The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1912-05-30

him with curt nod and lolled back
in his chair Haggin grimly ignored
the entrance of the newcomer. Ma.
lassey seated himself awkwardly on
the edge OF a chair
I'm mighty sorry about the conven-
ton. MIR. MrAdoo." he began eagerly.
~
Bob chuckled 81 see really think
he'd better hunt another job. Tom"
Maassey sprang to his feet. pale and
trembling Before God Mr.. McAdoo,'
he began with nervous vehemence. IL
didnt"-
Bob came sharply upright in his
chair
Before God. Malassey," he said
harshly. you did You we're to go
into the Democratic nominating com.
mittee and help get me their indorse-
ment But you didn't"
ITS n lie. whoever says It," Malas
sey cried II voted for you, and the
record'll prove it"
Yes. you voted for me when the
committee was safely against me You
took tlier in double dealing. Maassey
II has netted you a thousand dollars
and that's all The mayor expects your
resignation at once Good morning.
Malassey"
An hour later Paul came in and
threw himself wearily on one OF Bob's
uncomfortable chairs
well" he said moodily. "you lost
that trick
I'm not infallible." Bob returned
calmly. And they played this hand
better than the last one"
Paul nodded Yes But why. I'm
heavens name. did they pick out Har
land? He's good man and inde
pendent They can't control him"
"Yes, 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 a chance against u.s.
But where do they come in between
you two?"
Bob shrugged his shoulders ANY
port in storm They prefer to take
their chances with him rather than
with INC"
Paul sprang to his feet and began
to pace the door nervously. They'll
use him to break you. and then they'll
break him. They are relentless-anu
patient. It's an invincible combina
ton. Good God. Bob. what an enc
my you are fighting! You're a 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
to help me out in this ight?"
Paul strobe to Bob's 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 ont our plans here in the
state can't ! have the chance to work
out mine In separate field where !
can act for myself and in my own
wayi Bob. If you're elected-and OF
course You will be in spite of my pre-
sentiment-why can't take Gerwig's
place OH the ticket this fall and go to
congressr
Bob shook his head
why notT Paul demanded petu
lantly.
I'm the first place. have promised
Gerwig In the second"-
You can get Gerwig to step aside
81 can,' Bob said quietly. but it's
rule Of mine to keep my word in such
cases. In the second place. 1t viii
mean six years wasted Here: have u
cigar. Now sit down and We'll discuss
this thing nationally" Paul lighted
his cigar and sat down, putting nerV-
ously.
You go to congress-what happens2 |
You'll find yourself shunted of to one
side, bushel basket clapped over your
head, bound, muzzled. | can imagine
no sadder fate for you than to be muz
zled."
PsIl laughed. 1--WE 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 halt
dozen men in both houses who hold |
even shadow OF power, and they
have that only as agents for those
back Of them. II you're content with
being a fgurehead, with having only
the appearance OF influence. go ahead
to congress and nonentity. But you
must pay the price," He paused,
smoking meditatively.
Go on" Paul exclaimed impatient.
ly. "The price,
"The only thing in the world worth
having-real power"
Real power-IT Paul laughed al.
most bitterly. what power have II
How do people think of met What
have | been? One of your many un.