The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1875-03-09

parenlly waiting in the street.
Put out your horse, Thomas. The
quicker the better the pay
He waited to see the Mexican wheel
his horse sharply and TO hear the beat Of
the hoofs of the spirited mustang as he
salloped across the b:idge over the ad-
jacent slough
He turned t, descend the stairs to the
court room 't atf 3sf av a. 4
"Qdick. John! quick. there is trout uble!'
he heard Sheriff Rashe excaiming atthe|
foot OF the stairs
The Sheriff was standing near Jordan.
his revolver drawn, his black eyes gilt
tering, while a crowd of sulien faces
pressed close to the two ,murmuring and
mumbiny in low but threatening tones.
Stand back, men!' exclaimed the
powerful voice of Rsshe You know
me! The first Of you that puts his hand
ON my prisoner dies in bis tracks!'
'We want that man! came from the
crowd in low, sinister tones.
at was the demand of the gamblers
for their victim that hideous requisiliou
Of the vigilance committee" which
Sheriff Rashe had heard before in other
cases, and the dread significance Of
which Jordan understood. The room
swan before the eyes of The miserable
man; there was an unutterable expires
sion of horror in bis face as lie clung to
the side of the officer of The law.
ITO the Jail - whispered Maitland.
| He pushed Jordan before him, whils
The Sheriff kept back the crowd by stead
lily ranging his pistol along the line OF
threatening faces and repeating constant
y words of remonstrance and defense.
"It's no Use, men For Heavens sake
stop Your nonsense 1t will be q bloody
job for the man that touches my priso
ner"
There was courage in his face that
appeared for moment to outshine the
fckering resolution of the cowardly
mob The stairs were gained, jordan
foremost, and before the crowd could
understand the movement the retreat was
suddenly accomplished. Passing up
stairs and along the balcony, the two of
icers and the prisoner gained the Jail,
and for moment the victim was with
drawn from the malicious, murderous,
baleful eyes under which his heart ha0
sunk under strange, unutterable fear.
A hoalse shout burst from the mob
the tally Tho of the hunt of murder In
a moment they had collected in the street
from which there was access to the Jail
by covered stairway. Loud shouts and
oaths, and terrible maledictions told Of
the sudden fury of the crowd. The for.
mer quiet tones were replaced by yells
and execrations. 1t was new mood of
that cowardly monster,a mob, now clam
oring for its prey, swaying to and fro in
its devilish, unsightly greed.
"Hang him hang him!''
Those brief, terrible words, mechan-
ically repeated, came up like refrain
of fends.
1t was time for decisive action. Sian
ding at the top of the stairs, with a navy
revolver in each hand,was Sheriff Rashe,
cool, resolute, speaking in determined,
solemn tones to the nearest of the mob
that had ventured to the narrow pass
which offered access to their victim =
He had thrown open the door leading
to the street There was an enlarged
passage at the head of the stairs, and
then the Jail. 1t was an admirable pc
stion of defense, and iJ was flied hy
truly brave man. There was cel tain
! death to the adventurous villain who
would attempt the stairs, and the grim
monster looked at him from the polish
ed barrels of two revolvers.
The mob wavered. For a moment its
shouts were sunk as if there were dis
agreement and debate in the crowd II
was q moment OF agonizing suspense
to the man who knew that his life was
in debate. s-.. -3rs ,,....,1 E.g
A screeching voice was raised in the
outskirts Of the multitude: i''
''Burn down the jail!' Bly,
A hundred voices took up the words
as the inspiration of fend: a1sg
"Burn down the Jail Burn ont the
-scoundrel!' And hidcous laughs
and brutal mockeries mingled the tones
of triumphwith the shouts Of the mob
"John,' said Sheriff Rashe, turning
to Maitland, 'they will do it!'
Another. shout of the mob and pitiful
cries of alarm from the prisoners in the
Ijail told that the fire had already been
lighted in the rear of the building
"Open the Jail door," said the sheriff,
sternly, to his deputy, ''and tell the
poor wretches 10 get out as best they
can. But we must trv TO save Jordan
from these devils. Qiick! The only
chance is to carry him down now and
fight him night through the crowd
Here, Jordan, is pistol; and remem-
Der, man, ii is life or death for you now
John, l can depend upon YOU"
The brave officer had taken a step
forward to descend the stairs on his
last desperate mission of duty.
Jordan stepped in advance of him,
and a light cleaned in his eyes. -
''No, Sheriff. As am the man who
has got the most at stake, | must go
first Heaven bless you and John
for your risk for me, but l go first
| Gomez a-.i;lr a.s.r
He strobe down the stairs, Maitland
next. a a
The deputy was determined, if need
be, to die with the man for whom be
felt peculiar friendship. He was al
most close enough to touch him as he
passed out Of the street door. But
there was on that door a watch he had
not calculated A moment more, and
Jordan and himself and the sheriff
would be in the open air to run the
gauntlet Of death. But as the former
cleared the door, it was as with the
quickness of an electric shock slammed
violently in the face of Maitland, and
iendish laugh rang in his ears.
He answered il with shrek of agony.
He beat with his fists upon the closed
door, With the assistance of his su
perior officer he attempted to break it
down; but it was secuie, and he could
hear nothing beyond but hoarse and
lessening murnur. Suddenly thought
struck him; he rushed past the sheriff; !;
he mounted the stairs with lon 8, quick
!leans and ran ont On the lOnU balcony