The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-02-28
CHAPTER V.

the assertion" upon its front
page that "the scene at the
Pike mansion was one Of unalloyed
festiyity, music and mirth; q fairy
bower Of airy figures waiting here and
there to the throb Of waltz strains;
veritable temple of Terpsichore, shin
ing forth with q myriad Of lights,
which, together with the generous pro-
fusion of floral decorations and the
mingled delights afforded by Minds
orchestra Of indianapolis and Caterer
Jones Of Chicago, was in all likelihood
never heretofore surpassed in elegance
in our city Only one incident" the
Tocsin remarked, married on other
wise perfect occasion, and out Of re-
gard for the culprit's family connec-
lions, which are prominent in our So
clal world, we withhold his name. Suf-
fee 1t to say that through the vigilance
Of Mr.. Norbert Flltcroft, grandson of
Colonel A. A. Flltcroft, who proved
himself a thorough LecoQ the cele-
brated French detective), the rascal
was seized and recognized. Mr.. Fit
croft having discovered him In hiding,
had a Gordon of walters drawn up
around his hiding place, which was the
charmingly decorated side piazza Of
the Pike mansion, and sent for Judge
Pike, who came upon the intruder by
surprise. He evaded the judges in
dignant grasp, but received a we'll
merited blow over the head from
poker which the judge had concealed
about his person while pretending to
approach the hiding place casually.
Attracted to the scene by the cries OF
Mr.. Flitcroft, who, standing behind
Judge Pike, accidentally received a
blow from the same weapon. all the
guests Of the evening sprang to view
the scene, only to behold the culprit leap
through a crevice between the strips
Of canvas which inclosed the piazza
He was seized by the colored coach
man Of the mansion, Sam Warden, and
Immediately bounced upon by the cor
don Of Caterer Jones' dusky assistants
from Chicago, who were in ambush
outside. Unfortunately after a brief
struggle he managed to trip Warden
and, the others stumbling upon the
PROSTATE body Of the latter, to make
his escape in the darkness"
Not quite mile above the northern
most of the factories on the water front
there projected into the river near the
end of the crescent bend above the
town a long pier, relic of steamboat
days, rotting now and many years
fallen from its maritime uses. About
midway Of it's length stood q huge,
crazy shed, long ago utilized as a
freight storeroom. This had been
patched and prOpped, and a dangerous
looking veranda attached to it, over
hanging the water. Above the door
way was placed a sign whereon might
be read the words, Beaver Beach,
Mikes Place" The shore end of the
pier was so rulnous that passage was
offered by q single row of planks,
which presented an appearance so tenn
porary as well as insecure that one
might have guessed their office to be
something IN the nature Of q draw
bridge. Prom these q narrow path ran
through a marsh left by the receding
river to a country road Of desolate ap-
pearance. Here there was q rough in
closure or corral with some tumble
down sheds which afforded shelter on
the night Of Joseph Louden's disgrace
for q number of shaggy teams attached
to those decrepit and musty vehicles
known picturesqueiy and accurately as
night hawks.
By o'clock Joy at Mixes place had
become beyond question unconfned.
and the tokens of it were audible for
a long distance in all directions If,
however. there Is no sound where no
ear hears, silence rested upon the coun-
tryside until an hour later. Then a
lonely figure came shivering from the
direction of the town not by the road,
but Sinking through the snow upon the
frozen river. 1t came slowly, as though
very tired, and cautiously, too, often
turning its head to look behind. Final
~ it reached the pier and stopped as If
to listen.
Within the house above a piano of
evil life was being beaten to death for
It's sins and clamoring its last cries
horribly. The old shed ratified in every
part with the thud of many heavy feet
and trembled with the shock Of noise,
an incessant roar Of mems voices, pune
tuated with women's screams. Then
the riot quoted somewhat There was
a clapping of hands, and a violin be-
gan to squeak measures intended to be
oriental. The next moment the listener
scrambled up one of the rotting piles
and stood upon the veranda A shaft
OF red light through a broken shutter
struck across the figure above the