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

"The Dutchman down in the Eighth
ward has rented his back room to the
Hazelnut club he stated.
"Well?" inquired BendiX.
"Well, the Hazelnut club has Charley
Atwood for its president, and Charley
is brother-in-law Of Purcell"
II see,' said BendiX. Il suppose
Dutch Klein knew this?" J.
"The Cameron pictures down off his
back bar"
"Tell him you told me-" advised
Bendix, weighing the matter carefully,
for Of such tri1es was political control
constructed. ID
"Is that the worst news I can carry!'
demanded the other, disappointed.
'If there's any worse We'll send it
out when the wagon backs up" re-
sponded Bendix dryly. .
"All right, captain" agreed the tale
bearer. "Say, can you slip me an
ace" - -.
Bendix slipped, him an ace from a
fund provided for that purpose.
Thanks" said the thug. ''Say.
what's the matter with Sledge?" H.
"None of your business!' snapped
Bendix, with a wondering glance, at
the back room, and he waded through
the usual morning lineup with that
wonder growing on him. The actions
and bearing of Sledge varied by so
thin hairs breadth from day to day
that a notable variation meant some
thing. - -......
He found Siedge standing up, and
then he knew that there was some
thing in the wind.
"Get Bozzam," directed Sledge, and
Bendix went straight out to the teie-
phone. ....
sect Davis" directed Sledgs when
Bendix came back, and Bendix, vague
" plying somebody, hurried out to
the telephone again.
Get Feeder" was the next order.
Bendix almost whistled as, he hurried
out to locate by telephone the ex-coun-
ty treasurer, who for two years had
been drawing handsome salary from
Sledge for keeping his mouth shut
about the public funds scandal.
"Get Gally," rumbled Siedge. VINO
had not moved from his contemplative
post by the window, and Bendix, Keep
ing his growing wonder to himself ana
replying with a shrug to the soberly
questioning glance of the concerned
Phil, telephoned for the Sledge leader
in the city council.
Sledge, having sent for everybody
he needed, was sitting more quietly III
his accustomed chair when Bendix re-
turned from his last trip and was look
ing with his usual stolidness out of the
window after having donned the fresh
red rose, which he had put on reli-
giousH three times day since he had
met Molly Marley.
Council meeting this afternoon"
he asked.
"Two-thirty," answered Bendix.
"How much of the stock is sub
scribed in the reorganized street rail
way? .-
Hundred and eighty-five thousand
L got the report just before ! came
over"
Get ours ON the market. Gum shoe
sales. but do it quick"
"Who's to be soaked - Marley?
guessed Bendix. .sa
"The limit" assented Sledge. Ben
dix, what's the worst they could hand
me on that public funds case?"
1.-TWO or three years il they got you
going" judged Bendix. "That's dead
now, however"
Its back" .....
HAS Feeder been talking"
Sledge nodded.
"Who knows anything?" ...
"Glider-Marley."
"Hunhv grunted ,Bendix in uncon-
scious imitation of Sledge. "What are
you going to do?"
"Call it."
"You don't mean to bring it to q
showdown protested BendiX. I'VE
can't afford it with Lansdale and Blake
OH the bench. Judge Lansdale espe-
cially would part with his right arm
to toss a harpoon into you" :
sect rid of him."
ST don't see how" worried Bendix.
"We've tried for two years to get
something on him. He can't be reach
ed, and l don't think it's safe to beat
him up"
Sledge pondered that matter weight
ly and sighed.
"Give him a big law job"
Eve haven't anything fat enough ex-
cept the Distillers' and Brewers
lea que, but we promised that plum to
the governor"
give it to Lansdale." ordered Sledge,
"Ill send Waiver to Switzerland. |
want his house. anyhow"
"You promised consulship to Hoov-
er. Its the only one Washington lets
you name ~
"Hoovers nit" declared Sledge,
turning slightly toward Bendix by way
of emphasis. "He goes in the dis
card"
GOOD work" approved Rendix,
young Bailey Cooper has made a joke
of Hoover's leadership. think Waiver
has been counting on this Distillers'
and Brewers job, though. 1t takes a
good man to fight the dry fad. and
Waiver knows it."
HE has to so to Switzerland" de-