Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1911-08-24
Copyright. 1910. by Street @ Smith
By
FRANCIS LYNDE

Iue SlllluS IOOm OI Tue senator's
private suit. Blount had meant to
give some of the ethical reasons for
taking the step which would put such
a summary end to the attorney gen.
eralship scheme. But when the time
came and he had %brusquely declared
his purpose Of accepting the railroad
appointment he did not find it entirely
easy to say the other things.
$50 McVickar talked you over?" was
the fathers gentle comment. "It's all
right, son. You're a man grown, and
I reckon you know best what you
want to do. If it puts us on opposite
sides Of the political creek we won't
let that roll the water any more than
it has to, will we?"
To such a mild hammered surrender
or apparent surrender the purely flial
emotions could do no less than to re.
spond heartily.
I'VE mustn't let it," was the quick
reply, but after that he added: ct feel
that I ought to make some explana-
tons, though. I've been going about
with my eyes and ears open, and I
must confess that the political field
has been made to appear most unat-
tractive to me. From what l can
learn the political situation in this
state seems to be very frankly con-
trolled upon the principle of bargain
and sale. l couldn't go into anything
like that and keep my self respect"
mo. of curse you couldn't, son, so
you just took a place where you could
earn good clean money in your profess
sion. l don't blame you"
Blount was vaguely perturbed. He
could not help feeling that his father
was keeping something back.
"You think there will be more or
less political work in my job with the
railroad?" he asked, determined to get
at the submerged facts, If there were
any.
"Oh, l don't know. McVickar has
hired you to do a lawyers work, and
I guess that is what he will expect
you to do, isn't it,"
Mr.. McVickar had not defined the
duties Of the new assistant counselship
very clearly. But there was a strong
inference running through all that was
Eaid to the effect that the headship of
The legal department would carry with
it some political responsibilities.
At the moment Blount had been
rather glad that such was the case.
The vice president had convinced him
very thoroughly Of the justice Of the
railroad company's contention-that
the laws Of the state, if rigidly admin
istered, amounted to a practical confs-
cation of the company's property.
While Mr.. McVickar was talking
Blount had rather hoped that his new
position would give him opportunities
to place the railroads point Of view
fairly before the people of the state,
and to do this he knew that he would
have to enter the campaign as a polit.
ical worker. Surely his father must
know this, and he went boldly upon
the assumption that his father did
know it.
81 am to be chief Of the legal de-
partment on this division, and as such
it will, of course, be necessary for me
to defend my client in court and out
Of court" he said finally. "And I mean
TO do it."
"Of course you do; you've got to be
honest with yourself-and with Nc
Vickar. I don't mind telling you, son,
that / am squarely on the other side
this time, and I had hoped you were
going to be-. But if you're not, why,
that's the end of it. We won't quarrel
about it."
Now, this was not at all the paternal
attitude which the young man had
prefgured. But before anything more
could be said Mrs. Blount came in to
remind them both that they had a din
ner appointment with Professor An
ners and his daughter and that there
was barely time to dress for it.
1t was late that night, several hours
after the informal little dinner for five
in the Inter-M Mountain cafe, when the
senator had himself lifted from the
lobby to the fourth floor and made his
way to the door Of his own apart
ments. AS was her custom, his wife
was waiting up for him.
did you find out anything more?"
she asked without looking up from the
tiny embroidery frame which seemed
to be her constant companion at home
or elsewhere.
mot very much. Mcvickar has
fixed things to suit himself. Evans
law Office position is to be pretty large
" nominal, I guess. and Gantry's
crowd is to see to 1t that he doesn't
get to know too much, which means
that the bribery 10 not to be done by
the legal department in this cam
paign."
"But they can't keep him from flnd.
Ing out about t." she protested.
"They are going to try mighty hard