The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-05-20

Gordon was silent. The city attorney
eyed him again with interest.
care you a lawyer, young manT
"No."
edo you know Tommy Randall inti-
nately?"
".No. Do you?"
The city attorney eTaded the que5-
ton.
"He's bright one, Tommy Is; very
bright. Very bright, don't you think
evil this warrant be served at
onceY' Gordon asked, in his turn ignor-
ing a question.
The attorney placed the warrant in
the hands Of an officer, with instruc-
tions, to serve it on Tommy Randall at
once, and as he gave the order 1t
seemed to Gordon that everybody in
the Office, from the city attorney down
to the policeman, eyed<him with a sort
Of plying contempt.
Hewalked out Of the building boiling
with wrath at the insolent attitude Of
every person In the city administration
with whom he had come in contact
during that weeks experience.
"But Chambers seems to be unpop-
ular around here" he said to Ford.
That's hopeful for U.s. isn't it"
"How unpopular?"
Didn't you notice the city attorneys
hesitation when Chambers name was
mentioned? And while you were talk
ing I overheard a little talk between
two men at the other end Of the Office.
Chambers name occurred several
times, and it was never spoken Of in,
any complimentary terms. If he IS IN
popular with the city administration,
isn't that a good sign for us?'
Eyes. It's gllmmer Of hope, but
only a glimmer in this awful municipal
darkness. Well follow it, though, and
hope for the best"
Gordon was not present when The Of
fcer served the warrant on Tommy,
but he learned afterward that the two
regarded the matter as good joke and
adjourned to the nearest saloon to have
drink over it together. When next
morning Gordon appeared with Ford
in Chambers court in response to the
warrant, which set 8 o'clock as the
time, Tommy was there in good spirits
and nodded familiarly to Gordon as he
came in.
When the case was called, the three
went forward and Gordon noted with
deep interest the man who presided
and Of whom Mrs. Penrose had said,
sHe does not fear man or devil"
He was almost youthful in appear
ance. His smooth face had delicate,
scholarly look that pair Of gold bowed
spectacles emphasized. he seemed
strangely out Of place in that police
court. When he spoke, it was in voice
so soft and refined that Gordon was
disappointed. His heart sank and at
once the glimmer Of hope he had al
lowed his heart to entertain fickered
and went out.
"Who are the prosecuting witnesses
In this case? Chambers said, and Cor
don and Ford stepped up. Gordon
made his statement, and the judge eyed
him through his spectacles. Then he
turned to Tommy Randall.
"Haye you any defense, Mr.. Ran
dan:"
81 plead not guilty. My attorney will
take the case" said Tommy, with a
smile.
Then, to John Gordon's surprise, a
man got up from the front bench anG
Laid 4 bundle Of papers on the rail In
front Of the judge.
"May it please your honor" he said,
stthis case IS purely spite work. My
client has gained possession by pur'
chase Of a tract Of land that this man
Gordon and his companions have been
trying to buy for their own uses. They
are now trying to stop the building Of
a model tenement by my client by
swearing out this warrant, charging
him with violation Of city ordinance
in regard to the space required at tho
rear Of building lot. We don't deny
the ordinance It explicitly states that
IL the building is four stories high
there shall be fifteen feet between the
rear end Of the structure and the end
Of lot. But may it please your honor,
my client hiss not violated this oru-
nance. The diagram here will show
that my client has left the required
space provided for by the law"
Tie lawyer unfolded blue print and
spread 1t out. Gordon looked at Tom
my Randall. There was a smile Of sat
isfa.tion on his face.
"Y'ou may see, your honor, for your
self. This plat is the city engineers.
The measurements from Bowen street
south on lot are ninety-eight feet in
full. My clients building, as seen by
this contractors figures and diagram,
be opened another paper, 'is exactly
eighty-three feet, which is just what
the law calls for"
"Will the city engineer certify to this
statement The judges voice seemed
softer and more refined than ever.
"He will If necessary"
"Is he present?"
'fWe did not think it necessary, your
honor. I think he is out Of the city at
present. But your honor can see that
the p sint is his own official measure
ments. Ny client asks that this case
be dismissed as malicious persecution"
"What have you to say, A1r. Cor
dom" The judge turned his spectacled
eyes toward him.
81 say he lies," replied Gordon
promptly.
"Have you any proofs?" The voice
seemed sharper, and the figure straight
ened up perceptibly.
Gordon hesitated. He began to see
through Tommy Randall's scheme. 1t
was not like Tommy Randall to run
such a risk, but his whole political life
had been such a mesh Of lies and delib-
crate dishonesty that it was not be.
vond The region Of probability for him