The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1908-09-24
CHAPTER XIII.

O11A1 ALL.
THE momentous Friday had ar
rived; the day wherein the ia
nous - or Infamous Borough
= Street railway bill in it's
amended form was to come up for the
aldermen's consideration.
Every paper in the city devoted COL
umns to the situation. Everywhere it
was known that the "boy mayor" was
fighting with all his might the bill he
had already vetoed. Equally we'll was
it understood that Horrigan was max
ing the battle of his whole career in
behalf Of the measure. If he could but
induce his 'solid thirteen" aldermen to
stand firm and could maintain his hold
on Roberts for the fourteenth, all
would be plain sailing and the bill
would pass by two-thirds vote in
spite Of the mayors veto.
More than the mere bill and his
price for it were included in Horri-
CAMS reasons for his present activity.
He recognized that his prestige as boss
was at stake-that in case of failure
his hold on the organization would be
considerably weakened, perhaps almost
SO much shaken as to permit Phelan to
fulfill his once absurd threat to tear
him down from his eminence. For the
whole organization was viewing with
breathless interest the duel between
Horrigan and the youthful mayor the
boss had made" In such circles
beaten man commands scant respect.
The board OF aldermen were in ses-
sion in the city hall. Off the ante
chamber of the great room where they
met was small, snugly furnished
apartment, first Of series of similar
rooms that stretched away, with con-
Meeting doors, to the far end Of the
main corridor. This place, with the
room adjoining, had once been the
comptroller's Office. OF late, however,
that official had changed his quarters
and the room nearest the antechamber
had been appropriated by Horrigan
himself as a sort of unofficial snug
gerry, where he could sit at ease and
transact business at close quarters
whenever the organizations secret in.
terests demanded his presence at the
city hall.
Here, his whereabouts known only
to his intimate and personal lieuten-
ants, the boss was wont to sit at ease,
like some fat, rubicund spider in the
center Of web Of intrigue, and issue
his orders or plans Of campaign. Some
0f fhoCo 90. r4o1 h, - =,
through the anteroom into the alder
manic chamber. Others he transmit
ted by means Of telephone that stood
ready on the center table, before which
his great easy chair was always placed
Around this table as the board of al
dermen were about to convene on the
fateful Friday Of the Borough bills
final consideration sat three men
Wainwright, Gibbs and Horrigan. The
former, in spite of his habitual steady
GOODNESS, was plainly uneasy. Gibbs
made no effort to deny his anxiety.
His eyes were bloodshot, his manner
distracted and his nerves evidently
strung to breaking point. Horrigan
alone of the trio had abated not one
jot of the colossal calm and brutal
power that were part and parcel Of
the mans mighty character.
when will our bill come up, do you
suppose?' asked Gibbs. breaking 8
brief silence.
I'm half an hour or so probably"
answered Horrigan, glancing at his
watch. II thought it was better for
us to get here ahead Of time.''
"Half an hour" fumed Gibbs, "and
neither Ellis nor Roberts here vet!
Suppose they don't get here on time?"
"They WILL" grunted Horrigan plac-
idly.
''Do you think it is possible either of
them has come yet?' went on Gibbs,
with a glance at the antcchamber door.
mo"
"How do you know: Perhaps
WILLIAMS would have told me. He
knows where I'm to be found.''
you're sure Ellis and Roberts will
show up?"
Eyes,
How soon?"
"In good time"
'But suppose they don't?" insisted
Gibbs nerv ously. "What then?"
"Why, if they don't, then they won't.
What do you suppose:" snapped Hor-
rigan. whats the matter with you,
anyhow? Are you looking for a muse.
um job as the human question mark?' :"
"Gibbs is naturally nervous explain
ed Wainwright. Hes not so old at
this game as you and l, Horrigan. and
we must make allowances"
"Nervous?" grunted the boss. II
b should say he is! Just look at that
cigar I gave him. He's been chewing
it as if it was a sausage. That's no
way to treat fifty cent cigar, man!
Here, try another, and see if YOU can't