Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1900-10-06

~ was the voice OF COlOnel StarDOt-
tie; 1t was the frilled shirt front, the
lightly buttoned blue coat with its
expanding lapels, like bursting petals,
and the smiling mask of that gentle
man rising above the table and bow
ing to Clarence Brant and his wife
with infinite courtesy.
'The-er-humiliating situation In
which we find ourselves, gentlemen
the reluctant witnesses of-er-what
we trust Is only a temporary Disagree
ment between our charming hostess
and the-er-gentleman whom she
had recognized under the highest title
TO u considerations distressing to
us all, and would seem to amply JUS
tify that gentleman's claims to a per-
sonal satisfaction, which / know we
would all delight to give. But that
situation rests upon the s~upposition
that our gathering here was of a
purely social or festive nature!
1T may be-" continued the colonel,
with a blandly reflective air, "that
the spectacle of these decanters and
glasses, and the nectar furnished us
by our Hebelike hostess" he lifted a
glass of whisky and water to his lips
while he bowed to Mrs. Brant grace
fully, has led the gentleman to such
n deduction. But when | suggest to
him that our meeting was of a busi-
ness, of private nature, it strikes ME
that the question of intrusion may be
fairly divided between him and our
selves. We may be even justified in
view of that privacy in asking him
IL his-er-entrance to the house was
-er-coincident with his appearance
AMONG u.s."
with my front door in possession
Of strangers?" said Clarence. more in
reply to a sudden contemptuous
glance from his wife than Starbottle's
i%nsinuation. ~ entered the house
through the window"
"Of my boudoir, where another in
truder once broke his neck" inter-
rupted his wife with a hooking laugh.
where / once helped this lady to
regain possession of her house when
it was held by another party of illegal
trespassers, who, however, were con-
tent to call themselves jumpers and
did not claim the privacy of gentle
men,"
"Do you mean to imply, sir" began
Col. Starbottle, haughtily, that"
II mean to imply said Clarence,
with quiet cor that | have Meth,
er the wish TO know nor the slight
est concern In any purpose that
brought you here, and that when you
quit the house you take your secrets
and your privacy with you intact,
without let or %hindrance from me-"
"Do you mean to say, Mr.. Brant,"
said Judge Beeswinger, suppressing
the angry interruption of his fellows
with n dominant wave of his hand, as
he fixed his eyes ON Clarence keenly,
that you have no sympathy with
your wife's political sentiments?"
~ have already given you the in
formation necessary to make you quit
this house, and that is all you have a
right to know" returned Clarence,
with folded arms.
"But / can answer for him." said
Mrs. Brant, rising with n quivering
voice and curling lip. There is no
between us. We are as far
apart as the poles. We have nothing
"But you are husband and wife
bound together by a sacred COM
"a compact" echoed Mrs. Brant,
with a bitter laugh. "Yes! the COM
pact that binds South Carolina to the
niger worshiping Massachusettsi
The compact that links together
and black, the gentleman and
the trader-the planter and the poor
white-the compact of those United
States!-Bah-that has been broken
and so can this!"
Clarence's face paled. But before he
could speak there was a rapid clatter-
vaquero entered eXcitedly. Turning to
Mrs. Brant he said, hurriedly:
Mother of God! the casa is sur
rounded by a rabble of mounted men,
and there is n among them even
who demands admittance in the
of the law"
This is your work." said Brooks,
Clarence furiously, "you have
brought them with you, but, by God,
they shall not save you'll" He would
clutched Clarence, but the pow
erful arm of Judge Beeswinger inter-
vened. Nevertheless, he still strug-
gled to reach Clarence, appealing to
the others. Are you fools to stand
there and let him triumph! Don't
you see the cowardly Yankee trick
he's played upon us?"
she has not" said Mrs. Brant,
81 have no reason to love
him or his friends-but L know he
does not lie"
Gentlemen! Gentlemen" implored
@1A.Na olA4t1, "a
unctuous persuasion, may / -er-
remark-that all this is far from the
question. Are we to be alarmed be-
cause an awkward rabble, no mat
ter whence they come, demand en-
trance here in the name of the law?
[ I'M o aware of any law in the
of California that we are in
ringing. BY all means-admit them"
The gate was thrown open. A sim
gle, thick-set man, apparently UNI
armed and dressed like an ordinary
traveller, followed by half a dozen 9TH
ers equally unpretentious-looking
men, entered. The leader turned to
the balcony.
81 am the chief of police of San
i have warrants for the
arrest of Colonel Culpepper Starbot-
lie, Joshua Brooks, Captain Pinckney,
Clarence Brant and Alice, his wife,
md others charged with exciting to
lot and unlawful practice calculated
% disturb the peace of the state of
California and it's relations with the
federal government" said the leader
a dry, official voice.
Clarence started. In spite of it's
%utterance it was the
'oice of the ~red-bearded controversial
st of the stage coach. But where was
lis characteristic beard and hair? In
'oluntarily Clarence glanced at Judge
3~eeswinger; that gentleman was quiz
lily regarding the stranger with an
mpassive face that betrayed no rec
whatever.
But the city of San Francisco has
10 jurisdiction here said CAPTAIN