Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1909-04-09

Sloi0 up az t'' o." You keep that
"''" note until | ring
for you, then bring It to Senator Pea
body. Understand: No matter how
urgent its marked"
Tn. man bowed.
Yes. sir"
Now tell Mr.. Norton, Miss Langdon
snd Mr.. Randolph ~ come here"
The senator turned back to his see
retsrv.
Il expect l'n going to be pretty busy
the rest Of the evening, Bud, SO in
case forget TO mention 1t again re-
member 10 show up st your old desk
In the morning"
81 Will Thank you. SIR
"You sent for US. senator" said Nor
ton, approaching with his two dupes.
"Yc1 are interested In Altacoola
lands" the senator angrily charged.
Il am. sir" he said
"Ana you told Mr., Haines that was
Interested In Altacoola landsf'
The schemer hesitatcd. and the SEN
ator broke in on him in rage.
Speak ont. man, Tell the truth. II
you can"
II did" admitted the congressman
finally.
Was there any particular reason Tor
your not telling the TRUTH" demanded
the Mi'sissippian IN threatening tone.
fnIt - rAy,liaI Marian
"You are interested in them"
For an instant LanSdon seemed
about to step toward him, then he con
trolled himself
Il didn't know It," he said.
"You have several things to learn.
senator" declared the congressman.
81 have things to learn and things
to teach" be said. But 60 on. Why
Am interested"
"Ycu are interested. senator" replied
the trickster. making his big play.
through your son Randolph. who In
vested $4,000 OF your money In Alta
cocla, and also through your daugh
ter. Miss Carolina. who. acting on my
advice. has put her own money--se5,
00o-in AltaCoola land also"
For 4 moment Langdon was speech
less II was too much at arst for the
honest old sou'herner to comprehend
You mean" he gasped al last that
you induced a boy TO put $4,000 in
Altscoola land when you knew had
to vote on the bill? And you even
let my daughter put her money In the
same schenef"
cot course | did. 1t was a splendid
chance. and 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 1t herself"
Then I reckon here's where 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 WE'LL" he said You are too
small to count I'll fnd out for myself
Now you go TO my study and wait
there until send for you. 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" he said. "Do
you know what you've done TO me-"
"What. father We've done nothing
wrong? protested Carolina.
They told me 1t was perfectly Iegiti
mate" urged Randolph. "They said
everybody Peabody and Stevens and
the rcst--were in It. and Pea body is the
boss Of the senate"
Yes, my boy" assented the old
planter, hes the leader In the senate
and that's the shameful part Of all this
that a man Of his high standing
should set you 20 miserable an exam
pie"
Randolph Lsngdon was not vicious
lad. not youth who preferred or chose
wronsdoing for the increased rewards
1t offered. He was at heart chival
rous. straightforward. trustful south
ern boy who believed 10 the splendid
traditions of his family and loved his
father as son should a parent having
the qualities Of the old hero Of Craw
| fordsville. Jealous Of his honor, he hat
been a victim Of Norton's wiles because
of the congressman's position and pur
suastveness, because this companion OF
his young Days had won his confidence
and had not hesitated to distort thu
lads idea of what was right and wha
was wrong.
Randolph began an indignant protest
against his fathers reproof when tn,
senator cut him short.
Don't you see!" said the senator
Il can understand there being rascal'
in the outside world and that they
should believe your careless. foolish
old father lawful game but that hs
should be thought tool for dishones
thieving by members Of his own fam
lily Is incomprehensihle.
Randolph, my son, Carolina, m!
daughter. through all their generation
the Langdons have been honorable
Your mother was Randolph. and thi
from you! Oh, Carolina! And. you
Randolph! How could you? How
could you betray or seek to betray you
father who seea in Won the inns 90 n