Putnam patriot., 1908-08-07

honor of dane
 He slipped aa arm ing with three
 about her ,edtsf ds of your daugh.
 he spoht- ters this even ing. and the least l can do is to repay such pleasure by
 Did you. really2" heamed the judge on whom the unmarried state Of his four fast aging girls rested heavily sFm sure Mrs Newman will be pleased But this business matter You-you won't misunderstood me
 .of course uet," replied Alvyn heart fly. "You and I are too old friends. judge to
 T hope so: hope so.' conceded New man. with growing anxiety in hls teae. You sec
 q see you have some trouble coming to the point" said Atwyn, nisying the Judges evident discontinue. and I'm sorry you feel so. You were my ia. liners friend. and like h think of you as one of my own best friends. There surely should be no hesltatio in ask Ing anything In my power to grant.
 Thus embroidered Newman blurted out
 "I-we-that is. seems to me you have been little hard upon this Ber- ough franchise bill. If you don't mind my saying SO. Bennett. Couldn't you let up on them nowf
 "Wby. no. judge. l can't replied Bennett. still falling 10 connect New. th. trsxx n fvh tnrriv clique and attributns the judges In sesest in the matter ;o an amateur s love Of dahhling In politics 'l can't let up on that fight" he continued All perpetual franchises are wrong. and this particular franchise bill is rotten fo the core. In sheer justice to my oath of office must fight It.
 My boy" sAid the Judge in a ia therly manner that he had often found successful fin argument. "l was in poll tics bong before you were born. and I'm speaking for your own good when l say I deeply regret the stand you've taken In this matter You objected te the bill in Its original form. Almost every change you demanded has been iihts It. NS tif' k'ht'th''s W 'N asked me to speak to you said"- He checked himself minute toe late The narrowing of Bennett's eyes and the vanishing of the friendly light in the young mans face warned New man he had mnde fatal error
 "So you come 10 me ns an emissary. not as a friend" said Bennett slowly, ss.u1 tho .,,a,tlaruan' vat, co,.a frnu,'. Are the nIeu who represent all that can make or break your career-eapltal and political drganization.' Tn other words. Wainwright and Horrigan?"
 "Yes All they ask Is that you re main neutral. that you
 That l look the other way while they rob the eitHF'
 "I am an old man. Bennett" eyadea the judge trying another tack. ..anl I've seen one rnsh step wreck many il bright career. just as this will wreck yours Never autagonize wealth and the organization The public for whom you sacrifice yourself will forget yoti in a month. Capital and politics never forget
 "T am not catering to the public | am acting as my own conscience"- But this is stubbornness. not con. science. All you have 10 do is to re- main neutral If you do this I am authorized 10 promise you-now. listen to promise you the nomination for governor when your term as"- That's the bait. Is ity' cried AIwyn anerfly. If l consent to betray my trust I'll get the governorship. The bribe is golden. and don't wonder at Horrigan for offering it. The only thing that surprises me Ia that he should have chosen such a man as you for his lsckey and go-between."
 .Iaekeyr .Briber Go-betweenr !" echoed the judge in real indignation How dare you. sirf This"- s1snt h brif@." insisted AIwvn .apd weren't you the man ebosen to oRer if II will do you DO good to blnster or Uow indignant. In your
 Oeart you know the words used were
 deserved Tbe governorxhip offer was q bribe. pure and simple. and worthy
 the modern hishwasmen who made it.
 bnf fhaf you. a jndge-a former friend
 of my own lsiameiess fafher-fhaf you sheusd come fo me on such -ile er- rand turns me sick. iiea.en h<ip jus
 tice and right when our judges can be
 controlled by political boss and a roll of bills. That's all. ! don't care to 20 further into the subjectr'
 B4nneff walked away. leaving fhe it. tie judge io stare after him. pink with
 wrath. speeches. with amazefnent In sll his sixty years DO man had thus laid hare 10 Newman his own heart stripped Of its garments Of respecfa- biIIfy and self deception And. as usu- al in such cases, BOW that the truth