Mower County transcript., 1903-09-16

RefO II 3 I
Dy V1LANlLS IN. fossklDS t,ss2
Author Of "In His Steps, = Robert
Hardy Seven Day." Etc.

By CHARLES IN. SHELDON
Author Of .In His Steps, = I. Robert =,
Hardy's Seven Days" Etc. j.
Copyright, 1901, by Charles n. sheldon
5***# ! I ! ~ : ! !
"Are you lawyer, young manr'
'"No." s&' ss
"Do you know Tommy Randall inti-
mately?' ~. 81 h.
mo. Do you
The city attorney evaded the ques.
ton.
"He's a bright one, Tommy is; very
bright. Very bright, don't you think y
"WiI 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-
tons 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. & :@s a@
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 I overheard little talk between
two men at the other end of the Office.
Chambers name occurred i several
times, and it was never spoken Of in
any omplimentary terms. If he is un-
popular with the city administration,
isn't that good sign for us?''
Eyes. It's a glimmer of hope, but
only 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
drink over it together. When next
morning Gordon appeared with Ford
in Chambers court in response to the
warrant, which set 9 o'clock as the
time, Tommy was there in good spirits
and nodded familiarly to Gordon as he
came in. b. ~ G5ss-.., .s,-.srr-
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 a 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 flickered
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? .~
Il 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 and
laid a bundle Of papers on the rail in
front Of the judge. - 49,
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
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. 1t explicitly states that
IT 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 has not violated this ordi-
nance. The diagram here will show
that my client has left the required
space provided for by the law" 4 '. .s5s #.s.
The lawyer unfolded blue print and
spread it out. Gordon. looked at Tom
my Randall. There was smile of sat
isfaction on his face WI, ,$ftfl
"You may see, your honor, for your
self. This plat is the city engineers.
The measurements from Bowen street
south on lot are ninety eight feet in
full. My clients building, as. seen by
this contractors figures and diagram M h
he opened another paper, lis exactly
eighty-three feet. which is just what
the law calls for Z Ei4SS All S8# ;.3 s## IA
+ &"Will the city engineer certify to this
statement" The judges voice seemed
softer and more refined than ever. i$
Il. ,"He will If necessary" 4 t 81 81 81