The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-09-25

that we're going to lose this time.
 ''Do you mean that you don't care to help me out in this 6ght?" Paul strode to Bobs Side and placed his hand affectionately on the latter's shoulder.
 "Of course not, old man. I'm with you in this scrimmage and in every other you, ever go into, but while we are working out our plans here in the state can't i have the chance to work out mine in a separate field where ! can act for myself and in my own way? Bob, if you're elected-and of course you will be in spite of my pre- sentiment-why can't I take Gerwig's place on the ticket this fall and go to congress"
 Bob shook his head
 'Why not?" Paul demanded petu- lantly.
 "In the first place. have promised Gerwig. In the second"- .You can get Gerwig to step aside"
 'I.can." Bob said quietly, "but it's a rule of mine to keep myword in such cases. In the second place. it will mean six years wasted. Here: have cigar. Now sit down and we'll discuss this thing rutionauy."' Paul lighted his cigar and sat down, pufing nerv- ously.
 You go to congress-what happens? You'll find yourself shunted off to one side, a bushel basket clapped over your head, bound, muzzied. I can imagine no sadder fate for you than to be muz- zled."
 Paul laughed. 'erWe can agree on that anyhow. Go on"
 "It's worse even than that. Even the fmachine congressman has no real pow CT. He must take his orders Just as our legislator must take orders from the state boss. There aren't half dozen men in both houses who hold even a shadow of power. and they have that only as agents for those back of them. If you're content with being fgurehead, with having only the appearance of influence, go ahead to congress and nonentity. But you must spay the price" He paused, smoking meditatively.
 "Go on," Paul exclaimed inpatient l ly. 'The price"-
 'aThe only thing in the world worth having-real power."
 Real power-I?" Paul laughed al- most bitterly. "What power have IT How do people think of me? What have been? One of your many un- derlings, your puppet"- "Stopv' Bob was so near to anger that Paul was startled. ''That's enough of this old woman's chatter. You've been listening to bad counsel. | You'd be miserable weakling if you didn't possess influence after the chances you have had. The trouble with you is that things have come so easily you don't realize their value. What power have you? You've been in the legislature four years, and you're the only legislator in a genera tion who has made himself force to be reckoned with. If you want to know what power you have go over | to the other side and beat mey' | The petulant discontent on Paul's face gave way to amazed. incredulous delight and pride. "You meant" he gasped
 'I mean" Bob answered quietly, .that without the support. you would draw from me l. probably couldn't win"
 "That means" Paul exclaimed, 'that you, Bob McAdoo. are in my hands. to make or to break"
 'That's true"
 Paul sprang to his feet with . pas sionate gesture. But, after all, have power only because you have given it to me. Therefore it is yours We will use it together. Bob. You've been a finer friend than 1 realized But realize it now. and shan't for. get"
 "An right" Bob said. shifting un comfortably under this demonstration ''Then you give up this congress fool ishness?"
 "Of course. You're right. as usual Six years ago I couldn't have given it up. Then the appearance of impor I tance was enough. But that is ended The superficial sensationalist is dead and buried forever l hope. Now want to be a real man, an origina force"
 Bob turned from him to look out o1 the window. If l hadn't thought fl was in you shouldn't have takenyor up," he said grufHy. Then he wheeled sharply on Paul. But is what yor say true? Is the sensationalist pu, away foreverY
 Paul flushed painfully. "Ah! Yol have sounded me truly-as truly as . man can who is himself genuine ant clear as crystal. But this time it i true. I tell you it must be true have a reason you don't know"
 "Oh. yes." Bob answered. 'T knov your reason. If you're not careful tha woman will marry you"
 If only she could be persuaded t do it. How did you guess"
 "A blind man can read it You hA- all the symptoms of man sickening ly, asininely in love. But don't do 1t Paul. You say you want to be req man. Be a whole man too. Don do it.''
 Paul laughed tolerantly. 'Not ac cept supreme happiness? Why not?'
 'Why not?" Bob exclaimed strongly why not cut your life in two? Wh. lot waste your strength on several on jectives instead of concentrating it ol