The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-01-10

cerned, Baxter is all right. He's
the kind of a. man they want. One
would naturally think they would !,
look up somebody in the same
class"
81 thought 1t was because you
were the only one who could beat |
O'Hara," she suggested.
That's what they said,' he adj
mitted, "but they said some other |
things, too"
"What?" she asked.
"Well, that's rather hard to ex-
plain he answered, eaasively.
There was nothing direct. but
they've been rather enthusiastic in
telling me how much they can do
for me and of the great political
future that there is for the right
man. 1t wasn't necessary. I'm
willing to be alderman just for the
salary MI
EYES," she said wistfully, ard
like to have that salary Nor the
children. There's so much / want
to do for them. There isn't much
margain over the household ex-
penses now, and the salary would
, be such a help. Two years would
be $4,000 that could put away,
and if you were reelected there
would be $4,000 more. Just think
what that would do for the chill
dren when they are a little older,
and we want to give them the very
best educational advantages and
all that! We could live on the
store
1--WE could live a good deal bet
ter on the store if | didn't have to
carry so many people on the
books" he interrupted.
"Why do you do it," she asked.
ooh, l can't help it, he an
swered, "and you couldn't, either,
; in my place. Besides, it isn't such
bad investment when you come
to think of it, if it brings me the
aldermanic job. It's just because
I'd done these things that Bell
wants me- He paused again, and
shook his head. "But why should
Bell care? What object has he in
View"
Mason stopped short and for a
few minutes smoked his pipe mood
lily.
"Well?" said Mrs. Mason, inquir-
ingly.
Its f1attering and tempting"
the young man explained, land at
first thought of no more than that.
But I'm wise enough to know that
d political boss Of the Bell kind
9 doesn't pass out favors without eX-
> acting price. What is the price?
: That's what troubles me-"
: Nothing was said about price,"
a suggested the little woman.
D Moo"
"They asked for no pledges tina,
: you couldn't conscientiously give?"
t mot directly"
"Then what's the use of worry.
t ing?"
+ "Well." he answered, thoughtful-
+ ly, there's an underlying some
thing there that | don't like. Per-
= haps I'm dull; perhaps they've said
I enough to make the situation clear
. to most men," 4
Foolish boy!" laughed his wife.
y Nov, I'll tell you what l think:
|, They want you because they can't
e carry the ward without YOU and
they're not going to risk asking you
l to make promises that 'might
c change your determination to run
At any rate she persisted
they've asked for no pledges and
+ you've made none. All you have
to do is to remember that we need
S the $500 a year, and-get IT,"
l. Rather a mercenary way OF
looking at it," he commented
r. Most candidates like to have you
o think that they want Office for the
good that it will enable them to
n do
l. well" she returned, 81 expect
you to be the very best alderman
: in the council, as a matter OF
course. If you're not, I'll be
ashamed Of you. and my mind is
e all made up to be proud. Who's
coming?" she concluded, abruptly
+ as she saw the children cease their
e play and race down the street.
5 About a dozen men and an Italian
D street band stopped in front OF
l. Mason's little home and the band
gave an exercrable rendition OF
some popular and patriotic airs.
"A serenade, by thunder!" cried
Mason.
Dots right" exclaimed a little
German who was now coming up
the steps. eve shust heard der
news, und ye're mooch glad for our.
selves and yourselves. You make a
gOot alderman"
''Hurrah for Mason!" yelled a
man on the sidewalk, and a cheer
was given. Then they all crowded
up on the porch and some of the
neighbors joined them.
you're beginning rather early
aren't your" asked Mason "Bet.
ter wait until after the primaries at
least"
"That's all right, Mason" put
in one of the men. I'VE want you
to know we're with you. You're
the kind of man we want. Go in
and win
"Vin, sure!" added the little Ger
man. "You can't lose it. Don'd Bob
Howe say so, und he knows. It's
6yoI alrandv yat