The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1916-05-25

days, and am only annoyed because
of using his influence with Allerton to
stop this street railway bill. l think
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
pers and lounging robe amid an extrav-
agant confusion of Sunday papers. At
his right hand was taboret, ON which
bubblcd an electric coffee percolator,
and at his left hand was u feather.
weight serving table, on which was a
comfortable supply of cigarettes. In
front of him sat Ben Sledgc.
Hello. Marley" greeted the senator.
You're just in time for coffee
Had mine hours ago" returned Mar
ley, nodding his return to Sledge's
grunt.
'Then it's time again." insisted the
senator pleasantly. ringing for another
cup. "Or would you prefer a cocktail?"
"a little of your exclusive rye. l
think. if you insist on anything" ac-
cepted Marley, drawing chair into the
cozy little circle. "Yot're trying to
save that rye or you would have Of
fered it in the first place"
mo; only trying to promote sobrie-
ty," bantered Allerton. Il suppose,
however, that a memory of that good
Kentucky stock is what brought you
out here on this peaceful Sabbath
morning"
Hardly" denied Marley. Frankly
suppose l came On the same errand
as my rival and competitor here
whats that?" asked Allerton, with
a glance at Sledge.
ITO find out what the dickens you
mean by that Infamous street railway
bill of which you are the disreputable
parent" g. .-..-...
Allerton gazed at him blankly for a
moment and again glanced quizzically
at Sledge. There was low rumble
down in Sledge's throat, but neither
his face nor his eyes betrayed any SEN
timent or emotion whatsoever.
II mean to protect the honest work
ingman, to save our houses and fire.
sides and add honor and glory to the
American flag" responded Allerton SOL
emnly.
Marley accepted that merry quip
with the courteous chuckle which it de-
served.
Outside Of that and drying the tears
of the widows and orphans, what do
you propose to accomplish by it?' he
persisted in like vein. IF l didn't
know you were above spitework l
should think that you had it in for the
street car interests"
Again the senator looked at him with
a puzzled air, then he turned to Sledge.
Doesn't he know anything?" he
Queried.
"Naww rumbled Sledge.
Il see," answered Allerton coolly. II
supposed you oil knew that before the
bill was passed it would be amended
to conserve the important financial in
terests."
Marley pondered that statement
awhile, and then he laughed.
"Of course" he said. Its only polit-
ical claptrap, intended to make the
voter think you are eternally On the
job in his interests"
Il wouldn't put it in exactly that
way" soberly reproved Allerton, justly
offended by this coarse method Of i'm
pugning his motives.
81 apologize" said Marley. Il should
have said the bill displays that you
constantly have the interests of your
constituents at heart We were rather
exercised about it. but we should not
have been, for In your long service for
the public do not think you have ever
promoted or fostered any legislation
which would be destructive of capital"
Certainly not" agreed Allcrton, who
never let down his pose in the presence
Of man who had not proved his right
to sit within the sacred circle. with
out the proper and legitimate fostering
Of enterprises requiring extensive finan-
| cial support there can be no national
prosperity"
That's sound enough doctrine" ;"
commended Marley. what are the
amendments which are to soften the
blow?"
With kindly patience the senator ex-
planned to him the amendments, one
| by one. being careless enough, how
| ever, not to mention the fifty year
franchise clause.
At the end Of an hour Marley, much
relieved in his mind, took his depar-
ture, regretting that Sledge was not
ready to accompany him.
Its strange how easily a man in
control of important Investments takes
fright" he acknowledged, as he arose
to go. 1--WE can be put on the run
with a penny's worth of firecrackers.
Not long ago our friend Sledge, here,
had me stampeded, but checkmated
the old villain. AS matter Of fact,
the only result of his campaign against
me was to put me in control of my
own company, and now, fancy,
have the thing SO well tied up that
can't be hurt. beat you at your OWL
game. eh, Sledge? and he chuckled
down at his defeated oppressor with
forgiving triumph.
Sledge looked up at him and smiled
His thick lips parted, displaying his
teeth. The under side of his upper 1iI
showed sharp roll of vivid scarlet
and his cold gray eyes combined tt
give that facial distortion an expires
sion of malisnity startling even to Al
Ierton, who knew the man even bette
than Tom Bcndix.