Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1916-02-15

-fUilS, Luc lTdIlCulStsS CuuuOL Dt ulSpulcu,
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 it as quicl;
as l can, and I'll put that money
where Sledge can't reach it."
You're scared blue" charged MGR
ley contemptuously. How did you
come to get tangled up with Sledge?"'
II met him down at the city hall. He
was wearing one of his fool red roses,
and | think he saw me looking at it.
PerhapsHI did grin. At any rate, he
stopped and asked me when I was to
be married to Molly"
"What did you tell him?"s Il.
christmas. Molly, yesterday after
noon, warned me not to tell any one.
and particularly isledge. that it is to be
Thanksgiving
"What did he, say that scared you
so?'
Nothing" confessed Bert. "He only
smiled. IIfelt as If ! had been in q
cold rain 5s,g
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 didn't expect it of
you. Bert. l have myself found Sledge
to be rather decent in the Last few
days, and am. only annoyed because
he does not seem to see the necessity
Of using his influence with Al1erton tc
stop this street railway bill. T 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 q taboret, on which
dubbed an electric coffee percolator,
and at his left hand was a feather.
weight serving table, on which was a
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 Nor another
cup. ''Or would you prefer acocktail:"
"a little Of your exclusive rye, /
think. If you insist on anything ac-
cepted Marley, drawing chair into the
,cozy little circle. YOU'RE trying to
save that rye or you would have Of
fered it in the first place"
"No; only trying to promote sobrie-
ty," BATTERED 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
Lssuppose came on the same GRAND
as my rival and competitor here
whats 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"
Allertons gazed at him blankly for n
moment and again glanced quizzically
at Sledge. There was low rumble
down in Sledge's throat, but neither
his face nor his eyes betrayed any SEN
tlment or emotion whatsoever.
Il 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. IF didn't
know you were above spitework l
should think that you had it in for the
street car interests"
Again the senator looked at him with
n puzzled air. then he turned to Sledge.
Doesn't he know anything!" he
queried.
"Naw!" rumbled Sledge.
II see." answered Allerton cooIly. Il
supposed you all knew that before. the
bill was passed it would be amended
to conserve the important financial III
terests."
Marley pondered that statement
q while, and then he laughed.
"Of course" he said. Its only polit-
ical claptrap, intended to- make the
voter think you are eternally on the
Job in his interests"
II wouldn't put it In exactly that
way" soberly reproyed Allerton, justly
Offended by this coarse method OF i'm
pugning his motives.
II apologize" said Marley. II should
have said the bill displays that you
have the interests Of your
at heart We were rather
exercised about it, but we should not
hive been, for in your long service for
he public do not think you have ever
promoted or fostered any legislation
which would be destructive of capital"
Certainly not" agreed Allerton. who
never let down his pose in the presence
IF 4 man who had not proved his right
10 sit within the sacred circle. with
)ut the proper and legitimate fostering