Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-02-23
= The Best of Chester
A TALE OF RED ROSES
BY George Randolph Chester
hutaor Of Get Rich .Qaick Wasinssord, Etc.
Copyrighted BshSs.kssru cempar

| committees 10 see AlertOn, ana dI'
range some sort of compromise, but
here again he found an unexpected
lukwarmness. Nobody seemed to
think that Allerton could be reach.
ed" and, as matter OF fact. every
time he preached that subject he
found his fellow magnates evasive.
The newspapers need not have blazed
so much about the probable corruption
fund, because there positively was
none. The subscription secured was
only for the conduct Of a publicity
campaign, and to pay for the services
of a perfectly legitimate lobbyist,
who would explain the reasonable
rights Of the street car men.
On Saturday morning the visitors
all went home, looking tagged about
| the eyes, without having done much
more than pass some frothy resolu.
lions and raise the feeble fund re-
ferred to. and Investigate, by electric
light, whatever the keys of the city
would unlock; and President Marley,
staggering under the burden Of his
position, was very much worried.
He confided his fears to his future
son-in-law, after he had seen the last
tired, Woodworking magnate on a
train headed for home and remorse
81 don't think these men appreciate,
as l do, the need of controlling street
car legislation he complained.
"Allerton's bill looks like a menace to
all my interests, and I am little bit
surprised that Sledge, since his en-
trance into the game on big scale,
does not seem more concerned about
it."
at was Sledge who arranged to
have these fellows come together"
Bert reminded him.
Yes. admitted Marley; "but he
seemed to have such feeble ideas
about what to do after he had them
here. 1t wasn't like his usual vigor-
Gus methods"
Then he has something up his
sleeve" decided Bert. Il wish that
fellow would drop dead. I'm afraid
of him."
you've been talking to Molly"
Laughter her father.
mo; I've been talking to Sledge,"
denied Bert. 81 had just as lief have
a rattlesnake devote it's life to the
ambition of sinking a fang into the
calf Of my leg as to have Sledge fuss
ing in with me. II l can find a buyer
for it, I'm going to unload my stock
in that amusement park while the
public still thinks it will be built"
Marley frowned his crushing dis
pleasure.
"You are expressing very small
confidence in me-" he reproved. II
don't see why your nervousness about
Sledge should extend to an operation
which depends on my judgment alone.
The Ridgewood avenue extension Is
to be built as fast as it can be pushed
through. l have already ordered the
rails. the franchise can not be dis
puted, and even if Sledge were to
parallel the Ridgewood avenue line, it
would only bring more patronage to
your park
"Not mine,' corrected Bert hastily.
"I'll get my money out OF 1t as quick
as | can, and I'll put that money
where Sledge can't reach 1t"
you're scared blue" charged Mar
ley contemptuously. How did you
come to get tangled up with Sledge"
81 met him down at the city hall.
He was wearing one Of his fool red
roses and I think he saw me looking
at it. Perhaps l did grin. At any
rate he stopped and asked me when
| was to be married to Molly
What did you tell him?'
"Christmas. Molly, yesterday al
ternoon, warned me not to tell any
one. and particularly Sledge, that 1t
is to be Thanksgiving.
what did he say that scared you
so?'
Nothing" confessed Bert. 'He on
ly smiled felt as if I had been in
a cold rain"
"Same smile Molly described
Marley laughed, though he was quite
ont of patience. II can understand
Molly's taking whimsical fright bas-
ed on nothing, but didn't expect 1t or
you, Bert. I have myself found
Sledge to be rather decent in the last
few days. and I am only annoyed be-
cause he does not seem to see the ne
cessity of using his influence with
Allerton to stop this street railway
bill. think | shall see Allerton my
self tomorrow. He comes home every
Saturday night
Pursuant to that happy idea. the
president drove out to Allerton's house
the next morning. and found the sena-
tor in the luxury Of pajamas, easy
slippers and lounging robe, amid an
profusion Of Sunday
papers. At his right hand was
taboret. on which dubbed an electric
coffe percolator and at his left hand
was a featherweight serving table. on
which was comfortable supply OF
cigarettes. In front of him sat Ben
Sledge.
Hello, Marley greeted the sena.
tor You're just in time for coffee.
Had mine hours ago. returned
Marley, nodding his return to Sledges
grunt.
Then it's time again. insisted the
senator pleasantly, ringing for anoth-
err cup. cor would you prefer cock
tail?"~
"A little Of your exclusive rye, l
think. if you insist on anything ac
cepted Marley, drawing a chair into
the coy little circle. You're trying