El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-09-21

the directorate OF public works.
Macpherson was a Ratchet faced,
saturnine votary Of Mammon; also
there was enough Of the Indian in him
to make revenge for all afrouts a ne
cessity. He accepted his dismissal
with apparent equanimity and institut-
ed a campaign to destroy his enemy.
! A sturdy little band Of reformers that
had fought long but fruitlessly to over
throw Steele's defenses suddenly and
! mysterously took a new lease on life.
/ Macpherson bought a morning and
an evening newspaper. Sensational ex-
/ pOsures followed startling revelations
with great effect The city began to
stir Uneasily. One day Macpherson
/ called a few men into his Office.
Gentlemen" said he, '1et US reform
the city"
And thereupon the Citizens party"
was formed
So it happened that one evening Bob
received a call from Robbins, a Mac
| Pherson hencbman who had the repu-
tation Of knowing how to deal with all
sorts Of men.
''McAdoo." Robbins greeted him,
without beating round the bush III
tel you what I'm after. l come from
Mac. We want you with Us in our
fight against Harmon and"-
AL right. Bob interrupted care
lessly. Tel Macpherson III talk to
him any time he says"
But 1 have authority
Il don't talk to middlemen." Bob
said CURLY. Good night"
AN right" Robbins laughed.
You're the doctor"
The next evening Bob was by ap-
pOintment shown into MacPherson's
downtown Office. Besides the prospec-
tive boss, there were in the Office Rob
bins and Graham. the independents
candidate for mayor. Mr.. Graham was
an elderly gentleman with a pretty
complexion. white mutton chop whisk-
ers and shapely, beautifully manicured
hands he thought he was a reformer
and a gentleman Of the old school
How are you, McAdooT" MacPher-
son greeted the newcomer with a cor
diality cleverly toned down to TT the
man he saluted shake hands with
Nj Graham. You have met Robbins,
believe. Mr.. Graham, this is the
young leader OF the Fourth whom
we're hoping to have with US"
Bob maliciOusIy caught Graham's
ladylike hand In his own iron grasp
and squeezed it until the little mans
eyeballs rolled IN agony.
You have a strong grip. Mr.. Nc
AdOo. an abnOrmally strong grip, If
may say 80, sir. But'-he recalled the
effusively patrOniZing manner that be
thought so highly pOlitic-''I am glad
to meet you, my dear sir, very glad
indeed am glad to meet all those
who are helping me In my fight.
may say 1t has been with no inconsid-
cradle Inconvenience that I have con
scented to lead in this great reform.
But have refused TO permit personal
considerations to stand in the way OF
manifest duty. am Tor political
purity, sir. In the past the methods
OF the tough wards, applied to gentle
men in politics. may have he
stopped suddenly, warned by a sharp
" mOnitory cough from Robbins.
Bob grinned sardonically. oh. don't
mind me. I'm tough. all right, but
don't mind me"
Mt. Graham's blush might have
been envied by a young girl. MY
dear sir, I-er-apOlOgize Pray do not
misunderstood Ny remarks DO not,
Of course, apply
Don't mention it." Bob interrupted.
''In tough wards men don't apologize.
You're goin' to run this campaign
yourself?"
And why not?r Graham once more
mounted his parlor hobby Should
not the candidate always be the lead
er? Are we not working for a boss
less era, in which the leader viii be
where he belOngs-in the front rank
under the folds Of our standardT'
Sure! Why notT". Bob rejoined.
$50 ahead and try It. Itn be quite
an experiment III be interested in
watchin' it-frOm the outside"
Surely not from the other sideg'
Robbins suggested smilingly.
From the winnin' side" Bob an
swered dryly.
well. Of course" MT. Graham
"of course-er-that is
ahem-I do not propose tO-er-dictate
tactics to my assistants. We may
have to resort to disagreeable means I
to gain our great end We must if ]
fight the devil with fire
that's it, fight the devil with fire"
"Humphr Bob grunted.
"WeH, gentlemen" Graham cOnclud- J
ed briskly. Il must leave you. My ,
wife and l are dining out, and am
already late. 1 am glad to have met
you, Mr. McAdoO" He added this 1
from a safe distance, his hands be-
hind him. With a bow. nicely deliver
ed, he left the room.
(To be continued.)