Waterbury Democrat., 1901-06-20

yards by name. The new incumbent knew not one of them. Charming argued, Burleigh bu1lied, and clash was inevitable. The management of both roads had announced in unequivo- cable terms that they would not yield to the demands of the men. The may or of Brentwood was sorely frighten- ed. The governor had been requested to order troops to the scene and over awe the would be strikers and very properly refused. For it is our good American policy in dealing with enc mics or insurgents, white, red or brown, mobs, Indians or Tagalogs, nev- CT to show fight until practically fore ed into it. The railway companies in anticipation of the strike had gathered some hundreds of workmen across the Missouri ready to be rushed by special train to Brentwood, but neither the po- lice, posses nor militia had been mobi- lized.
 Pondering anxiously over the situa- tion, Cresswell was walking slowly homeward up Thayer street. He had been talking with the mayor and cer- tain city fathers at the Brentwood and now wished to see Langdon, but Lang don evidently wasn't home, and the town clock had struck the quarter. The office door was closed and doubtless locked, and Gyesswell's keys were in his workaday pockets at the house. Confident of meeting Langdon, he strolled on toward the armory and be- came suddenly aware of the division superintendent of the Big Horn talk ing with two of the boys. Cresswell didn't like that official, but for reasons of his own preferred to make much of him. He stopped and held out his hand.
 "Oh, good evening, Colo nel Cresswell," stammered the railway
 man in some confusion. T didn't see you. I'm glad to see you. Can you tell me where can find MT. LangGon? I've knocked and hammered at the of flee, and these gentlemen say that he went straight home half an hour ago"
 Tt is true" said one of the young soldiers. 4.I saw him go in there just before 10 o'clock"
 "Oddv' said Cresswell. Suppose we walk over, MT. Superintendent.
 y LACy 0l0s dAu lACy~ hAOChC0 dAu hammered for two minutes without response, and then CressWell bethought him of the rear door.
 You wish to see him personality, ?, queried he of the official, with doubt in his tone.
 Yes. The road sent me an impor- tant message. may as well tell you confidentially, of course. They want him to go to that meeting that's in full blast at this minute. They think the men will listen to him.''
 T see" said Cresswell, with sarcastic emphasis. Having kicked him out in- to the cold for another mans crime, they want him to help them out of an other scrape. You must feel gratifed at being the bearer of such message. However, come on. We'll try the back"
 An alley parallel with Thayer street divided the block, and Cresswelps of fee buildings covered about half the lot. Wood, coal and ice were delivered by way of that alley, which accounted for the worn path to the open cellar way, but not for the footprints in the snow on the steps leading up to the back door. gresswell tried the knob, and the door was fast. But who left the cellar steps uncovered? Have you a gun?" he asked, and the superintend-. ent faltered, 'sYes."
 Gripping his own revolver, faith ful friend of Kentucky days, Cresswell cautiously descended the steps and felt his way through the dampness and dark. He had no match, and lighting would only reveal him to providers if there were any. He knew the prem ises thoroughly and quickly reached the lower hall and the stairway to the ground floor above him. It was dark as Erebus, and he, breathing heavily, felt his way up the creaking flight un- til within reach of the top. Then something fell with stunning force and danced before his eyes, and he went back the way he came, bound ing, rolling and sliding till he brought upsense1ess and bleeding at the foot of tha stairs
 (To Be Continued)