“I suppose,” said Montague, “that was what Price meant when he said he’d furnish the influence.”

“That was what he meant,” said the other, promptly.

“I don’t like the prospect,” Montague responded.

The younger man shrugged his shoulders.  “What are you going to do about it?” he asked.  “Your political machines and your offices are in the hands of peanut-politicians and grafters who are looking for what’s coming to them.  If you want anything, you have to pay them for it, just the same as in any other business.  You face the same situation every hour—­’Pay or quit.’”

“Look,” Curtiss went on, after a pause, “take our own case.  Here we are, and we want to build a little railroad.  It’s an important work; it’s got to be done.  But we might haunt the lobbies of your State legislature for fifty years, and if we didn’t put up, we wouldn’t get the charter.  And, in the meantime, what do you suppose the Steel Trust would be doing?”

“Have you ever thought what such things will lead to?” asked Montague.

“I don’t know,” said Curtiss.  “I’ve had a fancy that some day the business men of the country will have to go into politics and run it on business lines.”

The other pondered the reply.  “That sounds simple,” he said.  “But doesn’t it mean the overthrow of Republican institutions?”

“I am afraid it would,” said Curtiss.  “But what’s to be done?”

There was no answer.

“Do you know any remedy?” he persisted.

“No, I don’t know any remedy,” said Montague, “but I am looking for one.  And I can tell you of this, for a start; I value this Republic more than I do any business I ever got into yet; and if I come to that dilemma, it will be the business that will give way.”

Curtiss was watching him narrowly.  He put his hand on his shoulder.  “That’s all right, old man,” he said.  “But take my advice, and don’t let Davenant hear you say that.”

“Why not?” asked the other.

The younger man rose from his seat.  “Here’s my station,” he said.  “The reason is—­it might unsettle his ideas.  He’s a conservative Democrat, you know, and he likes to make speeches at banquets!”

CHAPTER XII

In spite of his doubts, Montague returned to his old home, and put through the programme as agreed.  Just as he had anticipated, he found that he was received as a conquering hero by the holders of the Northern Mississippi stock.  He talked with old Mr. Lee, his cousin, and two or three others of his old friends, and he had no difficulty in obtaining their pledges for the new ticket.  They were all interested, and eager about the future of the road.

He did not have to concern himself with the new charter.  Davenant drew up the bill, and he wrote that a nephew of Senator Harmon’s would be able to put it through without attracting any attention.  All that Montague knew was that the bill passed, and was signed by the Governor.