The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-07-14

NNii NuiillNlVu buthNNNs WIN
some reluctance. II don't mean that
exactly. I've got an old unclc who
seems lately TO think he's great
man."
"ill take your nncle's word for L."
returned the other, smiling ~ think
he'll 10 pretty far"
They Ind come 10 the flight OF steps
which descended TO tho yard. and tho
visitor, looking down upon tho angry
crowd. added. III they don't kin hlmw
Joe himself was anxious concerning
no such matter He shook hands with
iiappy AZ the end OF tho sitting, bid,
ding him he of good cheer. and when
tho little man had marched away ln
der u strong guard began 10 gather and
sort his papers at u desk inside the
bar This took him perhaps Ave mln
I utos. and when hc had finished there
were only three people left In the room
n clerk. u negro tanitor with u broom
aud the darky friend who always hope
fully accompanies u colorcd man hold.
Ing high public ofiicc, These two ap.
rrnvlngly greeted the young lawyer.
tho janltor handing him n note from
Norbert Flltcrott and the friend me
Nanleally borrowing" n quarter from
him as he opened the envelope,
"lll be roun' yo way TO SIT q box o.
se.gahs." laughed tho friend, "soon en-
dc campaign open up good pey all
go'n' vote ye' way down on do levee
bank, but dey sho' expecks to glt 10
smoke u little 10 leckshun day! We
knows who's ow fricn'r'
/. Norbcrt's mlsslye was lengthy and
absorbing, Joe went on his way. pc,
rusing Il with profound attention. but
as ho descended the stairway TO the
door below a loud burst OF angry shout
Ing outside the building caused him 10
hasten toward the big front doors
which faced Main street The doors
opened upon nm imposing vestlbule,
from which a handsome flight OF stone
steps protected by marble halus'
trade, ted 10 the ground,
Standing at tho top OF these steps
and leaning over the balustrnde. he hnd
clear vlow vi half the yard. No one
was near him, Everybody was run
Ming In the opposite direction. toward
that corner OF the yard occupied by the
jail. the crowd centoring upon an ngl.
tatcd whirlpool Of men which moved
slowly toward door In the high wall
that laclpsed The building. and Joe saw
that Happy Fears guards. conducting
the prisoner back TO his cell, were be.
Ing j1sllcd aud rushed. Tho distance
they had made wns short. but as they
reached the door the pressure upon
them increased dangerously, Clubs
rose In the mir. hats ilew, the whirlpool
heuvcd tunultuouSly, and the steel door
changed
Happy Fear was safe inside, but the
jostlers were outside. batiled. ugly aud
stirred with the passion that changes
Il crowd luto nob,
Then some of them caught sight OF
Joe as hc stood alone ut the top Of
the steps. and great shout OF rage
aud cSultatlon arose.
For moment or two he did not see
his danger At the clang OF the door
his eyes. carght by the CLEAN Of
wide white hat. had turned toward the
street, and he was somewhat fixedly
watching Mr.. Ladew extricnte Ariel
and her aged and indignant escorts
from an overflow Of the crowd In
which they had been caught, But
voice warned him, the Wild piping Of
newsboy who had climbed into tree
near by.
"Joe Louden." he screamed, look
out!
With muiiled roar the crowd surgcd
back from the Jail and turned toward
the steps, Tar and feather himw
Take him over 10 the river and throw
him In" Drown him" "Hang him.
Then thing happened which was
dramatic enough In Its Inception, but
almost ludicrous In its effect. Joe
walked quietly down the steps and
toward the advancing mob with his
head cooked to one side, one eyebrow
lifted nnd one corner Of his mouth
drawn down In family distorted
smile
lie went straight toward the yelling
forerunners, with only small bundle
Of papers In his hands, and then. while |
the nonpartIsan spectators held their
breath, expecting the shock Of contact,
on through them.
a number Of the bulge checked form.
ed the scattering van OF these forerun.
ners, charging with hoarsc and cruel
shrlcks Of triumph. The first, appar.
emily about TO tear Joseph Louden to
pieces changed countenancc at arms |
length, swerved violently and with the
loud cry, Head him Off" dashed on
mp the stone steps. The man next be- |
hind him followed his lead, with the |
same shout, strategy and haste, Then |
the others Of this advance attack, find |
Ing themselves confronting the quiet |
man, who kept his even pace ana show.
I'd no intention Of turning aside for
Them, turned suddenly aside for him |
md taking the cue from the first. Dur. |