The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1912-09-26
CHAPTER VIII.
A Tussle With Authority.


Al ton thanked his stars that recent
opulence had not sent Mr.. James
Brady, contractor ana politician, from
his downtown home to the latterly.
more aristocratic suburbs.
That Brady was influential he well
knew, and the returning memories
There was that oswaidson paving
matter, some two years ago. Grafton.
through no fault Of his own. had be-
come involved in quite kink there.
bad been threatened with lawsuits OF
several varieties. and other forms OF
unplea santness.
He had been quite on the point OF
throwing over the matter altogether
who had been with him in the matter.
sought q short interview with Mr.. Os-
waidson. The trouble had ended
n Also he recalled recall some crooked work
that some SUBJ contractor had, attempt
ed In connection with the Harvey aye
nue. sewer. and into which, for his own
protection. he had sought to drag Graf
ton. Brady, to his everlasting credit,
had Strengthened that out as well. Then
there were-oh! dozen or more cases
Of ,ae kind, cases with which Grafton
- been connected and cases OF which
All OF them. however. showed that
Brady possessed power Of his own,
and that power now appeared In nsht
Il had never borne before. TO 70 the best s,t
known II. held Grafton's fortune In his
hands, and Grafton felt a sincere graft
tude to the fate which had prompted
him TO keep on good terms with the
Would he give the assistance re;
Quired? But OF course he would!
Grafton smothered any small, nerv-
GUS doubts that tried to arise. optim,,
It's practical application never APP
peared to greater advantage than
upon this early morning. Let him
once arouse Brady and all would be
A car coming Unexpectedly, he rode
the few blocks to Brady's home. de-
scended and fairly ran down the
block Of brick houses; No; - was his
goal. He made out the gilt lettering
and sprang up the steps.
He breathed a sigh of relief now
that he had come to the one who could
aid him. and he felt at the same time
. builder of the town. although even to
himself he had hardly. admitted IL, had
regarded the big Irish-American with
q sort Of liberation: Nov he was was
strictest aspect, could hardly have
been called legitimate.
nl But It Nv was s.,, that ana or poverty He
swer came. He put his finger upon the
button and held It there; presently
the creak of q front window sent him
looking upward.
nate bath robe protruded from the
window of the floor above and a
heavy voice called:
who. the devils that7"
Er-is that you. Brady"
Eyes Who is itT"
The fi g.. ;,i issn e !, t az out.
well. by all that's wonderful,
via. Chst're you doin' here at this time o
q" "W %p., zee s,s ySp,. and at once"
The window Closed and Grafton watt
ed anxiously. After a minute or two
ne heard the chain rafting within. The
front door opened and Brady appeared.
hugely at the visitation. :.
Brady. to the parlor, The politician
ss !%sI, hi, e. guest 81 aniHH'eally'
Brady. you've got more or less In
nuence, with the administration Of this
.Eh7" Brady's brows went up.
with the municipal officials, mean.
and all that sort OF thing.
"Oh! there's them that says 1t. some
times" Brady chuckled.
Il
way in the past Have not?" continued
Grafton, almost humbly.
Indeed you have. sir. and good ones
because I want you to help me in a
matter of great importance-a matter In
which. think. no one else can be OF
much service"
well. and I'll be glad TO do that. Mr;
call at your office, sir. and wen FIX II
all UP right-whatever It Is"
"But that won't do! It's something
that must be attended ENDED to at onEse-with-
Brady stared. then sat down and
yawned and nodded his head question:
ingly at the other.
Grafton leaned forward anxiously;
"our postmaster? Yes"
How far can you influence him?"
II give 1t up. AS far as / have to.
come with me to his house. I've got to
see him at once"
"I-er-I-well, I mailed a letter by
mistake early this evening. Jim. In the
building. you know"
II sent It down the mail-chute from
gone found-er-" Grafton began
TO wish that his story had had -hsnce
OF rehearsal Wny, AFTER IL was gone
found that had made a great mis-
take In the stun I'd sent, II was not
what had intended to inclose in the
"And you want Dobbs to find 1t in
the postoffice and give 1t back to you,
sir?"
"Oh, it's not so difficult even as that, y
said Grafton. eagerly. THE last collec.
zion was taken up several hours before
] mailed the thing. The next one Is no,
due until about o'clock this morning.
$50 that your letter Is down In the
box, on the ground floor OF the build
ing, chr"
"Of course
"And you want Dobbs to get It back
q you before It goes through the mail'
b the morning.
Eyes"
Gum" said Mr.. Brady.
sHe'n do II for you, will he not?"
Brady shook his head obviously.
'Well-I dunno, cir. That's lot e
esk OF any man, you know"
I'm aware Of that, but the paperi
that l sent by mistake are OF the ut
most Importance. Jim. II they are de
livered in that envelope they are goini
TO cause no end OF trouble"
"And what were they?"
Papers of-er priavte nature,
replied Grafton, unoomfortably.
Big Jim Grady pulled his immens
mustache and regard the other yer!
thoughtfully. Grafton tried to hide tn,
NJ Apnht nd haf n,