The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1921-06-30

G. $ A W fri.ndsi Are they stili
gnmeT"
"Finei" asserted the lawyer. The
stock Is oyersabseribed everywhere.
now and { 5 &w fsa going concern.
The building boom Is on. ! venture
TO say there are over two thousand
mechanics at work at the different
centers. rushing up the buildings for
the new plants. at this moment You
ought 20 have monument. Norcross.
Its the most original scheme for
breaking a monopoly that was ever
/ devised"
The boss was looking out OF the
window sort OF absently, chewing on
his cigar. which had gone out
RIPLEY. wonder what you'd say II
/ should tell you that the idea Is not
miner" he said, after a little pause.
"Not yours"
"No: IL. or az least the germ OF II.
/ was given 20 me by a wOnan. a wo-
man who knows no more about busl-
ness details than you do about driving
white elephants"
I'D like to be made acquainted with
the lady" said Ripley. with a tired
little smile. "Such gems are too
valuable 20 be wasted on mere lumber
yards and fruit packeries and grain
elevators and the like"
you'll meet her some day" laughed
the boss. with a sort Of happy lllt in
his voice that fairly made me sick
knowing what did and knowing that
he didn't know IL. Then he switched
the subject abruptly: about the
other matter, Ripley: | know you've
been pretty busy. but you've had Tar
bell nearly week What have you
found outT
Ripley brlefed the general situation
as II stood on the night OF the engine
theft In few terse sentences, Aside
from the fight on Red Tower Con-
solidated. the new railroad policies
were threatening TO upset all the time
honored political traditions Of the
machlne-gove state. An election
was approaching. and the railroad
vote and influence must be whipped
into line AS the grafters viewed II.
the threatened revolution was a one
man government, and II that man
could be removed the danger would
vanish.
The execution details had been
turned over 10 Clanahan, the political
boss OF Portal City,
The plot itself was simple. AT
In If ulu
anonymous letter was TO be sent to
Mr. Norcross, telling him that a gang
OF noted train robbers was stealing
an engine from the Portal City yard
for the purpose OF running down the
line and wrecking the Fast Mail,
which often carried a bullion express
car. II the boss should fall for IT.
as he did. when the time came-and
20 In person to stop the raid. he was
TO be overpowered and spirited away.
a forged letter purportlng TO be mo-
tice OF his resignation was TO be left
for Mr.. Van Britt. and fake tele-
gram. making the same announce
ment was 10 be sent 10, President
Dunton In New York. Nothing was
left indefinite but the choosing OF the
night
IL suppose Hatch was to give the
word" said the boss. who had been
listening soberly while the lawyer
talked
THAT Is the Inference. Hatch prob
ably gave the word after his talk with
you. but the time was made even more
propitious by the arrival OF the two
telegrams: the one from Mr.. Chad
wick and the one from Mr.. Dunton,
both OF which they doubtless inter
eepted by means Of the tapped wires
Mr.. Norcross looked up quickly.
Ripley, did Dunton know what was
going 10 be done 10 met"
"oh. ] think not II wasn't at all
necessary that he should be taken in
on f. He has been opposing your
policies all along, and had Just sent
you a pretty savage call-down. He
didn't want you in the first place, and
he has been anxious TO get rid Of you
ever since. The plotters knew very
well what ne would do II he should
get a wire which pu1ortee 70 be your
resignation He would appoint an
other Elan. quick. and all they would
have 10 do would be 10 make sure
hat you were well OF stage. and would
stay OF until the other man could
lake hold"
'It worked out like charm" ad-
nitted the boss. with a wry smile. Il
haven't been talking much about the
ietails. partly because wanted TO
ind out II this young fellow. Tsrbeil,
vas as good as the MAJORS recon-
nendation of him. and partly because
I'm honestly ashamed. Ripley. Any
nan Of my age and experience who
would swallow bait. hook. and line as
did that night deserves 70 get ell
hat Is corning 20 him"
You can tell me now. can't your
fueried the attorney
"Oh. yes; sou have Il all--Or prnc-
ically all fell FOR the anonymous
etier about the Mar hold-up. and