Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1920-06-11

operation or this proposed railroad. II
1t is built, 1t will have Il very distinc
effect on my finances" a
I'm just what wayT
disastrous"
II am amazed, Colonel"
"You wouxn't be If you had given the
subject very close consideration. Such
a road as the N. c. o. contemplates
VIII tap about one-thrd of the red
wood belt only, while line built from
the south will tap two-thirds of 1t. The
remaining third can be tapped by an
extension Of my own logging road
when my own timber Is logged out,
will want other business for my road
and II the N. G. o. parallels 1t, | will
be left with two streaks Of rust on my
hands,"
"Ah, perceive. SO 1t VIII, so II
will y
you agree with me, then, Pound
stone, that the N. c. o. Is not designed
to foster the best interests of the
community. OF 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 began, but
Pennlngton'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 service?"
POundstone squlrmed. "When 7
have had time to look into the matter
more thoroughly"
"Tut-tut, my dear man! Let us not
straddle the fence. Business Is n
game, and 50 Is politics. Neither
knows any sentiment. Suppose. you
should favor this N. G. 0. crowd in a
mistaken idea that you were doing the
right thing, and that subsequently
numberless fellow-citlzens developed
the idea thnt you had not done your
public duty. Would some of them not
be likely to invoke recall election
and retire you and your city council
in dlsgrace?'
II doubt If they could defeat me,
Colonel"
81 have no such doubt" Pennington
replied pointedly.
Poundstone looked up at him from
under lowered lids. as that a
threat?" he demanded TREMENDOUSLY.
"My dear fellow! Threaten my
guestw Pennington laughed patroniz-
ingly. 81 am giving you advice,
Poundstone--an rather good advice,
1t strikes me. However. while we're
on the subject, have no hesltancy In
telling you that In the event of a dis
astrous decision on your part, I
should not feel justified In supporting
you"
He might, with equal frnnkness,
have said: 81 would smash you" To
his guest his meaning was not obscure.
Poundstone studied the pattern Of the
rug. and Pennington, watching him
sharply, saw that the man was dis
Lets not beat about the bush,
Poundstone,' he said with the air of
father patiently striving to induce
his child to recant lie, tell the truth,
and save himself from the parental
wratl. "You've been doing business
with Ogilvy; know it for fact, and
you might us well admit It,"
Poundstone looked up, red and en-
harrassed. IF l had known" he be-
gan.
Certainly, certainly! I realize you
acted in perfect good faith. You're
like the majority of people In Sequoia.
You're all so crazy for rail connection
with the outside world that you jump
at the first plan that seems to promise
you one. Have you promised Ogilvy
franchise?"
There was no lodging that uues-
ton. A denial, under the present cir
cumstances, would he tantamount to
an admission PoundStone could not
guess just how much the Colonel really
knew. and II would not do to lie to
him, since eventually the lie must be
discovered. He resolved to "come
clean"
'The city council has already grant
ed the N. c. o. temporary fran
chise," he confessed.
Pennington sprang furiously to his
feet. Dammit" he snarled, "why did
you do that without consulting me"
Didn't know you were remotely in
terested." Now that the Ice was bro
ken, Poundstone felt relieved and was
prepared to defend his act vigorously.
"And we did not commit ourselves IT.
revocably," he continued. "The tenn
porary franchise will expire in twen-
ty-eight days--and in that time the
N. G. o. cannot even ger started"
'Have you any understanding as to
an extension of that temporary fran
chlse, In case the N. c. o. desires it?"
swell, yes--not in writing, however.
gave 0gilvy to understand that If he
was not ready In thirty days, an ex-
tension could readily be arranged
"Any witnesses?"
II am not such a fool, sir" Pound.
stone declared with asperlty. 81 had
1 notion-I might as well admit it
hat you would have serious objection
% having your tracks cut by jump
,rossing at B and Water streets" And
a.. 4.,n.% o..