FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   942   943   944   945   946   947   948   949   950   951   952   953   954   955   956   957   958   959   960   961   962   963   964   965   966  
967   968   969   970   971   972   973   974   975   976   977   978   979   980   981   982   983   984   985   986   987   988   989   990   991   >>   >|  
ted down and blacklisted. You've seen that, haven't you?" "I have observed," said Mr. Crewe, "that things do not seem to be as they should in a free government." "And it makes your blood boil as an American citizen, don't it? It does mine," said Mr. Tooting, with fine indignation. "I was a poor boy, and had to earn my living, but I've made up my mind I've worn the collar long enough--if I have to break rocks. And I want to repeat what I said a little while ago," he added, weaving his thumb into Mr. Crewe's buttonhole; "I know a thing or two, and I've got some brains, as they know, and I can make you governor of this State if you'll only say the word. It's a cinch." Victoria started to rise once more, and realized that to escape she would have to cross the room directly in front of the two men. She remained sitting where she was in a fearful fascination, awaiting Humphrey Crewe's answer. There was a moment's pause. "I believe you made the remark, Mr. Tooting," he said, "that in your opinion there is enough anti-railroad sentiment in the House to pass any bill which the railroad opposes." "If a leader was to get up there, like you, with the arguments I could put into his hands, they would make the committee discharge that Pingsquit bill of the Gaylords', and pass it." "On what do you base your opinion?" asked Mr. Crewe. "Well," said Mr. Tooting, "I guess I'm a pretty shrewd observer and have had practice enough. But you know Austen Vane, don't you?" Victoria held her breath. "I've a slight acquaintance with him," replied Mr. Crewe; "I've helped him along in one or two minor legal matters. He seems to be a little --well, pushing, you might say." "I want to tell you one thing about Austen," continued Mr. Tooting. "Although I don't stand much for old Hilary, I'd take Austen Vane's opinion on most things as soon as that of any man in the State. If he only had some sense about himself, he could be governor next time --there's a whole lot that wants him. I happen to know some of 'em offered it to him last night." "Austen Vane governor!" exclaimed Mr. Crewe, with a politely deprecating laugh. "It may sound funny," said Mr. Tooting, stoutly; "I never understood what he has about him. He's never done anything but buck old Hilary in that damage case and send back a retainer pass to old Flint, but he's got something in his make-up that gets under your belt, and a good many of these old hayseeds'll eat out
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   942   943   944   945   946   947   948   949   950   951   952   953   954   955   956   957   958   959   960   961   962   963   964   965   966  
967   968   969   970   971   972   973   974   975   976   977   978   979   980   981   982   983   984   985   986   987   988   989   990   991   >>   >|  



Top keywords:
Tooting
 

Austen

 

governor

 

opinion

 
things
 

Hilary

 
railroad
 

Victoria

 
pretty
 
shrewd

continued

 

Although

 

replied

 

helped

 

breath

 
slight
 
acquaintance
 

pushing

 

practice

 
matters

observer

 

damage

 

stoutly

 

understood

 

retainer

 

hayseeds

 

politely

 

deprecating

 
exclaimed
 
happen

offered

 
fascination
 

collar

 

living

 

repeat

 

buttonhole

 

brains

 
weaving
 

indignation

 
observed

blacklisted

 

American

 

citizen

 
government
 
sentiment
 

remark

 

moment

 

opposes

 

leader

 

committee