The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1920-10-29

| ~ 10 ouiit, IL VIII nave very UlSClnct
effect on my finances"
I'm just what way?"
Disastrous"
Il am amazed, Colonel"
"You wouldn't be if you had given the
subject very close consideration. Such
a road as the N. c. o. contemplates
viii tap about one-third of the red
wood belt only, While a 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. c. o. parallels it, will
be left with two streaks Of rust on my
hands,"
"Ah, perceive SO it will, so it
will"
| You agree with me, then. Pound
stone, that the N. c. O. is not designed
t. foster the best interests of the
community. OF course you do. l take
it, therefore, that when the N. C. O.
applies for it's franchise to run through
Sequoia, neither you nor your city
council will consider the proposition
at ALL"
81 cannot, of course, speak for the
| city council" Poundstone began, but
Pennington's cold, amused smile froze
further utterance.
| BE frank with me, Poundstone. 1
am not child. What l would like to
know is this: will you exert every eff
fort to block that franchise in the firm
conviction that by so doing you will
| accomplish 4 laudable public service?"
Poundstone squirmed. '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
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 fellow-citizens developed
the idea that you had not done your
public duty. Would some of them not
be likely to invoke a recall election
and retire you and your city council
in disgrace?'
81 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 a
thrcat?" he demanded TREMENDOUSLY.
"My dear fellow! Threaten my
guest" Pennington laughed patronfz-
ingly. 81 am giving you advice.
Poundstone--and rather good advice
it strikes me. However, while we're
on the subject, have no hesitancy 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, frankness.
have said: II 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.
"Let's 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-
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
a franchise"
There was no lodging that ques-
tion 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 It 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. G. 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 ir-
revocably," he continued. "The tenn
porary franchise will expire in twen- |
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. o. desires it?"
swell, yes-not in writing. however.
gave Ogilvy to understand that if he
was not ready in thirty days, an ex-
tension could readily be arranged"
ANY Witnesses"
81 am not such fool, SIR" Pound
stone declared with asperity. 81 had
a notfon-I might as well admit it
that you would have serious objection
to having your tracks cut by 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
He leaned back nonchal-