Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-03-17

TO in this thing, ana I've naQ the
devils own job to convince them other
| wise I'm not bit sure they won't
| want to arrest you and hold you as a
hostage"
''That would be nice job
wouldn't it? But they've lost their
heads completely You see, these red
| neckers' hit Us on a weak spot-they
broke loose just as we were trying to
float our biggest issue of stock and
fattened out every deal till it looks
like square yard Of nothing. Natural
ly were all red headed as woodpeck-
ers, and were going to open these
mines. We've got to open them or go
broke BY the way, when did you
come to town."
"This minute"
"Ride! In this storm" lie rose on
his elbow to survey him. Great Scott.
man, throw of those horrible boots and
put on some dry socks and some slip
pers! Tumble the things out of that
bottom drawer; you'll find all kinds
there"
In the end he had his way. and so in
warm. dry footwear and a smoking
jacket the young miner ate his steak
and drank his coffee while his host
looked on and commented on his looks.
you've taken hand to the pillow,
haven't you? That fist is Il wonder.
And you've really struck It? Well, I'm
glad of 1t. But you want to watch
Curran. I'm told he's been to every
lawyer in town with your papers in the
attempt to break your grip on that
vein"
'We are not worrying" replied Ray
mond
When he had quite finished, Barnett
said, "Well, now, Rob. what about it?'
Raymond was equally direct. I'm
here to try to persuade you not TO send
the sheriff and his men up the canyon"
Whom do you represent, the union?"
"In a way, yes. 1 have a letter to
you, and l come on behalf of the indie
pendents, who don't want to see blood
slx4. There'll be Il horrible miXup,
Don. sure thing. unless your fellows are
headed off. Munro's cowboys and des-
peradoes will fight; don't make any
mistake about that"
''Who Is this man MunroT
Raymond looked at his friend stead
lily. Don, the time has come to tell
you something. but it's a secretr' His
voice ended in rising infection. 1T
concerns only YOU and me-for the
present"
Barnett reached out his hand. "All
right. old man."
Munro is really Jackson Hollenbeck.
We were classmates and roommateS
at West Point. Do you remember read
ing some eight or nine years ago of a
group of six cadets being dismissed for
haZing and INSTRUMENTATION? l don't
suppose You do. but was one of that
gang. lack was another. We weren't
so bad as we were represented, but
they fired us all the same. / lost all
track of Hollie, as we called him then"
$50 that's where Munro gets his mill
tary training and his real name is
Hollenbeck." He smiled slyly. What's
yourS?"
ooh, mine is straight l never tried
to conceal my Identity I'm Robert
Huston Raymond of Ohio, the man that
'swatted' his superior and got busted
for It. Since then I've lived a COM
monplace life"
"What was it all about? l never ask
ed any questions before. but I'd like to
know all about it,
That's about all Of it. 1 was rest
less young cub and hated discipline, |
but that's of no value. What is impOr
tant is this Jack Munro's military |
training is being felt. Now, you
mustn't ask me single question as to |
conditions up there. I'm going back. |
and / must be able to say to Jack that |
I was faithful to my trust If the |
sheriff will go back with me alone I |
believe 1 can get Jack to deliver the |
men that blew up the mine Then If |
the Red Star people-yOu, in fact-will |
deal with the men fairly l think the |
whole situation will clear"
Il don't share your optimism. Those |
jackasses must be whipped before they |
will yield point. They'd kill you and |
the sheriff both"
Il don't think so. | know Jack will |
protect us. He practically controls the |
camp at this minute ] have the coun- /
tersign and can pass the patrol at any |
time today, and the sheriff, if he has |
the nerve, can ride with me straight to |
Jacks headquarters. Then I want you |
to meet some of the head men and ar |
range a new scale
To this Barnett would not listen. |
"Once you admit that these men can |
dictate terms and where will their de- |
mands stop?"
Raymond spoke with some heat. |
what / complain of is that you Red |
Star people are interfering with my |
business. You have inflamed the camp |
till 1 may be obliged to shut down at |
any moment YOu have heen IInrea-
sonable in treating with your men. 1t
isn't so much question of wages; it's
a question of courtesy and decent re-
gard for your fellows. Mackay was no
man to make an issue of. He was, in
fact, q conceited ass, and you know Ii.
Now, Barnett, you must back water
here. The camp Is in a bad temper,
and you can't cure violence with vio-
ence."
well. Itl tell you what I'll do" said
Barnett on sudden impulse, moved by
Raymond's sincerity, III call meet
|