Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-01-07

in the matter Of burial, etc. consid-
er, therefore, that am acting fully
within the limits of my authority when
I say have right to call In minis
ter for the decent observance Of the
!! rites attending this DEATH"
Tommy Randall was silent a mo-
ment. He was preparing speech
that would show this young man what
mistake he had made when Gordon
suddenly asked. with the simplicity
that came from part ignorance Of the
power the boss really had:
"By what authority are you here In
charge of this funeralT
Tommy Randall gasped. For the
first time In years he grew pale with
rage. and at first Gordon thought the
man was going to strike him.
by what authority, you insoient
puppy? I'll teach you by what au-
thority! This is my ward, I'll have
you understand my ward. do you
hear?"
Il hear you quite well, sir. You do
not need to talk to make the dead
hearr'
John Gordon spoke with heart on
fire as he realized with gleam OF in.
stinctive loathing Of the man his dia-
bolical hold on the people. "Come out
here and say what you have to say.
It Ia not decent for us to be having all
this In the ROOM"
He turned In a great heat Of anger
that instantly cooled as he went out
In the corridor, and Randall followed
him. In spite Of himself as It seemed,
and the curious, gaping crowd. mostly
women. thronged around to see the
row between Tommy Randall. the au-
tocrat Of Ward 1s. and the slim. pale
faced. well dressed gent" who had
suddenly stepped into the arena alone
against the whole political machine.
Hes up against I'll" chuckled an
old woman.
Tommy will do him up brown"
said a young man who loafed against
the broken railing Of the corridor and
spit tobacco juice down On the heads
Of the children In the court below.
Gordon again was the first to speak.
He was not aggressive. but perfectly
firm and calm.
"Have you any legal authority for
managing affairs hereT' he asked, and
Randall again made movement
which looked like threat of physical
violence.
1T Is none of your business" The
sentence came out with an explosion
of profanity that delighted the crowd.
II am regularly appointed by the
board Of health as legal officer. Do l
understand that you are an officer OF
the city? Do you have legal, official
authority in these premises" Gordon
asked calmly. The question was 80
simply put that Its very simplicity
staggered Tommy Randall. He stared
and then broke into coarse laugh
that was echoed by the women.
"Oficial duty be -. l run this ward.
I'm in charge here, and warn you to
get out and leave this business to me-"
do understand you to threaten an
officer with violence" Gordon asked,
looking him in the eye coldly. At the
same time he took out q notebook,
while Randall eyed him In rage that
he was trying evidently to choke down.
For the first time also trace Of un.
easiness mingled with bis 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 infiu-
ence ut the city hall could account for
his astounding attitude.
81 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.
l understand you make no claim to
being an officer of the city. I shall
proceed to secure a minister and have
the services properly conducted. Mrs.
Caylor is willing to have 1t done.
Aren't you, Mrs. CaylorT
81 don't care! Louie was a good boy;
he was a good boyw 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 obliyious 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! Oh. God!
Oh, God"
Tommy Randall turned toward John
Gordon with 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, Il
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 astonished
to say a word. Then, to Gordon's sur
prise and to the bewilderment Of the
crowd. the older man put out his hand
and said. with Il laugh:
you're a good one! Report Tommy
Randall! Give NE your hand on 1t,
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 all Of them and went into the room.