The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1916-02-07


Senator Allerton, was discovered by
S1edge in the act of serving the public
interests by playing poker in the rooms
of Assemblyman Buckley, and with
these two conscientious patriots, deep
also in the exercise of their duties to
the commonwealth, were the very men
Sledge wanted to see-Franchise Wal
ters, who was heavy set, but not fat.
and who looked like prosperous shoe
merchant, and old Pop Gresham, the
red eyed administration wheelhorse
from Pickerel county, and Calvin T.
Luther, the ministerial looking profan-
ity expert, and Cap Digglesby, the
avowed and professedly bitter enemy
OF Sledge, whose every white whisker
was needed as a calendar for his many
honorable scars of forensic battle.
It was Cap Digglesby who was the
first to hail the visitor as he entered
the door.
"Hello, malefactor of great wealth.
he called. "Have you a spare queen of
clubs about your person?"
I'm shy on queens confessed
Sledge, looking down with indifference
at the game he played SO indiferently.
Buckley, I'm dry"
Beat you to it, old man." replied
Buckley easily. He was a spare person,
with the neatly combed appearance of
dancing master, but. with intensely
clear eyes and deep creases in his
cheeks. l"I sent word to the bar as soon
as the phone announced you. Your
stein will be right up
''Thanksr' grunted Sledge, and con-
siderately, fell to estimating the jack
pot.
with a good forehead and a smiling
eye, picked up the two cards which
had been, dealt him.. compared them
judicaIly with the three he held, fold
ed them together with minute care
and tucked them neatly under the
deck, Looking up, he caught the cold
y disinterested eye of Sledge. Every
man of the six at the table had tried
hat same thing, but Allefton was the
only one who succeeded. Sledge, paus-
ing to inspect earelessly the bountiful-
Y arranged sideboard, moved into the
4djoining room. AHerton arose from
he table.
Deal me out for couple of rounds
ne suggested. Buckley, watch my
stack. There's twenty three fifty in it.
and Pop Gresham's pile is mighty
low"
Pop Gresham took ten blues from
Allerton's assortment and added them
to his own.
Charge me ten from your friends
treasury, Buckley he chuckled; with
a playfulness intended to conceal his
real satisfaction.
'sWell, what's new?" asked Allerton,
closing the door carefully behind him
and sitting on the edge of BuckIey's
bed
street car business" returned
Sledge.
81 see we have two companies down
home" remarked Ailerton. (which
one are you IMP
New one. Seven hundred and fifty
thousand"
'eWhewr' whistled Allerton. "Any
money involved?"
"All cash. sledge told him. "on the
level"
: '.You must have good outlook. e
wondered Allerton.
"Nawv repudiated Sledge. Its rot
ten! No franchises
ST thought you held easily salahIe
ones, from what saw in the papers,"
puzzled AlIerton. IF you haven't,
however, you can easily get them from
the city council.
They're no good,'' insisted Sledge.
'sShort terms"
That's 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.
L. gp1
when the profits begin"
For both the company and its off,
cial friends" smiled Al1erton. cts
rather good provision as far as the
public is concerned, however. It gives
the people a voice.
'Why?'' demanded s1edge. "They
only tide.''
''And pay" amended Allerton. eve
talked this oyer before at Waver's
house and at your Office. I think I
called attention to the fact that the
people were beginning to expect con-
sideration for such valuable property
as franchises"
"They expect a private car for a
Nickel" claimed Sledge. 1--WE need
franchise legislation
@1t's a dangerous thing to tackle
objected Allerton. 1.-THE voters are be-
things"
That's why we have to work quick,
Sledge informed him.
What do you wapt?" asked Allerton.
Fifty year franchises-free."
GOOD I.ordr' exclaimed AIlerton
.sWhy, Sledge. the man who would pro-
pose that might just as well retire from
politics forever.%
t'Surer' agreed S1edge
The senator stopped, with shock.
and reflected.
1.-THE street car interests in the state
arc large, that's a fact he aeknowl-
edged.
"Great game" approved Sledge. ST
want stock all over the state. You'd
better invest.Y
cit might be attractive considered