Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1921-10-27
The Governors
Hard Fight
By FREDERICK CLARKE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ~~~e~~~~~sS~>s@ 4
lIcA 1871. Western Newspaper Unionl

! Nobody except the governor knew
| that he had double-not even the
governors wife, who knew him, per-
haps, better than anybody else. The
two men resembled each other so COM
pletely that it would have been impos-
sible for their most intimate acquaint-
ances to distinguish them.
From his earliest years Governor
Haines had been engaged in con-
slant fight against this man.
The executive mansion was totally
unguarded. In that sleepy little capt.
| tai town formalities had not come
into favor. The double strolled quiet
ly across the lawn, entered the man.
sion and made his way to the gov
ernor's office. His secretary, nodding
at his desk, bowed to him, unconscious
that this could be anybody but the
Governor Haines he knew.
Mr.. Searles has telephoned that
he will be here in half an hour, sir"
said the secretary. The double nod
ded, passed into the executive chamber
and sat down at his desk.
That he had an intimate knowledge
of all the governors business was evil
dent, for he began scrutinizing papers
! and emptying pigeon holes and read
ing memoranda. But he was await
ing the arrival of Searles, the state
| boss, with ill-concealed Impotence.
The secretary looked in. ''Mr
Searles is waiting to see you, SIR
he said.
The state boss entered. "You, have
called with regard to that railroad
| franchise bili?" he asked
| Searles cleared his throat and nod.
ded.
Now, Governor Haines, we have
| Ihreshed this matter out, among 9TH
| ers, for long time. l have tried to
! ally you with the better interests of
the state, but have failed. have
pointed out to you that--I may speak
| plainly?"
Surely" answered the double, smil
ing, and something in the doubles
expression sent new hope into Searles'
heart.
You got my letter, governors" he
asked, his lips parting in wolfish
smile. "Well. it amounts to this. If
you don't sign that bill you won't have
the denomination next year. That. of
course, goes without saying. But I'm
going to do more than that. I'm going
to drive you out of public life alto
gether. Twenty-Five years ago, when
you were young man, you were in
| volved in a scandal. You know what
l mean. The people of this state won't
stand for anything of that kind in
their chief magistrate. Will you sign
the bill or will you be exposed?'
"The man who was involved in that
scandal was not |. 1t was double
of NINE thought the double.
/ Let us come to the point, cover
nor" Searles said. ITS no use shilly-
shallying or beating about the bush"
He drew paper from his pocket bear
ing the governors signature. This is
your obligation for five thousand dol
lars" he said. May / tear this into
pieces and throw them into your
waste basket"
/ IL
| vulSion that came over the double. He
stretched out his hand impulsively and
took his pen, and in large letters wrote
at the bottom of the bill vetoed" He
held it out toward Searles.
Searles seemed completely non
plussed. For a whole minute he
stared at the vetoed BILL Then he
got up and stretched out his hand.
Governor Haines,' he said, Il
think the world of you. You have won
the fight and I'm man enough to rec
ognize it. You'll have the people on
your side now-and l don't kick
against the pricks. You've bested me
and you'll have the entire Searles or
ganizatfon with you when we offer
you the nomination."
He shook Hai.Ies by the hand and
| walked slowly out of the Office shak
| ing his head.
/ He must have dOzed, for some min
utes later. when he looked up, he saw
him enemy before him. Governor
Haines was looking steadily at him,
but he evinced no surprise.
| Lets fight this thing out right
now" he said. I've finished with you.
shall never tenporize with you
again"
IF you had told me that twenty-five
years ago i should never have troubled
| you at ALL" answered the double, hum
bly,, rising.
Governor Haines did not answer
him, but watched him leave the room.
4 Each man has his double, his worse
nature. But when he has conquered
| him the double becomes a harmless
wrath, transparent as breath Of
marsh air that is dispersed in the sun
| light.
L Arce.Icane In Rritish IniNersiflee