Newspapers / The Smithfield Herald (Smithfield, … / Feb. 26, 1909, edition 1 / Page 2
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?V . ,|| A Gentleman From Mississippi Sy THOMAS A. WISE ft ox) elite d From the 7*lay by Frederick 7*. Toombs COPYRIGHT. 1909. BY THOMAS A. WISE ( Here is a story of an cpoch I making battle of right against ] wrong, of honesty against cor ruption, of simplicity and sin cerity against dcceit, bribery and i intrigue. It is the story of today in this country. It vitally con cerns every man, woman and child in the United States, so far reaching is its influence. The warfare is now going on? the warfare of honest men against corrupt political machines. The story tells the "inside" of the political maneuvers in Wash ington and of the workings of I bosses there and elsewhere ? how they shape men and women to their ends, how their cunning intrigues , extend into the very social lije of the nation's capital. You will find inspiration in the career of the honest old southern planter elected to the United States sen ate and the young newspaper re porter who becomes his private secretary and political pilot. Your heart will beat in sympathy with the love of the secretary and the senator's youngest daughter. You will read of the lobby. Is and Jind that not alt of them ure men. You will see how avarice causes a daughter to conspire against her Jather. You will hear the note of a gripping national tragedy in the words of Peabody, the "boss of the senate." But cause for laughter as well will not be found lacking in this truly many sided narrative. CHAPTER 1. PRACTICAL POLITICS. That bids him flout tho law he makes, That blda him maku tha law he flouts. -Klpllos. IN buoyant spirit the lion. Charles Norton rode up the bridle path leading through the Laugdou plao lailun tu the old antebelluui home stead which, on n shaded kuoll, over looked the winding waters of ibe l'earl river. No liner prospect was to be had In all Mississippi than greeted the eye from the wide southwest porch, where on warm evenings the Langdous and their frequent guests gathered to dine or to watch the golden splendor of the dying suu. The Langdon family bad long been a power In the south, lis sons fought under Andrew Jackson at New Or leans, under Zachnry Taylor in the war with Mexico, and In the civil war men of that name left their blood on the tielils of Antietaui, Shiloli. the Wilderness and Gettysburg, llut tliis family of lighting men, of unseltish patriots, had also marked influence In the ways of peace, as real patriots should. Generations of I.angdons had taken deepest pride In developing the hundreds of acres of cotton land, whose thousands of four foot rows planted each April spread open the ii*hi. vnariet Norton, ji l ?Uvery lined bolls In July and August, and the ripened cotton tiber, pure white beneath the sun. gave from a distance the picture of an expanse of driven snow. The Hon. Charles Norton had reason for feeling well pleased with the world as he fastened his bay Virginia hunter to a convenient post and strode up tIn steps of the uausion, which was a characteristic survivor of the "old south," the south of gilded romance and of gripping tragedy. Now In t!ii< second year of his first term as con jcressman and a promising member of the younger set of southern lawyers he had just taken active part In se curing the election of Colonel William H. Lnngdon, present hea<t of the fami ly, to tlie United States senate, though the ultimate action of the legislature had been really brought about by .1 ?Jfelong friend of Colonel I,angdon. thr I lenlor senator from the state, Jarac* Rtevens, who had not hesitated to flut ter Norton and use lilm as a cat's paw. 1'hls use the Hon. Charles Norton teemed to consider an honor of large propositions. Not every first term congressman can hope for Intimacy with a senator. Norton believed that his work for Langdon would win him the family's gratitude and thus further Ills ambition to marry Carolina, the planter's oldest daughter, whoso l?eau ty in*1 ' ' ? >? the recipient of many at tentl' A n it gleam shone In Nor ton's eyes as they swept over the fer tile acres of the plantation. lie thought of the material Interest he might one day have In them If his suit for the lianil of Carolina progressed fa vorably. Suddenly his reverie was In terrupted l>y the voice of young Ran dolph Langdon, a spirited lad In his rarly twenties, who had Just been made plantation manager by Ills father. "Well, how Is the honorable today?" said Itandolph, approaching from the doorway. "I didn't tlilnk n congress man could be spared from Washing ton but rarely, especially when the pa pers say tho country needs such a lot of saving." "Oh, tills 'saving your country' talk goes all right lii the story books," re plica .Norton, wlin exercised consld era hie Influence over the youth through a long acquaintanceship ami by frequent ly taking him Into his confl uence, "hut this country can take pretty good care of Itself. In con gress we repre sentatives put the job of saving it over on the sen ate, and the sen ate hands back the Job to us. So "The HfTinte h(iml? what's every Jmtill the Job." body's business Isn't aujrbody's, n fine scheme go Ions as we have a president who keeps his hands off mid doesn't"? ''But how about the speeches and the bills?" broke In Randolph. "I thought"? "Yes, .ves; to be sure," the congress man quickly added. "Nearly all of us Introduce these so called reform bills When they're printed at government expense we send copies, carried free by the postofflce department, to our constituents, and when we allow the bills to die In some committee wo can always blame the committee. Hut If there's a big light by our constituents over the bill we let It pass tlie house, but arrange to kill it In the senate Then we do the same tiling for the senators. I.Ike In every other business, my boy," continued Norton as lie led the way Into the house. "It's a case ot 'you tickle me and I'll tickle you' In politic!. And don't let any one fool you about the speeches either. They are pretty things to mail to the voters, but nil the wise boys In Washington know they aren't meant seriously. It's all play acting, and there are better actors in the senate than Henry lr vlng or Edwin Booth ever were." "I don't think my father looks at things the way you do, Charlie." "'No? Well, maybe he doesn't now. but he will later on when he takes his sent In the senate. If he isn't wise enough to play around with the rest of the senators he won't get any bills passed, especially any bill carrying an appropriation or of any other particu lar Importance." "What!" ejaculated the planter's son "Do you mean to say that If father won't do what the other senators want him to do they will combine against him and destroy his useful ness, make liira powerless a failure?" The congressman smiled patroniz ingly on the youth. "Why. of course the.v will. That's politics, practical politics. I lie only kind that's known In Washington. You see"? "Hut the leaders of the great par ties!" cried the young plantation man ager In amazement. "Why don't the.v prevent this?" "Because they Invented the system and because political party differences don't amount to a whole lot much ol the time in Washington. The politi cians do most of their criticising ol the other party away from Washing ton. where the voters can hear them But when circumstances sometime* force a man to rise to assail the othei side In congress he afterward a polo Itl7.es In secret for his words. Ol sometimes he apologizes beforehand saying: 'I've got to hand out some hoi shot to you fellows just to please i crowd of sovereign voters from mj district who have come up to Wash Ington to see me |ierform. So, ol course. I've got to make n sluming Don't mind what I say. You know don't mean It, but the old fogies wll go back home and tel! their neighbor what a rip snortln' reformer I be.' " "Is that the way you represent you district. Norton?" asked Planter Lang don. who at this Juncture entered th< J room. "No, no, Mr. Langdon?I should say senator now, I suppose. I was merely telling Randolph how souie legislator* conduct themselves." The senator elect paused momentari ly. Killing nt the congressman, who. dark vlsaged. tall black haired, brand shouldered and ath.etlc. was visibly uneasy al having his conversation with Itandolpb overheard by the (a ther "No douId it won't l>e h11 plain k;i> Ing In U'a tilngion for an old fa - a i lolled man like me. but I believe In t'l ? | American people and the men Hi.')' ; send to i ongress." slowly spoke t:i ? i planter. "There's Senator Stevens, for |; Instance lie has always stood for th ? , rights of the people. I've rend ali lii< s|ieeeUes. Just why he brought ah >ut my election It is hard to tell, for I've been u planter all my life except when ' 1 fought under Beauregard. 1 feci ' that lie did It out of friendship, and I ! simply can't say how much 1 appre i elate the honor. I am indebted to you too. congressman." i ' ?(?fully disclaiming any credit for ( b work, onl v Norton's congress! mi i training in repression enabled hin) refrain from smiling at Langdon's In ' noeence. his belief in Stevens' sin ???rl 1 ty and his wonder over his election Stevens, the keen, cold and resmir e i fill, who f< reed Ills officeholders 1 yield him parts of their government salaries: Stevens, who marketed !?? I railway ci nipanies his Influence with ; the de| rt .nut of Justice. Steven who was a Republican in tlie commit tee room in Washington and a li'tno crnt on the platform In MlslisippI Stevens, who hid consumniHted tl den! with Martin Sanders, boss of !?. en counties, to elect I.nngdon because of the planter's trustfulness and sim plicity of character, which should in ;!; him easy to Influence and to handle In the all important matter of the gull naval base project! The entry of Carolina Langdon and her younger sister. Hope Ceoigla. gave Norton a welcome opportunity to shift the trend of conversation "Yon li'dies v. ill have n gay time in Washington." lie began. after directing a particularly enthusiastic greeting to Carolina. Von will lie In great de manil at all the big affairs, and I don't think you v. lil ever want to come back to old Mississippi, forty miles from a railroad, with few chances to wear your New York gowns." Carolina spoke quickly, her face (lushing at the thought of the new vista of life now opening. "Yes, I have always longed to be a part of the real life of this world, the life of constant action? meeting new peo pie every day, and prominent people. Halls, re ceptlons, teas, theater parties afternoon drives plenty ,of money and plenty of gayety are what 1 want. I'm not a bit like Hope Georgia, who thinks these Ideas are extravagant because she ha "I'm not 11 hit tike not seen real life '?>op* Georgia." . yet"? "Carolina. you must uot think uie 'only your little sister' now. 1 have seen life. Haven't I spent a week in Jackson?" "That's enough proof. You know all about life. Km sure. Miss Hope Georgia," smilingly remarked Norton l.ater, rising to Join Planter I.angdon on the verauda. where ho had gone to smoke, the congressman gazed Intent ly at Carolina. "You will probably forget your old friends whetf you en ter the dizzy social race in Washing ton." "No. Charlie. 1 couldn't forget yon anyhow. You will be there too. I shall depend on you a great deal to take me about, unless you are too busy making speeches and Qghting your opponents." Again It was Norton's turn to be Inwardly amused nt the political ig norance of the Langdotf family Speeches? The tirst term congressman doesn't make speeches? In Washington because no oue cares what he thinks? except the lobbyists, whose business it Is to provide new members with a complete set of thoughts. Neither does he have opponents?he Is not consid ered important enough by the veterans to be opposed. Skillfully approaching the subject which next to Carolina I.angdon had been uppermost In his mind during his visit, Norton asked the senator elect on Joining him if he did not believe that the entire south would benefit if the plan to establish a naval base 011 the gulf was successfully carried through. "Most certainly ! do. and. as I said during the senatorial tight, the whole country as well will lie the gainer." re i 8ponded I.angdon. 1 "Don't you think the people wlw< ? want Altacoola chosen :<s the site lve ' the best arguments?" was the visit" - next question, the reply to which lie anxiously nwalted 1 "Yes, I do. from what I've alrontj. heard, but I haven't heard very r.; of what the folks who advocate oii-e r sites have to say So until I've h' i ail sides ard made my own cxar. ' tion 1 couldn't give any one U'j :ml 1 answer, but Altacoola seems to I ;vt ' the necessary qualifications." "Kemtor Stevens Is In favor of Alt > f coola " eagerly sus?-.> vd Not ton "Yes, nnd that's a ptctty i: d :ir i ' ment in lu fav< r." respi mil <i I don. ? Norton now excused hlins'lf, p:? til ing an nppolntment wltli a client at a r neighboring v11: -._re Waving farewell to Carolina and l!>pe (leorgla. who 9i stood at a window lie rode away. "The old oir.n U sure to be all rljht " ne muttered "iie leiius towaru Aita- ' cool a and believes In Stevens. He'll lean gome wore uufll he f ill* ovtr?into the trap. There's a fortune lu sight. ? within reach. Langdon has faith in his friends. lie won't suspect a thine." Still another thought occurred to the Hon. Charles Norton. "Stevens elect ed Langdon out of friendship." he chuckled gleefully. "That will be well worth telling In Washington." Continued next week. Needed The Year Around. You needn't suffer with sick head ache, indigestion, constipation, or any j other trouble arising from disordered stomach, liver or bowels. Dr. Cald- | well's Syrup Pepsin wl". cure you j and keep you well. It is a wonderful j laxative and regulator. It is safe ami i pleasant to take and should be in every American household. Tens of thousands already use It. It is ab- I solutely guaranteed to do what Is j claimed and if you want to try it be- j fore buying, send your address for a free sample bottle to Pepsin Syrup Co., 119 Caldwell Bldg., Monticello, 111. It is sold by Hood Bros, at 50c and $1 a bottle. ITCH cured in 30 minutes by Wool ford's Sanitary Lotion. Never fails.; Sold by Hood Bros., Druggists. WE WILL sell guai.o, C. S. meal, muriate potash, nitrate of soda, kali; it, Acid, and all other kinds of ferti lizer at Four Oaks and it will pay you to see John W. Sanders before you place your order this season. Cot ter-Underwood Co. Do You Want a Machine? i X fi S S W 5 c c X ? ? If you want a first class Sewing Machine buy the New Home Sewing Ma chiue from me J. M. Beaty, Smithfie^lci. N. C. Smithfield Roller Mill will pay cash highest market price for wheat or ex change flour and feed. Building Material We manufacture auri s*l] Rough and Dressed Lumht r. Shingles-, Brackets. Porch Trimmings and turi ed work. Heavy Turning a Specialty. Come ana see our Material. Four Oaks Lumber Co. Tombstones, Mon uments, and Iron Fence For Sale! z ?: Write for prices. Fair deal ing to all who patronize us. Dunn Marble worhs M. B WILLI IMS. Prop. Dunn N.C. Plant Wood's Seeds For The Garden & Farm. Thirty years in business, with a steadily increasing trade every year?until we have to-day one of the largest businesses in seeds in this country?is the best of evidence as to Ihe Superior Quality H of Wood's Seeds. \ We are headquarters for Grass and Clover Seeds. Seed Potatoes. Seed Oats. Cow Peas. Soja Beans and all Faam Seeds. Wood's Descriptive Catalog the most useful and valuable of Garden and Fartn seed Catalogs mailed free on request. T. W. WOOD ft SONS, Seedsmen, ? Richmond, Va. How to Increase the Yield of Fruit Increased fruit crops are more often the result of good manage ment than of good luck. Fruit trees and fruit plants need a liberal supply of Virginia- Carolina Fertilizers The trees absorb plant foods?that is, nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potash?from the soil just the same as any other crop. Experi ence has shown this over and over again. This truth has become so well recognized that " return to the land what the tree removes if you would expect the best results " has become an axiom with the best growers. Apple, pear, peach, orange and other fruit trees soon respondf to careful fertilization. But be sure to use the best fertilizers. " I made a test with other companies' fertilizers," says Mr. H. O. I.owry, of Manatee County, Kla., " and yours proved to be the best. The yield where I used Virginia-Carolina Fertilizer, was just twice as much as where the other two companies' fertilizer was used." Hundreds of users say Virginia-Carolina Fertilizes are cheapest because of their good qualities?give better satisfaction and quicker results. Many facts of Rreat interest and value to fruit growers are pub lished in the new 1909 Farmers' Year Book, a copy of which will be sent free on application to any of our sales offices. Virginia-Carolina Chemical Co. a a its uffues Richmond, Va. Norfolk, Va. Columbia, S. C. Atlanta, Ga. Savannah, Ga. Memphis, Tenn. EH Sales Officii Durham, N. C. Charleston, S. C. Baltimore, Mil. Columbus, Ga. Montgomery, Ala# Shreveport, La. I\ RSK1 M&Wit Si 1 BEST | ^.*?f CROUP. COLD * If It's The I And |You Want ? PINEUM0IN1A j | mm | Get HOOD'S. Ask the hundreds who have used it about it. It's White and does not stain the clothing. Guaranteed. Price only 25c HOOD BROS., Prescription Druggists ;; Smithdeld, N. C. $9.40 $9.40 =TO= WASHINGTON, D.t. /\nci Return ATLANTIC ?0AST jjJNE Account Inaugural Ceremonies President Elect Taft Tickets on sale February 28th, March 1st, 2nd, 3rd, fi nal limit to reach original starting point not later midnight March 10th. Great Military Parade For further information, reservations, etc , call on nearest Ticket Agent or write W. J CKAIG, T. C. WHITE Passenger Traffic Manager General Passenger Agent WILMINGTON, ..... N. C. 1 Loth'sStoves 1 X Loth's Cook Stoves Wherever soId are j* yf. conceded to be the Ug Jfi best as they are made of the best of material and yj jf. gives the customer absolute satisfaction ; : | ^ We now have a complete Loth's StoVeS X stock of ... ^ which are selling fast and giving the best of sat isfaction. If you are in need of a Cook Stove call yj to see us where > ou will always find anything ^ je you want in | Furniture f *j necessary to furnish your home $ from the kitchen to the parlor Sf I Wire Fence f ST We have just unloaded another car of American 'JC X and Ellwood fence which we have in any style or jif 3^ height you desire. Yours truly ft % Rose & Co., BeNnsoc * ? 7 v- X
The Smithfield Herald (Smithfield, N.C.)
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Feb. 26, 1909, edition 1
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