Sioux County pioneer., 1921-12-08
The Governors
Hard Fight
By FREDERICK CLARKE
%, is2l. western Newspaper Union.1

. t.~~>sesse~ssss>ss ssssssssseeeesees1
"a. 1871. Western Newspaper Union.)
Nobody except the governor knew
that lie had double-not even the
governors wife, who knew him. per
haps. better than anybody else: The
two men resembled each other 50 COM
pletely that 1t would have been impos.
sible for their most intimate acQuaint-
ances to distinguish them.
From his earliest years Governor
Haines had been engaged In a con-
slant fight against this man.
The executive mansion was totally
unguartled. In that sleepy little capi-
tai town formalities had not come
into favor. The double strolled quiet
Iy across the lawn, entered the man
sion and made his way to the gov.
ernor's Office. His secretary. nodding
ut his desk. bowed to him, unconscious
that this could be anybody but the
Governor Haines he knew.
MIR. 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 impatience.
The secretary looked IN. "Ar.
Searles is waiting to see you, Oh"
he said. -v
The state boss entered. "You have
called with regard to that railroad
franchise bill?" he asked.
Searles cleared his throat and nod.
ded.
"Now, Governor Haines. we have
threshed this matter out, among 9th.
ers. for long time. I have tried to
ally you with the better interests OF
the state. but have failed. have
pointed out to you that 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. governorr' he
asked. his lips parting in q wolfish
smile. "Weli, 1t amounts to this. Il
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 q young man. you were In
volved In scandal. You know what
mean. The people OF this state won't
stand for anything Of that kind In
their chief magistrate. VIII you sign
the bill or will you be exposed1.'
1.-THE man who was involved In that
scandal was not !. It was q double
Of mine." thought the doubls.
LET US come to the point, COVER.
nor" Searles said. TITS no use shilly.
sllallying or beating about the bush. y
He drew q paper from his pocket bear
ing the governors signature. This 10
your obligation for five thousand dol
lars" he said. MAY I tear this into
pieces and throw them into your
waste basket"
It was strange, the extraordinary 70.
vulsion that came over the double. He
stretched out bis hand impulsively and
took his pen, and In large letters wrote
at the bottom of the bill vetoed" He
heid it out toward Searles.
SeartsS seemed completely non.
plussed. For q whole minute he
stirred at the vetoed bill. Then he
got up and stretched out his hand.
"G0yernor Haines." he said. II
think tt,s world of you. You have won
the fight and rm man enough to rec
ognize 1t. Youth t,sxs the people on
your side now-and dent kick
against the pricks. You've bested me
and yo.,'A have the entire Searles or
ganization With you when we offer
you the nomination."
He shook Haines by the hand and
walked slowly out Of the ONCE. shak.
ing his head.
He. must haye dozed, for some min.
utes later, when he looked up. he saw
him enemy before him. Governor
Haines was looking steadily ct him,
but he evinced no surprise.
Lets fight this thing out right
now." he said. "l've finished with you.
shall never tssaporize with you
again."
If you had told me that twenty-five
years ago should never have troubled
you at all," answered the double, hum.
bly,, rising.
Governor Hatnss did not answer
him, but watched him tsave the room.
Each man has his double. bis worse
nature. But when he has conquered
him the double becomes harmless
wrath, transparent a. q breath Of
marsh air that 10 dispsssed In the sun.
light.
Americans In British Untvsrslt,sa
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