The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-04-30

the state Tor eight members or his
family" Questioned closely, he ad-
mitted that the family was his only
by a figure Of speech; that the rela-
tionship was entirely political
Blount promptly refused to recon-
mend the issuing Of employees passes
for the eight, and the result was an
immediate call from Bentley, the d.
vision master mechanic.
"About that fellow Gryson," Bentley
began. Cant you manage some way
to get him transportation for his Jones'
boro crowd7 He is going to make
trouble for us II you don't"
Blount was justly indignant "Gry-
son Is on your payroll" he retorted.
why don't you recommend the passes
on account Of the motive power depart
ment If he Is entitled to them?"
'T can't" admitted the master me-
chanic. Il am held down 20 the issu-
ing of passes to employees travelling
on company business only. We can
stretch 1t little sometimes, of coarse,
but we can't make it cover the whole
earth"
Neither can L" Blount exploded
"Let it. understood, once for all, Mr..
Bentley, that am not the scapegoat
for all the other departments. I have
cut It of short am notsrecommend-
ing passes for anybody"
"But, suffering Scott, Mr.. Blount,
we've simply got to take care of Tom
Grysonl HE'S the boss OF his ward,
and he has influence enough to turn
even our own employees against usP'
":mhuence!'' scoffed the young man
from the east. GLOW does he acquire
his influence? 1t is merely another IL
lustration of the vicious circle. You
put into his hands the price Of the club
with which he proceeds to knock you
down. Let me tell you what I'm tell
ing everybody. II We want a square
deal we've got to set the example by
being square"
The master mechanic went away, 81
fenced, but not convinced. A week
later Gryson, who in appearance was
a typical tough and in reality was a
postgraduate Of the lawless mining
camps Of the Carnadine hills, saun-
tered into Blount's Office with an inso-
lent taunt In his mouth.
well, pardner, we got them dickey
birds over to Jonesboro after so long
a time, and no thanks to you, neither.
I just blew in to tell you that I'm going
to hit you again about day after to-
morrow, and If you don't come across
there's going to be something doing
seeY'
Blount sprang from his chair and
forgot to be polite.
you needn't come to me the day
after tomorrow or any other time" he
ragged. I'm through with you and
your tribe. Get out!'
After Gryson had gone, muttering
threats and curses, the young cam
paign manager had an attack Of moral
nausea. It seemed such a huge waste
OF time and energy to traffic and chat
fer with these petty scoundrels. Thus
far every phase Of the actual political
problem seemed to be meanIy degrad-
ing, and he was beginning to long
keenly for an opportunity to do some
really worthy thing.
Notwithstanding his ideals were still
mistaken. He still chung to the belief
that the corporation, which was Great
ed by the law and could exist only
under the protection of the law, must
OF necessity be law abiding entity.
1t was unfair to hold it responsible for
the dtsreputable political methods Of
those whom it could never completely
control.
1t was on the day. of Gryson's visit
as 1t CHANGED. that Blount was given
his first opportunity of entering the
wider field. A letter from one of the
party chairmen in q distant mining
town brought an invitation of the
kind he had been waiting for. He was
asked to participate in a joint debate
at the campaign opening in the town
In question, and he was so glad of the
chance that he Instantly wired his &C
ceptance.
That evening at the cafe dinner at
the Inter-Mountain he found his father
waiting for him and in a burst OF
confidence told him of the invitation.
That's good" was the senator's
even toned comment. "Gives you a lit.
tie chance to shine the way you can
shine best, doesn't it?" Then, THAT
was one of the things McVickar want.
| ed you for, wasn't itT'
| 'Why, yes. He intimated that there
might be some public speaking" ad.
mttted the younger man.
well, what all are you going to tell
/ these Ophir fellows when you get over
I there, son." asked the veteran Quiz
zically. Going to offer 'em all free
! passes anywhere they want to 60 Il
/ they'll promise to vote for the railroad
/ candidates.
Not this year." was the LAUGHING
reply. "As 1 told you q week or SC
ago we've stopped al that"
''McYickar has told you It was stop
pedy
The newly hedged political manager
/ tried to be strictly truthful
81 have had but one interview with