Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1916-02-04

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be married to Molly"
what did you tell him."
christmas. Molly, yesterday after
noon. warned me not to tell any one.
and particularly Sledge. that it is to be
Thanksgiving"
what did he say that scared you
so?''
Nothing" confessed Bert. HE only
smiled. I felt as If l had been in a
cold rain"
Same smile Molly described" Mar
ley laughed. though he was quite out
Of patience II cannot understand
Molly's taking whimsical fright based
on nothing. but l didn't expect it Of
you. Bert J have myself found Sledge
to be rather decent in the last few
days. and l am only annoyed because
he does not seem to see the necessity
If using his. influence with Allert0n to
stop this street railway bill. l think
shall see Allerton myself 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 slip
pers and lounging robe amid an extrav-
agant confusion of Sunday papers. At
his right hand was a taboret, on which
dubbed an electric coffee percolator,
and at his left hand was feather
weight serving table, on which was
comfortable supply Of cigarettes. In
front Of him sat Ben Sledge.
Hello. Marley" greeted the senator
You're just In time for coffee"
Had mine hours ago." returned Mar
ley, nodding his return to Sledge's
grunt.
'"Then it's time again." insisted the
senator pleasantly, ringing for another
cup. ''Or would you prefer cocktail?"
"A little Of your exclusive rye, l
think, If you insist on anything" &C.
cepted Marley, drawing a chair into the
cozy little circle. You're trying to
save that rye or you would have Of
fered it in the first place."
mo; only trying to promote sobrie-
ty," bantered Allerton. II suppose,
however, that memory of that good
Kentucky stock is what brought you
out here on this peaceful Sabbath
morning."
Hardly" denied Marley. Frankly
suppose I came on the same errand
as my rival and competitor here"
"What's that?" asked Allerton. with
a glance at Sledge.
ITO find out what the dickens you
mean by that infamous street railway
bill Of which you are the disreputable
parent"
Allerton gazed at him blankly for
moment and again glanced quizzically
at Sledge. There was a low rumble
down in Sledges throat, but neither
his face nor his eyes betrayed any SEN
timent or emotion whatsoever.
: II mean to protect the honest work
ingman. to save our houses and fire.
sides and add honor and glory to the
American flag" responded Allerton SOL
EMMY.
Marley accepted that merry quip
with the courteous chuckle which it de-
served.
"Outside Of that and drying the tears
Of the widows and orphans, what do
you propose to accomplish by it," he
persisted in like vein. III l didn't
know you were above spitework
should think that you had it in for the
street car interests"
Again the senator looked at him with
puzzled air, then he turned to Sledge.
Doesn't he know anything" he
queried.
"Naw" rumbled Sledge.
Il see." answered Allerton coolly. II
supposed you all knew that before the
bill was passed it would be amended
to conserve the important financial in
terests"
Marley pondered that statement
awhile. and then he laughed.
"Of course" he said. Its only polit-
zeal claptrap. intended to make the
voter think you are eternally on the
Job in his interests"
II wouldn't put 1t in exactly that
way" soberly reprovcd Allerton. justly
offended by this coarse method of i'm
pugning his motives.
81 apologize" said Marley. II should
have said the bill displays that you
constantly have the interests of your
constituents at heart. We were rather
exercised about it. but we should not
have been. for in your long service for
the public do not think you have ever
promoted or fostered any legislation
which would he destructive of capital"
Certainly not" agreed Allerton. who
never let down his pose in the presence
of man who had not proved his right
to sit within the sacred circle with
out the proper and Legitimate fostering
Of enterprises requiring extensive finan
cial support there can he no national
prosperity"
That's sound enough doctrine"
commended Marley. What are the
amendments which are to soften the
blow?"
With kindly patience the senator ex-
planned to him the amendments, one
by one, being careless enough, how
ever, not to mention the fifty year
franchise clause.
At the end of an hour Marley, much
relieved in his mind, took his depar-
ture, regretting that Sledge was not
ready to accompany him.
ITS strange how easily man in
control Of important investments takes
fright" he acknowledged, as he arose
to go. I'VE can be put on the run
with penny's worth Of firecrackers.
Not long ago our friend Sledge, here,
had me stampeded, but l checkmated