Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1908-10-16
nnAS1,rs VI.
t5nAsTsS VI,
~ THAT a strange fiaiiw es.
claimed Dallas Wainwright
WI In wonder. as the anter,om
door slammed behind the

"a claimed Dallas Wainwrigs'
WI In wonder. as the anterior
v door slammed behind the
boss. "And what utterly abeIinable
manners! Who Is he. Alwyn|
"Horrigan."
"Richard Horrigan. the
"The boss. Yes. He has pleasing
way Of stamping into this Office IN
asked, as If be owned It and as II
were his clerk. But today's behavior
was the worst yet. It's got to stop"
but don't do or say anything reck-
less, Alwyn. Promise me. Remember
how strong he Is"
There's no danger of his letting me
forget his power" said Bennett, with
q bitter smile. He
"But you'll be careful. won't you?
Please do, for my sake. And you
mustn't keep him waiting. IL there's
a way out through Cynthia's Office
we'll go by that. Goodby. Ill explain
to your mother. No: you must let us
go now, Office business must come
first. Won't you call this evening? III
be home and alone"
Despite Benefits remonstrances she
was firm, and 1t was In no pleasant
frame Of mind that the mayor threw
himself into a seat when he was left
alone In the room. That the talk with
Dallas, which had promised 80 much
for him, should be thus rudely inter-
rupted That HOrrigan flung open
the door and stamped In. The boss
anger had by no means subsidized in
the few moments Of delay, but had.
rather. grown until 1t vibrated In his
every word and gesture. He wasted
no time 10 formallties, but came to
the point with all the tender grace and
tact Of pile driver.
Look here. Bennett" he rumbled,
menace underlying tone and look, '1'm
told Phelan's been here this afternoon.
What did he want?"
ITO see me-. answered Bennett calm
ly, the effort at self control visible
only In the whitening Of the knuckles
that gripped the desk edge.
what did he want to see you about"
"a business matter"
"What business matterT
mime"
"Yours, eh?" sneered Horrigan.
"Well, young man, want you to un-
derstand here and now that no one
can be chummy with Jim Phelan and
be my man at the same time. Got that
through your head?'
"Yes," assented Bennett; 81 think !
have. And while we're speaking plain
Iy want you to understand here and
now that no one can bully me, either
here or elsewhere, and that I'm no
mans man. Have you got that through
your head?"
Horrigan stared In savage amaze
ment He doubted If his ears had not
played him false. Bennett had always
treated the boss with uniform cour-
tesy, and Horrigan belonged to the
too numerous class who do not under
stand until too late the difference be-
tween gentle breeding and weak cow
ardice. That man should speak to
him courteously and not interlard his
talk with oaths. obscenity or rough
ness seemed to Horrigan, as 1t does to
many another boor, an evidence OF IT,
midity and lack Of yirility. A Damas-
Gus blade is far more harmless look
ing weapon than bludgeon, yet 1t Is
capable when the necessity arises or
far deadlier work.
1t Is only the man whose gentleness
has not granite strength as its founda-
ton who deserves the newly popular
term of ..moIlycoddIe."
Had Horrigan's large experience
with men been extended to embrace
this fact he would probably never have
picked out Alwyn Bennett In the first
place as candidate for mayor nor
deemed the younger man fit tool for
the organizations crooked work. The
French mobiles of the old regime. whose
polish of manner was the envy Of the
world. fought like devils on occasion
md went to death on the scaffold with
4 smile and a jest On their lips. while
many brutal demagogre In the same
broke down and scream
I'd for mercy. However. Horrigan
Glanced to be more familiar with the
history Of the organization than with |
hat of France: hence. Geeming Bell
lett's reply a mere sporadic fash OF
lefance from properly cOwed spirit.
lie resolved to crush the rebellion at 4 |
blow.
Don't give me any insolence" he
cared. II won't stand for it, and
Moreover" quietly continued Ben
lett, rs though the. boss had not
poken, II shall be very much obliged
f in future you will knock at my door
instead of bursting in on me. This is
ny private Office. not yours"
"Do you mean to-
Eve explained as clearly as | can
ust what | mean. If you don't under
tand me I can't supply you with IN
diligence"
Bennett" said the boss, his burn
ng rage steadied down to white
leat. far more dangerous. but less in
"you and me are talking too
nuch and saying too little We've got
o come to showdown. You're cIev
r boy and you made rafting good
ght. and you're on the right side Of
he public and Of the press too. You're
he best material we've got, and II you
ry and do the right thing there's no
init to what you can rise to-but only