The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1908-07-09

many another boor, an evidence OF IT,
midity and lack Of virility. A Damas-
Gus blade is a far more harmless look
ing weapon than a bludgeon, yet it Is
capable when the necessity arises of
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 ''mollycoddle."
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
and went to death on the scaffold with
smile and jest on their lips. while
many brutal demagogue in the same
| circumstances broke down and scream
ed for mercy. However. Horrigan
chanced to be more familiar with the
history of the organization than with
| that of France; hence, deeming Ben
netts reply mere sporadic flash Of
| defiance from properly cowed spirit.
he resolved to crush the rebellion at a
blow.
Don't give me any insolence" he
roared. Il won't stand for it. and''-
Moreover" quietly continued Ben
nett. as though the boss had not
spoken. Il shall be very much obliged
if 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-
i've explained as clearly as l can
just what mean. If you don't under
stand me can't supply You with in
telligence.'
Bennett" said the boss, his burn
heat. far more dangerous. but less in
coherent. "you and me are talking too
much and saying too little. We've got
to come to a showdown. You're clev-
er boy and you made rattling 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 If you
try and do the right thing there's no
limit to what you can rise to-but only
if you do the right thing"
"'The right thing" echoed Bennett
what do you mean by the right
thingy"
II mean you've got to do the right
thing by the men who put you wher,
you are today"
THAT'S fair: But who put me where
am today"
y did Dick 81 81 Origin N;.hn -esel
heard Of you till took you up? No
body. If didn't make you mayor
who did, I'd like to know"
"The voters. The people Of thi'
city,
.'The voters" scoffed Horrigan. ''1'h.
deuce they did! Who had you nomi
nated?'
'You did But it was the public who
elected me. and Pm going to Obe!
your orders in one thing. I'm going tt
; do the right thing by the men who
put me where I am today Pm going
to pay the voters for their trust III me
by giving them fair and square ad
mnistration. In the case of this For
ough Street railway franchise bill. fol
instance" tapping the document lying
before him on his desk. "before ! sig:
that bill intend to make sure it's fol
she good of the people. that it is fo
the good of the city. not merely fo
the good of Richard Horrigan and
clique Of his friends and heeers. nc
don't swear It'll do you no good. In
firm on this matter. If you're tliscOn
E tented with me it's your own fault
J l warned you months ago that If
was elected | should keep my oath Q
!: office. AS for this Borough bill
u LAS for this Borough bill" broke i
Horrigan savagely. you'll sign 1t.
you DON'T
n "Well?' queried Bennett. as the bos
paused, choked by his own fury. Il
G don't sign it-what then?"
] "If you don't, your political career
ended from this time on. See? 1t
e ended. Smashed fat You think &
It yourself as fine, promising youn
v nan who's on the road to the go'
ernorship and maybe to the Whit
Il House. Well, you aren't You're wh;
y Dick Horrigan made you, and yor
r future will be what Dick Horrig''
n chooses to make it. lifted you NJ
5 and can tear you down just as cas-.
II And, what's more. by $1,000. III do it
l. you don't sign the Borough bill. II
IS man of my word, and before evt
d you were nominated | pledged N
o word to have that bill put tllroug
d The bill paid your election expense
IT.
/, 81 paid my own election expense
N You know that"
4 "Your personal expenses. perhap
But who paid for parades, halls. ba
lie ments. workers and watchers and q
IS the other million things that electt
you? The men behind that Boroue
y bill paid them. And they did It Oh Il
understanding you'd sign the bill"
''In other words" remarked Be
nett. ''you made bargain for III
n Well, can't keep it."
n "Oh, I'll keep it all right. You
le sign that bill or you'lP-
ID ''Mr Horrigan," exclaimed Benne
at controlling his temper with more al
more difficulty. you said sOmethi
| just now about our coming to il sliO
n down This is the time for it. | wa
Id you to remember henceforth that
er wear no mans collar-yonrs or a
40 one else's-and that you can't deliy