CHAPTER XI
THE HONER'BLE OJOY BOGLIN
One morning while Patsy was alone in her office, busied over her work,the door softly opened and a curious looking individual stood beforeher.
He was thin in form, leathery skinned and somewhat past the middle ageof life. His clothing consisted of a rusty black Prince Albert coat,rusty trousers to match, which were carefully creased, cowhide shoesbrilliant with stove polish, a tall silk hat of antiquated design, and afrayed winged collar decorated with a black tie on which sparkled alarge diamond attached to a chain. He had chin whiskers of a sandy graycolor and small gray eyes that were both shrewd and suspicious inexpression.
He stood in the doorway a moment, attentively eyeing the girl, whileshe in turn examined him with an amusement she could not quite suppress.Then he said, speaking in a low, diffident voice:
"I'm lookin' for the editor."
"I am the editor," asserted Patsy.
"Really?"
"It is quite true."
He seemed disconcerted a moment, striving to regain his assurance. Thenhe took out a well-worn pocketbook and from its depths abstracted asoiled card which, leaning forward, he placed carefully upon the tablebefore Patsy. She glanced at it and read: "Hon. Ojoy Boglin, Hooker'sFalls, Chazy County."
"Oh," said she, rather surprised; "are you Mr. Boglin?"
"I am the Honer'ble Ojoy Boglin, miss," he replied, dwelling lovinglyupon the "Honer'ble."
"I have not had the honor of your acquaintance," said she, deciding shedid not like her visitor. "What is your business, please?"
The Hon. Ojoy coughed. Then he suddenly remembered he was in thepresence of a lady and took off his hat. Next he slid slowly into thevacant chair at the end of the table.
"First," he began, "I want to compliment you on your new paper. It's agood thing, and I like it. It's what's been needed in these 'ere parts along time, and it's talked about all over Chazy County."
"Thank you," said the editor briefly, for the praise was given in aperfunctory way that irritated her.
"The only other papers in this senatorial deestric', which covers threecounties," continued the visitor, in impressive tones, "air weeklies,run by political mud-slingers that's bought up by the Kleppish gang."
"What is the Kleppish gang?" she asked, wonderingly.
"The supporters o' that rascal, Colonel Kleppish, who has beenoccupyin' my berth for goin' on eight years," he said with fierceindignation.
"I fear I do not understand," remarked Patsy, really bewildered. "Whatwas your berth, which Colonel Kleppish has--has usurped?"
"See that 'Honer'ble' on the card?"
"I do."
"That means I were senator--state senator--which makes any common manhoner'ble, accordin' to law, which it's useless to dispute. I wereelected fer this deestric', which covers three counties," he saidproudly, "an' I served my country in that capacity."
"Oh, I see. But you're not state senator now?"
"No; Kleppish beat me for the nomination, after I'd served only oneterm."
"Why?"
"Eh? Why did he git the nomination? 'Cause he bought up thenewspapers--the country weeklies--and set them to yellin' 'graft.' Hemade 'em say I went into office poor, and in two years made a fortune."
"Did you?" asked the girl.
He shuffled in his seat.
"I ain't used to talkin' politics with a girl," he admitted; "but seein'as you're the editor of this paper--a daily, by Jupe!--you've probablygot a head on you and understand that a man don't get into office forhis health. There's a lot of bother in servin' your country, and a manoughter be well paid for it. I did jest like the others do--likeKleppish is doin' right now--but the reg'lar voters don't understandpolitics, and when the howl went up about graft, backed by Kleppish'sbought-up newspapers, they turned me down cold. I've been eight yearswatchin' for a chance to get in again, an' now I've got it."
"This is very interesting, I'm sure," remarked Patsy; "but our paperdoesn't go much into local politics, Mr. Boglin, and I'm very busyto-day."
"Honer'ble Ojoy Boglin," he said, correcting her; but he did not takethe hint to leave.
Patsy picked up her pencil as if to resume her work, while he eyed herwith a countenance baffled and uncertain. Presently he asked:
"Has Kleppish got this paper too?"
"No," she coldly replied.
"I thought I'd likely head him off, you being so new. See here,Editor--"
"I am Miss Doyle, sir."
"Glad to know you, Miss Doyle. What I was about to remark is this: Theelection for senator comes up agin in September and I want this paper topull for me. Bein' as it's a daily it's got more power than all ofKleppish's weeklies put together, and if you work the campaign properI'll win the nomination hands down. This is a strong Republicandeestric', and to git nominated on the Republican ticket is the same asan election. So what I want is the nomination. What do you say?"
Patsy glared at him and decided that as far as appearances went he wasnot a fit candidate for any office, however humble. But she answereddiplomatically:
"I will inquire into the condition of politics in this district, Mr.Boglin, and try to determine which candidate is the most deserving.Having reached a decision, the _Millville Tribune_ will espouse thecause of the best man--if it mentions local politics at all."
The Hon. Ojoy gave a dissatisfied grunt.
"That means, in plain words," he suggested, "that you'll give Kleppish achance to bid against me. But I need this paper, and I'm willin' to paya big price for it. Let Kleppish go, and we'll make our dicker rightnow, on a lib'ral basis. It's the only way you can make your paper pay.I've got money, Miss Doyle. I own six farms near Hooker's Falls, whichis in this county, and six hundred acres of good pine forest, and I'mdirector in the Bank of Huntingdon, with plenty of money out oninterest. Also I own half the stock in the new paper mill at Royal--"
"You do?" she exclaimed. "I thought Mr. Skeelty--"
"Skeelty's the head man, of course," he said. "He came to me about themill proposition and I went in with him. I own all the forest aroundRoyal. Bein' manager, and knowin' the business, Skeelty stood out forfifty-one shares of stock, which is the controllin' interest; but I ownall the rest, and the mill's makin' good money. People don't know I'm inthat deal, and of course this is all confidential and not to be talkedabout."
"Very well, sir. But I fear you have mistaken the character of ourpaper," said Patsy quietly. "We are quite independent, Mr. Boglin, andintend to remain so--even if we can't make the paper pay. In otherwords, the _Millville Daily Tribune_ can't be bought."
He stared in amazement; then scratched his ear with a puzzled air.
"Such talk as that means somethin'," he asserted, gropingly, "but whatit means, blamed if I know! Newspapers never turn money down unlessthey're a'ready bought, or have got a grouch of their own.... Say!" hesuddenly cried, as an inspiration struck him, "you ain't got anythingagin the mill at Royal, or agin Skeelty, have you?"
"I have, sir!" declared Patsy, raising her head to frown discouraginglyupon the Honer'ble Ojoy. "Mr. Skeelty is acting in a very disagreeablemanner. He has not only boycotted our paper and refused to pay for thesubscriptions he engaged, but I understand he is encouraging his workmento annoy the Millville people, and especially this printing office."
"Well--durn--Skeelty!" ejaculated Mr. Boglin, greatly discomposed bythis statement. "But I'll fix all that, Miss Doyle," he added, eagerly."Skeelty's my partner and he's got to do what I say or I'll make troublefor him. You dicker with me for the support of your paper and I'llguarantee a hundred subscriptions from Royal and get you an apology fromSkeelty and a promise he'll behave an' keep his men to home. And allthat's outside the price I'll agree to pay."
Patsy's eyes were full of scorn.
"I won't dicker with you an instant," she firmly declared. "I don't knowColonel Kleppish, or what his character is, but I'm very sure he's thebetter man and that the people have made no mistake in electing him inyou
r place. No respectable candidate for office would attempt to buy thesupport of a newspaper, and I advise you to change the wording on yourcard. Instead of 'Honorable' it should read 'Dishonorable' Ojoy Boglin.Good day, sir!"
Mr. Boglin's face turned white with rage. He half rose from his seat,but sat down again with a vicious snarl.
"I've coaxed, so far, young woman," he said grimly, "but I guess it'stime I showed my hand. You'll either run this paper in my interest orI'll push Skeelty on to make the town too hot to hold you. I've gotpower in this county, even if I ain't senator, and you'll feel thatpower if you dare oppose me. Take your choice, girl--either to make goodmoney out o' this campaign, or be run out of town, neck an' crop! It'sup to you to decide."
"In thirty seconds," said Patsy, her face as white as was Boglin's, "Ishall ring this bell to summon my men to throw you out."
The Honer'ble Ojoy slowly rose and put on his hat.
"Look out!" he said warningly.
"I will," snapped Patsy.
"This ain't the end of it, girl!"
"There are ten seconds left," she said.
He picked up his card, turned his back and walked out, leaving hisopponent trembling betwixt agitation and righteous indignation. A fewmoments later Bob West came in and looked at the girl editor curiously.
"Ojoy Boglin has been here," he said.
"The Honer'ble Ojoy, if you please," answered Patsy, with a laugh thatbordered on hysteria.
The hardware man nodded, his eyes reading her face.
"You were quite right to turn him down," he asserted.
"It was the only thing to do," responded the girl, wondering how heknew.
"But Boglin is a dangerous man," resumed West. "Look out for him. MissDoyle."
"Yes; he told me to do that, and I will," said she, more quietly. "He isSkeelty's partner."
"And you're not afraid of him?"
"Why should I be, Mr. West?"
He smiled.
"I'm justice of the peace here. If there's a hint of trouble from Boglinor Skeelty, come directly to me."
"Thank you, Mr. West. I will."
With this he nodded cheerfully and went away.