The Jones County news., 1920-10-14

Foundstone sucHideu.
About nine o'clock. Shirley. IN re
sronse to meaning glance from her
relative tactfullyA conveyed Mrs.
Poundsfone upstairs, leaving her uncle
alone With his prey. instantly Pen
nington got down TO business.
''Well." be qnerled apronos OF moth
ing, "what do sou hear with reference
to the Northern Caiifornia-Oregon rail-
roadT
"Oh, the usual amount of wind. Colo
ne Nobody knows what 90 make of
that outftr
Pennington studied ,he end OF his
cigar moment.
"IIage they made any move to get
franchsega he asked bluntly. II they
have. suppose you would be the first
man TO hear about Il. don't mean to
be impertlnent." he added with
gracious smile. but the fact Il / no
ticed that windbag Ogilvy entering
your Office In the city han the other
afternoon. and l couldn't help wonder
Ing whether his vislt was social or Of
ficIal-"
rsocIal--so far as could observe"
Poundstone replied truthfnliy, wonder
ing just how much Pennington knew.
preliminary to the official visit.
dare say"
The Colonel puffed fhoughtfully for
whiie-for which the mayor wns
grateful. since II provided time In
which to organise himself. Suddenly,
however Pennington turned toward
his guest and Fixed the latter with a
serious glance.
~ hadn't anticipated discussing this
matter with youg Roundstone. and you
must forgive me for It; but the fact is
II niightns well be frank with you
am very greatly interested In the
operation OF this proposed railroad If
1t is built it win have very distinct
effect on my finances"
In Just what way?"
Disastrous"
II am amazed Colonel"
"You wouldn't be If you had given the
subject very close consideration. Such
road as the n. c. O. contemplates
viii tap about one-third Of the red
wood belt only, while line built from
the south Will tap two-thirds Of it. The
remaining third can be tapped by an
extension Of my own logging road;
when my own timber is logged out
WIN want other business for my road,
and n the N. @. o. parallels It. l viii
be left with two streaks Of rust on my
hands"
"Ah. perceive SO it will, so it
willrp
you agree with me, then. Pound
stone, that the N. G. o. is not designed
to foster the best interests of the
| community. or course you do. | take
1t, therefore. that when the N. G. o..
applies for Its franchise to run through
sequoia. neither you nor your city
council will consider the proposition
at ALL"
II cannot. Of course, speak for the
city council" Poundstone begnn, 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 ef-
fort to block that franchise in the firm
conviction that by SO doing you will
accomplish laudable public service2'
Poundstone sQuirmed "When
have had time to look into the matter
more thoroughly"
"Tut-tut. my dear mani Let Us not
straddle the fence. Business is .
game, and so is politics. Neither
knows any sentiment. Suppose you
should favor this N. c. O.. crowd in a
mistaken idea that you were doing the
right thing. and that subsequently,
numberless fellew-citizens developed
the idea that you had not done your
public duty. Would some Of them not
be likely to invoke o recall election
and retire you and your city council
In dlsgrace?"
Il doubt II they could defeat me
Colonel"
al have no such doubt" Pennington
replied pointedly.
Eouuuotuuc tOohcu dp NJ hilh AiOtn
under lowered lids. rs that q
threatY" he demanded tremulously.
"Ay dear fellow Threaten my
guest I" Pennington laughed patroniz-
tngly. II am giving you advice,
Poundstene-and rather good advice,
II strikes rae However, willis we'r
on the subject, have no hcxitancy IN
telling you that In the event of dis-
aetrous decision on your part, 1
should not feel justified ha supporting
you"
He might, with equal fraRkness.
bava said: II wouti smash yon." TO
his guest his meaning was nst obscure.
Poandstone studied the pattern OF the
rug. and Pennington, watching him
sharply, saw that the man was dis
tressed- He resolved on g bold stroke
Lets not beat about the bush,
Posndstone," be said with tlr ar OF
father patiently striving 20 induce
his ehild to rccant lie. tell the truth.
and save himself from the parental
| ...r-n a, ttWm-,tva hmmx, drfs~a k,xue,. s.uu