Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-03-17
PAGES 9 TO IL.


The mayor resumed his questions.
who sent you? Whom do you repre-
sent?"
Munro sent me-"
"Who is MunroY'
"He is the adviser of the president
OF the union"
Hes the whole thing isn't her
asked the mayor.
"That L cannot answer. He has the
confidence of the committee"
II don't suppose it will do any good
to ask about the buried dynamite and
the Notifications on the hillP'
None whatever"
"Then what did you hope TO accom-
plish?'
Raymond fred little. II came here
to tell you that If you think you can
overawe this camp with 1000 men or
20O0 men you are mistaken. Since
this trouble began hundreds Of the
most reckless and dangerous charac-
tiers in fhe west have dockcd TO Sky In
support of the miners. These recruits
are accustomed 10 the sound of guns.
Furthermore Bozle itself-in fact, the
whole western end of the county-is
tired of the domination of the eastern
end, and they will aid and abet the
miners Your party Is In a minority In
the state, and you cannot safely look
for support TO the militia. Therefore.
for all these reasons and because L
know Munro and lis men. L advise, 1
plead with You. 30 stay where you are.
There is one other consideration: The
party which | reprcsent-the free min
ers and prospectors. like Kelly and
Bingham and ReeSc-have stood aside
from this quarrel. We have had no
share in il. We have kept our men
out of il. but II you march against the
hill many of our fellows will Join
Munro. And I want to tell you, gen
tlemen. that one of these free miners
these rangers of the hills-is more dam
gerous than twenty little dagoes. A
hundred of them would stand off 800 Of
your men,
His deep earnestness impressed them
all. and a silence followed his last
words. At last Don said:
Gentlemen, Raymond is not merely
an acquaintance; he was in my employ
for some years. and he Is my friend.
/ am forced TO give his words great
weight. / suggest that we try TO ar
and ourselves and the governor and
reach some peaceful solution"
The sheriff leaped 10 his feet. THAT
would make us the laughingstock OF
the whole country"
Better be that than a melancholy
example OF foolish pride and Obsti-
Macy" Raymond interjected.
At this point the argument stuck.
Mackay, the county attorney. and the
sheriff stood for war; the mayor and
Barnett, being for the moment under
the power OF Raymond's earnest
glance. pleaded rather spiritlessly for
at least a stay in proceedings.
81 think it all a ruse to gain time"
said Mackay. II think we ought TO
hold this man here and march M once.
He IS known to be friend of Munro.
If we allow him TO go bacl; be will In
form
Raymond smiled grimly. my serv-
ices as IA spy are not needed. Every
movement you make will be watched
by hundred eyes. and back oS the
eyes will be a gun"
The mayor rose. "Well. gentlemen,
/ don't see that we can decide any
thing here. We have Mr. Raymond's
opinion that our attack on the hill will
result I'm disaster. The sheriff ia conf
dent he can win practically without
struggle. This is no place to take
vote on SO momentous 4 subject"
Here he looked at his watch. And IL
ia lunchtime. l suggest that we 60 10
lunch and meet at o'clock I'm the
committee room"
After they were well out of the
house Barnett said: You see how il Is.
They are inexorabIe."'
May / come inY" asked Mrs. Bar
nett at the door. Luncheon is wait
ing"
Certainly" said Don. 1.-THE council
is over"
you were all very quiet. / expected
TO hear loud voices and the sound OF
blows" She came toward Raymond.
her face sweet with kindly interest
How do you do, Robert? It's good to
see YOU How well you look!' AZ
they moved toward the door she added
in a low voice, II want TO talk with
you about--you know who"
She put him at her left hand and Ann
next him. an arrangement which pleas-
ell him. The table was filed. as usual,
with people "on tDelr way 10 CanIoT-
MIA" and Raymond felt himself to be
the object of comment both above and
below board, and it irritated him a
little.
'''rhls IL a long way from Sky" he
said TO Ann. as his eyes absorbed the
shining. flower decked table and its
tasteful service. You left just In
time. 1t is white with snow up there
today, and bleak and cold. Have you
had no word OF Louis?'
mo news whatever. l am sure he Is
on his way up TO you"
Il am starting back at once, and
will take care OF him. Trust him TO
me-"
When at last the hostess rose, the
young miners heart contracted with
sudden realization that his hour OF