The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1910-12-27

These excursions were not con-
fined to the saloons of his allies
but were boldly carried into the
strongholds of the enemy, who
found TO Haggin as they were by
ties of interest, would have pre-
ferred to cast Bob out, but dared
neither to deny him admittance
nor to criticize to his face the ac-
lions of the young giant for whose
fists they had such wholesome re
spect. 1t was even rumored that
he proposed to invade the great
Haggin's saloon on the same en-
rand. The rumor raised in Irish
towns heart the most blissful OF
anticipations. 1t also came to
the ears of Haggin.
The second night before the
frenzy of excitement. The saloons
were crowded, the streets alive
with eager, eXpectant men and
boys. A reporter of one of the
morning papers entered Maloney'
saloon and accosted Bob, who
stood at the bar talking to a GROUP
of his workers.
,"Mr. McAdoo," said the report
err, Il represent the Gazette. How
do you think the ward is going?"
Find out for yourself" Bob an
swered curtly. But the reporter,
after the fashion of his kind, was
insistent.
81 hear" he continued with
what was meant as an ingratiat-
ing smile, that you intend visit
ing Higgins saloon"
can ass" Bob answered dryly,
amid the outlaws of his followers,
"havin' long ears, can hear a lot
that amt his bushes"
The reporter flushed angrily. 81
told the same thing to Haggin," he
said spitefully, land he said If you
entered his saloon he'd kick you
out. Knock the damned stiff's
block off, were his exact words,
| believe"
The crowd tsood aghast. 1t was
a challenge.
rs that so?" Leisurely Bob
emptied his bottle of beer and
then, without a word, left the sa-
loon.
A few there were, though not a
sober man among them, who did
not follow Bob that night, and ever
afterward they regretted the in
diligence that deprived them OF
the sight of what ensued. The rest
silently followed him at respect
full distance, torn between delight
and fear.
Haggin sat in the rear room OF
his saloon, tyring to maintain a
conversation with some of his lieu
tenants, a difficult matter because
of the tumult in the outer room.
Suddenly the clamor received a
perceptible accession, then instant
ly ceased, blank silence enveloped
the saloon-a painful, uncanny 81
lence through which the ticking of
the big clock pierced insistently,
threateningly. Haggin sprang to
his feet and rushed to the door.
There he stopped short, petrified
by amazement at the sight before
him. For there by the bar, in the
midst of an awe-struck, dazed
crowd, lowered Bob McAdoo.
Bob calmly struck a match and
lighted his cigar. Lime up, boys, y
he commanded.
Slowly, mechanically, as under
a compulsion they could not resist,
the men moved to the bar.
"What'll you have? This is on
Jim Mehaffey, boys"
Not a man dared to name his
drink.
"Humph!" Bob sneered. "Whis-
ky for mine. The best in the
house, barkeep," he ordered
sharply. The bartender moved
fearfully to obey.
Then Haggin came to himself.
With a low growl he sprang in
front of Bob, who nonchalantly
looked him over as though the
mighty Haggin were a helpless in
valid, the crowd instinctively fall
ing back to leave space around the
two men.
mot a drink dye get-in this
house, Bob McAdoo," Haggin
ragged. mot a drink, dye hear
An git out o. this saloon-Quick,
aafp