Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1916-08-10
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Lang Talked Morse
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SOON
No, left no word; his departure was
most hurried" said the polite secre
tary at the reform party's headquar-
ters.
Down on the street again Lang Da
Wis halted irresolutely. Star men were
not supposed to return with the eX
cuse that the man they sought could
not be found.
"Did you see Mr.. Durfee come down
few minutes ago and notice which
way he went?" he inquired of a taxi
driver whose machine stood nearby.
"a guy came down those stairs end
asked my partner to drive him to the
Palms, and he said hurry like he
meant it," was the surprising reply.
Surprising because Hon. James Dur
fee was candidate for mayor oil the re-
form ticket and was the man who, 1t
was hoped, would relieve the graft
ridden city of some of its unwhole-
some things, among which was the
Palms, saloon used as political head
quarters by the party then in power.
MIR. Durfee was the Stars choice, and
Lang Davis, the youngest reporter and
cousin of the owner, greatly admired
the fearless champion of temperance
and city cleanliness.
"Be as quick as you can with The in
terview You ought to he back by nine
at the latest" Marshall, the night edi
tor had said.
Lang glanced at his watch. His
cousin had given orders that the boy
should be given no assignments to tie
Palms, but this was different.
Che reform candidate had often told
Of the work among the poor Doubtless
be had been called by some sad case.
There might be another story for the
Star, and Lang felt that he could af-
ford to lose no stories. He was not as
yet making the great reputation as a
reporter which he had planned for
himself.
Upon his graduation from high
school he had been offered position
b, his cousin, owner of the Star, and
had eagerly accepted it, but found lack
of experience serious handicap. At
home he had worked about the depot
evenings and picked considerable
knowledge of telegraphy, but this was
Of little service now, except that 1t
tLade him ready friends about the rail-.
road offices, and once or twice led to
his bringing in some wreck stories
which were beats" for the Star. Lang
wished, however, that he had spent
tie time working about the office or
gathering locals for the home paper;
90 houa holnni lff.
lie with the new work.
He decided to follow Mr.. Durfee to
the Palms and secure his interview as
quickly as possible.
To his brisk question the surly bar
tender nodded an affirmative. Back In
the private room," he said. He had
thought he recognized Lang as the
,ss' own son, or the young fellow
would have received a different recep-
lion.
Following the direction of the mans
nod, Lang walked down the hall until
he came to door with private scrau'l-
co in big letters. His hand on the
knob, he hesitated. A voice that he
knew we'll came to his ears. He swung
the door open softly.
We'll show these straight laced
guys real town, real Paris! You
make good with me-"
These words and the sight Of Har-
rodsville's reform candidate lolllng
back in one of the Shortcut" Moriar-
sty's easy chairs, smiling across at the
inan whose shortcuts to the city treas
try had won him the cognomen Of
Shortcut" and whose perniclous work
had enabled the saloons and grafters
to fasten themselves upon the city,
stopped Lang at the threshold, but he
did not stop more quickly than the
man in the chair.
"Why, Davis-er-Davis, glad to
zee you. What-er-what can do for
you?" stammered Durfee. his face go
fig from pink to white and back to n
Geep red as Lang continued to stare
at him without speaking.
Speak, can't your shouted Short
Y cut, turning on the young fellow. Dur
fee, who is this tongue tied fellow? Is
he one of your men, or a blanked
spy?"
"Davis is connected with the Star
cousin OF the owner, salu DurIee,
speaking with difficulty.
The pudgy face Of the boss turned
almost purple, and he glared at both
Durfee and Lang, but lust as they were
expecting him TO break forth In tor
rent of abuse, he controlled himself.
"why couldn't you watch out for
spies Durfee? You have played dsu.
bic so long you think no on can catch
you. Now pve got to help you to save
myself. Hank! Dick!" he roared.
At the words two men came ruiz
ning down the hall and burst into the
room. Rough and tough enough they
looked.
"Just a moment" said Moriarity
turning his evil little eyes on the boz