The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1882-12-16


kept its eyes constantly roaming about; Yet
did hot seem to know that it was followed.
4. Twenty ninth Street, it alishted.
Half block further, Tom jumped of, and
'l;trted to the corner. He deserted his fel-
low- passenger on the north side of Twenty
ninth Street He kept close behind him 'on
the sonth side till he saw him stop in front
OF a handsome brown stone front, then
,s,rted behind a tree and waited for him to
eD er.
The door closed behind him, Tom ran
quickly up the stoop and took down the
humber OF the house.
What he had discovered would have
opened the eyes Of the wise-acres of the de-
tectivc and police force of the city.
He returned Immediately to the Water
Street den. The lights were still fickering
i'll 'front.' and the noise of carouse still
fr eted the ear Boldly he showed open the
door and entered
Gipsy Jack and Grabbed Joe were not il..
Walking up to the bar, he cried, famil-
MATES, let's liquor"
The space round the bar was crowded il
8 twinkling.
Only astonishment at the audacity and
recklessness of the man kept them from lay
ing violent hands on him.
''Now, boys" he said, so soon as they
were gathered about him, ''do you know
Why l drew ny pop on the crowd? Dye
think me one O the towards, or dye think
LIE il man.
''Bansup feller!" responded red-nosed
| individual.
Chorus Of assent from the drinkers.
well, If I'm no coward, | amt afraid to
whip any man in the place, but split my
topStils and scuttle my craft if Ill injure q
woman, or allow any one else to. \ wo-
man IS a woman, mans a man-sometimes
and blast my ib-boom, l know the differ
; cnce! There's no fun in cru,hin' tremblin'
! bird; give me bull-necked, cross-eyed
! roGnder, and Ill sock MIN jest like that!'
! The wooden counter received thump
+: that upset the fresh drawn beer, which ran
! IL a stream to the floor, causing look of
regret to overcast the classic features of the
assembly.
''Fill 'em up again. cried Tom.
Once more the glasses We're filed and
! cmptied.
/ Again and again the invitation was given,
and the roughs finally became fred to
high pitch.
This evidently was what Tom Black was
waiting for. While they drank, he kept
telling highly tincturel legends and stories
of valorous deeds and undertakings. As
the men began to show unmistakable signs
Of being ''full, he turned on the pressure.
Hating in the midst of story of cracks
mans perfdy in betraying his pals, he de-
manded. gruffiy:
"What would you do, mates, if one o yer
friends-a feller ye thought friend
! should betray yer into the hands o the nip
pers. eh?"
''Kill him. shouted the desperadoes.
Down on the counter fell Toms fist.
Carried by an overwhelmin' majority!
The workin' man to the 'front.'
THAT aint loikely to occur here!" said
Mccormick
''Aint, eh? That's jest where yer wrong.
Ell happen to-morrer, if yer don't stop it!'
''What?" yelled the drunken chorus.
Every right hand almost in concert sought
breast or pistol pocket.
''Not the gal? asked Mccormick
NO; she'll Fever blab. I guess. I said o
man, and I mean man"
'.Who?' gurgled Mccormick.
''Do yer want to know bad?"
''Ay, ay!" responded the guzzling chorus.
Resting his back against the bar, Tom
Black eyed the crowd as if to discern their
tAonghts, and then burst out:
"Let's liquor
filled and qUafied
Toms words ashed the passions of the
men into fury.
Now, mates, if you'll promise to deal
with the traitor as l say, and make me boss
o the job, I'll tell you his name. Is il
asreed?'
GAY, ay!" yelled the chorus.
Ellis name is Bob Willis" hissed Tom,
spitetully.
This time the crowd did not chorus but
looks told plain as speech the effect of the
disclosure.
''Thats his name-Bob Willis; he's beer
foolin' ye long time. He's goin' to make
q pile on the spec, if we'll le, him. Shal
we?'
Common sense would certainly have asked
the how of the alleged tseachery, but com
mon sense did not at that moment reign.
''No" chorused the drunken crowd
"Then remember I'm boss of the punish
ment. Let's iquor!'
But, ere they could drink, Jared Clarl
entered. For once the glasses were allowed
to stand untouched.
Before the genteel william could speak, O,
make use of his bland smile half doze1
pairs of hands fail heavily on his coat collar
and dragged him to the floor.
''Whats to lie done with him, Tom?'
asked Mccormick
Bring pair O darbies. and tie his deli
cut leetle paws!' replied the sailor.
No sooner said than accomplished.
The thing was done 50 quickly that tn
victim could not, till the handouts snappe,
to. comprehend his dangerous situation
Boisterous laughter was all the explanatio,
Le received
With the assistance of Mccormick an,
another, Tom hustled him into small
bady-ventilated side room, and bolted an,
locked the door.
Jared Clark was a prisoner in his owl
stronghold.