Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-04-04
mana ing affairs here?" he asked. and

violence. -.
1T is none; Of your businessw The
sentence cam0out with an explosion
of profanity that delighted the crowd.
Il am regularly appointed by the
board of health as a legal officer. Do I
understand that you are an officer of
the city? Do you have 4 legal, official
authority in these premises?" Gordon
asked calmly. The question was so
simply put that it's very simplicity
staggered Tommy Randall. He stared
and then broke into a coarse laugh
that was echoed by the women.
Official duty be -. run this ward,
I'm in charge here, and I warn you to
get out and leave this business to me.''
DO I understand you to threaten an
officer with violence?" Gordon asked,
looking him in the eye coldly At the
same time he took out a notebook,
while Randall eyed him in a rage that
he was trying evidently to choke down.
For the first time also a trace of un-
easlness mingled with his astonish-
ment at the unexpected boldness Of
the young man who had thrown down
the gauntlet before the boss of Ward
18. He was beginning to be in doubt
concerning the young mans political
pull. Nothing short Of secret intiu-
ence at the city hall could account for
his astounding attitude.
Il warn you," Gordon talked as he
jotted down something in the book and
put it back into his pocket, that I am
acting fully within my authority as an
officer specially detailed for this duty.
I understand you make no claim to
being an officer Of the city. l shall
proceed to secure minister and have
the services properly conducted. Mrs.
Caylor is willing to have it done.
Aren't you, Mrs. Caylor?"
II don't care! Louie was good bow:
he was good boy!" she cried, throw
ing her apron over her head and rock
ing back and forth with great sobs.
During the talk she had been sitting
by the door, apparently oblivious to
everything. She now suddenly rose up
and staggered into the room, throwing
her arms over the coffin and shrieking
aloud: ''He was good boy! On, God!
Oh, God!''
Tommy Randall turned toward John
Gordon with a look that was simply
Satanic.
If you attempt to interfere or make
any unusual disturbance, Mr.. Ran
DALI Gordon said again as he had
twice before, taking the initiative, II
shall report you to the authorities"
The statement was SO simply made,
it covered so much absolute authority.
that for moment Tommy Randall
stared in silence too much astonished
to say a word. Then, to Gordon's sur
prise and to the bewildermcnt of the
crowd, the older man put out his hand
and said, with a laugh:
you're a good one! Report Tommy
Randall. Give me your hand on it,
young fellow. But you have the Say,
wouldn't he make a team With another
one like him?"
Again the crowd laughed coarsely.
and Gordon, without seeming to notice
the outstretched hand, turned his back
on I'LL or them ana went lutu the Ivvm
Randall watched him. with snarl on
his face that prophesied any number
of accounts for the future. Then he
grew thoughtful, and before any one
could guess his next movement he FOL
lowed Gordon into the room.
Gordon had even in that brief time
begun to soothe the distracted mother
''I'll get my friend Mr.. Falmouth to
coue down. He will have a beautiful
service. He will
docs Mr.: Randall
The words We're spoken with a fright
ened air that Gordon saw ut once had
some good reason. But before he could
answer Randall said good naturedly:
II think we had better have the min
lister come down, Mrs. Caylor. That's
all right"
"l'll arrange it," Gordon said briefly,
as if Randall were not present. He did
not care to puzzle himself at present
over the mans change of manner.
That it was part of his regular policy
to gain an end he knew we'll enough,
but he was Indifferent to it. His very
Indifference was so complete that the
boss felt again that uneasiness that had
come to him already as new expert
ence, and again that same diabolical
hate included John Gordon in it's sweep
of future reckoning, for Tommy Randall
was beginning to feel dimly, but really,
that for the first time in his political
career lie was in the presence of a new
factor. The newness of it puzzled and
enraged him. 1t was so unknown that
he could not figure on it. That made it
doubly.hateful to him.
John Gordon stayed a little longer
and then went away. The hour fixed
for the service was 3 o'clock. AS he
went out into the corridor and cropped
his way down the stairs and out into
the court he was plainly aware that
curious faces stared at him, and little
added respect was paid him.
''The old man fell DOWN. muttered
the woman who had foretold Gordon's
humiliation at the hands of the boss.
NAV he didn'tv' the tobacco user
calculated, with an oath. "Wait till