Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-06-16
CONTINUED From Yesterday

Ellis Mason sat at his desk, his flne,
earnest face puckered in a look or
amazed discomfort So this was poll
tics, This was the field he had en-
tered tao years before as an outlet for
the splendid political passionate pas
son for constructive legislation that
had 60 obsessed him ever since dis en-
trance to college. There he had studied
law. political economy. government
ethics. all the branches of the science
that had to do with government. There
he had made n name for himself as n
young man of big ideas and correspond
ing ability. On his graduation from
college he had entered the government
service as a clerk in the customs. He
had written two books on political
economy. had given numerous lectures
on CITY Government" and had made
himself talked about in the newspapers
that he had, a Few weeks ago. by popu-
lar demand, received the appointment
OF assistant district attorney under
Curtis Rcll. lie had felt himself TO be
getting along splendidly--had started
TO dream the dreams OF aspiring. am
bilious youth-dreams which in his ca Sc
we're something more than dreams
dreams that were possibilities. and
now! Now, two weeks after his
appointment he found himself crowded
close to the rail by n chief who was
shielding the very sort OF thing he was
elected and had sworn to wipe out! Hei
was cut short in his reflections by an
Office boy with a message from his
chief
This district attorney wishes TO see
YOU Immediately in his Office. Mr.. |
Mason"
He arose and went to Belrs office.
Bell was standing by his desk, an
open telegram in his hand his face
thoughtful hut good humored. ne though |
pleased with something that had re.
Gently transpired. He showed no trace |
OF the resentment Of a half hour ago. !
when he had so arbitrarily impressed |
his assistant with the assurance that
there arc no gambling dives running !
in this city"
Mr.. Mason. / have been called to |
the capitol by the Governor"-indi- |
eating the telegram in his hand-"to |
discuss a political question of urgent
Importance. shall return Tomorrow
His voice changed from n tone of in
formation to one of injunction-to one
OF what seemed TO the young man be-
fore him to be embarrassing, manda.
tory injunction.
Your action will be of the negative
sort. you understand? You will act on !
nothing unless absolutely necessary. |
and then only If YOU are FORCED 10 |
act You understand, FULLY?"
Yes. sir" coldly
Very we'll"
Inc district attorney turned to his
papers' indicating with expressive ST.
renee That the Interview was ended
IN oI
unable TO restrain from the scathinp
sarcasm striving for uttcrance on hi,
lips then with an effort that would
nave done credit to much odler and
more experienced man than he was
controlled the rcbellious spirit OF him
utterly, turned and went back IA bis
Office ''''
"hen Ellis Mason started for his Of
hce next morning, Il was without TN.
usual eaeerncss OF spirit that usually
manifested itself in his quick. huovant
step. "'''
Inc keen pleasure he would have
ieit n rev Nays before at the prosnert
Oh playing district attorney, then only
~ ~ rev snort hours, was, now that
me opportunity had come, entirely
lacking. Yesterdays warning that he |
was not to recognize the existence Of |
gambling hall in that city-and thai
ai'eE ne mad made special detailed
report or one-so depressed his nnc
conscientious spirit that he could MOI
bring himself to view any part Of his |
work with the enthusiasm SO charac
terstic OF him.
II he thought this foul corruption
existed In the ONCE OF an executive SO
trusted as the district attorney wh,,
OF the courts judges LAWYERS nolirc
department.? He felt for tho frst li,nc
since he entered the government SER
vice. how small, how incTectunl was
MS personal power for the good ne 50
wanted to do. How could ne fight thc
gigantic. irresistible machine. fed nv
me votes OF the public, and oiled by
the gold Of unmentionable vicc-ex
pioiters who bought and sold chief
executives as one might n dancing TOW
IA 10Y whose steps we're regulated nv
The mechanism of the controlling
party?
When he reached his Office. he was
surprised 10 find young man already
mere awaiting him. II was. the very
man ne realized in fash, who, the
night before last he had seen sitting
and drinking with that dancing girl in
the gambling dive ne had stumbled IN
accidentally--the same eissipa,cd
pink-faced, tiny-cyed low -forcheaded
individual who had allowed himself to
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