Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1897-05-13

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tNTERMAn0NAl PRESS A5S0ClA7l0M
It was long walk. but the old sea-
man swung along at q rousing pace,
leaving street after street behind him.
The great business places dwindled
down into commonplace shops and
dwellings, which decreased and became
more stunted. even as the folk who filled
them did. until he was deep in the evil
places Of the eastern end. It was a
land Of huge, dark houses and Of gar
ish gin-shops. land, too, where life
moves irregularly and where adven-
lures are to be gained-as the Admiral
was to learn to his cost.
He was hurrying down one Of the
long, narrow, stone-flagged lanes be-
tween the double lines of crouching,
disheveled women and of dirty children
who sat on the followed steps of the
houses, and basked in the autumn sun.
At one side was a barrowman with a
load of walnuts, and beside the barrow
a bedraggled woman with black
fringe and chequered shawl thrown
over her head. She was cracking wal
nuts and picking them out Of the shells,
throwing out a remark occasionally to
rough man in rabbit-skin cap, with
straps under the knees Of his corduroy
trousers, who stood putting black clay
pipe with his back against the wall.
What the cause of the quarrel was, or
what sharp sarcasm from the woman's
lips pricked suddenly through that thick
skin may never be known, but suddenly
the man took his pipe in his left hand,
LEANED forward, and deliberately struck
her across the face with his right. It
was slap rather than blow, but the
woman gave sharp cry and covered
up against the barrow with her hand
to her cheek.
you internal villain" cried the ADJ
Iniral, raising his stick. "You brute and
blackguard"
earn! growled the rough, with the
deep. rasping intonation Of savage.
"Garn out o. this or I'll-" He took a
step forward with uplifted hand, but in
an instant down came cut number three
upon his wrist, and cut number five
across his thigh, and cut number one
full in the center Of his rabbit-skin cap.
It was not a heavy stick. but it was
strong enough to leave good red veal
wherever 1t fell. The rough yelled with
pain, and rushed in. hitting with both
hands, and kicking with his iron-shod
boots, but the Admiral had still quick
foot and a true eye, so that he bounded
backwards and sideways, still raining a
shower of blows upon his savage an
tagonist. Suddenly, however, pair Of
arms closed around his neck, and glanc-
ing backwards he caught a glimpse Of
the black coarse fringe of the woman
whom he had befriended. tive got
him. she shrieked 'I'll old i'm. Now,
Bill. knock the tripe out Of him" Her
grip was as strong as mans, and her
wrist pressed like an iron bar upon the
Admiral's throat. He made a desper-
ate effort to disengage himself, but the
most that he could do was to swing her
round, SO as to place her between his
adversary and himself. AS it proved, 1t
was the very best thing that he could
have done. The rough, half-blinded
and imaddened by the blows which he
had received, struck out with all his un-
calmly strength, just as his partners
head swung around in front of him.
There was noise like that Of a stone
hitting wall, deep groan, her grasp
relaxed, and she dropped dead weight
upon the pavement. while the Admiral
sprang back and raised his stick once
more, ready either for attack or de-
Tense. Neither were needed, however,
for at that moment there was a scatter
ing Of the crowd, and two police con-
stables. burly and helmeted, pushed
their way through the rabble. At the
sight Of them the rough took to his
heels, and was instantly screened from
view by veil of his friends and neigh
bors.
Il have been assaulted" painted the
Admiral. This woman was attacked
and had to defend her."
This is Bermondsey SAL said one
police officer, bending over the berag-
gled heap Of tattered shawl and dirty
skirt. 'She's got it hot this time
He was shortish man, thick, with
a beard"
"Ah, that's Black Davie He's been
up four times for beating her. Hes
about done the job now. If were you
I would let that sort settle their own
little affairs. SIR"
do you think that man who holds
the Queens commission will stand by
and see woman struck?" cried the Ad-
nliral Indignantly.
well, just as you like, sir. But
you've lost your watch, see.'
My watch!" He clapped his hand to
his waistcoat. The chain was hanging
down in front, and the watch gone.
He passed his hand over his forehead.
II would not have lost that watch for
anything" said he. "No money could
E replace it. It was given me by the
ships company after our African
: cruise. It has an inscription
The policeman shrugged his shoulders.
1t comes from meddling." said he.
'What'll you give me II tell yer
where It is?" said a sharn-faced how