Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1893-03-09

warn lHomPsoh, VI ony VI 'no ioso Va
the Argus boys, that their boss is in
here"
At - O'Clock that night the local ed
itor sat in his room. us that you,
Thompson" he shouted. as he heard q
step.
"Yes, sir;" answered Thompson, COM
ing into the presence.
"Shut the door, Thompson. Now
have big thing on for tonight, but it
must be done quietly. I've unearthed
a gambling den in full blast. 1t will be
raided tonight at O'clock lwant you
to be on the ground with Murren; will
you need anybody else?'
depends on how much you want to
make of it."
81 want to make it the feature of to-
morrow's paper. / think we three can
manage, but bring some of the rest if
you like. The place is run by a man
named Mellish. Now, il you boys kept
your eyes open you would know more of
what is going on in your own city than
you do"
1--WE haven't all had the advantage Of
metropolitan training," said Thompson
humbly.
81 will go'there with the police. You
and Murren had better be on the ground.
but don't go too soon and don't make
yourselves conspicuous or they might
take alarm. Here is the address. You
had better take it down."
"Oh, I'll find the place all" Then
Thompson thought moment and
pulled himself together. "Thanks," he
said, carefully noting down the street
and number.
j The detachment of police drew
drew up in front of the place few min
utes before 9. The streets were deser :
ed and so silent were the blue coats thai
the footsteps of belated wayfarer
sounded sharply in the night air from
the stone pavement of the distant avenue.
"Are you sure" said Nc Crasky to the
man in charge of the police, THAT there
is not private entrance somewhere?
Certainly there is" was the impatien
reply; "Sergt. McCollum and four meu
are stationed in the alley behind. We
know our business, sir"
McCrasky thought this was snub
and he was right. He looked around in
The darkness for his reporters. He found
them standing together in doorway on
the opposite side of the street.
"Been here long?" he whispered.
Murren was gloomy and did not an
swer. The religious editor removed his
corn-cob and said briefly: "About ten
minutes, sir" Thompson was gazing
with interest at the dark block across the
way.
you've seen nobody come out?'
"Nobodv. On the contrary, about hall
a dozen have gone up that stairwav.'
SIS that the place, sir?' asked Thomp-
son with a amb-like innocence of the
criminal reporter.
I" Yes, upstairs there"
"What did i tell your said the rel;-
gious editor. Thompson insisted it was
next door,
Come along" said McCrasky, " the
police are moving at last"
A big bell in the neighhorhood solemn
ly struck two.slow strokes and all ovet
the city the hour sounded in various dc
grees of tone and speed. A whistle rang
out aud was distantly answered. The
police moved quickly and quietly up the
stairway.
"Have you tickets, gentlemen" asked
the man at the door politely; 6 this is a
private assembly,
The police" said the sergeant short,
ly, 6 stand aside.''
If the police were astonished at the
sight which met their gaze their faces
did not show it. But McCrasky had not
such control over his features and he
looked dumfounded. The room was the
same. undoubtedly, but there was not the
vestige of card to be seen. There were
no tables, and even the bar had disap-
peared. The chairs were nicely arranged
and most of them were occupied. At the
further end of the room Pony Rowell
stood on platform or on a box or some
elevation. and his pale, earnest face was
lighted up with the enthusiasm Of the
public speaker. He was saying:
son the purity of the ballot, gentle
men, depends the very life of the repub-
lie. That every man should be permit
ted, without interference or intimidation
to cast his vote, and that every vote sc
cast should be honestly counted is. take
it, the desire of all who now listen to my
words" (Great applause, during which
Pony took sip from glass that may
have contained water.)
The police had come in so quietly tina
no one, apparently, had noticed their en-
trance, except that good man Mellish
who hurried forward to welcome the in
truders.
"Will you take seat?' he asked
We arc having d liGlIo pOllGlCdl TAIL
from Mr.. Rowell, sergeant"
"Rather an unusual hour, Mr.. Mel
lish," said the sergeant grimly.
''It is little late," admitted Mellish
as if the idea had not occurred to hin
before.
The police who had come in by tn
back entrance appeared at the other en-,
of the room and it was evident that Row
ellis Grafton had come to an untimel,
end. Pony looked grieved and hurt, blu
said nothing.
"We will have to search the premises
Mr.. Mellish," said the sergeant.
Mellish gave them every assistance
but nothing was found.
As the four men walked back togethe
to the Argus office McCrasky was yer!
| indignant.
eve will expose the police to-mor
row." he said. 6 They evidently CAV,
Mel ish the tip
81 don't think so,'' said Thompson
"We will say nothing about it,
You forget yourself, Mr.. Thompson
1t rests with me to say what shall go OIL
| the local page Not with you.n