Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-03

and one by one filed down TO the center
of the byway. A few moments later one
of them appeared in the middle OF the
alley and waved his hand to the driver.
The wagon moved slowly down toward
the scene of the carefully planned raid.
1t was shortly after midnight and the
stiffness was broken only by the heavy
hoOfs of the horse and the crunching OF
hail under the wheels of the wagon as 1t
rolled down the narrow thoroughfare.
Presumably fearing the noise would
startle the intended victims of the raid.
one OF the policemen rushed out and
stopped the horse abruptly. Quiet
reigned a few moments Then the air
was filled with supposed music from
banjo. violin. guitar and mandolin and
ribaId singing. The house was surrounded
by bluecoats. The joyous noise continued
several moments.
jerking the reins and starting the horse.
1t was a carefully studied and well-timed
move, as the noise made by the wagon
and hoofs evidently could not be heard
above the noise in the house.
The driver reached the side door OF
the little frame house and brought the
wagon to a halt when the rear of II was
opposite the stone doorstep A police
man stood at the door.
This is q disorderly house and crap
shooting joint said the driver. under his
breath. Were going to have trouble
because there are a lot OF them In there
Just at this moment the word cops
was heard and instantly tremendous
racket ensued. One of the deniZens OF
the resort opened the side door and dashed
out only to be caught in the arms of the
waiting policemen. Still another and an
other rushed to the side exit, evidently be-
ali -tafN
had entered through the front door. Two
men escaped and others were coming.
Oaths sounds of blows and shouts OF
pain came from the house in rapid sue
cession.
Seeing the policeman at the side door
engaged in subduing two men. captured
as they made desperate dash for lib
erty, the driver leaped TO the icy ground.
slipped and fell, and was set upon by
three colored men. After a struggle he
freed himself and seized two OF them by
the collars.
Leading them to the rear Of the wagon
he showed them in and hurried into the
house. where a spirited free-for-all nSht
was in progress. a few moments later
he emerged. with one hand wrapped in
blood-stained handkerchief and the other
holding 81 very meek and unobsfreperouS
prisoner. Eight prisoners were croWdet
into the wagon. Two policemen each TOOK
a captive by the coat cuff and started
following the wagon out of the alley. The
raiders and raided had gotten but
short distance. however, before a rain or
stones descended upon the wagon. Every
instant the vehicle was pelted with mis-
siles thrown by escaped occupants from
the house or the friends Of the captured,
and the bombardment did not cease until
the horse was whipped up and reached
the lighted street.
The prisoners were conveyed to the sta
ton, where all were charged with va
grancy and disorderly conduct with an
additional charge of permitting gaming
on premises being written opposite the
name of the man who rented the house
AS the wagon was on its way to the
stable the driver remarked: "One of those
fellows, bit me clear through my left
hand. but I colared him just the same.
We have lots of such experiences and we
always expect trouble.
4k
The wagon backed into its accustomed
place and the horse stabbed, the driver be-
took himself to the bunkroom.
It's been a pretty lively night, but
told you it would be. because 1t was
raining. hope there won't be anything
more for I'm tired and know the horse
is almost worn out. Probably won't be
any more arrested because the saloons
have been closed and there are few peo-
pie on the STREETS HO~ llliHh l. IL NO
down for moment. That bell would
wake a dead man
So saying. the wearied driver, wearing
his clothing and shoes. threw himself
upon the cot and soon fell into sumber.
For an hour or more the driver slept
soundly and snored heavily. the stentorian
tones bearing audible evidence to his
WEAKNESS. Then, with all quiet save tie
noise emanating from the bed, the bell
At the first tap on the gong the
h foot
he descended the ladder. hitched his walt
ing horse and went TO the front of the
station.
The sound of the fire bell could be
heard, and ii was easy to Surmise that
the reserves had been called out.
These early morning fires are bad
things said the driver Hope nobody is
burned or injured, for that makes more
trips to the hospital for the wagon.
Pulling up i'll front of the stationhouse
the driver waited several moments. and
then six or seven sleepy policemen, busy
their coats and putting on their
helmets emerged and jumped In.
Reserves wanted at 18th and L streets,
said the policeman who had accompanied
the wagon throughout the evening.
At d nearby corner fire engine turned
into 18th street. The clatter of the hoocs
OF the three horses drawing the fire APP
paratus put added spirit into the ami
NAL attached to the patrol wagon, and "A
merry race followed. with the police
holding their own with the firemen.
When the patrol reached the scene OF
the supposed fire it discovered that
the slight blaze i'll small frame house
had been extinguished before the arrival
Of the firemen or police.
What neXtr' Sarcastically inquired the
driver. as he turned around and started
back to the station. II told you We got
all kinds. and I guess you believe me-
This is not a night for small blaze
would like big open fire. for my hands
are almost frozen. excepting where j was
bitten. That feels pretty warm. There
is scarcely more than one fire In this pre-
cinct in night, and suppose I'm through
now"
Delivering the reserves at the station
the wagon went back to the stable for
what proved to be the last time that
night.
When the driver again reached the
hunkroom he seemed so confident that he