The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-09-16

grand opera egoism. Now. mine is vaudeville. I don't ask the world to prostrate itself before me. All I want is that it shall place me in the fore ground. so that | may enjoy myself playing . striking role. Of course the same principle underlies both our na- tures-concentrated selfshness, self love. Were you ever in loveY
 "WeIl. hardlyr
 sNeither was L It's q shame, too; I'd make such splendid lover. I'm not sentimentalist though-rather a oensationalist. I love a strong sensa- don Hke the feel of doing the big, the unusual. the beautiful things I nke the sensation of talking about myself frankly to . man who never saw me before and doesn't give hang whether he ever sees me again."
 Bob laughed loudly-he could not help it "Wen. you've got nerve. there's no doubt of that stop at this bookstofe.r
 sTu 70 along. want to deliver honily with that laugh of yours as a text.~
 But tAis time Bob needed no aid from the tafkatfve stranger; the pres ent was for Kathleen As with the discrfminating eye of the book lover Bob chose . superbly bound set of shakespears the young man ex- claimed:
 By Jcve, I envy the one who gets this presenti You love booksr
 S-They arc hny chief extra~agance." "
 The young man surveyed him thoug ghtfully. At length he said:
 "You have accomplished more than any young man I know of. You are the third strongest man politically in vthe city. You are apparently rich. You have accomplished this by dint of sheer strength. leaving out entirely the question of personal popularity. That's the weak spot in your armor. Now you have chosen politics as your par tdcular field. So have l."
 aThen guessed right" Bob said to himself. and tho amused Gleam died out of his eyes.
 downright brute strength and the fear inspired by it have carried you 1 through so far. but if you are going further you must consider the ques- tion of personal popularity. Get the public into the habit of loving a man and they will keep on loving him just because they love him"
 That's not true," Bob interjected sharply. 'sDo you know more about any other subject than you do about politicsN
 ...OhGL know poiittes.rs the young man said calmly. tH1 know the power of money and of the big corporations and fnanciers whom you and know to be the kings in politics. Lam speak ing of the politicians, who stand to capital in the relation of attorney to client. have studied the big polit- 1cal men of our country closely, and every man jack of them has been per- sonaIly. popular or at least able to make himself an attractive public fig ure. It is the lack of it that will keep you ont. if anything can. of control of the city, at which shrewdly guess you are aiming"
 Perhaps you intend to capture the city yourselfr
 'Tt Is not beyond the possibilities" 1" the stranger youth responded imper- turbably. 'T1l admit, though, that you might be able to prove the exception to my rule. You are so internally strong, body and soul." he swept Bob with a frankly admiring glance. .'as have been told by those who know you and as feel 1t now when I meet you at close quarters, I almost believe you can do anything in your own way. Still. even If you can accomplish what you want by main force it would be mighty poor strategy when. by the use of popularity and diplomacy, you can get the same thing more quickly and more easily. A rapier Is a deadIier weapon than a meat ax."
 He stopped. And Bob took the op- portunity to scrutinize the man beside him very carefully. It flashed across bis mind that here was one who would attract the hero worshiping public. He saw a 1.-the, we'll set up, springily carried figure: long dark hair. slightly curling. crowning fine brow and a handsome, regular face ot . slightly Semitic cast; an olive com. plexion, dark eyes. flashing just now In the light of debate; finely molded chin. neither weak nor strong, and a mobile, sweetly smiling mouth-the mouth of woman
 "His figure is good. He is the rapier the meat ax," he thought to himself '1s that all7' he added aloud.
 The young mans tone changed te one of thoughtful. not fearful, hesita. tion. Unless you change you will never attract You are too.strong, toe arrogant in your strength. You need to work with and through a man who will give your movement a populai
 - n t.c.. yee need mer'
 Bob threw back his head and laughed harshly. "I'm a politician, not va riety snowman. you know"
 The young man betrayed no sign oi irritation. 'I'm not a rattlebrain." he said with quiet confidence. You are too good judge of men not to know that am a popular man. say that without vanity, merely as a fact that has been demonstrated-just as ] would say. This is house;;' just as you wouldFnaE T am strongf q
 "So you propose an alliance with