Putnam patriot. [volume] (Putnam, Conn.) 1872-1962, 1909-02-26
CHAPTER VII.
LAN6poN LEARNS OF THINGS UNrLEAs
ANT.

" touched the southerner on the
4 i Well my boy. what can
10 for your" asked the new senator.
turning. With pleasant smile.
My name is Haines. Senator Ste
VEINS was TO speak 10 YOU about me.
I'm the first of the newspaper CORE
spondents come TO interview YOU
Langdon's familiar smile hroadened.
We'll. you don't look us though you'd
bite Reckon l can stand for II. Is ii
very painfulr'
Il hope ii won't be. senator" Haines
said. feeling instinetively that he was
going to like this big. hearty citizen.
All right, Mr. Haines. just as soon
as I've said goodby To my old friend,
Colonel SLOVENIAN. I'll be with YOU"
And to his continued anazement
Haines saw the senator walk away
with the old Union colonel. slap him
ON the back. cheer him up and finally
bid him goodby after extending n cor.
dial invitation to come around TO din
ner. meet his daughters and talk over
cid times.
The Anticipated Federal soldier march.
ed away more erect. more brisk. than
In years. completely restored to favor
In the eyes of the hotel people. Lang
don turned to the reporter
"Ail right. Mr. Hnines; my hands nre
up. Do your worst Senator Stevens
spoke to me about you. said you were
the slnartest young newspaper man in
N1,.
south
Bud shook his head
NO, Just New York" he said
well. that's promising town."
drawled the southerner. They tell me
that's the vicksburg of the north
Il suppose you haven't been 10 New
YorlS of late. senator?" suggested the
newspaper man.
We'll. started up there with Gen
eral Lee enee." responded Langdon
remniscently, but we changed our
minds and came buck. You may have
heard about that trip
Haines admitted That he had.
"Since that time" went on Lang
don. s.I've confined my travels TO New
Orleans aud yicksburg Ever been in
New Orleans about Mardi Gras time.
Mr. Haines?"
Sorry. but I don't believe | have"
confessed the reporter reluctantly.
The senator seemed surprised
well sir you have something to
live for I'll n4ake II my special bust
ness to personally conduct you through
one Mardi Gras. with "a special under
standing, OF course. that you don't
print anything In the paper I'm
vestryman In my church, but since
misfortune has come upon our state
have TO be careful"
Hainop searched his brain. He knew
Of no grave calamity that had hap
pened recently In Mississippi.
misfortune he questioned.
Senator i.angdon nodded.
"Yes, sir. the great old state OF Mis-
sissippi went prohibition ut the last
election | don't know how 1t hap
pened We haven't found anybody In
the state that says he voted for 1t, but
the fact Is fact. ! assure you. Mr.
Haines. that prohibition stops at my
front door. in Mississippi So I've been
living quiet life dowh on my planta-
ton
This new life win be great change
for you. them" suggested the reporter
Change. It's revolutionary, sir.
When you've expected TO spend your
old days peacefully 10 the country,
Mr.. Haines suddenly to lind that your
state haa .aItpd IN vtAfts-
flavor OF sarcasm came into
Haines' reply.
'The office seeking the MANI" He
could not help the slight sneer. Was
nan never 10 admit that he had
sought the officef Haines knew only
too well Of the arduous work Deces
eary to secure nominations for high Of
fee In conventions and 10 win an cleo
ton to the senate from state legiS
lature. In almost every case. he knew.
the candidate must make dozen diff
ferent deals TO secure votes. might
promise the same Office 20 two or three
different leaders. force others into line
by threats, send trusted agent To an
other with a roll of bank billS--the re
eipient of which would Immediately
conclude that this candidate was the
only man In the state ~ho could save
the nation from destruction. Had not
Haines seen men who had sold their
unsuspecfing Delegates for cash to the
highest bidder rise In the convention
haH and III impassioned, dramatic
voice exciaim IN praise Of the buyef.
.fsenfiemen. IL would be crying
shame. a crime against civilization. IL
the chosen representatives Of eur
grand old state of - did not - on
record fl favor Of such man. such
true citizen. sueh an inspired patriot.
rs be whoae name | am about 10 men
tlon.s SO the reporter may be forgiy-
en- for be ironieal tinse HI his hasty
interruption 81 the new senator's re
MARKS