The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1913-08-29


Wright, the new owner of the paper.
apparently. that Mr. Kendall had been
picked up at almost the last minute.
The only others present were DR..
and Mrs. Hayes. Sam Hayes, a ris-
ing young physician and surgeon, was
coroner of Belmont county, an office
which his society friends joked him
about, but one which Hayes recog-
nized and accepted as a political step,
ping stone. Then, too, it gave him op-
portunities TO repay his political
friends. David Kerr liked TO have
such young men hold office.
Dinner over, Gilbert and Kendall
withdrew to the library for final
conference over the stock-yards situa'
ton. Again they tried TO telephone
David Kerr, only to receive the in
formation that he was not at home.
You really think the Belmont
News having been bought by this cut
sider.' querled Kendall, puts diff
Herent aspect on the present situa-
tiCu?"
Judge for yourself" answered the
Belmont attorney Il had Mr.. Wright
to dinner tonight SO that you could
meet him without arousing his suspi-
cions. / wanted to help you that
much
What Kendall really thought lie evi-
denced Dy his indirect reply.
Il don't blame Dave Kerr for being
angry because Wright slipped in aud
bought the paper
For minute or more the two men
smoked in silence Kendall was won
dering what he could say to his Chi
cago principals which would make
not now the Belmont of the old days,
that although to all appearances it
was the same the practiced eye could
detect the vague unrest which per
vaded it.
Judge Gilbert had been too long in
the harness to vince at a corporation
request for the vacation of a principal
thoroughfare and a public park, but
he was tired of the long fight for
grasping masters whose one demand
was always for more, more, more.
And yet he had no sympathy with
such men as Joe Wright He had
made up his mind, however. that he
would not aid the company in this
new franchise grab. He was partly
led to this conclusion, all unconscious
ly, because he knew David Kerr was
not betraying any interest in it.
THE river eats up our tracks on the
west" protested Kendall. THE stock
yards'n never be safe while We de-
pend on the one line" Then he added
with emphasis, Eve must come down
Maple avenue on the east and use
Benton Park for switching yards
1T can't be DONE
.'It can be done. Dave Kerr can do
anything he pleases. He's the abso-
lutte boss Of Belmont
This was said with such a tone of
finality that Judge Gilbert saw no
need Of replying. He knew that Kerr
was the absolute boss Of Belmont.
There flashed through the minds Of
both men the thought that the Bel
mont News might have something to
say. It couldn't prevent a franchise
being passed, of course, but publicity
at times was unpleasant This was
something Kerr did not court, Gilbert
knew. He was the easy boss, letting
every one have a share OF the spoils,
and thus all were satisfied Few in
deed had been the times when the
town had attempted to revolt
You'd have the whole town up in
arms demonstrated Gilbert.
They've been up in arms before.
Once they brought ropes to hang the
council. but Kerr put through the
water works deal. You're the attor-
ney for the street railway company;
Yes. yes l know" Gilbert admitted
hastily Then with sigh of relief,
That's all past"
He ran his hand through his hair.
gray long before the frost of age
could come to silver it.. and was
thankful that such episodes were
things of the past. He was weary of
it ALL Kendall's next remark, deliv-
cred with the chill incisiveness of a
lawyer cross-examining q belligerent
witness, brought him once more to the
defense OF the man who had made his
success possible.
is Dave Kerr keeping out of the
deal only through fear of young
Wright and the Belmont News?"
He isn't afraid of anything. Mr..
Kerr merely says that it doesn't in
terest him at the present time As
for me. I'm out OF it
You're still Kerr's right-hand ad-
wiser
Pardon me, his legal adviser"
Kendall did not pause to acknowl-
edge the distinction, but went on. this
time straight to the heart OF the mat
ter.
L made what the stock-yards peo-
pie consider 3 good offer. II that isn't
enough. what's his price,"
This 'point-blank question irritated
Gilbert He much preferred to call a
spade an agricultural implement. even
when talking with those who stood
close to him in his manipulations for
the various corporations he represent.
ed. He therefore ignored the ques
ton, prefefring to tell why the mat
ter could not be taken up at present
"The elections coming on in a
couple of months, and your franchise
| would be made an issue. We can't
afford 1t with the News in a position
to boost the opposition party
I've got TO get it through as soon