The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1920-09-22
A Wide-Open
Policy
BY r. RAY BAKER

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ia 1889. By Mcclure Newspaper syndicateJ
Harley Wentworth tilted back in his
swivel chair and stretched luxuriOusly
while he smiled with a quiet sort OF
triumph.
The battie-and a hard tussle 1t had
been--was over, and he was the win
ner. At the age Of twenty-eight he
was mayor Of Kent0n. Precedents had
been 0verthr0wn, the standpatters had
been overwhelmed, young blood had
come out on top. For the first time
in its history this city Of 1900 inhab-
itants was to have youth at its munich
pal helm. Only today at the polls the
venerable Mr.. Black had gone down to
= crushing defeat.
MayOr-elect Wentworth heard the
dOorbeil, and presently the housekeep-
er tapped at the study door and an
nounced that "Mr. Hennis0n" was a
caller. Harley directed that Mr.. Hen
nison be admitted, and soon the person
In question. rotund. fiOrid-faced.
squlnt-eyed Individual, whose clothing
shouted to the world, but made no pre-
tense of fitting. waddled into the study
and Topped into an easy chair near
Harley's desk.
"Well. we won," grunted Mr.. Hen
uls0n, helping himself to cigar from
the box on the desk and wrenching
on the end with some tusk-likc yell
low teeth and ejecting the amputated
portion In the general direction Vt a
waste-bastet, which It failed to arrive
1t by several inches.
II thought we might as well have
. thorough understanding" ne said,
chewing on his cigar. "YOu were elect
Cd, Of course. by the wide-Open ele-
ment. You ran with their support |;
Of course. you know that. The un-
derstanding was that II you were elect
Cd things was to be thrown open-and
l was to operate with protection"
Harley exhaled q heavy cloud Of
smoke.
'sThere was no understanding-ex-
actly," he said. II made no promises.
I and there was no agreement that
thlngs were to be wide oi'en. However
--of course. have the welfare Of Ken
too at heart--"
II understand" he grunted. II
think that's SUFFICIENT. All wanted
was your--your silent assurance. you
might say"
Scarcely had Mr.. Hennls0n left when
the telephone bell rang.
s4This Ii JEAN" said q girls voice
II want to congratulate you. How.
ever, much prefer to do It in person.
"I'ii be right down." Harley assured
her. and presently his car stopped be
fore Z neat. modest dwelling.
Jean came out on the porch ant
greeted him, not etluslvely. but In q
manner that left no doubt as to sin
certify.
Tin proud Of you. Harley" she
told him as she ushered him into the
living room. Its great triumph tt
beat Mr.. Black, who was In office 81
long. You certainly have great respon
sibilities ON those young shoulders
now"
'.rhey're rather broad shoulders.
he smiled. "They ought to be abl'
to sustain some pretty heavy bur
ieus."
She seemed to hesitate before
speaking again, and her eyes studle'
the figure In the rug. while the finger
OF her right hand fumbled with din
mOnd-set ring on the third finger o
her left hand.
Harley. you know rm very prou
OF you," she said presently, lOokin
him In the eyes; "but TN afraid. some
how. I've heard 1t was the wide-ope
element that selected you. and III
afraid-well. you know 1t may brin
4 certain kind of prosperity. but thin
Of the suffering In many homes 1t
pretty we'll understood that liquor ha
been sold lately In spite Of the pr.
hlbitlon law, and that there has bee
some gambling. In spite Of Mr.. Black
efforts. It seems he hasn't been full
supported by part Of his ADMINISTERS
ton In his efforts to enforce the ne
law. That was bad enough. but
things are allowed to run with FRI
hand a great many people will SUITE
for Il"
The mayor-elect smiled tndulgentl
.~There, there. GIRL" he said. vii
. tinge Of patronizing In his tone
Don't you worry your little hes
about those things. I'll try to manai
things all right. You don't understar
politics thoroughly.
There's party loyalty to be consi
e>d, and Q number Of things. he
ton shouid grow more rapidly. and
win II given = proper chance. l ha
an opportunity to make record I
myself, and to do SO '0ust shut Of
oe my eyes to certeN things. b
don't worry. Everything Is going
run along smoOthls."'
''Of course you know best. Harle,
she told him. while disappointing
shower IN her eyes. SIN with 81