Putnam patriot., 1909-02-12

"b3J Bttt IuhVfoH, '-f trtHtttBtdA rom Hississippi"
 newspaper men, he had the secret feel ing that he was cut out 10 be Il great politician.
 Sure. it's great game. as n game" agreed Haines .'So is bridge. and stud poker. and three card monte, and tlim- fam generally Take this new man Langdon. for instance. Chosen by Ste sens he'll probably be perfectly obedi ent. perfectly easy going perfectly blind and-perfectly useless. Whats wanted now is to get the work done. not play the game.
 Thoroughly a eynic through his years of experience as q newspaper man. which had shown the inside workings of many important phases of the seemingly conventional life of this complex world Cullen pretentled unbounded enthusiasm.
 "Hear, Hear,' he shouted. '.All you earnest citizens come vote for Re former Haines. I'm for you. Bud. What do l get Tn your eabinet7 I've joined the reformers too. and like all of them. me for PURIFY as long as she gives me meal ticket
 But not even Cullen could make Haines consider his views on the necessity of political regeneration to be ridiculous. His optimism could not be stuffed out. for he was genuine believer that the natural tendency of humankind was to do right Wrong
 
 natural causes. This quality. com binea with his practical knowledge of the world and his courage. made him q formidable man, one who would one day accomplish big things-if he got the chance.
 You know you can't shut me up. Dick" was his response to Cullen's oratorical flight. 'I'm going to have my say. l don't see why senator shouldn't be honest All want them to do is to play new game. Let 'em at least seem to be honest, attend to their business. forget politics. The country sends them here to work, and if they do the work the people really don't care hang what party they be- long to-"
 Come out of it. Bud Your brain Is wabbly." yawned Cuiien wearily- m buy drink if you'll quiet down. Let's be comfortable till this fellow Lang don appears" He caught his friend by the arm and in spite of protest dragged him off to the cafe just as young Langdon and Congressman Nor Es. lfat.l
 Though but few years older than Randolph Lausdon. Charles Norton had long exercised strong influence oyer him beeaiise of his wider expert enee in the worlds affairs. Like his father. young iangden had stayed close 10 the plantation most of his fife. particularly after leaving school. deyoting his attention to studying the business of conducting the family's biz estate. Norton brought him the atmosphere of the big outside world he yearned to see even as did his sis ter Carolina. and he initiated Sorton's manners, his dress and mode Of speech The eongressmans habit of confiding In Randolph. subtle com pfiHItHt. NdS tftPig hPft'Nhshtu os the lad who unconsciously became continual advertiser of Norton's many virtues to Carolina and to his father. all of which the congressman knew.
 That NortoB's political career was the outcome of Carolina Langdon's ambition to shine in gay society was known to his friends as well as his family. and his desire 10 win her and place her where she could satisfy ey- cry whim had developed almost to a frenzy Seeing evidences Of Senator Stevens vast influence. he did not hes itate to seek close relationship with him and the senator was clever enough 10 lead Norton to consider him his friend