Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-05-06


around his head, he saw two familiar
figures standing in a secluded corner
Of the lobby. They were talking ear.
nestly in a low voice.
"Whew" whistled the newspaper
man. 1T must be something impor-
tant that brings both the boss of the
senate and Stevens of Mississippi
here"
Good afternoon. Haines. How are
you" Senator Stevens said cordially,
as, looking up, he saw the newspaper
man approaching. Senator Peabody,
you know Haines, don't your The
brightest young correspondent in
Washington"
Senator Peabody Of Pennsylvania,
the leading power in the upper house.
was man of commanding character
and Of strong personality. The fact
he used these attributes to advance in
the senate the financial interests of
himself. Of Standard Steel and other
commercial organizations met with
very little protest in Washington. That
he deserved the title frequently used
in referring to him. boss of the SEN
ate," none would deny who had knowl-
edge Of the inner workings of the sen.
ate and the various committees
Senator Peabody was very affable to
the reporters. especially to those Of
Haines' stamp, who bad never accept
ed any favors from him and who op-
posed his methods. He aimed to win
the friendship Of these opponents by
diplomacy-as he had found that re-
porters Of the Haines sort could not
be Influenced by money. He consid-
cred reporter who would take bride
Of society and frequently regretted
that so many Of the correspondents
sent to Washington could not be
bought nor had bills they wanted pass
ed or defeated. He extended his hand
TO Halnes as Stevens concluded and
said warmly.
"Of course know the representative
Of the Morning Star! How do you do,
Haines?"
II wonder II we're not all here on
the same errand," suggested the news.
paper man.
Senator Peabody appeared to be all
candor.
1--WE came to can on Senator Lang.
don, Senator Stevens new colleague"
he said
Bud Haires opened his eyes wide
by Jove, Langdon stock is going up
when the chairman of the naval COM
mittee drops in to welcome him."
you see. Langdon went in on a
naval base PLATFORM" explained Ste
vers. Our section of the south is
red hot in favor Of the government
spending its naval base appropriation
right there"
certainly" interrupted Haines,
"but"-
And, there being a vacancy on the
committee on naval affairs" continued
Stevens. whose dignity was offended
by the reporters interruption, 1.-The
friends OF Senator Langdon arc work
ing to have him appointed on that
committee. because he comes from the
state where the naval base will be
located and will, like myself. be more
familiar with the availability Of the
various sites suggested than a man
from another state"
Haines nodded
Eyes, Of course. What towns going
70 get II, senator?r
Senator Stevens paused judiciously.
"Well" he said. "Altacoola and Gulf
~ to-
pose You had better talk to Langdon
about It,"
The reporter smiled.
"That's Just what came for, sen.
ator. but I have to 60 up to the war
department now. When Senator Lang
don comes will you be kind enough to
tell him want to interview him!"
Stevens bowed cordially.
'Indeed shall. I'll tell him he's IN
luck to have the smartest young man
in Washington on the job"
"All right" laughed Bud. "only don't
make 1t so strong that he won't recog-
nize me when he sees me. Good
day" And he hurried away to keep a
belated appointment.
"Clever boy" said Stevens as the
Newspaper man disappeared.
The boss of the senate agreed.
Eyes. only I'm not sure it's a good
thing for newspaper man to be too
clever. Spells his usefulness. Makes
him ask too many COMPOUNDED ques-
tons"
Stevens acquiesced, for It would
never do TO disagree with the boss.
Its very kind Of you. senator" he
began. changing the subject, "to come
with me to welcome the new senator
from my state, my old friend and col.
league"
An inscrutable smile-a smile. yet
cold one-accompanied Peabodys an
ower.
II have always found. Stevens" he
said, that little attention like this
70 new man Is never wasted. and !
make 1t rule not to overlook oppor-
tunities."
Aga1 the senior senator from Mis-
sissippi acquiesced, and he laughed
BOOK BINDING
AND PRINTING