Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-03-06

yet. A nunSTy-eyeQ anu SlelH-i iioutiSN
gathering Of men and women and chill
dren filled the whole streets in front OF
the building, filling it from sidewalk tc
sidewalk The snow under their feet
was having its beauty and purity turn
ed into mud and mire, much as the
memory Of old Donald Barron was suf-
fering in their conversation. Not much
was said aloud, but there were MUIR
murs in low tones which had much OF
eager earnestness in them; curses were
coupled with the name Of the dead;
men looked at the strong front door OF
the bank, or at the safe seen dimly
through the window, and whispered to-
gether grimly of force and fire.
Ten o'clock! The restless and reck-
less murmur had grown into sullen
roar. There were men in the crowd
now, with pick and crowbars, half
score came up a side street bearing a
huge oaken beam; some one started a
cheer, and it grew into a wild and fren-
zied shout. A sudden hush fell upon
the multitude. Two men were hurry
ing toward the bank. The mob fell
back to let them pass They were Sem
and Prier.
Some one threw a stone. 1t passed
close to Senn's head. 1t went straight
through the heavy glass Of one Of the
front windows of the bank. There was
an angry chorus Of loud cries; when
men are called upon to face loss
through fraud they may become almost
beasts. The gathering was scarcely
less than an irresponsible, unthinking
mob. There was a crush forward to-
ward the building.
Sem turned He raised his hand.
There was silence again.
You have money in there" he said,
quietly that is, some Of you have.
assure you there is enough and more
than enough to meet every demand.
Wait-be reasonable-have patience,
and you shall have your pay dollar for
dollar. But you must wait Mr.. Bar
i
combination which will open the safe
died with him. My companion. Mr..
Prier is an expert"
as he a detectlve?" shouted some
one.
rs he q detective?" howled the rest.
He is a detective" said Sem, even
more quietly than before; "but he is an
expert"
Whats he here for? Was there any
money stolen? Did he come to Boom
VILE to find It" were some Of the an
CRY questions which were hurled at
him from hot throats.
He waited longer this time-waited
until the mob had howled itself hoarse
waited until there was an unbroken
silence again-waited until every eye
was turned in his direction. Then Sem
spoke:
"If you think 1 am frightened, or to
be frightened, you are much mistaken.
1 forgot fear, years ago. If you will
keep silence, will explain to you; If
you persist in your interruption, / shall
go into the bank at once. Let another
window break, and some one will be
hurt, l have law upon my side, and,
If any man comes up these steps with
the idea of forcing his way into this
building, his relatives will have 1t to
regret and mourn over. Do you UNDER
stand? Will you keep silence while I
speak?"
The answer was sullen and unwill-
ing, but 1t was yes"
Every we'll There was money stolen
from the safe. Mr.. Barron did send for
Mr.. Prier to help him recover the mon
ey The money was recovered. Every
dollar of 1t is in the safe. Mr.. Prier
and myself were present when 1t was
replaced. 1t was at my suggestion that
the combination which opens the lock
was changed. Mr.. Barron died last
night. The doctors say he died Of
heart disease. Whether that be true or
not, it is certain he did not kill him
self. Mr.. Prer and myself will go In
and try to open the safe; no one must
come into the bank until 1t is open; l
have telegraphed for an expert to
come; he will not be likely to arrive
until tomorrow: when the safe Is open,
every claim will be promptly met. Now
will you trust me, and do as 1 wish?"
Yes" was again the answer, though
it was even more sullen and unwilling
than before 1t Is only when men be-
come utterly savage that a half-hun-
dred bodies prove greater than one
strong will; the history of the world
is the history of the triumph Of the
man-mental over the man muscular.
Prier and Sem went In.
pluck" said Prier.
Sem laughed. as he wiped the per-
spiration from his face.
Il enjoy it," he said.
ARMED. of course?" asked the detec-
tive.
NO" said Sem, gravely. "but no one
in the crowd knew it,"
Eleven o'clock! Sem and Prler had
been trying for almost an hour to open
the safe. So far, there had been no
success attending their efforts; there
was no promise Of success, so far as
the crowd could see. But all were fair
ly quiet-toerably reasonable-for they
had something new to talk about Had
Sem married Elsie Barron? Was it
true that Rev. John Kane had said so?
What was 1t done for? Had he money?
How did he get it? When did he save
it? Was it to be used in saving the
business? Did he buy a wife with 1t?
Has Aldrch heard of 1t? What does he
say? Every one questioned; who could
1t seemed that the once Elsie
Barron was now Elsie Sem; further
than that. all seemed uncertain. But
the crowd had found faith, somehow,
in finding this information; there was
a clear majority, now, who believed
Barron's indebtedness would be met.
Twelve o'clock! Walter Aldrich came
down the street The crowd drew back
to let him mass He did not look to