Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-20

your 'hew 10 the line men. son. Reck-
on you'd like 20 try itT'
The young man who was less than a
week away from the atmosphere OF
the law school and its theories was
fairly aghnst That his father should
be coolly proposing him for n high Of
fee in the state TO which he was as
new as the newest ernigrant seemed
blankly incredible. But when the in
credibility began to subside the despot-
ism OF a machine which could propose
and carry out such unheard OF things
doomed malehcent.
I'm afraid we are a good many
miles apart. father" he said. uncon-
sciously using one OF his fathers IA
vorite speech forms, when the pro-
posal had been given time 10 sink In.
America is supposed to be a free
country with a representative govern
ment Do you mean to say that you
and a few OF your friends can set
aside the will OF the people so far that
you can nominate and elect anybody
you please ~ any Office Ia the slater
The farseelng eyes were twinkling
again. "Oh. l don't knSw about our
being so far apart" was the depreca-
tory protest. You're just little bit
long on theory. that's all. son. When |
It comes down 20 the real thing some 7
body has TO head the stampede and I
turn II. and IL we don't do it the other
bunch will"
what other bunchT
"In this case it's the corporal ions--
the timber people. the irrigation com
panies and. most OF all. the railroads"
"Gantry seems 20 think that the rail- /
roads are prosecuted. or his railroad at
least"
The senator pulled his horse down I
to still slower walk where did |
you see Dick Gantry?" he demanded. (
Evan told Of the meeting on the
veranda OF the club adding the fur-l
Their fact OF the college friendship.
Just happened So did IT," queried
the senator. that eating together last \
Saturday night?'
"why, yes; / suppose so. Dick
knew l was in Boston. aud he said be
had meant TO look me up"
81 reckon he did" was the quiet
comment; yes. | reckon he did. And
he filed you up chock full OF Hard
wick McVlckar's notions, OF course.
guess that's about what he was told to
do. But we won't fall apart on that
son. Tomorrow well 30 down 70 the
city. and you can look the ground over
for yourself / want you 20 draw
your own conclusions and then come
and tell me what you'd Ike 20 do.
Shall we leave II that wayf'
Blount acquiesced quite without
prejudice 20 a firm conviction that his
opinion when formed was going 10 be
based on the merits Of the case. upon
a fair and judicial summing up Of the
pros ana cons.
He felt that 81 would be striking at
the very root OF the tree or good gov
eminent 20 allow himself 20 be the
candidate Of the machine. But, on
the other hand. he saw instantly what
a power a fearless public prosecutor
could be IN a misguided common
wealth where the lack was not OF
good laws, but OF men strong enough
and courageous enough TO administer
them.
He would see. n the good 20 be nc
was great enough to over
balance the evil-it was temptation
10 compromise, sharp temptation.
and he found himself longing for Pa
tricia. for her clear sighted comment.
which. he felt sure. would go straight
10 the heart Of the taugle.
II was that thought OF Patricia and
his need for her that made him dis
trait and absentminded az the War
trace Hall dinner table that evening.
and the father. looking on. suspected
that Evans taciturnity was an eK-
preston Of his prejudice against the
woman wJo had taken bis mothers
place, and when the son. pleading
retrehted early 10 his room
the suspicion was confirmed
you'll have 20 be patient with the
boy. little woman" said the master Of
Wartrace when Evan had disappeared.
i shouldn't wonder n Boston had put
some right queer notions into his head"
The little lady looked up from her
frame with q whimsical
smile wreathing Itself az the corners
Of tie sensitive mouth. He Is a dear
boy" she said. land he f. trying aw-
fully hard TO hate me. But / shBn't
let him. David"