
nm, making futile. furious grab for
the documents which Alwyn WAS pick
>Jns up. "Drop themi Drop them. !