The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1911-04-27

younger element began to call her Mrs.
Jack.
For the first time in her career Mrs.
Franklin Haldene saw her position
menaced The younger no longer
consulted her as formerly. When. like
Mrs. F'ranklyn- Haldene, woman has
nothing more serious to live for than
to organize social affairs. the slightest
detection from her ranks is viewed in
the light of catastrophe. She had
called on Mrs. Bennington the second,
armed with all those subtle cruelties
which women of her caliber know SO
well how to handle. And behold she
met fencer who quietly buttoned the
foils before the bout began. She had
finally departed with smiles on her lips
and rage in her heart. This actress,
whom she had thought to awe with the
majesty of her position in Hercula-
neum, was not awed at all. 1t was dis
concerning; ii was humi1iating. She
had condescended to tolerate and was
tolerated in turn. Katherine adored
Patty, and Patty had told her that she
hated Mrs Franklin Haldene Natur-
ally Katherine assumed the defensive
whenever she met the common enemy
But Mrs. Haldene could wait She
had waited before this. She had made
certain prophecies, and IL embittered
her TO learn that so far none Of these
prophecies had come true. She could
wait Something was destined to hap
pen, sooner or later. She knew human
nature too well not to be expectant.
TO Mrs. Haldene the most gratifying
phrase In the language was: II told
you SOL! Warrington had disappoint-
ed her. too He behaved himself. He
did not run after young Mrs Benning-
ton; he never called there alone: he
was seen more frequently at the old
Bennington place. The truth is, Patty
was busy reforming the hayward dra-
matist, and Warrington was busy
watching the result. There were those
who nodded and looked wise whenever
they saw the two together
Warrington found himself taking
more than normal interest in
the political situation. Occasion
ally, on Monday nights. he wan
dered into the city hall and lis
tened to the impassioned speeches of
the aldermen. Ordinances were passed
or blocked, pavement deals were rushed
through or sidetracked. And once,
when the gas company was menaced
with dollar-gas, the city pay roll was
held up for two months by the lighting
company's cohorts.
The democrats had remained ir pow
er for six years, and Herculaneum was
essentially republican city. On the
democratic side was McQuade, on the
H0n0erSOn.
THESE men were bosses of no ordinary
type. The first was from the mass,
the second from the class, and both
were millionaires.
The present mayor was q shrewd
democrat who understood the diplo-
macy Of petty politics. He shook the
grimy hand OF toll in preference to the
gloved had of idleness. He was thor
oughly politician. He never disre-
garded public opinion openly. He never
| sailed close to the wind, but spent his
time In safe tacks to whatever harbor
he desired. He was McQuade's man
Just SO long as McQuade made the
business worth while. He had opened
up many new streets. abolished need
less nuisances. and these concessions
gave him a strong hold on the inde-
pendent voter He was q king over
frogs which had changed much since
Aesop's time. for now they let well
enough alone.
McQuade had an able lieutenant in
fraternity followed Loyalty. Martin
| owned and ran the most disreptuable
hotel In the city.
This gambling den was frequently
the bone of contention between ener-
getic ministers Of the gospel and the
police department. Regularly the police
swore that gambling did not exist I'm
on still hunt for proofs. Singularly
enough, they never found any.
Martin was a power in the common
council. He could block or put through
any measure. He always carried a roll
Of gold bills in his pockets-for what
purpose no one had the temerity to in
qulre. His following was large and
turbulent; it came from the shops and
the factories and the streets. In his
ward no candidate had ever beaten
him. Nice people" had very little to
do with Mr.. Martin; the laborer who
was honest had little to do with him,
either. He was q pariah, but very
many accused him. caught him in dis
honest deal.
On the Other hand, Senator Hender-
sons party had the cloak of respect
ability on it's shoulders. His lieuten-
ants were prominent business men who
went into politics as light diversion,
young men Of aristocratic families who
Washington, and lawyers.
One May evening the senator called
on Warrington. He found the dramat-
list in the club reading room. and
greeted him pleasantly.
my boy, I want half an hour Of
your time. Come into a private dining
room" Once seated at the table, the
senator reached over and touched War
rington mysteriously on the arm.
young man, ! heard you speak the
other night at the Chamber of Com
merce banquet. You're a born orator
and what is better than that, you've
common sense and humor. How would
you like to be mayor of Herculaneum
next fall?"
Mayor gasped Warrington.
Eyes"
I'D make a fine mayor" with forced
laughter, but thinking rapidly. Aren't
you jollying me, SENATOR"
I'm dead In earnest, Warrington.
There Is not another available man in
sight. BY available mean a man who
can pull the party out Of the bog. There
are a hundred I could nominate, but
the nomination would be as far as they
could go. We want man who is fresh
and new to the people. SO far as poll
tics goes; a man who can not be in
fiuenced by money or political emolu-
ments."
"In take the night to think it over"
said Warrington.
take a week, my boy; take a week.
Another thing You are intimate with
young Bennington. He's a hard-headed
chap and doesn't countenance politics
In his shops. The two of you ought to
bring the hands to their senses. II we
can line up the Bennington steel mills,
others will fall in. Bennington owns
the shops, but our friend McQuade
owns the men who work there. Take
i'll.