The Worthington advance., 1908-06-26

tnlng tnat ever came across. Gee, but
they did their work with a meat Ak"
'"Then you weren't one of the alder
men who voted for it?"
"Me? Nothin' doing 1 don't belong
to Dick Horrigan's solid thirteen He
can't buy and sell me at his own
terms like he does them thirteen geez-
ers''
"And yet, alderman, from your rep.
utation''-
"From my reputation I'm a crook,
hey? Well, there's crooks and crooks
And I'm one Of the other kind, if I'm
crooked at all, which I deny most en-.
Enthusiastically. At least follow no
Horrigan WHISTLE"
"Then why are you here in regard
to the Borough bill?"
"Perhaps it's on the theory Of set a
thief to catch a thief"
"Well," laughed Bennett, amused in
spite Of himself BY the alderman's
trankness. lat least you call spade a
spade"
II sure don't refer to it vague, but as
a 'utensil.' You don't need any foot
note explanations in one syllable when
Jimmy Phelan's talking. Every move
picture. If I hadn't been through
the game from shuttle to cash in,
would I be wise to what the Horrigan
crowd is framing up on you now?
Say, I've done some raw work in my
time, but this Borough business is the
coarsest yet. They must think you're
the original Mr.. Good Thing"
"You speak as if I were to be made
responsible for''-
"And amt you?" cried Phelan. "Sure
you are. When the people get wise to
what they're up against and CON-
mence to do their scream will they re-
member that So-and-so framed the bill
and that such and such aldermen vot-
ed for it? Not them. What the public
will remember is that you signed it.
It'll go screechin' down the corridors
Of time as the iniquitous Borough
franchise bill that Bennett signed
Catch the ideal"
EYES," said Bennett grimly: II un-
derstand. But what don't see is why
you should have taken the trouble to
come here and warn me OF this.
You've never shown any special fond
ness for me hitherto"
"That's right. But I've shown
punches of unfondness for Chesty Dick
Horrigan. And Horrigan's the man
who's rushing the Borough bill through.
Lord, what bill! It's so crooked that
If it was laid out like street the man
who tried to walk along it would meet
himself coming back. Why, your hon.
or, r.
"A1r. Wainwright, your honor" said
Ingram at the door; "says he won't de-
tain you long"
"Let him in if you like" suggested
Phelan. II can wait. Shall I go into
the other"-
''No. Wait here if you choose. His
business isn't likely to be private"
''I'm sorry to break in on your rush
hours" said Wainwright as he ad-
vanced to greet the mayor. IT won't
keep you long. Good afternoon. alder
man.
"Howdy," returned Phelan, walking
over to the far end Of the Office, where,
by falling into deep and admiring
study Of particularly atrocious por-
trait Of some earlier mayor, he denoted
that he was temporarily out of the
conversation.
'1'll come to the point at once, Mr..
Bennett" began Wainwright. IT call
ed to see you about the Borough Street
railway bill''
"That's an odd coincidence" answer
ed Bennett. 81 was going to call you
up this afternoon and ask your opinion
of it. What do you think of the meas
| ure?''
"What does he think of it?' mutter-
ed Phelan, addressing the portrait in
an aside that was perfectly audible.
What does he think of it? And him
ownin' the rival road! Oh, easy! Ask
him a real hard onev'
you're mistaken, alderman" re-
turned Wainwright blandly. IT am in
clined to favor the passage of the Bor-
ough biu."
Phelan shot one keen glance of in
credulity at the fnancier, then wheeled
about and resumed his rapt study Of
the portrait.
"Yes," continued Wainwright, "I ad-
nit that my City Surface line is in a
way the rival of the Borough Street
railway, but in a big city like this
there's surely room for both lines to
carry on prosperous business, so why
should they try to injure each other?"
."Why, oh, why?'' echoed Phelan,
again addressing the portrait. "Can l
be gettin' SO old that I've begun hear
In queer things that's never said?''
/ Wainwright paid no heed to the in
terpolation, but went on: z
"Of course the franchise viii be q
good thing for the Borough road, but
It needn't hurt the City Surface line.
Besides, the passing Of the bill made
Borough stock rise from 63 to 81. Then
when that unautho horized announcement
was made today that your honor would