The Huttig news., 1909-05-29

arms length. What would the voters say if they heard that their respective candidates were hobnobbing at a pri- vate club? Newcomb played billiards in the basement while Willard played a rubber at whist upstairs; and the Saturday rides out to the country club became obsolete. Only few cynics saw the droll side of the situation and they were confident that when the election was over the friendship would be renewed all the more strongly for the tension.
 One night, some weeks before the election, Willard dined alone with the senator at the Gordon home. Betty Gordon was dining elsewhere. With the cognac and cigars, the senator drew out slip of paper. scrutinized it for space, then handed it to his pro- tege.
 That's the slate How do you like it?"
 Willard ran his glance up and down the columns. Once he frowned.
 Whats the matter?' asked the senator. sbrewdly.
 '1 do not like the idea of Matthews for commissioner of public works. He's a hlackleg there's no getting around that. He practically runs that faro-bank above his downtown saloon. Cant you put some one else in his placer"
 the end of his cigar.
 Honestly. my boy, agree with your objection; but the word is given and if we turn him down now, your friend Newcomb will stand a pretty fair show of being the next mayor.
 You might get worse one" Will Hard laughed. Jack is one of the finest fellows in the world" Loyalty
 Not bit of doubt; but politically" said the senator, laughing, he Is a rascal. man withe particle Of character. and all that But personal ly speaking, l would that this town i had more like him. Win or lose. he will always be welcome in this house. But this Matthews matter; you will have to swallow him or be swallowed" {"
 Hes rascal"
 
 ed, however, you can force him out. and be hanged to him. Just now 1t would be extremely dangerous. My boy, politics has strange bed-fellows, as the saying goes. These men are 1 necessary; to fight them Is 10 cut your own throat No one knows just how they get their power; but one morning you will wake up and find them menacing you, and you have te placate them and toss them sops"
 'T might at least have been con suited"
 'I appreciated your antagonism be forehand. Politics is a peculiar busi ness. man must form about himsel1 a shell as thick as a turtles, or his feelings are going to be hurt. Now if you would like to change any O these smaller offices. the health de partment doesn't matter What dt you say?''
 "Oh. if Matthews remains on th slate, I do not care to alter the res of it. But I warn you that l shall ge rid of him at the earliest opportunity.
 Just as you like.''
 The senator smiled covertIy. Mat thews was one of his henchmen in tn, larger matters of state. His name had been the first to appear on tn, slate and the senator was determinet that it should remain there. Not tha he had any liking for the man; simpl, he was one of the wheels which mad, the machine run smoothly. The sen ator knew his power of persuasion he knew Williard's easy-going nature but he also knew that these easy going persons are terribly stubborn at times. He was obliged to hold or to Matthews. The gubernatorial cam paign was looming up for the ensuing year, and the senator was curious tt learn the real power that went witf the seal of a governor of first-class state.
 There fell an intermission tt the conversation. Willard smoked thoughtfully He recalled the year. generous hospitality of this house. an, the love he held for the hosts daugh ter. Only since his return iron abroad had he learned the strength o his sentiment Heretofore he ha, looked upon the gis-l as a sister. jolly talented, fine dancer, daring rider good comrade. He had been ou of the country for three years. Or his return he had found Betty Cor don a beautiful worr an, and he ha silently surrendered. As yet he ha said nothing. but he knew that sh knew. Yet he always saw the shadog of Newcomb, old Jack Newcomt Well, let the best man win!
 'I can find a way to dispose of Mat thews," he said. finally.
 'I dare say.
 But Willard did not know the ter acity with which some men cling t office. The senator did.
 Here the servant ushered in tw lieutenants of the senator's. One wa an ex-consul and the other was tn surveyor of customs, who was not suI posed to dabble in local politics.
 "Everything is agreeable to MT Wi