The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-04-26


"T'd like to see q private secretary Of
mine come buttin' In like this" con-
fded Phelan to the picture. aI'd chase
him 20 far he'd discover q new street.
Id'--
The alderman broke on short HIS
eye had fallen on Thompson as the
latter entered. Phelan stood rigid,
with mouth open and eyes bulging,
taking In every detail Of the quiet,
pallid young mans appearance. The
secretary meanwhile had gone up to
Wainwright and begun to deliver his
message.
'Mr. Horrlgan called you up. SIR"
said he, "just a minute or 80 after you
left the Office. He wishes you to come
and see him Immediately II possible"
"All right" answered the financier.
I'm come at once. I'm sorry, your
honor, that . am called away jgst now,
for I'd like to discuss this Borough bill
further with you. But what I wished
to express can be said In nutshell.
II I. who own the rival road, am In
favor Of granting the Borough fran
chise, can't see why any one else
should object to II. Come on, Thomp-
son. Good day. your honor Good day.
alderman"
The financler passed out rh0apson
was following when Phelan. who bad
never once removed his eyes from the
secretary. stepped in front Of him
well. young man!' said he.
well, sir" said Thompson ip mGi
surprise.
"Y0u remember meY'
II don't think so. SIR"
Huh! That's queer! I'm Alderman
Phelan OF the Eighth"
1--WE read about you. Of course, sir.
but To-
But yon don't know me? Never met
me before?"
I'm sorry. sir. but I can't recall 1t
II did Good day. SIR
The secretary hurried out after his
employer. Phelan. with a puzzled shake
Of the head, seemed trying to solve
some elusive problem. But Bennett,
who had not noted the brief scene be-
tween Thompson and the alderman,
broke In on the latter's musings with
the remark:
You appeared to be amazed at Mr..
Tainwright's attitude toward the Bor-
ough Street railway franchise"
Amazed Is a mild, gentle word for
my feeling" declared the alderman.
ITO hear that old flint heart prattlin'
about widows and orphans and fair
play-why, say, your honor, ! know
Charles Wainwright from way back,
and tell you be has the same affec-
tion for the money OF widows and Or
phans that tomcat has for a canary.
As for fair play, he wouldn't recognize
1t II he was to hear 1t through mega
phone. He's up to something! don't
know Just what. But I'lP'--
"Come. come" demonstrated Bennett
good lhumoredly. I'm sure Won do
| Wainwright an injustice. He
"He's fine old bird! Do you chance
to remember the Garrison case nlre
years back? President Garrison Of the
Israel Putnam Trust company"-
"Who shot himself after being ruined
by financier who was his deares;
friend? Yes. What has that to Fdc
with N ny
"With wainwright Oh, nothin'
much. Only wainwright happened TO
be the financier."N
"No! You must be mistaken
AAm /? ought to know something
about it. was the chief Of police at
the time and handled the case. 1t was
I who suppressed Wainwrights name.
For q small consideration IT,
wainwright gasped Bennett. "Of
all menl Butt .g
$50 you see why coppered the
mercy and fair play cards when be
dealt 'em just now," purred Phelan-
''There's something big behind this
talk OF his In favor Of the Borough
biu Wasn't 1t at his house last sum
mer that Horrigan offered you the nomi-
nation? That's the story. and ~
ayes. On the 25th of July. He"-
"The 25th of July. hey? That was
the day he had me out there. The day
| met that fellow Gibbs. BY the way.
your honor. the papers say it's Gibbs
firm that's buyin' all that Borough
stock. They've been buyin' 1t up on