The Washington herald., 1913-02-16

reported as saying, to retire 10 pfiNAte
life and resume my interrupted law prac-
tice, IL 1 were not compelled to seek
vindication by the bushwacking OF this
doting old migrate. who. disappointed In
his attempts to monopolize patronage
that belongs to patriotic party workers
now skulks behind the sympathy MS
years and infirmities excite, to wage
I guerrilla warfare
The colonel read the interview at
breakfast He sat at the table with one
paper propped up before him and four
others beside his plate, his eyeglasses
on his nose. and ate his oatmeal and
his beefsteak and his boiled eggs just
| as he did on every morning OF the year.
Then he drank the half cup OF co1es
| that he always reserved, with Its cream
\ slowly coagulating at the surface. for
the end of his meal, because it was
| cooler then, laid his napkin down and
| shuffled slowly out.
Half an hour later a man stopped by
his chair in the lobby and said some
| thing to the colonel that made him
drop his paper. and look up over his
Eyeglasses with n scowL The man was
known as Birdy Quinn, and he had lost
| his job in the water office the week be-
| fore, because Warren wished to make
room for 4 fellow who could deliver
| more votes at the coming primaries
| than Birdy could.
! Are you sure?' the colonel asked
"Sure. Isn't 1t all over the ward this
morning."
You're sure that Pat Gibbons consent
| ed to run as Warren's candidate for
| Senator In the First district against
Carroll-after promising me-me?' He
bent his brows ansrily and pointed with
long forefinger at his own breast.
We'll helTs BELLS said Quinn Was
MT Baldwin working with him half the
night?'
The colonel took his glasses from his
nose and swinging them by their heavy
cord, bllnked with his old eyes at the
square Of sunlight blazing in the Clark
Street entrance. across which, as on a
yividly Illuminated screen, the crowds on
the sidewalks lifted like trembling fig
ures in a kaleidoscope. Presently he lifted
himself heavily from his chair and gath
cred up his newspapers and his stick.
We'll. Birdy. he said wearily. II
guess I've got one more fight left in
me"
Most men thought it was warren's
Interview that caused the colonel TO con-
sent at last 10 lead the opposition against
him though some said il was but the
fascination of politics. which is like the
fascination Of the sea. so that
man who follow il once must follow II
till he dies.
II never thought I'd live to see the
day when I'd be glad to find the old
mans chair empty. said Eph Harkness.
CT Maccupin, that afternoon. He had
come up from Cariinville in response to
Il telegram from the colonel, and having
registered, and given his bag and linen
duster To a bell-boy, was removing his
big felt hat to mop his wet brow.
I'm afraid he won't be able to stand
the strain of a campaign" said Carroll.
ha ct afr,' Nd
Harkness. why, he'll be alive and
drawing pay when they're referring to
ST Warren as ex-senator"
Il hate to have them say such mean
things about him." Carroll persisted,
thinking of the interviews.
III they think they kin say any mean
.er things bout him than he kin bout
them. jes' let 'em lam in," chuckled
MUseIy. of Alexander.
Yes" unused Harkness. it'll be the
greatest fight we've had in Illinois since
Logan's time. We've got leader now.
, There was an echo of the old days IN
his voice, which. with its gentle hint OF
regret, was lost on Carroll. who had not
known the colonel in the old DAYS.
They found the colonel in his room.
sitting by an open window, his Panama
nat on his head, his cigar in his teeth.
and his walking stick twirling in his
long fingers. The room did not present
that orderly and cool appearance it had
ON TIE few occasions when Carroll had
been in II before. The shades were high
at the window. admitting fumes of heat.
wads OF CrumpIed paper bcstrewed the
floor. a huge table mad been brought in,
and it was already Uttered with news
papers and telegraph blanks. The bu-
reau had been moved. the tall, white
door it had hidden So long had been un-
locked, and Carroll heard the incessant
clicking Of 4 typewriter in the adjoining
room. Two or three men sat idly about,
gossipinG. as men will. about political
lattlcs of the rast. There seemed to be
none of the industry Of politics apparent,
though political headquarters seldom do
display tha5. perhaps because good
part of the industry of politics consists
, in talking and smoking and drinking,
and partly. perhaps. because of the ne
cessity Of concealment that always eN-
lists. These men were gathered TO or
ganize the defeat Of n crafty and I'M
Scrupulous man who had national.
state. and city machine at his command.
with money to hearts desire, and yet
they sat and smoked. stirring only when
Il telegram came from down the State,