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

A Friendly Chat on the Peaceful
Sabbath.
n ARLEY. as president of the
j" Ring City Street Railway
company and as chairman of
the impromptu convention of
street car magnates, was so full of
business that he felt stuffed like sau-
sage. To his mind the fund they had
raised to fight Allerton's iniquitous leg
islation was woefully inadequate, and
the men who should have been most
interested were 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 lukewarmness. Nobody seemed
to think that Allerton could be
reached" and as a matter Of fact ev-
cry time he broached that subject he
found his fellow magnates evasive.
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
paign and to pay for the services Of Il
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 confded his fears to his future
son-in-law after he had seen the last
tired, hard working magnate On train
headed for home and remorse.
II don't think these men appreciate,
as l do, the need of controlling street
car legislation" he complained. al
lertons bill looks like a menace to all
my interests, and am little bit sur
prised that Sledge, since his entrance
into the game Oh 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
what to do after lie had them here.
It 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.
mo; 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 fang into the calf
of my leg as to have Sledge fussing in
with me. If can find a 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-
fidence in me-" he reproved. II don't
see why your nervousness about Sledge
should extend to an operation which
depends on my judgment alone. The
Ridgewood avenue extension is to be
built as fast as it can be pushed
through. l have already ordered the
rails, the franchise cannot be disputed,
and even if Sledge were to parallel
the Ridgewood avenue line 1t would
only bring more patronage to your
park"
mot mine," corrected Bert hastily.
"I'll get my money out of it as quick
as can, and I'll. put that money
where Sledge can't reach it."
YOU'RE scared blue." charged Mar.
ley contemptuously. How did you
come to get tangled up with Sledge?'
II met him down at the city hall. He
was wearing one of his fool red roses,
| and I think he saw me looking at it
Perhaps 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
so?''
Nothing" confessed Bert. HE onl!
smiled. I felt as if ! had been in :
| cod rain'
"Same smile Molly described" Mar
lev laughed. though he was quite ou
| of patience. II cannot understand
Molly's taking whimsical fright baset
on nothing. but | didn't expect it o
you, Bert I have myself found Sledg,
|