The Republican journal., 1920-06-03

SooJCNl SC1y CLOSE COnSlucTduoI- 0uCu
road as the N. c. O. contemplates
will 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,
Will want other business for my road,
and If the N G. O. parallels 1t. Twill
be left with two streaks of rust on nv
hands,"
"Ah, I perceive. So it will, 80 1t
wf1lw
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. I 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"
Il cannot, of course speak for the
city council" Poundstone began, but
Pennington's cold. amused smile froze
further utterahc6.
BE frank with me, Poundstone.
am not a child. What l 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 4 laudable public service?"
Poundstone sQuirmed. "When I
have had time to look into the matter
more thoroughly"
"Tut-tut. my dear man! 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
mistaken idea that you were doing the
right thing. and that subsequently
numberless fellow-ctzens developed
the idea that 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 disgrace?'
Il doubt if they could defeat me.
Colonel"
81 have no such doubt" Pennington
replied pointedly.
Poundstone looked up at him from
under lowered lids. "Is that
threat?" he demanded TREMENDOUSLY.
MY dear fellow! Threaten my
guest!" Pennington laughed patroniz-
ingly. 81 am giving you advice.
Poundstone-and rather good advice,
1t strikes me. However, while we're
on the subject, | have no hesitancy in
telling you that in the event of dis
aStrouS decision on your part, I
should not feel justified in supporting
you"
He might. with equal frankness,
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
treSsed He resolved on bold stroke.
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
wrath. you've been doing business
with Ogilvy; know it for a fact, and
you might lis well admit it,"
PoundStone looked up. red and EN-
barrassed. IF | had known" he be-
gan.
Certainly, certainly! | 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 ques-
ton. A denial. under the present cir
cumstances. would be 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 he
discovered. He resolved to "come
Clean"
1.-The city council has already grant
ed the N. Q. 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
nrpn9rq6 n dnfanI pt x1iu
And we did not commit ourselves ir-
revocably," he continued. 1.-The tenn
porary franchise will expire in TWEEN
ty-eight days-and in that time the
N. G. o. cannot even get started"
Have you any understanding as to
an extension Of that temporary fran
chise, in case the N. c. 0. desires it?"
swell, yes-not in writing however.
l gave Ogilvy to understand that if he
was not ready in thirty days, an ex-
tension could readily be arranged"
ANY witnessesY"
Il am not such fool, SIR" Pound
stone declared with asperity. Il had
notfon-I might as well admit it
that you would have serious objection
to having your tracks cut by a jump
crossing at B and Water streets" And
for no reason in life except to justify
himself and inculcate in Pennington
an impression that the latter was deal
ing with crafty and far-seeing
mayor, Poundstone smiled boldly and
knowingly. He leaned back nonchal-