The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-01-15

clenched teeth. Il wouldn't strike a
man when he was down but you
would
Then he turned toward the next au-
tomobile. To his surprise men had
sprung up from everywhere and we're
attacking this car Some of them he
recognized as fellow-strikers. One was
street sweeper. Two were teamsters.
A milk wagon driver had forced his
wagon near, and was flashing with his
whip at the group.
In another moment the imported
men were completely enveloped. But
while John paused Tor an instant look
ing from the second automobile TO the
third, he was borne to the pavement,
and blows were rained upon his head.
At the same time hoarse voice which
ne instantly recognized as belonging
to the man he had felled was bawling
curses in his ears. Others seemed to
surge over him. Somebody kicked him
IN the face. He felt the hot blood
gush and tasted It sickeningly as II
streamed into his throat from the cash
where his lips had been driven against
his teeth.
With quick prescience he rolled of
the curb into the gutter, carrying his
assailant half under him, and turned
and fought with him there, blow for
blow. il the mud and smear of the
gutter They battled their way to
their knees. still with the sense Of I
surging crowd fighting on top of
them-fought at length to their feet.
and then John drove his list into his
opponents body with . blow that
doubled him up on the cobbles.
Raging like a mailman, Martin
turned upon his other assailants. To
his surprise there were none. The
field was clear He could hardly be-
lieve his eyes. In moment the mob
had formed. In a moment 1t had
melted away.
The milk wagon was dashing around
the corner. The Transfers were ON
their seats and their horses were NOV.
ing. The switchman was walking
along the tracks. The policeman was
striding swiftly across the street.
gripping his club tightly with look
Oh fine resolution on his face. A man
hung groaning half out Of the second
motor car. The third stood empty and
alone. The automobile tires had been
cut to ribbons. The wind shields were
smashed. The upholstering was
slashed. Strikers and strike sympa-
thizers and strike-breakers had incon.
tinently taken to their heels. The. sup
erintendent was sstanching the flow of
blood from wound in his head with
a handkerchief and swearing stead
lily.
All this was pictured to John Mar
tins mind in the first sweeping glance.
The next moment Jennie was rushing
up 10 him. She was CARRYING Tommie
in her arms. Horror. indignation and
fear were mingled on her features. He
remembered now that he had heard
her scream at the very beginning. She
must have seen 1t all.
He saw her gasp of relief a she
beheid him apparently uninjured, not
knowing how fast he was swallowing
blood to keep 1t from trucking out OF
the corners Of his mouth.
john" she exclaimed. you be-
gan 1t. saw you. Have you turned
into a beast?"
In her expression Of horror at his
manner and appearance. John saw
himself as in a glass. and when even
iittio IOmnl6 dtteT one moment OIL
doubt and shock turned away with a
cry Of terror and hid his face upon
his mothers shoulder. he re-echoed
her question.
Have II" he asked helplessly. while
look OF blank despair came over his
features. "Oh, God, have II" And
he closed his eyes and leaned dizzily
against the dismantled motor car.
But tender-hearted Jennie In a mo
ment had slipped her fingers into his
nervously flexing palm. and was lead
ing him toward the station. The
roughening battler followed like .
child, and stood with straining, tear
dimmed eyes until the train which Dor.
away his loved ones from the scene o.
conflict was swallowed out Of sight
Even then he continued staring, cold
aloof, feeling the Indebtedness OF ut
ter solitude. Like man on deser
isle. he seemed to watch his socia
status sail away from him. He hat