Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-09-08

the captain thrust his stick forward
and Balcomb seemed, rather ridicu-
| lousy, to have impaled himself upon it.
Stand back, Balcomb,' commanded
| Leighton, and as Balcomb tried again
to reach Pollock. Leighton stepped be-
tween them.
Il quite agree with you, Pollock, that
Balcomb is bad lot, but this isn't the
| right place for a scrap"
L don't care whether it is or not"
snapped Pollock. I'm going to muss
him up. He's LEO about me; he's tried
to blacken my reputation"
You're a fool" shouted Balcomb
I've never mentioned you'll wouldn't
mention you"
You wouldn't, wouldn't you?
should like to know what you meant by
writing a letter to the War Department
charging me with being drunk here in
one of the clubs-a club, you lying
blackguard, that you never were in in
your life-that you couldn't get inside
| of to save your neck. You charged me
with being drunk and raising a row in
that club; and you limited that was in
collision with contractors at work on
the army post. You don't deny it, do
your"
4 do indeed! I never wrote any let
ter to the Ward Department on any
subject"
Pollock laughed and took a step to-
ward him.
Don't you deny what I tell you be-
fore Mr. Leightoni I have the letter
here in my pocket. 1t was sent to .ne
direct by my chief, the very hour il
reached him. 1 suppose you thought
they would telegraph my discharge i'm
mediately when they got an anony-
nous letter like that. I've a good no
ton to break your neck right here"
He was little fellow, but he seemed
suddenly to take on heroic propor-
tons. He whipped open his tightly
buttoned coat and drew out an enyaI-
ope.
Here's a letter-do you dare tell me
you didn't write tan unsigned type
written letter to the quartermaster-
general I knew instantly where it had
come from"
Z never saw it before; it's put-up
job" declared Balcomb, though not in
tone that carried conviction.
My chief sent it to me-" continued
Pollock, with his Endorsement, Better
find this fellow and punch his head
Balcomb ducked under Leighton's
hand found the knob Pollock seized
him by the collar and flung him back
against the ground glass partition with
a force that shook it.
Leighton" said Pollock in mis- bland
est tones as he held Balcomb against
the partition at the end Nof his stick,
I've told you, and probably some Of
the adjoining tenants have heard me,
that Mr.. Balcomb is a liar, 1 wish to
add now that he is a coward. Stand
up!" he commanded, letting his stick
fall, and Balcomb, thus released, made
another rush for the door, only to be
seized by the little captain.
Leighton had tried up to this time 10
keep a straight face, but Balcomb was
so clearly frightened to the point Of
panic that Morris sat down and laugh
ed. Pollock, however was as grave as
an adjutant on parade, and he contin-
ued to address Leighton:
He is a contemplate coward, and I
want to warn him before a witness that
if he ever appears at any place where
l AMI don't care where or when-Pn
rise and proclaim him. Now get out
before l break my stick on you'll"
He turned away from Balcomb, who
seized the moment to dart into the an
stood huddled together and began CIV
ing them orders with a great deal of
unnecessary vehemence. Leighton and
Pollock followed at once, passing
through the anteroom at a leisurely
pace set by Pollock. At the outer door
the captain paused, lifted his hat with
a mockery of courtesy to Baleomb's
back, and remarked in pleasant tone:
Good day, Mr.. Balcomb. If you
should ever need anything In my line
please give me the please give me the
pleasure of a call"
Suffers clerk" screamed Balcomb. !
Pollock made feint of turning back
suddenly and Balcomb darted into his
private office and slammed the door
Leighton leaned against the elevator
shaft outside and laughed until the |
corridors rang and sedate tenants came |
out to see who was disturbing the |
peace, He laughed at BaIcomb's anx-
iety to keep out of Pollocks way, and |
he laughed now at Pollock, who joined |
him. wearing a look of outraged dig /
nifty that was altogether out of proper |
ton to his size.
He called me a suffers clerk" said |
the captain. twisting his moustache.
Then he ducked- His Insults don't |
G very deep"
L owe you an apology" said Pollock. |
when they had reached the street for |
running in on you that way; but had |
to tell the chap 1 knew about his lying /
letter the hour got it."
Its his busy day. I was there on a
similar Grand" said Leighton. Hes
a dangerous person-not in the way of
personal violence"-and they both |
laughed-"but as an intriguing scoun-
drel"
Say, old man"-they paused on the
corner and Pollock cleared his throat
once or twice and struck a trolley pole
with his stick as he hesitated. You
don't think she's interested in him. do
your"
81 mean Miss Merriam. He's been
about with her a good deal I just
wondered" And the captain seemed
both perplexed and embarrassed as no
continued to tap the pole.
Miss Merriam is a very bright young |
woman, and bright young women are
not easily deceived replied Morris.
You really think they're not? Well
devoutly hope they're not; but be-
lieve I'll ask her"
Z think I'd ask her" said Morris.
significantly.
And Captain Frank Pollock walked
up town with a look Of determination
on his face.
Ito be continued.)