The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1908-09-17
PRINCETON UNION: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER - 1905

LURSDAY, SEPTEMBER
that or his son must withdraw from
the gallant fight he was waging against
civic corruption, for that Horrigan
would carry out his threat and blazon
forth to the world the story and proofs
OF the elder Benefits shame Alwyn
had no doubt. With all his faults the
boss was man of his word.
stop your fight against u.s." Horri-
gan had said, land the report is
burned
Yes, the boss was man of his word.
Even Bennett admitted that. He would
fulfill his promise, in either event
Listlessly Alwyn began to review
the case On the one side a perhaps
Quixotic fight for an abstract principle
"a fight whose reward was political
death, loss Of the woman he adored
family shame that might crush his
fragile old mother to the very grave
On the other wealth, honor, love, the
governorship, future happy and glori-
GUS.
Was he not fool to hesitate? Had
he not salved his conscience sufficient
1y by vetoing the Borough franchise
bill? Had he the right to bring this
new shame upon his mothers gray
head? Where lay his highest duty?
The soft rustling Of silk and hand
laid in light caress upon his head
! fhn
reflections.
Bennett looked up to see his mother
standing beside him. She had thrown
on wrapper and in slippered feet had
stolen noiselessly into the study.
II was awakened by voices" she ex-
planned. II thought I heard some one
talking excitedly in here. Is anything
the matter?"
Nothing, nothing DEAR" he answer.
ed gently, drawing the little old lady
affectionately down to seat on his
knee and smiling manfully into her
sleep flushed face; nothing is the mat
ter. Only business CALL"
"A business call at o'clock in the
morning" she exclaimed. "Dear boy,
you are working too hard Your father
never brought his business worries and
work home. He always left them at
the Office. Can't you do the same?
You'll wear yourself out"
my father began Bennett, but
the name choked him.
"You are growing to be so much like
him." went on Mrs. Bennett fondly.
"And it makes me so happy that you
are. Your splendid fight against that
Infamous Borough bill, for instance.
How proud he would have been Of
that! 1t is just the sort Of thing he
himself would have done in your place
He was surrounded with wicked and
dishonest men just as you are. But
through it all he remained true, hon
orable, incorruptible. What a grand
heritage for my son! He Alwyn"
she broke off, alarmed, "why do you
look at me that way? I never saw
such look in your eyes before. Are
you Ill? Has something happened that
you are keeping from me?'
mo, no." evaded Bennett II only.
''You had a caller here before I
came in,' pursued the mother, refusing
to abandon the clew to which her wo-
manly intuition had led her. HE
brought you bad news? Tell me, dear!
I'm your mother, and love you"
"You are making my course more
difficult for me by asking such ques-
lions, mother" he answered wretched-
ly. land r.
Il only want to help you, Alwyn. l
can't bear to see you miserable. A
woman's wit and mothers love are
often a combination that can solve
problems beyond even the wisest
mans powers of logic. Let me help
you.''
II was trying to make up my mind,'
vaguely replied Bennett, sorely dis
tressed by her pleading, whether a
man ought to follow his conscience,
even if it leads to heartbreak for those
he loves, or whether he ought to let
conscience go by the board for once
and protect the happiness of his loved
| ones"
"A]wyn! How can you hesitate a
second over such question. One must
do right, no matter what the conse-
| quence.'
| II don't know about that" he said
modify.
"1ou know it perfectly we'll. 1t is
what your father would have advised
and But. Alwyn, you surely are not
making yourself unhappy over a mere
supposititious case?''
"Well," he continued, "let US take a
mere supposititious case if you like.
Suppose, for instance that man hold
ing position of trust had had a ia