Gloucester County Democrat., 1912-01-18

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didn't
Bob came sharply upright in his
chair.
Before God. Malassey' he said
harshly, "you did. You were to go
into the Democratic nominating COM
mittee and help get me their indorse-
ment. But you didn't"
"Its lie, whoever says it." Malas-
sey cried Il voted for you, and the
record'll prove it,
eyes, you voted for me when the
committee was safely against me- You
took flier in double dealing, Malassey.
It 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. eyes. But why, in
heavens name, did they pick out Har-
land? He's a good man and inde-
pendent. They can't control him."
"Yes, he's all that. And he'll make
good run. which is more to the point.
He's the only man in the city who
stands a chance against us"
"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 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 land
patient. It's an invincible combina-
tion. Good God, Bob. what an enc
my you are fighting! You're big
man, but you're a 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 fight?"
Paul strobe to Bobs 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 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
way? Bob. If you're elected-and of
course you will be in spite of my pre-
sentiment can't / take Gerwig's
place on the ticket this fall and go to
| congress?"
Bob shook his head.
why not?" Paul demanded petu-
lantly.
'In the first place. / have promised
Gerwig. In the second"
"You can get Gerwig to step aside"
Il cam Bob said quietly, 'but it's
rule of mine to keep my word in such
eases. 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 nerv-
ously.
sYou go to congress-what happens?
You'll find yourself shunted off to one
side, a bushel basket clapped over your
head, bound, muzzled. | can imagine
no sadder fate for you than to be muz-
zled."
Paul laughed. "We can agree on
that anyhow. Go on"
"It's 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 half
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 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
| naving-real power"
"Real power-IY Paul laughed al
most bitterly. What power have I?
How do people think Of me? What
have / been? One Of your many un-
derlings, your puppet'-
Stop Bob was so near to anger
| that Paul was startled. That's
enough of this old womans chatter.
You've been listening to bad counsel.
/ You'd be a miserable weakling if you
didn't possess influence after the
/ HI,