The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-05-01


''The court of appeals. There is no
choice in the matter"
Gordon was silent The city attorney
| eyed him again with interest.
"Are you lawyer, young manf"
"No."
''Do you know Tommy Randall init
matelyg
"No. Do your
The city attorney evaded the ques-
| tion.,
Hes a bright one, Tommy is; very
bright Very bright, don't you think?'
"Win this warrant be served at
once?" Gordon asked, in his turn ignor-
ing question.
The attorney placed the warrant in
the hands of an officer, with instruc
lions to serve it on Tommy Randall at
once, and as he gave the order it
! seemed to Gordon that everybody in
the office, from the city attorney down
to the policeman, eyed him with sort
of plying contempt.
He walked 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 us, isn't it?"
"How unpopular?"
Didn't you notice the city attorneys
hesitation when Chambers name was
mentioned? And while you were talk
ing l overheard a little talk between
two men ar the other end of the office.
Chambers name occurred several
times, and it was never spoken of in
any complimentary terms. If he is I'M
popular with the city administration,
isn't that good sign for us?"
Yes. It's a glimmer 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
ficer 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
a 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 Familiarity 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
"He 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 fiickered
| 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.
Have you any defense. Mr.. Ran
dall?"
81 plead not guilty Ny attorney will
take the case" said Tommy. with a
smile
/ Then, to John Gordon's surprise, a
man got up from the front bench and
laid Il bundle of papers on the rail in
front of the judge.
May it please your honor" he said
''this case is purely spite work. My
client has gained possession by pur-
chase OF 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
model tenement by my client by
swearing out this warrant, -chargine
him with violation of city ordinance
in regard to the space required at thu
rear of building lot. We don't deny
the ordinance. 1t explicitly states tha
If the building is four stories higl
there shall be fifteen feet between thu
rear end of the structure and the enc
of lot. But may it please your honor
my client has not violated this Ordi
, nance. The diagram here will show
| that my client has left the required
, space provided for by the law"
, The lawyer unfolded blue print ant
spread it out. Gordon looked at Tom
my Randall. There was a smile of sat
, isfaction on his face.
I "You may see. your honor, for your
self. This plat is the city engineers
The measurements from Bowen stree
: south on lot are ninety-eight feet il
| | full. My clients building, as seen b.
this contractors figures and diagram,
he opened another paper, is exactl
eighty-three feet, which is just wha
| | the law calls for
"Will the city engineer certify to thi
statements" The judges voice SCENE
, softer and more refined than ever.
HE will if necessary"
: SIS he PRESENT.
= "We did not think it necessary, you
@ honor / think he is out OF the city q
present. But your honor can see tia
the print is his own official measure
ments. My client asks that this cas-
/ be dismissed as malicious persecution
q what have you to say, Mr.. Col
j. donw The judge turned his spectacle
f eyes toward him.
S 81 say he lies" replied Gordo
5 promptly.
"Haye you any nroofs2" The yoic
v seemed sharper, and the figure straigh
e ened up perceptibly.
Gordon hest tated. He began to sc