Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1902-05-16
CHAPTER III.

far as Guy could make out. Harmony
and Concord were very much alike. ex-
cept that in Concord the business
places were ranged along main
street, while in Harmony they were
grouped about a vacant square. This
was a distinction without much Of a
difference. The square, Mr.. Nlanding-
ham informed Guy, was reserved for
the courthouse. In the event that Har-
mony won the contest, Guy wondered
what he and Col. Keever would do
with their courthouse.
A lamp burned in the entrance lead
ing up 10 the hall and n stern looking
man with a rife over his arm blocked
the way.
How is everything. Marley?" in
quired Nlandingham.
"Nothin' suspicious so fur, squire"
replied Marley, staring at Guy.
Got sentries posted all around this
building?"
Sure. No one that amt on the
square can come within block Of IL.
That's right"
Nlandingham and his party ascend
ed the stairs. At the top they passed
the scrutiny of another guard and en-.
tered the meeting-room. There were
some 20 or 30 men in the hall and
Nlandingham made for platform at
The farther end of the room, nodding
20 citizens on either side and speak
/ ing a word here and there as he pro-
grsssed
"Tll introduce you all around after
the meeting is over" he whispered to
| Guy. You'll want some lots, know
you will, and I'll see that you get
them, no matter what Betty says"
Guy had no time. just then, TO once
more disavow any intention Of pur-
/ chasing real estate in Harmony, for
/ Nlandingham was late and the impa-
/ tient people wasted not moment in
| having the meeting called 10 order.
Guy sat on the platform with Wan
bingham, Col. Dingle, Maj. Harp. Capt.
( Blue and Mr.. Boomer. These five, as
/ GUY quickly learned. constituted
committee Of safety and ways and
means. Nlandingham was elected
chairman. and as they had no use for
n secretary the business was begun
Immediately.
The first man 10 get the floor was
Mr.. Pinkney. Mr. Pinkney was ex-
cited 10 n hysterical degree. lie shook
in body and limb and during his agi-
tated delivery Of the matter that OPP
pressed him his voice broke often from
excess Of wrath and Indignation.
Business had called him TO the east
- l..
Chairman and fellow citizens, and in
returning ne had driven boldly back
through the outskirts of that pitiful
excuse for a town called Concord.
Yes. sir, and no one had dared 10 raise
a hand against him. And what do YOU
think he saw, Mr.. Chairman, what do
you think he saw with his own ewes?
At this point Mr.. Pinkney gulped his
words, choked on them, and finally
managed 20 articulate hoarsely Why.
on that rattle-trap Of building which
the wretched keever is erecting for a
courthouse, he actually saw weather
vane, a monstrous thing which an
swered 10 no wind Of heaven but
pointed ever and always in the direc-
tion Of Harmony. And what was that
weather-Vane, Mr.. Chairman and gen
:lemen. what was it? II was mans
head. sir, a mans head and hand. and
the hand was doing this. looking
straight toward Harmony all the time.
and doing this, doing this at their hon
orable chairman. at Col Dingle. Mai
Harp. Capt. Blue and Mr.. Boomer'
Yes gentlemen, doing this az all OF
YOU
Mr.. Pinlnev made a weather-vane Of
himself for purposes of illustration.
With his thumb 10 his Nose and his
trembling fingers outspread he direct
ed the opprobrious gesture ut Wan
bingham. then in turn a each mem
her az the committee of safety and
then at the entire meeting.
Guy was consumed with desire 10
laugh. but suppressed il strenuously.
II was not a laughing matter for the
citizens in the hall, and not one de-
tccted trace Of humor in the situa-
tion. \ murmur Of rage swept through
the assemblage and Col. Dingle sprang
20 his feet with fierce cry.
"They are all hoodlums and rowdies
on the other side of the county he
shouted. tossing his arms. land the
arch fend who leads the rabble is that
schemer, that political trickster that
preeminent rascal, Archibald Keever,"
In a twinkling the meeting was in
an uproar. Every citizen was talking
wildly and shaking his clenched fists.
Nlandingham pounded for order.
When n measure of quiet finally OBJ
tanned he spoke few words himself.
1--WE must be quiet. we must he calm,
we must not allow our passions 10 run
away with us Let MS remember that
II is the cool head and the daring hand
that wins the day. They have flung
the gage az MS and we will bear with
this insolcnce now ana return IL hun
dredfold. Col. Dingle. we will hear
from you"
Mr.. Pinkney sat down. and Col
Dingle. calming himself with painful
effort. declared that this gratuitous
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