e I managed to make it friendly and keep it
so they've turned on me in that section and gone into politics. I know
well enough, Mr. Gilgan," concluded Cowperwood, "who has been behind
you in this fight. I've known all along where the money has been
coming from. You've won, and you've won handsomely, and I for one
don't begrudge you your victory in the least; but what I want to know
now is, are you going to help them carry this fight on against me in
this way, or are you not? Are you going to give me a fighting chance?
There's going to be another election in two years. Politics isn't a
bed of roses that stays made just because you make it once. These
fellows that you have got in with are a crowd of silk stockings. They
haven't any sympathy with you or any one like you. They're willing to
be friendly with you now--just long enough to get something out of you
and club me to death. But after that how long do you think they will
have any use for you--how long?"

"Not very long, maybe," replied Gilgan, simply and contemplatively,
"but the world is the world, and we have to take it as we find it."

"Quite so," replied Cowperwood, undismayed; "but Chicago is Chicago,
and I will be here as long as they will. Fighting me in this
fashion--building elevated roads to cut into my profits and giving
franchises to rival companies--isn't going to get me out or seriously
injure me, either. I'm here to stay, and the political situation as it
is to-day isn't going to remain the same forever and ever. Now, you
are an ambitious man; I can see that. You're not in politics for your
health--that I know. Tell me exactly what it is you want and whether I
can't get it for you as quick if not quicker than these other fellows?
What is it I can do for you that will make you see that my side is just
as good as theirs and better? I am playing a legitimate game in
Chicago. I've been building up an excellent street-car service. I
don't want to be annoyed every fifteen minutes by a rival company
coming into the field. Now, what can I do to straighten this out?
Isn't there some way that you and I can come together without fighting
at every step? Can't you suggest some programme we can both follow that
will make things easier?"

Cowperwood paused, and Gilgan thought for a long time. It was true, as
Cowperwood said, that he was not in politics for his health. The
situation, as at present conditioned, was not inherently favorable for
the b