The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-12-13

oot II they touch that itch,"
says Drummond, and insta..tly the
locks click - the hammers are brought
to full cock. The foremost runner is
almost at the iron stand; his hand Is
outstretched to grasp it when gaspina,
warning cry reaches his ears. Glancing
back, he sees his fellows scattering to
either side, and one look at the smooth
rolling car reveals the cause; two car
bines are leveled at him, and fiat he
throws himself on his face and roll
one side amid derisive laughter
the strikers themselves. A little
ther on . knot of surly rioters are
cred on the track. No warning
tie sounds, and the Changing boil
far to the rear to attract their atten
"Out of tho way therev' is the bll
roughly spoken order. No time
for standing on ceremony. Venge
and scowling the men spring asi
some STOPPING to pick up rocks, others
reaching into their pockets for the
ready pistol, but rocks are dropped and
pistols undrawn as the train whirls
rapidly by, and wrath gives place to
mystifcation. Who what are these
strange, silent, stubbly bearded, sun
tanned fellows in slouch hats, flannel
shirts and the worn old black belts over
the shoulder? Even the engine has its
guard, and half a dozen of them, perch
ed uT, the tender, have leveled their
carb to flank and rear, ready to let
drive to the crowd the instant brick
is he d or trigger pulled.
And so into the great stone station
they roll, and here they find the plat
forms jammed with citizens-,sozne
drawn by curiosity, some active sym
pathizers in the strike, and manya,of
them prominent leaders of the mob surg
ing in the crowded thoroughfare with
out. The train has hardly como to a
stand when from every direction the
mass of outsiders is heaying up around
it.
"Now, Feeny, clear tho platform to
the left. Take the other side, Wing"
says Drummond quietly TO the officer
at the front door of the next car.
In the very fraction of second the
first sergeant and dozen men have
leaped from the deck, and straight into
the heart of the crowd they go. Back
with yel Out o. thist' are the stern,
determined orders, emphasized by Wig
orous prods with the heavy carbine
butts. Astonished at methods so prompt
and decided, there is only such resist
ance as the weight and bulk of those in
rear can offer, and that is but moment
airy. The sight of those cleaning gat-
ling barrels, the stern, brief orders and
the rapid, confident advance combine
TO overcome all idea Of resistance. On
both sides, at the head of the train, the
huge crowd, half laughing, half suffo-
eating, is heaved back upon itself and
sent like great human wave rolling
up to the iron lattice at the Office end.
without an instant's delay
the battalion springs out from the cars,
forms ranks on the north platform,
counts fours, and then. arms at right
shoulder, away il goes with swinging,
steady tramp around the rear of the
train, across the parallel rows of rails,
and In another moment, greeted by tre-
cheers from the occupants Of
ong lines and high tiers of stores, offices,
business blocks, the grimy, dusty, war
worn campaigners come striding down
he crowded street. Heavens, how
he people shout! Staid old burghers,
)ortly business men, trot painting aleHg-
ide, waving their hats and cheering
hoarse. Then fellers
iasn't no bouquets in their guns, " is the
way a street gamin expresses it.
Whitheg are they going?" "What
lave they first to do ?" is the cry. Po-
ice officials ride now with the captain
in command; a carriage
has whisked the colonel over TO head
quarters, but haste haste is the word.
IN they go, silent, grim, with the al
tall dust of the North Platte crossing
till coating their rusty garb. A great
wing bridge looms ahead; dozen po-
ice deploy on either side and check the
attending crowd. Over they go at
quite step, and then, turning to the
light, tiamp on down a roughly paved
treet, growing dim and DINNER every
minute with sitting smoke. Presently
hey are crossing snakelike lines of
lose, gashed and useless; passing fire
standing unhitched and neg
ected; passing fremen exhausted and
istless. Then occasional squads of
cowling men give way beia,s ,seir
teady tramp and are driven down alley
5ays and around street corners by re-
living police. Then the head Of col
INN turns to the left and comes fuh
.pon q scene of tumult--a great build
ng in flames, great mob surging
bout it defying police interference and
'ent apparently on cutting the stric-
ure from roof to cellar and pillaging ths
stores. Now, men OF the
-th, here's work cut out for you'll
)rive that mob, bloodlessly jt you can,
lood letting il you mustl
The colonel is again at tho head. All
re on foot. Left front into line,
oublo time:" the first company throws
Is long double rank from curb to curb,
its commander, striding
I its front, Wing. his subaltern, anx-