Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1916-03-09
CHAPTER XII.
A Friendly Chat on the Peaceful
Sabbath.

Va
street car %magnates, was so full Of
business that he felt stuffed like a sau-
sage. 70 his mind the fund they had
raised to fight Allerton's Ubiquitous leg
islation was woefully inadequate, and
the men who should have been most
interested We're strangely optimistic.
He suggested to several of them that
they appoint a committee to see Aller-
ton and arrange some sort of compro-
mise, but here again he found an unex-
pected Mkcwarmness. Nobody seemed
to think that 4Allerton could be
REACHED and as q matter Of fact cy-
cry time he preached that subject he
The newspapers need not have blazed
so much about the probable corruption
fund, because there positively was
none. The subscription secured was
only for the conduct Of a publicity cam
paisn and to pay for the services of a
perfectly legitimate lobbyist, who
would explain the reasonable rights of
the street car men.
On Saturday morning the visitors all
went home, looking tagged about the
eyes, without having done much more
than pass some frothy resolutions and
raise the feeble fund referred to and
investigate by electric light whatever
the keys of the city would unlock; and
President Marley, staggering under the
burden of his position, was very much
worried.
He contided his fears to his future
son-in-law after he had seen the last
tired, hard working magnate on a train
headed for home and remorsc.
II don't think these men appreciate,
us l do, the need OF controlling street
car legislation" he complained. al
lertOn'S bill looks like a menace to all
my interests, and l am a little bit sur
prised that Sledge. since his entrance
into the game on a big scale, does not
seem more concerned about it."
1T was Sledge who arranged to have
these fellows come together Bert re.
minded him.
Yes" admitted Marley, but he
seemed to have such feeble ideas about
lld " w ulltI liz udu luSlll uCIb.
1t wasn't like his usual vigorous
methods"
Then he has something up his
sleeve" decided Bert. Il wish that
fellow would drop dead. I'm afraid OF
him."
you've been talking to Molly"
laughed her father.
NO; I've been talking to Sledge,''
denied Bert. II had just as lief have
a rattlesnake devote it's life to the am
bition Of sinking a fang into the calf
Of my leg as to have Sledge fussing in
with me-. If I can find Il buyer for it
I'm going to unload my stock in that
amusement park while the public still
thinks it will be built"
Marley frowned his crushing dis
pleasure.
You are expressing very small con
tidence in me- he %reproved. Il don't
see why your nervousness about Sledge
should extend to al operation which
depends on my judgment alone. The
Ridgewood enu extension is to be
built rs fast as it can be pushed
through. | have already ordered the
rails, the franchise cannot be disputed,
and even if Sledge were to parallel
the Ridgewood avenue line it would
only bring more patronage to your
park"
"Not mine,' corrected Bert hastily.
"Ill get my money out of it as quick
as l can, and I'll put that money
where Sledge can't reach it."
You're scared blue" charged Mar
ley contemptuously. "Iow did you
come to get tangled up with Sledge?"
81 met him down at the city hall. He
was wearing one Of his fool red roses,
and l think he saw me looking at it.
Perhaps 1 did grin. At any rate, he
stopped and asked me when I was to
be married to Molly"
"What did you tell him."
"Christmas. Molly, yesterday after
noon. warned me not to tell any one,
and particularly Sledge. that it is to be
Thanksgiving"
"What did he say that scared you
SOP
Nothing" confessed Bert. He only
smiled. I felt as if I had been in a
cold rain"
Same smile Molly described" Mar
ley laughed. though he was quite out
Of patience. II cannot understand
Molly's taking a whimsical fright based
on nothing. but I didn't expect it of
you. Bert. I have myself found Sledge
to be rather decent in the last few
days, and l am only annoyed because
he does not seem to sec the necessity
Of using his influence with Allerton to
stop this street railway bill. l think l
shall see Allerton myself tomorrow.
He comes home every Saturday night"
Pursuant to that happy idea, the
president drove out to Allerton's house
the next morning and found the sena-
tor in the luxury Of pajamas, easy slip