The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1908-08-20

about the bill you'll sti.s kyA Tie
dough, won't you? Folks MAKE ask
How'd he get it? All thu caFe to
know is Has he got it?" sasss
"'That isn't all"' Roberts ndeFed
on, scarcely needing the in ti0n.
''Bennett's next step was Nuike
a committee Of voters wive they
came to see my wife til flIing
when I was out and told 1hfyd
heard was going to sell elf and
vote for dishonest bill. 1 ~ wife
my wife thinks Pm the QuafeSt
noblest man on earth. Oh. Eneaip't
sneer! Her trust means ed 5thiug to
me- She told the women WOuldn't
stoop to any deed that wai honest.
and they answered.: Our h9ands be-
lieve Mr.. Roberts is a crool II he Is
really honest he'll vote afniHSt that
bill. as he did before Then on my
way home this noon | nagkany little
boy. He was crying. him
what the matter was. d that
some boys had told him raft
er. tell you," his voice rA 5nost
to scream, "Bennett's mn life
hell I'm no crook. Sbnest
and'-
"Sure you're honest!" H4rigaM ex-
claimed, as though to a gross child
Honest as the day! EAat's why
you're voting for our bill. sBecanse he
crooked clauses have bee9 cp1 ont of
it, and in its present form astnnefit
TO the city,"
THAT isn't why l prom ed to vote
for it," contraGicted Robtffs, with =;
despairing dash of coura1 II was
because I-hecause"-
"Never IaIaa why. then. but Just g..
ahead and do it."
81 won't! I dare not M
you'll do it, say"' stormed Horri
gan. You can't WEIGH OH me- atsthis
stage of the game. Those Hfnrtevan,
Trust company notes Of yolFs swerc
sent to you and"-
''AnG l won't take thelnr deelaretl
Roberts. slamming two slips OF paper
down upon the table 'Thefe. Take
them backr'
"What do want of the,nv 6fgued
Horrigan craftily. ''They Sbelong to
you"
'sThey don't. won't Keep them"
"You'll have to. keep 6og your
promise"
"What promise?' askedst xoice be
hind them.
Bennett, hastily summoaed BY Pie
Ian, had entered the. rooln sInObserved
| by either of the excited nleA !.
"~t~promise:" he asks1 Again- "A
promise t6S
"What are yoG 5eA1 k,se:. .hds,ow.
Cd Aorsigasa h, es,s sia q,sf
down once 81, JSs ssinto your PTi
vate a1fice Notwithstanding. What
uyou mean by coming into mine:'
"Yours?" queried Alwyn Il had ar
idea it was the city's. The time !:
past when the words 'Horrigan' ant
city meant the same thing. Well
| Roberts. how are you going to vote
want to believe you honest, and
Why. what's all this ?" his eyes falln:
Oh the forgotten notes on the table
Nothing Of yoursr' shouted Horri
gan. making a futile, furious grab 70
the documents which Alwyn was pick
ing up. Drop them! Drop them.
say, or you'll
"Why should II" asked Bennett calm
ly, his quick eye taking in the natur
of the slips of paper even as his aier
brain grasped in full the meaning
the transaction in which they figured
"Do they belong to you?'
.'rhey don't belong to you anyway.
retorted Horrigan. land if you dar
!. read them
: "I've already read them. Roberts,
he added in a kinder voice, turning I
the shaking alderman, these were
have been your bribe, weren't they. *
voting for the Borough bill!
His quietly compelling tone an
$ glance forced from Roberts frightene
g 'Yes" before Horrigan could interfere
& 81 thought so. Be quiet, Horrigan
e he commanded as the infuriated bo:
sought to speak through his chokir
IS wrath. ''This is between Roberts al
: me. Now, them
81 returned the notes to him!' plea
ed Roberts in panic. Honestly, u
lust before you came in. ! could ha
kept them, and he couldn't have pr
Z vented me even if I voted against Il
bill. But I'm square and
y "You are square" affirmed Benne
e gripping the alderman's cold, moi
+ hand in friendly reinsurance. Il kne
o all along you were honest at hea
Horrigan wanted to bribe you. and y
J. wouldn't be bribed. Now, want y
TO 90 into the council room and vote
D your manhood tells you to-"
Roberts, comforted, yet still tre