The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-08-21
(Continued.)
CHAPTER xxx.


- He mass meeting at Spring
\ I! town was a most important
r-rs~-=-3 event. a was held in the
e~a, vi courthouse in the center Of
lie few struggling houses which made
III the hamlet. The entire Bishop fam
liz. including the servants. attended.
Pole Baker brought his wife and all
the children in new spring wagon.
BARLEY society was represented, as
the Springtown Gazette afterward put
T. by the faireSt Of the fair, Miss Dolly
Barclay, accompanied by her mother
and father.
The courthouse yard was alive with
groups Of men, eagerly talking over the
,.ruation Every individual whose
land was to be touched by the proposed
road was on hand to protect his rights.
Pole Baker was ubiquitous. trying to
ascertain the drift of matters. He
was. however, rather unsuccessful. He
discovered that many of the groups
ceased to talk when he entered them.
"S0men's up" he told Alan and Mil
Ter in the big, bare looking courtroom.
L DON'T know what it is, but | smell
q r.t. an il amt no little one nuther."
"y-poeiiion." said Miller glOOmiiy
- saw that as soon as I came. If they
really were in favor of the road. they'd
4 here talking it over with u.s.
I'm afraid that's it." said Alan
J Joe Harteil is the most interested, and
re seems to be sort Of ringleader |
cont like the way he looks. | saw him
Suepr 1T Wilson when he drove up just
now. I wish Wilson hadn't put on so
much style-kid gloves, plug hat and Il
negro driver"
No. that won't go down with this
crowd" agreed Miller. 1T might in the
Sums Of Boston, but not with these
lords Of the mountains. AS for Bartell,
think know what ails him. He's so
iuc to run for the Legislature and
thinks he can make votes by opposing
uS-convincing his constituency that
represent moneyed oppression. Well,
he may down US, but it's tough ON hui
man progress"
At the hour appointed for the meet
ing TO open young man who held the
office of bailiff in the county and
Seemed proud of his stentorian voice
- pened one of the windows and shout
ed,
Come in to court! Come in to court.
ana the motley loiterers below began
to catter up the broad stairs and fali
into the seats. Joe Bartell, short,
Jhjckset man in the neighborhood OF
fifty, with a f1orid face and shock or
reddish hair, led about twenty men up
the aisle to the jury benches at the
right Of the stand. They were the
landowners whose consent to grant
the right Of way was asked. Stern OPP
POSITION was clearly written on the
leaders, brow and more or less distinct
" reflected on the varying faces OF his
followers.
"Ef we needed it, it I'd be q different
mal.er," Miller overheard him say IN
sudden lull as the big room settieo
down into sudden quiet, 'but we Kin 90
without it. We've got along so fur an
We kin furder. All OF us has got Soou
teams"
Wilson in his crisp, brusque way
made the opening speech. He ana ms
capital were going to dispel darkness
where it had reigned since the dawn OF
civilization. All that was needed he
finished. was the consent of the proper
g. owners appealed to, who. he lei'
confident, would not stand in their own
light.
He had hardly taken his seat When
Joe Barteu stood up. Alan and Miller
exchanged ominous glanccs. Ihey mao
at once recognized the inappropriate
hess Of Wilson's speech and dld not
like the white, twitching sheer on Bar
tells smooth shaven face. 1t was DIS
if Bartell had been for a long tiHe
seeking just such an opportunity 10
make himself felt in the community
and there was no doubt that Wilson
almost dictatorial speech had made
me opening for him.
Fellow citizens an ladies an gen
temen," he began, 1--WE are gao "
welcome amongst US a sort OF seconu
savior in our Sodom an Gomorry o.