The midland journal., 1913-02-07
REWARD FOR HONESTY
Young Politician Who Refused
Bribe Is Given a Coveted
Nomination.
BY II. Nj. EcBERT.


city In the legislature for fifteen
years, but Higgins had got out Of the
game and gone to New York to settle
there. and the opposing party hoped
to snatch the victory. Their candi-
date was Pleat, man Of reputed in
tegrity and much wealth, the owner
Of the huge eighteen-story Pleat build
ing. which could not have been match
ed for size within Ave hundred miles
Of St Louis. And Pleat had been the
most successful mayor the city had
ever known. He had cleaned up POr-
tersburg; he had wiped out the slum
districts: he had forced through the
ordinance for resurveying and regrad-
ing the city streets in spite Of an an
tagonistic city government. Higgins
party seemed likely to nominate Ben
ton to succeed him, and Pleat hoped
TO snatch the victory out Of his hands
And it seemed probable that he
would, for Benton would stand little
chance against the forceful ex-mayor.
But there was no man Of known abil-
ity within the party ranks to succeed
Higgins, and Benton was compro-
mise candidate. Benton would probably
be nominated the following week. and
Pleat's adherents counted the victory
as won.
This was the situation as It outlin-
ed itself to Roger Hewett. Hewett
was q surveyor by occupation. but un-
I'll the passing of Pleat's ordinance
keT knd r,r,1xy v,~sa y.sr -,<s,r ,,<,v,& a,ry
nortgaging the little home which he
and his girl wife had purchased with
their small capital when they were
married, a year before. The house
was mortgaged to the Indemnity com
pany, and Pleat had controlling I'm
ger In this, as IN most other indus
trial and commercial enterprises in
Petersburg.
The convention which was expected
to nominate Benton had been in ses-
sion some days and would not com
plete its labors until the following
week. Although he knew the folly Of
Rntagonizing PIeat further, Hewett
had been assuming leading part In
its deliberations. Pleat had, indeed.
openly conveyed his sense Of displeas-
ure. He had used more subtle meas
ures also. That morning the manag-
ers Of three banks had refused Hew-
EFT an Increase upon his mortgage.
although the value Of the property
warranted this. He must wait till
after election, they told him. And
Pleat's company could and probably
would foreclose within week.
Mary. said Hewett to his young
wife. ssthe situation seems to be this:
H crawl 90 Pleat and get out of poll
ties he'll probably let US stay on IN
our little home and perhaps throw me
some work later. II he gets into the
legislature he can undoubtedly turn
che screw In either direction. II L
don't crawE-weil. wen have to look
for another home"
Il want you to do what is right,
dear" his wife answered, and put her
arms lovingly about HIS neck. 'Just
do what is right, Roger. and never
mind the home" /"
That had happened yesterday. Now
Hewett sat In his barely furnished
Office fronting on the city square,
studying some blue draught sheets
that lay on the desk. But he was
thinking harder than he was studying.
Nobody but Hewett knew that the
great Pleat building encroacl,ed i foot o1,at
ana 4 hair upon the citv sidewallr ~.
body else cared. NOBODY else wn,,ld
ever have dreamed 81 resurvevinr
that section Of the finaneial district ~ os
Portersburg yet this error I, n,aart
that pleat would have to shear IN
foot and 4 half of his Great hn,ld;yo J
down 4 vertical line az eighteen str,. III.
ries
He would merely have ~ remain =.
lant n his ranort want i, a. ,. ,,,,srt+ !.
mipht nof nass unnoticsd TIa .I-.s,l-s, - =.
tbat tba CHIEF survavor ! c,.sst,,r- 80 80 4 "
pleaf,z womb n least : w,thnosd NJ | ~ =
aiscovarv for ! faw wssks -.. mt, r,,a.s s.st
IA ca,ried tha ,,,nn;c;na, , s.a go s4s.s 80.