The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-10-28

opposite the great wooden gates-sates
which gave directly on the buildings
containing the most valuable local prop
critics OF the Big Horn road. excepting
possibly the locomotives in the round
mouse. IL was a moment OF excitement.
No man In the little band OF defenders
could estimate the extent OF damage that
would unauestionably result II that
maddened throng broke through. IL
seemed as though by this time all the
devilment OF the disanected was con-
centrated here at one spet for the mob
was vastly increased I'm size, and the
1eers, hewls and curses were now con-
tinuous. Small wonder that many a
young state 'guardsman" In the little
command felt a nervous thrill az he gazed
at the host OF semisavags faces peering
In between the brown Stats and listened
10 the hideous threats OF the leaders,
Well have your hearts blood. you
liyeried dogs!' We'll Tarn you tin SOL
diers a lessonr' Burn down the fencei'
XIII the numbering hounds" "Cut their
! throats!" were expurgatsd samples OF
the yells. But still the company stood al
ordered arms and lat ease" for Langdon
continued his cool promenade along the
front. calmly eying the bowling mob.
keeping wary watch upon the fence and
gate, but ever and anon glancing up
the yards I'm search OF support or re-en-
forcement. for. to all outward appear
ance the coolest most unconcerned per-
son on the ground, his heart was filled
with grave anxiety. His was by long odds
the most critical position OF any man.
soldier or civilian. that day in all Me-
braska.
For. now that he had time 10 face the
facts and consider the position In all
Its bearings, he realized that he had
no authority whatever In law or fact
TO enable him to discharge the grave
duties OF his position-not so much as
a commission In the state troops. not
even a warrant as deputy sheriff. II
the mob charged and to defend the
lives of these men he was compelled TO
order them to fire. an Indictment for
murder would doubtless lie ut his door
II Is one thing 10 do a mans whole
duty with Il. law behind him: II Is an
other to stand and face a thousand vot-
ers and realize that every drop OF
blood that might be shed on either side
would, IN the event OF success or fail
ure, be charged up TO him. And still
he never seemed disturbed.
But Langdon's heart beat quick when.
Just as II seemed probable that. neck or
uation and fight he caught sight OF
Claiming with the sheriff and brace
OF deputies coming toward him on the
run. The crowd having concentrated
here. II was possible for the officials
now TO leave other threatened points.
he strOileO, as IL were, Win almost eX-
aggerated quiet TO the right flank of
his men TO meet them. The mob re-
doubled It's screams OF defiance.
Major Melville wants TO know how
you're getting along" painted Claiming
as he FASTENED UP, red faced, anxious,
but plucky.
well, you see for yourself" said
the fence. Those fellows mean TO
burst through in a minute or two"
Cant you scare 'em? Fire a volley
over their heads?" puffed the sheriff,
eager and willing, but utterly inexperl-
enced.
That's murder" was the cool reply.
"A mob gains tenfold In daring and dew
| ilment when 1t sees you're afraid to fire
anything but blanks. You'll simply have
| to kill 50 then where five would have
sufflced in the first place. No. sir. Ball
| cartridges or nothing. And here's another
| point. I'm not an officer either OF the
| troops or OF the law" And now Eric had
| to raise his voice above the outer clamor
| II can give the necessary commands and
| at the proper instant. and ] can drive
| those howlers back In one volley IL they
| attempt TO force the gates. but you, Mr.
| Sheriff, must stand by my side and as
| sumo responsibility; otherwise a week
| from now you'll be around with war
| rant for my arrest"
my God, can'tt" said the civil offi-
| ciai wiping the sweat from his brow de-
| spite the cold wind from the westward
| prairie. He gazed almost fearfully along
| that surglng fence line. II resembled by
| this time nothing so much as one contin-
| uous cage OF snarling, roaring beasts. II
| was plain the poor fellow was losing his
nerve. Me and my family couldn't live
| In this community another week. Can't
| you say something TO them. Mr.. Chan
| ning?' Like many another civil official.
| the sheriff was realizing that IL was
| quite one thing TO tackle o lot OF tramps.
| friendless and desperate as they were
| down at Bridge Siding; IL was quite an
| other to think OF letting drive a deadly
| yolley into the breasts OF mob that
might contain friends and fellow citizens,
| and that would be sure TO turn to In re-
| taliation and possibly murder his own be-
| loved ones Small wonder the sheriff
| hesitatedl
TOO late to talk shouted Claiming
| impatiently Besides, there isn't one
| sane railroad man In 20 In that lot.
| They're toughs from every town along
| the Big Muddy, and. by heaven. they IL
| sack these yards before the regulars can
get here unless you can stop IL, Lang
| doni That internal Seattle train ought to
| have been In long ago, but 1t may get
| here inside OF an hour. and their general
| managers Just behind 'em on special.
| What can you do?" And Claiming set
| his stern jaw and glared at the crowd
fight, almost fury. In his blazing eyes
| then turned back TO Langdon. Before the
latter could answer there came scream
| from the sheriff. -
"Lookl siedge hammers. by heavenT'
| he cried pointing 10 the gate. already
shaken by the furious heaving OF the
| throng .
| Then there's only one thing to 40
answered Langdon, his face very pale
| but his eyes ahame. "Out or the way
| please, Mr.. Sheriff" And. thus dismiss
Ing and dlsposing OF that now useless
| functlonary. he stepped quickly back to
| the front OF his. men. Even in that SUI
| preme moment he was counting the
| chances of every move He had faced
| rioters before and knew how Vital !,
was that every movement OF the troops
should be machinelike and precise.
| Listen TO me carefully. now. men. lie
spoke I'm his clear. animated tone every
word cutting through the clsmor so as to
| be distinctly heard by these his young
soldiers standing grave faced and some