Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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, 1 * S7i« New' Mayor Baaad on GJt. Bron dhurst’s Successful Piny THE MAN THE HO* CHATTER V. ATI.AS:" cried Bennett, ob livious of bis surroundings— of everything except that the girl he had so long miss ed and who had inspired him to all he had achieved—that site was standing before him. It was Dallas herself who brought him to a sense of the other’s presence, for as he sprang forward to meet her and eagerly grasped both her out stretched hands the girl bowed in mock reverence and answered his ar dent greeting with a demure: “Good afternoon, your honor!’’ “Don’t!’ he begged half in jest. “It’s so good to see you again that I”— “I sent word that 1 had a surprise for you, Alwyn.” interrupted his moth er. “I knew it would please you. But,” with a glance at the alderman, “you’re busy? Perhaps we”— “Not at all, mother. May I present Alderman Phelan'.- Miss Wainwrlght, this is”— “Alderman Phelan of the Eighth.” amended the pojirician. thoroughly ill at ease in the presence of the visitors. “I must be goin' now, your honor. I”~ But Dallas had come forward with a smile that melted the speaker’s em barrassment in an instant. “The Alderman Phelan who gives turkeys to all those poor people at Christmas?" she asked in genuine in terest. "I’ve often read about”— “The same, ma’am, at your service.” assented the delighted Phelan. “1 till ’em with turkey an’ coal in winter an’ 1 take their wives an’ kids on outings in summer. Ever been to one of the James Q. Phelan outings, miss?” “No," replied Dallas, with a perfect ly grave face. “Pm sorry to say I haven’t. Tell me about them, won’t you ?” “They’ve got to be seen to be under- atood. A thousand poor tired wives an’ white faced, spindly kids turned out into the country for the only glimpse of green grass an’ shady trees they ever get all year. A thousand mothers an’ children out in a coo! grove with nothing to do but roll around the soft grass an’ play an’ eat all the fancy grub they can hold. Maybe, miss, it wouldn’t mean a lot to v > -A ^ y **J had a surprise for you. Alwyn" iru- U erupted his mother. you, but if you’d been workin’ an’ livin’ an’ Bleepin’ an’ starvin’ for twelve months in a stuffy, dark, smelly back tenement room, toilin’ like a slave to keep food an’ clothes betwixt the kids an’ starvation, an’ was barely able to keep body an’ soul together- well, maybe then you’d understand what them outings an’ turkey fests an’ loads of coal means to the poor. And they won’t turn down Jimmy Phelan at Horrigau’s orders.” “I do understand,” cried Dallas, her big eyes bright with tears. “I under stand, and. in behalf of all women and children, I thank you with my whole heart!” “You’re all right, miss,” muttered the delighted, embarrassed Phelan, at once •t a loss for words. “You’re—you're all right! I’ll leave it to his honor if”— “Indeed she is!” broke in a suave voice at whose sound the little spell of sentiment was broken and which cans ed Phelan and Bennett to turn in an noyance toward the door. Scott Gibbs, bland, well groomed, quite ignoring the other men's lack of welcome, stood bowing on the thresh old. “Oh. I foi-got to tell you, Alwyn,” whispered Mr<. Bennett in a hurried •side to her son as ihe latter summon ed up sufli -ient civility to greet the newcomer. “I forgot to tell you. Mr. Gibbs was calling on Dallas when 1 •topped for her. and he asked leave to •©me along. Pm sorry, but”— “How are you, Bennett?” Gibbs was saying. “And Mr. Phelan, too, Isn’t it? Alderman, I’m glad to see yon •gain. Yon rcmoral>er me? Scott Olbbs? I met"- “Yes,” said Phelan r “I remember’you, •11 right. You was up to Walnwright’s last summer—that day me an’ Horri / gan sent the dove of peace screech in' up a tree. I didn’t know you visited the city hall too." “I don’t, as a rule.” answered Gibbs. "I came here with Mrs. Bennett and Miss Wainwright. I wanted a glimpse of the ipau who can make one pen stroke that will send Borough Street railway stock up to 100 or down to 10." "Do you mean,” broke in Dallas, “that Mr. Bennett can really have such an effect on the stock market?” “That and more.” Gibbs assured her. “Why. the mere rumor that ho meant to veto the Borough’s franchise bill lias sent the stock tumbling eight points since the market opened today.” “Wirnt power for one man!” ex claimed the girl, turning to Bennett in surprise. “And are you going to veto it?” “Office secrets,” reproved Alwyn jest ingly. “Hands off!” “Veto it?” echoed Gibbs, with a laugh. “Of course he isn’t. It would be too hard upon his friends—unfair and unkind, to say the least:” “But why?” queried Dallas, forestall ing Alwyn, who was about to speak. “Because.” cut in Gibbs before Ben nett could interfere, “the men who arc backing the Borough bill arc the men who made him mayor. It wouldn’t be square for him to turn his new power against the very men who gave him that power. Now, would it?” “By ‘the men who are backing the bill’ whom do you mean?” asked Ben nett. “Oh. I just spoke In generalities. As a matter of fact, the break in the price today was lucky for those who wanted to buy.” “An’ your firm’s doin’ most of the buyin’. Pm told.” interpolated Phelan. “We have a great deal of the stock. I admit.” said Gibbs; "so you see, Ben nett, you can make me or break me. I place myself In your hands.” “I see you are taking a most unfair advantage of me, Mr. Gibbs,” retorted Alwyn, with some heat. “You have no right to thrust this information on me and to appeal”— “But 1 was only”— “You were trying to influence my ac tion toward the Borough bill. You can not do it.” “Why. I. didn't think you’d be angry •t”- ‘T’m n<K. Let’s drop the subject, please.” “I only answered Miss Wainwright’s questions. I”— “We’ll leave Miss Wainwright’s name out of the matter, please,” replied Ben nett. “Certainly, if you like,” assented Gibbs, with a shrug of his broad shoui- ders. “I a'a afraid my time is up. Good day, Bennett. I’m sorry you rote- construed”— “I didn’t. Good day.” “I’ll be on my way, too,” announced Phelan, breaking the awkward pause that followed Gibbs’ exit. "Ladies. I’m proud to have met you. If either of you knows • poor woman needin’ a turkey or a family wantin’ an outing. Just drop me a line, an’ I’ll see they get it An’ they needn't come from my ward neither.” “That’s bad politic*, alderman I” laughed Bennett “It’s good humanity, though. There’s two things I love to do—first, to down the man who's me enemy, an’, second, to give good times to folks who’s stran gers to fun. Goodby, your honor. I’U be iu ag’lu now I’ve found ray way. ladies.” “Alwyn,” said Mrs. Bennett as the alderman bowed himself out with many flourishes, “I want to see Cyn thia. Can 1 go Into her office now, or is she too busy? I’ll be back in a few minutes, Dallas, and bring her with me. I know how anxious she is to see you again.” “I wonder what Phelan would think of that for ‘raw’ work,” thought Al wyn as the old lady bustled luto the Inner room, leaving Dallas and himself alone. Perhaps Dallas, too, under stood, for her manner was less assured than usual as her eyes met his. "It is so good—so good to see you again!** he said. "It seems years In stead of mouibs since you went away.” "But how splendidly you’ve filled the time! And what a magnificent fight you made! I was so proud of you, Alwyn!” “Really? I remember you once said ■ I was a mere idler—a rich man's son- ami that you weren’t at nil proud of me.” “That is past. We iuu»»t forget it. You are awake now.” “Forget it? Not for worlds. I owe all my success to you, Dallas. It was your face that strcngihcwed me when there seemed no hope. It was the memory of your woids that kept me brave and made me resolve to win ngniii-t nil odds. You were my In spiration. the light In my darkness. At eu< 1. step 1 thought ’Dallas would lx* glad’ or ‘Dallas would not approve of thN ’ And 1 steered my course ac cordingly to victory.** “No, no!” murmured the girl. “It was your own courage, your strength”-- “Not mine. It was your faith in me. | Do you know, I think no man ever ac complishes anything by himself. There i is always a woman, I think, behind j every great achievement. The world j at largo does not see her—does not rrzr t; know of her exist* nee—but she's in the heart of the man who is making the fight. He battles in her name as did the knights of old, and the triumph Is hers, not his. Whether his reward Is the crown of love or the crown of thorns, she is the inspiration.” “Then if 1 had a share iu your suc cess 1 am very happy, Alwyn, for your name is in every mouth. You are the man of the hour, even* as you were In the olden days ou the football field. Oh. 1 am proud of you—very, very proud! There is a glorious future be fore you.” “That all rests in your dear hands,” cried Alwyn. “Future or present, Dallas, it’s all the same. If only you”— “Say, Bennett,” roared n deep voice as the door from the outer office was banged open and ( ^ « Horrigan, red faced and angry, burst In, "I un derstand that you’ve— Oh, I didn’t know you had a lady call ing on you,” he broke off. “Well, I have,” retorted Bennett, ^ \\ W, furious at the untimely intru sion. “Ingram should have told you that at the door.” “I don't stop to hear what folks tell me at doors, you're alone.” “Don’t trouble to wait. Goodby.” “You can bet I’ll trouble to wait,” snarled Horrigan. “There’s something you and I have got to settle today. Understand? I’ll be outside. Don’t keep me waiting long!” IP iV \ \\ — "Don't keep me wait ing tony,” said Horrigan. I’ll wait outside till i< CHAPTER VI. HAT a strange man!” ex claimed Dallas Waln^ right In wonder, as the anteroom door slammed behind the boss. “And what utterly abominable manners! Who is he, Alwyn?” “Horrigan.” “Richard Horrigan, the”— “The boss. Yes. He hap a pleasing way of stamping into this office un asked, as if he owned it and as if 1 were his clerk. But today’s behavior was the worst yet. It’s got to stop!” “But don’t do or say anything reck less, Alwyn. Promise me. Remember how T strong be is!” "There’s no danger of his letting me forget his power,” said Bennett, with a bitter smile. “He”— “But you’ll be careful, won’t you? Please do, for my sake. And you mustn’t keep ilm waiting. If there’s a way out through Cynthia’s office we’ll go by that. Goodby. I’ll explain to your mother. No; you must let us go now. Office business must come first. Won’t you call this evening? I’ll be home and alone.” Despite Bennett’s remonstrances she w’&s firm, and it was in no pleasant frame of mind that the mayor threw himself into a seat when he was left alone In the room. That the talk with Dallas, which had promised so much for him, should be thus rudely inter rupted. That— Horrigan flung open the door and stamped in. The boss’ anger had by no means subsided in the few moments of delay, but had, rather, grown until it vibr^ed iu his every word and gesture. He wasted no time in formalities, but came to the point with all the tender grace and tact of a pile driver. “Look hero, Bennett,” he rumbled, menace underlying tone and look, “Pm told Phelan’s been here this afternoon. What did he want?” “To see me," answered Bennett calm ly, the effort at self control visible only in the whitening of the knuckles that gripped the desk edge. “What did he want to see you about?” “A business qiatter.” “What business matter?” “Mine.” ’’Yours, oh?” sneered Horrigan. “Well, young man, 1 want yoif to un derstand here, and now that no one can be chummy with Jim Phelan and be my man at the same time. Got that through your head?” “Yes,” assented Bennett; “I think 1 have. And while we’re speaking plain ly I want you to understand here and now’ that no one can bully me, either here or elsewhere, and that I’m no man's man. Have you got that through your bead?” Horrigau stared in savage amaze ment. lie doubted If his ears had not played him false. Bennett had always treated the boss with uniform cour tesy, and Horrigan belonged to the too numerous eluss who do not under stand until too late the difference be tween gentle breeding and weak cow ardice. That a man should speak to him courteously aud no' interlard Ills talk with oaths, obscenity or rough ness seemed to Hofrlgan, as it does t<> many another boor, an evidence of ti midity and lack of virility. A Damas cus blade Is a far more harmless look ing weapon than a bludgeon, yet It is capable when the necessity arises of far deadlier work. It is only the man whose gentleness has not granite strength as Us founda tlon who deserves the newly popular term of “mollycoddle.” Had Horrlgan’s large experience with men l»een extended to embrace this fact he would probably never have picked out Alwyn Bennett in the first place as candidate for mayor nor deemed the younger man a fit tool for the organization’s crooked work. The French nobles of the old regime, whose polish of manner was the envy of the world, fought like devils on occasion and went to death on the scaffold with a smiie and a jest on their lips, while many a brutal demagogue in the same circumstances broke down and scream ed for mercy. However, Horrigan chanced to be more familiar with the history of the organization than with that of France; heuce, deeming Ben nett’s reply a mere sporadic flash of defiance from n properly cowed spirit, he resolved to crush the rebellion at a blow. “Don't give me any insolence!” he roared. “I won’t stand for it, and”— “Moreover,” quietly continued Ben nett, as though the boss had not spoken, “I shall be very much obliged if in future you will knock at my door instead of bursting in on me. This Is my private office, not yours.” “Do you mean to”— “I’ve explained as clearly as I can just what I mean. If you don’t under stand me I can’t supply you with in telligence.” “Bennett,” said the boss, his burn ing rage steadied down to a white heat, far more dangerous, but less in coherent, “you and me are talking teo much and saying too little. We’ve got to come to a showdown. You’re a clev er boy and yon made a rattling good fight, and you’re on the right side of the public and of the press too. You’re the l>est material we’ve got, and if you try and do the right thing there’s no limit to what yoh can rise to—but only If you do the right thing.” “ ‘The right thing,’ ” echoed Bennett. “What do you mean by the right thing?” “I mean you’ve got to do the right thing by the men who put you where you are today.” “That’s fair. But who ‘put me where I am today?”' “I did—I. Dick Horrigan. Who ever heard of you till I took you up? No body. If I didn’t make you mayor, who did, I’d like to know?” “The voters. The people of this city.” “The voters.” scoffed Horrigan. “The deuce they did! Who had you nomi nated?” “You did. But it was the public who elected me, and I’m going to obey your orders in one thing. I’m going to ‘do the right thing by the men who put me where lam today.’ I’m going to pay the voters for their trust In me by giving them a fair and square ad ministration. In the case of this Bor ough Street railway franchise bill, for Instauce,” tapping the document lying before him on his desk, “before I sign that bill I intend to make sure it’s for the good of thij people, that it is for the good of the city, uot merely for the good of Richard Horrigan and a Clique of his friends and heelers. No. don’t swear. It’ll do you no good. I’m firm on this matter. If you're discon tented with me it’s your own fault. I warned you months ago that if I Was elected 1 should keep my oath of office. As for this Borough bill”— “As for this Borough bill,” broke in Horrigan savagely, “you’ll sign it. If you don’t”— “Well?” queried Bennett, as the boss paused, choked by his own fury. "If I don’t sign it—what then?” “If you don’t, your political career is ended from this time on. See? It's ended. Smashed fiat. You think of yourself as a fine, promising young man who’s on the road to the gov ernorship and maybe to the White House. Well, you aren’t. You’re what Dick Horrigan made you, aud your future will be what Dick Hoifigau chooses to make it. 1 lifted you up. and I can tear you down just as easy. And, what’s more, by , I’ll do it if you don’t sigu.the Borough lull. I’m a man of my word, aud before ever you were nominated I pledged my word to have that bill put through. The bill paid your election expenses. It”- "L paid my own election expenses. You know that.” “Your personal expenses, perhaps. But who paid for parades, halls, ban ners, fireworks, speakers, advertise ments, workers and watchers and all the other million things that elected you? The men behind that Borough bill paid them. And they did it on the understanding you’d sign the bill.” “In other words,” remarked'' Ben nett, “you made a bargain for me. Well, I can’t keep It.” “Oh, I’ll keep it all right. You’ll sign that bill or you’ll”— "Mr. Horrigan,” exclaimed Bennett, controlling his temper with more and more difficulty, “you said something Just now about our coining to a show down. This is the time for it. 1 want you to remember henceforth that 1 wear no man’s collar—yours or any one else’s—and that you can't deliver any goods you’ve bargained for In my name. If 1 sign that bill it won’t be under your orders, but because 1 think it right." “Oh,” laughed Horrigan, who thought he began '■> see the drift of the oth er's mind, "I don’t hold out for that. I don't care why you sign it as long as you <’. > sign it.” “What do you think about the bill yourself?” Inquired Alwyn. "Do you consider it honest?” “What do I care? It's got to be signed, and’’— “I care. And I think the bill Is fraudulent.” “Getting tender In the conscience, aren't you? Well”— “If you put it that way, yes. I think this Borough Mli is crooked from first to last. Bill”— "What’s the matter with it? Ain't"— "Let me explain.” pursued Alwyn. "This bill gives the Borough Street Railway company the right to use whatever motive power they choose to. It gives theft the right to charge five cent fares without any transfers. In one paragraph there's a clause permit ting them to build a subway if they want one. By another paragraph's con cessions they can build a conduit and lease it out for telephone or telegraph wires. By another they can do an ex press business. But all these provi sions are as nothing compared to the fact that the bill gives the streets above and below ground to the Bor ough company forever and ever—not for a term of years, but until the end of the world. It delivers that route to the company not only for our time, but for always, and binds us and our de scendants to its terms. That Is the chief outrage of the whole thingr To think that the”— “Oh, we’ve got a howling reformer in the mayor’s seat, have we?” scoffed Horrigan. “If I'd known that”— “The people have got a man who is trying to protect their rights and prop erty. Here's a letter I received to day. You'll recognize the name of the capitalist who wrote it. You know he Is honest as well as wise. This is his proposition: He will pay $2,000,000 for that same franchise, give the city 10 per cent of the gross receipts and turn over the whole plant to it at the end of fifty years. What do you think of that?” “It’s a fake.” “It is a bona fide offer. He volun teers to deposit $1,000,000 to bind the bargain. Now, what I want to ask you, Mr. Horrigan, is this: If the fran chise is worth $2,000,000, why are you and your faction in the board of aider- men so anxious to give it away for nothing?” “Look here!” blustered the boss. “I am looking.” returned Bennett. "I’ve been looking deeper into it than you realize. I asked you a question Just now. I'll answer it myself in one word—‘flraft!’ That is why you want to give away a franchise that is worth $2,000,000.” “Graft!” snorted Horrigan contemptu ously. “The same old reformer howl! What’s your Idea of graft anyway?” “Graft is unearned increment. Money to which the recipient has no legal or moral right. That is”— “So! Then show me the man who ain't a grafter! A lawyer shows his client how to evade the law, and he takes a fee for doing it. What’s that but graft? A magazine takes pay for printing an advertisement its editors know is a fake. What's that? Graft! When a congressman votes for an ap propriation because another congress man lias agreed to vote for one of his. what’s that? Graft! When a five thousand a year senator retires at the end of ten years worth a million, what’s that? Graft! A police captain on $2.- 750 a year buys yachts and country estates. Graft! How about tin* rail road president w ho gets stock free in a * < rporation that ships over his road, or tin* insurance man or banker who g. es or takes fat leuis on f;yicy s»- ciiritics and cleats l.tiuo per cent? Gratters, all of ’em! Grafters! Every one grafts who can tr.who isn't too stupid. Show me a man who doesn’t graft and I'll show you a fool. Present company not excepted." “That's where you're wrong.” return ed Alywti. ignoring the slur aud speak ing " i;h a jmlii ial quiet oddly at con trast with the boss' vehemence. “The man who said ‘Honesty is the itest pol icy' knew what he was talking about. It pays best not only hereafter, but here as well. Why did Missouri choose Folk for governor? Because in spite of his faults he is honest. Why was La Folletle sent' to the senate front Wisconsin? Because, faults and all. he was honest. Why did tiie people of this country make Roosevelt their pres ident? Were they blind to his inults and foibles? No, but they knew lie was honest! I am honest. This bill isn’t. That is why I won’t sign it.” “You won’t, eh?” roared Horrigan. “Then veto it! Veto It if you dare! I’ll not only smash your political career, but I'll pass the bill over your veto. That’ll show you pretty well how you and me stand as to power In the city. I’ll make you the laughingstock of the administration by taking the whol** thing out of your hands and passing it in spite of you ” “I doubt It.” answered Bennett, pal ing. but meeting coolly the fiery wrath in IIorrlgan’H little red eyes “I imeml to fight your Borough bill in the nlder- manlc chamber and outside that coun cil. To pass a bill over my veto you'll have to get a two-thirds majority. l h it means fourteen votes. You have only your ’solid thirteen.’ And I’ll make it my business to see you don’t get i fourteenth vote." ’Til look out fur that, all right, all right.” “One thing more, Mr. Horrigan. I have reason to believe there D hriberv in th.is matter. I'll ferret out tin- name of every man who gives or takes i bribe in connection with the Borough franchise bill, and I'll send every one of them to jail—not only the aldermen, but the capitalists who are behind the measure. Receiver and thief shall go to Jail together.” “Is that so?” chuckled Horrigan. “Then, Mr. Reformer, let in*- tell y«m who is really behind this whole affair, the man you’ll have to jail first of !. Mr. Charles WaiiAvright, uncle of tin- girl you’re trying to marry.” lie leahed hack to note the * :f--r of his revelation, hut Bennett's face moved no muscle, gave no hint of what lay beneath. “Besides,” went on Horrigan, eager to press his advantage, “every cent of Miss Wnin- wright's fortune and of her broth er's has been p it by Wainwiight into B o r o w g li s t o c k. If the franchise is beat en, that stock will collapse and Miss \\ a i n - wrigid will be a pauper. You’il beggar tin* girl you’re in love with and her young brother if "Xow go ahead and yoU ve tothat bill. do as you Wic," Xowgoahe.idand said Horrigan. do ag you !ikw It was Ilorrigan’s trump card aa.l be had played it well. White, si lent, Bennett walked back to his desk. The fight seemed all knocked out of him. Heavily he moved, like a man overexhausted. Picking up a pen, he wrote rapidly, then cast aside the pen. crossed to the window and looked out into the snowy, crowded park “You’ve signed the bill?” cried Hor rigan in delight. “I’ve vetoed it,” replied Bennett. c H / y 7 u CHAPTER VII. HE boss is turned down!” This startling news flew lightning fast to every quarter of the organization aud in its wake spread a trail of incredulous amaze. Every member, from alderman to “heeler,” knew why Horrigan had made Bennett mayor. That the latter should turn against his benefactor seemed not only black ingratitude, but something akin to insanity, for it ap parently spelled political suicide for the young man. While neither of the disputants had repeated the details of the quarnS, yet those details with many another were already passing from mouth to mouth in the mysterious fashion whereby the closest kept secrets are divulge*! and enlarged on. In the financial world, too, the veto came as a bombshell. Borough Street railway stock fell with a thud that shook more than one colos sal fortune. Bennett—central point of the whole upheaval—was the calmest man of all who were involved. He had chosen his course, and he was follow ing it with a dogged quiet far more dangerous than any loud mouthed blus ter. He had laid out a campaign, and that campaign he rigidly followed. His first stop was to send for Perry Wainw right early in the morning fol- ^ lowing the clash with Horrigan and, under strict pledge of secrecy, to ex plain the whole complicated affair to that very bewildered young man. “You’re all right, Alwyn! You’re all the goods!” crowed Perry in gi-riiiirie admiration*. “But why. didn't you \ A Simple Remedy Carditf is a purely vegetable extract, a simple; non-i ntoxioating remedy, recommended to girls and women, of all ages, for womanly pains, irregularity, falling feelings, nervousness, weakness, and any] othei^ form of sickness, peculiar to females. «CMDU1 It Will Help You J » Mts. A. C. Beaver, of Unicoi, Route No. 1,'Mar-j bletoTi, Tenn., writes: “I suffered with bearing- down pains, feet swelled, pain in right side, headache, pains in shoulders, nervous palpitation, and othcrl troubles I cannot ment ion, but I took Wine of Cardin | and have found it the best medicine I ever useu,j for female troubles.” Try CViului. 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