Cheraw chronicle. (Cheraw, S.C.) 1896-2005, February 04, 1909, Image 1
"'Tls Not In Mortals to Command Sue cese^fc^e'^0 More. We'll Deserve it." >5
VOL 13. ' CHERAW, CHESTERFIELD COUJVPj^ " M>. 13 "
' * ' ' "fon nee. Lanedon went in on a - . tend to handily. Doesn't involve much
I A G
FROM
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Novelized F
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CHAPTER III.
HOW TO TLEASE A SENATOR.
THE International hotel In Washington
was all hustle and bustle.
Was It not preparing for Its
first senator since 1885? No
less a personage than the Hon. William
H. Langdon of Mississippi, said
to be a warm personal friend of Senator
Stevens, one of the leading members
of his party at the capital, had
engaged a suit of rooms for himself
and two daughters.
"Ain't it the limit?" remarked the
chief clerk to Bud Haines, correspondent
of the New York Star. "The senator
wrote us that he was coming here
because his old friend, the late Senj__
Mtos?Jey, said back in '75 that this
was the best hotel In Washington and
where nil the prominent men ought to
^ stay."
Haines, the ablest political reporter
In Washington, had come to the International
to Interview the new senator,
to describe for his paper what kind of
a citizen Langdon was. He glanced
around at the dingy woodwork, the
worn cushions, the nicked and uneven
tiles of the hotel lobby, and smiled at
the clerk. "Well, if this is the new
senator's idea of princely luxury he
will fit right Into the senatorial atmosphere."
Both laughed derisively. "By
the way," added Huines, "1 suppose
you'll raise your rates now that you've
got a senator here."
The clerk brought his fist down on
A2-jSa. tbe register with
a thud.'
"We could have
rf' W- A them ev^qp day
ng M we
t^SL ' Y^ /j$ tfl them- Tbls fel"
> a tan, bicuui-i ,?vuu^
man, l^gS^^walking unevenly in
tbe direction oFtfc* e^fe.
"Well, cau't you 8ee fl^at you're doing?"
muttered the tall >*<>ung man
thickly.
Haines smiled. The chap who has
played halfback four years on his college
eleven and held the boxing championship
in his class Is apt to bo good
natured. lie does not have to take offense
easily* Besides. Randolph Langdon
was plainly under the influence of
whisky. So Haines smiled pleasantly
< at the taller young man.
"Beg your pardon?my fault." Haines
said.
"Well, don't let it occur again," mumbled
Latigdon as he strolled with uneven
dignity toward the door. Bud
Haines laughed.
"I guess young Laugdon Is going to
a?a a# thn Knre ien'f hoT'
"He's already oue of thera when It
comes to a question of fluid capacity,"
laughed some one behind him, and Bud
whirled to meet the gaze of his friend,
Dick Cullen, representative of one of
the big Chicago dailies.
"You down here to see Langdou
too?"' commented Rud.
Culien nodded. "Queer roost where
this senator is to hang out, isn't it?"
"It can't be a rich one, then," suggested
Haines.
Cullen chuckled.
"Perhaps he's an honest one."
"I hadn't thought of that. You always
were original, Dickie," commented
Haines dryly. "By the way, what
do you know about him?"
"Nothing, except that the Evening
Call printed a picture of his eldest
daughter?says she's the queen daughter
of tiie south, a famous beauty, rich
planter for a father, mother left her a
fortune"?
"She'll cut quite a social caper with
this1 hotel's name on her cards, won't
she!" broke in Ilaines as he led Cullen
-W1
Commencing V
we are going to c
stock of groceries
the chance to lay
cheap.
Don't forget th
WEDNESD
Evai
ENTLE1V
[ MI55I:
r THOMAS A. WI;
rom the Play by Frederick
COPYRIGHT. 1909. BY THOMAS A. WISE
; to a seat to await the expeeted legis i
lator, whose tralq was late. I
"I don't know very much about him <
myself," said Haines. "All I've been J
able to discover Is that Stevens said I
the word which elected bira. and that
l looks had. Great clorv. when I think 1
what a senator of the right sort has n
chance to do here In Washington?a
nonpartisan, straight ont from the
shoulder man!" He paused to shake
his head In disgust. "You know these
fellows here In the senate don't even
see their chance. Why, If you and I
didn't do any more to -hold our jobs
than they do we'd be fired by wire the
first day. They know Just the old political
game, that's all."
"It's a great game, though, Bud."
sighed Cullen longingly, for, like many
"Sure, irs a great game, as a game,
agreed Haines. "So la bridge, and stud
poker, and three card monte, and flimflam
generally. Take thla new man >
Langdon, for Instance. Chosen by Ste-!
\ens he'll probably be perfectly obedient,
perfectly easy going, perfectly
blind and?perfectly useless. What's
wanted now Is to get tte work done,
not play the game."
Thoroughly a cynic through his
years of experience as t newspaper
man, which had shown tbo Inside
workings of many Important phases
I of the seemingly conventional life of
| this complex world, Cullen pretended ^
unbounded enthusiasm.
"Hear! Hear!" he shouted. "All you t
earnest citizens come vote for Re- |
former Haines. I'm for you, Bud. ]
What do I get In your cabinet? I've ,
^aUa/1 4 Ka iiafAfmarfl +nr? o n/1 lllio nil
I JU1UCU IUC ICiVi Uivto, iwv, uuvt, ttuv mm j
of them, me for P-U-R-I-T-Y as long ,
as she gives me a meal ticket." I
But not even Cullen could make j
Haines consider his views on the ,
necessity of political regeneration to
be ridiculous. His optimism could not ]
be snuffed out, for he was a geuuiue |
believer that the natural tendency of ]
humauklnd was to do right Wrong (
he believed to be the outcome of un- (
natural causes. This quality, combined
with his practical knowledge of (
the world and his courage, made him a j
formidable man, one who would one ]
day accomplish big things?If he got
the chance.
"You know you can't shut me up,
Dick." was his response to Cullen's
oratorical flight. "I'm going to have
my say. I don't see why a senator
shouldn't be honest. All I want them
! to do Is to play a new game. Let 'em
at least seem to be honest, attend to
their business, forget politics. The
country sends them here to work, and
if they do the work the people really
don't care a hang what party they bej
long to."
"Come out of it, Bud. Your brain is
wabbly," yawned Cullcn wearily. "I'll
| buy a drink if you'll quiet down. Let's
be comfortable till this fellow Langi
*
I
Wednesday, Feb. 3,
lose out our entire
j at cost. Now is
I
*-? on r\r\ltr
in a guuu ouppij i
i
i
i
i
e date ;
AY, FEB. 3. !
]
is Grocery Co.
IAN | \
SSIPPI |
tt
SE H
R. Toombs a
ee
l
3on appears." He caught bis friend jjj
av the arm and In spite of protest
Jragged him off to the cafe just as 01
young Langdon and Congressman Nor- P1
;on came down through the lobby. n<
Though but few years older than w
Randolph Langdon, Charles Norton P'
lad long exercised strong Influence
>ver him because of his wider experlmce
in the world's affairs. Like his J{
lather, young Langdon had stayed v<
?lose to the plantation most of his
ife, particularly after leaving school,
levotlng his attention to studying the
business of conducting the family's
Dig estate. Norton brought him the
ltmosphere of the big outside world
ie yearned to see even as did his sis:er
Carolina, and he imitated Norton's
xianners, his dress and mode of
speech. The congressman's habit of
jonfiding in Randolph, a subtle compliment,
was deeply appreciated by
he lad, who unconsciously became a
jontinual advertiser of Morton's many
virtues to Carolina and to his father,
ill of which the congressman knew. ^
That Norton's political caret-r was ** i
:he outcome of Carolina Langdon's
imbitlon to shine in gay society was
mown to his friends as well as his
'amily, and his desire to win her and '
dace her where she could satisfy eviry
whim had* developed almost to a
'renzy. Seeing evidences of Senator fa
Stevens' vast influence, he did not hes+r\
oaaIt n nlnofl ralofiAifohin trlfh | ki
IttlC VW OVba U V4VSfc7\> 4V<Ul.iVUUU?^/ U?UU
dm, and the senator was clever
nough to lead Norton to consider him ~
lis friend.
At the start of his political career
Norton had higher Ideas of honor than
glided his actions now that he bad
tecome a part of the political mahine
that controlled his native state
>i Mississippi 'and of the bipartisan
omblnatlon that dominated both
tal to be the sacred heritage of the
rntlon which must be protected at any
;ost. The acceptance of a retainer
"rom the C. St. and P. Railroad com>any
for wholly unnecessary services
n 'Washington?only another way of
juying a man?a transaction arranged
jy Senator Stevens, was but another
itage In the disintegration of the
roung congressman's character, but it
jrought him just that much closer to
;he point where he could claim Caroina
Langdon as his own. And opportunity
does not knock twice at a man's
loor?unless he is at the head of the
tnachine.
Norton, the persevering young law
student who loved the girl who had
jeen his boyhood playmate, was now
S'orton who coveted her father's lands,
ivho boasted that he was on the "Inside"
in Washington, who was on the
way to fortune?if the new senator
from Mississippi would or could be
forced to stand in favor of the Alta:oola
naval base.
Ilis conversation with Randolph
Langdon as Haines and Cullen saw
them pass through the hotel lobby 11
lustrated the nature of the Norton of -
the present and his Interest in the Altaeoola
scheme. y<
"There's no reason why you shouldn't
rome in on the ground floor in this vr
imposition, Randolph." he was urging ly
n continuance of the conversation be- A
pin over a table in the cafe. "No rea- ac
son why you shouldn't do it, my boy.
rt'hy, are you still a child, or are you lo
really a man? You have now drafts
for $50,000, haven't you?"
"Yeah," agreed Langdon, chagrined
f\f rAll f f 111 nOOO P
I I ?> Ul lull D lllt?llllliUiUU V4 J VUl II1U1UV0O
mil anxious to prove that be was real- j
y a man of affairs, "I've got the fifty 1
thousand, Charlie, but?but, you see, 2
:hat's the money for Improvements on
he plantation. As father has put me
iu as manager I want to make a showing."
"You can't make it until spring,"
urged Norton. "The money's got to lie *
In the bank all winter. Now, why
don't you make a hundred thousand
with it Instead of letting it lie Idle?
Isn't that simple?"
The younger man's eyes opened wide,
and his imagination, stimulated by the ,
special brand of Iiourbon whisky Nor- "/
ton had ordered for him, took rapid
bounds.
"One hundred thousand! You mean
I could make a hundred thousand with L
my fifty between now and spring?" B]
"Sure as a nigger likes gin," replied a
Norton confidently. n
"How?" asked Langdon. g
Tne young congressman leanea over ^
confidentially. ^
"This is under your hat, Randolph. ^
i'ou can keep quiet?"
Langdon nodded eagerly. p
"Then put it into Altacoola land."
"The naval base?" gasped Langdon. t(
Norton nodded.
"Now you've hit It. The government a
will select Altacoola for a uaval base,
rhen land will jump way up to never t(
md you'll clean up a hundred thou- C(
sand at the least. Isn't It simple? a
There are a thousand people with a
money who would just love to have t!
:his chance. And I'm giving it to you v
T i X. v
because 01 our irieuusuip. i wuot u?
Jo you a good turu. I've got my money
In there."
Young Lnngdon was visibly impressed.
"You've always tre.^d me right,
Charlie; you've been for me, I know,
[tut suppose the government doesn't se- ^
lect Altacoola. Gulf City's in the run- n
ning." fi
Norton laughed sarcastically.
"Gulf City Is a big bunch of mod'
ats. Besides, I'll tell you something
se. Just between us, remember." ?te
alted for the boy's eager nod before
e went on. "The big men are behind'
ltacoola. Standard Steel wants Al?
tcoola, and what Standard Steel wants
om congress you can bet your bottom
illar Standard Steel gets. They know
ielr business at No. 10 Broadwnyow,
then, are you satisfied?"
Randolph was more than satisfied,
lready be felt himself rich, and hon?
itly rich, too, for Norton had con[need
him that there was no reason
hy he should not use the .*150,000 Of
Is father's, when It had to lie in the
ink anyhow all winter, and he wOtdd,
ave it back in time to tue on theantation
in the spring when it was *
jeded. How proud of him his fatheMjl
ould be when he showed him a clew*
roflt of $l00,0fl|0!
"I'll go get the drafts, at once. Char*
i, and I'm mighty much obliged tain,"
he said, with {gratitude in Ids
>ice.
/f
"Make a hundred thousand with-it"
Norton's smile was one of deep satis- :
ction.
"That's all right, Randolph. Ttfi
iow I want to do anything I can for'
i \
^
Capital
Stockholders liability
Surplus
Total tesources over
If you want a.bs
your account with u
15he Ba.nk
Establisl
Chera^
)U."
Randolph was starting for bis room
hen Haines and Cullen turned sharpnronnd
the corner of the hotel desk. I
pain Bud and the young southerner
rcldentally collided.
"Where are you going? Can't you
ok out?" blurted Langdon.
Haines grinned.
"Guess it's your fault this time."
"Oh, It Is, Is It?" Irritably replied
andolph, who as the "young raarse"
I had been aecus)
toined to considerable
deference
1 tlJC 011 theptontatiom"Well,
take that,"
^KV *1 ^ he angrily cried,
I /W7>aiming a savage
f swing at Haines.
A [ The reporter's
rl A \ athletic training
J / proved of ready
// /irl \ service. Dodging
/f / J Cy/ under the cllnchf
III I J j eei flst, he turned
I H V -/ dexterously, selzjj?reu
j-oung Langdon's
outstretchr]
ed wrist and bent
? the arm down
arvjdon was helpless. over hlsi (Haines')
aoulder as though to throw the young
ttacker with the wrestler's "flyings
mre." Langdon was helpless, as
[alnes had also secured bis free band,
ut Instead of completing the "throw"
le reporter walked away with his t'oo
eld securely on his back?to put him
) bed, a kindly service, In view of
:andolph's mental state.
From across the lobby Charles Nor>n
had watched Randolph's discomfitlg
encounter with Haines with amuselent
"Now that I've got the young fellow
) sew up his old man's money In Altajola
land," he chuckled, "reckon Sen
tor William II. Langdon won't see
nything wrong with that same noble
act of universe when he comes to
ote for the naval base. Senator Steens
will be pleased."
CHAPTER IV.
"JUST TIIE 1L1N WE NEED."
S Bud Haines returned from
/\ young Langdon's room, where
/\ he had left the latter in bed,
* ^ towel iilled with cracked Ice
round his head, he saw two familiar
gures standing in a secluded corner
lobby. They were talking e?
;whistled the newspap
'''^J^ahd Stevens of MIssissip
.v'-^Z6^rtor Stevens said cordial!
saw the newspap
^^pT^yanng correspondent
WChtifctOD ft
power In the upper boui
of commanding cbaract
JjpflFttese attributes to advance
i iMrSSt t^e financial interests
Standard'Steel and otb
Ies sort could r
vould take a bri
servatlve memt
they wanted pai
utended bis ba
>s concluded a
tbe ropresentatl
IJow do. you <
i not an bere
lasted tbe nev
ppeared to be i
djj$' ~* j *.V: /
?/
^ 1^ " y*': "
jfc If
$ 50,000
:... 50,000
. 50,000
$150,000
. $300,000
n securitv keeD
IS,_
o;! Chera.w,
ieii 1887.
v, S. C.
"5Ve came to call oil Senator Lai
doi, Senator Stevens' new colleague
- he said.
I ud Haines opened his eyes wl<
"B, - Jove, Langdon stock Is going
wh sn the chairman of the naval co
ml tee drops In to welcome him."
9 1 Lot "Busine
I I Corner Lot
1 Beautiful, 1
One farm abc
about 140 acres,
horse farm clear
J Several oilier
| Wade
I Insurant
i
I
I
[fl I ' ** T
naval base platform," explained Ste r
vena. "Our section of the south Is 1
>r_ red hot In favor of the government *
. spending Its naval base appropriation
. right there." *
"Certainly," Interrupted Haines,
"but"re
"And, there being a vacancy on the ?
ly, committee on naval affairs," continued
>er Stevens, whose dignity was offended J
ly, by the reporter's Interruption, "the c
ho friends of Senator Langdon are work- 7
In lng to have him appointed on that
committee, because he comes from the "
la, state where the naval base will be k
se, located and will, like myself, be more 8
;er familiar with the availability of the j v
ict various sites suggested than a man
in from another state."
V
a# XT n Inna nnrl/ln/1
er "Yes, of course. What town's going c
th to get It, senator?"
at Senator Stevens paused Judiciously. I
ed "Well," he said, "Altacoola and Gulf j
m- City are the chief candidates. I supvl
pose you had better talk to Langdon 0
tn- about It." I 0
The reporter smiled. VP*
to "That's Just what I came for.^en- ;
of ator, but I have to go up to the war j 6
i)t- department now. When Senator Lang- j
>p- don comes will you be kind enough to 3
in tell him I want to Interview him?" ?
by Stevens bowed cordially. '
re- "Indeed I shall. I'll tell him he's in
lot luck to have the smartest young man
Id- In Washington-on the Job."
be "All right," lnughed Bud, "only don't
>er make it so strong that he won't recoged
nlze me when he sees me. Good
its day." And he hurried away to keep a
be b<^la|cd appointment.
38- "Clever boy," said Stevens as r
nd newspaper man disappeared,
ad The boss of the senate agreed.
"Yes, only I'm not sure it's a good
ve thing for a newspaper man to be too
lo, clever. Spoils his usefulness. Makes /
him ask too many confounded qucson
tions."
? It wnnlil
rs- Dievwi? uL4un.0v.tu, &v* ? ? .?w?-.?
1 never do to disagree with the boss,
all "It's very kind of you, senator," he *
began, changing the subject, "to come
with me to welcome the new senator
~ from my state, my old friend and colleague."
An Inscrutable smile?a smile, yet ncold
one-adcompanled Peabody's an,
rwer. .,
"I have, always found, Stevens," he
said, "that a little attention like this r
to a new man IS neverwasted, and J 0
make it a role not to overlook opppr- ?
^ tunities."
find him easy to deal with. Just put
up any measure
for the benefit of ^
the south and 5*5
Langdon will go
the limit on it. /*, il f
Even a Republie
an majority f-' "T ^
doesn't mind a TV'T/''*** ^
little Democratic y \ fj
support,, you '/ u Iff
know. I think u\ I l |
he's just the man 1 Je \
you can use in miftf'
this gulf naval
base bill."
"You can swing Cj.
bim?" asked Pea- * -?,. y c
body sharply.
Stevens drew "Then you rjuarantcc
closer to Pea- himf" napped the
body. b08s- t
"I elected him, and he knows it," (
he chuckled.
The boss nodded.
"And It's likely that a man like 1
Langdon, new to politics?a simple
gentleman of the old school, as you do- *
scribe him?might hare considerable 5
Influence on opinion throughout the
country." t
I.angdon's colleague grasped the arm *
s ? of the senatorial dictator. j *
"He's Just the man we want, senaje
tor. He's one of those old fellows you 1
Up just have to believe when he talks, j
m- j ,
MM aagigaftB
[Tor Sale Quic
ss Block" Second St.
(prettiest residence site in town)
0 room, modern residence with bar
?ut 5 miles from Cheraw, near Kiir
, (more or less,) with a tfood house
ed. Cheap with terms to suit you
farms uiki town lots. See our list
till (EL LIr
:e - - - JRc
To'Il .do what I suggest. ill il In- ci-i
uake the public believe what we t
hink." , e
"Tben you guarantee bim?" snapped j.
be boss. j.
"Unreservedly, senator."
"Ail right," said Feabody. "He goes j
in the naval committee. That ought j
o be enough honor for a man who a ' c
ear ago was growing cotton on an ;
ild plantation miles away frotn clviliation."
"We have control now of all the land 5
bout Altacoola that can be used," said (
Stevens. "I have had Norton, the con- j
;ressraan from Langdon's district, j
vorking on it. There isn't a foot of
and there which we do not flow conrol
under options, and," he added,
ritb a chuckle, "the options were dirt ,
heap." t
Feabody grunted approvingly.
"There won't be any New York forune
in it, but it ought tQ be a pretty (
ldy bit," he said. "Now, if we could v
inly get Langdon interested, directly
t Indirectly, in a financial way, that {
vonld clinch everything."
The senior senator from Mississippi j
iU^^U klM' U*n,1
iuuucv uia uiraui
"It's too risky. lie's old fashioned, j
rou know?has about as much idea
ibout practicnl polities as?well, as we f
lave of the Golden Rule. Fact is, he (
Senator Peibody, "boss of the senate.1' 1
atber lives by that antiquated stand- ,
ird, That's where we get him. He
?wes everything to me, you see, so '
::D liuacross' ^
t Stevens' summons.
"I've been wanting to speak to you,
,'entlemen," said Norton, full of the '
;ood trick he had turned, "but I didn't
tr? Interrnnt von. I think I've
lone a big stroke for Altacoola tolay."
j
Even Peabody pricked up his ears. ,
"Yes," said both senators together.
With a keen sense of the dramatic, J
lie congressman let his next words ,
Irawl out with full effect.
"I've got Senator Laugdou Interested
-financially interested," he said.
His two hearers exchanged a signifl- (
ant glance.
"IIow?" asked Peabody sharply.
Norton smiled shrewdly.
"Well, I just let his son invest $.10, ,
tOO of the senator's money io Alta-1 J
:oola land. That ought to help some." j
Stevens stared in amazement at his
congressman, his eyes threatening to |
>ulgc out of his head. j
"What!" he gasped. "You got Lang- (
ion's money in Altacoola, through Ills ! ]
1011 ?"
"I sure have, senator," chuckled Nor;on.
"He's in to the extent of fifty ; j
housand, and I've promised that the ;V,
ifty shall make a hundred bj* spring." "
"It'll make three hundred thousand i
it least," snapped Peabody. "Norton,1 j
rou've done a pood day's work. By j
he way, a New York client of mine j
ins a little business that I cannot at- j
( j,
I 5
i
<<a. I
V2f
on Market St.) I j
I#!
j |
?, i
before you buy. g |,
kdsay, 1
jai Instate. 1
vork, and a young, bustling lawyer
Ike you ought to take charge of it
aslly. The fee, I should say. would
te about $10,000. Have you tb? time
o undertake It?" .
The congressman drew a long braatb.
lis eyes beamed with gratitude.
"I should say I have, senator. Of
ourso It won't Interfere with any of
ny duties as a congressman."
Peabody smiled.
"Of course not, Norton. I see that
'our sense of humor is Improving. If
lonvenlent, run over to New York the
ast of the week. I'll give you a card,
lly client's office Is at 10 Broadway."
The ruler of the senate nodded a curt
llsmlssal.
"Thank you, senator; thank you very
uuch." And Norton bowed and left,
ejolclng.
Peabouy turned to Stevens.
"You see, even a congressman can
>e useful sometimes," remarked ^teens
dryly. l.
"Keep your eye on that young man,
Stevens. He's the most valuable conrressman
we've had from your state
h a long while. Does Just what be la
old and doesn't ask any fool quea;Ions.
This was good work. LangIon's
on the naval committee now
mre. Come. Stevens; let's go to*some ?
lulet corner In the smoking room. I
want to talk to you about--something ^
;lse the Standard has on hand for yon
to do."
Hardly had they departed from the
lobby when resounding commotion at
:ne entrauce, rouowea oy me rusnmg
)f porters and bellboys and an expectint
pose on the part of the clerk, Indicated
that the new senator from Mississippi
had arrived.
CHAPTER V. . * ^
PIIE BOSS OF THE SENATE I58PECT8 A
NEW MEMDER.
AhN actor playing the role of a high type
of southern planter would
score a decided success by pic- v
turing the character exactly I \
iftcr the fashion of Senator William , fcrj
3. Langdon as he strode to the desk of / I
:he International hotel. A wide brim- , / %
nod black hat thrust back on his head, - /
i long black pcrfecto in his mouthy > ^ c
coattails spreading out behind as * f JJL
smile on his face that carried sunsUosr,
ind good will wherever be went;
[vas good to look on, an iasnlrattj)@y^3r^B
particularly in Washington. ' VV4H
Following the senator were Vllhigffi '-j--jgjW
bangdon and Hope Georgia,
;etlncc of hotel attcndaj^Mg|^^|
wj&r A large^sortment
that has contributed so
farqe of rfontbern women. Hop* ^
jia, more girlish and a vivacious blond,
was the especial pet of her father and
usually succeeded in doing with him
what she chose.
A real senator and two such young
women handsomely gowned seemed to i
take the old hotel back a score of
rears?back to the times when such
sights were of dally occurrence. The
ancient greatness of the now dingy
international lived again.
"Mow are you, senator t uiau to
welcome you, sir," was the clerk's
greeting.
The genial senator held out his hand.
Everybody was his friend.
"Glad to meet you, sir; glad to meet
rou." ho exclaimed. "Must make you
acquainted with my daughters. This
Is Miss Carolina Laugdon, this Miss
Hope Georgia Langdon."
The two girls, with their father's
Idea of courtesy, shook hands with the
:lerk, who was not at all taken aback
lay tho unexpected honor.
Hope Georgia was thoroughly delight'1
1 with everything, but Carolina
looked at the worn and faded walls
and furnishings with evident distaste.
"Ob, this Is Washington," murmured
Hope Georgia ecstatically, clasping her
hands and gazing at a vista of artificial
palms in a corridor."
"Ah. this is Washington," sighed the
new senator contentedly as he gazed
across a hall at the biggest and most
gorgeous cigar stand he had ever seen
f nvnr iinnofl to see?the only new
tiling added to the hotel since Grant
ivns president.
"Truly magnificent establishment you
tave liere, sir; magnificent!" he ex laimcd
as an imitation marble colimn
came within his purview. "I roneiuber
my friend Senator Moseley
speaking to nie of it thirty years ago.
Vre our roams ready?"
The clerk, hugely pleased, hastened
:o assure lilra that everything was in ^I
Irst order, waiting.
"You better go up, girls, while
he strong man's world?which many
i woman would give her all to enter
ind play a part therein.
"What else have you against a poltical
career, Mr, Haines?" went on
he senator, taking up their conrar;atIon.
"Well, my age for one thin*. I
inven t any gray nuns.
Langdon waved this objection aside.
"I might arrange to pool agea with
you. Sometimes I think we want
foung men in politics, like yo? "
The reporter shook his bead.
"Old In age and young in politics,
like you. Senator Langdon," he replied
"Politics I sometimes think is pure
hypocrisy and sometimes something
worse. A man gets disgusted with the
trickery and dishonesty and eorrap- x
lion." ^
"Then," drawled Langdon, "the thing
to do is to jump in and stop it! I
read in the newspapers a great deel
about corruption. The gentlemen In
national politics whom F bare had the
honor of knowing?Senator Moaeiey,
an intimate friend of thirty yeare; my
present colleague. Senator Stevens, and
others -have been as honest as th? day
Is long."
"Put the days do get short hi Mevember,
when congress meets, dua't
they?" laughed Ilaines, rising. "I'm
afraid I've taken too much ot yourx
time, and I seem to have talked a lot."
Lnnirdon was amused.
"Poos look like I'd been interviewing
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