Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1916-01-28

"Bob's either dead or better. or he
wouldn't be here at ALL" asserted
Blondy. "You know. like that big
slob."
That's easy" carelessly commented
Phil. There goes his bell | think I'll
beat Adolph to 1t.
He grabbed down Sledge's favorite
stein. filed II carefully. with exactly
the right collar Of creamy foam, and
room just five steps in front of Adolph,
who had been making change for an
early lunch customer.
Sledge sat in his accustomed seat, but
be was not looking out at the hand hole
In the gate. For the first time in all
their acquaintance Phil saw the chief
with his chin sunk on his collar. He
lndustriously wiped dry spot moist
to set the wet stein on, but Sledge
made no movement, even of his eyes,
and Phil, who had come in with the
express intention Of asking about the
dog, changed his mind and turned to
tiptoe away. Adolph. however. was
more persistent in his eagerness.
Flows Bob this morning?" he asked
In that particularly hushed tone one
uses in inquiring about the critical ILL.,
ness of near and dear relatives.
The mighty breast of Sledge heaved
with long. full sigh.
Hes oil right" he grumbled. mot
Ia whimper out Of him. Call up and
find out"
ASK for Mike?' suggested Phil
NAV, he may be asleep"
THAT'S right" apologized Phil. II
know Mike. Ee hasn't slept nor eaten
since the fight"
Nor took drink" added Sledge,
and another sigh, which was almost
like sob. impeded his utterance.
by the way" Phil informed him.
sunny Jim Keller is dead"
Gee. the boss is cut up about Boby'
Phi reported to Blondy. II told him
about Sunny Jim, and he never even
grunted. That means the whole third
wards gone"
Sledge was not SO unimpressed as he
seemed to be, however. for presently
he sent for Phil and instructed that a
big floral piece be sent and that the
widows affairs be looked into.
Bendix came in by and by, looking
very much worried, and sat down heav-
lily.
FLOWS Bob?" he asked.
"He's all right" declared sledge.
mot whimper out Of him"
Bendix hesitated a moment.
ibid you hear that Sunny Jim Keller
is dead?" he inquired.
Sledge nodded.
There amt man up there could
take the leadership Of that ward" went
on Bendix, much discouraged. ITS the
Third that has always saved u.s."
Sledge, sitting heavily. did not an
swer. He seemed to have collapsed
like a huge figure Of dough settling
into pan.
"That means we lose the Third
ward" Bendix spiritlessly pursued. 80
we're in bad, politically"
Sledge was still motionless.
II looked up Marley's Ridgewood
avenue franchise" resumed Bendix.
Its good. all right Yesterdays meet
ing was bright one for him. A few
shares Of traction stock traded hands
on the board today. The last lot
brought ffty-one. Bert Glider Is float.
ing his amusement park. He's made a
decker with the company already form.
ed to abandon the Lincoln Road park.
and they're to take over the Person
tract. The Lincoln road property is to
be used for car barns, according to the
latest dope from Marley, and Glider
Of the park. 1t looks like a cinch for
pretty Bert"
Sledge raised his chin half inch
and dropped it again.
II saw Bozzam." Bendix went on
with his report. HE claims that,
while you own Is per cent of the stock
Of the new traction company and could
swing everything in vote. he is the
duly authorized agent Of the company
and has the right to sell its franchises
at the best price he can get, SO he's
going to close with Marley"
"Hunh" grunted Sledge
$50 we lose there" relentlessly pur-
sued BendiX. "At this stage of the
game you had expected to have Marley
entirely frozen out and to own the ma
jOrity Of stock yourself, announce the
purchase Of the franchises and raise
the stock to par. Now the stocks 60
ing up, and most of it has been grabbed
by Marley. l figure he'll clean up
about 100000 on this deal"
Sledge favored him with the begin
ming Of chuckle at himself, but that
was ALL
WAIVER has decided not to sell his
house. He'll 60 to Switzerland, all
right, but he prefers to keep his resi-
dence here"
Sledge smiled. 1t was like the gri.
mace Of man in the electric chair.
But the worst is yet to come" per-
sisted Bendix, beginning to have a GER
tain lugubriOus enjoyment in the inter
minable list of disasters. "Schwarz-
man tells me that Judge Lansdale
positively refuses that appointment as
attorney for the anti-dry movement If
he stays on the bench, Sledge, nothing
on earth will make you right. With
all your power. and all your influence,
and all your money, and all your
friends. you can't get away from that
trial; and If you ever come to a show
down they'll get you. The best you
can do will be two years away from
the sunshine When you 60 out for