The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-07-29


young form arrayed In evening
clothes for the reform banquet at the
Palmer house. His speech was The
Tendencies Of Modern Politics. The
newspapers said 1t was a very brilliant
speech. breathing lofty political senti.
;ments that were bound to make John
w. Underwood votes. Also. the Re
form club Endorsed his candidature.
AS Underwood leaned against the
greasy wall OF the little hall on low
er Clark street this morning, the
whole campaign flashed before him.
Just as the events Of lifetime are
said in books to fash before the mind
OF a drowning man. He recalled ev-
cry vivid detail Of the call Baldwin
had made upon him. how he entered
his private office without troubling
the pale, pimpled Office boy to an
nounce him. how he lifted from his
carefully parted hair his straw hat
with Its youthful band OF blue, and
laughed out. John. my boy. how are
you? Hot. isn't it," He could see
Baldwin as he sat In the solid oak
chair that stood intimately beside his
roll.top desk, tanning his rudy face
with n" hat. which had impressed n
broad led band on his forehead Tn.
derwood had been glad enough TO
close Cooley OH Taxation" and re.
volve his chair to face Baldwin. Just
as II he had been a client, for Bald
win was the most important politician
who had ever called upon him profess
sionally.
He knew Baldwin had come with
some practical proposition. and when
the lobbyist suggested that lie was too
respectable, and would run better in
some residence district, that the boys
looked upon him as a reformer, and
that the silk stockings were not prac.
teal enough TO help him, Underwood
had felt that at last 1t was coming.
1t was simple enough. Baldwin had
been talking that very morning about
Underwood's candidature TO Mr.. Weed
of the Metropolitan Motor System,
and to Mr.. Peabody, president OF the
Gas company. and they had been very
much interested. They had an anxiety
TO see good men nominated that year.
for they had large business interests
that were more or less affected by
legislation. and had feared they would
have to settle on Conway. Conway
had experience In legislative matters,
and had been friendly enough in the
city council, yet they felt they could
hardly trust him-he was such
CRATER. and In such things, Baldwin
blandly assured Underwood. they had
to depend upon a mans honor alone,
and so they had sent Baldwin TO sug.
,gest that Underwood meet them ut
luncheon. and talk matters over. Bald.
win, with his love of ease and luxury,
had preferred a dinner over at the
Cardinals in the evening. but Mr.. Pea.
body had something on hand with the
trustees OF his church and couldn't
meet them then. Baldwin had taken
: out his watch at this point, with the
air OF n man who suddenly remembers
some important engagement-the de-
tails all came back with fidelity that
was painfu!-and stood awaiting I'm.
derwood's reply. with tho open watch
ticking impatiently in his palm.
OF course. Underwood had under.
stood-and he wished ardently 10 be
nominated and elected. He could see
himself swinging idly in n big chair
behind n walnut desk in the senate
chamber. just as an actor secs him.
self, with an artists ecstatic, half.
frightened gasp. in some new part he
is about to study. The position would
give him much importance. he would
be riding back and forth between Chi.
cago and Springfield on n pass. It
would be so pleasant to be addressed
as senator, TO be consulted. to head
delegations in state conventions and
cast the solid vote for any one he
pleased; besides, 1t would be a good
training for Washington. he could
practice in oratory and parliamentary
law Just as he practiced on friendless
'paupers over in the criminal court
when his father influenced some
Judge to appoint him to defend an
INDECENT prisoner. 1t meant only one
little word, he could be wary of prom.
Uses. His heart had expanded. he had
turned half around in his chair to face
Baldwin. when suddenly the reformer
within him rose to object, pointed to
his ideals, rehearsed the speech on
THE Tendencies OF Modern Politics."
recalled all the good words the indie.
pendent papers had spoken OF him.
urged the beauty Of great sacrifices
for principle. At the idea Of self.sac.
riflce, Underwood had felt a melting
self-pity. he admired himself in this
new role OF self-sacrificing reform.
er. And so he flung the cigarette out
of the window. watched It whirl down
to the melting tar OF the roofs below
! and said firmly:
II have an engagement this morn
ing. Mr.. Baldwin. I'm sorry, but [
guess can't come"
Once more Underwood saw the
pleasantness Leave Baldwin's face.
saw him fleck flake OF ash from the
white waistcoat he wore with his sum.
III