The news=record. [volume] (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon) 1907-1910, 1909-05-22
CHAPTER III. (continued.)

Haines consider his views on the
necessity of political regeneration to
be ridiculous. His optimism could not
be snuffed out, for he was a genuine
believer that the natural tendency of
humankind was to do right. Wrong
he believed to be the outcome Of un-
natural causes. This quality, COM
bined with his practical knowledge of
the world and his courage, made him
formidable man, one who would one
day accomplish big things-if he got
the chance.
you know you can't shut me up,
Dick" was his response to Cullens
sratorical fight. I'm going to have
my say. l don't see why senator
shouldn't be honest. All want them
to do is to play new game. Let 'em
at least seem to be honest, attend to
their business, forget politics. The
country sends them here to work, and
II they do the work the people really
dent care 4 hang what party they be-
lsns TO-"
"Csns cut of 1t, Bud. Your brain is
wabbly," yawned Cullen wearily. "rll
buy a drink If you'll quiet down. Let's
bs comfortable till this fellow Lang
dsa appears" He caught his friend
By the arm and in spite Of protest
dragged him Off to the cafe just as
ysuns Langdon and Congressman Nor
Ton came down through the lobby.
Though but few years older than
Randolph Langdon, Charles Norton
had long exercised strong influence
over him because of his wider expert
snce in the worlds affairs. Like his
father, young Langdon had stayed
close to the plantation most Of his
life, particularly after leaving school,
dsvotlng his attention to studying the
business of conduc ling the familys
big estate. Norton brought him the
atmosphere of the big outside world
he yearned to see even as did his sis
ter Carolina. and he initiated Norton's
manners, his dress and mode of
speech. The congressman's habit of
confding in Randolph, subtle COM
pliment, was deeply appreciated by
the lad, who unconsciously became a
continual advertiser Of Norton's many
virtues to Carolina and to his father,
al Of which the congressman knew.
That Norton's political career was
the outcome Of Carolina Langdon's
ambition to shine in gay society was
known to his friends as well as his
family, and his desire to win her and
place her where she could satisfy ev-
cry whim had developed almost to a
frenzy. Seeing evidences Of Senator
Stevens vast influence, he did not hes
itate to seek a close relationship with
him, and the senator was clever
enough to lead Norton to consider him
his friend.
At the start Ct his political career
Merton had higher ideas of honor than
guided bis actions now that he had
bcceme q part of the political ma
chine that controlled his native state
of Mississippi and Of the bipartisan
combination that dominated both
houses of congress in the interest Of
the great railway and Industrial cor
psrations. Senator Stevens and other
powers had so distorted Norton's view
Of the difference between public and
private interests and their respective
rights that he had come to believe cap
ital to be the sacred heritage of the
nation which must be protected at any
cost. The acceptance Of a retainer
from the c. st. and P. Railroad COM
pany for wholly unnecessary services
In Washington-Only another way of
buying a mana transaction arranged
BY Senator Stevens, was but another
stage In the disintegration of the
ysHng congressman's character, but II
brought him Just that much closer to
the peiRt where he could claim Caro-
Ina Langdon as his own. And oppor'
tHAity loes not knock twice at a mans
Aesr--uniess hs IL at the head Of the
machine.
Hsrtsa, the perssvsring young law
sanaest who loved the girl who had
been III bsyheod playmate, was Row
Nerton who coveted her fathers lands
whs beastsa that hs was on the lin
SIDE" In Washington, whe was on the
WAY to fsytxAs-if the new senator
frsn Nississippi wsuld or could bf
fsrcal 10 staAA IN faver Of the Alta
cssia naval base.
His conversation with Randolph
IARgkAa ~ HaiRss and Cullen saw
thsa pass through the hotel lobby II
lusratsd the nature Of the Norton oi
the present and his interest In the Al
tacssla scheme.
"Thsrs's ne reason why you shouldn'
csns y sR the ground foor In tht
proposition, Randolph" he was urging
= esatiauancs Of the conversation be
gun ever q table in the cafe. mo rea
son why you shouldn't do 1t, my boy
Why, are you still a child, or are yo'
really q man2 You have now draft
fer $4,000. haven't your
sYeah," agreed Langdon, chagrine'
at Nsrton's insinuation Of youthfulnes
and anxious to prove that he was real
" man Of Affairs. "pys get the aft,
thousand, Charlie, put-but, you see
that's tbs money fer improvements Of
the plantatiaa. As father has put IN
In as manager waHt 10 make a show