Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-04-29

MY hCCOupllSu UIS luiuBS-A he Sol
the chance.
you know you can't shut me up,
Dick" was his response TO Cullen's
oratorical fight. I'm going to have
my say. don't see why a senator
shouldn't be honest. All want them
to do is TO play a new game. Let 'em
at least seem to be honest. attend TO
their business. forget politics. The
country sends them here to work, and
If they do the work the people really
don't care n hang what party they be-
long to-"
Come out Of It, Bud. Your brain Is
wabbly," yawned Cullen YEARLY. "Ill
buy drink il you'll quiet down. Let's
be comfortable till this fellow Lang.
don appears" He caught his friend
by the arm and in spite Of protest
dragged him Off to the cafe just as
young Langdon and Congressman Nor
ton came down through the lobby.
Though but few years older than
Randolph Lansdon, Charles Norton
! had long exercised strong influence
over him because Of his wider expert
ence In the worlds affairs. Like his
father, young Langdon had stayed
close to the plantation most of his
life. particularly after leaving school
devoting his attention to studying the
business of conducting the famllys
big estate. Norton brought him the
atmosphere Of the big outside world
he yearned to see even rs did his sis
ter Carolina. and he initiated Norton's
manners, his dress and mode Of
speech. The congressman's habit of
con1ding in Randolph, subtle com
pliment, was deeply appreciated by
the lad, who unconsciously became a
continual advertiser of Nortons many
virtues TO Carolina and to his father,
all Of which the congressman knew.
That Nortons political career was
the outcome Of Carolina Langdons
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 within had developed almost to q
frenzy. Seeing evidences Of Senator
Stevens vast influence. be did not hes.
itate to seek q close relations ship with
him. and the senator was clever
enough 70 lead Norton 10 consider him
his friend
At the start Of his political career
Norton had higher ideas of honor than
guided his actions now that he bad
become 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
poratiOns. 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 retainer
from the C. st. and P. Railroad com.
pany for wholly unnecessary services
in Washington-only another way OF
buying q mana transaction arranged
by Senator Stevens, was but another
stage in the disintegration Of the
young congressman's character, but it
olouSul nm just tudl iuOCh ClOScT W
the point where he could claim Caro-
lima Langdon as his own. And oppor.
tunity does not knock twice at a mans
door-unless he is at the head of the
machine.
Norton, the pcrsevering yourg law
student who loved the girl who had
been his boyhood playmate, was now
Norton who coveted her fathers lands
who boosted that he was on the in
side" in Washington, who was on the
way to fortune-if the new senator
from Mississippi would or could be
forced to stand in favor Of the Alta
coola naval base.
His conversation with Randolph
Langdon as Haines and Cullen saw
them pass through the hotel lobby H.
Illustrated the nature Of the Norton Of
the present and his interest in the AL
tacoola scheme.
| There's no reason why you shouldn't
come In on the ground floor in this
proposition. Randolph" he was urging
In continuance Of the conversation be-
gun over n table in the cafe. mo rea-
son why you shouldn't do 1t, my bog.
Why, are you still child. or are you
really a man? You have now drafts
for $4,000 haven't you?"
YEAH" agreed Langdon. chagrined
at Nortons insinuation Of youthfulness
and anxious to prove that he was real
ly man Of affairs, 1--WE got the fifty
I thousand, Charlie, but-but. you see,
that's the money for improvements on
the plantation. AS father has put me
In as manager l want to make q show.
ing"
You can't make 1t until spring."
urged Norton. The moneys got to lie
In the bank all winter. Now, why
don't you make hundred thousand
with it instead Of letting 1t lie idle?
Isn't that simple"
The younger mans eyes opened wide,
and his Imagination. stimulated by the
special brand Of Bourbon whisky Nor
ton had ordered for him, took rapid
bounds.
"One hundred thousand! You mean
could make a hundred thousand with
my fifty between now and spring.
Sure as niger likes GIN" replied
Norton confidently.
Howl asked Langdon.
The young congressman leaned over
cOnadentially.
t. t.nk Do yrh