Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1911-11-23
BY HENRY RUSSELL MILLER
T, l91O BY BOBBS MERRILL CO


downtown Office BESIDES the prospec-
tive boss, there were in the office Rob-
bins and Graham. the independents
candidate for mayor. Mr.. Graham was
an elderly gentleman with pretty
complexion, white mutton chop whisk-
ers and shapely. beautifully manicured
hands. He thought he was a reformer
and a gentleman of the old school
''How are you. McAdooY' MacPher-
son greeted the newcomer with u cor
diality cleverly toned down to fit the
man he saiuted. Shake hands with
Mr.. Graham. You have met Robbins.
! believe. Mr.. Graham. this is the
young leader of the Fourth whom
we're hoping to have with u.s."
Bob maliciously caught Graham's
ladylike hand In his own iron grasp
and squeezed it until the little mans
eyebails rolled In agony.
''You have a strong grip. Mr.. Nc
Adoo. an abnormally strong grip. If
may say SO. sir. But"-he recalled the
effusively patronizing manner that he
thought so highly politic-''I am glad
to meet you. my dear sir. very glad
indeed. | am glad to meet all those
who are helping me in my fight
may say it has been with no inconsid-
cradle inconvenience that | have con-
scented to lead in this great reform.
But have refused to permit personal
considerations to stand in the way of
manifest duty. | am for political
purity. sir. In the past the methods
of the tough wards. applied to gentle
men in politics. may have He
stopped suddenly, warned by sharp
" monitory cough from Robbins.
Bob grinned sardonically. "Oh, don't
mind me. I'm tough. all right. but
don't mind me-
Mr.. Graham's blush might have
been enyied by young girl. My
dear sir. I-er-apologize. Pray do not
misunderstood. My remarks do not.
OF course. apply
@Donst mention It," Bob interrupted
'1n tough wards men don't apologize
You're goin' to run this campaign
yourself?"
And why noty' Graham once more
mounted his parlor hobby Should
not the candidate always be the lead
err? Are we not working for boss
less era. in which the leader will be
where he belongs-in the front rank
under the folds of our Standard"
Sure. Why notY Bob rejoined
$50 ahead and try it It'll be quite
an experiment I'll be interested in
watchin' it-from the outside"
Surely not from the other sideY
Robbins suggested smilingly.
From the winnin' side." Bob an
swered dryly.
.sWell. of course" Mr.. Graham
stammered. 'of course-er-that is
ahem-I do not propose to-er-dietate
tactics to my assistants. We may
have TO resort to. disagreeable means
to gain our great end. We must II
necessary fight the devil with fire
that's it. fight the devil with fire."
'Humphg' Bob grunted.
.'Well, gentlemen" Graham conciud-
ed briskly. Il must leave you. Ny
wife and are dining out. and am
already late | am glad to have met
you, Mr.. McAdoo." He added this
from a safe distance. his hands be-
hind him. With bow, nicely deliver
ed, he left the room
What do you think Of him. Nc
Adoo?" Robbins queried.
Hes a curiosity Id like to take
him In glass case with sign,
Hands Of, down to Toms saloon
and show him to the boys. Why'd
you take him up?" he demanded of
Macpherson.
That worthy looked sharply at Bob
before responding He carries along
the old reform crowd. and he'll con
tribute his money"
I'D prefer to work for man. Bob
said contemptuously.
"Weil, are you coming along or not?r
"What are you goin' to dor
I'm the fist place. said Macpherson.
.'we're going to clean the city of this
gang of internal scoundrels'
4Talk business. I'm not Graham"
R0D interrupted llpdttcAtiy.
Il know that MacP herson an
swered sharply I'm not preaching
reform. mean, we're going to knock
Harmon and his crowd out Of control
of the organization and the city ana
take them ourselves"
..Do you mean that?" Bob demand
ed keeniy. ~Or are you only goin' to
aght them until they let you to the
trough. and then you 60 back on them
that helped you?"
Macpherson brought his clinched
Est hard down on the desk $50 help
me God. mean it! I'm going to see
that dog dead and buried politically
II it takes every dollar have in the
world"
aThats all right, but can you do ity'
.We cam MacP herson said more
quietly. We've got the money, and
we've gone over the ground carefully.