The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1908-06-12
CHAPTER XIII.
THE momentous Friday had ar
rived the day wherein the ia
nous or infamous - Borough
n Street railway bill in its

umns to the situation. Everywhere it
was known that the hoy mayor" was
fighting with all his might the bill he
had already vetoed. Equally well was
it understood that Horrigan was max
| ing the battle of his whole career in
behalf of the measure. If he could but
induce his "solid thirteen" aldermen to
stand firm and could maintain his hold
on Roberts for the fourteenth, all
would be plain sailing and the bill
would pass by a two-thirds vote in
spite Of the mayors veto.
More than the mere bill and his
price for it were included In Horri-
gan's reasons for his present activity.
He recognized that his prestige as boss
was at stake-that In case of failure
his hold on the organization would be
considerably weakened, perhaps almost
so much shaken as to permit Phelan to
fulfill his once absurd threat to tear
him down from his eminence. For the
whole organization was viewing with
GREATNESS interest the duel between
Horrigan and the youthful mayor the
boss had made" In such circles a
beaten man commands scant respect
The board of aldermen were in ses-
sion in the city hall. Off the ante
chamber of the great room where they
met was a small, snugly furnished
apartment, first of series of similar
rooms that stretched away, with con-
Meeting doors, to the far end of the
main corridor. This place, with the
room adjoining, had once been the
comptroller's Office. OF late, however,
that official had changed his quarters
and the room nearest the antechamber
had been appropriated by Horrigan
himself as a sort Of unofficial snug
gerry, where he could sit at ease and
transact business at close quarters
whenever the organizations secret in
terests demanded his presence at the
city hall
Here, his whereabouts known only
to his intimate and personal lieuten-
ants, the boss was wont to sit at ease,
like some fat, rubicund spider in the
center of q web of intrigue, and issue
his orders or plans of campaign. Some
of these were carried by word of mouth
through the anteroom into the alder
manic chamber. Others he transmit
ted by means of a telephone that stood
ready on the center table, before which
his great easy chair was always placed
Around this table as the board of al
dermen were about to convene on the
| fateful Friday of the Borough bills
final consideration sat three men
Wainwright, Gibbs and Horrigan. The
former. in spite of his habitual steady
GOODNESS, was plainly uneasy. Gibbs
made no effort to deny his anxiety.
His eyes were bloodshot, his manner
distracted and his nerves evidently
strung to breaking point Horrigan
alone Of the trio had abated not one
Jot of the colossal calm and brutal
power that were part and parcel of
the mans mighty character.
when will our bill come up, do you
supposed" asked Gibbs, breaking a
brief silence.
"In half an hour or SO probably"
answered Horrigan, glancing at his
watch. Il thought II was better for
US to get here ahead OF time"
Half an hour" fumed Gibbs, "and
neither Ellis nor Roberts here yeti
Suppose they don't get here on timer
They will" grunted Horrigan plac-
idly.
do you think It is possible either Of
Them has come yetT went on Gibbs,
with a glance at the antechamber door. |
mo"
How do you known Perhaps
WILLIAMS would have told me. He |
knows where I'm to be found"
You're sure Ellis and Roberts will
show upT"
yes"
How soong"
''In good time"
But suppose they don'tT" insisted
Gibbs nervously. What thenY"
why, If they don't. then they won't.
What do you supposed" snapped Hor-
igan. Whats the matter with you,
nyhow? Are you looking for a muse
i'm job as the human question markT"
Gibbs is naturally nervous" explain
d Wainwright. He's not so old at
his game as you and |, Horrigan, and
We must make allowances"
"NervousT" grunted the boss. Il
hould say be isl Just look at that I
igar l gave him. He's been chewing ,
ray to treat a fifty cent cigar. mani /,
Iere. try another. and see II you can't
moke II instead Of eating a free lunch :
n IL. Nothing ike a good smoke to '
teady your nerves. r. l
The antechamber door opened, and
Villains hurried In. b
Il got Ellisr he reported. Hes
ere. and"-with significant emphasis
he'll vote rightr' q,
"Goodl" assented Horrigan. Il
fought he'd come 10 time. Now. for
oberts and the things done"
The gallery in there is jammed." re- :
,rted Williams. jerking his head to- a
ard the aldermanic chamber. Il new n
saw such a mob in the place be-
re" III
That's what comes Of all this news
per publicity" growled Horrigan. IF
wasn't for the papers the people d
,ver make any trouble for us But
ey read the news and then they get :
Ily ideas about their rights and a
/ Of them come here TO see they don't
( swindled. Lordl II the papers
Duld only suspend publication for one
onth, I'd guarantee to put the whole 81
ate In my vest pocket They're al
lys butting In to spoil the organiza- "
ms honest profits. How are the
Owd In the galleries behsving7- tr
They're quiet" answered Williams
easily Too ouIet Thafa what