Putnam patriot. [volume] (Putnam, Conn.) 1872-1962, 1909-02-26

tbee were anxious that Altacoola
should have the naval base regardless
of the claims or merits of any other
section. That WIS unusual. puzzling
To I.angdon. Moreover. it was poor
business. Yet there We're able business
men in the senate Not one of them
would, for instance, think of buying a
site for a factory until he had investi-
gated many possible locations and then
selected the most favorable enc. Why
was it. he pondered. that the business
of the great United States of America
was not conducted on business linesf
He must study the whole question in
diligently: that was imperative. He
must have advice, help. To whom was
he To go for it? Stevens? Yes. his old
friend, who knew all tue ropes" Yet
even stevens seemed different in Wash
ington than Stevens in Mississippi
Here he played second fiddle" lie
was even obsequious. Langdon had OBJ
served, to Peabody. la Mississippi he
was a leader. and a strong one too. But
Senator Langdon had not yet learned
of the many founts from which polit-
ical strength and political leadership
may be gained.
What he finally decided on WAS the
engaging of secretary. but he must
be one with knowledge of political OPP
erations, one who combined wisdom
with honesty. Such an aid could pre-
vent Langdon from making the many
mistakes hat Invariably mark the new
man in politics, and he could point out
the most effective modes of procedure
under given circumstances. 1t might
prove difficult 70 find a man of the nee:
essary qualifications who was not al
ready employed. but In the meantime
Langdon would watch the playing Of
the game himself and make his own
deductions as best he could.
The senator started toward the hotel
desk to ask regarding the whereabouts
of his son Randolph when his atten-
ton was caught by the sight Of three
powerful negro porters endeavoring to
thrust outdoors threadbare old man.
The victims flowing white hair. white
mustache and military bearing receivs
ed short shrift.
.'come along, colonel, Yo' can't sit
heah all day Them chairs is for the
guests In the hotel" the head porter
was urging as he jerked the old man
toward the door
The Misslssippian's fighting blood
was instantly aroused at such treat
ment of q respectable old white man
By negroes. His lips tightly compress
ed as he hurried to the rescue. He
cried sharply.
Take Your hands OF that gentle
man, What do you mean by touching
a friend Of mine
The negroes stepped back amazed
"Scuse me senator is this gent man
friend OF yours" the head porter
gasped apoloeetieally.
Langion locked az him.
.sYou heard what said" he drawled
In the slow waF natural to some men
az the south y hen trouble threatens
I'D like 10 have you down In Missls-
slpf4I fer about ten minutes
The head porter turned quickly CD
his assistants and drove tnem away.
shouting al tae top Of his v9ire.
~sset about yo. wuk How aare 20
infehfere wid a friend OF de senator's?
III reach 70 10 be putting yoh nose IN
where ii amt got DO business"
The old man. as5onished ~ the turn
Of eserfs. came forward hesliatinSly
70 I-aagd0n-
-I'm very much obliged 70 yeu. sir.
he said I'm Colonel stoneman. an
old soldier
The Mississlppian stretched forth bis
hand