The Dolores star., 1916-11-17
CHAPTER VII.
Mr.. Stubbs and Doctor Billy

Mr.. Stubbs and Doctor Billy.
In the early spring Of every year the
city of Sheffield elected a new mayor
and council. Under the law Of the
state. too. the cities decided for the en-
suing year the question OF license"
or mo license" For many years Shelf
field. an Industrial town. had voted to
permit liquor selling under a system
Of high license. But Of late the no
license element had gained ground
Now 1t appeared that. after years OF
struggle. public opinion had so far
swung to the cold-water side that the
saloon-brewery distillery faction wound
have difficulty In holding its majority
Of votes.
From the ranks of the no-license
forces a leader had arisen. a young
man with an incisive way of think
Ing. q lawyer. whose eloquence, not in
considerable. was matched by COO,
judgment and practical shrewdness.
He was astute, resourceful, adrolt.
Some OF his own followers were in
clined to squlrm at his exceedingly
practical methods. but they had to ad-
NIT that he got results.
Early in January clerk brought to
John Willetts desk the card Of Amos
X. Stubbs. Willett smiled. directed
the clerk to admit the caller. and also
to bring him his personal checkbook.
Hello. Amos" said he. "How goes
the battleT'
Great" said Stubbs.
"Glad to hear it. Have a ciparr
mo, thanks, Mr.. Willett. Smok
ing makes me so nervous I've cut 1t
out"
80 have l." said willett. "but for
different reason. My boys growing
up. and I don't want him to say the
old man sets him the example,"
The young politician viewed John
Willett with an admiring eye. "You
certainly are fine man. Mr.. Willett," +"
he said. II wish we had twenty men
in Sheffield like you"
Stubbs spoke from the heart. BE
was capable Of using nattery where II
would do the most good. but his ap-
probation of Willett's qualities was &C
genuine that his praise came forth un-
hidden. Recognizing the young mans
sincerity, Willett felt a pleasant glow
Of gloridcation. He smiled his thanks,
trif1e embarrassed by the outspoken
compliment.
"We've got 'em on the rum" went
on stubbs. They're scared to death
of us. Our wagons just at the top
of the hill; good. strong push, and
she's nicely over. That's what came
to see you about"
Willett reached for his checkbook.
How much this time. Amos?"
Stubbs held up a hand. That's all
very NICE" he said. "we'n come to
that later. But it's your personality
we need to win this fight"
But, stubbs, you know never
have meddled in politics in my life:
besides"
Merely the knowledge that you
have voted for no-license all these
years has been Of great value to u.s."
said Stubbs eagerly. "How much
more valuable 1t will be II you will
take an active"
Listen. my dear Amos" interrupt
ed Willett. Even II I were willing to
." AASS SAAo S11AS RCAboAdIlys COuluu I
think Of 1t. Mrs. Willett and l sail
for Europe next week."
"Oh." said Stubbs. abashed. That's
too bad" He got up and began pac-
ing the hoor restlessly. Couldn't you
reconsider? Couldn't you postpone
your trip? It's most important, most
important"
I'm afraid not, Amos. My plans
have all been made. Besides. I'd be Of
no use to you. anyhow. I should dis.
tinctly refuse to do any personal work
I'm not that sort Of a man. can't
see that would be Of any value to
you; I'm no speech max"
you don't understand" said Stubbs
politics isn't a game Of oratory any
more. Politicians make speeches. Of
course; that's for effect, for publicity.
The real work Is done by more telling
and practical methods. II you would
stay home until after election"
'Now. Amos, stop right there. What's
the use of your wasting breath7 Let
me-"