Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-06-23

The crowd about Its doors, Whlcn nad
not yet been opened, was unusually
large and turbulent. With the aid
of two officers he pushed and fought
his way unrecognized through the mob
and at last reached the side entrance
of the bank.
Bivens, watching from within, OPEN
ed the door and he stepped inside.
Jim. If you try to speak to that
gang of madmen you're a fool" the A.
nancier began, with a scowl What
they need is not eloquence, they need
club"
You can't blame them for wanting
their money, Cal, after all it's theirs.
not yours, you know
You're going to talk to them?"
I'm going to try"
IT'S a foolish and dangerous thing
to do"
Nonsense They are at least hu-
man. They have reason.
A low howl of rage stirred the crowd
without. A fight for place in the line
had broken out.
rs that reason?" Bivens asked, Gym
ically. It's not even human. It's the
growl of the beast that always sleeps
beneath the skim"
Il haven't lost faith in my fellow
men yet" was the dogged answer.
"All right, good luck. know your
intentions are the best. You think it's
your duty to yourself and the people.
I'm sorry can't stay to hear you. I've
an important meeting this morning.
must go at once. I've instructed my
detectives inside to stand by you II
you need help"
Thanks, won't need them"
The little swarthy figure paused at
the door.
Don't fool yourself into believing
anybody in that crowd cares about
the work you have done in their SER
vice. Scores of them are under deep
personal obligations to me. But I'm
leaving this building by my neighbor's
roof this morning. You don't want 10
forget, Jim, that the rabble for whom
even Christ lived and died, shouted in
his face at last, Cruelty him! Cruel
fy him"
Stuart smiled at the incongruous
farce Of Bivenss familiarity with the
Bible-yet there was no mistaking the
fact of his emotions and the sincerity
of his religious faith. The little finan-
cier had already begun to pose to him.
self as a martyr and public benefac-
tor In spite Of bowling mobs and
crushing markets he was busy now
saving the credits of the Nation! He
was one of the group Of the kings
council engaged in that important
work. The undesirable" and been
eliminated and now vast pool was
being formed to support the market
and kindly hold the securities until
the people could get their breath and
make money enough to buy them back
at a profit. In due time he knew that
his name would be enrolled with the
kings as a patriot and public benefac-
tor
Bivens fingered a moment as II re-
luctant to give up dissuading Stuart
waved him a friendly adieu at last,
stepped into the elevator and left by
the roof.
1t was yet fifteen minutes to ten, the
hour for opening the banks doors, and
Stuart decided to address the crowd
Immediately.
In accordance with Bivens's instruc-
tions the cashier opened the bronze
doors and squeezed through, admit
ting Stuart and two detectives. At the
sight of the cashier a thrill of horror
swept the crowd-half- -groan, half
sigh, half-cry, inarticulate. inhuman,
beastly in it's grovelling fear.
Great God"
They're going to suspend"
It's all over!"
The groans melted into broken curses
and exclamations and died into silence
as the cashier lifted his hand.
Il have the honor, gentlemen, or
presenting this morning a distinguish
ed servant of the people who has a
message for you, the man whose un-
selfish devotion to the cause of JUS
tice has earned him the right to
hearing, the Honorable James Stuart,
your District Attorney"
The young lawyer stepped from the
doorway in front of the cashier, who
retired.
A roar of rage swept the crowd.
Howls, curses, catcalls, Kisses, boots
and yells were hurled into his face. 1t
was a new experience in Stuarts life.
He flushed red, stood for a moment
surveying the mob with growing an
ger, and lifted his hand for silence.
The answer was a storm of hisses.
Apparently he hadn't a friend in all
the swaying mass of bowling maniacs.
He drew his heavy brows down over
his eyes and the square jaws ground
together with sullen determination.
He folded his arms deliberately and
waited for silence. Evidently these
people had swallowed every lie his en-
|
that rational beings should he such
fools, but ii was true.
For a moment the hideous thought
| forced itself into his soul that life OF
unselfish public service was futile. In
all this babel of iangling cries and cat
calls not one voice was lifted in decent
protest. He felt that his work was a
failure and he had been pitching
| straws against the wind.
AS wave after wave of idiotic hiss
ing rose and fell only to swell again
into greater fury feeling of blind
rage filled his being. He understood
at last the persistence in the human
| mind of the doctrine of hell. 1t was
necessity of the moral universe. God
simply must consume such trash.
| Nothing else could be done with 1t.