Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1911-02-24

erward | remembered the faint smile
In his eyes
l, of course, knew that Roebutt
was greatly interested in my proieo
for putting political business on -
business basis; but not until he ha
explained why he sent for me did !
see how it had fascinated and w
sorbed his mind You showed We,
he began, that you must have under
you a practical man to handle the
money and do the arranging with the
heelers and all that sort of thing
Yes" said |; its vital part Of
the plan. We must find a man who
is perfectly trustworthy and discreet
Necessarily, he'll know or suspect
something-not much, but still some
thing--of the inside workings of the
combine"
"Wen. I've found him." went on
RoeDuck, In a triumphant tone Hos
goddess person, with no character
to lose. and no conception of what
character means But he's straight
as a string Providence seems to
have provided such men for just such
situations as these, where the devil
must be fought with fire. I've been
testing him for nearly Is years. Et
you can judge for yourself"
| was the reverse of pleased It
was not in my calculations to have
a creature of Roebuck's foisted upon
me, perhars-indeed, probably spy
| purposed to choose my own man;
and | decided while he was talking
that | would accept the Roebuck Sc
lection only to drop him on some
plausible preteXt before we began OPP
eratiOns. | was to meet the man at
dinner. RoCbuck had engaged
suite at the auditorium 1T wouldn't
do to have him at my house or club,"
said he; neither do we want to be
seen with him"
Coincidence is SO familiar a part ut
the daily routine that I was not much
surprised when my acquaintance, the
astute poker player with the scar
walked in upon us at the Auditorium
Roebuck was both astonished AMI
chagrined when we shook hands and
greeted each other like old friends
How do you do, Mr.. Sayler?" said
Woodruff
Glad to see you, DR.. Woodruff" |
replied. Then you knew me all the
time? Why didn't you speak out?
We might have had an hours business
talk in the train"
IF I'd shown myself as leaky as
all that, | guess there'd have been no
business to talk about" he replied.
anyhow, l didn't know you till you
took out your watch with the mono
gram on the back, just as we were
pulling in. Then | remembered where
I'd seen your face before | was up
at your state house the day that you
threw old Dominick down. That's
been good many years ago"
That chance, easy, smoking compart
ment meeting, at which each had stud
led the other dspassionately was
most fortunate for us both.
The relation that was to exist be
tween us-mOre, much more, than
that of mere employer and employee
made fidelity, personal fidelity, imper,
ative; and accident had laid the
foundation for the mutual attachment
without which there is certain to be
sooner or later, suspicion on both
sides, and cause for it.
The two hours and a half with
Woodruff, at and after dinner. served
to reinforce my first impression. |
saw that he was a thorough man of
the world, that he knew politics from
end to end, and that he understood
the main weaknesses Of human nature
and how to play upon them for the ad-
vantage of his employers and for his
own huge amusement He gave
small exhibition of that skill at the
expense of Roebuck He appreciated
that Roebuck was one of those uncon-
scious hypocrites who put conscience
out of court in advance by assuming
that whatever they wish to do is
right or they could not wish to do it.
He led Roebuck on to show off this
popularity of his--a jumblng often in
the same breath, of the most sonorous
piety and the most shameless business
perfidy. All the time Woodruff's face
was perfectly graye-there are some
men who refuse to waste any of their
internal enjoyment in external show.
Before he left us | arranged to meet
him the next morning for the settle
ment of the details Of his employment.
When Roebuck and | were alone. |
said: What do you know about
him? Who is he?"
"He cores of a good family here in
ChicagO--one Of the best Perhaps
you recall the Bowker MURDER"
Vaguely" | answered.
at was Woodruff who did 1t. We
had hard time getting him off. Bow
ker and WoOdruf's younger brother
were playing cards one day, and Bow
ker accused him Of cheating Young
Woodruff drew-perhaps they both
drew at the same time, At any rate.
Bowker shot first and killed his man
he got off on the plea of selfdefense.
II was two wars bpfora RcuJL,ar ard