The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1911-07-20
Outwitted
A Political Boss Is Brought 10 Time
By GEORGE V. LEMOYNE.
Copyright 1910, by American Press
Association.


accepted he was in condition Of SUI
preme delight. TO struggling archi-
tect engaged to be married the obtain
ing of this job seemed to leave nothing
to be desired The moment the &C.
ceptance was announced to him he
rushed off to Genevieve Wilson, his
fiancee, to transmit the good news to
her. After joyful embrace they be-
gan to lay plans for their marriage.
Sterling was directed to superintend
the cutting Of the blocks of marble of
which the capitol was to be built. In
the papers composing his plans was a
description with measurements of ev-
cry block of marble of which the build
ing was to be constructed. Not only
this, on each stone was a mark cor
responding to one laid down in this
description.
The young architect had got most Of
the marble out and ready to put in
place when a man with a red face, a
large jewel in his shirt bosom and a
waistcoat of many colors came to him
and told him that since he had not
thought proper to signify to the po-
litical boss that he wished to contrib
ute to the funds needed for the coming
campaign discovery was to be made
that his plans were defective and the
work would be placed in other hands.
Sterling looked at the man aghast
He had not yet received cent for his
plans and realized at once that he was
at the mercy Of the boss. Undecided
what course to take. he asked the
messenger what contribution would be
acceptable. He was informed that %
per cent should go to campaign funds,
q; per cent to members Of the commit
tee who accepted his plains and % per
cent to the boss. This would leave
the architect only 25 per cent. The
messenger gave no name. He named
no boss and no member of the COM
mittee who was to receive perquisite.
Sterling told the man that he would
think 1t over and he might return the
next day for an answer.
George went at once with the I'M
welcome news to Genevieve. The first
thing she did was to give that We
manly encouragement which men
know is not based on any solid reason,
but serves It's purpose. Don't be dis
couraged, George" she said, with a
kiss. 1T will come out all right"
How can it come out all rightY' he
cried bitterly. ''rhese rascals have
me in tight grip. l might as we'll
try to dam up Niagara as to oppose
them"
When Genevieve had quieted him
she began to talk to him about what
would happen if he refused to con-
tribute the bride money. He told her
that the payment of his bill would be
delayed through technicalities till they
would be dead and buried and
wouldn't need the money. Meanwhile
the construction of the capitol would
go ON as he had planned it. One ar
cAitect after another would be EN-
ploycd. each architect suggesting
changes in the plans. each change
costing the. state three or four times
what the expense should be. the sur
plus gcing to the officials whose duty
it was to see that the people who We're
paying for the building We're treated
fairly.
Put Genevieve was determined to
learn all about the work-who was
competent. how far the politicians
could go in the matter ard all else.
When she had learned these things
she gave George an idea. He threw
his arms about her, gave her bear
hug and a dozen kisses and left her
ready to give his answer to the name
less messenger when he came again.
"Well.' said George when the mes
senger turned up, II have considered
the delicate matter Of which you were
speaking yesterday"
I'm glad you understand it's deli
cate matter"
"Why so?''
"Well, when the state prison was
built the architect thought he knew
more than the leader Of the party un-
der whose rule it was built. and he
landed in the building he'd planned"
How did they accomplish that?'
asked George.
ooh. they accused him of offering
bride for the job and convicted him."
'Well, have decided on my course.
throw up the job"
The man looked surprised. but he
said nothing. He simply went away.
Two weeks passed. when George re-
ceived a call from state official. who
asked him for Information as to the
marking Of the blocks to go into the
state capitol building. George told
him that he had given up that job and
was about to begin suit against the
state for $4,000 for the plans he had
furnished
George saw by the mans expression
that he had struck home. Genevieve
during her interview With her lover
had brought the fact to his attention
that it would be- impossible for any
one except himself to oil the position
of the blocks as the building was
erected. A week passed, and George
received another visit from an archi-