Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-09-08
CHAPTER III.

L i growled. indicating Phelan
with a contemptuous jerk Of the head
and addressing no one In particular
"Ask your friend Wainwright"
grunted Phelan, with equal roughness.
T-you see," began Wainwright con-
ciliatingly. 81 didn't like to see two
such first rate chaps at odds with each
other, 80 l wanted to bring you to
gether here to-
"Oh. you did. did you?" sneered Hor-
rigan. "And what did Phelan say to
that little plan?"
81 said," snapped Phelan before his
host could reply-.T said I'd see you In
- firstv
Same here. twice over" said Hor
ngan.
But" interposed Wainwright coax.
ingly. "is there no way
mo" retorted Horrigan. his deep
voice rumbllng far down in his throat.
"There isn't Look here Phelan! I'm
out for your scalp and I'm going to get
itr
"Come on, look for it!' crowed Phe
Ian. fairly hopping up and down in
rage and excitement. "Come a-runnin'!
An while you're huntin' my scalp
don't overlook one bet. I'm after
yoursr'
mine. you little shrimp! Why
"Yes. yours. Horrigan, you cur
You're pretty cbesty an strong stand
in on the top of the organization. but
you're no bloomin' statue Of Liberty
You can be torn down. and here's the
man who's goin' to do the tearin'.
Me-Alderman Jimmy Phelan Of the
Eighth"
Let 1t 60 ut that for now. Yol'll
wake up In the fall. when the cleo
ton
"Let 1t go at that for keeps. r.
"Mr. Wainwright" broke or Horri-
gan, II this was the business you
wanted to talk over with me here
ut isn't" assured the thoroughly un-
comfortable fnancier.
"Oh. Then we can get down to real
business perhaps when this fellows
gone"
THAT lets me out" observed Phelap
cheerfully as he picked up his hat.
"G'by. Mr.. Wainwright. G'by. Mr
Gibbs. Horrigan. PIP
But you'll stay to lunch. alderman,
won't you" urged Horrlgan. with an
effort at cordiallty that deceived no
one.
mo. thanks" replied Phelan. when
the curtains down and the orchestra's
gone home I don't need no usher to
poke me In the ribs to tell ME the
shows out AS for stayin' to break
bread with Dick Horrigan. I'd sooner
have jolly little grub fest with Wiley's
poison squad. Goodby. all Horrlgan.
rs for you. some day I'll cross two
sticks Of dynamite under you and you'll
scatter 80 wide that the Inquest over
your p'Iitical remains will have to be
held In fourteen counties"
II am so sorry. Mr.. Hor-igan. that
this should have happened In my
house." said Wainwright as the irate
alderman stalked out, leaving the boss
staring after him in dumb fury. 81
meant It for the best and
"Mr. Wainwright" Interrupted Hor-
rigan. venting his pent-up wrath on bis
1ismayed host. "this old world of ours
ls white with bones of failures. Of
fools, Of deadbeats In other words.
Of folks who meant It for the best.
Now let's get down to business"
First let me introduce Mr.. Gibbs
He"-
"Glad to meet him. but he'll excuse
me when I say never talk business
when there's a third party around. No
offense. Mr.. Gibbs. Just walk out and
take a look at the view, like good
boy, won't your Thanks"
Gibbs, ut a warning look Of appeal
from Wainwright. checked the angry
retort that sprang to his lips. turned
on his heel and walked out. Horrigan.
who had observed the glance excnang-
ed between the two men, grudgingly
attempted to soften the effect Of his
brusqueness.
81 didn't mean to snub your friend
said he, but Phelan riled Inc, and
| took It out on the next man spoke to-.
What on earth set you to having Phe-
Ian here to meet me for, anyway"
Just as said. wanted to win him
over to us. We will need every strong
man we can get this fall. We
"You know a lot about finance, Mr..
Wainwright. But you're rank out
slider in politics or you'd never have
made such q break. can't compro-
mise with Phelan even II wanted to.
He's stood out against me, and I've
got to smash him. If he could defy me
and get sway with 1t, other leaders
would think they could do 1t, too. and
In less than no time the organization
would be split up into dozen factions,
and I'd be down and out Understand
I've got to look out for discipline II I'm
to hold the place I've won. When a
man In the organization starts fight
against me. must down him. There's
no turning back. That's why I'm boss
Every man In the crowd knows he's
got to obey me or fight me and that II
It's fight it's battle to the death. And
he's the man who does the dying, no,
I. Now, you understand So we car
. set. to business. WHAT