The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-11-16

o~ H with Orde. They set out up the
 long reach of Water street. their steel calks biting deep into the pitted board walks.
 For nearly a mile the street was fanked solely by lumber yards, small mills and factories. Then came a strip of 1nimproved land. followed imme- diately by the wooden. ramshackle structures of HeIls Half Mile.
 As yet the season was too early for much joy along Hells Half Mile. Orde's little crew and the forty or fifty men of the drive that had preceded him constituted the rank and file at that moment in town A little later. when all the drives on the river should be in and those of its tributaries and the men still lingering at the woods camps, at least 500 woods weary men would be turned loose. Then HelPs Half Mile would awaken in earnest from it's Information The lights would blaze from day to day. From its open windows would blare the music, the cries of men and women. the shuf- fie of feet. the noise of fighting. the shrieks of wild laughter, curses deep and frank and unashamed. songs bro ken and interrupted. Crews of men. arms locked, would surge up and down the narrow sidewalks. their little felt hats cooked one side. their heads back. their fearless eyes challenging the devil and all his works-and getting the challenge accepted Girls would fit across the lit windows like shad- ows before flames or stand in the door ways hailing the men jovially by name.
 Tonight. however. the street was comparatively quiet The saloons were of modified illumination. The bar keepers were listlessly wiping the bars. The pretty waiter girls'' gossiped with each other and yawned behind their hands.
 In the middle of the third block Orde wheeled sharp to the left down dark and dangerous looking alley: Another turn to the right brought him into a very narrow street where stood a three story wooden structure into which led a high arched entrance. This was McNeill's.
 A figure detached itself from the shadow. Orde uttered an exclama- ton.
 
 "Yes." replied that young man. 'T want to see this through"
 With those clothesT' marveled Orde. It's a wonder some of these thugs haven't held you up long ago. It's dangerous You're likely to get slugged-"
 "I can stand it if you can." returned Newmark.
 McNeill's lower story was given over entirely to drinking. The second floor was a theater and the third a dance hall. Beneath the building were still viler depths. From this basement the riverman and the shanty boy generally graduated penniIess and perhaps un- conscious to the street. Now, your lumberjack did not customarily arrive at this stage without lively doings en route; therefore McNeilPs maintained a force of fighters. They were burly. sodden men. but strong in their ex- perience and their discipline To be sure. they might not last quite as long as their antagonists could. but they always lasted plenty long enough Sand bags and brass knuckles helped some and team work finished the job.
 Orde and his men entered the lower hall as though sauntering in without definite aim The river boss wandered about with the rest. a wide. good na- tufed smile on his face.
 Presently he found himself at the table of the three card monte men. The rest of his party gravitated in his direction
 Do you think you could pick out the jack when I throw these out like this?' asked the dealer.
 Sure. She's that one"
 Well" exclaimed the gambler. ''danged if you didn't. I bet you S5