Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-08-17
CHAPTER xxx.

even tell her of the thing which hi
had found in the dead mans hand.
CHAPTER xxx.
The Check That Conscience Draws
Several members Of the legislature
who had been unusually active ir
state affairs during the Carpetbag re.
gime, were missing. Rumor said they
had gone abroad for their health, al
belt they had grown fat and waxeo
strong through feeding at the public
expense. The rats had begun to de-
sert the sinking ship; those who re-
mained did so in order to make ont
last plundering attack upon whatever
could be found in the old worm-eater
hulk.
Willetts sent for Lucy Linford. Ht
knew he had reached the end Of his
rope and that he no longer had any
influence whatsoever with the chief
executive. Daily conferences with
the lethargic Lummers had confirm.
ed this beyond question, even if addi'
tional confirmation was needed. He
knew that henceforth whatever was
accomplished by him must be done
vicariously and he turned to the
schoolbook lobbyist as the most effec-
tive tool available.
What is the use Of trying to push
this matter right in the midst Of the
election Excitement" demurred OLD
Steve's Agent. why not wait
while? II the election goes against
him, he will still be Governor for
Willetts snorted. You may un-
derstand schoolbooks," he cried, "but
you don't understand Mississippi
Now, listen and follow me closely
The moment the election returns are
in, the Carpetbag government will
explode. Those lawmakers will take
to the woods like scared rabbits
They've been sitting there now eigh,
months in violation Of all law, crawl
ing over each other in their efforts to
push through few more schemes
before the crash comes. Our people
won't pay us a cent SO long as there
is any loophole in this bill which will
enable the next administration to- un-
do it. They demand that it shall not
only be signed by the Governor, but
also that the fact shall be recorded In
both houses before they will cash In
for us. We must get the old mans
name and we must get it, too. before
this legislature let's go. Understand? p
Yes"
"Get him-somehow. l don't care
how. You can do more with him
than 1 can. You are woman. You
know what that means"
The lobbyist shook her head dubi-
ously. I'll see what 1 can do" she
remarked, but I'm not at all san
guine about the matter. He won't
melt-Tve tried him and I know.
We've got to take another tack this
time. Leave me alone with him for
a few minutes and I'll try to land him
Have Lummers keep everyone else
away so that I'll have a clear field"
This was a matter easy Of accom-
plishment. Lummers was expecting
her when she called. Tell the Gov
ernor a lady wishes to see him, Jim"
he said. mo name-just a lady. I'm
going to step up to the senate cham
ber for a moment. Don't let anyone
in till 1 get back"
The Governor entered briskly from
his private office with number OF
papers in his hand. He stopped
abruptly as he recognized the caller
She was all smiles.
Are you surprised?" she inquired
"Um-no," was the hesitating re-
sponse. I'm not surprised at any
thing nowadays-haven't time"
Lucy motioned toward chair
May 1 sit DOWN." she asked.
Certainly"
She indicated another chair. won't
you?"
1T is hardly worth while. am
very"
"Oh, come, be sociable just a mi
mute You're not afraid of me, are
you?"
The Carpetbagger shook his head
I'm afraid of myself" he said, as he
took a seat across the room from his
visitor.
Governor, how is your memory
"Bad-very bad"
You haven't forgot what you told
me the other night, have you?"
mo. 1 told you good bye"
The lobbyist bit her lip. "You
have a positive genius" she remark
ed "for forgetting things you ought
to remember and remembering things
you ought to forget"
"Oh, 1 don't know about that. There
are a great many things I'd like tc
forget and can't"
II hope you haven't tried to forget
the Midland bill"
No"
Thank you"
II forgot that without trying"
There was a marked change ir
Miss Linford's demeanor at once. She
altered her tactics instantly. All at
tempts at fascination were at an end
verbal fencing was abandoned: she
did not smile now.
governor" she said forcefully,
you understand your business OF
you wouldn't be where and what you
are. l think 1 understand mine. I'm
business woman now; lets talk
business.
The Carpetbagger shifted uneasily
In his chair but made no reply.
I'm politics." she went on, there
is nothing sadder than an official sui
cide-like this"
We'll, I'm not on ice yet"
You've killed yourself Don't you
think you ought to save enough now
to pay your funeral expenses"
Don't let that worry you"