The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1909-01-28

nous or infamous - BorcUgh
i Street railway bin III its
amended form was 10 come up for the
aldermenS consideration.
Every paper in the city devoted col
umnS to the situation. Everywhere it
was known that the boy mayor was
fighting with all his might the till he
had already vetoed. Equally well was
it understood that HOrrjgan was max
; ing the battle of his Whole career III
Nbehalf of the measure. II Ec could hut
induce his solid thirteen" aldermen to
stand firm ard could maintain his hold
on Roberts for the fourteenth, all
would be plain sailing and the bill
would pass by a two-thirds vote in
spite of the mayors veto.
More than the mere bill and his
price for IL were included in lIorri-
gan's reasons for his present activity.
He recognized that his prestige as boss
was at stake-that in case of failure
his hold on the organization would be
considerably weakened. perhaps almost
so much shaken as to permit FLe!an to
fulfil his once absurd threat 10 tear
him down from his eminence. For the
whole organization was viewing with
breathless interest the duel between
Horrigan and the youthful mayor the
boss had made" In such circles
beaten man commands scant respect.
The board OF aldermen were in ses-
sion in the city hall. Of the ante
chamber Of the great room where they
met was a small, snugly furnished
apartment, first of series Of similar
rooms that stretched away, with con-
Meeting doors, to the far end of the
main corridor. This place, with the
room adjoining. had once been the
comptroller's Office OF late. however,
that official had changed his quarters
and the room nearest the antechamber
had been appropriated by Horrigan
himself as a sort Of unofficial snug
gerry, where he could sit at ease and
transact business at close quarters
whenever the organizations secret in
terests demanded his presence at the
city hail.
Here, his whereabouts known only
TO his intimate and personal lieuten-
ants, the boss was wont TO sit at ease,
like some fat. rubicund spider in the
center of q web of intrigue. and issue
his orders or plans of campaign. Some
Of these were carried 10y word Of mouth
through the anteroOm into the alder
manic chamber Others he transmit
ted by means of telephone that stood
ready on the center table, before which
his great easy chair was always placed.
Around this table as the board OF al
dermen were about to convene on the
fateful Friday of the Borough bills
final consideration sat three men
Wainwright. Gibbs and HOrrigan. The
former, in spite Of his habitual steady
coolness. was plainly uneasy. Gibbs
made no effort TO deny his anxiety.
His eyes We're bloodshot, his manner
distracted and his nerves evidently
strung TO breaking point. Horrigan
alone Of the trio had abated not one
lot of the colossal calm and brutal
power that were part and parcel OF
the mans mighty character.
When will our bill come up, do you
suppose?" asked Gibbs, breaking a
brief silence.
In half an hour or so probably
answered Horrigan, glancing at his
watch. Il thought it was better fol
us to get here ahead of time" G
"Half an hour" fumed Gibbs, "and
neither Ellis nor Roberts here yet!
Suppose they don't get here on time"
"They WILL" granted Horrigan plae
iay.
do you think 1t is possible either OF
them has come yet" went on Gibbs,
with a glance at the antechamber door.
mo"
How do you know? Perhaps
williams would have told me. He
knows where I'm to be found"
You're sure Ellis and Roberts will
show up:"
Yes"
How soon"
"In good time"
But suppose they don't? insisted
Gibbs neryously. What them"
why, if they don't, then they won't.
What do you suppose" snapped Hor-
riean. "What'S the matter with you,
anyhow? Are you looking for muse
um job as the human question markY "
Gibbs is naturally nervous" explain
ed Wainwright Hes not so old at
this game as you and l, Horrigan, and
we must make allowances"
Nervous? grunted the boss. Il
should say he is! Just look at that
cigar I gave him. He's been chewing
It as if it was q sausage. That's no
way to treat fifty cent cigar, man!
1Ioro opd COO If Won can't