John Rockwood, an energetic young lawyer, was nominated for district attorney, by a political party which had been long out of power, and whose shrewd boss, Martin Rowley, determined should control the destinies of the city. Rockwood, brilliant and popular, was sure to draw many votes, and after his nomination it became clear that his election was almost a foregone conclusion. The candidate's little sister, Helen, a girl of sixteen, had been, since childhood, a cripple. Crampton, a wealthy manufacturer, was a persistent violator of the fire ordinances, and, as a result, many of his employees were injured in a fire. The district attorney refused to interfere, but when John's attention was drawn to the matter. He promised to prosecute vigorously, if elected. Crampton, in alarm, consulted Rowley, who told him that John's statement was merely a campaign story, and that he would not be harmed. Rowley felt safe in making this promise, for John was a devoted admirer of his daughter, Maude, and he believed that he would do anything rather than lose favor with her. To calm Crampton's fears, Rowley wrote John, telling him that he had assured the manufacturer that there would be no prosecution in the event of Rockwood's election, but to his amazement, he received a letter stating that John would have nothing to do with such a dishonest transaction. Rowley angrily called up John on the telephony and the candidate listened with amazement to what the boss said. Helen, who was in the room, timidly touched John on the arm, and the amazed young man listened to a confession from his little sister which surprised and touched him. The letter he had written to Rowley assured the boss that he would comply with his wishes. Helen read the letter, and, grief-stricken that her brother could stoop so low, destroyed it and substituted a missive which angrily rejected the boss' proposal. Shamed by Helen's action, John turned to the telephone and told the boss that he meant every word he said. A boss generally can revenge himself upon a disobedient candidate, and John fully expected that his career was ended. The election, however, was very satisfactory to John, for he was triumphantly elected district attorney, and, best of all, he found that the grim old politician respected a man who was a good fighter and considered him worthy of his daughter's hand.
