The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1901-07-19

IT HE heavy footsteps on the stair
grew louder. George Crashaw
clutched the shotgun and thought
very fast. He was alone in the
room. The two compositors of
the Argosy were at the rear of
the building and too far removed
for any cry to reach them. His en-
ployer had slipped away and left him
to face the mob. They were coming
to call the editor to account for an
article that he, George Crashaw, had
on the authorities of the mining town
for the lax manner in which they
administered their duties. 1t was a
double -barreled attack, for it scored
the evil-doers as well as the officials
The gamblers and the authorities
would make common case against the
Argosy. 1t was true that Editor
Jim Briggs had inspired the article,
but he, George Crashaw, would not
deny the authorship no matter what
might come of it. Nor did he care
particularly what might come. He
had listened almost passively when
Jim rushed in and suffered ., that
Buck Ransom and half dozen of his
cronics we're coming up the street.
They're bound for this very room,
tool" cried jim, "Will you cut stick,
or will you stand pat?'' And George
had answered wearily that he'd stay
and see it out. And then: Jim had
given him shotgun with singular
ly short barrel, and told him to rest
it on his knees beneath the table
with the mlIzzle trained on the mob.
"lf they make move at you, fill
their legs full of shot" said Jim.
"I'm off until the thing blows over"
That was Jim's way-always wait
ing fer something TO blow over.
And all this hustled through George
Crashaw's mind while the noisy foot
steps climbed up the dark stairway.
Did the prospect of struggle against
heavy odds worry him? Not in the
least, He was very tired His head
throbbed strangely, He had lost all
his energy. Of course he would do
his best against these ruflians. And
yet, after all what did it matter?
Was there anything in life worth
fighting for? If there was he hadn't
found it.
The steps were almost at the door.
A red flush warmed his cheeks. His
eyes glittered. Then he suddenly
dropped the stock of the shotgun on
the floor, and, letting the barrel lean
against the wall, rose 10 his feet and
steaded himself with one hand press
ing on the table. His hands trem-
bled. He wondered why. He knew
it was not from fear.
Then the door was flung open and
the redoubtable Buck Ransom stalked
into the room, the doorway behind
him being instantly filled with half
dozen faces and shadowy forms.
The eyes of the famous leader
fastened upon the gaunt young fell
low whose right arm, steadying him
beside the rough deal table, was
growing strangely limp and numb.
Are you tn party thet came over
tn mountains las month from Deep
/ Gulch?" the mighty Ransom asked.
YES" replied George Crashaw. 1t
seemed a simple word, and yet he
found it difficult to enunciate it.
Game over the mountains a month
ago from Deep Gulch and hired out
with Jim Briggs ?"
George nodded. That was easier
than talking,
The eminent leader came little
| nearer.
Your name is Crashaw," he said,
in solemn tones, with his forefinger
advanced and emphasizing his words,
IAN you knew lanky Jim Tolliver,
didn't you?"
George nodded again. Really he
couldn't stand there much longer ia
be shot at. Why didn't they begin
"You bet you knew him." cried the
| leader, with an impressive shake OF
his shaggy head. "You stuck by him
! through thick ,an' thin; you braced
him up an got tn drink out of him
and you made a man of him. That's
what you done. When he got winged
by a Filipeny bullet you toted him
out o tn line O fire, an when he
fell sick O. tn swamp fever YOU
nursed him on the transport like a
mother, an when he died you brune
his body home an seen it laid away
by his mother, an you spent youl
last dollar doin' it. That's what you
done for Jim Tolliver, an when you'd
done it you broke for parts unknown
'thout lettin' tn boys know a blessed
thing about it, But we've found you
cuss you. an You can't deny it'll"
The men in the doorway crowded
forward as the eminent boss with
radiant face held out his hands to the
tottering George.
you can't deny it," Buck chucklet
again, and the men behind hin
pressed still closer.