The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1911-05-30

TELL ME If 70 NAME Is EpeG LAW
RRNOE"
and shoulders thrown back suggested
that he might have been a soldier. His
hair and beard were grizzly gray, and
there was a singular glitter In his eye
yes, SIR" replied the man questioned,
there is man by that name here"
"Can you tell me where I can find
him7"
Hes generally in the Empire saloon
at this time of day."
Every much obliged to yo', sub
And the stranger walked away toward
the Empire saloon.
'T'll bet my hat" said the observer
to himself, that man was In the late
unpleasantness between the north and
the south. These soldier men never
get over their training. They speak
as If they were giving or receiving
orders and walk as If they were keep
ing step to music. He's a queer look
ing old chap and no mistake. /
shouldn't have told him where to find
Lawrence. Gone to settle a difficulty
with himl He'll go through the mat
ter formally, and before he's really
started in he'll get a bullet In his
brain. I'll follow him"
The evening sun hung quite low
and cast the strangers shadow very
long. While he walked on with the
same measured tread as II trudg1ng
with soldiers, the Observers attention
was turned from him to this elongated
shadow There was something gro
tesque about It. as such shadows often
are. Both body and legs were drawn
out strangely and the legs triangulated
like pair of compasses. The stranger,
reaching the saloon, turned In. and the
man who was following was close be-
hind him.
Men were standing at the bar drink
ing, while others were seated at tables
gambling. The stranger was standing
straight as an arrow looking about
him. Presently a man rose from one
Of the tables, and, passing the newcom-
er, the latter asked:
"Can you tell me, sub, II Edga'
Lawrence is PRESENT.
That's Edgar Lawrence sitting at
that table over there"
(which onef'
'sThe man Just dealin' the cards."
The speaker referred TO a table
wnere fve men were playing cards,
with piles Of coins before them. The
stranger triangulatsd over to the
group and, standing behind the dealer,
touched him lightly on his shoulder
with the tip Of bis finger.
The man jumped as If he had been
stung. From force Of habit, perhaps,
bis right hand went to his hip as he
quickly turned and looked up into the
face bent down to bis. For some
moments the tabieau was unchanged,
then the stranger said:
"Pa'don me, sub, TO- interrupting 20
game. but should be obleeged II yo'
would tell me II yo' name is Tdga'
LawrenceT
Eyes. SIR" said the man addressed,
making an effort to speak In his usual
voice.
II regret, sub, to disturb you. Gentle
men. trust yo' will excuse me TO- In
terrupting 20 in you amusement, but
have difficulty to settle with one
of you numbe', Captain Lawrence"
Every face at the table was turned
upward; every eye fixed on the speak
er. No such subdued gentleman-like
tones had ever been heard before in
that sinkhole of iniquity. A Difficult
ty to settle with Captain
Lawrence! No one had ever heard of
Lawrence having military title be-
fore. And why didn't Lawrence shoot
him deadf Lawrence's hand was on
his pistol, and the strangers hand
was not near weapon. His close
fitting coat buttoned tight to the throat
showed no bulge where a weapon
should be Nevertheless, Lawrence
did not draw his pistol.
Being a strange among you gentle
men," continued the speaker, II would
be obleeged to yo' II one of yo' numbe'
would act To- Captain Lawrence and
one TO- me. The sun has net yet set.