The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1920-09-02


cigar n moment.
"Hnve they made any move TO get
frnnchlse?" he asked bluntly. "If they
have. suppose you would be the first
man TO hear about II. don't mean to
he lmpertinent." he added with
gracious smile. but the fact Is I no
tlced that windbag 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"
"SocInl-so far ss I could observe"
Poundstone replied truthfully. wonder.
Ing just how much Pennington knew.
preliminary 10 the official visit. l
dare say"
The Colonel pufred thoughtfully for
while-for which the mayor wns
grateful. since II provided time In
which 10 organize himself. Suddenly,
however. Pennington turned toward
his guest and fixed the latter wi,h
serious glance.
II hadn't anticipated discussing this
matter with you. Poundstone. and you
must forgive me for II; but the fact Is
Il might ms well be frank with you
am very greatly interested In the
operation of this proposed rnllrond. II
II is built. II will have a very distinct
effect on my finances"
''In just what wny?"
''Dlsnstrous."
81 am amazed, Colonel"
You wouldn't be II you had given the
subject very close consideration. Such
road as the N. G. O. .contemplates
VIII tap about Cne-third OF the red
wood belt only, while line built from
the south will tap two-thlrds of II. 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 II the n. c. o. parallels II. I will
he left with two s,reaks of rust on my
hands"
"Ah, I perceive. SO It WILL so It
VIM"
"You agree with me. then, Pound
stone, that the N. c. O. IN not designed
I foster the best interests of the
community. or course you do. take
II, therefore, that when the N. G. O.
applies for lts franchise 10 run through
SeQuoia. neith"~ you nor your city
council will consider the proposition
at ALL"
IL cannot, Of course. speak for the
city council" Poundstone began. but
Pennlngton's cold. amused smile froze
further utterance.
"Be frank with me. Poundstone.
nm not child. What I 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 lnudable public service7"
Poundstonc squirmed. "when
have had time TO look into the matter
more thoroughly"
"Tut-tut. my dear mani Let us not
strnddle the fence. Business Is a
game, and 81 ~ politics. Neither
knows any sentiment. Suppose you
should favor this N. G. o. crowd In n
mistaken idea that you were doing the
right thing. and that subsequently
Lumberless fellow-cItizens developed
the idea TINT 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 dlsgr0ce?"
"T doubt II they could defeat me.
Colonel"
81 have no such doubt" Pennington
replied pointedly.
Poundstone looked up Mt him from
under lowered lids. "Is that n
tllreat?" he demanded tremulously.
my dear felowl Threaten my
ruestr Pennington laughed patroniz-
Ingly. 81 am giving you advice
Poundstone--and rather good advice.
II 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
yon."
lie might with equal frnnkness
have said: 81 would smash you" To
his guest his meaning wns not obscure
Poundstone studied the pattern OF the
rug and Pennington. watching him
sharply, saw that the man was G.s-
tressed. He resolved on bold stroke
%Let's not heat about the bush
Poundstone," he said with the air OF
father patiently striving to induce
his child 70 rpcnnt N lie tell the trnth
and save himself from the parental
wratl. you've been doing business
VITA Ogilvy; ] know II for fact, and
you might us well admit IT,"
Poundstone looked up. red and en-
farrassed. "If I had known" he be
gan.
"Certninlv. certainly! realize you
acted In perfect good faith. You're
like the majority Of people In SequoIa
You're oil so 'rnzy for rsIl connection
with the outside world That yon jump
NJ thu first pIan Tint seems IN nrnpi,a