Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 September 1908 — THE MAN OF THE HOUR [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE MAN OF THE HOUR

Khe New Mayor Baaed on GJI-BroadhursTs Successful Play

BY ALBERT PAYSON TERHUNE

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CHAPTER V. kT-k ALLAS!” cried Bennett, obI 1 livious of his surroundings—- | I of everything except that i 1 J the girl he had so long missled and who had inspired him to all be tad achieved—that she was standing efore him. I It was Dallas herself who brought !iim to a sense of the other’s presence, or as he sprang forward to meet her .nd eagerly grasped both her outitretched hands the girl bowed in oock reverence and answered his arlent greeting with a demure: 1 "Good afternoon, your honor!” “Don’t!’ he begged half in jest "It’s |k» good to see you again that I” , "I sent word that I had a surprise for you, Alwyn,” interrupted his mother. “I knew it would please you. But,” (With a glance at the aiderman, “you’re busy? Perhaps we”— “Not at ail. mother. May I present Alderman Phelan? Miss Wainwright, this 1*"“Aiderman Phelan of the Eighth,” amended the politician, thoroughly til 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 embarrassment in an instant “The Aiderman Phelan who gives turkeys to all those poor people at Christmas?” she asked In genuine interest. “I’ve often read about”— “The same, ma’am, at your service,” assented the delighted Phelan. “I fill ’em with turkey an’ coal In wlntet an* I take their wives* an’ kids on outings in summer. Ever been to one of the James Q. Phelan ontlngs, miss?” “No,” replied Dallas, with a perfectly grave face. “I’m sorry to say I haven’t. Tell me about them, won’t you ?” “They’ve got to be seen to be understood. 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 cool 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

yon, but if you'd been workin’ an’ livin’ an’ sleepin’ 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 togetherwell. 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 Horrlgan’a orders.*’ "I do understand,” cried Dallas, her Mg eyes bright with tears. “I understand, and, in behalf of all women and ohildren, I thank you with my whole heart!’’ • “You’re all right, miss,” muttered the delighted, embarrassed Phelan, at once at a loss for words. “You’re—you’re all right! I’ll leave It to his honor if”— “Indeed she far broke in a suave voice at whose sound the little spell of sentiment was broken and which caused Phelan and Bennett to turn in annoyance toward the door. Scott Gibbs, bland, well groomed, guite ignoring the other men’s lack of

we n the threshold. “Oh, I forgot to tell you, Alwyn,” whispered Mrs. Bennett in a hurried aside to her son as the latter summon-, ed up sufficient civility to greet the newcomer. “I forgot to tell you. Mr. Gfbbs Was calling on Dallas when I stopped for her, and he asked leave to come along. I’m sorry, but”— “How are you, Bennett?” Gibbs was saying. “And—Mr. Phelan, too, isn’t it? Alderman. I’m glad to see you again. You remember me? Scott Gibbs? I met”— “Yes.” said Phelan, “I remember you, all right. You was up to Wainwright’s last summer—that day me an’ Horrlgnn sent the dove of peace screechin’ up n tree, 1 didn’t know you visited the city hall too.” ”1 don’t, ns a rule,” answered Gibbs.“1 <nme hero with Mrs. Bennett and Miss Wainwright. I wanted a glimpse of the man 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, ,”t!' it-Mr. i’eimett can really have such an e7e<-tn:i the stock market?” ,”Tli::f and more.” Gibbs assured her. •’Why, the mere rumor that he meant to veto the Borough’s franchise bill has sent Ihe stock tumbling eight points since the market opened today.” “What power for one man!” exclaimed 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, forestalling Alwyn, who was about to speak. “Because.” cut in Gibbs before Bennett could Irfterfere, “the men who are backing the Borough bill are the men who made him mayor. It wouldn't t>e 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 Bennett.

“0b,,1 just spoke in generalities. As • 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’, I’m told,” interpolated Phelan. "We have a great deal of the stock, I admit,” said Gibbs; "so you see, Bennett, 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 I was only”— “You were trying to Influence my action toward the Borough bill. You cannot do it.” "Why, I didn’t think you’d be angry at”— ‘l’m not. 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 Bennett. “Certainly, if you like,” assented Gibbs, with a shrug of his broad shoulders. "I am afraid my time is up. Good day, Bennett. I’m sorry you misconstrued”— “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 a 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 politics, alderman!" laughed Bennett. “It’s good humanity, though. There’s two things 1 love to do—first, to down the man who's me enemy, an’, second, to give good times to folks who's strangers to fun. Goodby, your honor. I’ll < be In ag in now I’ve found my way. ladies.” - “Alwyn." said. Mrs. Ben Sett as the aiderman bowed himself out with many flourishes, “I want to see Cynthia. Can I 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 Alwyn as the old lady bustled Into the inner room, leaving Dallas and himself alone. Perhaps Dallas, too, understood, for her'manner was less assured than usual as her eyes met bls. "It is so good—so good to see you again!” he said. “It seems years instead of months since you went away.” “But how splendidly you’ve filled the time! And whatKa-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—and that you weren’t at alt proud of me.” “That is past We must forget It. YOU are awake now." "Forget it? Not for worlds. I owe all my success to you, Dallas. It was

your face that strengthened me when there seemed no hope. It was the memory of your words that kept nje brave and made me resolve to win against all odds. You were my Inspiration, the light in my darkness. At each step I thought ‘Dallas would be glad’ or ‘Dallas would not approve of this.’ And I steered my course accordingly to victory.” “No, no!” murmured the girl. “It was your own courage, your strength”— “Not mine. It was your faith insme. Do you know, I think no man ever accomplishes anything by himself. There la always a woman, I think, behind every great achievement. The world at large does not see her—does not know of her existence —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 I had a share in your success I 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 on the football field Oh, I 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 a deep voice as the door from the outer office was

banged open and Horrigan, re d faced and angry, burst in, “I understand that you’ve— Oh, I didn’t know you had a lady calling on you.” he broke off. “Well, 1 have,” retorted Bennett, furious at the untimely intrusion. “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!” (To be continued.)

“Don’t keep me waiting long,” said Horrigan. I’ll wait outside till

“I had a surprise for you, Alwyn,” in terrupted his mother.