Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-14
The CRACK IN THE BELL
.STORY OF POLITICS IN PHILADELPHIA
~ BY PETER CLARK MACFARLANE =
5APTER xxx Continued 1,

tAI Ell AAIA tCOntlnuCdl
conference in the Archer library
y {11ted long, and the, best suggestion
~ came out of 1t was Papls that he
Iu14 70 to Washington and seek an
0nce upon their war contracts suf-
@4ut to tide them over until realign-
Ht OF their finances could be worked
me trouble with that" objected
f NJ +. Archer, lis that in pinching
x credits here Buckingham will also
70 the length of smearing us in
|7k9ahlngton, and for us to go down there
13oking assistance will only seem to
22gntm a warning that this big bully
Nice sort of thing, this Buckingham
fc0Mnection, isn't It," remarked Jerry
4 when II can pardon a pickpocket or go
V<Wn to Washington and poison the
z md Of the National Government
And that's just why al last my whole
4Akrt and soul is going into this fight
4U0inet It." declared Henry Archer de-
fQtyutnedly Never passionate re-
64emer, he was most surely reused
ypon he found his individual rights in
The reason we're no better at think
+ Ino way out tonight opined Jerry,
~ that there is still a doubt as TO
whether the crisis really exists. or not.
Tomorrow We shall know" declared
Noon he did know.
The boys had put in an anxious day
~ waiting, and the sight of their father
lfnroWing himself wearily into his chair
brought the sons instantly to his side.
Seven banks have refused the new
paper, boys" he confessed Immediately.
1t looks as If the blow was, coming.
Tyo of the seven suggested that they
Would feel more comfortable II the cur
rent loans were reduced
Then 1t Is coming without doubt"
The second day it had come Their
loans were being called in their credits
aaspended and unpleasant rumors about
the Archer Tool Works were flying
through the city. Jerry was in cold.
Henry r Archer was pale and
troubled. He worked all day trying to
had arranged for loans from private
uArties that would have carried them
eyer. only to have the said parties notify
sbe unable to realize on their assets.
eee After ithey talked with their bank
:ers sneered Paul.
Exactly agreed Henry T.
"a Saturday night telephone call came
from Ruth. BY mutual agreement
Jefry had waited for this. 1t was their
Joint Judgment that for the two to be
sssn together or to be overheard rf,ss d IN IN
INVITE the proclamation of barred zone
aabout the Buckingham premises so far
A. Jerry was concerned.
Nobody here but Aunt Stella purred
sConling over fast" chuckled Jerry
with boyish enthusiasm, and made
dash for the garage
d As q true and natural lover he was
far more anxious TO inquire foolishly
az tC the state of Ruths affections for
him, and to receive assurance in actions
that spoke louder than words, that her
heart was still true and her longing for
him Increasing. than he was to hear de-
4nl1e as to the girls endeavors TO dis
ioo0Ae her father from this final exhibit
ff00 of ruthlessness. Nevertheless tho
oUpvereation eventually came round TO
that, and Jerry was surprised to hear
her explain:
sFether went to Canada that night
- . fishing trip. I haven't seen him
sOn q fishing trip! Great heavens!
He sets his merciIess machine to tear
~ ss 70 piece, and ,ne1 q calmly =. .,r". r",.
But it can't be as bad as that" ex-
claimed Ruth, alarmed.
"a ruth, 1t very nearly is" confessed
3eery desperately,, and yet I'll never
S4l1t Father and Paul are regular
'45fGnps. They don't even suggest quit
Aoh. Jerry, where two or three men
- 20 loyal to each other and 10
sapse, there cannot be such thing as
a6foat Can you think so?
No: I can't" said Jerry stoutly but
RUTH knew that after delicious hour
With her he went away greatly troubled
4 q
Gazed after him he departed,
nut Sunday interviewed for the Arch,
en- as a day Of respite. Nothing could
etSaustsd to thsm sDent nn ,Ss daS in
9Rafhering strength for the coming week
Whlle Paul went hither and yon trying
"a organize group OF the friends or his
Ather who would pool surplus resources
ard come to the rescue of the hrm.
Jerry put in the early morning re-
ceiving some of his division Leaders who
worked all the week and were. there
fore. unable TO see him upon another
day. To them the young organizer
nave no hint of the crisis through which
Z re- vas passing and the ready presence;
s EkuBe men in the prospects Of the "Real
RaDublicans' campaign buoyed Jerry
ND They helped him TO resolve afresn
= U14t he would never surrender.
~ Later in the morning Jerry went t''
church with his mother and sister. par
4, " out of a sense Of duty, and partly
Eocnuse of hope that out of that caln,
S{SnoSphere Of worship he might get a
reIl It out. Tell it, out among the
49ioAs,' chanted the choir and Jerry
- rot his CLEAN but he didn't recoe
Z ~ II then. At firsr. it was only a
t1 of refrain that kept buzzing IN
omory'e ear, and did not relate itself
fa xhiie Paul fdf fretted and 'ir his s"f father e
1Fxied about. town Then. all at once,
~ 5srry pondered at his desk, this re-
"a Il out" had been translated into a
~ deflnite, practical idea. Detail by
Z 18tail the plan took shape-a plan tina
I. HoEu{aed victory and that cut two ways
= double-edged fiery sword
%yfs wipner," exulted Jerry. Its
3+11fe winner" .
Sortly after this his father came in,
11k1ng more weary and discouraged
n ~ ever, and instead of going to h.
&1Un desk he turned in and stopped be-
NE Jerry's with Paul hurrying in 10
koGr the latest word
g The Hight of confidence in Jerry $
eyes rather displeased Mr.. Archer as
: indicating that his son was not taking
tbs Mutation seriously enough and
& thoro was just a touch of reproach in
i t0xnvely:
. Jerry, we have but two days more
&&d j don't see where the money is
ping from