The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1913-06-28
recent patefnaI interview

a child. Il came here 10 tell you l
swing over hundred votes. Maybe
a hundred more. My father says so
aimself. And I've come TO join your
League"
gasp OF amazement ran around
the table. Then. with a crow OF de-
light. Ansel sprang up.
Great" he shouted. His sonl
It's good for more votes than you
tnow. Standish! Why. man. it's a
bonanza! When. even a mans own
son can't"
Standish cut him short.
Are you drunk, Gerald?" he asked.
mo, I'm mott" vociferated the lad
I'm dead cold sober, and I'm dong
his with my eyes open. l want 10
DIN your League. and III work like
dog for your election"
But why? You and I have never
Teen especially good friends. You've
lever shown any interest IN politics
T ref"
We'll, viii now. you bet! I'll
make the old man wish he'd packed
me OF 10 New York by the first train
He'll sweat for the way he treated
me before he's done. suppose I've
got 10 work secretly for you. so he
won't suspect But I'll do none the
less work for that; and | can keep
you posted on the other sides moves,
too. IL I'm 10 be tied 10 this damned
onehorse town by Fathers orders till
after election, I'll make him sorry he
ever"
Good for youl" cried Ansel.
you've got the spirit OF a man. after
all. Here's bunch OF our member
ship blanks. Fill this one out, and
give the rest 10 your club friends. We
why. Standishl" he broke on. furi-
Gus and dumfounded; for Give had
calmly stepped between the two.
taken the membership blank from
Gerald's shaky hand and torn Il
across.
I'VE don't care for members OF your
sort, Gerald" he said, with cold
contempt that was worse than kick.
This League was formed 10 help our
City and State, not TO crafty private
grudges; for white men, not for ours
who want TO betray their own flesh
and blood Get out of here,"
"Standish" protested the Mortified
Ansel. you're crazy! You're throw
ing away our best chance. You are"
II this apology for a human being
Is our best chance, I'll throw him out
bodily unless he goes at once" re-
torted Give. advancing on the cover
ing and utterly astonished boy.
Why" sputtered Gerald. as he
backed doorward. before the menacing
approach OF the Lacquer. II thought
you'd want mel oh. I'll go, then,
II you've no more sense than that!
But I'll find way OF downing the old
man in spite of youl Maybe you'll
be glad enough 20 get my help when
the time comesl L"
His heels hit against the threshold
IN his retrograde march. Still de-
claiming, he stepped over the sill into
the outer Office. and Give Standish
slammed the door upon him. break
ing of his threats In the middle OF
their fretful outpouring.
There" said Give. returning TO the
gaping, frowning committeeman,
that's off our hands. Now let's get
down TO business"
mir. Standish" remarked Ansel.
after a moments battle with words he
found hard TO check, you're the most
Quixotic, impractical idealist that ever
got hold OF the foolish idea he had
ghost OF chance for success in
politics. And" he added after a
pause, I'm blest II | don't think I'd
rather lose with leader like you
than win with any other man In the
Mountain State"
Meanwhile, at the head OF the great
study table In his Pompton Avenue
'Mausoleum" sat Caleb Conoyer. Rail
reader And about him. on either side
OF the board, like feudal retainers OF
old. were grouped the pick OF his lieu
tenants and henchmen. A rare CO
terie they were. these Knights OF
Graft Separated by ten thousand
varying interests, social strata and as
pirations, they were AS one on the
main issue--theIr blind adherence to-
the Boss and TO the lightest of his-
orders.
This impelling force was difficult
OF defining. Love. fear, trust, desire
for spoilsi Perhaps little OF all
four; perhaps much; perhaps an in.
definable something apart from these.
Yet. whatever the reason OF Caleb
Conovers dominance. none could for
moment doubt it's presence. SO
eyer-present was IL that II had long
since choked down all Opposition from
within his own ranks.
At the Boss's right in to-day's con-
clave sat Billy Shevlin, most trusted
and adoring OF all his followers. At
his left was Guy Bourke, Alderman
and the Boss's jackal. Next 10 Billy
was Bonham, Mayor OF Granite, and
next Giaco O Baltazzi. who held the