Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1916-02-01

comes from us. SchwarZman, though.
didn't want to change his legal depart
ment until fan. That wont do, sup
poser .urr 49,.
To-day" announced Sledge
II got you," replied BendiX, rising.
''If Lansdale takes the job he'll have
to resign from the bench Immediate
Iy," and no assent to this being 'neces-
sary. he hurried out to make an ap-
pointment with the president of the
Distillers' and Brewers league.
BOZZam came, suave, smiling. more
polished gentleman than anybody, but
not offensive with it.
How goes it," asked Sledge.
"Splendidly," said BoZzam. "The
stocks all sold, including our own.
We're ready to move on unless we can
put over real good organization Of
some sort. We don't want another lit
tie one, though. Traction companies
are our game"
Get busy" remarked Sledge.
with the original traction thought:"
A grunt of assent was Sledge's reply
as he looked out along the high board
fence which bound in the narrow area
way. A thing which had once been 4
mop leaned in a corner by one of the
scantlings, decaying.
BoZzam looked at Sledge for mo-
ment and, being gentleman of rare
penetration, rightly concluded that his
errand was over.
lo OF to1
the door.
| Bendix and big blue eyed man with
Il square jaw and muscular shoulders
came in. and Bendix introduced the
latter to RoZzam as Jim Gally. The
two gentlemen exchanged grins as they
shook hands, but neither one Of them
was careless enough to state that they
had already met, although, as mat
ter Of fact, Mr.. Gally now possessed
the exclusive bar privilege at the new
amusement park.
''Stick around, Bozzam," said Sledge.
TON. Bozzam gets his car line. Gally,
will fix the franchises"
Bendix, although the project and
Sledge's resolution We're absolutely
new to him, never batted an eyeIash.,
well get together on that at the
hotel in about an hour" he told Gally
and Bozzam. Nothing ready to give
out to the papers, is there, Sledge?"
Nav"
You'd better explain to Bozzam
what you want in the way of routes"
suggested Bendix. 1.-THE franchises
should be passed in secret session, Gal
". Is everybody all right?'
Its family reunion" declared
Gally. rs that all, Sledge?"
Wait" said Sledge and looked out
at the mop.
Everybody sat down, and there
seemed to be some important topic in
allegiance. They INDUCED in no trifing
conversation, but looked out Of the
window. Bendix ordered drinks, which
they consumed silently and solemnly.
Sledge evidently had some weighty
plan on his mind, for he only drank
half his beer. ,,-,--' ct.
Davis Of the First National came in,
a pompous man, with a fish fat double
chin and pompous white side whiskers
and white waistcoat. He stood at
the other side Of the table, but SIedee
beckoned him closer, and Davis, wear
ing an impenetrable air Of mystery.
leaned his whiskered ear far down. .
Call Marley's loans," rumbed the
boss in tone which at three feet
away sounded like tuba sawmill.
rs he shaky?' inquired Davis in
panic stricken whisper.
HE will be-" promised Sledge.
why. he owes the bank $55OOO!'' re-
turned Davis. more panic stricken than
ever, and his whispering sounded like
the exhaust of safety valve. I'm go
right away and protect the bank.
What has happened to him, Mr..
Sledge"
Nothing yet" stated sledge. "sit
down, Davis"
Mr.. Davis sat down, and the four
who had been. told to wait looked at
one another with growing wonder and
at the impassive big man, who was
still drawing inspiration from the de-
crepit mop.
rive LllitilSS pdSScu. bcAuiA <iI1u
BoZzam and Gally sat in comfortable
quiet. resting all their faculties, phys
ical.% mental and moral. but Mr.. Davis
fidgeted audibly. j., He twiddled his fin
gers. he fused with his cravat, he
ran slip nooses In his watch cord. he
wiped his reading glasses and put them
on and took them off.
Five minutes more passed. Mr.. Da
Wis in desperation rang the bell for
the velvet footed Adolph and ordered
drink. In other gatherings Mr.. Boz
Fam would have enlivened the moment
with a story or with conversation and
repartee. On occasion he could have
sung a song or recited poem or play.
ed seven-up. craps or tiddledywipks, all
with the pleasing finish of profes
sional. Just now. however. he remain.
ed as placidly calm as cake of Swiss
cheese.
A step came down thu narrow pas.
saceway A rawboned fellow appear
ed in the doorway. He was tall enc
big and wore good clothes. His hands
were coarse and had dubious finger
tips. with extremely broad, stubby
nails, but they showed no signs Of re-
cent toll. He had u wide mouth and
prominent check bones and low fore