Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1920-06-01

tranrhiSct' he asked hlunIly III they
nave suppose You would he the first
man to hear about it, | don't mean to
be impairment" he added with a
gracious smile. but the fact is 7 no.
tced that Windhag Ogilvy entering
your Office in the city hall the other
AFTERNOON. and couldn't help WONDER
ing whether his visit was social or of
fetal"
"Social-so far rs could observe"
i"llndStone replied truthfuly, wonder.
ing Just how much Pennington knew.
"Preliininary to the official visit,
dare say"
The Colonel puffed thoughtfully for
While-for which the mayor was
grateful, since it provided time in
which to organize himself. Suddenly.
however. Pennington turned toward
his guest and fixed the latter with a
serious glance.
II hadn't anticipated discussing this
matter with YOU, Tombstone. and YOU
must forgive me for it but the fact is
i might as well he frank with you-
l am very greatly interested in the
operation of this proposed railroad. If
1t is built, it will have a very distinct
effect on my financeS.'
I'm just what way?"
"DisaStrouS"
81 am amazed, Colonel"
you wouldn't be if you had given the
nnt al 4
road as the n. C.. O. contemplates
Will tap about one-third of the red
wood belt only, while a line built from
the south will tap two-thirds of it. The
remaining third can he tapped by an
extension of my own logging road
when my own timber is logged out.
will want other business for my road.
and If the \. c. o. parallels it. will
be left with two streakS of rust on my
hands"
"Ah, I perceive SO 1t will, so It
will"
You agree with me. then. Pound
stone, that the y. G. q. is not designed
to foster the best interests of the
community. OF course you do. take
1t. therefore, that when the n. c. O.
applies for its franchise to run through
Sequoia, neither you nor your city
council will consider the proposition
at all"
Il cannot, of course. speak for the
city council" Poundstone began. but
Pennington's cold, amused smile froze
further utterance.
BE frank with me. Poundstone. |
am not child. What / would like to
know is this: will you exert every eff
fort to block that franchise in the firm
conviction that by so doing you will
accomplish 4 laudable public service?"
Poundstone sQuirmed. 'When |
have had time to look into the matter
more thoroughly"
"Tut-tut. my dear man! Let us no,
straddle the fence. Business is {:
game, and so is politics. Neither
knows any sentiment. Suppose you
should favor this N. C. O. crowd in
mistaken idea that you were doing the
right thing. and that subsequently
numberess fellow-citizens developed
the idea that you had not done your
public duty. Would some Of them not
be likely to invoke q recall election
and retir you and your city council
In disgrace?'
81 doubt If they could defeat me.
Colonel"
II have no such doubt" Pennington
replied pointedly.
PoundstOne looked up at him from
under lowered lids. as that
threat?" he demanded TREMENDOUSLY.
"My dear fellow! Threaten my
guest" Pennington laughed patronz-
ingly. ~ am giving you advice.
Poundstone-and rather good advice,
It strikes me. However, while were
on the subject. have no hesitancy in
telling you that in the event Of dis
astrous decision on your part,
should not feel justified in supporting
YOU"
He might, with equal frankness,
have said: ~ would smash you" To
his guest his meaning was not obscure.
Tombstone studied the pattern of the
rug and Pennington, watching him
sharply. saw that the man was dis
frcSscd. lie resolved on bold stroke.
Lets not beat about the bush,
pnundstonc," he said with the air OF
a father patiently striving to induce
his child to recant lie. tell the truth.
and save himself from the parental
wrath you've been doing business
nth Ogilvy; l know 1t for fact, and
Won might us well admit it,"
Poundstone looked up, red and EN-
harrassed. IF I had known" he be-