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About The morning Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1899-1930 | View Entire Issue (April 26, 1908)
SUNDAY, APRIL 26, 1908. THE MORNING ASTORIAN, ASTORIA, OREGON. 9 ff M! ZtoHl on GJf.Drondhurst'j Successful Plqy 0fJ c5 ' SYNOPSIS OF PRECEDINQ : CHAPTERS. Chuplcr I At the suburban home of Charles Wainwright, "high finan cier," he and hit broker, Scott Gibbs, hatch up a scheme to corner Borough street railway stock. They rely upon the support of Dick Horrigan, bom of the neighboring city, who is coming to discuss matters. Alderman The lun, the thorn in Horrigan's side, whom Wainwright is anxious to con ciliate, is also coming, Among the members of Wainwright' household are his niece and nephew, Dallas and Perry Wainwright, and his secretary, Thompson, secretive young man in whom the financier has implicit confi dence. Judge Newman, a neighbor of Wainwright, whoso continuance In office depends upon Horrigan's favor, requests Wainwrlght'i Intervention with the boss. Another visitor to the Winwrights' is Alwyn Bennett, in 1c with Dallas, who is calling to ask her about her rumored engagement to Cibbs. Perry is in love with Synthla Garrison, also a neighbor. II Cyn thia is the daughter of a bank presi dent who nine years before the open ing of the story was ruined by the dealings of an , unnamed dishonest financier, and shot himself. His eon thereupon disappeared. Mrs. Bennett congratulates herseli upon the imma culate record of her aon'a defeased father. Dallas refuses to marry Alwyn unless he does something worthy of his family and education, Phelan and Horrigan face each other. III. Phelan defies Horrigan. Judge Newman is turned down by the boss, but at Wainwrlght'i request Horri gan becomes suspicious of Thompson, but Wainwright scoffs at the idea. Horrigan and Wainwright makes a corrupt deal whereby the former for a big consideation, is to procure from the board of aldermen a perpetual franchise for the Borough street railway. The bosi is worried by the '' reform movement threatening his power at the coming election and is casting about for a candidate for mayor with a clean record. He hits upon Bennett, who has had some slight political experience. The lat ter accepts, but warns Horigan that, If elected, he will be absolutely honest and independent , CHAPTER nr. TnE next few mouths were a pe r rlod of unprecedented toll, and 1 excitement for Alwyn Bennett I lie sometimes wondered at bis own eloquence. Speech after speech be made in every section of the city In half built suburbs, In balls where Bine-tenths of his bearer were In evening dress and where familiar faces dotted the place; In overcrowded, , smoke reeking auditoriums, where not one man In three won a collar and , whe-e a score of nationalities vied for nrawtlenee. . t With a versatility that delighted Horrlgnn the candidate managed to adapt himself to every audience and, moreover, to Impress his hearers with a sense of bis absolute sincerity and honosty. In the crowded, , polyglot meetings be hit on the plan of speak ing to representatives of each race In their own tnriguAge. In a single even ing, so the papers recorded, he bad made speeches In English, French, German, Italian and gpanlah. At some meeting toughs hud tried to confuse him by interrupting with questions, Joking comment or lunult. For each Alwyn. without breaking the thread of hH discourse, found some quick reply so apt us lo turn the laugh on his tor mentor and turn the audience's sym pathy to himself. At last election day came and weut. And Alwyu Bennett by a fair major Ity carried his entire ticket to victory. Even his severest 'critics In the organ ization were forced lo admit that Ben nett, and Bennett alono, bad saved the party from severe defeat. Horrigan's judgment and choice of men for tbo thousandth time In thp boss' crooked political career was vindicated, and Horrigan himself was overjoyed be yond measure. Nor did tho fact that he had failed to oust Alderman The lan In the primaries wholly cloud the boss delight. ; There was, however, a slight cloud on Alwyn's triumph, for Pallas Wain wrlgnt was not present to Bhnre that triumph. Within a few days after Hor rigan's visit to tho Wainwright place l Dallas hul gone with an aunt on an eight months' tour of Europe and the Mediterranean. ' But Perry, who at her secret request had kept her posted on ' cabled he? the result on election night, and, the following day a reply mes , sage of congratulation crossed the At lantic to gladden Alwyn's heart, In a letter that followed a week later Dal las asked tho first political favor, the future mayor was called upon to grant She begged that In, bis office Bennett would .try to And a place for Cynthia Garrison, in , consequence of which when the young man mado up bis list of personal appointments Miss Garri son found herself listed as assistant private secretary at a decidedly conv fortahle salary. It was while she was working In that capacity In the mayor private room In the city ball during Bennett's lunch hour one day In midwinter that ber solitude was broken by the entrance of a visitor Perry Wainwright, redolent of band box and soap a ever, found hi way past the doorkeeper and burst Into the sanctum ,"Hellof' was bis greeting. "Hla honor Isn't around 7" "No," answered Cynthia demnrely, looking up from ber work with the moat businesslike air ah could as sume. "He'a out at lunch." "I knew be would be." grinned Per ry. "I timed It fine, didn't IT" "It you knew he waa out, why did you comer she asked severely. TonJ know I never receive caller during business hours. If you didn't come to see Mr. Bennett" "But I did. Honest I did. I have a message for him. It's awfully impor tant He mustn't miss It" "Perhaps you'll leave it with met I can" , r j, i ; ; ',. '!-.. .i m "No; it's got an answer to It 111 have to wait, I suppose.", t He tat down, uninvited, wita aa air of mock resignation that was too much for Cynthla'a gravity. "Perry Wainwright" ah eiclalmed la exasperation, "bow often am I to tell you you mustn't bother me here In offlet bourar "Now you've hurt my feeling," an nounced Perry In solemn conviction. "But" be added generously, "I'll for give you, and to prove It I'll give you a peace offering. Seel Your old Boston terrier Betty and Prince Charlie, and me holding them." And he laid before her a photograph. She caught It up, with a little cry of pleasure.: - , "Ob, the beauties!" abe exclaimed. "We do look well In that pose," he admitted modestly. . "I was speaking of the dogs," lb reproved Aim, with lofty worn. "But I'm In the picture, too," he ex plained. "I'm the one with the bat on. And"- Tbank you so much for the picture. I shall keep It always. They're the nicest dogs I ever bad." "I'm nice too. And It Isn't my fault I'm not a dog, I". . - "I told you once before not to give up hope. You'll grow. "I" "I told that to some fellow at the club, and we tried to figure It out and we decided yon were guying me," y , "What clever men you must be at that clubt Are you going to the ad ministration ball next, week r "Are your "Whyr "Because that's the answer. I've never been to an administration ball, but If you're there I guess If "Don't be silly. The administration ball la a very great function Indeed. Pve been asking question about It Not only every one connected with the administration goes, but all sort of capitalist and other people like that I've heard that some of the biggest financial deals are arranged during that ball. Isn't It queerr "Not especially. There's a deal I'm thinking of putting through myself that night If I don't get a good chance earlier a deal that means a lot to me." "Then why wait till the ball? Why not"- "I'd do It now, only Bennett might come In boforo" "What a worker Mr. Bennett Is!" broke In Cynthia, turning very pink ind hastening to chnngo the subject "In the old days we thought he was the soul of laziness, but now he's working here night and day. He's not only the youngest mayor this city ever had, but I think he's the busiest too. no" The eulogy on the new mayor was cut short by that dignitary's appear ance from the center room. As Alwyn paused to hang up his coat and hat and pull off bis gloves Cynthia bent nce more over her work, while Terry itralghtened up and tried to look as though he really had business of press lug Importance with his honor. The months had brought changes to Bennett. There were care lines on his face, aud bis byes were tired. A few silver strands, too, had crept Into the darker hair on his temples. There was little now about him to suggest the Idler. "Well, old man," he exclaimed on seeing Terry, "what's the excuse this time?" "The what?" asked the youth un easily. "The excuse. You come here when I'm likely to be out-abont four times a week, and always with a perfectly new excuse for your Intrusion. I tol erate you for tho originality of those excuses. What Is today's?" "I have no need of an excuse," re plied Terry, with an air of hurt dig nity. "I am the bearer of a most Im portant message to you." "From whom?;' "From-from Dallas Is borne; land ad this morning." A light came Into the mayor's tired eye at the news. "And tho message?" be asked ea gerly. A "That' the message. She' home." "She sent you to tell me that?" "No; not exactly that" evaded Ter ry, wriggling uncomfortably, "Well, what Was her messsge then?" "She-she didn't send any." , "Then who sent the message that he has come home?" "Well, the fact I I sent It myself. That' why I brought it" "Oh, you poor Idiot!" laughed Ben nett "The same old excuse In a new hape! Well, now you're here, you can stay Just live minutes. I'm too busy to play with little boys today." "Little boys! I'll be twenty-two next jprlng. 1"- "Any messages while I was out, Miss Garrison?" ; "Yes, one," answered Cynthia. "Your mother telephoned that she would be here at half past 2. She said she bad a surprise for you." ? "Say," remarked Perry, feeling bo was being excluded from the talk, "I'd go easy on that surprise If I were you, Alwyn., I've had surprise over the telephone myself, and they're punk. Once a girl" , -..: "Alderman Phelan would like to speak to your honor." said Ingram, the old doorkeeper, popping out of ; the anteroom. "Show htm In," answered Bennett "Now, then. Perry"-, "Were you about to ask me to stay awhile longer?" asked the boy. "Be cause I'm sorry, but I can't Goodby. Good afternoon, Miss Garrison. Glad yon liked the photo. So long. Maybe I'll bring another message from Dallas tomorrow." "Wbat can Thelan want of me, I wonder." mused Bennett half aloud, "ne and I scarcely Good afternoon, alderman! I think this Is the first time you've bouored me with a visit" "Then be lenient with a first offense, your honor," suggested Thelan, shak ing bands with the mayor and nodding pleasantly to Cynthia as she passed out to her own office. "Something Important I suppose." hasarded Bennett "Maybe It is Important and maybe it Isn't" returned Thelan. , "It all. de pends on whether that wa a true story In the Chronicle today about your veto ing the Borough 8treet railway bill. If you've really vetoed that bill all I'll have to do Is to say, 'Sorry I can't stay longer, and get out" "No," said Bennett "that announce ment wasn't authorised. I haven't ve toed tbo Borough Street railway bill. In fact I haven't made public any de cision on It Why r . "I'm glad to hear It and, that being the case. 111 invite myself to a Beat and stay awhile. Say, your honor, on the level, that Borough bill was the rawest thing that ever came across. Gee, but they did their work with a meat axP' "Then you weren't one of the alder men who voted for It?" "Me? Nothln' doing. I don't belong to Dick norrlgan's 'solid thirteen.' He can't buy and sell me at his own term like he does them thirteen geez ers." "And yet, alderman, from your rep-utatlon"- "Frora my reputation I'm a crook, hey? Well, there's crooks and crooks. And I'm one of the other kind, if I'm crooked at all. which 1 deny most en thoosldstically. At least I follow no Ilorrlgan whistle." "Then why are you here In regard to the Borough bill?' "Terhaps It's on the theory of set a thief to catch a thief. "Well," laughed Bennett amused In spito of himself by the alderman's frankness, "at least you call a spade a spade." , , , ! "I sure don't refer to It vague, but as a "utensil.' You don't need any foot note explanations In one syllable when Jimmy Thelan' talking. Every move a picture. If I hndn't been through the game from shuffle to cash in, would I be wise to what the Horrigan crowd Is framing up on you now? Say, I've done some raw work In my time, but this Borough business Is the coarsest yet They must think you're the original Mr. Good Thing." "You speak as If I were to be made responsible for" ...... 1 "And ain't you?" cried Thelan. "Sure you are. When the people get wise to what they're up against and com mence to do their scream will they re member that So-and-so framed the bill and that such and such aldermen vot ed for It? Not them. What the public will remember Is that you signed It. It'll go screechln' down the corridors if ttme as 'the Iniquitous Borough franchise bill that Bennett signed.' Cntoh the Idea?" "Yes," said Bennett grimly; "I un derstand. But what I don't see Is why you should have taken the trouble to como here and warn me of this. You've never shown any apecia! food' ne' for mo hitherto .'.' , a ; "That right But I've hown bunches of unfondncss for Chesty Pick Horrigan. And .Horrigan's the .man who's rushing the Borough bill through. Lord, what a bill! Ifa so crooked that If It was laid out like a street the man who tried to walk along It would meet himself coming back.. Why, your hon or, I"- Mr, Wainwright your honor," said Ingram at the door; "says be won't de tain you long." "Let blra In if you like," suggested Phelan. "I can wslt Shall I go Into the other"-... "No. Walt here If you choose. His business isn't likely to be private." "I'm s,orry to break In on your rush hours," said Wainwright aa be ad vanced to greet the mayor, "I won't keep you long. Good afternoon, alder man.";'. ' -. ... "Howdy," returned Thelan, walking over to the far end of the office, where, by falling Into deep and admiring study of a particularly atrocious por trait of some earlier mayor, he denoted that be was temporarily out of the conversation. , . "I'll come" to the point at once, Mr. Bennett" began Wainwright "I call ed to see yon about the Borough Street railway bill." "That' an odd coincidence," answer ed Bennett "I wa going to call you up this afternoon and ask your opinion of it What do you think of the meas ure?" "What does be think of It?" mutter ed Thelan. addressing the portrait In an aside that was perfectly audible. "What does be think of It? And biro ownln' the rival road! Ob, easy! Ask blm a real bard oner . "You're , mistaken, alderman," re turned Wainwright blandly. "I am in clined to favor the passage of the Bor ough. bllL" .; '. "''. Thelan shot one keen glance of In credulity at the financier, then wheeled about and resumed bis rapt study of the portrait ' 1 ' "Yes," continued Wainwright; "I ad mit that my City Surface line i in a way the rival of the Borough Street railway, but In a big city like this there's surely room for both lines to carry on a prosperous business, so why should they try to Injure each other? "Why, oh, whyr echoed ' Thelan, again addressing the portrait ' "Can 1 be gettln' so old that I've began bear In' queer things that' never said?" ' Wainwright paid no heed to the In terpolation, but went on: , 4 "Of course the franchise will be a good thing for the Borough road, but it needn't hurt the City Surface line. Beside, the passing of the bill made Borough stock rise from 63 to 81. Then when that unauthorized announcement waa made today that your honor would veto It the stoc tumbled from 81 to 73. Just ee what power rest with you; Mr. Bennett! If you should veto tbe bill, .tbe Borough stock will slump to almost nothing. Think wbat that wilt, mean to widows and or phans and. all aorts of poor people who have Invested all their savings In that stock." .. ...... J "I'll be hear In' harps twang- "TH be hearln' harp in' next," groan nex," sold Phelan." Thelant In wonder. "Has the poor, dear man got swellin of the heart or Is he maybe tbe advance agent of the millennium? To think of old Tightwad Waln-wrlghfV- i Ingram forestalled any reply from the financier by entering with the tid ing that Thompson waa In the ante room with an Important message for Wainwright - - . "May I see him in here?" asked the visitor. "It Is my private secretary, and"-,. "Certainly," asserted Bennett "Show him In, Ingram." ft THE r n n3 aAI30 iLisa DISEASES rani? yy tv A 7 nnrP HA "Two year ago a severe cold settled on my lungs and so completely prostrated me that I waa unable to work and scarcely able to etand. I then was advised to try Dr. King's New Biscorery, and after using one bottle I went back to work, aa well aa I ever was." ' . -' ; ; ; W, J. ATKINS, Banner Springs, Tenn. PRICE 50c 2k Char , "I'd like to see a private ecretry of mine como buttin' In like this," con fided Thelan to the picture.. "I'd chase blm so far be'd discover a new street Td" ..."'-.. The alderman broke off short Ills eye had fallen on Thompson as tbe latter entered.." , Thelan stood rigid, with mouth open and eye bulging, taking In every detail of the quiet pallid yonng man' appearance. Tbe secretary meanwhile had gone np to Wainwright and begun to deliver bis message.. - ? "Mr. Horrigan called you up, sir," aid be, "Just a minute or so after you left tbe office. He wishes you to come and see him Immediately if possible." "All right" answered the financier, "I'll come at ouce. I'm sorry, your honor, that I am called wy Jest now, for I'd like to discuss this Borough bill further with yon. But what I wished to express can be said In a nutshell. If I, who own tbe rival road, am In favor of granting tbe Borough fran chise, I can't see why any one else should object to It Com on, Thomp son. Good day. your honor Good day, alderman." The financier passed out TUapson was following when Thelan, who bad never once removed hi eyes from the secretary, stepped In front of blm, ? "Well, young man!" said be. . . , "Well, sir!" said Thompson U m&t surprise. , ',-..)': "You remember me?" "1 don't think so. sir." "Hub! That's queer! I'm Alderman Phelan of the Eighth." "I've read about you. of course, air. but I" - - "Bnt yon don't know me? Never met tie before?" Tm sorry; sir. but I can't recall It if I did. Good day. sir.' The secretary hurried oat after his employer. Phelan, with a puzzled cbak of the bead, seemed trying to solve some elusive problem. Bnt Bennett who bad not noted tbe brief scene be tween Thompson and the alderman, broke In on the latter' musing with the remark: "You appeared to be amazed at Mr. lYalnwrlghf attitude toward the Bor ough Street railway franchise." " 'Amazed' is a mild, gentle word for my feeling," declared the alderman. 'To hear that old flint heart prattlln' about widows and orphans and fair play why say, your honor, I know Charles Wainwright from way back, and I tell you he has the same affec tion for the money of widow and or phans that a tomcat has for a canary. As for fair play, he wouldn't recognize It if be was to bear It through a mega phone. He's up to something! I don't know Just what ButTUTWi ;i l "Come; comer remonstrated Bennett good numaredly. ."I'maaro yon do Wainwright an injustice. , He" "He' a fine old bird! I Do you chance to rtmembefr the Garrison1 ase nice year back? President Garrison of the Israel Putnam Trust company'".; ( "Who shot himself after being ruined by a financier who was hi dearest friend? Yes. What ba that to do "With Wainwright? Oh, nothln" much; Only Wainwright happened to be th6 financier."' " ' "No! You must be mistaken." . "Am I? 1 ought to know something about It I was the chief of police at the time and bandied tbe case. It was I who suppressed Walnwrlght's name: For a small consideration I" "Wainwright!" gasped Bennett '"Of all meal. But?-' ?.4 .-f-j . 1 "So you see ' wtiy I coppered ' the mercy, and 'fair play' cards when: he dealt ,'em Just now,, purred Phelan. "There'8 something big behind' this talk of his In favor of the Borough bill. Wasn't It at his house last sum mer that Horrigan offered you the norat nation? That's the story, and"- - "Yes. On the 25th of July, n" ' "The 25th of July; hey? That was the day he had .me out there. - The day I met that rellow Glbbs. By the way. your honor, the papers say it's Gtbbs' firm that's buyin" all that Borough stock. They've been buyln' it up on . HOPE'S V II J 1 1 i v i v AJ XJ LZS U ZZS Kzs XZS ; BIBS-"" I T . AND SOLD AND GUARANTEED DY Hat A tho quiet for months. I begin to ceo a lot of funny little light that make tfc!o thing clearer. . Glbb I buyln' Borough stock.; He' Wainwright' chum. Hor rigan and Wainwright frame np your nomination; then tbe minute you come Into power this Borough franchise bill is flashed on yon by Horrigan, and Wainwright begs you to sign it Take my Up Wainwright owns tho Borough road aa well the City Surface, and Hor rigan's gettln' a fat wad of stock for arrangln' the franchise,- Oh, they've got yonr honor all tied np In ribbons, like you was a measly bookay, Yon and me ought to get together and fight this thing out side by side, and when once I get tbe Indian sign on Dick Hor rigan" .' ''" "But I've no personal quarrel with Horrigan. He"- "You've got the same quarrel with blm that tbe pigeon has with the musk- rat If you don't use your wings you'll be swallowed. Let me put you on to a few of the little Jokers in that bill of bis. You see" "I see more about that bill than you think," Interposed Bennett "I've work ed over it night after night 'with my lawyer. Don't you get the Idea I've been '" "' TV M,ceP Jnt be-! X cause I haven t V been making vow any , premature disturbance.' 1 "I think,' fserved Phelanf slowly, "I think I'm begtnnln'te get a new line on yon and un derstand you better. If It's 1 to kaow It, Jim- " mr Phelan Be Md out hit hand, gay lou'r tli anatieTmcu. gnypta rfgQtf ' ."TT. : HeheldoutbJi hand, and Bennett gripped It cordlallyJ , "I'm glad we had this talk, aldeV-1 man," said he. "We are fighting froml different points of view, bnt our main object is the same.' I thlak w can! pull together on this matter." "Wo sure can!" agreed Pboian. "An' aa for Horrigan, when I'm done with blm he'll be rolled up In a nice bundle. an' I'll print on it In big letters, 'L'sei all the books you like.' " "Mrs. Bennett sir." said Ingram. "I thought you was single!" exclaim ed Thelan. ;; . : "It's my mother. Show ber In." From the musty antechamber came the rustle of feminine attire, and Mrs Bennett came In. 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