Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1911-05-04
CHAPTER vi.

The new Bennington mansion had its
house-warming in November. The re-
ception. followed by a dinner dance
IN the evening. was, according to the
society columns, one of the social
events of the season."
Society itself. however, was greatly
pleased with the beautiful Mrs. Ben
nlngton. for she entered with zest into
all soc!etys plans. In fact, she threat
ened to become very popular. The
Jack.
70 the first time in her career Mrs.
Franklyn-Iialdene saw her position
menaced. The younger set no longer
consulted her as formerly. When. like
Mrs. Observation-Disclosures. a woman has
TO organize social affairs, the slightest
detection from her ranks is viewed i'm
the light of q catastrophe. She had
called ON Mrs. Bennington the second,
armed with all those subtle cruelties
when women Of her caliber know so
wen now to handle. And behold. she
met q tencer who quietly buttoned the
tolls 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-
seum. was not awed at all: 1t was dis
concerning; it was humiliating. She
had condescended to tolerate and was
tolerated In turn. Katherine adored
Patty. and Patty had told her that she
mated Mrs. FRANKLIN Haldene. Natur-
ally Katherine assumed the defensive
"rehever she met the common enemy.
But Mrs. Haldene could wait, She
had waited before this. She had made
certain prophecies, and 1t embittered
her to learn that so far none Of these
prophecies had come true. She could
walt. Something was destined to hap
pen. sooner or later. She knew human
nature too we'll not to be expectant
To Mrs: Haldene the most gratifying
phrase IN the language was: II told
you o." Warrington had disappoint-
ed her. too. He behaved himself. He
did not run after young Mrs. Benning-
ton; ne never called there alone; he
was seen more frequently at the old
Bennington place. The truth is, PATTY
was busy reforming the maynard dra.
matist. and Warrington was bnsy
watching the result. There were those
VINO nodded and looked wise whenever
n saw the two together.
Warrington found himself takinp
more than formal interest in
me political situation. Occasion
aliy. on Monday nights. he wan
dered into the city hall and lis
tened to the impassioned speeches of
tne aldermen. Ordinances were passed
or blocked. pavement deals were rushed
through or sidetracked. And once.
Wnen 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 in DOW
er FOR six years., and Herculaneum was
essentially a republican city. On the
democratic side was McQuade, on the
repubiican was ex-senator Henderson.
These men were bosses of no ordinary
type. The first vas from the mass,
the second from the class, n both
We're mtllionaires.
The present mayor was a shrewd
democrat who understood the diplo-
macy OF petty politics. He shook the
grimy hand Of toll in preference to the
gloved q OF idleness. He was thor
oughly a 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 30 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 a king over
frogs which had changed much since
Aesop.s time. for now they let well
enough alone
McQuade had an able lieutenant in
Alderman Martin. whom the sporting
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 in
town. and regularly the ministers went
on q still hunt for proofs. Singularly
enough, they never found any.
Martin was . power in the common
council. He could block or put through
my measure. He always carried a roll
OF gold bills 10 his pockets-for what
purpose no n had the temerity to In
quire. His following was large and
turbulent; 1t 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 MI. Martin: the laborer who
was honest had little to do with him.
formidable one. Yet. no one. though
many accused him. caught him in q dis
honest deal.
On the other hand. Senator Hender-
sons party had the cloak OF respect
ability on it, shoulders. His lieuten-
ants were prominent business men who
went into politics as a light diversion,
were ambitious to go to Albany or
Warrington. and lawyers.
One May evening the senator called
on Warrington. He found the dromat-
1T IN b club reading Dom. and
greeted. him PLEASANTLY.
ny 9 want half an hour OF
Iyour time. Come into a private dining
rooni.s Once seated at the table. the
senator reached over and touched War
rlngton myaterlously on the arm.
Young nan ] heard you speak the
other night ct the Chamber Of Com