The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1909-03-17

was very gentle, "if you want an equal
chance-want to be equal TO a man
you must take your medicine with
Randolph, like a man."
"What are you going to do. sirT she
asked, afraid.
I'm going to spoil all your little
scheme. dear" be returned, smiling
sadly. I'm going. fear, to make you
lose all your money. I'd like to make
It easy for you, but l can't. You've
got to take your medicine, children,
and when it's all over back there in
Mississippi l shall be able, hope, to
patch up your broken lives and togeth-
er we will work out your mistakes.
can't think of that now. The honor of
the Langdons calls. This is the time
for the fight, and any one who fights
against me must take the conse-
quences."
He walked over and touched the bell.
Thomas" he said to the servant
who responded, take that letter at
once to Senator Peabody, in the libra
n.y."
What is 1t. sir? asked Randolph
"It's the call to arms" responded his
father grimly.
Senator Peabody read the letter TO
which Haines had signed Langdon's
name and jumped up from his chair in
the library in astonishment. Without
n word to the startled Stevens he rush
cd to confront Langdon.
whats the meaning OF this?" he
shouted as he burst in on the junior
senator from Mississippi.
"0f whatl" asked the southerner.
with blandness that added fuel to
Peabody's irritation.
Don't trifie with me. sir.'' cried ''the
boss Of the senate" This letter. You
sent It. Explain It! I'm In no mood to
Joke"
Langdon looked at him calmly.
IL think the letter is quite plain, SEN
ator." he said. "You can read" Then
he turned 20 his daughter. This dis
cussion cannot possibly interest you.
my dear. win you go to the drawing
room TO receive our guests?"
Carolina obeyed. She seemed TO be
discovering new qualities In this father
whom she had considered to be too old
fashioned for his time
'Now. senator. go ahead, and, Ran
dolph, you bring Stevens"
you're switching to Gulf city," de-
handed Peabody.
I'm considering Gulf City" agreed
Langdon.
Peabody brought down his fist on the
table.
ITS too late TO consider anything,
Langdon." he cried. Were committed
TO Altacoola. and Altacoola IL is. |
don't care what you heard Of Gulf
City. Now. I'd like to settle this thing
I'm friendly manner. Langdon. like
always for every member OF the senate
20 have his share of the power and the
patronage. We've been glad to put you
forward in this naval base matter. We
appreciate the straightforwardness, the
honesty OF your character. You look
well. You're the kind Of politician the
public thinks it wants nowadays, but
you've been in the senate long enough
to know that bills have to pass, and
you know you can't get through any
thing without my friends, and / tell
you now I'll throttle any Gulf City
plan you bring up"
Then II you are as sure of that you
can't object TO my being for Gulf
Cityf" asked Langdon.
Are you financiSly interested in
Gulf CityT' demandN Peabody.
Senator Peabody exclaimed Lang
don.
Don't fare up, Langdon," retorted
Peabody. "That sort Of thing has
happened in the senate. There are
often perfectly legitimate profits TO be
made In some regular commercial ven
ture by a man who has inside infor-
nation as to what's doing up on Capt.
toll hill"
Senator Peabody" asked Langdon,
"why are you so strong for Altacoola?'
The Pennsylvania hesitated.
"Its natural advantages" he said at
last.
The southerner shook his head.
"Oh. that's all? Wen. If natural ad-
vantages are going to settle It, and |
not influence. go ahead and vote, and |
III just bring in a minority report for
Gulf City"
'The boss Of the senate" was in a
corner now.
"Confound It, Langdon. II you will
have It. am interested in Altaeoola."
Langdon nodded.
That's all | wanted to know" he
said.
Snow you see why it's got to be
Altacoola." persisted the boss.
Il don't mind telling you. then, Sem
ator Peabody" answered Langdon
calmly, "that my being for Gulf City
was n bluff. I've been trying to draw
you out. Gulf City is a mud bank
and no more fitted to be a naval base
than Keokuk, la. Altacoola it's got
to be. for the good Of the country and
the honor OF Mississippi.
"And one thing more, senator. I'd
lust like 10 add that not single man
connected with that committee is go
ING 70 make a cent out OF the deal.