Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1902-08-08
CHAPTER XXX.

Col. Keever was pluming himself
for fight. II was his intention 10
wing his way westward, alighting at
Harmony long enough to receive his
1850 from the committee Of WAYS
and means.
To remain long in Concord would
be TO court disaster. The score of
men from jamestown he had sent 10
Amityville there 10 await him and
receive the s2,4so promised for their
services. Mr.. Pinchbeck was TO paw
$4,000 of this sum in the event that
Concord won the contest Concord
having lost-the men voting their
wages out Of their hauds-there was
no money for them forthcoming. I'm
mediately upon collecting the price
If his treachery from Col. Dingle,
Col. Keever's plan was TO give
Amityville wide berth.
Lumber and hardware bills were
also due on account of the court
house. Young Herbert must shout
der these and, 10 the end that I'M
pleasant questions might be avoided,
Col. Keeyer had begun his prepare
tions for shaking the dust Of Con-
cord from his feet as early as Tues
day night.
II was his desire 10 depart secret
ly, but on opening the front door OF
his Office he found Christopher Waf.
fle seated on the stairs. Softly clos
ing the door, the Colonel sought exit
from the rear, and on the back fight
he came upon William Comfort. The
Colonel, smothering his wrath, re-
turned 20 the sanctum and waited.
Then he tried again, only 10 discover
that the siege had not been raised.
During the entire night the editor
made essays at intervals Of an hour
or so. but was each time baked by
the blockading forces. There was
nothing for it but TO remain where
he was and brazen the matter
through.
Morning came and found the
Colonel asleep in his chair. A COM
motion outside caused him to move
restlessly. What was it he heard?
Excited and angry cries, a sharp
voice haranguing a mob, an uproar
as Of men enraged? His faculties
were blunted by his vigil OF the
night. lie could not reason from
point 20 point and draw proper in
ferences With a stertorous sigh he
changed his position in the chair and
slept on.
A Fo,,. r,,o,,on4s ,,oro onJ .ho o,,+
side stairs echoed with n wild clatter
Of ascending feet. The door was
burst open and the Colonel started
forward, aroused and apprehensive.
Lemuel Bilkins was before him,
flushed with excitement and trem-
ulous with fear.
run, Colonel" gasped Bilkins;"
for heavens sake, rum"
The Colonel's pudgy face went
white in n fash.
whats the matter. Lemuel?" he
demanded. starting 10 his feet.
"llerbert's in town-he tried TO
talk 20 the people-they accused him
Of maxim those Jimtown fellows vote
for Harmony-they were goin' for
him hammer and tongs when
when"
Bilkins. clutching at the desk for
support, halted 90 catch his breath
when what?" asked the Colonel
in a husky whisper. speak out, mani"
When Sampson jumped up beside
Herbert and gave Chris Waffle a pa
per to read TO the crowd" Bilkins
drew a sleeve across his dripping
forehead. 1T was an agreement be-
tween you and the Harmony people,
and"
The Colonel fell over against the
partition with a hollow groan. Now
he knew what had become of that
document, and where his $50 had
gone!
At that instant clamorous shouts,
drawing nearer and nearer, were
heard without; swift feet assembled
the stairs, and suddenly there came
4 roar:
Lynch himl"
ride him out of town."
Sack the oftice-pull 10 down