The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1911-11-09

use him 10 break you. and then they
break him. They are relentless-an,
patient. It's an invincible combina
ton. Good God. Bob. what an enc
my you are fighting! You're BIZ
man. but you're pygmy beside them
You've won out so far. but that is be
cause they haven't really taken yol
seriously. But now you've laugh
them what you are. and they are de
termined TO crush you"
He sat down again deJectedly. "DC
you know. I've terrible presentiment
that we're going TO lose this time"
"Do you mean that you don't care
10 help me out In this fight?'
Paul strobe to Bob's side and placed
his hand affectionately on the latter s
shoulder.
"Of course not. old man. I'm with
you in this scrimmage and In every
other you ever go into, but while we
are working out our plans here in the
state can't have the chance to work
out mine In a separate field where
can act for myself and In my own
way? Bob. If you're elected-and Of
course you will be in spite of my pre-
sentiment-why can't | take Gerwigs
place on the ticket this fall and go to
| congress?"
| Bob shook his head.
why not?" Paul demanded petu-
lantly.
''In the first place. ! have promised
| Gerwig In the second"-
You can get Gerwig to step aside"
81 can" Bob said quietly. but it's a
rule Of mine to keep my word in such.
cases. In the second place. it will
mean six years wasted Here: have
cigar Now sit down and Wen discuss
this thing nationally" Paul lighted
his cigar and sat down, putting nerv-
ously.
you go to congress-what happens?
You'll find yourself shunted off to one
side, busAel basket clapped over your
head. bourd. muzzled. | can imagine
no sadder fate for you than to be muz-
zled"
Paul laughed. 1--WE can agree on
that anyhow. Go on"
ITS worse even than that Even the
machine congressman has no real pow
er. He must take his orders just as
our legislator must take orders from
the state boss. There aren't a half
dozen men in both houses who hold
even a shadow of power, and they
have that only as agents for those
back of them. If you're content with
being a fgurehead. with having only
the appearance of influence. go ahead
to congress and nonentity. But you
must pay the price" He paused,
smoking meditatively.
Go on" Paul exclaimed impatient
ly. THE price,
1.-THE only thing in the world worth
naving-real power"
Real power-IY Paul laughed al
most bitterly. what power have I?
How do people think of me? What
have / been? One of your many I'M
behring's. your puppet"-
stop Bob was so near to anger
that Paul was startled. That's
enough of this old wOman's chatter
You've been listening to bad counsel.
You'd be a miserable weakling if you
didn't possess influence after the
chances you have had The trouble
with you is that things have come so
easily you don't realize their value.
What power have you? You've been
in the legislature four years. and
you're the only legislator in a genera
ton who has made himself force to
be reckoned with. If you want to
know what power you have go over
to the other side and beat mel"
The petulant discomfort on Pauls
face gave way to amazed. incredulous .
delight and pride. You mean?" he
yasped .
81 mean" Bob answered quietly,
that without the support you would .
Draw from me l probably couldn't
win" |
"That MEANS" Paul exclaimed, that
you. Bob McAdoo. are in my hands,
% make or to break"
That's true"
Paul sprang TO his feet with a pas
,ionate gesture. But, after all, |
have power only because you have
given it to me. Therefore it is yours.
We will use it together. Bob. You've
leen a finer friend than | realized.
But realize it now. and | shant for
ret"
"All right" Bob said, shifting I'M
comfortably under this demonstration.