Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-09-29

~ YHAT strange man" ex-
Il IA claimed Dallas Wainwright
wv In wonder. as the anteroom
door slammed behind the
)oss. "And what utterly abominable
manners! Who is he. Alwyn?"
"HOrrigan."
Richard Horrigan, the
"The boss. Yes. He has pleasing
way of stamping into this Office un-
nsked, as If he owned 1t and as II
were his clerk But today's behavior
was the worst yet. It's got to stop"
"But don't do or say anything reck-
less, Alwyn. Promise me. Remember
how strong he Isl!
There's no danger Of his letting me
forget his power" said Bennett, with
bitter smile. He
But you'll be careful, won't you:
Please do, for my sake. And you
mustn't keep him waiting. If there's
a way out through Cynthia's office
we'l go by that. Goodby. I'll explain
to your mother. No; you must let us
20 now. Office business must come
first. Won't you call this evening? I'll
be home and alone"
Despite Benefits remonstrances she
was firm, and 1t was in no pleasant
frame Of mind that the mayor threw
himself into seat when he was left
alone In the room. That the talk with
Dallas, which had promised so much
for him, should be thus rudely Inter
rupted. That Horrigan flung open
the door and stamped in. The boss
anger had by no means subsided IN
the few moments Of delay. but had,
rather, grown until it vibrated in his
every word and gesture. He wasted
no time In formalities. but came to
the point with all the tender grace and
tact of pile driver
Look here, Bennett;' he rumbled,
menace underlying tone and look, I'm
told Phelan's been here this afternoon.
What did he wants"
ITO see me-" answered Bennett calm
ly, the effort at self control visible
only In the whitening Of the knuckles
that grlpped the desk edge.
What did he want to see you about?'
"a business matter"
what business matterr
mine"
Yours, eh? sneered Horrlgan.
"Well, young man, want you to un-
derstand here and now that no one
can be chummy with Jim Phelan and
be my man at the same time. Got that
through your headr'
"Yes," assented Bennett; 81 think |
have. And while we're speaking plain
ly want you to understand here and
now that no one can bully. me, either
here or elsewhere, and that I'm no
mans man. Have you got that through
your head"
Horrigan stared in savage amaze
ment He doubted If his ears had not
played him false. Bennett had always
treated the boss with uniform cour-
tesy, and Horrigan belonged to the
too numerous class who do not under
stand until too late the difference be-
tween gentle breeding and weak cow
ardice That q man should speak to
him courteously and not interlard his
talk with oaths, obscenity or rough
ness seemed to Horrigan, as It does to
many another boor, an evidence Of IT,
midity and lack of virility. A Damas-
Gus blade Is a far more harmless look.
ing weapon than bludgeOn, yet 1t Is
capable when the necessity arises OF
far deadlier work.
1t is only the man whose gentleness
has not granite strength as its founda
ton who deserves the newly popular
term Of "mollycoddle."
Had Horrigan's large experience
with men been extended to embrace
this fact he would probably never have
picked out Alwyn Bennett In the first
place as candidate for mayor noi
deemed the younger man fit tool fol
the organizations crooked work. The
French mobiles of the old regime. whose
polish of manner was the envy of the
world. fought like devils on occasion
and went to death on the scafrold with
4 smile and jest on their lips, while
many brutal demagogue In the same
circumstances broke down and scream
I'd for mercy. However HorrigaE
Glanced to be more familiar with the
history of the organization than with
that of France: hence. deeming Ben
nett's reply n mere sporadic flash OF
defiance from properly cowed spirit.
he resolved to crush the rebellion at n
blow.
Don't give me any insoence" he
roared. II won't stand for 1t. and"-
Moreover" quietly continued Ben
aett, rs though the boss had not
spoken. ~ shall be very much obliged
If in future you will knock at my door
instead of bursting In on ane. This Is
my private Office. not yours"
DO you mean to-
"Tve explained as clearly as can
Just what mean. If you don't under
stand me can't supply you with In
telligence.'
Bennett" said the boss, his burn
ling rage steadied down to q white
heat. far more dangerous. but less in
coherent. you and me are talking too
much and saying too little. We've got
to come to showdown. You're a clev.
er boy and you made rattling good
fight. and you're on the right side Of
the public and Of the press too You're
the best material we've got. and If you
try and do the right thing there's no
limit to what you can rise to-but only
II you do the right thing"
"'The right thing" echoed Bennett.
what do you mean by the right
thlng?"
81 mean you've got to do the right
thing by the men who put you where
Tou are today"
That's fair. But who put me where
am today?"
81 did,. Dick Horrlgan. Who evel
heard of you till took you up? No
body. II didn't make you mayor.
who did, I'd like to knowT
THE voters. The people Of this
.lty."
1.-THE voters" scoffed Horrigan. ''The
. leuce they did! Who had you nomi
mated"
"You did. Flut 1t was the public who
, Hected me. and I'm going to obey
your orders In one thing. Pm going to
do the right thing by the men who
put me where am today I'm going
to pay the voters for their trust In me
by giving them fair and square ad-