The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-06-21
CHAPTER XIV.

| vlSlDly ueepeneu, SO uuCu 81 tuat w
had not even noted Phelan's appear
ance In the corridor as he passed Int
Horrigans private room.
"Good evening, alderman" said Hor
rigan ciyilly.
Good evening, sir" answered Rob
erts palpably III at ease
Il understand there's a full meeting
today. Even Ellis came back from
the south to be here. You're the only
man missing"
II couldn't get here sooner. r.
Il see. That's all, Williams. You
needn't wait. Roberts and ! want Q
little talk before he goes in. Now
then" went on the boss, with com
plete change OF manner as Williams
left the room, whats the matter with
youf"
I'll can't
Cant what2 Speak out man
Don't stand there and humble at me!'
II can't vote for the Borough fran
chise bill"
"Can't heyT' roared Horrigan.
'Why not?"
Because because faltered Rob
erts: then, with rush of hysterical
emotion that blotted out his fear, he
cried:
"Have you heard what that man Ben
nett has done? He organized a voters
committee In my ward and sent them
to ask me at my own house what l was
going to do about that bill. They had
been stirred up by Bennett till they
looked on me as crook and on the bill
as a personal robbery. They told me
if / voted for it they'd know | was a
dirty thief and CRATER and that they'd
kick me out of the ward"
"Weil, wellr' rumbled Horrigan
soothingly, as though trying to calm
fractions drunkard. what do you
care? When they've forgotten all
about the bill youth still have the
dough, won't you? Folks won't ask
How'd he get itY All they'll care to
know is Has he got itT"
'0That isn't allr' Roberts blundered
on, scarcely needing the interruption.
BENEFITS next step was to organize
a committee of voters wives, and they
came to see my wife this morning
when | was out and told her they'd
heard was going to sell myself and
vote for a dishonest bill. My wife
my wife thinks I'm the squarest,
noblest man on earth. Oh, you needn't
sneer! Her trust means everything to
me. She told the women I wouldn't
stoop to any deed that wasn't honest,
and they answered: Our husbands be-
lieye Mr. Roberts is a crook. If he is
really honest he'll vote against that
bill, as he did before Then on my
way home this noon ! met my little
boy. He was crying. asked him
what the matter was He said that
some boys had told him was graft
er | tell YOU his voice rising almost
to a scream. "Bennett's made my life
a hell I'm no crook. Pm honest
and
"Sure you're honest" Horrigan ex-
claimed. as though to a cross child.
Honest as the day! That's why
you're voting for our bill. Because the
crooked clauses have been cut out of
II. and in its present form it's a benefit
70 the city"
THAT isn't why promised to vote
for il" contradicted Roberts, with a
despairing dash of courage. 1T was
because I-because"
"Never mind why, then, but just 60
ahead and do it."
II won't! dare not
"You'll do it, sayw stormed Horri-
gan. "You can't welch on me at this
stage of the game. Those Sturtevant
Trust company notes of yours were
sent to you and"-
"And won't take them!" declared
Roberts, slamrning two slips of paper
down upon the table There! Take
them back"
What do | want Of them?' argued
Horrigan craftily. "They belong to
you"
They don't. won't keep them"
You'll have to keep you to your
promise"
What promlse?" asked voice be-
hind them.
Bennett, hastily summoned by Phe
Ian, had entered the room unobseryed
by either of the excited men
what prolniseE' he asked again "A
promise to-"
"What are you doing here?" below
ed Horrigan in fury. You called me
down once for coming into your pri
vate office without knocking What
dyou mean by coming into mine:'
"Yours| queried Alwyn. Il had an
idea it was the city's, The time is
past when the words 'Horrigan' and
city meant the same thing. Wei,
Roberts. how are you going to vote?
I want to believe you honest, and
Why. what's all this?" his eyes falling
on the forgotten notes on the table.
Nothing Of yours" shouted Horri-
gan, making a futile. furious grab for
the documents which Alwyn was pick
ing up. Drop them Drop them.
say, or you'll
"Why should ~" asked Bennett roln'-