The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-09-15

COPYRIGHT, 1910 b1
 (Continued.)
 s. Five years had wrought many changes in the life of Bob McAdoo. He was twenty pounds lighter than when he had worked in the mills, al though his sinews were still kept in condition by systematic, vigorous ex- ercise. His face was thinner and finer and marked by lines of thought and study. He had grown mentally in the new life and under Kathleens tutelage His clothes were now made by the city's highest priced tailor, but, worn carelessly, gave little hint of that sub- tie thing we call style.
 His bold negotiations with MacPher- son had given him a hold on the Sixth legislative district, which careful or ganixation and judicious bestowal of the patronage made his by virtue .of that deal had converted into a veri- table despotism. All candidates for councilmanic and legislative honors from that district had come to look to him for nomination and election. When the second mayor under the MacPherson regime was elected Bob was one of the four men who finally selected the fortunate candidate. Un- der this administration he accepted the office he now held. His signature at the bottom of check was now fa- Iniliar to the banks of the city and passed without question, since he was rapidly becoming rich man.
 A street railway franchise was en- gineered through councils, largely by means of the votes of Bob's group of 4ouncilmen. Bob's share of the spells tvas a large block of stock, which he Afterward sold for almost twice it's bar value. It was at the time of this franchise affair that he was first car tooned under the sobriquet Knockout Bob" as big. burly prizefghter, with the ugly, brutal features and partic- 1, 1llarly the heavy, undershot jowl sup, fosed to be characteristic of men of 4hat profession. Kathleen, with trou- bled smile, showed it to Bob.
 He gave vent to one of his very rare laughs. ''why, this is fame, Kathleen. Get scrap book and save all the car &oons of me, will you?"
 All this success was not accomplish Id easily. but by dint of hard. unre- (fnitting work and unceasing watchful- ness upon MacPherson. for, although they had so far stood together. Bob knew that it was only an armed truce, that the boss hated him. It was large 4y for this reason that he had made haste to accumulate large bank ac- Eount
 But to what end, all this? Lately he had begun to ponder this question.
 Bob had cast all but self out of his &cheme of life. This was violating Jaw of nature, and he was beginning 10 reap the punishment in strong 9iscontent. He was not given to senti- fnent. but as he looked out on the Tassersby, all wearing the Christmas Sair. he realized that they had some thing he. with all he had won and all he would win. had not.
 t"But, after all." he unused half Aloud. "for man of my sort power is the only thing worth living for. The trouble with me is that God-if there N God-made me too big to be con- tented with ordinary people and their ordinary emotions. Come in. Oh, hello. Tomr'
 Fine Chris'mus weather we're hav- in. MT. McAdoo." said Haggin. who was the intruder. Like the other tboys." he always called Bob ..Mr." nowadays.
 @Fine enough. guess. Can do something for your
 "Oh. mo-" Haggin answered. with ronderous bashfulness. Il only drop ped in to say Merry Chris'mus' to ye"
 Very good of you. I'm sure. Tom" Bob's tone was anything but enthusi- nstic- Yet he was. surprised by faint glow of pleasure at the ex-pugilist's- greeting. =
 There was an awkward silence. at length proken by Haggin: Smiths been raisin' big howl about not get Ln back to the legislatur'. Says he oughter git another term. Coin round among the boys an kickin' like a mule."
 Cant help that. promised Slough ton, and he goes."
 "Of course. You say so, and he goes. Tain't him that's raisih the trouble, but a young feller named Remington. An he ain't no slouch. you hear me. He's the feller I told you about came down to the Liberty hall meetin' last campaign. The boys was 'waitin' an growth impatient, until Tong about 9 o'clock in comes a tall young feller. regular kid. Good locker. with long curly hair an dashin' kind of way. An swell? He made me feel like a glass fact'ry. an l had on me hunderd dollar suit too. He steps up to me an says. Mfr. Chairman. my names Remington. an I'm here to make a speech At that the boys sets up a yell, hootin' an guyin' him like four of kind Swell chap doesn't say a word. but cfs with his overcoat an sits on the table with his hands in his pockets. laughin' as if he had good joke on somebody else. Fin'ly the boys lets up fer lack of wind. Then he starts in an tells story fit to make you bust. The boys laughs hard until they begun to see the point was on them. Then he gives lem the worst tongue lashin' you ever heard. thought there would be trouble an was gittfn' ready to keep the peace when Dne of the boys sings out. You're all