Cheraw chronicle. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1896-2005, 1916-03-02

wondered AllertOn. -
"Nawr repudiated Sledge. It's rot.
ten! No franchises"
II thought you held easily salabie
ones, from what saw In the papers,"
puzzled Allerton. If you haven't,
however, you can easily get them from
the city council" --.
They're no good" ipsfsted sledge.
"Short terms"
'"Thats right" agreed Allerton, be-
ginning to see the light. franchises
in this state can be granted for twenty
years and are renewable in ten year
periods at the option Of the city coun-
Gil. ! suppose your new franchises are
for twenty years."
'Uh-hunh!' assented Sledge. That's
when the profits begin.'
"For both the company and its off,
cial friends" smiled Allerton. Its
rather n good provision as far as the
public Is concerned. however 1t gives
the people a voice."
"WhyT' demanded Sledge. "They
only ride"
And pay" amended Allerton. I'VE
talked this over before ut Waver's
called attention to the fact that the
people were beginning to expect a con-
sideration for such valuable property
rs franchises"
They expect a private car for a
nickel" claimed Sledge. I'VE need
franchise legislation"
Its a dangerous thing to tackle"
objected Allerton 1.-THE voters are be-
ginning to have ideas about such
things
That's why we have to work quick"
Sledge Informed him.
"What do you want?" asked Allerton.
Fifty year franchisss-free"
Good Lord!' exclaimed Allertop.
why, Sledge. the man who would pro-
pose that might just as we'll retire from
politics forever"
"Sure!" agreed Sledge.
The senator stopped, with a shock,
and reflected.
''The street car interests in the state
are large, that's a fact" he acknowl-
edged.
Great game" approved Sledge. II
want stock all over the state. You'd
better invest"
"It might be attractive" considered
the senator. "How much stock do you
think should secure?''
million"
Even the seasoped Sena tor used q
he was to private and personal discus.
sions involving comfortable figures,
was startled at the sound Of that word.
THAT listens very cheerfully," he
conceded. do you suggest that I-buy
up-that amount of stock for myself In
the various street car companies Of the
state or that myself and friends should
club together for that amount?"
Hundred thousand extra for them, II
responded Sledge with the promptness
Of man who has done all his figuring
beforehand.
Allerton spent some minutes in quiet
thought.
There's the legal business. too,"
Sledge reminded him.
That's so." agreed Allerton. IAN at.
torney who is also large stockholder
could control that clientage. Suppose
see Buckley about this? Send him in,
will your"
Appreciating tho conyeniepce of hay.
Ing no witnesses to conversations
which so intimately concern the sery-
ing Of the public, Sledge loafed out
and stood nonchalantly over the table.
The five men looked up ut him keenly,
but Sledge was staring into Cap Dig,
glesby's hand. Buckley finished his
deal and glanced up again. He imme-
diately arose.
Take my hand. will you, Sledger'
he begged. and he removed Sledge's
stein from the sideboard to the table.
Sledge sat down and fingered Buck
| ley's chips while he drank ut his beer.
Hope you break him." observed Cal
vim Z. Luther as he presently dealt the
| cards. "Buckley's too all fired lucky,
| and think he plays crooked myself"
House committeeT yelled Franchise
Walters. 'Tbats unclublike language"
Sledge looked at his cards and put 10
chips and drew and bet with the air of
man who is confirmed In the opinion
that the general average will "get" q
square player In the end, no matter
how he guards himself. and, since not
caring whether he won or lost Buck
ley's chips. he bet the same on q flush
as he did on q pair Of deuces. He had
increased BuckIey's stack slightly when
that gentleman returned. Sledge was
about to rise, but Buckley sat In Aller-
tons place instead.
keep your seat. Sledge." lie observ-
| ed as he nodded to Cap Digglesby,
| Sledge's bitterest and most relentless
foe on the floor Of the house Of repre-
sentatives.
Eyes. keep 1t five handed" urged
| Digglesby. II want to stretch my legs
4 few minutes. and a four handed
poker game Is about rs exciting as o
prayer meeting"
Digglesby walked around the room
two or three tires and looked at the
patriotic pictures with whicl, the walls
were plentifully decorated for the ben
eft OF Buckley's earnest constituents
then he sauntered into the hall and
stretched his legs into the next room,
where the senator, IN deep thought.
awaited him.
Digglesby returned to the poker
game by and by. and rs he sat down
smiled cheerfully at Buckley. Buckley.
who had been playing casino. seven-np
and pinochle with his poker cards and