The Bossier banner., 1908-07-30

yes All they ask is that you re-
main neutral; that you
''That | look the other way while
they rob the city,"
Il am an old man. Bennett" evaded
the judge. trying another tack, land
Eve seen one rash step wreck many
bright career. just as this will wreck
yours Never antagoniZe wealth and
the organization. The public for whom
you sacrifice yourself will forget you
in month. Capital and politics never
forget
81 am not catering to the public.
am acting as my own conscience"-
"But this is stubbornness. not con-
science. All you have to do is to re-
main neutral, If you do this ! am
authorized to promise you-now. listen
to promise you the nomination for
governor when your term as
That's the bait, is it?' cried Alwyn
angrily. IF consent to betray my
trust I'll get the governorship. The
bribe is golden, and | don't wonder ut
Horrigan for Offering 1t. The only
thing that surprises me Is that he
should have chosen such man as you
for his lackey and go-between."
"Iackeyr 'Bribev 'Go-betweenr
echoed the judge In real indignation.
"How dare you, sir? This
'Isn't it bribe" insisted Alwyn.
"and weren't you the man chosen to
offer it? 1t will do you no good to
buster or grow indignant In your
heart you know the words used were
deserved. The governorship offer was
bribe, pure and simple, and worthy
the modern highwaymen who made it.
but that you, a judge-a former friend
of my own blameless father-that you
should come to me on such i vile er-
rand turns me sick. Heaven help 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 go further into the subjectv'
Bennett walked away. leaving the lit
tie judge to stare after him. pink with
wrath. speechless with amazement. In
all his sixty years no man had thus
laid bare to Newman his own heart.
stripped of its garments Of respecta-
bility and self deception. And, as usu
al in such cases. now that the truth
had been driven home to him. Newman
wrathfnlly denounced it. even to him
self as lie.
Still flushed and incoherent he wheel
ed to face trio who were just return
ing from the supper room. They were
Dallas, Gibbs and Wainwright
''Hello" exclaimed Wainwright in
surprise. whats the matter with you.
Judge? Are you ill?"
Tiff Mrs. Newman should come to
know of this" sputtered the Judge.
glaring from one to the other she
''ro know of what?' queried Gibbs
"What has happened?"
"Happened:" fumed Newman Il
have been insulted-grossly. vulgarly
insultedr'
"lnsuted, judge?" repeated Dallas
by whom?"
by Alwyn Bennett" snapped the
Judge ''Outrageously"-
''Impossibler exclaimed Dallas.
There must be mistake somewhere.
Mr. Bennett is too well bred to insult
any man. much less man so much
older than
"a gentleman, is he? should not
most
'I'm not surprised" observed Vain
wright,
81 am." announced Dallas.
Naturally" sneered Wainwright "If
you can remain on speaking terms with
him after his abominable treatment of
me you can easily overlook any other
brutality of his"
''Tell us about it, judge" interposed
Gibbs. seeking to avert any further
clash between uncle and niece.
Il went to him." began Newman.
bearing request from--from"-
The judge paused 1t was not Who'll
ly easy to present matters to this hon
est eyed young girl in such way as
to bring her In his way of thinking.
But Wainwright felt no difficulty His
shrewd brain caught at means of
turning the affair. to account.
"You see. Dallas" the financier broke
in, with warning glance to Newman,
II begged the judge to intercede for
me with Bennett. to ask him to bury
the hatchet and let us be friends again
for the sake of old times. | thought
Judge Newman's age and his high Of
nee would compel certain respect
even with man of Benefits charac-
ter. But was wrong, and l am sorry,
judge, for the unjust humiliation !
caused you"
II don't understand" said Dallas,
looking in bewilderment from one to
the other. Judge. my uncle sent you
to make overtures Of peace? And Mr.
Bennett refused to-
"He not only refused, but called Mr..
Wainwright a highwayman and"-
"But why?' demanded Dallas
HE pretended to misunderstood what
I said about the conditions"
"Oh, it was conditional offer. then?
thought
Certainly there were conditions"
cut in Wainwright, again coming to
the emissary's rescue. II asked that
he take position Of neutrality IN re-
gard to this Borough bill. Simply neu-
trail, mind you Not to change his atti-
tude in it's favor. orr
SIEvEhzl