piring persons which compels the average spectator to debate
whether the swelling of the cranium should be met by a larger hat-band
or by a sweeping haircut. _En passant_, Addicks' Panama had had its
fifth enlargement to accommodate the successive bulges of his brow.

Now, the city of Boston's contract with the Bay State Company for gas at
a dollar and twenty-five cents, which had run a long term of years, was
just expiring. One bright June morning the mayor's secretary telephoned
the secretary of the Mogul from Delaware that His Honor of Boston,
desired converse with the Gas King. If those who overheard the dialogue
can be credited, the parley was of this character:

"This is the mayor of Boston, the Hon. Nathan Matthews."

"This is J. Edward O'Sullivan Addicks, Gas King and United States
Senator-to-be. What would you with me?"

"I would hold converse with you in regard to a contract of much moment
which will expire in a few days."

"Well and good. My office is in West Street. Give your card to my first,
second, or third secretary and I will not keep you waiting long."

"The office of the mayor of Boston is at the City Hall and my first or
under-secretary will make things agreeable while you wait. When will you
call?"

"I would have you understand, Mr. Mayor, that any one to talk gas with
J. Edward O'Sullivan Addicks, Gas King and United State Senator-to-be,
comes to his office."

"Good-day to you, Mr. Gas King and United States Senator-to-be."

"Good-day to you, Mr. Mayor."

I do not, of course, guarantee that the conversation took exactly the
form here given it, but no injustice has been done its substance, nor
would it be possible to estimate in miles the breach it created. From
that telephonic encounter date the earnest efforts of Matthews and
Addicks to do up each other, in which both were successful to a degree
that filled their hearts with Indian pleasure.

A few days later public announcement was made that the Brookline Gas
Company, Rogers' corporation, had been awarded the contract for lighting
Boston, and that henceforth the legal price of gas to the consumer was
to be $1 per thousand feet. This was due notice to all concerned that
"Standard Oil" had captured City Hall, and Addicks realized his error.
He sought the mayor's office, but the mayor had no time to see him. His
companies met the new rate. There was nothing else for them to do.

CHAPTER XV

THE GREAT BAY STATE GAS FIGHT

It