The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-10-03

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 way. yes. I have letter to
YOU, and come on behalf of the indie
pendents, who don't want to see blood
shed. There'll be a 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 Munro"
RAYMOND looked at his friend stead
ily. "Don, the time has come to tell
YOU something, but it's secret" His
voice ended in a rising infection ''It
concerns only you and me-for the
present"
Barnett reached out his hand. call
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 insubordination? don't
suppose you do, but was one of that
gang. Jack 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
! h;cy oo Ia
Hollenbeck. He smiled slyly. whats
yours"'
"Oh, mine is straight. never tried
to conceal my identity. Pm Robert
Huston Raymond Of Ohio, the man that
'swatted' his superior and got Busted
for it. Since then I've lived COM
monplace life"
"What was 1t all about? never ask
ed any questions before, but I'd like to
know all about it"
That's about all Of It. I 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. Tm 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 I 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 I think the
| whole situation will clear
! 81 don't share your optimism. Those
| jackasses must be whipped before they
will yield a point They'd kill you and
! the sheriff both"
81 don't think so. I know Jack will
protect u.s. 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 ne straight to
| Jacks headquarters. Then want you
to meet some Of the head men and ar
range new scale"
To this Barnett would not listen.
Once you admit that these Hen can
dictare terms and where will their de-
nands stop"
/ Raymond spoke with some heat.
WHAT / complain Of is tihat you Red
Star people are interfering with my
business. You have infamed the camp
till may be obliged to shut down at
any moment. You have been unrea-
sonable in treating with your men. It
isn't SO much a question Of wages; it's
question of courtesy and decent re-
gard for your fellows. Mackay was no
man to make an issue Of. He was, in
fact, conceited ass, and you know it.
Now, Barnett, you must back water
here. The camp is in a bad temper,
and you can't cure violence with yio-
lence."
seWel, I'll tell you what I'll do," said
Barnett on sudden impulse, moved by
Raymond:s sincerity, 'I'll call meet
ing here Of the sheriff, the mayor and
one or two others, and Wen talk. this
over"
call right, only you must keep my
presence here a secret and be mighty
careful not to put me- in false posi-
ton"
'Tll take care of you" AS he rose
he added: "You lie down for awhile
and rest while collect my men,"
Raymond followed slowly and rolled
into his delicious bed with a sigh of
! deep pleasure.
When he awoke Don was standing
over him smiling. "The council is on.
Dress and come down to the library.
I was right about tie indignant citi-
zens; they were all for arresting you.
They understand that you are pal of
this man Munro, and I was obliged to
put forth all my influence to save
you
This did not appeal to Raymond's
sense Of humor. "It's just that blind
sort of bucking at the wrong minute
that tangles things up. Munro is the
one regulative force up there, and yet
you fellows want to kill him off,"
AS Raymond stepped out into the