Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1911-07-13

Know that" returned Gormly. be
cause l should Aot like to find myself
In opposition to one who has mani.
rested such friendliness to me as you
have"
Haldane looked up suspiciously;
but Gormly's appearance was abso-
lutely %guileless.
For Notwithstanding what you tell
me" the merchant continued, all Of
which Is doubtless true. l propose to
enter the contest with the Gotham
Freight Traction company. have
never allowed myself to be robbed; I
nave never been beaten by trickery
and chicanery; and / don't propose to
be robbed or beaten now"
Ruin, absolute ruin Is before you"
said the other earnestly. IF o. en-
gage In this contest.
But sir. they are trying 10 hold me
up-to use a blunt phrase-for a mil.
lion dollars for a thing that should
not be worth a tenth of that amount
on a liberal basis. Morally
Morals. my dear Mr.. Gormly. some.
how seem to have little to do with
business. You must do what they
like, OIL"
He shrugged his shoulders.
w shall see," said Gormly. I be.
lieve, though l am not a student of
military history, that an acle general
Is n who takes advantage of the
mistakes of the enemy, and that more
battles are won by such sharp sighted
endeavor than by deliberate plan
ming"
But suppose o did succeed, what
then? How would that affect the
Gotham Freight Traction company"
Meanwhile" said Gormly. and In
this instance he deliberately laid all
his cards ON the table. Il propose to
take advantage of the one blunder of
the Gotham Freight Traction com.
pany."
And what ie that?" asked Hal.
dane with intense eaSerness. There
was no longer the faintest pretense
between these two. His cards were
on the table as we'll, although he had
not admitted 1t.
In order to make the franchise of
the Gotham Freight Traction company
really of value, to complete the sys-
TEN, without which 1t begins and ends
in the air, they must have the old
New York Street Car company fran
chise which expires next spring. 1t
covers the only available routes and
the only available streets to connect
the two ends Of the Gotham enter
prise. Somehow Of other the astute
minds controlling the corporation
failed to secure the renewal of this
franchise. 1t has to be voted upoI
and passed in the spring"
The present administration" was
the quick reply, will be in power un
til the April elections. The franchise
expires in March. No re-grant of II
could be made until then. 1t will bt
renewed before a new administrator
could supplant the old, even II YOU
wild dreams were successful
THAT Is to be SEEM" answered
Gormly coolly.
My dear sir, It is self evident"
by no means. Public opinion shall
be aroused on the question OF the re
newal of the franchise Of the New
York Street Car company, with a clea
explanation Of the principles and con
sequences involved. to such an exten
that | do not believe any administra
ton on earth will dare to counte It..
And who will do this arousing?'
II will"
How"
by offering myself as o candidate
for mayor Of New York and by hgh'
ing the battle on that ISSUE anc Una
alone" .
81 might" said Haldane slowly. at
er a deeply thoughtful moment.-
might secure the privileges you desir
conditioned"
az don't desire them now. Mr.. Ha
dane" returned Gormly. Il am In IN
battle to stay. ask nothing from tn
Gotham Freight Traction company;
can confer no favors upon me. sha
take what | am entitled to by III
grace OF God and the Will Of the pei
pie"
= Haldane stared q long time at tn
: dark. determined face of his host.
You will make o splendid enem.
Mr.. Gormly." he said at last, I'm
! battle between you and the Tractio
D company will be one worth going
long distance to see.'
At tina instant the tall clock In Il
u hall struck the hour OF IL.
Il have the honor" said Gorml
j.. bowling formally. ito wish you n vel
Merry Christmas. Mr.. Haldane.