The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1914-04-30

UUUDIU WIE-H COnLBHIIHEUI--U IIF5V ~
personal morality--the honest whole
some of decency In our country
people (.
Wiley had raised a hand. Wait"
he retorted, what II / do not deny
the natter"
There was a panic. R~ansdelI, Of the
Mercury Journal muttered. Boydston
glowered. They had been gtbed so
often by Wiley Curran that they had
glutted their imaginations with the
picture of him dumfounded. crushed to
earth. Y
mot deny the mattera" Tanner
looked up sharply.
"You dare admit itT'
IT do not admit 1t. But, gentlemen,
I win tell you this: You have called
me In here in secrecy and menaced
me with this story. You have called
on me to resign under threat OF this
story. And / tell you-No!"
He stepped nearer, his ayes flashing.
He struck the table before the county
chairman's face.
60 ahead with your story" He
whirled on Ransdell Of the Mercury
Journal. IT know what you were
brought here for! Go on-spring that
damned story tomorrow in your sheet
scatter Ii over the county. And you
The faced Boydston-"Tve called you
a thief for six years and you've lever
had the nerve to come to my office
and tell me I'm q liar. And you Cal
Rice--a poor dog who rattles his chain
Judge Van Hart. I'm surprised at you,
q good man. Yes, a good mantle
most pitiable object in American life
today good man who stands for
other mems c~rookedness. You are all a
pack of Matchmaking liars"
Ransdell was on his feet f~uriously.
Bodyston growled hoarsely. Judge
quicker than all, Thad Tanner was on
his feet and between them.
Gentlemen! Be still! This heat
this 10 uncalled for"
II refuse to withdraw! I call your
bluff! I'll print that story myself. The
story OF my life-all Of 1.-THE least of
1t. And with that story I'll go before
the people of this district and say that
z was summoned here and black
mailed. That you bought this story of
a hound and with IL tried to force me
out of public life. You, who profess to
guard the morals of this community!
I'll publish today-press day-my
story. 1t shall have all your names
all our SNUG respectable faces-and
in 1t / shall tell that you brought me
here, and for O consideration, agreed
to hush up this villainous awful past
Of mine-you, the best people, tried to
force and bride me out OF politics.
That shall be my story"
Cal Rice, Of the Presbyterian
church, muttered. Boydston moved in
q jellyfish way. Judge Van Hart hast
lily reached for his hat. Gentlemen
he gasped, I'VE were not summoned
here for this. / beg Of you"-his voice
failed him-"let me withdraw-let me
withdraw" #t~-
Curran's grim smile was on him.
Your honor, II 10 nc place for you"
"A moment" Thad raped the
table. Let US have this clear. You re-
fuse to withdraw" r."
IT do. Tell your story. I'll tell mine.
Yes, tonight-at my meeting-here
among my home people. Let any mar
of you arise tonight and accuse me
I'll admit 1t. And by God, I'll ask
the people what manner Of men you
are. I'll appeal to ~them-their sym
patty, their hearts, their reason-with
Just a story of my youth-a story that
might have beer any mans. The peo-
ple-the great honest heart of the peo-
pie"
Thad was smiling coldly. But a
curious admiration was in his eyes. He
lifted his hand. Gentlemen, he cefies
usl"
II defy you"
The little gray boss smiled on
Cal Rice was ringing his hands.
red faced, frightened. Judge Van Hart
vas already In the doorway, lifting his
hat with a gesture Of ~deprecating de-
SPAR.
"A moment" Thad waved them to
the door. II shall ask you to withdraw.
gentlemen. And say nothing Of this
nothing whatever. ! think'-his voice
a --z a !. NAA-A M.
Carran will withdraw. We will disf
cuss the matter" He waved them on
with his subtle authority. Eth. Judge
Van Hart! I shall ask you to remain.
The rest of you?"-he smiled and
rubbed his white 'hands-"weil. I can
assure you that Mr.. Curran will with
draw! He will see the wisdom-the
urgent need--I assure you"
They stared, astonished. The Earl
vile editor was protesting as he arose.
Mr.. Tanner. you assured me the Mer-
cury-JournaI
"The Journal will get it's scoop. Mr..
Curran. even. viii agree to that"
The others were leaving. Wiley stood
alone watching the small figure under
the table light. At crises there was
a sort of dignity about Thaddeus Tan
ner. The indomitable will. the intu-
tive reading of men, h assumption
of authority-he was worthy of his
power. Even Curran felt the little boss
way with men as this slow scrutiny
enveloped him. When he looked at
Thad, after the going Of the others.
the mask-like face was smiling-and
that smile. some way. struck a curious
fear to his heart.
His calm dry tone heightened the
impression. You still refuse to resign.
Mr.. Curran?"
II do. We will submit it t o the peo-
pie. Their good sense. their honesty.
their charity"
The little boss sat down across from
him and sighed. Let Us pass that by.
I admit admiring the tight you've made.
I've formed a different opinion of you
the last six months. Curran. And to-
night-well, I don't mind saying that !
threw UP the sponge. We couldn't beat
you've thought II for weeks"
"Well?" MI. Curran was almost
ashamed of his ungracious note.
Observation-Disclosures boss rubbed his
thin hands-"you will resign"
II told o no."
Eyes. but you will"
The white old hand was raised to
point at him. And from that instant
Curran felt the ground slip beneath
him. He glanced at Judge Van Hart,
standing pallid. oppressed. by the win
dow"
II win notl" he blurted.
The little man sat back easily. He
selected a cigar from his case and