The Washington times., 1903-09-06


expression. Behind his shining
glasses his eyes looked dull and
heavy. like the eyes of a man who has
lost sleep over some bothersome prob
lem.
Gentlemen" he said. "citizens of
GraceviIle." He paused and looked
around. He was not rapid talker. He
found difficulty in expressing himself
Gentlemen" he went on, "I believe you
understand why I have called you to-
gether. A crisis has arisen in the af-
fairs OF our village. The friends of law
and order must stand together. 1 look
upon you as Representatives OF our best
element. and I have called you 10 this
consultation because 1 need the help Of
all good men. At the same time. mat
tiers have not gone so far as TO necessi-
tate the sounding of any public alarm.
have called upon you because I have
strong hopes that in counsel we may de-
wise some means to combat the-the on
ward trend Of disorder, as l may say.
And in so doing I freely confess that
the problem is beyond my individual
reach"
He paused and moistened his lips and
looked about him as IL to welcome com
ment. The seven men seated around the
neat little library had listened to his pre-
else accents with close and serious at
tcntton.
For a moment the silence was IN
broken.
"Of course" said a stout man near the
door, you are referring 70 the doings Of
those Inlet rowdies?''
The little mayor looked around quickly.
u would scarcely go so far as to cal.
ttem rowdies," lie said. as If be depre-
Gated the introduction of the term. 1T
seems 10 me more the effect Of an un-
bridled taste for mischief"
Call 1t what you will, Mister Mayor, ,"
said the thin man by the window, "the
nuisance is just as unbearable. Why.
within the past ten days those scalawags
hive called out the fire engines three
times on false alarms"
"And we all know how they took Officer
DUnphy's club and badge away from him
and then BACKED him up and turned him
adrift," the stout man added.
I'D like TO know why there were no
arrests made fer that little AFFAIR."
queried the sour-faced man at the
mayors left.
The little mayor quickly turned to
him.
There were no arrests, Brother Car
berry," he explained. because Officer
Dunphy declared he couldn't identify a
single one of the assailants. My own
opinion is that Dunphy is afraid OF the
gang and doesn't desire 10 gain its i'll
will"
Then he should be dismissed from
the force" said Brother Carberry with
strong emphasis.
The little mayor spread out his hands
with a deprecatory gesture.
''Dunphy has been in the service many
years." he said He has a family and
for all ordinary occasions is an excel
lent officer should be Ioath TO Jet him
go merely because he was the victim of
a practical joke"
Mob rule is a pretty serious practi-
cal joke" muttered the sOur-faced man.
THAT is a bitter expression. Brother
Carberry.' said the little mayor - am
not yet prepared 10 admit that mob rule
prevails. The acts Of these thoughtless
young men are very aggravating, but
do not consider that they imply an open
defiance OF the law"
But you admit that they have reached
a point where they need curbing." said
a quiet voice. II came from a man who
had not yet spoken, a man of middle
height with broad shoulders. a round.
smooth face and keen gray eyes.
The little mayor turned 10 him in evil
dent relief.
Yes, Brother Burleigh." he said
'That is just the reason that impeIled
me 10 call this meeting The Inlet gang
needs eurbing and we must find the
curb" He looked from the last speaker
10 the others about him. Gentlemen, 8"
he said. Il want TO do my whole duty
10 the best Of my ability. I want TO do
it wisely and with due consideration for
the rights OF all ! promised you this-I
think that all Of you supported me-wheu
/ accepted the nomination. I believe you
viii admit that / have the best interests
Of the village always at heart"
little murmur OF assent ran round
the room.
''Granted." said the sour-faced man.