Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-05-13

"Well. I'll see that 4 block Of stock,
SABA big block--is set aside TO- Sen.
itor Langdon an another TO- you too.
We've made this Arrangement else.
wheah. Wen outbid Altacoola everah
time. They're 20 sports an hate to
give up"
80 Aitacoola il bidding, toor' ex.
citediy asked Haines.
"why, Of co'se It IL. All 20 as
blind as that O. an yo' foolin' with
new questioned Teller suspicicusly.
Seems to me 20 ought to know more
about that end Of 1t than a fellah clear
from tn gulf"
Certainly, certainly" mumbled
Haines impatiently as he endeavored
to associate coherently, intelligently,
In his mind these startling new reve-
lations Of Teller with certain Incl
dents he had previously noted in the
operations Of the committee on naval
affairs.
Then he looked across at the mayor
and smiled. Apparently he had heard
nothing to amaze him.
Colonel" he returned calmly, drop
ping into voice that aoundsd Of pity
for the gray hairs Of the lobbyist.
about nfty men q day come to me
with propositions like that There Is
nothing doing, colonel. l couldn't Dos
sibly interest Senator Langdon, be-
cause he has the faculty Of judging
for himself, and he would be preju-
diced against either town that came
out with such a proposition" q.
Ian speculation is legitimate pro-
tested the colonel cunnlngly.
Hainss agreed.
"Certainly-by outsiders. But It's
id thievery when engaged In by
any one connected with putting a bill
through. II were to tell Senator
Langdon what you have told ME It
would decide him unaltcrably in favor
is one Of the few men in Washington
who would rather be thought fool
than a CRATER II 1t came down to
that"
The mayor Of Gulf City jumped to
his feet. his face blazing In rage, not
In shame.
Seems to me yo're mighty fresh.
young man." he clustered. What
kind Of politics is I.angdon playing"
mot fresh. colonel; only friendly.
I'm just tipping you Oh how not to he
friend to Altucoola. AS to his poll
tics, the senator will answer you him
self"
f,,t t~I nsrl
fer's reply.
"Altaccola, huh! | reckon yo' must
he fool after all Why, everybody
knows OF the speculatin' in land around
Altaceola, and everybody knows It amt
outsiders that's dom It. It's the insid-
ers. right here In Washington. II 20
amt in. yo' can easy get a latchkey.
Young man. YOU find out things some
day. and yo'll drop to 1t all.
II guess I was too late with yo'.
That's about the size Of 1t. guess Al
tacoola II talk to 10" went on the
mayor. III that Teller Fairbrother of
Altacoola had been able to hold his
tongue maybe wouldn't know 50
much. But now I know what's what.
I know this-that ye're either big fool
or--an insider. Yo're nice young fell
Ter. have kinda taken fancy to yo'.
like to see 20 young fellers get along
and not miss yo'r chances. Come. my
boy. get wise TO yorself, get wise to
yo'rself! Climb on to the band wagon
with yo' friends"
Bud concluded that he might be able
to get more definite information out of
Teller IL he humored him bit.
Il tell yQR< colonel" he finally said,
"these are Pretty grave charges you're
making. hut I'll tell you confidentially
owing to your liking for me, that 1t is
not yet too late to do something fol-
Gulf City. Now, Just suppose you and
l dine together tonight early. and wei
60 over the whole ground to see how
things lie. Will your"