Wallowa County chieftain. [volume] (Enterprise, Or.) 1909-1911, 1909-05-27
CHAPTER III. (continued.)

,,s suuffed out, for he was genuine
ho,,aver that the natural tendency OF
sumankind was to do right. Wrong
No believed to be the outcome OF un-
no,ural causes. This quality, COM
h,ned with his practical knowledge OF
,ho world and his courage, made him
formidable man, one who would one
day accomplish big things-if he got
the chance.
"you know you can't shut me up.
D,ckp was his response to Cullen's
oratorlcal fight. I'm going to have
oy say. | don't see why a senator
shouldn't be honest. All l want them
N do is to play a new game. Let 'em
=, least seem to be honest, attend to
their business, forget politics. The
country sends them here to work, and
n they do the work the people really
don't care hang what party they be-
lsng to-"
"Csme out of 1t, Bud. Your brain is
yabbly," yawned Cullen wearily. I'll
buy drink If you'll quiet down. Let's
be comfortable till this fellow Lang
den appears" He caught his friend
by the arm and in spite Of protest
dragged him of to the cafe just as
yeung Langdon and Congressman Nor
ton came down through the lobby.
Though but few years older than
Randolph Langdon, Charles Norton
had long exercised strong influence
over him because OF his wider expert
ence In the worlds affairs. Like his
father, young Langdon had stayed
close to the plantation most of his
Life, particularly after leaving school,
devotlng his attention to studying the
business of conducting the family's
biz estate. Norton brought him the
atmosphere OF the big outside world
be yearned to see even as did his sis
ter Carolina. and he initiated Nortons
manners, his dress and mode Of
speech. The congressman's habit of
eonfding in Randolph. subtle COM
pliment was deeply appreciated by
the lad, who unconsciously became a
continual advertiser Of Nortons many
virtues to Carolina and to his father,
all Of which the congressman knew.
That Norton's political career was
the outcome Of Carolina Langdon's
ambition to shine in gay society was
known to his friends as well as his
family. and his desire to win her and
place her where she could satisfy ev-
cry whim had developed almost to
frenzy. Seeing evidences of Senator
Stevens vast influence. he did not hes
itats to seek close relationship with
him, and the senator was clever
enough to Lead Norton to consider him
bis friend.
At the start cf his political career
Norton had higher ideas of honor than
guided bis actions now that he had
become Q part of the political ma
chine that controlled his native state
OF Mississippi and of the bipartisan
combination that dominated both
houses Of congress in the interest of
tne great railway and industrial cor.
pofatlons. Senator Stevens and other
powers had so distorted Norton's view
ot the difference between public and
private interests and their respective
rights that be had come to believe cap
nai to be the sacred heritage Of the
nation which must be protected at any
cost. The acceptance Of retainer
nom the c. st. and P. Railroad COM
pany for wholly unnecessary services
- Washington~0nly another way Of
puying MANA transaction arranged
Dy Senator Stevens, was but another
sage In the disintegration of the
young congressman's character, but 1t
brought him just that much closer to
inc point where he could claim Caro-
Una l'angdon as his own. And oppor-
.unity does not knock twice at mans
ueor-unless he is at the head Of the
machine.
norton, the persevering young law
s.uaent who loved the girl who had
S sn MS boyhood playmate, was now
"orton who coveted her fathers lands,
sao boasted that he was on the "in.
~e IN Washington, who was on the
"ay 70 fortune-if the new senator
sm mississippi would or could be
.0reea to stand In favor Of the Alta
eoola naval base
MS conversation with Randolph
.s ansoon as Haines and Cullen saw
,ns sm pass through the hotel lobby H.
''ra1ed .S the nature of the Norton Of
.ne Present and his interest in the Al
@eoola scheme.
anere's no reason why you shouldn't
nSu sme IN on the ground Aoor In this
opposition, Randolph" he was urging
eontinuance Of the conversation be-
Sn ss over table in the cafe. ..No rea-
W. W. wny You shouldn't do 1t, my boy.
"y, are you still child, or are you
,ea Z man? You have now drafts
~ soooOO, haven't your"
Ieah'' agreed Langdon, chagrlned
a. s.s sorton's insinuation Of youthfulness
IL anxious to prove that he WINS real
thon u'an OF affairs, 1--WE got the fifty
ths. thsand' Charlie. but-but, you see,
n. .ne money for Improvements on
n p'antatien. As father has put me
40 manager uant fn v,,ol,a a chou.