The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-06-13

prove futile, for mob rule is not influ- enced by judgment, and he was al- ready dog with bad name. They would hang him first and inquire into the merits of the case afterward. If possible prompt and ignominious flight was his only salvation
 True to his class. Kirby's opponent possessed some knowledge of wres- ting, but was totally ignorant of even the rudiments of pugilism, and the younger man confined his efforts to frustrating tripping attacks while at the same time striving to free his pin toned right arm. This at length he sue ceeded in doing. A vicious wrench, q clever feint. smashing uppercut. and the malarial gentleman went down on his back, while Kirby. waving an airy adieu to the now advancing army of yelling pursuers, took nimbly to his heels.
 But, fleet and long winded runner though he was, capture was not thus to be lightly outfooted The cry of Catch the murderer" is infinitely more potent than that of "Stop thiefY' and pursuers were multiplying in his track at an alarming rate, adding at every step fresh runners to their ranks.
 On sped Kirby, every variety and class of humanity at his heels. Once or twice his way was barred by some energetic and inquisitive newcomer, ,1or La fof7 blow left him to swell the ever increas- ing army of impptents in the rear. No fox doubling and redoubling on his tracks while in full view of the pack owned a more keen delight in thus stalking acumen and agility against overwhelming odds than did the young gambler By now the city proper had been gained, and the pursued, dashing around the first opportune corner, be came lost to his pursuers.
 Kirby found himself in a quiet side street lined with aristocratic, fat lit tie red brick houses whose drawing room balconies were little more than a mans height from the side path He vaguely realized that he was in the heart of New Orleans old French quarter. The street was not very long and he did not know to where 1t led Owing to the early hour the shutters of the houses were still closed, but one house seemed to be an excep ton, for his quick, searching eyes noted on his right half open draw ing room window with it's gently flap ping curtain.
 He had dropped into quick wall in order to gain much needed breath ing spell. but now as the hue and cry of his persistent pursuers became moro insistent he again broke into run In few moments they would turn ths corner and sight their quarry. Almos1 at the same instant another chorus o1 cries came from the far end of the street toward which Kirby was has tening. He incontinently halted, real izing that the enemy, familiar witt the neighborhood, had divided its army and sent one contingent around hi: flank to head him off. He was trap ped. for it was impossible to advance or retreat. Louder and louder sounded the cries from front and rear. An other minute and the short stree would be choked with the meeting mobs.
 Without hesitation nor caring where 1t would lead. Kirby accepted the des perate and solitary chance that wa: offered him. Hastily returning to thu house with the open window and as cending its steps,. he leaped high il air, caught the overhanging balcony drew himself up, leaped over the elab orately scrolled railing and. pushing aside the gently bellying curtains stepped quietly into the room.