The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1913-01-10

rural ngure SacKett.rcr' our monarch
is no other than the president of the
great Atlantic railroad-made his way,
considerably to the damage Of the vines
beneath his feet.
Careful" admonished the senator.
"Walk between the hills"
Sackett became more careful. "How
are you, senatorr'
How're you, SackettT
Their hands met, to part instantly.
"What." Sackett demanded, 'is the
matter with SherrodW
"He wants too much" Murchell an
swered briefly.
81 was talking to him last week"
Murchell turned on him suddenly.
Told you l ought to get down from
the head of the organization, didn't he?
Told you that Adelphia and the Steel
City are turning against me, that he
wants to be governor and that the Steel
people want Parrot for my job in the
senate, didn't he?"
"You fellows" Sackett exploded ir-
ritably, "had better settle your squab-
bles or you'll give some incendiary the
chance to step in and raise Cain. The
trouble is Sherrod is close to the Steel
City organization, and the Michigan Is
trying to get into the city" The secret
Of the royal irritation is out. A COM
peting monarch is making ready to in
wade his dominion!
Murchell smiled bitterly. $50 that's
it? For twenty years I've been doing
your dirty work. And now at the
first threat of competition you're ready
to throw me over without scruple-
If you think it's safe! 1t isn't safe,
Sackett."
Sackett's eyes snapped angrily. "Ive
my duty to my stockholders, Of whom
you are one. Can you keep the Mich
igan out~
II don't know, so 1 won't promise.
But have I ever failed you YETI"
81 don't believe you can do it. You're
too unpopular with the organization.
You've been too strong handed. Things
are ripe for revolt. why, you can't
even control your own countyp
"When give up hope for this coun-
ty," the senator answered sharply,
"you can talk. All that's been said
before. How do you expect me to keep
these hungry coyotes in line-by quot
ing Golden Rule Scripture at 'em? Do
you want to go back to the old guer-
rilla days, Sackett?"
Sackett stared moodily at his feet
Murchell took off his old straw hat
and leaned against the tree. He wait
ed until Sackett was ready to speak.
"About Parrott," Sackett said after
long pause, "MacGregor and Flick
want him for senator"
"He's slated for governor. / like
my job
"But Sherrod wants to be governor" 3"
Hell take what he's earned and can
get" Murchell said shortly. 'Parrott
can have Roseben's place four years
from now-maybe. Well see."
But they want him to have your
place. They say" Sackett explained
with that brutal frankness which we
naturally associate with royalty, "that
you're nothing but a politician and
have been identified with lot of un-
popular things, while Parrot is fine
lawyer and could easily work up rep
utation as n statesman. They figure
he could get 'em more. And they don't
care whether the Michigan gets in or
not They think they'd get better
rates. And they're afraid that you
and Sherrod with your squabbles will
spill the milk. I'm afraid of that too
Senator, you're getting to be an old
man. You've had enough. Why don't
you-retire"
"Old, am II" exclaimed Murchel
harshly. "Want me to retire, do you
Well, won't. And I'll tell you why
because the organization, the power, is
mine. Set your mind easy. Pm toe
old to learn new tricks. I'll not turr
agitator like these dreamers and fel
lows with q grievance. The Michigan
won't come in, If can help it. But
Sherrod won't be governor, and Par
rott won't get my seat. I'm not go
ing to give up what I've worked for al
my life. You tell 'em that like my
Job and that I'm not too old to run 1t
And, Sackett," he added, play fair
play fairp'
Sackett left, wondering If in an en-
lightened, up to date monarchy prime
minister could have more power thar
his hege. Sackett would have beer
surprised had he known that the sena
tors mind was not on the conversation
just ended. He was seeing very clear
ly the gray-green eyes of young wo
man and measuring himself against {
young man who once had been.