The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-01-29
CHAP TEis WIS.
k~rnE~ *tae 20 - er

tatiu&iy. FATHER ia>t uI'ht
1t * too late fer re"retS sir"
Il an not exactly regrerting But
felt an explanation
Can yon. the iudge interrupted
colby. explain away the fact that
you have Detray ri the party thai hon
ored you. east diScredit upon William
MurcheIl. who has given you his
friendship upon me. who-can you ex
plain that" He 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 aud hope
Iessness 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 assentingly. He went
out to face his neiShbors-an ordeal.
New Chelsea was rent in twain
nay, into many divisions-by Johns
speech. its 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 jolted, with
held judgment until they could see
what befelI, Among the farmers was
no dissensIon A sudden lifting of
heads. still half unbeleving rejoic
ing that the young fellow who rs he
sweat with them in the fields asked
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 upiifted by the
doubtful honor of being q bone of con
tention. John was alone in his office.
smoking furiously. brow wrinkled, feet
propped on the table A heavy tread
in the outer room announced the ar
rival of a visitor Without knocking
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, Sheehan," he said
with a pleasantness that would have
carried a warning to calmer observer
than the boss.
Without invitation Sheehan sat down
Well" he growled you did it, didn't
you? When young Teller like you
thinks he is better than his party he's
got lot to learn"
John considered this statement for a
moment. Il 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 is
those that control it."
Then in Benton county you're the
party?''
"Eggsactly. Ne and MurchelI'
Then. modestly. 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 me"
aSov h,;D,% W, M po-roo+ For m
position in this countyP
For your position great deal; for
you-none 1T all
Sheehan grinned in spite of himself.
Il like your nerve. That's what
makes me sore," he went on reproach-
fully. Il like you | was glad to do
you a favor. | gave you a chance to
get in strong with us. And you go and
beef it by THROWN down the state
ticket. What did you do it for?"
I'm afraid you won't understand
sheehan. It's a question of ideals"
Sheehan snorted. Ideals, I know
all about EN- What's ideals? Can
you eat EN-: Can you wear EN-?
Can you stuff 'em into your pants
pocket like this?' He illustrated Uy
drawing out fat roll of bills will
they get you votes? When | came to
Plumville fifteen years ago all ! owned
was the shirt on my back. Now ] can
buy out any man in Benton county ex
ceptin' Steve Hampden and Murchell
and when they want anything here
they're glad enough to come to me and
make it worth my while to give it to
'em. / didn't get it by havin' Ideals"
How true. John thought, judging
from his narrow experience Was it
possible that the seats Of the mighty
were reserved only for the Murchells
the Hampdens, the Sheehans? 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 up suddeBly. "Shee
han, who is Butch Maley?"
who's Butch Maley? Hes the
Fourth precinct. Fourth ward. that's
what he is. and it's the biggest precinct
in the city. Hes the whole works,
voters and election board"
You mean he monkeys with the
count?'
II mean" replied Sheehan signifi-
cantIy, that when we need a few
votes we can always get 'em from
Butch's precinct"
Il see. I've heard Of those precincts
Hmm. Sheehan. don't think you're
as smart as you think you are. What
did You come to teach meY