Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1902-06-20
Am. NTH his bunch OF waste.

YOU what YOU can do, Bill Comfort.
You can keep still or I'll throw you
out, and no two ways about II. Now,
Barney"
Barney stood up and was about to
speak when Col. Keeyer broke in ahead
Of him.
"Your honor, IL is customary first
10 hear the plaintiff | beg 10 be al
lowed 20 make my statement.
"And | beg 10 be allowed 10 tell you
20 mind your p's and Us. Is my au-
thority 20 be respected or isn't it?'
Col. Keever coughed and thrust his
hand into his bosom.
~ WILL address this court, sir"
"You will, will you" exclaimed Waf-
fe, starting up slowly. IF you say
much more. the dignity OF this court
is going 10 be badly impaired.
you're a disgrace TO the law you
profess 10 represent.
"Silence. or I'll fine you for con-
tempt Of court"
"If my fine was in proportion 10 my
contempt" scored the Colonel. "a mil
lion dollars wouldn't pay it,"
Now, you're getting personal. Pet
tibone, if that man forgets himself
again. take him down 60 the end OF
the hall and lock him up. While I'm
here this thing is going 10 be run ac-
cording TO Waffle. Come here, Barney,
and II swear YOU"
Barney laid his hand on the book
while the oath was administered, then
he was asked in tone OF judicial Sc
verify:
did you point a deadly weapon at
that gentleman in the white hat?"
"Nes, sir"
What was ia shotgun"
Eyes, sir"
What was il loaded with?"
"No. shot"
How far were you from Col Kee,er
at the time?"
About fifty feet"
Now, then, answer me squarr-up.
II your gun had gone of would it have
killed our respected friend?"
81 think il would. sir
The judge leaned forward in his
chair.
Then why IN the hend's name didn't
you shoot?"
A painful silence settled over the
courtroom and then there came a tit
ter from someone somewhere in the
crowd. Guy laughed outright. SPRING
ing erect, the Colonel inflated his
broad chest, and fastened his eyes on
Waffle.
Sir" he cried in a voice whose every
intonation sent a palpitating chill
through Lem Bilkins, you are in
vested with the sacred majesty OF law,
and l ~Culd rather cut OF my right
hand than raise il against one OF the
noblest OF my country's institutions,
but"
That will do. Keever." cut in the
judge. Make any more comments
on my way of doing things and I'll
fine You and levy on your old blanket
sheet for the amount. You're the
kind Of a frontier product that
makes an honest man blush for his
race. You're having your day now,
but the time will come when the
people will find you out. Beware Of
that time. Keever. that's my advice
20 you"
Col. Keever arose stiffly and strobe
60 the door. There he halted 10
shake his cane at the judge and eI-
Claim wrathfully:
You shall answer for this. sir!
KRad, l shall see that you answer
for this"
He founced out Of the room and
the Judge laughed and called after
him:
Whenever you're ready for me,
Colonel. youll find IN eady Tor you.
Liscomb. / shall have 20 fine you ten
dollars. not for what you did do, but
for what you didn't do. If you will
promise"
He was interrupted by the wild
tolling Of a bell. His words died
away on his lips and he sat rigidly
upright, listening 10 the sound az
though fascinated. Pettibone gave a
startled Jump. deathlike stiffness
was everywhere broken only by the
heavy breathing of those in the
room.
It's the alarm" cried Glimmer,
his voice shaking with excitement;
the Harmony men are coming after
the records! The Harmony mem"
Courts adjourned" shouted Waf-
fe, leaping on the table. Run for
the courthouse, every man Of you!"
There followed a scrambling rush
for the door, accompanied by fierce
yells and shouts of defiance In the
confusion, Guy and Barney were sep
arated from the sheriff and from
each other. Left TO his own devices
Guy drew back and then trailed
along in the rear Of the crowd.
which swept down the stairs and off
up the street in the direction of the
courthouse.
CHAPTER Y.