Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1911-08-11

turned toward II OF an evening the
days evil seemed to fall away from
him. and he lett 1t always with good
thoughts. Love sprang up like a rose
in a garden. He was In love with
Laura Wendell.
About this time there came a sort
Of crisis in Strickland's personal az
fairs. and he was threatened with
considerable loss. The details are un-
necessary here. The difficulty grew
out Of the sale of his interest In the
lithographing business. He had. in ef-
feet. invested some of this money be-
fore he had received II. His former
associates were delaying payments, but
his own that he agreed TO make could
not be put of without danger Of the
loss Of all. In this emergency he con-
suited Mr.. Wendell. who advised him
that he must not default In any pay
ment. True enough. but where should
he get the money? Mr.. Wendell
thought he might be able to help the
young man In securing a loan. and.
though Strickland was very unwilling
to accept this favor, he eventually did
so. The money was advanced by
friend Of Mr.. Wendell, an old lawyer
now retired from practice and sup
posed to be entirely disengaged from
active affairs His name was Curtis
B. Connor.
Meanwhile an interesting situation
had sprung up in the halls Of legisla-
ton. Members were going about
bright eyed and eager. and the older
ones were talking Of the good old
days" 1t was measure with money
on both sides Of 1t. The usual thing
In these days is for the money to be
on one side and the public on the 9TH
er. But In this instance there was a
battle of the giants, extremely doubt
full In issue. and a member who de-
sired to be Influenced" could look In
either direction.
The fight centered In the assembly.
That was where the bushwhacking
was being done. Stories Of bribery
filed the air. but Strickland seemed
to be immune. He had been intro
duced to a great many lobbyists, rang
ing from seeming responsibilities to
the lowest of created bipeds; but,
though some Of these persons sound
ed him in a rather crude way. he
received no direct proposition.
And in the midst of all this he was
utterly In doubt as to his proper
course-confused by rumors, blinded
by his own inexperience with large
affairs and unable to- decide in which
direction lay the public interest. Two
powerful syndicates were fighting for
and against the measure, and these,
| from the names of two lesser figures
In the legal talent of the lobby. be-
came known as the black ring and the
white ring,
Strickland had carried his doubts to
Wendell. who at first shared them
but on a certain evening the two men
sat late before an Office fire in the
lawyers mousse, and as result Of
their conversation Strickland came to
| a decision. AS a choice of evils he
would vote upon the white side, for
so Wendell advised him with argu-
ments that seemed excellent.
On the second day following little
after noon Strickland was passing
through a corridor of the statehouse
when he met veteran assemblyman
named Stuart Porter. a courtly, hand
some man. who had treated the new
member with consideration and had
been of considerable help to him.
Porter had taken no active part In the
debate on what was known as the
black and white bill. His true atti.
tude was unknown to Strickland. who
had often been upon the point Of ask.
ing his advice.
They paused for a moments talk
and it seemed to the younger man that
the other regarded him strangely
there was certain sadness in his man
ner. Strickland was of hasty tenn
per and impatient Of mysteries. II
was his habit to speak straight out.
What is the matter?" said he
"Have offended you In any wayT'
The old gentleman started some
what with surprise at this abrupt ques
ton. and his face hardened, but ir
a moment relaxed into a very kindly
expression.
"If you were keen enough to sex
that" said he. II wonder that yor
have been so easily deceived in othel
matters"
What matters?" said Strickland.
II have had 1t in my mind to war;
you several times" said the other "bu
you carry your head rather high fo
so young a man. 1t seemed to me tina
perhaps you needed lesson. You will
vote upon what we call the white sid'
this afternoon, suppose?"
"Such is my intention"
"And the loan from Curtis B. Con
nor was, believe. $2.OO0?"
What do you mean?" demanded
Strickland, but gently. for the other
manner impressed him.
"Mr. Wendell secured It for you.
said Porter. "Mr. Wendell has repre-
sented the interests that are back o
the white ring in Albany for twent.
years."
II don't believe it! Why, the mai
Is poor"
"He seems So"
Seems? Do you know how simpl.
he lives? Are you aware that hi
daughter serves him as secretaryT
"Mr. Wendell needs secretar,
whom he can trust" answered Porter
There. there! mean no disrespect t
the young lady! know your privat
sentiments in that quarter. She doe
not see any wrong in her fathers dea