The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-03-25
TTolled himseTr.
Il didn't know it." he said.

Il didn't know it, he said.
You have several things to learn
senator declared the congressman.
81 have things to learn and thing
to teach,' he said. but go on. Why
am 7 interested?"
You 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-S2J,-
OOO-in Altacoola land also"
For a moment I.anGdon was speech
less. 1t was too much at first for the
honest old southerner to comprehend.
You mean" he Gasped at last. that
you induced a boy to put $4,000 in
Altacoola land when you knew l had
to vote on the bill? And you even
let my daughter put her money in the
same schcme?"
"Of course 1 did 1t was splendid
chance. and l 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
"Shc admits it herself
"Thcn reckon here's where I lose
n prospective son-in-law." sueered
LanCd0n. but that's unimportant
Now, Norton. who's behind yOu?"
IT must decline to answer that"
Iangdon looked at him Sternly.
VERY wcll.' he said. you are too
small to count. I'll find ont 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 disgraccd him.
Can YOU understands" he said. DO
you know what you've done to me-
what. father? We've done nothing
wronG:" protested Carolina.
They told me it was perfectly Ieciti-
mate urged Randolph. They said
everybody-Peabody and Stevens and
the rest-werc in it. and Peabody 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 n man of his high standing
should set you so miserable an exam,
Pile
Randolph Langdon was not n vicious
lad. not youth who preferred or chose
wrongloinC for the increased rewards
il offered He was at heart n Chival-
rouS, straight forward. truStful south.
crn boy who believed in the splendid
traditions of his family and loved his
father as n son should Il parent ha wing
the qualities of the old hero of era w.
louisville. Jealous Of his honor. he had
been a victim of Norton's wileS because
of the ConEreSSnan'S position and pur,
suasiveneSS. because this companion of
his young days had Won his confidence
and had not hesitated to diStOrt the
lads idea of what was right and what
WAS wrong.
Randolph began an indignant protest
against his fathers reproof when the
senator cut him short.
Don't you sce?' said the senator
Il can understand there being raScals
in the outside world and that they
should believe your careless, foolish
old father lawful game. but that he
should he thought n tool for dishonest
thicving by members of his own fam
lily is incnmprc hcnSible.
Randolph. my son. Carolina. my
daughter. through all their generations
, the lanGd"ns have been honora BILE
Your mother was n Randolph. and this
from you. Oh. Carolina. And, you
Randolph: How could you? How
could YOU Dctray or seek to betray your
father. who secs in you the image ui
your dear mother. who has Sone:"