Norwich bulletin., 1913-01-21
A GIRL AND A BOSS

It had taken Jake Kelly five years to become the political boss of the young city of Grafton but he had reached the pinnacle at last. He had his newspa- per; he owned most of the saloons; he owned majority Of the aldermen; his ward heelers were numbered by the score.
 From the outset the respectable eIe- ment had fought the boss. but MT. Kefly's ways were too sly for them. With every promise of reform on his part he drew the chains tighter. He did not go too fast. but made every heritage for his old age.
 The chief reason why Boss Kelly got his start and continued to flourish was that the better class did not size him up right. Because he could scarcely write his name and had no social standing whatever, or asplred to any he was regarded until too late as an ignoramus who could be squelched ready to move In due time it was ready and then it was discovered that Boss Kelly owned the town.
 For the first two years of his reign MT. Kelly could not see the need of a came his way the cash was showed into his pocket, and the amount was re- corded in his memory alone. When he had made up his mind as to who should be the next mayor of the town there was a back door pow-wow in stead of letter writing. When it looked as if an election might be close the boss didn't send out his instructions in writing. He took little walks under cover of darkness. and as he leaned over the bar of this or that saloon he whispered to the proprietor:
 We shall want about 400 majority in your precinct. See that we get it-''
 They always got it. The reformers raised howl about ballot box stuff ing and intimidation, but the howl died away after few days to begin again next time. The time came when the boss felt the need of 8 private secre- tary, who should also be his typiSt He was receiving letters from other great men that must be answered by letters. A score of young men applied for the position. Nixey. Half a score of old political wheeI-horses would take it. trusting his political secrets even to his gang. To whom then? He thought the matter over for a week, and then installed Miss Kate Doland, IT years old, and the daughter of widow. There was craft and there was graft in the movement.
 The boss had a mortgage on the wid-, ow'S home. The daughter was to re- of the sum was to be credited on the mortgage.
 And if you play me any tricks the mortgage is to be foreclosed at once, and the old woman landed in the street. was the threat that hung over the girls head as she went to work. The boss chuclzled. He had made him self safe. The girl must catch on to more or less, but she would not dare to betray him And right there Boss Kelly made the same mistake that the reformers made.
 When the private secretary had held her position for a year she was an in sider'' on facts enough to make cold chills creep up and down the spines of the gang as they thought of being given away, but she was loyal. There were no leaks from headquarters. She had come to hate Boss Kelly, but she was no traitor. At the end of two years she could have sent a dozen others to prison, but she was still loyal. In a few months more the mortgage on the house would be paid off and she would look for another place.
 The girl started in befogged as to politics. She finally came to discover the trickery and knavery of it all The dishonesty was not all on one side. Ii she hated the side she worked for, she came to detest the insincerity of the for rule. Boss Kelly did not consider that the girl might fall in love, and that her love for some one else might overbalance her fear of him.
 The city of Grafton could have sup ported two daily papers. Boss Kelly decreed that there should be only one - the one he dominated. There had been those who defied him, and they had come to grief. When he was told that young Campbell was going to try it he sent for him and said:
 "A new daily paper on the carpet, eh ?'
 'eYes"
 Drop it.'
 Why so?"
 Because I run this town"
 Perhaps so."
 His threat would probably have been carried out but for 6. circumstance be- yond the control of any boss. Miss Kitty Doland and MT. Charles Camp bell met, and it was a case of love at first sight. The new daily had been started and was struggling to live when the girl came to know Boss kellys to kill it. For the first time since she had held her place she rais- ed her voice in protest. She was an swered sneering1y and brutally. Camp bell should learn what it meant to defy the boss of Grafton. If there had not been g admiration and love. the attitude of the politician would have awakened them.
 Miss Doland quit her place within the hour. laughing at the threat that she and her mother would be homeless within a week That evening the Hon.