The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1911-11-04
In the meantime I'll keep an eye.
on the delegates. Come down to earth. !"
CHAPTER <.


Nv gown, was pouring q second
=. cup of coffee for her brother.
"A pretty woman at the breakfast
table," remarked Henry Sanger, Jr., is
the most charming picture in the
world"
Mrs. Gilbert shrugged her shoulders
llstlessly. "Save your compliments for
your wife. I'm in no humor for them.
I'm dying Of stagnation. Henry, you
must7you simply must come to my.
rescue today" :< "
His brow puckered regretfully. "I'm
sorry, Eleanor. I'd like to help you
out, but really can't. Ny morning is
filled with important board meetings.
And this afternoon I have planned to
go to the bull batting"
Bull batting? I thought that sport
"Figure Of speech. mean the con-
vention at which the local G.. o. p. Is
to choose the next mayor-perhaps-of
our great city"
"oh, politics! And who is to play
bullr'
"Our political lord and master, Rob-
ert McAdoo, alias Knockout Bob, alias
the boss Of the Steel CITY,"
"Th1s McAdoo-is he good boss?"
''Where is your Americanism7
There's no such thing as good boss
unless he happens to be on your side.
Then he becomes a leader"
II am to suppose, then," Mrs. Gilbert
laughed. 'that Boss McAdoo isn't on
your side?''
''You are" Sanger answered shortly.
II consider him the most dangerous
politician in the state"
Dangerous? Because he is not on
your side?" She laughed again.
Henry Sanger believed himself sim
cere as he answered: mo! Because Of
the manner Of man he is. He is tho
most absolutely self centered, self
willed man know. He will listen to
no one else. He would sacrifice any
man or interest to forward his own
ambition. He is essentially a bully.
He was the prize barroom bully Of his
neighborhood in his younger days. He
thrashed an ex-prizefghter, believe,
and that gave him his start in politics.
As boss whose power is continually
growing consider him q menace to
this state. Bosses we must have. 1t is
only through the boss that capital
holds the balance Of power against the
harebrained radicals fnfesting the
country. But the boss must be a man
who will listen to reason and consider
others than himself"
'"That is, you demand bosses whom
you capitalists can boss?'
"And who has a better right to con.
troll than the men whose brains and in
dustry and money have developed our
wealth." Sanger demanded holly.
But If the people can elect whom
they please I can't see why'- >.
"Oh, the peopler' Sanger broke in
disdainfully. ''They can no more be
trusted with the Industrial and f1nan-
cial interests than can a man like Me-
Adoo."
II think" Mrs. Gilbert said-"I think
I should like to 60 to the convention
with you. Would it be proper?'
'Well." Sanger said thoughtfully, 1T
won't be very nice crowd, butt
'"Then I'll co."
If Eleanor Gilbert felt the many Gu
rious glances turned upon her as she
entered the box her brother had man.
aged to reserve for her she gave no
outward sign. but proceeded to study
the excited crowd with amused eyes.
Her sensitive nerves caught the con.
tagion Of excitement with which the
atmosphere was charged. Sanger saw
a tinge Of color come to her usually
pale cheeks, and her eyes frightened
perceptibly. She caught him smiling
at her. 1T .t.@>
I'm glad I came," she said brightly.
"1'm excited already, just as though
were part Of it all. l feel Just as
did when was little girl and my
governess took me to the play"
"Humph!' Sanger grunted. 'Look
over there in the box opposite. You
will find an interesting study" F. -.
A group Of men was just entering
the box. Eleanor Immediately fixed
her attention upon one, the last to en-
ter, whose identity she guessed at
once. AS was the case with most
people, her first impression was Of his
physical strength.
Tits the boss! What tremendous
shoulders!'
Bob sat down in the rear OF the
box, but even seated he lowered above
his companions by half q head, and
Eleanor could note the strongly mark
ed face Even across the theater she
could catch the cold, piercing glance
with which he swept the delegates.
The glance Travelled toward the box In
which she sat, met hers, and while
one might count ten, against her will,
his eyes held hers and then passed on
to the stage. <-.-.->.@ =. e
Eleanor leaned back and drew q
long breath. so that's your barroom
bully? should hate to be In that
mans power. He is-relentless."
The convention was called to order.
A permanent chairman was chosen,