Dresden enterprise and Sharon tribune. (Dresden, Tenn.) 1907-1997, 1915-09-03


down a flight of dark steps, through
a narrow, twisting passageway, and up
another flight of steps-darker, II
anything, than the first-until came
smack up against a door. Inside l
could hear the murmur of many voices,
and click, that sounded like the
click of silver knives on plates, and
l smelled food.
II didn't know what was on the
other side-but decided to risk 1t
anyway, so, pushed open the door
and walked right into the most mag
nificent dining room I was ever in
in my life" From here on young
Mason's narration to the district at
torney is familiar to those who read
the opening of this story.
When Mason was through, his chief
turned slowly around in his chair,
his face drawn and tense-his finger
tapping positively the coat lapel of the
young man before him.
"Mr. Mason, l want you to under
stand me thoroughly-there are no
gambling dives in this city, under
stand?-no gambling dives running
here, Forget it."
"But l."
"You saw nothing, tell you. For
get it."
Mason rose, his face burning, his
whole figure showing resentment at
the all too obvious meaning of his
|, chiefs words. He bowed coldly-and
opened the door leading to his own Of
flee, just as a messenger boy entered
with a telegram for Bell.
III.
Ellis Mason sat at his desk, his
fine, earnest face puckered in look
of amazed discomfort. So this was
politics! This was the field he had
entered two years before as an outlet
for the splendid political passion
the passion for constructive legisla-
ton that had so obsessed him ever
since his entrance to college. On his
graduation from college he had en-
tered the government service as a
clerk in the customs, He had written
two books on political economy, had
given numerous lectures on Getty Gov
eminent" and had made himself so
talked about in the newspapers that
he had, a few weeks ago, by popular
demand, received the appointment Of
assistant district attorney under Cur
tbs Bell Now, two weeks after his ap-
pointment he found himself crowded
close to the rail by chief who was
shielding the very sort of thing he
was elected and sworn to wipe out!
He was cut short in his reflections by
an office boy with a message from his
chief.
"The district attorney wishes to
see you Immediately in his Office,
Mr.. Mason"
He arose and went to Bells Office
Bell was standing by his desk, an
open telegram in his hand, his face
thoughtful but good-humored, as
though pleased with something that
had recently TRANSFERRED. He showed
no trace of the resentment of half
hour ago, when he had so arbitrarily
impressed his assistant with the
assurance that there are no gam
bling 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 political question of urgent
Importance. / shall return tomorrow.
You will act on nothing unless abso-
lutely necessary, and then only If you
are forced to act. You understand,
fully?" s,iiTi.srr,.. ,,,,.,,...
Eyes, sir" coldly. s.s
Every we'll" ~u
The district attorney turned to his
papers, indicating with expressive 81
lence that the interview was ended.
Mason hesitated moment as
though unable to restrain the scath-
ing sarcasm striving for utterance on
his lips, then with an effort that would
have done credit to much older and
more experienced man than he was,
controlled the rebellious spirit Of him
utterly, turned and went back to his
office.
When Ellis Mason started for his Of
flee next morning, 1t was without, the
wonted eagerness Of spirit that usually
manifested itself in his quick buoyant
step.
The keen pleasure he would have
felt few days before at the prospect
of playing district attorney, only
for a few short hours, was, now that
the opportunity had come, entirely
lacking. Yesterdays warning that he
was not to recognize the existence Of
a gambling hall in that city-and that,
after he had made a special detailed
report of one-so depressed his fine
conscientious spirit that he could not
bring himself to view part of his
work with the enthusiasm SO charac-
teristic Of him.
If, he thought, this foul corruption
existed in the office of an executive so
trusted as the district attorney, what
Of the courts, judges, lawyers, police
department? He felt for the first time
since he entered the government serv-
ice. how small. how Intellectual was his