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

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81 came here to tell you that you are
mistaken"
She Checked herself. "You must 60.
They are waiting for you below. We
will see you at luncheon?"
Eyes, may not start till dark to-
night"
"You have my best wishes"
The men assembled in the library
were grim lot. Mackay was no less
square jawed than Banker Moore, and
the SQUAT, coarse featured, scowling
sheriff resembled bulldog. Don Bar
nett alone seemed not part Of the gen.
eral massing Of prejudice and passion,
and yet he was one Of the most pitiless
Of them all. The mayor, large man
with a plump and smiling face, seemed
the only man likely to side with a
peace messenger.
After general introductions Raymond
took a seat and at Don's request reit-
Grated his appeal for stay Of the adj
vancing hordes.
'sYou think they'll fght?" asked the
mayor.
81 know they'll fight"
Glow many men does this man Mum
ro''-
Raymond raised warning hand.
''Now, your honor and gentlemen, I am
here merely as peace envoy. do not
intend to utter one word which could
oy any force be twisted into reveaiing
the camp secrets. II I betrayed thzse
men my life wouldn't be worth tooth
pick. They would quite properly mob
me-
The mayor smiled as if it were all
joke. "Quite right, Mr.. Raymond. I
see the propriety OF your attitude"
81 don't" said Mackay. Raymond
and Kelly have elected themselves into
onlcokers. If they had taken prompt
action with us in this whole matter
trouble would have been averted."
The mayor resumed his questions.
ssWho sent you? Whom do you repre-
sent?"
Munro sent me-
'sWho is Munrow
"He is the adviser Of the president
Of the union
"He's the whole thing isr't he"
asked the mayor.
THAT I cannot answer. He has the
confidence of the committee"
81 don't suppose it will do any good
to ask about the buried dynamite and
the Notifications on the hill?"
'.None whatever
''Then what did you hope to accom-
plish?'
Raymond fired a little. 81 came here
to tell you that If you think you can
overawe this camp with LOCO men or
1900 men you are mistaken. Since
this trouble began hundreds Of the
most reckless and dangerous charac-
ters in the west have focked to Sky in
support Of the miners. These recruits
are accustomed to 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
know Munro and his men, l advise.
plead with you, to stay where you are.
There is one other consideration: Inc
party which I represent-the free MIR
ers and prospectors, like Kelly ana
Bingham and Reese-have stood aside
from this quarrel. We have had ne
share in it. We have kept our men
out of it, but if you march against the
hill many of our fellows will JOIN
Munro. And I want to tell you, gen
tlemei. that one of these free miners
these rangers of the hills-is more GAM
cerous than twenty little dagoeS. &
hundred of them would stand off 500 OF
sour men"
His deep earnestness impressed them
all. and 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.
l am forced to give bis words great
weight. suggest that we try to ar
range a meeting between the miners
and ourselves and the governor and
reach some peaceful solution
The sheriff lcaped to his feet. 'That
would make us tie laughingstock of
the whole country.
Better be that than melancholy
example of foolish pride and obsti-
macy" Raymond interjected.
fro BE CONF cED.l