The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1911-01-07

dence. You are too good a Judge
of men not to know that. l am
popular man. | say that without
merely as a fact that has
been demonstrated. Just as /
would say, This is a house. Just
as you would say, / am strong.
There Is no particular reason for
1t other than that l was born with
a talent for popularity. ] have
cultivated that talent to the best
of my ability, as man should
always cultivate a talent. / always
succeed in making people like me.
l sometimes think / should like to
have an enemy, just for the SEN
sation. When | am as far along
as you are, ! may permit myself
the luxury. At present, however,
can't afford it. -
Bob did not laugh. The naive
candor of the young mans state
ment was impressive. 80 you
think ] could use your popu-
1arity?"
Il don't like the phrase. Say,
could help you. There is no
doubt of it. / lack certain things
generalship. talent for
an dthe cool, logged,
spirit - while standing
alone. But to man who possess
es these / can be invaluable. AS
said, | am popular. l have the
dramatic temperament. | should
make an attractive public figure.
Also / am an orator. This is my
other great talent, and l have de-
yeloped it, too. While / was at
the law school in New York, /
made many speeches for the prac-
tice, in their city politics. They
will tel you of me down there.
Even now, when l can sway audi
ences as I suppose few men in this
country can"
80 you propose an alliance with
me?"
why not? I have studied the
big men of this city very carefully
and have decided that you are the
one who can help me most and
whom | can help most. You have
what l lack. l have what you
lack. You have already a strong
grip on local affairs, you are in
the position to exploit my talents
at once, to give them an imHedi-
ate value-to both of us. Fur
thermore, I am prepared to like
is unusual. You and
]" he declared with a confident
smile, were made to work to-
gether. We fit. Already you
prove that you half like me by
listening as you have done to what
you consider impertinence. Con-
slider that if l have been tolerat-
ed one-half hour by you, there is
every chance that / can influence
ordinary men,"
In other words, you ask me to
share with you what power | al
ready have, to take you into a full
partnership at once? That's mod
est, I'm sure"
mo, no! / don't want any of
your power. Keep it all. l will
help you to add to it. But if
help oyu to increase it, it is only
fair that you use it to give me the
public life for which | am fitted.
l don't ask a full partnership.
only want to be made your chief
lieutenant, your officer in the
field.
But think it over" he con-
cluded. There's no hurry. Take
your time and see if you don't find
something in the proposition.
stop at this church to meet a girl
who is at choir rehearsal for to-
morrow"
For a few moments Bob stood
silent before him, staring at him
fixedly, his jaw tight shut. He
suddenly found himself, - resisting
something utterly strange to him.
He was bold man himself; he ad-
mired audacity in others. He
scorn he did not feel.
That's very kind, I'm sure, 4"
he said, with cutting sheer.
Then he added contemptuously,
DO you think for a moment that
that any man in his senses
would seriously consider such a
rattle-brained propositions"
The young mans face redeemed,
but his head went up proudly, de-
family. 81 didn't mean to be
flippant. But you WILL" he
cried. "You will consider, and
you will accept. You know, as
know-or you can easily find out
that what | have said is true.
But understand that if you accept,
it must be on basis of equal
For friend who
will help me, in turn / will give
myself and my talents freely. But
win not be used as a tool by one
pretending"
Bob laughed, in spite of him
self. why, you are prescribing
conditions! Did 1 or did you
suggested partnership,
would you call it?"
"No, I'm not asking a patrner-
ship, but friendship, Bob Nc
Adoo! Do you know what that
means? But no, of course you
don't, you poor, blind egoist! But
| will not be used as tool by one
a friendship he does
not feel. I'm not dependent on
enemies in this city,
and they realize my value.
you accept or not has no
bearing on my future. l believe