Fort Pierce news., 1908-06-12

week, and always with nerfact,v
new excuse for your intrusion | toi.
crate you for the originality Of those
excuses. What is today'sY"
Il have no need of an excuse 4" ro
piled Perry, with an air of hurt dlg.
nifty Il am the bearer of most I'm
portant message to you"
From whom?"
"From-from- Dallas is home land.
ed this morning"
A light came into the mayors tired
eyes at the news.
And the messagew he asked en-.
gerly.
That's the message. She's home"
"She sent you to tell me that?"
mo- not exactly that" evaded Per.
ry, wrlggling uncomfortably.
We'll, what was her message thenY
"She-she didn't send any"
Then who sent the message that
she has come homer"
well, the fact is sent 1t myself.
That's why brought it,"
"Oh, you poor ldiotw laughed Ben.
nett. 'The same old excuse in a new
shape! Well, now you're here, you can
stay just five minutes. I'm too busy
to play with little boys today"
Little boys! I'll be twenty-five next
spring. ~
"Any messages while was out, Miss
Garrisonp
Yes, one" answered Cynthia. "Your
mother telephoned that she would be
here at half past 2. She said she had
a surprise for you"
Say" remarked Perry, feeling he was
being excluded from the talk "T'd go
easy on that surprise If were you,
Alwyn. I've had surprises over the
telephone myself, and they're punk.
Once a girl
alderman Phelan would like to
speak to your honor" said Ingram, the
old doorkeeper. popping out Of the
anteroom.
"Show him in," answered Bennett.
Now then, Perry
"Were you about to ask me to stay
awhile longer?" asked the boy. BE
cause I'm sorry, but l can't. Goodby.
Good afternoon, Miss Garrison. Glad
you liked the photo. So long, Maybe
I'll bring another message from Dallas
tomorrow"
"What can Phelan want Of me,
wonder" mused Bennett, half aloud.
"He and / scarcely Good afternoon,
alderman! think this is the first time
you've honored me with visit"
"Then be lenient with a first offense,
your honor" suggested Phelan, shak-
Ing hands with the mayor and nodding
pleasantly to Cynthia as she passed
out to her-own office.
Something important, | suppose"
hazarded Bennett
Maybe IT is important and maybe It
isn't" returned Phelan. ut ali de-
pends on whether that was a true story
In the Chronicle today about your veto
ing the Borough Street railway bill. If
you've really vetoed that bill all I'll
have to do is to say, Sorry ] can't stay
longer, and get out"
mo" said Bennett, "that announce
ment wasn't authorized. l haven't ve-
toed the Borough Street railway bill
In fact, l haven't made public any de-
cislon on it. Why"
'I'm glad to hear 1t, and, that being
the case, III invite myself to seat and
stay awhile. Say, your honor, on the
level that Borough bill was the rawest
thing that ever came across. Gee, but
they did their work with meat ak"
"Then you weren't one of the alder
men who voted for it?"
"Me? Nothin doing. 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"-
'tTOm my IeputdliVh IL " NA"NAAi
hey? Well there's crooks and crooks
And I'm one of the other kind. If I'm
crooked at all, which ! deny most en-
Enthusiastically. At least ! follow no
Horrigan whistle
"Then why are you here in regard
to the Borough billT
perhaps it's on the theory of set a
thief to catch thief
"Wel," laughed Bennett, amused In
spite of himself by the alderman's
fran nkness, lat least you call spade
spade"
oT 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
a picture. If / hadn't been through
the game from shuttle to cash in'
would | be wise to what the Horrlgan
o,orrd is framing up on you now!