Morris tribune., 1902-06-14
/ hurried after him. calling him back.

crying out in fear, Keep him off!
J fairly turned and fed.
He was too late. Like a tiger. Slavir
leaped upon him and without waiting
to strike had him by the throat will
both hands and, bearing him to the
ground, worried him there as a dog
might a cat.
Immediately Craig and l were upon
him; but. though we lifted him clear
off the ground, we could not loosen
that two handed strangling grip. AS
we were struggling there a light hand
touched my shoulder. 1t was Father
Goulet.
"Please let him go and stand away
from u.s." he said, waving us back.
We obeyed.
He leaned over Slavin and spoke a
few words to him.
| Slavin started as if struck heavy
blow, looked up at the priest with fear
in his face but still keeping his grip.
"Let him CO." said the priest.
Slavin hesitated.
"Let him go! Quickv' said the priest
again, and Slavin, with snarl, let go
his hold and stood sullenly facing the
priest.
Father Goulet regarded him steadily
for some seconds and then asked:
"What would you do?''
His voice was gentle enough, even
sweet, but there was something in it
that chilled my marrow.
"What would you doY he repeated.
Gle murdered my child" groWled
Slavin.
"Ah! How?
''He was drunk and poisoned him."
"Ah! Who gave him drink? Who
made him a drunkard two years ago?
Who has wrecked his life"
There was no answer, and the even
toned voice went relentlessly on:
"Who is the murderer of your child
now"
Slavin groaned and shuddered.
go" And the voice grew stern.
Repent of your sin and add not an
other.'
Slavin turned his eyes upon the mo-
tionless figure on the ground and then
upon the priest.
Father Goulet took one step toward
him and, stretching out his hand and
pointing with his finger, said:
''Gow
And Slavin slowly backed away and
went into his house. 1t was an ex-
traordinary scene, and it is often with
me now-the dark figure on the ground,
10 eli oh Of VII
outstretched arm and finger, and Sla-
vim backing away, fear and fury strug-
Cling in his face.
It was a near thing for the doctor,
however, and two minutes more Of |
that grip would have done for him. |
ty in reviving him.
What the priest did with Slavin aft
er getting him inside 1 know not-that |
has always been q mystery to me-but
when we were passing the saloon that
night after taking Mrs Mavor home
we saw a light and heard strange
sounds within. Entering, we found
another whisky raid in progress, Sla-
vim himself being the raider. We stood
some moments watching him knocking
in the heads of casks and emptying
bottles. 1 thought he had gone mad
and approached him cautiously.
"Hello, Slavin!" 1 called out "What
does this meanW
He paused in his strange work, and
saw that his face, though resolute,
was quiet enough.
cit means I'm done with the bust
ness, l am he said in a determined
voice. "I'll help no more to kill any
man, or" in a lower tone, ANY mans
baby"
The priests words had struck home.
'Thank God, Slavin!" said Craig, Of (
tering his hand. you are much too
good q man for the business"
Good or bad, I'm done with it," he
'eplied, going on with his work.
You are throwing away good mon, ;
", Slavin," | said as the head of a
ask crashed in. ,
It's myself that knows it, for the ]
price of whisky has gone up in town t
his week." he answered, giving me t
0Ok out of the corner Of his eye. "Be-
lad it was rare clever job" refer
ing to our Black Rock hotel affair.
But won't you be sorry for this?'
sked Craig.
'Beike, will, and that's why I'm
IOing it before I'm sorry for it, !" he re- d
lied, with delightful bull. Q
Look here, Slavin," said Craig ear !
testify, "if l can be of use to you in any
way, count on me-"
cts good to me the both Of you =
ave been, and I'll not forget it to 4
ou," he replied, with like earnestness. a
AS we told Mrs. Mavor that night, r
or Craig thought it too good to keep,
er eyes seemed to grow deeper and "
be light in them to glow more intense e
s she listened to Craig pouring out a
is tale. Then she gave him her hand II
nd said: s.
You have your man at last" u
"What manY'
'"The man you have been waiting
Dr."
"Slavin?" III