The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-09-03

tently.
You have discussed this fulIy?" he
asked.
I'VE have. 1t has been voted on, and
we're unanimous"
MY friends, when stepped into this
room just now l felt that | wasn't
wanted. Why. l don't know, because
have Fad more 10 do with organizing
this movement than any of you and
because | have suffered just as much
as the rest l want to know if 1 was
omitted from this meetisg intention
ally"
This is an embarrassing position to
put me in" said the chairman gravely,
but l shall answer as spokesman for
these men If they WISH
YES; go ahead" said those around
the room.
I'VE don't question your loyalty, Mr.
Glenister, but we didn't ask you to
this meeting because we know your at
titude-perhaps I'd better say senti-
ment = regarding Judge Stillman's
niece-er-family. 1t has come to us
from various sources that you have
own and your partners interest. Now,
there isn't going to be any sentiment
in the affairs Of the vigllantes. We are
going to do justice, and we thought the
simplest way was to ignore you in this
matter and spare all discussion and
hard feeling IN every quarter"
IT'S a lie" shouted the young man
hoarsely, "a damned lie! You wouldn't
let me In for fear I'd kick, Ell? Well,
you were right. / will kick. You've
limited about my feelings for Miss
Chester. Let me tell you that she is
engaged to marry Mcnamara and that
she's nothing to me. Now, then, let
me tell you further that you won't
break into her house and hang her I'M
Gle, even if he is a reprobate. No, sir!
This isn't the time for violence of that
sort. Well win without it. If we
can't, let's fight like men and not hunt
in pack like wolves. If you want to
do something, put us back on our
mines and help us hold them, but, for
Gods sake, don't descend TO assassina-
ton and the tactics of the Mafia!''
I'VE knew you would make that kind
of talk" said the speaker, while the
rest murmured grudgingly. One Of
them spoke up.
We've talked this over in cold blood
Glenister, and it's a question of their
lives or our liberty. The law don't
enter into it."
That's right" echoed another at his
elbow. I'VE can't seize the claims,
because McNamara's got soldiers to
back him up. They'd shoot us down.
You ought to be the last one to object"
He saw that dispute was futile. De-
termination was stamped on their
faces too plain for mistake. and his
argument had no more effect on them
than had the pale rays of the lantern
beside him, yet he continued:
II don't deny that Mcnamara de-
serves lynching, but Stillman doesn't.
He's a weak old man''-some one
laughed derisively-"and there's a
woman in the house He's all she has
In the world to depend upon, and you
would have TO kill her to get at him.
If you must follow this course, take
the others, but leave him alone"
They only shook their heads, while
several pushed by him even as he
spoke. We're going to distribute our
favors equal" said a man as he left.
They were actuated by what they
called justice, and he could not sway
them The life and welfare of the
north were in their hands. as they
thought, and there was not one to hest
tate. Glenister implored the chairman
but the man answered him:
Its too late for further discussion,
and let me remind you of your prom
Use. You're bound by every obligation
that exists for an honorable man
"Oh, don't think that I'll give the
snap awayw said the other; but ]
warn you again not to enter Stillman's
| house"
He followed out into the night to
| find that Dextry had disappeared. evi
| IDENTIFY wishing to avoid argument
Roy had seen signs of unrest beneath
the prospector's restraint during the
past few days, and indications of q
fierce hunger to vent his spleen on tht
men who had robbed him of his most
sacred rights. He was of an intolerant
vindictive nature that would go TO any
length for vengeance. Retribution was
| part of his creed.
On his way home the young maj
looked at his watch to find that he had
but an hour to determine his course
Instinct prompted him TO join his
| friends and to even the score with the
men who had injured him so bitterly
for, measured by standards OF the
frontier they were pirates with theil
| lives forfeit Yet he could not coun
tenance this step. If only the vigi
lantes would be content with making
an example-but he knew they would
not. The blood hunger of a mob i.
easy to whet and hard to hold
. q Ia