Evening star., 1922-11-12
Son and Father Grapple
With Similar Problems
in Seeking Success


~ shining. his face was white
He crossed to his wife's side and
dropped an arm about her. walsh
comedies it, Mary" he said, his tone
restrained.
She nodded. covering his hand with
aers. You've won-gloriously, haven't
you. Bob?'
Eyes, I've won." he assented. And
the biggest majority ever, for the
county, by all appearances.
His wife rose. Il must telegraph
joe" she said. He wanted to know
as soon as we knew" She smiled
toward her husband. Hes going to
be mighty proud of his father, Bob.
She took down the receiver and die
,ated message TO the Western Union
cuerator. while Bob Somes moved
about the room, little restlessly,
smoking with quick, nervous inhala-
fions. 1t was two years and more
since he had begun to aim at this
goal he had tonight achieved he
was a democrat, and the county was
normally republican. Nevertheless, he
had fought a good fight had gathered
friends as a rolling SNOWFALL gathers
snow; and now the partial returns In
dIcated that his majority would be
overwhelming. He had a right to De
cxultant: but even In this first tri-
,tnphan, hour there were shadows
behind his victory.
AS soon as his wife left the teie-
phone it's bell rang again. Charley
Wade was on the wire with his con-
eratulations He and Charley were
old friends, and Somes. glad to hear
from him. responded cordially.
You've helped as much as anybody.
old man." he declared; and heard
wade's laugh over the wire. and heard
Wade say:
"Just make a note Of that. will you?
I'll remind you. some day. when !
come around to beg a mol pros out
Of YOU
Somes said: Sure" And Wade re-
peated his congratulations and hung
I'D the receiver.
X x X
WHEN Somes turned away from the
w telephone Mrs. Sones saw that
re was troubled, but she was too wise
20 question him. Any woman knows
ut a glance when all is not right with
hsr husband. but few have the wit
- wait till he is ready to share ms
difficulties Mrs. Somes merely said
TT was nice Of Charley to call up so
soon
Her husband nodded. turned. to her
with smile. Yes" he agreed.
They'll probably be coming fast now.
But wanted to hear the news at
home here with you, alone. first. l
may have TO go out for a little "hlie
tater on tonight.
She slipped her arm through his.
The good-fellowship side of politics
bores YOU doesn't 1t. Bob?
.It has to be gone through with.
though
II know.
He answered the telephone again
20 receive the congratulations OF
Julius Greener, and is he hung up the
receiver a taxi stopped in front OF
his house and Matt Farren and Dan
ray came in to shake him by the
hand, Farren, a state legislator and
lover of political plot and counter
ulot. who played the game for its own
sake, stayed ony moment; put Jay
did not depart with him. You take
the taxi and go along" he told Far
rem. "I'Il get another one. l want a
word with Somes
He lighted cigar and sat down be-
fore the fire while Somes answered
the telephone. This time IT was Man.
der Dyer. Dyer was lawyer-one
of those lawyers who spend more tlme
on men than On books. He made IL
his business to be on close terms
with every one worth knowing. ana
re had been cultivating Somes ever
since the latter's candidacy began to
assume serious proportions.
"Can you come downtownE he IN
yited now. "A bunch of US down mere
want to shake hands with you. Mr..
Hallock Is here
somes had met William Haliock
only once. He was a man worth
knowing, if your aspirations were po-
Ttical Nevertheless. he hesitateo
"pan Jays here" he said
Bring him along" Dyer urged.
.come down to my office. My bar Is
never closed, you know.
Somes laughed awkwardly and
agreed to come down. IF 1t SUITS
YOU" he said to Jay. and Jay assent
ed. 'I'n get out my car" Somes told
him and went to explain his de-
parture to Mrs. Somes.
you'll be late?" she asked.
Not If I can help it," he replied;
and he colored like boy. Il sup
nose they'll want to make a fuss over
me. I'm about all they've got to crow
over tonight. The rest of the ticket
IS licked"
When he and Jay were in the car.
hurrying downtown. Jay said: You've
pulled off big thing, Bob"
IT guess others have done most OF
the pulling for me-" Somes protested.
We've tried to help you along.
Sure" Jay assented. And all of US
together have put it across. You
know. Bob. the county attorney has
more absolute and despotic power
than any other officer in the state.
Did You ever think of that?"
Somes nodded. "Of course, that's
So"
Even to life and DEATH" Jay re-
minded him.
You might stretch it that far"
when a man has been county at
torney for a term or two he doesn't
have to work any longer. He can re-
tire" Jays tone was casual. But
somes knew what the other said was
true: he was Injured to the ways OF
poIitics, 1t did not occur to him to
make instant and Indignant protest.