The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-11-07

and twice as many feet rising in a peculiar, unmusical roar. John won dered as the endless stream of hu- manity swept by him if it were true, as Haig had said to him once that 999 men in 1000 in the cities were dependent on the thousandth, and that six men had it in their power to turn
 on panic" to put on the screws.'' What, if the screws were put on, would these men do-fight or submit? But it was not that which made the load of .despondency hang heavier. Once, seeing thousand men gathered in the square at home, he had thought of the power there, s'the power and the glory" Now he saw the people, not in their immensity, but in their infinite multiplicity; so many men with so many interests. each living in his own restricted sphere Was Haig then right? How could dreamer or a thousand <dreamers by word of mouth teach these men to think what their lives taught them not to feel that a social problem was their prob lem, that political putrefaction was their peril, that the masses interest was their interest9
 He walked on. tortured by doubts, yet clinging, as the shipwrecked mari ner clings to his raft, to his dwindling faith in the people.
 As he was passing through the lob by of his hotel the clerk motioned him to the desk. Say, there's been a big tough guy in three times tonight ask ing for you. Says it's important, and he'll be back again. Name is MaIey I guess" he laughed, knowing his guest, tits some political bum want ing to make touchE
 Butch Maley of New Chelsea, former "heeIer,'' doubtlessi John, curious, found a seal in the lobby and waited. He laughed ainwaFdiy, not pIeasartlyxs z at the reco1lecdons called forth by the name, which he had almost forgotten Butch Maley was the first to be con victed in that crusade of nearly six years ago.
 He had not long to wait MaIey was the same bestiaI creature who had stood trembling in the dock and march ed away, mouthing imprecations and large threats, to the penitentiary. That he was prosperous, the yellow diamond in his necktie loudly proclaimed. He rolled toward John. grinning affabIy.
 Howdy, Johnny?" ?" He did not of fer to shake hands, for which John was thankful.
 SHow are you, Maley? 2?
 ..Me?" Maley drew up chair and deposited his huge bulk in it. "Oh, Pm Twin on No Easy street. These here is good times fer fellers like me- With an apparently unconscious ges- ture he lovingly stroked his paunch.
 ''So I should say. Same old profes-s sionf'
 'I got a half intrust in booze joint. That's my business. As fer profesh'. Pm still a statesman. Only yuh'd have q fine time gittin' the goods on me now. learnt" he grinned, "a lot from yuh. Say, I'm wantin' sump'n."
 What can do for you?
 "'Tain't fer me- He assumed an air of extreme caution ..S'posin' they wuz feIler wot never done yuh no dirt and at the same time, not bein' in yer game, yuh got him foul. An then s'posin' he beat it, not wantin' to serve time, an then, bein' up against it in pertickier way. he wanted to see yuh. Would yuh see him?''
 t'Slayton or Sheehang
 @'Sheehan.'
 sI guess I'd see him. Where is he?"
 Maley winked solemnly. q don't know nuthin, till I know yuh won't have him pfnched That's the point will yuh have him pinched?''
 John thought a moment before re- plying well, guess I wouldn't so long as he stays out of my Jurisdic- ton. I couldn't make him neore harm less now by having him arrested.''
 s'Then go in the little room back O the bar, an I'll have him with yuh in no time. He's waitin' not fur away
 In few minutes MaIey returned, leading the fugitive There was an embarrassing moment as John rose to greet the man whom he had broken. He hesftated, hardly knowing how to address him. Sheehan's hand started forward in an uncertain gesture, then dropped back to his side On kind ly impulse John held out his. The other caught it almost eagerly In a soft, damp clasp. i
 sI hope you are well, Sheehan-"
 CT look it, don't IT" The fugitive gave half hearted laugh.
 John was obliged to confess to him self that he did not look it. His cheeks, once so rubicund, were sallow and pimply. Flabby pouches had gath cred under his eyes, which were fur IAfCiy EesuesSs as tnouBH eoAuuudiy on the watch for some pursuer. He was fatter than ever. But whereas his stoplach had formerly been of the graceful rotundity of semi-active pros perity, 1t had now become a paunch, like unto Maley's own.
 ''Sit down." said Maley hospitably, ''an' have drink on me-
 John sat down, but declined the drink Sheehan and Maley ordered whisky. The drink seemed to restore