The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1913-09-11

ANA as lie went about tlaC spring
preaching his crusade scanty audiences
listened carelessly or with suspicion
bred Of many deceptions and syste
matte mSeducation; let us be just
indifferently responsive.
John was in the Steel City one night
speaking at public meeting. He was
often laughed at for proiferins old
fashioned oratory in the day Of the
ubiquitous newspaper. But it was the
only way in which he could reach tie
people, since the columns of the sub
sidized press We're not open to him or
his crusade. He went away from the
hall heavily downcast. The audience |
had been small. anything but enthusi
astic. and he had spoken poorly. There
is no encouragement like unto that of
the man who believes he has message
to give and knows that he has deliv-
cred it inadequately.
His way to the hotel took him along
| the city's principal street. He walked
slowly. scrutinizing the passersby with
| that interest in city throngs which the
country bred man never quite loses.
He came to Il corner where another
crowded thoroughfare crossed. He
stopped and leaned against the wall OF
the bank that stood there
The theaters were just letting out,
and around him swirled stream o!
humanity. the sound of many voices
and twice as many feet rising in
peculiar; unmusical roar. John VOL
dered as the endless stream Of hu-
manity swept by him if it We're true.
as Haig had said to him once that
800 men in 1000 in the cities We're
dependent on the thousandth, and that
six men had it in their power to turn
on Il panic" to put on the screws"
What. If the screws were put on.
would these men do-fght or submit:
But it was not that which made the
load of dependency hang heavier
Once, seeing thousand men gathered
in the square at home. lie had thought
Of the power there. 1.-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 III
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 interest?
He walked on, tortured by doubts.
yet clinging. as the shipwreCked mari
ner clinss to his raft. to lis dwindlne
faith in the people.
AS he was passing through the lob
by of his hotel the clerk motioneh 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 Maley
I guess" he laughed. knowing his
guest. "it's some political bum want
{ ing to mako touch"
Butch Maley of New Chelsea. former
'heeler." doubtless! John. curious
found seat in the lobby and waited
: He laughed inwardly. not pleasantly
at the recollections called forth by th'
: name which he had almost forgotten
Butch Maley was the first to be con
J. victed in that crusade Of nearly 81,
gears ago
He had not long to wait Maley wa
: the same bestial creature who hat
stood trembling in the dock and march
ed away mouthing imprecations an,
Il large threats. to the penitentiary. Tha
! he was prosperous. the yellow diamond
I in his necktie loudly proclaimed. FL
rolled toward John. grinning affably.
u "Howdy. Johnny?" He did not OF
u Ger to shake hands. for which job
T was thankful.
'e How are you, Maley?"
"Me?" Maley drew up a chair an
IA deposited his huge bulk in it. "Ol
O., I'm livin' on No. ! Easy street Thcs
u. here is good times fer fellers like me-
"a With an apparently unconscious &c
'n ture he lovingly stroked his paunch.
so | should say. Same old profe
~ sioDy'
= Il got a half intrust in booze join
~ That's my business. AS fer protesf
I'm still a statesman. Only yuh
re have fine time gittin' the goods 9
me now. learnt" he grinncd. "a i
from yuh. Say, I'm wantin' snmp'n.'
III "What can l do for you?"
''f ""Tain't fer me-" He assumed :
'1 air Of extreme caution. "Sposin' th'
"' wuz feller wot never done yuh
-, dirt and at the same time. not bcin'
yer game. yuh got him foul. An th'
s'posin he beat It, not wantin' to ser
time. an then. bein' mp against it in
=, pertickler way, he wanted to sec WI
~. Would yuh see himF
.SlaytOn or SheehanF'
-, "Sheehan."
II guess I'd see him. Where is he
Maley winked solemnly. 81 do
know nuthin' till ] know yuh wo
have him pinched. That's the poin
will yuh have him pinched?"
ya' John thought a moment before
inc plying We'll. guess wouldn't
ea' long as he stays out of my jurisd
eh. ton. couldn't make him more har
'ee' less now by having him arrested"
"Then go in the little room back
'en the bar, an I'll have him with yul,
u no time. He's watin' not fur ava
'". In few minutes Malcy return
leading tho fugitive. There was
embarrassing moment as John rose
" greet the man whom he had brOk
He hesitated. hardly knowing how
address him. Sheehan's hand star
forward in an uncertain gesture. Il
dropped back to his side On ki