Goldsboro semi-weekly argus., 1909-04-17

ssYou are interested in Altacooia
lands" the senator angrily charged
81 am, SIR he said
"And you told Mr. Haines that was
interested in Altacoola lands?"
The schemer hesitated, and the SEN
ator broke in on hintkn r~-e.
Speak out. man! Iell the truth. If
you can.'
81 did," admitted the congressman
finally.
''Was there any particular reason for
your not telling the truthY' demanded
the Mississippian in threatening tone.
II told the truth" replied Norton.
''You are interested in them"
For an instant Langdon seemed
about to step toward him, then he con-
trolled himself
st didn't know it, he said
"You have several things to learn.
senator" declared the congressman
ST have things to learn and things
to teach" he said. "But go on. Why
am / interested?''
"You are interested, SENATOR" replied
the trickster, making his big play.
through your son Randolph, who in
vested $4,000 of your money in Alta
coola, and also through your daugh-
ter, Miss Carolina, who, acting on my
advice, has put her own moneE-$25,-
OO0-in Altacoola land also"
For a moment Langdon was speech
less. 1t was too much at first for the
honest old southerner to comprehend.
'You mean," he gasped at last. that
you induced a boy to put $4,000 in
Altacoola land when you knew I had
to vote on the bill? And you even
let my daughter put her money In the
same scheme?'
"Of course did. 1t was a splendid
chance, and 1 let your son in for
friendship and your daughter because
she has done me the honor to promise
to become my wife"
"What! You have my daughters
promise to marry you, YOU
"She admits it herself"
''Then / reckon here's where l lose
prospective son-in-law," sneered
Langdon. 'But that's unimportant.
Now, Norton, who's behind your?
81 must decline to answer that"
Langdon looked at him sternly.
every WELL" he said "You are too
small to count. I'll find out for myself
Now you go to my study and wait
there until l send for you. l must be
alone with my children
When Norton and Haines had left
them, Langdon turned sadly to the two
children who had disgraced him.
"Can you understand 2" he said. do
you know what you've done to me?"
''What, father? We've done nothing
wrong?' protested Carolina.
''They told me ftewas perfectly legiti
mate" urged Randolph. ''They said
verybody-Peabody and Stevens and
the rest-were in it, and Peabody is the
boss of the senate"
"Yes, my boy assented the old
planter, "he's the leader in the senate
and that's the shameful part of all this
that a man of his high standing
should set you SO miserable an exam
pie"
Randolph Langdon was not vicious
lad, not youth who preferred or chose
wrongdoing for the increased rewards
1t offered. He was at heart Il chival
rous, straightforward, tr.stful south
ern boy who believed in the splendid
traditions of his family and loved his
father as q son should a parent having
the qualities of the old hero of Craw-
fordSville. Jealous of his honor, he had
been victim of Norton's wiles because
of the congressman's position and pur-
suasiveneSS, because this companion of
his young days had won his confidence
and had not hesitated to distoit the
lads idea of what was right and what
was wrong.
Randolph began an Indignant protest
against his fathers reproof when the
senator cut him short.
Don't you see?' said tue senator
II can understand there being raScals
in the outside world and that they
should believe your careless, foolish
old father lawful game, but that he
should be thought a tool for dishonest
thieving by members of his own fam
ny is incomprehensible.
Randolph. my son, Carolina. my
daughter. through all their generations
the I-angdons have been honorable
Your mother was Randolph, and this
from you! Oh. Caroiina! And, you
Randolph. How could you? How
could you betray or seek to betray your
father, who sees in you the image of
your dear mother. who has gomez