The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1913-05-01
CHAPTER VII.
Across the Border.

ut Is too late for regrets. SIR"
II am not exactly regretting. But
felt an explanation
Can you" the Judge interrupted
coldly. explain away the fact that
you have betrayed the party that hon.
ored you. cast dlscredlt upon william
Murchell. who has given you his
friendship. upon me. who-can you en-
plain that?" lie rose
John shook his head II thought
could. But now I'm afraid not"
The judges lips parted, then closed
firmly as though he could not trust
himself to speak. He raised his hand
in a gesture in which grief and hope
lessness were blended and. turning.
staiked slowly from the room.
John smiled uncertainty. I'm afraid
Aunt Roberta. your bones were a true
prophet"
She sighed assentlngiy. lie went
out TO face his neIghbors-an ordeal.
New Chelsea was rent In twain
nay. into many divisions-by Johns
speech It's honest but partisan soul
sorely troubled.
The largest number. torn betwixt
liking for their young neIghbor and
the mental discomfort Of those whose
traditions had been rudely jo.ted. with
held Judgment until they could see
what befell Among the farmers was
no dissenslon A sudden lifting Of
heads. n stin half unbelleving reIoic
Ing that the young fellow. who ~ he
questions. had dared to voice their
protest
The Globe. stanchly partisan. made
no mention Of Johns part In the rally
save the unconsciously humorous sen.
tence. Attorney John Dunmeade also
spoke"
Later. not greatly uplifted by the
| doubtful honor OF being a bone OF con
tention. John was alone in his ONCE,
smoking furlonsly. brow wrinkled. feet
propped on the table A heavy tread
| In the outer room announced the ar.
the newcomer flung open the door and
strobe into the Office. His hat was
pushed back on his head: an unlighted
cigar stuck out at an aggressive angle
! from the corner OF his mouth He sur
veyed John IN mingled anger and dis
gust John. not rising. sighted over
/ lazy feet
Good morning. Sheehau." he said
/ with a pleasantness that would have
carried a warning TO a calmer observer
| than the boss
without invitation Sheehan sat down
"well." he growled. you did II. didn't
your When young Teller like you
thinks he Is better than his party he's
got a lot to learn"
John considered this statement for n
moment II do not" he concluded.
/ think ! am better than my party"
Sheehan caught the point HUH
/ Guess you don't know who the party
/ is"
THAT'S just what I'm trying to de
eide. Perhaps you can enlighten me"
! II can A party" Sheehan spoke
( with intense conviction-"a party II
/ those that control IT,"
Then In Benton county you're the
partyr
"Eggsactly. Me and MurchelL"
Then. modestly. I do think I'm bet
| ter than the party" John responded.
still! pleasantly And. as you say.
I've a lot to learn. Have you come to
teach mer'
Say. hain't you no respect for my
position In this county?
For your position great deal; for
| you-none NJ all
/ Sheehan grinned In spite Of himself.
II like your nerve. That's what
makes me sore" he went on reproach-
fully. - like you was glad to do
you favor. gave you a chance to
get In strong with US. And you 20 and
beef 1t by THROWN down the state
ticket What did you do II for?''
I'm afraid you won't understand,
| Sbeehan. It's a question of ideals"
Sheehan snorted Ideals! I know
all about 'em. What's idealsf Can
you eat 'em? Can you wear emf
Can you stun 'em into your pants
pocket like tbisr' He illustrated 10y
drawing out fat roll Of bills. "Will
they get you votes1 When came TO
Piumville fifteen years ago all owned
was the shirt on my back. Now can
buy out any man In Renton county ex
ceptin' Steve Hampden and Murchell
and when they want anything here
they're glad enough to come to me and
make II worth my while to give II to
'em. didn't get II by havin' ideals"
How true. John thought judging
from his narrow experience. Was II
possible that the seats Of the mighty
were reserved only for the Murcbells.
the Hampdens. the Sheehansf He
thought disgustedly OF the coarse.
british thing before him. Yet Shee
han could command his retinue Of fol.
lowers One Of them entered Johns
mind He looked M suddenly. "shee-
han. who Ii Butch Maleyr'
who's Butch Maleyf He's the
Fourth precinct. Fourth ward. that's
what he II. and it's the biggest precinct
In the city. He's the whole works.
voters and election board"
You mean he monkeys with the
countT'
Il mean" replied Sheehan slgnin'