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

ii
mob leader, with half a dozen half
drunken satellites, is shouting his ex-
hortations. just as the lieutenant's
arm is grazing grim old Feeny's elbow
as he passes the first sergeant's station,
a brick comes hurtling through the air,
strikes full upon the back Of the Off
GERS unprotected head and sends him,
face forward, into the muddy street.
In the yell of triumph that follows,
Wings voice for an instant is unheard.
Obedient to its principle, Never load
until about to fire., the battalion 8 car
bines are still empty, but all on a sud
den G troop halts. with ball car
tridges, load!" is Wings hoarse, stern
order. Now aim low when give the
word. Fire by company. Company,
ready!' and like one tho hammers
click. But no command "Aim" fol-
lows. Look outl Look out! For
Gods sake don't firel Out of the wayl"
are the frantic yells from the throats
of the mob. Away they go, scattering
down side streets, alley ways, behind
lumber piles. verywhere-anywher
Many even throw themselves fat on
their faces TO escape the expected tenn
pest of lead. Don't fire, says the
colonel mercifully. Forward, double
time, and give them the butt. Well
support you" Down from the lumber
piles come the erstwhile truculent lead
ers. DRAW cartridge, men," orders
Wing in wrath and disappointment.
"Now, butts to the front, and give
them HI. Forwardv" And out he
leaps to take the lead, dashing straight
into the thick of the scattering mob his
men after him. There is minute of
wild yelling, cursing, Of resounding
blows and trampling feet, and in the
midst ofit all single shot, and when
Wing, breathless, is finally halted two
squares farther on only dozen broken
headed wretches remain along the street
to represent the furious mob that con-
fronted them a few minutes before.
Only these few and one writhing, bleed
ing form, around which half dozen
policemen arc curiously gathered. and
at whose sidc the battalion surgeon has
just knelt.
Hes shot through and through,
is his verdict presently. mo power
can save him. Who is he?"
About the worst and most danger
ous ringleader of riot this town has
known, sir, is tho answer of one of
the police officials. mo one knew
where he came from cither-or his real
name"
And then in his dying agony The fall
en- demagogue turns, and the other side
of his twitching face comes uppermost.
Even through tho thin, grizzly beard
there is plainly seen an ugly. Jagged
scar stretching from ear TO chin.
This isn't his first row by any man.
ner of means, if it is his last" says
sergeant of police. Look at that!
Who shot him anyhow"
II did, is the cool. prompt answer,
and Sergeant Feeny raises his hand to
his carried carbine and stands attcn-
tion as he sees the surgeon knecling
there. Il did, and just in the nick Of
time. He had drawn bead on our
lieutenant, but even if he hadn't I'd
have downed him, and so would any
man in that company yonder." And
Feeny points TO where G troop stands
resting after its charge.
"You knew him theni''
'Knew him instantly, as a deserter,
thafe, highwayman and murderer
knew him as Private Bland in Arizona
and would know him anywhere by that
scar
A policeman bends and wrenches q
loaded revolver from the clutching,
fingers just as Wing comes
back and shoulders his way
into the group.
lis he badly hurt, doctor? That
was an awful whack.','
''It is tho lieutenant, sir, says Feeny
but with strange signif-
cance III his tone as he draws police
man aside. "Look."
And Wing, bending over, gives one
glance into tho dying face, then covers
his eyes with hands and turns blindly,
diEzily, away.
That evening a host of citizens nre
gathered about the bivouac of the bat
talon at the waterworks while the
trumpets are sounding tattoo. A few
squares away tho familiar notes como
floating in through tho open windows
Of q room where Jim Drummond is ly-
ing on most comfortable sofa, which
has been rolled close TO the easement
where every Whit of the cool lake
breeze can fan his face, and where,
glancing languidly around, he contrasts
The luxury of these surroundings with
the rude simplicity of the life he has
lived and loved so many years. Grny
haired George Harvey, kindly Mrs.
Stone. his sister; bliasful, beautiful Fan
ny Wing with burly baby Harvey jp
her arms and her proud, soldierly hus-
band by her side, and tall, lovely, 81 !
ent girl have all been there 10 minister
% his needs and bid him thrice well
Iome and make HIM feel that here, il |
on earth, he is at home. AnG |
lere the bSttalion surgeon and tho far.
ly physician unite in declaring he mus,
'emain until released by their order,
ND bora for ~ rao IL ave .n1 y,;c,,tc Ia 4.