Perth Amboy evening news., 1911-09-11

One day FIVE years later Director Of
Public Safety McAdoo arranged the
| documents he had been reading into
neat, m~ethOdicaI piles and rose from
his desk, stretching his muscles with
a sigh of relief. He had become a
faithful desk worker, but there were
times when be longed for the fierce
muscular effort of the old mill life.
Five years had wrought many
changes in the life Of Bob McAdoo.
He was twenty pounds lighter than
when he had worked In the mills, al
though his sinews were still kept in
condition by systematic, vigorous ex-
ercise. His face was thinner and tiner
and marked by lines Of thought and
study. He had grown mentally in the
new life and under Kathleen's tutelage.
His clothes were now made by the
city's highest priced tailor, but, worn
carelessly, gave little hint Of that SUBJ
tie thing we call style.
His bold negotiations with MaCPher-
son had given him a hold on the Sixth
legislative district, which careful or
ganization and judicious bestoWal Of
the patronage made his by virtue Of
| that deal had converted into q Yeri-
table despotism. All candidates for
cOuncilmanic and legislative honOrs
from that district had come to look
to him for nomination and election.
When the second mayor under the
NfopDJnrcnr pauiD,n woc aInata1 Rnh
was one Of the four men who finally
selected the fortunate candidate. I'm
der this administration he accepted
the office he now held. His signature
at the bottom of a check was now ia
miliar to the banks Of the city and
| passed without question, since he was
rapidly becoming a rich a
A street railway franchise was en-
gineered through councils, largely by
means of the votes of Bob's group Of
councilmen. Bob's share of the spoils
was a large block Of stock, which he
afterward sold for almost twice its
par value. 1t was at the time of this
franchise affair that he was first car
TONED under the sObriquet Knockout
Bob as a big, burly prizefghter, with
the ugly, brutal features and partic-
ularly the heavy, undershot jowl sup
posed to be characteristic Of men of
that profession, Kathleen, with a trou-
bIed smile, showed it to Bob.
He gave vent to one of his very rare
laughs. why, this is fame, Kathleen.
Get a scrap book and save all the car
toons Of me, will you?"
All this success was not accomplish
ed easily, but by dint of hard, unre-
hitting work and u~nceasing watchful-
ness upon Macpherson, for, although
they had so far stood together, Bob
knew that it was only an armed truce,
that the boss hated him. 1t was large
ly for this reason that he had made
haste to accumulate a large bank ac-
count.
But to what end, all this? Lately he
had begun to ponder this question.
Bob had cast all but self out of his
scheme Of life. This was violating a
Inv of nature, and he was beginning
to reap the punishment in a strong
discomfort. He was not given TO senti-
ment, but as he looked out on the
passersby, all wearing the Christmas
air, he realized that they had some
thing he, with all he had won and all
he would win, had not.
But, after ALL" he unused half
aloud. "for a man of my sort power is
rle only tn1ng worth living Tor. The
trouble with me is that God-if there
is a God-made me too big to be con
tented with ordinary people and theiI
ordinary emotions Come in. Oh,
hello, Tom
Fine Christmas weather we're hav,
in, Mr., McAdoO," said Haggin, who
was the intruder, Like the other
boys" he always called Bob MI"
nowadays.
Fine enough, l guess. Can 1 do
something for your
"Oh, no." Haggtn answered, with
ponderous bashfulness. ~ only drop
ped in to say Merry Christmas to ye."
Very good of you, I'm sure, Tom"
Bob's tone was anything but enthusi-
astic. Yet he was surprised by a faint
glow Of pleasure at the ex-pugillst's
greeting.
There was an awkward silence, at
length broken by Haggin: Smiths
been ratsIn' a big howl about not get
tin back to the legislator. Says he
oughter git another term. Coin
round among the boys an kickin' like
a mule"
Cant help that. 1 promised Stousn-
ton. andahe goes"
ITo hs continuedA