The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1911-10-12
BOBBS RRILL CO.

was IOrmeI.
So 1t happened that one evening Bob
received a call from Robbins, a Mac
Pherson henchman who had the repu-
tation Of knowing how to deal with all
sorts Of men.
"McAdoo." Robbins greeted him.
without beating round the bush I'll
tell you what I'm after. | come from
Mac. We want you with us In our
fight against Harmon and
"AlI right" Bob interrupted care
lessly. Tell Macpherson III talk to
him any time he says"
But | have authority
81 don't talk to m~iddlemen." Bob
said CURLY Good night"
"All right" Robbins laughed.
"Ysu're the doctor"
The next evening Bob was by ap-
pointment shown into MacPherson's
downtown office. Besides the prospec.
tive boss. there were in the office Rob-
bins and Graham. the independents
, candidate for mayor. Mr.. Graham vas
an elderly gentleman with a pretty
complexion. white mutton chop whisk-
ers and shapely. beautifully manicured
hands. He thought he was a reformer
and "a gentleman Of the old school.
How are you. McAdooT" MacPher-
son greeted the newcomer with u cor
diality cleverly toned down to fit the
man he saluted. Shake hands with
Mr.. Graham. You have met Robbins,
l believe. Mr.. Graham, this is the
young leader Of the Fourth whom
were hoping to have with U.s."
Bob mali2iously caught Graham's
ladylike hand in his own iron grasp
and squeezed it until the little mans
eyeballs rolled in agony.
You have a strong grip, Mr.. Nc
Adoo, an abnormally strong grip, If
may say so. sir. But'-he recalled the
effusively patronizing manner that he
thought so highly politic-"I am glad
to meet you. my dear sir. very glad
indeed. | am glad to meet all those
who are helping me in my fight l
may say 1t has been with no inconsid-
cradle Inconvenience that | have con
scented to lead In ibis great reform.
But | have refused to permit personal
considerations to stand in the way OF
manifest duty. | an for political
purity. sir. In the past the methods
Of he tough wards, applied to gentle
men in politics. may have He
stopped suddenly. warned 10y Il sharp
ly monitory cough from Robbins.
Bob grinned Sardonically. "Oh, don't
mind me. I'm tough. all right. but
don't mind me-"
Mr.. Graham's blush might have
been eDvied by n young girl. MY
dear sir. l-er-apologize. Pray do not
misunderstood. My remarks do not.
OF course, apply
Don't mention it, Bob interrupted.
"In tough wards men don't apologize.
You're goin to run this campaign
yourself?"
And why not?" Graham once more
mounted his parlor hobby. Should
not the candidate always be the lead
err? Are we not working for a boss
less era. in which the leader will be
where he belongs-in the front rank
under the folds of our standardY
"Sure! Why notr Bob rejoined.
$50 ahead and try 1t. It'll be quite
an experiment I'll be interested in
watchin' it-from the outside"
Surely not from the other slider
Robbins suggested smilingly.
From the winnin' side" Bob an
swered dryly.
well. Of course" Mr.. Graham
stammered. "of course-er-that is
ahem-I do not propose to-er-dictate
tactics to my assistants. We may
have to resort to disagreeable means
to gain our great end. We must II
necessary fight the devil with fire
that's it, fight the devil with fire."
"Humphr Bob grunted-
swell, gentlemen" Graham conclud-
ed briskly, II must leave you. My
wife and | are dining out, and am
already late. l am glad to have met
you. Mr.. McAdoo." He added this
from a safe distance, his hands be-
hind him. With a bow. nicely deliver
ed, he left the room.
What do you think of him. Nc
AdooT Robbins queried.
Hes a curiosity. I'd like to take
him In a glass case with a sign,
Hands or down to Toms saloon
and show him to the boys. Why'd
you take him upT" he demanded OF
Macpherson
That worthy looked sharply at Bob
before responding. HE carries along
the old reform crowd. and he'll con-
tribute his money"
I'D prefer to work for q man." Bob
said contemptuously.
swell. are you coming along or notT'
"What are you goin' to dot"
I'm the fist place." said Macpherson,
"we're going to clean the city OF this
gang OF internal sc0undreis''-
Talk business. I'm not Graham"
Bob interrupted impatiently.
II know that" Macpherson an
sworod aharnlv "I'm not nreach1nG