ith Colonel Dodd stand all the financial interests--the
railroads, the corporations, even the savings-banks. He is intrenched
behind that law which limits the indebtedness of our cities and towns.
Municipalities cannot own their own plants under present conditions.
Those men are even using the people's own money against them! They scare
depositors by threats of financial havoc if present conditions and the
big interest are bothered by any legislation.

"I must warn you, gentlemen, that it's a long and difficult road ahead
of us. But we must start. I have not intended to discourage you by
stating the obstacles to be overcome.

"I have explained them so that, if we make slow progress at first, we
shall not be discouraged.

"We will organize prevailing unrest and the innate honesty in this
state. We will establish a branch of the Square Deal Club in every town
and city. It must be done carefully, conservatively, and as secretly as
possible." The lawyer's cautious fear of too much haste now displayed
itself. "The most we can hope to do is send to the state convention
some men who will leaven that lump of ring politics. Party usage and
tradition are so strong that we must renominate Governor Harwood, I
suppose, for a complimentary second term."

"I think we can do better," cried a voice.

"Possibly," returned Mr. Converse, dryly, "but we must do that 'better'
carefully and slowly. In politics, gentlemen, we cannot transform the
ogre into the saint merely by waving the magic wand and expecting
the charm to operate instantly. Possibly we can control the next
legislature. I do not know just what legislation we may be able to
devise and pass, but I hope for inspiration.

"I will say now that I am with you. My purse is open. Command my
services for all questions of law. I will establish myself at the
capital for the legislative session.

"But there is one thing I will not do under any circumstances--I will
not accept political office."

"You bet you won't," muttered young Dodd, at the grating. "You wouldn't
be elected a pound-keeper in the town of Bean Center."

But if Mr. Dodd could have seen through that grating as well as hear he
would have been greatly interested just then in the expression on the
face of Walker Farr. The face was not exactly the face of a prophet, but
it had a large amount of resolution written over it.

"I don't want to be the first one to throw any cold water on our
prospects," declared a voice