The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-10-31

CHAPTER y.
Three days more, and Melville was pro-
nounced well enough TO travel, and Lang
don was alone. The nrst nush OF enthu-
siam over. his exploits had died out The
populace OF Brentwood had settled down
20 it's usual routine, and but for some
scores OF unemployed men and a gang OF
troublesome tramps infesung the out
skirts little was left in the town itself
10 recall the excitement and turmoil OF
the days Of the strike. over In the yard
OF the Seattle masons and carpenters by
the dozen were busily at work. nearly all
OF them local craftsmen. The III wind
that whirled the Seattle's thousands up in
smoke and flame was blowing modest
hundreds into the pockets of Brentwoods $
artisans and through them 10 the cof-
fers of Brentwood's merchants. The Big
Horn might be the better managed road
IN some respects. said Brentwood, but the
Seattle brings the money Barclays
banquet had turned many a head and
not q few hearts among the municipal
leaders. and Barclays dollars were po-
tent among the people. The regulars had
gone home over the Seattle, the guards
mon had preceded them over the Big
guardianship of their own watchman and
Brentwood police The sheriff had dis
charged his extra deputies and Eric Lang
don, beginning the world over again on a
modest salary. took counsel with him
self In the absence OF other advisers and
planned his dasly life IL had been Chan
ntngs expectation that he should take
q room near the yards, and his meals
at the Brentwood, but Langdon had de-
otded on rigid economy. 1t might be long
months before he could hope for promo
don and better pay. and IL was his oe-
termination 10 save at least half of each
months stipend to go toward the pay
ment OF his debts and $40 more 10 form
q fund on which he could depend in the
event OF Ills or accident. Mine host of
tho Brentwood hated. he said, to have HIM
go, but directed him TO a quiet, homeiike
little place, where he secured a room EaFd-
plain but sufficient board under the roof
OF widow whose sole support had been
killed in a collision on the Seattle three
years before. Yet the hotel man was AT
heart not sorry to see him so. He likeo
him well. but certain OF the owners diu
not He begged Langdon 10 come round
and make himself at home whenever ne
felt Like II, but secretly hoped he might
be too busy. There had been a few days
Immediately following the strike when
tho mayor, certain OF the common coun-
ell, lae district attorney and other promI-
nent citizens and business men had ex-
pressed themselves as delighted TO meet
Mr.. Langdon and as grateful beyond
words for his gallant conduct at a crlti-
cal time. But since Barclays banquet
they met him with a certain constralnt
when they met him at all, for his duties
kept him at the yards from early morn
Till after dark. There seemed 10 be Just
one set OF men whose eyes lighted up at
the sight OF him, who were eager to press
his acquaintance and many OF whom
never passed him without some semblance
OF a military salute. These were the
members OF the Brentwood rifles, official
ly known as as Company c OF the Fourth
Nebraska. One evening. hardly a wseA
after Melville had gone. three or them
came to see him. Gap" they said, was
going to quit. He had been so quizzled
anu criticised for letting the strikers get
away with their guns that he couldn't
stand the pressure. The Leutenants were
green, and wouldn't Mr.. Langdon come
round 10 the armory two evenings a week
and drill them? Now, Langdon had been
planning course OF reading in the IL
brary OF the Young Mems Christian asso-
ciation, but the rifles were importuna,e.
Something might come OF It, and he cum
sented. Eighteen men appeared the hrsr
ntght-Tuesday--and Ss the second-fri-
day. One of the lieutenants was the son
OF the leading banker of Brentwood. the
other a young lawyer. Both greeted hun
civilly and sat and watched his work with
absorbing interest. The third night Cap"
came round and looked on. Forty-four
men were In ranks-twice as many as he
could ever scrape together for drill-and.
though he shook hands with Langdon
during a rest. and said he found his busi-
ness required all his time and attention
9nd therefore he had concluded 10 resign.
his manner lacked cordiality. Two weeks
later a committee waited on Langdon to
know II ne would accept the command
OF the company N elected. and after an
exchange OF letters between himself and
Claiming Lyangdon said that ~ unani-
mously chosen and the lieutenants waived
promotion. he would serve Then n got
Into the papers. The members OF the
company. as a rule, were young clerks,
bookkeepers and salesmen. highly intel
hapless experience had mad them the
laughing stock OF the street boys the
railway shop men and the vagabond class
OF the community. as well as OF certain
envious fellow citizens
Tin soldiers" they were called, when
all that was needed 70 make them a force
20 be dreaded by. lawbreakers was a cap
tain who knew his business. could com
mand their respect and teach them
steadiness. drill and discipline Lleuten.
ant Perrigo was presiding at the meeting
when a sergeant arose and in coustic
speech pointed out their needs and de-
fects and. saying there was Just one
Them Justice. proposed that the cap
taincy be rendered TO Mr. Eric Langdon.
whereat the whole meeting, barring its