Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1909-03-11

w III III . III alio ll0 1Sd L
in this town."
CHAPTER VII.
LANGDoN LEARNS OF THINGS UNpLEAs-
ANT.
z YAINES quickly walked over and
|" touched the %southerner ON the
u well, my boy, what can /
Go for you?' asked the new senator,
turning. with a pleasant smile.
MY name is Haines. Senator Ste
vens was to speak to you about me.
I'm the first of the newspaper CORE
%spondents come to interview you"
Langdon's familiar smile broadened.
well you don't look as though you'd
bite. Reckon l can stand for it. Is it
very %painfulY"
II hope 1t Won't be, SENATOR" Haines
said, feeling instinctively 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 Stoneman, I'll be with you"
And to his continued amazement
Haines saw the enato walk away
with the old Union colonel, slap him
on the back, cheer him up and finally
bid him goodby after extending a cor
dial invitation to come around to din
ner. meet his daughters and talk over
old 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.
"All right, Mr.. Haines; my hands are
up. Do your worst. Senator Stevens
spoke to me about you; said you were
the smartest young newspaper man in
Washington. You must come from the
SOUTH"
~! shook his mead.
"No, just New York" he said.
"Well that's a promising town."
drawled the southerner. ''They tell me
that's the Vicksburg of the north"
~ suppose you haven't been to New
York Of late, senator? suggested the
newspaper man.
Well. l started up there with Gen
eral Lee once" responded Langdon
reminiscently, but we changed Dull
minds and came back. You may have
heard about that trip"
Haines admitted that he had.
"Sincc that time" went on lang
don, 1--WE confined my travels to New
Orleans and Vicksburg. Ever been In
/ New Orleans about Mardi Gras time
Mr.. Haines?"
HCoyrv h,,t I 1orjt ho1ioro 7 ho vo ~
confessed the reporter reluctantly.
I The senator seemed surprised.
"Well. sir, you have something tc
live for. I'll make it my special bust
ness to personally conduct you through
one Mardi Gras, with a special under
8 standing, of course, that you DOM
J print anything in the paper. I'm
vestryman in my church, but since
misfortune has come upon our state
! have to be careful"
: Haines searched his brain. He knew
Of no grave calamity that had hap
!; pened recently in Mississippi.
"Misfortune?" he questioned.
:, Senator Langdon nodded.
t Eyes, sir, the great old state Of Mis-
sissippi went prohibition at the las
election. I don't know how it hap
pened. We haven't found anybody IL
8 the state that says he voted for it, bu
Halnes, that prohibition stops at my
front door, in Mississippi. So I've beer
e living a quiet life down on my planta
g ton"
e "This new life will be a great change
e for you, then?" suggested the reporter
Change! It's revolutionary, sir
When you've expected to spend you:
old days peacefully in the country
Mr.. Haines, suddenly to find that you
state has called IN YOU
A flavor Of sarcasm came int
e Haines' reply.
. The office seeking the MANI" H
- could not help the slight sheer. Wa
L sought the Office? Haines knew onl
too we'll of the arduous work neces
IL sary to secure nominations for high OF
y fee In conventions and to win an elet
- ton to the senate from a state legis
lature. In almost every case he knew
-, the candidate must make a dozen di.
- ferent deals" to secure votes, Nigh
~ promise the same office to wv or thre
different leaders, force others into lin
!. by threats, send u trusted agent to al
J other with a roll of bank bills-the n
= cipient of which would immediatel
: conclude that this candidate was til
= only man in the state who could say
! the nation from destruction. Had NJ
Haines see men who had sold the
u%nsuspecting delegates for cash to tt
highest bidder rise in the conventic
hall and in impassioned, dramat
voice exclaim in praise Of the buye
Gentlemen, it would be a cryin
shame, a crime against civilization,