The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-04-08

q don t care. Louie was q SCOu pOS /,
he was a good boyw she cried, throw
ing her apron over her head ard rock
ing back and forth with greet sobs.
During the talk she had been sitting
By the door, apparently oblirious to
everything. She now suddenly rose up
and staggered into the room, throwing
her arms over the coffin and sllrieking
aloud: "He was good boy! Oh, God!
On, God.''
Tommy Randall turned toward John
Gordon with look that was simply
Satanic.
'If you attempt to interfere OF make
any unusual disturbance, NJ. Ran
Gall," Gordon said again as be had
twice before, taking the initiative, u
shall report you to the authorities
The statement was so simply made,
it covered so much absolute authority,
that for q moment Tommy Randall
stared in silence, too much asronished
to say a word Then, to Gorden's sur
prise and to the bewildermen@ Of the
crowd, the older man put out lis hand
and said, with laugh:
you're a good one! Report Tommy
Randall! Give me your hand Oh it,
young fellow! But you have the Say,
wouldn't ne make team with another
one like him."
Again the crowd laughed coarsely,
and Gordon, without seeming to notice
the outsretched hand, turned his back
on all Of them and went into the room.
Randall watched him, with a 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
come down. He will have beautiful
service. He wilr'-
"Does Mr.. Randall
The words were spoken with fright
ened air that Gordon saw at once had
some good reason. But before be could
answer Randall said good natlredly::
'I think we had better have the min
lister come down, Mrs Caylor. That's
all right"
'I'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 well enough,
but he was Indifferent to it ldis 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 its sweep
cf future reckoning, for Tommy Randall
was beginning to feel dimly, but really,
that for the first time in his political
career he 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. Thai: made it
doubly hateful to him.
John Gordon stayed a little longer
and then went away. The hour fixed
for the service was o'clock AS he
went out into the corridor and groped
his way down the stairs ard 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.
''Naw he didn't" the tobacco user
calculated, with an oath. "Wait till
the old man gets in his upper cut. He
amt downed by no 'gentp
Gordon at once took car for Naza-
reth avenue, and within an hour he
was in the Rev. Paul Falmoutll's study,
which was in the rear Of Nazareth
Avenue church.
"Glad to see you, Gordon" Fal-
mouth said as be rose and greeted his
visitor cordially. The minister was
grave faced man Of thirty-fTe. The
books, papers, pictures and articles Of
interest in his study proclaimed stu
dent if not a scholar. The man himself
had a reserve power. How much more
than that was not apparent at hrst
sight.
'I'm sorry to disturb your morning,
Mr. Falmouth. know your rule, but
this Is g case Of death. I knew you
would listen to me-"
Certainly; go on. was thinking OF
you just minute ago and planning to
come down to Hope House and see
you. Of course know what you have
done. The papers,
Thank you, Mr.. Falmouth, for your
kind letter. It did me good. I'll be glad
to see you at Hope House. But I know
how busy you arer' Gordon glanced at
the minister's desk, which was covered
with open books, manuscripts in varl-
Gus degrees Of preparation and mis-
cellaneous Heap Of correspondence
which told the particular story of
laborious life.
I'm always busy, Gordon" The
words were spoken with sigh that
was instantly repressed. '.But for more
reasons than one want to see you and
have good long talk with you"
I'll be very glad. But this is my er-
rand this morning. I want you for
funeral service this afternoon
He went on rapidly to relate the brief
story of Louie, without reference to
Randall or any Of the occurrences that
had brought him into the tragedy.
"I'll go, of course" Falmouth said in
stantly when Gordon paused. Shall
we have any singing? Have you any
one in Hope House"
II had an idea as l came along up,"
Gordon spoke with a little hesitation.
'If this was a funeral on Park boule
ward for rich mans son and you were
called on to oficiate, who would prob
ably sing:"
"N-hy, the Nazareth Avenue quar-
-