Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-07-09

the doov and stamped in The boss
anger bad by no. means subsidized in
the few moments Of delay, but had,
rather, grown until 1t vibrnted In his
every word and gesture. He wasted
no time in formalties, 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, I'm
told Phelan's been here this afternoon.
What did he want?"
'oTo 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 aboutw
"a business matter"
what business matterT
Mine"
yours, eh?" sneered Horrigan.
"Well. young man, want you to un.
derstand here and now that no one
can be chummy with Jim Phclan and
be my man Mt the same time. Got that
through your head?'
Yes" assented Bennett; 81 think
have. And while we're speaking plain.
ly 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 headT
Horrigan stared in savage amaze
mcnt. He doubted If his ears had not
played him false. Bennett had always
treated the boss with uniform cour
tesy, and Horrlgan belonged to the
too numerous class who do not under
stand until too late the difference be-
tween gentle breeding and weak cow
ardlce. That a man should speak to
him courteously and not interlard his
talk with oaths. obscenity or rough
ness seemed to Horrigan. as it does to
many another boor, an evidence of IL
nudity and lack Of virility. Damas
Gus blade is far moro harmless look
ing weapon than a bludgeon, yet it Is
capable when the necessity arises Of
far deadier work.
1t Is only the man whose gentleness
has not granite strength as its founda
ton who deserves the newly popular
term OF "mollyCoddle.
Had Horrigans 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 IL fit tool for
the organization crooked work. The
French mobiles OF the old regime, whose
polish of manner was the envy of the
world. fought like devils on occasion
and went to death on the scNffold with
a smile and a jest on their lips, while
many brutal demagogue in the same
circumstances broke down and scream
ed for mercy. However. Horrigan
CHANGED to be more familiar with the
history OF the organization than with
that OF France; hence. dceming Ben
netts reply mere sporadic fash Of
defiance from a properly cowcd spirit,
he resolved to crush the rebellion at n
blow.
Don't give me any insolence" he
roared II won't stand for it. and
Moreover" quietly continued Ben
nett, as though the boss had not
spoken. 81 shall be very much obliged
| II in future you will knock at my door
instead Of bursting in on me. This is
my private Office. not yours"
"Do you mean to-
"Tve explained as clearly as I can
just what mean. If you don't under
stand me l can't supply you with in
telligence."
Bennett said the boss, his burn
ing rage steadied down to white
heat, far more dangerous, but less in
coherent, "you and me are talking toe
much ans saving too little. We've go,
to come to a showdown. You're n clev
or hoy and you made rafting good
fight. and you're on the right side OF
the public and of the press too, You're
the best material we've got. and II you
try and do the right thing there's NJ
| limit to what you can rise to-but only
If you do the right thing
1.-The right thing" echoed Bennett
what do you mean by the righ
thingT
Il mean you've got to do the righ
thing by the men who put you wher'
you are today"
That's fair. But who put me where
! am today"
81 did. Dick Horrigan. Who eve
heard of you till | took YOU up? No
body. II didn't make you mayor
who did, I'd like to know"
THE voters. The people Of Thu
tity,"
1.-THE voters" scofYed Horrlgan. "Th'
deuce they did. Who had you nomi
nated?
"You did But it was the public VIII
elected ME, and I'm going to ODE.
your orders In one thing I'm going t.
do the right thing by the men VIII
put me where am today I'm goinl
to pay the voters for their trust in m
by giving them fair and square al
mnistratlon. In the case OF this Bor
ough Street railway franchise bin. 70
instance" tapping the document lyin
before him on his desk. before | sigl
that bill I intend to make sure it's 70
Che good Of the people, that 1t is 70
the good Of the city, not merely 70
the good Of Richard Horrigan and
clique OF his friends and heelers. Nc
don't swear. It'll do you no good. In
firm on this matter. If you're discon
tented with mo it's your own fault
warned you months ago that il
was elected should keep my oath o
office. AS for this Borough blll"-
AS for this Borough bill" broke Il