The Elk Mountain pilot., 1921-05-19

and by evening the result was no long
er doubtful. For the first time In years
the power of the political machine
had been smashed decisively at the
polls. and on. the following morning
the Mountaineer announced the cleo
tfon Of Governor Burrell. with safe
working majority in both houses Of
the legislature for the Independents.
II was on the third day after the
election, rather late In the afternoon,
that the boss had a call from a min
ing promoter named Dawes. represent
Ing bunch of mine owners at Strath-
coma who were having trouble with
smelter. The smelter. one of the few
Hatch monopolies which hadn't been
shaken loose as vet. was located In
the gulch six miles below Strathcona.
and 1t was served exclusively by its
own, Industrial railroad, which 1t was
using as lever to pry an excessive
hauling Charge out of the mine own
ers. wouldn't Mr.. Norcross try to do
something about it7
The boss said he'd do anything he
could, and asked what the mine own
ers wanted. Dawes said they wanted
help; that they were going to hold a
mass meeting In Strathcona the fol-
lowing morning at nine o'clock Would
1t. or wouldn't 1t. be possible for Mr..
Norcross to be present at that meet
ing?
OF course. the boss said he'd 60.
Dawes went away. and before we
broke Off to go to dinner at the rail-
road club, 1 was given memorandum
order for special.
At the club l found that Mr.. Nor
cross had an invited guest-Major
Kendrick. For week or two Mrs.
Sheila had been visiting at the state
capital, and the majors wife and
Maisie Ann were with her. So the
good old major was sort of unattached,
and glad enough, 1 took it, to be a
guest at anybody's table.
For while the table talk-in which,
of course, Jimmie Dodds hadn't any
part whatever-circled around the late
landslide election, and what Governor
Burrell's party would do, now that it
had the say-so. But by and by 1t
got around to the railroad situation.
you're putting up a mighty good
fight, Graham, my son, but it isn't
over yet-not by a jugful, suh"-this
isn't just the way the major said 1t,
but it's as near as l can come to his
soft Southern drawl with the smoth-
cred "r's." "I've known Misteh Rufus
Hatch for a good many yeahs. and he
has the perseverance of the ve'y devil.
With all that has been done, you must
neveh forget, for single hou'uh, that
youh admirable reform structchuh
stands, as yet, upon the life of single
man. Don't lose sight of that, Gra-
ham,"
The boss looked up kind of Curl
ously.
you and Sheila seem to think that
point needs emphasizing more than
any other" he commented.
The majors fine old eyes twinkled
gravely.
"You are mighty safe in payin' strict,
attention to whatever the little gyerl
tells you. Graham. my boy" he as
serted. "She has a way Of gettin' at
the heart of things that puts us meah
men to shame-she has, for fact.
suh."
"She has been very helpful to me-"
the boss put in, with his eyes In his
plate. ''In fact, may say that she
has herself suggested good many Of
the moves In the railroad game. It's
marvellous, and cant understand
how she can do It,"
They went on for a WHILE singing
Mrs. Shellas praises over in good
many different ways. and thought.
wherever she might happen to be just
then, her pretty little ears ought to
be burning good and hard. To hear
them talk you would have thought she
was another Portia-person. and then
some.
The dinner wore itself out after
while, and when the waiter brought
the cigars, the boss was looking at his
watch.
"I'm sorry 1 can't stay and smoke
with you. major" he said, pushing his
chair back. But the business grind
never let's up. I'm obliged to 60 to
Strathcona tonight"