Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1916-01-21

q d1plOma which should have read In
stead of bachelor of arts" bachelor
of athletics" was in poor health. He
nursed his disappointment at his sons
poor intellectual showing In secret. but
did not reproach him. One thing in
Billy's college career he was proud Of
the boy had not achieved his diploma
by dishonorable means. And this mat
ter set the father to thinking. After
all. was it wise TO place a temptation
before mere boys such as in all his own
career had never been imposed upon
himself? He thought much on this
matter. but did not arrive at any solu-
ton of the problem.
John Atwood. soon after Billy's re-
turn from the university, found it nec-
essary to close out his business and
seek a salaried position. He attrtbut-
ed his i'll success to his want of educa-
ton and. finally, to having spent SO
much money on putting his son through
college. Being well liked. 1t was sug-
gested to him by friends that If he
would run for a lucrative Office they
would give him their support. He con-
sented and was nominated by the best
men In the town on an Independent
ticket to run against a man supported
by as corrupt a gang of scoundrels as
ever remained out of Jail. From the
moment Of his nomination the opposi-
ton managers decided that If he could
not be defeated by fair means he must
be by foul. Certain of Atwood's sup
porters were let into this decision.
Some of them were disposed to expect
a failure.
Billy Atwood at a conference with
the manager Of a daily newspaper
agreed that If given the use of its col
umns during the campaign he would
not only show up the methods Of the
opposition, but would take the respon-
sibinty for doing 80 upon his OWL
shoulders. He was assigned a desk
In a room by himself, which was used
for a reception room by the editor, no
one being able to get at that function
airy without passing through Billy's
sanctum. Here he wrote sundry arti-
cles, accusing his fathers opponent Of
such rascally proceedings that the town
was shocked.
The managers of the attacked candi-
date held a meeting, at which ways
and means for stopping the accusations
were discussed. Since they were true
and could be proved, 1t vas decided to
compel the accuser to withdraw them
by an overawing process. Jim Don
oI1u 0f tho most nauvorft1I of tho
henchmen. was selected to go to the
editor of the paper publishing the
charges and demand a retraction. Jim
chose II O'Clock in the morning for the
purpose and found Billy In his sanctum
writing the second article of the cam
paign. He had decorated the room
with trophies he had taken during his
college course. There were five cham
pion bats of rare wood and exquisite
finish. several silver cups, a wire mask,
and on each corner of his desk was q
baseball.
where's the editor2" asked Mr.. DON
ally.
What do you want to see him
about?' was Billy's reply.
II want him to retract them lies he
wrote about the election"
Il wrote them"
well. you've got to publish a retrac-
ton tomorrow morning or I'll take one
put of your hide"
You get out of here"
Billy rose, and each stood looking
the other over and sizing up his
chances Of victory. for it was evident
that the matter between them would
be settled by force. Billy took mental
account of his munitions, consisting of
sporting prizes, his enemy showing his
W by pushing back his
coa and fumbling at his hip. But
since his enemy made no motion to use
any weapon except such as nature had
provided him Donally did not go into
his pocket. 1t is a pretty low grade of
politics where politicians dare to use
firearms.
You have no right here, and l give
you warning that If you don't vacate
the place I'll throw you downstairs"
"Ill vacate the place when l have
had satisfaction said Mr.. Donally
doggedly.
Billy took a step forward, and his
enemy put his hand into his hip pocket.
at the same time taking a step back
ward. which carried him to the door.
way and very near the landing.
Billy sprang for the man and, shov-
ing him through the open door, sent
him down the stairway. Donally re-
turned. holding a revolver. 1t was
knocked out of his hand by one of the
baseballs that had decorated Bnly's
desk. Thief Billy jumped for him and
sent him downstairs again. A second
time the henchman returned with an
other revolver in the other hand, which
Billy eliminated with a prize bat and
for the third time tackled his opponent.
This time Donally made a better
fight. graphing Billy. and the two
struggled toward the landing. There