Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-25

with vague regret. He tried to dlSSuade
them; but they paid no attention and he
was left alone. He wandered back from the
waters edge and for long time looked over
at the city. which. dark and brooding in its
night sleep, had become monster waiting
to step across the braided waters and take
from him his home.
DAYLIGHT came and found him asleep
II on his bench, worn out by emotional
turmoil. His followers, convinced of the
righteousness of their cause, took turns in
keeping watch. A tug from the cotton mills.
returning light from some early trip. passed
close by and slowed down while the Cap
tain from the pliothouSe stared at the breast
works. He saw the armed men pacing up
and down the pitiful embellishments and
slapped his knee and beloved with laughter.
''All the fishermen are going to stand by
poor old Squatter Bill" he shouted.
They re going to fight to help him keep his
island! That's rich!
He rang the bells to the engine room for
speed, anxious to lose no time in spreading
such a good story, and to two reporters
doing the early waterfront beat detailed the
appearance of the island. Telephones rang
from watchmen's booths on the shore. and
early rising city editors smiled in their Of
fees. Squatter Bill was going to show fight!
The river was scarcely more than wide
awake before star reporters began to swarm
across it in boats, valiantly taking chances,
as their calling demanded, of being bonn
barded from the island breastworks. And
thereby they destroyed a promising story
that might have been good for several days;
for in their number was Paul Downey, crack
man of the crack evening journal, who read
the tragedy of that pitiful defense, the hope
&c =, I,% IL l, 1,,, %1,f,
possible loss of life. and the inevitable down.
fall of the fishermen.
"Bill," he said, after the tortured old man
had answered myriad questions as best he
could, do you realize what you are doing?
You don't seem to get this affair straight.
1t isn't the city alone that you are fighting:
it's the United States! When you go against
the city, you 60 against the flag. See! Look
over there!"
He took Squatter Bill by the arm and
turned him round and motioned the group
of fishermen and reporters to stand aside,
leaving clear view of the river. A steam
er was putting its way with steady elbow
chow against the current, and from its
jackstaff there auttered in the morning wind
the flag under which the fisherman had
fought in the days of his youth.
"There she is" Downey said, pointing
with long, vibrant finger. THAT is what you
are really going to fight! Can you do it,"
Again, as when this perplexing trouble
first confronted him, Squatter Bill rubbed
his hands across his eyes. He hadn't thought
of that before. He turned to the reporter
with an appeal whose anguish could not be
worded, but was understood, the appeal of
one who feels that at last he is overwhelmed.
well, what am to do?" he asked, and
repeated the question again as if at loss for
other questions. Il CANT let 'em take it
away from me without doin' somethin'. It's
all have! And l CANT fight that!''
1t was his turn to point at the flag that
was still whipping along in the sunlight and
was now almost screened by the steamboats,
texas.
Downey took off his hat and ran his fin
gers through his iron gray hair. The Others
deferentially waited for his answer.
Il don't know" he said thoughtfully.
"You say you have been to the City Attor-
ney. l don't know. The law" He put
his hat back on his head and his face bright
ened trife as his mind took another turn.
Boys" he said, addressing the other re-
porters, this isn't right Somehow it seems
like an injustice to me. We ought to help
this old chap out, if we can. Don't you fell
lows see all it means to him? l know it's
spelling good story, fight against author