The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1900-11-08

ably would -spe.l serious danger.
There was a movement among the
group which had been talking; one de
tached himself from the rest, and,
making his way TO small table which
served as a desk, commenced to speak.
To detail all he said would be to
trouble you too much. 1t was the
usual tirade; the unholy greed of the
capitalists and the oppression of the
workers, and the oftreiterated cry
for retribution to wind up.
And yet there was nothing theatric-
al about it. The tones were purposely
kept low, but charged with a nervous
intensity, crisp play of accent, which
lent striking point to the well chosen
words. An orator-eSery inch; his
whole personality vibrated with his
message. The peroration was a fervid
appeal for a volunteer who would not
be afraid to give his life, if need be, for
the cause which he professed.
"Who, I ask you, comrades, will be
that one, and achieve the glory of dy-
ing in the name of liberty? The means
are ready; whose shall be the hand to
stroke the blow?"
In an instant a score of dirty hands
were in the air, and a score of threats
shouted: I"-"I"-"I"- and one or
two, fiercer than the rest, snarled:
Downtown with the capitalists!
Death to the canaille!"
VOLTA, mon ami, picture the situa-
ton! / had heard of such scenes-yes;
but never had l imagined their wild
talk to be accompanied by such terri
bic eaInestness. The bloodshot eyes,
the fierce, grim attention, the readi-
ness of one and all at the call to ac-
tion-these gave me new insight into
the meaning of the terrible word IAN
archist.'
The president consulted with the
group in front of him and announced:
The council is gratified with your re-
Spouse, brothers. 1t selects Comrade
Labortin for the honor; the others
will disrerse."
And now-how to escape? 1t was
my one thought. Escape-and then to
prevent these wretches from carrying
out their design, of which / had gath
cred sufficient to know that it was no
light one.
He whom they called Labortin had
gone up to the president, and was
talking eagerly-a new light on his
face. The others were fling slowly
out at the door; | made to follow.
gained the friendly darkness of the
passage, when-footsteps 49,. n
cloth thrown over my head from be-
hind 49,. was down on the floor
struggling impotently a pris-
oner.
1t was all so sudden, so unexpected,
that resistance was out of the ques-
ton Ten seconds, and ! was bound
hand and foot, my pockets searched
for possible weapons, and face to face
with the Supplying consciousness
that those rufTians had me at their
mercy. \ voice admonished silence
in tones which gave rue small disin-
clination to disobey; and then | felt
myself hoisted on stout shoulders and
conveyed swiftly back whence | had
come.
THAT viii do" said a voice which
/ recognized. Loose his bonds q
little" Then, "Well, NJ. lie Spy =. 4.
now?" The hooking triumph in his
voice gave me the first taste of what
was to come. "Ah! it was a rare
thought-to count the members my
self as | spoke. And there were
y-three-though l knew old va
cod InPntz to be abed with fever
Twenty-three when there should have
been but twenty-two; and the extra
one was-you!"
l tried to put a brave face on it, but
my breath came in little jerks. 81
came here without the slightest no.
ton of what was afoot," | broke in,
"or desire to know. ! am no willing
spy, an | demand to be set al liberty
instantly" And then / gave him the
story as it was-to be greeted by de-
risive laughter and fresh gibes.
"a likely tale-very And even sup
posing that it were true, my friend
a little knowledge as those peculiar
English say. You know?
Sometimes it becomes a very danger
Gus thing indeed" He considered a
moment. "
"No, no, my friend, spy or not spy,
10 set you free would ruin all. Listen,
have proposition to make. You
Shall join our society, and that means
that YOU swear by all You hold sacred