Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1920-10-29


afternoon. and couldn't help wonder
ing whether his visit was social or Of
fetal"
''SocIal-so far as could observe"
Poundstone replied truthfully. wonder
Ing just how much Pennington knew.
Preliminary to the Official visit.
dare say
The Colonel pulled thoughfully for
while-for which the mayor was
grateful, since It provided time IN
which TO organize himself Suddenly,
however. Pennington turned toward
his guest ana fixed the latter with a
serious glance.
II hadn't anticipated discussing this
matRr with you. Poundstone, and Won
must forgive me for it; but the fact IS
i might as we'll be frank with YOU
| am very greatly Interested in the
operation OF this proposed railroad lf
il is built. II win have very distinct
effect on my finances."
In just what way?"
Disastrous"
am aHaZett, colonel.
''You wouldn't lie f you had given the
subject very close consideration. :.;;trcli.
road as the N. c. @. contemplateS
viii tap about one-thrd of the red
wood belt only, while line built from
the south will tap two-thirds of it. The
remaining third can be tapped ly an
extension of my own logging road
when nv own timber is logged out,
viii want other business for my rona.
and IL the N. G. o, parallels H. will
be lett with two streakS of rust on my
hands"
"Ah. perceive. So IT will. so it.
will"
You agree with me. then. Pound
stone, that the n. c. O. is not designed
to foster the hest interests of The
community. OF course Won do. take
it, therefore, that when the y. &. q.
apnlies for It's franchise to run through
Seqnoia. neither you nor your city
council will consider the proposition
AT az"
II cannot. Of course. speak for the
city council" Poundstone hogan. hnt
Pennington's cold. amused smile froze
further utterance.
BE frank with me. Ponndstone.
am not child. What | would like TO
know is this: viii YOU exert every ef.
fort to block That franchise in the firm
conviction that by so doing you viii
accomplish lauaalle public service?"
P1undStone saunmed. when
have had time TO took into the matter
more thoroughly
''Tut-tut. my dear mani Let as not
straddle the fence. Business Ii u
game. and so is politics. Neither
knows any sentiment. Suppose YOU
should favor this N. G. O. crowd In a
mistaken idea that you were doing the
right thing, and that subsequently
nunherless feIlow-cltizens developed
the idea that you Ind not done your
public duty. Would some of them not
be likely to invoke recall election
and retire you ant your city council
in disgraceT
81 doubt If they could defeat me.
Colonel"
81 have no such doubt" Pennington
replied pointedIy.
Poundstone locked NJ at aim from
under lowered lids. sc that
threat?" he demanded tremnlously.
"My dear fellowl Threaten my
guest" Pennington laughed patroniz-
ingly. II am giving YOU advice,
PcundstOne land rather good advice.
II strikes me. However. while we're
on the subject, have no hesitancy In
telling yon that In the event OF q dis
astrous decision on your part.
should not feel justified In supporting
you"
He might. with equal frankness.
have said: Il wsuld smash you" To
his guest his meaning was not obscure,
Poundsto.e studied the pattern of the
rug. and Pennington. watching him
sharply, saw that Tie man was dis
tressed. He resolved on a bold stroke.
"Let's nor beat about the bush.
Poundstone," he said with the air of
a father patiently striving to induce
his child to recant a lie, tell the truth,
and save himself from the parental
wrath. you've been doing business
with Ogilvy; know It for a fact. and
You might as well admit st."
Poundstone looked up. red and EN-
barrassed. II had known" he be-
gan.
"Certalnly certainly 7 realize you
acted IN perfect good faith. You're
like, me majority Of people 10 Sequola.
You're all so crazy for ran connection
with the outside world that you jump
at the first plan that seems to promise
you one Have you promised Ogilry
a franchlse7"
There was no lodging that ones.
fion. A denial under the present cir.
cumstances. would be tantamount to
an admission: Tombstone could not
guess Just how much the Colonel really |
knew. and # would not do to lie to |
him, since eventually the lie pnst be