Mower County transcript., 1902-07-09
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By RALPH CONNOR

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OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
We laid the baby under the pines
not far from Billy Breen, and the sweet
spring wind blew through the gap and
came softly down the valley, whisper
ing to the pines and the grass and the
hiding flowers Of the new life coming
to the world. And the mother must
have heard the whisper in her heart
for as the priest was saying the words
Of the service she stood with Mrs. Ma
vor's arms about her. and her eyes
were looking. far away beyond the pm"
pie mountain tops, seeing what made
her smile. And Slavin. too, looked diff.
ferent His very features seemed finer.
The coarseness was gone out Of bis
face. What had come to him could
not tell.
But when the doctor came into Sla-
WINS house that night it was the old
Slavin I saw, but with look Of such
deadly fury on his face that I tried to
get the doctor out at once. But he was
half drunk, and his manner was hid
eously humorous.
How do ladies'? How do, gentle
men?' was his loud voiced salutation,
"Qulte professional gathering, clergy
predominating. Lion. and lamb too!
Ha, ha! Which Is the lamb, eh2 Ha,
ha! Very good! Awfully sorry to
hear of your loss Mrs. Slavfn- Did
our best, you know; can't help this sort
of thing"
Before any one could move Craig
was at his side and, saying in clear,
firm voice, Zone moment, doctor" :"
caught him by the arm and had him
out Of the room before he knew it.
Slavin, who had been crouching In
his chair, with hands twitch1ng and
eyes glaring, rose" and followed, still
crouching as he walked.
hurried after him, calling him back.
Turning at my voice, the doctor saw
Slavln approaching. There was some
thing so terrifying In his sw1ft noise
less, crouching motion that the doctor,
crying out in fear: Keep him OFF,
fairly turned and fed
He was too late. Like q tiger Slavfn
leaped upon him and without waiting
to strike had him by the throat with
both hands and, bearing him to the
ground, worried him there as q dog
might cat.
Immediately Craig and I were upon
him; but, though we lifted him clear
off the ground, we could not loosen
that two handed strangltng grip% As
we were struggling there light hand
touched my shUuI1er. It was Baattlher
Goulek *'.:'';
please let him go and stand away
from u.s." he said, waving us bach.
We obeyed
He leaned over Shawn and spoke q
1ew words to him.
Slavin started as Il struck heavy
blow, looked up at the priest with fear
IN his face, but still keeping his grip
ttLet htm 60" said the priest
Shawn hesitated -
'Let him pl Qudckr eaid the priest
again, and slavin, with snarl, let, %
his hold and stood sul,en>z facing tie
priest ~,'.' -
Father Goulet regarted him steadily
tor some seconds and then asked:
What would you DOR
His voice was gentle enough, even
sweet but there was Dmething In It
that chilled my ma91UW.. "
"'What would you DOR be repeated
he murdered my chlld," growled
Shv1n. - .
"AhI HowYa
"He was drunk and poisoned him.
"Ahl Who gave him drink Who
made him drunkard two years ago7
Who has wrecked h1s ufeY' ra::=F rHsrl
There was no answer. and the even
toned voice went relentleesly On:
'Who is the murderer OF your child
mwT - g. -.
Slavin groaned and shuddered.
"Go~ And the voice grew stern
Repent Of your SIN and add not en-
other" -.
slav1n turned his eyes upon the mo-
fonless figure on the ground and then
uRUu L4te pE1eSL d'
Father Goulet took one step toward
him and. stretching out his hand and
pointing with his finger, said;
"Go!~ '.t-
And Slavin slowly backed away and
went into his house It was an ex-
traordinary scene, and it is often with
me now-the dark figure on the ground
the slight erect form Of the priest with
putstretched arm and finger, and s.a-
win backing away. fear and fury strug4
Cling 10 bis face. .,....< -
It was near thing for the doctor,
however, and two minutes more. OF
that grip would have done for him
As It was, we had the greatest dtd1cul-
fy In evtvtng him. H. .4S5# 5 III Il. zzsz. ::
What the priest did with S1avin. aft-
et getting him inside I know nut -that
has dways been q mystery to re-3bu bot
when we were passing the saloon that
night after taking Mrs. AfAvuR home
NE saw 4 Light and heard strange
sounds: within IS Enterin9 ~ found
another whisky raid IN progress sla-