Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-06-08
VOL XIX. NEW SERIES. VOL. xxII

| asked to be shown to my room; but 1t was
| one o'clock in the morning before the other
| guests ceased their noise and allowed me to
| go to sleep. Next day slept rather late,
and might have slept even later, but that
was rudely shaken out of pleasant dream
by wild howl, as of thousand demons just
let loose. Starting up quickly, and looking
out on the street, saw that it was filled with
| fierce-looking crowd, out ofwhose many throats
had proceeded the yell that wakened me.
Dragging on my clothes. rushed down to
the coffee-room. There | learned that the
| people outside had Just accompanied Squire
O'Neil back from the polling place, where he
had been the first to vote for the ''sarjint.
Now that this fact had become generally
known, they were clamorous that he should
be sent out to them, ''to tear him limb from
limb" Presently, while their cries rose loud
and long, the squire entered the room-a
tall. military-looking man, with little OF II
horsey tone, nose like u hawk, eyes dark, yet
glowing like fire.
They don't seem over fond of me, | see,
he said with a smile. as he bowed to those IN
the room. and advanced to one of the win
dows and coolly opened it. Waving his hand,
the crowd became instantly silent.
"Now, don't be in hurry, gentlemen, he
said in a clear voice that must have been dis
tinctly heard by every one. You shall have
the pleasure OF my company so soon as my
horse can be harnessed, | assure you"
"Eh, what! what does he mean?" asked of
person next me. surely he will not ven-
ture ont among those bowling tiends:"
That Is Just what he is gong to do, re-
piled my companion. There Is no use talk
ing to him. He has given orders for the
mare and gig to be got ready. and it's as
much as ones life is worth TO try to stop
him. Wolf by name and wolf by nature
he's enrsged at having to steal down here
last night like thief. All. there the fun be-
gins! Look outr'
As my compsnion spoke. he gripped me by
the arm, and dragged me close against II
space between two windows. Next moment,
a shower of stones crashed through the win
dows, leaving not a single inch OF glass un-
broken. Then. at longer or shorter inter
walls, volley followed volley, till the floor of
the room was completely covered with road
metal and broken glass. Presently, there
was lull in the storm, and the crowd be-
came all at once as silent as the grave. In
the hush, could distinctly hear the grating
sound of the opening of some big door al
most under US. l looked inquiringly at my
companion.
'Its the entry doors being opened TO let
the wolf out" he said IN reply. "Ah, there
he is
glanced ont of the window, and saw the
squire alone in his gig, smile on his face,
his whole bearing as cool and unconcerned
as if there was not a single enemy within
thousand miles. Then l heard the great
doors clapg TO, and as they did so, the crowd
gave vent to howl of delighted rage.
At the first appearance OF the squire IN his
gig the people had swayed back, and LETT an
open space in front of the hotel. Now they
seemed about to close in on him, and one
man in the front stopped to lift stone.
Quick as lightning, the hand of the squire
went to his breast, and just rs the man stood
upright to throw heard the sharp crack of
pistol. The man uttered wild shrek of
pain, clapIed his hands to his checks, and
plungek into the crowd. The bullet had en-
after tearing away few teeth in its passage.
The man was the very one who had made the
mistake in shooting at me over night
"A near nick that for our friend, said the
squire in his clear voice, while the crowd
swayed back a pace or two. But the next
will be nearer still, and I've nearly halt
dozen still left. Now, will any of you oblige
me by STOPPING to lift a stone?"
He paused and glanced round, while every
man in the crowd held his breath and stood
still as statue.
mo, you won't obhge me- he SAID pre-
sently, with sneer. Then fierce ash charg-
ing in some world-iamous battle: "Out OF
my way, you scoundrsls! Faugh-a-ballaeh!
At the words. be jerked the reins slightly,
and the mare moved forward at d trot with
head erect, and bearing as proud as ii she
knew u conqueror sat behind her. Then, IN
utter silence. the crowd swayed to the right
and left, leaving wide alley. down which
the squire drove as gaily as if the whole
thing were some pleasant show. When he
had disappeared. the crowd closed to again,
utterly crestfallen. Then for a short time
the whole air was filled with their chattering
one to another like the humming of innu-
merable bees; and presently. without n shout,
and without single stone being thrown, the
great mass melted away.
Next morning, at an early hour, l left
Sligo as last as covered conveyance could
carry me. l did not care to wait for the
slower means of escape by foot, fearful that
next time mistake was made with me, the
shooting might possibly 10 better than it was
at first.