Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-07-09

Around this table as the board OF al
dermen We're about to convene on the
Hateful Friday of the Borough bills
final consideration sat three men
Wainwright, Gibbs and Horrigan. The
former. in spite of his habitual steady
GOODNESS, was plainly uneasy. Gibbs
made no effort to deny his anxiety.
His eyes were bloodshot, his manner
abstracted and his nerves evidently
strung to breaking point. Horrigan
alone of the trio had abated not one
jot Of the colossal calm and brutal
power n a We're part n parcel or
the mans mighty character.
"When will our bill come up, do you
suppose?" asked Gibbs, breaking a
brief silence.
"In half an hour or so probably"
answered Horrigan, glancing at his
watch. II thought it was better for
us to get here ahead Of time"
"Half a N hour" fumed Gibbs, and
neither Ellis nor Roberts here yet!
Suppose they don't get here on time?"
"They will" grunted Horrigan plac-
idly.
do you think it is possible either of
them has come yetY went on Gibbs,
with a glance at the antechamber door.
mo"
GLOW do you know? Perhaps
civilians would have told me. He
knows where Pm to be found"
you're sure Ellis and Roberts will
show up?"
Eyes"
"How soon?"
SIN good time"
"But suppose they don't? insisted
Gibbs %nervously. "What them"
"Why, if they don't, then they won't.
What do you SUPPOSE" snapped Hor-
rigan. whats the matter with you,
anyhow? Are you looking for a muse
UNI job as the human question mark? q ="
Gibbs is naturally nervous" explain
ed Wainwright. Hes not so old at
this game as you and l, Horrigan, and
we must make allowances"
"Nervous" grunted the boss. 81
should say he is! Just look at that
cigar l gave him. He's been chewing
it as if it was a sausage. That's no
way to treat Il fifty cent cigar, man!
Here. try another. and see if you can't
smoke it instead of eating a free lunch
off it. Nothing like a good smoke to
steady your II If"-
The antechamber door opened, and
Williams hurried in.
II got Ellis!" he reported. He's
here. and"-with significant emphasis
he'll vote right!'
"Good!!" assented Horrigan. 81
thought he'd come to time. Now. for
Roberts and the things DONE"
'"The gallery in there is jammed," re-
ported Williams. jerking his head to-
ward the aldermanic chamber. 81 new
er saw such a mob in the place be-
fore"
That's what comes of all this news
paper publicity" growled Horrigan. "If
it wasn't for the papers the people d
never make any trouble for US. But
they read the news and her they get
SILLY ideas about their rights and a
lot of them come here to see they don't
get swindled. Lord! If the papers
would only suspend publication for one
month. I'd guarantee to put the whole
state in my vest pocket. They're al
ways butting in to spoil the organiza-
crowd in the galleries ~behaving?"
They're quiet" answered Williams
uneasily. TOO quiet. That's what
bothers me. They seem to be waiting
for the Borough bill to-
"If they raise any row., rush a mo-
ton through to clear the galleries." Or
dered Horrigan.
Nothing short of the police could
clear away that big crowd"
'Then we'll have the police in to
help"
But" argued Williams, "that would
mean a riot, and a lot of people would
get hurt. All the newspapers tomor-
row would
"Never mind that. Go ahead and do
as you're told. At the first sign Of dis
approval from the galleries have the
motion passed and turn the police loose.
Understands"
"All right" acquiesced Williams du-
biously and withdrew.
Wainwright opened his mouth to pro-
test, but Horrigan was already busy at
the telephone.
"Hello!" he called. II want 900 F.
900 F. Yes-yes. Is that the captain?"
he went on a moment later. ''Then
send him to the phone. Tell him Mr..
H%orrigan- Hello. captain!" after an
other pause. "Yes, it's Horrigan. At
city hall. In the aldermanic chamber
there's a mob. and we're likely to need
the police to quiet 'em. Yes. No, not
diet them. you fool! Quiet them!
Yes. Send us a squad at double quick,
anil let the sergeant report to Williams.
Let the boys bring their night sticks,
and tell 'em they're to take no back
talk and not to be afraid to slug If it
comes to that, and I guess it will. Pick
out the right sort to send. Yes. OF
course I'll back up anything they do.
Sure. Rush 'em. Goodby."
But began Wainwright as Hor-
v,1ror h,,y,p ,,~ 4t1 ~oo.o- MI 49,