The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1912-02-29
THE Man
HIGHER UP
By HENRY RUSSELL
MILLER
Copyright. 1910. by Bobhs Mer.
rill Co.

raul nOuQeQ 1eS. But why, IN
heavens name did they pick out Har
land? He's good man and indie.
pendent They can't control him"
Eyes. he's all that. And he'll make a
good run. which Is more to the point.
He's the only man in the city who
stands chance against u.s.
But where do they come in between
you two?"
Bob shrugged his shoulders. Amy
port In storm. They prefer to take
their chances with him rather than
with me -"
Paul sprang to his feet and began
to pace the floor nervously. They'll
use him to break you. and then they'll
break him. They are relentless-and
patient It's an invincible combina-
ton. Good God. Bob, what an enc,
my you are fighting! You're big
man, but you're pygmy beside them
You've won out SO far, but that is be-
cause they haven't really taken you
seriously. But now you've taught
them what you are. and they are de
termined to crush YOU
He sat down again dejectedly. DO
you know. I've terrible presentiment
that we're going to lose this time"
do you mean that you don't care
b help me out in this fight?"
Paul strobe to Bob's side and placed
bis hand affectionately on the latter's
shoulder.
"Of course not. old man. I'm with
To- ri, nd IN
ether you ever go into, but while we
are working out our plans here in the
state can't have the chance to work
out mine in a separate field where |
can act for myself and in my own
Way7 Bob if you're elected-and of
course you will be in spite Of my pre-
0entiment-why can't | take Gerwig's
place on the ticket this fall and 60 to
eongress?
Bob shook his head.
why not?' Paul demanded petu.
lantly.
I'm the first place. have promised
Gerwtg In the second"-
You can get Gerwig to step aside"
~ can" Bob said quietly, but it's
rule of mine to keep my word in such
cases. In the second place, it will
mean six years wasted Here: have a
cigar Now sit down and We'll discuss
this thing nationally" Paul lighted
his cigar and sat down. putting mel
ously.
You go to congress-what happens?
You'll find yourself shunted off to one
side, bushel basket capped over your
head bound. muzZied | can imagine
no sadder fate for you than to be muz-
Zled"
Paul laughed I'VE can agree on
that anyhow Go on"
Its worse even than that Even the
machine congressman has no real pow
er. He must take his orders just as
our Legislator must take orders from
the state boss There aren't a half
dozen men in both houses who hold
even shadow of power, and they
have that only as agents for those
back Of them If you're content with
being igurehead, with having only
the appearance OF influence. go ahead
to congress and nOnentity But you
must pay the price, He paused.
smoking meditativeiy.
Go on" Paul exclaimed impatient.
~. "The price,
1.-The only thing in the world worth
having-real power"
Real power-I?' PAU laughed al
most bitterly What power have II?
How ny ~
have been? One of your many I'M
derlings, your puppet"-
Stop Bob was so near to anger
that Pau! was startled. That's
enough OF this old woman's chatter
You've been listening to bad counsel.
You'd be a miserable weakling if Won
didn't possess influence after the
with you is that things nave 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
ton 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 mel
The petuant discomfort on Paus
face gave way to amazed incredulous
delight and pride You meanf" ne
gasped.
IL mean" Bob answered quietly
that without the support you would
draw from me probably couldn't
win
@Fhaf means" paul exclaimed "that