New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-10-18
By ROLAND HUGINS


young man of about twcnty-four years, clean-ookng
and rather well up, who in turn was watching him
incntly
MIR Burwcl, believe said the Mayor
Walter did not waste any time on prciminaries
"YcS Sir. | came speak to YOU about Helen, and to
ask your permission to marry her
well there's nothing especially bamcwortly about
that | can understand how any Young man might en-
terrain the wish You are an attorney, aren't you?'
"Ycs Sir"
"IIow much do YOU make ycar!'
about fifteen hundred.
Gown any property;
Nothing except my office furniture
well. you're poor but suppose that is no disgrace
while a mans Young" Mayor Saybrook walked around
from behind his desk and resumed. "Burwcll. never
Judge men by their appearances. The man who scows
at YOU may be inaturcd. or just ncar-Sighcd. If YOU
see piouS deacon of your church following young
man into saloon, YOU surmisc provided YOU are
charitable that ne trying soul from the ways
of incompetence. But the truth probably is that the
deacon owns the building and has gone in to collect the
rent So it is with YOU. You appear like a decent
enough chap; but | should hardly want to give my
daughter into your keeping until know you better
Does that seem fair to you;
entirely fair, replied Burwcl
Accordingly have arranged something in the nature
Of a test | WILL if YOU agree. have the corporation
counsel appoint YOU of his deputies. The pay isn't
large and the work is tedious but III have the chan,
to see YOU under fire. BY the end OF the summer |
think shall have a line your character and ability.
Now | am going to send Helen away for couple Ct
months and YOU to promise not 10 try to sec her
or write to her during the time Of the test Are YOU
willing to agree to these conditions;
Burwell flushed quickly. "Ccrtainly, Sir he cX.
claimed And thank YOU for the honor. Your not
allowing me 10 see Helen for two months seems bit
severe but in the circumstances can't object"
~Vcrv good said the Mayor extending his hand
MI IA fl.
corporation counsel
60 it WAS that Walter Burwcll became a cog in the
~ machine that ran the municipality and consumed
the taxpayers money. His chief task was to prepare
briefs for negligence to come up at the September
session Of the Supreme Court. He worked early and
late paving no attention to the clock. Walter was an
earnest Young man. with political aspirations But al
though he cravcd brilliant career. his ambition was
mixed with liberal amount of civic patriotism; for he
believed it every citizens duty to take an active and
aggressive part in the great democratic task OF self
government.
pass a pleasant summer. Corporation Counsel Prinde
and the other deputies away protractcd vaca-
tions So that many of the responsible duties ot
the city administration fell upon HIM. The various
officials were constantly dropping in TO ask his advice
AIavor Savbrook was uniformly friendly though non
committal and if he kept a close watch on the new
deputv Walter did not realize it. What Burwell en-
loved most were the little informal gatherings that the
members Of the official family occasionally held IN
rathslcllcr after long hot days toll. At such times,
when affairs Of state were discussed without ndrecon
Burwc felt thai he was very close to big political forces,
As September drew near the world began to take on
a deep rosy tint. 30 criticism open or covert, had
been made Of his work, and Helen WAS coming back to
the CITY, Then one morning pcrplcNty arose, which
quite ruiilcd his tranquility
Frequently of late Burwcll had been called upon 10
e,ncti6n this or tina, extension of municipal enterprise,
or to give his opinion Of the legality Of this or that de-
partmcnta project So when he found among the
. ,,1o.ol o, L;- ,lasl- for him tO sign a document