Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-06-02
BY
LBERT
IS|51AYsoN
1lEERHUNE
N1PaRiGHT 1907 ~
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CHAPTER XIV.
Z WILLIAMS entered with Rob
IA erts in tow. The latter wore
wv a haggard, troubled look, and
his natural nervousness had
visibly deepened. SO much SO that he
had not even noted Phelan's appear
ance in the corridor as he passed into
Horrigan's private room.
"Good evening. alderman" said Hor-
'rigan civilly.
"Good evening, SIR" answered Rob
erts palpably Ill at ease.
~ understand there's full meeting
today. Even Ellis came back from
the south to be here. You're the only
man missing"
II couldn't get here sooner r.
II see. That's all, Williams. You
needn't wait Roberts and / want a
little talk before he goes in. Now,
then" went Oh the boss. with a COM
plete Change III yaannsr as Williams
left the raon, what's the matter with
you?"
IL can't
.Can't what? Speak out. man!
Don't stand there and humble at me"
~ can't vote for the Borough fran
chise bill"
Cant, heyy roared Horrigan.
"Why not?''
Because because faltered Rob-
erts; then, with rush of hysterical
emotion that blotted out his fear, he
cried:
"Have you heard what that man Ben
nett has done? He organized voters
committee in my ward and sent them
to ask me at my own house what was
going to do about that bill. They had
been stirred up by Bennett till they
looked on me as crook and on the bill
as personal robbery. They told me
II voted for 1t they'd know was a
dirty thief and CRATER and that they'd
kick me out Of the ward"
"Well. wellr' rumbled Horrigan
soothingly, as though trying to calm
fractions drunkard What do you
care? When they've forgotten all
about the bill you'll still have the
dough, won't you? Folks won't ask
How'd he get itY All they'll care to
know is Has he got it?'"
.sThat isn't ALL" Roberts blundered
on, scarcely needing the interruption.
Benefits next step was to organize
q committee of voters wives, and they
came to see my wife this morning
when / was out and told her they'd
heard 1 was going to sell myself and
vote for a dishonest bill. My wife
nv wife thinks I'm the squarest,
noblest man on earth. Oh, you needn't
sneer! Her trust means everything to
me. She told the women / wouldn't
stoop to any deed that wasn't honest,
and they answered: Our husbands be-
lieve Mr.. Roberts is a crook. If he is
really honest he'll vote against that
bill, as he did before Then on my
way home this noon met my little
boy. He was crying. / asked him
what the matter was, He said that
some boys had told him I was graft
er. tell you,'' his voice rising almost
to scream, Benefits made my life
hell. I'm no crook. I'm honest
and"-
"sure you're honest" Horrigan ex-
claimed. as though to a cross child.
Honest as the day! That's why
you're voting for our bill Because the
crooked clauses have been cut out Of
it, and In its present form it's benefit
to the city"
THAT isn't why promised to vote
for it, contradicted Roberts, with a
despairing dash of courage. ut was
because I-because"-
"Never mind why, then, but just 60
ahead and do it."
81 won't! l dare not
you'll do It, l say!'' stormed Horri-
gan. "You can't WEIGH on me at this
stage Of the game. Those Sturtevant
Trust company notes Of yours were
sent to you and"-
And 1 won't take them" declared
Roberts, slamming two slips of paper
down upon the table. 'There! Take
them back"
"What do want of them?" argued
Horrigan craftily. ''They belong to
you"
'They don't. 1 won't keep them"
you'll have to. keep you to your
promise"
"What promise?" asked voice be.
hind them.
Bennett, hastily summoned by Pie.
Ian, had entered the room unobserved
by either Of the excited men.
What promise?" he asked again. "A
promise to-
What are you doing here?" below
ed Horrigan in fury. You called me
down once for coming into your pri.
vate office without knocking. What
d'you mean by coming into miner"
"Yours?" queried Alwyn. II had an
idea it was the city's. The time is
past when the words 'Horrigan' and
city meant the same thing. Well
Roberts. how are you going to vote;
/ want to believe you honest, and
Why. what's all this 'hisseyes falling