The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1898-04-19


not one would loosen. There was
nothing to be done but to run and to
scream in the hope of attracting the
attention of some passer-by on the
street below, but when / opened my
mouth to cry out no sound would
come from my parched throat. My
gymnastic training stood me in good
stead. L ran, dropped to the lower
roofs, climbed to the higher ones with
the agility of monkey. But still
would have had no advantage over my
pursuer had it not been for my SUI
perior knowledge of the roofs. The
Chinaman followed me swiftly; though
| dared not look back, could hear his
quick breathing not far behind.
When we got near the end of the
block / dodged my pursuer and
doubled on my tracks. For moment
he seemed puzzled; L seized the OPP
portunity, slipped quickly behind him,
grasped his pigtail, ierked him back
ward; he lost his balance and fell on
his back Then [ ran to the edge of
the roof overlooking tho street an
screamed; to my surprise my voice had
come back and my scream was heard
by man passing on the other side of
the street. He stopped and looked
around bewildered. j screamed again,
aud, guided by the sound, he looked
up aud saw me; the moon was Just
rising behind the house and my form
was clearly outlined against She light
the moon threw before It, But my
shouting had also shown the China
man my whereabouts; he had recov-
cred himself and was again after me.
| could hear his quick, animal painting
Just behind me. | ran on, he follow
ing, but hope now gave added speed
to my steps; help would soon be mine,
for crowd had gathered on the street
and seemed clearly to realize my dan
ger. Men ran to and fro, or eagerly
consulted together, and presently a
couple of worhmen came along drag
ging n firemen's ladder. This they
placed against one of the houses: men
swarmed up it like flies, and in less
time than it takes to tell it the China
man was secured-strangely enough,
he made no resistance and did not APP
pear to be med-and we were both
taken down.
When the crowd heard what the
Monaghan had done, they declared
they would lynch him then and there.
They tore him from the policeman
who had him iii charge, dragged him
to the nearest tree, which was not far,
for our street was planted with trees;
rope was brought from somewhere,
and, despite the wrctched mans
pleadings in impnssioned Chinese for
mercy, was slipped around the
branches. AT that moment broad
shouldered man broke through the
crowd and demanded the cause of the
uproar. 1t was Tom The mob
paused to explain; / ran 20 my brother,
chung to his arm, and between my in
coherent words and their explanations.
he ut last gathered the meaning we
wished to convey, but still he looked
puzzled.
"Nellie? Did | understand you to
say, Dora, that it was Nellie this man
murdered?"
Yes"
"Why, have come straight from
the house and Nellie was there as we'll
as she over was in her life, only
anxious at your long absence and curl
GUS to know the cause of the dis
turbance in the street"
There must be some mistake"
answered. 81 saw her blood streaming
from under our bedroom door. Per
haps 1T was her spirit you saw"
"a pretty substantial spirit, zen, |
must say, and one that can enjoy NUT
ton chops and fresh eggs as I'll rs n
mortal. Come right along, boys"
turning to the crowd, ''and see for
yourselves that my sister is all right.
Come, Dora"
He drew my arm within his own
and turned toward home, the mob fol-
lowing with the Chiuaman. the rope
still around his neck When we
reached our house there was Nellie
safe and sound, standing on the steps.
Before we could say word she cried
out:
What are they doing to All Sin?
Oh, what n shame TO treat a poor
Chiuamau sol" and impulsively she
ran down, and, while the Monaghan
made voluble explanation, pulled the
rope from his neck.
speak n little slower, All Sin, then
] shall he able to follow you nicely"
said Nellie, kindly. / forgot to tell
you that Nellie can speak Chinese
she used to teach in the Chinese Mis-
sion School.
What does he say?" I osked And.
Tell va what tho hcnthen is saying,
young lady, cried the men
Nellie asked the Chiuaman n few
questions, which he answered with
much gesliculation, for he was more
excited than / have seen n Chinaman
either before or since, as we'll he
might be; then shc turned TO us:
~ think I can explain Ah Sins
part in tile adventure. When he
brought the clothes this afternoon I
found some were missing. / sent
him back to get them, telling him I
would not pay for tho washing until
hc brought everything lie went
away and came back with the missing
clothes i'm about half an hour. I then
paid him and sent him down 10 the
kitchen for some thugs for tho wash
! had left there. lie got them. and
was about TO go ont when he remcm-
bcrcd that he had not asked me when
he was 90 call again. Just as he
reached the head Of the stairs he saw
Dora getting ont of the window.