The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1906-01-25

lA6 u
Nonsense, Mrs. Jackson" scoffed
John. 1T was all an accident. The
kid isn't even scratched. There's no
harm done. Didn't l see it? Here,
wrap this around my arm. Have lit
tie sense" coaXsd the man Of blood
and steel, confronting the serious dan
ger as he twisted the kerchief In his
hand about his forearm. All the while,
too, he had been edgng back toward
the depot, with his Italians behind him.
John Blair had been through one lynch
ing at Switchback. Before the women
saw the fent he had the pair in the
waiting room. But men were strag-
Cling down the street. The autocrat
listened with growing anxiety for the
screech Of the Kerkwater train, then
nearly due.
ut will be here in minute! he eX-
claimed as the frightened musicians
looked to him. Get on this train and
get out of here! Get your tickets!' he
repeated in italian to the bear tanner.
what are you crying aboutT he ask
ed of the girl as the man started for
the ticket, window. II couldn't help
killing your bear. 1t was his fault. He
gave it no water. Understand? Is that
your husband"
Isl, signor," she stammered trem-
blingly. He looked at her closely.
Where the neckerchief had been torn
away the creamy skin contrasted with
her travel stained face, and the tears.
coursing down, channeled through the
dirt to color that burned with blood.
Husband, Ell? Look here, does he
beat you?"
"N-no, signOr.'
"Yes, he does" persisted the auto
crat, queerly eying her.
"Oh, no, no, signor!'
The train numbered down to the sta
ton. There was one more bridge to
cross, the distance from the depot door
to the cars. The platform was black
with fermenting crowd. However
the musician felt, the autocrat looked
laZily confident, and the minute the
train pulled in he threw open the door
and marshaled the silenced MINISTRIES
out 1t needed just Il match to fire
things, vet no one cared to strike it in
the autocrat's face. There was covert
crowding and showing. the trio were
jammed into a pocket, and the Italians
were assailed by every one in swearing
distance with a torrent of abuse The
steps Of the passenger coach had been
blocked by ugly men. Without word
the autocrat showed sideways and
brought his pair to the door Of the bag
gage car, where the conductor stood.
"Curran," exclaimed John Blair hasti-
ly, take these people down to the
Springs. They got into trouble here
with a bear. Jump in there. Tony.
lively" The man vaulted into the car.
Come" exclaimed the autocrat to the
girl, taking her arm. Then his eyes met
hers, and he hesitated. Look here"
he muttered, bending over for her an
swer, docs he beat you?'
The women behind crowded menac-
ingly up. The yelling was bedlam.
yet no one broke over the arm that
barred the frightened girl.
mo, no, signor.' she cried, shrinking
with fear "Puta me in-up-please"
The autocrat laughed. He bent down
again, and with the conductor lifting
his hand for the starting signal he said
something to her in Italian and looked
into her tluttering eyes.
"No underestimate, signor." shivered
the girl, cinging to her violin.
Hang it," burst out John Blair,
cant you talk your own lingo? l say
il he beats you, come back here to me-
and I'll kill him" The mob was surg
ing, and the train was moving.
"Puta me in! Oh, puta me in" she
cried.
"Here you go. then" he laughed, soft
ly catching her by the girdle. "Get
back there. Tony he roared rs the
bear tanner leaned anxiously forward
Get away will you you bruteT'
John was carrying the frantic girl for
ward with the movement Of the train.
"Now, up you go! One, two, three"
With the word he swung her. She rose
light as a watch spring, bounded clean
ly into the open door and into her com
panion's arms. Curran smiled.
Blair turned on his campful OF pets
and, raising both arms, chaffed them
back and across the street to show the
dead bear Then, as If by inspiration,
he appointed Il committee for grand
barbecue that night, in which his good
people should feast on the spoil Of the
enemy.
Peace restored in Switchback, he
walked to the boarding house.. tele-
phoned for the company surgeon and
went to his room. Splitting basinful
Of water, he unwrapped the necker-
chief from his arm. AS he was about
to throw 1t into the paper basket a
faint odor arrested him. He looked ut
it again The coloring was gray, deli
cate as the texture, soft-very soft it
was-and made setting for the red
that dabbled the sober ground. His
arm was bleeding freely.
The surgeon arrived and heard all
about it. He cauterized the wounds.
There was some laughing and more
tobacco. But John took moment.
when the doctors eyes were in his in.
StfllIutnt e., ~ ,..op tnt gray ker-
chief with its red blotches, into a
drawer. The medical man spoke Of
the teeth Of the bear but the mind Of
the autOcrat went to the woman's